Danny Phantom - Gender Bender (Discontinued)

Chapter Twenty One

That Thursday, Danny landed on a bench in the park and crossed her legs. She tilted her head up into the night sky and breathed in the chilly air. The night was clear; she could just make out the Leo constellation through the silhouetted tree foliage. She checked her phone: 4.50 am. With a sigh she closed her eyes and was about to transform back when she heard a twig snap. The hair on the back of neck stood on end as her eyes narrowed. Her ghost sense didn't go off, though. She had rounded up as many stray ghosts as she could that night. They once again were terrorising the city and late night clubs, overshadowing people causing Danny to physically attack them. And of course there were cameras about. And of course, she will make the front page for all the wrong reasons. She did feel more in control tonight, however, she was acutely aware of just how strong she was getting. Her reputation must proceed her, as most of the ghosts she captured fled at the sight of her - as did any night owl humans.

She looked about cautiously. Nothing. Must be a possum, she thought. The nights prior had been relatively quiet, allowing her to catch up on much needed study; the exams were only in two weeks. She went to Frostbite to query about Milo and his messages, but even he could not make sense of them. Milo said that if the two worlds met, catastrophe would ensure, only, the two worlds had met, and nothing apocalyptic had happened. Danny relayed Sam's theory to the ice bear, but he merely shrugged and frowned. She did try to meditate again, but nothing she did seemed to work. Trying to control the Phantom felt like teaching a fish to breathe. She sighed again and relaxed her shoulders, when she heard the bushes rustling. She leapt up and zapped it.

"Ow!" came a disgruntled male voice, and out fell a blonde haired adult, in track pants and a sloppy joe. At first she thought he was a homeless man and instantly felt the all too familiar pang of regret in her gut, until the man got up and dusted himself off. She leaned on one hip and huffed.

"You?" She masked her voice.

"Me?" Lance Thunder said.

"You spyin' on me?"

"Uh, no." Danny frowned. "Ok, maybe, yes."

"Why? Can't I get a blimming moment to myself, away from the media?" She threw up her hands for emphasis. There was a moment of silence. "What do you want, Thunder?"

He drew out his phone, still on video record, from his pocket. "To capture you in your most human self."

"You think I'm human?" Danny's eyes lit up.

"I think you're a halfa." He raised an eyebrow at her expression. "Well, you are a halfa, aren't you?" Danny relaxed her muscles and sighed through her nose. She grunted a humourless laugh. "I'm not the only one who knows, but I am the only one who cares."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lance shrugged.

"I've just got some questions."

"You're a very persistent journalist."

"Why thank you," he said with a smile.

"That can also mean annoying." His smile grew. "We've met like this heaps in the past, and you're gonna get the same unhelpful  outcome."

"Why are you getting stronger? Are you training? And if so, what are you training for?"

"Lance, I'm not telling you anything - it's too dangerous."

"And what are you, fifteen?"

"Sixteen."

"You're still a kid, you need help."

Danny gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. "Well, if you care so much then why don't you help me convince the greater public that I'm on their side!" The journalist took a cautious step backwards. "Or, better yet, stop turning my half-life into a reality TV show!" She stomped her foot down. "I can't handle the bullies in the press and the bullies at school!" Whoa, do I have pent up anger.