But we're anti-gravity lock down humanity
Lightnin' insanity strikin' inside of me
---
Recap:

Clockwork: *after training* We need to work on your flexibility.

Danny: Yes and I have just the music to do it with. *holds up CD*

Clockwork: *Looking pained*

Danny: Go on. You know you want to say it.

Clockwork: It's not music it's just meaningless sounds.

Danny: *grinning* Feel better?

Clockwork: Yes. Thanks.

-the pair begin to walk off to see Pandora-

Clockwork: Bay City Rollers. Now that's music.

Danny: *groaning in sheer emotional pain* I didn't hear that....
---
And now the epic continuation.
---

Sam was sitting off to the side of the room sulking. She had been banned from Mario Kart as no one could defeat her, but as soon as she stood aside a new champion rose, Danny thwarted each and everyone of them and eventually by way of voting he was also banned. He sighed and sat next to her. "They just can't appreciate skill." Danny sighed. Sam chuckled despite trying to be grumpy. Danny had that affect. She looked at the group, A-Listers cheering on Mikey to defeat Ember, Nerds instructing cheerleaders when it was best to used their blue shells. It was uncanny how they all banded together over a game. But Danny knew it wouldn't last. When the magic machine of bonding shut off they'd all return to their natural cliques. But for now Danny watched with amusement as Paulina accepted tips from one of the shyest boys at school, Jay, who was actually nearly on par with Danny's skills but didn't like to play that much.

Danny's smile fell. "It's times like these that it feels like there isn't a huge rift between who I pretend to be, who I am and who I want to be." He murmured. Sam looked up from where she was watching Tucker drop hints to Valarie about shortcuts, a little shocked by his sudden statement but before she could say anything Dash dropped down on Danny's other side.

"Never thought I'd see the day Paulina would accept help from anyone who wasn't an A-Lister. Who is that anyway? I don't remember him."

"Jay, he's kind of a wallflower." Sam answered. "Nice guy though... I think."

The three sat in silence before Sam announced she was going to go find Ella, who was Dani but they decided to call her Ella to reduce confusion. Danny was looking at his hands. "Am I a bad person, Dash?" He asked. Dash frowned at the ridiculousness of the question.

"Of course not. Why would you ask that?" He said in a plainly confused tone.

"I lie to almost everyone, daily. Lying is bad right? So... By that logic, I'm a bad person." Danny sighed.

"No, Danny, it's self preservation, which in minimal doses or as needed is not a bad thing. You lie to make sure no harm comes to you or those you love. It's a grey area." Dash decided.

"Geez you sound smart." The raven haired boy laughed softly. Dash shrugged with a faint smile.

"I have my moments."

They watched the screen for a while before Danny shifted to face Dash. "Nothings ever simple anymore. I'm constantly trying to work it out. Who to love or hate, who to trust. It's just like, the more I know the more confusing it gets." He said lowly as Kwan walked past with a glass of water, strangely completely ignoring Dash and returning to the group.

"I believe that's called growing up." Dash mused watching his supposed best friend completely disregard his existence. He was strangely unaffected by this.

"I'd like to stop then, okay?" Danny mumbled. Dash looked back at Danny and wondered why the boy was in this kind of mood. He put an arm around the smaller boys shoulders and they both leaned back to rest against the wall.

"I don't think life works like that. Not for you at least. Not for us." Dash murmured quietly.

"Does it ever get easy?"

"You mean life?"

"Yeah, does it get easy?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"Lie to me." Dash stared at Danny before gazing out at the oblivious crowd. Unaware that this boy tears himself up inside to make sure they were safe and happy. While simultaneously taking all the bitter nastiness they throw at him with his head held high.

"Yes it's terribly simple." He said slowly. "The good guys are always stalwart and true. The bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats. And we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies and everybody lives happily ever after."

A faint smile played on Danny's lips and he shoved Dash lightly. "Liar." He accused in a joking manner. They started, out of sheer boredom, to play a game where they'd be anywhere in the world with anyone they wanted, anywhere but where they were right then.

"Um, okay, I'm in a huge library filled with books, the walls are covered. And sitting next to me while I read is J.K Rowling." Danny said.

"Nerd." Dash snorted. "I'm on the beach, playing footy with my friends."

"That's kinda simple." Danny said not thinking Dash quite got the idea of the game.

"My real friends." Dash clarified. "And I am a simple guy. Unlike you Mr Complicated. Your turn again."

"On the moon, just looking out at the vast void of space." Danny decided after many seconds of thought.

"With who?" Dash asked. Danny looked up and shrugged.

"Tucker doesn't like voids and Sam isn't interested in space. How bout you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, why not. We're friends right?"

"Yeah, we are aren't we. Cool. Then my next one is on the moon, looking out into the void of space with you as well."

"That's cheating."

"Is not."

"Is too."

"What are you guys doing?" Tucker asked the pair playfully bickering.

"Playing a game of 'anywhere but here'." Danny replied.

"Oh! Ember McLain, backstage at a concert." Tucker said cheerfully.

Danny rolled his eyes. "You never come up with anything new."

"I'm just not fickle like you two. I'm constant in my affections. Ember McLain, backstage at a concert."

"Do you think Mr Lancer ever played 'anywhere but here' when he was in school." Dash asked looking to where the teacher was breaking up a fight over the controller.

"Mr Lancer lived for school. He's actually still bitter that there's still only 12 grades." Tucker responded.

"He probably sat in math class thinking, 'There should be more math. This could be mathier'." Danny chuckled.

"Come on, you don't think he ever got restless as a kid?" Dash said feeling a little bored, obviously, he was wondering what his teacher was like as a kid, of course he was bored.

"Are you kidding? His diapers were tweed." Danny laughed. That was not an image Dash needed. Their merriment was cut off by the sound of the roof caving in. "Really? I just got that fixed..." He complained.

"I have come to challenge the Prince." Said a deep voice Danny didn't recognise. He frowned slightly at the ghost before him. Large, burly man with pale blue skin and red eyes, his hair was green and flaming kind of like Skulker's armour. He looked like he could bench press a semi truck. He was dressed like a lumberjack.

"He's on a business trip. Can I take a message?" He asked warily.

"I am-"

"Groot?" Danny asked hopefully. The ghost glared angrily at the interruption.

"I am Kallum, Pariah's cousin. The throne is rightfully mine. I'm here to claim it." He growled.

"See anyone can claim to be the previous King's cousin, doesn't mean you are. And that's not how you get the throne." Danny sighed.

"Which is why I'm here to challenge the Prince."

"Well... He's not here. Can you go away? I'll call security of you don't." Danny warned. Ember stepped into the room, followed by Fright Knight, Vlad and Pandora. "They don't take kindly to strangers." Kallum looked frightened of all things. The ghost growled shortly and grabbed Danny as leverage.

"Contact the Prince. I'll be keeping this until you do." He shouted before taking off.

Dash looked dumb struck. A ghost that didn't know of Danny's abilities? He then went into panic mode, Danny just got kidnapped, again! Wasn't it Vlad's job to stop that. He glared at the apparent body guard who looked shell shocked. Shaking his head he ran to Fright Knight and jumped on the back of the horse urging the ghost and ghost steed to follow after the kidnapper.

Danny was currently dangling from the ghosts grip, his wrist hurt, that was how roughly the dude was holding. "You're gonna break my wrist." Danny complained.

"Quiet mortal. You are a hostage. Hostages are quiet." Kallum snapped.

"I'm not the average hostage. Where are we going?" Danny grumbled.

"Stop fiend, unhand that child." Danny turned his head to see Fright Knight.

"I am a man!" Danny protested.

"Danny!" Dash shouted trying not to fall off the horse. He threw a thermos that he'd been given earlier as a signal he was part 'Team Phantom'. Danny caught it with his free hand and smacked the confused Kallum over the head with it, which made the lumberjack let go momentarily. Danny dropped neatly onto a rock nearby and Dash leapt of Nightmare to land by him, stumbling slightly.

"How does he not know who you are?" He asked. Danny shrugged, rubbing his sore wrist.

"Maybe he's been in the human zone for a long while." Danny sighed. "Gotta go kick his butt I guess."

They looked up to where Kallum was battling Fright Night and the apparent lumberjack ghost snarled and threw something near Danny and Dash's feet. There was a flash of light and suddenly the two of them were falling into darkness.

A/N So... I only managed to have time to make two and a half chapters over the weekend... And, like, do you guys know that feeling of when you know where you want to end up in the story but the stuff inbetween is hazy? That's the dilema I'm at right now. I'll have it figured out by tomorrow hopefully. And by tomorrow I should have the next two chapters out and be back on schedule. Meanwhile I'm dying inside because I somehow got the flu. YAY!!! EnD mE...