Finally some inspiration back on this story. It was driving me crazy.
So here it is. Chapter seven.

Nocturne, Vortex, Clockwork and the Observants belong to Butch Hartman

Clockwise and Dusk belong to xwocketx

Melplino and Castelliana belong to me

Melplino paced the floors impatiently. It had been over a week since his conversation with Dusk and there had been no sign of him since. He had been sure that the other would accept his offer but still the dream ghost did not come.

Melplino growled in frustration and kicked a piece of observant armor out of his way.

This wasn't good. A group of them had come dangerously close to finding his hideout. He had drained them all easily, but it was still too close for comfort. He was still too weak and the humans and weaker ghosts he had been feeding on did not give him enough energy. Time was not a luxury he had this time. Clockwise was sure to be searching for him. He needed the dream keeper's help and power to recover his sphere. Clearly Dusk wasn't going to be as easy to manipulate as the weather ghost had been.

He continued to pace. This was not exactly a bad thing of course. It had really been so long since he had a proper challenge. Really it would have been boring if the same trick had worked so easily the second time around. And Melplino was very good at being patient. Oh he still intended to enjoy his fill of the dream keeper before draining him completely. He was really to pretty a ghost not to play with a bit. And so deliciously full of darkness and anger. Oh yes he would take his time with the lovely dream ghost and his sweet little apprentice. Children did always make such a delicious meal, so full of energy.

Melplino stopped pacing, he started to smile. Of course, the child! That was the key to bringing the dream ghost to his side. From what he could learn from his informants/victims Dusk was incredibly protective of his apprentice to the point that he had nearly stormed the Observatory when he suspected them of taking him. That was it. The chink in the dream ghost's armor. He walked over to the debris and picked up an observant guard helmet.

"Perhaps a change of tactics is required."

"But we haven't seen you all week." Nocturne whined. He tossed a ball of energy toward Clockwork, the ball turned a light purple and blue. The time apprentice tossed it lazily to Vortex.

"I know I'm sorry. It's just I've been helping my master try to find that ghost from the cave. We haven't been having any luck." Clockwork explained. He sighed. After a full week of research with no results, Clockwise had finally insisted that Clockwork take some time out to relax while he checked in with the Observants. Clockwork had protested a first but at his master's insistence he finally gave in. He kept quiet about the fact that he had also needed a few days to recover from his injuries in the tower. Nocturne didn't know about his punishment. Clockwork hadn't told him because he didn't want the other ghost to feel guilty.

"Is it really that bad? I thought your master could see everything?" Vortex asked catching the energy ball. It sparked a bit with lightning as he caught it. He tossed it to the smaller dream ghost who caught it turning the ball a dark shade of purple.

"He can…well he could. Something is blocking everything. I think it has to do with Melplino."

"You think he's doing something to block the time stream?" Nocturne asked.

"Or will do. Time can be tricky like that." Clockwork explained.

"Sounds complicated." Vortex said, "Makes me glad I'm a weather ghost. All I have to do is make lots of awesome weather."

"Speaking of which, I've been meaning to ask you something, Vortex." Nocturne said changing the subject as he tossed the ball back and forth between his hands.

"What's that?" The weather ghost asked.

"You've always been alone, right?" Nocturne asked his friend curiously.

"As long as Vortex can remember."

"Then how did you get your name?"

"When Vortex woke up he was in the middle of a swirling storm, it felt so comfortable being in the Vortex that Vortex picked that for his name."

"How did you know that it was called a Vortex?" Clockwork asked curiously, catching the ball of energy as Nocturne tossed it to him.

"The wind told me."

"The wind?" Nocturne said cocking his head to the side.

The weather ghost nodded. "Vortex can understand the wind. It tells Vortex things about weather and shows him how to use powers. That is why Vortex is never truly alone because he has the wind to help him."

"So the wind is kind of like your master." Nocturne said cheerily.

"Vortex never thought of it that way." The weather ghost said cocking his head to the side as he thought. He smiled. "Vortex likes that. The wind is Vortex's master."

Clockwork said nothing for a few minutes. He wondered for a few minutes if he should tell Vortex about Castelliana. He decided against it. She faded long before Vortex had ever been created. What good would it do him to know about her?

"Speaking of masters," He asked, "What did Dusk say when Clockwise came to warn him about Melplino?"

"What do you mean?" Nocturne asked.

"Clockwise said that he was going to talk to Dusk to warn him not to trust Melplino if he approaches him." Clockwork explained.

Nocturne shook his head.

"I haven't seen your master since you were taken by the Observants. And I've been with Master the past few days."

"That's strange. He said he would do it a few days ago. It's not like him to put things off." Clockwork wondered.

"Maybe he forgot. You said that you and he have been busy looking for that other ghost."

"Maybe."

"Why don't I give Master Dusk the message for you?" Nocturne said encouragingly.

"Okay. Tell Dusk that if Melplino approaches him trying to make friends not to trust him. He likes to pretend to make friends with other ghosts but in reality he's draining their power. Dusk is a pretty powerful ghost so master and I were worried that

"Okay, I'll tell him." Nocturne said with a smile. "Now, who's up for game of skull smasher?"

A few hours later Nocturne let himself into the castle shutting the large door behind him.

"Master?" He called out. There was no response. There was no surprise Nocturne figured his master wouldn't be home yet for another few hours. He had told Nocturne that morning that he was going to gather moon crystals. When absorbed into the body moon crystals made their dream Dust more powerful. They could be found in a cave far into the dream zone and were very difficult to harvest.

Nocturne was not yet strong enough to go with him to help his master gather them so Dusk had to gather the stones alone. The chore could take most of the day. So his master probably would be home for another few hours.

Nocturne smiled. Maybe he could take the time to surprise his master by making some of his favorite cookies. He was about to make his way to the kitchen when a sound from behind him made him turn. He froze at the sight, his core turning cold.

Melplino stepped out of the shadows and walked toward him slowly, a cold smile on his face.

"Hello there my little friend. How nice to see you again."

"It's you!" Nocturne cried, "What are you doing here?"

"Why I just came for a little visit. I met your master the other day and we became quite friendly." Melplino said still smiling.

"You don't fool me. Clockwork told me all about what you do to other ghost's. And I'm going to tell my master so you can't hurt him!" Nocturne spoke up bravely.

"Such a loyal little apprentice aren't you? You want to protect your master, but who's going to protect you?" His smile grew wider, his several rows of teeth starting to form.

Nocturne backed away from the other ghost eyes wide with fear.

"Stay back!" Nocturne cried.

The larger ghost kept walking toward the Nocturne till he was backed into a corner.

Nocturne looked side to side trying to find a way out. Finding none he took the next step from his instinct. He lunged at the other ghost with a hiss. Melplino dodged nimbly out of the way.

"I'm not going to let you hurt my master!" Nocturne growled, forming a ball of energy in his hand.

"So you want to fight do you? Let's see what you can do." Melplino said with a grin.

Nocturne fired the ball of energy at the other ghost. It struck right in front of Melplino raising a thick smoke and temporarily blinding him. Nocturne jumped through the smoke and slashed at the other's face.

Melplino had not expected the smaller ghost to attack him head on. Surprised, he just barely moved out of the way in time. Nocturne managed to catch him on the cheek bringing up a thin cut.

Melplino looked at the smaller ghost in shock for a moment. He felt his cheek where a thin line of ectoplasm had begun to form. He then threw back his head and laughed.

"So the child has some bite. How adorable."

Nocturne faced him, his hands up in battle stance. Once more Nocturne began to form energy in his hands.

"Ready for another go are you?" Melplino said at Nocturne's stance. He took a battle stance of his own. "Okay, lets play."

Nocturne launched two crescent shaped energy attacks at Melplino, who easily dodged them, disappearing.

Nocturne's eyes widened and he franticly searched around the room trying to locate the other ghost. Suddenly he was hit from behind knocking him into a nearby book case. Nocturne sat up clutching his side where he had been hit. Melplino stood where Nocturne had been. He began to walk over to the smaller ghost who scrambled back trying to get away.

"Aww, is that it? What happened to that fighting spirit you had just a moment ago. Don't tell me you're giving up."

Nocturne was trying to recover from the blow. The other ghost had been so fast. He suddenly remembered the scene in the cave where Melplino had easily defeated the Observant guards, leaving behind nothing but their armor. Nocturne gulped. He had no chance against the other ghost. He had to get out of here and warn his master.

The dream ghost looked around frantically as the other ghost approached. He then noticed the chandler hanging from the ceiling, glowing faintly with purple candles. He powered up another attack and launched it at the chain connecting it to the ceiling. It sliced through the metal causing the entire thing to drop. Melplino saw the large chandler beginning to drop and jumped out of the way. It landed on the ground with a huge crash sending shards flying in every direction.

Nocturne tried to take the opportunity to fly way but he found his wrist grabbed and pinned behind him. He struggled desperately trying to escape.

"None of that." Melplino said with a firm shake. "As fun as this was I need you unharmed for now and that would be very difficult to do if you continue to fight."

"You won't get away with this, my master will come and find me." Nocturne said as he continued to struggle. Melplino gave a hard chuckle.

"Why my dear child that is precisely the point."

Dusk flew back to his castle, the bag of moon crystals at his side. Gathering moon crystals was such a tedious chore. He couldn't even get his dreamwalkers to do it because they dissipated anytime they entered the dream cavern. If it wasn't for the boost that they did for his dream dust he wouldn't even bother. Luckily he only had to gather them once every few months.

He felt a twinge of guilt for leaving his apprentice behind once again. Nocturne had told him he understood but Dusk could tell the smaller ghost had been disappointed. Maybe he could make it up to him by taking him out to the asylum an letting Nocturne torture some prisoners. He'd even show his apprentice how to properly break a human's mind with one nightmare. Nocturne would love that.

He landed in the courtyard in front of the castle and floated to the door. Before he could place his hand on the door it opened on its own. Dusk frowned. Nocturne never left the door open. Carefully he opened the door the rest of the way. His eyes widened at the sight.

The castle was a mess. Furniture was torn, there were blast marks on the floor and walls, and the chandler was smashed on the ground. Worse yet, there was no sign of his apprentice.

"Nocturn!? Nocturne! Where are you!?" Dusk cried. He flew into the room and began to desperately sort through the wreckage trying to find his apprentice.

"He's not here." Came a voice from the shadows.

Dusk turned. His eye's glowing bright read.

"Who's there?!"

Melplino entered from where he had been waiting in the other room.

"What are you doing here?" Hissed Dusk, ready to strike the other ghost. "Is this your doing? Where is Nocturne?!"

Melplino held up his hands in defense and shook his head sympathetically.

"It was like this when I arrived. I was simply coming to see if you had given any thought to my offer when I found the destruction. I had feared that you had been the one that had been taken."

"How kind!" Dusk snapped still very much on edge. "Who did this?! Who has come into MY home and taken MY Nocturne?!"

"I think I may hazard a guess as to the culprit." Melplino said picking up an Observant Guard helmet. Dusk snatched it from him. His eyes blazed.

"So the eyeballs have dared to act have they? They have gone too far. I will show them what happens when they take what is mine!" He said crushing the helmet in his hands. He made to fly off but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He jerked away from the contact.

"Are you trying to stop me?!" The dream ghost snarled. The other ghost didn't even flinch. He simply smiled calmly.

"Not at all. There's nothing I enjoy more than a blood bath. But I think it would be unwise to face them head on. The observatory is heavily guarded and they will know you are coming. That is why they took your apprentice to lure you out."

"You're saying I should leave him to rot!?"

"Of course not, my darling. I am merely suggesting a more patient approach. A plan that will not only rescue you're apprentice but will teach them not to meddle in your affairs…permanently."

"You're talking about your sphere?"

Melplino nodded.

"Think about it. With my sphere I can get back to full power and storm the Observatory. I know where it is being kept but I need your help to get it. Once we have it not only will we get your apprentice back but we shall rule over the Ghost Zone, together."

"Why should I trust you?" The dream ghost asked.

"Why not? We are both creatures of evil and darkness, we both have a lust for power, and we both have a personal grudge against those one eyed vermin. We were made for each other don't you think?"

Dusk was silent for a few moments, thinking.

"If you got this sphere, then you could get Nocturne back." He finally asked.

Melplino nodded.

"I nearly defeated them once. It was only due to the interference of another ghost, who is long since gone, that it was taken from me. Once I get it back I will be unstoppable. But we will have to be patient."

"There's one flaw in your plan." Dusk pointed out.

"And what would that flaw be?" Melplino smoothly asked.

"The timekeeper."

"What about him?"

"Knows all? See's all? Past present AND future. He'll see us coming a mile away." Dusk said.

"Ah, you don't have to worry about that. I'm immune to his sight." Melplino said casually as if it was nothing.

"That's impossible." Dusk said.

"Oh but it is. The timekeeper and I were created almost at the same time. Before time even existed. As a result I can hide from his sight. Just as he can hide from the Observants and vise versa."

"The timekeeper is immune from the Observants?" Dusk asked curiously.

"Indeed."

Dusk was slightly impressed. It explained how Clockwise had been able to spend the night with Dusk without any fear of repercussions. Dusk had been expecting the Observants to show up at his doorstep any day complaining about how he had sullied their timekeeper. He would have to remember that information for the future.

Dusk cut off those thoughts. No! There was no future. Not with the Timekeeper. All that night had been was one mistake. Clockwise was on the side of the Observants. Which meant that he was also responsible for Nocturne being taken.

The more Dusk though about it the more furious he became at the timekeeper. It was the same as if the timekeeper had been the one to take Nocturne. Clockwise's betrayal was far more unforgivable because the Timekeeper had helped him recover Nocturne once before and knew how precious his apprentice was to him.

How could he have been so blind to show his one weakness to his enemy? To let his apprentice become companions to his enemies apprentice. Dusk had become soft. He had trusted and shown weakness and it had been exploited. Well he would make them all pay. Clockwise, the Observants, and even Clockwork if he had to. The Observants thought he was a danger to the Ghost Zone. Fine. He would show them just how much a danger he could be. He was going to bring Hell down upon their heads.

He looked up at Melplino who was watching him carefully.

"Where is your sphere being kept?"

Melplino smiled.

The actions starting to pick up a bit. Noccy's got some moves there, am I right?
Next chapter should be up in a bit.