A/N: Danny and Jazz died a kids (2 and 4 respectively) and Clockwork has been raising them since they crossed over into the spirit world, raising them as well as training them to be a Timekeeper, and a Spacecrafter (again, respectively.) Danny, having snuck out already a time or two, has met Andrew and Randy, however, the Observants are set on the three of them not becoming involved with one another, due to the fact that it would make them even more powerful. Danny is simply interested by the two ghosts who seem different from the others, and why the Observants don't want him to meet them. ~Kas
Danny stared at the medallions with eager eyes. If he had timed everything right, then he could grab one and Clockwork would never know it was missing. It would just be gone for a short trip, nothing too long. Clockwork and Jazz wouldn't even notice that time was stopped! That was right. Yes. It was the Citadel, after all, so they probably wouldn't notice anything. He just had to be- "Going somewhere, Daniel?"
"Me? Going? No. Nope. Never go anywhere. Not in this lifetime." The look he was given was bordering on disapproval, Danny trying to at least keep the yellow medallion hidden behind his back.
"The Observants are aware whenever time is stopped, Daniel."
"Oh. Uh... Right. I knew that." Danny stopped hiding the medallion, instead staring at it and rubbing his thumb against the surface. "I'm really not ever allowed to leave, am I?"
"It's... It's more complicated than that." Clockwork hesitated for only a moment before pulling Danny into a warm hug. "I wish I could tell you why."
"Why can't you?" Danny stared up at the time mirrors, waving his hand as each of them stopped on a different image. He stared at the images and saw so many people just... living their lives. Sunlight and warmth and kindness and just being normal.
"For the same reason I can't let you go."
"You said I was human, before. Why can't I remember?"
"You were rather young, at the time. Jasmine might remember more."
"What was I like as a human? What was I going to be like?"
"That's..." Clockwork trailed off for a moment, seeming to gather his thoughts. "It's impossible to tell for sure, but no matter what, you would have come to this world when you were fourteen."
"Then why did I die when I was a baby?" Danny looked back down at the medallion, sitting in the air.
"Things change - timelines change. It's possible the smallest changed thing set you down a completely different path - this path, in fact."
"So... What happens if I do leave?"
"The Observants will keep a far closer eye on you and might intervene if they see fit."
"What would intervene mean?"
"They would prevent you from sneaking off to see Andrew and Randall like I know you're attempting to do right now."
Danny looked at the medallion. "What if I get to them first and tell them how to find the Citadel?" He... He could do it. He was known for flying fast. And if he kept the medallion in hand, no sort of time-stopping tricks the Observants tried to use would work on him... Theoretically.
Clockwork watched him for what felt like an eternity before lips quirked up into a smile. "Five minutes." Danny's internal timer was already ticking and he beamed, giving Clockwork a quick hug before flying out of the Citadel as fast as he knew how, his cloak flapping behind him. Five minutes would be more than enough to see the two and invite them back to the Citadel. He just needed to find them.
