Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Danny Phantom, I'm a big fan and was feeling nostalgic.

Note (01/14/2018): Got a little surprise for you guys in the second half of this chapter, someone special is making their debut into the story and I hope I do them justice. Seriously, to everyone reading this chapter that's signed up on here, I humbly request that you review it and let me know your thoughts in detail about this introduction. Or if you'd rather not, as sad as I'll be, then please PM me instead! I REALLY want to know how everyone reacts to this!

~Chapter 13~

Follow Your Instincts

After agreeing to Owen's terms they made another agreement to set everything else aside for now and simply enjoy their meal together. Of course there would be some serious talk but Vlad promised it would only be related to their plans after the adoption was finalized. Now that Owen was away from the miasma and thinking more clearly, it was easy to agree to keep their conversation tonight at least somewhat normal. At least their definition of 'normal.'

Vlad was relieved when Owen seemed more at ease once they were well away from the mansion. And because of their agreement, Vlad made sure they kept their pre-dinner conversation to a minimum, focusing on safer subjects. Such as Owen's thoughts about Vlad's offer to let him help design their new home in Amity from scratch or simply buying an existing home and redesigning it for example. It wasn't long before Owen started happily listing off different ideas for rooms since, hello, money wasn't going to be an object at all which gave him a plenty of opportunity to show off a bit of his artistic talents in regards to interior designing...

"I can see why you wanted to make a career out of this, you've got a talent for this Owen," Vlad smiled, taking notes about Owen's ideas in a small notebook he kept in the compartment underneath his seat. Though usually he would hand it off to an assistant if he was riding with a client if they'd foolishly neglected to bring one of their own.

Blushing a bit at the compliment, Owen replied sheepishly, "I've always really places like churches and old historical buildings, who knows, maybe that's because I'm such an old soul. Literally!" His gaze softening at the memory he was about to recall, Owen continued, "When I was a little kid I really wished I could have a real stained glass door to my bedroom or maybe a window. I even tried to make one of my own by taping a bunch of transparent plastic to my window. It sort of worked and my mom took a picture of me when it was almost finished. I was sitting in the middle of the room still holding a piece of plastic in my hands, looking at the window as the light hit it and turned my bedroom into a living rainbow. Won first prize in some photography contest a year later. You know, I bet you could find it since I don't have the original copy. Most of my parents things are still in storage back at the house and I don't know where she kept it. In...in their will they left me the house in hopes that I would expand it someday for my family once I got married and became an architect. Technically I could claim the house once I turn eighteen but, you know." He shrugged, not wanting to voice his concerns about surviving that long or worrying Vlad by making him think he wanted to move out that soon.

His smile faltering a little at the mention of his parents, Vlad set down the notebook and clasped Owen's shoulders, "Owen, look at me. If you still feel like loving me means you're betraying them you're wrong. Some children who have two sets of parents when theirs get divorced and remarried have plenty of love to give both their biological parents and the new ones in their lives. Not saying this is true of everyone but please know that-"

"I'm not worried about that," Owen smiled sadly, looking into Vlad's worried eyes. "I just miss them, you know? I'll always miss them. And I'm always going to hate that I couldn't save them back then. That's why I was so scared of you meeting the same fate that I thought...maybe if they thought I was scared of you or hated you they'd leave you alone. Looks like that plan is out the window though because it's painfully obvious now that you're like a second father to me. I have to stop myself from thinking you won't be a match for the other demons out there but we're working on a solution right? Aren't you still working on more anti-demon weapons?"

With a sigh, Vlad allowed his hands to fall and reminded Owen, "I thought we agreed to steer clear of those subjects. But if you must know, yes, I have a team of talented scientists working on them now. Although, they actually don't know they're being designed to fight demons and not humans. I've done most of the research myself, however, it helps to have a few extra helpers in such an important project. I'm sure Daniel will be thrilled to know that -and if this doesn't prove I've changed nothing will- I've selected his parents as beta testers for some of the equipment I don't trust Valerie to be able to handle, as bright and talented as she is."

"Whoa, seriously? You gave Jack and Maddie Fenton anti-demon weapons?!" Owen asked, his jaw hitting the floor.

Vlad shook his head. "No not exactly. I'm not comfortable giving them weapons just yet for fear of them being 'tested' on a certain Phantom we know. What I have given them to test should be harmless to most ghosts and Daniel has enough sense to stay away if anything effects his ghost half. Trust me, the temptation to tamper with Jack's suit was almost too much to resist but we need genuine results and I'm done trying to get the upper hand on him, it's not as fun as it used to be now that I have a more important reputation to think about-" pursing his lips ever so slightly, Vlad admitted- "I wouldn't want my son to think of me as the bad guy bullying others to get my way anymore, as fun as it is."

Owen blinked a few times and was about to bust up laughing when they suddenly stopped. Puzzled, he looked out of the one way window and observed that they were in a normal looking parking lot rather then a fancy lane with a valet and everything, "What gives? We're not there yet so why did we stop and park in a place like this?"

"Good question," Vlad replied with a low growl, calling to the driver. "Care to explain yourself Marcus?"

Turning around, the driver replied meekly, "My apologies Mr. Masters, we were being followed so I took the liberty of taking us around back through the VIP entrance of the building next door. The bodyguards are ready and waiting for you both to escort you inside and over to the restaurant. I hope I didn't overstep my bounds but you two were deeply engaged in your conversation and I thought it rude to interrupt."

If only because this was one of Vlad's most trusted drivers for the few times he ever really needed to ride in the limo, he felt inclined to be a little more lenient so waved the driver off, "There's no need to apologize. I'm grateful for your consideration. Once Owen has exited the limo you may take us through the front, it doesn't matter if anyone sees me but I don't want them disturbing my son. He's not ready to handle them yet for personal reasons. Understood?"

"Yes sir," the driver nodded, putting the limo in park and then opening the door to walk around and open it for Owen.

In the few seconds they had completely alone as the driver made his way around, Owen asked, "You're leaving me here? Why? I think I can handle a few reporters Vlad. You don't have to..." he trailed off though when Vlad gave him a stern look.

"I have no doubt that you CAN handle it but the truth of the matter is I don't want you to have to. Tonight is about you, Owen, and I want you to have a good time. This isn't actually about training you for the ways of an upper-class citizen, that will come later. For now, I'm afraid you'll just have to let me be a little overly cautious."

"Fine," Owen sighed, smiling nevertheless. "Whatever you say Vlad the Dad."

Caught off guard by the new twist on their 'Vlad the Impaler' joke Vlad just stared after Owen as the door opened and he stepped out, giving Vlad a small wave and telling him he'd see him inside. After that the driver escorted Owen over to the two bodyguards waiting for him and one of them was the same guy from the charity event! He couldn't place the guy's name at the moment but Owen felt safer since it was someone he knew at least a little. Meanwhile the other guy was new to him but had a good aura so Owen felt safe in their care. Just to be safe though Vlad created a duplicate right where he was sitting and phased out of the car, letting it give the driver more instructions as he himself followed close behind Owen.

Sensing him 'go ghost' as Danny put it right away, Owen spared the real Vlad floating behind them a glance and mouthed 'worry wart' before allowing the bodyguards to lead him inside the building. Avoiding the press was nothing new to Vlad, he often put the double in his place so it would act accordingly yet he wouldn't have to actually feel the annoyance of having to deal with such troublesome people. His duplicates couldn't think for themselves, they were merely extensions of himself, like a arm or a leg being given signals from the brain to move in a certain way.

Although, they did have a sort of 'instinct' for self-preservation and following the original's orders and mannerism's to a T. That was always helpful, especially in situations like this. And since Vlad had years more practice then Daniel, he could even maintain several duplicates even from a distance. Vlad knew Owen was aware of his presence but decided to keep his distance anyway to give him room to breath despite how accustomed he was to him now. In fact, upon thinking this Vlad stopped in midair when it struck him how...protective he was of Owen.

A little over a month ago, Owen was merely an asset Vlad happened upon by accident he planned to use if it turned out his powers were legitimate. Though he later found out their paths had crossed purposefully, honestly, Vlad didn't care about that anymore. Something else struck him though, about Owen's powers and more specifically how it effects ghosts. Of all the ghost's they have encountered thus far, none of them had any desire to hurt Owen. If anything most of them were either compelled to use him or protect him. Could it be that Owen was onto something? Was it a ghost's instinct to protect Owen the longer they were exposed to his presence, to obey him...?

Taking that into account maybe Owen was unconsciously compelling his ghost half to be more overprotective of him and it wasn't just Vlad himself that felt this way. He supposed it was better then the alternative, feeling all of his old hatred pressing down on him and making the air so heavy it was hard to breathe. In fact Vlad welcomed it, having a higher purpose in his life now. It was thanks to Owen that Vlad already had everything he could ever want now, he didn't need the world anymore just as Daniel said to Owen back in Nocturne's Keep...

His most precious possession was Owen. Plain and simple. And Vlad no longer cared to concern himself with the details and for once was content on following his heart rather then his rational thoughts. At least in regards to the pros and cons of allowing himself to submit to the unconscious compulsions of his new necromancer son.

Another uneventful day, a certain ghost lamented, huffing in annoyance. Just how long am I going to have to bide my time in this stupid prison? Once I get out of here, they're going to regret standing in my-hmm? What's this...?

Sensing a familiar presence, a toothy grin crept up on his face and he practically purred, Well well well, look who finally decided to give in and pay me a visit? Hello, Danny.

Certain that they could hear him even from the confines of his prison, the powerful ghost smirked upon feeling a delectable wave of fear and uncertainty waft his way. Ah, how long as it been since he felt this level of fear? It was positively intoxicating! Even more so since it came from such a familiar source. He was suddenly caught off guard though when the voice belonged to someone else other then who he had been expecting, making him growl deeply.

"Who are you? And how do you know my cousin? Talk," the young girl demanded and he felt a rush of ectoenergy surge through the air from surprisingly closeby.

Cousin? I don't have a cousin with ghost powers, he mused, more curious then anything. It's a long story but why don't you tell me who you are first and explain why, exactly, you feel just like him.

"No way, I'm not telling you anything! If Danny put you in that and left you with Clockwork then you must be a bad guy. I'm not falling for any of your tricks," she huffed, well actually...she started breathing heavily and groaned, staggering and falling against the table where the thermos sat after letting the energy fade from her hands. Clockwork had taken it from it's previous place with the excuse of needing to re-check the sealing runes carved into the walls, when really it was so this chance meeting would take place.

Sensing her weakness, he cooed, What happened? Not feeling well? Or perhaps you've been working too hard if you play the hero as much as your 'cousin' does.

Shuttering, she pulled away from the table and in a frightened voice, she pleaded fearfully, "Don't talk like that, please...you sound just like my father."

Surprised by her meek request, he prodded, Your father? Who is he? Do you have ghost powers because of him? Or are you- no, even HE wouldn't do something so stupid. Then again, I suppose I don't know him as well anymore in this timeline. Very well girl. Since I cannot introduce myself to you properly while I'm confined like this I suppose there's no harm in just exchanging our names now is there?

Nodding, she replied unsurely, "I...I guess not."

Excellent, he smirked, adopting his most charming voice before uttering a name that once brought fear and chaos wherever it was heard, though sadly it didn't have any effect in this world. Not to anyone besides though who knew he existed however. And with that, he said with deliberate slowness, My name...is Dan. What might yours be?

Confused by the fact that he made it sound like she SHOULD already know and fear his name she replied, "I'm Dani, it's like his name but with an 'i' instead of a 'y.' As for you, you must have done something really bad for Danny to leave you in a thermos even in the Ghost Zone when he usually just lets them go. I'll have to go ask Clockwork..."

Ah, but why ask him when you can ask ME? Dan challenged playfully, deciding to be a little bit honest so he could gain her trust and maybe trick this little girl into freeing him. Even if he couldn't leave Clockwork's tower, if Dan took over and sent others in to do his dirty work, then maybe there was still a chance to rebuild the future he came from and get rid of those pests he once called friends. Still, even he actually felt a smidgen of this and asked, As you say, I can't get out of here and it gets really boring when there's nothing to do but listen to clocks tick all day so why not let me tell you my story? I'm not entirely sure why you're here or WHAT you are but, it beats sitting here alone all day.

Thinking carefully, Dani sat on the floor since she still felt feverish after that small outburst and then nodded, forgetting that he couldn't see her do that and then finally sighed, "Clockwork's too busy to talk to me right now so sure, why not? You sound enough like him already so go ahead, tell me all about your master plan and how Danny kicked your butt and landed you here."

My dear, with any luck I'll be getting my revenge. And even if I can't that's all that helps me get to sleep at night these days, watching as his world falls apart and his heart collapses in on itself until nothing is left but a black withered thing where his heart once was. He laughed, expecting her to get angry and disregard his threat by saying Danny was stronger then that but she was too busy focusing on her breathing which was becoming a bit labored. Not that he actually cared, but Dan asked anyway, What's with the silent treatment? Ghosts don't get sick so...are you wounded? Is that why you're here? For enough 'time' to heal...?

"No..." Dani replied tearfully, feeling scared all of a sudden and not because this ghost felt so much more powerful then even Vlad. "It's more like...he's buying me more time to live..."