This is the shortest chapter of my story, coming in at about only 600 words. Sorry. Hope you still enjoy it though.

-Obi

Chapter 16

Welcome to the future.

That was all Daniel could think, looking around at his new surroundings. There was very little to see. Apparently Clockwork had dropped him in the middle of nowhere in the Ghost Zone. No matter, he'd find his way around. He flew off to what he figured was the center of the Ghost Zone. He kept flying for hours. It almost seemed like a waste of time, till he realized he had no real future, and all the time in the world. Eventually, he spotted movement. It was like a battle of some sorts. He flew in for a closer look. He saw a large skeleton army, fighting off a gorde of invaders. He saw six robed figured moving for a room high in the castle. He saw the Fright Knight leading the skeleton army, defending the stronghold. Daniel's eyes grew wide as he realized what had happened.

"That dirty double crossing rat!" he quietly exclaimed, so as not to draw attention, though the Fright Knight had glanced in his direction, he had passed it off. Daniel began mumbling to himself as he put it all together. He had been sent thousands of years through time all right, but not into the future. He was thousands of years in the past, at the time of the overthrowing of the Ghost King. It almost wasn't a surprise. It was just like Clockwork to do something like this. There was one thing he had now been assured of. He would have to face his parents. There was no avoiding it. He turned around and flew off. This put a whole new spin on things. Daniel went back to around the area he had been dropped off, looking for any semblance of a lair or housing of any kind. Finally, he spotted a small bungalow. He flew up to it. It was completely deserted.

"Well, I guess it's as good as anything," he mumbled to himself as he phased into it and began envisioning a possible life here. He had no idea how long he'd stay here, but for now, it was as close to a home as he had.

_________________

Clockwork smiled to himself as he watched Daniel looking around in his new home. He had fulfilled his promise to the boy. He had, in fact, sent him thousands of years through time, just not in the direction he wanted. And that had been the only thing he could do. If he had said no completely, the boy would have been pestering him eternally. If he had sent him into the future, he would never have the chance to work everything out with his parents. Like this, Daniel would have plenty of time to think, and he would be able to make amends with his parents and do the right thing. Clockwork looked over at the table as he heard the metal thermos clanging around. He always made sure people did the right thing, it was his job. He turned around and started watching the monitors when he heard a few certain somethings enter.

"Clockwork!" came the voice of the Observants

"Yes?" he asked as he turned around to face them.

"You have been meddling!" they yelled at him.

"You have sent the Fenton boy into the far past!" one exclaimed.

"What if he messes with the balance of time and changes the present?" another asked.

"Don't worry. The boy will be fine, and he will have little effect on the present day. I will see too it."

"You had better," they warned. "Because he is your responsiblity now. Just like Phantom's other self," they said as they pointed to the thermos.

"I understand. Now, will you leave me be? I'm very busy." The Observants phased out of his lair, and Clockwork went back to his work.