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idiot-cheesehead-archenemy · 30 days ago

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Alone Together

Behold my entry into the Ecto Implosion! I was matched with @payeehay who created this wonderful art. While my fic is perhaps only loosely inspired by their art, I never would have come up with the idea without that inspiration and their help brainstorming. So thank you payeehay, and while I'm at it, thank you to the organisers and mods of Ecto Implosion, who made this event both easy and fun.

Word count: 5762 Content warnings: nothing obvious

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A large empty lot, covered in grass and shrubbery, night. Danny Phantom is flying above, looking around.

Danny: I don’t see anything out here. My parents’ scanners must be acting up. *gasps, his ghost sense going off* Then again …

He turns invisible and flies down closer to where a car has pulled up. Two human men in business suits get out.

Man 1: As you can see, the location is perfect for your new development.

Man 2: Yes, it certainly looks promising. I trust you won’t be offended if I take some measurements of my own.

Man 1: Oh, not at all. We always make sure our customers are 100% satisfied with the land they buy, especially for this kind of price.

Suddenly a dozen or so humanoid ghosts rise up from the ground, surrounding the pair. Both men scream.

Man 2: That definitely wasn’t part of the deal!

The ghosts move closer, menacing. Danny flies toward the group, but is knocked off course by Valerie on her hoverboard, also sent spinning by the collision. They right themselves, and Valerie crosses her arms, frowning at Danny.

Valerie: Phantom. When my scanners showed a spike in ghost activity out here, I should have known I’d find you.

Danny: Uh yeah, because I’m trying to stop them.

Man 2: *screams*

Valerie: Stay here, I’ll deal with you in a second.

Valerie raises a gun and points it at the group. Danny grabs the gun and points it toward the sky.

Danny: What are you doing? You can’t shoot at humans!

Valerie: *My* weapons only hurt ghosts. But of course you don’t want me pointing them at your friends.

Danny: They’re not my - look out!

Danny pushes Valerie out of the way of an ecto-blast, throwing her off her hoverboard. She screams as she falls. Danny looks terrified and starts to fly after her, but before he gets there, her hoverboard swoops down underneath her. She grunts as she lands heavily on her elbow, then stands up.

Danny: Are you okay?

Valerie: I’m fine, no thanks to you.

Danny: I was trying to -

Youngblood: (from offscreen) Ruin my fun?

They turn to see Youngblood in his cowboy outfit, arms crossed.

Cut back to the two men surrounded by Youngblood’s crew.

Man 2: This isn’t worth it. Good luck selling this place. *jumps back into car*

Man 1: Wait for me! *also jumps into car*

The car speeds away. Cut back to Youngblood laughing, Danny and Valerie frowning.

Danny: Youngblood.

Valerie: Friend of yours?

Danny: *turns to face her * Can you drop it for two seconds?

Valerie: *turns to face him* What, treating you like just another evil ghost?

Danny: Yeah, that.

Valerie: Not a chance.

Youngblood looks between the two as they’re talking, then quietly floats downward, offscreen.

Danny: I’m not asking you to like me, but can we maybe focus on the large number of ghosts that are currently - *turns around as he gestures around them*

Wide shot. The area is empty except for the two of them.

Danny: Gone.

Valerie: Huh. Looks like there’s only one ghost left to hunt.

Danny: What? *looks around* Who -

Valerie levels a gun at him.

Danny: Oh, right. I’ll be leaving now. *turns invisible and flies away*

***

In the Fenton house, kitchen. Jack is tinkering with a vaguely gun-shaped device while absentmindedly eating a piece of toast. Danny, Jazz, and Maddie are moving around, making breakfast, coffee, etc.

Danny: What does that do?

Jack: It’s incredible! When I fired it at a couple of ghosts, bam! There was only one ghost left.

Danny: It obliterated a ghost with one shot?

Jack: Well, I’m not sure. When I tried it again on the one ghost, it didn’t do anything. But still, if it can get rid of half of all ghosts, I say that’s a good start.

Jazz: Dad, isn’t it kind of dangerous to be going around shooting a weapon when you don’t even know how it works?

Jack: Nonsense. It’s not like I could hurt a human with it. … Not that I’ve tested that … But I’m sure it’s fine.

Maddie: Still, we really should do some more testing.

Danny: Uh, yeah. Hey, is it ok if I go to Sam’s house after school?

Maddie: Oh sure sweetie, just be back by curfew.

Danny: Sure thing.

***

At school, in the cafeteria. Sam, Tucker, and Danny are sitting at a table, eating lunch.

Tucker: Did you ever find Youngblood and his crew last night?

Danny: Ugh, no. After I got away from Valerie, there was no more sign of them anywhere. I’m so sick of her being around all the time. Doesn’t she know she’s making it harder for me to protect people? And as if it wasn’t bad enough that she’s hunting me, she also puts herself in danger so I have to watch her back at the same time as I’m watching her guns.

Sam: Should you really be trying to protect someone who wants you dead?

Tucker: Even more dead than usual, that is.

Danny: She may be terrible to me, but she doesn’t deserve to get hurt. She’s just a teenager in way over her head playing at being a hero.

Sam: Kind of like someone else we know?

Danny: Yeah, but I have superpowers.

Tucker: And she has technology. What’s the difference, really?

Valerie walks by and has a bandage on her elbow.

Sam: Hey, Valerie. What happened?

Valerie: Ugh, some jerk distracted me while I was … skateboarding. And I fell.

Danny: Maybe next time you shouldn’t be skateboarding in the same place as that guy.

Valerie: Or maybe that guy shouldn’t be skateboarding at all. Maybe he’s just a poser who wants everyone to think he’s so good at skateboarding when I actually put the work in but he’s the one who gets all the praise for some reason …

The trio are staring at her.

Valerie: Whatever, you wouldn’t understand. *walks away*

Danny: Putting a bunch of work in only to be treated like you don’t belong? Oh yeah, I have no idea what that’s like.

***

Amity Park, outside, daytime.

Danny is walking alone down the sidewalk in a commercial district when he hears shouting nearby. He looks around then ducks between two buildings.

Danny: I’m going ghost!

He flies up above the buildings to see Youngblood and his crew raiding an electronics store.

Danny: These guys again? What’re they up to? Well, they probably won’t really hurt anyone, so maybe I can just keep quiet and see what -

Valerie: (from offscreen) Hey, ghosts!

Valerie flies in, guns blazing. Danny facepalms, then flies after her. He and Valerie both try to drive off the other ghosts, but they keep getting in each other’s way, running into one another and deflecting one another’s projectiles. They’re both visibly frustrated.

Danny: What are the odds I can convince you to go home and leave this to someone who knows what they’re doing?

Valerie: About the same as the odds that I don’t kick your butt.

Danny: So pretty good then.

Valerie: Come over here and let’s find out.

Danny opens his mouth to retort, but is distracted by the Fenton Ghost Assault Vehicle pulling up on the street. He and Valerie both groan. Jack and Maddie jump out and both level weapons, Maddie dual-wielding small lasers and Jack holding the mysterious new gun.

Youngblood: You lot, distract them while we finish up here.

Several of Youngblood’s crew rush toward the Fentons. One of them knocks Jack’s arm just as he fires the new gun, redirecting the beam toward Danny and Valerie. Close-up on Danny’s face, eyes wide.

Jack and Maddie are being swarmed. One of the ghosts wrenches away Jack’s gun and crushes it before tossing it aside. Maddie is shooting one at a time, but it’s not enough. Just as the two of them are totally hidden under a pile of ghosts, the ghosts are suddenly blasted away in all directions. Maddie has a grenade pin between her teeth and an unused grenade in one hand. She looks around, holding the grenade ready, but all the ghosts are fleeing. Youngblood and some others leave carrying boxes from the store.

Maddie: *spits out pin* That’s right! You better run! *sees Danny Phantom, who’s looking confused* And you …

Madie takes aim with the grenade, but Danny quickly turns invisible and flies around a corner. After checking to make sure Maddie and Jack aren’t following, Danny looks around.

Danny (Danny): Valerie?

Danny (Valerie): I’m right here. Where are you? Stop being invisible so I can shoot you. *looks at his hands* Wait - where’s my gun? Where’s my … *looks down at himself* body? Ok, what the heck.

Danny (Danny): Well, that’s better than being obliterated, I guess. That weird gun my d- uh, that ghost hunter was using, I think it merged our bodies into one.

Danny (Valerie): Oh no. No no no. I am not gonna be stuck as some freaky ghost. We need to fix this.

Danny (Danny): It's fine. We'll just get that gun from the Fentons and use the reverse switch. There's always a reverse switch.

Danny turns invisible and flies toward the Fentons. They're looking at the merging gun, broken and smoking.

Jack: Dang it Mads, I just built this thing, and some ghost has to go and break it. Even the reverse switch isn't working.

Maddie: Why does it have a reverse switch?

Jack: There's always a reverse switch. *frowns* Except when it's broken.

Robotic voice from the RV: Ghost proximity alert.

Danny (Danny): Uh oh.

The Fentons pull out weapons and point them in various directions. Danny flies away, still invisible, back to the alley.

Danny (Valerie): Hey, I wanna talk to them.

Danny (Danny): They don't talk to ghosts.

Danny (Valerie): I'm not a ghost.

Danny (Danny): You are right now. Trust me, they're not gonna give you a chance to explain before they start shooting. Or dissecting, depending on their mood.

Danny (Valerie): So what's your bright idea?

Danny (Danny): We wait for them to fix that thing. Unless you're secretly a genius engineer, there's nothing else we can do.

Danny (Valerie): What about school, and work? Unlike some undead creatures I could name, I actually have a life.

Danny (Danny): Hey, I have a life. … You know what I mean.

Danny (Valerie): Really? Where do you need to be right now? Got a meeting with your evil ghost friends to discuss your plans for world domination?

Danny (Danny): Wow, you really have a warped idea of what I do in my spare time.

Danny (Valerie): So what do you do in your spare time? ... That's what I thought.

Danny (Danny): Just because I don't want to tell you doesn’t mean it’s evil. Sue me for wanting some privacy.

Danny (Valerie): Well newsflash, I don’t think either of us is getting any of that until the Fentons fix this.

Close up on Danny’s face, worried.

Danny (Danny): No … we’re not.

***

At the fenton house, kitchen. Maddie is stirring something on the stove when Jazz walks in. The broken merging gun is sitting on the table, along with some blueprints.

Jazz: Isn’t that the new weapon you guys were talking about this morning?

Maddie: It was.

Jazz: Did you figure out how it works?

Maddie: We did, actually. It takes two ghosts and combines them into a single body. I know that doesn’t really sound useful, but when you’re fighting a lot of ghosts at once it could be quite an advantage. We tried using it earlier today when there were all these ghosts at this electronics store, but you know how Jack’s aim is. I think he hit Danny Phantom once, but there were no other ghosts near him at the time, just that ghost hunter on the hoverboard.

Jazz: Oh. But she wasn’t affected, right?

Maddie: Oh, I’m sure she’s fine. It was hard to see with everything happening, but she’s a human - she couldn't have been merged with a ghost. There’s no way something could be a ghost and a human at the same time.

Jazz: Right, right. And you saw her after that? And Danny Phantom? Separately?

Maddie: Well no, but I’m sure she just went chasing after the other ghosts that went running as soon as we showed up.

Jazz: Sure, probably. And, theoretically, if you had accidentally merged two people - or ghosts - you could undo it, right?

Maddie: If this thing wasn’t destroyed, sure.

Jazz: I’m sure you and dad can fix it. You’re like the greatest inventors of our generation.

Maddie: Aw, sweetie. You’re absolutely correct.

***

Above the city, day. Danny is flying and looking around.

Danny (Valerie): What are you doing?

Danny (Danny): Patrolling.

Danny (Valerie): What, like a security guard?

Danny (Danny): More or less.

Danny (Valerie): I'm not buying it, you know.

Danny (Danny): I’m not trying to sell you anything. I’m looking for people in trouble.

Danny (Valerie): More like you’re looking for an opportunity to look good in front of cameras.

Danny (Danny): Believe it or not, I usually deal with ghost attacks long before the news stations have even heard about them. I don’t care about my image, I’m just trying to do the right thing.

At the sound of screams, Danny flies down to see Youngblood and his crew raiding a theatre (live, not movie), with a news crew filming it.

Danny (Danny): ... This proves nothing.

Danny flies down and tries to stop them, but Valerie is trying to control his body at the same time, causing him to get twisted up and fly into walls and such.

Danny (Danny): Stop it!

Danny (Valerie): You’re doing it wrong, let me fight them!

Danny (Danny): You don’t even know how to use my powers!

Danny (Valerie): Apparently, neither do you!

Youngblood’s crew take advantage of their bickering and inability to commit to a course of action, coming at them from all angles to confuse them and then throwing them through the floor into a storage area. The crew quickly flee, carrying a bunch of historical costumes. In the basement, Danny tries to fly up through the ceiling while Valerie tries to fly toward the stairs, resulting in them going through the wall, into solid ground. They fly straight up into the alley beside the building, and then up above. There’s no sign of Youngblood’s crew. They land in the alley.

Danny (Danny): Perfect, now they’re gone and we still have no idea what they were up to.

Danny (Valerie): If we were in my body this wouldn’t have happened.

Danny (Danny): If we were in your body you probably would have collapsed the building.

Danny (Valerie): Uh, isn’t destroying other people’s stuff your thing?

Danny (Danny): No, my thing is protecting humans, your thing is mindlessly attacking ghosts with no regard for anyone’s safety, including your own.

Danny (Valerie): Oh, sure, you’re just worried about my safety, I’m sure that’s why -

Harriet: (from offscreen) Danny Phantom!

Danny turns to see Harriet Chin running toward him with a microphone, a camera person behind her.

Harriet: Danny, do you have a minute?

Danny (Danny): No -

Danny (Valerie): - problem, of course I have a minute.

Harriet: What happened in there?

Danny (Valerie): Obviously, I let the ghosts get away because I’m incompetent.

Danny (Danny): Hey!

Harriet: I’m sorry?

Danny (Valerie): Oh, and also evil and tricking you all into -

Danny claps his hands over his mouth. Harriet looks surprised and confused. She turns to her camera operator, who shrugs.

Danny (Danny): *mumbling through his fingers* I’ve gotta go.

Danny flies away, landing on a nearby rooftop.

Danny (Danny): Thanks a lot.

Danny (Valerie): Just trying to let the people of Amity know who their hero really is.

Danny (Danny): Has it ever occurred to you to pay attention to what’s actually happening instead of just assuming you already know?

Danny (Valerie): You mean let you manipulate me? Hm, let me think. I’m good, thanks.

Danny (Danny): You’re never going to listen to me, are you?

Danny (Valerie): Nope. … Then again, if you want to earn some trust, there is something you could do for me.

Danny (Danny): What’s that?

***

Fenton house, exterior, evening. Sam and Tucker ring the doorbell and Maddie answers.

Sam: Hey, Mrs. Fenton. We were just wondering if Danny was home.

Maddie: I thought he was with you.

Sam: He was! He just had to go run an errand, and … now that I’m thinking about it, he said he would meet us back at Tucker’s house. Silly me, I don’t know why I thought we needed to come here. We should get back -

Jazz: (from offscreen) Is that Sam and Tucker? *walks up behind Maddie* Hey, can I talk to you guys for a second?

Maddie gets out of the way, and Jazz steps outside and closes the door behind her.

Sam: What’s up? You know where Danny is?

Jazz: Where he is, no. But I think I know who he’s with. And by “with” I mean my parents made some kind of gun that can merge two people into one body, and then accidentally hit Danny and Valerie with it.

Tucker: Valerie? As in ghost hunter Valerie?

Sam: Well that can’t be good.

Jazz: No. They’re fixing the gun right now, and once they do we need to find Danny. And Valerie. Danny-slash-Valerie.

Tucker: Danlerie

Sam: No.

Jazz: We need to find them and separate them, without giving away Danny’s identity.

Tucker: Sounds like a plan.

Sam: We’re in, whatever you need.

***

Valerie’s apartment building, interior hallway. Danny Phantom is walking toward Valerie’s door.

Danny (Danny): Are you sure this is a good idea? He won’t just shoot us on sight?

Danny (Valerie): Dad doesn’t carry anti-ghost weapons. Even though I keep telling him to. Anyway, I can’t just not tell him where I am - he’ll be worried sick. Not to mention I’ll be even more grounded than usual.

Danny (Danny): Why don’t we just leave a note?

Danny (Valerie): A note can be forged. He won’t know I'm safe unless he actually talks to me.

Danny (Danny): Unfortunately, his only option right now is talking to me.

Danny (Valerie): Didn’t you say that thing combined our bodies?

Danny (Danny): Yeah, why?

Danny (Valerie): So then my body should still be in here, right?

Danny (Danny): Uh … I don’t know. … *flinches* What are you doing?

Danny (Valerie): Shut up, I’m concentrating.

Danny closes his eyes. After a couple of seconds, the rings wash over him. Danny Phantom disappears and Valerie Gray is standing in his place, her hoverboard under her feet. She looks down at her body.

Valerie (Valerie): Oh yeah, now we’re talking.

Valerie (Danny): What the - how did you do that?

Valerie (Valerie): Who cares?

As they’re talking, Vlaerie collapses her hoverboard, takes off her suit, and stores everything in her bag.

Valerie (Valerie): I got my body back which means I got my life back.

Valerie (Danny): Uh, good for you, but I'm still stuck in here.

Valerie (Valerie): Deal with it, ghost. It’s your fault we’re in this mess in the first place.

Valerie (Danny): My fault? You shouldn’t have even been there.

Valerie (Valerie): You ghosts are the ones who shouldn’t be here. I was just doing my job.

Valerie (Danny): No, you were doing *my* job, badly.

The apartment door opens to reveal a surprised Damon Gray

Damon: Valerie?

Valerie (Valerie): Daddy!

Valerie (Danny): Mr. Gray!

Damon: What?

Valerie (Valerie): Nothing. I didn’t say anything, daddy.

Damon: Valerie, where have you been?

Valerie (Valerie): Uh, I … fell asleep studying at the library?

Damon: Uh huh. I suppose you won’t mind doing the rest of your homework at the kitchen table where I can see you. For the next week.

Valerie (Valerie): *laughs weakly through a forced smile*

***

Valerie’s room, night.

Valerie (Valerie): *calling through the doorway* Goodnight daddy. *closes door*

Valerie (Danny): Man, and I thought *doing* homework was boring. Watching someone else do it is so much worse.

Valerie (Valerie): Why would a ghost be doing homework?

Valerie (Danny): Uh, I mean, from what I remember. When I had to do homework.

Valerie puts on her suit.

Valerie (Danny): What are you doing?

Valerie (Valerie): Don’t worry about it.

Valerie opens the window and climbs out, activating her hoverboard.

Valerie (Danny): You’re sneaking out? What happened to your dad being worried sick?

Valerie (Valerie): What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him. And I’ve got stuff to do.

Valerie (Danny): Like what?

Valerie (Valerie): Like be quiet and you’ll find out.

Valerie flies over the city, eventually landing in the yard of a military compound.

Valerie (Danny): A military base?

Valerie (Valerie): Don’t worry, it’s semi-abandoned. They use it to store some weapons and stuff, but there’s no one here except a few security guards. They won’t see us out here.

Valerie (Danny): And what exactly are we doing here?

Valerie (Valerie): *I* am training. Maybe you could learn a thing or two.

Valerie goes through a stereotypical boot camp obstacle course - running through tires, crawling under barbed wire, climbing walls, etc. Eventually she pauses to catch her breath.

Valerie (Danny): You do this every night?

Valerie (Valerie): Of course not. I do this Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are for hoverboard and weapons practice. Sundays I rest, unless I’m fighting ghosts.

Valerie (Danny): Wow. Busy schedule.

Valerie (Valerie): It has to be. If I don't stay sharp, I could get hurt. Or worse, get someone else hurt. I won’t let that happen. No matter how hard you try to stop me.

Valerie (Danny): I never tried to stop … well, okay, maybe I -

An alarm goes off in one of the compound’s buildings. Valerie quickly hops on her hoverboard to go check it out. They find Youngblood and his crew raiding a warehouse full of explosives.

Youngblood: Oooh, this one looks cool. Grab this.

Valerie (Valerie): Oh, I don’t think so.

Valerie levels a gun at Youngblood.

Valerie (Danny): Wait, this place is full of explosives! You can’t fire -

Valerie fires a blob of goo at the large bomb next to Youngblood, sticking it to the ground.

Valerie (Danny): - goo. Huh.

Valerie (Valerie): I know what I’m doing.

Valerie engages Youngblood and his crew, keeping them away from the weapons or knocking things out of their hands, deftly catching them before they hit the ground. Danny isn’t interfering - she moves smoothly. When the ghosts fly through a wall, Valerie makes for the door to follow them. But as she passes through, a weighted metal net drops over her and security guards are waiting just outside, pointing guns at the apparent intruder. Valerie raises her hands in surrender.

Valerie (Danny): *whispering* I have an idea. Do you trust me?

Valerie (Valerie): *whispering* Not really

Valerie (Danny): *whispering* Right. Well, sorry if this feels weird.

Valerie turns intangible, passing through the net, and invisible as she flies away from the guards.

Valerie (Valerie): How are you doing that?

Valerie (Danny): It’s like you said, my body is in here too. And my body can turn intangible and invisible. But nevermind about that, we need to go after Youngblood.

Valerie (Valerie): Sounds good to me.

Cut to the guards, looking at each other confused.

Guard 1: Was that girl a ghost?

Guard 2: Don’t be ridiculous. Probably just a hologram, designed to test our security protocols.

Guard 1: Oh, yeah, of course.

Cut to the Valerie, above the base.

Valerie (Danny): If we switch back to my body, I can try to find them with my ghost sense.

Valerie (Valerie): No need. I have a few tricks of my own.

Valerie opens a mini-computer on her wrist, which has a radar-like screen showing a collection of dots moving away from them.

Valerie (Danny): Wow. I am both grateful and terrified that you have that.

Valerie (Valerie): You should be.

Valerie (Danny): Grateful or terrified?

Valerie (Valerie): Yes. Now let’s go hunt some ghosts.

They fly into the night.

***

Fentonworks lab. Maddie and Jack are welding something on the merging gun. Jazz comes down holding two glasses of lemonade, and they both stop and lift their helmets.

Jazz: Hey mom, dad. Just wanted to bring you something to drink since you’ve been working so hard.

Maddie: Oh Jazz, how sweet of you.

Maddie and Jack both put their tools down to take a glass.

Jazz: How’s it going, by the way?

Maddie: Actually, I think we’re just about done.

Maddie inspects an open panel on the merging gun, blows dust off the wires, then closes the panel.

Jazz: Wow, really? You guys really are great engineers.

Maddie: Well, we don’t like to brag …

Jack: Yes we do.

Maddie: Yes, we do. We’re the best.

Jazz: Why don’t you come upstairs and take a break?

Maddie: Oh, we don’t need a break.

Jazz: There’s still some fudge -

Jack: Come on Mads, I think we could use a break.

Cut to Jazz, Jack, and Maddie sitting at the kitchen table, eating fudge. Tucker, wearing an all-black outfit like a spy, comes in from offscreen and sneaks behind Jack and Maddie and down into the lab.

Jazz: Hey, what was it you were telling me the other day about, uhm … ghosts?

Maddie: You mean about how they’re actually more closely related to bacteria than humans?

Jazz: Yes, that was it. I’m so curious about … ectobiology.

Maddie: Oh, that’s wonderful! I’m happy you’re finally taking an interest in our work.

Jack: Way more interesting than that boring psychology stuff.

Jazz: Well, they can both - whatever.

Maddie: So, based on our current hypothesis, the makeup of a ghost’s body is really -

While she’s talking, Tucker comes back into the kitchen holding the merging gun, then sneaks back behind the Fenton parents and offscreen.

Jazz: Wow, that’s super interesting. You should write a paper about it. Speaking of papers, I just remembered I have to write one tonight. For homework. See you later. *stands up*

Jack: Where are you going?

Jazz: Uh … the library.

Maddie: Isn’t it closed?

Jazz: They’ll open it for me.

Maddie: *squints, confused*

Jack: Good for you. Don’t stay out too late, though.

Jazz: Sure thing, see you later, bye. *runs offscreen*

Jazz joins Tucker and Sam outside, all three with bikes.

Jazz: Do we know where we’re going?

Tucker: I think so. Valerie controls her hoverboard wirelessly, which means it puts out a signal I can track. It was quiet for a while, but I picked it up earlier tonight.

Jazz: How is she using her hoverboard if she’s in Danny’s body?

Sam: I guess we’ll find out when we get there. Ready?

Jazz: Yep. Lead the way, Tuck.

They ride off, Tucker in the lead, watching his PDA.

***

Valarie arrives at the empty lot from the cold open, now set up with cameras and various ghosts in costumes. Youngblood, wearing a mismatched pirate-cowboy-in-space sort of costume, turns around when he hears her, initially looking excited, but then his face falls.

Youngblood: Oh, it’s just you. I don’t suppose you’ve seen Danny Phantom?

Valerie (Valerie): Sorry squirt, just me today.

Youngblood: Man, where is he? I can’t finish my movie without Danny Phantom. Blowing him up was gonna be the grand finale.

Valerie (Valerie): Movie?

Valerie (Danny): Blowing him up?

Youngblood: See, I play the heroic loner who has to fight all sorts of bad guys, saving the day and then moving on. My final and most menacing foe is the wicked Danny Phantom, Hater of Fun and Ruiner of Good Times.

Valerie (Danny): Ok, ouch.

Valerie (Valerie): You really don’t get along with Phantom, do you?

Youngblood: Of course not - he always messes up my plans, even the ones that aren’t really hurting anyone.

Valerie (Valerie): Huh.

Youngblood: Except today, apparently. Leave it to him to ruin things by not showing up to ruin things.

Valerie (Valerie): Guess I’ll just have to stop you instead.

Youngblood: Hmm … That could work.

Valerie (Valerie): Get ready to - wait what?

Youngblood: You’re right. Who needs Danny Phantom? *yelling to his crew* Lights!

Floodlights turn on, illuminating the lot.

Valerie (Valerie): That’s not exactly what I -

Youngblood: Camera!

Several ghosts operating cameras turn them toward Valerie and Youngblood.

Valerie (Danny): I do not like where this is going.

Youngblood: Action!

Youngblood attacks. Valerie dodges blasts and shoots at Youngblood, keeping him at bay. When a large rock is hurled at her from a giant slingshot on the ground, she turns intangible to avoid it. Throughout the fight, several ghosts are tracking both of them with cameras. Youngblood lassoes Valerie’s hoverboard, yanking it away from her. She screams as she falls into a large bush. But just as she’s about to land, there’s a ring of light and then Danny Phantom flies up to face Youngblood.

Youngblood: Huh? Where did - oh, nevermind. *yelling to his crew* Ready the bomb!

Danny (Danny): Oh yeah, almost forgot about that.

Danny (Valerie): You have a short attention span.

Danny (Danny): Rude! But fair.

Youngblood throws his lasso around Danny. Danny turns intangible, but the lasso goes around him anyway and then zaps him. Danny screams. Youngblood swings Danny around in a circle, then leaves him dangling. Danny groans, dizzy.

Danny (Valerie): What’s going on? What is this thing made of?

Danny (Danny): I don’t know, but I can’t use my ghost powers. *He struggles against the rope and kicks his legs.* I can’t even fly.

Youngblood flies, dragging Danny, over to a wooden structure with a bullseye painted on the front, which he quickly ties Danny to. He then lands on the ground nearby, next to a rocket launcher. Danny struggles against the rope again, to no avail. The ring of light appears around his waist.

Danny (Danny): What are you doing?

Danny (Valerie): No time. Do you trust me?

Danny (Danny): … Yes.

Danny transforms into Valerie, who starts to operate a device on her wrist. Youngblood looks up, surprised and then confused.

Youngblood: You again? What is happening right now?

Valerie (Valerie): I’ll explain when you’re older.

Youngblood: Grr. Whatever, I will get my grand finale, and I don’t care who I have to blow up to do it!

Valerie (Danny): Hey, I don’t suppose you’re planning to, you know, get us down from here?

Valerie (Valerie): Nope.

Valerie (Danny): What?

Youngblood aims the rocket launcher and pushes the button, launching a rocket toward Valerie. Before it gets very far, Valerie’s hoverboard flies in from offscreen, ramming into the rocket and diverting it upward. Valerie pulls a gun from her suit and tracks the rocket, waiting until it’s high enough and then firing at it. The rocket explodes in the air, causing a fireball and scattered debris. Valerie then uses a laser to cut the lasso and drops down, landing on her feet on her hoverboard.

Youngblood: *stamping his foot* That’s not fair!

Valerie (Valerie): No, *pointing behind him* that’s not fair.

Youngblood: *turns around* What?

Valerie (Valerie): *shoots him with a net gun, capturing him* That.

Youngblood: You-! *yelling to his crew* Get her!

Valerie gets into a fighting pose, ready for the ghosts flying at her.

Jazz: (from offscreen) Valerie!

Valerie looks over. Jazz has the merging gun pointed at her and fires it before Valerie has time to react. There’s a flash of light and suddenly Danny Phantom is floating next to her.

Valerie: Huh? How did -

Danny: Less questioning, more fighting.

Valerie: Right.

Danny and Valerie fight side-by side, sometimes back-to-back, covering each other as Valerie captures ghosts with nets and such while Danny captures them with the thermos. Youngblood breaks out of the net and gets a couple shots off before being trapped in a blob of goo. A few times Danny or Valerie calls out “duck” or “eight o’clock”, and the other immediately responds. They’re completely working in tandem. Jazz also helps by shooting some of the attackers with the merging gun. Eventually all of the ghosts except Youngblood have been captured in the thermos.

Youngblood: This bites. I would have done things so differently if I'd known you had a friend with you.

Danny: We’re not - I mean -

Valerie: Just because we’re both your enemy, doesn’t mean we’re friends.

Youngblood: Isn’t that the saying? The enemy of my enemy -

Valerie: It’s a stupid saying. Bye now.

Valerie grabs the thermos from Danny and uses it to capture Youngblood. Danny quickly takes it back to put the lid on, and as he does, Jazz, Sam, and Tucker run over.

Jazz: Are you ok? Uh, ghost hunter I’ve never met before?

Valerie: I’m … *glances at Danny* … Good. What are you doing here?

Jazz: My parents told me about the fight, when they hit you with this thing. I realised what happened and came to separate the two of you before they figured it out and decided to start experimenting on you.

Danny: Told you.

Valerie: How did you find me?

Tucker: I tracked the wireless signal from your suit.

Valerie: I don’t know if I should be grateful or terrified that you can do that.

Tucker: Probably.

Valrie: Well, thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to not be a ghost.

Danny: I’m glad to be myself again too. But you know, it wasn’t all bad. I think we both learned some important lessons.

Valerie: Yeah, when the Fentons point a gun at you, get away.

Danny: Well, yes. But I meant more along the lines of respecting and trusting each other.

Valerie: Hmm. No, that doesn’t sound right. In fact … *pulls out a gun and points it at Danny*

Danny: Oh come on! *flies away*

Sam: He really is just trying to help people, you know. Including you.

Valerie: I happen to know from personal experience that he’s ruined people’s lives.

Tucker: Whatever he did, I’m sure it was an accident.

Valerie: Well, I’m sure I’d be happier if I never saw him again. But I should probably stop assuming all ghosts are the exact same kind of evil. Apparently Phantom has ghost enemies too.

Sam: Yeah, because he’s protecting humans from them.

Valerie: Whatever the reason, it’s something to keep in mind. Might be useful later.

Tucker: I don’t like the sound of that.

Valerie: Thanks again for your help. *flies away*

Jazz, Sam, and Tucker all look at each other, frowning.

Roll credits.

#danny phantom #valerie gray #youngblood #my writing #ectoimplosion2024 #A/N: this isn't meant to take place at any point in the canon timeline #it's basically an idea for an episode that could conceivably have been produced if our (irl) timeline was nudged a bit to the left #but it wouldn't really fit in the version of the show that exists #for example youngblood doesn't have that skeleton parrot in this. because it's an alternate universe you see.#definitely not because i forgot #also yes i stole the title no i don't feel bad about it. it's the correct title regardless of whether it's been used before.

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