I've recently rediscovered my love for this show and came up with several story ideas as a result. I've decided to turn them into a series, but each story can be read on its own. That being said, they will all be connected, though I'll let you know if you need to read one before the reading the other. But, since this is the first one, you don't have anything to worry about. Now, let's go ghost!

And yes, each installment of this series will have a tagline just like the show. I couldn't resist. :)

Rest in Pieces!

Chapter One: Mira

"Sarcastic people tend to be marshmallows underneath the armor." - Stephen King

"Excuse me."

My sister and I had just finished breakfast and were relaxing in front of the TV, when a sharp breath forced itself out of me, a faint wisp of blue escaping my mouth. I call that my ghost sense, as it only happens when there's a ghost nearby. Jazz is one of the only three full-humans who know my secret, so I didn't hesitate to "go ghost," in front of her. She didn't blink when her black-haired, blue-eyed little brother shifted into a spirit with snow-white hair, glowing green eyes, pasty skin, and a black jumpsuit. I knew she'd cover for me if our parents asked where I was.

Whenever my ghost sense goes off, I usually spot the ghost pretty quickly. Or, the ghost spots me and attacks. Although, this is the first time one actually called out to me. I had been flying low to the ground, and it was clear from the ghost's hushed tone that she didn't want to raise her voice any more than she had to.

The ghost is in an alleyway not far from my house, which is really not the best place to be hiding. My folks are ghost hunters, seeking to study ghosts through capture, dissection, and as my dad would put it, tearing them apart, molecule by molecule. Needless to say, they don't know their son is half-ghost. In the back of my mind, I don't think they would hurt me if they found out, but the fear remains. My parents are good people, but they are also very…enthusiastic about their line of work. Either this ghost didn't get the memo or she doesn't realize where she is.

I morph my wispy tail back into legs, check that no one is around, and walk into the alley. The ghost is poking her head out from behind a dumpster, as if she forgot that she can turn invisible. Her eyes are wild and darting all around.

"Are you Danny Phantom?" Her voice is barely above a whisper.

"That's my name," I say cautiously, having been burned by the helpless act before. "Don't wear it out."

"Um…" Her eyes dart around again. "I hear you help people?"

I let my guard down. Just a little. At some point in my career as a halfa - the maybe-official term for ghost hybrids - the citizens of Amity Park started classifying me as a superhero. Ghost hunter parents aren't the only reason I keep my two lives - my life and my death? - as separate as possible. I have a lot of enemies, and I don't just mean the otherworldly ones. That being said, while it's usually humans who seek out my help when they're in danger, it's not unheard of for ghosts to look for me if they're desperate enough. Considering that this ghost looks like she's about to turn into a quite literal puddle of goop, I'd say she qualifies.

"I do what I can," I say. "So, you know who I am. What's your name?"

She's apparently decided that I'm not a threat, because she finally steps out from her hiding place and forces a smile at me. "I'm Mira. Mira Scott."

Mira Scott. A very human name for a ghost. Then again, Mira looks, well, very human. Her hair is dark green, hangs just past her shoulder blades, and looks like it hasn't been brushed in…however long she's been a ghost. She wears an unbuttoned jean jacket over a white shirt, a black skirt, black sneakers, and a purple-and-black-striped beanie. If it wasn't for her glowing green skin and blood-red eyes, she could blend right in at my high school. She must have been around my age when she died.

Some people think that ghosts are the souls of the dead. Others believe that they simply come into existence somehow. Which theory is correct depends on the ghost itself, and it's easy to tell which is which; those who look like humans or animals used to be alive. Those who are reborn, so to speak, as ghosts will often change their names to suit their new forms, but I guess Mira decided not to. Then again, I don't know what her human name was.

I open my mouth to ask what's wrong, but we hear a loud clunk and Mira flinches. And, bolts of yellow-green lightning blaze over her skin. I jump back, barely avoiding getting shocked. Behind her, a rat shoots across the alley.

"It's-it's okay," I assure when Mira keeps blazing. "It was just a rat. And, something tells me it's not gonna bother us."

She relaxes at that, the lightning fading away. So, I'm dealing with a skittish ghost with lightning powers. I've seen worse, and I don't know what that says about me. At least she isn't hostile.

I clear my throat to regain her attention. "So, what's going on?"

Mira grips the edges of her jacket and pulls them closer together. "I don't know. I-I don't know where I am!" I don't what alarms me more: the tears in her eyes or the visible static rolling over her. "I don't know what to do!"

"Take it easy," I say, keeping my voice steady and holding out my hands placatingly. "Take it easy, Mira. I want to help you, but you have to relax. I prefer medium rare over well done."

Mira gives me a funny look - sadly, my barbecue joke went right over her head - but calms down enough that I no longer worry about how I'm cooked. "I'm sorry," she says.

"It's alright," I say. "Just tell me what happened."

"I don't know." Mira grips her jacket tighter and stares down at her feet. "I-I was being chased, and I got away, but…" She looks around listlessly and tosses her hands at her sides. "I don't know where I am."

Now, we're getting somewhere. Portals to Earth can be found throughout the Ghost Zone, popping up at random and only staying open for short periods of time. Though some places on Earth seem to attract more portals than others, Amity Park, the Bermuda Triangle, and Salem, Massachusetts being the best examples. Mira must have flown into the first portal she saw to escape her attacker. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled in case her attacker came through with her. If she's this terrified of them, I don't want them in my town.

"Okay, let's start there," I decide. I spread out my arms. "This is Amity Park, Minnesota. I'm assuming you've heard of it. It's a pretty frequent haunt for ghosts. Uh, no pun intended this time."

Static crackles over her. "Minnesota?" Her voice is high and shaky. "But-but, I live in Nebraska."

I take a step back in case of electrocution and mull this over. She doesn't live in the Ghost Zone? Granted, I don't either, but I'm still half-human. But, I guess there's no rule saying that ghosts can't live on Earth.

Mira goes on, clutching her beanie and pacing back and forth as sparks fly over her. "Minnesota. I'm in Minnesota. Oh man oh man. My parents are probably freaking out. And, Yippy's probably freaking out. And, oh god, Levi…"

At this point, she's lit up enough that the buildings on either side of her are in serious danger. The more worked up she gets, the less control she has over her powers. Good to know, though it seems like more of a defensive ability, I realize. Rather than shooting all over the place, the lightning coils around her like a shield. Of course, that doesn't mean she can't use it offensively. Maybe a lightning shield is just something she does instinctively when she's scared.

Not gonna lie; it's a cool power, and I'm a little jealous.

But, I stop this before the shield gets any worse. "Mira!" She finally remembers I'm here, and the shield vanishes without a trace, not a scorch mark in sight. "Mira, let's back up a few feet." I fold my hands together and point my index fingers at her. "First and foremost, you still live with your presumably living parents?"

She looks at me like I just asked if the sky was blue. "Yeah."

That explains why she lives in Nebraska. Her parents must be okay with living with a ghost. I shove back a much stronger wave of jealousy. "Okay. And, Yippy and Levi are…?"

"Oh, Yippy's my dog. A chihuahua. And, Levi's my boyfriend."

"Gotcha. And, you said someone was chasing you?"

Mira opens her mouth-

"The ecto-readings are getting higher," a faint feminine voice says.

Crud. Not them. Not now.

"Stay out of sight," I order and turn toward the direction of the achingly-familiar voice.

Mira squeaks and ducks behind the dumpster once more. Why doesn't she just go intangible?

"Where are you, ghost?" a much deeper voice shouts.

I'll wonder about Mira later. Two white rings form around my waist and send a blast of heat over me as they run up and down my body. When my parents stop at the alley with their oversized blasters in hand, they don't see any ghosts. Just their very human son.

"Danny?" Mom says, checking the tiny screen on her blaster with a confused frown. "Why our inventions always hone in on you is beyond me."

I can think of a good reason. "Oh, there actually was a ghost here," I say, thinking quickly. "I heard noises, so I came out to investigate, but I think I startled it." I point down the street. "It flew that way."

Dad raises his blaster with an eager grin on his face. "Thanks, Danny! Wanna join us?"

I manage not to flinch. "Oh, I was supposed to hang out with Jazz." At least that part's true. "You go ahead."

"Suit yourself. Let's move, Maddie!"

On that note, Mom and Dad are off and running. I breathe out in relief when I no longer hear their footsteps. I hate this. When I first got my ghost powers, tolerating my parents undying hatred of ghosts was pure torture. I thought I would get used to it, but then my alter ego became something of a fixture in town. And, through a series of misunderstandings caused by other ghosts, public enemy number one. I'm not ashamed to admit that the first time I overheard them talk about all the not-so-fun things they would do to "that ectoplasmic menace," I almost passed out. Nothing changed when people realized I was the good guy; Mom and Dad thought my heroic deeds were an act. Nowadays, I'm used to it enough that I can mostly tune them out. Lying to them, on the other hand…

I push the thought away, change back into a ghost (with the accompanying blast of cold as my body temperature lowers) and give Mira the all-clear. She stands up and stares open-mouthed and starry-eyed at me. "Was that your superhero transformation?" she asks. "I've never seen one in real life before!" She frowns, slightly disappointed. "But, I kind of thought it would be more…colorful. And, sparkly."

I snort. "Does the phrase 'magical girl anime' mean anything to you?" She grins sheepishly and shrugs. "Anyway, let's go somewhere else and talk. Come on." I go intangible, just in case we happen upon a certain duo with blasters, and take flight.

Only to realize that I'm alone in the sky. Mira is still standing in the alley.

Curious, I descend and turn visible again. "You coming?"

Mira stares at me and speaks slowly, as if I'm the dumbest person she's ever met. "I. Can't. Fly."

Oh. Oh… While not all ghosts are capable of flight, the majority are, so I just assumed that Mira was one of them. Regardless, I don't appreciate her tone, but I'm willing to overlook it given her circumstances.

"How was I supposed to know that?" I snap. Well, maybe not totally overlook it.

Mira puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow. "Isn't it obvious?"

Not really, but that's just one more weird thing that I'll wonder about later. Mira Scott just might be the most confusing ghost I've ever met, and I know a ghost who's Obsessed with boxes.

"Whatever," I say. "You mind if I carry you?"

She doesn't. I grab her from behind, turn us both intangible, and shoot into the sky once more. Mira makes an amazed noise, and I glance down to find her staring at - or rather, through - her hands. You would think she'd never been invisible before, which is ridiculous. Not being able to fly? Uncommon, but nothing to write home about. Not being able to go intangible is different story. But, why else would she have been hiding behind the dumpster as though she were still alive?

Still alive. Did she die recently? If so, that would explain why she's so fascinated with being invisible and seemingly has no control over her powers. Lord knows, it took over a month for me to stop phasing through things when I was stressed. As for the hiding, maybe she still harbors some human instincts. That would explain why she scares so easily. Not that ghosts can't get scared, but they can take a lot more punishment than a human.

I feel a pang of sadness for Mira. Dying as a kid is bad enough. Getting attacked so soon after becoming a ghost? I can relate. I really can.

I decide to take her to the football field at my school. It's summer, so the field is deserted when we land behind the bleachers. I release her, and we both become visible again.

"Okay," Mira says breathlessly, a dopey grin on her face, "that was awesome."

I chuckle, recalling the first time I took flight. By choice. "It certainly beats riding the school bus."

Mira laughs back. "I'll bet." Then, she frowns. "So, who were those guys, anyway? Are they, like, your arch enemies or something? Is that why you changed when they showed up?"

I'm very proud of myself for not flinching. "Uh, they're just some ghost hunters. They aren't fans of mine. Who knows what they'd do if-if they found out I'm…you know." I try to ignore the sting in my chest. They love half of me, and…and that's good enough!

"Okay," Mira says, "that explains why you went all human-y. But, what about me? Why did I have to hide?"

I just stare at her, unsure if I heard her right. "Um, did you seriously just ask why you have to hide from ghost hunters?"

There's that funny look again. "Yeah. I mean, why would ghost hunters have a problem with me? I'm not some," she waves a hand in my direction, "ghost-human-thingy like you, so what's the big deal if they see me?"

What does she mean-

Realization hits me like a truck. She doesn't fly. She won't go intangible. She doesn't live in the Ghost Zone. "Do you…know what you are?"

Mira frowns deeper. "Um, I'm a Libra if that's what you mean."

"What's your skin and eye color?" I ask quickly. When it looks like she's going to call me an idiot, I add, "This is going somewhere. Without looking, tell me the colors of your skin and eyes." Please say green and red. Please say green and red.

"You're asking a lot of weird questions," Mira says. "Well, I'm white, so my skin's, like, beige-ish."

Oh my god.

"And, my eyes are brown. Same as my hair."

Oh my god.

In ghost-form, my heart rate slows to a crawl. Now, it stops altogether. I've heard of this. When someone dies suddenly, without seeing it coming, and wakes up in the Ghost Zone, they don't realize what happened. The lucky ones run into a ghost who's willing to explain everything. The others… Well, I'm really glad Mira's not one of them.

But, I'm not lucky. I'm the guy who has to tell her she's a ghost. How do you just tell someone they died?

Breathe, Danny. Bre- I'm in ghost-form. I can't breathe. Damn it. "Uh, we'll, uh, get back to that later." I clear my throat and try not to look panicked. "Now, tell me more about why you're here. You said someone was chasing you?" Yes, back to my comfort zone. Show me a bad guy, and I'll punch him in the face, throwing in a clever quip or two for good measure. You need a hug, I'll give you a hug, but action is my domain.

"Right, okay." Mira grips her jacket once more as the memory takes hold. "Well, I was walking home after a date with Levi and…" She scrunches up her face then shakes her head. "It's kind of fuzzy, but… Okay, you're gonna think I'm crazy."

"Mira," I press my index finger against my chest, "you're talking to a human-ghost hybrid."

"Right," she says with a sardonic smile. "Anyway, one minute I was walking down the street, and suddenly I was in this-this…place. I-it was like another dimension or something. Everything was green and there were all these floating rocks and doors and-and these…things flying around-"

"Ghosts," I say. No sense in lying to her. "You entered the Ghost Zone. Those creatures you saw were the inhabitants."

Her jaw falls open, and she looks around as if searching for hidden cameras. I'm hoping she'll piece it together herself so that I don't have to break the news. Hey, you went into the Ghost Zone, because that's what happens when your body dies and your soul decides to go ghost. Sorry for your loss. I'm sure that would go over well.

"How- What- How did I-" Mira shakes her head. "I don't know why I'm questioning it. This is all so bizarre. You could tell me I turned into a unicorn, and I'd believe you."

Well, not a unicorn. "Keep going. You were in the Ghost Zone, and then what?"

"I was lying on a floating rock, and I heard these…screeches. One of those things - a ghost, I guess - was heading right for me!" There's that static again. Once this is all over, I'll have to help her learn to control her powers. "I thought it was gonna eat me or something, so I ran and ran and-and I tripped and fell into this swirly thing and ended up here." When she finally looks at me, her face is pinched and a tear rolls down her cheek. Hopefully, she doesn't notice. Now's not the time to tell her that her tears are a pale, luminescent green. "I sound insane, don't I?"

I force a smile at this poor girl and point to my chest once more. "Again, human-ghost hybrid."

Mira laughs a little and swipes at her eyes. "I guess I picked the right person to tell." She purses her lips at me. "Hey, you're a ghost, but you seem cool. Is it because you're part-human? How does that work, anyway?" She grimaces. "Do I want to know?"

"It's nothing like that. Don't worry," I assure. "I'm, uh…" I scratch my head. "I think I'm partially dead? I don't know how it works. But, to answer your other question, it's not my human-half that makes me sane. Ghosts who were previously alive can still think and feel and everything. The ghost you saw must have been one that formed in the Ghost Zone. Most of them can think, but some are essentially really scary insects." My response is met with a blank stare. "It sounds more confusing than it is. Just know that not all ghosts are terrifying. Exhibit A," I add with a pointed look at her. Please let her get the hint.

Mira slaps her hands on her head and starts pacing again. At least she isn't all zappy this time. "Oh my god. Oh my god." Does that mean she got the hint? Her arms go limp. "This makes no sense. Ugh, I gotta get home."

Why is she not getting the hint? "Um, that might be a little complicated."

"Why?" Mira snaps. She throws her hands toward me. "All I wanna do is go…home…" Then, she looks at her hands. Really looks at her glowing green hands. Turns them around, gazes at them with distant, uncomprehending red eyes. "Is this…body paint?"

I remember seeing my ghost-form's face for the first time. Neon-green eyes that held an unnatural glow, hair that shouldn't have been that color until I was eighty, and pale, withered skin that better suited a corpse. Then, I realized that I wasn't breathing. I was so freaked out that I changed back into a human on the spot, which freaked me out even more. Luckily, Sam and Tucker, my best friends, were there to keep me as steady as was possible in that moment.

I need to be Mira's Sam and Tucker.

I gently take her hand and press two of her fingers on her other wrist, right where her pulse used to be. My chest tightens as I watch it dawn on her that there's no sensation there.

"Mira," I say through the lump in my throat, "you… I-I'm sorry..."

Mira stares at me. Then, she shakes her head quickly and mutters a string of no's, backing away. "That-that-that's crazy. It's crazy!" She points to me with both hands as lightning shoots over her. "You are crazy! I'm not- I-" She'd been wiping away tears and now looks down at her hands in horror. "Why are my tears green?"

"It's…ectoplasm," I say, because what else can I do but be honest?

Mira laughs, and it's the most broken sound I've ever heard. "Ectoplasm. I'm crying ectoplasm!" She wraps her arms around her stomach and doubles over in hysterics while lightning crackles around her. "Be-because, that's so normal!"

"Danny! Danny, don't panic. We can, uh-"

"Don't panic? Tucker Foley, one of my arms is invisible and the other is stuck in the wall!"

I force the memory away. Mira's lightning shield is getting bigger. "Mira, I get it. Believe me, I do. When I first got my powers, I-"

"Freeze, ghosts!" A man's voice. A very familiar one at that.

Oh no. No no no no no.

I turn around and see none other than my mother and father. Those giant blasters they'd been carrying are now aimed at me and Mira. How did they find us? I sent them on a wild ghost chase-

-in the direction of the school. Which is where I brought Mira. God, I'm an idiot.

"Call off your partner, Phantom," Mom demands, "and we'll go easy on you."

"We will?" Dad asks with a bewildered look.

Mom frowns in annoyance. "Jack, I'm trying to negotiate."

I don't have to check on Mira; the sound of static is getting stronger, and the sensation of being poked with a million needles tells me how close the barrier is to me. How far can she stretch it? I take a step forward and try to de-escalate. "Look, we're not here to cause trouble-"

"You expect us to believe that?" Mom scoffs. The barrels of their blasters glow blue. "I won't ask this again; call off your partner."

"Yeah!" Dad agrees. "Before we rip both of you apart, molecule by molecule."

Mira screams, and suddenly I'm sent flying and my skin feels like it's being torn off. I tumble over the hard pavement, bashing my head in the process, and lie there until the world stops spinning. Nearby, my parents are lying in heaps against the wall of someone's house, their blasters in scattered pieces. I don't relax until I see Dad struggle to his feet and help Mom onto hers. They don't heal as fast as ghosts do, but at least they're okay.

Mira, however, is anything but.

Her lightning shield is massive now, a dome that's at least as big as the football field. Based on the additional screams I'm hearing, it's overtaken other parts of town too. I hope no one's hurt too badly. Or, worse: trapped inside. I can't see through to tell if even Mira herself is in there. It's just a wall of yellow-green light.

I'm so stunned, I don't notice my father's approach until he lifts me up by the collar and shouts, "What did you do, ghost?"

"Jack, put him down," Mom commands, touching Dad's arm. "That blast destroyed our weapons, even the hidden ones," she adds, picking at her wrist. "Even with our ecto-proof jumpsuits, we're sitting ducks if we anger him."

Like I would actually hurt them.

This is the worst. Lying to them sucks. But, then they attack me, look at me with so much hatred. The same people who hold me when I'm upset and help me with my homework and tell me they love me. Sometimes I want to change forms in front of them just to see their faces. But, I don't. Because, I'm a coward.

Some kids are afraid to tell their parents that they're gay. I envy those people.

Dad reluctantly sets me down but keeps staring at me with those angry eyes that he reserves for my ghost-form.

Ignore the ache in your chest, Danny. Just like you always do. "Listen," I say. "This, uh, well, wasn't supposed to happen." In more ways than one. "But, I can make her stop. I'm sure I can."

It's a bluff; I don't even know if I can get through the barrier. But, I have to do something! Especially since I can see a news van pulling up. That's all we need.

"Why should we trust you?" Dad asks, looking as suspicious as Mom.

I raise my hand toward the barrier. "Do you have a better idea?"

My parents look at each other, come to some unspoken agreement, and step back. I just hope it's not for nothing.