Time in the Heart
By: Wilona Riva
Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Thorns of Woman
Pariah Dark, King of all Ghosts, was cornered in his own throne room by his daughter, of all people.
"Father, what did you to with Danny?" she asked him.
"He is currently serving out his apprenticeship," her father smoothly answered, not letting his eyes off the pink guitar she carried for one second.
Ember took the phrase "hard rock" to a whole new level these days.
"Where is Danny?" she demanded angrily. "I know he's not in the palace or in the warehouse. He didn't even come to school today. Apricot and Youngblood are really worried," she added.
He sighed. Women could be a thorn in his side at sometimes, especially his daughter.
"He's in the human world," he revealed at last.
Ember dropped her guitar in shock. "Are you out of your mind?" she yelled. "How's he going to feed and clothe himself? What if he gets sick? What if he tries to banish someone? What if he runs into a ghost hunter?"
"Peace!" the Ghost King roared. "Enough with the questions! Danny is fine. A mortal 'hobo' as some people call homeless people found the boy within moments of his arrival. I gave him the Ring of Rage to help control his power. With the Ring, he can detect when the power will surge. He has already discovered this facet of the Ring's powers. He's already tried to banish a ghost hunter who has taken him into her home. Clockwork has reassured me that she will give him a good home and see that he receives a well-rounded education."
"But what if the ghost hunter teaches him to fight against us, Daddy?" she asked worriedly.
King Pariah sighed. "That is something we will have to deal with when the boy returns. There is a condition I need to clarify before we go any further."
"I can't believe you, Father!" she yelled, when he finished imparting the rest of the news to her.
"Pretty shocking," Apricot said, sipping on a sour ghostberry smoothie. "You have to actually marry Danny in order to be Queen of Ghosts?"
"Yeah," Ember muttered, stirring her cup of cocoa flame. "Father said it was 'my duty' or something like that."
"What is so funny?" Apricot demanded of Youngblood who was rolling on the floor.
"You said "duty"," he shrieked as fresh peals of laughter broke forth.
Ember exchanged a look with Apricot.
"Boys!" they said in unison.
"So, how are we getting to the human world to find Danny?" Apricot asked her.
"Leave that to me," she said, taking a sip of her iced drink.
