AN: This is the revamp of The Final Plan that I've been writing on and off since… goodness knows how long. It's pretty much a separate entity from the original, so please don't go back and read the first edition. Just forget it ever existed. It's for your own good, I promise.

All characters belong to Mr. Hartman.

"We have to do what?" Danny asked with a groan, slamming his locker shut and turning to his friends.

"Pick one of the classic novels from the list, read it, and present the plot and characters to the class. It's not that bad, Danny."

"But we're already reading a book for class."

"We only have to read ten pages a night," Sam insisted. "You read more playing Doom."

"Still... another book? A whole book? I can barely get Lancer's reading done as it is," Danny complained, setting off for the front door with his friends trailing along beside him.

"Just pick one that has a movie," Tucker suggested, looking the list over. "The Sword and the Stone is on here, why not do that one?"

"Lancer will know the difference," Sam argued. "Besides, it's a Disney movie. How much of it do you think is actually true to the book?"

"Enough," Danny said, swiping the list from Tucker and giving it one more look-over. "It'll have to do."

"Why are you so set on not doing this project?" asked Sam, snatching the list and handing it back to Tucker.

Danny sighed, gazing quickly around the hall before he answered in a whisper:

"There've been a lot more ghosts out than usual."

"That's why you were so late to class?" Tucker asked, pushing the door open before them.

"Yeah," Danny answered, shielding his eyes from the bright sun as they stepped onto the sidewalk. "Skulker was on my tail again this morning."

"Didn't he come after you last night?"

"No, that was the Box Ghost. Sorry to cut off the chat like that, by the way."

"No sweat," Tucker replied with a wave of his hand.

"It's no problem," Sam agreed.

"So what are you guys up for tonight?" Danny asked. "Nasty Burger?"

Sam smiled, but shook her head.

"It's just me and Gran tonight so I want to get home kind of early. It's not often that we're rid of my parents for a whole night."

"Guys night out, then."

"Sorry Man, but I'm gonna have to take a rain check too."

"Tucker, turning down Nasty Burgers?" Sam asked, reaching a hand up for his forehead. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine," Tucker responded, pushing Sam's hand away. "I just... I have somewhere to be tonight."

"Where?" asked Danny.

"I just... I have somewhere to be," Tucker answered. "Sorry, okay?"

"Yeah, it's no big deal," Danny answered with a shrug, "I should probably catch up on my sleep anyway."

"Okay, then I'll see you guys later," Tucker said, waving over his shoulder as he turned a corner and sped off down the street.

"Weird..." Sam commented, watching him go. "I don't think I've ever seen him move that fast without ghosts involved."

Danny laughed.

"Must be important."

"We can just bribe it out of him later," Sam suggested with a grin. "We both know he'll do anything for a large chili-fry."

Danny grinned, nodding.

"Sounds like a plan."

The oblivious love birds continued down the street, comfortably quiet in the bright sunlight of the afternoon. All too soon they approached the turn off toward Sam's house, and slowed.

"Sorry to abandon you for the night."

"It's no big deal," Danny assured her. "Like I said earlier, I could use the sleep."

"Okay," Sam responded. "Just... be careful. You know, with all the ghosts. And if you need help, I'm just a phone call away."

Danny smiled.

"Thanks. I will."

The two stared each other in the eye for several long moments before their cheeks flushed red and they turned away.

"Have fun with your grandma!" Danny called, waving Sam off.

"Sleep well," she responded with a wave before continuing on her way.

Danny watched her form shrink into the distance for some time before continuing on his way. As much as he understood her and Tucker's need to be elsewhere, it still left the half ghost feeling somewhat lonely. Friday nights were meant to be fun, but here he was trudging home barely half an hour after classes had ended. Then again, a nice relaxing Friday night might be just what he needed to get back on his feet from the latest string of ghost attacks. A fun movie, a long shower and bed. It did sound nice. Besides, he almost never flew around during the day. Maybe it would be fun to take an invisible sweep and see what everyone was up to. He could even fly to the lake outside town and go for a swim. It was definitely hot enough for one.

Danny turned toward the park, deciding it would be his best bet for a safe place to transform. Not that the park wasn't nice in and of itself. All the wildflowers were blooming, and the light filtering through the trees made really cool patterns on the ground. It was quiet too. There was barely a person in sight, short of a tall figure lazing on a nearby bench. He wore a black suit that contrasted nicely with his grey streaked white hair...

"Vlad," Danny muttered as he approached the billionaire, all thoughts of a relaxing afternoon gone.

"Daniel!" Vlad answered, "Imagine meeting you here."

Danny rolled his eyes, stopping before the billionaire.

"What do you want, Vlad?"

"Me? Want? My dear Daniel, I want what I've always wanted: you and your mother by my side."

"It doesn't matter how many times you ask, Fruit Loop. My answer's still the same."

Vlad's face darkened as he sat up, leaning toward his young enemy.

"Daniel, I am the only one that knows what you've been through. I'm the only one who can tell you what to expect from your powers, who can teach you how to use them to your full potential. I can protect you from the ghosts in the Ghost Zone, just as easily as I can protect the town you care so much for. Can Jack do that for you, dear boy? Can he?"

"I'm doing just fine on my own," Danny assured him. "I don't need anyone's help."

"But you do," Vlad insisted, rising.

Danny followed his movements with a glare, stepping cautiously back.

Vlad raised a hand, and Danny felt his hands snap together at the small of his back. Flinging a glance over his shoulder, Danny found a ring of red energy pinning his arms together.

Vlad laughed, transforming.

"You can't even protect yourself from me, Daniel. How do you expect to protect Amity Park?"

Danny squirmed against the bonds, turning himself ghost and vainly trying to phase through.

"I'll give you one last chance to change your mind, Daniel," Vlad offered, placing his hand on Danny shoulder.

The half ghost balked at the touch, struggling yet harder to free his hands.

"Never," Danny spat, shooting toward the sky.

"So predictable," Plasmius sighed, materializing a barrier only feet from Danny's head.

The half ghost slammed hard into the barrier, falling back to earth with a flash of light.

Plasmius reached down and threw the unconscious boy over his shoulder.

"Why must you be so stubborn?" asked Vlad as he turned them invisible and flew toward the sun.