CHAPTER 169: ARC 6: DRAMA IN LIFE - 15

Disclaimer: I own nothing, this is purely a fanfic for enjoyment.

Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.

"Speech"

Arc 6: Drama In Life - 15

I stare at the wall clock in deep focus, my gaze unwavering. The ticking, once mundane, now echoes like a beat in a symphony of time’s endless flow.

I let out a deep sigh, briefly breaking my concentration. As I glance back, I see Makima effortlessly chaining up Clockwork, the ghost who commands time, knowing every possible event that could unfold. Yet, this master of time is now helpless. This world does not bind Makima and me; we exist outside of it, invisible to Clockwork’s all-seeing gaze until now.

Hours spent in the world of Danny Phantom have shifted the balance, allowing us to be seen, if only just.

"Think you can just come here and demand things from us?" Makima’s voice drips with amusement as she tightens her grip on the eternal chains. These chains are forged from countless souls, each one wailing in pain, a haunting, anguished symphony that would send chills down anyone’s spine. If only someone weaker were around to hear. "You may control time, but in my eyes, you’re a lesser being. And I, too, control those beneath me."

Clockwork, once so poised, has nothing to say. Bound by the chains of Makima’s will, he floats in midair motionless, a puppet awaiting orders from Makima.

"Now what?" I ask, my voice calm as Makima pauses in her display of domination to me.

Makima hums thoughtfully, her eyes drifting toward the door that leads to the kitchen. Behind it, Blake is busy preparing dinner, the sounds of chopping and sizzling drifting through the air.

"You could go make food while I decide whether to end this ghost’s existence or transform him into something... more useful. After all, I have plenty of entities under my contracts who govern time itself." She replies, her tone unsettlingly calm.

I stare blankly at Makima, her words washing over me without comprehension. She has already subdued one of the most powerful beings in the Danny Phantom universe, and the canon events of season 1 haven’t even begun yet.

Crazy voices, as I realize something important after peeking into the River of Time. Clockwork has been tampering with multiple timelines, creating ripples that distort the natural flow of events. Many occurrences in this world seem out of sync as if they should never have happened in the first place. Clockwork is the cause of these timeline errors, subtly altering the course of time to delay the emergence of Danny’s darker future self.

At least, that’s what I’ve deduced from this particular timestream within the world of Danny Phantom, and wondering why the time flow of this world is so wacky that I am having slight difficulty figuring out what’s the exact order of date to determine the time of the present, past, future through the River of Time.

And then I realize something even more troubling: today is the day Danny Fenton should have obtained his ghost powers. The accident that changed everything is happening right now.

I peer once more into the River of Time, my focus sharp.

Forget it. Danny Phantom is now officially part of this world, as Danny has just gone through the accident that grants him his ghostly abilities.

An idea struck me, then I made my move on the spot before Makima decided to do anything else.

I rip a gap into the fabric of reality, the tear revealing Danny’s unconscious form: alone, with no friends nearby.

With a snap of my fingers, another gap forms beneath him, and his body falls through, landing softly on the sofa to my left. The gaps close immediately, sealing the space as though nothing had ever happened.

Makima strides over, her gaze fixed on Danny, who now appears in his Danny Phantom form instead of his usual human self. She tilts her head, and a small, almost amused smile appears on her face.

"Oh?" She mumbles, her voice calm and calculating. "A halfling of both ghost and human... fascinating."

She watches him intently, her interest piqued. But she doesn’t ask why I brought him here, nor does she acknowledge the fact that, technically, I’ve kidnapped a 14-year-old half-ghost, half-human boy. Her indifference to the situation only adds to the eerie tension, as if the boy’s fate is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

"I’m just going to see how he reacts when he discovers his ghost powers, with no friends around to witness it." I pause for a moment, then snap my fingers, seamlessly combining Boundary Manipulation and the River of Time. Forcing Danny’s two friends to leave the basement without a word, ensuring that he was by himself as he entered the ghost portal and experienced his transformation alone. "And the fact that he’ll have to put extra effort into hiding his secret as a hybrid ghost." I add more to myself than to Makima.

Makima doesn’t seem concerned by the shift in events. "Sure, whatever you want, Jin." She casually waved me off. "But do remember, the main goal is for you to figure out how to allow your heart to devour this world. After all, that’s the whole point of me bringing you to this world."

I blink, momentarily reminded of the larger picture. "Right." I mutter, a bead of sweat forming on my forehead. I’d almost forgotten about that small yet vital detail. "Anyway, I’m going to check on Blake and make sure she hasn’t started cooking just yet."

"Go ahead. I’ll watch over this little ghost while I continue debating on whether to kill the ghost of time." Makima didn’t even glance at me as I made my way to the kitchen.

As I step into the kitchen, I find Blake has already finished preparing the ingredients, washing and cutting everything she needs. She’s grouped the items, each one ready to be used without needing to search for it, with the mindset of efficiency.

But then my eyes narrow as I notice what she’s wearing—or, more accurately, what she isn’t. Blake stands before me in nothing but an apron. The apron is slightly larger than a typical one, probably to avoid turning into a serious safety hazard. She is completely naked underneath.

"Ah, Lord Heart." Blake says quickly, bowing low. The gesture, though respectful, inadvertently gives me a much better view of her breasts. I could even spot her nipples.

"Blake." I nod, signaling her to stop bowing as she straightens up.

"I’ve finished preparing everything as you instructed." Blake reports, her voice as dull as ever. "Do you wish for me to bend over so you can have your way with my body before cooking?" Without waiting for a response, she casually drops the apron, revealing her naked body to me.

I suppress the urge to facepalm, rubbing my forehead instead.

"No." I say firmly, trying to keep my composure. "Put some clothes on. At least when there are others around."

Blake quickly picks up the apron and wraps it around her body. "Does this include Lady Devil of Domination?"

Before I can answer, Makima’s head pokes over my shoulder, her smile mischievous. "Wear sexy purple lingerie instead when it’s just us three." Then, she returns to whatever she was doing before.

I let out a deep sigh before getting to work on making dinner. It barely takes any effort or time on my part, and about half an hour later, we’ve sat down to eat.

After dinner, Makima, Blake, and I return to the living room. Blake is now fully dressed in her maid outfit, while Clockwork remains restrained in chains. Danny is still unconscious, sprawled on the sofa.

I open my mouth to speak, but before I can say anything, Makima marches over to Danny. Without a hint of mercy, she begins slapping him across the face, each strike brutal and unrelenting. Danny’s ghostly nature does little to shield him from the physical pain of Makima’s slaps.

I can’t help but sweatdrop at the sight, wondering if Makima has already made her decision about Danny. After all, I’ve already acted on my impulsive thoughts, and now it seems like the ball is in her court.

"I’m awa—GAH!" Danny’s eyes snap open, his ghostly green glow shining through as he gasps, only to be met with another brutal slap from Makima.

I glance into the River of Time, and my right eyebrow twitches in response. I see countless possible futures, all of them involving Makima manipulating Danny to do her bidding, training him in ways I’m sure he never expected.

Makima continues her assault, slapping Danny with cold, unflinching authority. "Listen here." Her voice cut through the air like a whip. "You’re under my command. If you so much as disobey me, I’ll punish you. Understand?"

With a final slap, she flashes Danny a smile that sends a shiver down his spine. Danny, clearly frightened, nods quickly.

"Good. Now, this ghost over here will explain things to you. Do your best to listen." She carelessly throws Danny toward Clockwork, who remains bound in chains, an unwilling mentor in this strange training session.

Having made her point, Makima loses interest in Danny. She walks over to me, wrapping her arms around my left arm and resting her head on my shoulder; her behavior suddenly softens and becomes more casual.

This entire night is just plain random, and honestly, I don’t mind one bit.

"So, any plans?" I ask Makima, intentionally tuning out Clockwork’s monotone voice as he drones on, giving Danny a summary of the situation.

Makima presses herself more firmly against me, her lips brushing my ear as she whispers, "You fuck me, and I fuck Blake?" The warmth of her breath sends an involuntary shiver down my spine, and I twitch slightly in response.

Blake, standing nearby, remains completely unfazed by Makima’s suggestion as if this sort of conversation is just another part of her routine.

"Let’s deal with Clockwork and Danny first, before we entertain that... amazing idea of yours, Makima." I try to keep my voice steady, though it’s hard when I catch Makima undoing a button on her shirt.

At that moment, I regret bringing Danny here.

"Alright, if that’s what you truly wish for." Makima replies with mock disappointment. She undoes another button, her smile growing as she watches me struggle.

The corner of my lip twitches, betraying the conflict I’m trying so hard to suppress.

"Are you not going to do something with Clockwork tonight, or what?" I ask with the tension building in my voice.

Makima gives a dismissive shrug. "He can wait. It’s not like he can do anything." Her gaze locks with mine as she wraps her arms around my neck. "Why so tense, Jin?"

And just like that, I remember exactly why I brought Danny here in the first place, beyond my initial impulsive thoughts. A set of specific futures, shown to me by the River of Time, flashes in my mind. The clarity hits me like a wave, and I finally understand the deeper reason behind my actions.

"You can tell me, Jin. I’ll make sure to help you as much as possible." Makima’s voice is low and inviting.

Without warning, she leans in and gives me a quick kiss, pulling away just as effortlessly as she approaches, her smile both knowing and triumphant.

Right, I keep being reminded of how Makima is and just how different this whole situation is compared to Nyarla and her family.