Danny Phantom in: Not All Bad

Part VI

Author's Note: Thought or Emphasis; Flashback; Thought or Emphasis in Flashback. Certain type may also be used signify SOUND or other dramatic effects as necessary.

I don't own Danny Phantom.

Danny Phantom: Not So Bad

Part VI

"How many has it been so far?"

"Looks like three... and counting."

Danny Fenton and Sam Manson sat at Amity Park's teen hangout, the Nasty Burger. While its red-and-white appearance was unassuming, the local burger joint had been a focal point for quite a few notable events: from a meeting of the world's greatest (and not so great) ghost hunters, to the accidental injury of a "defenseless" Danny carelessly attacked by Mayor Vlad Masters.

Only a select few knew that darker events could have unfolded here...

Luckily, that time would never come to pass. Instead, Amity's young citizens, free for the summer, could enjoy themselves.

One of these happy youths was Danny and Sam's young charge, Danielle, having her first Nasty Burger ever—or, rather, her fourth. Danny and Sam had witnessed her appetite before, but it had hardly ever looked this messy.

"This burger rocks!" The little girl gave a gooey smile. Sauce smeared over her lips and chin, and dripped over a Nasty Junior with everything on it. "Your pick was perfect, Tucker!"

"Glad I could help, Danielle." The third original member of Team Phantom, the bereted and bespectacled Tucker Foley, watched with pride as the new addition continued her lunch. The first Nasty Burger he ever tried was the one he suggested, and he was glad to pass down his knowledge of all things meaty. "An experienced connoisseur such as myself always knows where to get the good stuff."

"This is the good stuff?" Sam looked around. "I think the only things with more grease than those burgers are the walls of this place."

"Ah, don't listen to her." Tucker waved her off. "We're just lucky Miss Ultra-recyclo-vegetarian even let you step foot in here."

"Well, the sight of those meat balls disgusts me," her stomach almost flipped at seeing the debris on Danielle's plate, "but it is kind of our hangout spot." She still had enough appetite to sip from her straw, though. "Plus, the shakes are amazing."

"Milkshakes?" Danielle perked up her ears as she finished her sandwich, finally taking notice of Sam's dessert. "Ooh, can I have one?"

"You just went through four Nasty Juniors already," Danny noted. "You've got to be ready to burst!"

"I'm a growing girl." Burp. "Heh, excuse me."

"I think that's enough, Ellie." Sam put her foot down. "Just because we can afford it, doesn't mean I'm going to let you stuff yourself on-"

"Pleeeease?" The girl showed a mastery of the puppy-dog pout.

Sam lifted her foot up. "Alright. But you're taking it easy after this. No junk food for the rest of the day!"

"Deal."

As the girls went up to the counter to order, the boys stayed at the table.

Danny watched the girls with a fond smile. "She's totally spoiling her." He turned to Tucker, who sported a smile of his own. "What?"

"What's it like being a teenage dad?"

"Come on, Tuck," he rebuffed. "I get enough of that from Ember."

"Still wrapping my head around that too. Ember's your friend now?" He pointed out, "Also, I don't hear you exactly denying what I said."