Chapter 11

It didn't take too long for both Phantoms to arrive back at the secret facility and unite with their friends and family. Tucker had managed to set up and gain internet access as usual. He had managed to access news from Amity Park and other nearby communities. They could count on him for that because he was such a technology lover (or even an addict). Jack and Maddie worked on their technology and weapons while Jazz and Sam worked on organizing and testing it out. Sam and Tucker had contacted their parents to let them know that they were just fine but in hiding right now and would meet up with them later after this crisis was resolved.

It took a while for stuff to be settled down because of all the questions about what they had to deal with. Danielle was certain that Dark Danny Phantom wasn't going to be stuck in the Ghost Zone forever. Even if his portal producing power was still disabled, he would find another way to enter the real world.

"Oh I vaguely remember him." Danielle stated with a slight smile while watching Lance Thunder delivering live news. "He transferred not too long after I moved in with you. Sure it was a major pay cut and in line with lots of natural disasters, but he seemed happy to not have to deal with ghosts very much."

"Does he still fidget about his hair?" Tucker asked.

"Last I checked no, because he started balding prematurely. It was probably due to all the stress from fear of the ghosts and ghost related troubles that he was often ending up reporting." Danielle answered with a laugh.

"I'm kind of surprised that he didn't get fired or something while complaining numerous times on live news." Sam stated.

"He did keep his cool a lot better than most reporters but he was unfortunate to be an unlucky victim due to bad timing, at least at the part of other news personnel. I remember seeing and hearing him trying to get something out of his system until someone turns the cameras with the eyes and ears of the audience before he was ready." Danielle answered.

"Who knew that reporting the news could be so stressful? I knew it was competitive to get into." Jazz said with a giggle.

"I bet it does get old and annoying after a while when an unwanted task keeps getting dumped you. Especially if you're the rookie of the news team." Danny added.

"You're preaching to the choir on this one man. Keep in mind that they had a hard time finding replacements." Tucker chimed in.

Meanwhile Vlad struggled and finally got free from the ghostly energy bands that tied him up. However he was still trapped in the Ghost Zone as were hordes of other ghosts. Several of them then sought out any natural portal. Since culprit was able to produce a portal he left giving the other residences a break although none of them were sure how long it was going to last. Several stated that they should retaliate against the offending ghost. Still Vlad couldn't help but ask what the ghost really looked like because there was no way Danny could've beaten him that easily or quickly. Could Danny somehow gained a new power or skill so suddenly? It was possible but he didn't seem to recall who Danielle was or that he foiled him at melting her down for study. To Vlad this was a red flag.

Vlad then took the time to ask some other ghosts what the attacker looked like. He was shocked to hear from numerous ghosts that the attacker bore the same symbol of Danny Phantom that so many had grown to recognize and a few to even look up to. However this ghost was describe grotesque, burly, a literal hothead, having a different outfit, with pale green skin, red eyes, and evil personified. This didn't sound like the Danny he or that anyone else knew. Could this ghost be a shape shifter and impersonated Danny? It was plausible but Vlad only had his suspicions. Even if Vlad could escape the Ghost Zone, how was he to face this monster again and how was he to explain his absence to others?

Meanwhile back at Amity Park, Dark Danny explored and examined the Fentons' residence. He could hardly find any useable weapon or equipment that would be practical. It was cleaned out. However he was positive that the original Vlad still had his stash. He had no problem with playing/fighting dirty especially since ghost weapons had been used against him. He also wanted to do his own searching without the Guys in White or other human authority figures around just in case they missed something. He couldn't wait to visit Nasty Burger for nostalgia's sake which he did. Technically this was where it all happened; the catalyst for his existence. He giggled wickedly while examining the Nasty Sauce.

"With the explosive properties of this sauce I'm surprised it is freely given to the general public for casual dining. Why the government has banned or restricted this stuff is beyond me. Heck I'm surprised gangsters and terrorists don't try to import or find out how to manufacture this stuff." The wicked specter thought as he chuckled to himself. He knew if he was going to come into existence in this timeline, he was going to have to do something different. His old family and friends weren't likely to run to Nasty Burger for cover or anything. However he loved the fact that he could impersonate Vlad Masters the Mayor of Amity Park and that the head of The Guys in White had given him contact information and access to other highly classified information which he was already scheming on how to use in his advantage. He could even disable their ghost tracking and scanning devices. Heck, he could even get them to carry out parts of his plans if he needed it. He couldn't wait to call on the Guys in White to take out both Danny Phantoms. But how was he to find his former family and friends? He had no idea but he still a few tricks up his sleeve. He couldn't wait to summon Valerie and preform a stunt in front of numerous citizens in the morning for maximum exposure and effect.

Later on Danny and Danielle headed back to Amity Park under the cover of dusk and with extra gear. They were certain that the enemy would strike Amity Park or another nearby community. They figured that they had to stick together for both of each other's benefit because they would stand a much better chance together than against that enemy than alone. She could also tutor her predecessor in using more advanced techniques that she was using.

"You realize the gamble we're taking, right?" Danielle asked.

"Yes, he could appear anywhere, but you had a gut feeling that he'd come here. Mainly because he's connected to Vlad and I still doubt that Vlad will take our warning seriously." He answered. Danny also strongly believed that her feelings had basis.

"Dani, I don't think we should enter the city. Vlad probably has surveillance all over and out of plain sight. I won't be surprised if others are added too." Danny added with a worried tone.

"I was thinking the same thing. We need a place to sleep in shifts. And preferably nearby like Elmerton." She replied.

It didn't take long for them to find a building to suffice. Danny decided to let his clone rest first because she had gone through and risked so much in order get here safely and save countless lives. A few hours later he got his turn.

A while after he fell asleep he was violently shaken awake. He managed to stop himself from attacking his clone because it was good reason. The building they were in was also being shaken by some outside force.

"DANNY! WAKE UP! HE'S ACROSS THE STREET!" She shouted while carrying him out of the building and into the night. He managed to focus his groggy mind and fly on his own. They witnessed a burning building with explosive blasts. There weren't any screams or cries so they figured and hoped that no one was inside. They watched and listened to him cackle evilly. The enemy Phantom didn't seem to notice them. They could hardly believe it. Were they hallucinating or having a vision?

"Dani, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" The original asked the clone.

"Yes, it might be our best chance." She replied in confidence.