Spectral Legends Ch. 6

Oh, how he hated it here… Stuck in this degrading thermos that he had been beaten into, by himself no least. At least that confounded Clockwork had kept his word, and made sure he wouldn’t try to get out, at least out of desperation. He had been provided with necessities of life, or so to speak, as such since he was a ghost. Lately, he had been receiving… visions, of at least what his life was like, and how it was moving on, through both forms. He guessed that it was because some of Clockwork’s abilities were starting to rub off him, but he also knew it was something else.

His appearance had changed from when his past had met him (it would take to long to explain, so I’ll have a pic up later), and he enjoyed the change. Yes, contrary to what people thought, he still had some humanity left in him.

A pain erupted in his eyes, and he was thrown against the side of the wall. His normally red eyes fluttered open, and it was apparent that they were glowing with a whole black color. Like a fast-forwarding movie, Phantom saw more clips of his life, both as a young boy, and as an older man. In one, there was a young girl, her expression fun and free, since he, as a young boy, and her were apparently at a dance. Another was the same girl, this time more alert and powerful in appearance. A wave of her hand mirrored what a beam of reddened energy did to some grotesque….beings. Then, it was that same girl, this time worried and concerned, caring for his Masters form. But the one that made him twinge was a look of pure horror on her face as the bodies of two young men and one her senior were scattered about her. She had looked at him in fear and then horror as he pulled her face closer to his. And licked her lips with his long, serpent-like tongue.

He jerked up; sweat now cascading his tinted aqua forehead. His mind was racing now because of that vision. Why had he been receiving them, especially about this girl? He knew who she was, but that last image burned itself into his skull, and it did something he didn’t know anything could. It scared the crap out of him. As soon as his heart stopped beating so fast, he was able to hear some murmurs outside. He leaned his demonic like ears up against the side and listened.

“So, he took it fairly well?” It was the deep voice of that damned Clockwork.
“Yes, although it took me a little by surprise, he did.” This was a sweet, melodious voice, right now about ten years younger then him.
“You have done well then. You should do patrol of Dan’s thermos while I’m gone, but nothing else.”
“Alright. Who messed up now?”
“Uh, Einstein. He found a way to go back to the past and landed in the middle ages.”
“Ohhh…Bummer.”
“I will be seeing you in a little while then. Patefacio vicis Prodigium ut Tunc!”

A swirling hissing noise was heard, and Dan could tell that Clockwork was now gone.
“He has GOT to teach me that.” Dan could only smirk. Yes, this apprentice was like Clockwork in appearance and action, but she was still a youthful teenager. He had actually remembered the day she came here, since he was first introduced to her…

---about eight months ago-------------------
“What is this place?” a younger Soleria asked. She turned to face Clockwork, and even though his appearance was shocking, she did nothing. At least…right then.

“You, my dear, are in the Palace of Time. I am its Master, Clockwork.”

Whether she was scared or amazed was irrelevant, but her young curiosity took over. “Why am I here? What has happened to Stark? And why am I starting to see people from different time periods?” She definitely wanted answers, and wouldn’t budge until she got them.

“Young ghost-child, you are here because you have been showing signs. Signs of being part of a legendary prophecy. Your friend, Stark, is also part of the prophecy. Both of you, and some others, are supposed to save the world, as well as the Ghost Zone, from pure destruction. You are to be the Tempest of Time.”

Signs of worry began to show on her face, and she took a step back. “B-b-but I don’t understand…”

“You will child. I apologize for being so blunt, but that is just in my nature.  However, if I can grasp your attention for a moment, do you know of the half ghost, Danny Phantom?”

“If you’re talking about that ghost- boy that’ll come from Amity Park, yes. Why?”
-enter long dialogue on Danny-------------------

“So, I see. I guess it would be interesting to work with him…When do I start?”

No sooner had the words left her mouth when Clockwork touched his staff on her forehead had she begun a transformation. A small cocoon of red energy surrounded her, and it soon disappeared. She now wore a long purple cloak and a new outfit. Her hands lifted up to her face, and she felt her eyes vying with energy and so did the marks on her face.

“Before we begin,” said Clockwork, “I have someone to show you.” Clockwork threw his hand out and a blue shield of energy surrounded a podium. He held his Time Staff in one hand, and his other was glowing a brilliant color of sky blue. His concentration was focused on this energy, which had separated into smaller beams. Soon, it released the contents of a certain silver and green thermos: Dan Phantom.

“This is Dan, who I think I mentioned in our discussion earlier. You may have to watch him, but nothing more concerning him. He is…an example, if you will, about what can happen in altered timelines.”  Dan turned around, his eyes gleaming in anger, frustration, and now, embarrassment. He felt as though he was on display in a freak circus. He turned sharply, and the newly acquired purple cloak revealed its owner. He had taken a look at her, amazed at her young beauty. Her surprised face turned colder, and she turned to face Clockwork.

“Teach me.”
----End flashback-------------

He, the evil of two ghosts, had inspired her to learn more, and she took it very well. Even that so called “Calypso” had as well.  Dan now felt awful; he had been the one who frightened her. He had usually thought that was a good thing, but he had been the one to listen to her in her work. He himself had always been a C student, and was stunned at this young girl’s ability to learn. But it had gotten deeper than that.

Without warning, he began to slowly pull his right glove off. When he had finished, he looked at the hand, and saw what he had been looking for. A small metal ring was placed around that ring finger. A pathetic ring, but it was important none the less. A band was on his wrist, and it held a lock of hair. It was golden brown, and in a small braid. Two reminders of the beautiful girl, Amaris. He could just hold these items and pray that he would have more visions of her. Small moist drops appeared in the crevices of his eyes, but he bit his lip. Only when he broke down, put the reminders to his head, and collapsed on the floor of the Thermos had he begun to cry. At least, he thought while crying in his prison, a good thing about this damned thermos…

…no one knows or cares if you cry; they can’t hear it…
But he was wrong. Amaris had heard a muffled sniffing noise from the Thermos. She didn’t know what to make of it, though.

I wonder if he is alright.

Clockwork had suddenly appeared, and gave her the ability to leave. Dan couldn’t help but notice that there was a certain ring to Clockwork’s wise voice. After Amaris left, Dan realized that Clockwork was now talking to him, whispering lightly into the thermos. “I know what you feel like for her. That means it’s only a matter of time.”

“For what?” Dan tried to keep his menacing composure, but there were still a few cracks.

“For the Seven Evils to be revealed. Only then can the Warriors be revealed as well.” Clockwork was silent after that and floated away, giving Dan an ominous sense that something that had been worse then he would be revealed.

“God, I hope that Soleria will be safe…” was his last words before falling asleep again. Clutching the hand with the items near his head, he began to have amazing dreams.