Edit: 6/5/18: Next wave of grammar fixes and wording tweaks or some scenes altered to avoid cliches. Took out AN question and answer sections.

Hey there everyone! I hope this chapter is interesting. Has a little time with Tucker and Valerie, some more Dan, and some more questions from students.

zzz- normal separation

ooo- dream or vision separation (could be a past event of some kind)

Mental thoughts or distant speaking

"I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way." Carl Sandburg

zzz

War Room. 2:30 PM.

"But that just doesn't make any sense."

"I know, I know, but no other ghost uses that kind of weaponry. I mean I suppose it could be an unknown, but that's not very likely either."

Valerie frowned as she watched her boyfriend stare at the large strategy table and all its tiny pieces and intricate drawings. He was in deep thought and trying to piece together everything that had happened so far. It wasn't coming to them easily.

"Why would Skulker help Walker hunt us down, only to save Danny?" Valerie finally asked again.

Tucker cocked a brow and looked at her. "If we knew the answer to that, do you think we'd still be sitting in here?"

Valerie grumbled something under her breath.

"Look what we do know is that Walker would like to kill Danny, Skulker would've liked to have had his… pelt."

Both Tucker and Valerie grimaced and shivered in disgust at that before Tucker continued.

"What we need to figure out is what would motivate Skulker to not kill Danny or at least to prevent his death?"

The two sat for a moment before Valerie spoke up, "Maybe he wanted to be the one to do the deed himself?"

Tucker pondered that for a minute. "I don't know. I suppose it's possible… Danny has been saying that Skulker's been acting funny lately."

"Didn't he say not long ago that Skulker had the chance to kill him and didn't?" Valerie asked.

Tucker nodded. "I do know that the only thing that has kept Danny safe from Skulker in the past, when he should've been dead, was Vlad…" Tucker paused for a second and furrowed his brows. "I wonder…"

"You don't think Vlad had some hand in this, do you?"

Tucker sighed. "It certainly doesn't feel like his normal kind of plan… He's usually more organized and Danny's secret and by extension Vlad's is at risk here…"

"Yeah, I guess you're right, it doesn't sound right…" Valerie hummed.

Tucker grumbled. "What's different? What would cause Vlad to do something like this?"

Valerie blinked. "You still think it's Vlad? Even though this so-called plan doesn't seem right?"

Tucker picked himself up and started to pace back and forth. "Skulker only really is afraid of Vlad. And so far, we have nothing else to support against the idea that Skulker is the one that saved Danny's life on the gallows…" Tucker let out a sigh. "As it stands, we have to assume it's Vlad and then try and figure out what's different… figure out what would cause him to risk so much."

Valerie huffed and fell back into a plush chair near a bookcase. "I mean, I'm part of the team…"

Tucker looked over at her and then it seemed as though the metaphorical light bulb came on over his head. Tucker face turned sober and it upset Valerie.

"What?" She asked in worry.

Tucker glanced at the ground. "Tell me this… What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a reason as to why someone would take a huge risk with anything?"

Valerie stared at him for a silent minute. "If you had nothing left to lose. What does that have to do with-"

"What has changed the most since you joined Team Phantom? What aspect would you say has had the greatest effect on Danny?"

Valerie furrowed her brows and then a light came to her eyes. "The Fentons?"

"Right. Vlad's obsession is Mrs. Fenton, Danny, and in a greater scope, control. Danny's is his loved ones and in a greater scope, protection. When a ghost or even half-ghost's obsession is threatened, then they lose a bit of their reasoning. You remember when Dani was almost blasted by the GiW, right? Danny went a little nuts. I think that… I think Vlad somehow found out that Danny's parents know the secret."

Valerie's mouth opened slightly in surprise and then shut. "So that means that Vlad doesn't have anything to lose…"

Tucker nodded grimly. "He must have figured that we could rat him out whenever and he'd lose his reputation, his money, his freedom… I mean yeah, we're not sure how the government would treat any hybrid, but nevertheless, it's still a threat in his mind since the Fentons are behind Danny now. That's what's different, Danny has a larger support system now."

Valerie tightened her hands into fists. "Oh yeah, so he's all cocky and superior when he's playing mind games with minors and young adults, but our dear mayor chickens out when the adults get involved."

Tucker smiled half-heartedly at Valerie. "Eh, that's how it is."

Valerie rubbed her temples as Tucker walked over and gave her a one-armed hug. Valerie groaned slightly in exasperation as she carefully rested her head on the side of his. Tucker was still growing a bit and had only really fallen behind Danny because of Mr. Fenton's genes.

"So now we aren't only possibly dealing with a manipulative creep, but an even more emotionally unstable manipulative creep?" Valerie asked. She felt him timidly rub her back before breaking away. He slung his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. He then looked at her and grinned a very large and goofy grin.

"Seems like it. Danny will probably have a minor embolism, Sam will wanna beat someone up and people will probably start to wonder where our class is in a couple days. It's been six days since we got here and we should be at the pick-up spot in a day and a half or so. It'll take us about that time to get to the Fenton Portal." Tucker shrugged. "If everything goes right, we can get out of this without much harm done… but that almost never happens for us, so…"

Valerie rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Tucker, this is serious. Vlad could be anywhere. What do you think his plan might actually be? Why let Walker get involved?"

"He's not thinking as carefully as normal and he probably underestimated the web of friends Danny's collected in the Zone. Vlad doesn't know about Pandora, or Dora, or Clockwork as far as we know."

"But-"

"Val." Tucker started, suddenly losing his teasing attitude. She quieted in slight surprise. "I know that there are a lot of what ifs here, but let's be honest, I'm not in Vlad's fruit-loopy head. We'll just have to find out the rest as we go and try are hardest to be prepared for whatever Vlad has planned."

Valerie let out a big sigh. "Right, right. I think I'm getting over excited. Thanks, Tucker."

Tucker gave a smile. "No worries."

"Let's go check on Sam and Danny. I want to see if he's sleeping yet. I'll tie him to the bed if I have to."

"Sam probably beat you to it."

Valerie chuckled and gave Tucker a short kiss on his cheek before walking towards the door. She paused when she realized he wasn't following her. "Tucker?" She turned and saw him staring dreamily at nothing. She rolled her eyes and walked back to grab him by the sleeve and drag him out of the room. "You big goof."

zzz

Pariah's Keep. 12:06 AM.

The large sarcophagus rattled powerfully within the throne room. Of course, Pariah Dark was fighting hard, hard as about any full ghost could against Malus' grip, but ultimately it was a pointless endeavor. For a full ghost to try and escape the grasp of Malus' control was like trying to keep sand from sliding between parted fingers; there was too many cracks in a person's or ghost's self, too many imperfections were there for Malus to take advantage of.

Pariah's body was almost his. It was taking lots of energy and he would need rest, but Pariah was about to fall. Pariah gave another roar and tried to shake the dark entity from him, but in response, Malus only finished worming his form deep into Pariah's core. The black mark was floating within the core like an island, an island that was steadily growing. The core had been breached.

It was now only a matter of time.

zzz

Pandora's Palace. 8:04 AM.

"Are you certain you're feeling better, Daniel?" Pandora asked the next morning. Everyone had woken up and already eaten a nice breakfast. Danny had told everyone that he needed to talk with Pandora for a moment before they could travel to their next location, namely a short break at Clockworks and spending the night at Dora's castle. The rest of the plan was to make it to the Far Frozen the next day and then use the rest of the second day to get the Portal. Tucker and Valerie had already told Danny and Sam about their theory on Vlad's hand in their current situation as well.

"Yes, I'm fine, Pandora. Nothing but a few scars now." Danny chuckled nervously when she eyed the bandages that peaked out below one of his shirt sleeves. "I'm just keeping the bandages on so that the others don't know I've got fast healing."

Pandora sighed and nodded. "Very well… The last thing I want to warn you about is to be mindful of Malus…"

Danny froze. "Malus? Clockwork told you about-"

Pandora rose a placating hand. "He mentioned it to some of the more prominent leaders in the Zone."

"How many?"

"About twenty…"

"Twenty!?" Danny asked in shock. "Wait…"

Pandora smiled and placed a large hand on Danny's shoulder. "Daniel, there are many other groups in the Zone that are considered peaceful. You just haven't met them yet. Hopefully Frostbite will get the chance to show you before-oops." Pandora chuckled and pulled back. "Forget I said anything."

Danny furrowed his brows before he shook his head. "So, watch out for hatred incarnate… gotcha."

Pandora nodded. "I only wish my box was able to hold more evil…"

Danny looked at her in confusion. "Huh?"

Pandora smiled. "Malus was the reason I created my box. It was able to take in a certain amount of the evil that forms in the Zone. It was only a matter of time before more hatred formed and replaced what I'd taken away… thus we find ourselves where we are now."

Danny's mouth had slowly opened in surprise and understanding before snapping shut. "I get it…"

"Head on out and stay safe, Daniel." Pandora smiled as Danny headed towards the door. The young half-ghost was about to exit before he stopped and grinned.

"Oh, by the way, I may need you to help teach me."

"Teach you what?"

"How to better control electricity!"

Pandora's face broke into a grin, which was slightly creepy in nature. "Glorious! I happily await my chance to tutor you, Daniel. I've heard from Hakan and Frostbite that you're a good student."

Danny flushed a bit before he shouted a quick goodbye and disappeared. Pandora laughed to herself after he was gone.

"Best of luck, Great One."

zzz

Ghost Zone. 8:59 AM.

"So how are you feeling, Danny?" Brandon asked as the group fell in behind their four leaders.

Danny turned his head a bit and smiled. "Much better. Still sore, but much better."

Everyone seemed to relax some at that, even the A-listers.

"Yeah Danny's almost as indestructible as his old man!" Tucker declared loudly.

"Hey!" Danny whined out and swatted at his friend, who ducked.

"Where are we heading next?" Star suddenly asked, surprising Paulina slightly.

"Well we can get to Clockwork's by lunch… I didn't really want to stop there, but it's the only safe place I know of between Pandora's and Dora's lairs," Danny expressed.

"Who is Clockwork?" Norman question calmly, listening carefully for any interesting details. Mikey and Lester were also into figuring out whatever it was that the quartet was hiding, Brandon was a bit more apprehensive, however.

Danny chuckled a bit nervously. "He's sorta… Father Time?"

"A Brief History of Time!" Lancer exclaimed. "You aren't serious are you, Mr. Fenton?"

A strange blank expression came over Dash's face and everyone else started murmuring to each other.

"He's pretty cool, don't worry. He won't tell you anything really either. He is benevolent though and that's all that really matters," Danny expressed.

"So many questions that could be asked," Lancer murmured.

"He won't answer them." Danny chuckled.

Lancer only blinked and then shook his head.

"He rarely interferes with anything either," Danny continued. He then stopped walking and turned to looked at everyone seriously. It kind of freaked a few people out at first. "Listen all of you. You cannot, can NOT, touch anything in his lair unless he gives you permission to, understand?"

Everyone took a moment or two before nodding slowly.

Danny then smiled and nodded. "I'm counting on you all." He then turned and continued to walk.

Everyone behind the ghost hunters glanced at each other before following again.

zzz

Clockwork's Lair. 11:22 AM.

The Time Master drifted about his lair, moving things and dusting off and few others.

"What are you doing?" Dan demanded.

Clockwork paused and smiled slightly. "Well, Dan. I'm cleaning and preparing my lair."

"Since when do you kiss-up to the Observants?"

Clockwork chuckled. "Never. I'm having some very important guests in about the next fifty minutes and twelve seconds from now."

"You get guests other than my younger self?"

"He's among them."

"Oh, is he?"

Clockwork noticed the silence that came after and used it as an invitation to talk and test the waters. "You see, after a series of events, Daniel and his friends have found themselves in the Ghost Zone with some of their classmates and a couple of their teachers. They need a place to rest before heading towards Dora's Castle. I will be providing lunch for them. After they leave, I shall be moving my lair to avoid someone less trustworthy from finding it in the future."

Clockwork looked over his shoulder at the dented thermos. After another minute of silence, Dan must have realized he hadn't responded.

"Oh, well have fun at your tea party." Obvious sarcasm dripped from the words.

Clockwork shrugged as if what was said was no problem. "Just try to behave is all I ask."

"What do you take me for?" Dan snarled, irritated at being told what to do.

"Now Dan, there is no correct answer to that for you, is there?" Clockwork replied, smiling. He was happy that he'd directed the conversation that way. Dan made a noise as if to respond but merely grumbled softly and grew quiet. Clockwork could've sworn he'd heard Dan say something like, 'Damn you.' but he couldn't be sure.

He turned back when he noticed one of his clocks was a bit slow. "Can't have that." He murmured and moved to continued tidying his lair.

zzz

The Thermos. 12:08 PM.

Dan had been angry for the past fifty minutes and twelve seconds. Know it all, fool. He'd been halted on what Clockwork had forced him to think about; the meddling old man always seemed to make him have some form of cognitive dissonance with every talk they had.

"What do you take me for?"

"Now Dan, there is no correct answer to that for you, is there?"

There were two basic answers that Clockwork could give, he was a heartless monster, like everyone had told him he was for ten years or he was some sad weak and lost little creature. These were the two extremes of course but ultimately the two ends of the scale. The real issue that Clockwork had brought up was simpler. Would he have been pleased with either answer that could've been given?

The truth? No. He would've been upset with either. Being called a monster may up his distorted ego, but it also made him angry. Anger that stemmed from never knowing acceptance. And being called weak and lost? Please. He would have a fit of rage at that one.

So, in truth, Clockwork was right, there was no easy answer and that in and of itself, frustrated Dan. He thought his rage, pain, and violence was what he desired and what was justified, but now, everything was mixed up, unclear, and his mind was too LOUD and ACTIVE and HE was trying to THINK things THOURHG and NOTHINSFH MADE SEANSE ANYMOOR!

Dan clutched his head in panic as he started to lose his sense of self. He often didn't bother to sit and think of much of anything while he'd been destroying the world; after he'd made his ultimate choice, he'd been mostly single minded in the pursuit of his goals. Being stuck in the thermos gave him too much time to think. Though he needed no air in his lungs like all full ghosts, his chest started to contract and expand rapidly as though… he was hyperventilating.

"Damn you Clockwork… you sick fool…" Dan growled trying to make everything quiet and calm like a cold fury again. He didn't have emotions… He was a full ghost. No human emotions to drag him down.

"You didn't get rid of your humanity, Dan. You merely ridded yourself of a representation… the human parts of yourself you thought you'd discarded never truly left."

"No…" Dan muttered almost turning it into a whine of frustration before he caught himself. He heard the distinct sound of Clockwork's doors opening and knew the guests had arrived. He heard them all talking with Clockwork and introducing themselves then.

And with that distraction, the calm rage came again and a grin marred his face. He could have fun with this… He could ruin Danny's life… Cause chaos… His grin faltered slightly and wasn't as fully wicked as it used to be. Something was tugging on his core and for some reason he couldn't make his voice work.

A few simple words. You can't say, "Danny Fenton is Phantom!"

Dan growled a bit softly to himself. So, what if he couldn't do that? Maybe he couldn't make himself fully endanger his younger self anymore for whatever reason, but he could at least antagonize the hell out of him. This filled the ghost with a great pleasure. As he heard everyone quiet down, he let out a loud enough chuckle to draw the humans' and Clockwork's attention.

"Well lookie who came by for a visit… Did ya miss me, Danny-boy?"

As soon as he could practically feel Danny's glare level at his prison, he grinned. This would be the most fun he'd had in at least a year, minus that time he'd used every curse word he'd ever heard while the Observants had been visiting once. Clockwork didn't speak to him for a month afterwards. It had been nice.

"Be quiet." … "Clockwork is there any way to make him be quiet? You know how he can be."

Dan growled and was curious to feel slight hurt course through him.

"I promised him he could talk if he behaved."

Dan rolled his eyes in annoyance, before going along with whatever Clockwork was scheming.

"Yeah, Danny-boy. I'll play along… Is Dash there?"

He heard a yelp and couldn't help but let out a bellowing and truly evil sounding laugh if he did say so himself.

"Who… who are you?"

Dan heard a trembling voice ask him and he couldn't quite place who had spoken. He snorted loudly. "May I ask who is speaking?" He asked back with sarcasm.

"Uh… Stah stah Stan…"

"Stan? Oh yeah, Stan. Blond hair, red glasses? I remember you."

"Huh!?"

"Stop it, Dan."

Dan huffed, finally hearing Danny address him. "Oh? And why should I? Oh, brave hero?"

"That's enough."

Dan flinched slightly at Sam's voice and then sneered, though he knew no one could see him.

"Ah, hello Samantha…"

"You can't call me that either."

"You going to let me out and make me stop?" He could hear her growl under her own breath.

"My I ask how you know us so well?"

Dan paused when he recognized Mr. Lancer's voice. Danny interrupted his answer.

"He used to haunt Amity and Phantom took him down. He was one that we couldn't handle without Phantom's help."

Dan snorted. "Lucky break. The bastard with the giant ass clock on his chest was the only reason things turned out okay for you, never forget that!" Dan shouted in slight anger, feeling like his ego was taking a hit. Without what he'd done to Danny, what was he but a bad memory, a shadow of a memory even? Damn it. He really had been cooped up with Clockwork for too long. If he wasn't already crazy, which he wasn't too hesitant to admit, he would be fully bonkers if he stayed here for all time.

"I will never forget."

Dan was silenced at that, not really sure how to feel about the sad conviction in his younger self's voice… no in Danny's voice. He still had trouble forgetting… that he wasn't really connected to him anymore. Dan was suddenly very tired of thinking and talking and listening to voices that were supposed to belong to people that were long dead in his memories…

"Psst whatever. I'm shutting up now. I hope Unicorns or a Behemoth eat you all." Dan finished snarkily before turning away and staring silently at the other side of the thermos. He closed his eyes and tried to block out every noise from outside. While ghosts didn't sleep like humans, they could enter a sort of recharging trance, which like sleep, could be used against a ghost to take them off guard. Inside the thermos though, it was the only thing to really pass time. That, or talk to Clockwork. The voices died away and blissful numbness took over.

zzz

Clockwork's Lair. 12:12 PM.

"How about you take everyone to the dining hall, Daniel?" Clockwork suddenly asked, making everyone peel their gaze from the now silent thermos. Danny was the last to do so and couldn't help a last few glances.

"Okay." Danny nodded and looked at everyone. "This way, guys." Everyone then started to follow Danny and his friends, except one person.

Mr. Lancer lagged behind and turned fully to face Clockwork.

"You are still confused, are you not, Gerald?"

Lancers face drained of color. "Wha… you really are…" Lancer gapped as the elderly looking ghost changed into an infant form. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button…"

Clockwork chuckled. "Why yes. I am Father Time, Chronos, The Lord of Time, and many other names from many other places; however, I prefer Clockwork."

Mr. Lancer shook his head. "I'm too old for… I mean." Lancer cringed slightly.

Clockwork only smiled. "No need to worry, such things cannot be helped. Language changes throughout the ages as well you know."

Lancer smiled back. "Indeed. Daniel indicated that you would not answer any obvious questions-"

"Ah yes, but you've decided to ask something more important and less selfish, haven't you?"

Lancer sighed. "You truly do know everything, hm?"

"Just about. There are very few things that escape my notice."

"About Daniel and his…"

"He is Phantom. Phantom is but a name. His body works fine. It merely works in ways a bit different from most humans. His very DNA was altered so he is practically a different creature."

Lancer let out a sigh of relief. "So, he is healthy."

"Yes, even the wounds he had sustained from Walker are gone. Only minor scars remain."

Lancer blinked. "Then he-"

"Only to continue the charade that he is still healing."

Lancer stared at the ground for a moment before he narrowed his gaze. "You watched him be tortured and you did nothing? How… how can you watch so much suffering-"

Lancer stopped when Clockwork rose his hand. "I assure you, Gerald, I wish I could do more. It's a very complex machine I watch over, Time. I hope you can understand to some degree, as Daniel does, that I can't fix everything, no matter how heartbreaking. Even-"

Lancer shook his head and gazed sadly at the ceiling and the moving clocks. "You don't need to continue. I think I understand. I suppose it was merely a bout of frustration."

"Understandable."

Lancer nodded and turned to join the others, Clockwork trailing behind him. Clockwork placed a hand on Lancer's shoulder briefly.

"Gerald, there is one thing I wish to impart upon you."

Lancer paused to looked back at the ghost.

"Daniel will need support as time goes on. He will need acceptance and love. Humans, be them full or hybrid are social creatures. To be denied that, especially while he is still somewhat young would be very detrimental to him."

Lancer watched as Clockwork slowly looked over his shoulder to let his gaze linger on the thermos that held whatever that spirit was inside of it. Lancer blinked in confusion and looked back at Clockwork. "Wha…?"

"With time all things become clearer, but as I've told Daniel many times and something which he has practiced often in his life, 'everyone deserves a second chance.'"

Lancer shut his mouth slowly and then nodded. "He has been forgiving… very forgiving."

"Now then, how about a nice lunch. Then I can shoo you all off towards Dora's."

Lancer merely smiled as the ghost and human moved into the adjoining room.

zzz

Clockwork's Dining Hall. 12:31 PM.

Everyone was enjoying a nice lunch in the dining hall. The only person that wasn't eating much, was Dash.

Kwan looked over at his friend, when he noticed he was somewhat sluggish. Alroy followed his gaze.

"Hey bro, you gonna eat that chicken leg?" Alroy asked.

Dash furrowed his brows in frustration at his friend before stuffing the leg in the other boy's mouth. Alroy didn't seem to mind much and just started to eat.

Kwan frowned. "You okay, Dash?"

Dash sighed and looked around to make sure no one was really paying attention. He spotted Danny talking softly to Sam, Tucker and Valerie and even witnessed Sam intertwine her hand with Danny's, subconsciously. "Kwan?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you think Fenton didn't send any of these powerful ghosts to get revenge on us?"

Kwan seemed to be stunned for a moment before he furrowed his own brows in deep thought. "I guess… I guess because it wasn't the right thing to do. I mean… I can't really come up with any other reason."

Dash looked at his closest friend and nodded. "It just seems…"

Kwan frowned. "Yeah… I don't know man. Maybe ghosts were just scarier than us, ya know?"

Dash chuckled a bit. "I should hope that's the only thing scarier." His normal personality came through for a moment. He then sobered again. "Hey Kwan?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think about… getting rid of the whole A-lister thing?"

Kwan rose a brow in surprise for a moment before following Dash's gaze again to see Danny and his friends laughing loudly at something one of the Nerds had said. Even the Neutrals were starting to think it funny and were laughing. He smiled a bit. "Maybe… it's about time we all grew up, ya know?"

Dash leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. "Do you think any of them will forgive us. Lancer seemed to think it was unlikely."

"We can only try. I mean that's like asking if a play will bring a football to the touchdown zone."

Dash grinned. "Good point. When we get the chance, let's talk to the others and see what they say."

"Star will do it."

"I figured she was the weakest link… but I guess that was technically a good thing."

"Yep."

The talk stopped there and the two went back to eating.

zzz

Ghost Zone. 1:13 PM.

The students and teachers were now all standing a tiny way down the road that led near Clockwork's lair. Sam, Tucker, and Valerie had shown the group how the swim, albeit a little clumsily and slowly, through the atmosphere and make it to the road. Danny on the other hand had stayed when Clockwork had mentioned some parting advice.

"Daniel, I just have one thing to say."

Danny looked up at his, for all practical purposes, mentor and nodded for him to continue.

"Don't forget to continue giving others second chances, alright?"

Danny blinked and then nodded once more. "Of course, Clockwork." He turned to jump after waving goodbye and frowned in confusion, wondering what would cause Clockwork to remind him something practically second nature to him. He shrugged it off as he touched down next to the group, focusing on the task at hand.

"Let's get moving, people!" Danny called out. "We've got several hours of walking ahead of us."

A chorus of groans from almost everyone else, answered him. Danny merely smiled though, because it was better hearing the groaning than being dead.

zzz

Ghost Zone. 5:45 PM.

They were honestly all a bit tired, some mostly bored, but everyone else, tired of walking.

"We've got to be close…" Sam sighed and let out a grumble.

Danny laughed lightly. "I think so, not much longer now."

"Dude, you've said that like a bajillion times already," Tucker responded.

"Stop being a baby," Valerie spoke and nudged Tucker.

Danny was about to open his mouth when a wisp of blue fog poured out.

"Oh shit." Sam muttered. The four had halted and thus the rest of the group had stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"Everything okay up there?"

Danny started to look around and talk to Sam and Tucker softly as Valerie calmed the group.

"What are we going to do, guys?" Tucker asked worriedly. "Danny can't go ghost!"

"Tell us something we don't know," Sam replied sarcastically.

"I mean… I guess I might… I might not have much of a choice," Danny murmured softly.

Sam locked eyes with her boyfriend and saw a bit of fear flicker through his irises along with a spray of acid green energy that then vanished.

"Maybe-" Tucker started but was interrupted, along with everyone else who'd been talking, by a voice.

"Hmmmmm… Look what we have here, Bertrand. My wonderful and delightfully imperfect Casper High students…"

"Even the little loser is with them."

Everyone looked up and saw Spectra and Bertrand in their human forms, grinning sadistically at them.

Danny merely growled.

"Danny darling, how are you? Maybe you should sit down and have a good long chat with me." Spectra taunted as she and Bertrand lowered onto the wide path and faced the group.

"You're not getting under my skin, Spectra, so you can save your breath," Danny replied harshly.

"Ooohhh, but I don't have to. You're already reeking of fear and despair." Spectra smiled.

Danny shivered as he felt some of his strength flow towards Spectra. "Damn it…" The half-ghost whispered.

"We taking a little field trip or something?" Bertrand asked and leaned forward. "Don't you know that this place is dangerous?" He shifted his form into that of a large grizzly bear by the time he'd finished speaking. "This place is for dead people like us, however… that can be fixed."

"Now now, Bertrand, leave a few alive so that their fear and sorrow can sustain us for a while." Spectra sobered and then glared at Danny. "I'll take care of Danny-boy."

Everyone had backed up and some were almost falling off the road. Danny and his friends stood defiantly in front of the group as the two ghosts came closer. Danny gulped and looked over his shoulder at his teachers and classmates with worry. He opened his mouth to speak and faltered when he saw the complete understanding on Lancer's face. Before he could gather his thoughts, a new voice echoed from nearby.

"Halt, villains!"

Everyone, including Spectra and Bertrand, froze and looked over to see a group of knights galloping towards them.

"You are trespassing on her majesty's lands! If you do not leave, then you will be taken to the Dungeons or sent to Walker's prison. If you resist arrest then will shall fight you until second death!"

Spectra and Bertrand growled in frustration before turning to Danny and his group sharply. Spectra spoke, "You're lucky this time." She then darted away and slipped into invisibility with Bertrand following suit. Before much more could be done, the group of knights on their flaming unicorns, surrounded the class.

Danny stepped forward and sighed happily. "Thanks, Sir Tybalt. You and your men came just in time."

The lead knight, wearing steel armor and a blue cape, which distinguished him from his other men, nodded. "Sir Pha-enton…" Tybalt spoke as his mount shifted nervously. "Your thanks is appreciated. Shall we escort you and your party to her majesty's?"

Danny chuckled anxiously and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes please, Sir Tybalt. We need a place to sleep and rest for the night."

"Understood."

The class then walked within the protective circle of the knights and their mounts towards Dora's Castle.

zzz

Dora's Castle. 6:01 PM.

Everyone walked in the large front hall of the castle with awe, with the exception of those that had been there. Dora had greeted her guests happily and had graciously brought them to a nice dinner. After the meal, everyone was allowed to walk about, with Dora mentioning only a couple places for them to avoid. Danny and his friends talked with Dora as everyone else did their own things.

zzz

A-listers in the Great Hall. 7:00 PM.

"Dash are you like, okay?" Dinah asked as the large blond jock paced back and forth in front of the assembled group.

Dash paused and let out a sigh before scratching his scalp. "Me and Kwan have been talking and we were thinking that it was about time to disband the A-listers."

There was a short-stunned silence that followed before Tyson spoke up.

"I guess… I don't really care much either way anymore. Norman's actually a pretty cool dude, he collects baseball cards like I do."

"Yeah same here," Lesley replied.

"Yeah…"

"I think it's best this way."

"I'm kind of tired of it too."

"Not as stressful, ya know?"

Star smiled as everyone started talking about the new doors they opened for themselves and the likelihood of the other, non-A-listers forgiving them. She turned and looked at Paulina, who was silent.

"Pauly, you okay?"

Paulina looked up at Star and frowned. "They all have something… Without the A-listers, what do I have? It's one thing trying to become true friends with you and the others. It's another thing to try and let go of everything we've known. You're smart, Dash is a good quarterback, Kwan likes animals, heck even Dinah is like a master at applying make-up for people…" Paulina grit her teeth. "I mean… Danny… if it wasn't for him… for them…" She deflated before Star could berate her for trying to blame Danny, when he already had enough on his plate.

"Well you know… I think everyone has a gift or a thing that makes them special. We thought for the longest time that we all were better and more talented than everyone else, but we aren't. Pauly… you just have to find your talent."

Paulina stared at her friend for a moment before looking at the ground. "Do you think… we could all really get along? After everything we've done?"

"Maybe." Star sighed and then smiled sadly. "The first thing I want to do is become friends with Valerie all over again. I think that's a good start for me."

Paulina merely nodded. It was strange, for some reason this trip had become much more life-changing than she would've thought even without almost watching her classmate, die.

zzz

Nerds in the Dungeon. 7:00 PM.

"Guys… I don't know if this is a good idea…"

"Dora didn't actually say we couldn't come down here."

"I'd imagine because that's typically a given…"

"It looks just like the New Age Tomes game!"

"Where are the guards?"

Mikey, Lester, Brandon, and Norman stumbled at the bottom of the stairs and found themselves in the damp Dungeons.

"Who's there?"

The four boys froze up at the voice.

"I said, 'Who's there!?'"

Norman peered through the shadows to see a somewhat upper-class looking ghost within a cell. It was Aragon; he was lacking his crown and his hair was in disarray. "Who are you?"

"Norman…" Brandon whined.

"I am Aragon. Why are humans in my castle? Did that Phantom bring you here?"

Norman ignored the questions and asked his own. "Aragon… I was wondering… do you know what a Halfa is?"

Aragon sat quietly before a grim and maddened smile came to his face. "Why my dear humans… a Halfa is a half-ghost…"

The four Nerds froze in bafflement and shock.

"Half a ghost… and half a boy."

This chapter is a bit short because of the slightly larger AN at the top as well as the way I wanted the chapters spaced out/natural feeling ending to a chapter.

I hope it was good nevertheless. Oh, and what do you think of Lancer's first name being Gerald / Gerry? No one else but Clockwork will ever actually say it or know it.

Thanks to everyone else for their wonderful reviews and support! I'm so glad everyone's liking this story :D

~NoSignal