Me: We're ba-ack! Sorry, sorry, sorry, lo siento mucho! I've been meaning to put this up, but I was determined to get the Dew trilogy finished first. So, yay, double update!

Cassi: You know a few of them are going to want to hang you by the time this chapter's over, right?

Me: Yeah, but it's better than no update at all. When was the last time we updated this story?

Mariyh: November 19th.

Me: Yikes, over a month! Funny, I thought it'd been longer. But anyway, enough talking, onto the reason you're here. Did I mention I was sorry?

Disclaimer: I don't own DP or L&C. Though I do own some pretty awful drawings.

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Chapter V: Unexpected Help

As Ember and the troops poured out of the Ghost Zone, Lois and Clark arrived at the Daily Planet the next morning with Danny, Sam, Tucker, and, to Sam's disgust, Valerie. Mr. Lancer had said that if the trio wanted to go back to the Planet with Lois and Clark, they had to take Valerie as well.

As they walked into the Pit, Perry poked his head out of his office.

"Lane! Kent! My office! Now!"

Clark grimaced. "You four stay here." He followed Lois to Perry's office.

Danny thought quickly. "I'll be back in a bit, guys, erm, bathroom." He took off quickly before he could be questioned. He ducked in a nearby closet and transformed. He floated, intangible and invisible, back to Perry's office, making a wide berth around Valerie. He arrived just in time to hear Lois arguing.

"Chief, this ghost is the biggest story since Superman came on the scene–"

"Wasn't this the same ghost I sent you to cover three months ago?" interrupted Perry.

"No," said Clark. "He's, well–" Clark trailed off, uncertain of what to say. He couldn't very well tell him that Danny Phantom couldn't be the ghost that had been terrorizing downtown because Danny Fenton, his alter-ego, had been in the Daily Planet building under the close eye of his teacher.

Danny seized his chance and turned visible and tangible, still floating in midair. "Mr. White –" he began.

"Great Shades of Elvis!" shouted Perry, who dropped into his chair, a hand over his heart.

Danny automatically touched down. "Mr. White," he tried again, "let me explain. The ghost downtown was sort of me. But–"

"Hold it right there," said Perry slowly, trying to assemble this new information. "You're saying he's you?"

"Um, well, yes and no," said Danny, frowning. "It would probably be more accurate to say he's me, but I'm not him. Long story shot, he's what happened to me in an alternate future."

"You really expect me to believe that?"

"Chief," said Lois, coming to Danny's rescue, "we've seen clones, amnesia, and the nine lives of Lex Luthor. Does this really seem so far-fetched?"

"I've seen my share of clones," muttered Danny. Tired of standing, he shifted his legs to an ecto-tail.

Still in shock, Perry didn't notice. He looked at the three of them, still trying to make a decision.

"I promise you, Mr. White, I will never, ever, turn into him."

Perry's met Danny's hardened, yet vibrant green gaze before blowing out a breath. "All right."

"Thanks Mr. White."

"Chief!" Jimmy Olsen burst into the room. "Whoa," he said, noticing Danny.

Feeling uncomfortable, Danny changed his legs back and slowly stuck a gloved hand out to shake Jimmy's. "Nice to meet you."

Jimmy warily took the offered hand, but just as quickly pulled his back. "Geez, you're cold!"

Danny shrugged. "One of the side effects of being dead, I guess."

"Olsen!" snapped Perry.

"Right," said Jimmy, his attention back on Perry. "There's a massive ghost invasion on the North Side. That ghost from yesterday hasn't been spotted though." Jimmy grinned. "I saw the recordings someone managed to capture of the action. That chick leading them is hot."

Danny narrowed his eyes. "Really?"

"Yeah, literally. Her hair's blue flames."

"Great, Ember."

Jimmy stared at him. "You know her?"

"Oh, yeah. She and I go way back." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sam and Tucker futilely restraining a furious Valerie. She had spotted him and was heading straight for the Editor-in-Chief's office.

"Oh, great, I've got to go. Talk to you later!" Danny flew out the window, intangible, floated back down to the same closet, changed back, and hurried to the Chief's office.

Valerie was standing just outside the doorway, her face pure hatred. It evaporated when she saw Danny.

"Um, sorry about that. Breakfast really–"

"Okay, Fenton, don't need to know."

"Something wrong?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"Phantom was here," she spat, the fury returning to her face. "He must've followed us here. I bet he's in charge of the ghost invasion." She pointed at the TV screens broadcasting the current crisis.

Danny opened his mouth to retort, but at that moment, something happened that Danny never expected.

Vlad Masters stepped out of the elevator.

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As he rode up the elevator, Vlad straightened his tie. He was rather nervous about meeting Lois and Clark again. He didn't want to admit it to anyone, but Lois scared the half-ghost.

The doors opened and Vlad stepped out, scanning the room for one of those familiar faces. He got lucky and found Danny standing just outside the Editor-in-Chief's office with his friends. His eyes widened a little as he spotted the disgruntled Valerie.

Danny glared at Vlad as he approached, his eyes flaring green. "What do you want?"

Vlad sighed. "I'm not here for a fight, Daniel. I need to speak with you, Clark, and Lois." He shuddered slightly at Lois's name. "Alone," he said to Sam, Tucker, and Valerie.

"Go over there to the Conference room," said Danny, pointing it out to Vlad, "and don't do anything funny." Danny stalked off to find Lois and Clark.

A few minutes later, he was back with them. He plopped down across from Vlad, still watching him carefully for sudden moves.

"I came here because it's my fault Dan's out," stated Vlad bluntly. "I thought that I could control him, but I was wrong."

Danny leaned back, amazed. An admission of guilt was the last thing he expected from his archenemy.

"Mr. Masters, how do we know what you're saying is true?" asked Clark.

"Ask Clockwork," Vlad said simply.

"Clockwork?" repeated Lois. The name was familiar, but her memory was short today.

"He's the ghost with the ability to control time, remember?" said Danny.

"Right," said Lois, embarrassed.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," interjected Vlad, "but is Superman around?"

"I'll go get him," volunteered Clark. "I've got to go meet a source anyway." Clark ducked out, giving Lois a quick peck on the cheek as he did. Vlad gulped, hoping neither attacked him in the meantime.

Superman flew in a few minutes later.

"Clark briefed me on what's happened so far. So what's the plan?"

"The plan," said Danny, standing up and pacing, "is to take down Dan Phantom, Ember, and their army."

Superman nodded in agreement. A loud knock on the door caught his attention, and he x-rayed the door out of habit.

"It's Sam." He walked over to the door and opened it, allowing the Goth girl inside. He closed it quickly behind her.

"Danny!" she gasped, not noticing Vlad. "Dan's got your parents!"

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I am so mean. First I wait so long to post the next chapter and then I make it a cliffhanger. (Groan) Sorry about that. So, to make it up, here's a sneak peek:

"Danny?" asked Maddie.

Danny looked up from the lock he was picking. Surprised green eyes met startled teal ones.

"What – what'd you say?" He felt his blood run cold. Well, ectoplasm in this form.

"You're our son, aren't you," said Jack quietly. "That big ghost that looks like you said so."

Danny gulped.

Hee, hee, short, but very important. So I hope y'all'll be very nice and review. Flames are accepted for me being so late, but no cussing, please. Thanks.

Thanks to the reviewers who've patiently been there for me. A Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of y'all!:

Cylon One, Quacked Lurker, Sunshine Silverjojo, Splout, pottersparky, Oraman Asturi, lily fae, phantomfreek, ghostlover15, dragongirl k, Yami-chan and Unrealistic, and CRESCENT-MOON-89101112

So, R&R, if you feel up to the challenge. See ya next chapter, hopefully soon. It's already written, so all I need to do is get typin'. Bye for now!