Plummeting In Love (Book 1 of Danny Phantom Trilogy)

Vanishing Act

Vlad was thrilled to finally be able to return to Amity Park. For the entire summer, he had been in and out of the Ghost Zone chasing after myths and legends. His search had been in vain, however. He hadn't been able to find anything worthwhile.

While spying on the Fentons back in May, Vlad had received quite a shock. Daniel had been down in the lab with his friends and Jasmine doing a bit of training while Jack and Maddie were out of the house. Vlad had been interested to see just how much Daniel had progressed while still hoping to get in a few laughs at the boy's failures. After a few minutes of watching, Vlad wasn't laughing. With wide eyes, he watched as Daniel finally perfected duplication and held the copy for several minutes. It had taken Vlad years to perfect that technique!

Vlad had always known that Daniel had potential. The boy was a quick learner and seemed to adapt to having ghost powers easily- as if he had always been destined to have them. Vlad glared at the sight of Daniel sparring with his duplicate. The boy's moves weren't as sloppy as they had been two years ago. Even the boy's mastery of his ice powers had progressed far beyond what Vlad had thought possible for Daniel at this stage.

It had worried Vlad. While Vlad was worrying himself with his political duties, Daniel had been training and getting stronger. It wouldn't be long before Daniel knew more than him and resultantly surpassed him. So Vlad had decided to take a working vacation into the Ghost Zone. For the most part, he had been absent all summer. It was quite easy to be the mayor of a town when so much of its population decided to pack up and leave. Hardly anyone was here to make sure that he did his job!

Vlad had been chasing down myth after myth, legend after legend, searching for anything that would help him stay on top. But, nothing had proven fruitful. He had essentially wasted three months. Butter biscuits!

Upon arriving back in Amity Park, Vlad had every intent to visit the Fentons. He had to see Maddie. He was sure that Jasmine would be leaving for college. Maddie would probably need support and comfort from a dear friend...if she would allow him into her home without dumping hot tea on him.

On the flight over to the Fenton home, Vlad had spotted Daniel walking alone. That was odd. Usually, the boy would be with his two lackeys- er, friends. Vlad invisibly watched Daniel walk home before crossing the street and approaching the house across from his. Vlad raised a brow and moved in closer. Who was Daniel going to see?

Vlad realized too late that he had alerted Daniel to his presence when the boy suddenly looked around wildly. Might as well reveal himself. "Hello, Daniel."

With a harsh glare, Daniel turned to Vlad. "Plasmius," he ground out.

Not able to resist taunting the boy, Vlad asked, "Did you miss me, my dear boy?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

"Be careful, Daniel. You might hurt my feelings," Vlad replied with a wicked grin and gathered an ecto-blast in his palm.

With a gasp, Danny leapt over the side of the ledge surrounding the stairs to duck out of sight. There was flash of two, white rings just before Danny Phantom made an appearance. "Wow. It's like finally having an occasion to wear an old suit," Danny mused with a grin. With a quick shift of emotions from amused to angry, Danny flew towards Vlad in a rush.

Vlad was momentarily surprised at how much faster Daniel was before he quickly erected a spherical ecto-shield around himself. Daniel slammed against his shield with a grunt before glaring at him with neon green eyes. Surprisingly, Danny placed his palms flat against the shield before charging his hands with his own energy. Danny seemed to be short circuiting Vlad's shield with his own energy. Vlad's jaw dropped as his shield collapsed in front of his eyes. Not wasting any time, Daniel fired a punch directly to the middle of his face. 'He can dismantle my shields now!?'