Disclaimer: I own nothing from Danny Phantom

(Updated 1/11/2025)

Chapter 22: A Token Of Appreciation

Danielle's POV

"I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing you behind the wheel instead of lounging in the back of a limo, Vlad. This is just so bizarre," I laughed as he shot a venomous glare at a little old lady who had the audacity to flip him off after trying to cut him off. If only she realized she had just insulted Vlad Masters; he could easily have her committed to a rundown retirement home for being a menace to society and unfit to drive at her age. I mean, she had to be at LEAST 80 years old.

Giving Vlad a pointed look when he checked the address again on his built-in GPS when he made another turn, I asked again. "Jokes aside, are you really not going to tell me where we're headed?"

After shaking off his annoyance with that little old lady, Vlad grinned mischievously and replied. "And ruin the surprise? Perish the thought, my dear! Honestly, Danielle, you should know better by now than to spoil my fun."

"Oh, of course, how could I forget? You're always so wrapped up in your ambitious schemes for world domination like Pinky and the Brain to bother having any normal 'fun' with the rest of us mere mortals," I scoffed, looking out the window while secretly hoping to find some kind of clue based on our surroundings to tell me where we were going. Unfortunately, all the buildings appeared identical to me, so I eventually I gave up and slipped my headphones back in as we settled into a comfortable silence once more.

It was nice being able to listen to my music again without having to rebuild my music library from scratch since my parents had to hand all of our stuff over to Vlad when he won the custody battle. Being surrounded by a few familiar keepsakes also made me feel a bit more at home. I did end up tossing a lot of stuff, like my worn-out clothes that had holes in them. I held on to my NASA and Dumpty Humpty posters, along with my old glow-in-the-dark stars. I had a blast putting them up on the walls around my room, and Vlad even bought me some extra ones since my new room is much bigger, allowing me to go all out in recreating my favorite constellations. Vlad was genuinely impressed that I knew the stories and folklore behind even some of the more obscure constellations, which made me feel amazing—like I finally knew something he didn't.

Later, Vlad asked if he could join me for some stargazing on the roof. I told him he was more than welcome, but for now, I needed some time alone to unwind after all the courthouse drama. On a positive note, I've grown quite close to Isla and Cedric recently—Cedric is the ghost chef whose name I didn't catch before. While we've become friends, it's not really like we have in common though apart from thinking highly of Vlad. There are a few other ghosts working here that I haven't officially met yet, but since Isla and Cedric are the main ones stationed in the castle and both have the ability to create duplicates like Vlad, which is a rare talent among ghosts apparently, it makes sense that I see them the most...

Believe it or not, I even sort of get along with Vlad's vulture buddies at least to some extent since they're not nearly as bad as I thought they were. I guess they owe Vlad some major after-life debt which is why they work for him. They prefer to spy rather than engage in actual combat, so when one of them mentioned they decided to "let me off easy" during our first encounter, I couldn't help but laugh. After all, I was the one who defeated them fair and square, but I let it slide since it meant there were at least three fewer ghosts out there who wanted to pick a fight with me. I even found out what their real names are! The leader of the group is Boris, the one with the long, skinny neck is Rodney, and the one with the short neck and pointy beak is Nyles. All they really recall from their human lives is that they were close friends who died together in freak accident in Russia, and they've been inseparable ever since for the past two thousand years, give or take a few years.

I haven't seen them much lately since Vlad has them stationed in Amity Park to keep an eye on my parents, just in case they decide to do something drastic. We're pretty sure they're still not convinced that I willingly chose to turn against them and live with Vlad from now on. They continue to blame my ghost half for tearing our family apart, but the truth is, they already did that years ago. It's only now that I've finally stood up for myself and made choices that are right for me, rather than just going along with whatever they say. As for Vlad, while he sometimes has to assert his authority, for the most part, I have the freedom to do whatever I want. He's made it clear that I always have a choice and can talk to him about anything. However, there are still some topics that are hard to talk about BECAUSE it's him so I tend to keep those conversations between myself and my friends.

I share almost everything with Jace because I trust him and don't have to keep my powers a secret anymore. But I also know he stays in touch with Vlad too, which sometimes makes me hesitant to share certain things, as they might get misinterpreted if he relays them to Vlad. Their intentions are good, but it can be frustrating how overprotective they can be at times. Since the trial concluded, I've been gradually adjusting to my new life. It's just overwhelming to realize how incredibly wealthy Vlad is and how being adopted by him has shifted people's perceptions of me. For instance, when we visited Casper High to speak with the principal about getting a copy of my transcripts and clearing out my locker, the people who used to bully me apologized for the way they used to treat me after hearing what happened with my parents on the news.

Some of them didn't genuinely mean it; they just wanted to avoid drawing Vlad's attention, especially now that they've seen how merciless he can be when punishing anyone who has hurt me, whether physically or emotionally. Oddly enough, the person who used to bully me the most, Diana Baxter, was one of the few who sincerely meant it when she told me how sorry she was for being such a bitch. She even invited me to her parents' beach house for the summer, which felt so out of character even for her. I had to decline since I already made plans with Vallen, Trish, and Sam. Not sure what we're going to be doing yet, but at the very least they're going to be staying at the castle with us for the night while we decide where to go. Vlad joked that the sky's the limit, even saying he'd happily take us into space if that's what I wanted! Can you believe it?

Speaking of summer vacations, even though Jace has already settled on campus at Yale, he won't be starting classes until next semester because summer break begins for everyone in just two weeks. And since I'll most likely have to repeat a year of high school due to my poor grades, Vlad has offered to hire a private tutor for me. We're planning a home-based version of summer school to get a head start on improving my grades after I spend some time relaxing with my friends. He's already promised to support my decision because Vlad understands how much I want to show my gratitude for their help during the custody battle. Besides, Vlad agrees that I definitely need a break from the castle; I've been feeling so restless lately, and he's noticed how badly I need to start releasing some of this pent-up ghost energy inside of me. Just going out flying every night isn't cutting it anymore...

Stopping the music when I felt the car stop, I glanced through Vlad's window and was taken aback to see a perfectly ordinary house with someone waiting outside for us. Giving Vlad a look, I followed him out of the car, watching as he politely shook hands with the man who then led us inside. Once inside, it dawned on me what Vlad had planned when I noticed a small furry creature rubbing against my leg. It was a kitten—actually, there were kittens everywhere, lounging in sunlit spots or playing with toys. When I turned to Vlad, I saw a playful glint in his eyes that made me smile back at him as he finally revealed the reason for our visit.

"After our previous conversations at home, I realized that while you love dogs, they've also caused you quite a bit of trouble. So, I thought a cat might be a great alternative. You'll find that Ragdolls have many dog-like traits, but they're generally easier to care for and don't drool as much. They require minimal maintenance aside from some brushing, playtime, and your affection, as they tend to follow you around. Don't worry about feeding them, though; I'll have Isla handle that for you, Danielle." With a playful wink, Vlad settled onto the nearest sofa, content to share the spot with the occupant beside him, who rolled over to bask in his affection as he started to stroke their long, silky fur. "Take your time picking one out, my dear. There are plenty to choose from ranging from full-grown adults to a selection of kittens from the most recent litter, it all depends on your personal preference. Although from the looks of it, it seems that quite a few of them have already taken a liking to you."

Vlad was right about that. In addition to the kitten tugging at my shoelaces, at least three other cats were playfully weaving around my legs, making it a bit tricky to avoid tripping over one of them. I didn't even know where to start because my heart was overwhelmed with pure joy; I had always dreamed of having a pet since I was a little girl, but my parents never had the time to consider it. They made it clear that I couldn't have one until my grades improved, just like with everything else. As I scanned the room, I could feel Vlad's eyes following me as I looked around at all the different cats, trying to get a feel for their personalities. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to predict how they would behave once we brought one home, especially considering how meeting a pair of half-ghosts behind closed doors might frighten them.

Typically, I would have opted for a white cat if given the choice, but none of them felt like the right fit. The kittens were undeniably adorable, but I was concerned about losing them in such a huge castle. That's when I noticed a stunning pale orange cat sitting calmly by the window, watching me with keen interest as I approached. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but there was something different about this one. When it nudged its head against my outstretched hand, I felt an instant connection, accompanied by a shiver that reminded me of my ghost sense, but not exactly the same. As I picked it up, it rubbed its head against my chin a few times, gently pawing at my face before settling down to purr loudly against my chest. I walked back over to Vlad and the cat breeder, my cheeks flushed, and announced that this was the one I had chosen to take home.

"I think he'll be a good choice for you," the cat breeder said with a warm smile, gently scratching the chin of the kitten in my arms. "It's been quite some time since I've had a flame point coat kitten. I've been trying for years, and he's only the second one I've ever bred. I actually placed him in a home once, but unfortunately, his owner passed away unexpectedly, so he was returned to me. He's as healthy as can be and loves to play chase, so if you decide to run down the hall, he'll be right behind you. Then he'll most likely fall over at your feet to ask for belly rubs.

"But if that's not really something you're able to do he's more than happy to snuggle against you for as long as you want him to and just relax beside you. The only thing I would recommend is making sure he has a safe place to look outside the window since he loves sitting in the sun, guess that's why his previous owner named him Solis. Of course, if you have another name in mind, feel free to rename him," he nodded, turning to Vlad and asking him to wait while he grabbed a cat carrier for us.

To be honest, I didn't think we really needed the carrier because the currently-named Solis protested by meowing and wrapping his paws around my neck like a clingy child when we tried to put him inside. In the end, we took the carrier with us since the breeder had extras for all his customers. Vlad let me sign the adoption papers, but soon after paid for Solis in cold hard cash. Of all the 'tame' gifts I imagined Vlad might get me, I never expected him to surprise me with my very own cat. I guess the 'tame' part was Vlad dropping a subtle hint about getting a pet, and I felt dumb for not realizing it sooner.

Still, I was really happy and the cat I picked seemed really sweet and out of all the cats seemed to like me the most. And those eyes, my god they were so big and blue like a cloudless summer sky or a crystal clear pool. I found myself almost mesmerized by them, which was kinda strange, not gonna lie. Most importantly though I felt so touched by Vlad's thoughtful gift, especially since he knew how lonely I had been feeling since we said goodbye to Jace. So when Vlad asked if I liked the gift, I couldn't help but smile and nod enthusiastically in response.

"I'm at a loss for words, Vlad. I know it's just a cat but I'm so happy right now I could go-ghost if you catch my drift," I laughed, my expression shifting as it hit me that my ghost half might scare him which would really suck.

As if reading my mind, Vlad reached over to tousle my hair and said, "That shouldn't be an issue, Danielle. In fact, you should be able to transform around him without it making much of a difference. Trust me, I've done my homework. While cats are historically well-known to be particularly sensitive to the supernatural, you'll be pleased to know that most of them were completely unfazed when I visited this breeder before. I used my powers while he stepped out to take a call, just to gauge their reaction to the ghost energy. A few of them perked up and showed some curiosity, but they didn't seem scared at all."

Sighing I nuzzled the top of Solis's head and after letting my shoulders drop, I answered, "That's good to know because it was hard enough trying to convince my parents to let me get a puppy when I was little After the whole Cujo incident, I was honestly put off getting a dog. He's a good boy and well-trained, but he can be a handful when he thinks either of us is in danger—that's a security dog for you. By the way, I'm considering renaming my cat Leo, like the constellation. Solis is nice and all, but his long, orange-ish fur reminds me of a lion's mane. Plus, the way he was lounging in the sun looking so regal and stuff kinda reminded me of the opening scene of Lion King. What do you think?"

"It's a lovely name," Vlad said with a smile, lightly caressing my cheek before settling back into the driver's seat. "And don't worry, everything is already set up so that Leo will have everything he needs in your room as soon as we get home. I genuinely hope that having a pet will lift your spirits a bit, my dear. I've been worried about you since the trial ended; you seemed so down after saying goodbye to your brother and those two close friends of yours. Just remember, you can still reach out to them anytime. I've also gotten permission from their parents to invite them to stay with us for at least the first few weeks of summer. We just have to wait two more weeks then decide where to go during that time. And I'm open to any suggestions you might have."

"Thanks, Vlad. I'm still considering my options because I want to pick a place that everyone will enjoy, including you." Shifting Leo onto my lap and absentmindedly stroking his fur, I leaned my head against the window and sighed. "I think I'll take a nap on the way home, if that's alright. It took longer to get here than expected and I've been doing the warm-ups you suggested since early this morning to build up more strength in my human form."

Nodding, Vlad told me he was proud of me for being so diligent and I smiled, closing my eyes as Leo's loud purring lulled me to sleep during our drive back to the castle. What I failed to notice, and neither did Vlad, was that when Leo cracked one eye open to look at me, it briefly glimmered with a light purple hue before closing again. Clearly, there was more to this cat than met the eye—no pun intended. In retrospect, I should have sensed something was off the moment I picked him up. But after so long without worrying about ghosts interfering in my life, I had let my guard down. Unfortunately, Vlad was just as oblivious as I was, missing the signs that something unusual was happening behind the scenes. Little did I know that my dream of a simpler life with Vlad would soon be manipulated by someone with their own hidden agenda for getting close to me.