Chapter 15: Selfish Desires

It has been one week since that night.

It was now afternoon as many people waited for their rides home. However, one person has remained for a long while. It still felt too long as she waited for someone Danielle stood outside the school, waiting to hear from Danny.

Any minute now… She thought.

She was hoping he'd come soon, really wanting to go to the arcade and Nasty Burger with him.

"Yo, Danielle!" Sophie called out.

Danielle flinched before she adopted a friendlier face and turned around.

"Sophie! Carly!" She went.

"We're gonna hang out." Carly said.

"Wanna come?" Sophie asks.

"Sorry, but I'm waiting for my brother. We got stuff to do." Danielle said.

"Really? You hang out with him like… a lot." Sophie pointed out.

"Yeah! We're close!" Danielle went, fists at hips and trying to look cool.

"Well, if you say so." Sophie said as the two walked away.

There was silence as Danielle stood to wait for Danny, only for a text to arrive.

Hey Sis, sorry but something came up. Gonna be out for a while, sorry. We can hang out another time. Laters.

Groaning, she shook her head before deciding to see if the rest of the family was free.

"Someone has to be free…" She said before noticing other texts.

"Your father and I are grocery shopping. Talk later. Luv ya, Mom." She read from Maddie.

"At the library to work on my thesis. Spend some time with those new friends of yours. See you after dinner :)" She read from Jazz.

Frowning, Danielle rolled her eyes.

"I can totally hang out with other people… watch me." She said before seeing the girls still in view. "Hey! Sophie! Carly! Wait! Wait up!" Danielle said before running after them.

Elsewhere

The students of Casper High were in the middle of making their presentations to celebrate the new sauce in the cafeteria.

"Come on people, have it ready before this upcoming Saturday!" Lancer ordered.

At their table, Valerie presented their project in blueprints.

"We are going to make something unique to represent the sauce..." Valerie said as she showed the image of a cow hugging a sauce bottle. "And this, which I spent last night working on until I found the answer, is what we're going to make."

"So… you want us to make a stupid doodle of a cow chasing a rocket?" Tucker asks.

"It's a cow welcoming the sauce." Valerie said with an annoyed scowl.

Danny rolled his eyes as Tucker shrugged.

"Not my fault that's all she could come up with." He went.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that…" Valerie said in a low growl.

"So… you want us to make a replica of an innocent cow wanting to be bathed in this new condiment?" Sam questioned angrily.

"Sam." All three of them said in tired and annoyed tones.

"Alright, alright…" She said, arms crossed.

"Maybe you should learn to not reject someone else's idea before really thinking about it. Try to get your head wrapped around what's at stake here..." Valerie muttered as she continued to do her work.

All the while, Sam turned her back before she pondered. An idea came to her that made her smile.

Don't worry, I have a better idea... Sam thought, secretly making her own plans for later.

At the mall

Danielle was hanging out with Sophie and Carly.

They were at the arcade right now, playing games as Danielle was once again thinking about the predicament that she is in.

This is a thing friends do, right? I mean, Danny and I do stuff like this all the time. Why does it feel different? Danielle thought.

"Playing these old arcade fighters is giving me the urge to kick some butt..." Sophie said in an enthusiastic way.

"I was kind of hoping for something with a slower pace that lets me be more methodical as I attack..." Carly said in a more reserved way, but still clearly happy to be here.

"What do you think, Danielle?" Sophie asked as she turned to the newcomer of their little group.

Danielle sent them a light smile.

"I'm enjoying my time here..." She said.

"And as soon as we're done, we can get some pizza." Sophie went.

"Pizza?" Danielle asks, perking up.

"Yep, at Crusty's. My cousin gave me some coupons so we can each get a whole large for half the price at the pizzeria." Sophie said.

"Ooh! I'm so ordering pepperoni, with mushrooms and extra cheese!" Carly said.

"I'm getting bacon, onions and olives!" Sophie said with a grin before directing her attention to Danielle. "Anything you want?"

Danielle felt her shoulders rise as she looked away.

"Me?… I guess… pepperoni? … with extra cheese, bacon, sausage, peppers, mushrooms, and anchovies." She said.

"Eww, anchovies?" Carly asks with a joke as she and Sophie laughed.

Danielle felt herself smile.

"Well… everyone but my dad seems to not like my choice in toppings." She admitted.

"I guess gross eating habits are hereditary." Carly pointed out

"So… why not satisfy our selfish desires and get us some pizza once we're done here?" Sophie asks.

"Yeah!" Carly and Danielle went in unison with fists raised.

Realizing what she just did, Danielle lowered her arm and took notice of how she was actually having fun with them.

As Sophie and Carly began playing more arcade games, she watched the two. She really was enjoying hanging out with these two kids she chose to spend time with to prove she can have friends and realize she wasn't faking it anymore.

I'm actually with a group of my own friends? She thought with a smile.

"Hey, Danielle. They got the new Dance Pants game. Wanna play?" Sophie asked.

"Sure." Danielle said as she cracked her knuckles. "But I won't only play… I'll win!".

"Ooh… this oughta be good." Carly went as she took out her phone, ready to film the event

Danielle laughed, joining them as she found herself actually having fun with friends her own age.

Meanwhile

Once work at the school cafeteria was finished, that meant the students were free.

"Finally. It felt like classes were going on forever..." Tucker said.

"Tell me about it..." Danny said.

He and his friends had gone to the mall to finally get some downtime.

"Super relieved to see no ghosts?" Tucker asks.

"Definitely. So, what's next for the presentation?" Danny asked.

"I just need some materials to make a fake cow costume..." Valerie said.

"And I know where to get some live ones for reference..." Sam said as she recalled what she had planned.

As he finished his slice of pizza, Danny noticed the time.

"Uh oh." Danny said.

"Something up?" Sam asks as Danny stands up.

"I'm heading home now, guys. See you." Danny said.

"Same here." Tucker said, getting up.

"Wait, you're both leaving?" Sam asks.

"You two have fun." Tucker said with a smile as he and Danny both left.

That left Sam and Valerie alone.

"So, what now?" Valerie asks.

"I dunno…" Sam admitted.

Both of them sat in silence for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. There was an uncomfortable silence as Valerie looked away without any idea what to say while Sam tapped her foot.

"So… wanna… check up on our book reports?" Valerie asks.

"Not really…" Sam responded as she looked away.

She then noticed someone else was in the area.

It was Kwan, who was currently at the mall's pizza place, getting a bite.

As he did so, he noticed an old woman was having trouble carrying some heavy looking bags.

Not seeing any of his popular friends around, Kwan went to her.

"Need any help?" Kwan offered.

"Yes, please..." She said with a smile.

Kwan helped carry these bags to her car for her, as the old woman sent him a grateful smile.

"There we go." He said.

"Thank you, young man..."She said.

"Don't mention it..." Kwan said, smiling.

Once she was gone, Kwan went back inside the mall. He was unaware two girls had witnessed his surprisingly generous act.

"I see he's out and about without Dash around." Valerie commented.

"That can't be the same idiot who listens to Dash like a trained dog, can it?" Sam questioned.

"Listen, I know that Kwan can be a meathead and he can be a moron sometimes... but he's not a monster. He just can't stand up when it comes to peer pressure..." Valerie said, recalling how he acted when she was still an A-lister.

"Oh, and Paulina actually plans to give up materialism for a more humble lifestyle..." Sam said sarcastically with an eye roll.

Valerie frowned at her attitude.

"I'm serious. Look, I know you have a beef with the A-listers and I don't blame you since I know how rotten they can act, but Kwan isn't as bad as you think he is. He's not a selfish creep like Dash. He's just...misguided..." She said, not sure how else to describe it.

"Not the word I would use." Sam said.

"That's because you never bothered to actually get to know him." Valerie said flatly.

Sam was silent, deep in thought right now.

Am I really unfair to him? Sam thought, unsure or what to think before shaking her head. Whatever, what he does isn't my business… She mentally added, ignoring what she witnessed and was told.

"I'm bailing too… later." Sam said, getting up and leaving.

Valerie sighed and shook her head.

1 hour later

Danny managed to arrive at his house.

Upon seeing no one was home, he nodded to himself.

Guess I'm free after all.

He left the house, heading towards the mall. He was doing this for one reason only. He was going on a date. That might not seem like a big deal, but it was who he was going out with that was of concern.

He soon made it to the top of Bucky's Music Mega Store, where his date was waiting for him.

"I'm here." Danny said, looking around.

That's when his date appeared before him, having turned visible.

"Took ya long enough..."Ember said, arms crossed.

"Sorry, had to make sure I wasn't needed at home..." Danny said.

Ember's expression mellowed a bit.

"Well, come on. Let's let our selfish desires take hold and rock out..." Ember said in a more amiable way as she took him by the arm.

Danny said nothing as he let her hold onto him, his and Ember's date began.

Elsewhere, in Canada

Achak remained at the entrance to the cave where the monster he vowed to ensure gone forever was. He remained still and silent, not dropping his guard for even a second.

"By next year… the beast will have starved to death. My mission will be over and I will be free…" He said to himself.

However, he noticed movement far to the right. A figure of some kind.

His fears of someone stupidly braving into the caverns caused him to temporarily abandon his post to see who it is.

He followed the source of the sound of footprints in the snow as he remained far enough.

He saw the vague shape of a man with a wide brimmed hat slowly walking away from the caves.

"Who is that?" Achuk questioned as they walked away.

He glared in their direction, suspecting them of wrongdoing.

Back in Amity Park

Danny and Ember had gone to the roof of the tallest building in town, looking up at the now night sky.

"Eh...not bad. I almost forgot how good human food is..." Ember said as she took a bite of the pizza Danny bought for them.

"Don't you guys eat in the Ghost Zone?" Danny asked.

"We do. But it's stuff that usually originates in the ghost zone. The tomatoes grown there aren't as yummy..." Ember said.

"Really? Huh… Learn something new every day..." Danny commented.

"You should pay me a visit so I can show you around, Baby pop..." Ember said, giving a wink before taking a sip of her soda.

Danny felt his face flush a moment before clearing his throat.

"So...uh...how are things... when you're not trying to take over the world?" Danny asked nervously.

"I practice, but I also tend to watch cable. I don't plan to destroy you every second, y'know. How's stuff at that human high school you go to and get humiliated by that blockhead jock and stuff?" Ember asked with a snarky tone.

"Good...pretty good. Relatively speaking..." Danny answered.

"I wouldn't call dealing with that meathead good in any form of relativity..." Ember snarked.

Danny chuckled at that.

"True. I guess context is important..." He said, chuckling.

"No duh. Honestly, I assume your high school is no different from how mine was back when I was alive... as in it sucks big time..." Ember said.

"Huh...oh...you… went to school too?" Danny asked.

"Duh, what? Did you think I was one of those mindless things created by the ghost zone? No sir, I had a human life before I became who you see before you..." Ember said.

"So… did you go to Amity Park?" Danny asks.

"Actually… I don't remember." Ember admitted.

"You don't remember?" Danny asks.

"Just… bits and pieces. I can't even 100% recall my family. I'm not even sure McLain is my actual last name or I just made it up to sound cool…" She admitted.

Danny raised his head, noticing an odd sadness on Ember's face. One that made him reach out for her shoulder.

"Well…" He said, placing his hand there. "I'm sure we would've gotten along." He said.

Ember smiled warmly at him, a smile she's not used to giving.

As that went on, they had no idea of what else was happening.

Someone was watching from afar, snarling in anger.

"She's chosen to take my prey as her mate?! She will pay for this!" Skulker snarled.

In the Ghost Zone

Several ghosts were being menaced by a certain ghost warden who was more aggressive than ever now. In the yard of his prison, many ghosts were brought to be punished for breaking the rules that he enforced.

"Give that back!" Kitty demanded.

"Possession of unauthorized human world hair accessories. That's against the rules." Walker said.

"I actually bought those things the last time I was in the human world!" Kitty yelled, finding this unfair.

"Still against the rules..." Walker said, as his men apprehended her, as well as a few other ghosts.

They spotted a certain ghost writer, who was trying to flee.

"Where do you think you're going?" One of the two ghost guards who blocked him said.

"I did my time!" The Ghost Writer shouted.

"And you got books from the real world. Again, against the rules." Walker said.

"You can't take that!" Technus shouted, fuming in anger as his things were taken.

"You also took electronics from the human world, against the rules…" Walker said.

"I legally bought these at the swap meet last week!" Technus shouted as he refused to part with his precious technology.

"Everyone!" Skulker was heard shouting.

The ghostly hunter flew in with his jetback and soon landed on the landmass where they were all on.

''Skulker!" Walker shouted.

"I am here… and I came for a reason." Skulker said.

"You got some nerve showing your face here." Walker said.

"Haven't you all noticed? Danny Phantom has returned from whatever it was he was doing up North." Skulker said.

"Really? Where is he?" Walker demanded.

"I just said he's back in Amity Park. He's there right now!" Skulker shouted, pointing in the direction of the ghost portal.

"Even after the humans thought him a fraud for what happened, they didn't kick him out?" Walker questioned angrily.

"Everyone! We have tolerated that Ghost Child long enough! Whatever gratitude we had for the Disasteroid incident has run its course! Now is the time we take him out!" Skulker shouted.

The evil warden heard this and was curious.

"Are you suggesting an alliance?" Walker asks.

"No, I'm suggesting we throw him a birthday party." Skulker snarked.

"Oh! That's a great idea! Maybe we can order pizza too!" Technus went before noticing all eyes were on him. "Oh… that was sarcasm…"

"Obviously." Skulker said as he looked at the other ghosts. "So, once we take him out, we all go our separate ways. I don't care what any of you do, just stay out of my way and leave me his head to mount!" Skulker demanded.

"Hmm..." Walker went before he noticed one such ghost in his presence. "I might have a use for you."

"What's in it for me?" The Ghost Writer asks.

"What do you want?" Bullet questioned.

"Isn't it obvious?!" The Ghost Writer asks, gesturing to his cuffs.

"Ordinarily, I'd refuse your freedom, as it's against the rules. But seeing as I don't like how he still hasn't been booted out of Earth… I'll make an exception." Walker said.

The Ghost Writer thought for a moment before accepting his terms.

With that, Skulker grinned.

"Now… the Danny Phantom Revenge Squad is a go!" Skulker declared before laughing.

"Hold up!" The Lunch Lady called out, getting his attention. "We are not calling ourselves that!"

Skulker scowled at her before another spoke up.

"Yeah! How about The Funky Fresh Phantom Crushers?" Technus called out.

"That's stupid. It should be Warden's Punk Patrol." Walker said.

"Idiotic! I believe that we should call ourselves the Spiritual Society!" The Ghost Writer suggested.

"You're all missing the point." Skulker said.

"Let's call ourselves the Rough n Wild Ones!" Johnny 13

"Or the Stylish Spirits?" Kitty suggests.

"I say Beauty and the Beasts. You can guess which one I am." Spectra stated.

Skulker's eye twitched.

"Perhaps, we should call ourselves Dark Wish?" Desiree suggested.

"ENOUGH!" Skulker went, getting their attention. "We're going with Danny Phantom Revenge Squad! It's my idea so what I say goes!" He shouted in anger.

As that went on, he had no idea another ghost heard that.

A member of the far frozen getting groceries, only to be alerted by the volume of Skulker's voice.

"The Great One's foes are uniting? I must warn Frostbite." He said before flying away.

New chapter with thanks to Flower Princess11.

And no, this is not the last chapter. Most likely 10 more and I can't keep holding off on it.

If you guys can spread this and Vs The Kentucky Goblins around, I'd appreciate it.

Invader Johnny: She might make fun of him, but his being nice to her is something that she'll likely start to enjoy.

RonaldM40196867: No. I'm sure he's told them. No. No. Somewhat. Thanks but I'm good.

Luiz4200: Yup.

SuperiorBatman1: It's not the end. Thank you for the suggestions.

SoundVenom: Never played it.