Prologue

Ghost Zone: 24 years in the future

Clockwork was in his tower, when two huge wooden doors opened. Standing in the doorway stood a ghost. His face was blue, his white hair flowed like fire, and his eyes were blood red. He had a black scar across his right eye, starting at his eyebrow, and stopped halfway down his cheek. He was wearing a black hazmat suit, with a red collar, red gloves, red boots, and a red emblem on his chest. The emblem was a D with a P inside. He gave a sinister laugh, and had an evil look in his eye.

"Hello Clockwork." The ghost said, stepping into the light.

"Hello David." Clockwork said calmly.

The ghost got furious. "I am not David anymore. I gave up that name a long time ago. That name is a symbol of good and weakness. My new name is a symbol of strength and power. I am now… Dark Phantom!" he said, with a hint of anger. He then gave a sinister laugh, showing off his fangs.

Clockwork sighed, and shook his head. "New name or not, you are not welcome here!" He began to reach for his time staff, but before he grabbed it, Dark flew at great speeds towards him, and snatched it out of his reach. Clockwork gasped, as Dark snapped his staff in half.

"You no longer call the shots." Dark said, walking towards Clockwork.

"Why did you come here?" Clockwork trembled, floating backwards, away from Dark.

Dark smiled, and gave a chuckle. "Simple. I want power. I want to be unstoppable. And since my goal for complete and utter control of both worlds is blocked by an annoying obstacle, then I am going to the past so that I can erase her from history. That way, she can't stop me in the future…"

"Her?" Clockwork said, trying to figure out what he meant. But it dawned on him. He gasped, "Wait, not Lilly. You don't mean Lilly, do you?"

"Very good. I'm glad I don't have to explain it any further." Dark smiled.

"But she's your sister!"

"Maybe at one point we were brother and sister, but that's all in the past. She's my enemy now, and it's my duty to destroy my enemies before they destroy me. I am going into the past, and I will change the future. And the best part is you can't do a single thing to prevent it." He sneered, and then grinned. He raised his right hand, which began to glow black like fire. He looked right at Clockworks face, and saw the fear in his eyes. "Tell me Clockwork. If you know everything, why didn't you see this coming?"

Clockwork looked at Dark's face, as he aimed his hand directly at Clockwork's chest. Clockwork gasped, and closed his eyes.

She was running out of time. She had to stop him. She clutched her stomach, and held back a grunt of pain. He already did a number on her. Her white hair, which was normally neat and in pigtails, was messy, and in her face. Her outfit, a black dress, with purple gloves, legs/boots, and her emblem was ripped up, and parts of it were still smoking. Her face was covered in scratches, and her purple eyes were not as bright as they usually were.

She saw Clockwork's tower was in sight, and she felt like she actually beat him here. But her hopes turned to tears when she heard a very loud boom, and saw Clockworks tower turn to rumple.

"No." She whispered, "I'm too late.

She flew to what was left of his tower, in hopes that she could still do something. Inside the tower, some of the pillars had collapsed, and part of the roof had fallen. The time portal was still intact, but all the time medallions were gone.

"Clockwork, are you okay?" She cried, holding back tears, fearing the worst. She heard a cough coming from a pile of rubble, and then heard a faint voice utter, "help me!" She rushed to the pile, and shifted a large rock on the pile, revealing Clockwork.

"Clockwork! Oh thank god!" She sighed, as she helped him up. He coughed, as he dusted himself off. He opened his eyes, saw her face, and sighed, "Lilly."

"Where's David?" Lilly asked, hoping there was still time to stop him.

Clockwork pointed to the portal and gasped, "24 years in the past."

Lilly gasped and shuttered, "I'm too late." She slunk to the ground, and began to cry. She looked at the portal, and a surge of courage waved through her. She got to her feet, and said, "I'm going after him."

"Lilly," Clockwork began.

"I don't care about the risks. I have to stop him!" She continued ignoring Clockwork. "If I don't stop him," she paused and thought about what would happen. She shuddered, and a tear slid down her cheek.

"Lilly," Clockwork said, trying to get her to listen to him.

"I know he's evil, and a dangerous threat to both the human world and the ghost zone, but he's still my brother. If I can stop him, maybe I can bring him back to me." She cried. "I know you can't understand, but he's my responsibility, and I made a promise to our parents. I promised them I'd stop him at all costs, but I'd try to find a way to save him too."

"Lilly," Clockwork sighed, desperate to speak his mind.

"What?" She yelled. Her eyes were full of tears. Clockwork grabbed Lilly, and gave her a big hug. He began to cry and sighed, "Good Luck."

Lilly just stood there in awe as he hugged her, then she stepped back and gasped, "Good Luck? You mean you're not going to try to stop me? You're not going to lecture me about the risks, odds, or how I'm a fool for thinking he can be saved?"

"No." Clockwork said as he sighed. "I knew you father quite well. I see a lot of him in you right now. You're just as stubborn," He began, as Lilly looked at him with her beautiful purple eyes, "and just as brave." He smiled, and gave her another hug. "I can't tell you what to do, that's your decision. What I can tell you is that I am proud of what you have done, and what you are willing to risk to save your brother." He let go of her, but kept his hand on her shoulder.

"There is one thing I must address. Because Dark destroyed all my other time medallions, it is crucial that you do not reveal your identity to anyone, especially your parents. If your parents found out that you were their child from the future, the shock could cause a ripple effect and could change the future. If that happens, you won't exist." Clockwork said sternly.

"But David…"

"David has a time medallion. Even if he alters time, it will not affect him." Clockwork answered, knowing what she'd ask him. Lilly lowered her head, and sighed. She clenched her fists, and raised her head.

"I won't fail. I'll stop him no matter what. I promise." She walked towards the portal, looked back and smiled. She took a deep breath and flew into the portal. Clockwork wiped his tears, sighed, and whispered, "Goodbye… Lilith Phantom."

--END OF CHAPTER—

Is it good so far? I think it is, but then again, I wrote it.

Do you know who Lilly and David's parents are? If you do, don't spoil it for those who don't. If you don't know, you'll find out in the next chapter, Crossed Paths, coming soon!