Hello friends. Another story! :D This is kind of when Vlad isn't mayor of Amity Park yet, but Danny just figured out his ice powers. just a prologue, so if you enjoy, reviews will be appreciated! Thanks!

Diclaimer: I do not own DP.


Vlad paced thoughtfully and stubbornly back and forth in his lab as he waited. Scrolled all over the wall were holograms. Hundreds of 3D forms of his research, notes, and blueprints. There, he wrote down countless theories and predictions, but no confirmation as to what this object could really do. But he knew that this thing would ultimately lead him to his main goal. He was so close to uncovering its secrets, yet he still needed to know more.

"Sorry I'm late." A new voice interrupted Vlad's thoughts.

"Well it's about time, Skulker." Vlad spun around just in time to see the large, metal ghost float into his lab through the glowing ghost vortex. "Where were you this time?" He sounded more irritated than usual, probably due to his long periods of constant research and the lack of sleep he received.

"I had a little... problem getting here." Skulker answered nervously, running his metal hand through the green flames of his hair.

"Oh please tell me it wasn't young Daniel again." Vlad scoffed before turning back to his holographic notes. "Honestly, if you can't win against a simple-minded, inexperienced fourteen-year old teenager, what good are you as my associate?"

Skulker scowled at the comment. If someone other than Vlad were to throw insults at him, he would've pulled out his guns and missiles by now. But Skulker knew better than to engage in a fight with the likes of Plasmius.

Skulker, both angry and embarrassed, cleared his throat awkwardly, then decided to change the topic. "So, you called me here why?"

"Because," Vlad replied, "I want answers."

With a press of a button, a fuzzy visual of a shard popped up in front of the two. Though it was only a hologram, the features of the shard seemed very realistic. It gleamed a hue of both pure white and pitch black, yet not a sign of grey was seen. The object was edged in a unique manner; flat on some surfaces, curvy on others. Because of its surprising appearance, Skulker recognized it immediately and gasped in what almost sounded like fear. "What do you know about this object?" Vlad asked.

"How-How do you know about that?" Skulker demanded.

"Oh please. I'm not living under a rock, Skulker. I know about the rumours that go around the Ghost Zone." Vlad explained as though it was obvious. "Now I believe I asked you a question first: what do you know about this artifact?"

After a moment of hesitation, Skulker sighed, then submissively began his story. "We all called it the Shadow Star. It was a dangerous item that was once owned by the Ghost King, Pariah Dark. Under his control, Pariah had brought down both the human world, and the ghost world with a mighty fist. But one day, a brave soul stole the Shadow Star away from him, and Pariah's connection was completely sealed off from the human world. He continued to rule over the Ghost Zone, but, because he no longer possessed the Shadow Star, his powers had diminished dramatically to a point where the Group of Ancients were able to gather up enough power to put him to rest in that sleep chamber. After that, the Shadow Star was never seen again."

"Perfect," Vlad grinned and stared with great desire at the holographic shard. Power, control, king: the sound of those words refreshed his mind with greed and convinced him that this object was the key to his destiny to rule. It was the key to Jack's death, the key to Maddie's heart, and the key to Daniel's obedience. "Tell me about the rumours that have been travelling around the Ghost Zone recently." Vlad ordered, while still staring at the hologram before him.

"Well, it is said that the Shadow Star connects the living and the dead, and that when a new ghost is born, the essence of the Shadow Star unconsciously becomes a part of their entity." Skulker answered. "If something were to happen to the Shadow Star, we would all feel it."

"And have you felt anything from it lately?" Vlad pressed on.

Skulker hesitated again before responding. "Yes, I have. We all have felt some kind of spike in its power recently, one way or another. And most strongly in one common place." He paused. "Amity Park."

Vlad's smile villainously unfolded at the news as he turned to gaze at the picture he kept from his High School Reunion. A picture of him with Daniel's family; soon to be his future family (excluding Jack, of course). Vlad hadn't recalled feeling any kind of spike in power recently, maybe because of his unnatural cause of half-death. That meant Daniel couldn't be too aware of its existence either. And that made everything so much easier to plan.

"Ah, Amity Park. Home of the happy family of Fentons." He spat out the word with disgust, then laughed. "Well not for long." He crumpled the photo in his hand and turned back to his ghost ally.

"Skulker. Have the other ghosts aware that we are going to have a little get-together in Amity Park." Vlad ordered. "I'm going to need some help becoming king of both worlds, aren't I?" He mused.

"And what will I get in return?" Skulker challenged. "I don't exactly work free of charge."

"I thought you'd never ask." Vlad casually answered. His fingers nimbly ran across his holographic keyboard and enlarged a sheet of his research on display. "The Shadow Star serves as a connection between the living and the dead, correct? If I were to harness that type of power, I could transfer its energy and reverse its polarity. Meaning, theoretically, I would be able to bring ghosts, such as yourself, back to life."

"Life?" Skulker raised an eyebrow with curiosity. It was every ghosts' long-lost dream to have a second chance at life, redo their mistakes, and live a better one. Skulker felt his metal hand gripping the place in his chest where his heart should've been. But instead, it was cold, empty and dark. He wasn't quite sure how he died, but he was sure about his wish to live again. He wished he could feel a heartbeat one last time, to feel the rush of warm blood run throughout his veins.

"You would like that, wouldn't you." Vlad smirked upon noticing the immediate shift in Skulker's demeanour, and carried on. "Rest assured, Skulker. If you help me find the Shadow Star, I will reward you with new life, and so much more." He offered, then held out his hand towards him. "So, do we have a deal?"

Skulker didn't bother thinking twice about the opportunity. He smirked malevolently, then took Vlad's hand. "Another chance at life and another chance to crush the ghost child? It's a deal."

"Oh, don't worry too much about Daniel. I'll make sure he does not interfere with my plans. Not this time."


So, I've altered the turn of events a bit in the Pariah Dark episode, but still hope you liked it!