A/N: So, a short chapter, but needs to be on its own. Mixed responses on Vlad, but here's my one little hint to you.
You refer to him as the villain of the story. Who said there would only be one?
That's all you get. Now, on to my short chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter #7: Potential
"You seem distraught, Danny," Clockwork notes from before his screen in Latin, "And I get the feeling that The Observants' Council has little to do with it."
"A feeling, huh?" Danny snorts, "You know who it is."
"Yes…" he confesses, "The…Froot-Loop, as you call him."
"Why don't the Observants pitch a fit over him, anyway? What's with that?!" He shuts his book and stands, itching to move. He finds an icy sword forming in his hand. Once in a large, clear area in the room, he begins to flow through the forms Pandora's guard has taught him.
"I believe they tried," Clockwork notes, "On several occasions. However, unlike you, Vlad isn't a law-abiding citizen who comes when summoned. He blatantly broke Vortex free, after all."
"I'm not sure If I can be considered a law-abiding citizen either," he retorts, "I mean, just look at Walker's file on me!"
"Pah!" he scoffs, "No one really cares about Walker's laws. They only mention them because it's a mark against you."
"Why do they hate me so much anyway?"
"You get involved. They Observe – not act. Besides, if we put you and the Observants' Council in a room, and told everyone to pick a side…who do you think they'd choose?"
"…not me," Danny freezes, "Definitely not me."
"Oh?" Clockwork raises an eyebrow.
"You can't be serious," he mutters, "I mean, I've fought half of the Infinite Realms and shoved them into thermoses. I don't exactly make a ton of friends."
"But if there was a threat, they would come to you for help," Clockwork replies softly.
Only the sound of ticking clocks can be heard, each one like a heartbeat. Together, they create a storm in the silence.
"The Infinite Realm is a big place," Danny whispers, "I doubt the majority of it would agree with you."
"You'll have to acknowledge your impact on us someday, Danny," Clockwork admonishes.
"So, what, the Observants don't like me because I'd win a popularity contest?"
"No," Clockwork shakes his head, his beard swaying with the motion, "Daniel…they don't like you because a king would render them obsolete."
The blade of ice shatters on the floor, green eyes staring at the age-shifting ghost in shock.
"I…" he swallows nervously, "I'm not a king. I don't want to be one. I have a lot of things I need to do. I have a fiancée to marry, schooling to complete, the rest of my life to live–"
"Whether or not it's in your plans means nothing to them," Clockwork dismisses with a wave, "The potential is there. Just as the potential to become him was," he nods to the dented thermos, "They saw that potential and ordered your destruction. Now they see the potential for a king."
"It's ridiculous. It'll never happen."
"It would make Frostbite's day though, wouldn't it?" the older ghost smirks.
"Yeah, I suppose it would," Danny chuckles, relaxing a bit.
He doesn't hear his master's final whisper.
"All hail King Phantom."