Guess what movie soundtrack i was listening to when writinh this chapter :D

Actually.. that could be a fun game for any chapter.

Anyways on to the chapter!


Chapter XXIV:

Change


Laughter ran through the abandoned warehouse after Danny finished telling the trio about his discoveries.

"It's not funny, El," said a mentally drained Danny.

The laughter was soon muffled when Danielle covered her mouth, biting back her smile for extra support. But it took one look at his face for her to burst back into a roaring laughter.

Danny was unamused by the reaction. More accurately, annoyed. "Hey! Shut up."

When the laughter increased instead, he pounced. A shriek from the younger girl followed soon after before it was replaced by high-pitched laughter and pleas. Danny kept tickling her, simply telling her that he was just "giving her something to laugh about." Valerie and Jazz watched the two with amusement. The latter was hit by a wave of memories at her brother's words.

"Alright, knock it off," Valerie spoke when Ellie cried out for help.

Danny grumbled "She started it," but still complied by leaving his daughter alone when Valerie started to scold him. The moment Danny lifted his hands, Ellie zoomed behind Valerie. She poked her head out from the side and stuck out her tongue at Danny, practically daring him to do something.

The brat.

Danny decided not to react. No, it wasn't because he saw Val's glare when he was going to say something. He chose to ignore his daughter's antics.

"So, you're a prince?" Jazz chose to be the one to get back on topic.

At the word 'prince' Ellie snorted. She quickly hid fully behind Valerie when Danny looked her way. The teen's glare lingered for a few seconds before he turned his attention to his sister.

"Technically? Pandora said I'm more of a 'candidate-for-the-throne' until I put on the ring." Be that as it may, Danny was ninety percent sure that the ghost said that to cheer him up somehow.

Jazz took time to contemplate his words. As Jazz explored her thoughts, Valerie was next to speak up. "So, you'll become heir to the throne if you put it on?" He nodded his head. "Okay then.. what do you think about it?"

A good question. But it was also a question he didn't know how to answer. He had brought the information up with them so they could share their thoughts then he'd form his own from there. When he told her that much, all he got was "You're potential Ghost royalty, not us." Fair enough. Nonetheless, hearing their thoughts would help properly form his.

All the information he had received from Pandora was fully processed. But he didn't think about it in any way. It was just something else he had to know. It wasn't until he realized why he was in possession of the ring that it fully hit him. Maybe if he was younger, he'd think this was cool. But now, was he even stable enough to be a king, specifically a Ghost King, after all he's been through? He couldn't even stay as Phantom as long as he used to. Not without panicking. And even then, to have both the Ring of Rage and Crown of Fire. The power boost he'd receive would be unreadable. How would he react to it? What if he'd be like Pariah or… worse?

I still exist.

"That won't happen."

Danny looked up at Jazz's voice. He didn't realize he said any of that out loud. "How do you know?" He asked.

That means you still turn into me. "Because you have something that he and Pariah didn't have."

Danny tried to force his words into the back of his mind, wanting to focus on his older sister's words. Nothing was said, but he was curious to see where she was going with this.

I'm inevitable.

"You have us now."

The voice in his head instantly went silent. He blinked in surprise, noting her serious look. After a few seconds, he smiled and then laughed. It wasn't a chuckle or huff. It was a full belly laugh. "That's so corny, Jazz, even for you," he said between his laughter. When Jazz exclaimed, he wiped his tears and calmed down. "But yeah. Maybe you're right."

He didn't know much of Pariah's story to be aware of any companions, other than Fright Knight (if he counted). For Dan, it was the complete opposite. He had spent countless nights at the possibility of him becoming his future self. More than ever when he was locked up. He'd lost Sam, Tucker, and his parents, admittedly not to the same degree that Dan had. But unlike him, Danny still had his human side and Jazz. Even better, Valerie wasn't his enemy and Ellie was with him. He won't deny that there were more similarities between him and Dan. But he couldn't waste time focusing on the far future.

"I think," he started to say once his thoughts came together. His eyes were on the three in front of him, but his attention was on Valerie as he answered her question. "There's a lot of risks. From what Pandora told me, having a title like that won't be easy. It'll probably be worse because of how it went last time. There would be more eyes on me than I'd like. And who'd know how ghosts, like Skulker or Vlad, would react "

He gave an apologetic smile when Ellie and Valerie showed their displeasure at the mention of the elder man.

"But, I can't deny a lot of benefits could come from it too. Like protecting Amity. I'm sure I could find a way to keep more ghosts in the Ghost Zone as the ruler. I'll still get the alone time I wanted. And I don't have to worry about being thrown back in Walker's prison."

Jazz sighed at his last point. Confused, he asked what was wrong. "Nothing," she answered. "You were just.. doing so well." If she was thrown in there as much as he had, she'd get it. "That doesn't make it any better, Danny." Respectfully disagree.

"You should go for it." The room went silent as everyone turned to Valerie with the same shocked expression. "What?" Danny went in front of her and placed a hand on her forehead. When asked why, he told her he was making sure she wasn't sick. All it took was a look from her for Danny to pull away with his hands up in mock surrender and a smirk.

"As I was saying," She continued with a huff, crossing her arms. "It's not a completely bad idea. As much as I hate to admit it, you do affect those ghosts in some way. There's a reason why even your enemies helped you during the Pariah incident, and it wasn't because they had a 'sudden change of heart.'" Which was him, Danny asked with a wide smile. "..no." Danny immediately frowned. "Plus, as you said, it would be easier to keep them away from Amity."

Deadpanning, Danny asked if she set all of that up just to agree with his plan of keeping them in the Ghost Zone. He had earned a scoff. "Of course not," She replied, looking away from him. Then a firm no when he told her to repeat while looking him in the eyes.

Before he could say anything else, Jazz inserted herself back into the conversation. How fortunate. For Val, not him. "Did you ever get a reason why they helped you?" She asked, curiosity oozing in her tone.

That made Danny think for a few seconds. There was some fog when the ghosts came to help him. Weird. He ran a hand through his hair, subtly shaking his head to clear his mind. "Personal gain?" He replied when Skulker's words were the first to come back to him. That was probably all he needed to know at the moment.

The way Jazz and Valerie glanced at each other was missed by him. Taking him out of his head, Val was the one to ask the next question.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Probably something dumb.." He shrugged.

"Okay, but don't you think you do that enough already?"

Danny shot an annoyed glance at her. His lips pressed together to form a tight frown. He quickly looked away when Valerie smirked and winked at him. Silent, he fiddled with the ring in his hands as he thought. Then slowly he answered before transforming, "Then something crazy."

"That's better," Valerie said, standing straight as her suit crept on her person. "After you."

Leave it to her to know what he was doing. He smiled at her and called out to Ellie, telling her to come on. The girl beamed and transformed as well then zoomed next to him. Danny watched as Valerie prepared Jazz, who was the only one who hadn't caught on, by helping the older one onto her hoverboard. With a nod, Danny hovered in the air before flying straight into the portal. Dani followed after with Valerie and Jazz not far behind.

Danny continued to lead them to Clockwork's tower. There was no surprise when he saw the time lord waiting for his arrival, along with Pandora and Frostbite. He smiled upon seeing his old friend. What did surprise him was the Fright Knight standing tall next to them.

"Oh great," he grumbled as he landed in front of the odd group. He then motioned to the knight, eyes on Clockwork. "What's he doing here?"

Fright Knight huffed unamused. "As second-in-command, it is only fair that I know who gains the title of Ghost King. Or if they deserve it, in your case."

Danny was about to retort before Frostbite cut in.

"Do not mind him, Great One. It is customary for him to be here if you plan on putting the ring on or not. Like he said, he is the second-in-command and loyal to the Ghost King."

He hated to admit it, but those were good points. But that didn't mean he liked it any less. Knowing that there was nothing he could do about it, he just reluctantly accepted the ghost knight's presence. "If you say so," he begrudgingly complied. Then he turned to properly greet Frostbite, as well as remind him to call him Danny. It was refused. He'll get him one day.

"Since you've come here, it's right to assume that you've made your decision, correct?" Pandora asked, her hands pressed together in front of her.

Danny didn't have to look at anyone else to know that all eyes were on him. Whatever choice he made wouldn't just impact himself, but everyone around him and the Zone itself. The pressure almost made him want to ask for more time. Yet, he decided to double down on his decision. "Yes," he answered firmly. His green eyes were neon with determination. "I'll put on the ring."

The ghosts in front of him, minus Clockwork, were relieved by his choice. Surprisingly, even Fright Knight. Guess the poor guy got bored after not being able to do his job for so long. The other two were the most relieved, with them telling him that they were glad about his choice and that he was the best candidate for the throne. Or they were until they were stopped.

"Why don't we save those for later," Clockwork spoke, his staff in front of both Pandora and Frostbite to keep them separated from Danny. "It is a big decision, but ultimately meaningless if the test isn't passed." The time ghost then looked back at Danny.

"Test?" He heard Jazz's voice behind him. "Sorry. Hi, Danny's big sister here. What exactly is the test?"

Clockwork didn't seem to mind the interruption. His smirk stayed on his face as he lowered his staff, his appearance changing into one of an elderly man "As the name suggests the Ring of Rage gives a wrathful influence to whoever wears it," he briefly explained. "The test is whether Danny will adjust, adapt, or succumb to the rage he will receive. Most Kings have adjusted, their rage eventually catching up to them. Only very few have adapted, and their rage subsided, but they are overthrown quite soon."

The trio quickly realized one of the "choices" was missing. But they were almost scared to bring it up. Then again someone had to. "And what happens if he succumbs?" He heard Val's voice beside him.

"He fails," Fright Knight answered. "For a creature to be so easily swept away by rage would be unfit to rule. The ring will be taken and he'll be sent to the far ends of the Ghost Zone in his dangerous state."

Dangerous state. In other words, he'll be stuck in rage if he were to succumb to it. So he could either be a king going mad, the actual decent one, or go insane. What riveting options. How could he possibly choose?

"But there is nothing to worry about. Such a test will be easy for the Great Savior of the Ghost Zone. It is a low possibility that he will succumb," said Frostbite, Pandora agreeing.

Valerie snorted at the title. When he turned his head, she hastily turned away with a hand over her mouth. The reaction only added to his embarrassment of it all. Wait, why does her reaction matter so much? Focus, Danny!

With a huff, he turned away. His eyes looked down at the ring in his unfurled hand. For some reason, the ring had a brighter glow, the eyes in the skull glowing as well, it was even vibrating in his palm. Feeling slightly intimidated, the halfa glanced at Pandora and Clockwork, both of them with expectant looks on their faces. Then he turned his head towards his family. The looks he got were more varied. Jazz was worried, Val was tense, and Dani… was Dani. It was obvious to him that the girl's excitement didn't budge an inch.

"So, are you ready?" Pandora asked, catching the halfa's attention.

His eyes flickered to Valerie's. The hunter did her best to seem indifferent about the situation, but he could tell she was equally as nervous and worried as Jazz was. To reassure her, Danny gave a hint of a smile before turning to Pandora.

"I'm ready."


*Scrolling through tiktok* am I..dragging this out? …nah *goes back to scrolling*

I actually had notes with this one. Main thing, the writing kinda changed. I wanted to be in Danny's POV mode without actually switching writing POV. (I haven't written in 1st person in years.. and I know people have Ickes about it in fics these days) But, let me know if you like it or not. If not, you'll have to push through for the next couple of chapters.

Minor thing, you all know that I haven't watched Danny Phantom in a while.. I haven't read any fics in a while either in fear of unconsciously stealing something. I don't know how others do the Ring, I probably made it a bigger deal than it needed to be. But nothings wrong with being a little more extra, right?

..right?

Anyways that being said.. If this didn't make sense, also let me know.

That's all for now! I hope you guys remember to drink water and eat! Take it easy, ladies, lords, and non-binary royalties!

Next up:

"Danny was not ready."