Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom

–

„blah blah...", speaking

'blah blah...', thinking

–

Hello everyone. I'm sorry about this late update... AGAIN. As I said before I have barely time to write at the moment so please be patient with me. I'm trying to get the next chapters up faster than the last one.

And thank you all for your reviews and PM. I really appreciate them.

So then let's get this chapter on the road. Have fun.

–

Please Review and please don't hold back. Tell me if something bothered you, I can handle the truth.

–

The cheerful atmosphere in the Fenton household didn't dim even in the next morning. Jack and Maddie were beaming with joy that their son had such a beautiful and strong girlfriend, while Jazz was simply happy for her brother to finally be complete again.

Danny's duplicate meanwhile just sat there and enjoyed their happiness though his thoughts were drifting away.

'My boss is really a lucky guy. But I can't wait to be back with my little Emy.', he thought with a small smile.

He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice Jazz calling him.

"Danny... DANNY!", she called out and waved a hand in front of his face.

Finally he snapped out of it and stared up to her.

"Yeah Jazz? What's wrong?", Danny asked as his mind focused on his sister.

"I asked if you could give me a ride because my car died yesterday and dad will bring it to the workshop today.", she asked.

"No prob sis. Just let me get my bag and we can be on the way.", the duplicate stood up and ran to his room to get his bag.

Before he left his room, his eyes fell on a framed picture on his desk. It was a picture of his original with Sam and Tucker in front of Fenton Works. A small scowl worked itself on his face as he looked at Sam.

'Just what's wrong with you lately Sam? Why are you acting so different since you came back from that trip with your parents?', he thought bitter.

He threw the thought out of the window and ran to the stairs but instead of walking them down he jumped on the rail and slided it downwards. With a double front flip he landed in a crouch before his astonished sister.

"So shall we go?", he smirked and walked to the door.

He passed her the helmet placed on the shelf near the door and they stepped outside.

–

The drive to school was uneventful. Today he didn't drive like a crazy maniac on the getaway from the police but as a perfect driver. Just as they stepped into the school building he groaned.

"What's wrong?", Jazz asked a bit worried that a ghost was about to attack.

"I forgot that I have a test in English history now. Fuck I didn't learn at all.", he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose with an annoyed sighed.

"I thought you were good in that subject.", Jazz released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"I am but I still need to learn. I was doing homework and extra work for better grades in the other subjects.", he groaned as he remembered the last night.

"Don't worry lil bro I'm sure you will ace it. See you later.", Jazz patted his back and walked off to her own class.

With that the ghost boy duplicate walked to his locker and shoved his books in. Just then he got a really bad headache and he groaned.

"Just what I need, headaches right before a test.", he slammed his locker shut and walked to his classroom.

As he entered he saw Tucker waving at him while Sam looked like she was in deep thought.

'I hope she isn't trying to figure out how to 'free' me from Ember. Why can't she just get over it that I don't want anything from her and that I really love my Emy?', the boy groaned and softly glided into his seat to avoid unnecessary agitation to his headache.

"You alright man?"

"You alright man?", Tucker obviously saw his friends distress and asked him in a whisper.

Danny just stared at him for a moment till he could find his voice again.

"Don't worry I just have a really bad headache. It will get away pretty soon.", he explained.

"Say... you aren't the real Danny right?", Tucker changed the topic satisfied with the former answer.

"How could you tell?", Danny looked at his friend astonished.

"You don't have the hickey on your neck like Jazz told me in skype yesterday.", he shrugged.

"You do know that with my fast healing it would have healed by now right?", the duplicate countered though it was pointless.

"Truth be told I had forgotten about that.", Tucker whispered with a sheepish smile.

If Danny hadn't had such a headache he would have slammed his head on the table right now.

"Ok class, sit down and attention to me. As you know we will write a test now so please be quite till it's over", came another voice in the boys head.

"Ok class, sit down and attention to me. As you know we will write a test now so please be quite till it's over", Mr. Lancer walked in and immediately began to give out the said test.

Danny just stared at him in confusion

'What the hell is going on here? It's like I can listen into the future'

As Lancer placed the test before him, his eyes glazed over. A faraway look took it's place and without looking at it he began to write. His mind completely absorbed into the vision he saw before his inner eyes.

Question 1 – square C

Question 2 – square A

Question 3 – squareD

Question 4 – square A

Question 5 – square A

Question 6 – square B

Question 7 – square C

Question 8 – square D

Question 9 – square A

Question 10 – square A

Question 11 – square F

Question 12 – square C

Without hesitation he marked all mentioned squares with a big X and put his pen down. His eyes regained their spark within seconds and he looked around in confusion.

'What the fuck just happened?', he thought and looked at his finished test. 'And why is my test already finished?'

His eyes flew over the test and he deemed it okay. With that done he stood up, headed towards his teachers desk and placed the sheet of paper down.

"Already finished Mr. Fenton?", the fat man asked.

"Yeah. It was easy.", and with that he walked back to his seat and gently placed his head on the table.

He felt the headache lifting it's brutal force off his brain he sighed relieved.

–

The three sat outside while eating their lunch.

"Dude what happened to you during the test? You looked like you were in some kind of trance.", Tucker asked a bit worried for his friends health.

"It's probably that bitches influence on him. Maybe his powers are fighting it.". Sam offered with hope clear in her voice.

"Sam stuff it. I'm not under any spell. Ember and I really love each other. You would see that if you could get over your jealousy.", Danny groaned as a terrible thought hit him.

'Extreme jealousy? Could it be?'

"I'm not jealous. It's just that this bitch is controlling you. You have to snap out of it.", she pleaded while Tucker just face palmed.

Danny on the other hand ignored her. He was to deep in thought that he would give her any attention. That naturally aggravated the goth girl even further, making her believe that he was thinking of that ghost bitch again.

'Why can't he see that she is controlling him? I am supposed to be with him not her.', Sam fumed.

'What are you thinking Danny? Something tells me you know why Sam is acting like this.', Tucker thought as he eyed his friend.

"Say Sam did buy anything unusual while you were on that trip with your parents?", Danny asked.

Sam felt so happy that he was finally giving her the attention she wanted.

"Yes I got this awesome necklace. It's so dark.", she said proud as she pulled it out from under her shirt.

It was a dark red ruby in form of a small egg with a golden frame and a black bat connecting the stone to the necklace. Danny eyed the trinket with a serious expression.

"How did that thing come into your possession?", he asked not lifting his eyes from the trinket.

"I got it in a old antic store in germany. Why?", Sam asked still beaming that her crush was giving her attention.

'How did this thing get into the real world. I thought it was locked away.', Danny thought angry,

"Danny are you alright?", Tucker asked unsure if the scowl on his friends face was such a good thing.

"Yeah I'm fine. But someone else won't be in the near future.", he growled.

His friends stared at him in confusion.

"What are you talking about Danny?", Sam asked hoping that he was finally free of Ember's spell.

"That pendant you are wearing is a king artifact. I don't know how it got out of the vault but it has to go there again.", Danny growled.

"What are you talking about Danny? What is a king artifact?", Sam was really confused, so was Tucker.

"A king artifact is just what the name says. It's a artifact worn by the king long ago and not any king but the ghost king. This thing along with 6 others is an embodiment of a deadly sin. In your case I would say it's envy and if I'm right you have to take it off because that thing is sucking out your life force by feeding your jealousy.", Danny explained.

"What are you talking about? That just sounds crazy Danny.", Sam stated confident but on the inside she was shocked.

"If you are so sure then why don't you take it off for a moment and let me take a closer look. If I'm right you can't take it off. So?", Danny challenged her.

"As if.", Sam smiled and tried to pull the necklace over her head, but an invisible force stopped her and her eyes widened in fear.

"I... I can't... I can't take it off.", she nearly screamed.

"Don't worry Sam. The boss can get it off you in no time but we have to wait for him to come back. Probably this evening or tomorrow.", the duplicate explained.

"What do you mean? Who is this boss you are talking about? Are you talking about Clockwork?", she tried to get her brain back to reason.

"No I'm talking about my original. He is in the ghost zone right now meeting with Johnny and the rest of his old crew.", Danny explained.

"What do you mean his old crew?" Sam hissed.

"You know that I recently had visions all day long for weeks right?", they nodded though only Tucker knew the truth about them so far since Sam was to bend on making Danny the hero again he was before them.

"These visions were memories from my former life. In that life the ghosts and I were friends because I was one of them so it's only natural to try to get the whole group back together.", the ghost boy copy explained.

"So you are just a duplicate?", Sam asked slightly angered.

"Yeah so?", Danny sighed knowing that Sam would assume the worst already with that artifact around her neck.

"So he is with HER?", she hissed with venom. Her eyes flashing red for a second.

"Maybe. I don't know. I have no contact with him since he left for the ghost zone yesterday afternoon. After all the ghost zone is vast and it takes forever to get to them all despite my ability to teleport.", Danny shrugged hoping that Sam wouldn't make such a big deal out of it.

"SO HE IS WITH HER!", she shrieked making everyone around look at the group but they turned away once they saw who made the ruckus.

"Sam calm down. That's the artifact talking through you.", Danny growled as he bend forward and pulled her closer by her necklace.

Their faces were just a few inches away from each other and a small blush crept on Sam's face while Tucker snickered at their position knowing that Ember would kick Danny's ass if she would see the two like that. Danny on the other was deathly serious.

"Let me make this clear Sam. I will take this necklace off now even if it will end my temporary existence just so you will understand what nonsense you are babbling. I love Ember, my heart belongs to her because of my own free will. You always say you are so unique and that you hate everyone is just regular. Just because Ember's uniqueness attracted me more than yours you don't have to act like that. You will find your equal sooner or later. You just have a childhood crush on me nothing else. When we grow up you will forget about it anyway so please stop your pointless jealousy. Please let me have the freedom to be with the woman I love.", Danny's voice was dead serious but you could see the pain in his eyes.

With that being said he lit his hand in green energy began to push it into the pendant making it answer with a evil red glow. Danny's eyes turned green as he began to pour his whole existence into the pendant. Tucker saw how the copy's feet began to turn transparent till they became completely invisible. The transparency began to crawl upwards and Tucker gasped as he understood what was happening.

"Danny stop this. You are dissolving already.", the tech boy whispered gaining a gasp from Sam who looked in between her friends.

"No... Sam has to understand what is going on. I will take this thing off even if I have to dissolve for it. Maybe then she will realize that I'm dead serious about Ember because no matter how strong she is, she can't control me to kill myself even if I'm only a duplicate.", he hissed in anger as his legs vanished completely.

"B... but... Danny you...", Sam stuttered in fright.

"No Sam this is who I am. I will give everything for my believes and if I have to die for it then so be it."

With a loud snap the pendant broke from the necklace and fell on the table and Danny turned into green mist and dispersed into thin air. The two friends stared at the place their friends copy had just been and then at the ruby on the table. Tucker grabbed the artifact and put it into his Fenton Thermos before Sam could react.

"I guess you will have some explaining to do once Danny is back.", Tucker sighed and pulled out his phone.

"Who are you calling?", Sam inquired hoping to change the topic.

"Jazz.", Tucker simply shrugged.

"Why?", Sam was a bit confused about why he would call her.

"She came here with Danny today. I'm just telling her not to wait for Danny after school and take his bike with her.", the dark skinned boy explained and that he did.

Meanwhile Sam just looked at the table before her thinking about what Danny had said to her. Since the pendant left her neck she felt relieved, free and more level headed. Now she could think about what she had done since the whole thing between Danny and Ember started. She tried to force Danny back into hero business at all cost. She attacked and offended his new girlfriend and even more than that she tried to break them up. All of this because her jealousy was amplified by this stupid artifact.

'I feel so stupid.', she thought.

–

Meanwhile another duplicate shot through the sky at super sonic speed. His destination was Huston, Texas. More precisely the NASA training camp there. In that camp was just the person he needed to make an old friend very happy. Before he reached the camp he turned invisible and intangible and entered the dorm for the instructors. Without any problem he found the room of his target. Claire Johnson. The first and best NASA instructor of the camp. The two of them became good friends during his last two stays. Before he knocked he looked around to see if no one could hear him and and when no one was near he knocked. A few moments later the door opened and revealed a stunning beauty.

Claire was in her mid thirties. She had long waiving blond hair that went passed her shoulders, ocean blue eyes, a perfect smile and a cute mid B-cup. She wore her usual NASA overall but with the top part stripped off and bound around her waist revealing the white tank top under it.

She looked around the hall for her visitor but didn't find anyone. A bit annoyed she closed the door again and walked to her couch as a cough brought her attention back to the door where now a white haired teen stood. A smile crept on her face.

"Hey Danny. Let me guess you just knocked?", she asked and waved him over.

"Yeah sorry about that but I didn't want to just phase into your room without preparing you somehow.", he shrugged and walked to her.

Oh by the way. Yes Claire knows about Danny's secret. Since the two of them were really close friends he had visited her and told her all about it as soon as he had full control over his powers. She was really excited that one of her friends and former charges from the camp had made it so far. Hell he could go to space whenever he wanted since he didn't need oxygen anymore.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?", her grin grew as she let herself fall on the couch.

"I'm here about the offer I made you a while ago.", he began while he sat down beside her.

Claire thought for a moment till she knew what he was talking about.

"You really want to go through with that? I thought that was just a joke.", her smile faltered a bit.

"Don't worry Claire. He's a really good guy and totally fits into your usual taste. He has just a few minor issues but I'm sure that you can get him out of it.", the boy explained with a sly grin.

He had promised her quite a while ago that he would help her find a good man for herself and now he had just the one man that fits. And his name is Vlad Masters.

"And who did you pick for me?", she asked a bit to eager for her own taste.

"Vlad Masters. He's a good friend of mine.", Danny shrugged casually as if it was an all day event that a teenager knew one of the richest man of the world.

"You are kidding right?", she searched his face for any hint that he just made a joke but found none.

"You are serious.", she finally concluded.

"Oh of course I'm serious. Vlad has been alone for many years. A patient, lovely and good hearted woman like you would totally fit his patient and brooding nature. I bet you two would make a really cute couple.", his explanation made her blush a little.

"Danny Fenton. Are you flirting with me?", she tried to tease him.

"As much as I would like that... no. I already have a girlfriend and she is my one and only.", the copy smiled as a picture of his girl appeared in his mind.

"So you finally found someone for yourself?", she smiled at the boy.

"Yeah. You remember the visions I told you about?", he asked as he leaned back into the couch.

She nodded as she remembered the talk the two of them had just a week ago. It unnerved her a bit that the boy was having such strange visions. She hoped that it would end soon.

"Well these visions were memories of my previous life that got unlocked when my previous girlfriend, who is also my soul mate, kissed me. Now that I have my memories back I returned to my girl and am really happy.", Danny explained with a loving smile.

"So you are happy?", she inquired with a big smile.

"Oh yes. For the first time in my life I feel complete.", Danny stared at the opposite wall for a second before he focused back on Claire.

"So what do you say?", he changed the topic.

"Hmmm... I don't know. Give me some time to think about it.", she sighed a bit tired of someone trying to match her up with some guy, but she had to admit that Vlad sounded like a good guy.

'Maybe I should give him a chance.', she thought.

"That's fair. I will call in two weeks. Fair enough?", the boy offered as he stood up.

"Sounds good. I have a huge pile of work anyway so I won't have much time to think about it.", she shrugged and also stood up.

"Ok then. See ya later. My energy is running low anyway.", he smiled and shook her hand.

"What do you mean?", she tilted her head a bit and looked at him.

"I'm just a duplicate of Danny. The super sonic travel here took quite a huge amount of energy. Teleporting is still out of question since we duplicates dissolve right away after it.", the now named ghost boy copy smiled, dissolved into green mist and vanished.

"That's so cool.", Claire stared in awe at the place the boy had just stood.

–

At the same time with the original Danny and Ember. The two sat together with their friends in a very famous cafe in the ghost zone chatting. They were there since morning and the two had to answer quite a lot of questions so far.

"So how does it feel to be reborn?", Penelope asked with an eager smile.

"I can't really say. After I died there was only darkness and then there was a light, so bright I had to close my eyes. The moment I touched the light I felt my emotions and senses return to me. I would say the stay in the darkness is kind of cold because there is nothing there but it was so short that I couldn't really understand it.", Danny explained to her and her expression faltered a bit.

"Oh... I thought there would be a garden eden or something like that.", she sighed.

"Don't worry about it Pen. I'm sure there will be a garden for you. Just because it wasn't there for me doesn't mean it isn't for you.", he gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

"I think you got even wiser than you were back then.", Undergrowth laughed as he drank his coffee.

"Hey it's not against the rules to become wiser... or is it?", Danny joked.

Walker took this opportunity to look into his rule book. After a few seconds he slammed it shut and scowled a bit.

"No it's not.", he stated and everyone fell silent.

Then everyone including the warden ghost burst out laughing.

"It's good to be back with everyone else. I really missed these meetings.", Sidney wiped away a tear he had shed by laughing so hard.

"You can say that again.", Ghostwriter laughed.

"So has anyone see Michael and Sandra? I haven't seen them in weeks.", Danny asked as he had calmed down a bit.

"Box Ghost and Lunch Lady? They are on their honeymoon somewhere in the real world. Why?", Amorpho asked curious.

"Oh just curious. I wanted... wait honeymoon? They finally married?", Danny asked amazed.

"Yeah they did two weeks ago. It was awesome and I saw Clockwork for the first time.", Sidney exclaimed.

Clockwork held all ghostly marriage so it was one of the few occasions where he was seen by many others. Just then the boy was hit with two sets of memories and groaned a bit while rubbing his temples.

'Grrrr... That damn guardian has some explaining to do... Well at least Claire seems to be interested in Vlad.', he thought as he viewed the memories of his duplicates.

"Something wrong Danny?", Ember asked a bit worried for her boyfriend.

"No everything is fine. Just a small headache.", he explained.

"Ok everyone sorry to cut this meeting so short but Ember and I have an appointment with Clockwork in a few minutes.", Danny explained as he stood up.

"Oh that's fine boy. I have to go back to my prison anyway.", Walker laughed and also stood up.

"Ok then everyone. I hope we can do this again soon. See ya later.", with that the lovebirds vanished in a whirl of flames.

"Always in a rush. Do you think he will ever settle down?", Ghostwriter asked his girlfriend.

"I'm not sure. I think it's part of his nature to be so restless.", Pen shrugged.

–

Danny and Ember appeared in a old castle. There before them stood a age changing ghost completely clad in purple. Said ghost watched the different futures on his screens.

"Hello you two.", he smiled without turning around.

"Hey there Clockwork. How are you?", Danny asked his master also smiling.

"Hello master Clockwork. It's an honor to finally meet you in person.", Ember bowed to the ancient ghost.

"I'm fine thank you my boy. Ms McLain there is no need for such formality.", the old ghost smiled and turned to his guests.

"You know why we are here right master?", Danny smiled at his boss.

"Of course my boy. What kind of master of time would I be if I didn't know.", Clockwork gave his apprentice a big smile.

"So is it possible?", Danny asked already knowing the answer he would get.

"Of course. I fact I already did.", the time ghost turned back to his screens.

Ember was a bit lost at the moment but just shrugged it off for later.

"Oh Clockwork about that artifact that Sam had her hands on. How did that happen?", Danny inquired.

'What artifact?', Ember thought surprised.

"No it was not the guardian's fault. The pendant got sucked into a portal inside the vault.", Clockwork explained.

"Oh fucking great. Now natural portals also open in the kings vault? This is bad.", he sighed.

"I never said anything about a natural portal.", Clockwork said giving the a small hint.

"Wait... does that mean that someone tried to pry open a portal to the ghost zone and ended up in the vault? If so the protection of the vault should have ripped whatever was on the other side of the portal apart.", Danny tried to reason.

"Oh it did and the pendant was transported to the store where your friend found it.", the old ghost explained.

"Äh what are you talking about?", Ember finally decided to ask.

"The duplicate I left behind in my stead found out that Sam's behavior was caused by one of the ghost kings artifacts. The embodiment of the deadly sin envy to be precise. He dissolved while removing it's influence on her.", Danny explained a bit unnerved.

"Ohhh...", was all the diva could say as her mind began to comprehend that information.

"I think you two should go. You will get a visitor pretty soon.", Clockwork stated calm.

"Thanks master.", Danny put his arm around around his girlfriends waist.

"See you later old man.", he laughed and teleported them back to their realm.

"See you later my apprentice.", the ancient ghost smiled.

–

A few seconds later they appeared in their realm and they immediately noticed a change in it. It was bigger and remodeled but yet familiar.

"What happened here?", Ember looked around confused.

"Clockwork fused our realms together.", Danny simply stated as he went to the front door.

He opened it and whistled at the sight. There before him was a huge island, much like Skulker's. But instead of a jungle there was a huge garden with a stage and a small lake with clear blue water. All in all it was a beautiful island. Ember stepped beside him and also whistled.

"Not bad. I like it.", she smiled and leaned her head against his arm.

A cough from near them took her attention. There floated Vlad in his ghost form with a unsure look on his face.

"Hey Vlad what's up?", Ember asked a bit confused by his expression.

"Can we talk inside?", he asked.

"Sure come in man.", Danny offered and they all stepped inside.

They sat on the couch together while Vlad took the opposite one.

"So what can we do for you?", Danny asked as a vision entered his mind and he smiled.

"Well I wanted to ask you if you... would...", Vlad trailed off not sure how to say it.

Ember was confused. What could have made the usual so confident Vlad so unnerved to ask. Danny on the other just smiled even more.

"Well.. I wanted to ask... could I... get your... you know... I'm a bit lonely... and so I wanted to ask...", Vlad stuttered and Danny finally decided to put his friend out of his misery.

"You want my DNA to clone yourself a half ghost son right?", he asked blunt and silence befell the room.

"How... how did you know that?", the older halfa finally brought out.

"Lucky guess.", Danny shrugged and the two gave him a are you serious look.

"Why would you want to clone yourself a son?", Ember asked a bit disturbed by the thought.

"It's just that I always wanted someone close to me who was like me. You see... I never had a real relationship since the accident.", Vlad explained.

Ember nodded feeling bad for her friend.

"Sorry Vlad I can't let you clone me.", Danny stated firm and Vlad's face fell but Danny continued.

"But I can make you another offer.", now he had the attention of the two.

"And what would that be?", Vlad inquired.

"You will use mine and Ember's DNA to create a child and rise her as your own. Like this you will have a beautiful halfa child, two godparents who would do everything for her/him and finally the family you always wanted.", Danny explained causally.

Vlad and Ember stared at him with a disturbed expression.

"And if I don't want that?", Ember asked feeling a bit left out.

"Think about it Emy. If we do that then we can be the best godparents ever and if we can't have children of our own we would still have made an impression on future generations.", Danny reasoned with her.

A pained expression hushed over her face at the thought of maybe never having any children themselves but it vanished as a smile appeared.

"That's a good idea. But I want to be her babysitter no matter what.", she smiled.

Vlad on the other hand was still floored by his friends offer and agreement. It took him a bit to find his voice again,

"So you are sure about this?", he finally asked.

The two turned to him and smiled.

"Yes we are sure.", Danny and Ember said in union.

"Thanks guys. You are the best friends someone like me could get.", the older halfa smiled as he wiped away tears that ran down his face.

With that the three friends made their way to Vlad's lab. Each of them thinking of the future ahead of them.