For all those who want to see my sincerest apologies towards my not so short hiatus, take a moment to check out my profile to know just how sorry I am. For those of you who just want to see the next step in Danny's adventures, I think I've kept you waiting long enough...

"Ready ladies?" Danny asked.

"Ready!" Yukari, Mizore, and Kurumu all declared.

"Alright then," Danny said placing his hand on the tree next to him and turning it intangible. "Yukari, go!"

"Right!" the young witch smiled summoning her magic tarot cards and sending them toward the tree. They flew by the tree, leaving visible damage in the intangible bark.

"It worked!" Moka cheered from the sidelines.

"We're finally getting somewhere," Danny grinned in satisfaction. "Mizore, you're up."

"Right," the snow woman said firing off ice shards from her sleeve. As they struck the tree, the icicles slowed slightly but continued through it to the other side.

"My turn!" Kurumu chimed in. She rushed the tree with her long nails extended and slashed away at its side. Again the tree took visible damage as bark was chipped away.

"Well I'd say this experiment was a success," Moka smiled as the group inspected the damage done to the tree.

"Yeah," Danny agreed, removing his hand from the transluscent tree and letting it return to normal. "I always thought there was something wrong with my intangibility when I took damage in fights, but thanks to Kurumu slashing Spectra's face, we know better."

"So what do you think it is? Can monsters just naturally hurt ghosts?" Moka asked.

"Can't be," Mizore said motioning to some strange rings on the tree bark. "Look at where my ice hit the wood. You can see marks where it passed through, but it's almost like it healed and left a scar."

"You're right," Yukari nodded, the little genius' mind racing at the mystery. "And remember when I first met all of you? My class representative went right through Danny when he tried to bite him. So there must be more to it."

"Well maybe he was just too weak to hurt our Danny," Kurumu purred, cuddling up to the halfa.

Yukari rolled her eyes. "Kurumu, I don't think that-"

"Actually, that makes sense," Moka's rosary said as it began to glow.

A pleased grin spread across Danny's lips as the cross began to speak with Inner Moka's confident tone."Man, I have missed the sound of your voice. It has been over a month. Why don't we hear from you more often?"

"A-as I was saying," the seal continued, flustered and slightly pinker at the boy's flattery. "Alone lizardmen are extremely weak. It is why they tend to group together. The other two were already unconscious in that battle, so by himself the leader's aura wasn't strong enough to cancel out Danny's intangibility."

"You really think aura has something to do with it?" Outer Moka asked her sealed self.

"Why not?" Danny shrugged. "You guys are always talking about how Moka at full power is an S-class monster. I don't really get it, but after seeing you guys fight I'm betting you're all above average. Maybe that's all it takes, enough demonic energy."

"But then why do Yukari's cards work?" Kurumu wondered.

"Because she is a witch," Inner Moka answered. "Her power comes from spirits, and a ghost is just a more powerful form of a spirit. If anything, her attacks seem to be the most effective."

"Good point," Outer Moka agreed as she surveyed the three damaged sites. It was true that Yukari's cards had seemed to do the most damage, the slash marks being far deeper and more prominent in her case than Kurumu's, whose attacks had already seemed to start 'healing' like the ice had. "But then what about Mizore? I'd think she and Kurumu are around the same strength so why were her attacks ineffective?"

"Maybe I just didn't hit it hard enough," the snow woman answered. "Danny, make it intangible again."

The halfa complied and the tree turned a luminescent blue signaling it was intangible. Mizore backed up and the others followed suit, giving her room. The snow woman placed her hand on the ground and a moment later her ice sprang from the dirt and charged the tree. It struck the wood hard with a loud snapping sound as the trunk gave way. The girls cried out as the tree began to fall toward them but Danny fired a quick ghost ray as it fell, pushing it away from the four.

"Better," Mizore grinned in satisfaction as the tree crashed to the ground. "My first attack just didn't carry enough energy to do any real damage. But I'm more than strong enough to get the job done."

"Note to self," Danny said aloud. "Do not get these girls mad at you, because intangibility can't save you anymore."

"Or any ghosts for that matter," the rosary said with an extra hint of pride. "Now we know that we can hurt ghosts if they ever attack again. Next time, you won't have to fight them alone."

"Let's hope we don't have to worry about a next time," Moka smiled sheepishly. She was in no hurry to face another enemy like Spectra again whose mere prescence and words could bring Kurumu, Mizore, and herself to their knees. But Moka was never one to let a sour past keep her from a cheerful present. "Come on everybody, it's time to get to class. I just know that today's going to be a good day."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Alright everyone," Ms. Nekonome cheered as her students settled into their seats. "As you know, the school festival is coming up very soon. So it's time we start getting things ready before it's too late."

"I'm surprised you actually remembered this time, teach," Danny joked, earning a giggle from some of his classmates.

"Well, the school festival is very important," Nekonome blushed. In truth, the only reason she remembered was because of the cold look Ms. Ririko had given her earlier that morning regarding 'a teacher's duty'. "And that's why we'll be counting on you Mr. Class President."

There was a round of applause from the other students. Danny sighed in amusement. "Why do they always cheer?"

"What's with you morons?" an angry voice snapped as someone slammed open the door and entered the classroom. Someone Danny hadn't seen in a long time.

"Oh, Saizou, you're late," Nekonome said as the first demon Danny ever fought walked into the room.

The self-proclaimed rouge monster gave the halfa an angry sneer as he entered. "Class president huh? Man these chumps must think you're some real slick shit," Saizou hissed with a lick of his lips. "All these rumors about the 'invincible' Danny Fenton. But me, I know better. You couldn't beat me in a one-on-one, and without your little girlfriend, you're nothing."

"That so, tongue-boy?" Danny grinned, rising from his seat. "Well maybe you'd like to test that theory. I'd love to finish what we started last semester..."

Saizou growled as Danny's eyes flashed green. He couldn't believe the arrogant little punk was calling him out in front of everybody. And the idiots were all whispering, talking about how that wimpy little American was gonna wipe the floor with him again. Again?! There hadn't been a first time!

"Settle down you two," Nekonome scolded the young men. "We have important business to discuss, so both of you take your seats." Both boys gave each other a last hard glare before Danny sat back down and Saizou found an empty seat in the back.

"You must really be cocky you prick, having that super-strong vampire as a bodyguard," Saizou thought as he glared at the back of Danny's head. "You've got this whole damn school fooled. But not me, I know that you're just some pathetic wimp…"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Saizou, huh?" Kurumu turned up her nose at the name. "I remember you guys telling me about that jerk at the beginning of the year. Gives me the creeps."

"Anyone who would treat Moka in such a way deserves death!" Yukari proclaimed raising her wand high into the air.

"Yukari, settle down," the vampire blushed trying to settle the girl back into her seat.

The witch sat back down but her anger was still not sated. "I hate nasty guys that would touch Moka. He's just like Gin."

"Easy now," Danny said. "Don't go throwing our furry friend in with that creep. Gin can be a pervert but he's not a psycho like Saizou. Man I just hope that bastard tries to start something with me."

"Sounds like you're taking this kind of personally," Mizore said calmly, though there was a spark of jealousy in her eye. "Could it be you agree with Yukari about mistreating Moka."

"Well yeah," Danny admitted, careful not to anger the other girls. "I'll never forgive him for what he tried to do to her. But Inner Moka already made him pay for that. To be honest, the real reason I want to fight him is a bit more personal."

"What's that?" Moka asked curious.

Danny sighed. "He was the first monster I fought at Youkai Academy. Everyone started talking about me like a big shot after that. But I didn't do anything. I was too damn weak!" Danny slammed his fist down on the table startling the girls. "If I hadn't been lucky enough to pull off Moka's seal, I'd have lost. He would have gotten her and done God knows what," he continued in a low growl.

"But that's not the case anymore. Now I can fight with the toughest of these guys. I guess I feel like if I finally beat this chump myself, I'll have actually earned all the respect and faith everyone seems to have in me," he sighed again, staring at his hand with determination. "And I'll prove once and for all that anyone who messes with the people I care about will answer to me…" he trailed off, forgetting the girls were beside him and not noticing the blush that spread over each of their faces.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Look at them," Saizou said in disgust as he stared down at Danny and the girls from the rooftop. "Maybe the hottest girls in school and they're all over that worthless little transfer. Man I can't wait to twist that smug little head off his shoulders."

"Do you really think you can Saizou?" one of the three guys with him asked. He was a tall student with very short white hair. He was clearly no stranger to fighting as his face was marked with long, painful looking scars. One of them stretched from his right eyebrow to the top of his skull and another ran under his left eye, reaching all the way back behind his left ear. He was dressed in blue jeans and a black leather jacket with no shirt beneath it.

"What's that supposed to mean, Mido?" Saizou replied angrily.

"You know the stories better than anybody," Mido replied calmly, unaffected by the other students glare. "They started with you after all. Chopper, a whole squad of PSC grunts, even Kuyou, the head Enforcer himself. He's beat them all and is still standing."

"It's all a load of crap!" Saizou shot back at him. "I fought this guy myself and he ain't shit!"

"Whatever," Mido replied impassively. "Just don't forget that you're one of us now. We monstrels get enough crap from those pureblood bastards for being mixed breeds. If we want any respect, we have to win every fight, every time. Get yourself beat, and you won't find sympathy. Don't forget that…" Saizou cringed at the glare Mido gave him, like the man's eyes were burning right through him.

"Hey, don't worry boss," one of the others grinned. He was a fairly short guy with neck length chestnut hair. He was wearing knee length shorts and a white t-shirt with long black sleeves. His eyes were like a snakes, no iris, just a long slit through the white.

"You like the idea Moroha?" Mido asked with mild interest.

"Well sure," the boy replied. "Fenton's become infamous around here. We take him out, and the whole school is gonna fear and respect the monstrels. Besides, if he's half as tough as they say, I'd like to try him myself, at least once."

"Then what are we waiting for?" the last boy asked with a mad cackle. He was even shorter than Moroha, and his eyes were even emptier. Completely empty in fact. He wore brown slacks and a black t-shirt. On his head was a red beanie. The red ball at the top bounced back and forth as the strange little man laughed. "If he's so weak, let's tear him apart."

"Shut up, Warai," Mido growled at the lunatic. He didn't know why he bothered putting up with that one.

"Don't worry, I know a surefire way to beat that loser, just let me handle the planning," Saizou said with a lick of his lips. "And I'll handle sweet little Moka too."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Why the hell does Gin always make me take the trash to the incinerator?" Danny grumbled as he and Moka dumped two boxes of scraps from the most recent edition of the paper.

"It's because he's insanely jealous of you," Moka giggled.

"Yeah…remind me never to stick up for him again," Danny chuckled.

"Danny…" Moka said nervously before they started back to the meeting. "What you said before, about earning people's respect? Well you know you already have. As many people as you've fought and saved us from you've more than earned it. And besides, does it really matter what the rest of the school thinks?"

Danny paused. He stood there a moment and then smiled warmly at the girl. "Of course not. It's not about what they think, it's about me. I can't respect myself for living a lie that was built on beating Saizou. Moka, when I went to school as a human, I wasn't smart. I wasn't popular. I sure as heck wasn't the hero I've become here. And despite that being what I always wanted back in Amity Park, I realize that now I just don't care. I can just be me in the absolute purest sense of the word, because I know I earned it. This school is the one place in the world where I feel like I don't have to lie to everyone. Next to being with you guys, that's the thing I love most about Youkai."

"Really?" Moka blushed.

"Yeah," Danny nodded. "But there's one thing that I haven't earned. That first victory that let everyone know my name. And that's why I want to beat him, once and for all. So that it won't be a lie anymore."

"I see," the girl smiled at Danny's determined tone. "I think I understand a bit better now. In that case, I hope you get your chance soon. I know you can beat him."

"O I doubt that."

Danny and Moka turned at the declaration. Much to their surprise, Saizou was standing atop the incinerator, a wicked smile covering his face. Next to him was a smaller student, wearing a red beanie and an equally evil grin. The pale little teen sat on a heap of garbage, chuckling to himself like a fiend. The two had not been there moments before. They had to have been waiting for an opportunity to get Danny and Moka alone.

"Speak of the wannabe-devil," Danny said smugly, shaking off his surprise. "You know Saizou, you couldn't have picked a better spot to show your ugly mug. The trash pile…or is this where you go for meals? That would explain why your breath smelled so bad this morning."

Warai burst into loud laughter, kicking his legs with amusement. Saizou silenced his 'minion' with a glare, though the white eyed student had to fight to suppress his giggles. The rouge monster turned back to Danny with a sneer. "I see they haven't beat that arrogant attitude out of you yet. Still doing that lame 'Going ghost!' thing?"

The halfa just smiled at Saizou's attempt to insult him. "Only when the urge hits me. I know it seems a little stupid to you, but it still has a bit of a nostalgic feel, ya know?" Danny replied simply before motioning at the smaller delinquent. "What's with the mini-you? Too chicken to fight me without a bodyguard?"

"Nah, just didn't wanna bother getting my hands dirty," Saizou grinned before mildly gesturing behind the pair.

Danny paused as a wisp of blue left his lips. The pause would cost him, because it slowed his reaction by a crucial moment. He turned around, following the chill up his spine. There was a blur of motion as the last member of Saizou's trio appeared. The fingers of Moroha's hands had fused together and stretched into long, sharp fin-like blades made of his flesh. With a flash of red, they ripped deep into Danny earning a splash of the halfa's blood, a perfect X being sliced across his chest. Moroha smiled, his now rigid blue skin stretching with the gesture. "Sorry about the sneak attack," he said as Danny fell to his knees. "Nothing personal…"

"DANNY!" Moka screamed. She reached out to catch the boy but was grabbed roughly by the shoulder.

"Nuh uh uh," Saizou smirked, dragging her back so she fell against him. "Can't have that cross coming off now, can we? O mighty vampire…"

"Bastard…" Danny growled, clutching his bleeding chest as pain coursed through him.

"Like I said this morning…" Saizou licked his lips with satisfaction while his body grew to a form Danny remembered all too well, "…you ain't SHIT!"

With that he slammed his massive fist into Danny's face, sending the ghost boy crashing through one of the random tombstones that littered the campus ten yards away. Moka tried to run to him agian, tears streaming down her face, but Saizou simply threw her to the ground with a deranged grin. The pink haired girl lay there, too afraid to muster a thought.

"You weren't kiddin'," Warai chuckled surveying the beaten halfa. "So weak. It was even easier than I thought."

"Yeah, I'm kinda disappointed," Moroha sighed with a scratch of the gills at his neck. "Still he almost caught me. If I hadn't snuck up on him this might have been more fun."

"Don't flatter the little wuss," Saizou hissed before his eyes turned hungrily back to Moka. "Besides, if you want more fun, this should do the trick."

The hulking brute ripped open the girl's shirt and jacket with a sinister smile. Warai and Moroha both wore equally hungry looks as they stared at the white lace bra that Moka wore. The girl tried to cover herself but Saizou grabbed her arms and easily held them above her head. His long tongue reached down and licked away at the girl's tears before cracking like whip and slapping her across the cheek.

"Tasty…" Saizou grinned with a lick of his lips. "I guess it's true what they say, revenge really is sweet…"

"Mmmmmwahahaha! She looks so sweet!" Warai drooled, his laughter almost out of control as he stared at Moka's exposed breasts. "Gimme!"

"Back off!" Moroha spat shoving the little creep away. "You didn't even do anything. I get to go first."

"I sure hope you're awake over there Fenton," Saizou called smugly while the other two argued. "I want you to hear every single scream from this pretty little thing before I come over there and squash your head like a grape! Cause without her, you're helpless. And without you, she's weak…"

Moka trembled as the massive beast held her to the ground. The other two monstrels descended on her slowly, each pinning one of her legs as well. She felt like she was going to be sick as Warai's cold slimy hands and Moroha's sharp webbed fingers rub eagerly over her thighs. She struggled with all her might, but in her current form she was helpless against the three demons combined.

Saizou's tongue slithered out of his mouth again. The disgusting organ pulled at her bra mockingly, taunting her at her weakness. She wanted to cry out for help, but stayed quiet to rob them of at least that pleasure. Saizou leaned down, opening his fangs to bite into Moka's creamy flesh. She closed her eyes as he drew closer, so she missed the flash of white light that came from the broken headstone…

But she felt the familiar breeze of cool air that suddenly chilled Saizou's small gang to the bone. Four pairs of eyes, one hopeful, three fearful, turned as Danny Phantom rose from the shattered grave. The symbol that usually adorned his chest was covered by a sheet of white ice, an impromptu bandage for his bleeding wounds. The monstrels grips went slack as they watched their enemy approach, and Moka quickly pulled away covering herself.

"Well, well. Maybe there is some truth to the rumors after all," Moroha said as a smile slowly crossed his lips. "This is what I came here to see!"

Danny paused as the blue skinned monster charged. Moroha's webbed hands stretched out to become his fin-like blades once more. At his side the halfa merely pointed his finger straight down, a green spark igniting at its tip. Moroha crossed his blades, preparing to take the halfa's head off while Danny, his arm remaining fully extended, simply raised his finger to point to the sky.

"Nothing personal," Danny whispered.

Everyone's eyes grew in shock as blood exploded from the monstrel. None of them had even seen any attack, just the simple gesture Danny had made. Moroha gaped at the wound that stretched from his knee to his opposing shoulder, burning right through his blades, when the pain hit him all at once and he passed out in the dirt.

Warai's usual laughter had become a pathetic whimper now as he watched Moroha drop. "S-S-Saizou, this isn't what you promised…you said he was weak!"

The smallest monstrel was trembling from the cold and strength of Danny's aura. He inched away from the halfa slowly, afraid he'd suffer the same fate as Moroha. Danny, who's eyes had been fixed on Saizou gave a casual glance at the white-eyed monster and Warai nearly passed out on the spot.

For just a moment Danny stopped and gave the smallest of grins.

"Boo."

"AAAHHHHH!" the monstrel screamed before he turned tail and ran as fast as his quivering legs could carry him.

Moka watched as only Danny and Saizou remained. The halfa approached the first monster he'd ever faced slowly, cold anger in his stare. Since the moment Danny's aura had washed over him, the hulking demon had been stunned to silence. He had fought this boy before, and Danny hadn't been nearly this strong. He'd had no strength, no aura, no power at all. Now as Saizou stared at the white haired spector, he could only tremble. Things weren't supposed to be like this…

"You should have taken Moka's advice before Saizou," Danny said sternly.

"What?!" the monstrel spat. The memory of his past humiliation chased away the hesitation he felt. There was no way this freak was going to humiliate him twice. "Knowing my place? I know it already you smartassed bastard!" Saizou charged, his blood boiling and battle cry roaring. "It's gonna be dancing on your grave!"

The demon swung his fist with all his might. He was sure that the blow would crush the American once and for all with his brute strength. Unfortunately for the monstrel, he would never find out. His fist passed right through Danny's body, much to Saizou's shock. Moka was no less stunned. After what they'd learned about Danny's intangibility that morning, she was sure Saizou would have been able to connect.

"You know big guy, I remembered something important about our first fight," Danny said with a smug grin as the monster threw another unsuccessful punch. "You threw a few attacks at me, but I was still able to phase in and out." Again the beast swung his fist in fury with the same lack of results. "Do you know what that means?"

"SHUT UP YOU WEAK LITTLE SHIT!" Saizou roared. He raised both arms and swung them down again in a desperate attempt to crush the halfa. He was surprised to feel them connect this time, but stunned that his blow had been stopped cold. Danny held one of Saizou's massive fists in each hand, no sign of effort at having caught the larger creature. He opened the demons arms so he could lock eyes with his would-be rival.

"It means you're the weak one…"

Saizou's stomach suddenly erupted with pain. Though he had never seen Danny move, he realized that the half ghost had somehow struck him in the gut in the blink of an eye. It was an eerie reflection of the first blow Danny had ever struck in the school, save with vastly different results. Where as the first time Danny had punched Saizou like this the monstrel had simply laughed at Danny's lack of power, this time Saizou collapsed over the halfa's fist. Blood and spit flew from the monstrel's lips as his mouth hung open in a silent scream. For an instant time stood still as the clash reached it's end. Then, Danny sent him flying.

Saizou was blasted back by Danny's raw power. The monstrel crashed over and over again as his body spiraled along the ground. He flew back 60 feet from where Danny had struck before crashing into a tree. The wood gave way to beaten monstrel, cracking and falling on top of the humiliated thug.

For a moment, Moka was actually afraid as she looked up at Danny. She had never seen him so willfully brutal before. Moka could see a wicked smile on his face she had not thought possible for him. He had taken pleasure in overpowering the trio and it made her nervous. Before she had realized it however, there was a flash of white and Danny was by her side. He was in his human form again and the arrogant pleasure he'd had at crushing the three monsters was gone. Only concern for her was written on his face as he removed his school jacket.

"Are you okay?" Danny asked worriedly as he covered her exposed chest with his jacket.

"Fine…" she blushed. It amazed her how quick his personality had changed. It was almost like a seal had been removed from him as well and released an Inner Danny, not unlike her own. But that didn't matter, as long as he was with her. "Guess you got your wish."

"This isn't how I wanted it to happen," Danny whispered, his voice shaking slightly. "I didn't want you involved. I didn't want that creep doing-"

Moka brought a finger to his lips to silence the boy. She smiled at him warmly, "I guess we're even now."

Danny just chuckled at her reply. He couldn't think of anything clever to say so he just hugged the girl tightly in thanks for understanding him. The two just stood there, enjoying the warmth of each other's embrace and oblivious to the world. So much so that they failed to notice the scarred young man who had watched the whole altercation from the roof.

"Not bad Fenton," Mido chuckled in amusement. "This might be fun…"

YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEESSSS! Damn it feels good to post again! I really feels so bad about making all my loyal readers and so many others wait for this but as anyone who read my profile update can see, it was not intentional. But I'm back, and hopefully better than ever. Still going to college, working, and add my fiance and our boy into the mix I don't know how fast my updates will be, but I have support from all of you and Angel (though she giggles and thinks I'm a dork for my choice in subjects lol). My words on this chapter are going to be short and sweet because I have been gone so long that I wouldn't know where to start. But don't worry, the smartass fun loving Ghost Fang will be back in full force next chapter.

Thanks again to all my reviewers.

No seriously...THANK YOU!

Ok, I'm not gonna answer reviews this time. After over a year I've let them pile up too much. I would just be delaying this chapter further if I had taken the time to reply to them all. But rest assured, I took the time to read each and every one of them. It's one of the things that brought me back. That, and the more than 500 follows. Seriously, anyone who is reading this story and wants to see more scroll down a little, and if you haven't already, FOLLOW THIS STORY! That is what really made my jaw drop when I checked up on this story a few weeks back. Well, I'd love to chat forever, but I have more chapters to work on. Until next time, all of my friends and fans, Ghost Fang is out.