Danny Phantom: Ghostly Gamer

New Player

AN: "Attack of the Killer Garage Sale" and "Teacher of the Year" occur near the start of Season 1.

Chapter 1: New Player

It has been a bizarre time for Danny Fenton, aka Danny Phantom. Of all the things he was dealing with today, it was a ghost trying to take over the World Wide Web!

In any case, starting freshman year of high school with new ghost powers is not something that a teen wants on top of everything else, especially since the kid has no control over them. It didn't help that the Ghost Portal kept releasing ghosts into his hometown of Amity Park, Ohio.

Danny wouldn't say that he hasn't done some pretty cool things. What was the phrase his social studies teacher said? "May you live in interesting times." Despite its innocence, the phrase's meaning is supposed to be much darker and stranger, and it's exactly what Danny's life has been for the last few months.

Thursday

Past troubles have returned in the way of a scientist ghost; their full name is Nicolai Technus, but he goes by 'Technus.' The most interesting ability of his is his technopathy. In this modern day and age, you would have a hard time finding an area where he can't use his surroundings against you.

The day started simple enough: Danny played the latest MMORPG "Doomed" throughout the night with Tucker. He was not the best player, but he tried using his parents' Fenton Helmet to give him an edge. They've been getting their butts kicked by another player named Chaos, and that day was no different. Frustratedly, he threw the helmet and accidentally pushed a button, opening the Ghost Portal. He should ask his parents to secure it better at this point. As if the universe hated him, a ghost was ready to come out, Technus. One monologue later, Technus learns of the game world on the screen. The two scuffled, resulting in breaking the monitor. Seeing his gateway to the digital world gone, he made his leave.

A failed test led to fighting Technus in the park, Technus sneaking into the Fenton Phones, and Technus entering the game. While Danny was preparing for a makeup exam worth 25% of the final grade, Tucker unintentionally taught Technus the game's workings, believing he was a new player.

As Tucker puts it, the game's objective is to find the Seven Silver Keys of the Apocalypse, defeat all 13 levels, and gain unrestricted access to the World Wide Web. To Technus, this reward was enticing. He could have complete control over Earth's technological systems.

After monologuing his intent, Tucker and Sam attempted to stop him, but with each vanquished foe, Technus grew stronger. Even after Sam revealed herself as Chaos, they still had trouble.

By the time Danny passed his test, he was stuck on level 1 while the others were on level 13. He had no way to catch up with his friends. After hearing that Technus used his ghost powers in the game, Danny realized he could do the same. If Technus can become part of the game, why couldn't he? So, wearing the Fenton Helmet, Danny went ghost, 'possessed' his in-game avatar, and advanced through the levels. Just like Technus, he could easily phase through all obstacles.

Things should have been standard, but life had a way of shaking things up before that could happen.

Soon, Technus inserted five keys into the gate, even retrieving the sixth key. The ghost laughed. "You are no match for me. For I am Technus, master of-"

"Master of long-winded introductions." Danny finally joined with his friends. "Do you ever stop talking about yourself?"

Sam turned to him. "Do something, Danny. We're one key away from a catastrophe. Oh, and congrats on the A."