I refuse to acknowledge Danielle as older then 8. Canon might say she is supposed to be 12-13 but visually for me she look not anything older then at the highest 10, and then it is a stretch.

Chapter 19

It was here, the first day on the count down. Day five since Danny was moved into Clockwork's care, five day since he fell into a coma. And the first thing on Nocturnes list on things to do where to go over there.

His flight through the zone were for the most part uneventful aside form the short detoured to Walker's prison to both give and get updates. Greeting and bidding good bye to some few that he meet before leaving again. Once at the tower the dream ghost did not bother to knock as the doors opened on their own as usual and closed after him as he passed.

Making his way down the halls he decides to go straight for the boy's room. The master of time can find him there when he feels to do so, no reason to pretend that he don't already know he's here already. To his surprise thought so meet he with the other ghost in the hallway two corridors down from the child's room.

The time master was coming out from a room with there were no light coming out from or any sound, the short look Nocturne got into the room before the time master closed the door were darkness companied by silent.

Putting his head slightly to the side he study his friend as he turns towards him. A raised brow became his answer. "I have seen you exiting that room quite a few times now, and that is only since the night before yesterday. Yet I don't recall you even using that room before."

The lift brow got the other as company. "You mean I can't use the rooms in my own home as I please?"

"That is not what I meant," Nocturne frowned. "But you knew that already. May I ask what have your interest with that room?"

"Does that matter to you?"

"Hmm, I would dare say that depends." Now it is Nocturne who rose a brow, "If it is something in style of a hobby of yours or in line of your feeding, then no, I do not have any peculiar interest. But if it is something that is of a concern for the child," the skeptical look melted away as a gentle smile took it place, "or for yourself then yes, it is of my concern if you would so let me. I consider you are friend after all."

Silence stretched out between them and for a moment Nocturne started to believe that there would be no response to his offer. A low chuckle broke out from the shorter ghost where he hovered in the hall. The chuckle ebbed out as he shook his head.

"Than I guess it could matter for you but not in a way you or anyone could imagine. I'm currently working on something that will change a few more things in my tower but in the end if they go as I plan them to, then things will be easier in the long run."

The dream ghost listened and got a little disappointed when the other then turned around and started down the hall. "What changes?"

A humming is his answer. "Clockwork."

"In time."

Nocturne reminded himself not to strangle the master of time as he settled for the vague promise the he would be told about what was going on, later. They were quiet as they entered the sleeping child's room, Clockwork raising the lights some while Nocturne moved over to beside the bed.

Again like all the other times he started to fuss over the child, fluffing pillows, tugging the comforter, and petting both the child and the puppy who was liking his hand. All the while cooing and humming toneless melodies.

There were no response.

Not showing his worry or distress the dream ghost continued as he always did on his visit, speaking with his friend as the time ghost too fussed with the child, a soft touch with a little energy to chase away any nightmares that may be there deep under the feeling of nothing, quietly watching as Clockwork periodically did silent work in the room or for short moments left it.

All day went and the child slept, his puppy either sleeping beside him or nuzzling both him and the plush Nocturne gave him the first visit.

Nocturne did not want to leave that night but did so with the promise to be back early in the morning.

That night in the ghost zone were quiet as the report spread in the zone, no change in the child.

Next day started as a repeat of the one before, a short report to the warden, a few greetings and then off to the clock tower.

It is quiet in the tower as he enters and again so meets he Clockwork as he exits that dark silent room. "Going to tell me what's in there?"

"In time, hopefully."

That last word was told in a whisper and Nocturne is not all to sure that he were meant to hear it, so he restrained to comment as they both moved down the hall.

Nocturne move through the motion as he had done the day before with the child, fussing, tugging, petting, while humming or singing softly. All the while swallowing down his worry at the lack of response. It would be fine, everything would be fine. Danny had proven over and over again in the past how strong he could be. He would wake up. It is fine.

Clockwork left the room a little more then he had done the day before, Nocturne getting the a snack for Cujo at one point saw his friend yet again leaving the dark room. He did not pressure his friend about the room.

When evening settled in Nocturne did not want to leave, the child would wake up soon, he were certain. Nothing said it had to be in the day time and he would be damned if the child woke up alone after all that happen and been done to him.

"I'm not leaving."

"Understood. There is a guest room two doors down from Daniel's, you can stay there. Just remember to pay Walker a visit before night."

Thankful that he got clear to stay the night Nocturne went over for a short while that night to the prison to give his report. Ignoring the worried glances and looks given his way both as he came and as he left. Everything would be fine once the child woke up.

As he enters the tower again he comes face to face with a small child. And for a moment he thought it to be Danny in human form being up and about. But no, on a second glance he could tell that while this child looked eerily similar to the sleeping one there are some stark differences. The first one being that this one clearly is a girl and secondly looks to be somewhere around maybe 7 or 8 year of age.

The small girl is starring up at him and Nocturne is not completely sure what is going on. Carefully as not to startle her he kneels down before her as he addresses her. " Hello, child. Who might you be?"

She fidgets as she plays with the cuff of her hoodie, before hiding her hands in its pocket. "I'm Dani, with an I" she held up on finger on the 'I' before hiding her hand again. "Soo- who are you mister?"

"I'm Nocturne, the ghost of dreams. It's nice to meet you Dani. You wouldn't happen to know where the ghost who lives here currently is do you?"

"Oh, you mean minster in clock? He is over there." She said as she pointed to the doorway leading down to the observatory. "He said he would be back soon and then we can go see my cousin." She look sad at the mentioning of her relative but she bounced back as she smiled up at the tall star ghost. "Hey let's go find 'im."

And taking the taller ghost's hand in her own she tugged him after her as they went down the hallway and into the observatory where they indeed found the tower's owner. Looking over a variation of clocks with moving images. The little girl bunched over to him, a tug at his cloak made him look down.

Upon seeing the small girl he smiled and bend down to pick her up. She soon nuzzled into his chest as she griped fist full of his cloak to keep balance.

Nocturne stood by the entrance as he watch this. Confused he glided over to his friend that seemed to just be done with his work, for the moment at least. The grin he got as the clock wearing ghost saw him spelled mischief and something content. The dream ghost is a bit unnerved by it, it can never be good when the one who controls time looks like that.

"Hello Nocturne. You visit to the warden went well I presume?"

"As if you need to ask." The dream ghost glanced over to the small child in his friend's hold. He wanted to ask about her, who she is and where she comes from. But most of all why she looks so much like Danny. As if sensing his thoughts the time ghost smiled gently as he introduced the small child.

"This here is Danielle, more known as Dani with an I," he added at the protesting huff from the girl who got content at the correction before nuzzling back again. "Her life is quite unique as she have traveled for the most part of it. I found her as she was about to be a stowaway at a ship to England actually." He patted her on the head at this and smiled. "She is alone and since few knew about her and no one were about to adopt her I decided she can be living here as a part of a family."

The word surprised came to mind as Nocturne kept on staring at his friend as he started down the halls on his way to the other child in the tower. Suddenly the time ghost stop and look over his shoulder, he is smirking. "Oh, nd before I forget to mention it. She happens to also be Daniel's cousin."

"What?"

But Clockwork gave no answer as he kept on walking, humming a happy melody together with the child. Flustered Nocturne followed.

"No one have said a word that Danny has other relatives, at least no one his age, or younger. And what do you mean she have been on her own? Clockwork. Is this what you meant before about changes in your tower?"

"Some of them yes, half, there is one more change but that is not a guarantee if it will or will not happen. I hope it will." Once more did he end a comment in a whisper and this time Nocturne will comment on it, later.

They reached Danny's room and upon entering it Dani jumped down from Clockwork's hold and run over to her cousin's side. She stood there for some time, just looking over the other. Before she carefully lay a hand on his shoulder.

"Hi cuz… That guy over there told me you aren't feeling to well. He said some other things to that I don't really know what he means and it all sounds like riddles. It's kind of funny and annoying at the same time. And, and he said that you will live here now, and h-he said I can live here to. So we can be siblings now. B-but you will wake up first right? He said th-that you maybe won't but that's a lie because I k-know you and you don't leave other like that. A-and I'm here now so you have to wake up now. O-okay?"

Dani tried to smile the whole time she spoke with her cousin/maybe brother but she started to cry and most of the things she said sounded garbled to near none understandable.

Seeing the distress of the smaller child Nocturne went over to her and her cousin and picked her up. At first she protested but settled down soon enough as he rocked her and hummed. So Clockwork's family grew with one more member that night Nocturne thought for himself as he later lay the girl to rest in her own room right next to the boy's. It had mixed theme of a night sky at the ceiling and a willow in the night covering the rest of the room.

As Nocturne was about to turn in for the night as well he saw Clockwork on his way towards the hallway where the dark room is. Thinking that now is as good a time as any to talk to the time master about any other changes he followed.

When he went down the hallway the door to the dark room stood open, taking this as a sort of invite he went inside. The door closed after him and it wasn't long there after that the silence in the room was broken.

"AAAAAGRRRRAAAA."

The scream was haunting as it sounded against the walls in the room, willed with anguish and sorrow. Startled he tries to find the source of this scream. It did not take long to find the only other person in the room.

Confusion ensured as the dream ghost could clearly see that it is not his friend who is screaming his out his innards. But there is no other in the room who could be doing it either. Unsure what else to do he moves over to Clockwork who looks back at him.

"I could use your assistance for this."

That is when he saw the thermos and the source for the scream that took a small pause as is desperate for breath before starting up again.

"What is going on?" he had to be speaking in near yelling to be heard. "Who's in there?"

"Someone who's class is currently undergoing a change. Or his sub-class is, to be precis."

"WHAT?"

"I need to take him out of the thermos but he would be trashing to badly for it to be safe. I need you to make him sleep as I release him."

Sometimes he really hate how this time-y bastard can't give useful information before hand. "One of these day's I will have telling me in advance about things like these." Yet he did not protest as he made himself ready.

Clockwork gave him a thankful smile. "Good luck with that."

It became a rather long night for the two adult ghosts as they did their best in helping to sooth the hurting specter now stuck in a time and sleep mixed suspension bubble.

"Hi there, I'm Dani with an I. Who are you?"

The blue skinned specter with red eyes and white fire-y hair looked down on the small girl intrigued. "I'm Dark but mostly I'm called Dan. When did you show up pipsqueak?"

"Be nice Dan."

Huffing the dark Phantom glanced at his new benefactor before looking back at the small girl. Who have shifted into her ghost form and was now truing to grip hold of tufts of his hair. Curious over the girls curiosity he simply let her do as she wish. Surprised as she unprovoked started to answer his question as is Clockwork had never interrupted.

"I was on my way to somewhere new when he over there with the purple tablecloth showed up. He said that Danny was sick and is going to live here now, then he asked if I wanted to stay here too. And so I'm here." She is now using both her hands to try to 'trap' his flames by clapping them down on them. "Why are you here mister? Are you also going to stay?"

Dan is silent for a moment before speaking. "Yeah, I'm going to live here too. And I am given a chance, my first one." He smiled even as he saw the confusion in the small child, who in the end latched on to the first part of his answer and smiled back.

"Hah, then that's great. You can be like our big brother when Danny wakes up."

Her smile is big and infectious as he smiles back, even if his smile is a bit more hesitant and wavy as if unused to friendly smiling. Nocturne is happy that everything seems to turning out for the better for this small family, even if he has concerns about Clockwork's subtle comments that Danny might have a bit of difficulty in accepting Dan at first.

It's fine as long as he wakes up it is fine.

The seventh day started of really good, they all four had breakfast together even if the oldest child, technically adult, tried to skip. Promptly being caught and hauled back to the table by one mister Nocturne and this under the quiet snickers of the oldest amongst them. Dan got placated some thought when the dream ghost lectured the time ghost as well when he tried to leave the table to early. For the most part so played Dan together with Dani, both periodically visiting the sleeping child. Or Dani did, Dan never went in farther then the doorway.

Nocturne and Clockwork spend a lot of the day inside the room with Danny, trying what they could to coax the boy into waking. Everything seemed fine, aside from the child still not showing signs of waking up, he at the very least seemed stable. By evening time Nocturne manage to convince the other two children to spend time together with him in Danny's room as he would read them all fairy tales. Dan tried to deny that he enjoyed the story time as much as Dani did even when he clearly listened as closely as she did.

It was being a good day.

Then came night again and it is the seventh day. And Danny started to spasm as he choke on air.

Dani cried in fear and panic and Dan picked her up to move her away from Danny. Clockwork was there within a second as he and Nocturne tried to hold Danny down so he wouldn't come to harm as they all called for him to wake up. He couldn't hear them.