Only Time Will Tell
Summary- Danny Phantom is dead, and now the world must learn to live without him, but can our remaining heroes defend us in this new world of darkness? Or will they need a little help from someone behind enemy lines?
Find out in this final book of the heart stopping Trilogy where we learn that there cannot be a victory without a defeat.
Disclaimers: I do not own Danny Phantom
Author's Notes: Alright everyone this is the last book and let me say that I am so excited about this one the epic battle for the fate of the world has never been so exciting! As Always remember to please pay attention to the time frame which will be in () at the beginning of each chapter.
Thank you for reading and please review, your opinions are always a big help, and are greatly appreciated.
Now without further a due I give you the last piece of our Time Paradox Trilogy; Only Time will Tell!
(Present Day)
[Location: The Ghost Zone]
This was it…
The moment that he would betray them all!
It was strange to him for you see The Phantom Knight had thought that his time as Dan would make this easier. And perhaps if his younger self was not thrown into the mix it would be, however The Phantom Knight knew that young Daniel was vital to his cause. He kept him sane; he kept him human; without him The Phantom Knight would just be a new and improved version of his old self.
A monster after power and greed!
'That is your past.' A voice assured him. 'This time things will be different…you can handle this Daniel.'
It's Clockwork's, he doesn't know how, but he's sure of it, his teacher was giving him subtle hints of what to do. Guiding him to the path that he needed to take to insure the peace that the Ghosts and the Humans both rightly deserved.
The Phantom Knight clutched tightly to those words, allowing them to settle into his heart, mind, and soul. This was for the greater good, every evil he did for now on would permanently separate him from the humans. His wife, Sam, and their children would forever be out of his reach, so close, and yet so far away. No, Mankind would never forgive him for this, his name would be forever feared by any human who spoke it. However, that did not matter, what mattered was the end result.
Peace!
And though The Phantom Knight was not yet aware of what the future held; he trust that Clockwork knew what he was doing. Order would be restored to both worlds, he had to believe that, but for now his job was to cause chaos!
"My King Your People await your command." The Phantom Knight said, gesturing to the crowd of ghost before them. He had used his own army of skeletons to gather each and every ghost of the Ghost Zone, and they now stood in a huge crowd before the steps of the king's castle. Many if not all of them looked fearful, no doubt they all remember last time he got out.
The Ghost King, Pariah Dark, stepped forward to address his subjects. He was disgusted with every last one of them. For many had helped imprison him the last time he escaped. "My worthless subjects for too long we have allowed the human world to go unchecked." He began. "So much so that we have halfas breeding hybrids into existence, and this cannot stand!"
Vlad snickered as his eyes fell on The Phantom Knight, who he now knew without a doubt was Daniel himself. 'How does it feel boy?' he wondered. 'To know that all the destruction that is about to happen is because of you!'
It felt more horrible then any words could describe, and even though The Phantom Knight was at peace with this decision he could not help but fear for his family, his friends, especially his children. They were still young and green when it came to their powers. In fact they barley could turn into their ghosts forms at will, much less use ectoblast or ice powers. They were entirely defenses, and nowhere nears fully trained. Regret threatens to take root, but he forced himself to push it away. There would be plenty of time for regret when this was all over.
"But now we will teach the human world a lesson they will not forget!" Pariah Dark went on. "That our people should never mix. And just in case you think the ghost boy will be saving you don't hold your breath." Pariah Dark scoffed. "The ghost boy is dead."
Several shocked noises ran through the crowd of ghost and The Phantom Knight couldn't helped but be moved by them. Sure he and the residence of the Ghost Zone rarely saw eye to eye, but it was obvious now that they held a great deal of respect for him.
'Never take that for granted.' Clockwork's voice told him. 'One day they will look to you again.'
The Phantom Knight was not sure what he meant by those words, but then again he rarely knew what that old crow was really talking about until much later.
Vlad grinned as he continued to watch Daniel, surely the boy would attack the king. Surely he would not want him to destroy his family and love ones. In less of course he had mistaken, what if Daniel was working on his own? He had fused with Vlad's old ghost self, perhaps his evil nature consumed the boy, and now he was simply a tyrant looking for power.
Just like Vlad.
And yet he wasn't so sure.
Clockwork had smiled when The Phantom Knight had killed him, he was pleased with the outcome of Danny Phantom's "demise" as well. Why mock the enemy so openly if things were not going to turn out alright in the end?
And yet, The Phantom Knight made no move to stop them. He simply stood at his master's right side like a loyal lap dog. 'What are you planning?' He wondered. 'Surely you're not about to let this happen.'
Yes surely he would try to stop them and fail, allowing Vlad his place as the King's only hand, and still the head strong hero he once knew did nothing to even give the slightest indication that things were going wrong. He acted as if this was all according to plan, but that couldn't be right, Surely Clockwork would not force Daniel to turn his back on everything he held dear just to win the king's trust.
But he did, in truth the King was still weary of both his hands, Vlad was a known deceiver, and The Phantom Knight was an unknown element. One that seemed to just appear out of thin air, no he could not trust both of them entirely, not yet. But soon he would know which one he could truly trust, if any.
"The Ghost Boy did not believe in our vision." Pariah Dark went on. "And he paid the price, as will all who defy me." He vowed. "At this very moment your beloved council, the Observants; your precious Ancient Ones are being hunted down by my Army, and once found my Knight will end them. Allowing no one the power to trap me away ever again."
All eyes fell on him, and The Phantom Knight could feel their fear, everyone feared the unknown, and he was as mysterious as they came. Not only that, but word had already spread that he was the one to eliminate all of the King's enemies today.
That means he was the one to eliminate Clockwork, and Danny Phantom.
He had done the one thing none of them could.
And that deserved respect.
The king smiled, perhaps keeping this Knight around would fuel his efforts to some degree. His eyes shifted to Vlad, no doubt the idiot was waiting for the moment to stab him in the back, but he was not worried. He had failed last time, and he would fail again.
"I will handle him." The Phantom Knight whispered to his master, noticing his glare.
"If he steps out of line you have my permission to do so." Pariah Dark assured him.
The Phantom Knight nodded, and Pariah Dark continued to address his unwilling subjects.
"This is the new order." He said. "We will purge the Earth of these half breeds, and then we will withdraw from their world forever." He said. "If the humans give us no trouble that is, if they do…" he paused and the ghosts snicker relishing in the thought of spreading havoc once more.
And still The Phantom Knight did nothing.
'Perhaps he's waiting for the Ancients.' Vlad thought. Yes that had to be it, they would come to the king willingly, and then they would spring their trap.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
"My King the Ancients have been captured." The Phantom Knight said, and the crowd of ghosts parted like the red sea, as the skeleton guards dragged the Ancients towards the castle steps.
The Phantom Knight recognized Melk and Klem among them, and it pained him to see them like this, even if they had begged Clockwork several times to kill him. No he was not about to enjoy sending them to a world of nightmares inside his sword, but he really had no other place to keep them. For a moment he wonders how Clockwork is doing in there, but he pushes the thought away, he had to focus.
For suddenly the Ancients were before them, forced onto their knees.
"You will rue this day." Melk vowed.
"It is you who is doing the ruing." Pariah Dark said. "Knight rid me of their presence."
"As you wish my King." The Phantom Knight answered and drawled his sword.
Vlad watched as he stood before the Ancient ones, his sword at the ready to take them all out with one blow. 'He wouldn't, surely this was not Clockwork's plan,'
And yet it was.
'Finish them quickly Daniel.' Clockwork's voice said. 'For their sake.'
The Phantom Knight did as he was told, and in one clean blow they were all gone, absorbed into his sword to live out want ever nightmare that awaited them. He could only hope it was not as bad as the one he was living now. For now he was truly alone in this fight, and worse with all the King's enemies vanquished nothing stopped him from his next move.
Eliminating his family, and all those who stood in his way.
'You are not alone.' Clockwork's voice said. 'I am here, and I assure you, your family is fine.'
The Phantom Knight believed his words, he had to; after all why do this if not for their sakes? Why risk everything if not for them? What was he fighting for if his family would not see past this war?
Nothing! It would all be for nothing.
The Phantom Knight raised his sword and shouted. "All hail the king!"
"All hail the king! All hail the king!" His soldiers joined in his chant, and soon all the ghosts of the Ghost Zone joined in.
'Well if he is Daniel he's sure putting up a convincing show.' Vlad thought, certainly having doubts now.
Pariah Dark raised his hand, silencing them, "And now we attack the Human realm."
"Might I suggest we use the Fenton Portal to gain accesses to the city?" Vlad asked with a sneer, waiting to see the Knight's response.
However, to his surprise it was Pariah Dark who spoke. "No I saw his memories; the Ghost Boy destroyed it before he arrived to challenge me."
"Perhaps there is another way." The Phantom Knight said, before pointing to a wolf in the Crowd of ghost. "You there, Ghost Wolf is it true that your kind can tear holes into the human world?"
The wolf, known as Wulf mutters in some foreign tongue.
"He does not speak well." Walker dared to speak up. "But yes he can."
"Then it is settled." Pariah Dark says. "You will open a Portal."
Wulf looks determined now, and shakes his head, an obvious no.
The Phantom Knight snaps his fingers and uses his telekinesis to pull the wolf towards him, he then grabs him by the throat. "You will do as your king demands filth, or you will join his enemies in your own personal hell." He squeezes tightly, until the wolf whimpers in submission and then he throws him down. "Well?" He snapped, as Wulf struggled to get to his feet.
Wulf whimpered but obeyed.
And as a new portal forms before them it is then that The Phantom Knight understands. He had to be cruel not to just earn the Kings respect, but the other ghost of the Ghost Zone as well, so no one would ever dare to threaten the balance between the two worlds again.
However, they all had to fear him for this to work, and that included the humans.
Some would call him a tyrant, while others would call him a saint, but he didn't mind. In fact thanks to his younger years as the Ghost boy he was kind of used to being both loved and hated. Just as long as his family never stopped loving him, he would be okay.
The Phantom Knight stepped aside and bowed for his King. "Master I await your command."
Pariah Dark smiles, this Knight was far greater at his job then his last, so much so that he the king had yet to get his hands dirty. As it should be, royalty such as he should not have to deal with common filth, that was why he had a right hand to begin with.
Still he could not allow his right hand to have all the fun. If Vlad felt neglected and unappreciated it would no doubt only fuel his already growing plans to overthrow him.
"Why don't you allow Plasmius to handle this one?" He suggested.
Vlad smiled. "Yes Knighty learn to share will you?" He mused. "My such a glory hog am I right?"
"Careful." Pariah Dark warned. "The actions he just made are a perfect example of why he is the Knight, and you are just a general."
"Of my Army." The Phantom Knight added rather boastfully.
Pariah Dark smiled slyly. "Yes it is your army, so give the order."
Vlad could not help but show his disgust, he was not equal, but below Daniel!?
"I wouldn't count my chickens before they're hatched." Clockwork's words from earlier that day rang back in his ears. "In my experience the student always succeeds the teacher."
Well what do you know, the old crow was actually right.
Vlad swallowed his pride and managed to kneel before the enemy. "Please tell me what your demands are oh great Knight?"
The Phantom Knight could not help but chuckle, even though Vlad's tone was obviously a mocking one, seeing him kneeling at his feet was nice.
Pariah Dark was also smiling, perhaps both of them could be useful, yes if nothing else their constant fighting to prove to him who was more deserving would at least be entertaining. Yes watching them fight like dogs for his favor was greatly enjoyable. So naturally he would encourage said behavior.
"You will go forth and lead the ghostly army, you will search the Earth For any half breeds and eliminate them." The Phantom Knight ordered.
"And The Fenton's?" Vlad dared to ask.
"I will handle the greater threat." The Phantom Knight told him. "Besides they have already proven to be too much for you."
Vlad growled lowly at the obvious blow but remembered to keep his pride in check…well just barely. "As you wish my grace." He answered before addressing the ghost before him. "Well you heard him." He spat "Go earn your worth!" And with that he led the ghost through the portal.
Leaving The Phantom Knight alone with the enemy.
"You have served me well thus far." Pariah Dark said.
"Thank you master." The Phantom Knight said with a small bow.
"Now continue to do so. Eliminate the family of the Ghost boy, and then we can finally put this matter to bed."
"Yes my King." The Phantom Knight answered before he motioned for his army to move. They obeyed; some even carried a throne for the King. Which Pariah Dark sat upon before they continued to march on.
The Phantom Knight led them with strong, and confident strides. This was it, he would finally face his family, and he could only hope they were ready.
"Well ready or not." He whispered. "Here I come…"
(Present Day)
Disaster,
It came without warning, and it came without prejudice, and more importantly it came with the bitter knowledge that their hero had lost this day.
"This just in." A new reporter spoke on the morning news. "We are getting reports of ghost wreaking havoc all over the world. What could this mean? And more importantly the question on everyone else's mind: Where is Danny Phantom!"
Chaos swarmed around her, but all she could do was sit in the middle of her living room floor wondering how this could happen.
This just couldn't be happening, no she refused to believe he was gone.
However, Sam could think of no other reason for what she was seeing. All over the world a mass of Ghost were loose. And in the mist of that Army, Vlad Plasmius, he was out, and somehow his powers had returned.
Alarms sounded around her, as panic flooded the streets, and still Sam Fenton felt numb to the events around her. She was so confused, She knew Danny had to be gone, there was no other explanation for the chaos around her, and yet...her heart was not broken, if he were dead surely her heart would believe it to be true. Sam looked out her window to see that the ghost shield had been raised, and several ghost were banging on the shield trying to get in, despite the unpleasant electric shock it would cause their bodies.
They were safe, for now. Yes, Amity Park was safe, but Sam knew that the rest of the world need them. It took them 10 years to build the shield around their city, and the rest of the world was not yet protected. No doubt someone would have to go out there and stop this but who?
As if on cue her young adorable children stomped into the room, DJ wore a look of pride on his face, and Lilith clutched her Danny Phantom plushy tight.
"It's not right!" DJ pouted, stomping his foot in denial. "Daddy would never let himself lose, He's alive and he's gonna come out of the Ghost Zone any second now. You'll see."
"He is coming back?" Lilith asked, her violet eyes full of fear and worry. "Right Mommy?"
"I don't know." Sam admitted, wrapping her arms around them as they came close. "I just don't know."
"Everything's gonna be okay." A small girl about Lilith's age said, she had dark skin, and long curly black hair, like her mother. "My mommy is out there right now, and she'll find him." She assured them.
Sam took the little girl in her arms as well and held her tight. "I hope so." She whispered, not really knowing just how much she'd come to hate this statement later on.
(Back with Valerie…)
She had hoped today would never come,
Valerie Foley bit her lip as she and her husband Tucker race towards the edge of the Ghost shield and, even closer to the enemy. Several ghost hovered all around them, on the other side of the shield banging on it, demanding to be let in! And that wasn't the worse of it! Reports were coming in all over the world, ghost were showing up everywhere rounding up the humans it was obvious that they were looking for something, but what? She shook her head at the thought, she couldn't even begin to think about that; not when her baby girl was out there.
Abigale Foley (Or Abby for short) was a spitting image of her mother, and Valerie knew that if she turned her back for one minute. Abby and she marry band of misfits would be in more trouble than they could ever imagine.
"It's gonna be okay Val." Tucker assured her, as his hand reached out for hers, she took it and for a brief moment they held on to each other as they continued to run down the chaos ridden streets. "Well stop them." He said.
"We have to!" Valerie shouted as her father's image appeared on the communicator.
"Valerie there is too many of them. We have to come together and make a stand." He said.
She knew he was Right; however she also knew that she needed Sam, not him. "Sorry dad I need you to watch the kids, Get Sam out her on the double."
"Right of course." Her dad answered looking somewhat sad.
Valerie knew he wanted to help, but Sam had been fighting ghost longer than he had, and she needed her experience.
"Uh guys we have a problem." Dani's voice said, as it came through the communicator.
"What is it now?" Tucker asked.
"Turn around and see for yourself." Dani's voice said.
Valerie and tucker turned to see their worst nightmare, standing there in all his ghostly glory was the ghost king. He was hovering over the shield, his merry band of ghostly followers had stopped bounding the shield at his arrival. "If he's here then-" Tucker said, then stopped finding it hard to finish.
"Dani…" Valerie whispered.
"I know." Dani said, her voice was shaking. "Dad…" She whispered. "I'm sorry…"
There is a long silence, and then Jack Fenton's voice is heard over the Comm link. "He'll pay, every last one of them will…just…don't tell your mother, I don't think she could take it."
"Why do I feel like Vlad somehow had a hand in this?" Jazz's voice asked.
"That's because he did." Sam's voice said, she sounded horsed, and raspy…she was still crying. "He's on the TV right now, destroying the next town over."
"Sam I'm…" Tucker tried to find the words.
He couldn't, none of them could.
"Look guys we have to focus." Dani's voice broke through the Comm. "We can morn for him later. But for now we have to stop this." She reminded them.
Valerie seemed to nod an agreement. "Dad get to the kids, Sam get out here, and Dani since you're the closest, Stall them until the rest of us get there."
"On it!" Dani answered and shot off towards the enemy, she knew she was no match, but if she could get the King to start talking, maybe she could buy them some time. As she grew closer she noticed many familiar faces, but there was one face she did not know. It was a white knight, with ghostly green eyes peering out of his helmet, he held the Soul Shredder by his side. "Looks like the king's got a new Knight, and he means business."
"I see him." Valerie said eyeing the Knight, she could tell just by the way he carried himself that he was evil and bold, and above all, he was loyal to his king. "We'll be getting no help from him." She said.
"I don't think we'll be getting help from any of them." Tucker said. "Think about it, where is the Council, and Clockwork he's not here either!"
"They must already be gone." Sam said.
"Then how are we going to stop him?" Jazz asked the obvious.
It was obvious, they wouldn't and still they had to try.
Sam pulled out her Fenton Blaster, as Valerie's father burst through the door, and into the living room.
"Go now!" He said. "We haven't much time."
Sam turned to her kids and embraced them one more time. "Please stay here." She begged.
"We will." DJ told her. "Promise."
Sam squeezed them close before she hugged Abby once more.
"Abigale you stay put now you hear me?" Sam whispered.
Abby nodded.
"Good." Sam said, turning to Valerie's Dad. "This we'll be over soon." She vowed, and with that she raced out of the door and out of sight.
Damon Gray sighed deeply as she did, he wanted to do so much more to help, but someone had to watch the kids.
Too bad said kids had plans all their own.
"Well aren't you gonna do something?" DJ asked.
Damon watched as the trio turned towards him, a look of seriousness on their faces. "Now kids." He said. "You promised, your parents."
"I lied." DJ said, before grabbing him, and turning intangible.
Damon screamed as they sank through the floor and landed in the weapons vault below.
"You'll be safe here." DJ said, before going back up through the ceiling.
"NO!" Damon yelled and ran for the door, only to see his worse fears. "Jack how many times have we told you to put a handle on the inside of this vault!"
"Sorry Damon." Jack's voice said. "I knew I was forgetting something this morning."
"Never mind the kids are up to their usual shenanigans, and it's gonna take me a while to break out of this door." Damon said as he pulled a weapon from the rack closes to him and began firing. "Find them, and whatever you do don't tell their mother's."
"Roger!" Jack said and raced towards the house. "Maddie the kids are at it again." He whispered.
"Jack do not let them leave the safety of midtown!" Maddie's voice came through. The shield generator on the west side is down, there is no protection over there. I repeat the ghost are coming through."
"Quarantine off the area." Tucker said. "And get the backups on."
"We'll do, you just focus on the ghost king, and Jack find you know what before you know who finds out!" Maddie ordered.
"On my way honey." Jack assured her,
-To be Continued
Author's Notes: As always I thank you for reading and please review.
The next chapter will be up soon.
Yours truly RoxieDivine ;)