AN/: Because, I didn't update yesterday like I said I would, I combined updates for chapt 7 & 8 so it's a bit long, but I'm sure you'll like it!
Enjoy and please review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom
Danny slowly opened the door, it creaked quietly.
As he was about to enter, Dani popped up behind him. He let a small but shrill, totally manly shriek, (that his clone would probably not let him live down, even though he would deny it.)
She smirked at him, but nodded apprehensively for him to fully open the door.
He nodded back, they entered and what they saw before them left them in shock.
There he was, their friend, The Master of Time fangs out, dripping with ectoplasm,
claws grasping, prey.
The length of his claws were not completely seen, they were buried deep in the throat of a non-sentient ghost.
The ghost he was currently holding, was screaming but its screams might as well be mere whispers as the hand in its throat cut off most off the sound.
A white aura was surrounding the ghost, it then spread to Clockwork as he pressed into the center of the creature.
The poor thing continued to scream and squirm in his hand, the corner of his mouth twitched, a fanged grin, the screaming ghost suddenly began shrinking, aging and then... it disappeared.
The unnoticed Phantoms had a feeling that the ghost did not turn invisible and that it would not be returning.
"Clo-clockwork?" Asked Dani fearfully.
He spun around and hissed at them!
Now they could truly see the extent...
His hair was wild, eyes blazing red, his fangs and mouth were completely coated in ectoplasm and his claws-oh god his claws.
In one the other one they apparently didn't see, was a little green ghost, or what was left of one, it barely had a body, only its tiny head which was letting out the most pitiful miniature screams of pain.
In the other was a small but obvious sphere, likely the core of the ghost that "disappeared".
It began to pulse white before it slowly turned to ashes, which then vanished, like its owner, without a trace.
The fearful expressions of his young charges seem to snap Clockwork back into reality. His fangs and claws retracted, the little ghost squirmed free, the Time Master's eyes stopped glowing but they were wide.
He had snapped and at his charges no less! He had crossed a line he set to avoid; he took a shaky step back.
"y-you were not supposed to be here". "You were not supposed to see me like this".
The Phantoms were not sure if the last part was truly for them or if Clockwork was speaking to himself.
He wasn't looking at them anymore, not really, he was facing them, but his eyes seemed far too wide to actually see anything, he began drifting to the further wall, skittish.
Dani thought he looked ready to bolt at any second, of course she wouldn't let him.
She approach him very carefully, one slow step
at a time, hands out, calm down.
"It's all right Clockwork it's ok".
The closer she came the further he backed up, wide eyed.
"It's all good, just calm down, ok?"
He backup further into the wall.
Dani's eye twitched, she glared at the male in front of her.
"I said, calm down".
Both Danny and Clockwork quickly sank to the floor, the latter slowly began wiping the ectoplasm off his face, he phased it off his hands and rubbed down his wild hair.
To anyone, it would seem as if were quickly putting himself together, but the Phantoms could see passed the facade, it was like one they themselves used, it was to hide shame.
They noticed his appearance was still drastically dishevelled but at least he was not shaking anymore.
"Look Dan explained it to me, Danny and I are not going to judge you or anything, so just calm down all right?" she said as she placed an arm around his shoulders.
She was practically full on hugging him but, something told her that the poor guy needed it, especially when he held her back.
After calming Clockwork down a bit, Danny was quick to ask the question that had been nagging him from the beginning.
"Soo, care to explain what's going on here?"
Dani shifted a bit.
"Well, um, according to Dan"...
"Ghosts are made of ectoplasm and are but all considerable means dead, yet we can eat and sleep just the same as anything living, why is that?"
Dani pondered the question.
"I-I don't know".
"Me neither, but it's called an afterlife for something, ironic isn't it?"
"Yeah but what does that have to do with-?"
"Patience"growled out the voice, edging with irritation.
The clone wisely shut up.
"Some ghosts," he continued, "can eat human food but it simply changes into ectoplasmic energy. When ghosts eat they don't really receive much energy than sleeping or just resting, it's when they feed is when the real energy comes in."
"What's th-?"
"Trust me, there is a difference, see in eating food it's turned into minute ectoplasmic energy, enough to keep awake, but not enough to serve any other purpose".
"Ok, so what's feeding?"
"That my dear girl, is exactly what Clocky is doing"
Dani gulped, but waited for him to continue.
"There are two types of feeding, but it's basically when a ghost acquires raw ectoplasm, and makes larger amounts of ectoplasmic energy for their core."
He paused, "You catching on so far or do I need to slow down kid"?
"Y-yeah, I got it", she licked her lips and swallowed her throat was extremely dry for some reason.
She had a feeling she wouldn't like what she learnt next, but it was too late to turn back anyway, "what else happens."
"Well how do you think they get the ectoplasm in the first place?"
Dani thought for a moment, then gasped.
"Exactly"
"Y-you're kidding?!"
"Nope it is perfectly natural, see it depends on the type of ghost, you could easily pick a non-sentient one and bite his neck off and suck out its insides, or pick one that can really give you a challenge."
Dani withdrew herself in disgust and then realize something.
"Wait you said there was two types, what's the other one?"
"This one depends on the type of feeding ghost, its power and core type are what's important here".
"Why?"
"Because this alternative means to feeding depends on the type of energy the ghost would feed on".
"So, instead of ectoplasm the feed on already made energy?"
"In a sense yes, but put it this way, Embers core type is heat but she didn't feed on fire, she feeds from the emotion she gets-"
"When they call her name!"
"Right, so she feeds on attention, now being that she's got a fire core she can survive in heat and even get some energy from it, but put her in a cold region she'd lose energy and if she stays there long enough, it would cause her to fade".
Dan had said that last sentence with so much malice, that Dani had to back away a bit.
But she steeled herself and pressed on.
"What about Clockwork?"
"Him, I'm not sure, his core is Time judging by the fact that he's got a clock in his goddamn chest, but not really sure how you can feed anything 'time' when you're in the timeless realms, so I'm guessing he does space, like a portal or something, the bastard would probably take energy from natural portal till it would shut in on itself."
Dani nodded to herself, it did make sense.
"You said he's hungry so he's feeding and I'm guessing is not a portal, so how do you know?"
"Because, I can sense it, just like I can sense other presences inside the tower, that and all the signs were there."
"What signs?"
"You know someone else really ought to be telling you this."
"Well you're already doing it, so why not continue?"
"Why should I?"
"Because you still want to my answer to your whole What's my Origin question."
"Fair enough, but you're a little too good at manipulating people."
"It takes manipulator to know one"
"Touché."
"So what are the signs?"
"Well, it's simple, first it's like a nag, it bothers you but it's not enough to debilitate you, if wait too long then the damage starts."
"What kind of Damage?" asked Dani, suddenly fearful for her Time Keeping friend
"Nothing really, it just starts hurting, nothing big but when you ignore it for too long, that's when it starts to hurt like hell, kinda the equivalent of getting shot by your own core."
"Why?"
"Because, it's the place that needs energy the most."
"So it basically sends a signal as pain."
"Basically, if you ignore the pain, which Clocky likely did, it get its worse you get tired, grumpy, and then you snap at an innocent being in a thermos!
Dani laughed at this.
"Being that he had rapid ass Mood swings and I know he's not pregnant."
Dani snorted.
"I easily chalked it up to him being hungry, thing is, he's in his lair."
"What's that have to do with anything?"
"Normally when a ghost is in their lair they don't have to worry about feeding much, as it provides them with a good amount of energy and from fact that he's actually hungry, means that he hasn't been feeding enough."
"I see, ok, just one more question."
"And what's that?"
"What happens when a ghost doesn't feed for a while?"
"That's easy, they lose control, their primal instincts take over"
"And?"
"They go wild."
"Well that explains a lot, you really should've eaten sooner."
Dani simply nodded in agreement to her original's statement.
Clockwork eyed his charges.
"I swear, I'm surrounded by morbid people"
"Yep, after all were the best kind of people" quipped Dani
Clockwork looked at them again, he chuckled.
The partial screams and cries from the tiny ghost head that had been squirming around, caused the slightly calmed tension to return at full force that is until Dani picked it up.
The screaming thing could hardly float, much less survive
anywhere in its sad state.
"Here eat it" said Dani holding out to Clockwork
"What?"
"I said eat it"
"I heard, just w-why?"
"Just finish it, it doesn't make sense wasting".
"but-"
"but nothing, I said eat it"
"You, might wanna eat it", supplied Danny nervously as he slowly butt-scooched away from his clone who apparently was scarier than a fanged Clockwork.
"He'd better, if not I'll force it down his throat."
Now Clockwork wanted to scootch away, but his pride and Danielle's glare stopped him dead.
He gulped but opened his mouth, fangs instantly present as she held the creature over them, in one bite, squelch.
"There, was that so hard jeez!"
Danny looked slightly startled, while Clockwork ducked his head and licked his lips.
"And you do that again!"
This time both males looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"You keep hiding your face like it's something to be ashamed of, its natural, it's gross but natural, it's like giving birth", she explained exasperatedly.
"You're not going to hate someone for giving birth, just like we're not going to hate you for eating, honestly, what makes you think you had to hide this?!"
"Well, I-uh-it's compli-"
"It's not complicated at all Clockwork"
"Yeah, Dani's right, sure if you wanted to keep this private, I get it, but when was the last time you ate-erm fed?"
Clockwork didn't answer.
Dani did.
"It had to be a long time, after all when we got here you were in a frenzy, when you left the lab there were at least ten ghosts flying around, when you were gone it was empty, we come here and find you with the last two, and all of them where bigger than me".
He didn't answer, so Danny piped in this time.
"She's right, isn't she, Clockwork?"
He nodded solemnly.
"Thought so"
They both look back at Dani.
"Ok, so we have to make sure he leaves the tower make sure he takes a break and make sure he eats, well looks like we're babysitters"
"Huh, I guess we are"
Clockwork looked at his charges, who were now both standing, smiling, after what they just seen.
Truly amazing
"Great, I'm getting babysat by ones who can't even do simple math"
A simultaneous "Hey", was their response and only his warning before they both hug tackled him.
"Really?" his face no longer held emotion, but his tone was amused.
Never have they been so glad to not see an emotion on the Time Keeper's face.
"You know you love us!"
"Yes, unfortunately", said the elder ghost as he ruffled the hair of both his charges, "It never ceases to amuse me when you two talk at the same time."
"We're working on it" said Danny.
"It annoys everyone, and it's tons of fun!"
"Oh, how so, Danielle?"
"Because, sometimes, we do it without noticing!"
"And that's why it's fun!" their laughter was synced just as their previous sentence.
Clockwork couldn't help but laugh with them as well.
Looking around the room Dani huffed.
"Clockwork, you're such a messy eater!"
"Yeah, this is going to take forever to clean up," said Danny is he to survey the room.
"Actually," said Clockwork as he snapped his fingers and all the ectoplasm seeped into the floor and disappeared, the entire room was clean.
"Or not", said Danny "I gotta learn how to do that!"
"Yeah especially with how your room looks"
"Dani!"
Both she and Clockwork laughed at the boy, who was now blushing green with freckles.
By the time, Danny got his green blush under control his phone rang, apparently it was Jazz calling.
"...yeah, we're ok"
"...he's fine..."nothing was wrong Jazz..."it was just a ghost thing?"...yeah, I know that wasn't too convincing, but he's fine, we're fine everything's good.
..."What do you mean you don't believe me?"... "Ok, true, but hey!" ...hey, you know what how bout you talk to him"
At hearing this, Clockwork quickly shook his head, mouthing a "No" and internally praying Daniel would listen.
"He said no...
Clockwork sighed in relief
..."What, Jazz, come on, I told you we're fine
... "Alright, Alright, jeez!"
Danny pressed a button on his phone and all hell broke loose.
"Clockwork!"
Said being winced at the rough voice through the speaker.
"Yes, Jasmine?"
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine"
"Good"
He blinked, there was no way this was so easy.
"Of all the immature things, you almost give us a heart attack, since when do you have fangs?!"
There it is.
"Jazz, just calm down, calm down and asked your questions slowly"
"Danny, I'm not a child"
I know you, but yelling in my ear doesn't exactly help my situation"
"What situation?" her voice instantly worried.
"Oh, you know, the one where I'm stuck listening to you shout in my ear".
"That was real mature, but I still want to know what's going on"
So after explaining the gruesome details of ghost hunger to her, Sam and Tucker who were apparently in the room listening in, they were now fully caught up and were currently mulling over ideas, on how to handle the situation.
For next time.
Clockwork was expecting them to hate him, detest him or even be disgusted with him, but no, here they were discussing topics on whether they should capture some ghosts, Non sentient of course, in case he needed them.
I swear these children.
Clockwork shook his head and chuckled, amused.
As if fate would have it Jazz heard him.
"You know if this keeps up, you should tell that dream guy".
You could her smirk.
"Who, Nocturne?" questioned Danny
"I could go get him, if you want", offered Dani, thought she was just as confused as Danny.
"No, I don't want to have deal with another of his rants."
"Wait, this happen before?" asked Danny looking at the now silent Time Master.
"Hmm, maybe we should get him." stated Dani with a smirk
Evil child
"If you do, I'll never help you with your history homework"
"Are you bribing me?"
"That depends are you going to go?"
"Whoa, whoa, hey, if the Master of Time is bribing people I want in, I won't look for Nocturne if you help me with my history, I want my B bumped up to an A".
The ghosts in the Citadel all turned to Danny's hand, were Sam's voice called out from the phone.
Clockwork smirked "Deal."
"Hey, if she's in, I want in, my C needs to be a B,that way I can make mama proud."
You could practically hear the smile on Tucker's face.
All of them laughed.
Danny and Dani beamed "well, were in on this deal too!"
"All right and you Jasmine?"
"My part of the deal is that you a take a bath and rest for a bit and then you come tomorrow and we make you the best food you have ever tasted".
Danny cut in, "Uh, you know it doesn't work that way."
" I'm well aware, Danny, but there needs to be a reason for him to come tomorrow."
"I'm flattered Jasmine, but I can't afford to skip work."
"You did today, even though you weren't supposed to given the condition you were in, so one more day won't hurt."
Clockwork blinked at her logic, he couldn't deny that.
"I'll be seeing you tomorrow." with that she hung up the phone.
Clockwork stared at the phone half expecting Jasmine's voice scold him again.
Danny put his phone away.
"So", he began.
"So?" Clockwork questioned back.
"So you heard her" answered Dani, "take a shower and then get your butt to bed".
"You're serious?"
"Like cancer" they both replied
He sighed "Ok fine, honestly this is just as bad as getting one Nocturne's rants", he muttered out loudly, as he acceded some stairs to his quarters "actually no, it's worse because, I'm getting ordered around by children!"
The two phantoms laughed, they only left when they heard the notable sound of a shower pouring, well one did.
When Clockwork exited the shower, (fully dressed in his usual garb, only with his wet hair down) he looked to see if his charges had left.
After not seeing or hearing them, he believed they were gone, so as the workaholic he is not, he went to Time screens and there lo and behold was Danielle.
"Bed"
"but-"
"but nothing, Bed" she said pointing to the direction of his room
"Fine", he grumbled stomping his feet up the stairs so childishly that Dani could've laughed, well, she did, but after he left.
When Danny finally came back, Dani suggested they find Clockwork and see if he actually had listen to them.
When they found him, well when they found his room, (it had turned out to be the top-right middle one), it was huge and purple and right on top of his purple sheets, The Master of Time himself was dead asleep.
They chuckled, but pulled the sheets over the sleeping Time ghost, intangibility came in handy sometimes, they closed the door slowly, then left.
The next morning Clockwork was surprised to see that in his screen room, there was a yellow plus star, a thermos, the pocket watch he won at the Amusement Park and a white envelope.
He opened the pocket watch to see a picture of him squished between Danny and Dani, Tucker on the left with his signature peace sign, Jazz on the right with a kind smile and Sam in the bottom middle, arms extended as she was the one taking the picture.
He recalled that Samantha taken that picture before he had gotten on the first ride.
There was a note on the watch he didn't notice before, it was Jasmine's hand writing.
Hi Clockwork, I hope you slept well, do make sure that you remember our deal or I'll have the Phantom duo drag you here and bother you into next week! :)
"She can make a threat and have a smile at the end, I'm not sure if I should be impressed or worried."
On the yellow star, which Danielle had won at the Amusement park, a note was also there in her hand writing.
This is now for you, it's really soft, should help you sleep better. PS. if you read Jazz's note, be worried.
His eyes widened.
He opened the white envelope and hoped that it would be a little less terrifying.
There was a letter was inside, it was Daniel's writing.
Hope you're feeling better and hope you actually slept a couple hours, I mean seriously dude, you got to take better care of yourself, im pretty sure you know why the thermos is there, but anyway the others got me to talk to them, I wasn't depressed, ok I kind of was, but I got over it! I was thinking I wouldn't have much time spent with my friends, Then I realized, that even if you have all of the time in the world, it doesn't matter, it's best to spend it with your friends and family. So I will and you should know that includes you, so expect me and Dani there quite a lot. Oh, speaking of, she says for me to warn you about Jazz's note.
His eyes widened again Jesus Christ Jasmine.
He continued reading
And by the way there a few pictures from Sam in the envelope.
He noticed the pictures from the Amusement park that Samantha managed to snap.
He looked carefully at the pictures he had picked up, it had captions presumably in Tucker's hand writing.
It was a picture of all of them on the Roller coaster, he was in between his charges, who were screaming in delight, while him, not so much, his hair stood up completely, so did the hybrids' beside him, indicating that the picture was taken at the drop. He then read the caption and chuckled with Amusement.
"Pfft, who needs gravity?!"
The next picture had Samantha's writing.
It was a picture of him, eyes closed hugging on to Danielle in the car, while she was playing with his hair and Danny was tapping on his legs.
"Aww, look at this,"
Clockworks face turned purple...
AN/: There we go! Clockwork, you didn't think that Sam would let you off the hook so easy, did you?
