(Back with Lady Time…)
It didn't take her long to piece together the missing pieces of the puzzle,
In fact, once she found out who the Phantom Knight really was it was far too easy to figure out what really happened when he faced off with the Fright Knight.
"I can't prove it with that moment blocked in Time, but he must have fused with your Knight as well." Lady time told her King as they prepared for the Knight's arrival. "That's why he appears different, appears to be full ghost."
"So, he's only one-fourth human now?" Pariah Dark mused. "it's a wonder he hasn't already caved to his own desires of blood lust."
This was true, the Dark Dan, Lady Time had read about would have jumped at the opportunity to have it all once more and yet…
"The fact that he isn't only proves my point." She said. "Clockwork has broken him, he fights for the good side now."
"Not to worry." Pariah Dark mused. "All loyalties can be bought." He assured her. "You just have to know which bargaining chip to use."
"Killing his family won't do it this time, I'm afraid." Lady Time countered. "He's grown too attached, killing them will just make him won't to eliminate you more."
"Which is why I no longer plan to." Pariah Dark revealed as his eyes fell back on the past Rift before them. Ever since the discovery of the Phantom's Knight's true identity the Rift had been playing through Dan's entire past, but not just his…"The ghost boy of this timeline too? Why?" He asked. "He is…"
"Dead?" Lady Time laughed. "He didn't kill him, Dan didn't kill any of them." She reasoned. "That's why I can still feel Clockwork's presence he was never destroyed just storied away in that sword for safe keeping."
Pariah Dark smiled. "Clever fool." He admitted out loud. "I his alter self in there too?" He asked.
"No." Lady Time revealed. "Once the blade pierce through him it was used as a bridged that fussed their souls as one. They are the same person now. Clockwork has blended their timelines into one." She explained. "That's why there are more similarities than most parallel universe would have."
"I see." Pariah Dark said. "And Vlad was aware of this all along?"
"Yes, since he was part of a fusion before, he was aware of what it entailed, and what it looks like." Lady Time explained.
"You keep saying Fusion." Pariah Dark Growled. "But what does it mean? How does one fuse?"
"It's like a ghost over shadowing another." Lady Time explained. "A skilled ghost who knows what they are doing during the overshadowing can force his ecto-matter to mix with the other causing them to become one being. Then the stronger mind of the two takes over while the other fades into oblivion."
"What you are describing is called a merge." Pariah Dark corrected her. "Weak ghost of the past would merge in order to become stronger."
"The technique has many names." Lady Time assured him. "Clockwork, Vlad, and Dan simply choose to call it fusion."
"it matters not." Pariah Dark mused. "Power is power, no matter how you obtain it." He reasoned Looking at his ring.
"Do you think his new-found power makes him strong enough to wield your ring and crown?" Lady Time asked.
It was an interesting question, one Pariah Dark never thought he would hear. The Ring of Rage and Crown of Fire were so strong that only Pariah Dark had the power to wield them properly, it was why he became King in the first place, and never did he think anyone else could do what now did.
Until now…
"Clockwork sure seems to think so." He mused suddenly understanding the enemies plans fully.
"Not in his current form." Lady Time argued.
"No." Pariah Dark agreed. "But if he were to fuse with me." He added.
Lady Time's eyes widen. "That clever crow." She scoffed. "I can see why Dan admires him so greatly."
Pariah Dark laughed openly. "Yes, skilled that one." He admitted. "Should have known I would not be rid of him so easily."
"I will handle him." Lady Time vowed floating over to the future Rift. She could feel his eyes watching her from the future, and she would put a stop to it now!
"Careful he is expecting you no doubt." Pariah Dark warned.
"No Doubt." Lady Time confirmed and then with one final glace to her King she added. "You're wasting your time, the evil Dan you wish to reason with is no more."
"I do not wish to reason with evil." Pariah dark scoffed. "Such ventures are a waste of time. But a man desperate to save his family." He laughs. "that is an easier task."
Lady Time nodes at this. "Just one last piece of advice my league." She mused as the future past before her eyes in seconds. "Threatening a man's family is like a double edge sword, sharp and deadly." And with that she turned away, and disappeared into the future Rife, leaving him to his demise in order to face her own.
Yes, she was sure of t now…Clockwork the master of time would win this fight and yet she still moved towards her end.
"Like a true master of time." Clockwork mused as she appeared before him.
"If you think I'll just go down easy then you are wrong." She hissed. "We females are stubborn like that."
Clockwork chuckled despite it all. "You know it's strange I think…no I know I'm going to miss you." He admitted. "Dueling another sorcerer of time has been…well like those sweet and sour candies…"
"Bittersweet?" Lady Time asked no doubt feeling the same away.
"Exactly you fared well my dear for a beginner, in fact I dare say you almost had me." Clockwork admitted.
"Almost is not good enough." Lady Time countered, her staff at the ready.
"No." Clockwork agreed as he too ready for battle. "No, it is not." And with that final retort he striked.
(Back with Jazz…)
It hadn't taken them long to get to their destination…
Jazz grimaced as they the state boarded and into Atlanta no ghost had tried to stop them, in fact it would appear Walker's men had withdrawal from the fight and returned to the Ghost Zone. 'But why?' She wondered as she sees her Parent's RV come into view. What danger had they just walked into.
"A big one is coming." Valerie said as she appeared beside her.
Jazz gasped. "Val you're hair!"
"What about it?" Val asked.
Jazz took in the newly done crew cut and gave an uneasy smile. "It just looks different."
"I don't know." Valerie said. "I kind of like it." She admitted. "I saw it on me when Clockwork showed us the Alternate past and Man I loved it!"
Jazz smiled openly now. "You know what it suites you." She told her.
"Really?" Valerie asked.
"Totally." Tucker assured her as the gang came to a stop beside the other RV.
Jazz sighed in relief as Her parents came rushing out to greet her. "Looks like Mom made it back okay." She said.
"Thank goodness." Dani actually cried as their RV door opened to her parents.
"DANI!" Jack and Maddie yelled as she jumped into their awaiting arms.
"Mom!" Jazz joined in on the hug. "Dad you're okay!"
"Sorry for the scare Jazzy." Jack said. "We cut this one a little too close I think."
"A little?" Dani shouted.
"Okay we bit off a little more than we could chew." Maddie admitted. "But I wasn't worried. I had a great partner."
"Aw Maddie." Jack cooed.
"Not you Jack." Maddie said. "I'm talking about Lona."
"Lona?" Jazz asked.
"Oh yeah Lona great kid." Jack laughed. "Reminds me of you."
Jazz smiled. "Sounds about right." She said. "Let's just get the supplies to them, they must be starving."
"I got it!" Valerie said as she rummaged through the bags of supplies. She knew the bag of food was hear somewhere. She threw a bag to the seat behind her.
"Ów!" a voice cried.
Valerie's eyes widen. "ABBY!" She declared and turned to see her daughter and the twins who were no doubt invisible just moments ago. "What are you three doing here."
"We heard you say dad was still alive." DJ said confirming that they had bee ease dropping during Valerie's and Jazz's spill in the hospital. "We wanted to see him again."
"He is alive right?" Lilith asked hopefully.
Valerie sighed her anger already fading as she found the food supply bag to her left. She couldn't really blame them, besides her dad was still recovering from his accident and the hospital staff were too busy working to probably even notice they left. "Yes, he's okay but we don't know where he is." She answered, deciding to be honest.
"He'll find us." DJ said sure of himself now. "I just know it."
"Val what's taking so long?" Tucker asked as he entered the Back of the RV, only to see the answer. "Aw I see you found our stowaways."
"You knew?" Valerie gave Tucker a dirty look.
"I thought I heard whispers, but I wasn't sure." Tucker said giving Abby a wink.
Abby giggled.
Valerie shook her head. "When this is over you are both grounded." She warned as the five of the exited the RV.
"Seriously?" Jazz asked as the kids came out of the RV.
"Yeah here the whole time." Valerie snapped.
"Wow." Dani said. "I'm impressed. You guys were so quiet."
"Don't encourage them!" Jazz warned.
Too late the twins high-fived and Abby giggled again.
"Well you all must be hungry." Maddie said. "Why don't we join the others and get some food and a good night's rest before we get back on the road."
The family and friends agree as they entered the second RV to meet their new friends.
None of them knowing the danger that was slowly closing in.
-To Be Continued