A Danny Phantom fan fic by Wega the blue sun. No copyright infringement is intended, the DP characters don't belong to me, only their copyright owners and I'm not making any money from their use. Only the story itself and the OC's in it belong to me, and I'm still not making any money!
A/N: This is the last chapter and I want to thank all faithful readers who stuck with me and Vlad through everything - you know who you are! So, let me know if you enjoyed the tale and maybe we'll do it again!
Ch. 30
"Greetings, Vladimir Masters, it's been a while!", Clockwork said politely, startling Vlad out of his contemplation of the sunset. The time keeper had caught him completely unawares, tired from doing a lengthy interview and acting the gracious host he'd let his guard down. "What brings you here?", Vlad asked, trying hard to appear calm although his blood ran cold. "It's high time to bring our little game to an end and time to take back what's mine!", the ghost answered and his shape changed to a stooped old man's. "Are you ready to return?", he grinned a toothless smile.
"No, I'm not! We had a deal, and I'm not leaving!", Vlad hissed and turned into his Plasmius form. "You can't do this to me!" "Oh, are you sure about that?", Clockwork asked in the high voice of a young boy while his features morphed. "What precisely was this deal we had? I recall you wanted to return in time to undo the damages Jack Fenton had inflicted upon you and conquer your great love. As far as I can see you've achieved these lofty goals, and I congratulate you. However, we never agreed on letting you stay in this timeline, in fact you never mentioned anything about it. What do you say to that, halfa?" "True, I didn't specify my desire to stay on, but doesn't that go without saying?", Vlad stuttered, watching the time keeper carefully. The ghost was extremely powerful, and the extent of his abilities a mystery.
Clockwork sighed. "You'll return to your timeline whenever I wish, so don't be difficult, you'll only annoy me. I have my hands full already with fixing the mess your continued absence created in your world. Would you like to see what's going on there?", he asked and at a flick of his staff a portal opened to show the castle Vlad had once occupied. The great structure was very different from when he'd last seen it, and strangely familiar new people had moved in, but before he could fully take in the changes the portal swirled shut again. "No, wait! Show me that again! Damn you, Clockwork, what have you done to my home?", Vlad cursed and shook a trembling fist in the time keepers ever-fluid face.
"Why blame me? It seems your instructions weren't followed to the letter after all", the ghost shrugged. "The fault lies with you. You can't just disappear and expect everything to remain the same. And why do you care in the first place? Aren't you pleased by what you have here?A minute ago you refused to leave. Which timeline means more to you, Plasmius?" Vlad stared at the ghost through narrowed eyes. He'd almost fallen for the time keeper's trick, made careless for a brief moment by the unexpected sight of his castle. "I know what you're up to, but you won't get me this easily. No matter what you show me, I will stay here! I've worked hard to get what I have, and nothing in the other world can make me leave, so do your worst,
I'm ready!"
"How was that, dear Plasmius? Your success is the result of your hard labor? Allow me to set the record straight! You simply highjacked the life of a hapless boy by overshadowing him. Tell me,
don't you feel the least bit guilty about what you did to your younger self? You stole his body,
property, girlfriend and entire future!", Clockwork said calmly. "I had no other choice, the fool was about to ruin everything! You probably knew already what I would do in the future the instant I came into your realm!", Vlad hissed. "So it's my fault you muddled up the time stream? I should have known your word can't be trusted, shame on me!", the time keeper shook his head and smiled.
Vlad paused, uncertain where this conversation was leading. Obviously Clockwork was well informed about what had taken place in this timeline, and yet he seemed in no particular hurry to drag him back to the old world. Maybe a new approach was in order, a reasoned discussion instead of threats and combat. "I didn't mean to break my vow, but you must understand my situation. I'd been lonely for so long, when I saw the chance to be with Maddie I simply had to take it. There was no other way than to overshadow the kid, don't you see?", he pleaded. "And the kid didn't deserve the woman anyway, right?". Clockwork grinned. "He didn't appreciate her, and he didn't treat her right. Maddie and I are destined to be together, and our success proves my point", Vlad replied quickly. "Our love is real, our commitment is strong, and that's how we got through the hard times!" "Well, without doubt your wife cares for you, I was surprised how she reacted to your killing of that deranged doctor and your subsequent revelation as a halfa!", Clockwork said thoughtfully. "But are you quite certain she accepts your ghost side?"
Vlad smiled and remained silent. The time keeper had no idea to what degree Maddie had accepted his dual personality, going as far as including his Plasmius persona in their lovemaking. Why, only last night she'd insisted on having his three duplicates participate, and what an experience it had been.
Growing tired of waiting for an answer Clockwork coughed discreetly. "So maybe she doesn't mind you being a halfa, but what about your son? He's not precisely the offspring you've hoped for", he said and the sharp remark chased away the pleasant memories. "Danny's the best son any father could have!
Not once has he complained about the pain and trouble his ghost side has caused him", Vlad snapped.
"But is he the son you yearned to have? A boy you wished to mentor and mold in your own image? He's nice enough, but he falls flat in that regard. Uninterested in school in general and science in parti-
cular, he fritters away time with idealistic but ultimately pointless charity while neglecting to de-
velop his ghost powers further. You must realize that this boy won't carry your legacy far. And when was the last time you ate a steak in his presence?", Clockwork said and rolled his eyes. "Danny's fine the way he is! I'll admit I had certain hopes for him, but there's always a chance he'll still fulfill my - his - dreams! So what if he doesn't care much for science, he still accompanies me to the ghost zone, even though his focus is on the real world. His powers aren't very strong, but he does - occasionally - train with me. And as long as I, his father, don't mind his activism, why do you care? Danny has strong beliefs and is willing to work for them. The least I can do is not eat meat in front of him,that's a small sacrifice. He's a loving, good -hearted boy and I'm proud to call him my son!"
"Spoken like a devoted father! I'm impressed how domesticated you've become, I didn't think you'd have it in you! Aren't you the least bit bored with all this life? I think you miss your old life a little bit, tell the truth, Plasmius!", Clockwork chuckled. Vlad opened his mouth, but the denials wouldn't come. He did miss the wealth he'd once had and the fame and comfort that resulted from it. He missed the castle and the Packers collection and he missed being an important and respected man. "Let's make a new deal, you and I", the time keeper continued. "Like I already said, you've done well here and achieved what you wanted. Why don't you go back to your old timeline and try your luck there? Things have changed, you've gained a lot of experience, so why not have another go at the real Maddie?"
"What are you talking about?", Vlad said and a shiver ran through him. "I'm offering you a real challenge, a chance to do things right with the people back home! No strings attached, just a new opportunity. You've proved yourself here, now go back and do it there!", Clockwork smiled and the portal opened again. Vlad smiled too, but turned away from the swirling vortex. He looked back at the house, gleaming bright in the setting sun. Through the kitchen windows he saw Maddie preparing supper and off in the distance was Danny, coming out of the barn. A big smile lit up his features, and Vlad knew the boy had some good news to share.
This was his home, his sanctuary, where love and tranquility reigned. And yet the thought of his old home pained him, and suddenly he felt an urge to return to where he'd come from, step once again into the world where he really belonged. He turned back to the vortex and within he saw Maddie, the woman he'd left behind.Radiantly beautiful as ever, she seemed distraught about something, tears running down her silky cheeks. For a moment their eyes met over the time stream and Vlad wondered if she could see him, too.
"One step is all it takes. I will tell you honestly that you'll never be rich in this timeline. You'll never own the castle again, nor will you be famous or admired. All that's possible only in the other world, no matter how much you'll struggle in this one you won't rise beyond what you have here. And if the thought of your wife and son hold you back, don't worry, they'll be fine without you!", Clockwork murmured seductively. The vortex shivered and Maddie's image wavered. "Better hurry!", the ghost urged and beckoned him. Vlad chuckled and took a step back. "As much as I appreciate the offer, no thanks, I won't go", he said and grinned. "Keeping the sure thing? You really have changed, the old Plasmius would have jumped at the chance!", Clockwork said with a tinge of regret. "What I said earlier is absolutely true, are you certain you want to stay here? And before you answer, consider this: Once you make the decision you cannot reverse it, you'll be stuck here for life!"
"Fine by me", Vlad replied, wishing the time keeper would stopping tempting him. He kept his eyes fixed on his son and wife, and soon the doubts passed. "I have all I want here, I don't need any more", he added. "Somehow I knew you'd say that!", Clockwork mumbled and lightly tapped his staff against Vlad's chest. The brief contact sent an electric charge through his body and he stumbled, suddenly weak and confused, but quickly regained his composure. "You won't be needing this either", the time keeper said and held up the time device. How had it slipped his grasp, Vlad wondered, just a moment earlier it had been safely tucked away in his pocket. "Give it back, I need that! Just in case something happens. I have to protect my family!", he said and reached out, but Clockwork shook his head. "You already have the advantages of your ghost powers, don't be greedy! Farewell, Vladimir Masters, we shall not meet again!", the ghost said and disappeared so suddenly it startled Vlad. "Wait, I need to ask you about the future!", he said to the empty air, but there was no reply.
"What about the future, Dad? Are you talking to yourself again?", a voice came from behind and Vlad turned to look at his son walking towards him. The boy hadn't noticed the time keeper, knew nothing of the momentous decision his father had just made. "Why've you gone ghost?", Danny asked, blinking in the last rays of the setting sun. "Never mind about that. I've been thinking, you need to train more. What do you say, son, you and me one on one in the ghost zone?", Vlad said eagerly. Danny winced and squirmed. "Can we do it later sometime? I was going over to Sammie to let her know Elsie just had a beautiful calf and I'm going to name it after her! We'll train tomorrow, OK?" The boy trotted off without waiting for his father's reply. Vlad sighed and floated back to the house and into the kitchen. "Did Danny tell you about the new calf? His menagerie is growing steadily", he said when he'd materialized in his human form. "Yes, and he also told me about his college plans", Maddie said and offered him a glass of wine. "What a day it's been! I'm tired, aren't you?", she asked and Vlad nodded. "You know Danny's taking so much after your family. He's just like Olaf, a farmer through and through!", she added thoughtfully. "I guess we'll have to accept that" "It's really not so bad", Vlad said and took her hand and kissed it, tasting faint hints of onions and perfume. "I wouldn't trade it for the world!"
"You decided to let Plasmius stay on? But how shall we resolve the problems in his old timeline now?", the observers asked, surprised to see Clockwork return alone. He opened a vortex which showed Vlad and his wife sitting down for dinner. "Who would have thought the mighty Plasmius would prefer such a homespun environment over all the wealth and fame he'd amassed?", the time keeper mused. "But never fear, I did not forget about restoring harmony to the time stream, he said and from his hands rose a tiny figure, curled up tightly but still recognizable as a human being. "Here, take this other self Plasmius overshadowed and insert him into the timeline Masters vacated. I feel we owe this one a chance" "Is this wise? The consequences could be dire!", an observer warned. Clockwork smiled as the little figure came to life. "We shall see what this one does, only time will tell!"
