When the trio arrived at FentonWorks, Maddie was in the kitchen preparing supper. Jack and Jazz were sitting in the living room watching TV.
"Hey kids, anything interesting happen today?" Maddie asked.
"As a matter of fact, something interesting did happen today" Danny said.
"You sound a lot more cheerful than usual" Jazz noted.
"Yeah, I guess you've finally gotten over-" Jack said before Jazz elbowed him in the ribs.
"You won't believe what happened to us today" Tucker said before being interrupted by the news.
"Tonight on the 6 o clock News: A terrifying fast food hostage situation defused thanks to the bravery of 3 young teenagers"
The TV flashed an image of the three teenagers, prompting a surprised reaction from the Fentons.
"Maddie, come check out it out; Danny and his friends are on TV" Jack yelled.
"Wow, news travels pretty fast in this city" Jessica said.
"You don't know the half of it" Danny told her.
"Less than two hours ago, a man ran into local fast food restaurant The Golden Burger, after robbing a bank and held the customers and staff at gunpoint. The man informed the terrified patrons that they would be used as hostages to get the police to leave him alone. After shooting a fleeing costumer, the gunman grabbed 16 year old Danny Fenton and demanded that he get him some alchohol, pistol whipping him as well."
"Some slimy, no good punk put their hands on my baby!" Maddie snarled.
"When Fenton returned with some vodka, the man demanded he light his cigar. Using quick thinking, Fenton threw the vodka on the criminal and threatened to light him on fire. After a tense standoff, Fenton punched the man in the face causing him to drop his gun. Danny's friend Tucker Foley grabbed the gun while his other friend Jessica Storm, tended to the injured bystander, keeping him from bleeding out to death before paramedics arrived. Fenton kept the gunman at bay until police arrived."
"Danny!" Maddie screamed, running over and wrapping her arms around him. "Are you OK, that scumbag didn't hurt you, did he?"
"I'm fine mom, in fact I think the crook ended up more traumatized by the events than I am" Danny said.
"We couldn't be more proud of you kids" Jack said. "You're true heroes"
"We just did what anyone would do in that situation" Tucker said.
"But it takes true bravery to do what you three did" Jazz said.
At town hall, Vlad Masters was watching that very broadcast. He nearly choked on his tea when he heard the news. Despite breaking Daniel's spirit, he continued to act like a hero, even without his powers. He loosened up a little when he heard about the methods Danny used to subdue the criminal. Vlad grabbed his cat and began stroking it.
"Oh, Maddie; I just don't understand" Vlad lamented. "I kill the love of life and crush his spirit, yet he still insists on being the hero."
"Plasmius, I have a bone to pick with you!"
Vlad turned around and was greeted with the site of Skulker's ravaged armor.
"What happened to you?" Plasmius asked.
"Nevermind that for now. Where do you get off killing the Ghost Boy's girlfriend?" Skulker asked.
"Why is it any of your concern?" Vlad asked.
"First of all, the ghost boy and his friends are my game and my game only. I am the only one allowed to kill him or his friends" Skulker said. "Not to mention because of you, the boy's refusing to hold anything back"
"What do you mean he's not holding anything back?" Questioned Plasmius.
"Look at what he did to my armor" Skulker said, holding up his severed arm.
"My, my, that is quite extensive damage, you're telling my Daniel did that" Vlad asked.
"Are you even listening? Danny Phantom's gone crazy! And this is all your fault!" Skulker yelled.
"Interesting. Skulker, I'll have your armor repaired in a few days. Until then, make yourself scarce."
Skulker, not wishing to argue any longer, obeyed and disappeared. After he left, Maddie meowed again.
"What's that?" Vlad chimed before returning his attention to the TV and noticing Danny's new friend. "It appears that our little badger has made a new friend to make up for Samantha's death. Maybe I'll have to show him the error of his ways a second time"
The following day.
Ever since he pummeled Dash, Danny didn't have to worry about bullies bothering him. His eyes stayed focused on the clock above the chalkboard as he counted down the seconds till class ended. He had finished his test half an hour ago and was fighting boredom. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the bell rang, signalling the end of the day. Danny met up with his friends outside of school and began discussing their plans.
"So, what are you guys up for today?" Danny asked.
"Sorry, I can't join you guys today," Tucker said. "My cousin has a violin recital today and my parents are making me go"
"Oh, have fun" Jessica said.
"Yeah, because 4 hours of kids terribly playing the violin making you want to cut off your ears is so much fun for the whole family" Tucker retorted.
"Well I guess we'll just have fun without you" Danny said.
"What are we going to do?" Jessica asked.
"I thought we'd take a break from all the zaniness and just take a walk through the park" Danny said. "Besides, no one will be there to bother us"
"That sounds great" Jessica said.
"Well I've got to go change into my tuxedo, I'll see you two later" Tucker said, walking away before stopping to make a snarky comment. "Don't you two get to intimate without me"
"Shut up, Tucker!" The two said while Tucker snickered.
The day was perfect for a walk in the park. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping. Danny passed the time by telling Jessica about some of his adventures
"So this town has had to deal with constant attacks from ghosts, an evil gothic ringleader, and a group of incompetent Men in Black knockoffs? How did you manage to not lose your sanity?" Jessica asked.
"I always remembered what I was fighting for" Danny said.
Plasmius was spying on them from overhead and decided it was time to drop in.
"Made some new friends, I see" Plasmius said, causing Danny to immediately jump in front of Jessica as he confronted his arch enemy.
"Uh, Danny; who's that?" Jessica asked.
"Yes, aren't you going to introduce me to your new friend?" Plasmius asked, mocking Danny.
"That's Vlad Masters aka Vlad Plasmius, my arch enemy and a half ghost just like me" Danny told Jessica. "He's got an obsession with my mom, has tried to kill my dad repeatedly, cloned me; not to mention he's the person responsible for Sam's death"
"Wait, wait, wait; Vlad Masters? As in the mayor of this town?" Jessica asked. "And you're telling me that he's the person who murdered Sam?"
"It isn't nice to tell lies, Danny" Vlad replied. "Afterall you have no way of proving I killed your precious Samantha without revealing your secret identity"
"You've got a lot of guts showing up" Danny threatened, transforming into Phantom as he prepared to pummel the fruit loop.
"Oh please, in your current state of grief, you're no threat to me whatsoever" Vlad said.
"We'll see about that" Danny replied, launching himself at Plasmius.
The billionaire simply moved out if the way, allowing Danny to hit a lamp pole headfirst. Danny turned around and tried punching his rival right in mouth and wipe the smug smirk off his face. Plasmius grabbed his arm and flipped him onto his back. Danny hurled an ectoball, this one black as well, which Plasmius deflected. Danny fought to not fall into the rabid rage that had consumed him during his fight with Skulker the previous day simultaneously trying to give Plasmius everything he had. Vlad managed to defend himself, mainly by avoiding Danny completely.
Finally he grabbed Danny and tossed him into the trees. Then the billionaire turned his attention to Jessica.
"So you're Daniel's new friend?" Vlad snarled, grabbing her by her wrist. "Don't you know it's dangerous hanging out with Amity Park's premier superhero?"
Rather than being scared, Jessica punched Plasmius as hard as she could in the face. She had been wanting do that ever since the fruit loop cut her former life short. Vlad actually lost his grasp on her and fell to the ground. He was surprised at the power behind that punch, quickly discovering he had a busted lip. The surprise quickly turned into anger after he realized he had just been floored by a ordinary teenage girl. He quickly got back to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth.
"I admire your courage" Vlad snarled, floating towards her with an evil glint in his eye. "But that was a very foolish decision"
Before he could attack her however, Danny intercepted Plasmius, tackling him to the ground. Danny raised his fist to punch him, but Plasmius blinded him with a huge ball of ecto energy. Danny was fully prepared to wipe Plasmius off the face of the Earth, but his rival had other ideas.
"It's been fun and all, but I think it's time I get going" Vlad snickered before leaving.
He may have been able to hold off Danny for the moment, but it became clear that the boy was about to lapse into madness. And while he wanted to twist the knife a little further, he didn't want to do it at the cost of his life. Mostly though, Vlad just wanted to toy with him. The fruit loop decided to wait until he got his hands on the Crown of Fire and the Ring of Rage to deal with Danny and put an end to him once and for all.
"That's quite an archrival you have" Jessica said.
"Now do you see why I'm a little paranoid?" Danny replied. "Are you alright?"
"Other than sore knuckles from socking Vlad in the face, I'm fine" Jessica said.
"That was kinda funny how you knocked Plasmius on his butt" Danny laughed.
"Hey, fruit loop had it coming" Jessica replied.
"You'll get no argument from me; I can't wait till I get another chance to get my hands on him" Danny said.
"Come on, let's get out of here before any other freaks can bother us" Jessica said.
"I'm right behind you" said Danny as the two left.
Danny's first confrontation of his arch enemy since Sam's murder. Probably didn't go the way Vlad expected, seeing as how he was humiliated by a mere teenage girl.
Disclaimer: Alright, is this really necessary? I think it's pretty clear I don't own Danny Phantom. But just in case that isn't clear; ahem, I do not own Danny Phantom!
Real quickly, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and followed/faved this story. You give me more motivation and reason to continue writing. Thank you all.
PS, Happy 4th of July