A/N: Wow. I have no words. It feels great to have this out tho but damn. I'm conflicted; I dunno if I like this chapter being as long as it is (8,444 words bruh. . .), but I really love the subject matter in it. . . ah well I'll get over it. Have fun with this chapter ya crazy kooks!


Chapter 23: Mirrors

Dani snarled, blasting a nearby piece of rocks to bits. It quickly crumbled into nothing, doing little to sate the halfa's frustration.

"Where did they go?" Ichigo demanded. "They were right here weren't they?"

The ravaged battleground definitely indicated a battle had taken place, but its perpetrators were nowhere to be found. Aside from the bloodied and battered Frostbite and his fallen soldiers, who didn't look like they could answer questions any time soon, there were no clues.

"Who knows?" Dani said, shaking her head listlessly as she sat in the snow. "They could be anywhere right now."

"Dammit!" A quick glance at the shinigami saw him pulling at his hair. She couldn't blame him in the slightest. "We were so damn close!"

"Hey," Uryu gently chided, "we need to head back. Complaining won't get us anywhere. We can still catch them."

Orihime nodded with a rare look of seriousness. "Uryu-kun is right. We need to get back to Urahara-san!"

"Hey! What happened to Vlad?"

Dani glanced up at Danny, floating above them. He seemed so tired that she hated herself for what she was about to tell him.


"You know what to do?"

Vlad looked on ahead of them, resting his gaze on the shop. It didn't look like much, but it was the base of operations for Daniel and his friends. He felt a twinge of discomfort of being so close so soon. Daniel had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with the man. Why couldn't he see that he simply wanted the best for him?

Why couldn't they both see it?

"You distract the people while I teleport away with Yoshino. It's simple enough." Vlad glanced over to Jin, noting his troubled expression. His brows were knitted together in their telling position. "Are you alright?"

Just like that Jin's mask was back up; the picture of confidence and calculation. "Yes, Vladimir-san, I'm fine, thank you. Let's finish this."

Jin easily walked up to the gate, coming face to face with a young boy and girl. Vlad almost felt sorry for them.

"Hey!" shouted the boy. "Who are you supposed to be?!"

Jin just smiled, soothingly. "I'm a friend."

Jin's silvertongue seemed ineffective against the brat. "Right. . . I haven't heard Mr. Hat and Clogs say anything about a guest coming over, so I'm gonna need you to come back late-! Hey! Are you listening to me?!"

Jin had walked right past him.

The boy, to his credit, ran in front of Jin and dropped into a stance. He glared up at the Bount. "Ururu, get the bazooka while I hold him off!"

"O-OK!"

The boy gave a mix between a snarl and a smirk. "I didn't wanna do this, buddy, but it looks like I gotta kick your butt!"

The small brat charged for Jin with reckless abandon. Vlad watched with mild interest. After all, he'd never seen Jin in action. The said Bount simply lifted a finger and pointed it at the boy.

Vlad's brow raised as the kid ran headfirst into the outstretched appendage. He was stopped cold.

The aged halfa seemed not to be the only one surprised. The child struggled as hard as he possibly could against Jin, but he got nowhere. "Wh-What the heck are you?!"

The man dropped on a knee, never losing his deceptive smile. "Remember this well," Jin whispered. "I am a Bount."

With a flick, the boy went tumbling through the front door of the shop. Jin easily walked ahead as if he flung children about on a daily basis. "Come, Vladimir-san."

Before he could take a step to follow, a bounding of loud footsteps filled the air.

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!"

Vlad couldn't help the frown that stretched onto his face. Not to mention the bubbling rage building in his chest. "The stupid oaf has returned."

Not far behind him, an angel in person had arrived. Vlad felt his heart stop as he took in her stern face, driven to defeat whatever foe was unfortunate enough to cross her. Her eyes were like emeralds glistening with determination.

She was perfect.

"Vladdy-man? You're with him?"

Vlad cursed himself for allowing himself to be seen. He remedied his slip-up by quickly turning invisible and flying off, intangibly. As inept as he believed Jack to be, he feared Maddie's genius as much as he respected it. The entire place would likely be armed to the teeth with ghost protection.

He carefully phased through the wall, entering the shop. He flew from room to room to find his target. Thankfully, it didn't take too long for him to find her.

She was sitting next to Jasmine in a circle of people. They looked more than a little bit strange with one being masked, another wearing a top hat, and the last was a young girl wearing an extravagant dress.

Feeling his past anger abate, he could feel a smirk playing across his face. 'This shouldn't be too hard.'

Vlad closed his eyes as three clones shot off towards the three strangers. Each clone turned one of the strangers intangible, causing them to sink into the floor.

By now, each of the room's inhabitants were plagued with alarm.

"What's going on here?!" cried the man in a top hat. He struggled in vain to push himself out of the solid floor. His acquaintances found themselves in similar circumstances to their friend.

"Noba, get us out of here!" shouted the girl.

Before "Noba" could do anything, Vlad whisked off with Yoshino, scooping her up bridal style.

The woman grunted and tried to wrestle herself away, but his grip was too strong. "What is the-mph?!"

Vlad lowered his hand after zapping her mouth shut with an ectoplasmic goo. No need to ruin the success of a completed mission with the jabbering of a captive. Vlad easily found himself back outside to find an interesting sight.

Maddie and Jack were fighting alongside a woman with purple hair and the young girl from before. Jack was wielding a sword (zanpakuto?) while Maddie. . . wow.

She looked absolutely breathtaking with her blue jumpsuit accentuating her taut muscles as she pulled back her bow (made out of Reishi if he remembered correctly). She looked like a fierce warrior goddess ready to fell any foe foolish enough to stand in her way.

"Hmph! Hmph! Hmmph!"

Vlad glanced at the captured woman with a mix of annoyance and deadpan. She didn't seem too pleased, if her tightly knit brows and her reddening face were any indication. "Yes, yes," Vlad muttered with a roll of his eyes, "don't worry. You'll be freed soon enough."

The halfa zipped over to Jin and grabbed his shoulder with his free hand, turning tangible for the briefest of instants. He barely registered the shocked gasps behind him before he teleported away.


Dani filled Danny in on the details he'd missed. It felt like Urahara's test all over again. It was just all of them chasing their own tails and hoping against reason that they'd finally catch it. A fruitless, hopeless effort.

Not for the first time, he wished Karitoriki was still with him, giving his usual doting advice.

'Hey, earth to Danny! Are you there?'

Danny blinked slightly before recognizing the soft voice. 'Sorry, Dani. I was, uh, nevermind. What's up?'

'How did we beat them last time?' At Danny's scrunched brows, she gave a sigh. 'Urahara's Gigai test thing. How did we beat them?'

Danny's lips pursed as he thought hard. 'I used the clone possession trick! But that won't work on Vlad. . .'

Dani hummed in agreement. 'What about Jin?'

'It might, but I really don't think so. He's too smart. What does he even want?! Why can't crazy villains just be simple?'

To his surprise, he received no immediate answer. Not even a giggle or a gentle chide. He glanced over at Dani only to find nothing. "What the-oof!"

He blinked hard at the frozen Ichigo that he'd crashed into. He was like stone, and he hadn't even budged despite the weightlessness of the Zone. "OK, that's weird. The last time something like this happened. . ."

"Hello, Danny," called a familiar voice.

Clockwork looked exactly like Danny remembered him, constantly shifting between various ages before his very eyes. "Clockwork? What are you doing here?"

"Simple. I'm here to take you on a journey."

Danny's eyes narrowed. Nothing was ever simple when Clockwork was involved. "Where and why do I not like the sound of this?"

"Nonsense! Off we go!"

Danny's eyes snapped shut as his world was eradicated in a wave of light.


Dan paced his living quarters with a scowl.

The silence in the palace was absolutely deafening. It had been a sudden drop; one moment there was the usual chattering and bustling and then nothing. He had had his own suspicions on what was happening, and a quick look from his window confirmed them.

Clockwork was meddling again. He was almost certain the ghost would never stop at this rate.

"Two appearances so soon?" he muttered. "It must be something important. . . and it likely involves my younger half."

He paused, debating whether he should spy again. Swallowing his pride, he peered into the halfa's mind. At least, he tried too.

'Quite the situation we've got here.'

Dark Danny's eyes narrowed as he fought the urge to groan. He didn't want to give that damn hollow the satisfaction of seeing him rattled. "What do you want?"

He could imagine the hollow's creeping grin, stretching across her features. 'Now is that anyway to talk to an old friend?'

"What. Do. You. Want?"

The hollow seemed to hum as she feigned contemplation. 'I'm not quite sure. . . I can be quite forgetful in my senile age.'

The ghost snarled and stalked out of his room and out into the hallway. Of course, it did little to dissuade the hollow's chortling within his head. "If you don't have anything of interest to say, I would greatly appreciate your silence."

'Oh? So you can get back to the load of nothing you were doing before, Dan?'

"My name is not Dan."

'Oh? What is it then?'

"It's not Dan."

She gave a shrill chortle that tore through Dan's temporary solace. Whatever was left of it, anyways. 'I'll get to the point.'

Dan gave a derisive snort. "Miracles do happen."

Undeterred, the hollow continued. 'We need to allot more control for myself.'

"No."

'It won't be absolute control! It'll just be some time to stretch my legs.'

Dark Danny rolled his eyes. "I'll pass."

'Come now! We're both on the same side! You'll have full control the entire time!'

Dan felt an uneasy twinge in his gut. He couldn't quite name the emotion, but he was certain it wasn't any good. It wasn't the normal rage or glee that he was used to. Instead, it felt too similar to an emotion that would've been touted by one of his former hosts. Something almost human.

He squashed it. "No. I will not be using you. Now leave me alone."


Danny blinked the spots out of his eyes while he rubbed at them, trying in vain to speed up his sight's return. He had half a mind to hit Clockwork with a well placed Ghost Ray before he finally saw it.

It was a modest home with a wooden door and white paint-chipped walls. There was a small stone chimney that spewed grey smoke into the afternoon sky. The house itself sat in the middle of a boring row of streets in the suburbs.

Danny turned to Clockwork with a raised brow, only for the now child ghost to float ahead towards the building. Clockwork turned back to the halfa, beckoning him forward with a wave and a curt, "Come."

Danny swallowed his question as he followed Clockwork into the house. "Why are we here again?"

Clockwork didn't even look at him. With a roll of his eyes, Danny glanced around for any hints of. . . something.

The inside of the house was incredibly plain. There was a beige carpet underneath their feet and white weathered walls, housing various crosses and paintings, supporting the house. A fireplace stood off to the right, drawing a smile from the halfa. He loved the cozy feeling of a good fire.

He just barely caught notice of a black-haired woman off to his right, hunched over a sink. She was scrubbing some dishes as if her life depended on it.

"As much as I love this," Danny drawled with still roaming eyes, "should we be spending our time spying on people? I mean, it's cool if that's your him, but we've sorta got a fruitloop to catch."

Clockwork just smiled and shook his head, holding up a finger. Danny squinted at him in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Vladimir! Come in here! Supper's ready!"

'What?'

Sure enough, a young boy, even younger than himself, trudged into the room. He was dressed in a simple Packers T-shirt and blue shorts. He bore a striking resemblance to his older foe, despite being decades younger. The irate expression was still there along with the haughty way he carried himself. It was really trippy to say the least.

Danny didn't know if he wanted to laugh or flip out.

Instead, he spared a glance at Clockwork, who simply smiled at him in his child state.

"How was school?"

Danny turned his attention back to the scene before him.

The woman seemed to temporarily forget the dishes, wiping her hands on her Packers apron. It was almost impossible to tell the relation between the woman and Vlad. Physically, they looked similar enough (apparently the Packers obsession was genetic), but the genuine smile on her face seemed so alien for anyone related to Vlad.

"The same as always," Vlad grumbled. "Boring and easy. Is there any way I can skip a few grades?"

His mother glared down at him, and he shrunk, slightly. "How many times have I told you? No! You'll need the communication with kids your age!"

"But why mother?" Vlad scowled. "I've been doing just fine without those idiots!"

"Vladimir, I've told you. They'll be good for you in the long run. You need to make some friends or something!" At his unconvinced look, she added, "It'll be fun."

Vlad just grumbled, non-committal, as he stirred around his oatmeal. Danny leaned over his shoulder as he gagged. Oatmeal had to be one of the worst foods known to man.

He had an interesting thought, though. Danny smirked as moved his hands to grip Vlad's chair. Only for his hands to move clean through it.

"Danny," chided the temporal ghost, "you're not actually there."

"What?"

"Why do you think that they haven't spotted you?"

Danny just glared at the chair with disdain before floating over to Clockwork. "Wouldn't it be easier to actually send me back in time? That way I could stop him before he turns into a total fruitloop!"

Clockwork sighed as he stared ahead, shifting into his old man state. "You know this, Danny. The risk of damaging the present would be too great. We can't afford any major changes."

Danny winced at the memory of Jack Plasmius. "But you could take me to the future to fight Dan?"

"That was different. It was within my gaze. Besides, it seems that I was correct to keep you from the actual past if you were going to pull petty pranks?"

Danny flushed slightly at Clockwork's pointed look before attempting another question, but Clockwork raised a wrinkled hand, quickly silencing him. "In due time, Danny. For now, we continue to watch."

Danny glanced back at Vlad with a disinterested stare. He wasn't expecting anything interesting out of the fruitloop and now his fun was all messed up. But that was when something peculiar happened.

The scene had changed. It was no longer morning, but later at night. They stood in the living room watching a flustered Vlad standing in front of his mother. She had knelt down to his height, grabbing hold of his shoulders.

Danny couldn't exactly see her expression from where he stood, so he floated over to get a better look.

He stopped dead in his tracks.

Vlad was shaking and sniffling like crazy, unsuccessfully trying to hold back his tears. It was so jarring seeing his most callous adversary just that emotionally broken.

Danny hovered closer still as if entranced by the scene before him.

"What happened?"

Danny gave a yelp of surprise before he realized what was going on. He turned his attention back to the mother. Her eyes were filled with warmth and concern. They were just so comforting, leaving Danny in further doubt of her relation to Vlad.

"Th-They told me f-father left because I-I'm a freak and a weirdo. I tr-tried to tell them t-to stop bu-but they didn't listen. They're not right, a-are they?"

Danny felt his jaw clench at the word "freak". He hated that word with a passion.

"Don't listen to them for a moment, Vladimir. You're my son. You're a Masters." She paused for a moment, allowing a little smile. "If you ask me, they're just a little jealous."

Vlad cracked a small smile as he rubbed at his eyes. "Jealous of what?"

"Your strength!" she said as she tickled him slightly, making him giggle. "You've got so much they might be feeling a little self-conscious!"

Vlad reluctantly wrestled himself from her onslaught with a fragile expression. "But why? Why did he leave us?"

His mother paused for a moment. She seemed to be at a total loss for words, not unlike Danny himself. Her eyes drifted for a moment, looking very similar to how his own mother looked when talking about her parents. "He. . . He just wasn't as strong as the two of us, dear." She gave his shoulders one final squeeze before standing up. "Enough of that! Go ahead and wash up for dinner!"

Vlad nodded and headed off.

Then he stopped. He ran back and wrapped his arms around his mother's leg in a crushing hug. "Thank you, Mom!"

Vlad's mother paused for the slightest moment, almost looking like a statue, before smiling and returning the gesture. "You're very welcome, dear! I'm always here for you! Now go! The Packers'll be on any minute now!"

"Okay!" he rushed off, looking nothing like the man he would become.

Danny stared, unabashedly, at the now smiling time ghost. "What was that?!"

"That would be a memory, Danny," Clockwork stated, his eyes glimmering with mirth. "Now, onto the next one!"


It would seem that the hollow had finally learned to take a hint. The Ghost snorted at the sheer idea of the hollow attempting to respect his wishes. No, she was definitely planning something like the conniving little rat she was. He was loath to say it aloud, even to himself, but that was likely the driving factor for his many restless nights. Not for the first time, he was ready to wring Aizen-sama's smug little neck.

'Oh, I don't think that he'd enjoy that.'

Dark Danny drew a deep shuddering sigh, tilting his head ever so slightly. "Didn't I tell you to buzz off?"

'You did, but I just felt that you needed some guidance!'

"How would an underling guide me?"

'You want to become stronger, don't you? Aizen'll have you under his thumb forever, at this rate! If you want to get rid of him, you'll need my help.'

Dan's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "Now how do you plan to do that? You aren't exactly a powerhouse." He smacked a hand to his forehead. "Ah, yes! You'll talk him to death! You are very skilled at that."

He took no small amount of satisfaction in what was sure to be a scowl staining the hollow's face. 'No you dolt! This is why I said together! Just give me a bit more freedom and you'll have the power you need to defeat Aizen.'

Dan paused, abruptly. "Wait a minute. Time is frozen. I could kill him right now!"

He felt a spike of indignation at the hollow's derisive snort at his bout of genius. "What?"

'He's prepared for this. He's got ectoranium defenses, blood blossoms, and all kinds of other anti-ghost items. Not to mention some of the Kidō guards!' At Dan's raised brow, she continued. 'You remember how well your attempt went when he slept?'

Dan winced at the thought of it.

'Face it. You need to release me!'

Dark Danny sighed. On the one hand, he could listen to her. Aizen couldn't be that much stronger than him, after all. Who knew how powerful the Hōgyoku would make the former Captain if he allowed him to use it. There was a good chance he'd become the man's puppet for life. He felt his teeth grit in protest of the very thought of such a future.

On the other hand, she could very well be lying to him. The parasite was created by Aizen and had shown nothing but loyalty to the disgraced Captain before now. Who was to say that this sudden alliance wasn't a ploy to catch him off guard? She was a mischievous little devil, after all. Hell, it could've just been a power play for herself.

It didn't help in the slightest that he had no idea what she was thinking. He didn't even know if she could consciously hear his musings. Aizen had told him that she could only hear him when spoke aloud or consciously directed his thoughts to her, but it could've been a lie to trap him and listen in on him without his knowledge.

Dan gave a low growl, dragging a hand down his face. "I'm getting really tired of this! What are you playing at?"

'Exactly what I said. There are no tricks, Dan. We either work together, or we both have to play lackey to some wannabe god.'

Dan knew she was hiding something. That much was blatantly obvious in the way her voice raised slightly when she'd said together. It was an easy tell for whenever she was up to no good. Knowing all that made it so much more painful to do what he knew he had to do.

"Where do we start?"


They were now in a new place. It looked like a school. A college, to be more specific, if the giant campus was any indication.

He didn't need to ask about the location. He remembered it very well from his last trip. "Wisconsin University."

Danny glanced around the campus, watching the many students mingle and walk about. There was no sign of Vlad, though. "So, what? Are we here to watch Vlad get turned into a halfa? Because if we are, I've already seen it."

"Oh, no. We'll be looking at a different scene."

There was something in the way Clockwork said the word different that Danny was positive he wouldn't like. "What do you mean by-?"

Clockwork raised his hand again, cutting him short. He was really starting to hate that. "Less talking and more watching, please, Danny."

Danny gave a roll of his eyes before turning back to the campus. Just in the perfect place for his vision, Danny suspected that wasn't a coincidence, Vlad was walking across the courtyard.

He walked with far more purpose than he seemed to carry as a child, which was saying something. Still, he didn't seem entirely like the Vlad he remembered. His face didn't have the constant smugness as if everyone who met him had just become blessed by his presence alone. The underlying hostility didn't seem to be there either.

But if his heavy scowl was any indication, the irritation was still easily present.

"What's he so mad about?" muttered Danny.

"You'll find out, eventually, Danny."

"I can't believe that I trusted that blithering fool to handle his end of the project!" Vlad seethed as he stopped in front of a door. He pulled it open and stormed inside.

Danny spared one glance back at Clockwork before taking after the halfa. He could sense Clockwork not too far behind him as he flew through the halls just a hint behind Vlad. The adult halfa finally stopped in front of a classroom door and walked in.

"Mr. Bentley, I apologize, but can I please get new partners?"

Mr. Bentley reminded Danny of a cross between Mr. Lancer, Ms. Tetslaff, and Yamamoto. A combination of all of their worst qualities anyways, so Danny winced in near sympathy for Vlad.

The balding man glared at Vlad before barking, "No."

"But sir, Charlie and Jessica don't do anything, and I can't do this entire project on my own! Sir, you must understand that-!"

"Y'know what?" Mr. Bentley interrupted with a tight smile. He looked like he was in visible pain from attempting anything other than a frown. "I've heard a complaint from another group about one of their partners. How about I put Jessie and Carlton with the unproductive kid? And put you together with Macy and John?"

Vlad's mouth opened and closed several times, not unlike a fish. If Danny'd had more faith in the halfa, he'd think Vlad was attempting to correct the teacher about the wrong names. "That would be wonderful, sir."

"Good." His frown returned in full force. "Now, scram. I'm on break."

Vlad hustled out of the room, looking much more comfortable than he'd been before, shutting the door behind him and heading on his way. Then he froze with a look of absolute dread adorning his face.

He raced back towards the door and yanked at the handle. Judging by his forlorn expression, the door was locked. "Mr. Bentley! Mr. Bentley, who are Macy and John?!"

His answer was nothing but silence.

Vlad stormed away with a couple of curses on his tongue. Danny couldn't remember the last time he'd heard so many strung together in one sitting. "I can't believe I forgot! That old coot never says anyone's names correctly! How am I supposed to find my partners, now?"

Danny couldn't help a grudging wince of sympathy. It was almost enough to make him miss the familiar face heading for them.

Almost.

"Hey, did you just come from Mr. Bentley?" his mother asked. She looked so young. With her hoop earrings and her casual 80's clothing, Danny had to force back a cringe when the memory of his parents Nasty Burger escapade zipped through his mind.

Vlad seemed equally stricken for a moment before he realized her question. "I did. I don't think you'll have any luck contacting him, though."

Maddie stared at him for a moment before adopting a knowing smile. "He got annoyed about the project, right?"

Vlad snorted. "Yes! I only barely got him to switch me out of a group of unproductive fools. I'm supposed to be in a new group with Macy and John or something."

"Well, it's our lucky day, then!" His mother extended a dainty hand. "Macy, here. I'm pleased to meet you."

Vlad shook her hand, easily. A small smile twitched on his lips. "Likewise, I'm Vlad Masters. Something tells me your name isn't Macy?"

"Nope, it's Maddie. Unfortunately, Mr. Bentley hasn't gotten that down yet."

"Yes, I've had a fair share of times that he's referred to me as the Impaler."

Maddie gave an apologetic smile that contrasted with the twinkling amusement glittering in her eyes. "Somewhat close, at least."

Danny had to bite back a snort. He didn't know much about "the Impaler", but if the guy had that for a name, somewhat close was an understatement.

"Yes. Definitely a start, at least. Do you think we can get to work now? We may have to circumvent several issues between our projects' subject matter."

Maddie just waved a hand. "Ah, I wouldn't sweat it. That'll be easy to get around. We can just look each over and pick the best one."

"Alright, then. Is there any way I can head by your place or, uh, somewhere else to work on this tonight?"

Maddie frowned. "Is there any reason that you need it to be tonight?"

Vlad opened his mouth before closing it, looking once again out of his element. "It's just that. . ."

"Hey, hey," Maddie interrupted. "Don't sweat it. I'm sure Jack will be thrilled to get back to business tonight."

Vlad stared with eyes like dinner plates. Danny frowned in confusion before casting a glance back at Clockwork, who was watching the conversation intently. "Thank you. . ."

"Don't worry about it! We can meet at Jack's apartment in room B. It's on Freeland street. You can't miss it!"

Vlad's smile only got wider and brighter. "Alright, I'll meet you there!"

Danny glanced back and forth at the duo as they went their separate ways. He yet another spared a glance at Clockwork who was watching him for once. Danny gave the ghost an uneasy smile while jerking a thumb back at Vlad. "Is it just me, or did he not sound absolutely loopy?"

Clockwork just stoically looked ahead as the world morphed with a wave of his hand. They were suddenly back in Vlad's old house. It had only undertaken sparse changes over the fair amount of years: a new painting here and there and some new crosses.

Vlad and his mother sat down on a fairly old couch. Vlad's face was twisted into a frustrated scowl while his mother looked to be listening with a serene expression. That was hardly anything worth noting, though. What was worth noting was the amount of gray staining the woman's hair. Danny was positive that wasn't there before.

"Mother," Vlad started, drawing Danny's attention, "I don't know how to talk to her! She's just. . . perfect. She understands me!"

"Oh?" She cocked her head with raised brows. "And I don't?"

Vlad glared at her, but his eyes shone with withheld mirth. "Mother, I'm being serious! I want to tell her about how I feel, but I just. . . I don't know. I don't want to mess this up, but I think I love her?"

Danny gave a muffled groan with his head in his hands. "Do I really have to see this?"

"Yes, Danny. Now listen."

Danny drew a deep sigh but raised his head.

"Are you sure dear?" asked Vlad's mother. She seemed to be sitting up a bit straighter than before. "Love is a very strong word."

"I. . . I don't know!" Vlad moaned as he dropped with his head in his hands. "It's just. . . she actually shares my keen intellect, which is very, very refreshing."

"Mhm."

"And she's very understanding and kind." Vlad pointed with pleading eyes at his mother as if to enhance his point. "She was willing to work on the project with me immediately that night just because I needed to. I didn't even have to explain myself!"

"Mhm."

"You- you aren't happy for me?"

Danny, despite feeling awkward as all get out, couldn't help the twinge of sympathy at the hurt that leaked through Vlad's question. In the past couple of minutes, Danny had seen so many vulnerable sides of Vlad that he didn't know what to make of them.

"I am. It's just. . . it's only been-" A sudden wince cut the woman off before she continued. "It's only been a couple of weeks, right? This seems a little fast."

"I know, I know, it's just that when I'm with her, I'm not a freak."

The woman's face softened, reaching for her son's shoulder. "You are no freak, Vladimir."

"I know, but she's the first person my age who's seen that! You get it, right?"

Vlad's mother gave a weary sigh. "I do. If she makes you happy, dear, then go for it. Just know that if she breaks your heart you can always come to me."

"Mother."

The scene had begun to fade, slightly, before Clockwork spoke. "Onto the next."

"How many of these are there?" Danny whined. "Please tell me that I don't have to see a shrine that he made to my mom or something."

Clockwork's lips quirked every so slightly. It was troubling. "Let's find out, shall we?"


The pit was far more hospitable than he'd imagined.

The walls were glistening with condensation like a swath of diamonds. It's beauty was only enhanced by the fiery aura that he was projecting to illuminate the dark. Although the air hung with no shortage of humidity, the ground was clean, and there were even two stone chairs.

The hollow herself was watching him, expectantly, with her sharp green eyes. It was as if she was waiting for a reaction, maybe a compliment on her humble abode. Her gaze felt like a glass of cool water for a memory that wasn't for him. He tore his eyes from hers and cast them at the wall. "I'm assuming we aren't here for tea."

The hollow gave an upward quirk that was likely meant to be a smile as she laughed. It was like a hiss from a cobra. "Very perceptive. I need you to destroy this place."

At Dan's inquisitive stare, she continued. "The link created by the hollow is also my prison. I can seep out from time to time but never for too long."

He maintained an outward look of disinterest, but he felt his interest peak at her tone. She spoke with such bitterness and barely held back emotion that it was impossible to ignore. If he was being personally honest, he didn't feel concerned for her in the slightest, but it was interesting to have a slight insight to her emotions. It seemed as if everything wasn't peachy and wonderful with the higher-ups and its lackey.

"When you destroy this place," she spat, "I'll be free to serve you with all of my strength."

"Serve me?" he hummed, staring down the female hollow. Her gaze hadn't lost its expectant nature; always asking for more, always asking for his best.

"Because that's what Masters' do!"

Dark Danny's jaw tightened as he shoved the memory from his mind. "You talk so bad of Aizen, but you'll serve me?"

Thankfully, she seemed to have a brain in that head of hers, finding his hidden question. "I'll help you because it'll help me, too. I'll give you my power to defeat Aizen, and, when he's dead, I'll separate from you by cutting the link."

He mulled over her words, absent-mindedly floating into one of the open chairs. He had to admit it felt surprisingly warm for a slab of stone in a hole devoid of light. "And I remain in control the entire time?"

"The entire time. You'll never know I'm here."

Her voice still raised slightly, but he noticed something different in it. It seemed warmer; like his mothers had been whenever they had cheered him up on a long day after-school. Dan felt an uncomfortable yearning in his gut that he desperately tried to quell. "So," the ghost started, schooling his expression, "do I just blow this joint up? Or is there some self-destruct button that needs pressing?"

The hollow smiled again. This time it was much wider, and, for a moment, she wasn't a hollow. Instead, she was a woman with graying hair and a proud face. His stomach was doing cartwheels and somersaults now. "You can destroy it however you like. Blow it up, crash it down, burn it; it all results in the power you need."

'Burn it?' mused Dan. 'That seems fitting enough. Still. . .'

"What about you?"

"Ah, good point. I wouldn't want our energies to mix. That'd be ugly."

Before Dan could ask what she meant, she began to glow. She shrunk down into a ball of light before it shot toward him. He scowled as the light tried to spread across his body. It began to stall slightly after a moment. "Stop fighting it, you idiot! Relax!"

Dan reluctantly eased his control as the rest of the light spread across him. The light hardened into a strange, form-fitting armor. "Go on now. Destroy this place!"

Dark Danny felt a grin coming on. His outward fiery aura began to glow just a little bit brighter. "My pleasure."

With those words, the world burned away.


Danny and Clockwork found themselves back in Vlad's house. Vlad had just entered the building, grinning from ear to ear."Mother, we're going to have a major turn around!"

Vlad's mom looked up from the book she'd been reading, watching her son through the top of her eyes. "I'm listening."

"Maddie and I will be making a machine that will open the world to ghosts! Jack too, but he's an unfortunate addition. Maddie insisted on bringing him along."

"Ghosts?!" Her normal boisterous was cheer was now a strained squeak. "Vlad, are telling me that you're a part of some demon talk?!"

Vlad seemed to waver slightly before responding, smiling uneasily. "Mother, it's not nearly as bad as it sounds. We're just investigating the unknown."

"It's not unknown," she stated, slowly getting to her feet. "It's unnatural, and it's something you won't be taking part in."

"Mother, you can't be serious?"

"I am perfectly serious. No son of mine is going to go messing around with that junk. You tell that Maddie friend of yours that it's in her best interest, too. No one should be messing with all of that."

Vlad's pained face was the last thing Danny saw before the vision faded, giving way to a new scene. It was an apartment by the looks of it. Seated in the living room were two familiar faces, Vlad and Danny's mother, Maddie. Maddie's face was filled with the motherly concern that Danny was quite familiar with. He felt a little smile coming on at the sight of it.

Vlad, on the other hand, looked inconsolable.

"What's wrong?" Maddie asked, placing a hand on the halfa's back. He seemed to sit a bit straighter at the contact before relaxing into it.

"My mother," Vlad rasped out. "She doesn't want me to work on the portal. She doesn't want any of us to work on it."

Maddie sat silently, stewing in the new info. "Why?"

"She thinks it's unnatural. She's more than a little superstitious."

Maddie looked at Vlad with a look that Danny couldn't quite decipher. It looked like a mix between sadness, curiosity, and. . . rebellion? There was no way. His sanctimonious mother? "Vlad, I don't know your situation, but you are your own person. You do want this, right?"

"Absolutely."

"Then that's all there is to it! Your mother sounds like a very understanding woman, from what you've told me. She'll come around and, until she does," she gave his shoulder a little squeeze, "you just have to do what you believe is right."

Vlad shook his head, drifting away from Maddie's hand. "I. . . I know, but I just- I don't want to upset her, you know? She's all that I've had for. . . for forever."

Maddie gave him a sad smile. "I know. Parents can be a little overbearing. My parents don't really like me doing this either, but they're still my parents. And I'm sure that they'll come around!" She took a slight pause to eye something in the distance. Danny followed her gaze to find a clock. His brows shot to his hairline, noting that it was almost midnight. "I won't force you to do anything but just know that you've got me, now. Jack, too. We've got your back."

Vlad looked completely lost. He stared at Maddie with so much emotion that Danny was certain he'd never decipher it all. He wasn't sure Vlad was aware of it himself, but Danny knew. His friends may have loved to call him clueless, but it was easy to tell. Vlad had reached the point of being helplessly in love. "Maddie. I- thank you!"

The scene shifted again. They were in a hospital now. Antiseptic blasted against his nose, and the steady sounds of footsteps and buttons assaulted his ears. The realization hit Danny like a train. "The portal!"

Clockwork said nothing, simply staring ahead.

Vlad's mother had far more gray hairs now. It was quite noticeable with her head in her hands, and her hair splayed about her. It was almost enough to distract him from her shaking shoulders and loud sobs.

Each sob cut deep.

The scene shifted yet again. This time it seemed that they were in an office. Vlad's mother looked more fierce than he'd seen her in years. Her eyes were still bloodshot from crying, but her heated glare made up for it.

It took a second for Danny to realize who she was glaring at. His parents stood in front of her with dismayed expressions.

"You both- why? Did Vlad not-?!"

"He told us, Ms. Masters," Maddie responded in an uncharacteristically small voice. "It was my fault. He warned us and-"

"No, Maddie. It was mine. I should've paid more attention."

"I don't care whose fault it is! My son is in a-a coma!" Ms. Masters doubled over in a series of body-wracking coughs. She slowly straightened back up without losing an ounce of fire. "I don't want to see either of you ever again. Especially not near my son. Do you hear me now? Am I clear?!"

Jack and Maddie looked absolutely crestfallen.

"C-Crystal, ma'am," Jack stammered. Maddie gave her own nod and stammered apology, hardly able to meet the mother's eyes.

"It better be." The woman turned on her heels and marched for the door.

The scene morphed again. It looked like they were back in Vlad's old place.

Danny had to avert his eyes. The once strong woman was now sitting at a table with tired eyes and a mop of gray hair. Focusing his gaze elsewhere, he found Vlad's acne was clear off of his face. The ecto-acne, Danny soon realized, had run its course.

"What were you thinking?"

It wasn't a particularly loud question. Nothing like her previous rebuke at the thought of her son meddling in the paranormal. Instead, it was a quiet plea with a hint of desperation leaking through. Vlad glanced at the ground, shrugging his shoulders slightly. "I wanted to do something I loved with someone I loved."

His mother's brows narrowed, slightly. "You can't be serious?! After everything she's done to you, you love her?"

"Yes, mother. I'm certain of it."

Her eyes hardened. "You can't see her. I won't allow it."

"You can't do that to me!"

"I can and I will!"

"No, you won't!"

Vlad gave a chuckle of pure disbelief, shaking his head. "I'm my own person, mother! It's about time that you let me live my own life for once and worry about yours!"

"You're either going to listen to me, or you are going to find another place to live. No son of mine is going to throw his life away for some foolish cause!"

Danny saw everything happen in slow motion. He wasn't sure if it was Clockwork's doing, or if it was a natural thing. Vlad's face twisted into the most terrible expression he'd ever seen. There was so much hate, anger, bitterness, and loathing that it made Danny want to apologize, profusely, for every insult he'd ever given the man.

It was almost enough to miss his slowly glowing eyes. The laser beams traveled the length of the living room probably within a second, even though it felt like minutes.

The beams hit the woman dead in the face, knocking her into the wall behind her. Time seemed to resume to normalcy as Vlad raced for his mother. She was writhing in agony as she clutched at her face.

"M-Mother! Are you alright? I'm so sorry- I-"

He stopped suddenly, seemingly dumbstruck. Even the mother had stopped her writhing. Danny almost thought Clockwork stopped time again until he saw the rise and fall of Vlad's chest and the mother's anguished whimpers. Danny felt a twisting in his gut as he floated over to the pair.

What he saw caused a feeling similar to how most people must've felt when looking at a car crash. It was a morbid sense of wonder and horror gazing at the woman's now scorched face. At least from the parts he could see that weren't covered up by her hands.

Vlad looked considerably paler. "I-I'm so sorry-"

Danny could only see one of her eyes as the other was blocked by her hands. It was wide and absolutely horrified. "What have you done? You've become a-a monster."

Vlad jerked back, looking down at her with tearful eyes. "No! I didn't mean to-"

Danny glanced nervously at the woman. He wasn't a doctor or anything, but he was fairly certain that people were supposed to be breathing 90 miles a minute. Sure enough, she jerked once before stopping completely. Not even a slight whimper.

He felt his mouth go dry as Vlad scrambled back to his mother, all former fear lost. "Mother! Mother, don't go! Please! I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do this! Please, mom, please!"

Danny swallowed hard, shutting his eyes as firmly. "Turn it off."

He didn't dare to open his eyes for who knows how long. It didn't do much to get rid of the dead woman seared into his mind. He licked his drying lips, trying in vain to steady his racing heart. "Why?"

"You needed to see this." Clockwork sounded as stoic as usual. "You needed to understand why he is the way he is."

"I didn't need to see that," Danny spat. "You could've just told me."

"Would it have had the same effect?"

Danny wanted to shoot back a quick retort. He wanted to scream at Clockwork, but he knew he was right. He didn't think any form of words could've covered it. He drew a deep sigh before opening his eyes.

Thankfully, he was no longer in the Masters' living room. Clockwork, however, was shape-shifting just in front of him, watching him expectantly. "OK, so now that I know more than I've ever wanted to about the fruitloop, what do I do now? What was the point of all this?"

"You convince him to join your side."

Danny frowned as his confusion shot to a whole new height. "What? Why? Not that I would have a problem with that but how? He's been like this for years. What am I gonna say to change any of that?"

"He'll be a valuable ally on your side, and a far more dangerous enemy against you. Drawing him to your side will be of the utmost importance."

Danny felt his stomach churn. Hearing Clockwork talk about future battles felt a little too close to his worst suspicions for his liking. "What is going on? I don't even know what to say to him!"

Clockwork smiled, slightly. "You'll figure it out. Now, it's time for you to go."

"Wait! What about Kariya? You don't want me to psychoanalyze him or something?"

"He's a different case. From what I've seen, it is much too late for him. Even in the timelines that he does survive in, he doesn't seem to pose a significant threat."

Danny sighed, rubbing his throbbing forehead with the heel of his hand. He had an idea of what the time-ghost meant, but he didn't want to confirm it. Instead, he looked over at his friends, still frozen in time. "I'm ready now. I mean, I'm not at all. But I can't wait here forever. Can I?"

He glanced over at Clockwork with a somewhat hopeful smile. Clockwork just gave a small chuckle before raising his glowing hands. "You'll find Vlad and Kariya in the Soul Society. Go and may the Soul King be with you."

Just like that time restarted and Clockwork was gone. His friends zipped past him, entirely unaware of the time stoppage. He felt the fatigue return to him almost immediately. Probably from the feeling of the world and the afterlife weighing on his shoulders. "Time to go," he murmured, blasting off after them. "Hey! Guys! Stop for a second!"

Thankfully, they listened, even if they seemed a bit confused. "What's wrong?" Ichigo asked.

"Yeah," Renji scowled. "We need to get a move on if we're ever gonna catch them!"

Danny ignored the lieutenant's usual bite, getting straight to the point. "I got a message. We need to head to the Soul Society."


A/N: As always feel free to tell me what you think! I love seeing the musings y'all have going on. Also, feel free to follow and favorite cuz they are very good motivators. Also, also, the next two chapters should be the final ones of this arc! It's gonna get crazy from here on out, but I'll see y'all later!