I do not own 'Danny Phantom'

Chapter 12

"Hey guys." Danny greeted. "Sorry I'm late I-"

The halfa let out a gasp of blue mist. Danny sighed as his ghost sense went off. He just groaned, that was the fifth one today! And he hadn't even gotten to his first class!

"I'll have the notes for you." Sam stated, much to his relief.

With a grateful smile, he transformed into his alter ego and left. They watched as their friend flew off to save the day.

"Well Sam, I have to say that things are-"

Whatever he was going to say was cut off as they were snatched from the ground. Looking up, they saw that it was the trio of ghost vultures. That meant one thing, Vlad.

"This happens so often that we don't even bother to scream anymore." Ticker stated dryly.

The ghost flew the friends into a limousine.

"Hello Sam and Tucker." Vlad greeted with a sly smile. "I thought I'd give you a lift to school while Danny is handling that conveniently dangerous ghost."

"And you couldn't have just pulled up to us instead of having us kidnapped by your pets why?" Sam asked with crossed arms.

"Because you would have said no." Vlad stated, to which they nodded in agreement.

"Before you start, what can you really offer me that my friends can't give me?" Tucker asked, never taking his eyes from his screen.

Vlad sat there for a moment as he examined the two before he began to chuckle. The chuckle grew until he was laughing.

"You're clever Mr. Foley, I'll give you that." Vlad stated before he became very serious. "But you aren't that clever. There are those out there, ghost and human, who dwarf even your intelligence. Now, the question isn't what I, or even Danny, can offer you, it's what you can offer." Vlad stated. "I mean sure Danny and you are pals, but he has even greater responsibilities. Now more than ever."

"And we'll be there to help him." Sam stated.

"How?" Vlad asked with a raised eyebrow. "Last I checked, while informative, your other worldly knowledge," He waved his hands for added affect. "Is limited to the occult, and even that isn't a hundred percent on ghosts. I mean sure, you'r smart, but you aren't the smartest. And I highly doubt he'd appreciate you two risking your fragile human lives when he can have a strong ghost do it."

"What're you getting at Vlad?" Sam demanded.

"Eventually Danny will have to make some hard choices, with people who can help him. I mean really help him." Vlad added. "He won't have time for his friends who mooch off of him. Even if you help him build the proper kingdom, how would you help him maintain it."

"And you think Danny would toss of to the side?" Sam asked skeptically. "He won't do that, we're his friends."

"Two friends or two hundred ghosts." Vlad stated. "If he's a good friend, he'll save the majority. Unless you think he'll put you before them, hmm?" Vlad paused as he considered it. "Knowing him, he might actually choose you two, that's bad for a leader. A good cause for a revolution if I say so."

"The ghost love him, they wouldn't do that." Sam insisted.

"Then why don't all of them bow before him?" Vlad challenged. "Because not all ghost love him, and it takes more than that to lead."

"It takes respect." Tucker stated. "And all ghost have that for him, whether they like him or not."

"Tucker, I see so much of myself in you." Vlad stated honestly. "You're bright and always kept in the shadow of one who's supposedly your friend. I want you to join me." Vlad stated. "With me I can help you start a great company, one that could spread across the glob. You could put your intelligence to use for something other than hacking security and-"

"If Tucker ever decided to build a company, I'd help him." Sam stated, cutting the villain off. "I've got more than enough cash."

Vlad just laughed again. "Please, if not for Danny you two wouldn't say a word to each other. Let alone fund a company of something he'd try and create.

"We are friends!" Sam insisted.

"The Ultra-recycling vegetarian with the techno-savvy carnivore." Vlad stated sarcastically. "You two are so opposite I'd think it was the start of a bad romance."

The two looked at each other and blushed heavily. They had went to a dance once, and sure they enjoyed themselves, but nothing came of it. It was like dating you sibling. The gagged at the notion.

"Tucker is-"

"Someone who believe in progress and indulgence." Vlad cut in.

"He also doesn't like being talked about like he's not here." The techno-geek stated.

"Oh, look at that, we'v arrived at your school." Vlad stated. "Off you go and have fun."

Without warning the two teens were shoved from the limo and fell onto each other. They watched as it sped off without a care in the world.

"Can you believe him Tucker?" Sam asked angrily as the stood.

"Yes." Tucker answered honestly.

"What!?" Sam exclaimed in shock. "How can you possibly-"

"Some of the things he said makes sense." Tucker stated. "Logically, we may actually be dead ends for Danny."

Sam wanted to yell but stopped when she saw the far away look in his eyes. Tucker began walking in a different direction than the school.

"Tucker!" Sam called as she followed him. "Where are you going?"

Tucker had kept quite, which unnerved and annoyed Sam, all the way towards their destination. The museum. It had been a long trip and they had definitely missed their classes, but that was the last thing on their minds.

"Tucker?"

Tucker took a glance at the magical mirror that adorned the sarcophagus. A second later, it began to shake and glow and as it opened. Suddenly, the artifact swung open and out stepped a mummy-like ghost.

"I. Am. Risen!" Hotep Ra declared.

Tucker took a step forward and crossed his arms.

"Hello Hotep."

"My liege!" The ghost exclaimed before kneeling. "How may I serve you?"

"My Scepter." Tucker demanded. The ghost reached into the folds of his bandaged body and pulled the powerful artifact free. He knelt to a knee as he handed it to Tucker. "Go to the Ghost Zone and begin constructing my Kingdom, one truly fit for a Pharaoh!" Tucker ordered.

"As you wish!" Hotep stated before flying off.

The whole time Sam had been silent, mostly out of shock and confusion. Now it was just confusion, and she wanted answers.

"What was that!?" Sam demanded. "How come he wasn't trying to destroy us!?"

"When I ended my...episode, I wished that no one but us remembered what happened." Tucker stated. "That means he doesn't know he's already double crossed me."

"And he will do it again!" Sam stated.

"Yes he will, but he won't succeed." Tucker stated happily. "Last time he made the Spinx too loyal, he'll do it again." He motioned to the sarcophagus. "And we'll be ready. And when we're done with him I'll have a kingdom, an army and Spinx to offer Danny."

"I-you-wow." Sam stated shocked. "That's pretty...cool!"

"Thank you Sam." Tucker stated proudly.

Though she didn't say it, Sam was uncomfortable with Tucker holding such a powerful weapon. She didn't like the way he stared at it, like it was one of his precious machines that he obsessed over.

"Right, so I guess we should head to the Fenton's."

"Why the Fenton's?" Tucker asked without looking at her.

"Well, that's where we're going, isn't it?" Sam asked. "To the Ghost Zone."

"With this I have the power to do anything I like. Absolute power over every particle in the universe. Everything that has ever existed or ever will exist. As from this moment-are you listening to me, Sam!?"

"Yes." Sam stated uneasily. "I'm listening."

Tucker turned to look her in the eyes. "Because if you're not listening I can make you listen, because I can do anything!" He insisted. "As from this moment there's no such thing as free will in the entire universe. There's only my will, because I possess the Key to power!"

"Tucker, are you all right?" Sam asked as she backed away. "Snap out of it!"

"Well of course I'm all right." Tucker stated casually. "But supposing I wasn't all right. This thing makes me feel in such a way I'd be very worried if I felt like that about someone else feeling like this about that. Do you understand?

"...Yes." Sam answered feeling relieved. "The the sooner we hand this over to the proper guardian-"

"The better!" Tucker finished.

Now that the tense moment was over, they shared a small laughter.

"There's just something I need to do first." Tucker muttered.

Raising the powerful artifact high, they were transported to a different area.

Had they payed just a little more attention, they may have spotted a little bug. One that, while small, still vaguely resembled Vlad Plasmius.

"Whoa." Sam muttered as she tried to focus.

It took her a moment to regain her balance, once she did she knew where they were. They were in the hospital, in Valerie's room.

They could see the former huntress there in the bed. Seeing her so still was...unnatural. She was usually full of life, passion. In her quest for revenge against the ghosts and her attempt to connect with people now that she's not at the top.

It was almost like she had been a comic book heroine, reaching one of those crucial points in their lives.

"What are we doing here Tucker?" Sam asked uneasily.

"I told you Sam, absolute power over everything." Tucker stated dismissively. "That means power to help correct our friends mistake."

Tucker pointed the artifact at the healing girl and they both began glowing. Her body began to jerk as the magic began it's affect on her. She gave a groan of displeasure and shuddered. All at once, it stopped.

They watched as the huntress began to stir, signs that she was waking up.

Just as her eyes began to flutter, Tucker raised the scepter again and they were gone.

"Okay, I'm going to need you to stop doing that." Sam stated as she wobbled.

"Sir Tucker, Lady Sam!" A familiar voice exclaimed.

The two turned to see Queen Dora sitting on her thrown. The regal seat next to her was currently empty. It was then that the humans noticed that the throne room was occupied with other ghosts. It seemed that Tucker had brought them there during court.

"I'm sorry is this a bad time?" Tucker asked.

"For the friends of my king, never." Dora stated. "Where is Danny?"

"He's either currently handling some ghost or some ignorant hunters." Sam answered.

"Queen Dora, I came here with the offer of an alliance." Tucker stated as he bowed. "I am having my own kingdom built and would like to offer my full allegiance for a seat on the Council of the King."

"We, and I speak for my betrothed when I say this, accept." Dora stated with a smile.

"Frostbite." Tucker spoke. "I would like for you to guard this until Danny himself needs it."

"A powerful item, I understand why you want it hidden away." Frostbite nodded in understanding. "You honor me with such a task."

"Not to sound rude or anything, but that's a bad idea?" Sam stated. "I believe that Pandora should seal it away in her box forever."

"I agree." Pandora spoke. "I can feel it's corrupting nature."

"But then no one could use it." Tucker stated. "I think that something this powerful could be useful, Danny might need it."

"The Scepter is too dangerous to be left unchecked." Pandora stated as she stood.

"That's why I'm giving it to Frostbite." Tucker explained. "He and his people can guard it like the Infi-map until it's needed."

"It shouldn't be used at all!" Sam stated.

"That's be a waste!" Tucker stated, growing agitated. "You saw me heal Valerie! That proves it can be used for good as well. Or shouldn't I have done that?"

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions!" Sam stated with crossed arms.

"If I may interject, my people have guarded an object that would allow us to change fate itself and have not been corrupted yet." The yeti spoke pleasantly. "You have nothing to worry about."

"No reason to push it." Pandora stated. "Besides, two objects of such power in one spot...it may tempt more ghost than even your army can handle."

"Yes, but your box has been stolen before, and from your own home. By Box Ghost was it?" The Yeti countered with a cynical smile. "While the map has never been stolen from us."

Pandora narrowed her glowing eyes as she watched the yeti. The insult had not gone unnoticed by any in the room.

"Having such power just lying around is asking for trouble!"

"Yes, and releasing all the world's evil to get the Scepter wouldn't be troublesome?" Frostbite asked. "Why did you add a blow button to it?"

Pandora stood in anger, her flaming hair roaring with her emotion. Frostbite stood as well, growling like a fierce beast. Dora stood between the two, trying to placate them.

"Aarhg, why do you have to be like this Sam?" Tucker asked in frustration. "It's always your way or the highway!"

"What, I'm nothing like that!" Sam denied.

"The changing the menu without caring for anyone else because it's what's best for them." Tucker offered with a raised eyebrow. "You never even asked how the others felt about eating the grass!"

"Are you still on that!?" Sam asked exasperated. "Sorry for trying to make the world a better place!"

"A better place for you doesn't make the world better!"

"And you would know, wouldn't you King Tuck!" Sam snapped.

"I don't know, lets ask Undergrowth how he feels!" Tucker countered. "I'm sure he'd side with his favorite gardener!"

"You think I don't want to use this thing!?" Tucker demanded, finally loosing his cool. "Why do you think I'm taking these contingency plans!"

"You sound like Vlad!" Sam shouted. "Like you're making moves!"

"I'm trying not to be like Vlad, that's why I'm making these moves!" Tucker snapped.

"So bribing your way into the kings good grace isn't like Vlad?" Sam challenged.

"I'm sorry, is it wrong to secure the future of my life and after-life?" Tucker asked sarcastically. "Sorry if I don't want to be a burden to my friend, but we don't all have a fat inheritance waiting for us!"

The two glared at each other. Maybe there was something to Vlad's words.

"I don't even know why we're friends!" They shouted as one.

And like that there was silence. There words echoed in the air and the ghosts understood that there was something else at work. Tucker and Sam said nothing, they wouldn't even look at each other.

"Queen Dora." Tucker began politely. "I'm giving you the choice." He handed the artifact to her and bowed. "You share the decisions, so you make it."

"I-I-" Dora was was at an impasse. If she gave it to Frostbite then she'd risk insulting Pandora, and vice-versa. She couldn't even wield it or she'd risk corruption. I'm sorry. She thought. But I have to think of my people. "I will give it to Frostbite."

Pandora said nothing as she stood and walked from the palace, Sam followed behind. The techno-geek didn't feel the triumph he had thought he would in being picked, but he wouldn't back down now.

Frostbite knelt before the Queen. "Thank you, you honor me with your trust."

"I fear I may have dishonored you with this burden." The Queen stated sadly as she watched her friend leave.

"All according to plan." Vlad stated as he rubbed his cat. "I'm that much closer to checkmate."

He was watching the two 'friends' have their argument from one of his spy cams. It was just one of many that he had hidden around Danny and his friends.

"I don't understand?" A voice asked.

"I placed a few words that made them doubt themselves into their heads, an elementary but efficient move." Vlad stated smugly. "They're currently going against each other, building instability. This would cause plenty of distress for the prince, making him sloppy."

"But why aren't you worried about the Scepter, its power is great."

"I was unable to procure the artifact on my own, even an image of the boy couldn't open the tomb." Vlad stated, not hiding his frustration. "So I had him retrieve it for me."

"But now it's secure in the land of ice." The voice stated. "Even you can not best Frostbite."

"...True." Vlad growled before gaining a devious smirk. "But I won't need to." He looked at his screen as the Doctors tried to figure out the miracle of Valerie's recovery. "And thanks to the boy, I have a Pawn back in the game. Oh, what the heck, I'll make her a Bishop, she's earned it."

"Soon we strike?"

"Yes my Knight?" Vlad answered sinisterly. "You and all my unique pawns."

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