What Now?
It was the Monday the week after Vilgax's attack.
Amity Park was quiet with ghostly activity, but only the ghostly kind.
It was behind a bakery where this was happening. 10 minutes ago, they broke in to steal some cakes.
"Come on! Come on!" Vivian insisted as she carried a 3-layer cake into the backseat of the car they're using.
"Let's do this quick!" Thad said as he took a few boxes of cookies in them. "My mom's still asleep and if she catches us doing this one more time, I'm kicked out!"
"We're not getting caught!" Donald, who was in the driver's seat, insisted. "It's 6:30 in the morning, they don't open until 10! Quit whining and hurry up!"
Once all of them were back in the car, Donald inserted the key.
"Don't forget your disguise!"
"Oh… right…"
Donald put his sunglasses on and a blue cap on his head. That's when he turned the key in the ignition.
Nothing happened, much to his surprise
"Well?" Thad asked.
"Uh… hold on."
Donald kept turning the key, nothing happened.
"Is the battery dead?" Vivian asked.
"Couldn't be." Thad said. "I stole a new battery for it like last week. Besides, we would have noticed something when we left the house…"
"Come on! Work!" Donald shouted as he kept turning but nothing happened. He groaned and leaned back in his chair. "Can't be the starter, we'd have heard something!"
That's when someone made his presence known by phasing up from the hood of the car with his arms crossed. He had a notable annoyed look on his face.
"Come on, guys. You got your bail paid already, you really want to do this again?" Danny asked.
They paid no attention to that, only that it was Danny Phantom getting them caught again.
"YOU!" They shouted in rage.
Danny rolled his eyes and touched the windshield with his hand. With a blue glow, he froze the car in ice.
Panicking, the trio tried to break out, but the door was frozen shut.
"What's going on?!" Donald asked.
"Get us out of here, you freak!" Vivian shouted at Danny.
From the backseat, Thad grabbed the seats in front and pulled himself forward to glare venomously at Danny
"You'll pay for this!"
Danny shook his head. Normally he'd quip, but he's still heartbroken over what happened.
Better let the cops know…
He used both hands to throw a ball of ecto-energy into the air. Once high enough, it causes a small explosion. In moment, police sirens were heard coming in his direction. With that, he looked the trio and nodded before flying away, leaving the three to be arrested.
In Bellwood, it's a normal day for everyone. Everyone except for one girl in particular.
It's been almost a week since she saw Danny.
As a result, despite the crowds of other students at her school, Gwen felt alone.
Not even Emily could get her mind off what happened.
"Gwen?" Emily asked. "What's wrong?"
"Hmm? Oh… nothing." Gwen said.
"That didn't look like nothing. Is something going on with Danny?"
"No…" Gwen said flatly. "Nothing is happening." She said.
As she said this, she thought back to the day they became a couple.
Flashback
It was after their second kiss that Danny and Gwen returned to where their towels were.
Gwen held his hand, causing his face to be flushed.
"So… uh…" Danny spoke up. "How long after the first kiss do you-"
"Now." Gwen said.
Danny did a double take.
"Now? You'll be my girlfriend now?"
She nodded happily.
"Yeah…" Gwen said.
Danny grinned happily and did a fist pump, earning a chuckle from Gwen.
From there, they stopped and shared another kiss. This one longer and they held onto each other tightly.
Flashback over.
Gwen sighed.
Between being his tutor, partner and girlfriend, Gwen enjoyed her time with Danny greatly.
Now I can't see him because of that… fruitloop! Gwen thought angrily. And that girl…
The entire school day, Sam Manson was alone.
She heard rumors of the redhead alien girl and people theorized it was Danny's girlfriend.
She heard some commend Danny, others thinking it made sense a freak would be into Danny.
All that time, Sam ignored them. She was more invested with how alone she was.
She sat away in the corner of the cafeteria, away from Danny and Tucker. She wouldn't even look up. She was trying to ignore the feeling in her chest.
So, on her way home in the afternoon, she walked alone.
Then an RV parked right next to her.
She looked to it and scowled.
"Wow… what a waste of fossil fuels." She muttered.
The door opened in front of her and out came a man in his 60's in a Hawaiian shirt. He didn't look happy to see her.
"Sam Manson?"
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Max Tennyson, Ben and Gwen's grandfather… we need to talk."
Sam didn't like this
"I have nothing to say to a stranger..." Sam said as she crossed her arms.
"Funny... you won't speak to one but your browser history showed a lot of search for any information concerning one, my granddaughter Gwen to be precise ..."Max said.
Sam's eyes widen. "How do you know about that?!"
"It's our job to make sure we're not uncovered by anyone. We're the Plumbers, we're basically police for anything related to aliens."
"Like the Guys in White for ghosts?" Sam questioned.
"Not at all. We work with aliens, most of the women in my life, including their grandmother, are aliens." Max said. "Besides, that's my granddaughter you tried to expose."
"I wasn't gonna show anyone but Danny!" Sam insisted.
"And what would you have done if he didn't know?" Max questioned. "Do you think he'd expose her? Would he really go that far? And were you really willing to ruin her life on the chance she's not evil?"
Sam was about to speak up, but found herself unable to properly answer.
Max just stood there with his arms crossed.
"Well, I'm waiting?" When Sam still did not answer, Max finished. "From this moment on, you're under out watch. Anything you say or do is going to be monitored to make sure you don't open your mouth about Gwen, or Ben…"
This got a reaction from her.
"THIS IS AN INVASION OF PRIVACY!" Sam shouted.
"You should have thought of that before you did that to my granddaughter." Max said unsympathetically.
Hearing that, Sam flinched.
"I… uh…" Sam found herself unable to say anything.
"I recommend you take a good look at yourself before you make any other move…" Max said. "Now if you don't mind… I have a meeting with your mayor to try and keep my granddaughter safe…"
He went back to his RV and drove off. This left Sam alone, letting that feeling she wanted to ignore, guilt, start eating her up again.
It was later that night that Vlad was in his office and had a visitor, someone who barged his way through security.
"VLAD MASTERS!" A voice called out from behind his door, slamming his fists into the door.
"Sir! Get away from that door!" A guard said.
"This is Max Tennyson! You hear me?! TENNYSON!"
That name caught Vlad's attention. Vlad smirked.
"Let him in!" Vlad ordered.
With that, the guards were heard leaving and Max stormed through the doors. Max, in his Plumber gear, was send a glare at Vlad.
"Mr. Mayor…" Max said with disgust in his voice as he approached the desk.
"Ah, you must be Benjamin and Gwendolyn's grandfather… Vilgax mentioned he hates you too." Vlad said affably.
In that instant, Max held out a blaster and aimed it right in Vlad's direction, aiming for his face.
"Give me a good reason…" Max threatened.
"You are aware you will be arrested, right?" Vlad mocked.
"I know what you are…" Max said, wanting to pull the trigger.
"I take it Danny told you?" Vlad asked.
"You're going to leave my granddaughter alone, or I'll expose you!" Max threatened.
"Ah, is that so?" Vlad asked, undeterred. "Well, if you try such a thing, Daniel is going to be having his real name everywhere…" Vlad said.
"He's just a kid, Plasmius..." Max said.
"A kid who has gotten in my way too many times. Don't give me a reason, Tennyson..." Vlad threatened.
Max kept the weapon in his hand, aiming it still.
"Give me a reason not to shoot you…" Max demanded.
"Here's the plan, Max Tennyson." Vlad began. "I will not tell anyone it is your dear little Gwendolyn, provided you keep your mouth shut!"
"Even if they don't know, known alien heroes like Superman, Starfire or any of those Green Lanterns will be on your doorstep to accuse you of being a xenophobe." Max pointed out.
"Ah, but as mayor, I have to keep the peace. Besides… Vilgax's attempt to conquer the world might justify fear of aliens…" Vlad pointed out. "So, again. You and your kin stay away from Danny Fenton. If you are anywhere near him, and I'll know, I'll expose her identity to all of Amity Park, maybe the world. I might even throw Danny into the mix. You wouldn't want that, would you?" Vlad mockingly asked.
Max maintained his weapon in the air. However, it was becoming clear he won't get anything else but this. This was the best he can do.
Sighing in defeat, Max dropped his arm, but still kept his glare.
"This isn't over, Plasmius. Rest assured that the Plumbers are going to be keeping a VERY close eye on you for now on..." Max warned.
"If you are done being all dramatic, I have a meeting to get to..." Vlad said, unconcerned.
With that, Max turned away, walking out of the office
Sorry Danny… Sorry Gwen…
With his talk with Vlad not yielding the results he was looking for, Max decided to deal with a different problem he could resolve now.
He drove to the Guys in White base.
With his Government credentials, he went passed the gate and entered the base. There, many operatives, including K and O, were baffled to see this man here.
"Who are you?" K questioned.
"Where is your leader?" Max demanded. "I want you to stop hunting the girl from Bellwood."
Both K and O laughed.
"What for?" K asked.
"Official Plumber business..." Max said with his arms crossed.
All of the Operatives laughed. Clearly, they didn't know what he meant by Plumber business.
"What's going on here?!" Agent Alpha, leader of the Guys in White, stepped into the room. "What's with the laughter?!"
"Sir?" O said between laughs. "This plumber says he wants us to stop hunting after-"
"MAX TENNYSON?!" Agent Alpha gasped loudly, causing the operatives to stop laughing. "You idiots!" The Operatives straightened themselves. "Why didn't you tell me Max Tennyson was here?!"
"A plumber?" O questioned.
"Not THAT kind of Plumber, you idiot! He's from an elite group dedicated to aliens and all sorts of freaks!" Agent Alpha then became apologetic towards Max. "How can I help you, Mr. Tennyson?"
"Tell your cronies to stop hunting my granddaughter." Max demanded.
Alpha gasped in horror.
"Granddaughter?!"
"And one of the boys they tried to shoot is my grandson..." Max added.
"YOU IDIOTS?!" Alpha shouted, making all of the operatives flinch. "Why didn't any of you tell me they're his grandkids?!"
"We... didn't know, sir." K spoke. "We never bothered to look into any connections their families have..."
Alpha groaned and dragged his hand through his face.
"And you wonder why people mock us?" He looked towards Max and gave a sincere look. "We won't go after her anymore, I promise."
All of the Operatives were shocked to hear this.
"You better..." Max said as he began walking away. "We'll be keeping an eye on you for a while... and by the way, Danny Phantom is under our watch now."
"WHAT?!" O and K shouted.
"You heard me. We have plans to make him a Plumber, so I recommend you leave him be."
As Max left, O and K were not okay with this.
"Sir!" K shouted. "You can't be serious?!"
"What about our weapons?! And Danny Phantom?!"
"Off limits!" Alpha shouted. "They're Plumber-business, so we're not getting involved! Got it?!"
"What makes those Plumbers so-"
"THEY ARE BIGGER THAN US!" Agent Alpha said. "The President and every one of the world leaders have given them complete jurisdiction over extraterrestrial matters and anything connected to it. If they want to recruit Danny Phantom, then he is no longer our business!" Agent Alpha said. "And remember that you both are STILL on thin ice after all those complaints we got when you two fired like maniacs at the Observatory last year..." Agent Alpha reminded.
'Sir, we already explained, we thought that white haired kid was the ghost kid, how were we suppose to know that-"
"No excuse, now you both better not screw up again and leave those two alone or it will be your jobs! Are we clear?!" Agent Alpha shouted.
Alpha walked away, leaving O and K looking unhappy with this news.
TUESDAY
Gwen arrived home, very unenthusiastic. Not even dealing with the Forever Knights with Ben and Kevin was enough to get her pumped for anything.
Her father took notice as she came home.
"Gwen? You okay?"
"Mmhmm…" She went weakly as she went up the stairs.
He only vaguely knew what was going on, all he knew is his daughter can't see someone she's become very close with.
Meanwhile, in Amity Park.
Danny had returned home, walking past his parents who took notice of his depressed mood.
"Sweetie, you okay?" Maddie asked.
Danny rolled his eyes to them.
"Gee, dunno… am I?" He asked in agitation before resuming his way upstairs.
"Danny…" His father began to chastise. "Don't blame your mother, it's not her fault Gwen turned out to be-"
"SHE'S NOT A MONSTER!" Danny snapped at them.
This did not go well with them.
"Danny!" Maddie went. "Come down here and apologize! You do not speak to us like that!"
Danny ignored them and just marched even faster up the stairs.
Both Jack and Maddie were angry. Jack was about to go up when someone who just came in saw this.
"Guys!" Jazz shouted at them. "Leave him be…"
"He needs to come down and apologize to us!" Maddie demanded.
"He's dealing with a broken heart right now! I mean, really? You've met Gwen! Did she seem even remotely evil?" Jazz questioned.
This got both of them to look to each other, looking a bit unsure with that.
"Well… no." Jack said. "But Vladdie and the Guys in White assured-"
"Dad!" Jazz went. "You need to stop caring what they say! Especially Vlad Masters!" She then sent her mother a glare. "Some of us know not all monsters have wings or claws…"
Hearing that made Maddie start to recognize what Jazz was saying.
Jazz stormed away, leaving one parent confused, the other coming to a realization.
Meanwhile, Danny shut his door and morphed to go through the ceiling and enter the Op Center.
There, in the guest bedroom, he saw a worried Danielle sitting there. He made his presence known when he morphed to human form.
"Hey. Mind if I stick around here?" He asked in a friendlier tone.
Danielle smiled.
"Sure."
Danny sat back down.
"Thanks…" He said with a smile.
However, Danny looked to the floor and felt down again.
He thought back to that day he and Gwen had a sparring match.
Flashback
"This is going to be more fun than I thought…" Gwen said out loud.
Her eyes flashed pink.
With a wave of her free hand, she created a pink bubble that blocked the Danny Phantoms.
"A forcefield? Neat." The original Danny went.
"Got a plan for this?" Gwen asked.
"How about this?" Danny said as he and his doubles blasted it.
It did do some small cracks.
"Hmm... not bad, but not good enough..." Gwen said with a smirk as she sent a blast at him.
Danny, retracting his doubles, managed to dodge it, became intangible and moved through the ground, before he was behind her.
Danny playfully flicks Gwen on the back of her head.
"Ow, rude..." Gwen mocked scolded, though the grin on her face betrayed her.
"How about this?" Danny asked.
Danny trips and Gwen catches hold of him, holding him up as if dipping him. The reaction causes Gwen to lower her shield.
Their play match ended with them in an awkward manner. One that resulted in them laughing.
"Okay… let's take a break." Gwen said.
"Sure…" Danny said before adopting a competitive smile. "You won't win…"
Gwen returned the smile. "We'll see about that…"
Flashback Over
It was now Danny noticed Danielle was leaning into him to get his attention and to let him know he's not alone.
"I liked her." Danielle said sympathetically. "I liked seeing her with you."
Danny put a hand on her head and smiled at her.
"Me too…"
"So… what do we do about me?" Danielle asked. "You said Ben's watch can't help me anymore…"
He saw the worried look on her face. He forgot his heartbreak for her sake.
"We'll think of something… I promise. Ben said the maker of the Omnitrix won't help him… but I'll find some way of finding him and make him help us."
"Really?" Danielle asked.
That's when Danny shifted to wrap his arms around her and hug her.
"I promise…" He told her.
With that, Danielle smiled and closed her eyes. She sincerely hoped Danny will keep his promise.
WEDNESDAY
It was during lunch period Gwen chose to sit alone.
As she sat alone, in her school uniform, she remembered that night Danny invited her to a play in Amity Park.
Flashback
It was an unusually windy day for Summer, but Gwen came as Danny asked.
"He said a block after Baker's street..." Gwen looked around, then saw someone. "Excuse me! Can you tell me where I can find this address?"
She showed her phone.
"That way." The woman said in the direction Gwen was going. "Take a left at the corner."
"Thank you."
A few moments later, she soon arrived to her destination.
Main Street of Amity Park and right at the end of the corner was Danny, waiting for her with a flower in his hand.
"Gwen..." He said as he approached her and handed her said flower.
"Hi Danny..." Gwen said as she kissed her boyfriend on his cheek. "So, where exactly are you taking me today?" Gwen asked.
Danny sent her a playful smile.
"I'll tell you in a moment, but first I want you to close your eyes... I got a little surprise for you..." Danny said as he sent her a coy look.
"Oh... a surprise huh? Well, okay..." Gwen giggled before she obeyed him, thinking that he was planning on kissing her.
However, Danny chuckled as he pulled something out of his pockets and mischievously lightly touched it to Gwen's lips. Gwen open her eyes in confusion.
"Surprise!" Danny said loudly as he pulled his hand away and Gwen saw what was in his hand.
Tickets? Not just any tickets either... She realized.
"Are those theater tickets?" Gwen asked in confusion.
"Yeah, to see today's showing of "A Mid Summer's Night Dream"." Danny announced proudly.
"Are you serious?!" Gwen asked in excitement.
"I know how much you love his work, and when I found out that there is a play around here, I knew you'd get a kick out of it.." Danny said.
She remembered the last time they went out, he took her to the Nasty Burger and mentioned her love for Shakespeare. She knew he wasn't that into it, but he went all out for her.
Gwen smiled happily and gave him a hug.
"Danny, you're the best!" Gwen said happily as she gave him a quick kiss.
This left Danny blushing and with a dazed look, something she found adorable on him.
"Y-Yeah..." Danny said in a dopey sounding voice, while his girlfriend smiled. "Come on...The first show today is starting in 20 minutes, that will be enough time for us to find some good seats..."Danny said as Gwen happily took his arm.
"Lead the way, boyfriend..." Gwen said, feeling happy.
He then led her and they, mostly she, enjoyed the play. Though clearly, the best part was them holding hands.
Flashback Over
Gwen smiled.
I knew he wasn't into it, but he did it for me.
It was the first time she smiled in a while, though it went away when she remembered the fact that she can't see him.
Danny chose to sit alone at the bleachers.
Only one person saw him and wanted to make their presence known.
But Danny was too lost in thought to even notice.
Gwen… He thought. I should've been more careful. I should have told my friends I knew things about you that you confided in me. We wouldn't be here if… No… His thoughts became sadder. It wouldn't change things… SHE would have been suspicious. I never wanted to see anything bad about her but now… I can't. I want to forgive her like you asked but… I can't. That's two people who had feelings for me now…
It was then he heard the sound of a box landing next to him.
He stirred up and saw it to his right. He also saw who it was who left it there, her back facing him.
"What's this?" He asks.
"All my ghost hunting gear..." She explained in a bitter tone without looking at Danny. "I figure it would save you and everyone else the trouble..."
Danny took notice of something on top of the pile of gadgets that didn't fit in.
"The ring?" He asked as he picked it up.
With her back turned, Sam continued.
"It was the one you wanted to give to Valerie... I realized some time ago it was for me..." She was saddened to admit that. "Maybe you can pawn it or something..."
There was a silence that left the two very uncomfortable. She heard Danny place it on the bleacher.
"Do whatever you want with it... I don't really care."
As he took the box and started walking away, Sam turned around and looked to his back.
"Danny?" He stopped. "I want you to know... I never meant for things to go as bad as they did..."
"It's too late for apologies..." Danny said, having a broken look on his face she did not see.
"I know... but I want to say it anyway... I am sorry..."
"Apologize to Gwen... if you can." He responded sharply.
"... I wish I could..." Sam mutters.
Hearing that made Danny flinch. Some part of him could tell she was sincere. The rest of him was still mad.
"Despite what happened... Gwen thinks I... should forgive you..."
Sam looked up when she heard that.
After all that I caused, she thinks that?
However, after taking a breath, Danny steels himself.
"She just didn't say when..."
With that, he walked away, leaving Sam alone once more. She was left alone in more ways than one.
THURSDAY
As Danny walked down the halls towards the cafeteria, he was still in his head about recent events.
Forgive her? Can I? Maybe if she spoke with Gwen… which is highly unlikely.
That's when he felt something hit the back of his head. It was a paper ball and he really didn't want to have to deal with this.
"Where ya goin, Fenton?" Dash challenged.
"Dash… go away…" Danny said as he resumed walking.
Dash, did not do as he asked as he caught up with him.
"So, a redhead alien is wanted, ya hear?"
"Wow… you pay attention to more than just sports…" Danny muttered sarcastically.
"It was her, wasn't it?" Dash mocked. "It makes sense a freak would want anything to do with you!" Dash laughed mockingly. "I don't know who is more pathetic. You or some monster who can't do any better!"
Danny stopped in his tracks.
That was it.
In that instant, with as much strength as he could muster without killing someone, Danny threw a punch right into Dash's stomach.
Dash was actually lifted off the floor before he went to his knees, clutching on to his pained stomach.
Danny could only look down in irritation for his actions.
Years of payback and I can't even enjoy it…
"FENTON!"
Dash grinned when he saw Lancer approaching.
"Dash started it!" Danny insisted.
Lancer still handed him a detention slip.
"You know how it works here, Mr. Fenton. Dash is the star quarterback and he is exempt from scorn, you however, are not..."Mr. Lancer said.
Danny sighed, finding it so typical, however, to his and Lancer's surprise, this happened.
"EXCUSE ME?!" Someone shouted.
The fat, balding teacher turned around and saw an adult approaching them. It was a woman.
"And whom, do I ask, are you and what business do you have at this school?" Mr. Lancer demanded.
"I am Carmen Clarke, I am here to pick up my daughter, Michelle..."Mrs. Clarke said as she pulled out her visitor's pass. "I'm here because my daughter requested that I pick her up. Now what is this I hear about except from scorn?!" She demanded.
"Ah, you see, Mrs. Clarke, as quarterback, Dash Baxter is vital to the school and therefore exempt from scorn." Lancer said proudly.
"So, you're telling me you allow him to harass and abuse other students because you're more interested in football scores than doing your job?!" She questioned with her hands at her hips.
Hearing such a statement, Lancer gulped nervously.
"That… makes it sound terrible…"
"It is BEYOND terrible!" She shouted at him. "I didn't say or do anything because I had assumed you would straighten things out! Instead, I see gross negligence and incompetence! And guess what?!"
Mrs. Clarke then pulls out her phone, which was more advanced looking than Tuckers' PDA, then presses a button and it then sends a message.
Lancer gulped as he began sweating.
"What was that?" He asked.
"That was me recording what you just said and sent it to several friends. You know, one student here has a lawyer for a father… I bet he'd be THRILLED to learn this happens!" She said to him. "Now… I recommend you do the right thing and let that poor boy go and keep that brute where he belongs!"
"Y-Yes…" Lancer said as he quickly took Danny's detention slip and tore it up. "Fenton, you're free to go. Baxter, you're staying afterschool today…"
"WHAT?!" Dash questioned in disbelief.
As this went on, while Mrs. Clarke continues to chastise Lancer, Danny walked away with a small smirk.
Well, that's one victory today…
He was unaware one of Vlad's bugs watching.
From his office, Vlad decided to be petty once more.
"Enjoy what little you can, Daniel." Vlad said to himself as he watched. "With the assistance I've gotten from Vilgax, I'll make sure you won't interfere any longer!" He then pondered. "Now… what should I use my new resources on?"
As he thought, he looking to his laptop's newsletter.
It red about Vivian, Donald and Thad. It was about the second time Danny Phantom had gotten them arrested and now their families have kicked them out of their homes for their repeated criminal actions.
This got Vlad thinking and he grinned.
It was now the Thursday of that week, the day before Halloween. Gwen was sipping her order from Mr. Smoothy, still not feeling any better from how things turned out. Ben had gotten a message from an alien girl named Probity for help on her world, but Gwen's current emotional state meant more to him. As such, he asked Grandpa Max to reach out to someone else to help her world.
And so, here he was with Kevin, trying to help Gwen feel better.
"So…" Ben tried to find something to say.
"I know what you're going to say…" Gwen said with an oddly quiet tone. "And I think this is a good thing!"
Both Ben and Kevin looked to her, rather incredulous of this.
"Really?" Ben asked.
"Yeah…" Gwen said. "I mean… when you think about it, we have nothing in common. So… I'm sure years from now I'll look back and… laugh about it." She said more to convince herself than anyone else.
Ben and Kevin both shared a disbelieving look.
"You sure?" Ben asked.
With that, Gwen groaned.
"Of course not! I mean… I know we have so little in common but he's… fun! Funny and… less annoying than either of you two combined on your worst days!" Gwen went before her face became sadder. "Honestly, he was a great guy. He was someone I felt… normal with."
"Normal?" Kevin asked.
"Like… I don't have to hide who or what I am and… not worry about being judged." Gwen said. "Plus, he was someone I don't normally know and he…" Gwen sighed again before putting her cup down and looking away. "Never mind… I'm sure we'll see each other again when he can leave home…"
As Ben put a sympathetic hand on her back, Kevin shook his head.
He was jealous of Danny, no doubt. But Gwen's attitude lately was hurting him too. He wanted to pound Vlad, as well as confront Sam for her actions. But right now, he swallowed his jealousy for her.
"GAH!" Kevin went, getting up. "I can't take this. I admit, I don't like Danny… but I hate seeing you like this more. I'll take you to Amity Park."
Gwen sighed.
"Kevin… I can't go back, remember?" She asked. "If I'm seen anywhere near Danny Fenton, Vlad will expose me…"
Kevin's answer was to pound his fist into his palm.
"Then we storm that Cheesehead's mansion and-"
"And then all of us get caught." Ben reminded him.
Kevin lowered his arms.
"Then… what do we do? Maybe… we just hang with Danny when he's glowing?" Kevin suggested.
"People see me with Danny Phantom, they start talking…" Gwen said to them. She sighed, burying her face in her arms on the table. "This is just… wrong."
"We'll figure something out, Gwen…" Ben said with a sympathetic look. "I'm sure we'll get lucky…"
Gwen shook head at his words.
That's when she recalled those two words.
"Get lucky?" Suddenly, an idea came to her. She raised her head and smiled. "That's it…"
A limousine arrived at City Hall. Out of it came the trio of Vivian, Donald and Thad.
The security guard guided them to Vlad's office. With a handwave from his boss, he left the three with him.
"Please… sit down." They did as he asked as they took seats. "I'm glad you three came to me." Vlad said.
"We didn't really have a choice." Vivian said. "You paid our bail."
"That's because I have need of your… skills." Vlad said. "You, Vivian, has a few skills in analysis. Donald has expertise in technology. Thad… like to hit things. Truthfully, I had needed a few volunteers but never found the right time. Now is the best time. With ghosts and the threat of aliens, now more than ever I will have need of your cooperation."
"What's in it for us?" Donald questioned.
"Normally, I would say money and let you charge people upfront. However, due to the increasing presence of these threats, there are other ways to take satisfaction in your work…"
"Like what?" Thad asked.
"An excuse to stay out of prison…" The three looked mildly interested. "You'll have people worship you." There was still only mild interest. Vlad knew the right words to get their full attention. "You'll get even with the ghost boy who humiliated you…"
All of them became active and got up.
"Where do we sign up?!" Vivian asked.
With that, Vlad grinned.
Moments later, Vlad presented them to where their suits were ready. As they took the outfits to change in private, each was doing something different. As Thad grinned at his muscles, Vivian put her hair in a tail that stood while Donald decided to wear his blue hat backwards.
Waiting outside, Vlad spoke to them.
"To hide who you are, we'll give you codenames. Vivian, you will be Vid and act as team leader. Donald, we will call you Download and handle all upgrades to tech. And Thad, you will be Thrash, the muscle… Together, you are the ones to stop disasters as… the Masters' Blasters!"
That's when all of them stepped out of their respective changing rooms, now donned in their new red suits, armed with blasters
"Masters Blasters, eh?" Vivian, now Vid, questioned with a smile. "I like it…"
Special thanks to Flower princess11 for some scenes.
And so, yes, they are the Masters' Blasters. I've never seen a story where they have real names or backstories, so here they are.
I guess the names were too on the nose, but so is Danny Phantom.
And so, next time we see how Gwen will "get lucky". I'm sure you've figured it out.
61394: To be fair, Danny's never overshadowed an alien before and probably didn't think that considering the situation.
qazse: May take her a while, but she at least apologized to Danny.
TheWhiteTitan: Indeed, Whampire was the last.
UltraPhantom: Interesting, but I have plans for her.
Runeion: Oh no, that's after the Ultimatrix.
DJ Rodriguez: Thank you.
Dreams Come True 996: Hmm... I'd learn why they dislike them and provide why I think they're wrong in a respectful manner.
Invader Johnny: Gwen is mature that way.
Jebest4781: Not quite.
danifan3000: They might come to blows at some point. And no, they're going to see each other much sooner.
ChrisZilla18: It won't take as long as Katie, to be sure.
Darkness: Probably...
Luiz4200: Jazz did call them out and get them thinking.
Guest: Bittersweet indeed...
SonicMax: Nope!
vparadox12122000: More like a week, not much of a skip.
BeConFuzzled Writer: She's found a way!
Whotoonhouse75: I may do what Gwen is doing during Omniverse, albeit differently.
Major Simi: Thanks.
Ultimatrix bearer: Vlad's injected her with a version that actually works. It's destabilizing her.
Blue Marvel 0: Let's hope she does make a change.
Leonardo: I'm reading it now and will give my thoughts when I catch up.
Fanreader26: Thanks. Still, it'll be a while before Vlad realizing working with a planet conqueror is a bad idea.