A/n: I know it's been a while, but here I am, I'm back. I hope you guys like this chapter. I'm really excited to get things cooking. Without further ado, I give you...

Chapter 11: Sins of the Father

"We are born with our father's names. We are not responsible for their failures. We are responsible for what they made us believe in. That is our only obligation. And it is even then a choice which we may sometimes be wise to ignore."

~Warren Eyster, The Goblins of Eros

Overlooker's POV

Joe Masters just became more and more conflicted each day. He wished he could just choose a side, good or evil, right or wrong. It was supposed to be simple. There are those who do terrible things and those who try and stop them, there is a line, and it's supposed to be clear as day, but it isn't. The line is muddy and blurred, and it seemed Joe was stuck in that mud that seemed like it might as well be quicksand threatening to swallow him whole.

Joe found himself picking up the bottle more than he probably should of as of late, but between Crystal attacking Sam and Sam confronting him about his and his father's dealings and killing Larney, then bringing her back, there was nothing he could do but drink.

He just didn't know how he got here. When had his life become nothing more than doing his father's bidding? He couldn't say it was out of fear because some part of Joe liked the kill. Some part of him enjoyed bringing a man to his knees as he begged and pleaded for his life. He liked watching the life drain out of their eyes. He could see the second it happened the second whatever poor son of a bitch passed from this world into the next. In that second, Joe held all the power.

Joe couldn't help it, he liked the power, and he liked the kill, but there were certain lines he wasn't comfortable crossing. Women and children were off the table. He had a code that he followed. He'd never hurt a child or a woman. That's why he'd felt such guilt about Larney. But now that he'd let himself feel that guilt, it was almost like the floodgates had opened, and now he had to feel it all. And he did. It hurt so bad.

The things he'd done in his father's name had plagued his dreams since what had happened with Larney a couple of nights ago. So he'd get up and drink. He'd pour his father's favorite scotch and enjoy every last drop. He needed to clear his head. He felt as if he was suffocating.

He didn't know what to do or where to turn. He had to get out of this metaphorical muddy quicksand before he could never stand on his feet again.

Joe found himself at Vlad Co. It was like something was pulling him there. He needed to go to the experimentation lab. He needed to really look there, honestly face what he had been a part of all these years, and maybe he could find some peace within himself.

Slowly he opened the door. It was resting period, so none of the scientists were down there. There were only so many times you could pick a person or even a ghost apart. The scientists would give them an hour after every 4 hours of continuous experiments.

Being back here took him back to the other night where he had brought Larney back. It was dark that night, so he didn't really get a good look. But now that the lights were on, he could see everything clearly.

Bile rose in his stomach. Joe had his rose-colored glasses on, meaning he steered clear of the experimentation lab at all cost. Now seeing it, he couldn't take it. The walls were all white, and the room was filled with about 50 to 60 gurneys in close proximity. The people and the ghosts were strapped to the gurneys by steel binds, and they all wore bloody old hospital gowns. Muzzles gripped their mouths

There wasn't any pain on their faces or anger; it was just the lack thereof, the numbness. The complete and utter defeat devoid of hope of ever being free. Briefly, Joe wondered how long each of them had been there. He wondered how they had been captured; if they could even remember a time before being in this god-awful place.

They are all just waiting to die. Joe wanted to run, but it couldn't. He had seen more than enough of the truth, and it made him sick. He felt as if he were sinking faster and faster. His feet wouldn't move.

Suddenly he saw a girl; she was no more than 12. She didn't look like she'd been there as long as the others. She still had that fight in her eyes. She still had hope. His feet began to move somehow towards her.

Before he even realized what he was doing, he removed her muzzle like a reflex. He didn't know what he was doing, but maybe he could find some peace from talking to her.

"Water," the girl ground out her voice low in a whisper. It was almost a plea. She was terrified. Her voice was harsh. Joe's heart broke for her. He went over to the sink and grabbed a glass that was probably for one of the scientists, and filled it up with tap water. He went over to the little girl and lifted her head gently and ever so slightly so she could drink. He pressed the glass to her lips, and she began to gulp the water down.

After her drink, she gave him a distrustful look but remained silent. For the first time, Joe took in her appearance. She looked exactly like Phantom if Phantom were 12 and a girl. She had the same messy Snow White hair and glowing green eyes. Her hair was longer than his, and she had more feminine features, but other than that, there was no mistaking the resemblance.

Joe realized he should probably say something to the ghost girl, but he didn't know where to begin. "What's your name?" Said Joe, finally thinking of something. The girl looked him up and down suspiciously. "What do you care?" She asked. It wasn't with venom but more with genuine wonder. "I care because I don't… I don't know every instinct in me led me here today, and I can't help but think I was meant to find you."

The girl quirked an eyebrow at this. "Creepy much?" She said lightheartedly. At this, they both shared a laugh. After the laughter died down, the girl said something else, "what's yours?"

"I asked you first," Joe retorted. The girl sighed, knowing the scientists would be back to open her insides back up, and she had to keep her strength up less she reveal her half-alive nature. She decided to answer.

"On my world, my name was Dutchess Phantasma Tempus, my aunt and uncle were the king and queen of Zona Temporis. But Zona Temporis is dead, and I don't know who I am here. All I do know is I'm supposed to be looking after my cousin. He's just a baby. He can't fend for himself alone in this world." Said Phantasma. Her words came slow and sad. Joe took in the information he had been given. He thought back to Sam's exclusive on Phantom. He remembered Phantom's story, and he thought about this girl's words.

He began to think somehow, this little girl before him was older than Phantom, older than him even. How was that even possible?

"Is your cousin named Phantom Tempus?" Joe asked, almost afraid of the answer. Phantasma's whole face changed. She was utterly shocked. "How could you possibly know that?" She asked, bewildered. "Because your cousin isn't a baby, he's a grown man, a hero." Said Joe not knowing how to tell her.

There was silence for a moment before Phantasma spoke. Tears slipped from her eyes, and she shook her head violently. "No, no, you're a liar. I held Phantom in my arms before aunt Elizabeth, and uncle Clockwork put him in his ship, and I was put in mine. I watched my world die as the ship flew away. But before I could find him here on earth, I was captured. It was only a couple of days ago." The girl said her heartbeat sped up, and she didn't know what to believe.

There was no way Phantom could be older than her. Joe began to rub her hair in comfort as she let slow tears fall from her eyes. Joe chose his next words carefully. "You don't have to believe me, but look at this your cousin did an interview with a reporter here, look," Joe said, pulling up the article on his phone and holding it up to her face so she could read it.

The girl began to cry, even more, knowing she had to accept the truth that somehow her ship had crashed to earth 25 years too late, and moreover, she had gone and gotten herself captured. Now she would likely die in this place, and poor Phantom would think he was alone. Joe comforted her, still rubbing her hair.

Even though she said nothing, he knew it soothed her a little. After her tears died down, she asked Joe a very fair question. "Why are you being so nice to me? I mean, don't you work for the bad man?" The girl asked, genuinely curious. Joe didn't really know what to say. He had to lie to everyone else in his life, and he was so tired of having to keep up this facade. So if only for a moment, he let it down.

"He's my father, and as for why I'm so nice to you, it's because maybe I had forgotten what it was like to be at the other end of his fist. It's not the same thing as what you're going through, Phantasma, but I had forgotten what it's like to be one of his victims. I had forgotten the part of me that wants to help people. But now that I remember, I know what I have to do. I have to help you escape." Joe sobered.

He didn't know how he could even begin to be redeemed, but it wasn't about his redemption; it was about this little girl who had lost her whole world. She didn't deserve this.

He had to be smart about it, though. He had to make it look like she escaped on her own, so they needed to develop a plan.

"You're going to let me go?" The girl said, being careful not to get her hopes up. She had taken in all that he had said and felt his sincerity. Still, she had to be practical. Joe's face grew solemn.

"Yes, but we have to be smart. I can't implicate myself as your helper, but I can get your strength up. I'm going to give you extra food rations and water, in addition to blood to replace the blood you're going to lose. My father keeps you guys here because all the experiments make you weak, but once you have your strength up, you will be able to escape. All ask is whatever you have to do to get out, leave my name out of it." Said Joe sadly, knowing that she'd have to stay there at least a couple more weeks. If she got her strength up too quickly, the scientists might realize something was up.

"Thank you, Mr. Masters." The girl replied. It was all she could think of to say. She had hope now, and she prayed to whatever deity that it wouldn't be taken away.

Joe put his hand up and said, "please call me Joe. Mr. Masters is my father." Said Joe. Phantasma was silent for a moment. She began to think about the article. Phantom was calling himself Danny now.

"Okay, Joe, and call me Dani with an "I" Dani Phantom," the little girl said as she finally allowed herself to smile. And Joe smiled back. Just as quickly as it came, it went. He knew people would start getting suspicious if Joe was down there too long, so he knew he would have to leave soon. Furthermore, he knew when he left; he would have to put her muzzle back on so that no one would question why she didn't have it on.

So sadly, Joe said, "Dani, I'm sorry, but we have to keep up appearances. I have to put your muzzle back on. But I will help you out of here, I promise." Dani nodded and put on her brave face. "I'll hold you to it, Joe," Dani said, a newfound fight in her.

Joe said nothing as he grabbed the muzzle. Tears welled up in his eyes as he slowly gently put the muzzle back on the young girl. It pained him to do this. It pained him that she was even here at all.

He knew he had to keep his promise, and he would. But it didn't matter. It didn't matter how much good he did. When the heroes won, and they always did, no matter how long it took, the world would only see him one way.

To them, he would be the villain, and that was his burden. He would know the difference between right and wrong and good and evil and be caught in the middle every time. He would forever have to pay for his father's sins that were now visited upon him.

A/n: so yeah, I know it's short. But I'm off this whole week. I'm going to try and get another chapter to you guys before the week is out. So lookout for it. If not, I get three weeks off for Christmas, and I will definitely get a couple more chapters for you guys then. Thanks to everyone for reading.