Vlad

"If lying was a job, I know some people who would be billionaires." - Unknown

The sight before me is…unexpected to say the very least.

When I stopped by the library - mostly to hide from that terrifying beast of a woman who won't stop calling me - I never imagined that I'd find young Daniel in the Children's Nook, reading to a couple of toddlers. No, that's not entirely accurate. The boy is very sweet and friendly, the ideal companion for small children. Of course he would be here.

So, let me rephrase that; I never imagined that I'd find Danny Phantom reading to toddlers.

I am invisible, and Daniel's Ghost Sense won't pick up on me unless I change forms, so he hasn't noticed me. I stand close by and watch as he merrily reads "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to his audience and shows off the pictures as he goes. The children are eating it up (no pun intended), though I suspect it's because the local superhero is the reader. The parents are enjoying it as well, likely for the same reason. Two of them are taking pictures on their phones. No doubt, those pictures will be all over the Internet soon enough.

Daniel never ceases to surprise me. Why would he, in ghost-form, volunteer for this sort of thing when he can do so just as easily in human-form? It can't be for the attention; despite his popularity, Daniel isn't the type to flaunt himself for a camera. There aren't even any ghost-children here as far as I can tell.

Maybe one of the little ones grabbed him after a fight and begged him to read to their group. I could see that. Daniel is positively adored by children, and he's too soft-hearted to turn down such a request. I don't care what Reaper says; that heart is going to be a problem down the line.

When the book ends, all the toddlers and their parents cheer and clap, and Daniel bows in his seat. I just shake my head and find a private spot to regain visibility. That boy. Honestly, that boy.

Out of nowhere, someone grabs me from behind and throws their hand over my mouth. I'm about to break free and take out my attacker, but he whispers, "It's okay, V-man. It's just me."

Now, I really want to take him out. But, I resist the temptation. I'm accustomed to doing that when Jack Fenton is around.

I spin out of his grip. "Oh, cereal treats, Jack! What are you-"

Jack puts a finger over his mouth, scans the area, and continues speaking low but urgently. "Careful, Vlad. Danny Phantom's here, and I don't want him to know I'm spying on him."

I lower my own voice because I don't want Daniel to know I'm here either. "And, this warranted you grabbing me like a thug because…?"

Jack grins sheepishly. "Uh, it seemed like a good idea at the time."

I despise this man, but I can't let him know that. I wave my hand in the direction of the Children's Nook. "Well, Phantom doesn't appear to be doing anything untoward at the moment."

"But, don't you think it's weird?" Jack asks. "Phantom only interacts with the public when there's trouble. Unless I missed something, I don't see any trouble."

You miss more than you think, you fat oaf.

I raise my hands in a shrug. "Phantom's a ghost, Jack. Who knows why they do anything?"

Jack crosses his arms. "Fair point. Still, I don't like him so close to so many kids."

"I highly doubt he'll harm them in a public place. He has a reputation to uphold, after all." I know that's not really the reason Daniel won't hurt them.

Although, it does spark an idea.

Less than a week ago, Daniel discovered something new and rather disturbing about his ice powers: they allow him to freeze the blood in a person's veins. How did he figure that out? By losing his already wild temper and freezing my blood. Which led to him flying my frigid human body to the hospital out of guilt. Which led to me being seen by a nurse named Caroline. And, Caroline is huge, hideous, and forced her phone number on to me and keeps asking when I'll feel well enough to take her to dinner. Naturally, I'm stalling, but a woman like that will only wait so long.

The worst part is that my core hums with pleasure every time Caroline flirts with me. I find that Obsessions and brains don't always work together. I worry that if I do end up dating that…creature, then I'll have to keep her around so my core stays calm. My cat, Maddie, is a big help with that, but cats by nature are fickle beings. If Maddie's not in a cuddling mood, there's nothing I can do about it. The most likely scenario is that I'll be stuck with a girlfriend I don't want for the foreseeable future. All because of Daniel and his temper tantrum.

Long story short, I crave retribution, and I already had an idea of how to get it. I was going to wait until both Jack and Maddie - not my cat - were present, but when opportunity knocks…

"Actually, Jack," I say, making my whispers more urgent, "I need to talk to you. But, not here. Not so close to Phantom."

Jack's eyebrows shoot up at that. "Let's talk in the Ghost Assault Vehicle. We'll be safe in there."

A half-ghost talking to Jack Fenton in an RV filled to the brim with anti-ghost weapons. How lovely! But, I'm in no position to argue.

We weave around bookcases so that we're less likely to be noticed by my fellow halfa and make it to the van without incident. Jack gets into the driver's seat, and I in the passenger's beside him.

"Now, what's this about Phantom, Vladdy?" Jack asks, all business now that I've said the magic word.

It's time like this when I'm glad I had one of those mothers who try to live their dreams vicariously through their child. I've been in a lot of acting classes and school plays, and the experience is more useful than I once thought.

I stiffen my shoulders and take in a deep breath through my nose. I close my eyes as if gathering my thoughts. Then I say tightly, "Not a word about this, Jack. I mean it."

"Not a word," he agrees.

Mother's ambitions, don't fail me now. I fidget with my hands and stare down at them in my lap. "Did you know I was in the hospital recently?"

"No!" Jack gasps. "When did that happen? Are you okay? I mean, you must be since you're here, but-"

I hold up a hand. "I only stayed for one day. As for why I was there…It was Phantom." I let my voice shake a little then clear my throat. "He attacked me. Used his ice powers." I swallow. "He froze my blood, Jack."

"Good God," Jack responds quietly, his face pale. He runs his hand through his hair. "Jeez, Vlad, why didn't you say anything?"

"He called it a moment of weakness. He-he threatened my life if I told anyone." I blow out a breath then turn away as if embarrassed. "Do forgive me. I know this isn't like me."

Jack rests a hand on my shoulder. "There's nothing to forgive, Vlad," he assures. Then he shudders. "Freezing blood. That would shake up anybody."

"You're telling me," I say.

Truthfully, Daniel's new ability did shake me up more than I care to admit. The boy's powerful enough without something so painful and invasive. Add his unruly temper into the mix, and…yikes. At least he has enough sense that he's probably already seeking ways to control it. The power, I mean. He's too stubborn to do anything about his temper.

Jack pats my shoulder before retracting his hand. "Glad you told me, V-man. That took guts. We all know what Phantom's like when he's angry."

"Again I say, you're telling me." There's more weight to my words this time.

I picture Daniel's face when he pinned me down as my body froze from the inside. That boyish face twisted into something ugly, his eyes glowing so brightly that it was like staring at twin suns, his voice reminiscent of the Ghostly Wail in all but volume. I don't need to fake the shiver that runs up my spine.

"You know," Jack says, "Maddie and I have already been going harder at Phantom after what he did to Jazz. I really think we should tell Mads about this."

Too easy. I sigh heavily. "Well, I'd rather have neither of you involved. I just needed to get that off my chest. But, I know I can't stop you. But, could you tell her yourself? The less people Phantom thinks I told, the better."

Jack hums and nods in understanding. Then he drums his fingers on his thigh. "What about the kids? Specifically Jazz. She's pretty gung-ho about Phantom being good."

"Even after what he did to her?" I ask in mock-surprise.

Jack shrugs and chuckles humorlessly. "You know Jazz. She looks for the good." He frowns deeply. "I just wish there was good for her to find. At this point, I don't think there's any denying that Phantom's as bad as all the other ghosts."

I barely contain my laughter. "If that's the case, maybe you should tell them. Just for their own safety. But, tell no one else." Jack mimes zipping his lips. I place my hand on his arm and smile. "And, thank you. I feel a little better about the whole thing now."

Just not for the reason he thinks.

"You always did strike me as a peeping tom."

I turn my head in surprise. Wanting to make certain that Jack did in fact tell my story to his family, I had decided to "go ghost," as Daniel puts it, and spy on them. I was against the wall of their house - the ghost shield isn't currently active, not that my human-form couldn't have gotten through - and was about to turn invisible and phase my head into the room. But, that's been delayed by a certain ghost-form's presence.

Daniel leans casually against the building, his wisp of a tail flicking in the breeze. He examines his nails, though they are hidden under his stark white gloves, as if bored by my presence. His Ghost Sense is impeccable, so I'd expected him to make an appearance. I'm just a little confused because his human-self is still sitting at the kitchen table with his family.

It takes but a moment to realize who - or rather, what - I am talking to. "I see Daniel's been working on his Duplication," I say, honestly impressed. The last time he used this power with me, his copies were mindless drones who could only complete simple tasks and didn't talk, at least from what I could tell. This one is mimicking Daniel's speech and mannerisms perfectly. "Do you do tricks?"

"That costs extra," the copy says, not missing a beat. Daniel has been working hard. The copy gives up the pretense of disinterest and hovers upright and crosses its arms, glowering. "What are you doing here, cheesehead? And, how soon can you leave?"

I gesture toward the window. "Maybe I'm just checking in on my dear old friends."

"Mm-hm," the copy responds with an eye roll.

I take a glance at the scene through the window. Jack must have already shared my falsity. Though I can't quite make out the words, I can hear Jasmine's shouting even from out here as she defends her brother. Jack and Maddie are trying to calm her down. Poor, poor Daniel just sits there, staring into space, looking as pale as his ghost-form. I'd like to phase my head in invisibly and listen as planned, but if Daniel's duplicate is as flawless as it appears, I don't think I'd get that far.

"What did you do?" the copy asks, its demeanor less annoyed now and more infuriated as it glances through the window and puts two and two together.

I know this isn't actually Daniel, but I'm feeling smug. "Oh, I simply warned your father of your original's temperament. And, I may have let a little something slip about his ice powers."

The copy raises an eyebrow before its face becomes a mask of fear and anger. It balls its fists at its sides and speaks through gritted teeth. "You said you wouldn't tell anyone."

I tap my chin. "Mm, not in those exact words, if I recall."

I brace myself, expecting the copy to throw itself at me in a blind fury, but it doesn't. It instead takes in a long breath and raises its hands in surrender. "It doesn't matter," the copy says, glowing green eyes bright with determination. "It's a set-back at worst. Danny's going to make his parents see that he's not a bad guy, that not all ghosts are like you," it growls out the word.

I take in what it just said and laugh at the sheer naivety. "You're serious? Don't tell me that's why he was at the library today."

"You saw that?" It wavers a bit before its anger returns. "Do you do anything besides spy on him? Get a life, man!"

I ignore the jab. "Regardless of what brought me there, the fact is that any attempt he makes is useless." I get in the copy's face and speak to it as if it is the real Daniel Fenton, knowing that the boy will retain the duplicate's memories. "Hear this, Daniel. If protecting the town on a daily basis couldn't sway them, what makes you think a few mundane good deeds are going to change anything? Now, if you had just accepted my offer from the beginning and became my apprentice, you wouldn't be in this situation. You would have a caretaker who isn't out for your ectoplasm, who understands the challenges of being a ghost and a human. You would be safe, sound, and unafraid-"

Suddenly, the copy and its furious expression vanish before my eyes. From below, I hear, "It's always about you, isn't it?"

I try to evade, but the boy's always had speed on his side. He grabs the end of my cape and hurls me into the ground, the impact sending waves of pain over me. Not at all helped when Daniel shoots himself down and pins me there. I think there might be indentations in the ground where his hands and knees landed. Daniel's face is frighteningly similar to the one he made the day he froze my blood. The memory makes my stomach churn, but I don't let him see it.

"Everything you do," he snarls, "every person you hurt, every lie you tell, it's all to get what you want! But, nothing you say could ever convince me to leave my family!"

"I genuinely want to help you, Daniel," I argue. "A day will come when-"

He slaps me. He actually slaps me in the face. "Why should I listen to you?" His eyes glow too much, his voice deepens to a low rumble. "Every other word out of your damn mouth is a lie!"

"You're lying to yourself!" I snap.

Suddenly, the fight leaves me. I can feel nothing but pity for this child, this scared kid who is too tender-hearted to stop loving the ones who hurt him. It isn't Jack and Maddie's fault; they don't know who their sworn enemy really is. But if they did, I can't predict how they would react. It's the same reason I never revealed who I am. I don't care what Jack thinks, but I couldn't bear the look on dear Maddie's face.

That's why I need to make Daniel see how much danger he's putting himself in by staying with them. The boy is too stubborn for his own good. Especially considering what's in store for him. If he doesn't get out of his own head before then, there will be no saving him.

"Danny," I say. The use of his nickname captures his attention. "My boy, you just might have the worst case of denial I've ever seen. Your house is not a home. Not for you." The glow of his eyes dims, though the harsh scowl remains. "Can't you see that nothing you do is going to work? Do you think I enjoy hiding myself away? The human world is a cruel place for ghosts, half or whole. And, as much as I love your mother," his scowl deepens at that, "I am not blind to the truth. And, the truth is that some people cannot be swayed no matter what you do." I think I'm getting through to him. His expression hasn't changed, but there are tears in his eyes. "Beyond that, your ghostly form is still developing. Who is going to help you through that? Your sister? Your friends? They won't know what to do with you once the worst of your development occurs. Trust me," I add, shivering at too many memories. My voice shakes and it's not by choice. "You will be alone, Daniel James Fenton. More so than you've ever been before." He turns his head away. His eyes are black now, and one of his tears lands on my chin, right on the death mark that's hidden under my goatee. "I am the only one capable of helping you through it, Daniel. If you'll just open your eyes and see how much you need me, I-"

Daniel laughs, softly at first, then louder and louder until it sounds borderline hysterical. Reaper's words play through my mind. "Did it ever occur to you that by antagonizing him, you are only making him more volatile?" I'd dismissed the Ancient at the time. Now I'm wondering if they were right.

Daniel shakes his head as his fit devolves into broken giggles. When he opens his eyes, I'm relieved to see that they are green again. "It all circles back to you, doesn't it? You really had me going there, fruit loop."

"I'm being sincere!" I argue, but I know there's no point.

"Right, right," Daniel says with a few nods of his head. "You. Sincere. Sure." Surprising me once more, he floats off of me. I climb to my feet, hissing at the soreness. Daniel hovers above eye-level with his arms crossed and his knees bent back. "For your information, I know a ghost hater who's starting to come around. If they can change their mind, then so can my parents."

My heart aches for this boy. Not that he would believe me if I told him. "Whoever this person is-"
He holds up a hand. "Save it. You've said enough. I'll let you go this time but only because I'm not in the mood to deal with you." He descents slightly and jabs his index finger at my chest. The look on his face could melt steel. "But, know this Vladimir. One day, you're going to slip up. Everyone will see what you're really like, and when that happens, I'll be sitting there with a bucket of popcorn, just watching it all go down."

"Oh, pretzel sticks, Daniel-"

He flips me the bird as he shoots into the sky.

There's a heaviness in my chest as I watch him disappear from view. I toss my hands at my sides and groan in resignation. I don't know why I bother. He never listens. Reaper's crazy if they think otherwise.

"When the time comes, I will make certain that Danny Phantom is prepared."

"He won't listen."

"That will be his decision. Just as it was yours."

Daniel's going to make the same mistake I did if something doesn't change. The boy doesn't deserve to go through that.

But based on what I saw through the window, Jack and Maddie should be doubling down on Danny Phantom. He should realize soon enough that he needs a guiding hand, someone who won't destroy him for merely existing.

He can't lie to himself forever.

We're done! I swear we're done now! XD

This turned out a lot more plot-heavy than I expected. What happened to the fluffy one-shot I'd originally planned?

As usual, thanks for reading, and I hope to see you in the next installment. It should be more light-hearted over all. Should be.