Darkness Kitten

Prologue

Time is something that we humans can never control no matter how much we desire to have it. All we can do is use the time we have to make crucial decisions for our lives. So I can say from experience that some decisions will make their own choices no matter how much control you think you have over them. I learn that when I met Clockwork, well known as Father of Time.

"Hey, Clocky? Why do the Fenton treat their children like this?" Young Danny floats across one of the many screens that Clockwork is watching for the timestream. Arms crossing each other in a form of self-hugging, you can see the negative emotions fleeting in his eyes as he thinks about the question to himself.

Holding his staff, he waves it across the screens, making the images freeze. Turn his body over to the young halfa, Clockwork shows a smile grin and moves over to the table that holds tea and snacks. Sitting down and waving the boy to take a sit, Clockwork pours them both half a cup of tea and places cookies on each of their plates. Waiting for Danny to take a sip of the tea, he drinks his own tea before looking straight into the boy's eyes.

Places his tea down, and takes an unnecessary breath. "Daniel, I understand that you want the Fentons to be true parents to not only you but also to young Jasmine. I want you to have a good relationship as a parent and child. But that is not meant for you. You and I both know that if you were to stay with them and have a good life with them that you today would not exist." Taking a sip of the tea, he turns his head towards the timestreams frozen images and sighs. "Though I can not see all timelines for you, I can still see the best timeline that is meant for a great future for you."

A sound of sniffing feels the air, the sound of Danny trying to hold his tears. Clockwork turns and sees a curled-up halfa hugging himself, trying to brave the emotions that come from the answer he gets from his mentor.

"I don't even care if they treat me as trash or even forget that I live in that house. All I care about now is that they treat Jazz like another beaker on the shelves. Like they only need her when the time calls for it. She's their biological daughter, they should treat her like how actual parents treat their own child." Raises his head, tears gathering in his eyes, not yet falling. "Dan was so nice to tell me the fact that they were just foster parents to me earlier than when I was supposed to know. At least now I can understand a little too the way they treat me this way, but that still doesn't explain their behaviors."

Looking at the young boy in his lair, Clockwork is not surprised by the surge of anger that builds up in his core. Years have gone by since he has ever felt such emotions, but ever since this boy has entered his timestream, he can say with certainty that he doesn't hate it. New experiences have been made since he met Danny and he would never trade for anything in the infinity of dimensions. The one thing he would trade his core for is that Danny doesn't experience what is going to happen in the near future. For now, all he can do is comfort the boy and help the timestream move in the right direction with the little bits of hints every now and then.

Letting his staff float in the air next to him, Clockwork opens his arm to Danny. Not even letting the chance pass, Danny jumps from his sit into the arms of someone that he trusts his core with.

Lean his head on top of Danny's head, Clockwork rubs his back in comfort to settle down the crying halfa. "Daniel, I know that you felt betrayed. Even when your friends abandoned you, you stayed strong through it all. You will go through hardships in the near future, so difficult that you may think of surrendering, but I want you to keep strong. If not for me, then for the safety of the realm, and the future family you will have."

Pushing himself up Danny looks into Clockworks eyes. Eyes that have watched the rise and fall of humanity of all kinds.

"Something is gonna happen to me isn't there? You've been watching the timestream more closely lately. You're trying to find my future, my future that disappeared from your mirrors. The Observers are hiding something from you that you may interfere with." Even at the age of only twelve, Danny could understand how cruel being in control can be. He has learned to read between the line and think critically about the events lied out before him. Place his hand on my chest, he just gives Clockwork a small smile, one filled with sadness, but bravely "It's okay. I know that you will do what you can. I understand, even if I don't know what will happen to me, I know that it needs to happen. Just, just know that I will still come back, back stronger than before."

'This boy, no this young man, has more confidence and knowledge than one his age should have. Though I don't say much, he understands what fate has for him subconsciously.' Pulling him closer into my chest, my core gives him a purr of comfort and deeper emotions I can't acknowledge.

"I may not be able to tell you too much about the timeline or see your future. May can still give you one hint that will help you if the right timeline does happen. Though the darkness can be concealing, know that the inhabitant is crimson blood when shed. Know that the slitted eyes watch the dark inhabitant like though own prey but with fondness and penchant."

All Clockwork felt after that was the nudging of young Daniel's head, telling him that he heard his message. The last memory Danny can remember before he drifted to sleep in the arms of his mentor.