โHey. Uh, Johnny?โ Danny said awkwardly, โWhat does it mean when one of the older ghosts calls you their favored and why does it freak people out?โ
Johnny 13 gave the halfa a bewildered look, โDude. Didnโt you listen to Death? At all?โ
โDeath?โ Danny scrunched his face, โWhat do you mean? I donโtโฆโ
โWait.โ Johnny straightened, โYouโve talked with Death, right? She explained-?โ
Danny shook his head, confused, โWas I supposed to?โ
โWhen you first died, sheโs supposed to appear. She gives a whole spiel and then transfers a bunch of information.โ Johnny frowned, โShe did it for Plasmius, so itโs not a halfa thing.โ
โOh.โ Danny looked down, โWhat ifโฆ What if someone died and came back a few times very quickly? Would thatโฆ Would that cause any problems?โ
Johnny stilled, horrified, โOk. Look, do you want to talk about your death? Because Iโm not asking if you donโt, but...โ
โI guessโฆโ Danny said, โSo you know that my parents made the portal, right?โ
โYeah.โ Johnny said.
โTheyโd been trying to do it for a long time. Plasmius actually worked with them for a while back when they were in college. Itโs why all of their tech is similar in design.โ Danny explained, โThey built the thing, plugged it in, turned it onโฆ and nothing.โ
โBut it works now.โ Johnny frowned.
โYeah. It does.โ Danny nodded, โBut remember my friends? Sam and Tucker?โ
โThe edgy emo and the computer geek?โ
โAs Samโs friend, I am obligated to inform you that she is goth not emoโฆ but yes, those two.โ Danny smiled sadly, โMy mom and dad were upset. They left the house and Jazz was working her shift at a library. The whole house was empty and I wasโฆ you know. A normal teenager home alone.โ
Johnny snorted at that, โAh yes. A completely normal teenager
โYeah, yeah. The point is, the first thing I did after being left home alone was call my friends over.โ Danny rolled his eyes, โTold them what happened andโฆ It was Sam who suggested we go down there first โ sheโs always been into ghost and occult stuff โ and look around. Tucker was down, because it was tech even if we didnโt think most of the tech would work. He wasnโt going to pass up the opportunity to mess around with it. Jazz had given me some lectures on lab safety โ my parents donโt usually follow it themselves โ and I had a bad feeling so I put on the Hazmat suit.โ
โThatโs not a superhero costume you came up with?โ Johnny asked, eyes widening.
โNo, um. Itโs a hazmat suit. The only way I changed my form was the insignia and even then that was Samโs idea.โ
โOh.โ
โYeah, but umโฆ.โ Danny paused, โWe wound up standing outside the portal. It wasnโt working or anything, but there was a big spooky metal hole in the wall. You know, the kind of thing youโd expect in sci-fi movies. Sam dared me to go in and I was nervous. That bad feeling just intensified, but again โ fourteen. I wasnโt being smart about it. Soโฆ I went into it. I kept going and it was dark. I was turning back when I tripped and I flailed. Accidentally hit some button that was on the side and it turned on.โ
Johnny took a sharp breath.
โAnd um. Did you know that the portal takes a lot of electricity to start up?โ Danny joked weakly, โTook three blocks worth. Um, lots of ectoplasm, too โ from both the zone and the artificial stuff my parents use.โ He shuffled, โSo um, turns out both those things can revive and kill people. So I just kind of โ died and revived a lot until it turned on and basically spat me out into the lab.
โThatโs - Kidโฆโ
โSo um, maybe since I was dying and reviving so much death didnโt have a chance to fill me in? Honestly, would have like the heads up.โ Danny said sheepishly, โI didnโt even understand what had happened until ghosts started coming through the portal.โ
โSeriously?โ
Danny shrugged, โI mean, I kind of suspected. I was falling through floors. It was hard to ignore, but I didnโt know - My parents are good inventors, but not the best scientists and it made things hard to figure out.โ
โWhat? You bought that whole non-sentient BS?โ
โNo.โ Danny shook his head, โI just didnโt buy any of it โ and I mean none of it. I wanted nothing to do with the whole thing. The whole town thought my parents were crazy, they were always in the lab working, and I only ever saw them briefly once or twice a day. Donโt get me wrong. Theyโre still my parents and I love them, butโฆ they have two big priorities. Their work and their kids. Their work is justโฆ a higher priority to them.โ
โOh.โ Johnny cringed, โOh. Kidโฆโ
โSo yeah. Life sucks. Death sucksโฆ but I really need to know what to do and why Ember is freaking out over me being called โfavored oneโ.โ
โUh, right.โ Johnny paused, โWell, itโs like old ghost language. Um. Basically, itโs like being called a really, really close friend or adopted family. Kind of likeโฆ โhey, this is my person that I love and protectโ. Itโs platonic unless they specify otherwise.โ
โHuh, okay.โ Danny blinked, โThat makes sense, but why would Ember freak out?โ
โWellโฆ who called you that?โ
โOh! Clockwork and Pandora call me that when I visit.โ
Johnny blanched, โWhat?โ
โAnd now youโre freaking out, too.โ
โYouโve been just- Kid! Are you just casually talking to them?โ
โUm, yeah? They said it was okay?โ
โDo you know nothing about the hierarchy of the- Wait. No. You didnโt get to talk to Death. Of course you donโt-โ Johnny sighed โ covering his eyes, โOkay, so do you know what the ancients are?โ
โI thought that was just a saying.โ
โNo, itโs not-โ Johnny pinched the bridge of his nose, โThe Ancients are the most powerful spirits in the Zone. Theyโre ghosts, but they resemble ideals more than they do a person most of the time. Practically gods. The ancients are Undergrowth, Frostbite, Nocturne, Pandora, Clockwork, Vortex, and Pariah Dark. Thing isโฆ where most ghosts plateau at a certain power level the ancients can just keep growing in power. Clockwork is one of the strongest โ so strong, the Observants bound him to their will.โ
โYeah, I heard about that, but heโs really nice, you know.โ Danny smiled, โAnd he makes really good cookies really fast.โ
Johnny stared at Danny for a long moment, โDanny. Do you not hear yourself right now? Heโs basically the god of time.โ
โYeah, but if he didnโt want me to visit, I wouldnโt be able to find him.โ Danny shrugged, โSo he told me if I can see the clocktower, Iโm welcome to come in.โ
โKidโฆโ
โBesides. Iโm friends with half of those guys and theyโre cool.โ
โWha- How many ancients do you know?โ
โUmโฆ All the ones you just listed? Iโm friends with Frostbite, Pandora, and Clockwork. I fought Undergrowth, Vortex and Nocturne before, but Nocturne likes me now. Um, Undergrowth doesnโt like me, though. Loves Sam, thoughโฆ Um, obviously I know who Pariah Dark is after the whole thing in Amity-โ
Johnny stilled, โWait a minuteโฆ Kid. I need you to answer me honestly hereโฆ Did Pariah ever mention a challenge when you fought him?โ
โWell, um. I guess? He was all formal speak, though, soโฆโ
โKid.โ Johnny said very slowly, โDid he ever issue a challenge or accept a challenge from you?โ
โโฆ Um. He did say that he accepted my challenge or something, but wasnโt that just fight-talk orโฆโ
โI think I get it now.โ Johnny sighed, facepalming, โJustโฆ maybe donโt tell people about this and consider asking one of the ancients allies you have about what Pariah accepting your challenge means for you.โ
โFor me? What-โ
โJustโฆ give it some thought.โ Johnny paused, โAnd- Well, I can talk to Ember for you, yeah?โ
โThanks.โ
โ
Danny curled up on a sofa as Pandora embraced him with three arms and ran her fourth hand through his hair.
โPandora.โ Danny said softly, โSome of my friends say you, Frostbite, and Clockwork are ancients.โ
โThey are correct.โ
โI didnโt know what ancients were.โ
โI noticed.โ Pandora laughed a bit, โBut youโre a sweet child. You helped me get my box back and did not demand my favor. Perhaps it was selfish not to tell you, but I didnโt want to distress you. You are a kind and humble soul. Is it such a surprise I wish to continue seeing you?โ
โYou thought I would stop if I did?โ Danny asked, confused, โI mean, sure my other friends were shaken up by it, but they donโt know you. Why would I be afraid when youโre so nice?โ
Pandora blinked and then smiled warmly โ a little laugh pulling from her throat. Oh, the innocence of such a young spirit, โWhy, indeed? I suppose I didnโt give you or myself enough credit, did I?โ
Danny shrugged, โI donโt have room to judge people for being different anyway. Iโm a halfa. Pretty sure thatโs even rarer than being an Ancient, right?โ
โI suppose that is true.โ Pandora smiled, โThere are only a few halfas and none are quite like you. There will only ever be one of you.โ
โDoes this have something to do with why I never got to meet death?โ Danny asked, confused, โThatโs the only thing I can find that seems all that different-โ
โIn a wayโฆ Yes, but there are many more differences. The main one is that you powers have grown beyond Vlad Masters and they continue to do so.โ Pandora said, โYou are what we call a โJuna Potencoโ. Most realms will never have heard of such things, but us ancients do not forget and when faced with a gift like yourselfโฆ well, youโll only see more of us with time.โ
โWhat does that mean? Is it bad?โ
โNo, no. It is a gift, not a punishment.โ Pandora promised, โYou are an inspiring soul, favored one, and it seems the realms themselves have seen that.โ
โThat doesnโt sound right.โ Danny pulled away and sat up as he shook his head, โIโm a halfa, but thatโs what I am. It doesnโt say anything about who I am. There isnโt anything special about who I am.โ
โEveryone else disagrees with that last statement.โ Pandora shook her head, โBut I will let you in on the secret.โ
โYeah?โ
โThese are not due to your half spirit nature, but something truly special.โ Pandora cupped his cheek, โDanny, do you truly wish to know? As amazing as this is, I am not sure you will be ready for the truth just yet.โ
โIโm - Iโve been debating what colleges to apply for, butโฆ I donโt know if any of them will take me now with my grades. I still look fourteen โ fifteen at the oldestโฆ and I still feel fourteen.โ Danny looked at Pandora with pleading eyes, โSo if this would impact my future, I think Iโd like to know. Before things get complicated.โ
โAre you sure?โ
โYes.โ
Suddenly, everything froze.
Danny looked up to see Clockwork putting a medallion on Pandora while Frostbite gave him a smile.
โI presume youโre here to assist in informing him?โ Pandora asked.
โIndeed.โ Frostbite nodded.
โInforming me of what?โ Danny asked, confused.
โWhen you went to face Pariah Dark, you stated your intention to fight him.โ Clockwork said, โAnd he accepted your challenge. You fought in single combat, removed the Crown of Fire from his head, and then managed to get him into the Sarcophagus of Forever Sleep.โ
โVlad-โ
โPlasmius might have locked the Sarcophagus, but you have repeatedly bested him and even when he has gotten the best of you, it has not been in single combat. However, Plasmius at one point claimed your fight was a โfun challengeโ. You agreed โ officially accepting it as such. When you defeated him, he lost any fragile claim to the throne.โ
โClaim to the- Wait. What are you saying?โ Danny glanced between them, โWhat? No. Noโฆ you have to be kidding me. Iโm just me. I was trying to help, not-โ
โChild, your soul was always going to be tied to the zone one way or another.โ Pandora said, โMortality is already a fragile thing, but someone so surrounded by ectoplasm at a young age all while experiencing the struggles you did with your parents absenceโฆ it was inevitable that you would be a powerful ghost.โ
โBut, then, Great One.โ Frostbite continued, โYou stood fully emerged in the space between worlds and thought of protection and forgiveness โ mercy. You did not even consider vengeance or desires of your own. Only the wellbeing of others. It is an act of great sacrifice and not one many can complete so fully.โ
โTo put it simply, Danny.โ Pandora said, โYouโre one of us, Juna Protenco. New and young power that will grow infinitely. Though you are far from ancient, you will be with time.โ
โAn ancient to be.โ Danny said distantly.
โThe Ancient of Protection, Space, Mercy, and Matter.โ Clockwork turned into his newborn form, โThe best candidate for king weโve had in a long time. Though, perhaps I am a bit biased.โ
โDoes it have something to do with space-time?โ Danny guessed, โBecause Matter, Time, and Spaceโฆโ
โCorrect.โ Clockwork smirked, โMatter tells spacetime how to curve, and curved spacetime tells matter how to move. I guide you and you make changes that I will use to guide you again.โ
Dannu blinked, โOh. I get it.โ
โYou do?โ Pandora blinked.
โThatโs domains for you.โ Frostbite chuckled and then quickly explained when Danny gave him a confused look, โWe all innately understand our domains and their meanings. My domain is progression, society, and advancement.โ
โMine is responsibility, hope, protection, and perseverance.โ Pandora revealed.
โIndeed.โ Clockwork transformed into the middle aged man again, โBut now that you know of your future, we must prepare.โ He put his hand on Dannyโs shoulder, โYour coronation must happen by the time you turn eighteen. As Ghost King, you will need to learn some diplomatic skills. We will teach you while you finish your human schooling.โ Clockwork promised, โYou can tell your parents the truth or you can say you are simply leaving for college, but Maddie and Jack Fenton cannot move to the Zone with you. Your sister is welcome. Your friends are welcome, but unfortunatelyโฆโ
โI understand.โ Danny lowered his head, โI donโt think Iโll tell them just yet. Maybe Iโll leave a note or a video, butโฆโ
Clockworkโs eyes glazed over briefly โ clearly checking the timeline.
โThat is a good idea.โ Clockwork nodded.
โOkay.โ Danny swallowed, โI canโt -โ
โNo.โ Clockwork said, โHonored as these two would be, they have their duties and people. They cannot. I am both bound by the Observants and a little too prone to acts of selfishness. It is too much power for me. No. It must be you.โ
โYouโre not selfish. You helped me.โ Danny tilted his head, confused.
Clockwork chuckled guiltily as Pandora made a face and Frostbite shifted awkwardly.
โThere is a reason people fear me, Danny.โ Clockwork seemed more amused than anything by the sudden awkwardness, โI appreciate your trust in me, but I was not so good or kind in life. I hold domain over regret and retribution as well as time. It is a position I earned after giving and getting both in equal measure. I am not a protective spirit by nature. I am one that seeks justice and sometimes revenge.โ
โI donโt get it.โ Danny frowned, confused.
โSoon, you will.โ Clockwork said grimly, โBut for nowโฆ Trust me when I say all is as it should be.โ
โOkay.โ Danny said, โI trust you.โ
โNow, time in.โ Clockwork said. When Danny tried to give him the medallion he shook his head, โNo, hold onto it. I believe it goes without saying, but do not lose it.โ
โI know. I wonโt.โ Danny promised.
โGood, nowโฆ I believe you have some friends to talk to?โ
โEr, right!โ Danny said and rushed off.
โHe doesnโt know who you are?โ Frostbite turned to Clockwork, โAnd you havenโt told him?โ
โโฆ Heโll learn during his studies.โ Clockwork admitted begrudgingly, โAnd itโs best that he come to me after he processes the information than during.โ
โJust remember, Kronos.โ Pandora glared as she handed over her medallion, โOne wrong move-โ
โYes, yes, I am very aware of your opinions of me, Keeper of Hope.โ Clockwork held a hand to Frostbite, โShall I take you back to your people?โ
โEr, yes.โ
โGood, then-โ
โHey! I was not finished-โ
โTIME OUT!โ
Pandora sighed as they disappeared, โUgh. He is always such a petty menace. One of these daysโฆโ
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