Skulker Adopts a Pup
What if the first time Skulker sees Danny - this scrappy, skinny, noodle of a child who fights like his afterlife depends on it - he sees potential. He sees a wolf pup trying to defend itself, never having been taught how to hunt or win a fight, or even when to back down, but goes into the fight with everything its got anyways and always gets back up to try again. And instead of deciding to hunt him, decides to train him.
He basically sees this kid who gives it everything he's got; teeth bared, eyes glinting and practically glowing, and just goes "ah, yes. He will be an excellent hunter!" And then claims him for himself.
We still get the nickname whelp and ghost child, but also pup and ghostling and little hunter.
Skulker teaches him how to take note of the environment, how to stalk and track his prey and leave them unaware. How to set traps and know when something has decided to try and hunt him back. How to fight properly, and how to use his surroundings to ensure that he *wins*. How to spot, identify, and use weaknesses. How to find his own and what he can do about it.
Danny learns weapons (how to make and maintain them and how to pick the best for the job) and responsible hunting (I hc that Skulker would be a good hunter. One that takes pride in it, but will basically do catch and release if it doesn't meet the qualifications. Otherwise its just a poor hunt and not worth the trouble. If the animal is endangered he's more likely to protect it fiercely so that the population can grow so he can hunt it properly later).
They practice hunting each other and have spars and play fights. And even after Skulker has taught him all he can they have annual hunts and take turns to set up scavenger hunts for each other. As time goes on the hunt extends into other times and realms (which are previously agreed upon before the hunt starts).
A lot of the other ghosts are now terrified bc Danny was already powerful. Their saving grace had been that he didn't know how to use his powers or really fight in any way except head on because he was so young. But now he sets ambushes, leads them into traps, and can fight with brutal efficiency in both short and long range.
