Disclaimer: I still don't own Danny Phantom as it's the property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Viacom International. I am just a loyal fan and nothing more.

Dani Fenton: School Daze

Chapter 14: Stranger Danger

In the alley, Dani looked up to the man whom she had rescued and who was sending her a grin on his very pale face.

"Are you alright sir...Those little pests didn't hurt you did they?...'Dani asked in concern and noticed that his left arm was bleeding a bit.

"What? Oh this...Don't worry child, it's just a scratch...though, if it wasn't for you it probably would have been much worse...'Fred commented as he looked at his injury..."Thank you again for saving my life Ms. Dani Phantom...'Fred said in a magnanimous tone to the little girl.

"Oh, it was no trouble really sir...'Dani said with a big smile, feeling positively elated from this experience.

She had managed to use her powers to kick ghost butt and save someone and she was feeling on top of the world, nothing could make this moment horrible!

"Well I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less from the sister of Danny Phantom, I bet that this was literally child's play since you probably fight much worse ghosts on a regular basis with him...'Fred said and noticed that the smiling face on the girl had dropped a bit.

'I wish..."Dani thought as she began to feel melancholy at the irony of his words and how Danny had been acting so protective since she arrived.

"Oh dear heavens...I didn't say anything to upset you did I?...'Fred asked in concern to the little ghost girl.

"Oh, no...It's nothing...'Dani said quickly but Fred clearly didn't believe her.

"Now child, do not lie to Fred...You had just saved my life and for that, I am quite grateful...So tell me what's on your mind...'Fred said as he sat down and gestured to the spot next to him, inviting Dani to have a heart to heart with him.

Dani knew that it probably would be a good idea to talk to someone about her problems. True, she was aware that it probably wouldn't be wise to tell her personal issues to some man she had literally just met, especially in an alley but she had a feeling that she could trust Fred. Fred was obviously poor and he had been through an unpleasant experience and Dani sympathized with him because it reminded her of her own misfortunes when she had been living on the streets.

It had been hard living on her own, doing everything in order to survive until the next day especially with her condition that had been getting worse the more she used her powers until her brother had saved her. It was hell but there had been a few moments that weren't so bad. She recalled one time when she had been hiding out in Central Park in New York, she remembered that she managed to get her hands on a hot dog she swiped from a nearby cart but she didn't get a chance to eat it when some jerk had bumped into her, causing her to drop it and he didn't even bother to apologize. Dani had been sad until some kid, a little boy named Teddy who looked to have been around 7 or 8 and had eyes that reminded her of Danny's. He had seen it and he gave her an unopened bag of animal crackers and gave her a smile, he said that he didn't mind sharing. Dani recalled that she nearly shed happy tears and wanted to give him a big hug for that. They had sat together on a bench where Dani ate the crackers and talked for a while until he had to go home.

That was probably the first real interaction Dani had with a child before she joined Amity Elementary and it had been a pleasant one to say the least. Teddy would likely never know just how much his little gesture of kindness still meant to her. It reminded her that not everyone in the world was selfish and cruel and even during hard times, there were still people who wanted to help you. It was obvious that Fred had nothing and had clearly seen better days. Dani also realizes that she didn't mind giving him just a moment of her time as well. Sighing to herself, she found herself seating next to the man before giving her tale.

"It's like this Mr. Fred-..."Dani began telling her story to the man.

She told him about her powers and her desire to use them, she also told him about how her brother had forbade her from fighting ghosts out of fear for her safety, even after seeing her skills in fighting, he still wouldn't budge. She didn't tell him anything about her being a clone, she wasn't naïve enough to give away such a big secret that she wasn't even sure she could trust her friends with yet, much less the perfect stranger. During the entire conversation, the man named Fred gave her a sympathetic look and he seemed like he felt sorry for her.

"And that's the story...'Dani said with a sigh, feeling all the bitter feelings she had bottled up were out but they weren't gone yet.

"I still can't believe that Danny Phantom would do such a thing...Imagine, overlooking your potential in such a way, doesn't he had even the slightest bit of respect for you ..."He said in a scandalized tone of voice.

"O-Of course he does, my big brother...He means well...He's just being overprotective..."Dani said hesitantly before giving into a frown as she recalled the fights they have been having lately and despite talking about it that one time, things haven't changed between them at all, making her unhappy.

"I know he loves me...it's...he just doesn't understand...My new mother is just like him, she's always acting like I'm made of glass or something...I know that she loves me too but...but I'm not the little china doll she sees me as...'Dani said with a sigh, wishing her brother and mother would give her a chance to prove her worth and to give her powers a sense of purpose as well.

'My adoptive father and sister mostly stay out of it, I don't argue much with them and they are nice to me but...I don't think they understand the situation I'm in either..."She said sadly to the man who put a hand on her shoulder in a consoling way.

"Oh you poor dear child, you're family doesn't understand the kind of girl you are at all but you aren't alone, believe me I know where you're coming from...'Fred said as he looked lost in thought.

"What do you mean?...'Dani asked in concern to the homeless man who let out a sigh, like he was remembering something that he didn't want to remember.

"Let's just say my family and I never always saw eye to eye either, I often felt that they liked...other people more than they liked me and I think deep down I did as well...'Fred said sadly, making the little ghost girl feel sorry for him.

"I'm sorry about that Fred...but if it makes you feel better, I like you..."Dani said kindly to the man whom she felt a strange kinship with.

"Aren't you sweet?...'He said with a smile..."Between you and me, I think deep down your brother knows that you are just as good at fighting as he is...why I think you might be even better...given a little training and experience of course ..."Fred said in a cheerful way.

"You really think so?..."Dani said in a hopeful voice.

"But of course, I mean take it from an old vagrant like myself, in this world you need all the strength and skill you got in order to survive because not everyone has the patience to be kind..."Fred said in a somber tone.

"You don't have to tell me twice..."Dani mumbled as memories of hard times came to her mind.

"If you have a talent, then you should use it and don't let anyone else stop you...If you have a power then it's your right to use it whenever you feel you have to...Like just now when you saved my life...which reminds me..."Fred suddenly searched his tattered coat and pulled out something from his pocket.

"Here...I know that it might not be jewelry store material but it's all I got at the moment..."Fred said smiling as he handed her a bracelet, it was a simple, cheap looking leather bracelet with a small, red, possible fake gem in the center of this and Dani blinked at the sight of it.

"Consider it as a gift for both saving my life...From a new friend..."He said kindly to the little girl.

"But Fred, this isn't necessary...'Dani said trying to be both polite and not hurt his feelings. The bracelet was simple and surprisingly well maintained which contrasted the rest of Fred himself but she didn't want to take it when he obviously had nothing..."You don't have a lot, you shouldn't give that away so easily...'Dani said while Fred shook his head.

"Oh but I insist dear child as my way of saying thank you, I don't really have a lot of friends so it's not like I know anyone else who would want it..."Fred said casually as he urged the child to take the gift. To his pleasure Dani complied and put the bracelet on her.

"It's nice, thank you...'Dani commented once she saw his face have an even bigger grin.

"I should be the one saying thank you for the fact that you actually gave me someone to talk to this evening child..."Fred said happily to the little girl.

Dani smiled at that but still, she felt a little guilty about taking something he should have kept, she knew that it was a cheap bracelet and it wouldn't get a lot but it could have gotten him something. As a former street urchin, she knew what it was like to have literally nothing at all. Wasting no time, she checked her pockets and pulled out a $5 dollar bill, what remained of the money her mother handed her earlier today and she presented it to the man.

"Here, you need this more than I do..."Dani said but Fred scolded at the money.

"I wasn't selling you the bracelet, it's a gift..."Fred insisted but Dani wouldn't be dissuaded.

"Please, it will make me feel better knowing that I gave you something...Like you said, from a new friend..." Dani said and sent him a cute smile, the man begrudgingly accepted the money.

"You truly are something else dear child...Oh dear, it seems to be getting late..."Fred said as he pointed to the sun which was beginning to set.

"Oh man you're right...'Dani said as she realized she spent more time here than she thought and that she had to get home.

"You best be on your way home, after all you never know what kind of dark, twisted scoundrels lurk in places such as this..."Fred said to the little girl as she changed into her ghost form.

"I will, it was nice meeting you Fred...'Dani waved before hitting the skies while Fred waved at her as well.

"Believe me child, the pleasure was all mine...'Fred said in a friendly voice until Dani was out of his sight.

Once she was gone, his friendly smiled changed into a twisted smirk.

"Stupid kid...She's even more naïve than her pesky brother..."Fred said sinisterly as he immediately pulled off the dirty clothes he had on to reveal a rather clean looking, darker clothes that matched the dark look on his face.

"Lydia, you can come out now..."He said and in less than a minute, Lydia returned along with the three green ghost bats as well, the ones he used to make it look like they had been attacking him.

'Excellent work my dear, that child took the bait...now all that's left is to see how this goes..."Fred or rather Freakshow said before letting out a cackle, however Lydia sent him a concern glance when she pointed to his arm that was still bleeding a bit.

"It's alright dear, we had to make it more authentic after all, beside it made that little brat easier to manipulate...'Freakshow said with a sneer before it melted into a satisfied grin..." I managed to give her the device, now no matter where she goes, we will be able to follow her...'He said with a dark expression on his face.

He was in a glorious mood, Phantom's bratty little sister had took the bait and he managed to gain her trust. He also managed to manipulate her into wanting to prove herself more to her brother and with the bracelet on her, which he was confident that she wouldn't take off for whatever altruistic reason she had, he would be able track her every move.

Overall, phase one of his plan had just been completed.

At Fenton Works

Dani had immediately fazed into the building, she checked her watch and cringed when she realized she came home about 20 minutes later than she intended to. Once there she saw her mother, brother and sister in the living room while her dad was in the kitchen getting some fudge.

"Danielle Fenton, what happened, you said that you would be back in 5 minutes and it's been almost half an hour..."Maddie scolded to her adoptive daughter.

"I know I'm late mom but I can explain..."Dani said in an excited tone of voice, surprising those around her.

"Then explain now..."Maddie said sternly to the girl who was beaming.

"I was flying home but I ran into a ghost and I won the fight and managed to save someone!..."Dani exclaimed happily, shocking everyone, even her dad who had been listening in the kitchen.

"What?..."Danny shouted in disbelief.

"Did you say ghosts? You caught a ghost?!..."Jack ran in with an excited grin on his face, one that was not matched by his son or wife.

"I couldn't since I didn't have a thermos but I still managed to kick ghost butt..."Dani said proudly and felt happy when she saw Jack's smile.

"I thought we agreed that you weren't ready for fights Dani..."Danny said in an angry voice.

"I never agreed to any of that, I was on my way home and these three stupid ghost bats were attacking someone, what was I suppose to do?!..."Dani shouted.

"Wait? Three? It was three against one and you still came out on top? Wow! You must have been at it, how big where they? ..."Jack asked in excitement while his wife and other children sent him a dirty look.

"Jack, what are you doing?..."Maddie asked in disbelief.

"Nothing,I'm just asking..."Jack said innocently while Danny still sent the girl a disapproving look.

"Did you get hurt?..."He asked her.

"No I didn't, so stop babying me already!..."Dani shouted.

"Calm down you guys...Danielle, exactly what happened?..."Jazz asked the little girl who had a proud look on her face.

"Well it all started like this-..."Dani began her story.

She told them how she had been flying home until her ghost sense went off and she heard screams coming from a nearby alley. She went down to see three ghost bats attacking a poor, homeless man named Fred and how she managed to get rid of them. Since she didn't have a thermos, she had to settle for scarring them away. That was the reason why she had come home later than expected.

"And that's what happened, Fred, the guy I saved, even gave me this bracelet as a thank you..."Dani said proudly as she showed off the item.

"Danielle, you shouldn't accept things from strangers..."Maddie said sternly to her youngest child.

"Mom, Fred isn't a stranger anymore, I saved him and besides, he looked like he didn't have enough strength to beat up an alley cat, I doubt he's dangerous..."Dani said confidently to her mother who sighed.

There was an uneasy silence in the Fenton Family living room until Maddie finally spoke up.

"Well, since you had saved this Fred person and no harm was caused, I guess it's alright..."Maddie said with a sigh while her son sent her a dismayed look.

"This doesn't change anything Danielle, it's still dangerous for you to fight..."Danny said stubbornly while Dani sent him a disbelieving look.

"What? Come on Danny! I just managed to kick serious butt without you, I can handle fighting..."Dani said insistently to him.

"I already told you that you're still too young and-..."He was cut off by her hard glare.

"Bull! I'm strong and today proves it..."The dark haired girl said angrily.

"You're not ready yet..."Danny said stubbornly.

"If you give me a chance to show you, you'd see just how wrong you are...speaking of which, I can't believe you didn't even tell me that a ghost fight happened downtown today..."Dani accused.

"You were at the Aquarium..."Danny pointed out, not liking the look she was giving him.

"You left me out, you don't want to admit that I'm strong..."Dani said angrily.

"Dani...please..."Danny groaned, feeling a headache from all of this.

"Calm down you two..."Maddie said as she tried to be mediator to her fighting children.

"Tell her mom..."Danny demanded, hoping his mother would say something to defuse whatever was brewing in his little sister before she did something too crazy.

Maddie realize that she was facing a crossroads involving her son and youngest daughter. She was a little torn about ideals and logic, not wanting Danielle to get hurt but at the same time, not wanting to be a hypocrite as well. For a long time, she and Jack had hoped that their kids would take an interest in the family business, they wanted to show them the ropes and teach them how to defend themselves in case they ever came across a ghost and they weren't around. Learning the truth about her son had been a welcoming surprise, the ghost powers had shocked her to the core but she accepted that she had been wrong about Danny Phantom, her little boy could never be evil regardless of whether he was a ghost, a boy or something in between. When Danielle came along and she learned of her sad story, she felt very protective of her and wanted to be sure that she would be safe, even siding with her son when he felt she wasn't ready for fights yet. After all, her boy would surely know what was best for another halfa child wouldn't he?

However she had to accept reality that Dani was no longer in danger of melting, she was a strong child and as much as she didn't want to see her get hurt, she also didn't want to see her overpowered in the event that they weren't around. Being a mother was the hardest job in the world, especially being the mother of well-meaning but stubborn kids and how they often clashed against each other.

She could only hope to think of a compromise to satisfy both of their needs.

"Dani, as a mother, I don't like the idea of you in danger...'Maddie started and she ignored the satisfied grin on her son's face when she said that...'But...That doesn't mean I don't want you to be able to protect yourself..."Maddie confessed, shocking Danny and earning an eager grin from Dani.

"What? But mom-...'Danny shouted.

"I told you Danny, I am tough enough to fight ghosts...'Dani said proudly but to her confusion Maddie just shook her head.

"Let me finish, I want you to be able to defend yourself Danielle, but I don't want to see you recklessly looking for trouble, what I am saying is, that in the event like today where you come across a ghost and either me, your father, brother or sister aren't around to help, you are allowed to use your powers to protect yourself but that's all until you're older..."Maddie said with her arms crossed.

"But mom, didn't you hear a single thing I said so far, I beat those ghosts and I managed to save Fred today...'Dani repeated to her, hoping that she would see her reason.

"And I'm proud of you dear, I'm happy to know that you did that but I am serious, you can use your powers to protect yourself but that's all until we know you're old enough to handle it..."Maddie said sternly.

There was an uneasy silence it the room. Danny had a frown but it soften before nodding, seeing the reason in his mother's logic, Jazz chose to remain quiet, unsure of which side was right and which side was wrong and Jack was looking at his newest child who was looking to the ground, obviously not very happy about this development.

"I can't believe this...You guys really are overlooking me...'Dani muttered, feeling very unpleased right now.

"Danielle, we're not overlooking you, we love you...We just want to make sure that you don't get hurt..."Maddie insisted while she watched the girl march away, obviously not happy right now.

Later

In Dani's room

The dark haired halfa girl laid on top of her bed, staring at the ceiling that had her glow in the dark stars, she turned off the lights once she got in there, not in the mood to deal with anything right now. She was just brooding in the dark in her room, the previous events still fresh in her mind and it made her feel...it made her feel...

Angry...Unhappy...Embarrassed...Upset...Insulted...something along those lines...

She just couldn't believe how dismissive her brother had been about her first solo victory and he still refused to accept the fact that she could be just as good as he was at fighting...That she didn't need him to mollycoddle her to such an unfair degree. Her parents were no better in her opinion, Maddie at the very least had accepted the fact that she had skill in fighting but she restricted it to just protecting herself if she was by herself! And while Jack at least seemed impressed by her victory, he didn't make much of an effort to back her up...

It was so unfair! Jazz didn't even have any powers and she was allowed to fight alongside them during ghost crises but it was her to get the short end of the stick!?

'Why are they doing this to me? I'm not fragile...I'm not helpless...I'm not weak...So why are they treating me like I am?..."She asked out loud before turning over, remembering her conversation with Fred earlier.

She had only known the man for a period of no longer than half an hour but he seemed to be the first adult she's met since she came here that didn't seem to think that she was a helpless child, he even said that he thought that she could even be a better fighter than her brother if she kept practicing.

She wanted that, she wasn't the helpless little child everyone thought she was, not with her powers anyway. Danny might think in his own misguided way that he was doing her a favor, that he was trying to give her a normal childhood but that just wasn't and would never be possible. She was not a normal child and she never will be. She wasn't even born into this world like other kids, she was made in a laboratory by a monster and was used as his tool. She didn't come into this world as a person, she came into the world as a tool and a malfunctioning one at that. She had been damaged until Danny found her and fixed her, he gave her a chance at a life but she knew that it could never be normal.

She had ghost powers and she wasn't normal but that didn't bother her. She didn't mind having powers, she didn't mind that she wasn't born like others or that she might not live a typical life, she didn't mind that she had her abilities...but what she did mind was that they and more importantly she, had to go to waste. If she couldn't have a normal life, then she at least wanted one where she could be of some use somehow. She wanted to do good and feel that she had a purpose, she knew that her powers were meant for that but Danny was denying her that.

And that hurt her...as ironic as he claims he didn't want to see her hurt, his actions were causing her pain.

He didn't understand but she had to make him understand. She couldn't live her life like this, she had to prove to him somehow that he and the rest of their family didn't have to baby her. Fred seemed to believe in her abilities so why couldn't Danny and the rest of her family? She had to do something, if not, she feared that they would keep overlooking her potential forever...and she would just be a waste as a person...

She needed to prove that she was strong to her brother one way or the other, she needed a chance to show him her worth as a fighter...she needed...she needed...

"Experience..."She muttered as she recalled more of her talk with Fred.

He said that he believed that with just a little practice and experience, he thought that she could match her brother in skills...she was certain what she needed was experience but she knew that she couldn't count on the off chance that she would have to wait for a ghost to come after her when she was away from her family...She had a feeling she would need to break some rules here and there if she wanted to get her chance.

She feared that it would be the only way...

"Dani- girl. .."Was heard along with a quick knock on the door, and Dani knew who it was. Sighing to herself, she got off the bed and opened to see her adoptive father, Jack Fenton looking at her with a worried expression on his face.

"Are you okay?...'He asked his adoptive daughter who shrugged.

"I'm fine, I doubt that I can get injured by doing nothing in my room...'She said with an eye roll though Jack shook his head.

"I didn't ask for attitude, I just wanted to see how you were holding up...You wanna talk, I brought fudge?...'Jack said as he brought in a bowl filled with the treat and Dani sighed once more before turning onn the lights and letting him in

Soon the large man and the little girl were sitting on the bed with Jack offering her some pieces in order to break the ice and hopefully curb her temper.

"I know that you're upset sweetie...but I hope you know that you're mom and brother love you and that they mean well...'Jack said before shoving a piece of fudge into his mouth.

Dani didn't answer him, she just shoved some fudged into her mouth in silence and Jack felt sorry for her. He was actually very pleased to know that she had managed to beat not only one but THREE ghosts all on her own. True, as a father he was concern for her safety but he was well aware that Dani had powers and that she was good at using them just like her brother. She was a tough girl, it reminded him of a lot of Maddie. Both were beautiful, sweet, smart females who were strong and could easily overpower whoever was foolish enough to try and pick on them.

Dani was a tough cookie, not to mention she had both the skill, the drive and the moxy to be a great ghost fighter given the proper training. It proved that no matter how she came into the world, she had Fenton blood running in her veins. However, Maddie was serious with her restrictions and he admitted that she had a point that the girl shouldn't be looking for trouble, that was why he volunteered to come here to have this conversation with her.

"I know you're unhappy but things will work out in the end, until then however, I came to give you this...'Jack pulled out a thermos from behind, surprising Dani in the process.

"You're mother said that this is just to capture the ghosts that attack you in the event that we're not nearby...'Jack explained slowly..."I know that you're a tough girl Dani, I do believe that you're a strong fighter but you're mom and I want you to promise that you won't go out looking for danger, you promise that?...'Jack asked her while Dani was still looking at the thermos in her hands with an unreadable expression.

After a few moments, she nodded her head..."Okay...'She said.

"That's my girl, now come along, it's time for dinner...'Jack said as he and Dani left the room.

He was unaware that his adoptive daughter had her fingers crossed when she made her promise. He was unaware that later, she would feel guilty for doing that. He was also unware that she felt that she had no choice right now.

As he and his family went to have dinner together, Dani's mind was filled with a mixture of thoughts and emotions. As she glanced at her brother from across the table, who was slowly touching his steak, not speaking at all. Her eyes then landed on her two parental figures before going back to her meal.

"I don't care what I have to do...but I'll prove myself to them...I just have to...'She thought before continuing eating.

She knew that she needed experience if she was ever going to improve her abilities, she knew that she might have to break some rules and she might need to do things under the radar.

She didn't mind...It was a risk but she wasn't afraid of taking risks.

No matter what, she knew that she just had to do this.

-To be continued-

Next time on Dani Fenton: School Daze

A Brother's Duty

A/N: I would like to thank you, my dear readers, for helping reach my 100th review for this. You guys all rock!

Also, for those of you who are wondering why Danny seems a little harsher here and in the previous chapter, we will dive into that next chapter...

REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers.

Invader Johnny and Spectre Kid: I know this chapter might be a little disappointing and I know Dani should know better but the fact remains that she's still a child, and she will be prone to misjudgment and Freakshow knows that and is taking that to his advantage.

VanguardLard and smuwahad: I agree that maybe Danny was being stubborn but it's because he is very worried about Dani's safety and he has always been rather stubborn...not unlike Dani herself when you think about it.

Wiseguy2415, Kimera20 and DragoonSensei: Thanks.

Mazamba: I suppose...

LooneyAces: You are correct sir...

Rogue Deity Master: 1) She certainly, 2) I...um...Don't know how to answer that last one

cristianabnertorres: Thanks bro :)

:) Till next time beautiful people and don't forget to review :)