The Phantom Anomaly

Chapter Eight

A//N: This is probably not cannon, but in my mind, ghosts can develop and change their own lairs. That's why CW's Tower has bedrooms for the trio.

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"There are some abilities that you will have to learn for yourself." Clockwork explains while the group is inside the tower. Sam stands in the newly created kitchen, making a meal for the trio. Danny sits on a couch in front of the Master of Time. Tucker sits to his right, but facing Danny as he hooks some wires under his friend's skin. Danny barely winces as the wires connect and start testing his blood and composition.

"Sorry, buddy." Tucker mutters.

"It's okay, Tuck." Danny replies. "Keep going, Clockwork."

"I cannot explain some of them, but they will come naturally to you. You won't need training, and they likely won't help against Abaddon, so I will skip them." Clockwork says.

"You will have control over all of your subjects. Each one must listen to you to some extent, but only when you speak the language of the dead."

"Latin?" Sam asks from the kitchen.

"Yes. Danny has known Latin ever since his Death Day." The time master explains. "If you speak in Latin, then most ghosts will be bound to your word. Some can resist it, but not for long. Just keep speaking, and they will eventually obey. This is called the King's Call." He pauses. "Do not abuse it, or your subjects will grow to hate you, like they did Pariah Dark."

Sam and Tucker suddenly start laughing hysterically. Clockwork sits back, amused, as Danny looks at his friends in confusion.

"What is it, guys?" Danny asks.

"It's just..." Tucker bursts into another fit of giggles.

"...you would never abuse your power, Danny." Sam says with a smile. She turns to Clockwork. "It's against his obsession."

"Nonetheless, I felt the need to say it." Clockwork replies as Tucker's giggles die down.

"After you eat, we will continue your training. Only four days remain before you must return." The ghost says, before leaving the room.

Danny turns his attention to the wires connected to his body. "Need me to do anything, Tuck?"

"Not yet. The initial tests are almost done, though." He responds, studying his PDA.

In the kitchen, Sam finishes her vegetable pasta creation and separates it into three separate bowls. She sets them on the table in front of her friends before sitting on Danny's left. She wraps her arms around his middle and buries her head in his back.

Danny puts his free hand over her arms comfortingly, knowing her train of thought. Soon they'll find out....

Tucker's face creases for a moment before he takes a deep breath. "Are you sure you want to know?" He asks.

"Yes." Danny answers immediately. Sam squeezes him tighter, still hiding behind him. "Go ahead Tuck."

"Alright. Your ghost half is definitely winning. It's currently at 80%."

Sam doesn't move, and no sound escapes her lips. Danny takes a deep breath. "All right."

"Your temperature is also really low. It used to be 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but now it's at 75." Tucker continues, stating the facts mechanically. "Even in human form, you have startling amounts of ectoplasm."

He reaches forward to remove the wires. The two boys watch with slight wonder as a little bit of green blood exits the tiny wounds, and then the skin seals up.

"I've never had healing abilities as Fenton before." Danny states, but he isn't surprised.

"All in all, it's gonna be pretty hard to hide from here on out, dude. You are freezing to the touch, and if you get hurt..."

"I know Tuck." Danny runs a hand through his hair. "We'll cross that bridge when it comes. But honestly, I don't care too much about my secret anymore. People can't really do anything with that knowledge anymore. And if my parents don't listen to me...." Danny shrugs. "I'll be an adult soon. It won't really matter."

Sam squeezes her boyfriend one last time before reaching for her food. The boys reach for theirs, too.

"I'll have to get a sweater." Sam teases lightly. "Otherwise I won't hug you again."

Danny drops his utensils in dismay. "Clockwork!" He calls. "Do you have any sweaters that would fit my lady?"

The master of time chuckles. "No, but we can get one soon. Our training will take us to the Far Frozen."

"Can we come?" Sam and Tucker ask immediately.

Clockwork's deadpan response shocks all in the room.

"No, I'm afraid that Danny's portals will be much to small to fit all of us."