A/N:

Yay, another new chapter (without like a four year break between it and the last chapter lol)! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, and I hope you all enjoy this installment enough to review as well : ) We've got a lot of Fentons, some Dark Danny, and some more Clockwork (and the Observants too!) in this chapter, so let's get to it! ^_^

Phantom Reality

Chapter 9:

Phantom Preparations

It was a couple of hours later, and the Spector Speeder was finally heading back from Wisconsin to Amity Park with the addition of one Spectral Energy Neutralizer cube along with its current set of passengers.

Danny and Danielle were in human form sitting atop the cube and explaining to Valerie the basic principle behind this piece of Dalv Corp. tech.

"It's not so much that it makes the ghost/human hybrid inside of it turn into a pure human," Danny replied to Valerie while she listened with interest. "It's more like it just suppresses the ghost half of the hybrid. But without ghost powers, no one can really escape from the cube unless someone lets them out. And even if you normally were strong enough as a human to break open the cube, when you're half ghost and half human, well…you really need both halves working so that you can function." He shrugged and smiled.

Danielle nodded. "Yeah. When your ghost half gets shorted out, it really does a number on you. It's like being really sick or being really, really tired."

Valerie considered, examining the cube. "So basically it's not like we're going to temporarily take away Vlad's ghost part, we're just going to overpower it—like giving him a really big ecto-tranquilizer."

Danny smiled and nodded. "Exactly."

Valerie observed the cube for a moment longer, a hand to her chin, and then glanced up at Danny, an eyebrow raised. "But if we wanted to, is there any way we could use this thing to just take away Vlad's ghost part entirely? Like after all of this is over?"

Danny (and Danielle) blinked.

"Valerie, I don't think that's a fair option to consider," Danny replied simply, his eyes a little wide.

Valerie raised an eyebrow. "Not a fair option? This is Vlad we're talking about, Danny. And come on—I'm pretty sure no one else here is going to want to send him back to space when this is over even if that's what he deserves. And I'm sure he won't exactly want to go back to being exiled anyway. But if he stays here on earth, he definitely can't be running around with his ghost powers—look how he's abused them all these years!" She frowned. "At least if we could take away his powers, he wouldn't be a danger which means he'd be able to stay here and live a normal life. That's gotta be better than leaving him in space as a ghost forever."

Danny just sighed though and shook his head. "Valerie, you don't understand. It…It's really not that simple."

Danielle looked down and considered…and then looked over to Danny and shrugged. "I don't know, Danny. Maybe it is." Danny blinked, raising an eyebrow at her, and Danielle explained. "I mean, I really don't like Vlad, but…he is sort of like my dad in a way. I don't want to send him back to space all alone, especially if he does a good job of helping us. And if he could get to stay here as long as he doesn't have his powers then…maybe that's something we should think about. Besides, he's not like me—I pretty much need my powers to survive since I was made with them already in me. But you and him got powers later. If Vlad lived as just a human before, maybe he can do it again." She smiled a little and shrugged.

Danny hesitated and then sighed and smiled a little to her as well. "Okay, Danielle. We'll…we'll think about it. But I promise you, no matter what, if Vlad does a good job helping us and really wants to stay, we'll find a way to make that work. Okay?"

Danielle smiled more. "Thanks, Danny." She stood up on the cube and hugged him.

Danny laughed a little as she pulled back. "Hey, uh…you know, tucker and Sam are still in the middle of playing something on Tucker's PDA, and my parents are driving, but Jazz has just been sitting in a corner reading a boring book. Why don't you go over and bug her a little—trust me, she loves younger 'siblings' interrupting her studying." He grinned and chuckled. "Besides, I think she really does want to get closer to you."

Danielle glanced over to Jazz who was indeed sitting in a corner with her nose buried in a book. The young halfa smiled more and nodded, looking back to Danny. "Yeah. And hey maybe she could also give me some advice on what to do about Blueblood and Poindexter." She sighed, considering. "Blueblood is funnier but Poindexter's really smart…and they're both kind of cute. And they both said they really like me. But I'm not sure if I really 'like' like either one of them. And no matter what happens I still want us all to be friends." She glanced to her cousin, smiling. "Unless you have any advice Danny?"

Danny's eyes went wide. "Uh…my advice is definitely to go ask Jazz about that. A-and aren't you a little young to be hanging out with those guys i-in that way? I mean, technically you're like two, heh." His face bore something between a sheepish smile and a disapproving pout.

Danielle and Valerie blinked and then rolled their eyes with grins at the same time.

"Oh Danny, you're so silly." Danielle laughed. "You know I was made to be twelve, and Tucker and Sam told me once that you were chasing after that Paulina girl since you were like ten. I can handle myself." Danielle grinned proudly and then dashed over to Jazz.

"Yeah, well, just…just make sure those two ghost guys know that I know where they live!" Danny called out weakly with a slight scowl, and then he just sighed and got off the cube to sit beside Valerie, his head in his hand.

"Hey, look on the bright side." Valerie grinned and shrugged. "Now you know how the Mansons probably feel about Sam running off with a ghost boy like you all the time. And how my Dad feels about it too, and especially while we were dating. We didn't know you were a ghost back then, but you are still a boy—same threat level to a concerned paternal figure, really."

"Ha, ha, very funny." Despite the sarcastic reply, Danny did smile a little and rolled his eyes. He glanced over to Danielle who was now animatedly talking to Jazz (who had put aside her book and was smiling and talking back to her). "I just don't want to see her get hurt. She's been through a lot. And it's hard for me—in a way I really do think of her more as my little sister than my little cousin. Actually, we're sort of like really, really fraternal twins…with an age difference."

Danny and Valerie shared a laugh.

Then Valerie smiled at Danny. "So…why did you send her off to Jazz in the first place?" She raised an eyebrow. "Something a little too intense about Vlad that you wanted to share but didn't want her to hear?"

Danny smiled a little, looking back to Valerie. "You're almost as good at Sam at seeing through the things I do you know."

"Hmm, well, Sam's pretty smart, so I'll take that as a compliment." Valerie smiled more.

Danny smiled a little more too but then sighed. "Actually…what I wanted to say that I didn't want her to hear is about half ghosts in general. And what you want to do about Vlad." Danny lowered his voice. "Valerie, there's something I don't think you understand. I…Vlad and I, and Danielle too…we're not humans with ghost powers, and we're not even ghosts who can become human. We're both things at once, even if in the past we've been only one thing. You couldn't take away one of those parts and expect us to go on living normally any more than you could make half of a human's body completely numb and expect them to go on living normally. And I already told you…Dark Danny came from me losing my ghost half and Vlad losing his and the two of them combining. That's an extreme example, but even in our timeline I've purged myself of my ghost half in a couple of ways in the past…and I know for a fact it feels awful." He sighed, looking down. "It's sort of a really big identity crisis actually, being two yous at once. And I'm sure Danielle will realize that one day soon. But for now she's a kid and she's happy—I don't see any reason to bother her with it." He glanced at Valerie again. "But my point is, if we want Vlad to stay here, we'll have to find another way. It would be cruel to take away his powers, especially after he's had them for so much of his life."

Valerie took in all of this information with great interest. And when Danny was done explaining, she nodded to him in understanding. "I think I get it, Danny. It'd be taking away a part of who he is…" She considered, then raised an eyebrow at Danny. "But…what if having his ghost powers taken away is what he wants, Danny?"

Danny's eyes went a little wide at this question. Then he looked down. "Valerie…in the alternate timeline, that's what I wanted. And it didn't end well." He swallowed. "We can't run away from who we are and who we've been—and Vlad can't either no matter how hard things have been. I don't think it would be a good idea to let him do that. And I think once we explain things to him, if he's really going to help us anyway and he really does feel bad about what he did, he'll realize the risk of doing that to himself isn't worth any freedom he'd gain."

Valerie nodded. "I think you're right, Danny." She smiled a little again. "Don't worry, we'll work this out. And we'll kick the evil you's butt. I promise." She winked.

Danny smiled a little more and nodded. "Thanks, Valerie. I hope you're right."

Valerie smiled more too. Then she jerked her thumb in the direction of another seat in the Speeder. "Want to go over to Tucker and Sam and see if Tucker's PDA has a four player mode? Besides, every time you and I talk alone, Sam has to try really hard to pretend she's not glancing over here every ten seconds. And she's already looked at us at least three times so far."

Danny sighed and nodded, trying not to laugh "Sure, Valerie. And sorry about that—it's just going to take her a little while to get used to having you on Team Phantom. You should have seen how long it took everyone to get used to including Jazz. It was a rough first couple of weeks."

"Hmm, yeah, but Jazz is your sister, not your near ex-girlfriend. Somehow I think that fact's going to affect Sam's acceptance of the whole situation." She laughed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Maybe I should just start dating Tucker—I think that's the only thing that would truly put her mind at ease."

Danny laughed too. "It'll be fine, Valerie. But if you want to try with Tucker, go for it. He'll say yes. Actually, he'll pretty much say yes to anyone."

"Oh thanks," Valerie nudged him, grinning.

"You know what I mean." Danny grinned back to her. "Get to know him better though—who knows, maybe you'll hit it off and we can go on ghost catching double dates together."

"Hmm," Valerie's grin picked up on one side. "Actually that sounds kind of fun—definitely my kind of date."

The two shared a laugh and then got up and went over to join Tucker and Sam as the Speeder continued on its way back to Amity Park.

Meanwhile, away from the kids and up in the front of the Speeder, Maddie and Jack, though quiet for most of the trip as they made observations and charted the flight plan over the Midwest, managed a few words to each other as well.

"Jack?" Maddie said quietly.

Jack glanced up from a map he was looking over. "Yes, Maddie?"

Maddie sighed. "Jack, I know ever since we found out about Danny, you and I agreed that…well, no more making or using ecto-weapons that could really, really hurt ghosts. But…" she sighed again and glanced at him, "Jack, I'm scared. Maybe we should bring some of the old weapons online…just in case."

Jack was quiet for a moment. "I know, Maddie." He put a hand on her shoulder. His tone was firm but his look was comforting. "We'll think about it, and we'll talk about it with Danny. I want to include him in this just like he's including us in everything he's doing now. I think he deserves it."

Maddie nodded. "Okay, Jack."

Jack squeezed her shoulder a little and smiled, his tone lightening. "Hey, don't look so down. Everything's going to be fine. We're Fentons, Maddie—ghost experts! We'll get through this just like we've gotten through every other ecto-situation we've been through." He winked.

Maddie smiled again. "I think you're right, Jack. I have a good feeling we'll be okay." She sighed, shaking her head. "I think I'm just really not looking forward to seeing Vlad." She slumped in her seat a little.

"Eh, we'll get through that too." Jack waved her off. "Who knows, maybe some time alone is just what he needed to come to his senses. He was a good person, Maddie, our best friend. Maybe it's a good thing we need him to come back. Maybe it'll be like a second chance for him."

"Maybe Jack." Maddie smiled more, letting out a breath and sitting up again to return to her navigating, "Maybe."

The couple, feeling a little more lighthearted again, smiled and nodded as they went back to driving the rest of Team Phantom home.

By the time the Speeder reached Amity Park, it was already well after sunset and everybody who didn't live at Fentonworks was long overdue for heading home.

Watching his friends preparing to leave, Danny couldn't help but appear uneasy. "I really wish you guys would just stay here for the night. I don't like the idea of Team Phantom separating right now."

"Sorry, Danny, but my parents really want me home, especially after all of the disasteriod stuff." Tucker shrugged. "Besides, I want to make a few upgrades to my PDA—maybe find a way to keep a GPS lock on Vlad while he's here."

"Oh relax, Danny, it's just until morning, we'll be fine" Valerie rolled her eyes and smiled, swinging her backpack over her shoulder. "Besides, I'm going to be lucky enough if my Dad lets me keep going along on random adventures with you, but there's no way he's going to okay sleepovers."

"Yeah, ditto, boyfriend," Sam added with a grin, putting her own bag over her shoulder.

Danny rolled his eyes to the side, grinning sheepishly. "Okay, okay…but at least promise me you'll all be safe."

Valerie nodded. "No worries, Danny, I've got all the tech I need at home in case of a ghost attack."

Danny nodded, but still reached into his pocket and handed her two items. "I know. But just in case, here's a specter deflector ring and a walkie talkie. Twist the ring when it's on your finger to activate it—it'll act like a little personal ghost shield. And the walkie talkie is a direct link to Sam, Tucker and me. I want you to check in before bed and first thing in the morning." He looked to Sam and Tucker. "And that goes for you guys too. And if anything suspicious happens, anything at all, let me know no matter what."

Sam sighed and smiled more, coming closer to him. She put a hand on his cheek. "Relax, Danny. I promise, we'll all be okay. Okay?" She leaned in and kissed his cheek, then pulled back.

A dreamy smile appeared on Danny's features. He sighed. "Okay, Sam. And you still have your ring, right?"

Sam smiled a little more. "Which one—the Spector deflector one or the WES one?"

A low chuckle left Danny and his eyes hazed a little more. "Both."

"Oh guys, come on! I know you two haven't had much of a chance to be alone lately, but we're right here." Tucker rolled his eyes. "And incidentally I have my Spector deflector ring too if anyone cares—Oh!"

Tucker was now being pushed toward the door by a smiling Valerie. She sighed. "Come on, Tucker—let's give them a moment alone as long as they haven't had too many of them anyway. You can walk me home or something."

Tucker scowled. "Hey, I—wait, really?" Tucker grinned. "Uh, okay, sure!"

Valerie laughed and rolled her eyes. "Bye, guys," she called over her shoulder. "And say bye to your parents and Danielle and Jazz for us, Danny!"

A faint, "Mmm hmm…" was all she got in reply from Danny (he and Sam were still just gazing at each other).

Valerie smiled and shook her head, finally reaching the door with Tucker who quickly opened it for her and gestured outside with a grin. "After you, my lady."

Valerie sighed (though her smile remained). "Don't push it, Tucker." She headed outside with a grinning Tucker following after her and closing the door behind them.

And thus, finally, Sam and Danny had a moment alone—a rarity since the Disasteriod incident between school and their families and the press and all of this ghost stuff.

Danny swallowed. "I really wish you didn't have to go." He blushed just slightly and shrugged. "Are you sure your parents wouldn't let you stay if we all just had a big sleepover in the lab or something with Jazz and Danielle? I'd even give you guys a free pass on swapping embarrassing stories about me, ghost-related or not."

Sam laughed but shook her head. "It's tempting, but they really want me home, Danny. It's not just because we're dating—like Tucker said, ever since the Disasteroid, everyone's parents have been really clingy. But I'll be over first thing in the morning for getting everything together for picking up Vlad. I'll even leave and get here super early to avoid the press." She laughed again.

Danny smiled more. "You won't have to worry about them. I sent an email…I told all the papers and the news channels I'd be holding a press conference soon to discuss a situation, and that I'd be willing to do exclusive interviews, but only if me and my family and friends could be left alone until then. We should be free of the spotlight for at least a little while."

Sam's eyes brightened. "Excellent." She sighed and paused. "Well, I guess I have to go now."

"Don't I at least get a kiss goodbye?" Danny's smile picked up a little on one side.

Sam smiled a little more too. Then she swallowed, hesitated, but brought her hands up to his shoulders. "Doing this still feels a little weird."

Danny nodded, swallowing as he put his hands on her waist. "Yeah, I know. But I'm getting used to it."

"You'd better." Sam smirked.

Then the two of them closed their eyes and kissed.

Eventually they pulled back with a shallow breath each, stepping away from each other and blushing.

They had a nice, peaceful moment of silence…that was then suddenly interrupted by a light giggle coming from the direction of the kitchen. Danny and Sam blinked and looked up and over to just catch sight of a smiling Danielle's head peeking around the corner before she quickly pulled back.

Danny just sighed and rolled his eyes. "Sorry. She's really really good at the pesky sister thing."

"It's okay." Sam smiled. "But, uh…maybe after all of this Dark Danny stuff is over, we could start, I don't know…having regular, normal dates? That way we could spend more time alone." She shrugged.

Danny smiled more and nodded. "Sure, Sam. That actually sounds great…nice and normal and absolutely great."

"Great." She winked. "Well, have a goodnight, Danny." Sam headed toward the door, giving him a little wave.

Danny gave her a wave in return, his look going a little dreamy again. "You too, Sam. Goodnight."

With a final look in his direction, Sam opened the door and left.

Danny beamed to himself for a few moments…but then another giggle caught his ears. He grinned and headed over to the kitchen where he found Jazz and Danielle sitting at the table, sipping hot chocolate and smiling.

Danny sighed, shaking his head as he took a seat with them with a grin. "Very funny, Danielle."

"Aw, but you two are so sweet together, Danny." Danielle beamed. "I couldn't help myself."

Danny glanced at Jazz. "And you didn't feel the need to stop her because…?"

"Brad Rodgers." Jazz said simply, grinning at him. "You remember—my first date, seventh grade, Dad tried to supervise the entire evening but Mom finally made up some ghost emergency for him to go off and fix, and we finally had a moment alone, I was about to have my first kiss…and you—"

"I…ran up from the lab with that ecto-magnetizer of Dad's that I was using to play ghost hunter, aimed it right at you and that Brad guy, and when the thing turned on and it kind of flew at you and stuck itself to your braces…" Danny finished sheepishly.

"For three days," Jazz added, her grin growing.

Danny sighed. "Yeah, okay, fair enough."

Meanwhile, Danielle just laughed. "You two are funny. Hey, if I live here now, maybe I can make memories like that with you guys too. And Danny can teach me all about ghost fighting, and, Jazz, you can teach me all about school stuff and girl stuff, and Aunt Maddie can teach me about science stuff, and Uncle Jack can tell me more of those great ghost fighting stories of his."

Danny and Jazz laughed.

"Hey," Jazz sipped her cocoa, "If you want to be a new audience for those stories Dad has told me and Danny hundreds of times, be my guest."

Danny nodded. "You really are welcome to stay here as long as you want, Danielle, even after we take care of this Dark Danny mess. But if you want to go back to Dora after everything's over, we'll understand. Living in the ghost zone is a pretty exciting thing after all."

Danielle nodded. "Yeah, it is. I don't know…I'll think about it. If I do stay with Dora though, you guys'll come visit me a lot, right?"

Danny and Jazz nodded.

"Absolutely."

"You've got it, Danielle."

Danielle smiled. "Great." Then she took another sip of hot cocoa…and then suddenly a yawn couldn't help escaping her.

Jazz smiled more at the young halfa. "It's late, Danielle, and you've had a long day. Why don't you go upstairs and see Aunt Maddie? I think she's getting together some of my old clothes and pajamas for you, and she's making up a bed for you in my room."

"Really?" Danielle beamed. "Thanks! Goodnight, guys!" She got up and dashed over to Danny to give him a hug and then dashed over to Jazz to give her a hug, and then dashed upstairs.

As they watched her go, Jazz and Danny shared a laugh.

"She's almost as fast on her feet as she is as a ghost," Jazz had to remark.

"I know." Danny nodded. "I'm really glad she's here. She's a good kid." Danny sighed.

Jazz looked at him. "You nervous, Danny?" She frowned a little.

Danny almost laughed. "About what? Fighting an evil version of myself, keeping everyone safe, still trying to integrate my ghost life and my human life, going to get Vlad tomorrow, the fact that I have to back to school again in a couple of days, or all of the above?"

Jazz smiled a little but still looked at him in concern.

Danny sighed. "I'm a little nervous…about everything. But I'm just glad I've got you and Tucker and Sam and now Valerie and Mom and Dad and even Danielle to back me up." He frowned a little. "Tomorrow really is going to be awkward though. I don't know if Vlad'll try to blast me into outer space or if he'll beg and offer to do anything to come back or…what." He sighed, but it suddenly turned into a yawn. "I don't know, I think I just need a goodnight's sleep. Plus I'm starting to get a headache." Danny cringed a little and touched his temple.

Jazz frowned but nodded. "Probably stress. Go to bed early tonight, Danny. The ghost shield is up, we'll all be okay, and then we can get to Vlad first thing in the morning."

Danny nodded, standing up. "Yeah, you're right. Goodnight Jazz." He smiled, hesitated, but then gave her a hug just like Danielle had given both of them.

Jazz hugged him back. "Goodnight, little brother." She pulled back. "Take care of yourself."

"Right after I take care of all of you," Danny joked , yawning again and heading out of the kitchen to his room.

Though he was clearly just making a small joke, and though Jazz smiled as she watched him go, she also couldn't help but watch him with a touch of concern too. "I mean it, Danny," she said softly to herself. "Take care of yourself."

Danny slept, and Danny dreamed.

Darkness, shadows, flashes of eerie red light, and always a face trying to come forth in the mists, and always a deep, dark laugh at the back of everything.

"Time…time…time…time…You can't avoid me forever, Danny. I will be you again, and you will be me. It's almost MY TIME!"

The dark laughter exploded into terrifying hysterics, and Danny couldn't see anything, and all he could feel was cold and an agonizing pain in his head.

"Ahhh!"

Danny sat bolt upright in bed, breathing heavily, a cold sweat on his brow.

He blinked a few times.

"Danny?"

"Ah!" Danny jerked away as a face so very like his own (and thus similar to the frightening one in his dream) suddenly popped up in front of him.

Danielle (who it turned out the face belonged to) moved back a little on Danny's bed. She was wearing pajamas, and she frowned at him. "Danny, are you awake now? I think you were having a nightmare. I woke up because I started feeling cold, like my ghost sense was going to go off, and then I heard you making sounds in your sleep, and I came in to check on you. Are you all right?" She frowned.

Danny, finally catching his breath, calmed down enough to process everything Danielle had said and then to process that he was just sitting in his bed, safe in his room, and a glance outside told him that it was a little after dawn at the moment. Danny looked to Danielle and let out a final deep breath. "Um…yeah, Danielle. Yeah, I'm fine." He tried to smile. "Sorry. You're right, I think I was having a nightmare." He closed his eyes and rested back against his pillows for a moment, a hand to his head.

Danielle swallowed…then she started hesitantly. "Danny, your nightmare…was it a lot of shadows and weird lights and scary laughing…?"

Danny's eyes opened. He looked to Danielle.

She frowned and looked back at him. "I had one too, Danny."

Danny's eyes went very wide.

"Danny, do you think it's…I mean, since I'm almost like a version of you, and since he's a version of you too, do you think it's the bad Danny?" Danielle asked quietly.

Danny took a deep breath. "It might be, Danielle. Actually it really, really might be." He sat up and moved closer to her. "Listen, Danielle, even if it is him it doesn't mean he's nearby and I don't think he can hurt us in our dreams. I think he's just trying to scare us—he'll do anything to try and scare us. And sometimes it might work. But he kind of feeds off of that in a way, so we just have to be as brave as we can and be and be grateful that we have each other." He smiled a little. "Honestly, I think that has to be the worst weakness of Dark Danny—he's all alone trying to do what he's trying to do. At least we have friends and family on our side, right?"

Danielle smiled a little. "Right. Thanks, Danny." She hugged him.

Danny hugged her back. "You're welcome." He sighed and pulled back, smiling down at her. "Anyone else up yet?"

Danielle shook her head. "No, just us."

Danny smiled more. "Wanna sneak down to the kitchen before breakfast and raid Uncle Jack's secret stash of donuts?"

Danielle nodded. "Yeah! Yummy!"

Danny laughed. "Okay, let's go." He stood and so did she, and the pair headed over to Danny's bedroom door. "Besides, we'll need to keep up our strength. It's 'go confront Vlad' day. Oh joy."

Danielle laughed. "Eh, it won't be so bad. You know, if he gets too uppity, maybe I'll ask Dora to come by and see him. She is super unhappy with him for messing with me and for messing with you and for being selfish with his powers and for trying to keep everyone in the 'dark ages' by keeping ghosts and humans enemies…she also says he reminds him of her brother…and that he set her brother free a little while ago and almost caused all sorts of problems. What does all that mean, Danny?"

Danny smiled more. "Eh, I'll explain it to you over the donuts. It's a long story."

The two headed downstairs together.

Pariah's Keep had become a rather dank, dark, deserted place ever since the battle between the old ghost king and Danny Phantom. No one ventured here for fear of awakening the ghost king's terrible power again—not to mention for fear of being put in ghost jail by Walker who, instantly after Pariah Dark's defeat, had made a new law against going anywhere near the castle. This was a solemn place not to be disturbed.

Unfortunately, such things were irrelevant to Dan Phantom. He resided here now, actually lying upon Pariah's tomb, numb to any of the potential darkness around him. He was darker than any of it, and he knew that fact well. If anything, this place was the most soothing to him that he had found so far ever since his escape. Soothing enough for him to rest, and during that rest to bother Danny and Danielle…

"And when they get Vlad I can bother him too since he's part of me too. What fun." A dark chuckle escaped him. "I can feel how weak they all are, ready to snap. Soon they'll be dust, they'll all be dust, and I'll have everything in the human world and in the Ghost Zone."

He sighed, gazing up into the empty blackness of the ceiling. "If only the Freak hadn't gotten away. And if only that Lydia wasn't so good at masking her trail with those pathetic tattoos… He's necessary for the plan, very, very necessary. An ace in the hole that I need." He smiled a little. "But I have a feeling I know where Lydia will take him when all else fails—the good, perfect Danny Phantom will help all of those in need, after all. He'll end up bogged down in friends, drowning in them—it's actually almost perfect in a way." His eyes narrowed. "The more people he has to love, the thinner he gets spread, and the thinner he gets spread, the easier it'll be for me to make his power, his potential, his future mine. I just have to hurt him in the right way. Vlad will be easy to break. The little one, Danielle, even easier still. So much screaming. I like screaming." He gave a low chuckle. "It tells me I'm doing my job right."

Another sigh left him though. "But speaking of screams, I'll have to prepare for that one's wail this time around. It's strong. And I don't understand why." His scowl deepened. "I suppose it could be from all of the love he has. But personally I think it's a fluke. Love never made anyone strong…if it did, the Danny Phantom from my timeline wouldn't have let his human half become such a weakling because of love when he lost his family and his best friends and his girlfriend. He wouldn't have needed the ghost ripped out of him, and I wouldn't have come to be—pure hatred, pure anger, free of all restraints. And the same went for Vlad—his love of that woman, Danny's mother, drove him to darkness. There's no good in love. They'll all see that when I'm done."

Though the words were said coldly and his eyes remained in a deep scowl as he said them…for just a moment in the dim light of Pariah's Keep there was a glint of something in Dark Danny's eye.

But then suddenly he sat up and howled in a rage, blasting all over the keep without regard or restraint.

When he was done and the ecto-smoke started to clear, Dark Danny just looked around, breathing heavily. Then he smiled…and then he started to laugh. "Oh, my young phantom…I can feel you just like you can feel me—you're still just waiting to become me deep down inside! You foolish boy…and that foolish man who made us. None of you can ever defeat me." His dark laughter started again and then rang out through the Keep.

Meanwhile, far across the Ghost Zone, in the real of a certain ghost of time, Clockwork was talking with his 'employers'—the ever-mysterious (and demanding) Observants (two of them to be precise).

The first observant spoke. "This is not up for discussion. He is an anomaly. He must be dealt with before he causes more interference."

Clockwork sighed, his normal stern gaze upon his features. "I am aware of the need for resolution to this situation. But what you are proposing is a danger to the very nature of ghostly existence…and I don't believe the motivation of wanting to cover up one of your mistakes is sufficient to justify doing it."

The second Observant spoke. "What we are proposing is the only course of action with any certainty of success."

"What you are proposing is limited…" Clockwork tried not to raise his voice as he went on, though his stern gaze grew a little sterner, "…And yet simultaneously limitless in its potential for abuse. You will upset the balance."

"We will restore order," the first Observant countered.

"I do not wish to be a part of this," Clockwork stated simply.

The two Observants looked at each other.

The second Observant spoke to Clockwork. "You do not have much of a choice."

Clockwork almost smiled a little. "Actually, I do have a choice in this one case. Dark Danny exists outside of time and thus beyond my jurisdiction. You may be my employers but even you cannot make me defy the very law of my temporal ghostly nature. Only I can chose to do that."

The two Observants looked to each other again.

The first Observant spoke to Clockwork now. "…Very well. But when the circumstance that prevents us from compelling your assistance changes, you will have your own task. And you must complete it, Clockwork."

"And that you don't have a choice about," added the second Observant.

Clockwork merely gave them a slight bow. "I will do what I can."

The two Observants nodded.

Then the first one spoke just a little more sternly to him. "We know about how you suggested to Danny to tell others of the situation."

Clockwork did his best not to smile…too much. "I merely informed him he was under no binds not to tell."

"Still," the second Observant added, "we will be watching you closely from now on. And hopefully we can contain this matter soon."

"I'm sure we'll manage something," Clockwork replied. "Good day."

The Observants nodded to him and then disappeared.

And as they left, Clockwork let out a very deep sigh. "It's never been done before, what they're suggesting. If it comes to that, it will not end well." He frowned, considering. "But there are other ways…Danny will find the other ways. And perhaps, where permissible, I can give him a clue about those other ways. I should save my next visit though until he has Mister Masters in his custody. I'll need to have a word with him as well."

Clockwork let out a very deep breath, grasping his staff in both hands and looking out into the dismal reaches of the Ghost Zone in thought. "It doesn't matter if Dark Danny exists outside of time, if he is totally evil, if his creation was unnatural, if he was never meant to be…. No matter what the Observants do, he does exist, has existed, will exist. They cannot just cover up the mistake that was made, pretend that the interference never occurred. It has occurred, does occur, forever occurs and originally occurred by the ripples in time it creates. It is weaving itself into this timeline. I can see it. And in the end, the greatest proof of the interference that Dark Danny has been—Danny Phantom himself—exists immune from their punishment. They're trying to cover up something that can never be covered up. And in the most foolish way possible." Clockwork sighed once more. "But I have faith in you, Danny, to make this matter right. In a way you have more power than either the Observants or I do…or at least you have more freedom to exercise what power you have." He scowled a little. "And Dark Danny…" he inhaled through his nose, "I know you're in our realm. I can sense your spectral signature, so out of tune with time. Even you can't avoid your fate, even if you do exist outside of time. Show yourself soon, and let us get this matter over with. But beware if you choose to attack me again." Clockwork planted the bottom of his staff firmly in the ground of his realm. For a moment, bars of light woven into a red spectral net flashed over his realm, but then faded.

Clockwork smiled a little. "And I'm afraid that won't be all you have to contend with. You're dealing with an elder ghost. We're stronger than you realize." And with these words Clockwork disappeared back into the safety of his realm.

Meanwhile, back in Amity Park, the sun was fully risen, breakfast was all taken care of, and now the Fenton family was just waiting for the arrival of the other members of Team Phantom before they would set out to the Ghost Zone to meet Frostbite and the Infi-map…and then be on their way to retrieve Vlad Masters.

While the Fentons waited, they were finishing preparing the house for the impending arrival of their new halfa guest. Jazz was walking around with a checklist, Maddie was double-checking all of the locks on doors and various gadgets (both physical and ecto-based), Danny and Danielle were in ghost form double checking that anything a ghost shouldn't have access to a ghost definitely couldn't get to, and Jack was nervously pacing and also setting up a few things here and there around the living room from the old days—college photos and Packers paraphernalia and old newspaper clippings.

"Jack, do you really think all of that's necessary?" asked Maddie, looking uneasy. "Maybe Vlad doesn't want to think about the past—it seemed to be an upsetting topic for him."

Jack sighed. "I just want to remind him about back then when we were all friends—a simpler time, you know? And…having this stuff around reminds me of back then too, and I think that'll help me forgive him if he wants to be forgiven."

Maddie smiled a little and nodded. "Okay, Jack. I understand."

Jack smiled back at her.

Just then Danny flew through the ceiling and landed on the floor. "Okay, this place looks all ready. Danielle's just locking up her things in a trunk Jazz gave her—I think she's a little sensitive about how Vlad used to treat her like his creation and never give her any privacy." He grinned and shrugged.

"Good, I can check 'house ghost secured' off the list then." Jazz smiled to herself and did just that. "I'll just make sure there isn't any ecto-food in the kitchen he could use somehow, and then I think we're all set." She headed off into the kitchen.

Maddie glanced around as Jazz left, making sure Danielle indeed wasn't around for the moment wither, and then approached Danny with a slight frown. "Danny, about Danielle…I'm glad she seems happy now, and I'm very glad to know her, but it sounds like she's been through a lot. Is she going to be okay with seeing Vlad today?"

Danny smiled at his mother's concern and nodded. "She'll be okay with it. I talked to her a little. She's just accepted that Vlad is a flawed guy, but I think she's hoping he'll turn out to be a better person now just as much as Dad is." Danny (followed by Maddie) glanced across the room to see Jack polishing and holding up a picture of himself, Vlad, and Maddie all smiling together from their school days.

Maddie smiled as she and Danny turned to look at each other again. "She does remind me of your father a little in some ways—always smiling and seeing the best in people." Maddie sighed and nodded. "All right, as long as you think she can handle it, Danny, then I'm sure she can too."

Danny smiled back at his mom and nodded. "She definitely can. She's tough as any Fenton. Besides, with all the training the three of us will have to do together for fighting Dark Danny, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to bond and work through the past. Danielle's going to need a lot of help maturing her powers, and I still need help with multiplying. Vlad's an expert on that though—if he cooperates, I'm sure he can give me some pointers." He sighed, considering. "And maybe if things work out really, really well, and he's able to do it, I'll teach Vlad the ghostly wail, and Danielle too if she can handle it. I think a three pronged attack of that would blow anything out of the water that we might come across."

Maddie smiled and nodded. "That sounds great, sweetie." But then she glanced to the side, biting her lip. "Danny, before everyone gets here, your father and I want to have a talk with you about one other thing."

Danny blinked but nodded. "Oh, uh…okay, sure." He raised an eyebrow as he floated after his mother who came to stand beside his father.

"Jack," Maddie looked up at her husband meaningfully, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I think now might be a good time to talk to Danny about our emergency plans."

"Hmm?" Jack raised an eyebrow at first, in the middle of polishing a science trophy now. But then he blinked, put down the trophy and nodded. "Oh…all right." His tone and look became more serious. Jack and Maddie turned to Danny.

Danny looked back at them both, his eyes a little wide and an eyebrow raised.

Maddie took a breath and started. "Danny…your father and I decided, after we found out about you're ghost half, not to make or use any more ecto-weapons that could hurt and destroy ghosts. And especially after everything you've explained to us about some ghosts being good and some ghosts being bad, we've wanted to stick with that policy. We want to focus our research on learning more about ghosts, containment fields, defense, that kind of thing. But…we were thinking, in this case…maybe we should go back to using and designing more 'offensive' gadgets. But only if that's something you're okay with, Danny." She frowned more. "I know this is strange. And your father and I don't mean to put you in a bad position. We just…want to talk about all of the options."

Jack nodded. "Yes, Danny, that's all. We just know how important it is to you to beat this evil you, and how truly evil he is from what you said. We want you to be prepared with all we have to offer."

Danny just looked at them with wide eyes still, taking all of this in. Then he considered for a moment, looking down. Then he looked back up to his parents. "You two are the experts on ghost weapons, and we do need ghost weapons…and not just ones for defense. But…nothing that causes excessive pain or completely destroys a ghost. Nothing that tears anything apart molecule by molecule. Please." He sighed, looking into both of their eyes. "It's just…wrong. Ghosts are people too. Okay?" He smiled a little.

Jack and Maddie smiled back at him. Maddie took a deep breath and nodded. "Of course, sweetie. We'll do that then." She came forward and hugged him quickly and then let him go.

Jack smiled down at his son and put a hand on his shoulder. "I think that's good advice son. Very good advice. You know…" he removed his hand to rub the back of his neck, "once all of this 'evil Danny' stuff blows over…I mean, you've already introduced us to your aging time ghost friend, and that dragon girl, and that geeky looking one and the short one who played with Danielle, and now the 'girl you'—so you should invite some other ghosts over too!" He grinned and swung a fist through the air. "We could have a party! Really get to know some of the ghosts. What do you say?"

Danny rolled his eyes. 'A bunch of ghosts in Fenton Works?' He recalled the GIW in DP suits, "You know it wouldn't be the strangest thing ever." He laughed to himself. "Maybe I'll see if Skulker'll let me have the Christmas party at my house this year."

Maddie blinked and blurted out incredulously, "You have a Christmas Party?"

Danny couldn't help but laugh more as memories of last year's celebration resurfaced in his mind. "It's a long story…but uh, yeah." He smiled more. "You know, if we did that, you'd get to meet a lot of ghosts, both good and bad—we've got an annual truce that time of year. I'd have to check with them, but they might actually have fun throwing the party here and letting a few humans come."

Maddie just looked at her son with an interested smile. "And they really hold up the truce? Every single year?"

Danny nodded, grinning more. "Oh yeah. Last year someone broke it though, and, uh, let's just say you did not want to be that guy when everyone else found out. I think he's still in Walker's ghost jail." He rolled his eyes and sighed. "I'll see what I can do about the Christmas party, but in the meantime…thanks for coming to me about this and for taking my advice. I appreciate it. A lot." He smiled at them.

Jack and Maddie smiled back at him and nodded.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Danielle instantly flew through the ceiling and toward the door. "Yay, everyone must be here!" And sure enough she opened the door to see Tucker, Sam, and Valerie all bearing packs over their shoulders. The three friends quickly entered.

"Hey everyone!" Sam called out with a smile and wave. "We're here, and we're ready to kick some Plasmius butt if it comes to that."

"Perfect." Jazz suddenly walked out of the kitchen, a pack over her own shoulder now and checking a final thing off of her list. "And we're all set here, the Speeder's packed for meeting Frost Bite, the house is secure, all of our ecto-stuff is present and accounted for."

Danny nodded. "Then let's head out!"

Danielle beamed, landing near her cousin. "Yeah, let's do it!" She looked up at Danny. "So once Frostbite uses the Infi-map to show us where Vlad is, how are we going to get to space to get to him, Danny?"

Danny smiled down at her. "Oh, well, we're just going to…uh…" He blinked at this question and then his eyes went wide. "Uh…that…is an excellent question." He blinked again, scratching his head. "Wow, that's actually a very, very excellent question."

"Uh, I might be able to help," Valerie offered, stepping forward. "My Dad's company has started building some pretty high tech stuff again. You just get the coordinates and leave it to me—I think I can make a space trip work." She grinned.

Everyone looked at her with surprised, pleased smiles.

"Wow." Sam smiled even more at her. "Thanks, Valerie, that's…pretty cool of you."

Valerie shrugged. "Don't mention it. Now, let's get back in that Ghost Zone and get those coordinates. And in the meantime, I'll send out a few texts to get the ball rolling." She pulled out her cell phone and started to type away.

Danny nodded and addressed the room. "All right, everyone, let's do this. To the ghost portal…to Frost Bite…and then to Vlad."

Everyone nodded to him in return, determined looks on their features.

Danny took in the sight of his supportive team and smiled more. And then he turned and led the group down into the Fenton Lab and back to the Spector Speeder to reenter the Ghost Zone for a quick trip to Frost Bite before their space adventure could begin.

A/N:

That's all for now! I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and please review if you can! Next chapter—we meet Vlad (finally) and get to see how space may (or may not) have changed him, Freakshow finally comes around and reveals what it is Dark Danny wants, and we might be seeing some other ghosts too :) I figure this story'll be about fifteen chapters in total, so we'll be getting to the climax soon. I hope you all enjoy it!

Happy Reading (and Happy Easter/Passover)!

~Azure129 aka Jenna