Danny Phantom: Clockwork Apprentice.

Here Danny, Have a Ghost Dog.

"You're joking..."

"I rarely joke. He is well trained and has come to like you. Hence he shall be your guard."

"My guard? Why would I need a guard?" Danny asked warily.

"For your first trip in time. The observants have forbidden ME from accompanying you. They wish to see you act without my guidance. They said I cannot send your mentors either which is clearly poor judgment on their part but then again I'm not surprised. All they do is watch. So I have followed the rules. And bent them at the same time." Clockwork sounded very proud of himself. If you can with a voice that doesn't change pitch, tone, pace or vary in any kind of way.

"Where are they sending me?" Danny asked.

"Renaissance. You're to go back and prevent Leonardo Da Vinci from creating a working time machine."

"You're joking." This was apparently to become a reoccurring plea that Clockwork take up a comedic career rather than send Danny on outlandish and rather made up sounding missions through time and space. Because honestly, he was twelve. Even he knew this was dumb and dangerous.

"No."

"That sounds ridiculous... Like a bad chapter plot." Danny grumbled. But then what kind of person would make that up. Certainly not Clockwork, he was dead serious, or at least, Danny thought he was. It was hard to tell with clockwork. It's like looking at the smooth shell of an egg and wondering what the chicken who laid it looked like. "When is this happening? I have plans with Tucker this weekend."

"I have organised for you to spend some time with Cujo, to solidify the bond of boy and his dog. You will be free this weekend." Clockwork explained. Danny looked down at Cujo who was panting softly and looking up at him, his little tail thumping excitedly against Danny's stomach as he held the pup. Well, he guessed it could be worse. Cujo wasn't so bad when he wasn't absolutely terrifying.

"Vlad will not like this." He responded. Vlad wouldn't want fur all over his packer themed home. Could ghost dogs shed fur? Would it glow in the dark? That would actually be pretty cool. Danny would have to try it some time.

"Speaking of your living arrangements, since the Observants are being difficult with you spending too much time with me I have organised for a few companions to help create a haunt just for you, next to the clock tower of course. And naturally you'll still be staying with Vlad often now you are in contact with human relations." Clockwork explained. He saw a mix of emotions with in his charge, who unlike Clockwork, seemed to be an open book with his emotions, which was understandable. He was only young. There was a bit of annoyance at the mention of the one eyed meddlers, sadness at the thought of not staying with Clockwork, excitement of having his own haunt, and the comfort of having Vlad and his family, Tucker being included as family.

"They wont ever approve of me will they?" Danny sighed. Clockwork smiled softly at his charge. And it only seemed to be Danny who could bring these smiles out. Clockwork imagined this would be something like pride and fondness of a nephew. Not father, goodness knows the boy had enough of those with his actual father, Vlad and even Frostbite all seeming to be contending for the favourite father figure.

"They will learn to. I am too fond of your antics to let you go anyway." The time ghost replied.

"Careful Clocky, was that emotions I saw on your face." Danny teased before the ghost smirked and chased the boy out of the Clocktower. Yes, the mighty and all emotionless Clockwork was seen chasing a small boy and his dog around the Clocktower until the laughing child decided to leave. To bad no one had a camera.

Danny headed to Vlad's, Cujo remaining in Danny's arms until the dog saw Vlad approach, he wriggled free and took on his attack mode, growling as Vlad tried to step closer. "Cujo, down, it's okay. He's family." Danny calmly. It was easier when you weren't at the business end of those teeth to be calmer. The dog turned to the boy he'd instantly adopted as pack and playfully tilted his head before shrinking and leaping back into Danny's arms.

"Daniel what on earth is that?" Vlad asked, wrinkling his nose and straightening his clothes.

"I know, I know, I got dirt on my new jeans, you know you really should stop leaving all this dirt around." Danny said innocently.

"Daniel."

"It's ten square feet of snow in the middle of the desert."

"Daniel...?"

"Did you know fruitloops are an important part of a healthy diet?"

"DANIEL COLBY FENTON."

"Oooh, middle name AND last name? I'm scared."

"Just, explain what you've brought home." Vlad sighed. He cared for Danny, very much, but the boy was sometimes too cheeky for his own good.

"A dog.... who's a ghost. Well actually, my dog...who's a ghost. Clockwork gave him to me." Danny explained. "Cause I'm going on a trip through time and space in the near future to the distant past, and he's not allowed to play chaperone thanks to the Cyclops couch potatos."

"I...see. Kind of. I guess if it's for your protection then I'll allow it to say here. But it stays outside." Vlad said rubbing his temples.

"But-"

"No buts young man, there is a lot of expensive furniture in the house. I'll have a kennel built for him but he's to stay outside." Vlad insisted.

"You realise he will probably come in anyway right?" Danny murmured. Vlad rolled his eyes and focused on the canine. A pet may be a good thing for Danny but it wouldn't be for Vlad's furniture or yard.

"Any other surprises?" The man sighed.

"I'm gonna meet Leonardo Da Vinci."

"That's... A thing."

"Yes. A thing. That is. What do you suppose ghost dogs eat? Think he'd eat mutant ghost sausages?" Danny said looking at the puppy with a smile.

"No I'm pretty sure he won't need to eat."

"Hmm, this is gonna be easier than keeping a goldfish."

"I somehow doubt that."

"You're just mad cause you don't have a pet."

"I was thinking of getting a cat. But now we have a dog that changes from tiny slobbering mess to giant slobbering mess. So the cat can wait."

"He's just jealous, Cujo. Don't listen to him. He's a big mean fruitloop." Danny cooed the dog barking and Vlad looking unimpressed with the entire situation. He was really more of a cat person. Which made him wonder why he got along... Reasonably well with Danny. After all, the boy was very dog like. There was a reason Skulker called him whelp.

"Must you be so irksome, child?" Vlad muttered.

"Yes. Completely and wholly. 24/7. I live for it."