Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Danny Phantom, I'm a big fan and was feeling nostalgic.

Note (12/10/2017): Word to the wise, but 2am is not a good time to decide to vacuum your house or whatever the heck my neighbors are currently doing. Not that I wasn't already having a hard time getting to sleep but yeah, now it's impossible with the extra noise. So here we are with yet another sleep-deprived-fanfic-author written chapter! Sorry in advance if it makes no sense or I start rambling. Probably gonna post it when I'm more awake...


~Chapter 7~

All In Good Time


"I can see you have questions," Clockwork observed with his usual mirthful tone that he reserved for particularly amusing moments such as this. "Ask what you will and I will answer what I can."

Dani looked from him to the screen again as if not believing any of what she'd just seen. This was freaking VLAD they were talking about! There was no way he'd be this overprotective of and distraught over losing someone like this after tossing her and the other clones to the proverbial curb as it were. The only reason he looked so heartbroken and shocked was because Owen slipped through his fingers yet again, right? Surely Owen was just some brainwashed kid that Vlad wanted to 'own' since he failed to clone Danny properly and couldn't control her so he'd given up on cloning and had gone to the next level of crazy to get a new son. That had to be it! Why else would he-

"Danielle," Clockwork began a little more sternly as if seeing the gears in her head moving as easily as the actual ones surrounding them but he didn't return her dumbfounded stare and continued to monitor Vlad's progress through the Ghost Zone. "You're a smart girl so I believe you already know the truth. And holding Vladimir's actions just now in contempt solely because of how you were treated is only denying that truth. Ever since left his side, Vladimir's approval is something that you've instinctively sought after, even long after you declared your independence. In your case this longing is not because of any conscious choice, but rather because that is part of the fabricated emotions towards him that he previously programmed into your subconscious from the moment of your creation. He did this because Vladimir is afraid of being forsaken again, of being betrayed by his loved ones, even if that love was merely an illusion he created for himself. Keeping you and the other replica's completely complacent and loyal only to him was a key factor in his plans. He used all of you to test the same process he planned to use on the other clone that was a near exact copy of the original. Unlike you however, regardless of whether or not he reached completion that child wouldn't have possessed the capacity to think for himself. Sadly, none of his love would have been real either or given any opportunity to grow on its own so he would have essentially been a mere physical embodiment of the son Vladimir wished Daniel would be. If one cannot think for themselves, feel any true emotions other then a false devotion, then how can they ever hope to form their own heart let alone a soul?" Smiling a little more obviously down at her, Clockwork continued, "Questioning the world you live in, expressing and exploring your emotions freely, choosing how to you wish to live, it is all a part of what sets us apart from mindless creatures or drones. Even ghosts, though some have unknown beginnings, all started out this way whether they have ever 'lived' as humans or not. Everything starts from nothing. But if nothing changes then there is no room for personal growth and we essentially become stagnant and in time, are doomed to fade away like water evaporated by the bright sunlight. Those two, in their own ways, have stood stagnant for far too long out of fear or unwillingness to change. So with my help and that of a few old acquaintances events were put into motion to bring these two together to foster such changes in both of their lives. In time Vladimir will learn how to accept that for all his power, his actions have consequences, and Owen will learn how to stop shouldering all of his burdens alone when so much rests on his young shoulders. And perhaps through him, Daniel will learn the same lesson. They will learn that they are not alone in the world, and neither are you..."

Rubbing her arm nervously, feeling like she was being taught a lengthy life-lesson by a grandfatherly figure of sorts, Dani sighed. "I still don't get it but as long as Vlad's going to help me get better then I don't really care. I'm tired of being scared of melting all the time even from using the tiniest amount of power. Tired of hiding. Just knowing he's not going to hunt me down and waste me anymore is a huge relief. But still, does Owen...really mean that much to him? Vlad's never looked at anyone like that before. Not me. Not even Danny. I honestly didn't think he was scared of anything."

Patting her head, Clockwork explained, "No one is exempt from feeling fear at some point in their lives any more then we are exempt from the struggles that come with it. It's perfectly natural to feel confused or frightened from time to time. But I assure you, if all goes well, he'll save more then one innocent before his 'time' comes and yours will also be greatly delayed."

"My time?" Dani asked, tilting her head in confusion. "You make it sound like you're not talking about numbers anymore."

Motioning to the monitor again with his staff, Clockwork repeated the moment between Nocturne and Owen where he said, "Perhaps you already know this but long ago, I served Death, whose power you have been entrusted with. In exchange for their dream energy I gave comfort and counsel to the dying or those who were simply in need of it. That was my sole duty. But when the veil fell and the Ghost Zone was formed, I no longer had access to the dreams of mortals and was forced to get by harvesting energy from my fellow ghosts which as you can imagine did not provide me with nearly as much strength..."

"Much like Nocturne, I also played a vital role in overseeing the fates of those who would one day become a part of this world or the world beyond that humans have taken to calling 'heaven.' I know it by another name. When the Ghost Zone was created, in the absence of Death's leadership over this realm I am no longer charged with directly overseeing the lifespans of humans and alerting him to their 'time of death,' just the special few who have or will make an impact on the future. Your creation is part of the result of averting one future in hopes of guiding certain people along a better one. I have no power over the choices people make, but I can offer guidance and a gentle nudge in the right direction. I am willing to do the same with you now that your fate has become interwoven with theirs. They're on the right path, we just need to observe and pray that they succeed," with a sigh, Clockwork shifted the image to focus on Danny who had finally made it to Nocturne's keep just in time to witness Owen return to his body and be confronted by that ghost who was, yet again, trying to lull him into a false sense of security. Claiming rather eloquently that his plans for the other world were perfectly benign and for the good of everyone involved.

Glancing up at Clockwork again Dani asked worriedly, "Are they going to be ok? That guy looks really strong."

Clockwork didn't answer the question directly and instead replied, "It won't be long now before things come to a close. Now, I think you should get some rest since I've given you much to think about. Don't worry, I'll wake you should your assistance be needed but I haven't seen a potential timeline thus far where it would be in this case. Although, to be honest with you, the only reason I told you as much as I did is because we are unlikely to meet again after this, as you will be needed elsewhere. Just remember, no one can change the past, not even me without facing the consequences, but feelings can always shift direction at a moment's notice. And you must always be willing to change and grow and keep an open mind. Always. Whether or not that change is easy. Trust me, you'll be a lot happier in the end if you choose to let go of those hurtful emotions towards Vladimir. You'll be safer too."

"Safer? Safer from what? I don't get it," Dani frowned, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

Glancing in the direction of a certain item in his possession, Clockwork muttered mostly to himself, "Safe from a future you too would later regret..."


It wasn't as bad as the first time but being practically thrown back into his body was still a jarring experience. Owen wondered briefly if this was sort of what Danny and Vlad felt like whenever a duplicate re-merged with them. Either way his eyes snapped open and he slammed his head on the glass surface in front of him and grimaced, rubbing the sore spot since his hands were free at least.

This was a far cry from the luxurious bed Owen was sleeping in before. Now he'd been placed into some sort of glass pod where a fine mist swirled around him, already making him drowsy again. His reunion caused the desired effect of waking him up but Owen had to get out of here fast. Before he could do anything though a shadow fell over his pod and when Owen looked up, Nocturne was towering over him, arms behind his back in a very Vlad-like manner as if preparing to scold a misbehaving child with all the grace of a very old and powerful king.

"Ah so our lost prince returns at last," Nocturne smiled wickedly. "I trust my Sleepwalkers didn't treat you too roughly?"

Smirking back despite the circumstances, Owen retorted, "Hate to break it to you but they never laid a hand on me. The only reason I'm stuck here again is because I needed my body back. Unlike you, I happen to still be very much alive. But you on the other hand, oh you're in trouble now!"

"How so?" Nocturne asked, his smile faltering only slightly when Owen's sudden burst of confidence took him by surprise.

"Vlad's coming," Owen beamed, his eyes shining darkly at Nocturne. "I did what I set out to do and now he's coming here to kick your star-stained butt. So why don't you do yourself a favor and let me go before he gets here? If you're lucky he might just spare your afterlife."

"And why would I do that when you're already safely back under MY care? My poor naive child. I already know all about the elder halfa and I'm fully prepared to deal with him when he arrives. Perhaps if HE'S lucky I will allow you two to share a singular dream instead of indulging your individual fantasies," leaning back, Nocturne turned to face the controls for the sleep pod and smirked. "Really Owen, I don't see why you feel the need to defy me. I'm actually doing mankind a favor. Should Lilith find a way out of the Unworld she will find no humans nor ghosts her 'children' can torment and produce demons from. Once I've taken over the human world, the entirety of the Ghost Zone shall soon follow as we brace for the inevitable storm to come. I am not heartless though. It is not my intention to ensure that they all sleep forever, as tempting as that is. I merely wish to remind them who is the King of Dreams and that I am not any mere ghost they can hold in contempt and ask for help with their growing insomnia. We can all feel it. The shadows of an old darkness are stirring. All because you have reappeared at long last. The first and final necromancer..."

Slamming his fists against the glass Owen protested, "That's no way to live! We can't just run away from reality and hope everything works out! I'm done doing that! Nocturne seriously, you have to stop while you're ahead. You may have gone through my memories of Vlad but trust me when I tell you you have NO idea who you're dealing with. I don't even know everything he's capable of and Danny has only told me so much from his first hand experiences with him. But all that time Vlad was holding back so he wouldn't hurt him too badly in their fights. He's going to destroy you though, Nocturne, completely if he can. Are you really ok with that if it reminds people that you were once a powerful ghost and a trusted ally of Death?"

Turning back to Owen once again, this time frowning, Nocturne told him, "I should not expect a child like yourself to understand my motives. You barely understand HIS motives for you or realize just how valuable you are in this world and the next. Before long, everyone will remember exactly what it means to be put up against a necromancer of your caliber. You will be feared and loved by all without really doing anything yourself. Simply by BEING I will not be the first ghost that seeks to exploit your gifts, only, they will not be as kind with how they obtain it. Now that you have someone you care for so deeply for the first time in years, they will threaten him to get to you. And that's exactly what you're afraid of isn't it? Losing him like you lost your parents?"

"Shut up!" Owen cried, hitting the glass again but with more force which automatically made his hands change into his necroenergy form. "You can read my thoughts and view my memories but you have no idea how I feel. I'm still alive because of him. I have a place to belong, because of him. And when I escaped from you, as briefly as it was, Vlad was the one I ran to. I...I believe in him. He cares about me and is trying to change his ways because of how it effects me. But fear and hate have their place too, so long as they're justified. That's why I'm allowed to hate you for trying to use me too while still hoping you'll stop being an idiot and let me out of here!"

Ignoring Owen's ranting, Nocturne looked over the controls and sighed, "It would appear that I'll have to max out the output of sleeping gas to put you to sleep again since your resistance to anything ghost related has prevented you from already losing consciousness. You're still so lively even after the pod has been pumping sleeping gas into the chamber ever since your spirit took flight over two hours ago. Let us hope you do not become addicted to it after overexposure to the purest form of it I am capable of creating. I've seen it happen before and creating an antidote takes a long time and is hardly worth the trouble."

Owen rolled his eyes, "Ok, lets assume you do get me to fall asleep again. What then? I already know you have me captive now and that any dream you show me won't be reality. Eventually I'll wake up again or I'll bust out the same way I did before. This pod won't be able to hold me and neither will your stupid Sleepwalkers."

"I have my ways, no need to worry," Nocturne smiled, turning the dial and Owen heard the low hiss of his pod releasing more gas into the chamber. "I am nothing if not patient. I could easily manipulate your dreams so that you cannot tell what is real and what is not. For all you know, you've been asleep during this entire conversation. I'd hate to have to do that to you though after all the hard work I put into handcrafting such a marvelous dream just for you. That, and you have already suffered through the manipulations of the necromancer ghost Azrael, whom I can feel drowning in his own dreams of despair..."

"Azrael?" Owen scowled, leaning his weary head against the glass and digging his nails into his arms in an attempt to stay awake this time. "Great, are you going to use him against me too? The only reason I summoned you was because I was trying to reach him. But obviously my memories told you as much."

Double checking to make sure the settings were maxed out, Nocturne returned his attention to the boy, unaware that the dial was slowly turning back to zero right behind him. "You also told me as much when we met, don't you remember? You may not have used his name at the time but as you say, your memories told me all I needed to know. Perhaps I can also offer him some peace of mind since he has all but withdrawn into himself as recompense for his crimes against you, his beloved master."

"M'not his master..." Owen mumbled, trying not to breathe in too deeply as he yawned because of the sleeping gas as he pulled his head away from the glass, confused when he wasn't getting sleepier. Blinking slowly, Owen glanced behind Nocturne who was grinning gleefully at seeing his drowsy disposition and saw non-other then Danny floating invisibly behind him. Resisting the urge to smirk and acknowledge him as Danny went around undoing plugs and tubes and whatnot, Owen took that as his cue to pretend he was about to go under again when-

All of them were startled when a thunderous explosion shook the entire keep, knocking over several pods, including his own which Nocturne caught before it landed and shattered the glass door. "Sounds like our uninvited guest has arrived. But that was too close for comfort-"

"I warned you," Owen smirked, rubbing his sore shoulder that had slammed to the side of the pod when it fell over, leaving a nasty bruise. "There's going to be hell to pay and good luck getting me to fall asleep with that racket."

Setting the pod back up, Nocturne mused, "Well so long as you can't escape I don't see the need to. But just to be safe..."

Turning his hand intangible to reach through the glass that was specifically designed only to allow him access like this, Nocturne was about to reach directly into Owen's mind when he flinched away and gripped his arm, sending a wave of fire rippling up his skin which caused Nocturne to cry out in pain and withdraw his arm, glaring harshly at Owen who only returned his angry stare. "I know you have psychokinesis too but my flames are made of necroenergy so, I'd suggest against trying that again since I can hurt ghosts like you with it. You've got much bigger problems to worry about."

"Fine. But rest assured that this isn't over. I'll make you pay for doing that," Nocturne promised darkly before finally taking off in the direction of the intruder, aka Vlad.

Owen waited until the coast was clear to sag to the bottom of the pod and let out a sigh of relief. "You can show yourself now Danny, he's gone for now. How'd you find me anyway?"

No answer.

"Danny?" Owen asked again, troubled by the silence. He could still feel his presence but...

Unfortunately, just out of sight Danny lay unconscious under the other fallen pod. It had accidentally hit him over the back of the head when Vlad's attack shook the pod loose while he was searching for the tube that connected to Owen's pod feeding it more sleeping gas. At least Nocturne had been too focused on Owen to notice the presence of a new dreamer. Still, Owen could feel his confidence waning as he called out to Danny again, craning his neck to look around the room until he finally spotted a slightly green mess of hair as ectoplasmic blood stained Danny's usually all white hair.

Alarmed, Owen started pounding his fists against the glass again and shouted, "DANNY! Oh no, please, you've got to wake up! If Nocturne finds you here like this-!"

Looking around wildly for something he could use to get out, he continued to hit the glass harder when he felt it tilt and crashed into it with his entire body. Eventually the pod came crashing down a second time face first and Owen braced himself for impact. Another cry of pain escaped his lips when the phantom wound on his back flared up, paralyzing him for a solid minute before Owen could finally crawl out from under the now-shattered pod to stumble over to Danny to make sure he was alright. The building shook again just as Owen reached him and he immediately ignored his own wounds in favor of healing Danny's head-wound. Out of the two of them, Danny stood a better chance helping Vlad defeat Nocturne and his henchmen and besides, it was second nature to him to help others before helping himself.

Thankfully the wound was shallow and hadn't caused any concussions from what Owen could tell but Danny was still out cold. He had to get him out of sight before Nocturne came back and tried to make a run for it or hold Owen hostage to force Vlad to stop his attacks. Either way, there wasn't much time so Owen carefully swung Danny's arm over his good shoulder and slowly made his way out of the room. Wondering what exactly Vlad was doing that was making this entire island tremble like it was being bombed. Whatever it was, Nocturne was in for the fight of his afterlife and he was still an idiot to think he stood a ghost of a chance against Vlad. Because as a reverse of an old saying would say in this situation, 'Hell hath no fury like a father scorned...'