Author Note: I can only recall one fic that actually sort of had a younger Clockwork. Though here's a lot that makes me (and I'm sure a lot of people) wonder- what is Clockwork's story? What about the Time Master before him?
Holy fanfiction this is gonna be really long with everything I have planned. You guys know the drill- chapters will be longer than the prologue.
~CWA
Title: The Master of Time
Summary: Clockwork was not the first Master of Time- there was just one before him, the first Time Master- Clockwork's Master. Just how did a young Clockwork cope under the apprenticeship of his master and thrive to understand the Ghost Zone around him?
Genre: Friendship/Adventure
Rated: T
Disclaimer: I do not own nor claim Danny Phantom. I do own OCs (such as, but not limited to, Mortem, Nox, Ratio and Data)
Notes: Going against my own story called Stories Of The Dead (which included oneshots about the deaths of every ghost in Danny Phantom), I decided to make Clockwork a lot younger when he died- being about ten.
IMPORTANT- Clockwork will be a bit different because he's younger, but eventually he will become the Clockwork we know and love! Same goes for any and all younger characters that will show up.
Prologue:
The Ghost Zone was a rather complex place with many aspects to it. There was a government, per say, but it was a bit different. The Ghost King ruled over the zone with the Observants as his advisors (as well as the court and jury) and his trusted allies. The position of King was the most known position of power, but it wasn't necessarily the only position of power. Other positions ruled under the Observants such as the masters of Death (who also kept balance), dreams, and time. Each position was held by very powerful ghosts, perhaps even more powerful than the Ghost King if they joined together.
Each were different than other ghosts as they were the first of their position, but they would not be the last. The Obsevervants made it very clear that their positions were very important- even if the Observants tended to treat them terribly under the illusion that being an Observant was far more important than anything else (despite the fact that the others were more powerful than the Observants). As a result, a rule was set in place- each must have an apprentice, a ghost to take their position should they end. The apprentice had to be well trained and ready to take over the position on a moment's notice. Whether the apprentice was another ghost already formed or even a child of themselves was not important as long as the apprenticeship was filled.
Of course there was exceptions to this. In the case of Mortem (the Master of Death and Balance), there should be no apprenticeship required as Death could not end- she was infinite, the event that could cause her to end would just transport her to somewhere else (in extreme cases- she would even regenerate as a child, but with the past attitude and memories). Of course, she should she wish to have an apprentice than it would be tolerated. Nox, the current Dream Master, made a child named Nocturn to be his apprentice. Ratio (the first and current Time Master) was in a predicament.
Much to the impatience of the Obervants, Ratio refused to accept an apprentice as he was waiting for the perfect one to come along…