Yep, two updates today! Yay!

Also, if the title's making you nervous; it's a weather pun. The WIP title was just Torrent of Terror.

Onwards!

Calm Before the Storm

"…So then, Vortex shocks me again, and my weather powers disappear." Danny said, and spun the thermos the weather-changing ghost was stuck in on the table beside him. Clockwork, who was floating across from him, simply nodded. "Anyway, I got him, no thanks to Vlad. But what do I do now?" He held up the thermos, "He was with the Observants, right? That's what Vlad said. Should we… give him back? What did he even do?"

Clockwork looked thoughtful for a moment. "Aside from nearly destroying the human realm with his unstable powers?"

"I mean, I got that part." Danny replied, "I tried them out too and I've got to say, weather powers are only half as fun as you'd think."

"Fair enough," Clockwork turned to one of the swirling green portals behind them. They placed a hand on it, and the scene changed. Vortex was attacking a city, and with a tap of their staff Clockwork froze the scene on a young couple with a pair of children in their arms. "Monique Hunter," They said, and Danny floated to their side as they pointed out the smaller of the two children. "Roughly forty years ago." They shifted the scene again, frozen on a young man lounging in the backseat of a car. "This is her son, Lewis. He is very important if we want a peaceful future for humans and ghosts. And Vortex almost prevented him from existing."

Danny grimaced, holding the thermos with both hands as he committed the face to memory. "Did you step in?"

"I saved Monique and her family, yes." Clockwork frowned, "Unfortunately, I did so without permission from the High Council."

"I'll bet they didn't like that."

"Oh, they were furious," Clockwork said. "Thankfully, however, Olia convinced them that I had had every right to interfere as I did. I wasn't punished, and she formed a case against him."

"Mom power," Danny whispered.

Clockwork pointed at him. "No. Absolutely not." Danny smiled and gave his friend a thumbs up, which earned a fond eye roll from Clockwork. "Olia revealed that Vortex seemed to know far too much about myself and the Ancients, and gave the council reason to intervene. They were only recently able to track him down."

"Huh." Danny shook the thermos, "What do you mean, he 'knew too much?'"

"The Observants appreciate their secrecy," Clockwork said as they dismissed the still-frozen scene in front of them, "as you know. And they consider anyone who has solid evidence of my existence a threat. From what Olia shared with me, Vortex was allegedly working with a group of others who have been trying to locate me."

"Oh." Danny looked down at the thermos in his hands, "Whoops. Guess I shouldn't have brought him here, then?" He coughed, "So, what about the Ancients? How can you know too much about them? I tried to ask Frostbite about them a little while ago and all I got was a weird story where one threw bread at Pariah."

Clockwork smiled at that. "It was a baguette, actually." They ignored how Danny stared at them, trying to figure out if that was a joke. "And I actually don't know. Olia never specified."

"Huh," something didn't seem right about this. Still, Danny held up the thermos. "So, should I just give this to you? That way you can pass it along to your mom."

"Please stop calling her that." Clockwork held out their hand, "And I suppose. Perhaps not Olia, but I'll see that it gets the right Council." As Danny went to hand it over, three quick knocks echoed throughout the building.

Danny gave Clockwork a look. "Is that the Observants?"

"Of course not," Clockwork replied, "they've never heard of knocking."

Down the hall, Danny could hear the thermos containing Dan start screaming. The reason soon became apparent as Ghostwriter stepped into the room, still looking back over his shoulder. "Clockwork, why does your talking thermos keeps telling me to kill myself?"

"I'm sure you've heard worse," Clockwork smiled and turned to face Ghostwriter. "How have you been? It's been a couple weeks."

"Fine." Ghostwriter crossed the room as Danny moved to stand right at Clockwork's side. "I've been looking into a few things."

Clockwork frowned, and Danny copied their expression. I come here more, I win Better Friend. "I'm sure I'll be hearing all about them later," they held out a hand again, and Danny passed over the thermos. "Thank you."

Ghostwriter finally acknowledged Danny, and it started with a very annoyed look. "Is that thermos planning to shout about how I should just die, too?"

"No," Clockwork said, "this one is silent."

"It's new," Danny clarified, "Vortex can't hear us, and we can't hear him."

Ghostwriter stared at him for a moment before looking at Clockwork, the thermos, and back at Danny. "Is there someone in there?"

"Vortex," Danny repeated, slower this time. "Vlad broke him out of the Observants' place-"

"Observatory," Clockwork corrected.

"Close enough." Danny shrugged, watching Ghostwriter glance between Clockwork's face and the thermos in their hands. "Vlad wanted him to change the weather in Amity, but he lost control because he's Vlad and a moron-"

"Andrew," Clockwork was staring Ghostwriter down, "no."

Ghostwriter looked between the two of them. Danny didn't bother trying to finish the story, and started doing the same- Clockwork's stare was hard, and focused right on Ghostwriter's face. Finally, Ghostwriter looked back to Danny.

"Are you going to give him back to the Observants?"

"Uh, yeah?" Danny frowned, "He didn't just mess up my town, he was attacking the whole world."

Ghostwriter gritted his teeth and turned towards Clockwork. "You know that this is wrong."

Clockwork frowned, and their staff disappeared as they formed legs. "I know that this thermos contains a ghost who drowned thousands- many of them children- and nearly made it impossible to achieve an ideal future. Vortex is an incredible threat, and Plasmius is an idiot for letting him go." They held up a hand to silence Ghostwriter before he could interrupt. "I am making the choice to hand him over to the High Council, and let them decide what to do with him. He is not going to be set free. Regardless of what you believe-" Ghostwriter muttered something that Danny didn't fully catch, just the word 'prove.' "-this is what's best for the Timeline."

Ghostwriter still looked uneasy, and Clockwork focused. Danny, however, wasn't following. "Why shouldn't he go back to the Observants? Yeah, everything about them sucks- no offense, Clockwork."

"None taken." They didn't take their eyes off Ghostwriter. Danny was positive he was missing something with how intense their gaze was.

"But Vortex was horrible. I don't think you get just how bad he was!" Danny pointed to the thermos, "And he was with them already! If I didn't give him back, I'd be in trouble, and he'd be hunted."

"I'm sure Clockwork wouldn't let them kill you." Ghostwriter said. "You obviously have no idea how they function-"

"And you do?" Danny challenged, "Since when do you know how the Observants work? Last time I checked, you'd never met them."

"I've studied them," Ghostwriter said, "I have spent the last month examining every piece of lore involving them that I-"

"Yeah? Well I met one earlier this week!" Danny said, and Ghostwriter immediately stopped. A small ball of energy burst near Clockwork's feet, though none of them noticed. "And Clockwork said that she was the one who decided that Vortex sucked, so-"

"Clockwork?" A voice rang out from down the hall, "Who's voice is that?"

"Closet, now!" Clockwork hissed, and shoved the both of them towards the nearby door. Ghostwriter was faster than Danny- he reached it first and yanked the door open. Clockwork shoved the door closed behind them, and after a moment the voice returned.

"Well? Do you have an explanation?"

"An explanation for what?"

"Don't play dumb, Clockwork, it doesn't suit you." That was a new voice. Danny turned invisible and inched the door open slightly. It wasn't quite enough to really see, and hopefully not enough to notice. Danny counted four Observants before one started to look his way.

Danny ducked back, returning to visibility beside Ghostwriter. The both of them stood with their backs pressed against the wall, and Danny held up four fingers. Ghostwriter pulled a face, sent a sympathetic look towards the door, and motioned for Danny to follow him deeper into the closet.

It was weird to be on the same page as Ghostwriter about something. Danny was honestly surprised the other ghost had gone this long without accusing him of being attention seeking.

"Volana, drop it." Olia's voice pulled Danny from his thoughts. Okay, three problems and Olia. She's cool, she'll cover for us. "If it was important, Clockwork would tell us. We have business to attend to, right?"

"Thank you," Clockwork said.

"You're welcome, dear."

Danny sucked in a breath and clamped a hand over his mouth. Ghostwriter glanced back at the name as well, and quietly repeated it.

"That's the one I met!" Danny whispered, "Clockwork's Mom!"

Ghostwriter blinked. "Their what?"

"Mom!" Danny repeated, "She calls them 'dear', uses a super parental tone when telling Clockwork to look after themselves, and she brought us really bad cupcakes." He pointed at a small object by Ghostwriter's foot. "Look, they left one in here!"

Hesitantly, Ghostwriter reached over and nudged the old cupcake with his foot. "Disgusting," he mumbled.

Outside, the Observants had moved on. "If you both are finished, then there is something we must address. As you know, Clockwork, our high-risk prisoner has escaped."

"It was less of an escape and more of him being broken out, Sio." Olia corrected softly.

"About that-" Clockwork started.

"Don't interrupt." Danny automatically decided he hated that unnamed Observant.

"Kulo, let them speak." Thanks, Olia.

"No, let us finish." The first Observant who'd spoken- Volana- had a harsh tone. As Olia tried to protest, she continued. "Clockwork, the High Council has decided that until Vortex is located, it is not safe for you to be on your own. Effective immediately, you are to return to the Observatory with us."

Ghostwriter growled and one hand nearly lit up with ectoplasmic energy. Danny took a couple quick steps away as Ghostwriter, who was glaring daggers at the barely open door, and had pulled a quill and a piece of paper from his jacket.

"That's highly unnecessary," Clockwork said. "I-"

"Do not argue," Kulo cut them off. "Effective immediately means you must come, now. Our existence is threatened as long as that being is free, and we cannot waste resources on-"

Through the crack in the door, Danny saw the thermos hit one of the Observants in the face.

"If you had let me finish," Clockwork snapped, "I would have told you that Danny had already captured and brought him back here, so that I could return him. But apparently, refusing to let me finish was a much better use of our time." Clockwork was talking over the Observants now, and Danny didn't miss Ghostwriter's slightly alarming grin as he pocketed the notepad. "Is there anything else?"

"Control yourself," Sio said, finally able to get a word in. "It was a simple misunderstanding."

"The High Council will be discussing your act of utter disrespect," Kulo added, and passed the thermos that had been thrown at him to another Observant. "You are not a child, this cannot continue."

"I have done nothing wrong." Clockwork said. "Now please, leave."

Danny moved back towards the door, Ghostwriter right behind him, as the both of them attempted to watch the Observants leave. One stayed, holding the thermos in her hands.

"I know they only brought you so I would go peacefully," Clockwork said plainly.

"I spoke out against this plan," Olia replied, "I know how much this place means to you. I promise, I'm doing everything I can to look out for you."

There was scratching behind him. Danny looked back to see Ghostwriter once again writing something down.

Olia sighed, and teleported the thermos out of her hands. Ghostwriter bumped Danny with his coat as the Observant slowly grabbed Clockwork's hand. "I promise." She repeated again, and pulled back.

"I appreciate it," Clockwork replied softly.

Through the crack in the door, Danny saw Olia look back with her kind smile. "Oh, and once your friend is ready to stop hiding in the closet, tell him I said hello." She turned around and flew out.

Danny slowly pushed the closet door open and looked over at Clockwork. They shrugged, "She won't tell the others."

Ghostwriter had his hands in his pockets as he stepped out around Danny. "Olia seems nice."

"She is," Clockwork said.

"She just can't cook," Danny added on, and pointed over his shoulder. "Also, Clockwork, you need to clean your closet."

Clockwork raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Considering the state of your room, you don't have any right to judge."

"Rude," Danny smiled back. "So, that was awkward. But Vortex has been dealt with!" He looked back at Ghostwriter, half expecting the fight to start up again. But Ghostwriter still stood there, quiet, with his hands in his pockets. "What's wrong with you?"

"I'm thinking," Ghostwriter replied. "I know you don't know what that is-"

"Enough." Clockwork held up their hands. "Just… enough." They rested a hand on their face and sighed, "Ghostwriter, I know what you wanted to talk about. I can't do this today."

Ghostwriter simply shrugged. "Fine. We can talk later." He started out of the room, "Ember has decided that she's my new friend, and has been trying to convince me to go drinking with her. I just thought I'd stop by before she started taking up all my time."

Danny watched him leave before turning back to Clockwork. "What did he want to talk about?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," Clockwork said, a bit too quickly. "He just has some ridiculous theories about old legends."

"Like the thing with the Ancients and the bread?" Danny smiled, but Clockwork did not. "They must be some messed up legends. Do you, uh, want to talk about them?"

Clockwork shook their head and turned away. "I'd rather forget about them, honestly. They bring up some things I would rather not think about."

Danny frowned now, watching Clockwork carefully. He had no idea what the legends could be, but if Clockwork was refusing to even give a cryptic riddle about them, they had to be bad.

"…If it's okay with you, I'm going to head back home." He needed some time to think about this, maybe brainstorm with Sam and Tucker since Clockwork definitely wasn't in a talking mood. Should he confront Ghostwriter? Should he try to look into the legends? He didn't even know what they were about, or why Clockwork was so upset by them!

Clockwork looked back at Danny, blinking. "Yes, of course. Your friends can only cover for you for so long."

"Yeah, that." He waved, "I'll see you soon."

.-.

Olia abandoned her fellow High Council members as soon as they returned. There was no point in lecturing them, or trying to convince the three to treat Clockwork kinder, unless she had the Head Observant to back her up. Sio might make an effort, but Kulo and Volana were a lost cause. Any trace of decency had been abandoned centuries ago.

Besides, she felt a pulse of energy signalling her; someone had activated on of her little cupcake spies. It was surely Danny Phantom, who she had seen hiding poorly in Clockwork's closet, but it would keep bothering her unless she checked.

Olia found herself in a small, secluded room as she activated a screen. Her spy took a minute to trace, and Olia kept her mind occupied with simple thoughts. It would have recorded most of the meeting, and she sincerely hoped Danny had spent that entire time making sarcastic comments to himself. Listening to the child who had defeated Pariah Dark call her coworkers make eye puns would be one of the higher points of her day.

Her spy was activated by touch, and Olia found herself staring at a man who was obviously not Danny Phantom.

She committed every detail about him to memory, too frozen with horror to do anything else. Black hair, grey skin, glasses, purple coat, scarf- constantly writing, not fond of her fellow High Council members- he had been in Clockwork's home. He knew about Clockwork, and the councils. Their secrecy had been broken.

Right as the recording ended, Olia faintly heard herself say the words that had led to her teleporting Vortex's prison back to the Observatory. But this ghost was writing again, and the moment she had teleported Vortex's prison to the office for the Council of Justice, the Threat hid a thermos in his coat.

Olia abandoned the small room. She was back in her own office in seconds, surrounded by the familiar faces of her own council.

"Oh, Miss Olia!" Plenty greeted her, and attempted to provide updates on their current projects. But Olia didn't wait any time; she found the first permeant viewing portal she could, and pulled traces of the Threat's ectosignature from her spy. He wasn't hard to track; he hadn't bothered to hide himself.

The Threat stood among spindly pink trees, attempting to pry open the thermos in his hands. After a moment, he frowned, twisted it, and was thrown into a tree as Vortex was launched out.

Around her, Olia heard her council members panic behind her. They had lost one of their own, Sodil, when Plasmius had broken him out. She felt a sleeve brush against her own, and Sio slowly joined her.

"I was going to ask where he was," they spoke softly, and like Olia kept their eyes fixed on the two ghosts who struggled to pick themselves up. "Who is that ghost? How did-"

"Gunslinger?" Every Observant heard Vortex's question, but only Olia and Sio were close enough to watch the Threat's confusion.

"It's Ghostwriter," the Threat replied, "And you're Vortex, I assume."

"You have changed your hair," Vortex said, "and freed me from that-" he stopped to breathe in, "-prison! Your debt is paid, Gunslinger, and you may once again bask in the greatness and power that is Vortex!"

The Threat frowned now, and stood. He held a notepad and quill in his hands. "My name is Ghostwriter. Don't confuse someone else's debts with what you owe me. And considering what I just risked to save you, you can pay me back by answering a few questions." He didn't give Vortex a chance to speak, "Does the name Solstice mean anything to you?"

Enough was enough. "Call a High Council meeting, now!" She turned to her council before Sio could reply, "I want every piece of information on this threat located! Human, ghost, or whatever the circumstances that surround it may be, you will find it now!"

The others scattered, leaving Olia still floating ridged. Whoever this threat truly was, and whatever they had been doing in what was supposed to be Clockwork's safe place, it would all come to light. Once they knew who he was, the Threat would be easy to neutralize.

But if he knew Solstice's name, then he surely knew about Karma. Which likely meant he had dangerous theories about Clockwork as well. He was going to try and take them away from her.

Sio returned, and began to guide Olia towards the meeting. She still seethed, and Olia made her choice. She had lost so much. She had made so many bad choices, and those she cared about had paid the price. That would not happen again. If the Ancients hadn't been able to take Clockwork from her, then neither would this Threat. Whether he met his end at the hands of the Council of Justice, Protection, or Memory did not matter, as long as he was dealt with.

As long as she could confirm he was eliminated.

Clockwork, this is why you don't hide stuff from your mom in your closet. It ends badly. Even the concept of it ends badly.

That's all for now! Thoughts?