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When born into the world under perfect circumstances, a child is raised by love and joy. The home is blessed with a small infant that is considered the parent's magnum opus. Showing a child as they grow with attention, gifts and most importantly love. Love being the most important thing in both a relationship and care, the time and attention a parent must give to a child.
But not everyone is born fortunate, some are born from bad circumstances. Many don't even get the chance to make it home. Even if they make it home there is no guarantee that they would be attended to in the house. No gifts, no attention, no love. Without the proper care or even the less than ideal circumstances, children tend to grow with a skewed perception of what that affection should be like.
Love was earned not given, Daniel Fenton learned that the hard way. He earned his sister's love and approval since she was his primary caretaker. Not their parents honestly he is pretty sure they forgot he existed. But that was normal, they had better things to do and Danny wasn't smart enough for their attention. Jazz was smart, she had always been the smarter one. Since she was the smartest person Danny knew if he was able to get her acknowledgement that meant his parents might see him too.
It took years for him to get that approval, then the accident happened and he became Phantom. He was getting the attention that he always craved, his parents were looking for him. It shouldn't be a good thing they wanted to hunt and dissect, rip him apart molecule by molecule. But that was just if they were paying attention to him, he became the subject of attention in the house. As long as he didn't get caught he would stay that subject of attention.
There were only two real issues with his plan, one being Vladimir Masters. Vlad was annoying and a creep, he always knew that. But what he absolutely hated about the man is he wanted his mother's attention. He wanted to kill his dad and marry his mom and Danny did not like that idea at all. They may forget he exists but they were still his parents and he could still get their approval.
Over time Danny learned a few things while dealing with Vlad. That money was the worst thing to exist, Vlad used it in a way that made any problem go away or made problems appear in front of Danny. If it wasn't for his dad's very clear attachment to this man Danny would- no Danny would not think that. But there were definitely days he did think about it but that for his thoughts and his thoughts alone.
Rich people were terrible, Sam didn't exactly count since it was her parents' money but she was just as vocal as his thoughts on rich people. It was actually how they became quick friends. A-listers, or the students that did flaunt their parents money around decided he was going to be their victim of the year. It just deepened his hatred for the rich, though if money was something his parents wanted then there was definitely something he could do about that. Vlad wouldn't care if he likes throwing his money around.
Then there was the Career Aptitude Test, his parents had paused from their insane nights of trying to kill his alter ego to talk to him about it. If he passed they would consider him ready to join them, properly teach him the things they make instead of him hiding behind doors to learn. They would pay attention to him as long as he passed this test, one he wasn't even ready for since he was paying attention to everything else. Well the answer to that problem was obvious, it wouldn't be his first time stealing anyway.
That was what he gets for being too greedy, he doesn't know where it went wrong. Was it because of the test or was it something else, no it was definitely him that was the problem but he wasn't sure of what exactly he could do now. His sister, his friends, his parents. Everything he was working for was gone, there was nothing to work for now and in the end the one person he hated the most won. Vlad didn't mourn at the funeral, he stayed neutral until they got to the car. He was smug, the ego had completely shined through now.
Vlad got the son he always wanted and Danny was about ready to just erase this man from existence. Yet something in him didn't think getting rid of Vlad right now was the best idea. Perhaps he could just destroy his life instead, take everything that he had and just make Vlad suffer since he thinks he won Danny over. Now that was a plan he could get behind, it would be a slow process and no short cuts but that was enough for him. It wasn't hard to play nice with the incompetent, he may not be as smart as his parents or sister but he was still a Fenton.
When he turned 18 he was whisked away to the infinite realm for a day. Danny tended to forget what exactly is the criteria to become a ghost because when he woke up in the middle of an unknown floor surrounded by his friends and sister he thought Nocturne got to him again. It took plenty of pinching from Sam and Jazz for him to realize he wasn't dreaming. Sam was proud of his passive aggressiveness to Vlad, turns out they were watching him from afar so Vlad wouldn't catch them.
It took him a while but over the 4 years he realized he no longer cared for his parents' approval. Which now caused him to laugh when he found out they were being hunted in the realms. Honestly that was karma, Jazz couldn't agree more. Sam and Tucker looked concerned but Danny and Jazz were more than pleased so they didn't question it. They talked for a while until they were interrupted by the only mentor Danny needed, Clockwork.
Danny had actually been whisked away by him because his coronation that he wasn't aware of was soon. While the others freaked out Danny just stared at his mentor, he wasn't even sure how or when he got that title but it was the most random thing for him to achieve. Why was his ghost life so much better than his living one, he was going to college for engineering which was good in theory but every time someone said that is what Vlad got he wanted to vomit.
So he kept the crown as his personal venture for himself, having that as a trump card for Vlad was actually hilarious in his mind. He did that whole good little god son act for 4 more years. As fun as it was to be slightly passive aggressive and sarcastic to the point Vlad couldn't even tell he was joking about certain things, it was tiring. Plus he was taking double classes for both sides of his life. So with graduation in sight and most of his smaller plans could start going into motion. There was just one more thing he needed to complete.
The gala.
The gala Vlad had planned months in advance before announcing it just so Danny couldn't run. Sam said it was a perfect stomping ground for politicians and famous people, they used it as his test to deal with people in the realms. It was honestly the only reason Danny even agreed to go, yes he could do what he wanted in the realms but having the basic experience was bare minimum. So despite everything he put on that suit and tie, the fake smile and played the good god son. He went through the list of scenarios of what could happen tonight over in his head before Vlad decided to present him to the crowd.
Danny smiled and waved once he got on stage and just thought he was doing this for Jazz and Sam. They would definitely make fun of him if he couldn't get through this without issue. Vlad continued with his speech of vile and clearly blatant lies about himself and Danny's relationship. Then there was a piece of the speech he didn't know about, Vlad was talking about his parents on stage in front of a sea of people, he talked about mourning them and honoring their legacy. The moment they were off stage Danny was so close to just forgetting his plans.
"Now little badger, why don't we entertain some guests. Don't you want to show them your very best?" Danny wanted vomit, Vlad disgusted him in ways that he couldn't describe. Just one minute, if he could get Vlad alone where no one could see him for one minute it could all be over.
His thoughts were interrupted by a short girl extending her hand to him. She was asking him to dance which Danny could remember correctly was never the plan for Vlad but since she was offering and Danny did everything to spite Vlad he accepted. She was quick to lead him away from Vlad, it was as she could tell that he didn't want to be here. But now Danny was going to have to channel everything in him to dance with her, his only partners being Sam and his sister on top of them both teaching him how to dance every version of dance from old to new.
The girl was definitely skilled but for some reason she misstepped on purpose but Danny easily corrected her. She changed styles seamlessly as they switched to the next song though tango didn't exactly fit the song play but she seemed happy so he just went with it. She would try misstepping again but each time Danny could just help her back to whatever style they were on. Though it was clear she did this on purpose to mess him up, she was having fun so why shouldn't he have fun too.
Let the third song play and Danny would take charge of their dance, she seemed stunned but didn't express it. It was like they were talking to each other, teasing and daring the other to do better. It was never like this when it came to Sam or Jazz, this felt free. It almost felt stupid how drastically different this was to his life up to this point. He wasn't exactly sure what the feeling was but he was enjoying himself with her.
Speaking of her, she was doing things normal people wouldn't even dare do in heels. Yet she didn't even fumble when she stepped away like a ballerina, almost as graceful as a figure skater. Ice was his element, the core of his being and he took that very personally. Sweeping her off her feet didn't even bother her, she smiled.
Some thought wanted to ruin his night, holding her while given the violent reminder that she was some rich girl that swept him away. That she was the same style of people that ruined his life, the bullies, the parents, Vlad. But something about her was different. It was definitely there, one good look at her face and Danny could just tell. She wasn't like them. She had muscle even though they weren't exactly visible but they were definitely there, her nails short unlike most of the rich girls he knew who liked them long. Her hands were worker hands, she definitely had calluses on her hands.
Faded scars on her arms that were lightly covered by makeup, she was nothing like the others. She climbed to get here, Danny set her down so she could continue her lead. Just being with her made him feel genuine happiness, a happiness that scared him. If she disappeared would he still feel this sense of euphoria? He wanted to keep this feeling and if continuing this path would keep her going then he would definitely follow. He wanted to learn more, finding someone interesting like her without being prompted was rare.
The confidence in her steps the way she led. This was a game she started and Danny wanted nothing more than to continue it. They didn't get tired, they could definitely keep going but good things must end. He couldn't stop looking at her as she walked away into the sea of people, all eyes were on him and her but he didn't want to lose her. Danny couldn't go after her either because as soon as he tried to, Vlad was back by his side with his annoying face. He was the snake that laid and waited until he was done to ruin his night.
"Cassandra Wayne is a tricky girl, a dance with her could have ruined your future. What were you thinking?!" Cassandra, Danny was definitely going to remember that. He didn't really care what Vlad was telling him, that was pretty much useless information next to the fact that Cassandra was definitely someone he wanted to know more about.
A small hand slid something into his hand before slipping away, Danny looked down to the piece of paper that had a number and a note on it. 'Let's dance again.' in the cleanest handwriting. Cassandra was interested in him, this was new. A genuine interest in something that wasn't forced upon them. Vlad kept complaining and didn't even notice the note, Danny looked down at the piece of paper and read it over.
That was all the confirmation he needed, this is what love felt like. He found something, someone on earth that he could actually see himself staying around for. Well that altered several of his plans now and this was something he earned on his own. Vlad did not like her so that just gave him more reason to get rid of him, death was too easy. Taking over his life was far more enjoyable and by the end of it he could definitely see Cassandra again.
They made their way through the rest of the night without any issues, Danny's fake smile wasn't so forced because most of the time he was dissociated. He was definitely going to have to see someone about that but all in all he thinks that the gala was a successful one. When he finally got a chance to sneak off into the realms he was instantly tackled by Tucker. He was apparently a fanboy of Cassandra's younger brother Tim, he was what Tucker could have been if he was still alive Sam said while Tucker instantly denied it. His two best friends kept bickering while Jazz sat next to him.
"You like her, don't you?"
"I do." But with how Danny was now with all the planning and masks he definitely couldn't approach her now. He would ruin it.
"You are worried about it, the dangers of how we are. The fact that even before we were ghosts we were obsessed over certain things, she falls under one of those categories doesn't she?" Jazz was always right, she could read Danny like a book. It wasn't like he had a choice, he always craved love and approval. Cassandra was that and more and if he wasn't careful he could lose her or even worse turn out like Vlad who obsessed over his mom. That was a horrid thought.
But he could have the opportunity to be different, it wasn't fair that moment of Danny's childhood he had terrible adult figures. It was his time with Clockwork and the older ghosts in the realm that made him realize that he wasn't okay, far from it. Danny was definitely broken in some departments and knowing that about himself left him conflicted. Finding Cassandra left him conflicted, he could cherish the life he has on earth or completely abandon it to live in the realm forever. Danny hated choosing, he hated that he felt like crying. It was seeing Jazz all over again.
Danny hated that he couldn't understand what he was feeling when it came to certain people because it made no sense that his friends weren't made for him. He caused their death but they didn't blame, though Sam's parents certainly did but she told him that they don't get to dictate how she feels about Danny. Jazz held on to him, she hummed a lullaby she used to sing to him when they were younger.
It was never easy living in that house, they were kids too. The non-existent bar that was set just for being there shouldn't have been there in the first place. Danny and Jazz deserved better, Danny still deserved better. Living with Vlad was the worst, the non-existent bar being an ant compared to the expectations for the perfect god son. The suit and tie was never his lifestyle, that was why he loved the realms they could wear whatever made them happy and no one judged.
There was no such thing as the perfect circumstances, being alive was spontaneous and chaotic. Perhaps that was what was appealing about Cassandra, she lived and acted freely because she didn't care what others thought of her. That taste of freedom she gave to him just because she asked him to dance. It was reckless but it was fun.
Fortune favors the bold, life never gave him a chance until now and who was he to not take it. He was a mess but honestly right now Danny was hoping she didn't mind. Making her happy made him happy as well, she wanted another dance so he would definitely give her one. There will be no interruptions, no goals or quick escapes. Danny wanted a night of just that peaceful moment of bliss and he knew exactly how to achieve that but now he needed a new plan.
Daniel Fenton wasn't going to die with Vladimir Masters, he was going to outlive him and be a better person. It wasn't just for himself and his remaining friends and sister but for Cassandra too. He will give his best self for her because she was the first to make him happy. She was a hero, his hero and he wants to honor that. Protecting that happiness means everything now and that starts with getting rid of Vlad.