A/N: Wow, I'm very happy with the response from the last chapter. Oddly enough, it made me more nervous about writing this chapter. Anywho, Thank you KaijudoFan101, DannyandSammaster, Ciana wolf, and Andettan for following and/or favoriting this fic. To all my readers, thank you for reading; I really hope I don't disappoint you.

-guest- There are several moments I'm excited to write; this is one, but perhaps not for the reason you are hoping for. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

see all of you at the end.

To say that the oldest halfa was angry was an understatement. He was fuming; not only did Timus betray his trust and attack him, but his apprentice had to foolishly attempt to 'save' his life. Vlad had everything under control; Timus on his own wasn't a challenge and even with the extra ghosts, Vlad still was in charge. The halfa tried to stand up straight only fall on his knees; his mad dash to get back with his apprentice resulting in more injury than he expected. Vlad could feel his body shifting into his human half. He frowned to himself; Timus would pay for this incident.

Vlad heard the small gasp from Catalina who laid sprawled on the floor where he had dropped her. He turned her gaze to her. The woman was in her human form. Her eyes were nearly closed, but Vlad could see that they had remained red. He watched as they closed slowly. "Catalina," Vlad called out seeing no harm by calling out her human name. The woman didn't make a single noise besides her shallow breathing. The man hurried into action. He shook the woman to see if she was really unconscious.

He could hear her faint pulse. Although the sound was soft, her heartrate was rapid. He knew that he had to act quickly before any more damage could occur to the woman's core and human half. Vlad knelt to pick up the woman and set her on one of the lab tables. Vlad took notice of the blue tint of her fingernails and lips. The first thing he did was go into one of the many cabinets that lined the lab and grabbed a bag of saline that glowed slightly. He knew that whatever damage caused by the excessive use of ecto-energy could normally be reversed with a cocktail of various medical plants that would promote the production of more ecto-energy. Within minutes, he had Catalina hooked up to a steady drip leaving him with time to wait until she regained consciousness. He looked through the cabinets in the lab for a small bag of dried plant material that would be beneficial for the woman.

He knew that the woman saw him divert back into his human form. Vlad rubbed his temple as he thought about her inevitable reaction. He watched enough soap operas when he was hospital bound to know that women normally reacted to lies with screaming and yelling with the possibility of throwing nearby objects. Vlad was relieved to know that the woman wouldn't be able to throw anything in her current state which meant his lab was safe.

A soft moan came from the sleeping woman. Vlad stood quietly unsure what to do. "That must have been some party," Catalina mumbled to herself as her brown eyes opened slowly. "How are you feeling?" she asked catching sight of him.

The flippant attitude infuriated Vlad even more; how could the woman make light of the situation. "Catalina," he said roughly, his anger evident in his voice. She turned her head to face him and gave him a weak smile. "What were you thinking? Let me answer that: you weren't. I had everything under control," Vlad said his voice on the edge of shouting. The woman's skeptical look when he said he was in control made the older halfa even madder.

"I'm your friend, duh," the woman shouted back or tried to; her voice was horse. Vlad paused and the woman took the silence to speak. "I'm not some agreement for profit or even an ally," she said angrily before her gaze softened, "I'm your friend and I didn't want you to get hurt." The infuriating smile returned, but Vlad couldn't direct his anger at her. "I guess you're okay," she muttered to herself, but Vlad didn't hear.

Friend, the last person who had called him that ruined his life. Vlad had business partners and acquaintances, but not friends. Most people only wanted his money or they feared him. "Uh, Plasmius, or Mr. Masters, I don't know which you prefer," Catalina called out. "Can I sit up? It's very awkward speaking to you when I'm laying down." Vlad nodded his head still distracted by his thoughts and wanted to prevent the woman from continuing to babble about how she wanted to sit up. He watched as the woman got into a sitting position slowly, her eyes were looking at him with that searching gaze. "I don't know what you're thinking but from the look on your face it's unpleasant. If this about your friend that caused your accident, I know that you feel betrayed, but I won't betray you." Her voice seemed concerned before she gave him a small smile. Catalina wrapped her arms around herself. She was shivering slightly, "I hate to be an ungrateful guest, but do you have a blanket. It's freezing in here."

Vlad narrowed his eyes at the comment; the lab was at a reasonable temperature and with her warm core, Catalina shouldn't feel cold. Her ecto-signature was definitely unstable even more so than Daniel's which was a cause for concern. Vlad noticed at that moment that the woman didn't react negatively to his halfa secret. "Don't worry about it you clearly have a lot on your mind. Probably coming up with a plan to get back at Timus. Personally, I'm sure that we can show him his place. No one messes with Plasmius and Alma," the woman chattered happily throwing a fake punch.

"Of course, we'll have to show him that there are consequences that come with betraying me," Vlad answered.

"Great, when can we get to work?" Catalina asked excited leaning forward at the edge of the IV in her arm.

"After you get some rest. Your teleportation trick was really uncalled for and rash," Vlad scolded.

The woman chuckled, "But it was fun. Well, I guess it wasn't because I thought you were going to die. And that is not fun. But everything turned out okay."

Vlad pinched the bridge of his nose and wondered how the woman could make light of the situation. "I'm going to unhook you from the IV. Try to sit still for two seconds," Vlad said exasperated.

"I don't know, I feel the sudden urge to run laps," the woman responded sarcastically. Vlad shook his head wondering why the two other halfas had to be a snarky teen and an insane woman. The woman was freed from the contraption quickly, but she didn't jump off the table like the older halfa expected.

"Are you feeling well?" Vlad asked knowing that the woman was probably his best chance in getting Daniel on his side and he couldn't have her dying on him.

"Yup, never better," the woman said jumping to her feet before swaying and grabbing the edge of the lab table. "I probably should get home. I'm sure it's late and we both need to be in the office bright and early tomorrow. And before you say anything, I'm not taking the day off."

Vlad shook his head, knowing that the woman could be stubborn when the cause suited her. "If you insist on running yourself into the ground, then I insist that you take this." The older halfa tossed the almost forgotten bag of herbs. "Make tea out of it and be sure to drink all of it."

"I'll be sure to do that. Be sure to get some rest as well," Catalina said pushing off from the lab table to stand upright. Vlad led the woman through his mansion to the front door. "Your house is very beautiful and huge," the woman said with awe. "I think I would get lost if I lived here," Catalina said with a laugh. "But you have a good sense of direction. You're able to lead us through the Ghost Zone and there are no directional clues there," the woman continued paused at the front door.

"Catalina," Vlad called out attempting to remind her that the hour was late.

"Yes, Plasmius…Mr. Masters… Sir?" she stuttered.

"Vlad is fine," Vlad interrupted.

Catalina gave him an odd look before nodded, "Vlad then." She said it with hesitation as if the name was foreign. "My friends call me Cat."

DP~DP~DP~

Eris flew through the Ghost Zone upset. She had hoped to step into the fight between Timus and the two halfas, but she was unable to. She had even hoped that they had destroyed the female halfa, but she was sorely disappointed. Although the Roman ghost sent both halfas on the run, Eris had watched as he let them go. "Where do you think you're going?" Timus's rough voice called out.

Against her better judgement, Eris stopped and turned to face the other ghost, "I don't believe that's any of your business." She put her hands on her hips.

"After the amount of my men that I lost at your suggestion, I think your business is my business," Timus said towering over the woman.

"Just continue on with your afterlife, Timus. You don't want to be caught up in my affairs," Eris warned narrowing her eyes at the ancient ghost. The older ghost caught hold of her wrist.

"You're not even a Recorder, are you?" Timus asked his hands leaking ecto-energy.

"You're going to let me go," Eris responded coldly glaring at his hand, not bothering to respond to his actual question.

"I don't think I'm going to. You lied to me," Timus accused angrily. "I betrayed Plasmius's trust and he'll have my head, but I won't be moving on by myself, " Timus threatened.

Eris sighed, "This is your last chance to release me." Her eyes caught sight of the gathering darkness.

"Ha, Do you think I fear a ghost as weak as you?" the ancient ghost mocked.

Eris grinned at the man, "I'm not the one you need to be afraid of." The other ghost smirked back before the darkness that surrounded the pair smashed into his back. Timus's eyes became wide as the darkness seeped into his flesh causing it to bubble. The Roman ghost's eyes shut before reopening as a dark black void. "I didn't think you'll take his form, Master," Eris said to the possessed ghost.

"This host won't last long, but it's acceptable until I can get my perfect host."

"Of course, Master. I'm sure between the both of us we can find a way to direct the halfas," Eris said.

"We don't have a lot of time. He'll figure out what we're planning soon enough."

DP~DP~DP~

Clockwork narrowed his eyes at the vision in his window into the Timestream.

Catalina floated in front of Plasmius her red eyes wide in panic. She held her hands in front of her face. Each blue finger coated in green ectoplasm. "Vlad," she called out shakenly.

The older halfa glared at the woman. "We do not speak about this to anyone about this," he said roughly turning to ignore the female halfa.

"But Vlad."

"NO. If anyone finds out you pulled out that ghost's core and…ate it," Plasmius shook his head his face clearly disgusted. Catalina wiped the ectoplasm on the corner of her mouth, clearly embarrassed.

"I didn't mean to. I just… I was so cold."

The older halfa sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. "Don't do it again. If you are caught, I won't protect you." Although the words were harsh, the man's expression softened. "We'll find a solution to this cold problem."

The woman gave a bright smile and nodded enthusiastically.

The scene rippled being replaced with a scene from Amity High School. Danny was staring shocked. "Put me down," a voice grumbled from the spot that the teen halfa was staring at. A large blonde teen was being held off the ground by a blue ghost.

"It's not very fun being bullied is it?" the female ghost said mockingly. The teen was struggling in the ghost's arms, but was unable to move. "You're frightened? Good. I want you to leave this kid and his friend alone. If you don't, then it won't be a warning next time," the ghost warned before dropping the teen to the floor where he took off running bumping into Danny.

"You didn't have to do that, Cat," Danny said.

"Did you see the look on his face? He was absolutely terrified of me," the woman said gleefully before seeing Danny's unsure face. "I'm sorry got a little caught up making sure my little badger didn't get bullied at school."

"Don't call me that," Danny said upset.

Catalina laughed light-heartedly. "I know. It was just a bit of fun. I should go before someone catches me, see you."

Clockwork watched as the two were replaced with another image.

Within the window Plasmius and Danny Phantom were flying at top speed through the Ghost Zone. "Can we trust her?" Danny asked motioning to the blue-haired ghost that was flying ahead of the pair.

"Her master doesn't want Catalina. This is a trap to draw all three of us out," Plasmius stated, his black-gloved hands curling into fists.

"I know you're a crazed fruitloop, but why are we heading straight into a trap?" Danny asked his green eyes clearly concerned. Plasmius barely reacted to the nickname that the younger halfa gave him.

"Is the hero having second thoughts about saving a fair maiden?" Plasmius quipped smirking at the younger.

"No way, Cheesehead," Danny responded quickly speeding up to be ahead of the older. Plasmius's smirk fell as soon as Danny could no longer see him. The older halfa clearly more concern than he let the younger see. Both male halfas stopped suddenly nearly crashing into their guide.

"Cat/Alma," both called out at the same time. The female halfa wasn't facing them as she floated silently. Danny gave Plasmius a nervous look, but the older man refused to meet his eyes.

"Master," the blue-haired ghost called out her soft voice sounding loud in the silence. Catalina turned slowly to face the trio. Instead of the normally bright red color, her eyes were a pure black. As the pair of voids caught sight of the two halfas, Catalina's lips twisted into a sickening smile, one with almost manic glee.

"I didn't think you two would come," the woman's voice echoed with another deeper voice. "Honestly, I thought you were smarter than this," the woman sighed.

"Let her go," Plasmius growled his hands glowing with red energy.

The woman smirked at the older halfa's display. "And why-" the woman started; Plasmius quicker than either could react snatched something from around Eris's neck. The possessed Catalina stopped her bragging immediately; her black eyes narrowing.

"This is why you will release Catalina," Plasmius said holding out what he had took. Swinging in front of his smirk, was a large black orb.

"Why would I want that?" Catalina asked with a sigh pointing to the black orb.

"Then you don't mind if we destroy it," Danny spoke up, his hands glowing green.

Clockwork closed the window into the timestream; knowing the result of the battle that would have started. He shook his head in disbelief. It was impossible for him to return. They had made sure of it. The time ghost left his tower in a hurry to find the one ghost he needed to speak to.

He was grateful that she lived nearby. Clockwork slowed his flight when he neared a large tree that easily matched the size of his own domain. The time ghost looked up into the branches; some were laden with bright red leaves, others with small buds. Clockwork knocked on the wooden door in the trunk of the tree. "Terra, it's me."

The door swung open into the empty trunk. Clockwork floated in looking around the wooden expanse. "Clockwork, wow. I'm surprised that you came to visit. Let me guess your little toys are in trouble," a female voice called out unamused before the source came into view. The woman had pure white hair that floated around her lower back. She crossed her arms around her waist scrunching the white ice-like material of her floor-length dress.

"Terra, this is important. More important than our petty differences," Clockwork said trying to convince the female ghost to listen to him. The woman sighed; at her exhalation, the white coloring on her hair and clothing was drained away replaced with green. "It's Xaoc," Clockwork said shifting into his child form.

Terra's eyes darted away and she turned away from the time ghost, her green leaf-patterned dress swirled violently. "That's impossible. We took away his physical form. He's nothing but ectoplasm now; really just wisps of energy. How could he gather himself to even affect the Timestream?"

"Does it really matter how he did it?" Clockwork asked becoming his elderly form, "What matters is that he's loose in the Timestream."

Terra turned back to face the time ghost, her green hair turning a bright yellow. "And threatening your toys, no doubt. They would hold enough power to host whatever is left of him," Terra said with a smirk.

"Terra, you know I need your approval to interfere with the timestream," Clockwork pleaded.

The female ghost narrowed her eyes at the time ghost. "And why should I give it to you? After what you did to me," Terra asked dangerously. The yellow in her hair draining into bright red.

"Pariah Dark had to be stopped. You and Xaoc agreed," Clockwork reminded.

Terra looked away from the time ghost, " I didn't know how you intended to interfere… But my answer is final. As one of the three guardians of time, I'm not giving you permission to intervene in the timestream. Just get your little toys solve your problem like you always do."

"Terra, reconsider," Clockwork called out to the female ghost.

"You know Clockwork. Before Xaoc went insane, he was always pointing out your meddling in the time stream. Back then I thought he was just jealous that you're the only one of us who could actually affect the way this parade of time went, but the more I think back the more I agree with him," Terra said staring into his eyes. "Though I may reconsider if you allow me to watch the timestream beside you like I once did."

Clockwork thought over the proposition. The female ghost had lost her view into the Timestream after her affair with Pariah Dark; the other ghost wasn't repentant, but with Xaoc loose, Clockwork did value her insight. "I will agree to your terms," Clockwork said holding out his aged hand. Terra reached out and shook it.

A/N: Okay, Okay. I'm sorry to anyone who wanted to see Cat shout and scream at Vlad; she isn't one to shout unless the person is shouting at her.