Original story idea by me. I do not own Danny Phantom or The Mask.

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Feeling the late morning sun hit her face, Sam began to rise from the deep slumber of the past 12 hours. It wasn't a surprise she was waking up at close to 11 AM - she was a late riser, a night owl in a family of morning birds. It was the dreams of this particular sleep that were different.

They were so odd, but so vivid - a green-faced woman, a romp through the town, a visit to Paulina's house. Paying no mind to the old mask that sat on the carpet, she opened her bedroom and headed out to the kitchen for a light breakfast.

Her folks were gathered around the TV, the local news airing as usual. Sam thought nothing of it as she poured herself a bowl of cereal - until the next story started to play.

"We're learning more about unusual and destructive developments from Amity Park last evening. Our Lisa Taylor has more."

Turning to the screen, Sam's eyes looked at the night of her dreams, unfolding via security footage, the green-headed mistress running rampant through city offices and streets. No, this couldn't be - was this really her? Were those dreams actually - reality? How?!?! No! No!!!!!

Dropping her spoon, she dashed off to her room. Slamming the door behind her, she was hit by a wave of emotions - she was a criminal! She was going to be caught, locked away forever! What had she done? Danny, Tucker, the rest of class - what would they think of her?

Calm down, her common sense told her. No one knows who that woman was, or where she came from. Just get rid of the mask, and all will be well.

The mask - she picked it up off the floor, its blank expression almost taunting her as last night's memories ran through her head again. How could a flea market gift possibly cause such chaos?

Somehow, Sam was able to get through Sunday, able to convince her parents that her sudden "freak out" was the result of hearing her phone ring. They left her alone after that, and she spent the rest of the afternoon wallowing in doubt about seeing Danny again. As the self-professed protector of Amity Park, she knew he would be more than frustrated about the disturbing occurrences that had taken place - even if they weren't ghost related.

The night came and went, and it was once again a Monday morning at Casper High. Making her way into home room, Sam couldn't help but feel all eyes were on her - even if there were exactly two other students who had arrived before her. She looked over at Paulina's desk, guilt forming once again. For a peace lover like her, how could Sam possibly be so brutal?

A black-haired young man in a white shirt walked in and sat down next to her. Three days away from ghost hunting had done Danny some real good, as he gave Sam a quick smile.

"Hey, nice to see you again."

"You too. How was the convention?"

"Boring, as always. Nothing like sitting in conference rooms for hours listening to long-winded speakers. If I wanted to do that, I'd be in class."

Sam chuckled - oh Danny, always the one with the quick wit. But now, his tone turned serious.

"Did you hear about the crazy woman from Saturday night? She burnt down Marmel Farm, flooded the city offices, smashed up Kaufmann's Bookstore - was this ghost-related?"

Sam gulped - why did she have to lie to her best friend?

"I heard about it, but I was asleep at the time. Did they find anything out?"

"No. I'm thinking we need to take a look at that. And then there's Paulina - Tucker says the woman attacked her and she's recovering in the hospital."

"Wow." That was all Sam could say - she had to get rid of that mask, and fast. The sooner it was out of her hands, the sooner this incident would become no more than a memory. Although judging by all the gossip going around the cafeteria, it would be a long time before that night faded from anyone's mind.

Having made it through another Monday of school, the three of them headed on their separate ways, Sam promising to meet up with the boys after she made a stop home. Her only solution to the problem was to chuck the mask into the river her house overlooked - even if it became someone else's problem, it wouldn't be hers.

Standing on the rocks above the water, Sam prepared to give the mask a great toss, holding it in her hand like a frisbee -

"What are you doing, missy?!?"

She stopped. Where was that voice?

"Up here, bozo! Unbelievable, one night and you're already through with me, what a joke."

Was the mask…talking to her?

"Uh, duh! Look, Sam sweetie. I know I went a little overboard last night, but didn't you love how I make you look? Didn't you love that feeling of power?"

You made me a criminal! I almost killed people, you monster!

"Ah, they deserved it. Besides darling, I know you've got eyes on that boy Danny. With his powers and mine, you and him would make a great team, don't you think?"

This did intrigue Sam. While she still questioned the voice's sincerity, she had long wished to be a better partner to Danny, and she was holding something that could perhaps give her that chance. But could she trust this woman, the person contained within?

"Put me on, darling. I'll be good this time, I promise. Here, let me help out!"

Suddenly springing to life, the mask leapt out of Sam's hands and smacked itself right onto her face, quickly going to work on swallowing her head. A quick spin later, the woman called Miss Manson emerged from the green smoke in a purple latex catsuit, a demented smile on her thick rubbery face.

"Oh baby! I am back, and better than ever! Look out Phantom - you want to run this town, get ready for some competition!!!"