Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or any of the characters. Danny Phantom is the sole property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Viacom International. The Yandere Simulator is property of YandereDev.
Yandere Simulator: Paulina edition
Chapter 25: A New Fate
Saturday
Late in the afternoon
At South Mercy Hospital
"Mmmm..."Sam let out as she slowly began stirring awake, only to squint due to seeing a bright light as she could faintly hear a beeping sound in the background.
"S-Sam..."She heard a voice say and she recognized it as Danny's voice.
"Wha..."She let out as her eyes finally focused as she was becoming aware of her surroundings. She looked to be in a hospital and saw Danny who looked like he hadn't slept at all, he was looking at her with a huge smile on his face.
"She's awake!...'He said happily and Sam finally noticed her parents and grandmother were there as well but she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Her mother and father, whom she considered some of the most snobbish people on the planet who were obsessed with perfection and looking "neat and proper" were anything but at the moment. They also looked like they didn't get a good night sleep either, there were dark circles under their eyes and their hair was a little mussed at best.
"Oh thank heavens..."Her mother Pamela said as Sam soon found herself in a hug with her family as well, it wasn't very tight but she suddenly felt a little sore.
"I'm so happy that your alright bubeleh..."Ida said as she kissed her granddaughter's forehead.
"W-What's going on? What's happening Danny?...'Sam asked in confusion, wondering what was happening however she suddenly hissed in pain and her family let go in alarm.
"Are you alright dear?...'Jeremy asked in a concern tone to his daughter who slowly nodded.
"I'm fine...just a little sore..."She muttered as she placed a hand on the side of her stomach, only to hiss a bit upon touching it.
"Take it easy Sam, you got hurt really bad last night but your gonna be okay..."Danny said gently to the goth who still looked confused.
Suddenly memories of the previous night came back to Sam and she still couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that Paulina had stabbed her with a freaking dagger. As much as she despised the girl, Sam honestly never expected this from her...She always saw Paulina as a vain, spoiled, selfish girl who only cared about herself but she had just proven that she was even worse than that.
The person whom she believed was just a spoiled, self-absorbed fan girl revealed to be an obsessive and ruthless would-be murderer...all because she had been dating Danny...She still never expected that she would flat out try to kill her over it...
"I remember that Paulina...I still can't believe it..." She said with a groan only to see everyone's expressions darken upon hearing that name.
"Don't worry Sam, you're safe now and your going to get better...Don't think about her..."Danny said as he squeezed her right hand.
"He's right Sammy, that horrible girl is behind bars even as we speak and we're going to make sure she's never allowed out..."Jeremy said seriously to his daughter, who looked surprised by his expression. It was the first time she ever seen her dad look this angry, even more than when they had their stupid fights...
"Fight?...'She muttered as she recalled what had happened the day before and she felt awful.
As miserable as she had been yesterday, she remembered that upon feeling Paulina stab her and she felt herself almost bleed to death, the only thing she could think about was that stupid fight before she blacked out. Sam was usually a calm and collected individual, even in the face of danger but that was literally the closest to death she's ever been and all she could think about Danny and her family, and how they're last conversation they had ended in such a stupid fight.
She actually hated the thought of her yelling that they wouldn't see her that night being the last words she said to them. She also felt a little guilty for blowing up at them over a lot of stuff that at the time seemed big but now only seemed so trivial.
As the goth looked down to the side of her stomach, she lifted her hospital gown a bit and noticed some stitches were there. As much as she was still sore, she knew that it could have easily been much worse than this. As the goth stared at the wound that would always remind her of what almost had happened, she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder and the goth girl looked up to see her and her father's eyes.
She could tell they obviously felt scared and had been worried about her and it made Sam feel even worse for screaming at them yesterday over her party location...She knew that she had to say something...anything to them.
"Mom...Dad..."Sam stared only to be halted by her mother.
"Sam...Honey...Please forgive us..."Pamela said to his daughter, surprising her in the process.
"W-What?...'She stuttered, not yet understanding.
"We're sorry about what happened yesterday with your birthday, we're sorry that we didn't consider your feelings and tried to turn into our thing when it was suppose to be about you..."Pamela said in a guilty voice with Jeremy nodding at every word.
"You're mother is right sweetie...We're sorry that we hurt your feelings yesterday...and so many other times..."Jeremy said as he recalled so many of their quarrels and how they tried to change her just because they thought she might not have been accepted by the upper class.
But they didn't care about that anymore...all they cared about now was that she was their child and they had taken her for granted but not again.
Sam only stood there with a somewhat blank expression on her face, she saw that her folks seemed really sincere about this and it only made her feel worse for screaming at them yesterday.
"Mom...Dad...It's alright...I shouldn't hav-..."She was cut off when her mother gave her such a firm look that it nearly startled the healing girl.
"No...It's not alright...You were right Sam...We've been terrible parents...and for a very long time..." Pamela said with tears falling from her eyes and she held onto her daughter's hand tightly, still too afraid to let go... "For so long we cared too much about what our social circle would have thought about you that we acted completely idiotic and insensitive to you and we couldn't be more sorry for that..."She cried as she felt so many memories flood back, memories she look on with shame.
She remembered so many times she would see her daughter come home with more gothic attire or listening to heavy metal music and she and her husband would try to counter it by buying her more colorful dresses and trying to expose her to more "appropriate" music and activities from the upper class. She couldn't believe that she wasted so much time fighting and being at odds with her child over something so...so trivial...
Even if she didn't necessarily like Sam's style in clothes or her favorite kind of bands didn't mean that they were necessarily a bad thing...and she realized that almost all too late...She almost lost her daughter last night to a monster and it was only a miracle she still had her baby, her little girl...She still had her...
She still had her Sammy...
"Sam, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you and we're so sorry it took us so long to see just how silly we were being..."Pamela said honestly to her child who was still looking at her in disbelief.
"You're mother is right sweetie...We really messed up but we promise that things are going to be different...we promise..."Jeremy said to his daughter who was still processing this whole thing.
"Mom...Dad...Do you guys mean it?..."Sam asked in disbelief, wondering if she was still asleep or something but her mild aching told her otherwise.
Did her parents really mean it? Are...Are they really accepting her for who she was? To her amazement they nodded without a moments hesitation and Sam could tell that they seemed to mean it.
"Yes Sam...For such a long time we took you for granted and we'll always be ashamed of that...but we're not going to make the same mistakes anymore..."Pamela stared before her husband continued.
"Darling, you're your own person and we should have respected that, you're not some teenaged debutant socialite...You're a smart, sensible, independent girl and we accept that now...We should have accepted that from the start..."He said and saw his child's eyes widen in amazement at what she was hearing.
"Mom...Dad..."Sam said and almost felt some tears forming in her eyes, she tried to fight them but...but she just couldn't believe that this was actually happening and that she was actually hearing this, and it seemed her folks weren't done yet.
"Sam we don't care anymore about the kind of clothes you wear or what kind of music you listen to...We love you for who you are on the inside, our very, very special girl..."Pamela said in a loving voice to her only child who was now tearing a bit.
"Sam, we know that it might take a while for you to forgive us...but we want to start over...We promise that this time we'll be more understanding to you...If you'll give us the chance?..."Jeremy asked and to his surprised he suddenly found himself, along with Pamela, be pulled down and was suddenly being embraced by his daughter.
"I...I want to start over too..."She whispered as she kept crying while she hugged her parents, no longer caring about who was seeing or that she was breaking practically every rule about gothic indifference.
The two Manson parents were momentarily stunned as they realized what was happening and it soon melted into tears as well. It's been so long since their daughter had willingly hugged them on her own accord and it was enough to reduce them to tears, even more upon hearing her next words.
"I forgive you...I love you..."She whispered as she still clung to her mother and father who were holding her as well, not wanting to let go.
Danny and Ida were watching the family moment with Ida crying tears of joy before joining in as well. Danny only stood there smiling as he watched the girl he love finally make peace with her parents and he knew that it was going to stick. After a while, the hug ended but Sam's parents kept close to her with a smile on their face.
"Darling...I know that it's a day late...but we had Jeeves come and bring your birthday present so we could give it to you once you woke up..."Jeremy said as his wife pulled out a smile, rectangular box from her purse. Sam however raised an eyebrow as she noticed that the wrapping paper was different from what she remembered, it was all dark purple with a black bow on top and she was certain that it had been pink and polka dots the last time she saw it.
"We...uh...had the wrapping paper changed if that's alright..."Pamela confessed as she noticed her daughter's confused look... "You don't mind...purple do you? It's just that some of your things in your room have purple and I thought that maybe you-...'She was rambling now but her daughter stopped her when she gave her a smile and took the present.
The teenaged girl slowly unwrapped the gift, deciding to act mature and just accept the girl her folks bought her, whatever it is. As she tore off the last of the paper, she opened the white cardboard box and to her surprise, what she saw wasn't the pink or girly trinket she expected it to be. It was a simple Victorian Silver Fleur De Lys neckless with a purple gemstone at the center of it. Sam couldn't believe it at all. It wasn't the overpriced, extravagant, gold plated girly necklace that she feared but a simple necklace with colors that she actually liked. She looked at it more closely and found herself actually liking this gift. However her parents took her stunned silence as a bad sign.
"I-If you don't like it, we can exchange it and you can pick next time honey...we just thought that since it had purple and silver...that maybe-..."The parents was cut off when their daughter just gave them a smile...the biggest one they could remember seeing on her normally frowning face.
"Don't you dare...I love it..."She said seriously before going back to admire the simple, lovely necklace... "Could you please?..."Sam gestured to the clasp and her mother realized what she saw asking and soon tied it around her child's neck.
Danny continued to watch the touching family moment go on for a while, he only stood there in silence, not wanting to disturb it. As he watched the once miss-matched family finally become one, and his girlfriend trying to contain the happiness she was experiencing right now.
About 20 minutes later
As Sam still proudly wore her new necklace and was finally getting along with her folks, the door opened to reveal Valerie who came in with a bouquet of daisies in as well.
"I rushed over as soon as I heard that you woke up Sam..."Valerie said kindly as she presented the get-well flowers to her friend.
"Thanks Val..."Sam said appreciatively as her mother placed the flowers next to her.
"I'm sorry that you had to get hurt Sam..."Valerie said as she saw her tired, weak like state of the usually tough and strong female but Sam shook her head.
"Don't be Val, if anything I should thank you, Danny told me that it was you who called him to let him know what Paulina was up to and I know that when you called me, you were trying to warn me...You don't have anything to be sorry about..."Sam said calmly to the other girl. She remembered that Valerie had called her just before Paulina had attacked her and Danny informed her that it was her who warned him about what that psycho was up to.
'Sam's right Val, if you hadn't given me the heads up...I don't even want to think what might have happened...'Danny said to his friend who looked down bashfully.
"Well...I can't take all the credit...If it wasn't for them ,I never would have even known you were even in trouble..."Valerie confessed, confusing the dark haired couple in the process.
'Them?..."Sam asked in confusion as Valerie called someone into the room and to her shock, she saw that it was both Star and Dash, who were also carrying flowers as well.
"Uh...hi..."Dash said awkwardly while Star looked visibly relieved upon seeing her.
"You two?..."Sam asked in a surprised voice.
"I'm glad that your getting better Manson...I'm glad that I didn't fail after all...'Star said looking down to the floor.
"Wait...You are the ones who found out about Paulina? What? How? Why? Huh?..."Sam asked in confusion, still unable to believe that it had been Paulina who tried to kill her and the fact that the two people she least would have expected had a hand at saving her last night.
"It's a long story...'Star sighed before starting. She explained that a few weeks ago, she received an anonymous tip that something was up with Paulina, that she was planning something nasty and Star said that she kept a close eye on her to try and find out what she saw hiding. She said the yesterday afterschool, she spied on her and discovered that she was involved with a ghost named Spectra, startling Sam upon hearing that the sadistic ghoul was also involved in this. She had discovered their plan and was going to warn her only to be caught and taken to Mount Amity where she learned more of their dirty secret. That Paulina had been planning for weeks to kill Sam just to have Danny for herself and that Spectra had been helping her out. She also mentioned that Paulina had left her to her fate with Spectra who was going to drain her until she wanted to die only to be rescued by both Dash and Val, to whom she informed about the evil plan and the rest was history.
Dash also chipped in, saying that he was in the hall and heard Star's scream and saw her be taken away by the wicked ghost and he ran into Valerie and they both went to save her. Val also said that Dash willingly distracted Spectra so that she could sneak in and get the shot she needed to catch her off guard and capture her.
All the while the entire room, especially Danny and Sam couldn't believe any of it.
'So this was Spectra's doing?...'Danny asked only for Star to shake her head.
"No, she said that the whole thing was Paulina's idea and that they just had a "client-provider" relationship whatever that means..."Star said in a bitter voice as she recalled the events of yesterday. She was better now but it still scared her about how close she had been to death and how Sam was as well.
But she was still alright and she didn't fail...but she still got hurt...
"I'm sorry...If I didn't get myself captured, I might have found you and warned you before Paulina could get you...maybe you wouldn't have gotten hurt if I didn't-..."Star said in a guilty voice only for Sam to stop her.
"Don't say that Star, you have nothing to be sorry about...You risked your own life and went against Paulina, even after you found out what she was and you tried to save me...I still can't believe it...'Sam whispered the last part but Star heard her and looked down.
"I know we don't hang out or get along but I never would want anything bad to happen to you...especially if I could prevent it..."Star said softly and saw Sam's eyes, filled with gratitude.
"Thank you..."The goth girl said to the blonde who smiled bashfully before becoming silent. Soon the attention was onto Dash who suddenly became flustered when both Sam and Danny were looking at him before sighing.
"I...I'm sorry..."He blurted out, confusing them.
"What?..."Sam raised an eyebrow at that.
"I'm sorry that you got hurt last night...I'm sorry that Paulina turned out to be a lunatic and...and I'm sorry for all the rotten stuff I did to you both all of our lives..."Dash said in a guilty voice.
"Dash-...'Danny started but was cut off by the jock.
"Don't-...Don't stop me...I have to do this...I've been a rotten jerk and a total bully to you and everyone else for a long time...I'm sorry about that...I don't know why I acted that way but nothing can ever excuse it...I'm sorry for everything I did, especially to you Fen-...Phan...Danny..."He sighed as he continued.
'Ever since the Disasteroid when I learned who you really are, all I could think about was the fact that you spent years saving my and everyone else's butt and I kept bullying you..."He said and Danny looked astonished as it seemed Dash almost looked like he was going to cry.
'Dash...You didn't know and-..."He saw stopped when Dash's sad look became an angry one, but his anger wasn't directed at the ghost boy.
"It doesn't matter!...The fact remains that I hurt you bad...and I feel horrible about it...because you saved my life and were keeping the whole town safe...and...and I pushed you down and gave you wedgies just for the giggles..."Dash said in a tone of self-loathing.
The entire room that consisted of the Manson clan, Valerie, Star and especially Danny were completely stunned by this confession and Danny knew better than anyone that Dash seemed to be genuinely sorry for what he did and that his guilt was eating him alive.
"I don't expect you guys to forgive me...I get it if you don't...I just want you both to know that I'm sorry..."He said as he awaited the inevitable insults and angry words about his bullying before being kicked out and perhaps even a slap from Danny himself...but it never came. To his surprise, Danny had a smile o his face, so did Sam as they both gave each other a meaningful look before nodding.
"I forgive you..."Danny said, shocking Dash to his very core.
"W-What?..."He stammered, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"Didn't you hear me? I said I forgive you Dash...'Danny said with a straight face but nearly laughed when he saw Dash's jaw drop.
"B-b-b-bu-bu...You...I...I've been a total jerk to you...to everyone...for like ever...How could yo-..."Dash started but Danny still had that understanding look on his face.
"Dash, yesterday you volunteered to be ghost bait and helped Valerie take down Spectra to save Star...If you didn't find out that she was captured and help Valerie, both Star and Sam would have been killed and we never would have known until it was too late..."Danny explained.
"I know that you feel bad...sure there are some thing you did that I'm still angry about but you did play a role yesterday in stopping Paulina and...I can see you actually mean what you said..."He said kindly to the jock who still looked at him in amazement.
"You...You mean it..."He muttered, still unable to believe it.
"Yeah...I believe in second chances...I think that if a person is truly sorry about the bad things they did, they at least deserve to be given a chance to make up for it...and I think you did well yesterday..."He said with compassionate in his voice and to his shock, he saw a tear slide down the jock's face.
"A-Are you crying Dash?..."Sam voiced her disbelief and witness the blonde boy flinch and cover his face.
N-NO! I...I just got something in my eye...'He said stubbornly as he turned away when everyone had amused looks on their face.
Soon silence returned to the crowed hospital room and Star addressed Sam once more, this time with a smile on her face, including the Manson parents who addressed the three teenagers.
"Thank you...all of you...Our family will always be in debt to you all for this..." Pamela said to Valerie, Star and Dash who nodded.
"Anytime Mrs. Manson..."Valerie said to the parents who went back to tending to their only daughter.
As the large group of adolescents continued to talk and chat, mostly about Sam's recovery and even some social topics, they could all feel the previous tension and animosity between them disappear for good. Any and all of their old fights, rivalries and fights between them didn't matter anymore as they realized that things between them have changed now.
And that they have changed for the better.
Tucker Foley, the youngest mayor in the history of Amity Park was a complete mess as his security team were protecting him the paparazzi as he arrived to the hospital. Usually he rather be facing a ghost than be anywhere near here but the situation was too dire that he didn't even care. He was a complete mess upon the phone call he received a few hours ago and he knew that this kind of information couldn't be told over the phone, so he managed to escape his office and was now here to see his friend.
She of all people had a right to know what happened this morning. Once he was safely inside, he asked for Sam's room and soon found himself being escorted there.
"Hello..."Tucker said as he entered the hospital room and to his surprised he saw a large crowd in, including Danny, Sam's family, Val and to his surprise Star and Dash.
"Hey Tucker..."Sam said weakly to her bespectacled friend who arrived.
"Hi Tuck..."Danny waved, along with Valerie while Dash and Star remained quiet.
"Good afternoon mayor Foley..."Pamela said politely to the boy who entered.
"Hey...am I interrupting something here?...'He asked as he gestured to the jock and popular girl who looked embarrassed.
"Oh just some family drama and hatchet burying but other than that, nothing much..."Sam said with her usual wit..."So what brings you here, I thought you were afraid of hospitals..."The goth girl reminded the techno-geek.
"As if I'd let that stop me..."Tucker muttered as he looked at his friend. He felt uncomfortable seeing her like this. Sam was always a strong girl but she looked like she's been put through the wringer and that reminded him of the other reason he came.
"How are you holding up?..."He asked her, trying to prolong the inevitable.
"I've been better, the doctor say I'll have to be bed-ridden for a few days while I recover but I'll live..."The goth girl said to her friend but noticed that he still looked trouble.
"I...I have some news about Paulina..."He started and saw everyone's expression harden at the mention of that name.
"What about her?...'Danny asked with anger evident in his voice and it was obvious everyone, including Dash and Star, were sharing his feelings at the moment.
'I got a call from the police department and they found some stuff you might be interested in..."Tucker said as he pulled out a pink cell phone and a small, metallic figure in his hand.
"Wait...Is that Paulina's phone?...'Star asked as she recognized the model and cover.
"Yes it is...I got it from the police chief, he and his team discovered some pretty disturbing stuff on it and in Paulina's own house..."Tucker said as he activated the small robot, surprising everyone in the room.
"W-Wait...Is that one of-...'Danny paused when Tucker nodded.
"Yep, it's one of Vlad's old spying gear...I don't know how she got her hands on it, but she somehow linked it to her phone and...well...look..."He said as he showed the contents of the device to everyone in the room and Danny and Sam were appalled at what they were seeing in the saved videos.
"WHAT THE HELL?!...She's been spying on us?!...'Sam exclaimed in outrage only to regret it when she felt another pain in her side.
"Careful sweetie..."Pamela said as she tried to sooth her a bit.
"The recordings here dates back to at almost 2 months..."He explained as he saw Danny's face become red in anger.
'She must have gotten this from Spectra...She did say that she was her "provider" or something like that..."Star correctly guessed.
"Is that my room?! That creep!...'Danny shouted, angry at the blatant violation of privacy.
He checked more of the recordings and paled when he saw some stuff about him in the bathroom or getting dressed! The embarrassed halfa immediately tried to keep it away from everyone else's sight but he felt so angry and disturbed that Paulina had literally been spying on him for weeks and was practically being a voyeur as well.
"That girl is just plain sick..."Valerie said becoming a little green, finding the whole thing creepy and everyone agreed with her.
I'm afraid there is also more..."Tucker started and took a deep breath as he knew he couldn't keep procrastinating any long.
"What more about this awful girl can you possible tell us?..."Pamela demanded to the teen mayor, wanting as many charges to press against her for the upcoming trial.
"She's dead..."He blurted out, no longer seeing any other way around it.
Silence...Dead silence filled the room.
"W-What?...'Sam asked in a hesitant, disbelieving voice which finally broke the silence in the room.
"A-Are you sure?..."Danny asked in a similar tone to the tech-geek who nodded.
"Yes, the police told me that Paulina committed suicide in her cell this morning..."The teen mayor explained to everyone who gasped upon hearing this.
'Suicide?...'Dash exclaimed in shock, unsure how to actually feel with the revelation that one of the people he called his friend turned out to be a maniac...
"Yeah, the police officer who was watching her stepped out for like five minutes and when he came back, he found that she hung herself with her own belt...'He said in a hollow voice while everyone was still feeling uneasy by the whole thing.
Star and Dash stood there stunned, unsure on how to take this. Star herself knew that she didn't feel the least bit sorry since Paulina almost killed her as well, but she still couldn't believe that she flat out committed suicide...especially since she left in her a situation where she herself would have been tempted to do so.
It would have been ironic had it not been so disturbing...
"Paulina's dead..."Dash whispered, not feeling happy about this but also not feeling sad as well, given the situation.
I can't believe this...'Sam muttered in a stunned voice.
'Good riddance..."Jeremy spat, surprising his daughter and the other teens in the room, which he noticed... "Normally I wouldn't wish such a thing on someone but I don't feel bad that the awful girl who tried to kill my daughter is dead..."He explained in a cold voice while his wife nodded in agreement.
'I...I guess this really is over..."Val said hesitantly, only to notice the expression on Danny's face, he looked to be lost in thought.
'I don't think it is..."Danny muttered, alerting everyone else.
"What are you talking about Danny? Didn't you hear...Paulina's dead?...'Valerie pointed out.
"So are Sydney Poindexter, Desiree, Ember, Youngblood, The Lunch Lady, the Box ghost and a lot of my other enemies in case you forgot..."He pointed out, revealing his worry. The entire room became silent as they became aware of the unsettling but valid point he was making.
"Are you saying that she-she'll come back?..."Jeremy stuttered, voicing his and everyone else's fear at the idea.
"I'm saying that it's a possibility..."He said, feeling very much uneasy that the thought that his stalker might still be out there and everyone else felt it at a certain degree. Star gulped at the mere idea of Paulina coming back as a vengeful ghost, given how dangerous she already was as a human.
"Don't worry...I can assure you that you have seen the last of her..."A new voice echoed through the room and Danny's ghost sense went off. Everyone turned around to see Clockwork floating there with an all-knowing smirk on his face.
"A ghost..."Valerie shouted as she pulled out her bazooka and the Manson's screamed as they stood in front of their daughter in case it attacked. Dash also screamed while Star looked scared as well.
"Calm down, he's a friend..."Danny said as he stood in front of Valerie to prevent her from attacking the time master. Upon hearing this Valerie lowered her weapon and the Manson's, Star and Dash calmed down while Tucker looked amused and Sam looked annoyed at the sudden antics.
"Clockwork...What brings you here? Is something wrong?...'Danny asked in concern to the time master who shook his head.
"No, everything is as it should be and I can promise you that Paulina Sanchez won't darken anyone's doorway ever again..."Clockwork said in his mysterious way.
"Excuse me but exactly who are you and how do you know that?...'Star asked the ghost who sent her a smile.
"Well Ms. Strong, I am Clockwork, the ghost master of time, my job is to look after the time stream and to make sure that no harm happens to it..."He explained and smirked when the blonde girl's eyes widened.
"Wait, how do you know my name?...'She asked in a nervous voice.
"As I said, I am the master of time, I am capable of seeing the past, the present and the future and all the twists and turns that may or may not occur...'He said as he switched ages, startling those who haven't already seen it.
"The future?..."Star thought until it a memory came back to her. She recalled one other person who addressed her as "Ms. Strong" and she noticed something about his name, his initials and it hit her almost like lightning.
"No way...You...It's you...You're "C.W.", aren't you!..."She exclaimed and freaked out even more when he nodded.
"Yes I am...you have done very well Ms. Strong, I knew I made the right choice in choosing you..."He said with a proud smile to the blonde girl who looked astonished.
"Hold up, what's going on here? You two know each other?...'Danny asked in confusion to both the master of time and the blonde cheerleader.
"Do you guys remember when I said I got an anonymous tip about Paulina's weird behavior...'She asked and they all nodded... "Well it seems I now know who sent it...'She said as she gestured to Clockwork who was still smirking.
"Wait...Clockwork, what's going on? You told Star about Paulina?..."Sam asked in confusion, wondering what was going on here.
'Yes I did...The truth is that I made some changes to this timeline in order to prevent a series of bad times that all would have been linked to Paulina...very bad times..."Clockwork said as he opened a time window and showed them the extent of Paulina's acts.
He explained that Paulina was originally going to get away with killing Sam much to her and her family's horror but to everyone's dismay, he explained that she was only going to be the first of many victims. He explained that Danny would have been heartbroken upon Sam's death and during his time of grief, several girls tried to comfort and befriend him but Paulina became even more ruthless and unhinged and she did many horrible, ruthless things in order to eliminate whomever she deemed a rival, which included Valerie, Danny's sisters and even Star as well before she broke Danny's will in the end.
All the while everyone paled, the most horrified was Danny since he was the reason Paulina had done all those horrible things in the name of her obsession with him.
'I-I can't believe..."He whispered in horror, still unable to believe how close Paulina had been to hurting so many people he cared about and how he never would have know it had been her.
He wasn't the only one as Star and Valerie had become pale upon learning of their own fates in that time line, Valerie couldn't believe that she could have easily been that lunatics next victim while Star was horrified that she could have both lost her best friend and have her life destroyed when Paulina got her expelled from school. Pamela and Jeremy were shedding tears, unable to believe that they had truly been so close to losing there child and that in a supposed timeline, they did...and they would have never know the true reason.
Dash stood there petrified as he kept hearing more and more of Paulina's atrocities until the time master ended before turning to the shaking ghost boy.
"Why? Why did she do all those things? Why's she so obsessed with me?! It can't be just because I saved her is it?...'He asked in horror and confusion.
"No, I'm afraid her obsession stems from a more complicated reason...The truth is that Paulina has been very unwell, ever since she was a child..."He started, confusing everyone... 'The truth is, Paulina isn't the kind of girl you all believe she was, that popular, spoiled girl was only a mask she created to hide her real self..."He explained.
"What? But me and Star have known Paulina since we were kids..."Valerie pointed out but paled when Clockwork nodded and she realized that apparently Paulina had been acting even since then.
"Paulina isn't a normal or sane girl, even as a child she lacked remorse, she was unable to feel basic emotions..."He explained.
"What do you mean she's unable to feel emotions?..."Tucker asked, not yet getting it.
"Exactly as I said, that girl...she genuinely was unable to feel for the majority of her life, she couldn't feel any happiness, any sadness or any anger and she did many things in order to change that to no success..."He said, recalling that disturbing incident with that poor kitten when she was thirteen.
"She resented her condition and was obsessed with trying to find something that could allow her to feel an emotion...unfortunately, that brings us to you Danny..."He explained.
"Me?!..."He exclaimed.
"Yes, when you saved her life for the first that, somehow that stimulated her to feel an emotion and that's why she became so obsessed with you, she believed herself to have been in love with you when in reality, she only wanted to keep feeling the sensations she felt in your presence..."He continued with his explanation, shocking everyone in the room.
"So that' what she was talking about..."Sam whispered, now understanding what Paulina meant when she had captured her and said that only Danny could "fix" her.
"That's so messed up..."Dash exclaimed, still unable to believe that he had been hanging out with a complete sociopath and he had never even realized it.
"You are right, it is messed up, as well as that future, which is why I took it into my hands to change it...You can all rest easy in knowing that any and all futures involving that girl will be erased and you won't have to worry about her anymore..."He said to the large group of people.
"Are you certain...That she won't come back as a ghost to haunt our poor Sammy?...'Jeremy asked in a worried tone to the time master who nodded.
"Yes I can...Before Paulina took her life, she ingested some blood blossom extract, and is unable to manifest as a ghost..."Clockwork said to everyone.
"Blood blossoms!...'Danny said in shock, as he recalled his own experience with those deadly flowers and shuttered.
"Yes, it seems that Spectra stole several items that belonged to Vlad Plasmius and sold to Paulina in exchange for misery...One of them was a vial of blood blossom extract which is a poison meant to destroy a ghost before even their death, making them unable to have a ghostly body...'He said, startling everyone upon hearing that.
"Figures only Plasmius would make such a thing...and that Spectra would give it to Paulina just out of sadism and vanity...'Danny groaned, already seeing the reason why such a thing was created, Vlad likely made it to get rid of either him and his father out of his own hate and obsession.
"Paulina was going to inject that stuff into me before she tried to kill me...'Sam said as she found herself being horrified by that psycho once more.
Just how much can a person hate someone that they would go to such lengths? Killing a person was already bad enough but destroying their spirit?!
'Well only one person ended up taking that thing and it was Paulina herself..."He said to the large group.
"Oh man..."Tucker muttered, still processing the whole thing.
"Yikes..."Dash whispered.
"You can say that again..."Valerie said, still horrified that such a thing had even existed but she was glad that Paulina couldn't hurt them again.
"I still can't believe Vlad even made such a horrible thing that could destroy souls..." Valerie said only to blink when Clockwork shook his head at her.
"Well, I can say that even Plasmius can't destroy a soul, he might have succeeded in preventing Paulina from becoming a ghost but her soul still exists..."Clockwork said alarming everyone, especially Danny.
"What?...W-Where is it then?...'Danny sked with some hesitance in his voice.
"Where she and all others like her belong...Let's just say what you last said to her has come to past..."Clockwork said and even had a rather dark smirk on his own face. Danny stood there confused until he recalled the events from last night and his eyes widen at what Clockwork was implying.
'You mean...she's..."He paused when Clockwork nodded his head and Danny gulped a bit.
It was shaking but...but at least he could rest easy now that he knew that Paulina can't hurt anyone ever again and would be punished for her sins.
As Clockwork continued explain the situation, he suddenly turned to Valerie who looked warily at him.
"I would like the Fenton Ghost safe that contains Spectra please..."He asked the female huntress who still looked suspicious.
'What do you want with her?...'Valerie asked.
'While it is true that Paulina's action were her own doing, Spectra played a large role in enabling her obsession and the Observants have deemed that she should be punished as well..."The time master explained.
Valerie raised and eyebrow but saw Danny nod and decided to comply. She pulled out the Fenton Ghost Safe that contained the evil spirit and handed it to the time master who was still shifting in ages.
'Well thank you Ms. Gray...Well, I should get going, the Observants aren't exactly patient people..."He said only to be stopped by Star.
'Wait! C.W...I mean Mr. Clockwork...I understand that you wanted to change the future but...but why did you chose me?...'Star asked, still not understanding why a supposed all-knowing spirit had select her to uncover Paulina's dirty secret and prevent Manson's and so many other people's death.
Everyone else in the room looked confused as well but Clockwork only kept wearing that mysterious smile of his.
"Because out of all the people in Paulina's inner circle, you were by far the smartest one who would be able to see the truth...'He explained and smiled when Star blushed in embarrassment with the mention of her intelligence.
"The smartest?...'Sam muttered out loud and she wasn't the only one looking confused, as Dash himself looked questioningly.
Star sighed as she realized that her secret was out, so she might as well go all out...
"Yeah...I'm smart...so what of it..."She said with a frown.
"I thought you said that you were failing Felucca's class?..."Dash asked her in confusion.
"I lied...I lied about a lot of stuff actually...I'm actually not having any trouble in any of my classes..."She muttered and flinched when Valerie gave her a look.
"She's super smart Dash...One of the smartest kids at school, she's getting a 4.0 GPA..."She said proudly.
"For real?..."Tucker asked in disbelief while Sam still looked surprised as well.
"Yes..."She sighed and mentally prepared for Dash's reaction but she knew that she didn't care anymore. If he had a problem with her being smart than he wasn't a real friend, however to her surprised, he didn't look down on her but still looked confused.
"Why did you act like you were bad at school?...'Dash asked in confusion and Danny, Tucker and Sam looked questioningly as well.
"Because the A-listers don't like smart kids or anyone remotely "nerdy"...'Star hissed at the blonde, finally revealing her long time insecurity.
Dash stared at her in shock, only to realize she was right and before the events of this entire adventure, he might have made fun of her for being a secret geek...and he felt bad about that.
"Anyway, I had sent Ms. Strong a message warning her that Paulina was up to something, however since time shifts are very delicate in nature, I couldn't give too much information at the time...I had only warned her to be careful and to not be fooled by appearances...and eventually she was able to uncover the truth which would have been the first step in undoing an awful future and creating a brighter one..."He explained like it was obvious.
"Thank you..."Jeremy said to the time ghost for sparing his child and giving them all a new chance at life.
"You're welcome Mr. Manson but it was nothing really...You would be surprised just how much an entire timeline could change just with one little warning...or a misplaced football..."He said with a smirk and his eyes were on Dash who looked surprised.
"Wait! You mean...You were the one who put my football in my locker...You...You made me be there so that I could see that Star was in trouble..."Dash said in disbelief when Clockwork nodded.
"I knew that Ms. Strong couldn't undo that nightmare by herself, so I needed someone there to help her the moment he sensed she was in trouble...or rather two someones..."He said as he looked at Valerie who realized what he had done.
"So you had Star act like some detective and try and discover Paulina's evil plan, and you manipulated Dash to be there to see her get captured since you knew he would run into me and we'd go save her and then warn Danny that Sam was in trouble?..."Valerie accused as Clockwork nodded.
"As I had said, I see time as if I see a parade, I see all the twists and turns that it may or may not take...but it all depends on the acts of those who participate in it..."He explained to the female ghost hunter before turning back to Dash and Star.
"I can sense that you both were longing for an escape from the fate you were in...a second chance...and I believe that we all, at one point, deserve to be given one..."He said with a wink to the two who were smiling in disbelief.
Soon Danny walked up to his old ally and sent him an appreciative smile for what he had done for him and everyone in this room.
"Thank you Clockwork...I owe you, now more than ever for what you have done, not just for me but for everyone..."He said as he was fully aware of the fate he had narrowly avoided.
He still couldn't believe that there would have been a time where Paulina would have killed so many of his friends and loved ones...and that she would have succeeded in breaking him into whatever she wanted him to be...but that would never happen now, she was gone and she was gone for good and it was all thanks to Clockwork for giving them this second chance.
"You're quite welcome Danny..."He said kindly to the boy..."A new fate has been created, a new future has been set, and a second chance has been given to you all...be sure to use it wisely..."He said to the large group.
"We will...'Pamela said happily as she still hugged her daughter with her husband.
"Bless you Clockwork..."Ida said gratefully as she also hugged her granddaughter.
"I should be off now, farewell all..."The time master said as he disappeared from the hospital room, leaving behind the large group of people who were still surprised by what they were told.
However they were all relieved that they would no longer be haunted by Paulina's cruelty and that a new fate has been made for them and that the future seemed brighter than ever right now.
A few minutes later
The entire room were still spending time in the hospital room but Tucker left, and the doctor came in and ordered he large group of people to leave in order to tend to Sam, only allowing her parents and grandmother to stay. Once in the hospital hallway, Danny leaned by the door and waited patiently to see his girlfriend again. Valerie stood close by to Star while Dash hasn't left yet, he still had to speak to Star about an important matter. Taking a deep breath, he approached the blonde who had been chatting with her friend.
"Um...Star?...'Dash started, getting her attention before continuing..."Was it really that bad Star?..."Dash asked and Star nodded as she knew what he was talking about, he was talking about her life in the A-listers and it just made him feel worse
"What Dash, surprised that your little group isn't as fun or open minded as you thought?...'Valerie said sarcastically, true she had a truce with him but she still remembered that Dash was a jerk who picked on a lot of people.
"I...I...Does anyone else know...about your smarts?..."He asked awkwardly to the blonde girl.
"I only told Val and Kwan..."She said to the blonde jock.
"Kwan knows?..."He asked in surprised, having not expected this.
"Duh! He and I might have had a on-off relationship but I trust him to keep a secret...'She said with her hands on her hips and Dash only looked more guilty.
"I'm sorry..."He muttered.
"It doesn't matter anymore, I'm threw with the A-listers anyway, this whole disaster with Paulina proved to me that...that it's not worth it..."She said and noticed the proud look that was on Valerie's face.
"I'm glad you finally realize that Star..."Valerie said before hugging her blonde friend, happy to have her back.
'I see...Looks like I'm not going to be the only one...'He muttered, surprising the two girls in the process.
"Hold up...Did I hear that right? Dash...Did you just say you're quitting the A-listers?..."Star asked in shocked, even more when he nodded.
"Yeah..."He said.
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with Dash Baxter, the certified jock wanna-be king of Casper High who gets a thrill from stuffing kids in lockers?..."Valerie asked the blonde.
"Hey! I..I don't do that anymore...I mean I'm not gonna...ugh... I mean I really am leaving the group, I have too since I don't want to be a bully anymore...this whole thing made me see what a jerk I was and...and I realize now that I want to be more than just the guy who's only good quality was that he knows how to play football..."He said with a sigh...
"Dash, do you really mean it?..."Star asked in astonishment to the football player who nodded.
"Yes, I...If this whole thing is a second chance then...I want to be...more...more than just a jock, if that even makes any sense...'He said awkwardly to the two girls who smiled.
"I think it does...Good luck Dash..."Valerie said with a smile, while Star also looked happy as well.
'Thanks, I'm gonna need it...especially with my grades this term..."He muttered the last part quietly but Star heard him.
"What's wrong with your grades?...'She asked in concern and saw Dash flinching.
'Oh...um...It's nothing really...'he insisted but Star pressed on.
Come on Dash...You can tell us...After everything that went down, you can tell that you can talk to us..."Star persisted and Dash groaned in defeat.
"It's my grades, lately I've been doing worse since I haven't used any nerd help since after the Disasteroid..."He said, surprising the two in the process.
"You mean it..."Valerie said in disbelief, if that was true that means Dash hadn't done any cheating for over 2 months...
"Yeah and my grades are totally tanking, especially in my science class...Lancer says that if I don't shape up and get at least a B+ on both our final project and the final exam, not only am I going to be removed from the team but I might be held back..."He confessed.
"Oh my gosh..."Valerie exclaimed, knowing that Dash really was in deep and after the adventure she had with the guy, she actually cared about the fact that his academic future was in jeopardy, such a thing could ruin Dash's life since he relied on football in order to get a scholarship and if he was held back, he was a good as done for.
"I'm sorry Dash...'Star said with some compassion in her voice.
"Don't be...This is my mess...I'll find some way to fix my grade before the end of this semester...I hope...'He muttered the last part, not wanting to express his fears. Suddenly he felt Star's hand on his should and she was giving him a reassuring smile.
'You know, I'm pretty good at science...maybe I could help you out Dash...'She offered to the jock.
"What? You mean it?..."He asked in disbelief.
"Sure...I mean...We're both leaving the A-Listers and are going to have a second chance now...I don't want to go on being that dumb blonde that was Paulina's satellite, I want to be more than that...and I might as well use this chance to do some good..."She said kindly.
'Do you really think that you can help me Star...I mean Fenton's sister Jazz tried to tutor me but she said that I was untu-unta-un...uhhh...she said I wasn't good with studying and she's the smartest girl at school..."He said in frustration to Star.
"Well...Jazz might be smart but so I am...and maybe I can help explain the stuff, make it easier for you to understand, it might not be easy but I'm up for the challenge and I'm willing to help in your other classes if your up for it..."Star said confidently and Dash almost looked like he was about to drop to his knees and kiss her feet.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!...'He shouted in complete gratitude as he felt there might be hope for his grades and his future.
"Just remember this Dash, this isn't going to easy and I'm going to need you to take this seriously and I mean "last 2 minutes, state championship" like serious, I'm willing to help you but you have to promise me that you'll give me your all..."Star said seriously, hoping that Dash understood the seriousness of his situation and that his grade depended on his own willingness to work for it. To her relief, he just nodded, still keeping that smile of his.
'Sure thing coach..."He said with a wink to the blonde, causing her to laugh at his antics.
Danny had witness the entire interaction but chose not to interrupt. He was happy to learn that Dash's transformation seemed genuine and that he stopped bullying kids into doing his homework and that he and Star both wanted to change for the better.
'He's right...This is a new chance...And he's not the only one who want to make it count..."He thought as he sighed, for the first time in hours, truly feeling at peace.
Later
Back in Sam's hospital room
The doctor had finished examining Sam's wounds and giving her medications to prevent any infections. Once done, Danny had reentered the room.
"Hey...How ya feeling?..."He asked his girlfriend only for her mother to peak.
"Doctor Jones says that she's still a little sore but he says that in a week or two, she'll be able to come home..."Pamela said to the dark haired boy.
"Yeah, he's said that I'm gonna be stuck here for the next 10-12 days, depending on how I heal up..."Sam said to her boyfriend.
"That's good, especially since I'm gonna be here until your let out and after that, I'm still gonna stick to you like glue..."He said with a smile.
"Don't you have a thing called school during most of next week?...'Sam said sarcastically to her boyfriend.
"The second that bell rings, I promise that you'll see me each and every day and on the day your released from this place, it's you and me and the Veggie Hut..."He said sweetly to the goth who could only smile.
'I look forward to it...'She said, feeling a lot happier right now.
"AW~...'Pamela said in a fawning voice, reminding the two that they had an audience and to their embarrassment they saw Ida smirking, Sam's dad trying to ignore the situation while her mother looked embarrassed all of a sudden.
"I...Uh...ruined the moment didn't I?...'She said in an awkward tone and look apologetically to her daughter who sighed.
"Whatever..."She muttered as she tried to look indifferent at the fact that they had witness her having a special moment with Danny.
'So...Sam...This Veggie hut...you like that place?...'Pamela asked all of a sudden to her daughter.
"Yeah, it's my all time favorite vegan restaurant...'Sam said to her folks who suddenly shared a smile with each other and a nod, as if they were having an unspoken conversation of their own.
'if...if it's alright if...one of these days...we could go with you there?...'Pamela asked her daughter who looked surprised.
"What? But you and dad aren't vegans...'She pointed out.
"It doesn't mean we don't want to go Sammy...We said that we want to start over and that we'd be more accepting of the things you liked...We would like to go to the Veggie hut with you...unless you don't want us to..."She added quickly, wanting to make sure her daughter knew that she had a choice in the matter and to her relief, she nodded.
"Sure...it might be fun...'Sam complied, actually happy that she and her folks for once might be able to go to a restaurant without having to fight along the way.
"And...I was thinking that after we had lunch...we could check out that gallery you said you wanted to see by that photographer um...Raven something...'Jeremy said, trying hard to recall the name of the artist.
"You mean Raven Nightshade, she's my favorite gothic photographer...'Sam said and smiled when her dad nodded.
"Yeah her...If you feel like, we could stop by to take a look..."Jeremy said in the sincerest way possible.
"I...I think I'd like that too...'Sam said, finding the whole situation completely surreal.
Only 24 hours ago, she never would have expected to see both her parents offer to go see a gothic photo gallery or a restaurant of her choice but it was apparently happening. She was happy for this but she realized that she had to do something. She loved that they meant what they said by understanding her and that they were willing to put aside their dislike for dark stuff just to show they support her...but she knew that this was a two way thing.
'I can't believe I'm doing this..."Sam thought as she tried to brainstorm the least unbearable activity her parents would like that she could do with them, suddenly she recalled one and decided it could be doable, if she at least tried that is..
"Mom...The other day you told me that a fancy new tea shop opened up and that you and dad went there right?...'Sam asked her mother who nodded.
"Oh yes dear, it's called Marla's Tea room, it's very divine...they have imported tea from all over the world..."Pamela said as she recalled her experience their and she had been very satisfied with the service and atmosphere, though she wondered why her daughter wanted to know, especially since she refused to go when they had invited her.
"If it's alright, maybe after lunch and the photo gallery, we could get a cup of tea too...'Sam offered surprising both her parents, her boyfriend and even her own grandmother as well.
"But Sammy...Why are you saying this? The last time we invited you, you said that you didn't want to go..."Pamela pointed out.
Sam sighed as she recalled that day. The reason she had refused was under the grounds that her parents had liked that place, it was expensive and was said to be posh and she automatically disliked it. However, if they were going to suck it up and do something they didn't normally like just to make her happy, she at least had to fair and do at least one thing that made them comfortable.
'Well...I want to go now..."Sam said, hoping she didn't sound as strained as she feared, but everyone wasn't buying it.
"What's going on sweetie? We know that you don't like those kind of places, so what brought this up?...'Jeremy asked his daughter.
"Dad...You and mom are offering to take me to an all goth photo gallery despite the fact that you guy don't like that kind of thing, not to mention your taking me to the Veggie hut...I figure that if you too are willing to due something you don't like, I figure getting a tea at a place you both like wouldn't be too painful...as long as their organic..."She said the last part insisted to her folks who nodded eagerly.
"Oh they do have organic, all kinds of tea Sammy..."Pamela said happily, unable to believe that she and her daughter might actually be making a compromise.
'It sounds like a great day, as soon as your out, we'll have a nice family day to look forward to, just the three of us...'Jeremy said cheerfully, feeling so happy that this was actually happening, that he still had his daughter and that soon they would be able to actually spend time like an actual family.
'What are you talking about? Don't think that your leaving me out...'Ida said with a smirk as she looked at her son who smiled sheepishly at her.
"Never mother..."He said before finding himself sharing a laugh with his mother, wife and daughter, feeling so happy that the nightmare was finally over and that all that was left was to live life to the fullest.
"Sounds like you guys are gonna have a fun day..."Danny said with a smile as he watched the family finally bond.
He sighed as he felt truly happy at the moment. Sam was alright, Paulina was gone forever and Sam and her family was finally getting along. He looked out the window and saw the clear blue, cloudless sky as he took it as a sign that things were only going to get better from here on out.
After so much trouble, the future has never looked brighter.
At Clockwork's tower
The time master had witness the rather touching family moment before closing the time window, already knowing that Sam and her family would be alright. Staring at the metallic, cube like device in his hand, he knew that he had a job to do, especially as he saw the Observants arrive to his realm.
"Where is Spectra?...'the first Observant demanded.
"She's right here...'He gestured to the cube-prison that still contained the emotion eater.
"Bring her out, we must speak to her...'The second Observant ordered and Clockwork pressed the released button, Penelope Spectra, in her real, dark form was finally released but she was a little dazed.
"WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU BRAT'S I'LLL-...'Spectra shouted in anger only to noticed that she apparently was back in the ghost zone.
"I'd watch that tongue if I were you Spectra...'Clockwork chided and smirked when he saw the look of alarm on Spectra's face.
"Clockwork...What are you doing here?...'Spectra tried to look unafraid but she knew about Clockwork and often tried to stay out of his way. He was one of the most powerful of ghosts and despite his claims of being neutral, no one dared to anger him out of fear that he could undo their very existence at any given time.
'I am here with the Observants due to your actions...'Clockwork said and smirked once more when Spectra saw the observants. As vain and sadistic she was, even Spectra knew which ghosts too avoid and which were the worse to anger and that including he and the observants.
"What's going on here?...'She demanded to know and tried to move, only to realize that she couldn't.
"Don't even bother, I froze your body in order to do this...We have a bone to pick with you...'Clockwork said to the female ghost who looked positively ticked off.
"Penelope Spectra, we are aware of your actions lately, you got involved with that human girl and put the entire world at risk in order to satisfy your vanity and sadism..."The first Observant said to the dark female ghost.
"Since when do you care?...I've gathered misery before and you never had a problem with it?...'Spectra demanded, angry of her situation but also confused.
"True, we had let you and many others be since we never saw you are a true threat, however, your role in aiding Paulina Sanchez plot, fueling her obsession had nearly put the entire human and ghost worlds in danger...'The second Observant pointed out.
'What do you mean danger?...'She asked and saw Clockwork open several time windows, he said that they were all former timelines that involved Paulina and he said that each one was very bad for both the human and ghost world.
He said that upon Paulina succeeding in eliminating her rivals as well as breaking Danny's will, Paulina would still be a danger to the world, as well as her descendants. She would have been the first in line of many unstable individuals who would grow into monsters as well, caring only for themselves and the unfortunate person they would become fixated with, but that future had been eliminated. He also showed the future where Danny had discovered Paulina's actions and was driven insane before killing her and their unborn child, thus riding the world of a lineage of monsters but becoming one instead.
He also showed many other bad timelines that were created by her hate and obsession but he said that due to his actions, they would never come to pass now that Paulina had been stopped and that Sam and all of the other potential victims would be safe. During the entire time, Spectra didn't show any pity or remorse, she was just angry that her glorious plan had backfired.
"I was just getting some power, that's not a crime!...'She shouted, feeling very angry here.
"Actually it is...or how you went about it...'Clockwork said to the dark female who growled.
"What are you going to do with me?...'She demanded.
"For a long time we had let you free Spectra since we could always see that Phantom would defeat you, however given how large the consequences of your actions would have lead to, we cannot let this slide..."The second Observant said to the emotion eater who still looked angry.
"You can't be serious, what about Paulina, this was all here idea and I was just her provider...'Spectra pointed out, hoping to shift the majority of the blame onto her little accomplice, however to her surprise, Clockwork only shook his head while the Observants still looked menacingly at her.
"Your accomplice has already been punished as she is now dead, thanks to that poison you provided her with, she cannot manifest as a ghost and has passed on to pay for her sins...'The second Observant said, shocking the dark spirit in the process.
"What?...'She shouted, upset that one of her most effective tools to gather misery was dead and couldn't even be a ghost.
'Yes and it's for the best...And all that is left is to punish you as well..."Clockwork said darkly to the evil ghoul.
"Penelope Spectra, for your crimes against the ghost zone and the human world, we hereby strip you of your powers..."The first Observant announced, shocking the evil woman.
'WHAT?! You can't do that?!...'She shouted in dismay.
'Yes we can, the council has already decided that you are too dangerous to be left alone and you must be punished..."The two Observants said as they approached the evil ghost with their hands glowing.
"Stay away from me! Don't touch me! You wouldn't dare...'She yelled in anger but her body was still frozen as the cyclops ghost placed their hands on her which glowed brightly and surrounded her entire body.
'No! No! No! NOOOOO!..." She shouted as she felt her power, all her strength and more importantly her youth be taken away from her as they kept draining her own power. After about 10 grueling minutes, Spectra was unfrozen and fell to the ground, feeling very, very weak.
"W-Wha..."She muttered in a daze, feeling absolutely weak, however upon seeing her hands, she screamed at the sight of the boney, wrinkly appendages.
"I must say, you have never look better Spectra...'Clockwork said mockingly as he produced a mirror so she could see her face, her real face.
'NO!..." She screamed upon seeing the old woman in the mirror, even more when she knew that it was her.
The face she had when she died, as gorgeous as she was in her youth, she had the misfortune of premature aging and by the time she reached her 30's, she already looked too old for her actual age. Death had been a blessing after that when she discovered the misery, particularly the misery of youthful individuals, could restore her once good looks and she had no qualms in doing so, especially since she actually enjoyed making other miserable when she was still alive.
Her deal with Paulina had been one of her easiest and most effective plans yet, she had found a frequent source of misery and she had maintained the beauty and power she always strived for but now it was gone!
It was all gone!
Spectra screamed and was about to attack them, only to fall down as she realized that all the strength and power she has gathered during the last few weeks were also gone as well...she...she felt weak...as weak as an old woman nearing the end of her life...
"Don't even bother Spectra, we have removed the majority of your powers including your ability to absorb misery from the innocent, all that will remain is the standard ghost powers of invisibility, flight, intangibility and so forth...'Clockwork explained to the ancient looking ghost who was absolutely furious.
"He is right, and since we are aware that even low powers doesn't make you any less sadistic or deadly, we have also sentence you to be bound to the realm of reflections for the rest of your afterlife...We have made it so that you can never leave that realm..."The second Observant said to the old ghost who looked positively horrified.
"What? But that realm is just a giant cavern of reflective crystals that would make a house of mirrors look small!..."Spectra shouted at them.
"We know..."The first Observant said flatly and Spectra gasped.
She now realized what they were doing and it was completely unbelievable. Not only had they taken away her power, her precious youth and beauty and her ability to gather it through misery which left her looking like an old hang forever but now they were going to trap her in a realm of mirrors just so she could keep looking at her old face for all time!
That...that was actually pretty cruel right there.
"It's time that we go Spectra..."They said as the two Observants got a struggling but weak ghoul.
"NO!...'She screamed as she disappeared with the two cyclops ghosts as they dragged her to her fate.
Clockwork only stayed there as impassive as ever but smiled as he knew that justice has been served. The world was now free of two very deadly woman who would spend the rest of their existence being punished as they should.
He saw all the timelines that involved Paulina and Spectra's evil disappear and that was how he liked it.
The Master of time went back to checking on the time stream to see how things were doing and he smiled at what he saw in this new world that was free from both Paulina and Spectra's hatred.
He saw Sam finally being released from the hospital and spending the day with her family, both making an effort to be more open minded to the other's interests and it was obvious they have never been happier. Jeremy and Pamela kept their word and became more understanding to their daughter's individuality and they also changed for the better as well, they no longer associated with those vain people of the upper class and even managed to make real friends with Jack and Maddie, Tucker's parents and even Valerie's father Damon.
They weren't they only ones who were making good with the second chance they have been given, he saw Star and Dash finally leave the A-Listers, along with Kwan who volunteered to leave upon learning that his best friend and the girl he liked wanted to change as well. Dash, Kwan and Star all changed for the better with Star embracing her intelligence and even joining the chemistry club, finally proud of her brains and she and Kwan even got back together, this time on a more serious way. Kwan was finally happy that he no longer had to bully in order to fit in and he even apologized and befriending many of his former victims. Dash had managed to pass his classes thanks to Star's help and also received counseling to curb his aggression, he was no longer a bully and even became something of a friend to Danny, Sam, Tucker and Val.
Even better, with Paulina's actions being made public knowledge and Star, Dash and Kwan leaving the A-Listers, it had basically became non-existent with just Dale, Ashly and a few other vain members who were still too stubborn to change. However with the most influential members gone, they have lost their credibility and were no longer respected or feared by their school mates, especially with Dash and Kwan standing up to Dale and threatening him into stop bullying now that they no longer had a tolerance for it.
Clockwork smiled as he knew this was only the beginning for them all, and that things would only keep changing from here on out.
"Let's see how things look about 10 years from now..."He said as he flashed forward to about 10 years from now.
'Well what have we here..."He said with a smile as he saw all that this new world had to offer, especially in the lives of the people that had been involved.
Star had managed to graduate from Amity Park University with a master's degree in education. Helping Dash out during his academic crises showed her that she wanted to keep helping people and she decided to become a teacher. At age 26, she now works as a high school science teacher at Casper High, and she really enjoys her job, especially with her husband supporting her. She and Kwan got married after she got her degree and the former jock now is a devoted stay-at-home dad to the couples two children, a three year old boy named Chan and a one year old girl named Kiki
Dash also managed to make something out of himself as well.
He ended up having to work overtime during senior year to raise his GPA, but with Star's tutoring, he managed to graduate with his class and even gotten accepted to Amity Park Community College on his football scholarship where he met a girl named Dina and fell in love with her. At age 26, he now works as the new football coach and gym teacher at Casper High following Mrs. Testlaff's retirement and he now is the father to a boy named Dash Jr who while athletic like his father, is not now or will ever be a bully.
Valerie and her dad had a better life as well with Damon becoming the new VP of Axiom labs, allowing there family to move back into their old neighborhood and Valerie still hunts ghosts as she now works as a professional ghost hunter under Fenton Works which has become a real top-notch agency.
They weren't the only ones having a happy life. Tucker Foley had resigned being mayor of Amity Park at age 17 and went to MIT to pursue his dream in a career in technology. He even started a relationship with Danny's sister Jazz, despite the half ghost being surprised by this development, however they eventually married with Jazz getting her psychology degree and Tucker getting his in engineering. Dani had grown into a very lovely young woman and is still involved with the family ghost hunting business. She is happily single and is a bit of a party girl but she's still as devoted as ever to her loved ones.
However the ones that he was most focused on was Danny and Sam and how they were doing in this new world. At age 27, Danny had finally achieved his dream of becoming an astronaut and Sam became an environmental biologist. They still hunted ghost and protected the world as they both lived their dreams. Even better they both got married at age 24 after college and at age 27, Sam had given birth to their only child, a boy named Drake who would grow up to inherit his father's ghost powers and his mother's love for all living things. They were all very happy, especially with Sam's relationship with her parents still as good as ever.
He saw the now elderly Manson's who would still be supportive of their daughter and were very loving and doting to their grandchild Drake, to the point that they even developed a friendly rivalry with Jack and Maddie over spoiling him which would lead to many humorous situations much to their daughter's annoyance.
Overall, this was a much better future than the previous ones. Sam and many other people were still alive, Danny and her were as much in love with each other as they ever were and all the people involved were happier...though not all of them had a happy ending.
"Here we go..."He sighed as he saw the life of Paulina's parents and felt some pity for them.
The loss of their daughter and the discovery of her crimes truly hurt them, especially with their business being effected since many people no longer wanted to be associated with them due to the backlash they received but they deserved it. Their obsession with perfection and snobbery had blinded them to their daughter's many faults and they refused to accept the fact that she was anything less than "perfect" and now they were paying for it.
However they grieved a lot for their daughter and it had only been the birth of Priscilla Sanchez, who was born a year after her sister's death that kept them from ending their own lives and joining their first child. Clockwork was relieved that Priscilla was born a normal child though her parents still became very protective of her, in case she showed signs of being unstable like her sister was. However she managed to grow up to be a stable, healthy and more importantly, a kind hearted girl but what surprised her parents the most was how much she resembled her sisters in looks...even her parents had wondered if Paulina had been reborn as her sister, this time as a sane and kind person but that was not the case...what was true was that this was their own second chance.
He was happy to see that neither Priscilla or her descendants had inherited the insanity that Paulina had her entire life and the world truly was free from that kind of darkness.
Overall, the world was ultimately much better off now.
"All is as it should be..."He said happily as he closed the time window and went back to work.
A new future has been made, a new fate has been forged for all and a second chance has been given.
Indeed it was a happier ending for all...
The End
And done.
Whoa baby...Several months and 25 chapters and it's finally done! I am very proud of this fic, especially since I originally going to make it a vague one-shot but I'm happy that I turned it it into this instead. I love both Danny Phantom and also Yandere Simulator and I am proud that I managed to combine them and create this fic.
I am proud that I made this fic since I think that I managed to give it the same view YandereDev is trying is trying to give the game itself. The story "Yandere Simulator: Paulina edition" that you all have read was basically a horror story from the monster's point of view and unlike a lot of stories, we also get to see the monster be vanquished in the end as well.
Anyway, I would like to dedicate and give a shout out to my many wonderful reviews that have stuck by me since I started this fic.
Let's give some love for: Book117Worm, colonelallende98, CutiePie120048, DarkKingM, Dreams Come True 996, Guest(1), Guest(2), Guest(3), Hellbreaker, iloveanimals, imekitty, Invader Johnny, jbrew123, joggerwritting, Ladynoir1987,Magica68, MBTRIPPLES, Moon Ninja Luna, Nocturnal Dreams, PhantomsD1, Poofy, poop, regret life, roseapplelovesflowers, Rossana's Mind, Sing-a-Ring-Ding,SuperSonicBros123, sylveon18mega, ,TheBlade17, WiseGuy2415 and Word Life 316.
Thank you all for the support, you guys are part of the reason I love doing what I do :)
A/N: For those of you who are wondering, Priscilla Sanchez is an OC I created that appeared in my other DP fanfic "CW: Deleted scenes", she's is Paulina's younger sister who is identical to her in looks but she grows up to be a kinder person and she never knew that she even had a sibling to begin with as her parents never told her.
I decided to use her here as the second chance given to Paulina's parents...
For old times sake here are my REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:
Sing-a-Ding-Ring, Guest(1) and Rossana's Mind: I know that the previous chapter was intense but Paulina had literally lost everything and according to YandereDev, it's hinted that "losing their "soulmate" is worse than a death sentence".
TheBlade17: Well you were half right...Except that Spectra is being sent to her definition of a much worse prison...
Guest(2): Thanks, that was what I was going for
Iloveanimals: You can say that again...
Invader Johnny: I hope what occurred in this chapter will cover that little issue...
Moon Ninja Luna, PhantomsD1 and Book117Worm: : Thank you for the praise and also your welcome, writing this fic was a pleasure of mine, also that I hope my ending is satisfactory.
Guest(3): Well Clockwork ended up telling them the story so that will do right...
DarkKingM: You're welcome :)
Guest(4): I'm sorry but Clockwork had been referring to the victims in that situation...
Also be sure to check out my still on-going my DP fics such as "Resurrected Memories" , "Dani Fenton" School Daze" and " CW: Deleted Scenes", as well as my Naruto fanfic "The engagement";)
:) It's been a blast everyone :)