Third Person POV

By the time Danny reached the Fenton Portal, transformed back into his human self and climbed into bed it was nearly 4:30 in the morning. Danny mentally groaned as he curled up under the covers, praying he could at least get a good hour and a half worth of sleep.

Unfortunately for Danny, not shortly after he closed his eyes the young hero was roused from his peaceful slumber by a beeping alarm clock. He slammed his hand down on the snooze button before throwing the covers up over his head and clutching onto them tight, wishing just for a few more seconds of precious sleep.

"Danny, sweetie! You better get up or you'll be late for school." Maddie Fenton yelled up the stairs, destroying Danny's hopes for a slightly longer sleep in an instant.

The teen sighed as he threw off his covers and planted his feet on the floor. "Coming!" He shouted back, half yawning. He stood up scratching his chest as he walked by his dresser mirror, noticing the bandages from last night. He would have to change them before going to school today or Sam would have his head. He quickly reached under his bed for his private first aid kit, removed the old bandages, and applied medicine to his wound before re-wrapping it in fresh bandages. He would have to ask Sam to check on the stitches eventually, but things like that could wait.

After quickly getting dressed in a pair of comfy jeans, his signature white and red shirt, and slipping on a red hoodie to hide the bandages, Danny headed downstairs for breakfast. He walked into the kitchen where Maddie Fenton was busy cooking pancakes and Jack Fenton was sitting at the table tinkering with one of his many ghost catching tools. "Morning Danny." Maddie said cheerfully as she walked over to Danny and placed a plate of pancakes in front of him. 

"Morning." The teen replied, still half asleep as he dug into his pancakes.

Jack noticed his son's state and put down the ghost weapon he was tinkering with. "Something bothering you son?" He asked, trying to get Danny's attention.

Danny resisted the urge to laugh. There was so much on his mind right now. Learning he was a newly dubbed Prince-to-be, he was to trust one of his old enemies to protect him - not that he needed protecting - and the fact that he had to find a way to break the news to his friends. Danny sighed, "Not a thing. I'm just still sleepy." He answered, taking a bite out of his pancakes.

Jazz Fenton entered the kitchen, her nose buried in one of her many psychology books. She breezed by the table, snatching an apple and taking a bite out of it, not once taking her eyes off the book she was reading.

"Morning, Princess." Jack said, shooting his elder daughter a smile.

Jazz nodded in reply before shuffling back into the living room. Jack looked kind of dejected at not getting a reply from Jazz but he quickly brushed it off and smiled as he resumed tinkering on the ghost device.

Danny finished his pancakes and placed his dishes in the sink. He walked into the living room to see Jazz sitting on the couch, Danny's bag in her hand and an angry expression on her face. "Mind telling me what happened last night?" She asked, making it sound more like a demand.

Danny lowered his head, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he walked over to Jazz. "I had a little fight with Skulker, no big deal." He muttered, reaching for his bag.

"No big deal?!" Jazz cried out, but making sure to keep her voice low enough so their parents wouldn't here. She pulled the bag away from Danny's reach, her eyes burning with fury and worry. "Sam texted me last night." Jazz admitted. "She said she had to give you four stitches! Stitches Danny!"

"Whatever." Danny grumbled as he tried to lunge at his backpack.

Jazz sidestepped the teen, causing Danny to crash into the couch instead. "Wrong answer." She scolded. "This is serious."

"Look I'm fine Jazz. See?" Danny replied, swinging his injured arm around in circles with ease. He was starting to get really annoyed. Lack of sleep paired with everything that happened last night had him in a very bad mood. He didn't need Jazz lecturing him on top of all that. Danny held out his hand to Jazz. "Now can I have my bag? I kinda need to get to school sometime this century." Jazz frowned and reluctantly handed over the bag. Danny slung it over his shoulder and dashed out the door, shouting a quick goodbye to his parents.

Danny ran into the alley beside his house to transform, only to crash right into Fright Knight. The teen fell backwards and his ghost sense went off just as he made contact with the cement.  "Fright Knight!" He half-shouted, getting up and ignoring the pain radiating up his spine. "What are you doing here?!"

"I am here to protect you, as was agreed upon last night." He replied, pounding his right fist on his chest. "I am to be with you at all times."

Danny's eyes widened and he violently shook his head. "No no no, you cannot come to school with me. Can't you just go back to the Ghost Zone or at the very least stay here today? There's nothing for you to protect me from at school, and even if there was I am capable of defending myself."

"But Your Highness-" Fright Knight began before Danny held up his hand to stop him.

"And don't call me Your Highness." Danny interrupted. "If we are seen together, call me welp like everybody else." Danny watched as Fright Knight became more and more confused. He couldn't help but feel a little bad about all this. Fright Knight had been dragged into this and was more than likely just as unhappy as Danny was about all this.

The teen transformed into his ghostly alter ego and took off, flying towards the school. Danny's ghost sense went off once more and he turned around to see Fright Knight following him. "Dude, seriously!" He shouted, stopping in mid-air and turning to face his ghostly bodyguard. "You don't have to follow me just because the Observants told you to! Just hang out at some haunted house and come get me if those giant eyeball-heads want a check-up."

Fright Knight stopped and relaxed his posture slightly. "I am not doing this because I was order by the High Council to do so." Fright Knight said, his tone deadly serious. "I told you before, I myself believe that you can restore the Ghost Zone to its former glory." He placed his hand over his swords handle, closing his green eyes. "When I first heard of your crowing, to my surprise I felt relief. I had fought you in battle, seen you defeat my former master and face off against countless enemies on your own and emerge victorious." 

Danny watched as Fright Knight floated closer to him and give him a small bow. "The Time Master spoke of your great wisdom for one of your age and informed me that you would make a great King." The flaming ghost straightened his back, staring into Danny's eyes. "I am here of my own will, to protect the future savior of the Ghost Zone and ensure that he will bring forth an age of peace among all ghosts."

Danny was at a loss for words. He had no response to Fright Knight's speech and was even having a hard time processing it. "Um... Thanks." He replied awkwardly. Danny felt that Fright Knight was being honest with him and he felt a new form of respect for the ghostly knight.

Fright Knight nodded in response and floated past Danny. He looked over his shoulder at the teen and his eyes seemed to smile. "Shall we be off then? Lest you be late for school?" He offered.

Danny gasped as he heard the warning bell go off, signaling that he had five minutes to get to first period. The teen mentally cursed as he zoomed past Fright Knight towards the school. His ghost sense went off again making the teen aware that his bodyguard was sticking close. As they drew close to the school and the grand building came into focus, Danny remembered one last thing he needed to tell Fright Knight.

"Hey Fright Knight!" Danny called over his shoulder. The ghost flew to Danny's side and gave him his full attention. "People at school don't know that Danny Fenton is not really a wimp so I have to let myself get beat up. So if you happen to see me getting bullied don't stop it." He informed the ghost. "Or even when another ghost attacks the school and I have to fight, you can't get involved. My friends know you and if they see you fighting by my side then they might start asking questions."

Fright Knight tilted his head slightly at the young halfa. "I understand my liege. But why must we keep this a secret from your friends? Are you not a team?" He asked.

Danny scratched the back of his neck. It was true. Sam and Tucker were his best friends and he shared everything with them, especially ghost related stuff. But when it came to him becoming the next Prince or King or whatever, he felt like he needed a bit more information and planning before he even told his friends. He was also trying to look for a way out of this still so hopefully he would never have to tell them this. He relayed this to Fright Knight who was understanding of these facts.

The two ghosts arrived at the school and landed behind the school near a dumpster. Danny transformed back into his human form and turned to Fright Knight one last time. "Remember, stay invisible, don't interfere, and keep quiet." The young halfa instructed.

Fright Knight nodded and turned invisible. Danny would still be able to keep track of him through his ghost sense, he would just have to make sure that it didn't go off too often otherwise someone might catch on to it. Danny adjusted his backpack and walked to the front of the school where his friends were waiting on the steps.

Sam and Tucker spotted their friend and quickly walked over to him. "And where have you been?" Sam questioned. She grabbed Danny by the wrist and began dragging him into the school. "Explain on the way otherwise we'll be late." She said.

Danny stumbled along until he matched Sam's pace. "Oh, I just slept in." He replied.

Tucker jogged alongside the two, squinting at his male friend's face. "Did you get enough sleep dude? The bags under your eyes are ridiculous." He asked, slightly concerned.

Danny nodded, waving off Tucker's concerns. Before he could say another word, Sam dragged him into Lancer's English class and the three friends took their seats mere seconds before the bell rang. 

As Lancer began the lesson, Danny felt a small cold feeling build up in his chest as he suppressed his ghost sense. Fright Knight must be nearby, as expected. Danny realized that this might take some getting used to.

GREETINGS! IT IS I, THE ALL MIGHTY LINE BREAK! YOU MAY SHOWER ME IN OFFERINGS AND CONTINUE READING!

After what felt like forever, the bell rang signaling the end of Lancer's English lesson. As everyone packed up and filed out the door Mr. Lancer reminded everyone to do some sort of assignment on whatever piece of Shakespeare they were working on. Danny could care less about the assignment. He knew he would forget about it until the last minute or be too busy to finish it. The teen considered skipping lunch to get a head start on whatever the project was.

As Danny walked out of the classroom he felt the cold sensation build up in his chest again. Danny hissed the breath out to avoid his ghost sense becoming visible. He would have to talk to Frostbite or Clockwork about finding a way to avoid having his ghost sense continuously go off or something like that. 

He began walking to his next class when he bumped into an all too familiar face. As Danny stumbled back a few steps to catch his balance, he heard an annoying voice say, "Watch where you're going, Fentoenail." It was unmistakably Dash Baxter. Danny lowered his head, causing his bangs to fall over his eyes. He mumbled an apology as he attempted to walk past the bully.

Dash grabbed Danny by the front of his shirt, lifting the teen up slightly and getting right in his face. "What was that Fenton? You got something to say." The jock growled. A crowd began to form around the two, and soft chanting of the word 'fight' began.

Danny felt his heart begin to pound. He knew that he told Fright Knight to not get involved but this was turning risky and he wasn't one hundred percent sure the ghost knight would keep his promise. His expression remained cool, but he couldn't help the beads of sweat that were forming on his brow. "I don't have time for this today Dash. I'm gonna be late for next period." Danny said, trying to get out of Dash's grip.

"Not so fast geek," Dash chuckled, "I have a knuckle sandwich with your name on it." Danny watched as Dash curled his free hand into a fist and get ready to punch Danny. The young halfa felt the temperature around him drop as his ghost sense went off once more. Fright Knight! He had to be close. Danny tightly shut his eyes, praying that the punch would be quick and Fright Knight would keep his promise.

"What is going on here?!" A voice shouted through the crowd. Mr. Lancer emerged from the sea of people, his face nearly red. "Mr. Baxter, Mr. Fenton, stop this foolishness right now before I give you both detention!" He scolded. Dash immediately dropped the smaller teen and became very small and sheepish. "Now all of you," Mr.Lancer continued, "get to class before you all will be spending your time in the detention room after school." After hearing that, the crowd dispersed as everyone hurried off to their classes.

Danny smoothed down his shirt as he continued on his way to his next class. While walking through the halls, Danny caught sight of his two friends who had mysteriously disappeared in his time of need. He waved at them, catching their attention and they walked over to join up with him. "Whoa dude, what's up?" Tucker said, seeing the annoyed look on Danny's face.  

The young halfa frowned. "Where were you guys?" He asked. "Dash was about to beat me up and I had no backup."  Not to mention he now had a ghostly bodyguard that was more than likely about to kill Dash, but he was still working out how to tell them that.

Sam scowled at Tucker and crossed her arms. "We were a little busy too." She replied. "Tucker was on the verge of being clawed to death by Paulina after he spilt his milkshake on her new top." Tucker blushed slightly and avoided Sam's eyes.

Danny chuckled. "Now I kinda wish I was there to see that." He said, causing him to receive a glare from Tucker. "Anyways we should get to class, we're gonna be late." The three friends headed to their next class together and got in the classroom just as the bell rang.

Hey everyone. Normal Line Break here. Man it feels weird to be here. Totally refurbished lounge filled with comfy couches, snacks, alcoho- I mean applie juice. Yeah... Just, go on reading the chapter.

The bell rang for the end of the day and Danny ran out of the classroom as fast as he could. Today had been a peaceful day with no ghost attacks and he was able to work on and finish Lancer's  assignment over lunch. As he reached the steps outside someone called out to him. "Danny! Wait!" The teen looked around for the voice and saw Sam and Tucker walking towards him. "Dude we need to talk." The technogeek said.

The two of them grabbed Danny's arms and led him to the dumpster beside the school. "Danny what's going on, you've been acting weird all day." Sam said, looking concerned. You didn't even have lunch with us."

Danny smiled, "I just had some work to do. Don't worry everything's fine." He adjusted his bag and walked around them only for Sam to gently grab his wrist arm.

"Danny," she began, her eyes filled with worry, "is there something you're not telling us?" 

Leave it to his friends to notice everything about him. He wanted to tell them everything so bad but he was hoping to talk to Clockwork about this whole situation one more time before deciding whether or not he would even have to tell them about this whole 'Prince' business. Hopefully he could renounce the title or something and move on with his life.

"No." Danny replied as he pulled his wrist out of her grasp. "I think I might have to skip patrol tonight. Call me if you guys see something and need my help." The teen said as slipped on his hood and began to walk home. His friends made no attempt to follow after him.

A heavy feeling of guilt rested in Danny's gut as he walked home. He regretted being so cold to his friends and lying to them, but it wouldn't be for long. If he couldn't get rid of the 'Prince-ship' then he would be honest and tell them everything.

While he was still contemplating all this, Danny hadn't even realized he had arrived at home. Which was kinda funny as the glowing neon sign and giant OPS center were a tad hard to miss. He started walking up the steps when his ghost sense went off and something grabbed the young halfa's arm, pulling him into the alley beside the house. Danny transformed into his ghostly alter ego as his arm was released. Danny's hands glowed with green ecto-energy but it faded as Danny quickly recognized his supposed attacker.

"Fright Knight." Danny sighed, slightly relieved. He placed a hand on his chest and commanded his racing heart to slow down. "Don't do that!" The teen scolded, "I thought you were an enemy."

"Apologies my liege." The ghost knight said apologetically as he bowed. "But I must speak with you on a few matters."

Danny glanced over his shoulder before turning back to Fright Knight. "Can you make it quick?" He asked. "I don't know when Jazz will get home and it might be hard to explain why I am hanging out with one of my 'enemies'."

Fright Knight nodded in understanding. "Very well." He said, "I watched over you after your lessons ended and your friends confronted you. Why did you not tell them about your new status?" Fright Knight finished, slightly disapprovingly. 

Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes, and I plan to keep it that way. For now at least." Danny answered, adding under his breath, "I hope I won't have to tell them at all." The young halfa took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, asking, "Anything else?"

"Yes, I must report back to Plasmius tonight." Fright Knight informed. "As you know, I was ordered to spy on you and he expects a report."

Danny nodded. "Yeah I get it. I'll behave while you're gone, don't worry." He said, partially joking. He wasn't exactly sure why, but Danny was starting to feel more and more comfortable around Fright Knight as time passed; even though they had barely spent more than a day together.

Fright Knight seemed to raise an eyebrow beneath his shadowed helmet and shook his head. He turned to fly off, before stopping suddenly. "Oh and one last thing." He said over his shoulder. "Clockwork came to me and told me to tell you that is expecting you at his tower." With that the Spirit of Halloween flew off.

Danny smiled, this was his chance to get rid of him being the Prince. White rings washed over him as he turned back to his human self and walked into the house. "Mom, Dad I'm home." Danny called. No answer. Danny ducked into the kitchen and saw a note on the table. 

'Jazz and Danny, Your father and I had to run out for a bit. There is some leftovers in the fridge next to the ectoplasmic samples. Will be home by 7. Love, Mom.'

Danny grinned as he wrote a note as well saying that he was at the library studying. Afterwards, Danny ran up to his room, grabbing a watch before heading back down to the lab, transforming as he went and flew into the Ghost Portal. He turned invisible and headed straight for Clockwork's Tower.