A/N: Hey-o peoples! Miss me?

*crickets*

Me: Ouch. Anyways, sorry I haven't updated in a while. Life's been weird. But I have a moment of rest to update this evil evil thing. I'm honestly wondering how any of you are still reading this. Oh well, hope you enjoy the chapter! :)

Third Person POV

Danny was speechless. He wouldn't be the Prince anymore? The halfa didn't know whether to be upset or jump for joy. Clockwork sighed, shifting to his elderly form, making him look even weaker than he currently was. "You are in shock, and have questions. But they will have to wait until later. Right now we-"

"No."

Clockwork turned to Danny. The teen had his eyes narrowed and his brow knitted together. His arms were crossed and he was staring intently at the old spirit. Clockwork sighed, "Danny, this is not the time to-"

"Of course it's the time Clockwork! The day of the prophecy is quickly approaching, you were just attacked by that psycho ghost who has been the cause of all this, your tower is no longer a safe place, Dan is still lose, and now you tell me that when Fright Knight and Nina get married I won't be Prince of the Ghost Zone anymore!?" Danny screamed at the old ghost.

Nocturne winced at the shouting, "Oh, quit being your high and mighty self Clockwork, and tell the boy. I can't take anymore of this yelling."

Clockwork looked down and frowned at his wounded friend. Shaking his head, he looked back up at Danny, "I can't."

Danny's eyes flashed a deeper shade of green, "Why the hell not?! Is it because your just to proud to admit you actually don't know anything about what's going on?! Or that you still think I'm a stupid little child?!" He stalked towards the elder ghost, anger radiating off his form and his aura getting a murky glow to it. "I'm not that stupid fourteen year old kid that just got his powers Clockwork. I am sixteen. I have seen things that have destroyed my mind."

Danny pointed to his head, "Up here, there's only nightmares Clockwork! Nightmares of my past, my present, my future. Nightmares of the lives I couldn't save, nightmares of the mistakes I've made. And I have to live with it every... day." He turned away from Clockwork and threw his hands up in the air. "Sure, I am still a teenager. I don't have a license, I'm still in school, and I don't know what I want to do with my life."

The teen lowered his head, pulling at his vest, "In the end, all that's left for me... is this. This life as a hero. Just trying to do the right thing and protect those I love." Danny's aura continued to have a murky glow to it, but his anger seemed to slowly fade.

Nocturne sat up to look at the teen facing away from him and Clockwork tried to approach Danny. He raised his hand to place it on the teen's shoulder but Danny side stepped away from it. He turned to face Clockwork, angry tears in his eyes. "I never asked for this Clockwork. I never wanted any of this. Why did this happen to me?" Danny rushed towards Clockwork, angrily grabbing the ghost's purple cloak in his hands, getting right in his face, "Why did this happen to me?! Why not someone else?! Why am I the one who has to suffer?! To feel the pain of every decision I've made?! To know that if I make one mistake I could kill everyone I love?!"

Danny released Clockwork's cloak and sank to his knees in front of the ghost, holding his head in his hands. "Why me?" He whispered. Clockwork, who had been silent during all of this, looked down at the boy. He opened his mouth to speak but his attention was drawn to Nocturne, who was currently shuffling across the floor towards Danny. The starry spirit made his way behind the boy and placed his glittering hands on either side of the teen's head. Danny began to shout in protest, only for a blue mist to float in front of his face and his shouts to be silenced as Danny fell unconscious.

The teen fell forward but Nocturne caught him before his head hit the ground. The starry spirit gently laid the boy on the ground, placing a pillow under his head. "Was that really necessary?" Clockwork asked.

Nocturne looked up at his friend and frowned, "He was becoming hysterical. He could have harmed you or himself." Nocturne placed a hand on Danny's sweaty forehead, closing his eyes. "The boy did not lie. His dreams are filled with nightmares. Horrible things indeed." Nocturne let another puff of blue mist escape his hand and Danny visibly relaxed. The Elder Spirit tried to stand, and only succeeded with the help of Clockwork. "I've given him a pleasant dream. One about his family. That should calm him." Nocturne stated as he leaned on Clockwork for support.

"I should have told him sooner. Maybe then we could have avoided this," Clockwork mused. The two Elder Spirits made their way to a nearby couch and sat down, resting the battered and bruised bodies into the plush cushions.

"I understand why you didn't tell him Clockwork. But when you did, did you have to be so blunt about it?" Nocturne lightly scolded.

Clockwork sighed, his eyes drifting towards the sleeping halfa, "Things are different now Nocturne. There is no time to sugar coat everything for the boy. He needs to know the truth before it becomes to late." The purple clad ghost leaned forward, shifting into his middle aged form.

Nocturne crossed his arms, and winced at the pain resting his arms against his bandaged chest caused. "But he is still a child. You can't just throw something at him and expect him to handle it like an Observant would."

Clockwork shuddered at the mention of the Observants. He was honestly surprised that the Observants weren't currently trying to break his door down, demanding answers. But he had more important things to worry about than a couple of pompous eyeballs. Clockwork adjusted the time on his staff, shifting to his child form. The glass covering his clock insides began repairing itself as he fiddled with the watch.

Danny's sleeping form began to stir and he mumbled incoherently. Nocturne rose slightly, only for Clockwork to pull him back down. Danny needed to wake up. He needed answers.

And Clockwork would give them to him

Danny groaned as he sat up, a hand on his forehead, "Ugh, what happened." The teen's glowing green eyes landed on the two spirits and his memory instantly returned. His eyes flashed dark green and Clockwork held up a hand.

"Do not tempt me to have Nocturne knock you out again."

The old ghost warned. Danny growled, but forced himself to be calm. He sat crossed legged on the floor and floated a few feet above the ground, "So, am I going to get any answers?" Clockwork nodded. "Good, first things first. Why am I not going to be the Prince anymore when Fright Knight and Nina get married?" His question was innocent. There was no anger in his voice, no jealousy, just confusion.

Clockwork's grip on his staff tightened, "During your coronation, you made Fright Knight your successor until you were ready, correct?" Danny nodded and Clockwork continued, "Now Pavor has chosen a bride, a queen. After they are wed, you will have one final choice." Clockwork waved his staff through the air and two blurry images appeared on either side of Danny.

He pointed to the image on Danny's left, "You fully renounce your title and allow Pavor and Nina to become the sole rulers of the Ghost Zone." Danny looked at the blurry images as they cleared and showed Danny standing with Fright Knight and Nina, bowing to them. Everyone was smiling and cheering as Danny placed a crown on Nina's head and handed a ring to Fright Knight, which he slipped on Nina's left ring finger. Danny smiled at the images.

Clockwork pointed to Danny's right, "Or, you finally take your rightful place on the throne and become the King of the Ghost Zone" Danny turned to the other image as it cleared and showed Danny sitting upon the throne, the Ring of Rage on his finger and the Crown of Fire atop his head. His face was void of emotion and his eyes were glazed over. Danny backed away from the image.

"Are... Are these actual images of the future?" The halfa asked, his voice small.

Clockwork shook his head, "They are merely representations of what might happen. The future has many paths, none of which are set in stone." Waving his staff, the Elder Spirit made the images fade away. "If you are willing to fight for your future, then it can be rewritten to a better one."

Danny nodded. Nocturne noticed the sad look in the teen's eyes. Slowly, but surely, he stood up and made his way over to the floating halfa. Danny started to subtly back away from the colorful spirit but Nocturne grabbed his shoulder before he could go very far. Danny planted his feet back on the ground and looked up at the tall ghost. "Danny," Nocturne began, "I know we do not have the best past. But in the past year I have known you not as an enemy, but a friend, I have seen the greatness in you. Your pure heart, and strong mind make you a formidable opponent and a wise leader." Nocturne started to sway back and forth and he knelt down to try and regain his balance.

To his surprise, Danny helped support him. Nocturne smiled, "I understand your fear behind this choice. But I also understand that you have no desire to be King." He locked eyes with the boy, "You must know that no one is forcing you to take the throne. I know Pavor would understand you fully renouncing your title to him."

Danny just silently nodded and helped Nocturne back onto the couch. He took a few steps away from the two spirits. "I need to think about this," Danny muttered.

Clockwork used his staff to stand up as he shifted to his elderly form. He walked over to Danny and placed a hand on the teen's shoulder, "Of course. No one expects you to make an immediate decision." He gently squeezed Danny's shoulder, "You must go now. Rest, and think about this in the morning." Danny nodded and flew out of the library and then out of the tower.

Clockwork sank back down onto the couch and sighed, "I feared that something like this would happen." Nocturne glanced at Clockwork as the purple clad ghost continued, "He is always asking for answers, and I try to give him answers, I really do. I use all my energy to give him the answers to these questions, despite knowing the cost of doing so." Clockwork closed his eyes, sinking even further into the couch. "But... I no longer have any answers for myself."

Nocturne's eyes widened as he realized the meaning behind the old spirit's words, "Clockwork, you don't mean..."

Clockwork looked up at his old friend, his tired red eyes opening. "I'm afraid I do." Nocturne gasped and clasped a hand over his mouth. Silence filled the tower as the two spirits thought about Clockwork's harrowing confirmation.

And they stayed that way for hours, neither of them speaking, or moving. Nocturne's blood seeped through his bandages and Clockwork's back tingled from the burn.

But neither of them cared enough to do anything about it.

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed that! I am now going to hop into this rocket and launch myself into space! Bye! *hops into rocket and launches self into space* SEE YOU ALL IN THE NEXT ONE!