Outside of Dr. Technus's Lab
Ember floated as she watched Danny fight his diabolical counterpart. She marveled at the strength Danny possessed. 'This is amazing! The dipstick really has gotten stronger. He seems more confident and unshaken. Was he always this strong? I still don't understand why he needs me. He fought alone just now and I was no help at all.' Danny stood in front of Ember.
"Hey Ember, you okay?" The look of shock lingered on her face. She smiled as she replied, "Yeah, I'm good. I'm just surprised at how well you fight. You're not the same boy I fought against."
Danny blushed. "After the fiasco with my older self, I decided to step up my training. I came here into the ghost zone and Clockwork would help me."
She raised an eyebrow. "How did pops help you?"
"He would send me to another time to train on my own without any interruptions. I've been doing that for months; until this happened of course." He pointed toward the orb Ember held in her arms.
"Okay, we should get going before something else happens." Danny nodded. She handed it to Danny as Ember readied to teleport. A blue flame engulfed them both and vanished.
Clockwork's Tower
Clockwork was surveying his treasure room. A blue flame appeared at the entrance and there stood his apprentice and Ember. He smiled as he looked at the object Danny carried.
"We're back Clockwork and we come baring gifts." said Danny walking before Clockwork.
"Excellent. This is the object used by the warrior many ages ago to defeat Braedon. Now we may go on to step two." Danny gave it to him, backed away and regrouped with Ember.
"What's next Clockwork?" He turned from a child into an adult.
"The next step is to visit Pandora's Realm. There we will begin your training."
"I heard that you've been training baby pop here yourself." Ember added. "Why don't you just keep that training up then? He is definitely stronger."
"The type of training you two will receive will be extensive and necessary to handle to power the orb provides. In all honesty, I only gave young Daniel a place to train and he did the rest himself." Clockwork opened another portal before them.
"This way children. We mustn't waste time." He went through first. Danny began to follow when he felt Ember grab his hand. He turned around to see Ember's face expose a deep concern.
"What's wrong?" She looked away.
"Danny, you really don't need me here. You're strong enough to handle yourself. You fought against Pariah, the Fright Knight and even Undergrowth. Ghost I wouldn't stand a chance against. How can I save the world? I would be better off staying out of this and let the real hero handle the bad guy." She let go of Danny's hand and turned to walk away.
"Ember." Danny quickly grasped her by the shoulders and turned her around. They stood inches away from each other. She gazed into his eyes and saw the concern he had for her.
"Ember, I may be strong but, I never did it alone. Every enemy I've fought was defeated by those who helped me. If I didn't have my friends backing me up, I wouldn't be here right now." He wrapped his arms around her and brought her close. Her head rested on his shoulder as she melted in his arms.
"I know how you feel. The feeling of being powerless and unable to make a difference. I felt that way against many of my enemies but, I had the support I needed to do the impossible. " He backed away and Ember looked down.
'I can't take this. I shouldn't be this embarrassed to look at him.' He grabs both her hands. She looks up into a smile that made her undead heart beat.
"Ember, I know how you feel but, we're in this together. I know you will have my back and we will come out of this okay. The world needs us both and I need you." He said softly.
'He needs me.' Ember couldn't speak as she looked deep into his caring eyes.
"After I fought Dan, I understood what true strength was. Knowing that I can see my loved one smile and live in peace gave me strength beyond understanding. I was reminded of that when that clone attacked me. I gave it my all because I remembered what he did and I had you to protect too." He finished smiling.
'Dipstick, why are you such a goody two shoes? Why couldn't you be like every other jerk I've met? Why are you making me feel this way? It isn't bad but, I don't know what to do with these feelings.'
"Okay, you win Danny. I won't leave." He embraced her again and whispered.
"You're the best Ember." He let go and looked at her. 'You idiot dipstick.' She grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him toward the portal.
"Come on Danny." 'I glad she's here with me.' They jumped through and the portal closed behind them.
Pandora's Realm
Clockwork floated in the green abyss awaiting his apprentice's arrival. Danny and Ember flew out the portal and stopped before crashing into Clockwork. Danny looked up at him.
"Sorry for the wait Clockwork. We had to take care of a last minute issue."
"It's all well young Daniel. Here you two will prepare for battle." The realm before them was a massive collection of land. There were mountains, mazes and an immense arena resting in the center. They flew to a marble building and Clockwork knocked on the door. It swung open revealing a tall female ghost dressed in Greek armor, with four arms and equipped with a massive spear. She wore a menacing face that would scare any ghoul or ghost.
"Ah, Clockwork! You're here just in time." She said smiling and becoming the soft hearted woman she was known for.
"Yes, I know. I brought Daniel and Ember along with me." She looked at Danny first.
"Danny, it's so good to see you again."
"It's great to see you too Pandora. How is everything here?"
"Absolutely perfect. That box ghost finally paid off his debt in work and my garden has never looked so beautiful." Her eyes trailed to Ember. She floated over to her and extended her hand. Ember looked at her. 'I can't believe Pandora is standing right in front of me.'
"Nice to meet you Ember. I hear you're a good friend of Danny." Ember smiled. 'If you only knew.' She shook her hand and looked in awe of the powerful ghost. Danny saw the dazed look on her face. 'I wonder what's on Ember's mind.'
Pandora floated over to Clockwork. "Everything is ready to go. She's waiting for us inside the chamber." Clockwork nodded.
"You two stay here. I will come for you when we are ready." Clockwork said becoming an old man. They both nodded as Pandora and Clockwork floated inside. Danny looked to Ember.
"Hey Ember. Are you okay?" She broke her gaze.
"Yeah, I didn't know you knew Pandora. The Pandora!"
"I do. It was a while ago when the box ghost stole her box. He unleashed the evil inside onto Amity and he grew too strong to beat. I came here to get her help. She agreed and he became her personal gardener." 'A good one too.'
"I can't believe it. You know an Ancient."
"An Ancient. What is that?"
"You really don't know anything do you dipstick." He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. She sighed.
"Okay, here in the ghost zone. There is, believe it or not, a structure of power."
Danny raised his eyebrow. "What do you mean exactly?"
"In the human world, people are elected into a position of power based on their status, popularity and overall capabilities. Here in the ghost zone, those in power are the most powerful."
"That makes sense. So, the leaders are chosen by strength."
"Pretty much, the Ancients are known for being around since the beginning of the ghost zone." Danny's eyes widened.
"Wow, that's amazing. So you mean that Pandora has been here ever since the beginning?"
"Not necessarily, there are only two Neo Ancients. That is Clockwork and someone else. We've never seen them but, they possess powers that rival his."
"They're that strong. That's amazing."
"So, the pecking order is Neo Ancients at the top. Below them are the Ancients who serve as supervisors to the Neo Ancients. After them are the Warriors that are picked by the Neo Ancients and Ancients to defend the ghost zone. After that, there are us; the normal ghost who occupy the realm." Danny just listened as he looked at Ember talking. He found himself looking at just her from time to time. Barely listening but, understood enough. He snapped out of his daze when Ember snapped her fingers. "Dipstick, earth to dipstick."
"Sorry, I got distracted." Danny said looking away hiding his now red cheeks. 'Can't keep your eyes off me huh.' Ember thought smiling at the uncomfortable hero. He turns back to her.
"That is so amazing. I didn't know the ghost zone was that complicated. Thanks for the explanation."
"No problem. Even your enemies have rules they have to live by or else."
"There is something I don't understand. Who is placed in the Warrior category?"
"There was the Fright Knight. He was named a warrior by Pariah. He was an Ancient too. After him, there hasn't been another warrior named."
"Why? There are a lot of powerful ghost here."
"Because all the ghost you know use their powers for their own personal gain. Even I used my powers to get what I wanted so, there is a shortage of worthy contenders."
"I understand. I still believe if given a chance, you guys could be good. I mean, you surprised me Ember. I always knew you were different from the first time we met." He looked away with his cheeks flushing.
"So what. What do you mean I was different?" Danny rubbed his neck and answered.
"Well, you came to Amity to brain wash people into loving your music but, after a while I realized that wasn't what you really wanted."
"No, that's exactly what I wanted. I wanted people to scream my name forever."
Danny shook his head. "I know you wanted to be noticed and loved for something you have a talent for without being rejected." Ember felt a lump in her throat as his words unmasked her insecurity. 'How can he know this?'
"I'm just saying. You're an awesome artist and if it means anything. I will always be a fan." Ember's face turned red and she smiled. 'Dipstick, seems like you know me better than I thought.'
Child Clockwork cleared his throat startling the two teens. "Come now, we are ready."
They entered the stone doorway and traveled down a hallway fashioned with paintings of Greek monuments and torches. At the end, they came onto a room with sofas and in the center was a large marble table with the orb sitting in the middle.
"Here we will discuss the next phase of your journey. But first." Clockwork said pointing toward another corridor as they heard footsteps approaching. A few seconds passed and a figure emerged. It was middle aged woman, with white hair and a burgundy blouse with black slacks. The outfit complimented her blue skin and she wore black gloves on each hand. She had red lips and eyes, and a scar along her left eye.
"Hello one and all." Both Ember and Danny stood silent with shock. Danny spoke first. "Uhh, Clockwork. Is she your.."
He nodded turning into an adult. "Yes my young apprentice, may I introduce Amser my older sister."