Chapter 13: 24 Royalty | Fantasy [Tropes]

Chelsea was surprised by some of the ghosts that showed up to Danny’s eighteenth birthday party, Skulker being at the top of the list. Regardless, everyone was convivial and the party was a hit. That is… until the Observants showed up.

Observants are green ghosts with only one eye on their head. They wear white robes with gold detailing and a black belt. They also have black capes with more gold edging and red lining. Normally, they sit back and “observe” events in the human realm and the Ghost Zone. So, what were they doing at Danny’s party?

The three Observants came up to Danny… and knelt.

“O Prince, it is time for you to claim the throne,” the Observants said as one.

What? Chelsea looked at Danny, whose mouth hung open. “What are they talking about?” Chelsea asked. The Observants waited patiently.

Danny laughed nervously. “Okay, good joke,” he said, looking around the room. “Who put them up to this? Was it you, Johnny?”

Johnny 13 shook his head.

“This is no joke, Prince Phantom,” one of the Observants said, sounding confused. “You defeated Pariah Dark, and now that you are of age, you may claim his throne.”

“I ‘may’ claim his throne?” Danny said. “That means I don’t have to, right?”

The Observants looked at one another. “We have seen the future, and it is with you as king.”

“But…” Danny stuttered, “but I don’t want it! I belong in Amity Park!” He floated back a little, his voice rising in panic.

The Observants rushed forward and grabbed Danny’s arms. “Please do not resist. It’s for your own good, and the good of the Ghost Zone.”

Of course, Danny didn’t obey. He struggled against them, shouting, “Stop it! I don’t want to be king!”

Chelsea shot an ectoblast at the Observants, and they stumbled away.

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“Thanks,” Danny said breathlessly, and then he zoomed away, Chelsea right behind him.

When they were far enough away, Chelsea said, “You never told me you were a prince!”

“I didn’t know!” Danny said, still flying at top speed.

“Danny, let’s stop and talk about this,” Chelsea pleaded. She was struggling to keep up. She would lose him soon if he didn’t at least slow down.

To her relief, Danny slowed to a stop. “Fine. We’ll talk. What is there to talk about? The Observants want me to give up my duties as guardian over Amity Park. I can’t have that.”

“You don’t know that,” Chelsea said. “They never said anything like that.”

Danny looked at her, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “How else can it be? I can’t be king and protector. The responsibilities would be too much.”

“As king, you would be protector,” Chelsea argued. “You could decree the human realm off limits to ghosts.”

“What about the friendly ghosts who mean no harm?” Danny asked.

“Well, okay, maybe my idea isn’t so good,” Chelsea conceded. “I’m sure you can figure it out, though.”

“You think so?”

“I know so. Come on, let’s go back to the party.”

“I… I don’t know, Chelsea,” Danny said, looking at his hands. They were shaking, so Chelsea grabbed them. He looked back up at her in surprise.

“I’m sure everything will work out,” Chelsea said soothingly. “You’ve handled everything that has come your way. You can handle this, too.”

Danny stared into her eyes for a long moment. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, “Thanks.”

Chelsea smiled. “Any time!”

They flew back to the party. The Observants met them halfway.

“There you are, Princeling!” an Observant said.

Another asked, “Are you ready to take the throne?”

Danny nodded. “I am. After my party is over!” He flew past the Observants and Chelsea followed.

Back at the party, everyone milled around and chatted quietly. They looked up uncertainly when Danny and Chelsea returned.

Danny stopped to hover in front of the small crowd. “I guess I have an announcement to make. I’m your new king.” He winced at the words, and the cheer that rose didn’t help. Chelsea held his hand reassuringly.

“You’ll be okay,” she whispered.