And finally, the end!=^-^=

Ch. 7 - My Hero

Day 42

"We're just an hour away from the long awaited press conference, and the subject has everyone on their toes." The news began as Shelly Sandoval straightened her papers.

"Right you are, Shelly. It was only this morning we actually found out what this press conference was about. Our own debatable hero Danny Phantom. So far Mayor Masters hasn't spoken out about the ghost since his absence began. It only makes me wonder exactly what this announcement is." The Anchor continued with her.

"Yes, and there are no lack of theories on that as well. Some say he's the one responsible for the increase in ghost attacks while others rally to his defense." A mini screen appeared in the corner to show a crowd outside the Town Hall.

"Looks like the Phantom Defenders have really begun to make their move. We now go to Lance Thunder out a City Hall." The anchor announced before the screen was taken over.

"This is Lance Thunder, and as you can see behind me we have a small crowd of Phantom supporters equipped with signs and battle cries. The crowd seems to be mostly made up of teenagers but if you look closely, you can see a few older citizens as well." The signs read a few interesting blurbs such as 'Phantom Forever' and 'Phantom (insert greater than sign) GIW'. "I don't know what they're expecting from today's press conference, but I know I'm looking forward to some more effective action against ghosts."

Another miniscreen appeared showing the anchors in the studio. "I'm sure the whole town is with you on that Lance." They all shared a short laugh before Lance became more professional again.

"Behind the Phantom supporters you may also notice a high level of security. What you might find surprising though, is that none of it seems oriented towards ghosts. In fact, there isn't a single GIW agent that I can see." Lance took a look around to make his point. "This detail may be in favor of the Phantom supporters or simply mean the Mayor is as fed up with the GIW as the rest of the town. Let's see if we can't get one of the avid supporters to give us a comment." He approached the crowd and the first to notice him was a large blonde teen wearing a Phantom shirt. "Excuse me, how do you think this press conference will go in regards to Phantom?"

The blonde looked annoyed just thinking about it. "I don't trust those old geezers to do anything right. If they were smart, they'd beg Phantom to come back."

Lance nodded. "I suppose that's one opinion, but how do you feel about our supposed hero's absence?"

The teen glared at the man before pointing to the camera. "Considering how everyone in town's been treating him, I don't blame him! Phantom's the coolest hero, always saving us, and fighting ghosts. I'd have ditched this town way before he did if I was in his shoes."

"Alright, then what do you say of those who claim Phantom is the reason all these ghosts are attacking?"

Dash laughed. "They're right! Phantom was the only one stopping them before, duh!"

One of the older defenders popped out of the crowd to interrupt next. "All you people watching and not doing anything are a bunch of-" The audio cut out as Lance Thunder stepped in front of the man. "Uh, back to the studio!"

The screen quickly followed suit with the two anchor's looking a bit surprised. "Well, that was quit the... point of view." Shelly worked out as she tried to keep a professional smile.

"Yes it was, and no doubt it will be joined when the press conference finally gets underway. We will keep you informed of any new updates as things develop." The screen flashed a split second before going dark.

"So what do you guys think?" Danny asked as he lowered the remote back to the couch.

"Well... I guess it could be a trap?" Tucker proposed though he looked far from sure.

Sam shook her head. "It's too simple to be a trap. At least for Vlad."

Danny gave a shrug. "That's what I thought too, plus he could have nabbed me last night." The halfa held his chin in thought. "He was way too serious."

"Do you think it might be some kind of ultimatum them? Like he sends the whole town on you or you join him?" Tucker thought aloud still seeming unsure.

"Now that sounds like Vlad." Danny agreed with a glare.

"I don't know, didn't you say he wanted you to be a hero again when he drove you home before?" The goth recalled in curiosity.

"I don't know. I kind of thought so, but I just can't tell with Vlad." Danny threw up his arms in frustration. "But honestly, when does he do anything in MY best interest?"

Both his friends looked at him, and thought about it. There was a silence over the next few minutes before Sam spoke up. "Well... maybe if it was in his best interest too? Either way, there's only one way to find out."

Danny sat back and crossed his arms with a sigh. "I figured one of you would say that."

The trio approached the crowded City Hall entrance. Press was parked all over, but not a single GIW van could be spotted among them. "So far, it looks like a standard press conference." Sam noted as she looked around. Press, politicians, disgruntled civilians, and protesters; pretty standard.

"Yeah, but Vlad isn't as obvious as the GIW, Sam."

She rolled her eyes at his statement. "Like you need to tell me that?"

"It's a good sign at least, right?" Tucker suggested with a forced smile. Both Danny and Sam gave him a dead look. How many times did they assume the best only to get thrashed later? "Okay... never mind, but are we at least going in?"

"If we can, check out security." Sam pointed towards the guards stopping everyone from entering. They had a few stations outside for checking bags, and no doubt more inside. All of the protesters who made an attempt to enter were robbed of their signs. Danny quickly took notice of his father in his bright orange jumpsuit being pat down by some guards. They'd already grabbed two blasters from him while his wife finished removing her own hidden arms. "No picket signs or ectoguns... makes it hard to see which side he's on."

"Yeah, but don't they normally take weapons outside the door?"

Danny looked to his friend with a raised brow. "Uh, not that I've noticed. I still remember my mom holding me at blaster point back during that Walker incident."

"Well come on, let's go. As long as they allow PDAs and smart phones, I think I'm fine." Tucker then made a move to give Danny a push towards the doors.

Getting in was easier than expected, but none of them had brought any of their usual ghost weapons with them. Tucker let out a whistle at seeing the large crowd. "I know, I thought more people would watch from home considering how active ghosts have been." Danny agreed with slight surprise at the numbers.

"Just goes to show how fed up the town is." Sam crossed her arms as she looked around for some seats.

"Excuse me." A woman suddenly asked approaching them. "Are you Daniel Fenton?"

Danny raised a brow. "Yeah... Did you need something?"

She nodded and gestured to a side hall. "Mayor Masters wishes to speak with you before the press conference. He told me to keep my eye out and bring you to him as soon as you arrived."

"Why?" A harmless question if you didn't know the man very well.

"I don't know. I'm only doing as asked." She politely responded. She then pointed to his friends. "If you are here with him then there are some reserved seats at the front."

Tucker made a fist pump for his luck. "Sweet! VIP seats. Let's go, Sam." He took her arm to get over to the reserved section while Sam looked at the woman with worry.

"Tucker!" She growled at being pulled before turning back to Danny. "Be careful." He nodded and followed the secretary as asked. The seats didn't really scream VIP, but they were a bit roomier than where the other civilians were cramming into. A few minutes after they sat down, they were joined by a few others, some being familiar. Valerie took a spot next to Tucker though she didn't say anything.

"You okay, Valerie?" Tucker asked at seeing her tired expression.

"Huh? Oh... not really. Just tired mostly."

"Staying up late huh?" Sam remarked coldly.

Val shook her head. "No, I'm just having trouble sleeping." She then turned to glare at the Goth. "Not that you would know that feeling."

"You're right. I have no trouble sleeping at night." She gave the huntress a superior smirk before sitting back.

"You better watch it, Manson-"

"Whoa, hey Val, come on. We don't need to get into some big argument here. We don't need them to kick us out before it even begins."

Valerie gave him a pointed expression before sitting back and heaving a sigh. "Fine." She then gave them a quick side glance. "So where's Danny?"

"Mayor Masters wanted to talk to him before the whole thing started. Not sure why." Tucker explained as he looked at the time. "But it's been awhile already." Danny never came back.

Vlad's secretary appeared at the podium to quiet the room only a few minutes later. "Before we begin I would like to ask those of you representing the press to please refrain from shouting out. Mayor Masters will have a time for questions after he has finished speaking. I also ask all citizens here to inquire about the subject of today's press conference to refrain from getting up unless it is to leave. We have security on standby around the building."

Vlad stepped up behind her and a small murmur was heard around the room. "Yes, thank you, Mrs. Danavich" He took his position as he straightened his tie. A hush went around the room as he placed his hands on the podium and his expression showed the utmost seriousness. "People of Amity Park," He began after clearing his throat. "Tensions have been high in our fair city as of late. Citizens have been attacked, and terrorized by many entities we know as ghosts for some time now, and in recent weeks the terror has reached an all time high. Many of you may have noticed this change not long after the ghost known as Danny Phantom disappeared."

He made a pause as flashes from cameras, and reporters scribbled down notes waiting for the big news. "Today, I bring you a proposed solution to our growing problem." The voices around the room grew for a moment before dying down again. "Now this solution is not some grand scheme, or some multi step program. No, we do not have the time to waste testing those sorts of solutions. Today I bring you a solution based on what we know already works." He opened a folder on the podium and appeared to pull out some documents. "I don't imagine this solution I'm proposing will be perfect, but I do believe it will bring us back to a state of normalcy. Though I suppose I say that in terms of what is normal in Amity Park." That seemed to get a few chuckles from the crowd though his grin only lasted a second. He lifted the document for all to see. "What I have here is the embodiment of my proposed solution. An amendment to the Anti-Eco Code I call the Phantom Act." He paused to allow the audience settle for the final part.

Several press workers looked like they were about to jump out of their seats to ask questions. "Now, as you can see, this amendment is several pages long, and if I were to read it all to you now, I doubt I'd have time for questions after so I'll explain it simply. The Phantom Act will make it illegal to hunt, attack, or hold against his will in any manner, the ghost we know as Danny Phantom." The roar of upheaval was immediate as press pushed each other aside to inquire on it. "Please, remain in your seats. I will answer questions one at a time." Several security officers stepped out of the side halls to push back the press. It took a few minutes but Vlad remained silent until everyone was seated again. "Now let's see, you in the front for Channel 6." He directed and a blonde woman stood.

"Thank you, Mayor Masters. Please tell us how you came to this decision? How will this stop the ghosts?"

The older halfa gave a nod. "Yes, I expected this question." He snapped his fingers and a diagram appeared on the screen behind him. "What you see now is a chart showing ghost attacks from the last 6 months. You'll notice the first few have a calm fluctuation, but then at the end a sudden increase. Marked in red there is the last proven sighting of Phantom." He used a laser pointer to show the red line marking through just before the ghost attack increase. "I believe this data speaks for itself, but I will admit it can be hard to see the trend for what it is. When Phantom left, the ghosts came." He then looked around the audience and gestured to a round man. "Ah, you in the third row."

"Yes, thank you. I understand this trend indicates Phantom's disappearance being the cause, but what do you say about him actually being behind the ghosts attacking?"

Vlad let out a sigh, but kept himself professional. "While I understand your reasoning, I must point out that I only used facts when compiling my data. I cannot use a groundless theory when deciding the fate of our city." There were several loud shouts after he said that, but he simply raised his hand to quiet them. "You, from channel 5." Vlad directed after ignoring the angry slander.

"Yes, Lance Thunder with Ghost Watch. Groundless theories aside, how does this data prove Phantom wasn't the cause? I couldn't help but notice the decline shown in the recent weeks on your own chart."

Vlad looked back to check what the reporter noticed and nodded. "Oh that, well," He pressed a button and a white line shot up through it just before the decline started. "This marker indicates when the GIW fully deployed in the city. The drop in ghosts is no doubt due to their vigilance."

"Then I don't see how you can fully justify this new law, Mayor Masters." Lance responded with a somewhat confident tone considering how Vlad was looking at him.

"Then perhaps this one will explain things." He pressed a new button and a second chart appeared. This one had two lines that followed a very similar pattern to the first graph until it reached the end. "This one shows damages by cost and insurance filings." Two more lines appeared in the same colors and spots as in the first one. "These lines represent the same as in the first one. While ghost attacks did drop with GIW presence, you'll notice cost only increased, and at quite a sever margin. I have similar charts to show repair time tables as well should you wish to see them, but I tell you now, they look very similar." Lance sat down as a low murmur once again took the building. "If you wish to see a breakdown of everything I researched in making this decision you'll find it on the city government page along with the full write out of the Phantom Act. Now, next question?" A large familiar man stood up with a raised hand. "Ah, Mr. Fenton. What is your question?" The millionaire was waiting for this one. Ever since he mentioned the new law to Jack, he knew the oaf would make something of it.

"If you want facts then how about you tell me how you know this will even work? All I'm hearing is you suddenly making a ghost free to roam about as he pleases." Agreement was heard through the crowd but didn't get out of hand.

"Yes, I knew that question would come up, and the answer is, I don't." He answered back coolly.

"What?!" The large hunter was bewildered by how calm his friend was.

"Yes, I don't actually know. You could say this is more a gesture of good faith. While there are a few conditions laid out in this law, for the most part it does give Phantom the freedom to go about much like any citizen of Amity Park. In making it safer for him to be here I hoped to..." He trailed off as growing excitement bubbled from the back. All eyes turned to the familiar glowing figure standing at the doors. Vlad couldn't hide how pleased he was Danny finally decided to make his appearance. The halfa took in his audience warily. The whispers were hard to miss, but in such numbers he couldn't understand what anyone was saying. "As I was saying," Vlad began again as he gestured to the ghost teen. "By making it safer for him to be here, I hoped to entice him to return." His tone exuded confidence as he showed his evidence with a hand held out to the teen. "Please step this way, Mr. Phantom. No need to wait in the back."

Danny moved his gaze back to the pompous halfa. Vlad had asked him earlier to simply listen to the press conference and appear when he felt it necessary. He'd originally planned to just stay invisible the whole time. That, however, quickly changed once he heard what Vlad had actually done. After a minute of thought he slowly made his way up the center of the room. He wasn't floating like he normally did. He walked, as normally as any human. "I would like to remind anyone who may have a poor opinion of this ghost that it is currently illegal to attempt any physical harm on him, ghost or no. And those who try, will be arrested." The mayor declared as he eyed a few choice members of the audience. It took all his self control for Jack not to reach for a weapon even though they'd been taken at the door. "I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels it has been quite some time since I last saw you. Please join me up on stage." Danny never took his eyes off the older halfa as he did as asked. He took the stairs like flying was against the rules, and remained silent all the while. "Now, any more questions?" He asked only to be met with a flurry of hands as well as ones from those who stood up. All the voices jumbled over each other, each wanting to be the first to ask the big questions. "Hold on!" The mayor demanded as he gestured to a young man with a note pad sitting near Jack. "You!"

"Uh, yes, but my question is directed towards Phantom?"

Vlad raised a brow as if surprised. He looked to Danny and gave a false shrug. "I suppose you may ask, but I don't feel it would be fair to force Phantom to answer." Danny couldn't help rolling his eyes before looking to the reporter.

"Okay... I guess... Anyway, Phantom, you've been gone for about a month and a half according to the mayor's data. If you're the hero you claim to be, why did you leave?" He held his pad at the ready to transcribe the answer. Phantom looked tired of the question though Vlad stepped to the side to allow him at the mic. The halfa didn't move at all. Despite the expectant faces all looking at him, Danny didn't even try to answer the question.

"Hmmm... It would seem Phantom declines your question then." Vlad stated with genuine disappointment. He'd honestly though Danny would jump at the chance to throw it back in the town's people's faces. He underestimated the boy's self control.

"If he won't answer, I'll do it for him." All eyes went to Tucker who stood with his PDA high in the air. He quickly went to work on his device taking over the projector screen as if it were nothing. "I've got a few choice one's right here from back when Phantom quit." He began playing a clip of people chanting while wearing Anti-Phantom shirts. Next he played one where a civilian was pushed out of the way of a blast, but then turned to shout at Phantom for pushing her anyway since it ruined her clothes. After that several pictures of Anti-Phantom posters plastering various walls around town. The icing on the cake? That was the billboard Danny had nearly blasted because of the graffiti. "He probably thought we wanted him gone." Tucker finished with a mock tone of cluelessness.

"Yes, thank you for that... interesting presentation, Mr. Foley. Please refrain from hijacking government equipment in the future." Vlad scolded lightly while enjoying how the citizens took in the images. Danny had subconsciously balled his fists just glancing at it from the corner of his eye. "Next question?" Several hands shot up, but Vlad called on an older man from CBN.

"Yes, thank you. I also have a question directed at Phantom."

Vlad shrugged as if truly sorry. "Like I told the last one, Phantom doesn't have to answer, but ask away."

The reporter nodded. "Well then, now that Phantom has a free pass around town, how does he plan to do better protecting it going forward?" This question got plenty of whispered conversations going on. Danny could see the expression of everyone looking at him. Most were angry while he could spot several that were hopeful. It was more than he thought at least, but not enough for him to get over the anger that question incited.

Vlad once again gave Danny the podium, but once again the young halfa refused to move. Vlad could tell that question really got to him, and so he didn't wait as long. "Once again it seems Phantom does not want to comment."

"If he won't answer questions, why is he even here?" One of the press shouted angrily.

"Why are you here!? I don't hear you answering questions!" Sam shouted back, thoroughly annoyed by how the press was treating her friend's self control.

"Shut up, kid!"

"Phantom doesn't need to be here!"

"You're free so why don't you go deal with some ghosts and scram!"

"Can't you say anything!?"

Shouts jumped up from all over quickly drowning each other out as they devolved to arguments around the room. "Order! Or I'll start having security escort people out!" Vlad tried to shout over the mob of anger. He liked a mob as much as anyone, but not when they were in his way. "Mrs. Danavich if you please?" He gestured to the angry crowd.

"Of course." She promptly pulled out an air horn and the crowd responded as any would; with silent annoyance at who ever used it.

"Now where was I? Yes, Phantom doesn't have to answer any questions, I welcome him to this discussion, and remain seated or I will have you escorted out of City Hall!" Vlad declared with a frustrated tone. He waited a moment for anyone to challenge his declaration before clearing his throat to continue in a more professional manner. "Now, actual questions, preferably for me?"

"I've got one." Maddie raised her hand and stood.

"Of course." Vlad welcomed coming from his beloved.

"How do we know that's really Phantom? We have all these people trying ask him questions, and arguing about what he's doing here. Yet no one questions if it's even him. So far I haven't seen any indication, or proof that is Phantom."

Jack raised a brow at his wife's question. "She's got a point. He's been walking the whole time, and he isn't talking. That could be someone in a costume." The oaf deduced surprisingly much to Vlad's annoyance. Why did he have to be quick to pick up on things when it wasn't in his favor?

"Honestly, I can assure you this is indeed Phantom." The mayor stated with his hands up peaceably.

"Prove it!" Someone shouted. "Yeah!" A few others joined in.

"Show me!" Maddie demanded while looking at Danny instead of Vlad. It only took a second for Danny to notice her gaze was directed at him, and it hurt. She was still demanding proof from him. How could he prove anything? It's not like he could call up a witness, plus she'd probably think they were overshadowed. A steady chant came over the crowd, breaking him from his thoughts. "Show us!" Was repeated over and over until Danny couldn't take it anymore.

"Shut up!" He shouted, and his otherworldly voice reverberated through the room. "Just shut up!" His fists shook at his sides as he took two steps to the edge of the stage. His eyes were an intense radioactive green as he glared down the suddenly quiet crowd. "I am so sick and tired everyone assuming things about me, accusing me of things I didn't do, and demanding I explain myself only to think I'm lying when I'm not!" He fumed as he looked around at the people. "You want me to answer your questions!? Fine!"

He pointed to the first reporter to ask him a question. "I didn't leave, I took an indefinite vacation! The reason? I'd say that kid down there had it covered if it weren't so damn obvious! Get a clue!" He them found the other man. "And as for your question about how I plan to do better 'protecting the town'." He mocked with air quotes. "I find it hilarious you assume I'm going to start protecting the town again just because I have that 'free pass'. Despite what you think, I worked hard keeping you safe for the past two years! It didn't matter where I was, what I was doing or what time it was, I'd go and get rid of ghosts for your sakes!"

He then glared towards his mother and his anger shifted slightly towards sadness. "And you!..." He floated up. "You wanted proof?" He could see his vision getting watery. "Can you prove to me a ghost can't be a hero? Is there something wrong with that?" All eyes turned to Maddie who looked at a loss for words. She knew what she wanted to say. Ghosts are evil so of course they couldn't really be a hero. Ghosts only want power and energy through their obsession. "It's hard to prove a negative isn't it?" Danny asked with a pained smile as he kept himself from tearing. He floated back down to the floor and began his way to the doors like a normal person.

"Please wait!" A sudden voice called out from the audience. Danny turned to them to see a woman with dark hair and light brown skin moving through the seats.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but I'm going to have to ask you to sit back down or be removed from the building." A security officer addressed as he approached from the stage side.

"No, please, I just need to tell him something." She pleaded as she came to the walkway. The security men were already at Phantom's back as she dashed over to him with tears at her eyes. "I just want a moment, Phantom, please?" Danny raised a curious brow and turned to her with a wary nod. "I was beginning to think I'd never have this chance." She began as she wiped a tear.

"Do I... know you?" He finally asked curiously while stifling the emotion of moments before.

She shook her head and glanced back to where she was sitting. "No, but you've met my husband. His name is Monroe, and he worked at the warehouse by the docks that was destroyed."

Danny's expression went from curious to sad again in a seconds. "Oh..." He took a step back.

"Please..." She reached out for him and took his hand. "You saved him." She finally revealed with her tears increasing. "When he was trapped under the rubble slowly losing hope, you rescued him. You have no idea how terrified I was during that whole ordeal, but when he came home that day... Thank you. I don't care what anyone else says, you brought my husband home to me." She finally finished before breaking down in sobs. Her husband had emerged from the seats to get her back, but he shot a look at Danny. He didn't say anything, but his smile spoke volumes. He was thankful beyond words. Phantom couldn't hold back the tears anymore. He stood there frozen until the first one reached his chin before vanishing.

Day 55

The press conference sparked a multitude of online debates on blogs and even podcasts. Despite this though, not much really changed. The GIW were still active in town attempting to stop ghosts despite not being able to touch Phantom. It didn't really matter either since Phantom hadn't been seen since that day. There were, however, a handful of things that did change. The first thing was Mayor Master's approval ratings began to skyrocket. No one was really saying anything out loud but, the support was there. The second thing was that Anti-Phantom signage was cleaned up. It happened a little at a time with one person randomly tearing off a poster, or some would be street artist painting over graffiti. The third thing, and what could be the most important thing, was the newest trend. Danny sat at the table staring at a button his sister had given him when he got home. It was black with his hero insignia on it, and underneath was written 'My Hero' in bold white letters. "What'cha got there, Danny?" His dad asked loudly as he stepped through the lab door.

Danny turned to him in minor surprise. "Huh? Oh this? A Phantom pin Jazz got me. Apparently they were handing them out on her campus. She told me to wear it if I go out so Phantom will protect me."

Jack's expression went to a childish pout at the mention of Phantom. "Oh, those things..." Danny waited for the rant about how Phantom was evil, but to his immense surprise, his father didn't say anything else. He merely went to the fridge looking for a snack.

Danny was about to slip the pin in his pocket and head upstairs before hearing his phone. "Hey, Sam, what's up?" He paused in the living room and turned to the TV. "No, but isn't the GIW handling it?" He furrowed his brow before reaching for the remote and flipping on the TV. It was already on the news where covering the latest ghost attack. Technus appeared to be up to one of his bigger schemes as GIW tanks with his face rolled through the streets. "So that's what you meant..." He let out a sigh. "I guess it was only a matter of time before those government goons ended up with a ghost way over their heads."

He watched the footage for a few minutes silently before noting something in one of the replays. On a street corner behind one of the tanks stood a kid looking a little more than lost, but that's not what got his attention. No, what he really saw was the familiar pin fastened plain as day on the boy's shirt. He reached into his own pocket and pulled out his matching one. "Yeah, Sam, I'm still here." The halfa informed as he swept the smooth surface with his thumb. "How about we meet at Tucker's? I'm sure he'll have some ideas." Danny continued upstairs as he ended his call, and took one last look at the TV from the banister.

He then went to his room, closing the door behind. A flash under the door frame marked his leave, but not before fastening the pin to his backpack. Maybe things hadn't changed much. Maybe they weren't going to. Maybe they didn't really have to. It would be ridiculous to expect everyone to suddenly change their minds so easily. Who needs a shallow mindset like that? No, the real impacts happen a little at a time, with little actions. It may come in such an ordinary form such as a thank you, or some else holding the door for you. A simple idea can make a big impact even on a super hero. After all, a law can only do so much, and free swag never hurt.

Big kindnesses are only possible because of everyday little kindnesses done by ordinary people. It's a fact! BTW, raise your hand if you saw this coming? I didn't really portray Vlad as much of a villain which I knew most of you were expecting me to do. I'm super happy with all who took the time to leave comments on this story! Thank you so much!=^-^=