Long Reign The Ghost King
Rating: Teen, for some language and hints of sexual content
Summary: Clockwork had always known that the life of Danny Fenton could take one of three paths. Two of those paths are now forevermore out of reach, but is the young halfa ready to face the third?
Pairing: Danny/Sam
LES: As just a quick note, this takes place in a future time, but with no Phantom Planet. Danny's secret is still safe, and he and Sam have started dating.
Chapter 1: In Medias Res
Danny Phantom was unsure if he had ever been in a stranger situation than the one he found himself in.
It was one thing to be captured, but another thing entirely knowing that he was not being held against his will. He had agreed to this, and a part of him was still wondering why.
He was tied to a column in the middle of a darkened room, lit only by ghostly green fire. The bonds were of a ghostly nature and would hold him in place, for his safety as much as the others in the room. Nearly a dozen ghosts hovered in the shadows of the room, watching him, some of them familiar to him, but many were not. But most of his attention was focused on the two ghosts floating in front of him and not on the on-lookers.
The first was perhaps one of the most feared entities in the entire ghost zone: Thanatos, the ghostly master of death. He truly looked a horrifying figure: an imposing figure draped from head to foot in a flowing pitch black cloak. Danny could barely see the skeletal face underneath the hood. For a brief moment, he considered asking the Reaper if he could remove his cloak and be present in his real form underneath the mask of the Reaper, but Danny knew he couldn't. Without the cloak to protect him, Thanatos could be vulnerable to the ritual that was about to take place. Thanatos held in his skeletal hands the symbol of his power: the Scythe. He held the wicked black blade poised, ready to strike and bring an end to Danny Phantom's existence if it seemed like he would not be able to pass the ritual. A few years ago, Danny would have been terrified of having the knowledge that he was literally less than a foot from no longer existing. But if the ghosts were right, Danny knew that he didn't want to continue if he failed.
The second ghost was one that Danny was very familiar with, but the seriousness of the situation prevented Danny from really speaking with Clockwork. The Master of Time gazed down at Danny Phantom. "Are you sure you wish to go through with this?" He asked.
Danny Phantom took a steadying breath. He wished desperately that Sam, Tucker, and Jazz could be in the room with him, but this was an incredibly important ritual in the Ghost Zone and they could not be permitted inside. Whether he passed or failed, he would have to face the coming trial alone. He reached inward, allowing his consciousness to seek out the humans waiting in the room next door. His mind brushed against theirs and he spoke to them mentally.
"I love you guys. All of you." He projected the thought into their minds.
It took a moment for them to respond. "You don't have to do this, Danny." It was Tucker.
"I do." Danny thought back, focusing on keeping his fear under control. Not only would the fear make his friends worry, but it could have a negative impact on his ability to survive the ritual.
"Be strong, Danny. I love you." It was Sam.
"I love you too, Sam. Good-bye." He had to say it, just in case. And then, before he could change his mind, he completely shut off the mental link, leaving him with just his own thoughts.
He took another deep breath and met Clockwork's eyes. "I'm sure." He answered, keeping his voice steady.
"Remember to believe in yourself." Clockwork whispered to him, repeating the same piece of advice that he'd been telling him since Danny agreed to try this ritual. Believe in yourself. This was a test of character, not strength. Clockwork turned around and picked an ancient artifact up off its waiting pedestal and turned back to Danny. Danny recognized the artifact immediately. It was the Crown of Fire. The Ring of Rage was left on the pedestal for the moment. After all, it was little more than an amplifier for the crown's power. The crown was the true test.
All of the ghosts leaned forward and Clockwork raised the crown up for all to see.
Danny closed his eyes. It was hard to believe that only a week ago his biggest concern had end-of-year testing for his senior year of High School. And now, here he was, about to face a dangerous and potentially fatal ritual. Whether he passed or failed, his life (or after-life) was about to change forever.
Thanatos' bony fingers tightened their grip of his scythe as Clockwork began to lower the Crown of Fire onto Danny's head…
And then everything went black.
LES: The next chapter will be going back in time to see how everything happened.