Author: Hello Fanfiction readers. I'm Commander M2 and this will my first fanfiction. Hope you enjoy.

AU-ish. Set in Season 2 after the end of TUE for Danny Phantom. For Daniel...set in an different future of the second timeline in which where Clockwork hadn't step in and rescued Danny's family and friends after the battle in TUE and didn't give Danny a second chance. Resulting a downer ending and Dark Dan's victory.

Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom. This story is just for fun.

Chapter 1

Clockwork had watched the events taking place before him. He was indescribably reviled that young Danny Phantom had successfully defeated and captured Dark Dan. He swooped down and retrieved the thermos which contained the most evil ghost. It was lying next to an unconscious and severely injured Danny Fenton, who had just been deemed orphaned and friendless in the world as a result of this battle.

Clockwork frowned pityingly at the boy. Even though he was not awake somehow Clockwork could still see the expression of devastation on his face. The spirit of time felt horribly conflicted at this moment, for he knew he could have prevented the pain which Danny was soon to endure. He realized that he could have all too easily have paused the hands of time and rescued the victims of the explosion. After all, Danny had done the hard part, he had stopped the evil ghost from entering the timeline. However, he knew that the Observant's would not respond well should Clockwork had made such a drastic alteration to the timeline events. They did not like him interfering on a scale offense, unless of course instructed by them. Therefore for Clockwork to change something as serious as death could create an absolute uprising of the council against him. He would lose his position and be sentenced to a trial. And a trial commenced by the Observant's never ended well for the defendant.

Clockwork left the horrific scene, aware that the human authorities would be arriving soon to take care of things. He traveled back to his Clock Tower, and the entire time the feelings of guilt did not leave him. Clockwork rarely had feelings of remorse when it came to matters of the time stream. The only other time he could remember feeling this remorseful was twenty years ago, when he left a vulnerable Vlad Master's to suffer horrific side effects of turning half ghost. Just like Danny, Clockwork remembered how the Observant's had wanted Clockwork to kill Vlad as well. They claimed a half ghost was an abomination and should not be enabled to exist. However Clockwork had refused, on the grounds that Vlad's transformation would play an important role on the course of the timeline, between ghost and human world. Although Clockwork enabled Vlad to live, he didn't prevent the emotional and physical pain and trauma which the first half ghost endured in his younger years, and when Clockwork ultimately saw the effects this had on the man, he had wished he had made an interference at the time.

As Clockwork securely stowed the all-important thermos, he tried to console himself with the fact that his decision had ultimately prevented the human and ghost worlds from certain destruction. He hoped that Danny Fenton would come through his ordeal, he knew the boy was strong and he hoped that would help him. He was regretful that he could not give the boy a second chance, but he could not give one to Vlad Masters either. Why was Danny different?

A few days later, Danny finally opened his eyes. He regretted this involuntary action almost immediately. Within seconds he was hit with pain which he had never experienced before in his life. This pain was not physical, however. The pain came from the terrifying image called upon from Danny's memory, where he saw fire and smoke consume his frightened friends and family. Danny bolted up straight in his bed. He began to panic even further when he realized he was in a hospital. Why was he in the hospital? Surely it was just a horrific nightmare? He had hoped and prayed that this was true, and the fact that he was in the hospital was completely unrelated.

The medical stuff weren't long in noticing that Danny was awake. One of the kinder nurses tried to calm him down, whilst a stern doctor explained his injuries.

"Now listen Daniel, I'm afraid you have been involved in an explosive accident which took place at the Nasty Burger a few days ago. The impact from the explosion gave you a broken left arm and you required six stitches on your head."

Danny listened to the doctor, his breathing deep in fear. He hoped that the longer the doctor spoke about his injuries, the less likely worse news was to follow. The kind nurse was gently rubbing his right hand, hoping that the boy would remain calm. The doctor continued to speak.

"Now, you hit your head with such great impact that your brain started to swell a little. So in order to prevent any brain damage we put you in a medical induced coma, in hope the brain would reduce in swelling. Thankfully it did, and we took you off the machine this morning. You are a very lucky young man to have survived. However you are still in a very vulnerable state therefore it is important you don't exert yourself, do you understand?"

Danny slightly nodded, not liking the fact that the doctor mentioned his luck around surviving. He could feel his panic levels rising again, something isn't right. His parents should be here, they should be telling him about this. They should be telling him that they were lucky to still have him, and it should be his mom rubbing his hand out of love and relief, not this nurse who was doing it as a distraction to Danny. The doctor watched Danny as he appeared to be thinking things over. He figured while the boy was distracted so he could leave, and let some doctor deliver the news. He headed for the doorway.

"Wait!" Danny called after him.

The doctor slowly turned around, dreading for what he knew what would come next.

"Yes?" He asked .

"Wh-where are my parents?" Danny asked almost pleadingly.

"They're dead, Daniel."

"No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Danny began tearfully, just hearing at what the doctor said. He didn't want to hear it anymore. But he did. As the kind nurse tried to shush him, the doctor continued to tell him that the explosion had resulted in the instant deaths of Danny's parents, his sister, two other fourteen year old pupils from Casper High, and his English teacher. The doctor barely his sentence before Danny collapsed on the bed, crying hysterically, unable to communicate anything other than "No."The doctor, who although was stern was still uncomfortable when people were this upset, left the room. The nurse stayed and continued to try and soothe Danny, she failed. Danny pretended that she wasn't there, he wanted to be left alone. If he couldn't have his friends or family then he didn't want company. Then, as he drifted into an exhausted sleep, he came to his own realization. He didn't deserve any company, it was his fault they were gone.

This day had physically and emotionally drained Vlad Masters. He struggled with funerals at the best of times but he never dreamed that he would be attending the funeral of the woman he loved. When he heard of Maddie's death he felt a mixture of heartbreak and devastation. The person he loved most in the world, who gave him meaning to his life had been taken away forever. Although it was supposedly touching to bury the Fenton's as a family, Vlad felt somewhat bitter that the honored memory of Maddie's life had been overshadowed by her daughter and Jack. Vlad knew deep down that some of his bitterness had stemmed from the fact that he had been robbed of the opportunity to kill Jack Fenton himself, and have had the chance to comfort his grieving widow.

Vlad did not care for when some of the attendee's spoke of Jack. Even in death the man irritated him. He was quite surprised by the number of people who had something good to say about Jack, or why he would be remembered. This only annoyed Vlad further, as he was certain there wouldn't be nearly this amount of people to speak in favor of him whenever his time came.

Vlad grew quite curious when the congregation brought their attention to Jasmine Fenton. Even Vlad would admit that it was quite tragic for someone so young to lose their life, and he didn't even care for Jasmine one way or another. However he became intrigued when all of her achievements were talked about, and how academically blessed she was. Vlad even found it somewhat touching when the high school choir sang a song for her. He never knew how gifted Jazz was, she sounded quite like her mother. Vlad smiled thinking how she must have made Maddie very proud.

It was only when Maddie was discussed that Vlad felt true sadness at the event. He felt that the world had played a cruel joke on him. He listened carefully to what all the people had to say about her. Only he could have felt that he she had been under-rated. It took him all of his restraint not to say a few words himself, for he knew if he did it would be difficult for him not to hint at his true feelings for her, or horribly insult her husband. And so it was with a very heavy heart that Vlad stood by Madeline Fenton's grave that afternoon, and said goodbye to his only true love.

As Vlad existed the cemetery he switched his cell phone on and was cross to see that he had received a missed call from the number saved as 'Daniel's doctor.'

"Curses!" He hissed under his breath.

Vlad quickly redialled the number, he could only presume that Danny had woken up since the doctors had informed Vlad yesterday that they were going to try to encourage his body to revive itself naturally. Although Vlad was pleased to hear that the doctors thought Danny's condition was improving, they couldn't have picked a worse day to do it.

After Vlad had spoken with the doctor he changed out of the clothes he had worn to the funerals and made his way down to the hospital. Having spent so many years as a patient himself, he never took a doctor's word for granted, He wanted to see just how "responsive" Danny really was. As he walked along the corridor to Danny's room he thought of what he was going to say to the boy. Vlad was all too aware of Danny's feelings towards him, at times he felt they matched his own for the boy. However he knew he needed to talk to him in a calm and rationale manner, in order to keep him safe at least. He just hoped that the boy's temper would allow him this.

When Vlad walked into the room, at first, he was glad not to see Danny hooked up to various tubes and machines. However, the sight before him was no less disturbing. Danny was curled up tight, his face was buried into the sheets and his breathing was heavy and somewhat shaken. Vlad hovered for a minute, unsure of what to do. He had never seen Danny like this, so vulnerable, so…broken. There was a time when he would have relished the very thought of witnessing weakness in Danny Phantom, but today was not one of them. Vlad sighed, then slowly approached the bed outreaching a hand to stir Danny with.

"Oh, are you sure you want to wake him?" Came a soft cooing voice from behind Vlad.

"Excuse me?" asked Vlad. Turning to see the nurse who had sat with Danny earlier on that day stood at the doorway.

"It's just that poor Daniel has had a tough day," she persisted, I really do think it would be best for him to get as much rest as possible."

Vlad turned away from her and looked closer at Danny,

"He's sleeping?"

Vlad hadn't realized this, he had thought the boy was crying. He didn't understand, the boy had been asleep for days on end, surely he would want to be awake?

"Yes. He went to sleep shortly after Dr Browning spoke with him. He's had a lot to take in and his body has been through a lot, the poor thing." The nurse cooed as she tucked some blankets into the bedside cabinet.

"I see." Vlad dryly responded, "I was hoping to speak with him. When do you suppose he will wake up?"

The nurse eyed Vlad, not caring for his tone or attitude.

"He hasn't been asleep for very long, and it is getting rather late." She replied looking at her fob watch, "Perhaps it could wait until tomorrow?"

"Perhaps." Vlad responded irritably, taking the nurse's strong hint.

He waited until she left again and then looked back at Danny. Vlad considered that the nurse may have had a point. It had been a long day for him and Danny didn't look as though he would make a good conversation even if he was awake. So with a heavy sigh Vlad turned on his heel and left the hospital, returning to the hotel in Amity Park where he was currently staying.

Danny was rudely awoken early the next morning by nurse who was roughly strapping a band around his arm to take his blood pressure. He moaned as the device started to uncomfortably squeeze his arm. Weren't nurses supposed to ask for permission before doing this? He properly woke up after she left, and all the memories flooded back again. Danny held his head in his hand as his eyes filled with tears. The guilt was as overpowering as the loss. Why couldn't he have stopped it? At this point in Danny's grief it hadn't crossed his mind on where the thermos containing his dark self had gone, who was paying his hospital bills, or even what day it was.

After what seemed like an eternity of crying, Danny dried his eyes and felt himself sink back into reality. What was he going to do without them? He sat up and looked around, he just couldn't imagine how life would go on without them. He wondered if the pain would ever leave him. This reminded him of what happened in the alternative future. Danny knew he couldn't go to Vlad. Not only because of what happened to his and Vlad's ghost half, but he simply couldn't imagine living with Vlad anyway. The man was his enemy for crying out loud! It doesn't matter how understanding of the situation Vlad could be it was going to happen. Not in Danny's head, he just couldn't take the risk.

Danny couldn't think of anywhere he wanted to be. Even the thought of anywhere in Amity Park was too much for Danny. Everything about it held memories and they were too painful to think about right now. Danny wasn't one for escaping his problems, but he wanted away. He couldn't heal in Amity Park, not with reminders everywhere of what had happened, what he'd done. Then he remembered. His Aunt Alicia. She lived out in the sticks, it would be the perfect place to go. He would be away from everything, he could rest, and best of all his Aunt was bound to leave him alone!

So that's it, Danny thought. He was to spend the remainder of his teenage years out in a forest with some hicks. He felt like he would cry again. As Danny was thinking this, there was a knock on the door. Danny lifted his head, and in walked a man he did not recognize.

"Um…Hi?" Danny said in a small voice. He was already nervous what did this man want?

"Good morning Daniel, my name is George Hindle. I was your parent's solicitor, I've come to discuss the contents of their joint will with you." The man said, his voice surprisingly perky. "Can I just say that I am terribly sorry for your loss."

"Uh-oh." Was all Danny could muster. He was not expecting this he didn't even know his parents had a will, but all the while he was inwardly telling himself to hold it together.

"Now then, the first thing outlined is very straight-forward. Your parents' wishes for all their belongings and estate was to be divided between you and your sister Jasmine. However since your sister is no longer with us, that leaves you the sole beneficiary." George explained. "Now as you're not an adult you can't legally claim it yet, I'm afraid. But you'll be able to access everything once you're eighteen.

"Oh." Danny replied. He didn't care about any of this stuff. In fact he just wanted this guy to leave, his eyes had already began to sting upon hearing Jazz's name.

"Right. Okay. Okay." George muttered as he flicked through the stapled pages. Danny glared at him, feeling his eyes turn green for a second. This guy was really annoying him, not to mention he seemed dead unprofessional. Danny grew increasingly impatient, he just wanted to leave and forget the whole thing.

"When I'm I going to live with my Aunt Alicia?" Danny asked.

George stopped flicking the pages and blinked at Danny from behind his crooked glasses.

"I'm sorry, who?"

"Alicia. My mom's sister. I'm pretty sure she's the only family I've got now." Danny responded sadly lowering his head, his voice trailing off at the end.

"Oh, she is." George answered, "But you won't be staying with her."

Danny looked up again. "Huh?"

"Well, she doesn't live near any schools and I don't believe that there are any private tutors out there somehow!" George chuckled, "That wouldn't do any good now, would it?"

Danny's jaw dropped. How could he possibly laugh at something like this?

"So who-who will I stay with?" Danny asked, now confused.

"Ah, well," George began flicking pages again, "As you know, you are a minor therefore you cannot live on your own…"

Danny nodded grimly, biting his lip to prevent himself from yelling at this guy. Off course he knew this, he wouldn't have asked if he didn't!

"Ah here it is!" George exclaimed, "It says here that in the event of the death of Jack and Madeline Fenton, guardianship of their children Jasmine and Daniel Fenton would go to one…Vladimir Masters."

Danny's eyes widened. "What?" He cried.

George jumped. "What?" He gasped, confused.

"Th-that can't be right! Let me see that!"

Danny reached out and snatched the papers from the startled lawyer. He reread the sentence George had just spoke, and there were his parent's signatures in black and white. He couldn't believe it, why would they do it? Well, he knew why his dad would do it, but his mom? Really? She didn't care for Vlad at all! Danny read on and saw the date. It had been recorded and signed not long after Pariah Dark had attacked Amity Park. It was then that everyone had truly feared for their lives. And if Danny could remember right, Vlad had told his parents that he had saved Danny that night outside of city hall.

Danny scowled. That's how he gained their trust!

George glanced nervously at Danny. "Um…Could I just have those back?" He asked reaching for the papers.

Danny pulled them towards him, crumpling them slightly in his right-hand grasp.

"I'm not living with Vlad Masters." Growled Danny, "I'll sleep on a park bench before I live with that fruitloop."

George blinked multiple times at the boy from behind his glasses. This was not the response he was expecting. "Uh…Well…Well…I-ah-"

"Ah, Daniel. Good to see you're awake my boy." Came a voice from the doorway.

Both George and Danny's head turned to face Vlad. He began to approach the bed.

"Get away Vlad!" Danny yelled angrily, not caring that his family's strange lawyer was in the room, "I don't want you here and I'm not going with you!"

"Oh no, not today you're not, Little Badger." Vlad replied calmly in an almost soothing voice, "You're not well enough to leave the hospital yet."

"I mean I'm not living you. Ever." Danny growled.

The lawyer shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably, not knowing where to look. Vlad gave him a disgusted glance.

"Why don't you clear back off to Wisconsin, Cheesehead!" Danny snapped again, "Sorry for a wasted journey but you're not taking me with you."

"Oh now Daniel that temper of yours!" Vlad scoffed. "You'll get used to the idea my boy, and it wasn't a wasted journey. What kind of a friend would I be if I didn't attend the funerals of my oldest and dearest friends?"

Danny looked at Vlad again, had he heard right? "Funerals?" He asked.

"Hm? Why yes, their funerals took place yesterday. It was a lovely send off for them Daniel I'm sure they would have-Daniel? Are you alright?" Vlad asked the boy, not finishing his sentence when he caught sight of Danny's face.

Danny's head was lowered slightly, probably due to the weight of all the thoughts flying around his head. He had missed the funerals? What kind of son and brother was he? How was he going to say goodbye? Danny didn't even realise he was crying until a tear dropped on to his hand. As he looked at it, a comforting hand was sat on his shoulder. Danny looked up and saw Vlad towering over him, a seemingly solemn expression on his face. However, as Danny watched him more carefully he could see the beginnings of a smirk which he knew all too well. Danny knew this was it, Vlad now knew that ultimately he had finally won.

Meanwhile in Clockwork's tower...

Clockwork was seen staring at Danny and Vlad at the cemetery in his time portal. Clockwork was a bit guilty for not saving Danny's family and friends at the explosion of the Nasty Burger. And making Danny miserable and giving him PTSD. While watching, he saw a vision where Danny is bonding with Vlad and giving Vlad what he always wanted: Family. He realized that in order to avert the dark future and prevent Dan's existence, Danny must redeem Vlad and not ask him to remove his human emotion and instead adopt him instead. Clockwork smiles at this and said "Good" he said, "this future will prevent Dan from being born and erased that horrible future."

"Dan will go mad when Danny didn't ask Vlad to free him of his humanity and instead adopt him instead." Thought Clockwork as he began to laughed in comical tone.

Ripped off from No Second Chances by xseriouslyx

Author's Note: Hello fanfiction viewers, my apologies for not updating this fanfic. Anyway, this Chapter 1 of Daniel Masters Timeline 2. Like I said before, this fanfic takes place where Clockwork didn't save Danny's family and friends at the explosion of the Nasty Burger. Therefore, Danny becomes orphan. However, hope came when Danny ask Vlad to adopt him and make him his apprentice. As for Dan, he thought that killing Danny's family and friends would into him. But he was wrong. Unknown to Dan, Danny choose to get adopted instead of getting his human emotions removed. Dan's plan backfired.

I got this idea when I was reading "No Second Chances by xseriouslyx" and some parts of "Daniel Masters by Ryuuko1".