Um...(sheepish grin) Yes, I'm posting early. Hidden Author inspired me. Blame him. Or...go thank him, it's early! Think of it as a present!

White Walls

Clockwork

Clockwork's Castle, The Ghost Zone:

Clockwork floats over to an empty chair in his lair. He has a horribly bad headache, caused by the stress of trying to keep his plan in action while not permanently harming Danny.

He needs to know why I'm doing this…but that could alter the time stream horribly…the fate of the world is at stake…but he may end up killing himself just in effort to keep from killing more…

Something in the castle dings, and Clockwork glares at a screen on the wall. It is displaying a girl who looked no older than fifteen, very upset. She moans, and her eyes flash blue. A blonde boy comes over and hugs her. "It's okay. We'll be alright."

The girl glares tiredly at him. "But that poor boy won't."

If this were a cartoon, a light bulb would pop to life above Clockwork's head. He has an idea. One that would keep Danny from sinking into horrible depression, get him out, and keep the world from being overrun by intelligent ghosts.

He displays on the screen what would happen if he were to enact the developing plan. It doesn't seem to harm anyone or anything…but…

Ah. There it is.

Well, no plan is perfect.

He vanishes.

The Institute, six years ago:

Clockwork materializes in what would eventually become Danny's cell, when it's defenses were lower. Six years ago.

Granted, they weren't much lower (the walls were only three inches thick), but it was enough.

As the years pass quickly, Clockwork comes to regret coming to this particular time. Out of curiosity, he keeps one eye on the peculiar former occupant of the cell as she escapes.

Clockwork wonders about his decision as he watches her friends and family slain. If that's how she reacted then…ah, don't think about that.

Eventually Danny is tossed in. Clockwork waits for that one moment.

He decides that he might've waited a bit too long, as Lecter comes in when Danny is asleep, and rams a needle into his spinal cord.

"Thanks for the spinal fluid!" she shouts as she leaves. Danny is swearing violently. The second the door closes, Clockwork reveals himself to Danny.

"Clockwork?"

"Glad to see you're not mute. I've only come to tell you not to give up hope, and help is on the way."

Danny looks worried. But then he smiles. "Thank you. I was wondering."

Clockwork smiles.

And vanishes.

But not before changing somethingwith Serenity's imprints.

Somewhere in New York City:

"Go."

"Okay…you're trapped in Antarctica, and are about to freeze to death. Would you set your hair on fire?"

"Uh…"

"Time out."

Clockwork grabs the two blondes and the demon hybrid (who was rolling her eyes) and drops them off at his castle. He then goes to Amity Park and picks up a certain Goth and techno-geek.

"Time in."

"…would I die?"

"Probably."

"Then no."

The demon hybrid is so far the first of he New Yorkers to notice their surroundings. "Where are we?" she asks.

The two blondes look around, then one screams. "It's Hell! Satan's kidnapped us! We're in Hell!" the one whose eyes are not glowing slightly yells.

Sam gives his an amused look before rounding on Clockwork. "Where's Danny? What've you done with him? Who are they?"

Clockwork nods. "It is a good idea to start with introductions. I am Clockwork. Malevolence, Nickolas, Serenity, this is Sam and Tucker. Sam, Tucker, may I introduce Lev, Nick, and Serenity." He glares at Lev. "And this is not Hell. If it was, Serenity would be going insane and probably kill us all."

"What? Are…I only kill is the situation requires it for the well being of others!"

"Yeah. And all that stuff at The Institute was for the well being of others," Lev says sarcastically.

"Why are we with a murderer?" Tucker asks.

"Not a murderer!" Serenity exclaims angrily. "Jeez. You kill-"

"Destroy."

"Destroy one demon who would be a tool in world domination, and you're suddenly a murderer…"

Clockwork hides in the shadows to watch them plan. He smiles slightly.

"You know, if you want to save Danny, you really should stop fighting," he points out.

Stupid humour fairy...

Thanks to: Psychic Ghost, DP fan, and Danny Phantom SG-1 (can you see the future or something?)

Why did I kill myself? I was thirsty! Geez, if you were thirsty you'd kill yourself too...
...right?