Author's note:

The italicized text is from the flashback. When the text is bolded and italicized, the text is stressed. Just wanted to clear that up :)

Ten years had passed since I had started working for the Ghost King. It was all I knew. I had been trained in the art of Ghost Hunting. In the Ghost Zone we had one simple law: Obey the King. If you didn't obey the law, you were executed by me. I have killed several ghosts since I had come into existence ten years ago. I still remembered my first execution. His name was Fright Knight.

I was looking over the papers on the jailing system when I was called. The Ghost King had wanted my audience for a troublemaker. I flew to the castle, my short black hair getting into my eyes. I landed in front of the castle doors, taking in the sweet smell of fear. I smirked, my tongue grazing over my lips. I walked in the door, kneeling before the king.

"My King, how can I serve you?"

"To your feet, Warden." The King stood, walking towards me. I rose as he walked towards me, taking in the scene as he did so. King Plasmius's red cape shimmered slightly, the light catching the jewels on the helm. The Crown of Fire was on his head, casting eerie shadows across the room. The Ring of Rage attracted my attention, but I snapped my eyes back to the King's gaze. "I have a troublemaker here that is need of a trial."

"Trial? I thought it was only executions." I tipped my head to the side, trying to remember a life before my Warden days—but I couldn't. As expected, I had no memories before the day of my formation. I just incisively knew the rules and how to use my powers.

"You see, my boy, I normally just kill anyone who opposes me. But this ghost is an old assosiate of mine."

"So, if he was your friend, why do you want to kill him?" I asked him, trying to search my memory for the ghost.

Plasmius, who was circling me, flinched. He whipped around, hitting me on the face. "I do not have friends, and you would be futile not to remember that, boy."

I narrowed my eyes, my dislike for the King rising up. I had never liked the King, but I must serve him. It was the only way. "Of course, my King. I apologize for speaking out of term."

"Good. Now, go to the dungeon and face the prisoner. There, you will find what you need. Now, get out."

"Of course, my King." I turned and walked down the stairs, staying silent as I entered the dungeon. I saw a green sword sitting to the side. I picked it up, the green glow lighting up the corner. I examined the sword for a long time.

"Phantom?"

I turned, the name stirring something inside of me. I stepped closer to the cell, the sword lighting up my face. The ghost inside stood and looked at me closer. The once brave warrior was weak, his ghostly hue barely lit up. His flaming purple hair hung limply, the fire extinguished. The ghost looked to his feet, walking away from the bars. "He's finally done it." The ghost started to laugh quietly.

"Done what?" When I got no response from the elder ghost, I rattled the bars. "ANSWER ME!"

Fright Knight turned to look at me. "I don't know what you mean, ghost child." He smirked.

I hit the bars again, rattling the entire room with my rage. "YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN!" The room began to shake, and the temperature fell significantly, as ice formed on the walls.

"You fool; you will bring down the castle." He stopped smirking, and studied me intently. "Fine, I will tell you."

My rage subsided, and the temperature rose back to normal. "What did you mean by 'he's done it'?"

"King Plasmius has finally won your allegiance."

"What do you mean by that? I've always worked for Plasmus." I was very confused now.

He was silent for a moment. "Tell me, child, how old are you?"

I was silent for a long time. How old was I? Obviously, I wasn't old, but I wasn't young, either. I couldn't decide on an age, so I just sputtered out the first number to pop into my head. "Twenty."

He smirked again. "Wrong. You're seventeen." He paused, and seemed to be thinking hard. "But everything is wrong about you."

I waited for him to continue, but when he didn't, I spoke up. "Explain."

"I'm not sure your master would approve."

My vision went red from my rage. I ripped the door to the cell from the hinges, grabbing Fright Knight around the neck. Despite him being taller, I was far stronger than him, especially with untold power running through my veins. "You son of a bitch! I am my own master!" I stretched out my other hand, the sword flying back to my grip. I held it against his chest. "Now, tell me!" Fright Knight was silent. I hissed, my fangs exposed to the elder ghost. He looked troubled, but I hardly stopped to think. I swiped my sword, slicing his head clean off. As his head fell to the ground, I looked at it. The sword, still stained with his ectoplasm, fell out of my hand. What have I done?

I shook my head, clearing away my thoughts. I had killed that ghost over ten years ago. I thought about the incident from time to time, but never in that much detail. I stood up from my chair, walking to the window. The green sky shone brightly over the prison. I have been warden for a long time after the last warden, Walker, was murdered by Phantom. I had heard stories of the 'hero' ghost, but I was glad to hear his death from the King's hand. Azure told me all about how despicable he was, and how he deserved to die.

"Abadon."

I turned around to see Azure. I felt a smile tug at my lips. "Princess."

Azure rolled her red eyes at me, a smile also forming on her lips. "I don't know why you insist on calling me that."

"Well, you're the King's daughter, right?"

"Yes, I am. But you're saying 'princess' like it's a bad title." She frowned, some unknown emotion in her eyes.

I frowned. "What's wrong, Azure? Did someone close by betray you?" I grabbed her shoulders, lifting her chin to make her look at me.

"No. But I'm betraying myself." Her words were so quiet I almost missed it. She blushed, but I didn't notice. I was too busy searching her eyes, trying to find something in them to explain her behavior, but I couldn't.

"What do you mean you're betraying yourself?" I spoke softly. She tried to look away from me, but she wasn't able to break free from my strong grasp.

"Abadon… do you ever feel like something your doing is wrong?" She lifted a hand, and rested it on my cheek.

"No, milady, we're serving the King. There is nothing wrong about what we're doing." My frown deepened. "Tell me what's troubling you. Maybe I can help."

Her gaze darkened. "No. Nobody can help me."

I dropped my hands in surprise, allowing her to walk away from me. I stopped her before she could reach the door, and pulled her into my arms. Her head rested on my shoulder. "Azure. We have to serve the King. It is the only way."

"But what if it wasn't?" She pulled away slightly, to look into my eyes. "There's something you don't know…"

I scowled. More secrets. Great. "What don't I know?" The memory of killing that ghost sparked in my memory once more.

"He's finally done it." The ghost started to laugh quietly.

"Done what?" When I got no response from the elder ghost, I rattled the bars. "ANSWER ME!"

Fright Knight turned to look at me. "I don't know what you mean, ghost child." He smirked.

This ghost had obviously known a secret I didn't… one that he took to the grave. And now Azure knew also and had kept it a secret all these years? Had I not served them faithfully for ten years? What had I done to deserve not to be told everything?

"The King has you under a spell. There is a part of yourself… locked away. I'm not sure how big a piece that is. Your memories were all stolen so you would think that you were a newly formed ghost and faithfully serve the King."

I pulled away from her. I couldn't stand to be near her anymore, for fear that I wouldn't know who she was anymore. This was all too much…

"I can't handle this."

"Abadon, please…" She reached for me, but I shrugged her off. Without thinking, I opened a portal to the first place I could think of. I walked into the portal, closing it behind me.

I looked around. I had formed a portal into Amity Park, but I wasn't sure where I was at. I walked forward, taking in my surroundings. A huge building in front of me towered three stories high. The words were written in English, but since ghosts usually conversed in Esperanto, I couldn't decipher what was written.

"Hi!" I turned around to see a woman, probably about 30, standing behind me. She had red hair that fell down her back in waves, and bright blue eyes. "My name is Jazz, what's yours?"

I decided to play a dumb human, so I wouldn't draw attention. I said the first name that came to mind. "Danny."

Jazz's face darkened, but I didn't know why. "That's a nice name." Her words were forced through gritted teeth, which confused me more. "Using my dead brother's name against me, ghost."

I scowled. "Fine. You got me."

"You filthy scum can't get away from me that easy!" She pulled a gun from her belt. "Say goodbye, ghost."

I smirked. "Goodbye, human." My hand lit up with green energy, and I shot her gun, burning it to ash. "You do not scare me."

"Good. I'm not going for scary. NOW!"

Someone leapt out from behind me, grabbing my arms and placing something in my hand. I screamed, whatever was touching my hand, burning me. I tried to drop it, but it was stuck in my hand like glue. "What have you done, human?!" I yanked my hands from their grip, kicking them on the ground. I hissed, my eyes flashing a brighter red. Green electricity sparked from around me as I got a look at who had grabbed me. Another woman, this one African-American, with short black hair and green eyes. "You have made a grave mistake. Perhaps your last."

"You talk too much!" Valerie called from the ground.

Before she could move, I grabbed her around the neck, lifting her from the ground. "You dare lay a hand on me? Foolish mortal, I will kill you for even looking at me." I heard movement from behind me. My head turned 360 degrees, staring at Jazz from behind me. She stopped moving, looking at me through wide eyes. I turned back around to look at Valerie. She was coughing, her face getting redder and redder, as she couldn't breathe. I squeezed my hand harder, snapping her neck. I opened my hand, dropping her to the ground with a heavy thump. "Jasmine Fenton." I don't know where her full name came from, but it sounded right coming out of my mouth. I turned around, the woman still rooted to the ground from fear.

"H-how do you know that name?" She whispered, panicked. "I haven't used that name in over seven years."

I frowned. "I don't care. It will be irrelevant anyway once I kill you."

"Not today, ghost!" She leapt forward, a knife appearing in her hands. I easily dodged, grabbing her arm. The soul shredder appeared in my hands, and I brought it up, slicing her arm clear off. She screamed, the sound echoing loudly.

"Don't try to kill me again, girl. I won't warn you again." I grabbed her by the neck. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes…" She choked out.

I dropped her on the ground. I looked at her with pity, before flying into the air. The sky was bright, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I looked down, the buildings passing with a blue from the speed of my flight. I slowed down, landing in a forest. I walked forward, looking around once more. I could hear children shouting in the distance. The sound made me feel…happy. Almost as if the world was at ease here.

"Mister?"

I looked down, a child around four or five was pulling at my jacket. "What do you want, child?"

The child frowned. "You're not nice!"

"I don't have to be nice to a sniveling brat like you."

He frowned, his bottom lip quivering. "I'll tell Grandma Foley on you!"

"Go ahead, I don't care." I waved my arm impassively. I walked away from the kid, but he followed me.

"My name is Danny! What's yours?"

"Abadon." I stopped walking, looking at the kid. He was African-American, with short-cropped black hair and blue eyes.

"Abby-dawn? Funny name." The kid whistled, skipping along the sidewalk.

I scowled. "Danny is a stupid name."

"My mommy says stupid is a bad word." He stopped skipping and turned to look at me.

"Your mommy is a moron."

"Mommy says—"

"I don't care what your damn mother says!" I snapped, the kid already grating on my nerves. Danny squealed loudly, running from me. Good. I could finally get some peace. I leaned against a tree trunk, closing my eyes. I spread my senses out further, studying the area with my mind. The cool breeze drifted through my long hair, rippling it across my shoulder. I heard someone sit in front of me, and I opened an eye to see who it was. Danny was back, sitting with his legs crossed, staring at me. "Beat it, kid."

"Why are your eyes red?" He asked, reaching a hand towards my face. I grabbed his hand, not hard enough to hurt him, but hard enough to where he got the point. "Ow! Abby-dawn, you hurt me!"

"Good." I closed my eyes again, waiting for the kid to get bored. When he still sat there, I got annoyed. "Go away, kid."

"Grandma Foley says to make friends, since I don't have any. You look like you need a friend."

"I need you to leave me alone!" I hissed, showing my fangs as I did so.

"Cool! You're a vampire!" Danny crawled on my lap, grabbing my jaw before I could even react. I almost pushed him off me, but something inside stopped me. I grabbed his hand from my face again.

"It's not polite to grab people's faces." I said quietly.

"Well, isn't this cute?" A woman spoke. I looked up to see an older African-American woman with purple eyes and black hair. She crouched down, looking at Danny. "Did you make a friend, Danny?"

"Yeah! This is Abby-dawn!" Danny pointed at me again, his finger resting on my nose. "He's a vampire!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose from annoyance. "Danny, that's not a very nice thing to call someone." Mrs. Foley scolded.

"I'm sorry, Granny." Danny pouted.

The woman turned to look at me. "I'm Angela, Danny's grandmother. What's your name?"

"Abadon." I frowned, lifting Danny from my legs. I shook the dirt off my white suit, standing up as I did so. "As fun as it was to meet you two, I should get going."

"If you insist." Angela shrugs, picking up Danny. She tickled his belly, getting a chorus of laughter from the little boy before walking off.

I turned, making a portal back to the prison. I looked around to see if Azure had waited for me, but she didn't. Part of me was sad but the other part was relieved. How could she keep a secret like that from me? We had been partners for years, and I thought I might be able to marry her someday… but now that I know she's been lying to me for years, what else was she keeping from me?