DISCLAIMER: I've run out of disclaimer jokes...
"Is everyone ok?" Maddie asked when she noticed the group walk out of the portal.
"We're fine." Danny replied, "Though, I think Dan might need something for his indigestion"
Dan frowned, "I don't...hic...need any...hic...urp...medicine...hic"
He then clutched his belly and groaned before letting out a loud belch. A few small flames escaped from his mouth. His stomach rumbled and churned loudly.
"Daniel." frowned the ghost-hunting mother, "You shouldn't be making such rude noises around the kid"
"I...urp...can't...hic...urp...help...urp..." he groaned and belched again, "help it. These...urp...urp...emotions give me such bad gas"
"Well, in any case, you should probably take some antacids or something. And a breath mint. It's starting to smell like your father's bean burrito surprise in here"
Dan frowned in response. He didn't want to admit it, but, his ex-mother was right. Besides, he wasn't sure he'd be very threatening if he ended up having gas for all eternity.
"Here, hold him for a while." he handed Sylvester over to Maddie, "Oh, and don't hurt him...or else"
Maddie smiled and gently held Sylvester in her arms. She had always dreamed of having grandchildren. Of course, she never expected said grandchildren to be the offspring of an evil alternate-version of her son. However, she still loved the child dearly. Sylvester cooed and giggled in delight. Dan returned some time later looking a bit better than before.
"Feeling better?" asked Sam.
Dan nods, "Yeah. I think so"
"Say, Dan," spoke the half-ghost, "can I ask you something"
He looked over at his past-self and replied, "I guess. What"
"Well," Danny tired to figure out how to best ask his question, "I was just...wondering. Who is Sylvester's mother?
Sam's died in your timeline, so I know it can't be her. Y-You didn't...I mean"
"Please." scoffed Dan, "I do have some morality. I'd never sink so low. The person who decided to bear my child...so to speak...did so willingly. To be honest, I'm not even sure why I chose a mate. I suppose the instinctive desire to have a child to continue my legacy should something unfortunate happen to me was too strong for me to ignore"
"So, why doesn't the mother take care of her?" asked Sam.
Dan sighed, "Well, those papers that I read...the ones that said that I was Sylvester's biological father also stated that the mother died giving birth to him. I suppose a human mother...well...her body just couldn't handle it"
Danny's eyes widened in absolute shock. And, both Maddie and Sam had the same look of total disbelief on their faces.
"Y-You mean..." Maddie tried to force the words to come out of her mouth, "your son...i-is"
The evil future-ghost nodded slowly, "Sylvester is half-human"
"But, how did Sylvester end up here?" asked Danny, "He's from another univerrse...another timeline"
"I can explain that." a voice echoed in all directions.
A spiraling portal appeared as ClockWork emerged and made his way towards the others. His body shifted from that of an old man to a ten year-old child. Dan frowned slightly at the sight of the time-controling ghost.
"I should've known." Dan snarled in annoyance, "Can't you ever stay out of my life"
"Danny, who's this?" Maddie asked hoping it wasn't one of her son's countless enemies.
"Ah, where are my manners?" replied ClockWork, "My name is ClockWork. I am the master of all time and the keeper of all knowledge past, present, and future. I've been given the duty to watch over your son. To make sure he stays on the right path so that the time stream never falls apart"
"Ok..." the ghost-hunting mother tried to process all the information.
Sam asked, "So, you were the one who brought Sylvester here"
"Yes," answered the time-controling ghost, "and, I can see my plan worked perfectly"
Dan frowned, "Plan, what plan? I'm not your guinea pig"
"Allow me to explain," ClockWork sighed, "Dan, you lack compassion, understanding. You care only for yourself. Before Sylvester came along, you acted as if the world revolved around you"
Danny spoke, "I get it now. You brought Sylvester here so that Dan would learn to care for other people"
"You learn quickly." replied Clockwork while giving an all-knowing smile.
Dan frowned and grabbed Clockwork the throat, "Mess with me or my kid again and I'll pound your brains so hard you won't be able to tell your head from your ass."
He then dropped Clockwork onto the ground. The time-controlling ghost got up and dusted his cloak off.
"Of course," Clockwork spoke, "Dan has a most unusual way of showing love and compassion towards his child."
Author's Notes: Thanks for the reviews. The next part is coming soon. I just love Dan's fatherly side. It's so sweet...yet so twisted.