Clockwork's Tower
Sam found Clockwork's Tower rather easily.
Too easily.
There weren't many ghosts that Danny could call friend. Of those, the enigmatic ghost of time was probably her best bet.
Still, Sam had expected to spend a while trying to find Clockwork's Tower. They might have some things mapped in the Ghost Zone, but that didn't help as much as one would think due to the transitory nature of the Zone itself.
That she found it so quickly hopefully meant the time-ghost was aware she was looking, and wasn't opposed to meeting.
It should have been a comforting thought.
It wasn't.
Her theory was further confirmed when she landed the Speedster in front of large gates with interwoven gears that promptly opened before she could do anything.
Sam took a firm breath before getting out of the Speedster. With a gesture, several of the vines she brought with her flowed across her body, across her waist and her arms. Even if they wouldn't be of any use against Clockwork (She remembered how that fight went. It would take somebody like her Father to beat the time ghost) they were a comforting presence.
The hallway was fairly short, and soon she was walking into a familiar room. The ceiling seemed to extend to the top of the tower, and dozens of monitors haphazardly hung throughout the area with large gears churning in the background. Each monitor showed a different scene - some looked like they were meetings, others of landscapes, and some had streams of code cycling through.
Even with her newfound strength and abilities, the entire setup was too creepy for her liking.
"Ah, Miss Manson."
Sam almost shrieked as she spun around, vines surging around her protectively.
In his child form, Clockwork chuckled as he floated through a door carrying… a pot of peonies?
Sam watched in utter confusion as the time ghost placed the flowers next to one of the chairs. "Please, sit down. You've caught me at a good moment, I just finished replacing a tape for Dark Dan."
"What?" She did not expect this level of familiarity from the ancient ghost.
"Dark Dan." Clockwork repeated. "I have audio tapes playing for him - I don't believe in being cruel, and isolation is a rather brutal fate. We're currently in the middle of Star Wars." He chuckled, "I do enjoy those older stories, where good triumphs over evil. But I digress, please have a seat. Oh, and I brought flowers to make this a bit more comfortable for you."
Sam's thoughts had been thoroughly detailed, and she cautiously sat down next to the flowers, briefly running her fingers over the petals and taking some comfort in their presence.
They were nice. In their limited existed, they held no ill will towards Clockwork, so that was a point in his favor.
Still, she had to be firm. She came here with an objective.
"I didn't come to socialize." She rallied her thoughts. "I assume you know what's going on?"
Clockwork gave her an amused smirk, his form shimmering and appearing as an old man. "I know what's going on in many places and many times." He replied drily. "But I assume you're not speaking of the latest breakthrough into temporal theory at ISST."
Sam scowled. "I'm talking about in Amity Park."
As if anything could compare to her father's work in cleansing the Earth.
"A pity. You'll have to forgive an old man his personal interests. I've been debating sending in some alternative theories to see just how they'd react." Clockwork replied smoothly, shifting into a child.
Sam waited several beats, but Clockwork offered her an enigmatic smile.
"Well?" She prompted. "Do you?"
"Ah, you are referring to Undergrowth's actions, correct?" Clockwork shifted into his adult form and twirled his staff, one of the monitor's changing to show an aerial view of Amity Park. More than half the city was covered in green by this point, and Sam felt a surge of pride at the size of The Growth.
Alas, now was not the time to bask in the glory that was her Father.
"Then you know what is happening with Danny." Sam pressed. "You know how to help him."
Clockwork gave a contemplative hum as he floated between several screens. "Naturally. But I must ask - is this you asking? Or Undergrowth?"
"I'm asking on behalf of Undergrowth." Sam answered firmly, narrowing her eyes. "Does it matter? Do you have something against my Father?"
She probably should have figured that out before coming here. Sam hadn't even thought about a friend of Danny's being an enemy of her Fathers. That would be... Awkward if he were. What with her being in the center of his lair. Without Father's knowledge.
Crap.
"Hmmm, against Undergrowth? Not particularly I suppose." Clockwork answered idly, and Sam breathed a sigh of relief. "As always, I maintain my neutrality and simply observe."
"Good." Sam nodded to herself. "Then can you assist?"
"Hmmm, Danny does need help, that is true." Clockwork mused. "Such an interesting turn of events. This particular timeline was only possible by the narrowest of margins. A singular future amongst thousands. How interesting…" he seemed lost in thought for a bit.
"Yes, truly fascinating." Sam drawled, annoyed. What did it matter how likely the circumstances were? They happened. End of story. "But to help Danny?"
Clockwork shrugged. "Unfortunately, I cannot. You of all people should know that I do directly interfere in these issues."
Sam grit her teeth, "that's a lie, and you know it!" She retorted hotly. "Danny told us you saved all of us from that explosion."
"Extenuating circumstances." He waved her accusation off. "Preventing the rise of another Dark Dan is well worth me coming off the sidelines."
"And helping Danny find the cure to ecto-acne?" She shot back.
Clockwork smirked at her. "I don't know what you're referring to." The ghost replied in an innocent tone. "I merely taught Danny a lesson in the importance of meddling with time. A crucial lesson that all should learn, if I may be so bold. If he learned something in addition to that, then that's his prerogative."
"So what, you just pick and choose when you want to help?" Sam growled out as she glared at the elderly ghost.
To her surprise he nodded, "an extreme oversimplification, but not inaccurate view I suppose." He murmured. "Knowing what each future holds is a heavy responsibility, one I try to use responsibly. I'm not much of a puppeteer you see, and the world hardly needs nor wants one, so I let things be unless the consequences are truly dire. And even then, I find the best results are from little nudges given. Bits of knowledge inadvertently learned."
"Fine, then help me learn how to help Danny." Sam had to take a steadying breath, the peonies at her side growing to wrap around her hand comfortingly, and she unashamedly took that comfort. Taking a moment to stuff her pride down, she looked down. "I just… I just want Danny to be safe. Please."
She was running out of options. Her Father would not help. Vlad was the least trustworthy person alive. Clockwork could help, but he wasn't…
Sam nearly jumped when Clockwork placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression sympathetic.
"I understand." He said heavily, and to her surprise it actually seemed like he meant it. "However, for me to interfere too much might result in an undesirable future. It's something that I must constantly be careful of. If it helps, I can at least assure you that you are on the right path."
"R-really?" Sam hated how weak she sounded. But at that moment, she needed some sort of reassurance.
"Indeed." He gave her shoulder a final squeeze and smile before making his way back to his own chair. "Do as you have been doing. Your best is all that you need."
Sam huffed. "So that's it?"
Clockwork tilted his head. "Well, there is one more thing." He mused. "It's not much. Just a single question really."
A question? Really?
Sam gave him her best glare. "I reserve the right to be as cryptic and unhelpful as you've been with my questions."
Clockwork returned her look with a smirk. "That's more than fair."
A part of her was admittedly curious. What kind of question would he have that she knew the answer of? And more importantly, what would be the best way to obfuscate the heck out of it? "Very well."
"Excellent." He gave a pleased look. "Now, let us assume that you find the answer you seek and help young Danny. Upon doing so, what if he doesn't wish to go along with Undergrowth's plan?"
Sam frowned. "Why would he resist?" She asked in genuine confusion.
Danny always did what was right. Yes, he fought against them initially, but once she explained everything properly he'd have no reason to resist.
"A variation of the question then." Clockwork pushed, leaning on his staff. "Danny gets cured, and for one reason or another he and Undergrowth find themselves in conflict with each other. Whose side are you on?"
"I…" what could she say?
A phantom pain ripped through her heart and mind at the conflicting thoughts, and she instinctively shied away from it. Why would they fight? Both Danny and her Father meant so much to her, both were obviously good, they had no reason to fight each other -
The thoughts felt buried, restrained. Her mind was aflame, and she couldn't connect -
Father obviously knew best, and she should follow him. That was the obvious answer.She should always follow his guidance.
Wait, she was getting ahead of herself.
"You haven't given me enough information to choose," Sam ground out, "who is the instigator of the conflict?"
It was probably Danny.
… Ok, it was almost certainly Danny.
"What is the purpose of the fight? How can I choose a side if I don't know what the sides are fighting for?"
There. Sam relaxed a bit and felt her thoughts cool, feeling proud for dodging that mental minefield.
"Hmmmm. So you can foresee a situation where you'd fight against Undergrowth?" Clockwork asked curiously.
Sam stiffened, and her mind ignited anew.
She had dodged the minefield only to throw herself onto a bomb.
"I-I didn't say that!" The plant girl immediately protested, wincing at the mere pain that the thought brought.
"Are you sure?" The time ghost's expression held no judgment. No condemnation. "If you need an explanation before choosing, that means you have not chosen. If you have not chosen, then that means you haven't chosen Undergrowth. Doesn't that mean there might be a circumstance where you might choose against him?"
Sam was beginning to hate this line of questioning.
"I-I'm simply saying that perhaps Father does not have all of the information. Or perhaps Danny doesn't. A lack of communication." Sam desperately tried.
The idea of her father being wrong - about anything - was practically anathema to Sam. He was ancient and strong, far wiser and smarter than she was. And obviously he knew what was best for her. Why wouldn't she follow his orders?
He loved her after all.
And yet… Hadn't she already come to the conclusion that he was wrong about Danny? Wasn't it possible, however unlikely, that he'd be wrong again?
Sam shuddered, her mind itched. No. It, he wasn't wrong. He just… Deemed saving Danny too dangerous. And it was dangerous. She was just willing to take the risk. That didn't mean her Father was wrong. He was being protective. That's all.
That was all.
A pressure on her lap distracted her, and Sam realized Clockwork had placed the pot of peonies on her lap. "No need to answer the question." He told her gently. "Just something to think on."
"R-right." Sam responded shakily. Good. Great.
Never thinking of that again. Ever.
"Well, that's all I wanted." Clockworker clasped his hands together and gave her a small bow. "Thank you for indulging an old spirit's whims. And please, take the peonies with you as a gift."
Sam blinked, mind snapping back to her original purpose, "Wait, that's it?" She asked in disbelief.
"I believe so," Already, the old ghost was drifting away to another monitor that was showing a series of triangles.
"D-Do you at least have a recommendation on who I should ask next?" Sam was feeling desperate now as she stood up, the peonies wrapping around her arms. "Or, or somewhere? Anything?"
"I'm afraid I've given all the help I can." He intoned. "The rest is up to you."
"But you haven't given me anything!" Sam cried out in disbelief, her body shaking. "Why did you even let me find your tower if you weren't going to give me any answers?"
That sparked a reaction, and Clockwork turned around to give her a smug smirk that she wanted to punch off his face. "Why does anybody do anything?" Clockwork countered. "It's because they have something to gain from the exchange."
"And you believe you've gained something from this?" Sam demanded.
As far as she could tell, he just dodged questions followed by giving her a migraine. The only thing he provided was vague assurances that did little in actually reassuring her.
"Yes, I do believe I've reached the optimal outcome." He answered, looking far too pleased with himself. "I wish you the best in your endeavor Miss Manson, and bid you good day."
With that, the old ghost floated out of the room, leaving Sam completely alone.
Sam didn't remember making it to the Speedster. She's pretty sure the only reason she made it safely was because her vines were watching out for her. By the time she was flying away Sam was busy doing her best to not freak out.
Clockwork had given her practically nothing. The assurance that everything would work out was not assuring at all.
Next on her list… Well, did she have anybody else?
There were a few friends, but there was no way to contact them or find out where they existed.
What about an enemy?
Danny had a surplus of enemies that he knew of that were ghosts. How hard would it be to squeeze the truth out of some of them?
It was just a matter of finding them.
Sam was jolted from her thoughts as the Speedster shook violently as multiple explosions hit the rear.
"Hah! To think you're bold enough to come so close to my haunt whelp!"
Speaking of enemies…
Hello rightfully placed aggression.
Skulker's POV
Skulker had been in the middle of one of his hunts when he decided to check the radar. To think he'd almost missed detecting the whelp's flying vehicle! Lady fortune was surely smiling on this encounter, and he'd immediately flown out to intercept.
Normally the halfa wouldn't bother with the vehicle and just fly, which meant he had his irritating friends with him. Strategies and opportunities flitted through his mind at how best to incorporate them.
It always did make the Hunt more thrilling when Danny was truly motivated to fight.
The robotic hunter released a salvo of tracking missiles that impacted the vehicle in quick succession and crippled its speed.
"Hah! To think you're bold enough to come so close to my haunt whelp!" Skulker crowed gleefully as he flew abreast of them. "Why don't you surrender your pelt right now, and I'll spare your -"
"Skulker!"
He faltered as the door opened, and instead of seeing a halfa with white hair and foolish jumpsuit, he briefly saw a black haired girl with glowing green eyes. The whelp's not-girlfriend.
It was only 'briefly', because the swarm of vines that shot out of the vehicle and wrapped around him quickly consumed his attention.
Skulker activated his jet pack and set it to max, flames belching out while he blasted the vines with his cannons, causing damage to himself but managing to free himself, thus allowing him to get a better look at his foe.
Scanning… Rescanning… Yep, it was the girl. Samantha Manson.
As a Hunter, of course he paid the utmost attention to his prey's environment and friends. Though, she was undeniably different. She lacked her normal dark tones she favored, as well as her usual accessories. And shoes?
No matter. He already had an appropriate strategy.
"You are the whelp's girlfriend, aren't you?" Skulker called out while cycling through his missiles.
He knew what her next move would be - she would blush and stumble at the accusation, denying all (he didn't quite get why they both acted like that, but he was more than willing to capitalize on it). Her inattentiveness would then give him a chance to -
"I am!" came the snarled reply, the girl letting out another surge of thorny vines without pause which latched onto his suit, thorns twisting and latching into the metal.
A machete quickly flew into his hands and he hacked at the vines, only for more to replace them. This was quickly getting out of hand.
"What…" Skulker grunted as he finally hacked enough to force some distance. "How did you get powers? Don't tell me you were stupid enough to have a portal accident like the whelp?"
He cursed to himself as the number of vines he had to dodge simply increased, several actually reaching out to some asteroids and flung them at him. All while the girl maintained her silent glare. Not at all like the ghost child.
His sensors were indicating a level of ecto-energy within her. Add in the differences to her apparel, it was obvious that this was the result of a ghost. He just wasn't sure which one.
"If you're here now," Skulker gritted his teeth while rapidly firing several missiles at the incoming vines. "Then Phantom can't be far away." Dodge the asteroid a cluster of vines threw. "While I would love to stay and fight you, I see no point -" he raised an arm and barely blocked several leaves that had been sharpened enough to cut into the metal, "- in wasting energy when my preferred prey is around." He fired off his boosters and moved further away, barely avoiding a cloud of mysterious pollen. When he finally gained some distance, he watched the vehicle and girl cautiously.
Skulker had no desire to fight both the girl and Phantom at the same time. Until he had more information, he would stay back.
"As if I would give you the chance to hurt Danny!"
Skulker's suit suddenly gave off multiple alarms. Looking at them, he blanched.
[Danger: contaminants found in weapons systems and jetpack. Heat levels rising to unsafe levels. Efficiency compromised. Shutting down systems for safety.]
To Skulker's horror, small flowers were sprouting from within the arm of his suit, much like what was probably happening throughout the rest of the components.
Just as the jetpack failed, a larger vine wrapped itself around him and yanked him back to the ship, dragging him in and slamming him against the wall.
Vines continued to wrap around his arms and chest, the metal protesting under the strain.
And in front of him stood the whelp's girl, her expression a picture of disdain.
"Alright, you've got me." Skulker admitted, grunting as the metal in his shoulder buckled, and he made sure to keep his voice calm and level. Clearly a change in tactics was needed.
The whelpette kept up her glare. "I have some questions," she growled, "and you are going to answer them."
Skulker grimaced as his suit began to groan under the strain. "I can do that," he agreed calmly. "But… some context would be helpful."
Clockwork's PoV
Clockwork watched through one of the monitors as Samantha captured Skulker, not bothering to resist a small chuckle.
"Right on time."