Disclaimer: I own nothing from Danny Phantom

Note (2/15/2024) I totally forgot I had already uploaded this redone chapter here before the laptop I've been borrowing the past few months decided to crash on me too so even though it's a bit awkward typing on a screen I don't see any reason not to go ahead and share it. Might even try fixing up a few more chapters after this in a round about way but we'll see how things pan out. My main laptop is still being worked on atm and boy do I miss it but at least my dad was even kind enough to give me his old tablet he doesn't use anymore which I've had a lot of fun tinkering with.

(Updated 2/15/2024)

Chapter 15: Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

Danielle's POV

If it wasn't for the shitty situation I was in I would have been proud of myself for recognizing I was actually left with one of Vlad's duplicates even before he outright told me the original was waiting for me in his private study. And when I looked over at the nearest clock to check the time I was relieved I hadn't slept through the entire day since it was only about ten in the morning. After that I got up and headed to the bathroom where I gingerly tested my ghost powers to see if my ecto-energy was still coming out abnormally cold but thankfully when I reached for my powers they didn't feel nearly as strange or out of control as yesterday.

So once I made absolutely sure I wasn't about accidentally freeze everything I touched like Elsa or something I splashed my face with some water to wake myself up a bit more before timidly glancing up at the mirror, wincing when I saw how haggard I was. I know Vlad explained to me that the Blood Blossoms have been draining my energy and they were also blocking my natural ability to recharge ghost energy as quickly as normal, but it was awful seeing the bad effect it had on me in the mirror. Like if I didn't know any better you'd think I was a literal walking corpse with the worst case of bed hair ever. But then again that's what happens when your hair is this long so I thought maybe I should just chop it all off and be done with it.

Anyway, after searching around for a comb I eventually found a disposable one since it's just plain rude to use someone else's hairbrush and I also found some spare hair ties in the same spot. Then again these were probably just the spares that Vlad keeps laying around since he likes keeping his hair tied up in a ponytail all the time. And a part of me is curious about why Vlad decided to keep his hair so long and what sort of person he is in general, you know, when he's not busy plotting vengeance or freaking out his enemies as Plasmius. I'm just glad my decision to come here wasn't a bad one and I felt a lot better about it after Vlad went out of his way to reassure me I'm not alone in this and he believes I'll pull through this horrible situation in one piece, sincerely showing me how much he cares about me through his actions instead of relying only on that silver tongue of his.

So basically what I'm trying to say is I'm giving him credit where credit is due considering I still don't know the first thing about who Vlad is as a person apart from him being half-ghost like me, he's an old college friend of my parents', and he's insanely rich. His reaction to me randomly showing up at his doorstep in the middle of the night and the way Vlad instantly set everything else aside to help me did show me he really does seem to care and already thinks of me as part of his family. How long has it been since I've felt like someone cares what happens to me? When has my life, my health, or my happiness actually mattered to anyone besides Jason, Sam, Trish, and surprisingly even my former-bully-turned-friend Vallen? How long has it been since someone gave a damn or treated me like I'm worth putting their time and effort into keeping around?

Splashing my face with water again I clenched my fists as the water trickled down my cheeks and told myself. "Get a grip Dani, you can't keep doing this to yourself! Vlad said so himself, we'll figure this out together somehow and I still have my brother because hasn't given up on me yet. We just need to get him here safely. As long as we have each other I'm sure everything will turn out alright in the end."

Drying off my face with another towel I set it aside and walked back into the master bedroom, which I quickly realized the irony of it literally being Vlad 'Masters' bedroom. His private study couldn't be too far from where I was but I resisted the urge to use my powers to phase through the walls to make the search go a little faster because one, I still felt a bit off despite not shivering uncontrollably anymore and two I didn't want to test my luck because knowing me I'd end up somewhere I shouldn't be without meaning to. While walking down the hallway I couldn't understand why I felt so anxious at first until I noticed how eerily quiet Vlad's whole castle was. That's probably why I was able to pick up his voice so quickly with my ghost hearing.

When I found the source of the sound I poked my head in the doorway and found him just finishing up a conversation on the phone with someone. It couldn't have been anyone I knew since Vlad looked way too composed to have been talking to my parents or Jace. I was just about to duck back out again to actually knock on the door to let him know I was there but it was kinda pointless since Vlad instantly noticed my presence, glanced up at me from his desk, then calmly waved me inside.

I barely finished shutting the door behind me when Vlad beamed and asked. "Ah perfect timing my dear. Please, have a seat. I trust you're feeling better this morning? If so then I have a few important questions for you. How tall are you and what size of clothing do you normally wear? You see, I was on the phone just now with my tailor who will be putting together a series of outfits for you to try on based on what your favorite color is. I recall you telling me it's midnight or navy blue much like the gown you wore during the reunion where we met."

Getting a serious case of whiplash from his extremely cheerful mood, I sank into the chair across from his desk and replied glumly. "Um, to be brutally honest I have no idea how tall I am let alone what size I wear. I can't even remember the last time I've been measured because I've pretty much worn the same size since I was fourteen. So I'm guessing medium or small?"

I saw the corner of Vlad's eye twitch slightly when I confessed that I'm kinda small for my age but he just kept on smiling, nodded to himself, and responded. "I see. Well no matter. We'll just have to take your measurements while I'm performing my medical examination before we head into town to do a bit of shopping."

Panicking a little at the idea of going anywhere I might be seen I blurted out. "Are you insane?! I can't go out in public right now! I'll get caught! I mean, I'm technically a runaway now aren't I so what if someone reports a sighting of me to the police? What if mom and dad find out where I am after some nosy stranger posts pictures of us on social media and blabs to everyone about how Vlad Masters himself went into town shopping with a random teenager? Besides, I'd never be able to pay you back for something like-!"

"Relax Danielle, it's really not as serious or dangerous as you seem to believe." Vlad sighed with a hint of exasperation. "You forget that we have ghost powers and I am more than capable of covering my tracks as well as deleting any records that might implicate us. I've been doing it for years. Besides which your parents really aren't that smart so I wouldn't give them too much credit if I were you. Do you honestly expect them to believe you decided to hitch-hike all the way to Wisconsin of all the places after running away from home? Would they ever expect you to actually remember how to get here after only visiting my castle once several months ago?

"As for the police and general public, neither of them will even think to suspect Vlad Masters of harboring a runaway. Besides, I have been known to treat important clients or exceptional employees of mine to extravagant gifts from time to time so no one who knows me locally will even bat an eye if I do take you with me seeing as the novelty of living so close to a world-famous celebrity such as myself has more or less worn off by now. Not to mention I usually only visit privately owned businesses anyway rather than common ones that anyone can visit and they're very good at respecting their customer's privacy. Lastly, if anyone was ever stupid enough to get the bright idea in their heads of trying to leak private information about me or anyone close to me to the media I have a reputation of blacklisting or suing anyone who crosses me. To put it simply, only those with a death wish so to speak would be dare go against my wishes because I rarely give out warnings to those who have wronged me and will simply crush them instead."

Standing up from his seat, Vlad rested a hand on my shoulder and continued in a softer tone. "As for the rest I already promised to help you so the least I can do is provide you with the basic necessities you'll need during your stay here because I can't have you running around in the same old rags you arrived in now can I? You're a lovely girl and more importantly I have billions of dollars my dear so spending a few meager hundreds on designer clothes that you'll feel more comfortable in is of little consequence to me. Oh and to correct your earlier assumption this isn't about owing favors or expecting anything in return from you Danielle, it's about me taking care of you just like I promised I would if you ever came to me for help."

Letting go of my shoulder and putting his hands behind his back Vlad walked behind the desk again to look out the window, which was really more like a glass door that let in sunshine from outside and ran from the floor to the ceiling and explained. "I'm not just here to provide you with a safe haven from your parents. I am here to provide you with everything else you need or desire because you've already given me exactly what I wanted from you which is your trust. And now I wish to show you that that trust is well-founded. You see, unlike your parents who spew empty promises, I am a man of action so when I make a promise -unless I am given a valid reason to do otherwise- I will always uphold it.

"Up until now I have only been able to watch over you from a distance just in case you ever needed my help but were unable or unwilling to ask for it when the time finally came. Now that you're here I want to prove to you I'm reliable, unlike those traitorous parents of yours. In the meantime I want you to enjoy yourself and relax since I can tell you're in need of a good distraction. We'll call your brother as soon as you're ready to once we're done there and you've rested for a while and then I'll take care of making the plans to ensure his safe passage here to stay with us as well."

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by his kindness and generosity since I'm not used to someone spoiling me like this I hesitantly pointed out. "Vlad, I'm telling you I don't need that many fancy clothes! Can't we just buy something generic for now so I'll at least have something else to wear while we wash what I'm wearing right now? Seriously I really don't think it's a good idea for me to go out in the open again just yet."

Turning to face me but still standing by the window, Vlad raised an eyebrow and challenged with an amused glint in his eyes. "Oh? Then forgive me for asking but do you perchance have some sentimental attachment to that particular outfit? Because if so I can have them reproduce the exact same clothes for you, as much as it pains me to see you in something so plain when I know what a remarkable young woman you are. I guess I just assumed you would leap at the chance to wear something nicer now that you actually CAN afford to. As I said those rags really don't suit you, my dear. You deserve so much more than that."

Feeling a little choked up by the compliment I blushed and finally gave up arguing with him, groaning dramatically. "Ugh, alright fine! But we're only getting three outfits tops! It just doesn't feel right asking you to waste any money on me when I didn't do anything special to earn it."

"It's not a waste if it's for you, little badger." Vlad beamed happily after hearing my reply, strolling confidently back over to where I was sitting and settling down in his chair again, interlacing his fingers under his chin and explaining further. "Now then, let's go over the plan for today and rest assured my dear this is really no trouble at all. Truth be told I couldn't resist the urge to spend more time getting to know you now that you're feeling better. Not to mention I've finally been given the perfect excuse to dote on you to my heart's content. The only reason I haven't done so up until now is because it would have been too suspicious if I suddenly began showering you with lavish gifts. That or you personally would have only seen those gifts as attempts to bribe you into joining me.

"As for 'deserving it' let me put it this way. By coming here willingly you've given me another chance to finally have a genuine source of joy in my life because you are everything I could have ever asked for in a daughter and so much more. You are letting me experience what being a father is really like which means the world to me and that, my dear girl, is the greatest gift you could have ever given me. A priceless gift that no one but you could have given me."

Vlad's POV

I realize I was overdoing it a bit with the compliments when I began sharing my heartfelt feelings of love and adoration for Danielle, but given everything she's been through I wanted her to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that she is very precious to me. I want Danielle to never forget for one millisecond how much I value her and make it clear that it's not just because she has ghost powers. Needless to say though Danielle became quite reserved after my bold declaration but she probably just needed time to process the idea of anyone being that devoted to one person, let alone someone who only met her a few months ago.

At any rate, as I explained to her before I still needed to perform a medical exam on Danielle just to be sure we wouldn't have to worry about her core acting up again but thankfully she didn't put up a fuss about it for the most part. Especially after she remembered how I showed her how my special half-ghost remedies work after cutting myself to prove it back when Skulker injured her cheek during their confrontation in my lab. When Danielle broke the silence to ask me how I knew how to do all of this I reminded her that I had to learn it the hard way. Like her, I had to figure out how to take care of my special medical needs entirely on my own after becoming half-ghost since there isn't a single doctor in the entire world who knows how to treat ectoplasmic injuries. Of course I refrained from mentioning Jack and Maddie as the one exception to the rule since they'd sooner dissect a ghost than tend to its injuries, but I digress...

I was unable to hide a few moments of shock and disgust when I checked Danielle's height and weight because for a sixteen-year-old girl she was abnormally short, thin, and underweight even when factoring in the slow decline of the aging process thanks to our powers. Eventually we would need to discuss the possibility of using growth hormones to help Danielle catch back up to where she should be in this stage of her life and increase her calorie intake during meals to regulate her metabolism again. Most importantly, however, much to my relief as weak as her powers still were everything else seemed to be in order so it should be safe for Danielle to resume using her powers again. And I for one couldn't wait for us to start training together but first we had other matters to settle and I understand that she needs time to adjust to her new life here with me before we begin a regular schedule of Danielle attending school and-

"Vlad? You ok? You zoned out for a second there." Danielle pointed out sheepishly. "Look, if you're tired we can do this another day. I'd rather just call Jace instead and not worry about shopping..."

Shaking my head and putting the medical equipment away since we just finished checking her blood pressure and lungs, I answered calmly. "Thank you for your concern but I'm quite alright. As for shopping, I'm afraid I must insist we do it today because I am going to be rather busy for the next several days preparing to deal with your parents. And before you ask, I only mean in court because as much as I want to I promised you I would not harm them unless that is what you wish of me."

My gaze softening sadly I added somberly. "Remember Danielle, as much as it pains me to remind you of this you had to leave everything behind when you came to me which means it is my duty to replace as much as I can to help make you feel more comfortable living here. When we return I'd like you to pick a room for yourself to call your own from now on and I will schedule to have an interior designer brought here to set everything up for you. I've extended the same offer to your brother as well once we 'find' you which with any luck will be resolved tonight and we can tell him the truth at last since I know he means a great deal to you. And I for one am very proud of him for defending you in your time of need so Jason has more than earned a place here with us."

Danielle opened and closed her mouth several times, struggling to find the right words to express herself, but it worried me when she deflated completely and only weakly muttered a single word. "Ok."

Turning around I knelt down onto the floor and rested my hands on her upper arms gently, trying to catch her gaze but Danielle's eyes remained unfocused so I said. "I'm sorry Danielle, I know this is a lot to take in all at once. You've been through a lot and that's precisely the reason why even though you might not feel ready to go back out into the world it's important that you do and face the reality of what's happened head-on. You can't control your parent's choices, only your own, and you chose to come here just as your brother chose to disown them. And I have chosen to protect and provide for you from this moment on. No matter how strong you are sometimes you must be willing to bend a little or you'll break. Do you understand my dear?"

"Yeah, I do." Danielle finally answered, her gaze slowly drifting up to meet mine. "Sorry. I know the plan was for me to rest after we came back but would you mind if I go back upstairs take a short nap? If we're really going to go shopping I'd rather not do it when I feel like...this. I promise to at least eat something first so is that ok?"

"Of course little badger. Whatever will make you feel better." I smiled warmly, standing up again and giving her a brief hug. "That seems like a fair compromise so let's get you something to eat. I'll be sure to come wake you up before it gets too dark."

Smiling weakly but appreciatively in return Danielle hugged me back and nodded. "Thanks, Vlad. I just need a bit more time to recharge then I'll be good to go. Just don't expect me to ask for much while we're out since this is all way too unreal for me. No one has tried to spoil me this much besides Sam after we found out his family is secretly loaded."

Glowering internally at the mention of that snot-nosed brat who interrupted my call with Jason this morning, I covered my true feelings with a smile and said. "You'll get used to it, trust me. After all I have so many things I want to give you so this is only the beginning. And trust me when I say I am showing a LOT of self-restraint right now because if I had my way you would be getting the royal treatment. I can only hold back for so long though, be mindful of that since I am eager to show you everything you have to look forward to."