Danny couldn't sleep. But then again when did he ever get a good nights rest.
All night he tossed and he turned. And once he was at the brink of sleep, a thought would cross his mind;
How am I going to even rule the ghost zone?
Are people even going to respect me?
They will hate me for there king.
I have made more enemies than allies.
What will make me so different and powerful compared to all the other ghosts?
What if I lost the ring of rage?
All these thoughts and more. Sure Danny was excited, but he was terrified to rule an entire kingdom at the age of 16!
Finally his alarm went off. 6:00 Am. But he didn't feel like going to school at all. In fact all he wanted to do is throw up. Fear. That was all he felt as he lay staring at the cold empty ceiling.
Will I make a good king?
"Shut up!" Danny yelled. He shot an ecto blast at the alarm clock frying it. He was up all night with only four hours of sleep. He was loosing his mind.
His mind.
How many ghosts will be watching me?
What did Clockwork mean by a slight change in his appearance?
His mind needed to shut up.
"Danny are you okay?" Jazz appeared in his doorway spotting her little brother standing on his bed, with green smoke coming out of his hand. Which meant... she looked at the unfortunate alarm clock. He fired an ecto blast. "Did you not sleep well?" She asked.
Danny shook his head. "I think I have a fever." He complained as he fell on his bed dramatically.
Danny had an ice core which meant having a fever could be deadly to him. But lucky He was only lying to get out of going to school.
"You look like shit Danny. I'll get mom and dad."
A few seconds later his parents barged in with a worried Jazz behind them.
"Danny!" His mother shouted and when strait to her son. She placed a hand on his forehead. Cold. Ice cold. She frowned. "Danny?"
"I think I'm going to throw up." Danny wasn't lying about that.
"Maybe you should stay home." His father suggested.
"Good idea." Jazz agreed. But her expression turned into one of concerned. He looks more stressed then sick.
"I'll make you some toast for breakfast." His mother offered.
"Thanks guys." Danny smiled weakly.
The three left the room. And Danny was alone again captive by his thoughts.
This is the best thing ever!
I'm going to be king which means...
No more staying up fighting ghosts. Unless your challenged.
No more missing school! If I'm going to be ruler of an entire realm then I will miss school.
No more missing homework. Yea right.
No more calling off hanging with Sam and Tucker! That's not going to happen. He knew it.
The list goes on and on.
Danny growled to himself. Maybe being fearful isn't the bests thing right now even though Sam once told him being scared heightens his senses. But he couldn't help it. Danny didn't know what to do. But as the halfa thought about it more, in the long run the Ghost Zone needed a king. And that is who he will be.
Oh how he wanted to tell his friends and family.
Dammit Clockwork.
When 11:30 rolled around, Danny felt another wave of nausea wash over him. His sister or parents would occasionally come around and check up on him. But that didn't help his pounding heart. Phantom looked back at the clock wishing and hoping it somehow went back an hour or two. But when he saw the same time he frowned and got out of bed. Of course Clockwork wouldn't allow that.
Danny knew he should get going. So the halfa forcefully transformed into phantom and turned invisible just in case his parents where in the lab, then he phased through the floor. Checking to make sure no one was around, he unlocked the Ghost Portal. Phantom did a double take to make sure his parents weren't down there. When the coast was clear, Danny inhaled.
This is it. Danny thought. My life will change forever.
The halfa exhaled and stepped through the portal.
"Hello Danny." Clockwork spoke once the young boy arrived.
"Hello." He replied. His heart was racing.
"Are you ready?" The master of time could see how scared Danny was. It doesn't matter. The Crown will give him confidence.
"As I'll ever be." The Halfa replied.
"Good. Before we leave I have something for you." Clockwork went over to a small desk and on it was nothing but a rectangular shaped box. He picked it up and handed it to Danny. Danny took the box and looked at Clockwork.
"Well go on." He urged.
Danny opened it to reveal a black and white fabric. He pulled the fabric out revealing a cape that was white on the inside and black on the outside. Danny put the cape on and smiled.
"Wow, Clockwork this is amazing. Thank you."
"Your welcome." The master of time grinned.
"Wow, I- I don't know what to say..."
"You don't need to say anything, young prince. Now let's get going, we don't want to be late to your Coronation."
The ghost of time created a portal, and the two ghosts stepped through it.
Danny looked around. He was in a huge hall. Not much further behind him was the exit into the ghost zone. Hundreds of lit candles scattered the walls. The hall was covered in dust and cobwebs. In front of him was two very large doors of which he could hear chattering in. He was in Pariah Darks keep. Danny knew this place very well.
"Now when I say, we walk through those doors. Don't let anything the ghosts say bother you, just look straight ahead."
Oh god this all happened too fast. Way too fast. Danny wanted to reply but he was frozen in place.
Clockwork, noticing the boys panicked state, paused for a minute before saying,
"Danny, I believe in you and I am very proud. We need to go in now. Remember what I said."
The massive doors opened which caused butterfly's to over flow Danny's stomach like dropping on a roller coaster. Inside the doors revealed ghosts. Hundreds and hundreds of ghosts all standing looking at the child.
"Pathetic!" One ghost growled.
"He's nothing but a child!"
"Unbelievable."
"I will not serve him."
Even though all these comments hurt, Danny looked strait ahead showing no signs of fear. After all he wasn't going to let his people think he was just a kid that they can talk to like that. In front of him was a recognizable throne. To the left stood a man, wait not a man, but an observant. The one thing Clockwork hated most. And behind him where Frostbite, Pandora, and Dora all sitting to show their support. Danny couldn't help but to allow a small smile crack between his lips. The Observant was wearing white cloths holding a purple pillow which on it had the ring and the blazing green crown. They where both strong symbol in which Clockwork told them that would make his people fear for there life's. Well after life's.
After what felt like a year, Danny finally made it to the podium with Clockwork standing at his side. Then he glanced around. The whole keep was still themed after pariahs ruling. Then he noticed The Sarcophagus of Forever Sleep, which he guessed still held Pariah Dark. Danny gulped as he took in his surroundings.
"We are gathered here today to bestow the Ghost Zones two most powerful artifacts to Daniel James Fenton/Phantom. Savior of the Earth and of the Ghost Zone, and rightfully heir to the throne. We give these artifacts of our peoples culture in hopes that you will lead us into a brighter future, and be the best rule you can be. Wearing these artifacts, you must promise to always follow the laws of the Ghost Zone, and put your people before yourself. Now, Daniel Phantom," the Observants voice boomed snapping the poor prince out of his thoughts. "Do you promise to protect the entire Ghost Zone no matter what the cost is?"
His stomach felt like it was in a knot as he opened his mouth to reply, "I do."
"Do you promise, that will all your power, you will protect the Ring of Rage and Crown of Fire?"
"I do." He gulped. Another wave of nausea over came him.
"Do you promise that you will put the peoples needs before your own?"
"I do."
"And finally, Phantom, do you swear on your afterlife that you will never abuse the power gifted power of The Ring of Rage and Crown of Fire?"
Danny squared his shoulders and looked at the Ghost confidently. "I do."
"Then lady's and gentlemen of the Ghost Zone I present to you your new Danny Phantom, your new ruler and king!" The man grasped the fiery crown and gently placed the crown on the kings head and Clockwork placed the ring on his right hand. And immediately Danny was overwhelmed with power. Electricity filled his veins as he could now sense every presence in the ghost zone. All who enter and all who left. He could sense every natural portal that opened and closed. He could sense all the realms, every present life form. Then the crown began to speak to him, filling his mind with knowledge. Every rule in the rule book, every law. In fact Danny literally began emit a blinding white light as the crown gave him power and knowledge of everything that had to do with the ghost zone. Danny screamed as his core was filled with energy.
"Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king of the ghost zone!" They all chanted. Danny gasped at the power as the crown and ring bonded to his very soul. The whole castle began to convert to a black and white theme. Banners that once held the symbol of the former king now held the familiar DP symbol. Danny had the entire ghost zone at his fingertips. He could control every ounce of ectoplasm. Danny opened his eyes, which where glowing more intensely, and relished the power that now surrounded him.
Danny was back at Clockworks tower, with the familiar sound of gears and ticks.
"Come here child." Danny followed the time master to a long rectangular shaped object hidden under a cloak.
"A mirror?" Danny guessed. Clockwork nodded.
"Smart boy." He said. Then the old man grasped the green fabric and yanked it down. To reveal himself. But not. Danny gasped at the sight. He looked terrifying. Danny had his same green eyes but was quick to realized he had fangs in place of his canines. His hair was still the same but on top was a green crown.
"I-I look like..." His mouth opened ever so slightly revealing his fangs.
Clockwork reminded positioned behind the new ruler and spoke. "There is not need to worry child, for he is still sealed away. Well I must warn you thought," Clockwork walked beside the King and pointed underneath his cloak. Danny's eyes went wide. There was a long black tail that had an arrow shaped tip. He looked like the devil.
"Am I a devil now?!"
Clockwork chuckled.
"Though many will call you so, you are considered many things. Pariah darks bain, ruler of the infinite realms, king of the ghost zone, Hades, and yes you could say, devil just to start."
Danny inhaled. Wow that was a lot to take in.
"Along with your appearance brings you new powers. Telekenisis, is one. Making portals, and teleporting is another. But you can only make portals to places you have been."
"Really? I don't remember Pariah doing any of this." Danny questioned. "But hey, I will never be late to Mr. Lancers class again." The ghost of time laughed at the young king's childish demeanor.
"Pariah has used this power many times. But never when he battled you. When he excepted your challenge to a battle, he also spoke the words that where known through the ancients. Excepting your challenge meant if you defeated the king, you could possess the two most powerful relics in the world. That is if the crown excepted you and found your soul worthy. And if not the crown will never form a relationship with you, and could cause the wearer to die."
Danny gasped. "I could have died?!" His eyes flashed green at the ghost of time as he shifted into an old man.
"Fear not young King. I saw your future, otherwise I would not have suggested it in the first place."
Danny frowned and folded his arms.
"Daniel, it has strengthened your powers by so much, you are very strong." Clockworks face got serious. "But don't let that get to your head. Too much power and confidence, will either kill you one day, or bring gave staking consequences. Pariah let the power consume him, which lead the his fate. He is no longer is in existence. Once the crown was removed from his head, he faded into nothing."
Daniel nodded. "With great power comes great responsibility. I understand Clockwork."
"Good. Also one tiny last thing, your appearances will effect how you look as a human as well." Danny surprised, allowed a blinding neon white rings engulf his body reverting him back to his human form. He then looked in the mirror. Fangs, and tail still remained, Danny frowned. But hey, at least his eyes where his normal blue.
"How will I hide all of this?" The king asked.
"Why hide? Why be ashamed of being a King? And you must spend most of your time here anyways. You now possess so much ectoplasm you need to come here once in a while to remain stable."
Danny nodded. "I assumed so. Anything else?"
"Be aware that you will feel emotion a lot more now intensely. That includes anger. So just be carful. And your senses are heightened by a lot, hearing, sent, sight to name a few."
Danny nodded. He noticed that.
"I don't know how to ever thank you Clockwork you have been a great help."
"No need your majesty." The master of time spoke as he reverted into a middle aged man.
"Well I should be heading back soon. People are probably wondering where I am at."
"I understand child."
"Also, Clockwork, I don't know if I can do this or not, but can you maybe have someone inform me of anything new down here?"
"Of course child." He smiled.
"Thank you." And with that the King pulled out his wrist watch and was about ready to create a portal before he realized something. "What!" Danny yelped in surprise.
"What's wrong?" Clockwork asked even though he already knew.
"It's already the next day! But how? When I left I swear it was midnight. Is something wrong with this watch?"
"Time goes by fast here, but it doesn't matter hurry back, it is already 9:00 am. School has started."
"Ugh I am king of the ghost zone, but I still have to go to school."
The two chuckled. Danny focused on his core and created a portal to his room. When Danny stepped through he was surprised to find himself in the middle of the desert with a road to his left with passing cars.
"This new power needs a lot of practice."
Danny tried again and was more then relieved to find himself standing in the middle of his room. He noticed how quiet the house was. He could hear the buzzing of electricity when he flipped on the lights. That may get annoying after a while. Danny grabbed some jeans and scissors.
"If I'm going to have a tail, I might as well make room for it." Danny said to himself and began to cut holes in his jeans and underwear. Then he put the materials on with a black shirt and a black jacket with white flames. He looked cool. Danny grabbed his bag pack and went to the door.
"Wait." He thought, "I can just teleport." And he did. With the snap of the kings fingers he teleported to Sam's next class. But when Danny opened his eyes he wasn't surprised to find himself else where. Phantom was in the teachers lounge.
"To Kill a Mocking Bird, Fenton!" Mr. Lancer jumped from his spot and spilt some coffee down his shirt.
"Dammit! Sorry Mr. Lancer." The halfa apologized.
Danny teleported out leaving the over weight teacher even more confused. Danny smiled when he noticed he was out side of Sam's class. Luckily Tucker was there too. He had to tell his friends! Danny glanced at his watch. 9:45 the bell ring will right now. And it did. Danny stood against the wall hiding his tail. He waited patiently for Sam and Tucker. The kids leaving gave Danny as surprised look when noticing him. Then he spotted Sam and Tucker. He put a hand on both of there shoulders and teleported to the janitors closet.
"What the heck!" Tucker cried.
"Ok, what just happened?" Sam yelped.
"Haha! It worked!" Danny celebrated as flipped on the lights. His best friends turned towards him.
"Woah Danny... what happened?! Is that a tail?" Tucker looked at Danny wide eyed.
"And fangs? Wait your mom said you had a fever! What is going on?" Sam eyes where as wide as saucers.
"I will explain everything later. Guys trust me. I'll be right back. I have to go get Jazz."
And with that said, Danny teleported to his sister.
"Since when could Danny teleport?" Tucker asked.
A/N That is all for this chapter! Thank you guys for all the support so far. I am amazed how much attention this book has gotten.
