It was yet another night he awoke screaming.

As expected, Vlad appeared in his room in mere moments to protect if not comfort the boy.

It had been over 6 months that he had been reunited with the elder-halfa after his capture by the ghosts that continued a relentless search for him.

Danny breathed deeply and tried to calm his racing mind. His memory remained empty of his time before torture, yet his sleep was plagued by unfamiliar horrors he could only assume were his past. Vlad did his best to disprove these nightmares while comforting him to keep the more painful memories at bay. Once he had calmed, Vlad had left him to his thoughts.

The next morning was without change. The daily routine commenced with an early breakfast, studying in the library, lunch midday, and training with Vlad followed by supper, a short relaxation period just before bed.

The younger-halfa was kept safely locked away in the undetectable, ghost-proof mansion while the elder would venture out into the war-filled world around them. It was known by both of the halfas that it would become obvious where the missing Phantom was if Plasmius disappeared along with him. Planning for this, Vlad made an effort to coincide with both sides of the war, acting as a spy for each party; a double agent with his own interests of being favored by the winning side.

War had been brewing for countless years before it broke out. Ghosts desired the human realm while humans feared and hunted the paranormal. The beginning erupted moments after the specters' first attack on Amity Park in search of the one meaningful weapon humans had against them; Danny Phantom. It was widely known that the ghost boy would fight for the humans so he was the first prisoner collected.

Once Phantom had been secured, ghosts of all kind began to raid homes, level cities, and destroy everything in their path. Not to be underestimated, the humans retaliated promptly with their abundance of ecto-weapons developed throughout time. Before long, a time of calm came over the worlds. Humans stayed in the real-world while ghosts remained in "The Zone" as it had come to be called.

During this lapse in battle, Phantom had become a beacon for tension relief. His enemies took their frustrations out on him as he was vulnerable and weak, kept that way for their selfish purposes. Days piled into weeks that the boy's memory began an attempt at erasing what his fragile mind couldn't handle. When this was discovered by his captors, they created a serum to completely erase the young-halfa's past, leaving him with only basic and factual knowledge along with his new life.

It wasn't long until he began to break, but before he gave in, he was saved by the one least expected person.

Vladimir Masters had searched high and low for the boy upon hearing of his capture. Being both ghost and human, he quickly gathered any information he could find. It had taken him months to get even the slightest hint. Finally, when he feared he would be too late, the elder-halfa heard tell of the ghost boy's location through the boy's excited foes spreading word of the "fallen hero" to anyone willing to listen.

After a year of being held prisoner by the specters, the 15 year-old Danny found redemption in Vlad's discovery. Getting in the prison was easy seeing as he was well-known as the child's enemy, but getting the boy out was harder than imaginable. Deaths were tallied and wounds were given to both parties all of this resulting in Danny's freedom.

At first he remained skittish. No one could expect otherwise. At each movement near him, each sound, Danny would flinch violently with eyes full of fear. It took time for him to adjust to the idea of safety.

Vlad had quickly found out about the ghost's tampering with Danny's memory and after closer inspection, he regrettably admitted to being unable to undo the damage they had done. The boy was passive with the subject, knowing that his past was what had caused all of this.

Both agreed that it would be best if what was forgotten stayed that way. Perhaps after the war was over, something could be done to remedy his memories, but only time would tell.

Three months after being freed, the young-halfa was given the choice to be returned to his forgotten home in Amity Park or stay with his rescuer. Little consideration was given before the latter option was chosen to the elder-halfa's immense delight.

Routines were quickly created and a bonding began to tangibly form between the two. Danny agreed wholeheartedly to stay safe in the mansion since they both knew Vlad was the better tactician. This idea remained in effect as the months passed

The nightmares had started a few weeks ago. For the first three or four nights they weren't frightening as they were vivid and unnerving. After those, however, they began to cause the boy wake up sweating and panting for breath with their imagery. It was only recently that screaming joined the symptoms as the vivid realism mixed with horrible images and scenes tore through his young mind.

To his dismay, Danny couldn't help but to agree with his caretaker's theory that these dreams were warnings; part of his newest ability.

It was within the first few weeks that Danny's mind began to grow fuzzy at times, leaving his head reeling. Despite their attempts to stop this, it kept getting worse before the young-halfa would completely leave his mind for extended period of time, his body going stiff and motionless apart from forced breathing.

When it became a normalcy, it suddenly stopped altogether. That same day, Danny found he could hear Vlad's thoughts when focusing. He could push his own thoughts as well. Vlad explained it as telepathy and urged the boy to practice it every day until he became too weak to remain in his ghost form. Doing this, Danny soon discovered that, for a short time, he could use this ability in human form; this extension getting longer with each use.

Quick realization told both halfas that telepathy could transfer into the subconscious state and become stronger due to the excess energy available when the mind is at ease. This could possibly offer up a type of foretelling that merged into dreams.

The thought was not a comfort to either halfa. Nothing good was to come if these dreams were truly a warning. Regardless, the days carried on as normal with a daily update of each dream's happenings in case of any obvious explanation.

The interpretation came one random day during Vlad's absence.

Danny had just finished one of his pre-planned lessons, putting the materials away and heading up to wait for training in Vlad's study when a slight sound caught his attention. A light tick could be heard among other scratching noises nearby.

He was not alone.

The thought hit him hard. Knowing to fear the worst, he breathed deeply, breath quivering, and readied for a fight by locating a hiding place if for no other purpose than an element of surprise. It came time only moments later when he heard the front door open slowly. Staying, invisible in the study, Danny turned intangible and peered through the door just enough to get a good look at the intruders.

They were human. That much he could tell right away. There were four of them each loaded with weapons dressed all in black, looking like what he could only imagine a spy, or special-ops team would be wearing. They took to their roles without hesitation signaling to Danny who each position belonged to.

The first to come through the door was a red-head girl slightly taller than the rest. The leader, Danny mused. The second in was a dark-skinned boy in a clashing red beret loaded with wires and handheld devices followed by a black-haired pale girl stashing lock picks into her pocket, quickly trading them for a gun. The hacker and the thief. The last in was a dark-girl with black hair and more weapons than Danny would know what to do with. She must be the weapons expert. Or at least the warrior, Danny thought quickly putting her on his "never engage" list.

As if they knew the layout of the building, they expertly maneuvered around each passing door until they approached the door to the study, the door leading to the invisible halfa. His heart began to race, it was a wonder they couldn't hear it.

Thief prepared to ready her lock-picks again when Leader reached for the doorknob. Readying for anything beyond the door, Hacker and Thief stood to the side as the warrior aimed her large gun. In a matter of seconds, the door was open, Warrior was in the room-still aiming-with the team armed and close behind her.

Empty.

Closing the door and locking it behind them, Leader nodded. "You know the plan. Get in-get the information-get out. Nothing fancy. Go."

Hacker headed for Vlad's computer at the large desk while Warrior stood guard by the door. Leader spoke quietly into her watch and Thief stood awkwardly to the side. It became obvious that she was either a new recruit, not well trained, or had little skill.

Knowing he couldn't very well just stand there a let them steal from his surrogate father, Danny effortlessly, rose above them and glided over to Hacker. Not particularly wanting a fight, he opted for pulling the power cords out of the wall and darting across the room.

"Ahh!" Hacker exclaimed, button mashing aimlessly. "How…they disconnected." He expertly found the problem and paled. "They're unplugged. Something's here!"

In a matter of moments, the team had their weapons drawn and at the ready. Hacker worked furiously at his handheld before pausing. Looking up, his eyes locked on Danny. "Over there." He announced breathlessly, pointing his finger. All weapons' aim found him.

How?! Danny's mind went reeling, I'm still invisible! Despite that fact, all eyes fell on him.

Silence fell. It seemed that no one wanted to make the first move. Before more than two minutes had passed, Hacker gasped almost dramatically. "D…Danny?" he breathed, then became louder, "Danny? Is that you?"

Time froze. Weapons were lowered slowly as if in disbelief.

Unable to figure out why, Danny found himself landing softly on the floor before allowing himself to fade into view. "You know my name?"

The floor clattered with guns, the loud noises causing the young-halfa to flinch away. Thief took a slow step towards him before throwing all to caution and hurrying at him.

Automatically, Danny's eyes widened and he teleported to the other corner of the room leaving sparking, green smoke in his wake.

Heads darted in his direction as he stood awkwardly in the far corner of the room. As a habit, his hand found the back of his neck leaving him unable to speak.

Leader took a step towards him and he let his hand fall to his side, readying himself to teleport again. Stopping abruptly at his skittish behavior, she spoke carefully as if to a child. "Danny, don't you remember us?"

The halfa frowned. He asked first. Why should he answer any of their questions if they ignored his? "First, answer my question. How do you know my name?"

No one seemed inclined to respond to him, his frown deepened until a voice spoke up, "You…you don't know who we are." Hacker stated hesitantly.

Danny shook his head slowly. How was he supposed to know four random spies?

Leader shook her heard as if clearing her thoughts, "How can you not know us?"

He shrugged, "How can I? It doesn't particularly look like you are allies." He nodded towards Vlad's computer, "As far as I am aware, it isn't wise to befriend enemies."

He had spoken calmly, but their reactions made it seem like he physically hit them. Strange.

"Danny," Thief began to make her way towards him again, "Please, you can't be-"

"Stop." Danny interrupted when she began to come too close. After everything he had been through, he never let any being apart from Vlad come anywhere near him. "Keep your distance or I will treat this as an attack." His voice was as cold as his core. No more joking around. "My father will return soon and I suggest that if you desire any mercy you leave now while I offer it. He will not be so kind."

Scowls crossed the team's faces, "Your father?" Leader sputtered as if sickened by the thought.

Her obtrusiveness was insulting to say the least. Vlad had saved him from torture, given him a home, a bed, food, and care when he needed it the most. Say what you want about Danny, but no one was allowed to insult Vlad. He felt his face twist in anger.

Calling on his powers, he dropped the temperature in the room several degrees until they could see their breaths and feel his anger. "You are not to speak ill of my father or you will have me to deal with." He warned coolly.

When he felt his point was made, he retracted his power, masked his emotions, and eyed the flabbergasted group of humans still sputtering for words.

"Now, I will repeat myself if only for you benefit; leave." He steadied his eyes on each member of the team to emphasize the demand. "I don't enjoy watching father deal with those he deems enemies, but I will not stand in his way if he is to find you here."

When, again, no response was given, Danny signed and shook his head fighting to remain outwardly emotionless. They were truly hopeless. Perhaps the human resistance would benefit from their absence.

"What happened to you?"

Warrior had all but whispered the question, but it might as well have been shouted with the way Danny's eyes grew hard and his muscles tensed, clenching his fists and jaw. Still he did not answer; he didn't have to.

Before anyone could move, Danny's breath puffed out a haunted blue to signal that another entity was nearby. Only one could get close enough without triggering alarms.

Completely unprepared, Vlad entered the room looking straight towards Danny with a bright smile lighting his blue face. "Good evening, Daniel. I half expected to find you here." He said lightly, "How was your day?"

The young-halfa blinked. Unable to resist, Danny allowed himself a short burst of laughter. It didn't last long, but it was it clear that despite his confusion, Vlad was elated at the boy's rare smile. "Well, I'd stick with the usual response, but aside from the contempt I had at your decision to choose science for study today, I think the abnormalities are a bit obvious." Holding in another bout of laughter, Danny waved his hand toward their "guests". A heavy silence fell.

The elder-halfa turned to the younger who still had a small smile on his pale face. "Any explanations or am I going to be left in the dark here?" He chuckled.

Danny's smile grew a bit before he shook his head. "Explanation or visual?"

Confusion seeped onto the humans' faces, but Vlad didn't miss a stride. "Visual is preferred if you don't mind."

Nodding, Danny approached Vlad, laid a hand on the man's arm, and closed his eyes. After a moment of his face scrunching in concentration, Vlad's eyes glowed green momentarily before it faded away and he blinked. Danny broke the connection obviously winded and stepped back.

"You're going to have to answer for that lack of energy in training." The young-halfa quirked weakly.

After regarding the boy with a smile, Vlad turned a hardened look on the intruders. "May I inquire whose foolish idea it was to attempt stealing from me?" When no one answered, he continued while sending clones out to gather the still-fallen weapons. "Very well, I know Daniel has explained how this is going to work so all I have to add is that you should have taken his offer."

At his words, the clones, now empty handed, restrained the humans with ecto-ropes. The original walked calmly over to the desk, plugged in the system, and pressed a few hidden keys below the keyboard opening a small section of the bookcase.

He led with Danny close behind followed by the prisoners along with their assigned duplicates. Once down the staircase, he approached a large computer console next to a new-model ghost portal and pressed a few buttons to open a fairly large cage placed in the corner of the room beside a length of tables lined with cabinets and shelves. The humans were roughly shoved in -still bound- when the door closed loudly behind them.

"I must say, Daniel, I am impressed with your quick thinking in disconnecting my computer. It saved all of my data while preventing further hacking." Danny gave a quick nod, but let him continue. "I am also humbled by your willingness to defend me and my reputation. I believe a 'thank you' is in order.

The boy shook his head, revealing a smile, "No appreciation required. I wasn't just going to sit around and let them insult the being to whom I owe a life-debt." A haunted shadow crossed his eyes before it was hidden by an emotionless mask, "Besides, a change of pace is welcome after the boring lesson you had planned. I hope this one will be more interesting?"

Vlad smirked good naturedly before shaking his head. Turning towards the console, he programed a shield to protect the console, ghost portal, and cage along with the tables along the walls. He faced the young-halfa when his task had been completed.

"I will do my best to make this as interesting as possible."

As if it was a green light, both halfas' hands lit up with their respective color of ecto-energy; one red, one green. The battle began at Danny's first move. The fast paced hits and blocks came at such a rate that the humans had trouble following. The halfas slowed down a bit when the younger was launched across the room with a large ecto-blast, though he landed gracefully on his feet. Vlad fired another attack, but Danny caught the energy at chest height. Obviously straining, he shifted his hands and threw the energy back towards his mentor who dodged only in time for it to miss and for Danny to cross distance between them.

Using moves the humans had never seen before, the halfas proved to be more powerful than they could have ever imagined even considering this as only a friendly spar.

The 'fight' finally ended when Vlad was blown into a wall. He came out wiping at his clothes and smiling brightly, "Well done, little badger! Very well done! You may have actually beaten me had you not used so much power earlier."

Danny, still across the room, leaned on his knees and panted, a smile matching Vlad's lighting his face. "Don't fool yourself; I beat you even in my weakened state."

Weak!? The humans thought unbelievingly.

"Of course, of course. Who am I to doubt you, Oh Great One?" The elder-halfa bowed deeply.

Danny laughed, "It's about time someone showed me some respect around here."

"Well, you majesty, may I inquire of your progressions in the art of teleportation?"

After an overdramatic sigh, Danny nodded, "If you must."

The banter didn't end there. It continued as Vlad expertly taught Danny how to expand on his use of teleportation. The lesson continued into different types of ecto-energy as time passed. When a brief alarm sounded on the console, the two halfas reverted back to their human forms simultaneously.

Lowering the shields, Vlad turned off the alarm and closed out of the system before clapping the boy on the back. "You are getting stronger every day, my boy. Soon you will fight at my side, if you wish."

Danny stiffened, "Do you mean it? Am I strong enough?" All of the confidence shown earlier was gone, replaced by an underlying fear that claimed he found himself weak. The humans couldn't help but wonder why.

Vlad's face softened and his arm pulled protectively around Danny's shoulders hugging him close, "No matter what your past may suggest; you, little badger, have never been weak. You are strong. If I can teach you nothing else in your time here let it be this: You, Danny Phantom are a force to be feared and respected. You are not to be underestimated. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

While the look of fear never truly left his face, Danny met Vlad's eyes and smiled a bit before nodded shortly, "Yes, sir." He answered quietly.

"Now, let's have dinner. I'm sure you are as hungry as I am and we have more than enough to talk about." Before the man could reach the stairs, the boy stopped.

"What about them?" He eyed the humans with distrust.

"What do you mean?"

Danny looked at Vlad, "We can't just let them starve."

Vlad's expression said he had planned to do just that, but the look in his apprentice's eyes made him sigh, "I can't get away with anything anymore, can I?"

"Afraid not." Danny smiled.

Vlad pulled out his watch and pressed a few buttons. "The robots are bringing food down shortly," he explained lowering his arm. Danny nodded and they both headed up the stairs leaving the humans alone in the large lab.