Author: Sorry I know I should have written sooner but this chapter wouldn't come out in my head. Finally it did along with the rest of the story. So stick by me as we race through the last of this story.

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Chapter Twenty Four

"My my what a touching scene this is," A familiar voice drawled followed by the sound of someone clapping sarcastically, "Truly it brings a tear to my eye to hear your determination to nobly sacrifice yourself young Daniel."

"Vlad but ho-...you followed us here." Danny accused whirling to face the other.

Chuckling Vlad continued to make his way towards the group.

"Why Daniel did you truly believe I would allow you any chance of defeating me?" Vlad asked shaking his head with a small smirk gracing his face.

"Allow? I seem to recall the fact that I was always the one who ripped your plots apart before without you "allowing" me." Danny shot back preparing to transform as Vlad stopped a few feet away from them.

Pausing Vlad seemed to think that over before a sinister grin split his face in half. Seeing that sent shivers down Danny's spine. He'd always hated that look. Vlad wore it when they battled against one another or when he was certain of Danny's doom. Instinctively he transformed balls of energy forming in his palms as he waited for Vlad to do something.

"That may have been true in the past Daniel but if not for me then you would not be standing here right now." Vlad said his eyes locked on Danny and no one else.

"What are you talking about?" Danny hissed his attention wavering slightly at the words.

"Did you truly believe it was coincidence that you escaped just as your sister and her little group finished with a weapon to destroy me?" At Danny's shocked expression Vlad's smile only grew, "Yes Danny I know about the weapon just like I knew you would do everything you could to save those you love. Even if it meant destroying yourself."

Everything froze. Danny felt as if he stood in the center of a glacier as Vlad's words registered deep in his mind. He had planned this. He planned everything. And Danny had fallen for it. Rage thawed the freezing disbelief he felt as he launched himself at Vlad hands glowing brighter as he fired blast after blast at the man ignoring Skulker's voice calling him back.

None of his blasts hit their mark however. A huge shadow flew out from under the man using its body like a shield to protect him. Danny, himself, was thrown back into one of the temple walls pain exploding over his back as it came in contact with the stone. Growing Danny stood glaring at the shadow and the man ready to launch himself at them both once again. Thankfully Skulker made to him fast enough to lay a firm hand on his shoulder effectively holding him back.

"Don't bother Phantom we both know you won't be able to lay a finger on him." Skulker growled his glare aimed at Vlad.

"We played right into his hands!" Danny nearly shouted through his anger.

"And you think attacking him now when you don't stand a chance to defeat him is going to work? The only thing you'll end up doing is either getting killed or injured horribly." Skulker said his words calming even though they were said in a harsh tone.

"Listen to him Danny. Besides you wouldn't truly wish to harm your own mentor would you?" Vlad asked his eyes flashing briefly.

Danny heard a sharp inhale from the ancient as he carefully listened to Vlad's words. He was taunting him with knowledge Danny had figured out awhile ago.

"Clockwork was a better ghost then you'll ever be." Danny said in response.

"That may but it is I who have the powers of time itself. His so called "protector" was useless when I went to consume him. In fact now that I think about it she was the first casualty in this war. How someone as weak as her would be chosen to protect one so strong I will never understand. Wouldn't you agree Skulker?"

Skulker had to physically stop himself from throwing caution to the wind and attacking Vlad. Sure he'd thought Ember wasn't the right one to be a protector but it wasn't his choice. He regretted not saying anything now. The sight of her body lying in a pool of her own blood haunted his memory. It was the only thing that kept him going. Revenge.

"Aww all this reminiscing sure has made me feel nostalgic but I think it's time we should leave don't you think Daniel?" Vlad asked yawning sarcastically.

Before Danny could speak he was enclosed in a bubble. Snapping his head towards the ancient he saw she too was enclosed in a bubble of her own. The box ghost and Skulker both rushed to help them, only it was too late. The shadow from before knocked them aside before retrieving them. Throwing himself against the solid ectoplasm Danny desperately tried to think of a way out of this. He didn't feel the pull on his powers until his body gave out. His vision swam as the bubble drew out every ounce of power he possessed. Turning his head he saw the same was happening to the ancient. Darkness filtered around his vision as he helplessly watched Skulker and the box ghost be thrown around by the shadow.

"Don't you just love it when things go according to plan Daniel?" Vlad asked as he turned his back on the two other ghosts, "I have you, the ancient, and soon all those little pests who dare to defy me will learn their places. Don't look so worried Daniel I'll make sure they don't suffer completely."

Danny wanted to protest. He wouldn't let the man get away with this. But all he could do was groan softly as the darkness took over his entire being.

Author: So there you have it thought of this little twist and assumed you guys would like it. You do right? …..