Okay guys, here's the next chapter. Also, I've gotten a couple of reviews saying that if Danny doesn't have his ghost powers, this wouldn't be considered a DP/ROTG crossover. Guys, let me just say that Danny doesn't have ghost powers in this. But just because he doesn't, doesn't mean this story isn't a DP crossover. It's still Danny. Not to mention there will be other DP characters in this as well that you will see. However, I might...JUST might much later in this story have Danny get ghost powers. BUT, we will see. I will also say that Emma isn't some random chick I made. She is really Jack's younger sister from the movie. I just thought it would be a nice twist for her to be in this. And you will see why. Until then, please enjoy this next chapter.
A year had gone by since the passing on of King Atem and Queen Bast. On a warm summer day, Caricatury was for once bustling with life as people were coming into the kingdom. The excitement for this was that the heir to the throne was to be crowned king. Jackson had come of age and was to take over his parents' place since he was the eldest. To celebrate his coronation, people within Caricatury were invited; as well as a few other old friends Atem and Bast once had.
The family's long time butler Hodges was there to greet all the guests, "Welcome to Caricatury. The gates shall be opening soon." He said and he turned to the maids to make sure everything will be prepared.
Among the crowds was a familiar brown haired girl. It was Carrie and she was with her full grown horse Avalon, "Care for a snack, old girl?" Carrie asked with a smile playing at her pink lips. Avalon neighed and nudged her, "Okay, but let's share." She took out an apple and the two munched on it together.
Walking by the unsuspecting pair was a woman with bright red hair and sharp green eyes. A short man with gray hair and a very tall buff man with green hair walked with her, "Ah Caricatury. I heard this place is supposed to hold a deep secret." The woman said with an evil smirk.
"And that's why you dragged us here?" The short man asked while his fellow friend nodded.
"Shut up, Bertrand. This may be a good chance to get what I want for they don't call me Penelope Spectra for nothing. And don't roll your eyes, Skulker." Spectra retorted and she ran her fingers through her red hair.
"I just think this is a waste of time." Skulker said with a groan.
"Nonsense. Now let's hurry."
As Spectra hurried her comrades, a few teenage girls were talking among themselves, "I can't wait to see the princes!" one girl said with a squeal.
"I know! I heard they are like the hottest guys ever!" Another added with a dreamy sigh.
Inside the palace, still asleep was Danny. His hair was way more messy than usual. Over the course of years, he had grown to a handsome young man even though he was only fourteen. He still had the white streak in his raven colored hair and his freckles had disappeared. Right now he was snoring up a storm from a good dream he was having. Hodges had come back in the palace to get everyone ready and he knocked on Danny's door.
"Prince Daniel?" Danny yawned as he sat up from hearing his name being called and the knock.
"What?"
"Sorry to wake you, sir, but…"
"No! Don't worry about it, Hodges. I am totally awake. In fact I've been awake all night," Danny said still half and he started to fall asleep again but he jumped awake again, "Who is it?"
"It's still me, sir," Hodges said with a small laugh, "It's time to get ready anyway."
"Right…get ready for what?" Danny called while he stretched and tried to wake up.
"Your brother's coronation."
"My brother's coronation," Danny repeated and he opened his eyes half way to look at his suit he had prepared for today. Reality hitting home, the boy gasped, "Right! It's coronation day! Can't believe it!" He dressed quickly in a dark blue suit, combed his hair until it laid flat and neat on his head which was a hard thing to do, and he rushed out of his room, "Emma! Emma, wake up!" He knocked on his little sister's room and shouted, "It's coronation day!"
"Danny! I need my sleep!" Emma said with a groan and she opened the door in time to see her older brother go rushing down the hallway. It was clear he didn't care about that. Pumped with excitement, Danny watched the servants prepare that morning.
The window is open, so's that door
I didn't know they did that anymore
Who knew we owned eight thousand salad plates?
He rushed by some butlers carrying out the dinner plates in question.
For years I've roamed these empty halls
Why have a ballroom with no balls?
Finally they're opening up the gates
Danny started shaking hands with a suit of armor, which caused him to make the hand come off. Smiling with embarrassment, he put the hand back in at the wrong angle and ran off.
There'll be actual real live people
It'll be totally strange
But man, am I so ready for this change
The young boy raced to the top of the palace and looked out from a balcony to see people coming in from all kinds of cars.
'Cause for the first time in forever
There'll be music, there'll be light
For the first time in forever
I'll be playing through the night
Danny then was in the garden with the royal family's dog Cujo. He rubbed the back of his neck consciously and glanced at himself in the reflection of the pool.
Don't know if I'm too shy to do this
But I'm somewhere in that zone
Cause for the first time in forever
I won't be alone
He then leaned down to pet Cujo on the head.
Man, I can't wait to meet everyone!
What if I meet... the one?
He gasped and Cujo barked. Danny rushed back into the palace and took out a wooden stick. He pretended he was some mighty hero while waving it around like a sword.
Tonight imagine me suit and all
Like a mighty hero, cool and tall
The picture of sophisticated dignity
He ended up hitting himself with the stick and he winced in pain. He merely shrugged it off and continued to romp around.
Ow! I suddenly see her standing there
A beautiful stranger, tall and fair
I wanna stuff some chocolate in my face
Danny did eat some candy and tried to do it like it was some cool thing. After gulping it down, he stood up straight to face a head statue of a woman.
But then we laugh and talk all evening,
Which is totally bizarre
Nothing like the life I've lead so far
He pretended to dance with the statue but due to his clumsy antics, he ended up flinging the statue head into a cake. The boy simply hurried away into another room that had paintings all around.
For the first time in forever
There'll be magic, there'll be fun
For the first time in forever
I could be noticed by someone
He pretended to be acquainted with the people in the photographs and hoped this would be good practice for the upcoming event.
And I know it is totally crazy
For a boy like me to dream about romance
But for the first time in forever
At least I've got a chance
Danny leaned against the wall and thought over of how to do this. He did feel nervous and shy because he was going to meet so many people.
Meanwhile, a young man was sitting at the window sill and looking at the people arriving. He too was anxious as Danny, but with a very different emotion. It was Jack. He had grown to a very handsome young man of the age of eighteen. His ice blue eyes held depression and fear. He was now a legal adult and ready to take the throne. But this was going to be difficult. His winter powers were stronger than ever and he really hoped to get this coronation over and done with.
Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good kid you always have to be
He sighed as he stood up and walked over to the dresser. He could see a picture of his father Atem looking regal and powerful. He wanted to do well for his deceased father. Jack sighed as he took a ball and a small stick to pretend they were going to represent his crowning. He tried to focus and keep his feelings down.
Conceal, don't feel, put on a show
Make one wrong move and everyone will know
However, Jack saw his frost spread upon the items and he put them down quickly. He glanced down to see to his dismay that his bare feet had also spread frost upon the carpet floor. He closed his eyes and focused on combing his usual wind swept hair down to look neat.
But it's only for today
Danny rushed through a door with a bright smile on his face.
Danny: It's only for today
Jack glared as he put on the thick gloves and some boots, which he hated both very much.
Jack: It's a pain to wait
Danny was near the main gates by now. He was really excited.
Danny: It's a pain to wait
Jack finally opened the door of his room and turned toward Hodges who had been waiting patiently.
Jack: Tell the guards to open up the gate
Danny: The gate
Once the guards had opened the gates, Danny rushed out and smiled at all the crowds of people coming in. There were elder folk, adults, children, and even teenagers his own age.
For the first time in forever
Jack was heading toward the main balcony that overlooked the courtyard. He was putting on a light blue jacket as he was doing so.
Jack: Don't let them in, don't let them see
Danny: I'm getting what I'm dreaming of
Jack: Be the good kid you always have to be
Danny: A chance to change my lonely world
Jack: Conceal
Danny: A chance to find true love
Jack: Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
As Jack overlooked the arriving guests, Danny rushed out of the palace to rush around the parking lot. He just felt good to be able to look around.
Danny:
I know it all ends tomorrow,
So it has to be today
'Cause for the first time in forever
For the first time in forever
Nothing's in my way!
Just as he stopped singing, he was so absorbed that he didn't hear the sound of approaching car. In which case, brakes were heard, and Danny felt something hard struck him in the side. He cried out in both pain and surprise as he was flung backwards. He tripped over a forgotten bucket and he fell on his behind. He managed to sit up and rub his sore butt.
"Hey! What gives?" He shouted in frustration to whoever dared killed his mood by hitting him.
The car's engine stopped, and someone stepped out, "Oh I am so sorry! I didn't mean to!" a Spanish accent voice said and a beautiful Spanish teenage girl with long curly black hair wearing pink clothing closed the door to her car. Her aqua eyes held concern as she frowned at Danny, "Are you okay?"
Danny couldn't help but notice just how beautiful she was. He stared for a long moment, gawking like an idiot before he realized she had asked him a question, "Uh…yeah! Yeah I'm fine!"
"Are you sure? I think I might have hit you pretty hard." The girl said with a wince.
"No really! That was totally my fault! I am major klutz and I wasn't looking where I was going." Danny said with a laugh despite feeling a sharp pain go through his side.
"Well, I guess that's good," she answered with a sigh of relief and she held out her hand, "Oh here, let me help you up."
Danny smiled and felt his cheeks burn red as he accepted her hand. She helped him to his feet despite the bucket still being on his foot, "Thanks." He said while rubbing the back of his neck.
"You're welcome. Oh, I'm Paulina Sanchez." Paulina said with a polite curtsy.
"I'm Prince Daniel of Caricatury." Danny replied as he gave a bow.
"Prince?" Paulina's eyes widen as she had not known she was the royal prince himself and she quickly bowed, "My prince!"
This caused Danny to stagger backwards. But with the bucket still on his foot, he tripped and Paulina gasped to see this. She grabbed his hand, but he only ended up pulling her down with him, "Um hi?"
"Hi." Paulina said with a nervous laugh herself and she started to get up.
"Wow, talk about awkward. Not that you're awkward, but it's just that I'm the awkward one here," Danny said as he was once again on his feet, "You're beautiful. Wait what?" He never felt more nervous in his life and decided to focus his attention of getting the bucket off his foot before he had another mishap.
"I would like to say sorry for hitting the prince with my car," Paulina began while clasping her hands and Danny glanced back at her once he kicked the stupid bucket away, "And for anything else I did wrong after that."
"Hey! Take it easy! I am totally not like that, really!" Danny said waving his hands and didn't want to give this girl the wrong impression, "I mean, not even my older brother Jack since he's not so bent on rules. And my younger sister Emma is pretty easy going. Other than that, I am one of the most laid back princes you will ever meet." Man did that sounded desperate. He felt even more nervous and Paulina slowly smiled.
"Are you sure?"
"Yup. So need to worry." Danny began to swing his arms back and forth as the uneasy silence fell on them both. Luckily bells began to ring from afar and the boy remembered what day it was, "Oh right! The coronation! Man I totally forgot about that. Heck I better go," he turned and started to hurry off but turned to look back at Paulina, "Um, see ya!" he turned back around and ended up smacking into a pole. He gasped in pain and he laughed with a weak smile, "Oops, there I go again."
Paulina watched him go and slowly smiled.
It was not long until everyone was sitting in a large room that was to hold Jack being crowned. Emma had her long brown hair tied neatly in a ponytail and she wore a simple red dress. She was waiting politely with her hands clasped together. Danny stood beside her and he was eagerly waiting for this to be over so he can get started with a party. He glanced into the crowds and recognized Paulina. Seeing him look in her direction, she held up a hand and waved at him. Danny waved back quickly and looked over in time to see Jack being crowned.
Jack slowly stood up straight and reached over to take the golden sphere and scepter. But before he could do that, the man holding the said items cleared his throat. Confused, the white haired young man glanced up, "Your majesty, the gloves." The man said silently.
Jack rolled his eyes but he knew he had no choice in the matter. He didn't want to cause a scene. He only hoped he could get this over with. He glanced down at the thick white gloves that covered his hands. Gulping and breathing slowly, he took them off. He placed the gloves on the pillow before he stared at the objects. Finally, he took the sphere and scepter and turned around to face the crowd. The people all stood up and the man holding the pillow began to speak,
"In honor of this day, from now on, the eldest is now crowned…" Jack wasn't paying attention in the slightest since he was busy trying to keep his feelings under control. He looked down and gasped to see to his horror that frost was spreading upon the items within his bare hands, "Please welcome, King Jackson of Caricatury." Before the man could finish, Jack put the items back and once again adorned his gloves. He turned to see if anyone saw what happened. But the clapping told him they didn't and he sighed in relief.
Later that evening, people danced about and games were played. In the main throne room, Hodges spoke up, "May I present, King Jackson of Caricatury." He held out his hand and Jack came walking up. Once he was near the chair, he waved with a small smile, "Prince Daniel of Caricatury," Hodges went on and Danny rushed up. He nearly tripped his way over, but he managed to regain his footwork and smiled at the crowds of people, "And Princess Emma of Caricatury." Emma walked up to her two brothers and smiled gently at the people before her.
Clapping could be heard and the three siblings seem to feel a little more at ease. After a minute, music began to play again. Emma was feeling rather hungry. She sighed and glanced up at her brothers, "I'm going to grab a bite to eat. Excuse me." She then rushed off with Jack nodding. Danny however gasped,
"Wait, Emma?" But the little girl had already disappeared into the crowds. Danny sighed and felt even more nervous because he was standing beside his older brother. He hadn't spoken with him for so long that it was really awkward. He started to rub his neck again and think of something when,
"Hey." A deep voice said beside him.
Danny blinked and turned to see Jack smiling at him. For a moment he didn't know what to say before Danny realized what had happened, "Hey me?" he asked to make sure he heard right. Jack was actually talking to him? When he got a nod from him, Danny felt joy go through him, "Oh! Hey to you too!"
"Nice suit. You look great." Jack complimented with a smirk on his face.
"Yeah thanks! You look cooler," Danny said and gulped on what he said, "Not that you weren't cool before, but you just look really great tonight."
Jack laughed at how nervous Danny was being. He missed his younger brother's presence and he smiled down at him, "Thanks," he sighed and stared at the crowds of people, "So, this is what a party is like huh?"
"Yeah. It's way more crowded than I thought it would be." Danny nodded and started swinging his arms around.
"What's that awesome smell?" Jack questioned and he and Danny inhaled deeply.
"Burgers!" The two brothers chorused and they started laughing. After their short mirth, they smiled at each other.
"Your majesty?" Hodges came walking up with Spectra right behind him. Jack and Danny turned to show they had heard their butler, "May I present, Pineedle Specs."
"Penelope Spectra, you moron!" Spectra said harshly but regained herself to smile sweetly at the two young men, "The main news anchor of this country as you can see. Now, may I offer you a dance in celebration of you being crowned king? I would think a handsome young man such as yourself would like to have at least one." To demonstrate, Spectra made wild dancing moves. Danny and Jack both tried hard not to laugh and manage to let out a few chuckles when they saw Spectra's red hair flop out of proportion.
Regaining himself in time, Jack said, "Thanks, but I don't dance," Danny was still laughing quietly and his older brother continued with an impish smirk on his face, "But my brother does."
"Yeah I…wait what?" Danny looked at Jack in confusion but before he could retort, Spectra merely took his hand,
"Very well then! Come my boy. I can assure you that I am the best dancer ever!" She moved off pulling Danny into the dancing crowds.
"Yeah but…Jack?" Danny glanced back at his brother in hopes he would help him out. But Jack merely continued to smirk and say,
"Sorry, bro, you're on your own in this one."
Danny and Spectra started to dance although the woman was doing some outrageous moves while the young boy merely dawdled from side to side. During the whole thing, he tried hard to avoid getting his feet stepped on even though that turned out to be useless, "I was just curious. This city used to have its gates open for anyone to come and go. But then they shut it for about nine years. Do you have any idea why?"
"No." Danny said simply and truthfully. He honestly didn't know why the gates were shut.
"Oh I see," Spectra said in disappointment but she merely shrugged and took Danny's hand. This caused him to once again look back at Jack. The older brother was laughing his head off and when he looked back, he could see Danny giving him a dirty look, "Let me show you my real moves!"
Finally, Danny was able to go stand back beside Jack. Seeing his brother laughing still, Danny huffed, "Had your fun?"
"Sorry, but she sure was sprucely." Jack said sarcastically and Danny stretched his back and added his own comment,
"Especially for an old lady in high heels."
"You okay?" Jack asked amusement still laced in his voice but he was also concerned.
"Yeah. In fact, never been better," Danny replied and he smiled widely to show he meant it, "This is really fun. Don't you want it to be like this all the time?"
"Yeah," Jack nodded but then remembered that it could not happen. His smile faded to a deep frown and he turned away to add quietly with sorrow and regret, "But it can't."
Danny saw this and frowned as well, "Um why not?" he questioned.
"It just can't." Jack answered sharply and harshly.
This caused Danny to quickly back up. Confused and hurt, the younger brother sighed, "I'm going to go check on Emma." What he wanted to do was to get away from the awkward and painful silence that fell upon him and Jack. He honestly didn't know what is causing Jack to be so anti-social but asking him wouldn't do anything. He walked off into the crowds with his head low.
Jack heard Danny go and he turned his eyes to watch him. He wanted so badly to tell him why they couldn't keep the gates open and have everyone here. But hearing the words his father told him kept ringing in his ear. Not to mention he made a promise to protect Danny as well as Emma from his powers. Jack sighed and started to rub his forehead.
"Hi Jack." He heard a sweet female voice say near him.
Jack opened his eyes and gasped to see a familiar girl standing before him. He hadn't seen her for nine years and he could see she had grown into a beautiful young girl. Her extra-long blonde hair was tied neatly on her back. Her purple and pink trims dress hugged her just right and her large green eyes held nothing but kindness and concern for him,
"Rapunzel?" Jack said in surprise for he was not expecting her.
"I'm glad you recognize me," Rapunzel said with a laugh, "From your letters you always sent me, I thought you would know I would come to your coronation. I guess if you had internet, things would be easier."
Jack winced for his late father had to make sure nothing got out which is why internet and computers were considered forbidden. He was lucky to be able to send letters to his only childhood friend. He and Rapunzel used to go to the same schools. But after what happened with Danny, Jack had to be home school. Jack had Rapunzel never tell anyone about his powers and she promised she wouldn't. And knowing how she was, she always kept her promise. Still, the young king missed being with her and he never admitted it, but he always had a crush on her. And seeing her looking rather beautiful before him only made his heart ache.
"You know why I couldn't have internet, Punz." Jack said and Rapunzel smiled at the nickname he gave to her.
"How about we talk somewhere more in private?" She questioned and Jack smiled at her before he followed her. At least one good thing came out of this evening.