'I'm Danielle. Your third cousin once removed. I ran away from home.'
'Do you wanna ask questions? Or you wanna kick some butt?'
'Did I do good, daddy?'
'Am I a imperfection? A mistake?'
'You are not the boss of me.'
'It's Dani, with an "i". And don't worry. You'll see me again.'
'I can't let him find me! Okay, pull yourself together, Danielle.'
'You're working for Vlad?! He'll destroy me!'
'She saw me go ghost and she was gonna turn me over to Vlad until I told her I knew you!'
'Please tell me you've been working on something to stabilize me.'
'A little weak in the knees, actually. And I don't even have knees anymore!'
'Now that this Phantom is fixed, she's got places to go.'
She gasped as she looked around the moment her eyes opened. Where was she? Who was she? Her brain was a storm of thoughts as she was trying to contemplate life itself as it felt like she wasn't alive one moment and then alive the next.
She felt herself in a tank of green liquid and some tubes injected into her body. She could see out in what looked to be a dark lab with all manner of equipment and chemicals. She tried desperately to remember a past that seemed so off; her parents, wait, they weren't actually hers, they were someone else's. In fact, all the memories that she was thinking seemed more like it was the life of someone else's and not her own.
Then came the man. A blue skinned man, with red eyes, sharp fangs in his teeth and his black hair going up like it was the Devil's horns itself. Her first instinct was fear for this man scared her. She had seen him in a few of those memories… he was bad news, pain and terror were the feelings corresponding with the memories.
"Well, this is certainly some progress. Now if you'll just hold together, we'll really begin to make everything come together… Danielle…", the man spoke.
Dani gasped as she suddenly woke up. She tapped her ten-year-old body as she was instinctually feeling the tubes going into her skin before she realized that she was okay. She glanced around and realized she was where she last recalled: sleeping on top of a J-E-F Supermarket roof in Amity Park.
Dani remembered why she slept there; because she could phase through the walls to nab some food, and because the initials were named after the founder Jasper Edgar Fanny, which the last name was obviously funny.
She took a deep breath as she was trying to forget that she was dreaming of her 'birth' again. That being cloned in Vlad Plasmius' lab, the next in a series of failures in his attempt to perfectly clone her genetic template, Danny Phantom. The half human/half ghost girl rubbed her temples, mentally thanking her brain that it was only giving her replaying memory dreams than say, a nightmare like imagining that Danny failed to save her getting her clone body stabilized.
"Man, how screwed up is my life…?", Dani said to herself. It was still dark so that meant that she was basically going to keep holding up at the market until dawn then go about walking the streets as human during the day.
Dani found herself coming back more and more to Amity the past two months once Danny was able to help her, even though she was more of a 'free spirit' so to speak, wanting to explore the world, using her ghost powers to easily accomplish it. She was a girl of the streets, not cooped up in school or restricted from hanging around home or town, so why was she back yet again?
Then those memories hit her again like they did when she first was brought to life. Jack, Maddie, and Jazz Fenton, all from Danny's perspective, of course. She herself had no interaction with her genetic family, considering that she was a secret.
Danny was keeping his powers hidden from them so by extension, his own clone 'sister'; even if they addressed each other more as cousins, was also hidden from the rest of the family. Really was a tough situation; not like Danny could come clean, considering his parents are ghost researchers/hunters, as that would be at best, a really hard conversation that would never end and at worst, someone's getting experimented on.
"Wish you would cut up Vlad; there's your test subject and it would be a huge weight off Danny and mine's shoulders.", Dani chuckled to herself at the thought of her 'father' finally getting what was long coming to him and screaming like a little girl as Jack prepared to carve him up like a Thanksgiving turkey.
Was it longing for a home? She then thought. Was that what her brain was trying to tell her for the past few weeks since she kept feeling the need to stop by Amity Park? She shook her head again. She didn't need her genetic family; she was doing fine on her own.
She was a strong ten-year-old. Sure, it was always nice to have a bit of a safe place to return to, at least in terms of being with Danny; despite Vlad being the city's mayor recently. 'The closer to the danger, the furthest from harm's way was a quote from a movie she snuck into an electronics store and watched which came to her mind.
She decided she was thinking way too much; she just needed some more sleep. Then come morning, walk around, maybe say hi to Danny and hang with him and his friends, Sam Manson and Tucker Foley, again like she had the past few times, perhaps even get to kick some ghost villain butt from whatever freak escaped from the Ghost Zone this week. Yeah, that'd work for her. She laid back down and closed her eyes as she tried to get back to sleep.
It was certainly late in the day before Dani went to see Danny, after a close call with one of the food stockers in the store, as she was wondering how he's doing, next to Valerie who also saved her that day too.
Of course, she also was trying to destroy her beforehand but that was only because she was working for Vlad. He did a good job of making sure his human persona of Vlad Masters and his ghost form Vlad Plasmius wasn't the same person to her. Though, if Dani's recent check up on Valerie while the older girl was unaware of her was any indication, it appeared that she made the connection.
Dani shook her head just wondering how Vlad could stay so confident with his acts, considering just how many enemies he would keep making. Guess with incredible ghost powers and practically all the money in the world essentially, one could feel quite invincible. Hopefully, she would have a front row seat to his downfall one of these days.
"Ugh… 55 on the Lancer's pop quiz? Man, I'm gonna get it in the neck tonight.", Dani heard Danny's voice nearby as she chuckled. If only her genetic template put just a little work into school, those sorts of issues wouldn't be a problem. Then again, there was also the issue that he's got the whole ghost fighting double life so that probably plays a bit of heck on the grades.
"See, this is why I don't do school.", Dani announced as she turned around the corner, making sure to de-power beforehand, before she was standing before Danny, Sam and Tucker. "How're you doing, cousin?", Danielle smirked, trying to look a bit cool.
Danny blinked, "Dani? I thought you were going off to places and all? Wait, is Vlad making trouble again?", a bit confused before scowling at the mention of Vlad.
"Figured that I'd take a break from exploring awesome places, and see my favorite cousin, and no, that nutjob hadn't been making trouble for me, and I can take care of him just fine.", Dani replied with a smirk.
"She says that but who has to keep bailing her out?", Tucker rolled his eyes as Sam jabbed him hard in the ribs with her elbow. "Ow!".
"Shut up.", Sam told him as he rubbed his side. "Okay, hey, look, maybe I've been biting off more than I can chew at times.", Dani said. "It's fine though, we easily can keep handling it.".
Danny said, "First, I'm your only cousin, Danielle. Second of all, you better not be too confident like that.", with a nod.
"Uh huh…", Sam crossed her arms. "By the way, you know Vlad's the mayor now, right? Maybe not the greatest idea to be hanging around here in the first place if you're worried that he's going to come back after you for some cloning business."
"I'd say the same for you.", Dani countered, "What's it like living under his regime?", looking at them with a raised eyebrow.
"Not too much of a difference, actually.", Danny admitted. "Ironically trying to run Amity Park has tied down his hands a bit so he hasn't had as much time to mess with us as you would think.".
"Of course, he's built a ghost portal in the mayor's house.", Tucker informed. "So, it's been making a bit more of a burden with ghost catching when they've now got two places to come from the Ghost Zone in a close area.".
Dani replied, "Oh, yeah, I heard about a second ghost portal, but they didn't say where, when I talked with a few ghosts. I think Spectra was banned from it after an incident, never asked, but I got gossip that she tried to get like a staff butler or something…Must be Vlad's staff.", with a snicker.
"Well, I didn't need that thought in my head.", Danny wanted to nearly barf at the idea. "Anyways, since you're around then, I guess we can hang out; not like there's much to do today.".
"Yeah, we were planning on stopping by Nasty Burger.", Tucker said. "Oooh!", Dani clapped her hands. "I've been dying to get some for weeks!". She had a large smile on her face as she let the trio lead the way.
At the same time, in the Ghost Zone, right by the portal that would lead into the Amity Park's mayor's home, Skulker was finishing the final touches on some of his equipment he was working on. "Heh, let's see if the Ghost Child can handle this little trick…" He gave a cocky scoff as he was sure today would be the day he'd finally win the hunt and have Danny mounted in his trophy room.
Of course, as he was preparing, he was also having to make sure no one else was trying to get through the portal as the last thing he wanted was for Danny to be on high alert thanks to an intrusion by some random havoc causing ghost.
Catch the prey at its most vulnerable; one of the top rules of a hunter. He'd already frightened off the Box Ghost and shooed Nicolai Technus before; but the message still hadn't been spread yet when a familiar feminine ghost slinked up.
Skulker held up a cannon and aimed it right at Desriee's face, "Back off, you witch. This is mine for today.". Desiree smirked, chuckling, "Oh, I know you won't, Skulker…And besides, the elder halfa isn't my goal. I'm curious to meet the younger halfa, as I heard she was cloned from the elder halfa, by Plasmius, if rumors are correct.".
"Plasmius.", Skulker growled. The two had worked together in the past but their partnership was anything but smooth. Skulker honestly had his own plans for the other halfa, just needed to try his luck on Danny first before attempting the greatest hunt the Ghost Zone would ever know. "And I heard about the other one too. Not as much of a prize so if you wanna go around meeting her, hoping she or someone else says the 'W' word, be my guest. Just find your own portal.".
Desiree grinned, "Very well. Good fortune with your hunt, Skulker. Don't come whining to me in case you mess up. See you later.", before flying off to the Fenton Portal, figuring that Skulker, with his working relationship around Plasmius, will use the Masters Portal.
Skulker growled once more as the thought of having her as a trophy crossed his mind. No, eye on the prize, maybe some other time. Deal with the famous halfa hero, maybe bag the clone as an extra prize. He finished loading his weapons and jumped through the portal.
It was several hours later when the sun had gone down and much of Amity Park was relaxing in their homes when Desiree was floating around, looking for anyone who so desired a wish for her to grant and gain power from. That or perhaps have a chance to meet the younger clone. Her ears quickly perked when she heard the sounds of battle coming from Amity's main park. And judging from the sound of it, it appeared that Skulker had found his prey.
Desiree comes to get closer, floating among the shadows of a great tree to watch the battle, and is surprised to see that the younger halfa is there as well, fighting together against Skulker, though it looks like things are becoming tense for some reason.
"Well, you certainly know how to pick your enemies, cousin!", Dani called out as she and Danny were near the fountain, taking cover as Skulker had pulled out his sword gun and were firing Skulker branded broadswords at the ghostly duo.
Things had taken a turn so quickly. One minute the two of them were relaxing in the park with Sam and Tucker, having finished Nasty Burger an hour before. Then Skulker pops out of nowhere, causing havoc in an attempt to lure out Danny to a fight.
Tucker and Sam wisely took off to hide and allowed the two halfas to do what they do best and beat up crazy ghosts. Danny and Dani, while double checking to make sure no civies saw, went ghost before jumping into action since Skulker already knew both personas of Danny.
Of course, Skulker had quite a few new surprises waiting for them. One thing Danny always hated about Skulker; the guy never relied on the same tricks. Like a smart predator, he would adapt, change, always make sure no two hunts were the same for prey that escaped.
Danny retorted, "And I thought we were free to have a day off, but no! Dani, you go left, I'll take the right.", looking at Dani.
"Right!", Dani nodded before a sword landed right next to her when she was about to move. "Um, on second thought, how about you take the left? Bigger target might make him more overconfident!". She then jumped over Danny's lap to go after Skulker from the left as another sword flew right towards Danny, crashing into the fountain and getting him soaked from the splash back.
Danny shouted, "Hey, I wasn't calling for a shower!", before dodging another sword, and narrowed his eyes as he flew up and lighted up his hands, "Take this, Skulker!".
"Foolish boy!", Skulker held his hand out and the blast that Danny sent his way ricocheted off of it. "The same tricks, over and over, one of these days, you'll have nothing to counter me with and then the hunt will be over.", he responded back with a ghostly grenade launcher like device that shot out a large ball of ectoplasm; causing a large blast of energy when it hit the ground that Danny just barely avoided.
Skulker laughed as he launched shot after shot; Danny was going to get tired soon and then he would be his. Of course, Skulker was aware that Dani was also around, and as he suspected, she was charging right at him with her fists glowing; before his head shifted a full 180 degrees and one of his arms rotated fully backwards and grabbed her by the neck when she was inches from him.
Dani's eyes widened, "What the heck?! That was cheating!", and Skulker smirked, "Oh, no, girlie, that was just some improvements I had…After all, the greatest hunter adapts to the situation.".
Skulker then really started to tighten the grip he had around Dani's throat as suddenly, she felt herself unable to breath as her windpipe got more and more closed. She slammed her fist against his arm, trying desperately to break the grip he had on her. "Dani!", Danny screamed out as he flew right to Skulker to attempt to save her.
As Skulker predicted though, his other hand dropped his launcher and snagged Danny in midair, tightly gripping onto his radiation suit. "Now both in my hands.", Skulker grinned sickly. "Yeah, but I bet you can't cover your ears.", Danny smirked.
"RAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", Danny unleashed his ghostly wail on full blast as Dani used what strength she had to cover her ears. The same couldn't be said for Skulker as the vibrations were tearing his suit apart.
It wasn't long until the suit was in shambles, leaving a puny blob of a green ghost in a high-pitched voice, "No fair!", raising a fist in the air, glaring at the Phantoms.
"Fair? I tell you that ruining our day is not fair.", Dani retorted as she took deep breaths, and Danny replied, "Say hello to the Thermos, tiny.", unreleasing the power of the Fenton Thermos, and Skulker screamed, "No, no, I'll get you next time, you and that cocky clone of yours!", trying to escape, but was sucked in, and then the Fenton Thermos was capped securely.