Pearl: Yay! Sid time! And we'll finally answer some of you poor readers' questions! I actually think this is a fun chapter. So, I hope you all like it! See you below! And I leave you with the one and only Truephan to finish our introduction of this next chapter. *drum roll*
*cymbal clashes* Truephan here: Ahem….sure puts the pressure on me! But that's OK. I just eat up all the attention you are forced to give me right this very moment as your eyes glide over these delicious words from my brain to the paper…*pause* Oh, that's right. This is supposed to be fun, not an evil plot to keep you hooked to this story. Wait! It IS an evil plot—but not Pearl's and mine…Our muses put us up to it and my muse just made me say all of this! So, before she forces more evil out of me…ah, too late! Here is Chapter 6. Enjoy—my foolish pretties! *She said that—not me!*
Disclaimer: We do not own Danny Phantom. But the plot is our own—and our muses!
Chapter 6: Observed Injustice.
Although it was still early morning of the next day of the hybrids' capture in the Real World, the day and time were irrelevant where they were now. But that didn't make Iluzisto's employers any more patient. And they had now been waiting for some sense of time for him to bring the crossbreeds before them.
But he knew he needed to come up with some sort of explanation for this delay to his employers. After all, he had not expected as much defiance from the hybrids and was even more surprised to find that they had recovered to their full strength again when they shouldn't have been able to do that. And that only meant that he would have to use the weapon he had been temporarily given to regain control over the two creatures. Still, there was that explanation….
Iluzisto calmly walked down a corridor, knowing exactly where he needed to go. But just as he came to his destination, he hesitated to head in when he remembered he was still partially in his stealth mode, which, of course, distorted his form to appear smoky and almost mirror-like.
"I must not let them see my stealth mode, or they might grow suspicious of my actions," Iluzisto thought, his eye slightly narrowing.
And dropping his stealth mode, and finally revealing his true form for the first time, he entered a small conference room, and found the leaders of those for whom he worked, plus one more other being, waiting inside for him.
"Where are the two half-ghosts?" the leader of the group asked calmly.
"In their cells, High Tribunal," Iluzisto answered respectively. "They have become hostile, so I required a method to restrain them."
"Was the advanced weapon we provided you insufficient?" the leader questioned, unconsciously eyeing the black bracelet-like devices on each of Iluzisto's wrists.
Iluzisto kept his voice steady as he replied, "Not at all. It was more than efficient. It is what I will be using to restrain them now. I just simply wished to have you all know why I am forced to have you wait."
Suddenly, the one speaking to the illusionist grew concerned with his next thought and he quickly added, "You are keeping them in separate quarters as we instructed, correct?"
"Yes, Tribune," Iluzisto began, hiding his amusement at seeing the leader of his employers' apparent skittishness. "Though I see how hostile they are separately, it was wise to require them to be separated. But it has delayed your wait to secure the separation as well."
Calming down a bit with that information, the leader answered, "That's fine. We will wait a bit longer. But do make haste; we still must discuss what is decided here with the rest of the Council."
"Very good. I will do that." Iluzisto turned and exited the room, before floating into another room. As he did, he returned to stealth mode and thought of what he had learned about Vlad and Danny.
"Those creatures are stronger than I believed. It's almost as if they are capable of restoring their lost energy. Is that possible? Normal ghosts can restore their energy, but very slowly, taking days, weeks even. But the crossbreeds…. They managed it in hours—maybe even minutes…."
A dark and excited look came upon Iluzisto's eye, and he looked towards the general direction of those that employed him. "Hmm… perhaps these freaks of nature are just what I need to obtain my own goals, after all… I will have to test how powerful these creatures are. If they have what I need…. my employers are the last thing they will have to worry about."
With an evil chuckle, he grabbed the staff he used to trap the half-ghosts, and walked back to the cells.
Danny's half-opened eyes looked dully at the cell door in front of him. He was really tired. But he knew he couldn't risk falling asleep with a ghost like Iluzisto around. However, even the hard bed he sat on was starting to look inviting to his exhausted body. And there was one other thing….
He was hungry.
Meanwhile, Vlad pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed softly. Iluzisto had mentioned that Danny and he would be meeting with his 'employers' today. But then, why had the ghost just up and left several moments ago? And, although he knew the fact should comfort him, it did not. Iluzisto was sure to return; and this time, he would not come unprepared. And with them being locked in these cells, the boy and he were sitting ducks.
"Grrr…"
Vlad slowly turned his head towards the boy, a quizzical look on his face. "What was that?" he questioned.
Danny quickly scowled. "You didn't want me talking to you, remember?"
Vlad rolled his eyes, but said nothing and turned his gaze back to the locked cell door. He stayed quiet for a moment before off-handedly saying, "Hopefully, we will not be here long enough for that to be a problem."
"For what to be a problem?" Danny asked, not getting what the man was talking about.
"Grrr…"
"That," Vlad said dryly.
Danny blushed as he placed a hand against his noisy stomach. "I, uh, haven't eaten anything since… brunch at your house." The teen frowned, realizing neither had the man. He had to be hungry, too.
Vlad just sighed.
The teen rubbed his neck as he tried to think of something to break the silence. "Hey… Vlad?"
"Hmm?" he answered calmly, looking at the boy.
"Do you—?"
"BAM!"
"Vlad!" Danny cried in surprise when he saw a purple beam come from outside the cell and hit the man squarely in the stomach.
The billionaire doubled over on his bed, trying desperately to take back in the air he had just lost.
Iluzisto partly surrendered his stealth mode, his staff now visible and still smoking from its assault on the man.
"That was for daring to strike me earlier, crossbreed," the ghost said darkly as he narrowed his eye on the older half-ghost, who was too pained to even think of a response. But then, Iluzisto turned his eyes to Danny and added, "As for you…"
The ghost quickly aimed the staff at Danny and fired another beam.
But the boy was ready, and he dove off the bed with a shout of alarm before it could hit him.
Iluzisto scoffed in amusement. The child reminded him of a scared and cornered mouse. But remembering why he was here, he announced, "Crossbreeds, it's time for your audience with my employers."
But Iluzisto's gaze hardened as he aimed his weapon back on Danny, though he further ordered the both of them, "Return to your ghost counterparts if you want to avoid yourselves further punishment."
The teen's eyes nervously darted from Vlad to the ghost, and then back to Vlad. The man was still clutching his stomach, clearly in pain. Unlike his illusions, Iluzisto's staff-like weapon could clearly harm them even in human form...
And that was very bad news.
"Change, crossbreed," Iluzisto ordered the teen once more.
Danny looked back at the ghost fearfully. But then, his resolve hardened and he glared as he firmly answered, "No."
Iluzisto narrowed his eye, and quickly fired another shot. But Danny avoided it once more—narrowly this time. The ghost looked even angrier and immediately stepped forward. He wasted no time to open the boy's cell and enter it.
Danny's eyes widened and he almost went ghost with his sudden panic. But then he forced himself to focus, and he narrowed his eyes at the ghost again.
"I was going to spare you the pain, but in light of your defiance, I am going to have you join the other crossbreed in his pain…"
Danny gasped this time when Iluzisto fired two quick purple blasts at him. But although he managed to block one with an energy beam of his own, he did not manage to do the same for the other. With a cry of pain, the teen grasped at his injured shoulder. But he pushed the pain aside, and ran straight for the open cell door.
Not expecting this, Iluzisto gasped when the boy ran right through him and out of the cell. But Danny didn't keep running, he turned right back around and slammed the door closed on the ghost.
Iluzisto rolled his eye, before firing a blast at the teen from in between the bars. Danny dodged it again, which only forced him to step away from the door. And the ghost didn't hesitate to push it open and step out.
"You amuse me, crossbreed," Iluzisto said with mirth. "But I told you, you are not escaping."
Danny took a fearful step back as he watched the ghost extend a hand towards him, knowing what was to come. And, suddenly, he found himself surrounded by large black scorpions.
The illusion was enough distraction for Iluzisto to get a shot at the boy. The beam hit the teen in his abdomen, sending him to his knees with a choked shout of pain.
Iluzisto floated over to the teen before grasping him by an arm and lifting him to his feet. Without any hesitation, he shoved the needle part of the weapon into Danny's previously injured shoulder and the boy cried out loudly in pain.
"I do not know what this weapon's poison does to humans, but I do not mind making you the first test subject…" Iluzisto said darkly, pushing the needle further in so that the blade part of the weapon began to enter the boy's bleeding soft flesh.
Danny let out an even louder scream, all the while trying fruitlessly to escape the strong ghost's hold. But he could barely hold his feet under him from the horrible pain he felt, especially when the ghost continue to slowly drive his weapon deeper into his arm!
"Enough!"
Iluzisto's eye instantly spun around his head and locked on the older hybrid, who was glaring at him with his hands wrapped tightly around two green bars. And by the sound of his hard breathing, the man was still suffering from the blast from Iluzisto's powerful weapon.
"Do as I say, crossbreed, and I will be more forgiving of you," the spirit ordered, pushing the weapon even more into Danny's shoulder for emphasis.
And still, all Danny could do was grit his teeth against the pain; although, he didn't quite manage to keep his painful cries from completely escaping out of his vocal cords.
Vlad stared spitefully at Iluzisto for a moment. He couldn't believe the blasted ghost had shot him with such a hard blast while he was in human form. The man was sure the ghost had just fractured one his ribs from that! Luckily, his ghost half made him a fast healer and his human body could take a bit more damage… otherwise, the ghost could have probably killed him with that blast!
"Don't make me break another of your ribs, crossbreed," Iluzisto suddenly warned when the man hesitated to do as he had commanded.
Vlad's eyes flashed red with the threat, especially when the ghost's comment confirmed that Iluzisto knew full well what he had done. Still, the older hybrid let his black rings spread across him, switching him into Plasmius. He decided to play along with the ghost for now. It was the only way he was going to find out the extent of this situation… and a way out of it.
Iluzisto seemed to smile as he said. "Good." But then he looked back at Danny. "Your turn."
Despite the pain, Danny refused to give in to this ghost. "Forget it, pal!"
"Insolent freak!" Iluzisto hissed, pushing the blade more into the boy's shoulder.
"Daniel, you stubborn brat!" Plasmius shouted at the screaming teen. "Morph!"
"NO!" Danny cried out, before grasping Iluzisto's weapon and sending ice through it.
But it had no effect.
Iluzisto glared. "It seems you need to be broken….into pieces if need be…"
"Do you require assistance?"
Everyone turned to look towards the fourth voice that had suddenly come from the corridor.
"Clockwork?" Danny whispered in disbelief, his eyes widening at the sight of the time ghost approaching them.
Iluzisto looked displeased with the Time Master's presence. "No, I do not require assistance," he answered coolly before turning his eye back to Danny.
Clockwork stopped next to Iluzisto and Danny, and calmly lifted two collar-looking devices up to the other ghost's eye-level. "Who await you are not very patient… So, they asked me to bring you these….. things to assist you."
"I have everything under control. My powers are enough to subdue these creatures!" Iluzisto argued, glaring at Clockwork.
"I can clearly see that," Clockwork said dryly, looking from the surprised Danny to the confused Vlad. But, oddly, the time ghost smirked mysteriously at the man.
And noticing, Vlad frowned deeply, though internally this mysterious and unknown ghost to him was putting him on edge… Who was he? And why did this ghost look at him as if he knew something the man didn't?
Clockwork suddenly seemed to lose interest in the older hybrid and he calmly turned his eyes back to Iluzisto as he casually informed him, "I was told to inform you that these devices fully negate the use of their abilities. However, they allow them to remain as ghosts so that they are easier for you to handle."
But when Iluzisto still seemed reluctant to take the collar-like devices, the Time Master raised an eyebrow and added, "It's their orders. Not mine."
"Fine…," Iluzisto answered, annoyed, before accepting one of the collars and looking back at Danny.
The boy quickly pushed aside his surprise when he realized for whom the collar was intended. Instantly, he began to struggle fiercely, ignoring the agony it caused his shoulder. There was no way he was letting that thing be put around his neck!
"Hold still!" Iluzisto demanded, getting ready to fire a blast at the boy at close range, not carrying if it seriously injured him.
But Clockwork suddenly spoke up, stopping the ghost.
"Why don't you take care of the other one? I'll deal with Danny…" the time ghost offered, smiling calmly at Iluzisto.
The ghost momentarily looked reluctant, but then gave in, knowing his employers were waiting. Without warning, he roughly retracted the needle from the Ghost Boy's arm.
Danny cried in pain, but it turned into a grunt when he was thrust into Clockwork, who quickly used a strong hand to steady him before he fell to the floor.
"I-I don't understand," Danny said, looking up at his mentor with confusion. The teen refused to think that Clockwork had anything to do with this. No…. Maybe the ghost was here to help…? He really hoped so.
Clockwork looked soberly at him. "I know," he answered. "But you will understand soon enough. Until then…" The Time Master held up the collar in his hand.
Danny's eyes widened. "C-Clockwork… What? Y-You can't… make me..." But the boy was at a loss for further words. How could his mentor want him to wear that?
"I do what I must, Danny. You should never forget that," the time ghost answered as he unclasped the device and brought it towards the teen's neck.
All the young half-ghost could do was stare at his mentor, like a child would a father who is about to abandon him in a dark alley. Why was Clockwork doing this?
But Danny could not bring himself to resist the Time Master. And he lowered his eyes sadly as the ghost clicked the device around his neck. And although he was still human, the teen immediately felt it suppress his powers...
Meanwhile, Iluzisto was attending to Vlad, who looked shocked at the sight of the device the ghost was approaching him with.
"Do not struggle against me, crossbreed. Otherwise, I will not hesitate to use force to subdue you," Iluzisto warned as he opened Vlad's cell and entered it.
Plasmius slowly tore his eyes from the device in Iluzisto's grip and looked at the ghost himself.
"My employers are waiting…" Iluzisto threateningly aimed the staff at Plasmius, before extending the collar and ordering, "Put it on."
Vlad had been willing to 'submit' to Iluzisto so that he could learn why he had been brought here and who was behind all this. But if it meant having his powers taken away….
"You're not getting that anywhere near me," Vlad growled, bringing bright red electricity to his fingertips, ready to fight with everything he had to if it came down to it.
"Time out."
In an instant, Danny, Vlad, and, surprisingly, even Iluzisto froze in time. Of course, everything else remained unaffected, since time had no influence in this current Realm. Clockwork's powers only worked on places, things, and beings that normally existed inside time…
Apparently, Iluzisto was one of them. And yet, Clockwork knew that Iluzisto was no ghost, but rather, a spirit, much like himself and his… employers...
With a tired sigh, Clockwork floated forward, thoughtlessly taking the collar out of Iluzisto's frozen, outstretched hand, all the while ignoring how the bands on the illusionist spirit's wrists were glowing even brighter than normal now that he was under the effects of Clockwork's time powers.
"It seems I will forever be entrusted with the dirty work," he said, annoyed as he clasped the device around the older half-ghost's neck. "Time in."
A gasp from Vlad brought Iluzisto's focus towards the collar around the older half-ghost's neck.
"No… How did you..?" Vlad questioned in disbelief, seeing his energy fade from his hands, although he remained in ghost form. The man's eyes darted over to the Time Master beside Iluzisto, and he quickly seemed to come to some sort of conclusion.
"You…."
"I will not tolerate your interference!" Iluzisto cut the billionaire off, glaring at Clockwork.
"I grew impatient…Time is too precious to waste," Clockwork said with a slight smirk, before turning from the other spirit and exiting the cell.
Iluzisto looked angrily after the Time Master, before turning back to Vlad. "It seems you will need to be broken as well… We'll work on that. But for now…" He then unexpectedly fired a shot at the man's chest.
Vlad stumbled back and grasped his chest at the blow. But before he could recover, he gasped when rope suddenly appeared and wrapped itself around his wrists.
Right after that, Iluzisto yanked him out of the cell with it. The man stumbled forward, unable to do anything as he concentrated on not falling face first.
But quickly recalling he was in ghost form, Vlad switched back, effectively negating Iluzisto's illusion, and he slipped out of the ropes.
Iluzisto seemed furious with this, but instead, aimed his weapon at the human Vlad in silent threat.
Vlad glowered at him for a moment, but knowing that resisting might only get him seriously injured or killed, he obliged and walked forward.
Clockwork looked at Danny who had been silent since he had placed the collar around him, and informed the boy, "Iluzisto will show you where you must go." And before Danny could say anything, he vanished.
The human teen looked at the spot his mentor had been with uncertainty, before looking over at Vlad as he came up alongside him.
However, they didn't get a chance to say anything. At that moment, Iluzisto moved passed them, uttering, "Follow me."
The two hybrids shared a glance, but then with a bit of hesitation, followed after the spirit towards their intended destination.
For a moment, both Danny and Vlad were silent. And while the teen was thinking of what just happened with Clockwork and his still throbbing shoulder, the man's thoughts were more on the collars now on their necks. It didn't make Vlad very comfortable to know his powers had been taken away, especially when he was graciously allowed to keep control of his human and ghost forms. It was more than obvious why Iluzisto needed them as ghosts. But why his employers? Somehow, the older hybrid suspected it was not just to give their guard dog more control over him and the boy….
"Daniel," Vlad suddenly whispered, trying to keep his voice from being heard by Iluzisto.
Luckily, since the creature no longer saw them as a threat without their ghost powers, Iluzisto was hardly paying any attention to them, save to lead them onward.
Seeing the teen look up at him, he continued, "We need to get these—"
"I don't get it," Danny cut him off, his voice also soft, but thoughtful. "This makes no sense. Why is he… helping him?"
Vlad frowned deeply, unsure of what the teen was talking about. But realizing the way the boy had worded his question, the man quickly understood, and urgently asked, "Daniel, do you know that ghost that was just here? Who is he?"
Danny suddenly felt at a loss for words, as he unconsciously rubbed his shoulder. It was already feeling better, thanks to his healing abilities. But he knew he had to answer the man, and mumbled, "Yeah… I know him. He's Clockwork, the Master of Time. I, uh… He helped with these things one time…" He cringed when he realized what he said didn't come out as he had wanted and momentarily cast his eyes away from his arch-enemy.
Vlad's eyes widened. "The Master of Time? You mean the spirit that controls all existence? The same one that has the power to will time itself and see across it?
"Yeah, that's him," Danny answered, somewhat surprised by Vlad's shock. And why had he emphasized so much on the word 'spirit'? Wasn't that the same thing as a ghost?
The billionaire frowned deeply and briefly glanced up at Iluzisto as the pieces of this puzzle began to fall into place for the older hybrid. Vlad had had no idea where this creature had taken them, but if the Time Master was here, then it was very likely that they were in the Realm Beyond Time, or sometimes also called, the 'Timeless Realm'. But only spirits lived in this part of the Ghost Zone. So if they were indeed in this realm, then that mean Iluzisto was no ghost…
Iluzisto was a spirit. And, of course, that suddenly made him all the more dangerous.
But the fact that he had just been face-to-face with the Master of Time still had Vlad's mind reeling…
"I had always wondered if Time Master's existence was just a myth….," Vlad muttered mostly to himself. But then he scoffed as he added, "Obviously, it's not. And if he's part of this, then this might be more serious than I believed. If the rumors are true, then the Time Master is a very dangerous spirit."
"Clockwork's not dangerous!" Danny exclaimed defensively. But seeing Iluzisto shoot him a sharp look, the teen quickly lowered his tone of voice as he added with as much conviction, "He's good!"
Vlad rolled his eyes. "So much so that he put these things on us," he retorted sarcastically, pointing to the device around his neck.
"Well, I'm sure he has his reasons!" the teen answered, although he seemed a bit unsure this time around.
"Trust him if you want," Vlad said with disgust. "But I am not about leave my fate in the hands of some manipulative spirit who is in cahoots with another deceitful spirit who goes by the name of 'Iluzisto'."
"You don't know that!" Danny exclaimed again, still on the defensive. "Just because Clockwork is here doesn't mean he agrees with all this! He could very well be here to get me out of this place."
Vlad scoffed. "Don't make me laugh, boy. If he indeed has aided you in the past, then you should start accepting that this spirit has betrayed you this time around before you find out in a worse way later."
"And you should just be quiet!" Danny suddenly exploded, pushing the billionaire away from him. "You don't know what you're talking about! You don't know him like I do!"
Vlad narrowed his eyes and was about to say something back to the teen, when Iluzisto's voice interrupted them.
"Do I need to keep you two separated even as we walk down a simple hallway?" he asked, slightly amused but looking seriously at them.
Both hybrids glared at Iluzisto before glaring back at one another. But then they finally turned their gaze forward and did not speak another word after that.
Eventually, they made it to their intended destination. But just when Iluzisto was about to open the door, he paused and looked back at the hybrids. However, he caught his own surprise at seeing that the younger crossbreed's shoulder was nearly healed, though not quite enough to escape even the eyes of his employers. He smirked a bit at his next thought. He could easily fix that…
"Before I let you two meet my employers, I think it is only fair to finally let you see my true form…."
Vlad and Danny quickly frowned in confusion.
And seeing this, Iluzisto chuckled smugly and further explained, "This is my stealth form, crossbreeds. I simply couldn't let you both piece things together until the… right time. And, of course, this is the right time. So, then, allow me to introduce my true self…"
The two hybrids took a surprised step back when Iluzisto's mirror-like body seemed to vanish behind thick black smoke. But as quickly as it came, it evaporated away, revealing Iluzisto undistorted, true form.
He wore a purple-and-silver tunic-like attire that ended in a cylinder shape, hiding the spirit's ghostly tail from view. But over his attire, was a long cloak that almost touched the ground and on the top had a collar that stuck up high and around his head. But what was truly odd about his cloak was how it seemed to switch colors, from black to silver; but in a way that one could not tell whether it was really changing colors or simply shimmering black and silver, so there was no way of telling which of the two colors were the cloak's true hue.
But it was the ghost's actual body, and mostly, his head that truly surprised the hybrids. But not because of its oddity, but because of its familiarity….
Aside from the fact that Iluzisto's eye was still that same purplish-silver they had seen before, his green 'head' also had ugly black spot-like stains on it. And if the hybrids had looked down at his bony hands, they would have seen those same stains also covering them.
But Iluzisto's overall true appearance was just like a group of spirits both Vlad and Danny had encountered in the past…
"Crossbreeds, it's time for you both to meet my employers… Although, I think you now both already know who they are," Iluzisto said with an amused tone in his voice as he turned from the shocked hybrids and finally opened the door.
In spite of the fact that Danny and Vlad indeed had seen the familiarity in Iluzisto and now knew who the spirit's mystery employers were, they still gasped in surprise when they entered the room and saw a group of Observants waiting for them.
But Vlad's shock soon vanished as a lot started making sense in his mind. And he suddenly felt very annoyed by all this. And here he had thought they were in trouble…
Unlike his arch-enemy, Danny's attention didn't stay on the Observants, because he quickly noticed Clockwork standing at a corner of the room, looking like he usually did: indifferent.
But then the teen turned his blue eyes to the large rectangular table in front of him; and sitting behind the table were the Observants. All but one of them was staring at him; and the lone one who wasn't looking at him was busying himself with scribbling on some paper on the table in front of him.
Danny frowned on how odd that seemed; nevertheless, he redirected his gaze to the remaining Observants. The teen had first heard of the ghosts from Clockwork after the occurrence with his evil self. He remembered the Time Master mentioning his working for them. But that had been all, then…
However, he later met them face-to-face when he had returned Vortex to them after defeating the weather ghost. And he remembered how ungrateful they had been, too. Not so much as a 'thanks' from them. They had taken the thermos and left with it.
Since then, Danny had not thought about them again. But why were they here now? And what could they possibly want? Did this have to do with his evil self?
Danny gulped. He hoped not.
And what about Iluzisto? Where did this ghost fit in all this? Clearly, he was one of them—or, an uglier and scary version, anyways. And where did Clockwork fit in all this?
While the young half-ghost had his mind racing with the many questions for which he had no answers, Vlad was looking around the room with mild interest. So, the Observants were the ones behind Daniel's and his capture?
How anti-climatic.
But Vlad had to admit, he was surprised, and maybe even, impressed, that they had sent a spirit like Iluzisto after Daniel and himself. The man held his hands behind him, as he thought, "Well, they won't have the honor of my presence for long. Now that I know that these beings are behind all this, I am no longer interested in playing the 'helpless hostage'…"
But now Vlad was certain that they were in the Realm Beyond Time. And that he was dealing with spirits…
"Danny Phantom. Vlad Plasmius. Please, take a seat," one of the Observants in the center of the table requested as he rose from his chair.
Vlad let a small smirk tug on his lips. "Hmm… you all seem so familiar…. Have we met?"
But instead of the same Observant who had just spoken, the one immediately to the right of him spoke up, though he stayed seated. "We have not forgotten of your criminal act against us, Vlad Plasmius. But that will be discussed in due time."
The billionaire chuckled, "Criminal act? Hardly. I can't help that you all are so easily fooled."
This time, all of the Observants slightly narrowed their eyes at the older hybrid, while Iluzisto watched him calmly. Internally, however, the illusionist spirit had to admit he enjoyed the man's degrading remarks towards his employers. Yes, this one was lively… as was the young one. They would at least be fun to keep around while his employers carried on with their silly plans…
Standing next to him, Danny was looking at Vlad in disbelief. But not because he didn't know what the man was talking about, but rather, because he did know. Really? Was his arch-enemy this nuts? The guy was practically taunting the Observants about how he had tricked them and released Vortex right in front of their faces-er, single…eyes.
"Uh, Vlad? Maybe you should get off your high horse for a moment?" Danny told his arch-enemy under his breath, while glancing around at the unhappy Observants. The teen didn't know much about them. But if they had the capabilities to capture a ghost as powerful as Vortex and employed ghosts as powerful as Iluzisto and Clockwork, then he didn't want them angry at him. Not to mention, he was powerless at the moment.
The same Observant, who all this while had been standing and who now seemed to be the one taking the lead, continued, "If you do not wish to take a seat, I will not force you to do so. But I believe it fair to forewarn you that any misbehavior or interruptions will not be tolerated once we begin this hearing."
Danny frowned at the Observant's warning, but said nothing.
Vlad also frowned, but that was from noticing that the Observant at the Head Observant's right side had calmly placed his hand beside two remotes resting in front of him on the table, which—obviously now—was what controlled the devices around the boy's and his own neck.
But the billionaire soon relaxed and smiled pleasantly. "Very well, you have my attention…"
The Head Observant looked over at Danny, and the teen responded with a meek smile. "You have no argument over here. I'm all ears, dude."
The Head Observant finally sat back down, while Danny and Vlad remained standing.
Just as the Observant began, he looked at those immediately around him, "Observants, I am about to commence the judicial briefing for case number 789: Vlad Plasmius and Danny Phantom versus All Existence. What say you?"
"Proceed," the Observants all answered.
All the while the lone Observant—who still hadn't even looked up at either hybrid yet—kept scribbling.
Danny looked confused, while Vlad raised an eyebrow. Did they just say case? Against them?
"As you all know, it was agreed to send Iluzisto to retrieve the two half-ghosts to bring them before us today. He was to inform them of the reason for their detainment and bring them to the High Tribunal penitentiary. Iluzisto, did the offenders resist their capture?" the Head Observant asked, looking at the mentioned spirit.
"Yes, Esteemed Tribune, it is why I was delayed in the Human World. I told them it would be wise to come quietly, and they refused."
"Forgive us for not accepting pain so willingly," Vlad interrupted dryly, crossing his hands. He was starting to get annoyed with this, and they hadn't even gotten to what these beings wanted with them or what 'case' they were talking about.
The Head Observant regarded the older hybrid for a moment, but before he could say anything more, he felt a tug at his sleeve. He turned to the Observant on his right who had been responsible.. They quietly conferred for a brief moment and then the Head Observant turned back to Iluzisto and asked, "Did you tell them that they were being detained for legal matters?"
"Yes," Iluzisto answered calmly.
"What?" Danny exclaimed, finally speaking up. "That is so not true! You didn't tell us they had something to do with this, let alone that I was being arrested! You just attacked me!"
"Us," Vlad corrected.
"Me," Danny growled back, momentarily glaring at his arch-enemy, before looking back at Iluzisto.
"Untrue," Iluzisto answered without so much as looking at Danny.
"Untrue?" Danny repeated angrily. "Dude, I don't even think you know the difference between 'arresting' someone and 'wasting' them! I mean, just look at what he did to my arm just now!" the teen said, pointing at his still throbbing, though nearly healed, shoulder.
But the Observants didn't even flinch at his gesture.
Danny frowned in displeasure. Seriously? They didn't care?
"As I said, his accusations are false," Iluzisto continued to lie calmly. "They knew everything, and they still refused. It was why I was forced to resort to a more serious method of detainment."
"Observants, what say you?" the head one asked the others.
"Guilty," they all answered.
"Guilty? Of what?" Danny demanded, starting to get annoyed by all this.
"Silence, Danny Phantom," the Head Observant demanded back. "You are not to speak out of turn."
Danny sighed in exasperation, but just crossed his arms and did as he was told. He then frowned again when that silly Observant was still writing furiously! What the heck was he doing?
"As has been decided by the leaders of our Council, the charge of resisting arrest will be added to the two half-ghosts other counts," the Head Observant declared.
"Now just one moment," Vlad finally spoke up, a heavy frown on his face. "Who are you all to decide that it is we that are lying and not your bounty hunter over here?"
"I am the leader of all the Observants. And they, the leaders of our Council," the Head Observant answered, gesturing to those sitting at the table. "Together, we decide, based on the evidence, what is accepted or denied and what is true or untrue."
"What evidence?" Danny questioned. "You are just going to believe Iluzisto just because he said it?" he protested, pointing at Iluzisto. But then he added in his frustration, "And why am I here?"
"Iluzisto is neutral in this. He has no reason to lie," the spirit answered dismissively. "As for your last question, it will be answered shortly, if you will allow us to proceed…"
Danny and Vlad looked appalled by the Head Observant's comment about Iluzisto. But his latter comment drove them to silence.
The Head Observant continued as the entire room then fell silent. "Is it agreed by the Observants of the Council that I proceed with this briefing?"
"Agreed," they answered, and this time, Vlad and Danny rolled their eyes.
"Danny Phantom. Vlad Plasmius. You both have been detained and brought here today to answer for the criminal acts you have committed against the time stream and existence."
"What?" Danny exclaimed.
"Silence!" The Head Observant demanded sternly. "You are not to speak out. One more misconduct from you, and I will be forced to take more serious actions."
Danny frowned as he saw the Head Observant hand over what looked like some type of control boxes that had been lying on the table to Iluzisto. The teen wasn't sure what they did, or what they were for, but by the way Iluzisto was looking evilly at him, the teen knew it wasn't anything good for him.
"Now," the Observant continued, "It was difficult to decide on whether or not to take action in this matter. Because you both are also human, we had to decide if it was our place to deal with your criminal acts ourselves, or to allow the human race to do so. However, since those that enforce the laws in the Human World are not aware of your existence and so cannot possibly act against either of you for the offenses you have committed, then we decided to take over having you both answer for your crimes—and they are very severe crimes."
Danny raised his hand, this time, ignoring how Vlad rolled his eyes at him for doing it. And seeing the Head Observant nod his head at him, the teen spoke, "So, you 'arrested' us because you think we have done something wrong?"
"Correct. And it's more like several things wrong," the spirit answered.
"Okay, then, what are our—I mean, my crimes—since I could list a couple for the fruit loop over there myself," the teen said dryly.
Vlad glared at Danny but didn't say anything, since he wanted to hear the Observant's response.
"I was getting to that," the Head Observant answered, this time sounding annoyed. It was now very obvious that the spirit liked order; and having his hearing interrupted by questions and outburst was not pleasing him. "Danny Phantom. Vlad Plasmius. You are both being accused for three major offenses to the Time Stream. The first major offense is your interference with the time stream. Second major offense, endangering all of existence. And, third major offense, altering reality."
"Oh, is that all?" Danny suddenly sarcastically asked.
"Of course not. Each major offense has several counts under them," the Head Observant replied, either ignoring or not noticing the teen's sarcasm. "We will not delve into all of it right now, as all will be revealed at the proper time and protocol will not allow us to elaborate on the details. However, for you to understand the gravity of the situation, we will touch on a few instances."
The Observant paused briefly and seemed to clear wherever his throat was before continuing, "For instance, for the first major offense, you both have interfered with the natural course of the time-line by unauthorized handling of the Infi-map, time traveling, and direct interference with time-line events."
"Oh, you all must be joking," Vlad said, crossing his arms and giving a light chuckle. "The Infi-map? Interference with the time stream? First off, if you should be punishing anyone for the misusage of that map it is that abominable snow freak by the name of Frostbite. He was the one who gave it to Daniel. Secondly—"
"Hey, don't blame Frostbite for that!" Danny shouted angrily. "It wasn't his fault! I accidentally took the map from him!"
Vlad shrugged. "Alright, then, it's his fault," he corrected himself off-handedly, waving a hand in the teen's direction.
"You did not just blame me for that, Plasmius!" Danny growled, his hands fisting at his sides.
"I think I just did," Vlad answered right back in a mocking tone of voice.
"You're so full of it!" Danny shouted furiously. "You're the one who used the map to go all over the freakin' place! You took the…"
"Silence!" the Head Observant exclaimed, standing up.
But the two hybrids continued to argue, as if forgetting about everyone but themselves.
The Head Observant quickly looked at Iluzisto, and said angrily, "This has gone far enough. Iluzisto, control them!"
"Gladly," Iluzisto answered before pressing a button.
"…Well, you shouldn't have been playing with it in the first place," Vlad answered the angry teen. "You could have just—AHH!" the man suddenly cried out as sharp, hot pain shot through his neck and down his body, forcing him down to his knees.
Danny's eyes widened in alarm, but before he could even react to his screaming arch-enemy, the teen joined him.
"AHH!" the boy cried, grabbing a hold of the collar around his neck as he dropped to his knees.
It felt like the shocking pain had lasted for hours, when, in fact, it had only been seconds before it stopped. Danny and Vlad just panted, their hands grasping the collars around their necks.
"I warned you," the Head Observant said seriously.
"No, you warned him!" the billionaire shouted, getting to his feet and pointing down at Danny. "Take this off me right now!" he demanded, pulling at the collar around his neck. How dare these spirit freaks treat him like some animal?
"If you conduct yourselves in an orderly manner, then I can assure you that we will not have the need to use any forceful measures," the Head Observant tersely replied.
Vlad had had enough. He narrowed his eyes, and in a flash of light changed into his ghost form. "Your device might suppress my powers, but I am quite capable of destroying a pathetic spirit such as yourself without them! Now, release me at once before I define for you the meaning of forceful measures!"
"The only way we will release you is if you're proven innocent of all the crimes of which you are accused, Vlad Plasmius. And I have to say, your hostility is not helping your cause."
"Look, can we all just chill for a second?" Danny said, now standing, the sound of his sudden voice stopping Vlad from lunging at the arrogant Head Observant.
The teen rubbed his neck trying to relieve the ache, only to wince in pain when he realized it obviously hadn't helped. Still, he continued, "I think you guys are missing an important point in all this," he told the Observants. "I'm the good guy, remember? I'm the one that fights evil ghosts, like Vortex. So, how can I have committed any crimes?"
"You, Danny Phantom, are more of a menace than he is," the Head Observant said, pointing at Vlad. "Or have you forgotten of the creature Clockwork has locked up in his tower?"
Danny's mouth fell open; but he quickly sobered at the mention of his future evil self. But the mention of 'a creature' did not go unnoticed by Plasmius.
"Creature?" Vlad asked, raising a questioning eyebrow at Danny. "What are they talking about, Daniel?"
Danny ignored his arch-enemy as he answered in a serious voice to the Head Observant, "That was a mistake. I fixed everything."
"No, Clockwork fixed everything. You just altered the timeline. And unfortunately for you both, you have also committed crimes against all existence. That, if you recall, is the second major charge against you both. You two have risked the fate of all ghosts, spirits, and humans alike on more than one count."
"How? That can't be right, I—" Danny began.
But he was quickly silenced by the Head Observant's displeased look, especially when he then added with a bit more bite, "A case in point: let's not forget both of your interference with Vortex, which also endangered all of existence!"
"What? But I captured—Ahh!" Danny cried out as he was shocked by the collar again because of his forceful outburst.
Still in ghost form, Vlad just tensed at the sight of the pained teen, but remain silent as the Observant continued.
"You, Vlad Plasmius, released Vortex. However, you gravely interfered with the whole affair as well, Danny Phantom."
Once again, Danny was about to object when he was stifled at seeing the Head Observant's angry frown.
With more edge to his voice, the Head Observant huffed, "And finally, and possibly, the most severe count in this category is one that has yet to transpire. But both of you are equally responsible, and will be held accountable for that threat against all existence."
Danny and Vlad looked at the spirit in confusion.
"If I may interrupt," Vlad then quickly said; and seeing the slightly annoyed nod from the Observant, continued, "Are you accusing us of something that has not even occurred yet? And if so, then, I think we have the right to know what it is exactly that we are going to do to cause some 'apocalyptic event' in the world."
"We are charging you against it because the timeline has shown it will occur. However, we will not tell you the detail of this event because it could alter the time stream. We know what the details are and that's all that matters."
"But that's not fair!" Danny intervened, but quickly silenced with a gasp at seeing Iluzisto lift a finger to press the button on the remote controlling his collar.
Plasmius frowned at Iluzisto before he continued, knowing he was allowed to speak still. "The boy is right. You cannot charge someone for crimes that have not been committed yet. It is absurd."
"That is for the High Council to decide. Now, as for your third major crime, which is altering reality, there is only one count for each of you in this category. You, Vlad Plasmius, are accused of conducting unethical experiments, and have therefore altered reality. And as for you, Danny Phantom, you alone altered reality by the unethical and unauthorized use of the Reality Gauntlets."
"Reality Gauntlets?" Vlad asked, surprised, "They exis-AHH!"
Danny couldn't help but smirk a bit when the older hybrid was shocked. "I guess now we're even, Plasmius." But as soon as the words left his lips, the teen was shocked again.
Danny and Vlad groaned as they clutched their necks, while Danny thought, "Or maybe not. I'm still one ahead."
The Observant continued as if nothing had happened. "We Observants consider ourselves fair spirits. It is why you will have a chance to plea your case at the High Tribunal. The trial will be divided into three parts, which will go accordingly with your three major accusations. And, finally, a sentencing day. We will appoint you both someone to defend you. But we will also be appointing the prosecutor. If you are found innocent, you will be returned to your world, unharmed. If you are found guilty, you will be condemned for your crimes and will never see your world again."
"What?" Vlad and Danny shouted at the same time, only to get another jolt of pain.
"You two might be familiar with the human moral of 'innocent until proven guilty'? Well, in the Realm of Time, we believe in the moral of, 'Guilty until proven innocent.' Therefore, as of now, you will be treated as dangerous criminals and will be addressed as such. Vlad Plasmius, for the duration of this trail, you are 'Prisoner 484' and are to answer to this title when addressed by it in the future. Danny Phantom, you are 'Prisoner 485'. And that will be your title for the duration of your stay here."
The Head Observant only paused briefly to make sure the hybrids understood his words. But taking their lack of responses as their understanding, he continued in the same strict voice, "For the duration of your trail, you will be held at the High Tribunal penitentiary by Prison Head Iluzisto as your warden. You will be provided your needs, but are to report without delay for each trial session. You will be allowed to speak to the one defending your case while you are being held at your cells. However, at the trial, your representative will be the one primarily allowed to speak. Of course, you may talk to him during the trail. But if you want to address the Council, you must first ask for approval through your representative. And you are only allowed to voice your thoughts if it is approved by the Council or me."
Danny and Vlad remained silent as they continued to hear the rules laid out by the Head Observant. While at first they had felt annoyed with the Observants silly accusations, now, they were starting to get worried. These beings were serious about this. And they didn't seem to care for their side of the story. But both hybrids still had a hard time believing that there could really be any case against them. Almost everything they had charged them with either made no sense, or had been twisted somehow.
"Now, before we close this hearing, we will appoint the prosecutor and legal defender for the duration of the trial. To save time, however, we have already decided upon the capable candidates in an earlier meeting."
The Head Observant turned to look at an Observant beside him, the one who had never looked up from his furious writing.
"Spektanto will be the legal defender for you both."
The mentioned spirit finally stopped writing. He put down his pen, stood, and spoke, "I will do my best to aid you, half-ghosts. However, things do not look promising for either of you."
Danny and Vlad stared at their 'lawyer' in disbelief. But then the young hybrid could not keep quiet any longer. "Okay, I don't know how this whole trial thing is suppose to work, but I'm pretty sure you can't have one of the accusing dudes as our lawyer. He'll be totally against us!"
The teen suddenly cringed as he saw Iluzisto about to press the button for his speaking out, but the Head Observant raised a hand stopping him.
Danny sighed in relief.
"As I said, we are fair spirits. Your legal representative will do his best to aid you."
"Yes, even if there is not much I can do," Spektanto intervened.
"Hey! How come he doesn't get shocked for speaking out?" Danny protested, only to be shocked for doing so. He groaned, before saying under his breath, "Because he can. Got it."
"If I may?" Vlad suddenly said, stepping closer, only to pause and tense when Iluzisto's finger lingered above the remote, ready to use it if the older half-ghost got any closer.
"You may," the Head Observant answered.
"Although I do appreciate that you have gone out of your way to provide for us a legal representative," the man stated, his sarcasm barely suppressed. "I much rather call on one whom I trust."
"I'm afraid that is not possible. You are currently in the Realm Beyond Time. Only spirits, which exist outside of time, are permitted to enter this Realm. In other words, no ghost or human is allowed within it—which reminds me, that this is another of your crimes, since the both of you, in the past, have entered the Realm Beyond Time without authorization. The Head Observant briefly looked at another Observant and added to him, "Make note of it for the upcoming trial."
The other Observant nodded and did so, while Danny and Vlad stared at them, appalled. These beings were daft! They were just making up crimes against them!
But before either half-ghost could protest, the Head Observant continued, "Now that you are aware of whom will be defending you, let me present to you the prosecutor. However, he will be allowed to decline the position being that it had not been discussed with him prior to this hearing."
The Head Observant stood, and looked behind him at the Master of Time, who looked occupied with his staff.
"Clockwork?"
The time spirit froze. And as if remembering everything that was going on around him again, he looked up at the Head Observant and calmly answered, "Yes?"
"If you accept, you will be the prosecutor in this trial against the half-ghosts," the Head Observant told him.
"What?" Danny exclaimed. "No! You can't—Ahh!" the boy shouted in pain when he was shocked yet again. But this time, he refused to silence and he stuttered through his pain, "Y-You c-can't d-do that! H-he won't!"
"Silence!" The Head Observant demanded.
Clockwork, currently in his old form, regarded the young hybrid with a serious look, before turning his attention to his employers and questioning them, "And why is it that you believe I should be involved in this trial? You have never involved me in such dealings before."
"We believe that since you know the details of their criminal offenses that you will be the ideal spirit for this job. What say you?" the Head Observant asked.
Danny stared wide-eyed at the Time Master. He was certain Clockwork would not agree to that. After all, they were friends, weren't they? He would never…
"Very well. I will do as you ask," Clockwork intoned as he switched to his adult form, and indifferently looked back at his staff.
"No! Clockwork, you…" Danny reflexively shut his eyes against another painful shock, but ignored it and suddenly rushed over to the Time Master.
"Restrain him!" the Head Observant demanded.
But Danny had already reached his mentor, and gripping at his cloak, said, "Clockwork, why are you doing this? You know me! Everything they are saying is not true. You know that!"
Clockwork creased his eyebrows in sobriety. "I do what I must, Danny. We shall see if you are as innocent as you believe."
At that moment, Iluzisto grabbed the boy by an arm, but he didn't resist as he was pulled away from Clockwork. The boy looked stricken with something between disbelief and betrayal.
Vlad just frowned deeply at seeing how upset the teen was. But he then quickly glared back at the Head Observant and said, "This is completely unjust. Who the blazes do you all think you are? I refuse to be forced into some circus act led by some time-obsessed freaks!"
"Do not insult us, Prisoner 484. Disrespect will not be tolerated," the Head Observant warned severly.
"Then end this foolishness! You are no one to judge my actions! And my name is Vlad Plasmius, you fool!" the billionaire shouted, losing his patience, only to receive another jolt of electricity. But he still kept his glare on the Head Observant.
"We are not here to discuss the details of your acts. That will come later. You can speak to your legal defender if you have any objections. And we will then decide if they have any validity."
Plasmius soberly regarded the Head Observant for a moment before uttering, "You are insane. All of you."
The Head Observant ignored the older hybrid's comment and instead said, "You will be called tomorrow for the first part of the trial. So, if no one has any objections—aside from both of you," he quickly added, regarding Danny and Vlad for a moment. "Then, we will adjourn this hearing."
Seeing no one object, the Observant nodded and regarded Iluzisto, "Prison Head, you are free to take the half-ghosts back to their cells. And remember to keep them separated. I will send word to you when to bring them to the High Tribunal for their trail tomorrow."
Iluzisto nodded, and moved towards the two half-ghosts, making sure to keep the remotes with him. And the Observants didn't object to the fact.
"Shall we?" Iluzisto said, smirking at both Danny and Vlad.
Vlad quickly took his human form upon having Iluzisto so close to him, before reluctantly turning to the doorway.
Danny quietly followed, still too disconcerted by Clockwork's acceptance of being the Prosecutor.
As Vlad and he were taken back to their cells, Danny continued to think about his mentor. And his next thought worried him more.
"Does this mean Clockwork is now my enemy?"
Pearl: Gosh, what kind of evil writers go and put Clockwork against Danny like this? *looks at Truephan and giggles* Ah, I think our muses are starting to rub off on us, my dear Truephan. Well, at least it keeps the readers coming back, eh? I think they like all the evilness… ha-ha! Ahem. Well, I sure hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Um, let us know what you guys think, kay? Also, you should expected CM fairly soon. *winks* Ta for now!
Truephan: Yay! CM really? Ahem…focus..OK…Gee, what's got into you, Pearl? I, for one, do not approve of all this evilness and I will swear it off with as much gusto as swearing off chocolate…Uh-oh. I'm doomed! Chocolatety evil anyone? Until next time, then, when I will get you my pretties, and your little dogs, too! *cackles hysterically and tears into a chocolate bar*