American Gothic Passion Play

byline: Anubis C. Soundwave

6. Good has to win over evil.

As the Phantom, Danny flies above Amity Park, consumed with frustration and worry as he searches for Gabe.

Gabe appears, relaxing on a park bench.

Danny notes Gabe and lands. "Hey," he spits. "You're supposedly an emissary of the almighty creator of the universe," Danny continues, "so why not do something more constructive to stop all of this?"

"I tried," says Gabe simply.

"You tried...?" balks Danny, staring at Gabe in disbelief.

"I suppose you think my master should just zap Zack with a freak bolt of lightning," Gabe snorts.

"That would save Dash's life, and-more importantly-Sam's life," says Danny. "I don't give a damn about Zack at this point."

"That," says Gabe. "Not giving a damn. That's why Zack is in this situation: too few people cared about him when he needed them to the most-to steer him in the right direction."

"It's too late to save him now," says Danny. "At this point, if I have to, I'll-*"

"You'll do something constructive yourself," says Gabe. "Use that anger and determination to save the people you care about, because I'm not going to let you kill Zack and destroy your life."

Danny rolls his eyes. "I guess I should try to give Dash a pep talk," he says, "except that won't work. Dash is terrified of that moron."

"Please understand," says Gabe. "No matter the outcome of the game," he continues, "Zack will die. His fate is sealed."

Danny stares at Gabe.

"Dash's life, however, depends on whether he wins or loses this game," Gabe adds.

"Then Dani and I will cover Dash tomorrow," says Danny. "Whenever he's in danger, we'll overshadow him."

"That's cheating," says Gabe.

"What!?" balks Danny. "Gabe, as much as I call your 'god' a magical sky fairy, let's be real; this isn't an episode of The Fairly Oddparents."

Gabe sighs.

"Dash will die if he doesn't survive this fucking game tomorrow," continues Danny, "and Zack is already cheating to get the edge on tomorrow's game. It's okay to cheat to save your life."

"Danny Phantom doesn't have the power to save Dash," says Gabe.

"Then I guess Dash is fucked, isn't he?" snorts Danny.

"What makes you say that?" asks Gabe.

"I'm Danny Phantom," says Danny. "You insisted that I use my strength to save Dash, but I can't use my powers to save Dash."

Gabe shakes his head, chuckling.

"What's so funny?" asks Danny.

"You're not Danny Phantom," says Gabe.

Danny stares at Gabe. "Is this some goofy metaphysical riddle?" he asks.

"You weren't born as a human-ghost hybrid, Danny," says Gabe. "Those powers came to you by chance. Who you are," he continues, "is Danny Fenton: and Danny Phantom is nothing without you."

Danny touches his chin. "So, then," he says after a moment, "I should-as myself-just walk up to Dash and say 'you can beat Zack Mendelsohn and win this game'."

Gabe nods.

"What makes you think that I can get through to him?" scoffs Danny, looking down on Dash's house.

"The real question here," says Gabe, "is this: do you have faith in yourself?" Gabe disappears.

Danny sighs, landing behind Dash's house. "If angels operate under Baxter logic," he mutters as he reverts to normal, "then I guess I have no choice but to try." He squares his shoulders, then steps out from behind the house and heads toward the front steps.

Seated on the steps outside his house, Dash toys with his football, a morose expression on his face.

"Look, God," says Dash sullenly. "I haven't bothered you since the sixth grade. After this, I won't ask you for anything ever again. I won't let any future kids of mine pray to you on my behalf."

Danny, invisible as he approaches Dash, studies the blond jock a moment.

"All I want, for tomorrow, is for Zack Mendelsohn to have a head cold that takes him out of tomorrow night's game. That's it," continues Dash. "The Ravens can do the rest. We can beat the Dire Wolves," he adds, "but not with Mendelsohn scaring the shit out of us with his death metal Undertaker routine and the fact that he hits like an eighteen-wheeler."

Danny shakes his head, stifling his laughter.

"I mean," says Dash, forlorn, "the damned ghosts in this town are less frightening than this dude. Danny Phantom can zap them, or the Fentons. Hell," Dash continues, rolling his eyes, "even Fenton can use a Fenton Thermos to help out."

Danny folds his arms, annoyed.

"But you can't shoot Mendelsohn with anti-ghost lasers," Dash snorts. "The thing is: I've got to win this game. It's not like other games I've played," he continues, "where the only thing at stake is a trophy or a plaque."

Danny blinks, in awe at Dash's comment.

"I'd be okay with losing the game otherwise," says Dash. "You win some, and you lose some. I've spent three damned years learning that-not counting my time in the pee-wee league."

Danny strokes his chin.

"Come on, God; just fudge me this one!" spits Dash. "I've stopped taking out my field losses on geeks like Fenton-I barely even bother him anymore."

This is true, muses Danny.

"Unless you intervene, God," says Dash, "the Ravens will lose this game. And too much is at stake for anything less than you giving Mendelsohn a head cold so he has to sit this one out. You want to know why?" he asks.

Danny sighs. I tried to get his spokes-angel to tell him to fry Zack with a thunderbolt, he says to himself.

"Because of Sammy," says Dash. "If Mendelsohn wins, he'll have her."

Ah, grins Danny. Raw, unfiltered Baxter logic, straight from the source.

"The bitch is cynical and shit because she doesn't think there's any justice in the world," continues Dash, "and why should she? Do you have any idea of the hell she's been through this past year because of her dumbass of a cousin? Who's horny as fuck for her, mind you: and that's the least of the problems with Mendelsohn. I can at least understand that," he adds, "because she's pretty; Mendelsohn needs to stand in a long line of dudes with raging hard-ons for our favorite goth: starting with Fenton and that third leg of his he inherited from his dad."

Danny briefly glances inside his pants, smirking.

"But the rest of it's just wrong. Mendelsohn plotted to drug and force himself on Sammy, and likely would have passed her around to the other Dire Wolves up for sloppy seconds," spits Dash. "With that mercifully thwarted, my dear mom-the Champion of Feminist Rage-decides to have Mendelsohn prosecuted for the date rape he never had the chance to commit," he continues, "then the Phantom shows up with proof that Mendelsohn fucked some other girl's life the same way; and he was rightfully sent to the slammer-but not nearly long enough."

Dash shakes his head, frustrated as he continues his prayer-rant. "It's bad enough that Sammy's private home life as a rich heiress was outed during the trial," he says, "and from what she's told me, she only wanted to have people who liked her for herself to know that shit: something I can respect. While Mendelsohn was behind bars," he continues, his face turning red, "his stupid classmates started posting bullshit on her Facebook page. Foley called it 'cyber-bullying' when I pointed out in my expert capacity that Sammy was clearly being bullied. I take offense to that: that's not bullying! That's stupid shit that girls write on restroom walls. Speaking as a somewhat-reformed bully, of course, God. Still working on it."

Danny smiles. He's grown, he says to himself. Dash is still an asshat, Danny continues, but he has improved.

"My point is, God," says Dash, "Mendelsohn won't be satisfied until he wins Sam Manson. She's his trophy: the ultimate prize. Not to mention that Mendelsohn and other jackasses like him will be vindicated: the triumphant, redeemed champion athlete will be a hero to Elmerton," he adds. "Everybody will forget all the shit he put Sammy and Gwen-a girl from his own school-through."

You can add Tomeka Barclay to that list, says Danny grimly to himself.

"One good head cold, God. Is that too much to ask?" says Dash.

"I'm not God," says Danny as he appears, "but that's actually too little to ask."

Dash notes Danny. "How long, Fenton, were you standing there: watching me deliver that embarrassing prayer?" he asks.

"For a while," grins Danny. "You're talking to a deity-worshipped in three different religions-capable of wiping out cities."

"I figured praying for Mendelsohn to be zapped with lightning was too cliche," says Dash, "plus it's wrong to hope for someone to die-especially as, believe it or not: I don't want Zack Mendelsohn to die."

"Of course not," says Danny. "You have enough self-awareness to know that you could have just as easily been where he is right now."

"But for the grace of God," says Dash wryly. "Being popular, and having adults bend over backwards to obey your whims will get to your head after a while."

"Under the circumstances, Dash," says Danny, "do you really think that Zack will let a fucking head cold stop him from playing tomorrow?"

"I don't know," says Dash sullenly. "I'm not Mendelsohn's immune system."

"The answer is 'no', Dash," says Danny. "Do you know how I know that?"

Dash studies Danny.

"Because you played a game freshman year when you had the flu-the same flu that took you out for two weeks: along with the rest of the A-List for a week," says Danny. "Valerie was the only one to come to school, because she had the sense to avoid you."

"I had the flu, not AIDS," snorts Dash. "Gray was always a drama queen. Anyway, I wasn't going to let an industrial-grade case of the sniffles stop me from playing against Amity Prep," he continues. "We won that game, too."

"And if that's the case," asks Danny, "what makes you think Zack will let a divine head cold stop him from terrorizing you and winning the regional championship?"

"I've had other ideas," says Dash ruefully, "but they're all cheating. Hell, Kwan suggested lighting the Phantom Signal so we could ask the Phantom to overshadow us if it gets too hairy, but I ruled that out: the Phantom's not going to waste his valuable time to help a bunch of jocks win a football game."

Yet Asmodeus and Moloch-two fallen angels known as Goetic demons or deities in Europe-will gladly devote their considerable power to help Zack cheat to win this damned game, notes Danny, shaking his head as he chuckles ruefully.

"Besides," continues Dash, "Mendelsohn's the only problem. The Phantom is overkill."

Danny folds his arms. "Dash," he says, "you can beat this guy. If you don't want to deal with him, though," Danny continues, "then give me your playbook and tell me which plays to run: and I'll beat him."

Dash frowns at Danny. "Fenton, you're not on the team. The closest thing we have to having you on the Ravens is Grieseman," he says, "and he already has the playbook."

"Hey," shrugs Danny, "I figured that with my years of experience running from large, muscular athletes who want to maul me, that I'd be a natural at escaping Mendelsohn. It worked for Elgin."

"Elgin was trying to protect his coiffure," scoffs Dash. "Quit fucking around."

"I'm not fucking around," says Danny. "I'm sure you can beat Zack...because you already did."

Dash blinks.

"Twice," continues Danny.

Dash furrows his brow. "I remember a crappy three-oh win against Elmerton when Petersen decided to haunt the school and harass me," he says, scowling. "Vinatiori scored a field goal as usual, and I was exhausted. Petersen was being an asshole, and I asked him to make himself useful and use his ghost powers to take the load off."

Danny touches his chin.

"Petersen refused, because 'that would be cheating, old bean'. Know what he did instead? He asked Coach Tetslaff to pull me out and put Grady in for relief."

"Tim Grady," says Danny gravely. "He was a senior."

"When I made varsity, I was picked to start, and Grady was relief; Grieseman's job back then was to warm our bench with his ass. I remember expecting Grady to be pissed about being second-string, but he said that I earned it."

Danny rolls his eyes.

"Oh," grins Dash, "so you noticed that Grady and the other seniors in varsity were happily slurping iced mocha lattes on the bench and watching us sweat."

"Especially during football practice," says Danny.

"That ended up biting him in the ass," scowls Dash. "Grady wasn't prepared to take a hit from Mendelsohn, and..."

"...Grady died," says Danny, remembering Grady's bewildered ghost.

"We 'won'," says Dash, "based on a technical foul: because Mendelsohn hit Grady too hard."

"I was at that game," says Danny ruefully, "in my thankless role as the Dirty Bird. Zack didn't just tackle Grady; he body-slammed him to the ground, and then half of Elmerton's defensive line piled onto him after the play ended."

"Yeah," says Dash, "between the unnecessary roughness and the multiple late hits, Elmerton either had to forfeit the game to us or have their team suspended for the rest of the season due to sanction."

"Dash," says Danny, "you helped to save an entire town from a psychotic plantation owner with the same powers as the Phantom. You can take Zack Mendelsohn."

Dash stares at Danny.

"At the end of the day," continues Danny, "Zack Mendelsohn's only human."

"So what?" asks Dash.

"You, Dash, have been able to get away with murder at school over the years because you can read people emotionally," says Danny. "And you've already broken down," he continues, "the reason why no head cold is going to stop Zack from playing in tomorrow's game: the very reason why you have to beat him and his shitty team tomorrow."

"But..." wonders Dash.

"This meathead has you so scared," scoffs Danny, "that you've completely forgotten about your freshman year shutout win against Elmerton. Ten-oh! Haven't you?"

"I did win that game..." says Dash. "But I wasn't thinking about Mendelsohn," he continues. "I was too pissed off at Grady to give a shit about Mendelsohn. JV got fucked in the ass without any Vaseline."

This guy and his metaphors... says Danny silently, shaking his head.

"JV had to play the whole damned game against the Dire Wolves that day," says Dash, "and the bulk of my plays after halftime were handoffs to Kwan: because he was pissed, stiff-arming Elmerton's defense. He was like the Nigerian Nightmare out there."

Danny grins, remembering the highlight video of Kwan's touchdown run: set to music and sound effects from Tecmo Super Bowl.

"Also," Dash adds, "Elmerton's offense was shit that year, plus we had Urlacher-who was already pissed off to begin with because he wanted to be the Ravens quarterback, and was determined after the halftime reaming JV got to take all of his rage out on the Dire Wolves. 'They will not gain any yards,'" Dash intones, mimicking Urlacher. "'They will not make any more first downs.'"

Danny smiles, studying Dash as the blond continues recalling the game.

"It was amazing: every time Elmerton's offense had possession," continues Dash, "Urlacher and the rest of the defense shut them down so hard, the announcers kept calling him 'Brian Urlacher'-which pissed our middle linebacker, 'Ryan Urlacher' off even more. They're not even related."

"So, Dash," asks Danny after a moment of silence. "Aside from Urlacher moving to Chicago when he didn't make varsity, what has materially changed?"

"Dickerson's a good quarterback," says Dash, "and Elmerton's offense has improved dramatically."

"Even without Urlacher," counters Danny, "the Ravens have improved, too."

"Mendelsohn's a force to be reckoned with on the field," says Dash. "Even Mr. Perfect couldn't beat him."

"That's because Randy Petersen never dealt with guys being assholes on the field in his day," says Danny. "Come on, Dash: you're in Zack's headspace!"

Dash gives Danny an expectant look.

"If you were to sit out the game, it wouldn't be the end of your world," Danny continues. "Zack, on the other hand, has to play and win this game-and beat you-to sate his ego."

"That's true, I guess..." muses Dash.

"Dash," says Danny, "think about the narrative. The New Orleans Saints in their playoff run after Hurricane Katrina, only to have Brian Urlacher mow down their dreams: because the Chicago Bears were marching to their first Super Bowl since the 1980s. The New England Patriots and their perfect season-but no Super Bowl win cherry on that sundae: because..."

"...Eli Manning and the New York Football Giants fucked up Tom Brady's shit," finishes Dash with a crude grin."

"The narrative for Zack, then," says Danny. "It's Zack Mendelsohn's senior year in Elmerton High. A troubled young man, possessing incredible talent, leads the Dire Wolves to the regional championship as part of his journey on the long road to redemption: to regain the trust of his friends and family which he had lost through a moral lapse."

Dash raises an eyebrow.

"Look: you and I know this is bullshit; we're talking NFL Films voiceover crap," says Danny.

Dash nods.

"Keep this in mind; if you and the Ravens beat Zack and the Dire Wolves tomorrow night," says Danny, "Zack Mendelsohn will be destroyed as an athlete."

Dash winces.

"And, to be blunt, that is the fate which he has earned," continues Danny, relentless. "Zack has no one he can blame but himself."

"But," says Dash, "football-and being adulated for his skill at it-is all he really has. Outside of his grandfather," he continues, "Mendelsohn has nobody who'll stand up for him-except for his dumbass teammates and groupies: and they'll drop him the moment he becomes a footnote."

"In short: without football, Zack is a loser," says Danny flatly.

"That's harsh," pouts Dash.

"Dash, Zack is basically a bully: someone who defeats and humiliates himself because he lets his fears and insecurities drive his actions," grins Danny wryly.

"I just knew you were going to make a subtle dig at me at some point," says Dash.

"Of course!" snorts Danny. "We both know that you and Zack share the same retarded headspace."

"Fenton," smirks Dash, "bullies usually pick on someone."

"True," says Danny. "For the past three years, Zack has been you on the football field...and you have been me."

"Whoa," says Dash, staring at Danny. "That's horrible-and it ends tomorrow," he adds, slamming his fist into his palm.

"That's the spirit," says Danny.

"And next Monday, Fenton," Dash continues, "just get ready for a Golden Swirlie."

Danny scowls at Dash.

"All those backhanded insults, dude?" scoffs Dash. "You've earned it. Prepare."

Danny turns his back on Dash, grinning. "I guess you'll have to win tomorrow's game to be able to show your face at school Monday," he says.

"You'll be seeing me, Fenton," says Dash. "Not even Mendelsohn can save your ass from me."

Danny turns around to face Dash, giving the blond a thumbs-up. "Then may the best bully win," he says. Danny walks away.

"Sam...?" says Zack, still holding Sam's hand.

"That question... It came out of nowhere," says Sam curtly.

Zack smiles, his eyes hard. "Then I'll ask one more time," he says, "because it's a very simple, closed-ended question."

"I know what the fuck you asked me, Zack," spits Sam.

"Then repeat my question back to me," says Zack.

"I'm thinking of the best way to answer you," scowls Sam.

"Fine: I'll repeat myself," says Zack, annoyed. "'If we beat the Ravens and win the regional championship, will you be my girl'?"

Sam rubs her arms, shuddering. "Can I think about it?" she asks.

"I want your answer now, Sam," says Zack.

Sam's eyes widen; she touches her cheek and clutches her chest. "I..." she begins, staring at Zack.

Zack gazes at Sam expectantly.

"I'll...give you my answer," says Sam after a moment, her face stony, "if you win the game." Without another word, Sam leaves for her room.

Ephraim approaches Zack. "What did you say to distress Samantha, Zachary?" he asks.

"I asked her an honest question," says Zack, smiling, "and she couldn't even answer me."

"Perhaps she felt that your question was impertinent," says Ephraim, cold, "and was unworthy of an answer." He walks away.

Zack chuckles. "At least she didn't say 'no'," he says to himself quietly, studying his hand. "Then again, how can she possibly refuse me?" Grinning, Zack leaves the room.

"Let me get this straight," says Danny, inside the Specter Speeder with Sam in the Ghost Zone. "Zack asked you to be his girlfriend if he wins the damn regional championship game against the Ravens, right?"

Sam nods, shivering.

"Did you say 'yes'?" asks Danny.

"Hell, no!" spits Sam. "Why in the fuck would I!? If I want to risk Tay-Sachs and the Hapsburg chin for any future child of an incestuous tryst, I can damned sure do better than Zachary Mendelsohn."

Danny's eyes widen.

"Hell, his grandfather's a widower and single-and I'm sure he can still get it up," continues Sam. "My dad would approve, too!"

"No, he wouldn't!" balks Danny.

"I'll call Dad right now," grins Sam, laughing as she pulls out her cell phone.

"No, don't!" fumes Danny, snatching Sam's phone. "Given the shit you've gone through, you're probably right," he adds, laughing ruefully.

The Speeder lands near Dora's castle; Danny and Sam step out.

Dora emerges from the castle with Desiree and Aragon.

Desiree studies Sam a moment, then approaches Danny and Sam. "What do you wish of me?" she asks.

Sam scowls at Desiree.

"Fear not," says Desiree. "The whistle-bearer may partake of my power freely," she continues, "with no strings attached."

"Damn, that is a lot of power," says Sam, studying Danny. "I'm glad that I don't have it."

"I wouldn't blame you if you asked Desiree to get rid of Zack," says Danny, "even if I didn't have the whistle and your wish gave Desiree ultimate power."

"Zack's only gotten worse," says Dora, frowning.

"The lout has bound you to himself with Asmodeus' power," says Aragon.

"You did this yourself, didn't you?" asks Sam dourly.

"Considering that you are before me instead of in his bedchamber," counters Aragon, "this Zack is an utter simpleton. Then again," he continues, "Asmodeus is...a rather unreliable ally at best."

"To be fair," says Danny, "there was no way he'd have been able to make his real requests to Sam without raising red flags."

"My point, knave," spits Aragon, "is that the fool placed a condition on his request that gave the damosel an avenue to resist him, though not able to fully refuse him."

Danny laughs. "Zack's a true bonehead!" he snorts. "Once again, he's fixated on winning that damned game."

Sam trembles, her eyes filled with pain and anger. "In a way, it's worse," she spits. "I-I couldn't say 'no'. Zack knows I can't refuse him, and my freedom depends on the athletic talents of fucking Casper High's football team."

"Perhaps I can strengthen the Ravens with my powers," says Desiree. "Elmerton High's cheating, so let's make it fair again."

"There are other supernatural forces at play who insist that Casper High has to follow the rules," counters Danny.

"Angels?" asks Desiree.

Danny nods.

Desiree rolls her eyes.

"Why not summon Casper High players of the past to possess the ones of the present?" suggests Dora.

Danny shakes his head. "Most of them are probably Randy's old teammates and coaches," he scoffs. "They'd never agree to help their team cheat."

"And even if Danny could convince them and Randy otherwise," adds Desiree, "the angelic host would interfere."

"We're deep into David and Goliath territory without a slingshot," says Danny.

Sam pinches the bridge of her nose.

"Look, I know Zack's just as Jewish as you are," says Danny, "but I'm obviously pointing out how mismatched the fight is."

"They're just playing a football game, Danny," says Sam tiredly. "Let's go home. I've got to get ready for tonight." She reenters the Speeder.

Danny, trembling, shoots into the sky after changing into the Phantom, then alights atop the tallest tower of Dora's castle; Dora, Aragon, and Desiree join him.

Gabe appears, wearing a strange white uniform.

"I need witnesses for what I'm..." begins Danny, trailing off as he notes Gabe's uniform. "Gabe: what the hell are you wearing?"

"It's an outfit from a future character design of Tite Kubo's," grins Gabe. "The man's a hack, but Bleach will finally end well with a bit of inspiration."

"I take it that Quincies are basically angelic Nazis," snorts Danny.

"Look, Kubo's a Japanese comic book writer. Morbid fascination with all things German is normal," says Gabe. "Now," he continues, calm, "get it all out of your system."

"Thanks, because I don't intend to hold back," says Danny. "Right now, Zack Mendelsohn: the jackass whose life you value for some self-righteous reason, is only alive because of his own stupidity."

"Okay," says Gabe.

"If the Dire Wolves win tonight's game, and Zack succeeds in trapping Sam in his Frank Frazetta wet dream," continues Danny, "then I will murder Zack and every other jock on Elmerton's football team, along with its cheerleading squad and Coach Doug Eisinger. After that," he adds, his eyes glowing bright as he brandishes his sports whistle, "I will use this whistle to summon every ghost here in the Zone to rip their damned souls to shreds."

Gabe chuckles. "No, you won't," he says.

"You don't want to fuck with me!" counters Danny. He points towards Clockwork's Tower in the distance. "Right over there, locked inside a Fenton Thermos, is a taste of how evil I can be if the people I love are threatened."

"I know," says Gabe, unfazed. "That's also how I know you won't carry out your threat."

Danny stares at Gabe.

"The whole reason that Dan Phantom exists," continues Gabe, "is because at that one point in time, you chose the easy way instead of the right way. The reason he's in that Thermos," he adds, "is because you were granted the opportunity to rectify that mistake, and honor the faith that your loved ones have in you: by developing your faith in yourself."

"Faith...in myself?" wonders Danny.

"You were willing to cheat on that stupid standardized test," says Gabe, "because you doubted your ability to learn the material on your own. You don't want to make that mistake again: not if you love Sam, Tucker, or your family."

"This isn't a dumb test," spits Danny, "and that game tonight isn't just a football game. It's a fight for Sam's freedom-and Dash's life!"

"Then have faith in them, as they have faith in you," says Gabe. "And consider your father's faith in you. You won't betray him, and destroy sixteen years of trust and understanding, in anger," he continues sternly. "Turn that anger into strength, and increase your faith."

"In who, or what? The Ravens?" balks Danny.

"I'm working within your own ideology, Danny," says Gabe. "You shouldn't believe in something without evidence, so I'm presenting evidence that you've already seen and know to be true."

"The Ravens won one game with Zack in it," scoffs Danny, "and that was less about winning the game and more about them venting their rage at their own asshole of a teammate-who is dead because of Zack, by the way. And," Danny continues, "that poor guy is only dead because he was Dash's relief."

"Don't you think that Dash understands the stakes?" asks Gabe quietly. "Don't you think the other Ravens realize what's on the line?"

"All I can think about is what will happen if the Ravens lose!" spits Danny.

"And all I can think about," says Gabe gravely, "is what will happen if you lose."

"What do you think will happen to me?" asks Danny derisively.

"Your soul will be annihilated," says Gabe. "Do you want to put your father in that position again?"

Danny's eyes widen in realization as Gabe's hint registers in Danny's mind.

"If the Ravens were able to turn their anger into strength to defeat Zack Mendelsohn," says Gabe, "then surely you-the superhero they look up to-can do the same." Gabe vanishes.

Dora blinks. "That...was hard to follow," she says.

"I still say that you should allow me to even the odds," says Desiree. "Or, if non-lethal methods are needed, I could simply afflict the Dire Wolves with a bout of soul-draining influenza."

"Dash was asking Gabe's boss to do that to Zack," grins Danny ruefully, "but I talked him out of it. Not only will it not work," he continues, "but even if it did, Zack won't suffer enough."

"Leprosy!" cackles Desiree.

Dora nods. "You've got to go 'old-school' with that one," she says.

"I actually would rather assist you in carrying out your threat," says Aragon.

Danny shakes his head. "My dad's too good a shot with a pistol," he says.

Later that night, Danny and Sam are alone outside Casper High, next to the parked FFAV.

"Talk to me, Sam," says Danny quietly, gazing at Sam.

Sam trembles. "I wonder sometimes..." she says slowly, "if I should have simply given Zack what he'd wanted."

Danny's eyes widen, but he stops himself from responding.

"I mean: he was about fourteen, almost fifteen," continues Sam, smiling. "He just wanted one little fuck with a virgin, and I was his pick because-with it being my bat mitzvah-I was guaranteed."

"Okay, I'm going to have to say it: no," says Danny, grim. "You held that in for so long. None of this is your fault," he continues.

"I know that in my head, and in my heart," says Sam. "But I'm tired. I'm tired of fighting him..." Sam embraces Danny and cries.

Danny rubs Sam's shoulder gently. "Zack is a guy just smart enough to know he's stupid, but not smart enough to realize just how stupid he is," he says to Sam as he releases her.

Sam blinks at Danny, wiping away stray tears.

"We're going to win," continues Danny. "Zack Mendelsohn will be beaten."

"How do you know?" snorts Sam.

"Faith," says Danny.

"In the Almighty smiting Zack with a lightning bolt?" scoffs Sam.

"Nope. Something stronger," says Danny. "Something that I've seen for myself, and that I know to be true."

Sam touches her chin.

"I believe...in the human spirit," continues Danny, "in justice, and in righteousness. Good has to win over evil."

"You do realize that Dash is basically our point guy on the side of 'good', right?" says Sam wryly.

"I said 'good', not 'perfect', woman!" grins Danny. "Besides, he's beaten the odds before."

"Dash was just dealing with another member of the Baxter family before, who was attempting to execute a poorly-conceived plan," says Sam, rolling her eyes.

"We've seen for ourselves that the RNG fudges rolls for 'Dashiell the Dunce'," counters Danny.

"I want to believe you, but you've also told me that Zack's basically hired two powerful demons to help his team cheat," says Sam, rubbing her arms.

"They're half-assing it. I refuse to believe that servants of a fallen angel who opposed his god would stoop to this in earnest," says Danny. "This is their version of 'loser chic'."

"What are you going to do?" asks Sam.

"What you're doing," says Danny gravely. "We both will give our support and lend our strength and hopes to the Ravens. Our pack of meatheads will win this game, and the Dire Wolves will be finished."

"And as a bonus, Grady will finally quit lurking in the girls' locker room," says Sam.

"The one place Walker won't go," says Danny.

Danny and Sam laugh as they head outside to the bleachers.

NEXT: Nightmares end on a field of dreams.