This chapter is written by KelseyAlicia.
Before we begin, here is a list of all of the oneshot stories she has written about Ceci's world! Please go check them out if you haven't already!
Story 1: Coffee Klatch 8
Story 2: Ceci's Thanksgiving
Story 3: Journaling
Story 4: Journaling 2
Story 5: Christmas Spirit
Story 6: Coffee Klatch 16
Story 7: Buttercups
Story 8: Hero's Psyche
Story 9: Journaling 3
Story 10: Journaling 4
Story 11: Bar Mitzvah
Story 12: School Spirit
Story 13: Adoption
Story 14: Intervention
Story 15: Journaling 5
Story 16: Journaling 6
Story 17: Cookie Drive
Story 18: Some hearts are just lucky sometimes
Story 19: Journaling 7
Story 20: Journaling 8
Story 21: Worlds Collide: Bonus Chapter
Story 22: Worlds Collide: Bonus Chapter 2:
Story 23: Journaling 9
Story 24: Journaling 10
Story 25: Bonding Time
Story 26: Book Club 4
Story 27: Cover Story
An hour later, both teams and adult half-ghosts arrived at the clock tower. Since Clockwork claimed to know everything, he knew they'd appear on his doorstep. So there were refreshments already waiting for them. The Master of Time had remained in his old form since they arrived. Danny and Ceci felt odd that he had stayed the same for half an hour.
"I thank you all for coming. You should enjoy some refreshments before heading to the Nexus. You'll be thankful for having a snack first based on your information and what we've recently obtained.
"Why is all the food weird color? And it tastes weird too!" Tucker asked with his mouth open.
Sam shoved him, "Mind your manners, Tucker! And quit chewing with your mouth open its disgusting."
"Hey! What is with the attitude, Missy?" demanded Jamie to Sam, who looked shocked he said anything.
"What did you say?"
"You heard me! You've had one nasty attitude every time we've interacted with you! One that would be considered toxic! You act like you're always right, don't show anyone any real respect, and are rude as hell!"
Sam looked shocked by his words, and before she said anything, Ceci interjected. "If you've failed to recall, Danny even told you that himself during the intervention we had a few months back. You need to stop and think of your actions. Because if you looked it up on Google? You hit all the markers for being a toxic person. So again, I suggest you think hard about how you treat others if you like to remain friends." Ceci stated firmly.
"Guys, this isn't the time or place for this! We'll talk about respect and toxic people later! Right now, we need to get to the Nexus!" Danny interjected. He was secretly pleased someone else had given Sam a dressing down regarding how she treated others.
Plasmius and Inferno looked at each other. They had met during the multiverse Christmas party and had already made peace with each other. Still, Vlad whispered to Jack. "I'm quite pleased someone else stood up to that rude girl for Daniel's sake. What about you?"
"I don't enjoy anyone mistreating others. So kudos to the kids for recognizing what is toxic and what isn't."
After everyone finished, their snack Clockwork whisked them away to the Nexus. The rest of the Ancients were already waiting for them. All of them had grim expressions. Without a doubt, something serious had come to light. "Please sit, younglings. We've much to discuss," Vida requested. She used her powers to make comfortable chairs out of various plants.
After everyone was seated, Clockwork gave Cognite and Enchantra a nod. The two ghosts stood up and began speaking. "Based on the evidence we've been able to collect so far, it would seem these events were predicted long ago. With Enchantra's help, we've located a forgotten prophecy that foretold this crisis. Enchantra, will you read it?" Cognite handed her the scroll.
"Thank you," she said as she unrolled it. Her voice took on a mystical tone as she read aloud the prophecy.
"A tree with branches like ink will spread,
its seed planted by a spirit long dead.
Six saviors will be brought side by side;
Friendships will be forged amidst the tide.
For the unrelenting roots to meet their end,
Broken bonds will need to mend.
Brutal truths must likewise be faced,
For time cannot exist without space."
Everyone looked at each other before Jazz spoke up. "So what does it mean? And does it have anything to do with that crazy creature that attacked me?"
Clockwork sighed, "I believe the attack on you is connected to the prophecy. We've unraveled part of it. However, the attack on you revealed more. Specifically, who is responsible for the current crisis."
"WHAT?!" everyone shouted in shock.
Danny and Ceci asked in unison. "So you know who's been putting us through hell?!"
"I'm afraid I do, young heroes. And it pains me to my core that I've to say its my little brother that has caused you such pain."
"BROTHER?!" everyone shouted again.
"Hold up! I didn't even know ghosts could have children! Let alone siblings!" Jazz shouted in confusion.
"Yeah, that's crazy. No offense, but aren't you all, well, dead?" Denise questioned.
Clockwork couldn't help but chuckle. "It would take too long to explain, so I'll sum it up. Ghosts are a separate species that broke off from human evolution. We are not the spirits of the dead but our own race. So yes. We can fall in love, have children, and so forth. We also have members of the LGBTQ with us. You seem unaware that Cognite and Dimensie are non-binary."
"Okay, this is super freaky, and I guess we'll have to deal with it later. But mind telling us more about your little brother, dude?" Tucker asked.
"It would perhaps be better to show you rather then tell you," Clockwork turned to the rest of the Ancients, who nodded. Using their powers, they displayed what happened eons ago. They could still hear Clockwork narrating but also see their memories for themselves.
"The Ancients have been around since time began. Each of us governs our domain to ensure the balance between our worlds. Sadly we faced a betrayal so deep we've not spoken of it in over a millennium.
When Pariah Dark came to power, it fell upon us to overthrow and lock him in enteral sleep. However, the battle went on far longer then we thought because of a secret spy among us. Since it is true time cannot exist without space. The Ancient of Space was my little brother. They went by their proper name back then, Nebula."
They rhythm was broken momentarily, "Um, why did you switch pronouns?" Sam asked rudely.
"My brother is Demiboy. Meaning he feels somewhat male and partly non-binary. Now could we continue without the interruptions?"
Appropriately chastised, they continued, "Nebula gave critical information to Pariah. Information that nearly sealed our doom. He'd joined Pariah in exchange for untold powers. I' 've come to believe he was slightly jealous or another closely related reason. Whatever caused his betrayal caused a permanent rift between him and the rest of us.
When we finally defeated Pariah, we stripped Nebula of his former gifts and exiled him. Or rather, we tried to oust him, but he escaped into a part of our world that no one ever comes back from. All who enter are destined never to return. For yes, even ghosts can die."
The group was brought out of the memories. "It would seem; however, he's not dead. How he regained his former gifts, we cannot say. We need to find out the full scope of his plans. We know that everyone is doomed if we don't stop him. Drastic actions must be taken for a rouge Ancient. We shall not allow history to be repeated," Clockwork finished.
"Indeed, this is worse then we originally imagined. Paradox is dangerous as they come. He screamed that name to us before he vanished into the void. Again, we assumed he perished entering the void," Cronos spoke up gravely.
"What exactly is the void?" Vlad asked.
"The void is more or less a black hole within the Infinite Realms. Again none who enter it come back. We've set up several barriers to ensure no one gets sucked into it accidentally." Dynama explained.
"I believe being the former Ancient of Space possibly saved him from being removed from existence. Either way, he's wreaking chaos beyond mine and Harmony's ability to control," Discord spoke up.
"I can't contain the storm he's spreading across the multiverse either. I may be the Master of the Elements, but space isn't one of them. But regardless, this is one savage storm he's whipped up!" Tempest replied.
Ceci and Danny glanced at each other before sighing, "I'm afraid we both carry even worse news for you," Ceci started before Danny picked up.
"Yes, more then our realities have been breached. My sister and I encountered more ghosts who don't belong to our realms."
"Yes, I encountered a half-ghost woman name Magdalene Soulwings or simply Mag for short. She informed me in her reality she's married to my father and has three kids, Jazz, Danny, and Danielle Masters! All of them were born half-ghosts! I was very shocked to find this out. Again, shocking me more that someone could be born a half-ghost. Plus, more then one version of my brother!"
"What?!" Vlad and Jazz exclaimed in shock. But Danny gave even more shocking news.
"I also met a young teenage ghost named Kai. He indicated he was from Mag's world and said he was a classmate of mine. More then that, he said he was the son of Cronos! Is this true?" Danny asked.
The Ancients looked uncomfortable before Harmony said, "We're aware of this reality, for its one we ended up fashioning for reasons we cannot speak of. But yes, we have children, but they don't exist in either of your realities."
"Wow! I think we'll all need time to process this," Jack replied as his head spun.
"You don't have much time to do that, I'm afraid. We're afraid Paradox's attack on Jazz means he's slowly regaining his most dangerous powers. Also, he might be seeking more then revenge," Clockwork stated.
"Danny and I are afraid he might be seeking dangerous allies to assist him," Ceci said.
"Our dark sides, to be exact. We don't know what you did with either of our evil sides. But could you tell us now?" Danny asked.
"We closed off their realities and sealed them within a prison dimension. But given my brother's returning powers? He might be able to breach it," was the grave reply.
"So what should we do?" Ceci asked.
"For now, keep doing what you're doing of trying to keep your realities from intersecting. We'll do our best to find out where Paradox is. Hopefully, before more damage is done, we can figure out how to stop him!"
Nodding, everyone knew their mission had just gotten a hell of a lot harder. New bonds needed to be forged and become unbreakable to survive what was to come next!