(Back at the battlefield, Ember is engaged in a fierce battle with Phantom. Ember unleashes a series of rapid punches at Phantom, who manages to block each and every one.)

Ember: Damn you’re tougher than I imagined!
Phantom: And you are unusually energetic. That’s something I really hated about you!

(Phantom attempts to land a swift hook to her face, but Ember leans back & counters with a swift kick to the jaw, allowing her the time to unstrap her guitar.)

Ember: Ok gramps, let’s play you a lullaby!

(Strumming quickly, Ember sends several large shockwaves from her guitar towards Phantom. Phantom quickly goes intangible, letting the waves pass harmlessly by him. Phasing back in, he charges & elbows her in the gut.)

Phantom: Sorry, my tastes in music are a little more adult. (Before he can attack again, Danny dives in, kicking Phantom across the face & sending him back.)
Danny: I hope you enjoy the tune of Sweet Chin Music! You alright?
Ember: What part of ‘I can take care of myself’ do you not comprehend.
Danny: Remind me never to send you a candigram on Valentines.
Phantom: Concern for your enemies. You’re more pathetic than I thought.
Danny: Yeah, this ‘pathetic’ person kicked your ass before & I’m more than capable of doing it again!
Ember: Not before I do.

(Ember rushes at Phantom, fists raised, but Phantom sidesteps & elbows her in the back of the head, sending her down.)

Phantom: Now where were we? Oh right, you were going to ‘kick my ass’. Well then, let’s see you live up to that.

(Phantom fires off a volley of ecto blasts at Danny. Thinking quickly, Danny dodges the blasts & responds with a few of his own as he closes the gap between them. Danny then connects with a fist to Phantom’s jaw, before adding a rising knee shot.)

Danny: Gotcha!
Phantom: Do you now?

(Danny raises his fist for another punch, but Phantom, with the speed of a cobra, lays into Danny with a stiff right, sending him flying right into the side of a rock wall.)

Phantom: Like I said, pathetic. I can’t believe someone as laughable as you ever managed to beat me. Then again, you do have a habit of surprising me. Not today. (Dark creates 3 clones of himself & they all rush towards Danny.)
Danny: Crud!

(Danny concentrates & unleashes the Ghostly Wail stopping all the clones dead in their tracks before they can reach him.)

Phantom: I keep on forgetting you developed differently from me. (Danny slowly removes himself from his place on the wall.
Danny: Face it. I’m nothing like you.
Phantom: Am I not? I’m much more than just two powerful ghosts fused together. I am what you secretly want to e. What’s more, I am everything you will be!
Danny: No I’m not! I stopped my friends & family from dying. You’re just a leftover from a lost era that can never happen!
Phantom: Don’t be so dense! I know you better than you know yourself. Beneath that so called noble hero shell there is hate. Hate of those humans who want your ghost half dead & hate of the humans who constantly ridicule & torment that weak human side of you. And the hatred you have of the ghosts, it’s understandable. All they have ever done I give you even more misery than you can tolerate. And even if you help them, they will try to kill you again. Face it, it’s only a matter of time before you let go of such foolish ideals & give in.

(Suddenly, a blast of intense flames batter Phantom & send him flying off in the direction of the sanctuary. Ember rises, her face a mask of grim determination.)

Ember: Blah blah blah, we get it you are a bad ass. (Ember flies off in pursuit of her foe.)
Danny: Uh, thanks, I suppose. (Suddenly, Sydney contacts Danny via the communicator.)
Sydney: Danny, are you ok?
Danny: I’m stable, let’s leave it at that. Tell me some good news.
Sydney: We need you to lure Dark Danny closer to the sanctuary!
Danny: No problem there.
Sydney: Good. Listen, we can open the portal, but only for a minute. Before we open it, you need to weaken him as much as possible!
Danny: Weaken him? Are you serious? I’m doing all I can just to keep all of my internal organs intact!
Sydney: Just do something! If you can, try to hold out until Frostbite returns!

(Meanwhile, Ember continues her assault on Phantom.)

Phantom: That actually hurt!
Ember: That was the intent!
Phantom: One of the things I found annoying about you, other than your song list, was that brash confidence in yourself. I need to fix that!

(Ember goes for her guitar but Phantom, moving fast, punches her in the gut & grabs her by the throat.)

Phantom: You know, in the future, I did something that would completely ruin your life. I think I’ll show you just what I did.
Danny: GET AWAY FROM HER!!!

(Danny slams a massive haymaker that sends Phantom down, hard, into a rocky outcropping.)

Ember: What in the---
Danny: You ok?
Ember: Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Look, don’t get too worked up over me, ok?
Danny:  I can’t. It’s kind of true, when I think about it now. In the future, I hurt you pretty bad. I’ve hurt a lot of people actually.
Ember: Hey…
Danny: But I will end this RIGHT NOW!!!

(An intense field of green energy surrounds around Danny as he rockets towards Phantom & tackles him. Before Phantom can mount a counterattack, Danny lets loose with a heavy, savage barrage of punches a kicks, the shockwaves felt by anyone within distance of the two. Danny at one point kicks Phantom in the jaw before grabbing him by the collar & unloads with a point blank ecto blast to his face.)

Danny: Home in on my location & get ready.
Phantom: Urgh…I was right…there is much hatred in you.
Danny: Stop saying that! We have nothing in common!
Phantom: Really? You could have fooled me! Don’t tell me you just did this to me under the false pretense of being a super hero. The only way you managed to get me into this state was because you tapped into that hatred of me. Let go of any pretense you have of being noble & you’ll be at the same level as me.
Danny: I said SHUT UP!!

(Danny lunges forward for another blow with his left arm, but Phantom grips it.)

Phantom: Even now, you’re thinking only of others & how to protect them. Believe me, you’re better off severing the ties you have.
Danny: Says you! You killed me the very first chance you got!
Phantom: No, I killed off a remnant, someone who never did appreciate what was given to him!

(A loud snap can be heard as Phantom breaks Danny’s left arm. Danny screams in agony as Phantom smiles & punches him in the ribs hard. Danny coughs up blood as he is dropped to the ground.)

Phantom: Perhaps you need something to spur you into your transformation. Oh I know! I’ll kill Sam! You seem so attached to her. Maybe her dying screams will inspire you.
Danny: D-don’t you dare…(a mass of green energy is wrapping around Danny’s right arm.)
Phantom: Or maybe I should kill everyone in Amity. Ah, that’s it. I can’t take any chances! Kill all of them. Even my parents. They were such idiots, not being able to tell their own son had ghost powers. Valerie, so wrapped up in her hatred of ghosts to care about you. Tucker the sad techno geek. Oh, but be assured I will spare no time in exterminating all of them right after I destroy this temple I leave you here to wallow in your weakness!
Danny: I SAID STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THEM!!!!

(In a matter of seconds, it all unfolds; Danny summons whatever strength he has left to lunge forward at Phantom with his right arm & punches at his chest. At the same time, the energy surrounding his arm builds up & takes the shape of a sword, forming around his elbow & fist. The blade pierces through Phantom’s body, going right through him until the point juts out at his back. A mix of shock & horror washes over Phantom’s face as he realizes, too late, what has just happened.)

Phantom: Im…possible…you can’t…no one has…this power…
Danny: …
Phantom: I was…right…there is a killer…in you…

(Ember & Johnny grab Danny & pull him away from Phantom.)

Ember: Got him!
Johnny: Hang in there kid!
Danny: Sydney…do it…

(A few seconds later, behind Phantom, part of the area’s reality becomes distorted. Suddenly, a rectangular doorway forms & opens up, pulling in Phantom. One final sinister grin creeps up on his face as his is absorbed into the portal. Seconds later, the doorway closes.)

Ember: Whoa. Did you see that?
Johnny: Yeah. The kid pulled it off alright. (Danny reverts into his human self & the communicator falls out of his ear.)
Ember: Baby pop’s not looking too good right about now.
Johnny: His arm’s broken &if I’m right, his ribs might be too.
Ember: You take care of him then. My job’s done.
Johnny: Wait, you’re just leaving?
Ember: I’m not feeling too hot myself, dig. Just need a place to sleep this off. Dipstick here will be fine. Laters. (Ember flies off.)
Johnny: Sure, I guess. (Johnny picks up the communicator.) Hey, anyone there?
Sydney: It’s me! What’s going on?
Johnny: We’re doe here, but Danny’s hurt real bad.
Sydney: Ok, I read you. Meet up with me & Sam, we’ll get him back to Amity right away!

(Johnny sighs as he struggles to pick Danny up.)

Johnny: …just what do you think you’re doing Skulker? (Johnny turns to see Skulker, who is missing an arm still, but manages to have a large pistol ready.)
Skulker: I’m seeing this mission through to the end.
Johnny: Dude, it’s over. Danny’s stopped him & Phantom’s sealed up now. There’s nothing left to worry about.
Skulker: You say that now, but remember what Pandora & Clockwork said: Dark Danny is born because of all the negative & deeply seeded emotions of the boy. We have adverted disaster for now, but it’s a matter of time before he gives in to those feelings.
Johnny: Oh come on, don’t tell me you buy into that bull!
Skulker: What makes you so sure he won’t?
Johnny: What makes you so sure he will? I ain’t a saint, but me & Danny always had an understanding! He didn’t have to lift a finger to save our asses, but he did anyway! So back off!
Skulker: You’re in no position to tell me what to do.
Johnny: For a guy with one arm, you’re pretty sure of yourself. I can kick your ass without Shadow!

(At this point, Desiree & Spectra join Skulker.)

Desiree: I hate to say, you might find this tougher than you expected.
Spectra: I can’t imagine a better opportunity than this to be rid of our biggest problem once & for all!
Desiree: It’s better this way Johnny. He will turn on us. You may not want to take advantage of this, but we will.

(A large blast of fore is shot over her head. Kitty, armed with a rifle of her own, jumps down next to Johnny. Overhead flies Dora, who transforms from her dragon persona into her regular self.)

Kitty: Don’t even think about it!
Johnny: Kitty?
Kitty: I got impatient, so I hitched a ride.
Dora: I’m in agreement with Johnny. I owe quite a debt to Danny & his friends. Anyone who tries to hurt hi, they have me to answer to.
Spectra: Oh great, she grew a spine.
Dora: I can also grow scales, fangs & claws if you catch my drift!
Desiree: Oh really? (Desiree summons a dragon of her own.) This is what we call a stalemate.

(Suddenly, Frostbite jumps in between the two groups.)

Frostbite: Checkmate.
Skulker: Oh perfect, now you show up!
Frostbite: And just in time too! I’ll thank you for not terminating he life of the Great One here.
Spectra: You and what army?(The bulk of Frostbite’s forces all emerge & encircle the area.) Oh, THAT army. Never mind.
Kitty: Oh man, Johnny, you look a wreck.
Johnny: Yeah, well I took some serious blows but Danny’s gotten the worse of it.
Frostbite: Let’s go. The doctors in his world can take better care of him.

(Hours later, in Amity Hospital, Jazz shows up to find Kwan & Sam sitting outside of Danny’s room.)

Jazz: I came as soon as you called! How is he?
Sam: Fine, just fine. Your mom’s in there with him now. She hasn’t left his side since he left the emergency room.
Kwan: The doctor says he’s got a broken arm, a concussion and several cracked ribs. But he’ll be able to leave the hospital in a short while.
Sam: By the way, thanks for showing up.
Kwan: It’s the least I can do, you know. I mean I picked on him sometimes, I know, but I would never think to go that far.
Jazz: It’s ok Kwan, no one is blaming you.
Kwan: I’m just so mad, you know. Why the hell would he even do something like this?
Sam: Kwan, this is Dash we’re talking about. He doesn’t exactly use rational thought.
Kwan: Tell me about it.
Jazz: What about everyone else? Where’s Tucker?
Sam: Tucker won’t be back for a few more days, but I called him already. Valerie was the only other one, aside from Kwan, to even bother showing up. (It’s at this point that Jack appears, with some Styrofoam cups in hand.)
Jack: Here, drink up. Glad to see you here Jazz.
Jazz: Yeah, these two managed to fill me in.
Jack: Your mother & I will have to attend an emergency disciplinary meeting tomorrow morning, so we’d appreciate it if you would stay with Danny.
Sam: What do you think will happen?
Jack: It’s hard to say. I’m fairly certain that Baxter kid already has some sort of fancy lawyer feeding him lines. We’ll be lucky if I don’t go berserk & strangle the kid.
Jazz: The important thing to remember is that Danny’s fine. We can focus on how much you want to manhandle him later.
Kwan: In any case, I’ll head on home now.
Jack: Alright, thanks for coming Kwan. I think that might have helped to cheer Danny up.
Sam: I better get going too, my parents are probably worried sick.
Jack: Take care, Sam. Come on Jazz, let’s go see Danny.
Jazz: I’ll be there in a couple of minutes Dad, I just need to talk to Sam about something.

(A few minutes later, Jazz & Sam have a talk in front of the maternity ward.)

Sam: …and that’s it basically.
Jazz: Oh my God, Danny…
Sam: This isn’t something we really ever planned for. I mean killing is one thing, killing what is possibly you…
Jazz: Don’t say that Sam.
Sam: I’m not saying he is or will be that guy, but…
Jazz: Look, Sam, Danny is who he is. None of what that guy said is true. Guys like him prey on our emotions & try to weaken us mentally. It’s one of his primary weapons. Danny’s not perfect, but he always managed to make the right choices when it mattered. And the minute Dark Danny killed his human side was the minute that the Danny he was ceased to exist. Danny will realize that sooner or later.
Sam: I hope you’re right. He’s his own worst critic.

(A few days later, the halls of Casper High are filled with tension due to the events of the week. Sam walks down the hallways alongside Danny. His left arm is in a cast & part of his forehead is bandaged up. He has a less than thrilled look on his face.)

Sam: Hey Danny, you’re sure you’ll be ok with this?
Danny: Yeah, I’m sure of it. The last thing I need is to spend more time lying in bed not doing anything. I can only stand so much of Jenga.
Sam: I see you’ve had one too many games with Jazz.
Danny: Yup.
Sam: The good news is that Lancer’s willing to give you an extension on the term paper. The faculty’s been acting different lately.
Danny: I wonder why. (Kwan & Valerie join the two at Danny’s locker.)
Kwan: It’s because of the city council.
Valerie: Nice to see you’re up and about.
Danny: Hey, thanks. You look tired.
Valerie: Sorry, but my, uh, new job has me up & about, so I don’t get to see people much. So, have your parents talked to you about what happened yet?
Danny: Only about the fact that Dash got off with a light sentence. Summer School & dismissal from all but the football team was what he got.
Sam: Yeah, imagine how pleased we are about that.
Kwan: After that, the city council somehow got word and decided to step in. The school board is now being forced to revise their policy on bullying.
Valerie: So in short, everyone in the staff is paying for Dash’s stupidity. Again.
Danny: That sort of bites.
Valerie: Danny, maybe it’s better if you don’t stick around today, just chill out for a bit at the park.
Danny: Maybe.
Kwan: Heads up. (Dash & Paulina, as well as most of the football team, approach Danny.)
Sam: Oh, this will not end well.
Dash: Fenton.
Danny: I have a name, you know.
Dash: Whatever. I’m just here to deliver a message to you.
Danny: I’m REALLY not in the mood to deal with you right now, Dash.
Dash: Too bad, you’re gonna stand there & listen to me.
Valerie: So much for a peaceful resolution to this. (Star shows up.)
Star: Hey, where have you been?
Valerie: Busy.
Dash: Despite my sincere apology, the school decided to cut me from every team except the football team.
Danny: I heard. Cry me a river.
Dash: Look, I’m just putting you on notice right now, it’s your fault that I got stuck in summer school, Fen-turd! Just because you got out of the hospital don’t expect any sympathy from us.
Danny: Are we through?
Dash: No, there’s more. The minute I get done with summer school, I will track you down & wail on you like there’s no tomorrow!
Danny: Oh, is that right? (Danny at this point is practically seething with anger.)
Kwan: Dash, back off. I think you’ve said enough.
Danny: No Kwan, I’ll handle this.
Dash: Oh, what are you gonna do, report me to Lancer?

(Danny, with his good arm, grabs Dash by the collar & slams him against the lockers, with enough force to shake the walls.)

Sam: Danny! Calm down!
Kwan: Whoa!
Dash: Hey man, what are you doing?
Danny: Something someone should have done a long time ago! You think that just because you’re the best athlete in this school & the most popular, that gives you the right to be an asshole? You think I like the idea of having you stuff my head in a toilet because it makes you feel superior?
Dash: Uh yeah?
Danny: It was a rhetorical question you dumb ape! It’s bad enough half of the school hates me because I’m not a mindless drone like them who falls in line to the in-crowd just to fit in, you have to go the extra mile every day to try to make me feel worse!
Dash: Ok, ok, ease up man, calm down!
Danny: WHY THE HELL SHOULD I CALM DOWN? YOU ALMOST KILLED ME YOU PRICK!! As far as I’m concerned, you’re a muscle bound jackass who picks on anyone he feels like to make himself feel good! You’re pathetic & don’t even give a damn about who gets hurt! I’m fed up with your crap & I’m sick of the fact no one has the guts to tell you to your face just how big of an ass you really are!

(The crowd of students all look on in stunned silence, not sure what to make of Danny’s angry tirade.)

Paulina: Whoo hoo, the dork’s making a stand. Real stand up moment. Anyone wanna clap?
Danny: Oh that’s right, I’m a dork. Real cute, princess. Since we’re on the subject of handing out labels, why don’t I give one to you, like say ‘stuck up bitch’?
Paulina: Hey!
Danny: Oh, I’m sorry, was that insensitive of me? Too bad, I doubt you even know what insensitive means! I can’t believe I had the hots for you, what the hell was I thinking? God, how can anyone put up with someone who thinks the entire world should always revolve around them? Here’s a tip, most guys like a girl who can count to ten.

(Danny finally releases his grip on Dash’s collar, grabs his book bag & glares at the rest of the students.)

Danny: If you thought that was shocking, that it was uncalled on, I really don’t care! Far as I remember, all most of you ever did was mock me or call me names! I would have figured nearly dying would get at least one of you to drop by the hospital to say hi. Guess I was wrong huh? Feel free not to give a damn about the weird kid, I’ll be leaving now.

(Without even looking at anyone else, Danny kicks open a side door leading outside & stalks off.)

Sam: Oh, Danny.
Dash: What was that?
Valerie: That was about 6 or so years of pent up adolescent anger & aggression let out in 3 minutes.
Sam: And all it took for him to unleash it on everyone was for you to open your big mouth.
Kwan: Smooth move bud! Why not kick some kittens while you’re here!
Dash: Oh come on Kwan, I didn’t mean for this to happen!
Kwan: dude, you’re my pal and all, but I can’t even defend this. (Lancer & Testlaff finally appear.)
Testlaff: Ok, ok, break it up.
Lancer: What’s going on here?
Star: Long story short, Danny had a bit of a emotional outburst & freaked on just about everyone.
Sam: You may want to ask the star quarterback here for all the finer points.
Dash: This is not my day.
Testlaff: Dash, I’d like to have a word with you. NOW.
Kwan: I better come too. She’ll want to hear all sides of this story.

(Testlaff escorts Dash to her office while Lancer talks with the others.)

Lancer: Where’s Danny?
Sam: He just bolted out of school.
Lancer: I see. Sam, could you please go & find him? I doubt he’d want to see me right now.
Sam: Yeah, I have an idea where he’s at. But I don’t even know if it’s a good idea to bring him back.
Lancer: I’ll leave that to you. In the meantime, I’ve got crowd control. (Lancer pulls out a megaphone.) All right, nothing to see here, resume your regular routines.
Valerie: Hey, you want me to come with you?
Sam: Nah, I don’t want to risk having him bite your head off too.
Valerie: Oh right, the breakup deal.
Sam: Later. (Sam runs off.)
Paulina: This is weird.
Star: I know, I never imagined Danny had something like that in him.
Valerie: You’d be surprised what people are capable of. Anyone feel like discussing this over a latte?
Paulina: I’ll pass. I think I want to be alone now. (Paulina walks off.)

(Somewhere on the outskirts of Amity, Sam enters what’s left of a ruined cathedral. She finds Danny sitting by himself in one of the few remaining pews, looking up at a cracked stained glass window.)

Sam: There you are. I was kind of hoping I’d find you here.
Danny: Hey, where else would I be? This is the only place I know where I can sit & think in peace.
Sam: Maybe next time you have an outburst like that, you can hide out in the Goth teahouse.
Danny: I doubt they’d want anything to do with me either.
Sam: Danny, come on.
Danny: I’ve been thinking for the past two or three days, Sam. I’ve been thinking about everything that he said, what he told me about myself. In a way, he’s right.
Sam: No, Danny stop you’re a whole different person than him!
Danny: I can’t say that for sure Sam. I mean, let’s face it, I know what those kids in school think about me. It’s been building up for so long & it felt so great to lash out at them! Why do we have to put up with their crap anyway? And with the exception of one area, just about every ghost in the Ghost Zone either hates my guts or wants me dead! Why should I even try to save them if they plan on putting me 6 feet under anyway?
Ember’s Voice: Wow, you really are your own worst critic, huh?

(Danny & Sam turn to see that Ember is sitting atop of a angel’s statue, guitar in hand.)

Danny: If you’ve come to pick a fight, don’t. I’m not in the mood.
Ember: Geez, relax Baby Pop! Never thought someone like you can get wound so tight.
Sam: You can’t really blame him, can you? He almost died saving you guys.
Ember: Yeah yeah, I know the deal, then I get cranky about the fact that he did save me even though I can fend for myself, yadda yadda.
Danny: Like I said, not in the mood.
Ember: Save it, kiddo. Now look, as far as I know that Dark Danny guy is not you. I seem to recall someone mentioning that he killed his human self before he went all temperamental in the future. So don’t be feeling ‘responsible’ for anything he did. He did it, not you. You’re just a guy who has an annoying habit of helping everyone out whether they want to or not. That’s the Danny Phantom I know.
Danny: Uh, sure, I’ll go with that.
Ember: As I hear it, there are quite a few ghosts who stood up for you when Skulker wanted to waste you, so don’t think your little boy scout thing isn’t appreciated. The way I figure, if those jerks can’t show a little gratitude, screw them.
Sam: A pep talk? From you?
Ember: The week’s been full of surprises.
Danny: You’re telling me this for a reason, right?
Ember: Damn right. This fight made me realize that I’m not as strong as I wanna be. Also pissing me the hell off is the fact that my rival will get all emo & quit, or at the very worst seek out some complete whack job to gain more power & forsake all the friends he made.
Sam: Rival?
Danny: At least it’s not Box Ghost.
Sam: I see your logic.
Ember: So, here’s the deal; One month from now, I’m coming back to town to fight you. You better be healed up by then, because I won’t be taking it easy on you.
Danny: Maybe you ought to worry about me taking it easy on you. You know I have a wicked right.
Ember: I bet. And I ain’t gonna stop until I know for sure which one of us is better!
Danny: Fine by me. See you in a month!
Ember: Ditto! (Ember flies off.)
Sam: I could be mistaken, but I think she just succeeded in that pep talk of hers.
Danny: Ember? Pep talk? Are you for real, she wants to rip my head off.
Sam: True, but she didn’t. She could have easily attacked you right now but she gave you a whole month. And you look excited. I say that qualifies for a successful pep talk.
Danny: You’re delusional!
Sam: Do you feel depressed?
Danny: No.
Sam: Angry at yourself?
Danny: No.
Sam: Do you feel like every person & ghost out there is a weakling deserving of your unrelenting wrath?
Danny: Hell no! You need to stop reading Tuck’s comic books!
Sam: See, it worked! That’s the Danny I know! Look, it’s tough being who we are, but we’ll be fine. Sure we’re not the most popular or the most athletic, but really, did it ever matter to you? You became friends with me & Tuck because of who we are & you always tried to find the good in everyone you meet. It’ll take others some time to see that, but when they do, they’ll appreciate you more for it. (Sam hugs Danny.)
Danny: Wow…thanks Sam. I really needed to hear that.
Sam: No problem. Come on, let’s get you back to school. Lancer will probably want to have a counseling session now.
Danny: I probably should go. (The two walk off together as Ember, unknown to them, looks on from a distance.)