The Fentons and Pines surrounded the Mystery Shack. Using one of the earphones he'd been given, Ford said,

"This will be unlike any ghost you've ever fought before. It's not just Danny Phantom anymore. He's being overshadowed by something even more powerful and more dangerous."

He surveyed the yard and teams. Mabel and Dipper, Jazz and Maddie, Jack and Ford.

Against hundreds of ghosts and a dream demon.

Taking a deep breath, Ford said,

"I'll understand if any of you want to back out. This will likely be the most dangerous monster we'll ever face off with. Speak now, because we're going in."

"I won't stop until Bill is gone for good," Dipper's voice answered.

"I'm going to kick his triangular butt," Mabel agreed.

"Don't worry about us. We deal with this all the time at home," Maddie chimed in cheerfully.

"I'm going to beat that possessing little creep right out of Danny's body," Jazz growled.

"I get to try this new ghost bazooka!" Jack said happily beside him.

Ford smiled grimly. This wasn't a bad team after all. He turned to face the house, which gushed with eerie green light. He pulled out his plasma gun and said,

"Let's do this."

They all charged. Jack and Ford entered first, blasting the door open in front of them. Wood shards exploded inside the house. Jazz and Maddie swung through the glass windows around the kitchen, guns held at the ready. And finally, Dipper and Mabel emerged from the upstairs, having used Mabel's grappling hook to swing through the upstairs window.

Danny/ Bill was tipped back in a chair, feet resting on the table. He looked around carelessly at the weapons pointed at him from every direction.

"Well hello," he said cheerfully, stretching.

"What took you so long? I was almost considering getting up and trying to find you!"

Dipper narrowed his eyes, glaring at Bill's head. He was facing the other way. A well placed shot could-

Dipper

He jumped at the faint whisper. It was unmistakable.

"Danny?" he hissed, turning his head wildly, while still keeping his gun fixed on Bill.

You can hear me? Listen, do not take that shot! I can't get my body back if it's killed.

"These are nonlethal weapons," he whispered, straining to hear what Bill was saying.

"-so boring. Why don't you just ask Danny what he thinks of that Dipper?" Bill said casually, turning his head to look at where Dipper was crouched on the stairs. Before Dipper could even process what he had said, a ray of ecto energy sent him sprawling.

"No!" Ford shouted, leaping forward and swinging his rod of ghost iron at Danny. Bill shoved him aside with painful ease. His hands now glowing with power, Bill soon had everyone on the ground. Jack and Maddie were both pinned under heavy furniture, unable to see or move.

"So simple. So... hilariously predictable!" Bill said happily.

"I'm the pupeteer and all my little marionettes dance just the way I want them to. You are nothing. You have no defense! You-"

A ringing clang sounded through the shack. Danny's face froze mid-taunt. His eyes rolled up, and he collapsed to the floor.

Grunkle Stan stood behind him, a heavy frying pan still held in his hand.