Darkness surrounded him. It was almost suffocating. A hand flailed out, reaching for a wall or something -anything- to assure him he wasn't in a black void of nothingness. His reaching found nothing however, and he squeaked quietly, drawing his arm back to his chest. Bright blue orbs darted nervously around the room, and he let out a startled shriek when a voice echoed around him, sounding oddly familiar.

"Ah, Danny Fenton" it chimed

"Who are you!? Where am I!?" he demanded, struggling to keep the quake out of his voice

There was a low chuckle

"All in due time" there was a pregnant pause "Although, I suppose I could tell you this. turn around"

"Where's around?" he demanded, ignoring the amused chuckle that followed afterwards

He whirled around, eyes widened when his gaze immediately met that of his older -and evil- self's gaze. The piercing red eyes shone with amusement, and Danny narrowed his own ice blue eyes.

"Hello Danny" he greeted "How nice to see you"

"Is this another ploy to kill me?"

Dan chuckled once again, snakelike tongue flicking slightly from between his teeth.

"Danny if I wanted to kill you, you would already be dead"

Danny ignored the shiver that ran down his spine at that, and took a step back. Dan chuckled and straightened himself up, red eyes portraying his amusement at his younger self's fear.

"So why am I here?"

"I work for Clockwork" his eyes flashed angrily for a moment "And I was sent to... Watch after you, more or less" he sighed

"So you aren't evil-"

"Don't push it kid" he snapped, and Danny immediately fell silent. After a moment, and a quirked brow from the other ghost, Danny spoke once more

"So... Why do you need to watch after me?"

"If I told you, I would have to kill you" he responded easily

Danny gulped nervously

"Then-"

"All I can tell you, Fenton, is that things have been a cakewalk compared to how it's going to get for you. Be prepared. Expect the unexpected"

"If it's unexpected then how can I expect it-" he broke off at the menacing flash in Dan's eyes "Okay" he squeaked pathetically

"Good" the man nodded approvingly "Now..." he paused before grinning evilly and diving at the boy, causing Danny to slam his eyes shut and scream in terror.

When his eyes opened his gaze immediately met that of vibrant green.

"Danny! Are you okay?" Phantom asked worriedly

"Wha-" the teen froze, gaze darting warily around the room, searching for his older ghost half. He repressed a shudder, leaning into the embrace when Phantom gently wrapped his arms around him.

"It's okay" he promised "What happened?"

"Bad dream"

"No shit" the ghost rolled his eyes "What was it about, smart ass"

"I don't really know..." he mumbled "But... I think Dan is working for Clockwork"

"Isn't he evil?"

"I thought so" he shrugged helplessly

"So how do you know this?"

"I just do" he looked away for a moment, before looking back with determination in his icy eyes "We need to go see Clockwork"

"Right now!?"

"Yes, right now!"

"It's three in the morning-"

"Phantom" he wriggled out of the ghosts grasp, grabbing his own spandex suit -colors the opposite of Phantom's- and pulled it on "I'm going" he grabbed his cellphone and dialled Sam's cellphone number "With or without you"

"Danny?" Sam groaned

"Hi Sam" he responded "I'm sorry to wake you, but we have a problem. Grab Tuck and meet me at my place, I'll explain when you get here"

He heard some rustling on the other end, then her voice sounded, wide awake and determined

"I'm on my way" the line went dead

Danny pocketed his cellphone and grabbed the Fenton Phones off of his desk, sticking them in a pouch on his belt before grabbing the Fenton thermos. All the while, Phantom watched quietly.

Danny made his way to the door, pulling it open and stepping out. He paused, looking over his shoulder and quirking a brow at his ghostly counterpart

"Are you coming?"

"Of course" he muttered, floating over to the teen

Danny nodded, smiling slightly before hurrying out the door, Phantom right behind him, taking care to run so he would have a chance at passing by all the ghost detectors. When they reached the first floor of the house Danny froze, eyes fixed on his father, whom was fast asleep on the couch.

"Why is it special?" he muttered "Because it's a thermos with the word Fenton on it!" he rolled off of the couch

Danny was immediately grabbed and turned invisible just as Jack lurched up off the floor. He held his breath as his father looked around in confusion before shutting off the television and making his way towards them. He passed by, completely oblivious, and made his way up the stairs, a door being shut echoing through the house as he entered his own bedroom.

Phantom released his human counterpart and Danny crept forward, keeping an eye out for his mother and sister as they made their way to the front door. He reached over, pulling it open just as Tucker and Sam rushed up to it. The group shared a look, nodding before silently rushing inside and into the basement.

"Phantom, start up the portal while I tell these guys about what's going on"

"Okay" the ghost nodded, making his way over to the large door

"So Danny, what's up?" Tucker inquired

"I think Dan is working for Clockwork"
"What!?" they both hissed

"We're going to see him so I can find out what's going on"

"Okay" both nodded "Let's go"

Sam rushed over to the spectre speeder, and Danny handed Tucker a pair of Fenton Phones. The techno-geek put them in his pocket before rushing off to the speeder to join Sam. Danny approached Phantom

"You remember the way?" he asked softly

"Of course" Phantom offered a small reassuring smile

"Okay" he smiled in return "Will you lead us then?"

"Of course" he replied again

"Do you want to ride with us, or fly?"

"I'll fly" he answered, leaning over and pressing a gentle kiss to the raven's lips "Go get in the speeder, the portal is opening and we have to leave now If we want to get back before Jazz gets up"

"I would add mom and dad, but they wouldn't notice anyways" he shook his head slightly "Be safe"

"I will" he smirked

Danny nodded and turned on his heel,rushing to the Spectre Speeder. Sam immediately lifted it off of the ground, and when the ghost took off she shot after him.