Chapter 4: The Other Side
"No." Clockwork's voice was flat, and final.
"Come on!" This was Tucker, who threw his arms in the air in frustration. "You've shown us the future before!"
"Tucker, he didn't mean for us to see that," Sam pointed out irritably.
"Actually, I—" Clockwork started, but Phantom cut him off.
"Please," he begged, "I've got to know what Vlad lies about so I don't turn into—"
"Is this it? Is this where he is?" Danny was staring at the Fenton Thermos in the little room where Clockwork had rested the future Phantom.
"Ah, this is ridiculous," Clockwork muttered to himself. "Time out!"
All four of the children froze in place, time stopped for them, and Clockwork rubbed his temples. "I knew this had to happen," he muttered, "but it doesn't stop this from being annoying." He floated down to Phantom and reached into the boy's pocket, pulling the medallion out and placing it around his neck. "Mr. Phantom."
The boy from the alternate timeline blinked then looked up to see Sam and Tucker frozen mid-argument, the real Danny pointing at the Fenton Thermos, and Clockwork floating over him. "Waugh!" He jerked back. "Uh … what happened?"
Clockwork reminded himself that this Daniel had never seen this particular trick before. "I froze time. Unfortunately, four teenagers all trying to talk to me at once is a bit of a trick, even for one such as me."
There weren't many perks to the whole time-watching job: dealing with Observers, constantly monitoring to ensure that his intervention wasn't needed, rarely leaving the relative misery of the Ghost Zone … but as subjects went, Daniel Fenton was rather entertaining. He waved a hand in front of his double's face, blinking. "Weird." He looked back at Clockwork. "You're not going to let us see the future, are you." It wasn't a question, his tone dejected.
Clockwork sighed. "No, child," he answered. "Because it hasn't happened yet."
"But – but he's right in there, right now," the boy protested, pointing at the Fenton Thermos. "The future is right there and I don't want that to happen!"
"Haven't I already told you? It already doesn't happen. Your future was saved."
"Yeah, in his reality," Danny shot back bitterly, his finger accusingly moving towards his doppelganger. "I know his reality is 'the only one of consequence' or whatever, but mine matters to me!"
"'Timeline', Daniel, and that's an important distinction," Clockwork reminded Daniel gently. "You are both in the same reality, or you would be speaking to two different Clockworks. And if there is another Clockwork in another reality, that is something I do not know." He smiled slightly; the thought had tickled him from time to time, but he had no control over the fabric of space: only the fabric of time. "But I doubt that you care," he added, allowing for the look of fury on the boy's face.
"All I want to know is how to avoid becoming Him." Daniel didn't have to point for Clockwork to know who he was referring to. "Please … please, help me!"
Clockwork looked at the boy, taking in his human afflictions – exhaustion, fear, anger – and the effects it was having on his corporeal body. He had known this would be hard for Daniel, even in ways he did not know – being split across timelines was an awkward thing, particularly when one was the hub of that timeline. "That is not my place," Clockwork answered, but he continued before Daniel could protest. "Really, Daniel, do you have so little faith in yourself? You are strong in ways that other ghosts can only imagine, and humans would never dream."
"My friends and family are what make me strong," Daniel answered, looking a bit stricken by Clockwork's words. "I can't do this alone, but I promised them …"
"Hang onto that promise, then," Clockwork answered. He smirked. "I could feed you cheesy lines about how they are in your heart or some such, but the truth is, you look outside yourself too often for things that are inside you already. A common teenage affliction," he added dryly.
Daniel gave him a look that spoke volumes.
Clockwork merely raised an eyebrow, a look that might have been comical had he not transformed from his child self to his adult self at that very moment. "I cannot tell you your future, Daniel. That depends on your own choices, not those of Vladimir Plasmius. So." He pressed a medallion into Daniel's hand. "I suggest you take this time to say goodbye, as I first recommended."
Daniel's gaze shifted to the medallion in his hand, and he sighed but trudged over to his two arguing best friends.
Clockwork found business to do elsewhere in the room. Some things even those who knew everything were not meant to see.
Danny looked at the frozen Sam and Tucker. It was a little weird to have both of them standing next to him, but he could only talk to one at once. He placed the medallion over Tucker's head.
"—and it's stu—hey, what gives?" Tucker blinked as he woke up from his frozen state. "Sam? Danny?"
"Uh, it's Phantom Danny," Danny said. "Clockwork froze time."
"Ooh," Tucker nodded knowledgably. "So what gives?"
"He said no," Danny answered, sighing. "I think he's going to just send you guys back." He shrugged a little. "I guess if he knows everything he knows what he's doing …"
"I dunno, Danny. He did try to kill you that one time," Tucker pointed out, but Danny shook his head.
"I don't think he's going to do that this time." Danny hesitated. "Look … I just wanted to say thanks. You're not really my friends, you're his –" he pointed at the frozen Danny next to the Thermos—"But you still helped me out."
"Hey, don't talk like that," Tucker protested. He grinned. "Doesn't matter what reality you're from; you're still Danny."
"Timeline," Danny absently corrected, but he smiled wanly. "You'll always be my best friend, Tuck."
"Good, wouldn't want that to change," Tucker answered. "But hey …" he hesitated. "I don't know exactly how to say this, dude, but you should … you know … keep on living. Sure, life'll be different with us gone, and I'm glad you miss us, cause you know, we are your best friends. But don't cry about it forever."
Danny sighed aloud. You don't understand what it's like, Tuck. "I hear you," he said instead. "Thanks." He leaned forward slightly. Aw, what the heck. He wrapped his arms around Tucker tightly, squeezing him. "I'm gonna miss you."
"Oof!" Tucker was obviously startled by the hug, but he hugged back, slapping Danny's back. "Best buds forever, dude. Don't forget to visit, okay?"
"I'll try to get the chance," Danny said dryly, pulling back. "Gotta take off the medallion now so I can say bye to Sam, okay?"
"Why can't Clockwork just unpause time so you can say bye all at once?" Tucker asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh …" Danny looked at the back of the relatively distant ghost. "I don't think he wants anyone pestering him while I'm talking to you guys. I dunno," He could imagine the two not talking to him begging for the chance to see the future; he knew he would be.
"Well, he does like his privacy, I guess." Tucker reached for the medallion. "Here you g—" He froze as soon as the ribbon left his hands.
Danny turned towards Sam then, swallowing hard. This was going to be harder. He placed the medallion over her head. "Sam?"
"Well that—huh?" It was Sam's turn to look confused. "Oh, did Clockwork freeze time again? I think he's kind of a jerk about that." She ran her fingers through her hair. "Danny?"
"Phantom, actually," Danny said, just to make sure she too was clear on which Danny she was talking to. "He's definite about 'no'."
"Oh yeah? Let's go give him a piece of our minds," Sam said militantly, but Danny put a hand on her arm. "What?"
"It's okay." Danny sighed. "He … kinda made a good point. I think I'm supposed to figure this out for myself. Guess he's prepared if I do turn into Him, anyway." He smiled ruefully. "I do end up in the Fenton Thermos for all eternity, after all."
"You won't become him. You promised, remember?" Sam gave him a confident smile. "You know, you should give yourself more credit. For a superhero, you sure do have a lot of insecurities."
Danny smiled thinly. "I guess."
"Besides, when has Vlad ever gotten the best of you with a plan? You'll figure him out."
"I hope so." Danny's voice was dark. "I mean, Phantom-Plasmius? Gross!" Danny and Sam said in unison, making Danny laugh. "Is that an 'ew' or a 'yikes'?"
"I think it's both," Sam answered, taking his hands, and then she blushed inexplicably, which made Danny blush too, also inexplicably. "So I guess this is goodbye, huh."
"Unless Clockwork lets me visit, yeah," Danny answered. He looked down at their intertwined hands, remembering the time Ember had made him fall in love with her. Now that she was gone … at least to him … he could admit that maybe that feeling wasn't just Ember's doing. His blush grew brighter. "Sam … I … I think I …"
"Me too," Sam broke in. "I think." She blushed more brightly as well.
"I-I don't think an inter-timeline dating thing is gonna work," Danny said a little thickly, looking over at his other self. You're way more lucky than you know. But being able to say it to something other than a gravestone made Danny feel as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"I guess not," Sam admitted softly.
Danny swallowed hard. "I'm gonna miss you. I … geez … uh …"
"We'll miss you too," Sam said, and Danny's heart seemed like it was going to try to beat its way out of his chest. "Different timeline or not, you're still Danny. We'll always be your friends."
"Funny, Tucker said the same thing," Danny grinned, rubbing the back of his head.
"It's the truth." Sam grinned before sobering. "You won't become a monster. I know it."
"Thanks, Sam." Danny unlocked his hand from hers so he could hug her. "It means a lot to hear you say it."
Sam didn't reply, squeezing Danny tightly as she hugged him.
"Time in!"
"Gah!" Danny jumped away from Sam as the ghostly Master of Time let time start again, and Sam looked just as startled. "Warn me next time, geez!"
Tucker looked dazed. "What the …" The other Danny didn't look much better. "Ugh …"
"You've said your goodbyes," Clockwork intoned.
"But he didn't get to see what happens in his future!" the other Danny protested. Danny took a deep breath and let it out – the explanation was getting tiring.
"That's not necessary," Clockwork answered, obviously not about to explain himself again. "And unfortunately, I do have a schedule to keep. So … off to school with you three." He pressed a button on his staff.
"But—"
"Hey—"
"Dan—"
But the three were gone, and Danny was left standing there, the weight of Sam's medallion resting in his hand.
"They'll get to school on time," Clockwork said, floating up next to Danny. "And now, it's time for you to return to Plasmius'."
"I don't want to go back there," Danny said bitterly. As helpful and healing as it had been to say goodbye to his family – and he did feel much better, although nowhere near as healed as he wanted to be – the thought of going back to a reality where everyone was still gone was a hard pill to swallow.
"Sorry, Daniel." Clockwork's voice was calm. "But when I say 'it's time', it really is time."
His thumb moved on his staff, and suddenly Danny was falling through ectoplasm towards Vlad's Portal. "Gyah! Going ghost!" He turned into his ghostly self and floated, taking a deep breath. "Phew …"
"FRIIEEND!" Danny suddenly found himself trapped in a tight, strangling bear hug, and he grunted. "You promised you'd be right back but you were gone for so long!"
Klemper was back, obviously.
"Ow!" Danny panted, managing to go intangible and slip out of his grasp. "Ah, Klemper! Sorry I took so long," he stammered. "I, uh, lost track of time." And he really had, he realized. "How long was I gone?"
"Uh … I dunno …" the hunchback ghost looked confused at the concept of time. "I missed you!"
Long enough, Danny thought, groaning. His ribs positively ached from all the hugging. "I missed you too," he lied, patting Klemper on the back. "But I have to go home now …" Oh, the irony of calling Vlad's stupid castle home.
"Why?" Klemper was obviously dejected.
"Because, uh … my guardian will worry, like you worried," Danny answered. Actually, he'll probably kick my ass for being in his stupid portal. "But I promise I'll come back and visit, just like I came back from Clockwork's, okay?"
Klemper's memory was not the best, but he clearly remembered the promise. "You keep your promises," he complimented fondly.
I sure hope I do, Danny thought, licking his lips. I'd better! "So it's okay if I go now?" he asked, reaching for the side of the huge, floating football that blocked the portal.
"As long as you say hi soon," Klemper moaned.
Danny winced on behalf of his soon-to-be-abused torso. "I will," he said, heaving upwards to push the football clear of the portal.
"Bye, friend!" Klemper called, and Danny waved as he passed through the portal—
And right into Vlad Plasmius' chest. "Oomph!" He bounced off the other hybrid and fell to the ground on his butt, wincing.
Plasmius raised an eyebrow over one glowing red eye. Danny glared up at him. "And what," Plasmius demanded, "were you doing sneaking around the Ghost Zone all night, Daniel?"
A lie, a lie, quick! "I-I, uh, thought maybe my friends had become ghosts! S-so I went into the Portal to find out!" he stammered, floating back upright.
"Oh, how quaint. You're a poor liar, Daniel." Plasmius leaned over him, emphasizing their height difference. "Now, the truth this time, if you will?"
Danny felt a flash of irritation. He straightened to his full height as well, and floated upwards so they could look each other eye-to-eye. "None of your beeswax."
"Ah, but it is my beeswax, as you are now legally my responsibility, and it is my Portal you are using." Vlad smirked. "So I ask you again, Daniel: what were you doing in the Ghost Zone?"
"I'm not telling you," Daniel answered flatly. "Can't a guy have a little privacy? I'm mourning my whole family here!" He smirked as well, but his eyes were haunted. "I guess a lonely old man like you would have a hard time understanding, though."
Plasmius' eyes flashed, and a beam of ecto-energy shot out of them, hitting Danny square in the chest before he could react. "Aah!" He slammed into the wall behind him and slid to the ground.
"Boy, you have no idea what you're talking about," Vlad snarled. Then his voice turned sickly sweet. "Imagine how I felt, though, waking up this morning to find that you were gone! Imagine my concern!" His voice began to harden. "Despite the Jack Fenton in you, boy, you are still Maddie's son, and I would not want anything untoward to happen to you – that I did not cause myself, of course," he added as Danny struggled to his feet. "Especially now that my dear Maddie has passed on."
Daniel did his best to ignore the speech, but his chest still tightened at the mention of his parents. Vlad would keep doing that to him, he thought, keep eating away at him with jabs and comments about the dead until he went crazy and begged to have no emotions.
He brushed himself off self-importantly as he straightened, steaming with balled-up fury at this man, and a half-formed plan took shape in his mind. "If you think that was bad," he started, "Just imagine how you'll feel about this!"
He shot a beam of ecto-energy from his fist and into one of the expensive pieces of equipment in the room, and steam and smoke poured out of it. Perfect!
"Oh-!" Plasmius sounded irritated, and he went towards the power boards, turning off the half-destroyed device. "What do you plan to do, boy? Try to attack me with a smoke screen? I have twenty more years of experience with these powers than you, and—"
But as the smoke cleared, he found that Danny Phantom was nowhere to be seen.
Up in his room, Danny shoved all his loose change, extra clothes, and his school ID into his backpack. There, I think that's all the essentials. He swung the backpack over his shoulder, went intangible, and flew out of Vlad Plasmius' castle.
Forget him and forget Wisconsin, Danny thought angrily. There's only one future for me here, and that's Phantom-Plasmius.
And, Danny resolved, he would never, ever look back.
tbc
