Chapter 10:

The days passed by in a similar fashion. The trio would show the demigods around and spend time getting to know each other, putting their activities on pause whenever a random monster would show up and continue with what they were doing as soon as the monsters were defeated. The subject of Danny becoming the ghost King was strictly avoided, much to Annabeth's frustration. Whenever she brought it up, Danny would either quickly change the subject or he ignored her completely.

"He can't avoid this forever," Annabeth declared after she voiced her frustrations to Percy. "He's going to have to face the fact he has to make a choice sooner or later. Putting it off will only make it harder, not to mention more dangerous."

"But forcing the issue at home won't help either," Percy reasoned, trying to calm his girlfriend. Annabeth still wasn't happy about the situation, but she agreed to temporarily drop the subject. Soon the summer came to an end and the teens reluctantly prepared for school.

"Are you guys sure you want to go through with this?" Danny asked the demigods as he packed his backpack. Even though school started later than normal as it was the first day, Jazz had called to make sure Danny had risen early so he'd be ready on time. "It was nice hanging out with you guys over the summer, but you guys have your own homes and families. I understand if you want to go to your own schools."

"Don't worry, My mom is fully aware of what's going on and supports me," Percy assured before he grinned. "Besides, I doubt there's any school back home that would even want me anyway. I've been pretty much expelled from every school I ever attended and am pretty much known as a delinquent."

"How the heck does that happen?" Danny wondered in shock. "I mean I don't have the best reputation among my teachers but not that bad."

"Unlike you, I don't have a secret identity," Percy replied with a shrug. "And the mist prevents normal people from seeing exactly what happens. So all the damage from a monster attack always gets blamed on me."

"Yeah I can relate," Danny winced in sympathy. "It took forever for people to accept my ghost half as a hero. Even now there are people that still consider me evil, my parents included."

"That's rough."

"I'm used to it. But what about you two?"

"I've never really been close to my dad," Annabeth replied. "It's gotten a little better, but I'm used to being on my own. And I can easily surpass any normal school curriculum so I can attend school anywhere."

"And I haven't really had a family or gone to school in several decades," Nico said with a shrug. "It'll be an interesting experience for the little time I'm there. Besides, we already agreed we're helping you with the monsters."

"I guess I can't talk you out of it," Danny sighed, slinging on his backpack. "Then let's go."

"We're just as stubborn as you are," Percy grinned. "You'll have to accept it one of these days."

"We'll see," Danny laughed as they left Fentonworks. They met up with Sam and Tucker and continued to school. They were currently at Danny's locker when Danny was grabbed from behind.

"Hey, Fenturd!" Dash sneered as he held Danny. "It's the first day of school so you've had a whole summer off. That means I've got a whole lot of beatings to catch up on and this is a great time to start."

"Hey!" Percy protested. "Put him down!"

"What are you going to about it newbie?" Dash laughed. "I'm the king A-lister around here and if you don't learn your place you can join this freak."

"Why you..." Percy growled, reaching for his pocket when Annabeth grabbed him.

"He's a mortal," She hissed quietly, shaking her head just ever so slightly. "We can't do anything."

Percy hated it, but he backed down. Dash, sensing his victory, grinned and shoved Danny into his locker. Dash slammed it shut and strutted off, laughing with the other football jocks. Sam quickly opened the locker and Danny tumbled out, his stuff spilling across the floor.

"Are you okay Danny?" Sam asked and Danny just glared at her. "Sorry, standard question."

"Why did you let him do that? Percy wondered as Sam and Tucker helped Danny to his feet. "I've seen you train at camp and you could easily have taken him down. So why did you let him push you around?"

"Because he always did before my accident," Danny explained as he and the others began gathering his stuff. "It would look suspicious if I was suddenly able to knock him out with ease. And even if I did fight back, I would be the one that gets in trouble. The teachers let the popular kids get away with pretty much everything."

"That's horrible," Annabeth gasped. "That isn't fair when you are clearly the victim."

"Well life isn't fair," Danny replied. "And I'm used to it by now."

"What's this Danny?" Tucker asked with a grin, holding up a small black box tied with a green ribbon. "Were you planning on giving this to a special goth girl?"

"Shut up Tucker," Sam growled, elbowing Tucker in the gut.

"I've never seen this before," Danny said in confusion, taking the box. "It wasn't in my backpack, maybe someone put it my locker?"

"It looks like there's a note with it," Annabeth observed. "That should provide some clue as to who it's from."

Danny opened up the note and read it, getting a small smile but still looking confused. Danny then passed the note around for the others to read.

Danny

Consider this an early birthday present. You'll find you'll need it sooner then you think.

CW

"Who's CW?" Percy asked after he read the note.

"Clockwork," Danny replied. "He's a ghost and the master of time. He's also my guardian and will often give me subtle hints or lessons to help me. I guess whatever's in here must be important."

The three demigods exchanged glances at that information but didn't comment. Very cautiously, Danny opened the box. Inside nestled on black velvet was a green and black ring with a green image of a skull carved onto it. Danny recognized instantly and dropped the box with a gasp.

"Why did you drop it?" Percy asked, carefully picking the box up. "Is the ring cursed or something?"

"That's the ring of rage," Nico informed, recognizing the ring as well. "It belongs to the Ghost King."

"This is just further proof you need to become king," Annabeth insisted. "If this Clockwork really controls time and is your guardian, then he must know this is the path you need to take."

"Or it could just be another one of his tests," Danny tried to reason, but he didn't sound very convincing.

"I don't know Danny," Sam said slowly. "This seems pretty straightforward. Especially for Clockwork."

"At the very least you should hang on to it," Tucker suggested. "Clockwork never does anything without a reason."

"Well I don't want it," Danny declared, tossing the ring into his locker and slamming the door shut. "He can give it to me but he can't make me accept it."

The others were about to argue, but the bell rang at that moment. With a sigh, they all headed to their different classes.