Prologue
Being alone in a tower for an eternity tended to get lonely no matter who you are. Clockwork, the Ghost of Time, was watching his view screens contemplating basic friendships and relationships as he watched people fall in love with or befriend other people. It all seemed really nice, like something he'd like to try for himself. Sadly he saw how some friendships and romances ended up, but even so, he still wished maybe just maybe….
He turned away from his view screens, his long purple cloak swirling out behind him with his movement. He heaved a sigh feeling foolish. Those emotions belonged to someone else. Not him. He didn't get to have relationships because it was his job to make sure things went the way they should. Best to put such thoughts out of his mind and go about his business. He'd been alone since the dawn of time. He should be use to it.
He floated past a table with a worn dented thermos sitting on it. It was quiet today. Usually there was a lot of screaming, yelling, threats, curses, and just general misbehavior from the occupant of the thermos. Maybe they were feeling tired. Clockwork didn't care either way and continued to another table. On this table were gears, a clock face, and tiny fluffy golden wings. Clockwork set his staff down that he had been carrying and instead picked up some tools. After a while of tinkering, what looked like a pocket watch with wings lay on the table. He wound the back of it, and the little watch come to life, even giving a bit of a chirp. It fluttered around his hand, then landed in his outstretched hand.
"Gillie Bird. I think that would make a good name for you." Clockwork spoke in his calm, deep, but soft voice.
The watch creature made another chirp and floated around him again. It started to travel around the clock tower as if checking out it's new home. Clockwork chuckled and followed after it. Perhaps this little creature would be just enough company for him.
After Gillie explored the tower for a while, and Clockwork followed enjoying the surprised and even comical reactions Gillie had to items in the tower, the Ghost of Time decided he had better get back to his job and went to the viewing screens. Hours passed, or it could have been days, weeks, or years. It was all hard to tell in the clock tower. Clockwork was getting ready to see about getting some tea when he thought to look for Gillie. The little creature had grown quiet and Clockwork was worried that it had run down. A loud crash told him otherwise. He went to the source of the noise and gasped when he saw that somehow, Gillie had knocked over the thermos and it had landed on the release button. A dark mist poured from the thermos. It swirled together and started to form into the shape of a man.
The very pissed off, muscular, and tall occupant of the thermos had been freed and he was glaring at Clockwork with blazing red eyes. The Time Keeper backed away as the other ghost advanced towards him. Dan was the larger of the two, far more muscular and taller, but power wise, he was slightly outclassed. Both ghosts knew this, and both were going to try and use the information to their advantage.
Dan lunged at Clockwork and grabbed the other ghost's staff. His momentum kept them moving and Dan slammed Clockwork into the nearest wall. The two struggled with the staff for a while, one trying to take it from the other or gain control of it, when light shot from it. About that time Gillie had been floating their way and was hit by the light. It turned the little watch creature into a golden fluff ball, but it still fell to the floor. Clockwork gasped and looked at his little creation which was enough of an opening for Dan to shove the staff against Clockwork's throat.
"Now that I have your attention," Dan started, "I would like to express how upset I am that you kept me locked away in that thermos all this time."
He pushed the staff against the other ghost's neck harder. If the other had been alive, his airway would have been cut off, but right now it was just painful.
"I think I'll see if I can pop your head off your shoulders." the evil ghost said with a sadistic grin.
His face suddenly got a confused look and he let out a grunt before falling over. For the first time in a long time, Clockwork had switched his wisp tail for a set of legs and had firmly planted a knee between Dan's legs. While the other ghost lay on the floor holding himself in pain, Clockwork leaned against the wall rubbing his sore neck.
"You were saying?" the Time Ghost grunted out.
Clockwork stepped over Dan who reached out a large black gloved hand and grabbed Clockwork's booted ankle. Dan snatched Clockwork off his feet. The other ghost landed on his stomach with an "omph".
Gillie finally seemed to regain its wits and got back into the air. Chirping in a panicked manor, he flew to a view screen that was still on and flew through it to try and find help...