EDIT: Fixed up a minor problem or two, and hopefully set straight a small continuity problem. Can you tell I wrote this when I was half-asleep? x.X

The Origins of Danny Phantom

By FlikFreak

Part Eleven: Renewed Determination


Clockwork had never quite encountered something like this before. In all his years, he had known of the predictions that several had made, and of the legends that a young Halfa – half-ghost, half-human – would appear to them in such a manner. Whether the Halfa would wreak chaos or peace was constantly in question, but Clockwork knew which course the boy would take.

Phantom was gone by now, but in his room Clockwork could see the entire ordeal. The human had barely known the specter that had inhabited his mirror, and yet he had grown rather attached to him. In speaking with the Phantom earlier, it was easily shown that Phantom had taken a liking to the boy as well. Clockwork couldn't help but express his own admiration; the human was given this power, and in spite of what it could potentially do as a destructive force, he used it to protect those dear to him without a second thought. Reckless, but noble.

But now a large uncertainty had settled over the boy. He might have attained Phantom's power through sheer coincidence, but he was still human. He had ambitions. He had dreams. He had a family. He had friends. He even had talents that many would crave. Before gaining these powers, the boy could have been just another cheerful adolescent with a less-than-average family. To see him now, gripping the mirror before him in shock and sadness, caused Clockwork to do a quick double-take. The boy had barely known Phantom, and had even been suspicious of him. Why would he be so concerned?

Then it hit him. Phantom had been his friend.

It was hard to consider someone a friend after only knowing them for a short period of time, but Phantom had obviously seen something in this human that no one else could have. Clockwork had known Phantom for a long while; though he had been reckless and rather naïve at times, his loyalty and resolve were absolutely unbreakable. The ghost had also had a knack for knowing people inside-out upon first meeting. Surely this human had something worth merit to consider him a companion. For the human, however, it was hard to know. Perhaps the human had thought something similar about Phantom. Perhaps whatever Phantom had told him had struck a chord in his heart. Whatever it was, Clockwork had seen the boy go from looking completely hopeless, to curious, to absolutely shocked, and finally to a strange, silent, motionless state of grieving.

Even as he watched through the portal of time, however, the human stood, his fists clenched and eyes narrowed. Clockwork knew that expression; Phantom had looked that same exact way before on many occasions, and on each one of them he had made a silent resolution involving something or someone's protection, and he had never once failed.

"I'm not giving up," he heard the boy say. "I'm not going to let anyone else get hurt because of me. I might have made this mess, but that doesn't mean I can't fix it." In a brilliant flash of light, the boy took off for the door, leaving all doubt behind. Clockwork grinned inwardly at the boy's resolve.

The problem that now rested with him was the fact that the council would have to know about this. The shock of hearing that Phantom had relinquished his powers and the last of his energy to a human (effectively making him a Halfa) would certainly not come as a positive piece of news. Clockwork believed that perhaps it would be better if he simply observed for a little while longer. After all, if Phantom had such confidence in the human, then he must have known about his potential.


Danny didn't bother dinner with everyone else. He snuck himself a handful of cereal, helped down it with a glass of milk and headed straight back to his room, leaving his backpack behind and transforming into his ghostly self, soaring out the window and abandoning all rational thoughts involving being grounded, his grades, and his odd disappearance.

He had far more important things on his agenda.

Something in the back of his mind was screaming a string of curses at him. He knew he was being reckless. He might get killed, and this would all be in vain. Phantom would have helped him and then vanished forever, and his efforts would have meant nothing. If Danny screwed up, everything was lost. Of course, that was exactly why he was rushing head-first into this. If he let that thing continue running around, people would get hurt.

Besides, he mused, I'm tired of doubting myself. Phantom told me I could do this, and he's helped me before. I know I can trust him. And…I can't let anyone get hurt because of me. I made this mess, and it's about time I cleaned it up.

He was at school at record speed, even for flying. He landed in the football field and waited patiently, Fenton Thermos strapped to his back. It didn't take long for his opponent to show his presence.

"So, you came, Phantom. What is it you seek?"

"Getting rid of you," Danny replied, "And in case you haven't figured it out, I'm not Phantom, even though I smell like him."

"But you are so similar to him," the voice continued, growling. "Besides, we've been looking for you, regardless of your identity."

Danny rolled his eyes. "Great; there's more of you out to tan my hide?"

"But of course. Rumors have traveled of the Halfa. Half-human, half-ghost. No one knows your origins, but as for me, I'm more than happy to get rid of you than sate their curiosity."

The air shifted. Taking his cue, Danny dove into the gym, hoping the place would be big enough to fight. The school had closed down, and as such the lights were off. That was fine; he could see in the dark. The air shifted once more, and Danny could sense his opponent near.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are!"

Danny was positively freaked out by the voice. There was barely any time to react as a blast of red energy hurled his way. Frantically, the ghost boy dodged out of the way just in time for it to slam into the bleachers. Man, I sure hope the school is insured. Thinking quickly, he raced forward toward the direction that the beam came from, only to find more firing his way. The dodging on Danny's part ended up being complete guesswork – that or instinct – but thankfully he managed to avoid every single one. As the chill around him grew stronger, he drew back a punch and sent it flying forward. "Be careful what you ask for, Mister Invisible!" It made contact, and the invisible attacker was sent flying through the air and crashing into a basketball goal, tearing it from the ceiling.

"How could you claim not to be Phantom?!" the voice cried. "Only he could exhibit such power!"

"I had a few lessons," Danny replied, sending another punch at his attacker. It was strange; he had no idea where the assailant was visually but a sixth sense of sorts was leading him in the right direction. As he thought he was winning, however, he felt a cold hand grab his throat tightly, lifting him into the air. A snarl reached his ears as he gasped for breath.

"You know what the future holds, Phantom. The entire council has known, as well. You are doomed to a fate of evil. Innocence cannot be reclaimed once lost."

"Unless it was still there to begin with," Danny retorted, crying out as he pried the hand from his neck, grabbing hold of the arm and hurling whatever was grasping him through the wall and outside. Soaring through the gap, Danny focused his eyes to the light again, quickly finding the displaced air and glaring at it. "What do you want from me, anyway?!"

"It's simple, Phantom. The council knows that in your future you will be at fault for a great bout of destruction. That fool Clockwork insists that there is good left in you, that you can change, but we know better than to listen to him. I figured, why wait? Get rid of the menace now and we won't have to worry about your petty future!"

Danny rolled his eyes. "That would be a clever idea, but I don't think it'll do you any good, because I'm not Phantom!" He raced forward again, full of frustration and rage, only to be slapped out of the air. Danny screamed in pain as he crashed into a light pole and slid to the ground, his consciousness fading.


Okay, I admit. I could have made this longer, but I kinda thought this was a good stopping point. Plus, I'm kinda on a time-tight schedule at the moment. I'll get the next chapter up as soon as I can. If not tomorrow, maybe Sunday or during next week. Not entirely sure.