A/N: God, I cannot even begin to apologize enough to make up for how late this is! This has got to be some kind of record or something... I am so, so, so unendingly sorry for how late this is! You cannot imagine the amount of writers block I had during this chapter! Nothing would turn out the way I want it. Actually, it still really hasn't, but I figured it was high time to just put it up as is. But you guys can flame me to high heaven for how late this is, because you deserve something for making you wait so long.

And I feel really horrible about the wait too, because you guys were so amazing to me last chapter! I mean, 75 reviews for one chapter alone...just...wow. I'm still blown away. Not only can I not express how sorry I feel for being late, but how thankful I am to all of you as well. You guys are just...amazing! Virtual hug! I feel so bad repaying your kindness with an extremely late update and a low quality chapter, but it just couldn't be helped.

But still, I hope you enjoy it. I'm still not that happy with it, but I think I just need to move on. I'll explain to you later why it was so hard, but I'll just say that this chapter is mostly information, which is always hard to make sound exciting and fun. But like I said, I still hope you enjoy it!

And I have some sad news. The writers block did give me time to figure out an outline for the final chapters, and I'm sad to announce that after this there are only going to be four more chapters left, unless I end up making the battle longer. But I'm going for four more. It's so sad! I hate it when there are so little chapters left! It makes me so sad!

Oh, and just a little piece of self-promotion. The sequel to Tortured Truth is now posted! It's called Tortured Revenge, and if you enjoyed the first one, please check it out! Also, I'm going to be posting a new set of "stories" (they're more like entertaining essays) discussing certain either important or random topics in the Danny Phantom universe. I call it, "Lessons in Danny Phantom Philosophy." The first one is going to be about ghost hunting and it's origins, brought up by this story, so if you're interested in the deeper meanings of DP and stuff they only mention on the surface of the show, please feel free to check it out!

And I should just stop giving up hoping the line thing'll start working...

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Chapter Nineteen
Future Troubles

"Wait…that's not…who I think it is…is it?" Sam asked, her voice shaking. But the look on Danny's face alone spoke volumes, confirming their fears.

"But…but how?" Tucker asked. "Wasn't he trapped in a thermos in Clockwork's Lair? How could he get out?"

"I…I don't know," Danny finally spoke, still filled with shock. He just couldn't believe it. All this was caused by his evil self, the evil self that he thought he had stopped or at least postponed for awhile. But now? It was just too soon.

He always knew that he was going to come back eventually. It was just something he'd always known. One battle, no matter how painful, wasn't going to be the end of it. There were going to be more, but he had always hoped they'd wait a few years before they came, not a few months.

And now he was caught right in the middle of one of his evil plans. When he found out that a ghost was behind his unmasking he thought of all the usual suspects, thinking about what they'd gain from this and what they'd do to further the plan. But now, now that he knew his evil self was behind it all, he was at a dead end. He couldn't see what he could possibly do next. He knew it was going to be evil and he knew that he needed to stop it, but he couldn't see any way to know what was going to happen next. Was he going to go after his family again to secure his turn? Was he going to keep letting the revelation run its course, finally forcing him to become so miserable from all the press? The possibilities were endless, and he had no clue where to go next.

But still, how could this have happened in the first place? When he was listing ghosts, how could he not have thought of his evil self? He had all the reason in the world to make this happen, predicting correctly the misery he'd feel because of it. How could he not have seen this?

Because he didn't want to.

"So, who's the culprit?" Jazz asked as she entered the room, having just shown Mr. Massey out. She stopped suddenly, however, after seeing their shocked faces. "What's wrong?"

"It's…it's…" Danny sputtered. Jazz grabbed the recorder out of his hands and rewound it, pushing play, and gasping as she too recognized the voice.

"How?" Jazz asked in astonishment and fear.

"We don't know," Sam answered.

The room remained silent as everyone sat staring at random stationary objects, their thoughts filled with questions and disbelief.

"How could we not have seen this?" Jazz asked quietly, breaking the silence.

"Wait, what?" Danny asked.

"We should have seen this from the beginning."

"Mind explaining how?"

"Oh come on Danny, he's the only one who'd want to do something like this to you. He wants to make you miserable, that's all he cares about. And, sorry to say it, but you're miserable."

"Hello, I just found out that my evil self is ruining my life!" Danny yelled at her.

"I didn't say you didn't have a reason, I'm just saying that that's what's happening. He's been behind it all from the beginning."

"What makes you think that?"

"This tape, it has instructions where to video tape you, right?"

"Yeah but how did you..,"

"He sent that Hydra ghost. Somehow he's managed to find a way to get ghosts under his power even while in the thermos."

"If he's still in the thermos."

"The point is that he set up the ghost and told Mr. Massey where to plant the mike because he knew that revealing your secret would make you miserable due to all the press and because, let's face it, it is your biggest fear," Jazz explained, now pacing about the room madly as everything fell into place. "Then he let it simmer, letting the fandom do it's job, and then he struck again by hiring Infuriator to overshadow Mr. Dickens to make you even more miserable, feeding off your insecurity at being half ghost. And he had to have something with what just happened with Sophia. It can't be just a coincidence, and ever since they walked through the door I'd been trying to figure out why they'd join together and come here anyways. He must have influenced them to come somehow and must have known that Sophia would be a jerk and then hoped you'd fill in the rest by attacking her. Don't you see? It all makes sense!"

"Good, fine, it all makes sense. That doesn't help me."

"Well, I never said it would help."

"Great," Danny sighed as he plopped onto his bed.

Jazz sat down next to him, wrapping her arm around his shoulder. "Don't worry Danny, everything's going to be fine. You beat him once, and you'll do it again."

"But that's just the thing! The only reason I beat him last time was out of luck and surprise because he wasn't expecting the Ghostly Wail. This time, he'll be expecting it."

"But this time it's different. This time, you're more experienced and—"

"And he's even angrier than before."

"And you've got more advantages than before," Jazz finished sternly. "You've got Mom and Dad to help you this time, plus Valerie, and Vlad if you use up that deal, and you've got your two new powers, all of which he's not expecting. You've got the upper hand. Is it going to be hard, yes, but you have to do it. You don't know what else he's planning on doing."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I'm looking forward to it," Danny answered with a slight smile.

"I know," Jazz comforted. "Come on, let's go downstairs. Mom and Dad are going to want to hear this."

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Skulker cursed to himself as he stood watch outside the home of the Ghost Child's aunt and uncle. For the past day he'd been watching them, waiting for them to go to the news with their story, but no such luck. There were many heated arguments about it, oh yes, the aunt had gotten very close, but for some reason she'd reach the door and then turn around. It had something to do with the Ghost Child's infernal sibling. She had said something to them the morning they were leaving, though he couldn't hear what, but it obviously convinced them to keep the attack within the confines of the family. This wouldn't please his Master, not at all. Most masterminds don't like to hear that their plan failed because they underestimated a teenage girl, especially when said teenage girl is their sister.

He debated overshadowing the aunt and making her tell the paper, but that would lead to suspicions as to the previous accusation of overshadowing, accusations that could not be doubted. She needed to do it on her own and now, thanks to Jazz, she wouldn't.

Finally he took a deep breath and headed back to Amity, ready to report the bad news to his Master. But, as a bit of good news, he decided to check in on their victim, see how miserable he was. Telling his Master of the Ghost Child's suffering and misery would surely cheer him up after the bad news he was bringing.

He arrived in Amity a few hours later, taking his usual position and peering into the Ghost Child's room, only to find he wasn't there. Strange, the Ghost Child should be in his room pouting and wallowing in misery. He searched through the rest of the house, finally finding him walking down the stairs, his friends and sister surrounding him. Well, he certainly looked depressed, and scared as well. Perhaps they finally were able to pull him out of his room for the first time for some sappy human pep talk. Either way, it was going to be good, and the amount of misery he'd be able to collect was going to be worth it.

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Danny walked downstairs, the first time in almost twenty-four hours. It seemed strange to think that twenty-four hours ago he was arguing with his aunt and his family for their love. Thinking back, it seemed almost…trivial. He was so busy worrying about convincing his family of his innocent intentions that he wasn't even thinking about the ghost that really was responsible for all his pain in the first place. Knowing now that his evil self was behind everything just made everything else seem so…minor, so unimportant. Everything that had happened in the week since his identity was revealed, all his problems, all his pain, all was in reality nothing compared to what he knew was in store for him next. He knew, better than anyone, that his evil plan would only progress in pain and misery, because that's what he'd do…

He walked into the living room, smiling at his parents. They were sitting in front of the television, watching some hospital show about a doctor with a cane as they rearranged the family albums, taking out all the pictures with their former relatives and throwing them into a box.

"Mom, Dad, we need to talk."

They looked at the stairs and immediately stood up, trying to cover up what they were doing.

"Oh Danny! We, uh, weren't expecting you to come out of your room so soon!" Maddie remarked nervously as she kicked the box of photographs beneath the table.

"Don't worry about it," he assured with a smile. "But we do need to talk."

"About what sweetheart?"

Danny sighed. "My evil self."

"Danny, we already told you, you're not going to turn into him. You—"

"No, not that," he interrupted. "The ghost that's doing all this, that revealed my secret, it's my evil self." He felt strange telling it to his parents, like he was confirming once and for all that it really was him.

"He's the one?" his mom asked, her eyes wide.

"Yeah, we just heard him on the recording."

"Galloping Ghosts," Jack deadpanned, falling back down onto the couch, crushing a few pictures on the way down.

Maddie rushed over to her son, wrapping him in a hug. "Don't worry sweetheart, we'll work through this. We're here for you and we'll help you. You won't have to fight him alone this time. We're all here for you, and we'll help you."

"But how are we supposed to fight him?" Danny asked. "He's supposed to still be in the thermos, and if he escaped Clockwork would have told me."

"So what are you saying, that he orchestrated all this from inside the thermos?" Maddie asked.

"I guess. It's the only thing that makes sense. We already know Skulker's working for him. He could be his contact to the outside world, running all his errands, sending out the other ghosts to do his bidding. And if that's the case he'll just keep setting up these torturous situations without any involvement at all. There's no way to beat him."

"Sure there is! We just find this Skulker!" Jack shouted happily as he stood up in excitement, pictures attached to his bottom.

"You're father's right, for once," Maddie agreed. "If we take away his contact he has no other way to affect the outside world."

"Until he finds a new one," Danny argued.

"Then we'll get him too."

"Danny, the odds of another ghost going far enough into Clockwork's lair to reach your evil self is very rare. It's amazing Skulker even got in there without Clockwork knowing," Sam comforted.

"That's just the thing. Clockwork should know if Skulker's in his lair, whether he snuck in or not. He should know about it before it even happens; he's the Master of Time for crying out loud! It's just…unnerving. There are way too many holes, too many things that don't make sense, and I don't like it."

"You can't give up," his mother assured. "Sure, there are a lot of holes and problems, but we'll figure them out and stop this. We will find a way," she stressed, emphasizing every word. "We'll make him remember what his family is capable of once they put their minds to it. Now, here's what we have to do…"

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Skulker nearly dropped his binoculars after hearing the Ghost Child's announcement. He knew his Master was behind this. He wasn't supposed to know, at all. That was the plan. This was not going to go well at all. He had hoped to receive good news from his trip to the Fenton home, but now all he received was another piece of bad, albeit important, news. Their plan was falling apart and two important pieces had fallen out of place. This was not going to be pretty.

Deciding he didn't need to hear any more of the family's reassuring comments to their half ghost son, Skulker flew quickly through the house and into the portal, heading to Clockwork's lair.

As he flew though the Ghost Zone, he found himself wondering why he had involved himself in the first place. Was this all really worth it? When he had met the Ghost Child's future self he was shocked to find out that such a future existed for the heroic halfa, but he should have turned back when he had the chance, before he got interested, before he heard about his future.

It was Dan Phantom's (as he preferred to be called) promise that made him stay. He had foolishly asked about his future and Dan had proudly told him that he would both ruin not only the Ghost Zone but the human world as well, wrecking not only Skulker's future, but the future of the rest of the ghosts in the Ghost Zone as well. But he promised that if he helped him exact his revenge he would be lenient and refrain from destroying his lair. Of course he had leapt at the offering, realizing there was nothing else for him, and thus had entered into this bond of servitude.

Had he known that exacting revenge on the Ghost Child meant eventually turning him evil he would never have agreed. If he didn't help he wouldn't turn, and thus he wouldn't need a guarantee of protection from the most powerful ghost that ever lived, but it was hard to realize such things when floating near a ghost so powerful and commanding. Even his voice inspired great fear, and Skulker was hardly an easy scare.

He arrived at Clockwork's lair and took a deep breath, knowing that he most likely wasn't going to survive after telling his Master this news, but he knew he was definitely a goner if he didn't so he made his way into the long, dark hallway, reaching the familiar darkened wall that he had grown so used to kneeling before.

"Well Skulker, what do you have to report?"

"Unfortunately only bad news," Skulker replied, bracing himself for the wrath.

"Bad news? How could there possibly be bad news in such a brilliant plan?" he asked viciously.

Skulker shrunk, taking deep breaths before continuing. "Master, the plan has failed."

"Impossible," he thundered.

"The pawn, she did not and will not tell the public of her attack."

"And why not?" he demanded, his anger echoing through the dark corridor.

"Something the Ghost Child's sister said to them, begging them to keep it in the family."

Skulker heard a large, metallic pound of anger. "Of course Jazz would interfere, she always does. And it's no use to wait for the aunt to change her mind. Jazz always was a sweet talker."

"I'm sorry Master, there was nothing I could do without blowing my cover."

"Well, we need another move," he started to plan, ignoring Skulker's apology. "One that will create the same effect but without depending on another person…"

"But Master, I thought that was the only way."

"No, that was the best way. You honestly think me fool enough to only design one plan without a back up, especially for such an important piece in the grand scheme!" he roared as Skulker cowered.

"No Master, I didn't mean that, I just meant—"

"Save it. I do not care for your excuses. This idea, though less opportune, will still work, and maybe slightly better, though the risks may be greater…"

"Master, I have something more to tell you," Skulker informed him meekly.

"Is this going to be another comment on how ill conceived my plans are?" he challenged. "Because I can and will go back on my promise at any moment."

"No no, of course not, it's just…I overheard something at the Fenton house."

"Oh really?" he asked, his sarcasm tipped with venom. "And what could that possibly be."

"The Ghost Child knows you're behind this."

Silence surrounded the hallway, Skulker fearing for his safety. Silence, by far, was worse than an outburst.

"How," he demanded, the fury sending shivers up the Ghost Hunter's spine.

"The reporter, he never destroyed the tape, and he gave it to the Ghost Child."

"The fool! He shall be dealt with, and most readily and painfully. He will wish he destroyed the tape as I asked."

It took every ounce of courage Skulker possessed to remain in the hallway. He could feel the rage emanating from the darkness, able to see the suffering of the reporter in his venomous tone.

"Now that Danny knows it's me he'll be constantly on the lookout for my tricks to make him miserable, making it that much more difficult to turn him. He'll know that if something unfortunate happens I'll be the one behind it, and he'll know to fight the misery. Unless…unless I can find a way to make him completely miserable…" he trailed off, his evil mind plotting. "And I think I know just the thing. Of course, all our other plans shall be scrapped in the process, but I believe this will work exceptionally well, and it should make up for your previous mistake. Skulker, step closer."

Skulker looked nervous but rose and walked closer, hiding a gasp as he saw, in the darkness, nothing more than a Fenton Thermos. The entire time, his Master had been trapped in the thermos?

"I trust you are surprised to see me in such a lowly and pathetic prison. I must admit it was a foolish underestimation on my behalf, but no matter. In a matter of seconds I shall be free."

"How?"

"How? Though your assistance of course. Release me."

"I don't know how."

"Find a way," he threatened, his voice dripping with poison. Fear overwhelmed Skulker and, against all his better judgments, he opened the lid, fiddling with the buttons until at last the opening of the thermos glowed, emptying its contents into the darkened hallway.

Dan Phantom flew out in triumph, stretching and relishing in the open space. Skulker stared at his back, regretting what he'd done. He'd just opened the door to Hell and released the devil himself back into the world.

He turned around to face his minion, his blood red eyes cherishing the petrified look on Skulker's face as he beheld him in all his evil and malicious glory. He narrowed his eyes and pulled his hands back, a large and blindingly bright aura of green light appearing around them. He pointed them at Skulker and shot, the force of the blast slamming him painfully into the wall, the crack of the brick resounding through the castle.

Skulker dropped to the floor, his hands wrapped around his chest as he used all the self control he possessed not to show his weakness and scream out in pain. He'd never felt anything hit him so hard, both in his life and afterlife, and that was only a standard ecto-blast. What had he done?

"That was both punishment for doubting my plan and a reminder to never do something so foolish again. Come, we have work to do in the world of the living," he announced with a malevolent grin before flying out of Clockwork's lair in triumph, Skulker following reluctantly behind him.

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Danny, his family, and his friends surrounded the coffee table, plotting over a map of the Ghost Zone.

"So, are we all clear on the plan?" Maddie asked, closing her pointer pen.

They nodded their heads. The plan was quite simple, in all its brilliance. The goal was to first rally their allies, including Vlad, Valerie, and Dora before heading to Clockwork's lair. There, the others would surround the outside while Danny would search out Clockwork and ask him to fill in the holes, or more specifically, how he could let his evil self plot all this without his knowledge. Then they'd find his evil self, hopefully with Clockwork by their side, and find some way to keep him in solitude, and permanently.

"Alright then, Jazz and I will head to Valerie's and explain the situation to her. Danny, you go to Vlad's, and the rest of you, ready the Specter Speeder and get the weapons together," Maddie instructed.

They all stood up, Danny, Tucker, and Jack heading to the basement while Jazz and Maddie headed to the door. Sam was about to make her way to the basement with the rest when she turned towards the television, her eyes wide with shock and horror.

"Umm, Danny?" Sam asked, still staring at the television, fear coloring her voice. "I don't think we need to go looking for him."

"Why not?" Danny asked, turning to face her.

"I think he's found us," she responded as she pointed to the television, which no longer displayed the medical television show, but a live news report of a ghost attack downtown, starring his evil self.

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A/N: Alright, so now that you've read the chapter, reasons why it was so difficult. First, Danny's reaction, I just had writers block on that part for the better part of a week, no joke. Seriously, there were days where I could only get a sentence a day written. It was that bad. And then once that ended I kept wanting to go deeper into stuff, but then I'd have to remind myself that it needed to be saved for a later chapter, which is why it was kind of only surface deep, which really bothers me since I'm very much into deep, psychological analyses. And Dan, it just took awhile to get him down right, because now that everyone knows it's him when he talks, it makes it a whole lot more difficult to write him! Also, I spent forever trying to structrue this chapter out, since there's a lot of differeing viewpoints I needed to cover to relay all the necessary information for the upcoming chapter, which, I promise, will totally make up for what this chapter lacked!

So...here's hoping it wasn't too terribly horrible!

Four more and counting...I think I'm going to cry...