A/N:

Back with another chapter for you! I finished the other FF I was working on, so I'll be more focused on this one. Uploads might be sporadic - I am currently in the works of publishing my first novel! Things are a little crazy right now between communicating with my manager and publisher about marketing and editing and all the fun stuff that comes with being a full-time author, so bear with me. Dreams do come true, people.

Regardless, FanFiction is still my home and my favorite place to write (without having to focus heavily on perfecting the quality of my content, thank GOD for that), so I will keep going strong.

Let's get on with the chapter then!

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It was crazy.

Too crazy.

But I was going crazy.

I was so close to losing my shit, that I would do anything—anything—to get back home.

That's why, when Clockwork asked if I was willing to possibly destroy myself in order to change what happened to me Day Zero, I immediately said yes.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Daniel?" Plasmius said quietly, hesitating before resting his black-gloved hand on my shoulder.

I was sure. But I couldn't help the guilt that began settling in. I shrugged, "I don't know. It would mean taking the ghost out of you. It would mean removing half of who you are. I don't know if I can do that to you. To anyone."

"We may need to find another way to create a darker Danny without separating Vlad from Plasmius in the process." Clockwork said, studying his time grid. "It might take a bit of time to figure out how…"

"No, Clockwork." Vlad straightened up. "We want this done right. We want someone equally as powerful as Rooks. We cannot risk finding some 'other way' to create a ruthless Danny Phantom when we don't know the consequences." He turned to me, red eyes pleading. "We know for certain we will get the results we need by doing exactly what was done seven years ago. Do not let your morals sway your decision. I want to do this for you."

I shook my head. "But—"

"But nothing. Please, allow me to help you." Vlad shifted into human form. "Seeing what you've been through lately, seeing how much the world needs you…it has opened my eyes in a way. And I may be going to Hell, but at least I can be atoned for the things I've done. I owe you more than 'one'. Besides," he smirked, "if this works, and you rid the universe of Rooks, then the future and timeline he created will cease to exist. Which means, we'll cease to exist. Plasmius and Vlad Masters will be one again."

I dropped my head in thanks. "I don't know what to say…"

"Well, to prevent further 'accidents' like yours from happening," Clockwork stepped between us, "at some point, I'm going to provide you both, and Danny's loved ones, with time medallions. That way, if we succeed and after this is all over, you won't forget what happened. And you won't revert having told your parents the truth about who you are."

"A time medallion?" Vlad scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "What in god's name is—"

"Don't ask." CW and I responded simultaneously.

"Alright then," Vlad glanced between us. "What will we need for this…project?"

"Primarily we'll need your ghost gauntlets." CW answered. "We'll need your lab as well, so that we can extract your ghost half and merge it with Daniel's safely." He paused. "As safe as 'safely' could possibly be."

"My gauntlets? The defective ones patented by Vladco?" Vlad shook his head. "I never perfected them. They could kill us both." I growled and he looked at me sheepishly. "Sorry. I meant me. It could kill me. Not you. That's right."

"It doesn't matter how they worked." I glared at him. "I know they did in the past because I used them on myself. And yes, the human side of me died in that time stream, but only because my ghost half that merged with yours attacked me. Not because the gauntlets were defective."

Vlad grimaced. "Still…what happens if this doesn't work? We don't have a back-up plan. This is our plan A through Z. I haven't any better ideas, but if we fail and this kills me and/or turns Daniel into a complete lunatic—"

"We can worry about that if it happens." Clockwork held his hands up. "I have a feeling this is the plan that succeeds."

"I'm ready to get started now." I rubbed my hands together. "Where do you have those gauntlets hidden, Plasmius?"

"Hold on a minute, kid." Clockwork flew between us as he aged into a child. "We can't just 'get started', we can't jump into merging your ghost half with Vlad's. You lost your mind and turned completely evil the last time. You turned into your worst enemy, as well as the monster that took over the entire Ghost Zone and planet Earth with little to no effort."

"But in that world, I was in a different mindset." I argued. "I was depressed. Everyone I ever loved or cared about was dead, blown to pieces in that freak accident at the Nasty Burger. I wanted to die and I wanted the pain to stop and I wanted to get the ghost side of me out. This time it's totally different. I'm different."

"But can you handle the evil that will become half of you?" CW asked. "Just because your head is clear, doesn't mean Plasmius's is."

"I'm in a better mindset lately. Less diabolical, more…benevolent." Vlad smiled proudly. "Perhaps this will help create an all-powerful ghost just good enough to defeat his own match."

"Perhaps we won't be able to merge ghosts because we won't be able to fit your enormous ego." I grumbled.

"Maybe you're right," Clockwork responded to Vlad as he smacked the back of my head. "But we still need to take precautionary measures, so that when your souls merge, the new Danny won't try and escape. We'll keep Vlad awake during the procedure as well so he can guide us in using his equipment."

"We'll need help." Vlad said, "My hologram assistant can only work computers and machines. She can't help with health and safety measures."

"You mean your hologram version of my mom?" I grimaced. "I'd rather not see her in action."

"What about your actual mother?" CW asked, turning into a middle-aged spirit. "Would she be able to help?"

I hadn't thought about her, or either of my parents actually. Now that they knew my secret, they could help me come back with the knowledge they had from researching ghosts all their lives. Well, my mom could. My dad…maybe not.

My shoulders lifted. "We could ask her. But that would mean exposing Vlad as Plasmius. She would know his secret, too."

Vlad patted his chest. "That's a fate I'm willing to accept. Let's be honest…your mother already hates me—she couldn't possibly hate me more. Besides, I won't be Plasmius anymore after he and you become one in the same."

"You might be if we succeed in reversing the effects Rooks had on time." Clockwork said. "But, it matters not. You will always be you Vlad. No matter what is or isn't inside you."

"I don't know whether or not to take that as an insult or compliment." Vlad heavily rolls his eyes. He gestured to CW's portal. "Without sounding like a pretentious fuck…shall we head to my manor in Wisconsin?"

Clockwork waved his hand over the portal as it focused on Vlad's enormous house (one of the many homes he owned within the county). The three of us leapt into it, one by one, heading toward the unknown.

DPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDP

"The private jet should be arriving any minute."

Vlad sipped from his glass of whiskey ever so slowly, crossing his one leg over the other as he leaned against one of the lab tables. I stared into my own glass, swirling the syrup-colored liquor around clockwise before downing it in one gulp.

"I'm glad she's willing to help." Clockwork said as he hovered over the gauntlets, his back facing us. "You didn't mention this plan could bring Danny back from the dead, did you?"

"Heavens no." Vlad's voice echoed into his drink. "God forbid this doesn't bring him back…I'd rather not be the reason for his mother's second heartbreak."

"Good." I placed my empty glass onto Vlad's desk. "Although, I'm not sure how she'll handle watching the ghost of her son transform into something…else."

"She'll be fine," Vlad waved his hand nonchalantly, "She's tough. The strongest woman I've ever known. She'll make it through."

"I'm holding you to that."

Vlad hopped onto the table, adjusting his suit jacket. "Please, Daniel. You know she's my main concern. I'll be sure to keep her safe in all this. You have my word."

"My father is your responsibility too." I approached him, straightening up and looking at him squarely. "Treat him as you would my mother."

Vlad's face contorted with disgust. "Not entirely as I would your mother."

"The gauntlets are charged and ready for use." Clockwork interrupted, holding them up with his hands inserted into them. They looked ridiculous, like large, metal-clawed gloves on his hands. "This will probably be painful."

"Wonderful." I sighed, dragging my hands down my face. I turned to Vlad, "And you're absolutely sure you want to do this?"

"For the good of the world," Vlad nodded, gazing at his own palms, "And for the future of my soul…I am sure."

"Here's the plan." Clockwork clanged the gauntlets together, creating violet sparks. "I will detach Vlad from Plasmius. Before his spirit becomes too aware of what's happening, Danny will overshadow him." CW placed the gauntlets onto a lab table separate from the one Vlad was sitting on. "Maddie will act as a medic, tending to Vlad's human half, while I attempt to contain and control Danny. We've got some ectoplasmic tranquilizer darts handy—" he gestured to where the darts rested on the largest computer across the room, "—locked and loaded in a pistol for Mrs. Fenton to use on Danny if she has to. I can freeze you in time if necessary but…" His red eyes glowed in my direction. "I don't think it will be necessary."

"Separate Vlad and Plasmius," I nodded, "I overshadow his ghost. Then we pray I don't kill anyone. Got it."

"This will work, Daniel." Vlad rested his palm on my shoulder.

Holographic Maddie Fenton suddenly appeared beside us. Her eyes were lifeless and her smile was flat as she spoke.

"Your guest has arrived, dumpling!" She said sweetly to Vlad, whose pale face burned red.

"See her in." He mumbled in embarrassment, and the hologram faded away.

I inhaled shakily, hugging myself. I felt cold. But not from the temperature around me…it was coming from inside. Sort of like the feeling just before I'd discovered my cryokinesis.

"If something goes wrong," I whispered to CW and Vlad, "if anything happens that shouldn't…don't let me out of here."

CW gripped both of my shoulders then, spinning me to face him. "You are stronger than that, Danny. You can do this. You can do anything. Remember that."

My head hung and I stared down at my booted feet.

The sound of my mother's voice carried down the basement stairs and I looked up swiftly.

"I said I don't need you to take my bags!" She growled as she appeared at the door. "I DON'T HAVE ANY BAGS!"

"Sugar Plum says to cater to your every need, Ms. Maddie!" Hologram Maddie floated down behind her.

Mom yanked her jumpsuit hood off her head and tugged her goggles down, glaring in Vlad's direction.

"Call off your creepy clone, you idiot!"

Vlad smiled nervously, "That'll be all, Madeline." He said to the hologram through clenched teeth. She dissipated, leaving only the real Maddie to the rest of us.

She found me in the mess of laboratory equipment and her face softened. I hurried over to her, taking her into my arms, the cold feelings inside me fading.

"Mom," I breathed.

"Hi hon." She kissed my cheek. "How are you holding up?"

I pulled back to look down at her and smiled my best smile. "I'm great. Ready to kick some ghost-ass."

She nodded and looked around me at Clockwork. "Clockwork, is it?" She asked, and I stepped aside so she could speak with him.

He nodded, extending an elderly hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Fenton."

She hesitated, staring incredulously at the blue hue of his skin, before finally taking his hand firmly. "With all do respect, I expected someone a bit...younger going up against the most evil spirit in the universe."

CW turned middle-aged and smiled. "How's this?"

Mom gasped and then chuckled quietly. "I stand corrected." She placed her hands on her hips. "So, let's get this going then. My boy's got a world to save." She turned to Vlad. "I'll need medical equipment if you've got it; an IV drip, a defibrillator, some gauze and a whole lot of painkillers."

Vlad swallowed hard, then snapped his fingers. Several Holo-Maddie clones began to bustle around, acquiring the equipment Mom requested.

I paced the room as she prepped Vlad as if he were about to undergo surgery. She and Clockwork had been talking nonstop—he was asking her all these questions about her research throughout the years, and she asked him about the ghost world. He told her our plan in great detail—minus the possibility of me coming back to life as well as the possibility of me being damned to the Ghost Zone for eternity. I tried not to think about that, though.

"Are you listening, Daniel James?"

My head snapped up at my mother's scolding tone. "Huh?"

She rolled her eyes. "Even in death you have the attention span of a goldfish. I asked if you were ready."

"Oh," I scratched the back of my head, white hair falling into my eyes lazily. I avoided her gaze. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"And you Vlad?" She said to my frenemy, who was currently lying back on the lab table hooked up to all kinds of machines. I could swear her voice sounded sympathetic, and I saw what looked like concern displayed on her face. "We'll try to make this quick."

"Ready." Vlad gave her a thumbs up.

I walked over to his side, stretching my hand out. He glanced at it, then at me, then clapped his palm into mine.

"Hey, V-man." I smiled at him, trying to remove the fear I could see behind his blue eyes. I felt a pang of guilt that he was giving up half his identity, half of who he was, to save the world. And me. "I want to...uh...thank you. For everything. For helping me all this time."

"I said I owed you one, didn't I?" He smirked. "No need for thanks."

"Well, consider us even, then."

"I still can't believe all these years you were half ghost, Vlad Masters." My mom shook her head at him. "Knowing now what my son had gone through—and for a shorter span than you had—I can almost understand why you were such a...such a..."

"An asshole?" Vlad laughed, and I gave his hand a squeeze before letting it fall to his side.

"I was thinking more along the lines of "creepy prick'," she smiled sweetly down at him, "But you hit the nail on the head."

"It's time." Clockwork said then, "We have a small window. I can see a future forming as a result of this." He waved me over to the lab table beside Vlad. "Quickly now."

I hopped up onto the table next to the gauntlets, my legs swinging anxiously. My ghostly heartbeat was thudding heavily in all parts of me; my neck, my chest, my head, my hands. I was terrified of what would happen. To all of us. What if I kill Vlad and Mom? What if I don't come back from this, or come back at all? What if it worked but I can't beat Rooks and this was all for nothing—

Clockwork placed his hands on my shaking ones, bringing me out of my thoughts. He looked up at me, leaning close.

"You get through this." He muttered almost inaudibly. "You already have."

I released a whoosh of air, hoping he wasn't lying to me. I handed him the gauntlets, one by one, helping him slide his hands into their massive chambers.

"Is Vlad good and ready?" CW looked over his shoulder at Mom, who gave him two thumbs up.

"All doped up and ready to go!" She said, checking his vitals on the heart monitor she'd hooked up to him. She slid an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth. "Let's do this."

Clockwork immediately charged up the ghost gauntlets, purple electric bolts zapping out from it as if it were some crazy experimental lightning. He flew at Vlad, hovering above his drugged-up self.

"On three." Clockwork said to both him and Mom. He paused a moment. Then, "THREE!"

He thrust the gauntlets into Vlad's torso, causing him to twitch and scream into his mask. I shielded my eyes from the blinding violet glow, seeing my mother backing up against the wall and sliding her goggles back over her eyes. Clockwork cried out, shaking and struggling to pull Vlad's ghostly half out from within his core. He aged backwards and forwards and back again, before finally, Plasmius was free of Vlad Masters.

CW held Plasmius over his head, the claws deep in his see-through gut. Plasmius's red eyes were wide and fearful, uncertainty overwhelming his face as he surveyed the area around him. His eyes locked on me then, his brows lowering, and he bared his teeth.

"Hurry Danny!" CW shouted at me, "Do it now!"

I leapt into the air, panting and seeing spots. I momentarily panicked as I realized this was it; there was no turning back now.

I can do this.

"NOW, DANNY!"

I flew straight and fast at Vlad's ghost, just as he shoved the gauntlets and Clockwork aside. I braced myself for impact, feeling my body tingle as I prepared to overshadow Plasmius.

Rather than physically entering his ghost, I felt him phase through me, us phase together, fusing as one being. At first, it felt like any other time I'd over shadowed anyone.

Until I realized how loudly I was screaming.

My face, my arms, my legs were on fire. I was cracking apart, inside, outside. My brain was melting into mush, pieces of me flaking like snow or ash or dying leaves. I was liquid on the floor, acid sizzling through the linoleum, through the dirt and the Earth until I was in the planet's hot core, burning. I couldn't see; all there was was this red hot, white hot, blue hot, black. Red, white, blue, black. My screams. My hands on my face, my searing face, tugging at my skin, sliding down my cheeks over and over again.

At that point, I'd take damnation over this agony.

After what seemed like years...red, white, blue...then black.

Only black.

No pain, no sounds of my screaming voice. No fire or Earth's core. No colors or ash.

Nothing.

Except...a voice.

Do you have any idea what you've done?

It was a whisper that was not my own...but it sounded like me. My voice, only...warped. Twisted.

Menacing.

It's just my subconscious. I'm just confused. I'm okay. Where am I? It's so dark...

Look what you've done to us.

I heard myself moan aloud. I felt something cold press to my forehead.

Please stop.

Look what you've done to us. Open your goddamn eyes.

It hurts too much. I groaned again. What are you? Are you Plasmius? I could hear voices faint in the distance that belonged outside of my head.

I'm you. The voice in my mind hissed. I've always been you.

You're just Plasmius. You're just part of Vlad.

No. The voice said inaudibly. I am half of who you are now. I am only the essence that was inside Vlad that created Plasmius. He laughed humorlessly. But I have changed. I have turned. You turned me into you. I am you. You are me. We're one in the same.

"Stop." I croaked, feeling my lips crack. "Stop."

"Danny? Sweetheart, you're alright." I heard the distant voices grow. Mom? She sounded scared. "You're alright, just wake up now."

Don't be afraid. The voice laughed again. You and I...we are free now.

My eyes snapped open and I bolted upright. It was too bright, wherever I was, and I covered my eyes with my hands.

"Danny! Oh, thank goodness!" I felt a pair of hands touch mine, pulling my fingers away from my eyes.

I blinked, trying to adjust to the brightness of the room.

"Oh, let me move this." I heard Clockwork say at my left, and I heard a squeaking sound just before the brightness faded away. "Better?"

My eyes focused on Mom and CW's faces in front of me. I glanced up at where the brightness had been, and saw that CW had moved the operating light that was hanging from the ceiling overhead. I rubbed my eyes slowly, feeling each of my limbs move in response to waking up from the hell I had just traveled through. I wiggled my fingers and toes, trying to get the sensation back into them.

"What..." I rasped. I cleared my throat and held my spinning head. "What the hell happened?"

"It worked." CW said, and he and Mom glanced at one another. "You're still Danny Phantom. At least on the outside." He stepped closer to me, touching my shoulder. "How are you feeling inside?"

So alive. At last. Free, at long last, we are free. Whispers bounced off the inside of my skull.

"I, uh..." I hesitated, choosing my next words carefully. I felt...strange. I felt different. But not in a bad way. Far from bad. In fact... "I feel pretty good, actually." I ran a hand through my hair.

CW and Mom looked at each other again, making me feel uneasy.

"Do I look okay? Normal?" I inquired, wanting the silence to stop being so loud.

We feel good. I feel good, don't you? You did a good things for us.

I shrugged in response to my inner thoughts.

"You look like yourself, honey. Like the you I know and love." Mom responded, but I noticed there were tears dried on her cheeks. I moved to touch them and she flinched away.

"Mom," I asked warily, my eyes flickering to CW, who was looking everywhere but at me. "Why are you crying? You guys, what's going on?"

You were a little rowdy.

Rowdy?

You like rowdy though. I know you do. You like to get a little rough. It's okay.

Clockwork snaked his hand around my wrist. He held it tightly, as if he were afraid I'd run from him. Or fly away.

"Vlad...didn't make it through the procedure." He said quietly.

My jaw dropped. "W-what? What?"

"It's okay, Danny." Mom tried to smile, but it looked more glum than she'd intended. "Vlad knew what he was getting into. He knew the risks—"

"What? What happened? How could...what?" I felt sick. I looked to the right over at Vlad's table, seeing a body-shaped lump beneath a large tarp. Not a white sheet, like when people usually died...a blue tarp, like the kind you cover your car in during a snow storm.

Mom blocked my line of sight, stepping into view before I could see anymore. "Don't worry about that now, son. He risked his life to save the world, and to save your soul. He knew what he was doing. We can't undo what's been done. You have a mission. We've got to keep going. I will take care of Vlad—"

"But what happened?" I exclaimed, yanking my wrist from CW's. "I survived this procedure. I lived through it in another time period. Why didn't he?"

CW tried to grab my wrists again. "It's not that simple Danny—"

"Answer me!" I growled, feeling my face flush with heat. CW and my mother backed away from me, almost fearfully. I took a deep breath, sliding myself off of the table. "Why do you both keep avoiding my question?"

You know why.

I don't.

Yes.

I glanced over at the blue tarp covering dead Vlad Masters. Suddenly, I felt like maybe I really did know what happened, and why they were avoiding my questions.

Before they could stop me, I pulled the tarp off Vlad's body and let it fall to the floor.

My hands flew to my mouth, my eyes watered in shock. I doubled-over, gripping my abdomen and the lab table for support.

Vlad wasn't just dead.

He was mangled.

Blood, guts, limbs hanging by threads, eyes gray with death.

Vlad, whom I thought I hated but actually felt some compassion for...

...Destroyed.

"No." I covered my mouth again. "No, no, no, no..."

You did this.

We did this?

No. My inner voice laughed heartily. We didn't. You did this. All on your own. I didn't even need to help you.

"No!" I responded to him out loud, "It's not true!"

Don't you remember?

Images suddenly flashed behind my eyelids. Red, white, blue, black. I could vaguely remember bits and pieces from the overshadowing, the pain, the confusion, the hallucinations...brief pictures of Vlad screaming. I could remember feeling two pairs of hands on either side of me, pulling on my biceps, dragging me off his bleeding, injured form.

And then I had broken free. And I flew back over to him.

And I had torn him apart.

You lost your shit a little.

You're a fucking monster. You're a demon.

You're the demon here. He argued, sighing a sound of boredom, or maybe pity. I may be your demon, but you are also mine.

I collapsed to the floor, the tarp falling at my knees.

"We tried to stop you, Danny." Mom whispered from behind me.

Not hard enough, obviously.

"We got you into the Fenton thermos." CW said, his cloak appearing beside me as he approached. "We needed to contain you until you calmed down. It worked, though; you're okay."

Nothing is okay. I'm far from okay.

But you feel good. So that's okay.

I do. Somehow, I do. I agreed, my eyes closing. But that's not okay.

"You get through this, Danny." CW squatted down to me. "I assure you; whatever you are battling in there, whatever your demons may be...you get through it."

"I..." My eyes squeezed shut and I felt anger boil up with in me. I shot up into the air, hovering above them. I glanced down at Vlad's ruined corpse, gripping the sides of my head. "I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" I shouted in a voice that was mine, but had a undertone to it, much like the whispers of the demon in my head.

"Danny, please!" My mom begged, gathering the tarp and quickly covering Vlad's body as if it would help me unsee what I had done. "We can help you. Remember why you did this in the first place."

I couldn't. I couldn't remember. I wasn't trying all that hard, but all I could see was Vlad dead, and red, white, blue, black. All I could hear was this ringing in my ears...an alarm, zapping in rhythm in a repetitive fashion, loud enough to make someone go insane.

I gripped the sides of my head tighter, feeling as if my head was about to explode. Over and over the sound pulsated behind my eyes. What was this? Why was this internal alarm so loud in my own head?

It's okay. The demon in my head said quietly, sounding less intimidating and more empathetic. It's a defense mechanism. You're trying to escape. Don't worry...I'm here for you.

My shoulders relaxed a bit and I felt my thoughts begin to settle down. I looked down at CW and Mom, who both had their hands up defensively. They were a great distance away now...I could see they were afraid. Of me.

I then noticed my mother inching ever so slowly toward the tranquilizer gun, and Clockwork aiming his staff my way.

They want to hurt me.

They want to hurt us. My demon echoed quietly. Let's get out of here.

My hands slid down my face, dropping at my sides. He knew what I wanted... I wanted to get away. Even if I did remember, even if I did decide to do what I was supposed to do in the first place...I couldn't do it now. I wasn't right. I was...fucked up. I was so fucked up right now.

The mission can wait. Come on.

I took that moment to blast both of their weapons out of their hands with my ecto-laser. I then shot up like a bullet through the basement ceiling, through the multi-levels of Vlad's mansion, through the roof and into the sky. I needed to run. I needed to run away.

Maybe we don't have to go back. Ever. Maybe things will work out for us if we just keep running. We're free now.

As much as I thought I initially hated whatever this demon inside me was... I was starting to realize we might be on the same side. He made everything seem okay.

We are one in the same.

You've taken some of the pain away.

My intention is not to hurt you. His voice said softly as I flew higher and higher through the clouds, passing through a Boeing plane. Why would I want to hurt myself?

"Where are we going?" I asked it aloud, wiping my eyes that had watered from the wind. I stared over the clouds at the horizon, at the setting sun in the distance, feeling almost at peace despite all the conflict inside of me. All the fear and torment and confusion that circled my brain.

We can go anywhere, he said hopefully. We can do anything we want. What do you want to do now?

"Anywhere?" I asked the demon in me.

Anywhere. We can fly forever.

For once, I didn't feel alone in something. I always felt alone, I think. I couldn't remember. I actually couldn't remember what life was like without the voice in my head. I knew this voice was whatever made Plasmius...whatever he was. Whatever it was. He was an entity, not a person. Just matter, an ecto-organism; not an actual being. There was no Plasmius. Only this voice. Only me. I was Danny, but so was he. It was almost...satisfying to know this. I felt content for the first time in...in...how long? How many years had I existed? How long was I all-ghost? I shook my head, trying to find my contentment again as the gears in my head turned.

It's okay. Don't be scared. We're free now.

"The enemy..." I whispered, trying to access a memory that had suddenly surfaced.

Don't worry about that now.

"Anywhere, you said?" I asked it again, licking my cracked lips. "We can go anywhere?"

I know what you're thinking.

I glanced up at the sky above me, at the atmosphere, the troposphere I was floating in. Of course you do. I could see the stars in space, even though it wasn't yet night.

I started to fly upwards.

Up and up I went, feeling each layer of the atmosphere push down on my head and body as I passed through them. It was getting darker, yet brighter all at the same time. I couldn't breathe—there was no oxygen up here. But I didn't need to. I could inhale and exhale and everything would keep going as if I weren't traveling at light speed into space.

I'd always wanted this...I always wanted to be an astronaut. Space and the universe were my favorite things. I never thought I'd really get to space in my lifetime.

Well, you are dead.

I almost laughed at his comment.

Suddenly...I was there.

I was in space.

Flying above the Earth.

It was exactly how I'd imagined it, but not exactly how I'd imagined it.

I hovered, staring down at the massive blue world beneath me. I bit my bottom lip as I smiled. I hugged myself, my arms covering my chest. I released a sob, one I felt I'd been holding for years and years and years. I was confused and disoriented and didn't understand anything that was happening. I was joyful, and I was sad, and I was lost and I was found all at the same time. I didn't know who I was anymore, yet I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

After a moment of tears, I took a shaky deep breath of nonexistent air. I gazed out into the universe, spotting something shiny.

"Is that...the International Space Station?" I asked, my voice swallowed by the open world I was flying in.

You bet your ass it is. My demon answered. Let's check it out!

I flew at the ISS, feeling power surge through my legs that I'd never felt before. It made me move faster through space, fly quicker over the big, beautiful planet below me. As the space station grew nearer, I went invisible so that none of the astronauts within it would see me and think I was some UFO. I peered into the tiny windows, only seeing wires and white insulation.

I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the glinting silver of the outside walls. I pressed my palms against the metal, peering into the mirror, seeing my reflection stare back at me. I looked the same... I looked like myself, just like they said. Whoever "they" were. Except...there was something different. Something slight, ever so small, a change that could easily go unnoticed.

My right eye, the iris that used to be blue...was now a vibrant, stunning gold.

In different lights that shone from the metal parts of ISS, my eye appeared hazel. Or amber, or just yellow. But up close, it was gold like the rays of the sun.

It suits you.

I sighed, pushing off the wall. I rotated around the station, flying towards where I thought the Cupola would be; this was the observatory module where all the astronauts could see space through big windows.

I located it and pressed my face up against the glass. No one was in the Cupola at the moment. If I were an astronaut, I'd spend all my time in here. I'd get fired for not pulling my own weight like everyone else in ISS, but it would all be worth wasting my time in that module.

What am I saying...I'm in space right now. I flew away from Cupola toward nothing in particular.

It doesn't feel real.

It feels...I feel...

Free?

I inhaled sharply. Yeah...free.

I stared down at planet Earth in wonder. I couldn't remember what was weighing me down there, holding me, chaining me to the ground. I couldn't remember why I hadn't left in the first place. This was where I wanted to be. This was Heaven. I was infinite here.

You're free here.

I nodded, feeling a sad smile cross my face.

We are finally free.

DPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDP

A/N:

If you couldn't already tell...I am a complete and total space nerd. I'm in love with space and the universe. Much like our hero DP always was!

The song for this chapter was "My Demons" by Starset.

BUT...we have a bit of a ways to go before Danny's tragic adventure ends. There are problems to be solved, enemies to defeat...selves to discover.

Hope you stick around through it all.

On to the next!

~RyJones