Chapter 3

"In memory of

Jack and Madeline Fenton

Wonderful parents and inventors"

Danny stood in front of the tombstone of his parents. Right beside their tombstone was Jazz's. There were few people there; at least five of them were friends of his parents, two of them were Tuker's parents. Vlad stood in the back as he watched people give their consolations to Danny; the last people to leave were Tuker's parents. Vlad walked up to Danny as he was placing flowers next to his parent's and sister's grave.

Danny looked at the graves with soft eyes as he placed the flowers down. Vlad was surprise that Danny wasn't crying or even yelling. You would think that Danny wasn't even going through the five stages of grief. Actually Danny pretty much already went through the first three stages and was stuck on the fourth stage, depression. He may have only gotten three hours of sleep until the nightmares started, causing him to stay awake.

Danny stayed there all day until Vlad convinced him he would catch a cold if he stayed there all night too. Danny almost wanted to stay to get sick. If he got a cold and it got so bad that it could actually kill him…

He quickly shook his head to get the idea of killing himself out of his head as he turned toward the limo and went in without a word.

While Danny walked away Vlad took a moment to look at the graves and placed a rose on Jack and Maddie's grave. He looked mournfully at the grave.

"Maddie, I'm sorry how I treated your family and marriage with Jack. I was always jealous and never thought of what you wanted; if I truly loved you I would have been happy that you had a wonderful and happy life with Jack. I'm sorry that I never truly realized this until you died, I hope wherever you are you will forgive me." Vlad breathed in deeply as he looked at the grave.

"Jack, I'm sorry that I considered you a big oaf and that you never deserved to be with Maddie." Vlad head was down and his eyes were closed. "But in reality you did deserve her. You made her happy and gave her a life I could never give her and you always considered me as a friend even though I loathed you. So I should say what I should have said a long time ago instead of thinking of ways to kill you. Thank you for being my friend, even though I didn't deserve it," Vlad said as he opened his eyes as a tear went down his face.

He went to the limo to join Danny, unaware that he watched him. As they drove back to the mansion Danny said something.

"Thank you," he said in a soft voice. Vlad blinked at Danny.

"For what?" Last time he checked he only helped give Danny a place to stay. Danny looked at Vlad with a sad glint in his eye.

"For finally accepting that my Mom loved my Dad and that he deserved her," he said with a small smile but was still sad. Vlad couldn't help but smile a little too.

"It was the least I could do." and with that the drove in silence.

The next day was Tuker's funeral and once again Danny was quite. He attended the sermon and was even asked to say a few things. Danny had a billion of things to say about Tuker; how he was a lady's man, how he was incredibly smart when it came to tech, and how he always got out of eaten vegetables and how he oh so loved his and I quote "babies". But when it came down to it Tuker was a great and loyal friend who could never be replaced.

And that's exactly what he said when he went up.

He had no idea how he was not crying during the whole speech maybe he was in some denial or something and his brain just didn't want to believe that he was talking about Tuker in past tense. He even succeeded in making Tuker's grandpa cry and his mom. After the speech and the burial Danny only stayed long enough for Tuck's dad to give him all of Tuker's videogames and him and his wife give him a hug.

When Danny got back to the house he looked through all the old games that he was given. Each game held memories because each one was a game he played with Tuker. He remembered every time Tuker got a new game he would play it with Danny. As Danny dug through the games he found one game that he just had to chuckle over, remembering the story behind it.

It was the very first Doom game Tucker ever bought and he went over to Danny's to show him. This was when they were six and let's say things happened. When Danny and Tucker had placed the game in his Gameboy they argued who would get to play it first and started to fight. Tuker's glasses broke and Danny had gotten a broken nose and during their fuss the Gameboy was flung out the window and into some mud. It was very rainy that day.

Anyway when Danny and Tuker noticed that Gameboy went out the window they ran out to find it covered in mud and the battery drenched in water. They had both went into the house crying and soaked; Maddie had to calm both of the boys down and had them change as she went to get them something warm to drink. When she came back with the drinks and a first-aid, she asked what had happen. They both told her how they were arguing over the game and she asked them if the apologized to each other. Both had said a small no.

She had gently ordered both of them to apologize to one another, which they both did seeing how they shouldn't have fought over something that was easy to share. They even hugged it out showing they forgave each other and a little while later Maddie came back with the Gameboy dry and new batteries and gave it back to them. They both lit up like mini Christmas trees and played a safe game of rock, paper, and scissor, to see who went first.

Danny just had to smile when he looked at the game but it was short lived. Danny sighed as he remembered he would never play games with Tuck again and never fight over them like they did when they were six.

Danny placed all the games back in the box and placed it in his closet. His room had many open boxes and most of the items were out now; his NASA posters were on his walls and he had most of his clothes put away. Danny had placed several pictures of his family and friends on his shelves. It pained him to look at them but he couldn't help but have them out. He had one picture of his family and friends together by his bedside.

It was a picture of them on a picnic. Jack had brought a grill and was shown cooking with Maddie with him. For some reason when Danny's Dad cooked the food it didn't end up trying to eat them unless his Mom cooked them. Jazz was shown reading while it showed him, Sam, and Tuker actually playing with a Football, since Jazz had lectured them beforehand the importance of exercising.

Danny looked at the picture longingly as he sat on his bed. He didn't notice he was crying until he saw a tear land on the picture. He blinked before he started to rub his eyes.

"Get it together Fenton, you can get through this," he said hoping he would convince himself he would. Danny decided to call it a night and to at least try to get some rest even if it was only for a little while.

Danny was walking around in the mansion to have some time to think, also to try and learn his way around. Vlad had showed him how to get into the lab and told him he was welcome to use the lab whenever he needed it. Danny didn't think why he would need to use the lab, maybe to use the ghost portal but he wasn't even sure if he wanted to fight anymore. Vlad had closed his parent's portal for good and only Danny could open it and Vlad's portal was always closed. Plus there was almost no ghost sighting since the accident.

The only thing that was sighted was a floating box (probably the Box Ghost) but that was all, there wasn't even a "beware" being yelled. Danny thought that maybe the ghosts must have heard about the accident and were actually giving him a break because of pity. Danny sulked at that thought. Ghosts actually pitied him, man, how the mighty had fallen. Or maybe they were afraid he would take his anger out on them as in their usually beat up would become ten times worse.

That would be bad for them if Danny had any anger left. He only knew sadness and depression now and he couldn't get out of it even if he tried. Danny dragged himself to the living room's couch and sat down. All he seemed to do was nothing, he didn't even bother in going out on patrols but maybe that was because he still had one more funeral to go to. It had been five days after Tuker's funeral; he had survived through those first funerals but will he be able to get through the last one before he broke?

Vlad had walked into the living room to get some books he left but stopped when he saw Danny sulking on the coach. Vlad sighed; he knew Danny was going through some rough times, heck, even he was still having trouble getting over Maddie's death. After all, she was a part of his obsession and a ghost obsession was pretty much their whole life and world. But he was a Halfa and he knew he could get through it but Danny was a different story.

Even though Danny was a Halfa the people he cared for the most were dead and he had failed in protecting them and his obsession did not like him failing to protect. Vlad had only lost a part of his obsession, while Danny had a huge chunk of it taken away, how he wasn't breaking down Vlad didn't know. Yet Vlad knew he needed to help Danny get on with his life because if he didn't Danny would be an empty shell for the rest of his life.

"Daniel." Danny looked up from his spot and turned his attention toward Vlad. He could see some bags under Danny eyes and he knew why they were there. Vad would sometimes hear screaming from Danny's room due to nightmares. Vlad's eyes held concern as he looked at the young hero. "Are you sure you will be able to go tomorrow?"

Danny's eyes sadden. He knew what Vlad was talking about, tomorrow was Sam's funeral.

"I'll be alright Vlad. I have to go anyway," Danny turned his head away from Vlad as he whispered his next word, "It will be the last time I ever say bye to her."

The morning went by in a blur. Danny remembered waking up and getting ready; he wore the same black suit he wore to the other funerals and the same blank face. He remembered riding to the church and standing in the back as Sam's family would go up and say a few words. He only recognized Sam's parents and grandma. There were a lot of people there and several groups looked just as rich as Sam's folks and some of them were playing games on their phones!

Danny felt silent rage at the people not paying attention, for the kids he didn't mind but some of them were grownups! Why the hell did they come if they weren't going show respect to Sam?! Danny had half a mind to go up to them and punch them in the face but stopped himself. He couldn't cause a scene here and in fact he wasn't even supposed to be here because he was not invited. But he couldn't keep himself away; he just had to see Sam one more time before she was buried.

It was an open casket and everyone was taking turns looking in and saying their goodbyes to Sam. When it was Danny's turn he couldn't help but awe at Sam's beauty. She was dressed in a lacy black dress with her hair down framing her face. Her lips were painted with a light pink color and she had blushed placed on her. To Danny she looked like she was only sleeping but no matter how much he wanted to wake her up he knew she would never awaking.

Danny wondered how much Sam's parents spent to fix her body after the accident just to see her buried for eternity. Danny couldn't stay and he quickly went outside to get some air taking in big gulps of air to try and calm down. He was trying his best to keep it together, to not cry in front of all these people yet he only succeeded in putting himself in a daze as he followed everyone to the burial. This time as he watched Sam's coffin being lowered into the ground, he stood in the front close to Sam's grandma.

Unlike Sam's parents her grandma actually encouraged Sam to be herself and to be friends with Tuker and Danny. She even knew that Sam and Danny liked each other. After Sam was buried people left; first in individuals, then in pairs, then finally in groups till all that was left were Sam's parents and grandma and Danny. Danny side glanced at Mrs. and Mr. Manson; Sam's mom was crying and Mr. Manson was holding her close. Danny didn't think what he was going to do was smart but he had to say something.

"Mrs. Manson, Mr. Manson." They both looked up and looked at Danny. He couldn't tell what they were feeling or how they were going to react but he had to hope this would ease their minds some. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there in time to help her and I'm sorry that she died," Danny said with his head down. "I know it won't mean much but I know she's probably in a better place now watching over us and making sure were okay so let's try to stay positive and get on with our lives for her sake." Danny just told them what he was telling himself for the past few days but even to him the words sounded false. How could he make it sound true when what he was saying was just empty words of encouragement.

Sam's mom looked at him with a tear streaked face until it twisted into a face full of rage.

"How would you know what my Samikins wanted? She should have never been your friend; it's your fault that she's dead! It's your fault that she never had a normal life, if she had never meet you she wouldn't have died!" She was being held back by her husband as she cried and yelled at Danny. She tried to lunge at him but was held back.

Danny just stared with wide eyes but didn't move or flinch when she yelled at him. He expected that this may have been one of the reactions and it hurt him deeply that Sam's mom accused him for Sam's death but she was right. If only he made it time, if only he had never stepped into that portal, she might have had a chance to live.

Danny watched as Mr. Manson brought Sam's mom back to their car as she sobbed loudly. Only Danny and Sam's grandma were left by the grave.

"Now Danny, please don't take offense to her. This is all taking a toll on us, she knows it's not actually your fault," she said. Danny mentally sighed; even if Sam's grandma didn't blame him it didn't stop him to continue his guilt trip. He didn't notice that Sam's grandma had taken out a book wrapped in a black and purple lined cloth. She unwrap the book revealing that it was a book made out of recycled paper; it was a deep dark blue with sliver words on the top that read "Phantom Ideas."

"Danny." He looked down to see her place the book in his hands. "Sam wrote in this book every day and I think you should have it. Who knows maybe some of the ideas in there will help you in future battles." Her eyes held a glint in her eyes. Danny stuttered and rubbed the back of his neck.

"B-battles? I never got in fight in my life I really have no idea what you're talking about," Danny laughed nervously.

"Now Danny," she said with a teasing tone. Danny sighed seeing it was futile to mislead her.

"How long have you known?"

"Since the beginning," she said and chuckled at Danny's surprised expression. "Sam never told me but it's easy to figure out, first off your name, Danny Fenton, Danny Phantom, and that you look a lot alike that was a big give away. Plus it's kind of hard to miss a teenage boy flying into your granddaughter's room." She laughed as Danny blushed and stand there nervously. After a little bit her face soften and she looked sad.

"Danny, I don't blame you, you did everything you could to get to them and with that thought in mind I don't blame you." Her words were gentle. "I know this has affected you the most but please don't blame yourself, Sam wouldn't want you too."

Danny looked at the book that was in his hands. Sam's grandma was right, Sam wouldn't haven't blamed him and she wouldn't want him to blame himself but no matter what he did he would always feel guilty and he couldn't stop it.

"Danny please continue to be the hero everyone knows. There are still people out there that will need your help," and with that she left. Danny just stood there with the book looking at the grave. He wasn't sure what to do to look at the book there or at home or to just think about what just happen. People still needed him? Yeah right; there wasn't any attacks happening on Amity anymore and most of the world was pretty much covered with the Justice League.

So what was there that needed to be protected by him?

Danny wasn't sure how long he was there but he had call Vlad telling him not to come and pick him up and that he would just fly back. He placed his hand on Sam's grave as he stared at the writing on the grave. His flower was just one of many, which surrounded the grave, as he placed it on top. After a while Danny thought of heading back until he heard a voice.

"Hello Daniel." Danny would recognize that voice anywhere.

"Clockwork," he replied. As Danny stood there a ghost floated to his side. He was blue-skinned and wore a rich purple cloak with the hood up but you could still see his face. He wore black gloves with watches placed across them and a purple tunic with a black belt; a little watch hanged from it. He had a clock where his chest was and a scar that went across his left eye. His eyes were an intelligent red and were filled with concern for Danny.

"I'm not mad at you Clockwork," Danny said. Clockwork would have blinked in surprise but being the Master of all Time it wasn't that shocking.

"Really?"

"Yeah, but," Danny opened his mouth to continue but wasn't sure how to ask his question.

"What is it Daniel?" Clockwork asked. Danny took a few moments to think of his question before taking in a deep breath.

"Why didn't you let me die with them?" It was question that went through his head when he was resting at the hospital. Clockwork sighed knowing that Danny was not going like the answer.

"You are still needed." Danny snorted at that.

"I'm still needed? Clockwork, last time I checked Amity wasn't in any trouble for days now and there are superheroes outside of Amity who deal with huge threats. Plus the only big threat I can think of is me!" Danny exclaimed.

Ah, so that's what this is about. Clockwork thought to himself. He placed a hand on Danny's shoulder.

"Is this what it is about? Dark Dan?" he asked. Danny was hesitant but spoke the truth.

"Yeah, I mean how do you know I won't turn into him?" He looked at Clockwork with sad eyes but it was filled with confusion too.

"Because you promised them." Danny was shocked. Clockwork really trusted him and the choices he made.

"But didn't those weird one eyed ghosts wanted you to kill me?" Asked Danny. He clearly remembered those one-eyed freaks wanted him dead. Clockwork chuckled.

"Yes but unlike them I see all possibilities so I see all outcomes, they only see one outcome and do not think how the world will be affected if someone is removed," he said. "And also I know you won't become him. You have already seen what will happen if you turn into him and I know you will do what is right to prevent that future."

Danny looked into Clockwork's eyes and saw he spoke the truth. It was kind of scary knowing you could become a monster and seeing what could happen. But he was given a chance to make sure that future wouldn't happen and he was going take it.

"I will take my leave now," Clockwork said. He opened a portal but before he left he said a few parting words. "Stay safe Danny Phantom." And with that he was gone.

Danny stared for a few minutes were Clockwork had left before he glanced back at Sam's grave and placed a hand on it.

"Sam…" He whispered. Without warning he quickly transformed and took off away from the grave. Everything blurred passed him as he flew as fast as he could away from the graveyard. He finally stopped at Lake Erie where he violently stopped. He shook violently as he floated ten feet above the lake and let out a loud Ghostly wail.

All the depression, anger and sadness were finally taking its toll on him. He let it all out through one wail and was crying as he did so. After what seemed to be forever, he finally stopped and breathed heavy as he cried; he was exhausted after wasting so much energy in just letting his feeling out. He was still in his ghost form as he cried and cried, he soon calmed down though and wiped his tears away as he hiccupped and took in deep and calming breaths.

After Danny finally calmed down he finally took a minute to look where he was. He was so angry that he didn't see where he stopped. Danny sighed and rubbed his temples; he was so exhausted both physically and mentally, he was surprised he hadn't gone insane yet. He soon realized he was at Lake Erie and he was approximately ten feet above the dark waters. If he was in human form and fell in those waters he might drown.

And if I drowned I would die and if I died… He would be with his family. Danny couldn't even believe what he was thinking or that he was even considering doing it. But he didn't think he deserve to live let alone fight crime; in his condition he wouldn't even survive against Skulker with how he was. To just end it all. He would be free of his pain and keep the world safe from a potential threat so it was benefiting both him and the world right?

Danny didn't know anymore but he did know that he just wanted the pain to end.

So he closed his eyes and let himself transform back into his human half and let himself drop.

Whahaha! A cliff hanger! I don't even know why I wanted to end this chapter like but it sure does make a good cliffhanger. I pretty much think this chapter turned out well but it won't be as good as the next chapter! Anyway I hope everyone who's reading this is enjoying it so for and I will add Dani soon so don't worry about that. If I'm thinking right she might be in the next chapter or one of the two chapters after that one. Did that even make sense?

Any who time to start the next chapter so bye-bye~