Lost in the Mists

By: Wilona Riva

Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom

Star-washed Darkness

"That's impossible!"

"What is, Danni?" Ember asked, watching the humans exit the vehicle, two females and two males, by the looks.

"That boy," the ghost girl whispered, "he looks just like Phantom, just mortal."

Desiree's eyes narrowed as she looked over to where the girls were pointing. "I have to agree, but possibly they are from an alternate timeline."

Phantom moaned, emerald eyes opened. He turned and saw himself, mortal, with eyes of winter ice. He smiled. "Soon," he said.

"Soon," he said.

"What was that, Danny?" Jazz asked him, readjusting her grip around him as he slipped away from her.

He turned to look at her. "Soon," he said, then met eyes the color of spring. "Okay, this is a bit weird, even for Clockwork."

"What is?" Tucker asked.

"Alternate timelines meeting," Danny replied. "We'd better go inside. He's waiting."

"Alternate timelines meeting," Danny replied. "We'd better go inside. He's waiting."

Neither group spoke to one another, except for a mutual exchange of greetings. Clockwork, the Time Master, silently watched them assemble before him. The mother figure, the lovers, the sisters and the best friend-everyone was accounted for.

"Welcome, Portalkeeper," he said, bowing his head to both Danny's. Both inclined their heads to him.

"Clockwork, I remember."

The human Danny shook his head. "But not all of it," he added. "Ugh, my head!" He bowed his head, a grimace of pain on his face matched his twin's.

The Time Master walked over to a blank wall and opened a hidden doorway. "Both of you must enter, then the wrong must be righted." Here, he looked pointedly at Jazz Fenton.

"So, was it the accident?" Tucker asked, as both Phantom and Danny turned to stare at him surprise.

"Depends on which one," Clockwork answered. "The Child of the Heart has had many such narrow escapes."

"Clockwork," Jazz interjected. "It's obvious we're of two different timelines. Which version of Danny is the real one."

"The Portalkeeper can answer for himself," came the short reply.

"We should start at the beginning," a young ghost in his late teens spoke as he close the door. He had long white hair that fell about his shoulders in soft waves and eyes that were dark as the night sky with the rims etched in a soft glowing emerald light. He wore a black tight-fitting jeans with rips going up the sides, white knee-high boots with 4 silver buckles and straps, a black and white aristocratic vest from the Victorian period with some feathered patterned over a sleeveless white button shirt (not tucked in) and what looked like silk wrapped around both wrists-left one black, right one white-going all the way to his elbows.

Sam loved the new look. Danny looked like a modern Victorian goth. He turned in her direction and smiled.

"I'm glad you appreciate it. Mother searched through the time periods for the appropriate attire and gleaned a little from both you and Ember mentally," he said.

"So the Heart of the Ghost Zone is your mother?" Jazz asked.

"Yes," Danny Phantom answered. He turned to Desiree and bowed. "Honored One, I thank you for the care you have given me this last few turnings. I don't remember much from that time, but I promise you that when you leave this tower, a surprise and a hope will be waiting for you at home when the timelines merge."

"What about you, Danny?" Tucker spoke up. "What becomes of you? Will we ever meet you again?"

"Perhaps by chance or design," came the comment. "Clockwork, it is time."

Clockwork raised his staff and announced, "TIME IN!"

Author's Note: One more chapter to go.