Props to Devilsummoner666 for making me consider a chapter from Mira's POV. I really like how this one turned out. :)

Intermission: Mira

"Every girl has this male friend who is just a friend, but the whole universe thinks he is not just a friend." - Unknown

My death happened so suddenly that I didn't even know I'd died. Needless to say, I was confused as hell and freaked beyond words. In walked Danny Phantom, a superhero I'd heard about but never had the privilege of meeting until then. I knew he had a reputation for being kind and friendly, but I still hadn't known what to expect.

Danny is kind and friendly. He's also brave and witty and a major dork in an endearing way. I can see why he's popular enough to have a fan website as well as fanart and fanfiction galore. He was both amused and horrified when I told him about it.

When he told me that the popular kids don't like his human-half, I didn't think much of it. He does have a secret identity, after all. And, no one's going to like everyone.

I just hadn't anticipated how bad it was.

I'd found the group just as Danny started crying. Hearing him call himself "less than nothing" among other things was just heartbreaking. Bullying sucks and it gets in your head. Everyone knows that. But, I saw Danny's face. You don't make a face like that unless you have it worse than most.

A guy like Danny doesn't deserve that, and that's not even the end of it.

Confronting him about it only confirmed how much Dash and Paulina affected him. I don't know if it was just them or not, but I've lost the desire to like them. Anyone who can make a person genuinely believe that they're ugly and stupid and a freak is no friend of mine.

Danny once told me I don't have to repay him for helping me when I died. That doesn't mean I can't try to, and I finally have the opportunity.

I suggested a fight, expecting Danny to jump at the chance to hit something. Teenage boys like that sort of thing, right? Except that my attempts to provoke him got out of hand. (If that was "barely a Wail," the real thing must be terrifying.) Suddenly, his mind had slipped somewhere else, and he looked so much older than sixteen. It dawned on me then that being a kid hero must not be as glamorous as TV wants you to think. I don't know what he's seen or what he's done, but I don't think high school drama is the only problem. Not even close.

"I could destroy you, Mira." That's what he said to me. Coming from anyone else, I would roll my eyes at the melodrama. But, Danny believed those words. I could tell. He said that he's hurt people before. I'm not brave or cruel enough to ask for details.

But, I trust him.

"Come on, Frosty," I taunt, static skittering over my raised fists. "Let's make some thunder snow." You know those times when you actually hear yourself speak? "That sounded sexual, didn't it?"

"A little," Danny says. There's the faintest spark in his eyes, which have gone from black back to the usual green. I take that as a good sign. "But more importantly, did you just banter?"

"That's how you do it, isn't it? Did I do it right?"

Danny only stares at me for a while. I don't move from my fighting stance, though nerves crawl around in my stomach. I'm not a fighter and Danny is, so I'm starting to realize how badly this could end. But, that part is very small. Most of my nervousness is anticipation because Danny still hasn't responded. I wish I could read minds. Is that a real ghost power?

A tear forms in his eye, and I start to panic, thinking I'd gone about this all wrong. But, Danny wipes it away with a small, determined smile. "Not bad for your first attempt, sparky." He takes a few steps back and crouches in his own fighting stance. "But, allow me to give you some pointers."

Success! "There's my guy."

Danny's smile grows, and his eyes narrow. He holds out a hand and wags his fingers, beckoning.

I charge at him with a battle cry. He dodges and grabs my arm. He whirls me over his head and slams me into the ground. I lay there in a bruised daze as he smirks at me from upside-down.

"Is that the best you got?" he says. "I've seen squirrels who fight better. Except that I've seen ghost-squirrels, so that's a bad example."

Fueled by his trash talk, I grab his ankles to pull his feet out from under him. But, he morphs his legs into a smoky-gray tail and floats directly above me. He blows a raspberry just to rub it in. Rude. But, at least he's feeling better.

I need to up my game. I need to fight like a ghost.

I raise my hands and feel the bite of electricity shoot through my arms. I send a huge bolt at Danny, sending him flying higher into the air with a pained cry. I leap into the air, meeting him up there. He holds his arms over his stomach, and his teeth are gritted. Guilt hits me, and my knee-jerk reaction is to apologize, but Danny raises his head and gazes at me with more than a little pride.

"That's more like it," he says. "Come on, ghost girl. Bust me up!" He cringes. "That also sounded sexual, didn't it?"

I laugh at how worried I was. He's used to fighting powerful supervillains. He isn't going to be phased by my attacks. I'm small potatoes for him!

I throw more lightning in his direction. He forms a translucent green barrier in front of him. When I end my attack, he grabs the edges of the shield and throws it. I avoid it just in time.

Danny flies at me with a fist prepped. Thinking fast, I open a portal and throw myself into it. The eerie green atmosphere of the Ghost Zone greets me, but I don't have time to look around and see where I ended up, not that I would know anyway. I am both looking forward to and anxious of my first real trip here. For now, I'm sure Danny's hovering in place, waiting for me to return.

I focus on where I just was, taking care to open a new portal directly behind Danny. I haven't so much as stuck my head through the yellow-green swirls before a white glove pops out and grabs me by the shirt. In a flash, I'm being yanked through my own portal and hurled toward the ground.

I manage to catch myself in mid-air but not before being whacked by a bunch of tree branches. I'd be cut up pretty bad if I was still a human, but it just feels like a lot of scratches. Ghosts sure are durable.

I fly back up, and he starts to meet me halfway, this time with his legs returned as he gears up for a kick. I send static over me and shoot it out, creating an electric shield. Danny hits it at just the right moment. He is electrocuted on contact and screams in pain before being thrown back when I break the barrier.

He curls in on himself as smoke trails up from his scorched body. Did I go too far?

"Girl, you need to chill out."

There's my answer.

Danny waves his hands in a large circle in front of him. A pale blue cloud forms and blocks him from view. Before I know it, a huge flood of snow bursts out and hits me dead-on. He did mention learning how to make a blizzard.

I barely feel the landing. I'm too numb from the cold. I haven't even felt cold since I was still alive! Snow is everywhere. Once the numbness wears off, I'll be pretty damn sore; there's no denying that. The snow is so heavy that digging myself out is a challenge. Luckily, it vanishes as quickly as it appeared. Danny must have done that.

He stands on the ground, looming over me. There's a wide grin on his face, though his eyes are still narrowed threateningly. "Had enough?"

"Yeah, I think so," I respond.

I'm exhausted and starting to feel my injuries, but Danny looks like he could do this all day. Truly a force to be reckoned with.

Danny bends over and offers me his hand. I take it and let him help me to my feet. This turns out to be a bad idea when my head swims and I have to blink away speckles.

"You did well. I'm impressed," Danny says. Pride swells in me, but it turns into confusion when Danny rests his hands on my arms. "Here, let me take care of this."

A faint yellow glow envelops his hands, and his eyes are glowing the same color. It's like when his eyes turn light blue when he uses his ice powers. A pleasant, soothing warmth spreads over my body. When Danny retracts his hands, I feel like I'd never fought anyone at all.

"It's called the Healing Touch," Danny explains. "It's new."

Why am I not surprised that he has a healing power? I raise both my thumbs. "Cool."

Danny rubs the back of his neck. "Well, don't get used to it. If I use it too much without a break, I risk destabilizing."

Yeesh. I flip my thumbs over. "Less cool."

Danny sniffs a laugh before his smile turns into something more tender. He loosely folds his arms, and his voice is quiet but carries a lot of weight. "Thanks for that. I kind of needed it."

I smile back. "I told you. Physical exertion-"

"That's not what I meant." He lowers his head, struggling for the words. "I…I'm supposed to be this…this unstoppable force. When people think of Danny Phantom, they think of this fearless, confident person. They think of someone who will hold their hand when they're scared and face danger with a quip and a smile. I want to be that for them. I want everyone to see me as someone…someone they can count on. But, sometimes…I just wanna punch a wall or curl up and cry or be left alone. But, I can't do that because I need to be there for everyone! I need to be the hero they want me to be!" He finally looks at me, and his eyes are so sad and so tired. "So, to be able to be something else, to really be myself and not be judged… It's nice."

I blink away tears. It's hard to believe that this is the same guy who cooked dinner with me the day we met and binged that sci-fi anime with me last week. He seemed so happy. I've seen him down, but he was always so good at bouncing back up. Was it all an act? How okay is he, really?

"Whoa!" Danny says suddenly. He throws his hand on to his head as a fierce green blush spreads over his face. "That all just flew out of me. I'm sorry. I don't know- I-" He half-moans, half-sighs and smacks his forehead. "This is embarrassing."

I start to tell him that it's not, but he lets out a breath that's…blue? The color is so faint that I wonder if it's a trick of the light. He pushes me behind him and scans the area. That breath must have been his Ghost Sense. I've never seen it in action before. Please, let it be a nice ghost!

We hear applause and look in that direction. Blairman appears, having apparently been watching us while invisible. His camera hovers beside him, and he claps and cheers like he just saw the best performance in the world.

"Bravo! Bravo, my friends!" he cheers before running up to us. Is he actually swooning? "The action! The drama! The emotion! Truly inspired!"

"Have you been filming us this whole time?" Danny's voice is a low rumble.

Blairman scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Well, your friend here wouldn't do it."

"Because I'm not a jerk!" I retort.

Oh, crud. How much did this guy see?

I hear a deep growl that sounds like it's coming from an angry bear. But, no. It's coming from Danny, who gets in Blairman's face. "Delete it." Even Danny's voice sounds like it belongs to a bear. "You can use the fight if you want. But, whatever else you saw, delete it."

If Blairman was still alive, he probably would have peed his pants. He gives Danny a hesitant salute. "Sir, yes, sir."

Danny Fenton/Phantom strikes me as someone who's amazing as a friend and an absolute nightmare as an enemy. I'm glad we're on good terms.

Movement catches my eye. A white cape not far from here, one that I saw not too long ago. Has he been filming, too?

"I'll let you two sort this out," I say before making my escape.

Nerves swirl in my stomach. I'm about to have my first real encounter with an evil ghost (unless you count my ex). I can do this. If Danny was able to do it at fourteen, I can do it at eighteen. I hope.

Vlad Plasmius stops and turns toward me. He heard me coming. He isn't even trying to hide the digital camera he's holding. In fact, he looks proud of himself.

Now that I'm this close, I'm not quite sure what to do. It's obvious he was recording me and Danny, so should I start with that?

Plasmius decides for me. "Why, hello there. It's Mira, right? Always happy to meet a friend of Daniel's."

I don't know if it's the way he said that or if it's just because he looks like a vampire - I bet he doesn't even sparkle! - but a shiver runs up my spine. "I'm not dumb, Plasmius," I say, faking bravado. "Danny told me all about you."

Plasmius raises an eyebrow. "All about me?"

"Well, he didn't say much," I admit, wondering why Plasmius looks so tense all of a sudden, "but I know you're sworn enemies, and that's all I need to know."

Plasmius relaxes at that. I wonder what he doesn't want me to know. He probably has all kinds of secrets.

"I may be an adversary of young Daniel's," he says, "but rest assured that I have no quarrel with you. Why, I'd never even seen your face before today."

A selfish, cowardly part of me is soothed by that. I ignore it and point to the camera. "Either way, I know you were recording us. Hand over the camera or, uh, I'll-"

Plasmius chuckles, moving forward to loom over me, and I hate how intimidating he is. "You'll what? Make my hair stand on end?" He pats his weird horn-shaped black hair. "I'm afraid that ship has sailed."

Before common sense takes over, I grab the camera with both hands and throw out as much electricity as I can. Plasmius is knocked back on his ass with a shout, and the camera is reduced to ash.

Good news: Whatever was on that camera is history.

Bad news: Plasmius was apparently more startled than anything.

He picks himself up and dusts himself off, as if he'd done nothing more than tripped and landed in a pile of pillows. Dread surges through me. Danny wasn't particularly bothered by my attacks, but he was at least affected by them. How powerful is Vlad Plasmius?

And, what am I still doing here?

"You've got spunk. I like that," Plasmius praises. And, Danny thinks Blairman gives off predator vibes. When I try to run, Plasmius grabs my arm and squeezes real tight. I go intangible, but that only makes him laugh again. "My dear, has no one told you that you cannot phase through other ghosts?"

All my bravado is gone, fear taking its place. Why didn't I just tell Danny about this guy? Why did I have to confront him on my own like an idiot? "What do you want from me?" I wish my voice wasn't so small.

Plasmius's wholly red gaze softens. "As I've stated, Mira, I have no quarrel with you. Just the opposite. I'm glad to see you with Daniel. He needs a ghost friend by his side, and you seem like a good one."

I sense a "but" coming.

"That being said," Plasmius's gaze isn't so soft now, "I don't appreciate getting electrocuted. And, while I am not as skilled in Electrokinesis as you obviously are," tiny magenta-colored bolts crawl over his hand, the hand that is still holding my arm, "there is one thing I can do rather well."

A scream rips out of me as lightning rakes over me. It's like my skin is being sliced by a million hot knives. Eventually, Plasmius tosses me to the ground. I moan in both pain and relief that it's over. How does Danny do this all the time? And, he started when he was fourteen?

"I'll have you know," Plasmius says, "that I felt no joy from doing that."

"Why don't I believe you?" I croak out.

Plasmius raises his hands placatingly. "I am not the monster Daniel makes me out to be. Just stay out of my way, and we won't have to have this discussion again."

Out of nowhere, a black and white blur shoves Plasmius aside, sending him sliding along the ground, breaking through the surface. A trail of dirt is left in their wake, getting deeper the closer it gets to Plasmius, who is pinned down by someone I want to sob in relief at the sight of.

"Never touch her again." Danny is using the angry bear voice.

Plasmius is unphased. I get the feeling he wanted Danny to show up. "Relax, little badger." Little badger? "Your friend is nothing more than a blip on my radar." Plasmius's eyes, full of meaning, turn toward me. "And, I'm quite certain that she will stay that way." On that note, he phases through the ground, leaving Danny crouched on the loose dirt.

If I still had a pulse, it would be pounding as I wait for Danny's reaction. Finally, "That man doesn't know when to quit!" He punctuates this by punching the dirt. Hard enough that there's a very faint rumble in the earth.

Forget Plasmius. How powerful is Danny? And, how much was he holding back during our fight?

So, so glad I'm on his good side.

Danny rises and walks over to me. There isn't a trace of that rage on his face. Only concern as he helps me to my feet. "Are you alright?" he asks. "Hold still."

As he uses his Healing Touch to fix me up once more, the adrenaline wears off. Tears pool in my eyes and run down my cheeks. Danny sees this and finishes up with his power while wrapping me in a hug that I return twice as hard. I press my eyes into his shoulder, feeling like the biggest wimp in the world. I could barely muster the courage just to talk to Plasmius, yet Danny freaking tackled the guy without a second thought!

"How do you do that?" I ask once I calm down. "How do you just…go after people like him?"

"It, uh, takes some getting used to." He pulls away but keeps his hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eye. "Don't worry about him. Plasmius is only interested in me. But, if he shows up again, tell me. I know how to handle him."

This is the same guy who was crying his eyes out because he felt so alone. I wonder if that's why he does what he does. Because he doesn't want anyone else to feel alone.

I'm starting to see why girls in movies always fall in love with the guy who saves their lives. Except that Danny's more like a little brother. Then again, we're not related, so…

Luckily, I don't have to go down that rabbit hole, because Danny breathes out blue air. We both go on high alert. I know I'm not the only one expecting Vlad Plasmius to return. Or, Blairman. He would be preferable.

But when I peek over Danny's shoulder, I only see Dash and Paulina standing there, paralyzed. Danny lets go of me, turning around to follow my gaze.

"Where did you two come from?" he asks, startled.

"And, how long were you there?" I add. My face cools when I realize that they must have seen my breakdown.

Paulina laughs sheepishly. "Oh, we-we weren't here that long."

Dash raises two thumbs and offers a nervous grin. "Your fight was awesome!" Paulina elbows him hard.

Danny smacks his forehead. "Is there a reason you didn't announce yourselves sooner?"

"Well, you guys were having a moment," Dash says, "and then you were busy fighting."

"And then, Blairman was doing his thing," Paulina adds. "And, Phantom started chewing him out."

"Then, we heard some commotion and saw that Plasmius-guy attacking Mira."

"We were gonna do something, but Phantom scared him off, and the timing was just awkward after that."

They saw everything.

"You could have jumped in at any point in time," I scold. "There were a lot of private moments!"

They have the decency to look embarrassed.

Danny stammers and gestures wildly for a minute before groaning and looking at the sky in frustration. "It-it's fine. Just never tell anyone about this, alright?" The humans nod. "Great. Now, let's head back to the set and see what stupid thing Blairman wants us to do next."

Danny starts to storm off, but Paulina stops him with a hesitant, "Um…" She sends glances my way, a not-so-subtle message.

After the way they've been treating Danny, even if they don't know it, I'm reluctant to leave him alone with them. But, Danny narrows his eyes and says, "Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Mira." He adds quietly, "It's not like she doesn't already know my deep, dark secrets."

I feel like there are a lot of his secrets that I still don't know.

The two stand there for a moment - Dash with his hands in his pockets and Paulina rubbing her arm, neither making eye contact - then Paulina starts off. "So, Phantom. When you were asking about Danny Fenton," I try not to react to that, "it wasn't about his parents being ghost hunters, was it?"

I can't read Danny's expression. He crosses his arms and breathes in through his nose. "It wasn't."

"Wow," Paulina breathes.

"We're sorry," Dash blurts. "We-we didn't know you- I mean, how would we know? You're all heroic, and he's so…Fenton-y!"

Danny could freak these guys out so much right now. But, he doesn't. He just closes his eyes as he gathers his thoughts. Then, "I'll say this. Fenton and I? Our first names aren't the only thing we have in common." Understatement of the year. "And anyway, if you're looking to apologize, you're talking to the wrong Danny." As far as they know. "Let me give you some advice. Stop being assholes to people who are a little different than you. You don't know what's in their head." Danny pauses before adding quietly. "Or, what they're capable of."

What is he capable of?

On that note, Danny pushes past them and starts back to the set. I hear him breathe out then mutter, "If that's Blairman, I swear to God…"

The rest of us are motionless, though the humans have more to process than I do. We follow Danny, and Paulina rushes to his side while Dash and I pick up the rear.

"We don't think less of you," Paulina says hurriedly. She only gets more anxious when Danny just makes a noncommittal noise. "Really! We don't care if you're a loser!" She flinches. "I-I mean, you're not a loser. Not at all! You're incredible!"

While Paulina showers Danny with praise - I forgot she has a very obvious crush on…half of him - Dash is silent beside me, lost in thought.

Until he nudges me, making me look up at him. He must be as tall as Plasmius. That or I'm just short. He motions for me to hang back a little more, so I do.

Once we're far enough to see the others but not be heard, Dash whispers, "I know it's, like, a big no-no to ask a ghost how they died, but…is it okay to ask a ghost how another ghost died?"

As if things couldn't get any heavier. I tug on my denim jacket. (I haven't felt the need to change clothes since I died. What I'm wearing feels like a part of me. According to Eileen, that's normal, though I can change if the mood strikes.) "I haven't been dead that long," I whisper back. "I'm not sure about the etiquette for that."

Dash hums in acknowledgement and puts his hands in his letterman pockets, staring at his feet. "It's just… Well, I assume you know about his human life?" I nod. I know a hell of a lot more than he thinks. "So, uh, when he said about…being at rock bottom and stuff… And, after what he just told us… I-I was wondering…"

Dash is getting more uncomfortable with every word. "Wondering what?" I ask.

His next words are so quiet, I barely hear them. "Did he…kill himself?"

I open my mouth to assure him otherwise, but no words come out.

When Danny told me and my parents how he became a halfa, he was really vague about it. He told us that he messed with one of his parents' inventions, and that was it. He didn't say anything else. I hadn't thought much of it at the time. Why would anyone be comfortable with talking about how they died? I know I wasn't when I explained it to my friends and family, and Danny was telling total strangers!

But, I have more of the story now.

Danny's self-esteem is in the toilet, to the point that he openly referred to himself as "less than nothing." He's seen and done things that were bad enough that he was completely certain that he could destroy me by accident. He genuinely believes that he's ugly and stupid and a freak. On top of all that, he's desperate to keep up his superhero image, to be what everyone else wants him to be.

"You don't know what's in their head. Or, what they're capable of."

He made his death sound like an accident. But, was it really?

"I don't know," I breathe as dread coils in my stomach.

Dash doesn't respond.

"Paulina!" Danny shouts suddenly making everyone stop in their tracks. Danny is right in Paulina's face. "Will you stop with the compliments? You can drop the act. I know you and Dash want nothing to do with me now, so-"

"That isn't true!" Dash interjects as he and I move closer. "You're, like, the coolest, most badass guy alive!" Danny raises an eyebrow. "You know what I mean."

"What Dash is trying to say," Paulina continues, "is that all those people who put you down were wrong. You rush into danger to keep total strangers safe. You visit people at the hospital just to see if they're okay-"

"So, I'm only wanted when someone needs saving," Danny says bitterly. "Tell me something I don't know, Barbie." Dash barely gets any sounds out before Danny cuts him off. "Zip it, Ken. You're no better."

I step forward, trying to de-escalate. "Danny, forget about them. Let's just get back to the set."

I stop beside Danny and gently turn him around and push him forward. He doesn't resist. He just pulls his arms around himself and hangs his head as he walks. After a moment, I hear Dash and Paulina follow. I honestly feel bad for them. They may be jerks to Danny Fenton, but it's clear that they really do care about Danny Phantom. Which has to be the most conflicting thing in the world for the poor guy in question.

I struggle to find something reassuring to say, but Danny speaks first, though I really have to strain to hear him. "Why do I bother?" I look up at him and note with alarm that his eyes are black again. "No one wants me unless they want something from me. It's always been that way."

How do you tell if someone has depression vs if they just feel sorry for themselves? It doesn't matter. Danny was there for me, so I'm there for him. Friendship is a two-way street, as they say.

"Danny," I whisper, "you are awesome. Not because you're a superhero. You're awesome because you're Danny. I think these guys know that too." Even quieter, I add, "At least, for part of you." His eyes return to normal, and he almost smiles. "And hey, maybe this will be a wake-up call for them. Maybe now they'll stop being so mean to-to those kids at their school," I amend at the last minute.

Danny turns his head toward me, his eyes glimmering with hope. "You think so?"

"Totally," I say. "Thanks to you, they know what losers are capable of." I stifle a flinch at my wording.

But, Danny's almost smile turns into a small but real one, and his face greens. "Thanks, Mira. You're a good friend."

I smile despite the dread that shoots back to the surface. Did he have any good friends when he was fully human? No, wait. He had Sam and Tucker and Jazz. But, were they enough? How bad was the bullying? Is that why Danny fights bad guys?

Oh my god, how did Danny Fenton really get his powers?

When we arrive back on set, Blairman bursts out of his trailer in a flurry of excitement. "Ha ha! There's my star!" He sprints over to us and grabs Danny's hands. Then before Danny can get a word in edgewise, the man kisses him on the mouth. Blairman gasps and presses his fists to his chest, doing a little shimmy. "I was just looking over the footage, and I am tingling! We're done for the day. I've gotten everything I wanted and so, so much more! Phantom, a promise is a promise. Say your goodbyes and meet me in my trailer so we can go over it together. I know you said to delete all the good parts, but once you see them on-screen, I'm hoping you'll change your mind. Don't dally. I'll be waiting." And, he's gone as quickly as he appeared.

We all stand there, momentarily stunned. Especially Danny, who sports what can only be described as a thousand-yard stare.

"That man is, uh…" Paulina drawls after a while.

"Yeah, he is," Dash agrees.

Is he ever. "How you doing after that, Danny?" I ask.

"I think he bent my teeth," Danny says. He breathes out blue again and is instantly brought back. "Mira, make sure these two," Dash and Paulina, "get home okay. I gotta make sure that lunatic deletes all the private moments he recorded."

"Hey, Phantom," Dash says as turns toward the trailer. "I'm curious." Please, don't ask about Danny's death! Or, half-death? Danny motions for him to continue, so he does. "Why do you help people? I mean, people with crappy lives on TV usually turn into villains when they get superpowers. I'm not complaining, but…why didn't you?"

That's actually a really good question. At least, it is if you don't know Danny.

Danny is silent for a long time. He has that aged, haunted look when he finally speaks. "I won't deny exacting a little bit of revenge. Back when I first got my powers, I mean. Nothing big. Just a few harmless pranks. But once the novelty wore off, once I started meeting more and more ghosts, good and bad… I realized what-what I could really do. How much damage I could cause." He stares down at his hands, his mind somewhere far, far away. "It…it scares me. I know what evil looks like." His hands shake and curl into fists. "I…can't be that. I promised…" I clear my throat, bringing him back once more. He blinks a few times, his gaze darting at each of our nervous and concerned expressions. He coughs into his fist, blushing fiercely. "Anyway, I think it depends a lot on what you were like when you were alive. I wasn't perfect, but I think I was a good person overall." He thinks about it a little more. "Of course, there are good ghosts who terrorize humans for fun. I-I don't know. Maybe I'm just nice."

"But, before they realized you were nice," Paulina says, "everyone thought you were a monster. You were public enemy number one!" What? My eyes shoot to Danny, who bears a tight grimace. "You could have let everyone fend for themselves, but you didn't. I'm not complaining either, but why not?"

"Because, that's not who I am," Danny says simply. "Even when I was a human, I always wanted to be there for people. I got so mad when I saw someone getting hurt, and I was too chicken to do anything about it. As a ghost, I have the ability to protect not just my peers, but everyone. That feels good," he adds with a tiny smile. "I still get scared - of course I do - but I'm not as afraid as I once was. I'm doing what I want, what I've grown to love, and I'm going to keep doing it. No matter what anyone thinks."

Who could ever hate this guy, human or ghost?

Danny nods at me. "Get them home safe."

I salute in response.

Before he goes, Dash says to him, "We really don't think less of you. Whoever you were in life, you're still an awesome guy."

"We got to know you, Phantom," Paulina adds. "We know you're more than just a hero. Whoever said you were a freak was a filthy liar. You're…you're an inspiration."

At that, Danny turns all the way around. "How so?"

Paulina smiles. "You went from rock bottom all the way to the top! It's a real rags to riches tale! But, without the money."

I see where she's going with this and throw in my two cents. "Danny, you are living proof - uh, sort of - that weirdos are the best! Who needs popularity? Sure, your powers gave you a hand, but I guarantee that you were great long before you got them."

"And, if I ever meet those bullies of yours," Dash says and bashes his fist into his hand, "I'm gonna pound them! The human ones, at least. Heh. Not sure how far I'd get with the ghosts."

I'd love to see these guys' reactions if they ever find out who Danny Phantom really is.

There's a blush on Danny's cheeks and a soft smile on his lips. He nods at me and repeats, "Get them home safe."

I salute him once more.

The moment breaks when Danny's Ghost Sense appears. He's all business as he scopes the area and his brightly glowing eyes land at something in the sky. No, I realize when I follow his gaze, someone in a tree.

Vlad Plasmius sits on a thick branch. I thought I'd destroyed his camera, but he must have had a back-up. "Smile for the camera, children," he taunts as he points the thing at us.

He really doesn't quit, does he?

With a growl reminiscent of an even angrier bear, Danny raises his hand and blasts a green energy beam at the camera. Plasmius jerks back in surprise, and the remains of that camera full to the ground.

"Beat it, cheesehead," Danny commands, "before I turn you into Swiss."

Plasmius levitates off the branch. "I'm going, I'm going. My work here is done, anyway," he adds with a smirk before taking flight.

What is that guy's deal? Why do he and Danny hate each other so much? Plasmius is a huge jerk, yes, but seeing their interactions tells me that there's something deeper than that. I hope I get to hear the full story some day.

Danny sniggers and proudly puts his hands on his hips. "See what I did there? Cheesehead? Swiss?"

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Danny," I snark.

Meanwhile, Paulina shakes her head fondly, and Dash says, "I don't get it."

Danny frowns at him. "Well, two out of three ain't bad. I'll see you guys later. And, thanks again, Mira," he adds shyly before heading to Blairman's trailer.

I may not be of any use with supervillains, but I am going to make damn sure that I'm a good friend to Danny. After all, I don't know what he's been through.

Or, how he became a ghost.