Danny's POV

The three of us just stood there in awkward silence, my cape flowing in the breeze. I rubbed the back of my neck, "Is it too much to soon? I just felt like I've been keeping this from you guys for so long I-"

I cut myself off waiting for either of them to say something. "You... you're the Ghost Prince?" Tucker whispered in shock. A small smile appeared on my face, "Yep, apparently when I battled Pariah Dark he claimed it as a battle for the throne. And since I beat him I became the next heir."

The shock seemed to be wearing off a bit as they walked closer to me, inspecting my new form. "About time you got some new duds," Sam said approvingly.

I blushed, "I still think it's a bit much."

"No way man this is awesome!" Tucker said. Before I could thank him Sam gasped, "Is that what I think it is?" She was pointing at my right hand. I cringed, she noticed the Ring of Rage.

"Yeah, Clockwork gave it to me. It's kinda the cause of this new form," I told them. "I thought the ring only worked when used with the Crown of Fire?" Tucker questioned.

A memory flashed through my head, 'I'm offering to teach you how to use the Ring of Rage's full power, true it isn't as grand as when it is combined with the Crown of Fire but it still is quite magnificent'.

I shook away the memory, "The ring isn't entirely powerless. If someone not of the throne or heir to the throne were to use them individually, they would be useless. But if the current King or Prince or heir or whatever were to use them individually then they would provide some power," I explained.

Sam and Tucker nodded. "So what else comes with the life of a Prince?" Sam asked. "Yeah, do you get like around the clock all you can eat buffets and chicks lined up to meet you?" Tucker asked.

I laughed, "So far all I know about is the castle and the servants. Oh and one more thing." I looked to the area behind my best friends, "You can drop the invisibility, they know about everything else. Might as well tell them about you too."

On cue Fright Knight came into visibility. Sam and Tucker gasped as them jumped away from Fright Knight. "Guys, meet Fright Knight. My personal bodyguard."

Fright Knight bowed to me, "Fright Knight... is your bodyguard?!" my friends cried.

"Yep, that's why you saw me riding into the Ghost Zone with him," I told them.

"So, kinda moving away from the fact that one of your worst enemies is now your bodyguard. Who else knows about... all this?" Sam asked.

"You two, Fright Knight, Clockwork, the castle staff, Jazz, probably half the Ghost Zone at this point, oh and Vlad," I said.

"VLAD!?" Sam and Tucker cried in unison.

"Yep, thanks to you two actually," I said.

Looks of horror appeared on my friends faces. "Don't worry though, it was bound to happen sooner or later," I reassured them. I snapped my fingers, "Oh yeah that reminds me," I turned to Fright Knight, "How is Talia?"

"She is completely healed and back to working around the castle. She also says hello," Fright Knight said.

I smiled, "That's great, thanks Fright." "One more thing sire, Clockwork has requested you for training this evening," the ghost knight said. I nodded and the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

"We should get back to class," I said as I transformed back to my human self. The three of us headed back inside with my invisible bodyguard close behind.

After school

After a quick goodbye to my friends and a text to Jazz to cover for me since I'll be in the Ghost Zone, Fright Knight opened a portal and flew us through. We quickly arrived at Clockwork's Tower and the old spirit was floating around the main room shifting from form to form.

"Clockwork? Are you ok?" I asked. Clockwork turned his head sharply, as if he hadn't realized I was there. The blue ghost looked stressed as he shifted to his elderly form, "I'm fine Danny, just the Observants being their annoying selves again."

I felt like he was lying to me but didn't push it. "So what's on the agenda today?" I asked. "I was thinking we could work on your portal creating abilities," Clockwork said.

"Really? The last time I tried I almost passed out and the portal was no bigger than my hand!" I said.

"Yes, that is why we practice," Clockwork said sternly as he shifted to his middle aged form. I sighed as I held my hand out in front of me. "We still trying for your chamber?" I asked.

"Yes," was all Clockwork said in return.

I closed my eyes and pictured my mentors chamber. I felt a rush of energy exit my core and  flow into my hand. I opened my eyes to see a small portal slightly larger than my hand.

It quickly disappeared and I groaned. "Very good Danny," Clockwork said, "Now we'll continue with telekinesis." Clockwork pointed at a pile of books sitting on the coffee table.

I did as I was told and started to levitate the books one by one, raising them high in the air. I made the books spin around in a circle above me before setting them back down on the table in a neat pile.

"Very good, that is all for today," Clockwork said as he shifted into his toddler form and headed up to his chamber.

I stood there in shock, "That's it!" I cried out, "That's my training for the day!"

"Danny I am very busy. And you are as well. Your birthday is tomorrow and your coronation is 5 days after that. There is much to be done," and with that Clockwork floated up through the ceiling.

I frowned, "Sire, do you wish to return home?" Fright Knight asked.

I hadn't realized he never left the tower. "Yes, I should get home," I told him, "There are a few things I need to take care of."