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

Note (01/25/2018): Sixteen chapters in and only two reviews huh? That's...kind of discouraging. But even so I shall write on I guess since this story still means a lot to me and I hope someone will make a comment soon. I know this hasn't turned out exactly like "The Grimoire" and at the moment is kind of all over the place, however, things should be looking up soon as soon as the last few issues are taken care of and then I'll probably be doing a time lapse -aka fast forwarding a little- to end the formalities so that Owen's adoption becomes official and they can FINALLY move to Amity Park. That's where things should get REALLY interesting. Namely because Owen will not only be encountering many of Danny's enemies, whom he'll be able to defend himself against by then after constant training with Vlad, but he'll also have to deal with going back to school as well as both the perks and downfalls of being a Masters. I WAS going to put Owen in Casper High too but decided against it after reading a certain fanfiction yet again called "Running To The Enemies Arms" by "deadlydaisy8o8", um, spoiler I guess but just hear me out. For one thing, sending Owen to a "commoners" school would probably make Vlad look like he was being a cheapskate with his newly adopted son, plus as luck would have it Owen was already pretty smart for his age and has the added advantage of reading aura's to tell who is an enemy and who is not, so for that reason I will be taking artistic license to create a private school there with a small but elite group of students and faculty that holds a terrible secret. What secret you may ask? Well what fun would it be if I told you?

P.S. Sorry this is a slightly shorter chapter then usual, the note took up most of the first page and I got tired near the end. Looks like I need a nap so I can catch up on some Z's. Neighbors have been screaming and or thumping on something at ungodly hours of the night again. I hate to do this but if it continues another night I have half a mind to call the police for disturbing the peace. How anyone else can sleep through the racket I'll never know...

~Chapter 16~

What Makes Us Human

Dan was honestly taken aback by her reply about 'buying more time to live.' From his prison even Dan could tell that this so-called 'Dani' wasn't entirely a ghost, she was also half human not unlike he was a long time ago and the Vlad and Danny of this timeline were. Wondering if perhaps she was the future daughter of his past self which seemed a more viable option then her being Vlad's, Dan asked-

So I was right, you ARE half ghost. That must be why I mistook you for him. Still, what do you mean by needing more time? Is there something wrong with your ghost half...? Or is it your frail human half?

"As if I'd tell you," Dani replied stubbornly but there was an uncertainty in her voice that encouraged Dan to continue.

Well you should know then that a long time ago, I was also half human. I got over it though and if it's causing you trouble perhaps I could assist you in ridding yourself of it too, Dan was rewarded by a startled gasp beside him as Dani registered what he just said.

Grabbing the thermos, Dani exclaimed, "No way! You're a halfa too?!"

Rolling his eyes, Dani corrected, Weren't you listening? I specifically said 'was' did I not? I'm not even remotely human anymore. I got rid of that...weakness of mine years ago.

A bit confused now, Dani set the thermos back down and asked, "Was? Does that mean you...died? Maybe that means if I d-die I'll just become a full ghost." Pondering this, she sat back down on the floor and said mostly to herself, "That might not be SO bad. Ghosts don't get hungry or cold. But if my ghost half is still unstable even while I'm in this form, who's to say I won't just melt into ectoplasmic goop even if I went full ghost...? Oh...I really hope Clockwork is right and Vlad's going to try and save me."

Snarling at the mere mention of Vlad's name Dan growled, That sad excuse of a man couldn't save the life of a gold fish let alone a person. He didn't SAVE me, and he sure as hell won't save you. Who ARE you anyway? You've told me your name but how did you even become a halfa? And you mentioned having a father but who is he? You'd best tell me now before I lose my patience!

Flinching away from the angry tone of his voice momentarily until she remembered he was trapped and couldn't hurt her, Dani sighed in relief and stood up again, staring tiredly at the offending thermos, "I can see now why you're no fun to talk to, it's because of that bad attitude. I bet Clockwork doesn't like to talk to you either unless he has to. I know I don't. This was a mistake-"

Realizing his error, Dan cleared his throat and begrudgingly apologized through his teeth, hating having to answer to anyone. I suppose you're right, I was a bit short-tempered with you just now. But anyone who's been trapped as long as I have might find themselves rather irritable. Clearly, YOU'VE never been trapped in one of these blasted things. I can see now why my enemies detested it so much. It's awfully cramped in here. It won't happen again. Please...stay.

"No thanks, I'll pass. You blew your chance. Clockwork should be done with whatever he was working on by now and I need to see if he knows what Vlad is up to. He's supposed to be working on a cure for whatever is messing up my ghost half. It sounds to me though like you've also got a beef with Vlad though so...maybe you're not all THAT bad. Then again, maybe you are, I dunno," Dani shrugged. "Anyways, I think I'll give you some 'time' to cool your jets and maybe we can try talking again. I've never met another halfa before, then again I haven't been around that long. As for me, I'm ready for a nap. See you later. Or not since there's no way I'm letting you out of that thing if Danny is against it."

Sensing her presence fade away, Dan groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Well that went well. A shame that even now the very mention of that 'fruitloop' sets my teeth on edge.

Lowering his hand again, Dan calmly deduced what he did manage to squeeze out of that strange girl. One, her human half was dying. Two, she knew both Vlad and Danny. Three, this girl seemed to admire his past self and was unsure about Vlad, which made him wonder if she was going to him out of necessity or because he had changed in this timeline. Four, she was staying with Clockwork who would obviously know one way or another what Vlad was up to as she so eloquently put it. And lastly was the most important part, the fact that she was in fact a halfa...

Dan could use this information to his advantage if he played his cards right. The key was patience and not to get angry at the mention of his own previous 'father' or someone who attempted and failed to pose as one. Who knows, if this Vlad was anything like the jerk he knew before, now that they were both on the side of evil they could work together to take over this pitiful planet and ensure his continued existence outside of Clockwork's tower. Then once that was done he could rid them of that annoyance once and for all.

To be perfectly honest, Dan could really care less about repeating his original plan of destroying his old friends and family unless that was the only way to create a new timeline where he could continue his reign of terror. In fact some small part of him, even as a full ghost, missed Sam Manson especially. If he could help it then maybe killing her could be avoided this time around. After all, the pain of losing her along with his friend Tucker and entire family had been what set his creation into motion in the first place. And as much as Dan enjoyed inflicting pain on his enemies, feeling pain himself wasn't nearly as pleasant.

There were times when Dan was caught off guard when he dreamt of those carefree days back when he was a naive human with ghost powers. And sometimes he wondered, if Vlad had been on his side, couldn't he have saved them? His loved ones?

Slamming his fist into the side of the thermos, Dan hissed, No, I am a ghost. I have no friends. I have no family. All I need is the power and freedom to take this world for my own. I don't need anything else.

"Is that really true I wonder?" Clockwork mused, appearing beside him and picking up the thermos, looking in the direction young Danielle took off to look for him which might take some time since he had gone back to square one. "It seems to me that you are in need of one thing, companionship. Everyone needs at least one person on their side, no matter what. And you might not know this yet but that girl has suffered through many of the same things you have. You would do well not to waste this chance as it might not come again. It all depends on the Vladimir of this world."

Pfft! Spare me your cryptic messages and double meanings Clockwork, they're wasted on me. I know exactly what I want and when I get out of here, you'll be the first to feel my wrath. You should have left well enough alone, Dan scoffed. You certainly didn't have any qualms about standing on the sidelines the first time when my family died in that explosion and Vlad took me in. What makes you think you can make any difference this time?

Smiling knowingly, Clockwork responded, "Because Daniel, this time, Vlad has something of his own he wishes to protect with all his heart. And he has been given the guidance he needs to avoid the same mistake he made with you..." closing his eyes, his tone grew somber and he continued sadly, "Erasing your humanity did nothing to ease the pain you were suffering at the time, it was merely replaced by your anger and frustration at not being powerful enough to save them before. That, my friend, is your obsession as a ghost. An impulse enhanced a hundred fold because it is the same fear as Vladimir's. He too desires the power to ensure that the things he holds most dear are not stolen from him. The reasons may differ but the heart of that obsession remains the same. Even love can turn you into something cruel, whether it is a love you are currently pursuing, or one that you lost..."