Alright. Will Phantom return early in the chapter or will we just look in on him? Even as I write this note, I have no clue. You guys need to realize that most of what I type is on the fly, no preplanning a majority of the time. Even when I try to plan it, typing it is another story entirely.

Literally.

Anyway, disclaimer: I do not own any Danny Phantom or random references thrown about.

Here the Chapter Starts

"What do you mean the shark is gone?!" Vlad shouted angrily into his phone, his hand slamming down on the table. "How did he get out?!" He seethed, knowing the merman king could easily get out whenever he wanted to. But with cameras all over, he doubted that Jardan would just leave in plain view of them. Then he heard about Damon Gray using 'Phantom' to find his daughter when she was lost at sea and they couldn't get the shark out of the lagoon.

"I want more cameras installed around that lagoon, the entire perimeter! And once that shark is recaptured, put him in a damn tank!" Not waiting for a confirmation to his demand, he slammed the phone down then slid it off the desk. Everything rides on that damn merman, and he's missing!

"You should relax, Vladimir," Plasmius chuckled lowly as he used his talons to cut into a chunk of beef. "Jardan wouldn't leave his pretty little mate-to-be all alone. And he wouldn't leave the one place he knows where you are. And since I am around you, he basically has two targets in one spot." Leaning forward, his lips stretched into a sickening grin. "Tell me, has the new equipment made it to your facility yet?"

"It has," he confirmed with a sharp nod.

"Then next time we go in, I can sabotage a few and let nature take its little course," Plasmius said calmly, digging back into the bleeding chunk of meat. Never mind that he did slip in already and may have 'altered' things here and there.

"No!" Vlad denied firmly. "Anyone could end up wearing whichever you ruin. You could end up killing someone else!"

"Like they matter," the ray merman scoffed, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Learn this, Vladimir, humans are weak, basically useless, and destructive. Killing a few just shallows out the gene pool for the dumber ones."

"I will not have you run around and potentially kill all of my staff," the man snarled at him, earning a sharp glare in return. "I agreed to help you bring down Jardan. No one else. You will not endanger my staff!"

"Should watch how you speak to me, boy!" Plasmius snarled, tossing his steak to the side as he jumped to his feet. "I can end you in an instant! I helped make you and I can just as easily destroy you!"

"You made nothing for me but my fortune," Vlad sneered. "You want to take the king down and claim his throne? Fine! You want to kill his mate to shatter him first? Go ahead! But I will not tolerate needless murders! Do you understand me?"

Scoffing, Plasmius turned to the side and gave the irritated human a dismissive wave over his shoulder. "I suppose there are other ways of killing a human without anyone pointing fingers to someone else," he mused softly, picking out red meat caught under his talons. "Do not expect to continuously defy me, Vladimir, and for me to instantly obey. You still need me as much as I need you."

Vlad let out a huff as he linked his hands behind his straightened back. "I have a meeting to attend. Do be a good boy and try not to scare the maids into quitting again," he informed as he grabbed a nearby folder and held it to his chest. His answer was another roll of red eyes as he left the room. Glancing over his shoulder confirmed that the merman wasn't following him.

Good. He needs a few moments away from the ray. With Plasmius always hovering over his shoulder, he can't do what he knows he should. Valerie Gray holds the key to peace with the merfolk, especially if she agrees to be Jardan's queen. The merfolk would fall into ruin and perish if Plasmius were to take the role as king. He refuses to be the blind little brat he was when he first met the merman.

Taking a seat in the backseat of his limo, he placed the file beside him and pulled out his phone after a quick glance around the vehicle. A subtle look at the rearview mirror confirmed that Plasmius wasn't acting as chaperone today. Sometimes he does it just to annoy the billionaire. Apparently, their disagreement was enough to keep the merman to himself for a while. Rolling up the window to block the driver from hearing him, though still see through to whatever was behind them, he selected a contact and waited for the phone to be answered.

"Mister Gray, Vlad Masters," he informed when the phone was answered. "I am afraid I do not have your daughters contact information. That should be rectified. I need to speak with her. Is she available?"

Here is a line!

Regarding the merman in front of him with a cold stare was satisfying, if only because it made the swordfish squirm. "So I am to expect your full loyalty and cooperation, no matter how much you may disagree with me?" he inquired knowingly.

"Yes, my liege," the black and grey merman replied, lowering his dark head, which causing his long purple hair to float about him. "You as the rightful King of the Seas, I am your most loyal and humble servant. Your guard and line of defense."

"You did quite a job when you were defending Pariah Dark," he mocked, recalling how easily the swordfish merman was defeated, even though he still left that large injury on him. "Should I expect better of you than what you provided him?"

"The males of my family have been his loyal slaves for generations, awaiting his return," the knight replied. "If I may be honest, sire, my opinion of him was quite lacking. You, however, are worthy of following."

Phantom huffed sardonically, lying on the lone boulder overlooking the space where Fright Knight floated in place. "Tell me your true name, Knight," he ordered.

"I am called Edmundus, but Fright Knight is the title passed down to the firstborn sons of my sire's line. It is a symbol of our status as the king's guard."

"Edmundus? I believe that is what humans say translates into 'prosperous protector'. Correct?"

"My family firmly believes is meaningful names," the knight confirmed with a nod. "What will you have of me, sire?"

"Answers, first of all," Phantom replied, placing his chin on his open palm with the impression of boredom. "Tell me of the exile Plasmius."

"Him?!" the swordfish exclaimed in shock. "Why do you wish to know, sire?"

"I require the information, so you will tell me what you know," he stated with a glare directed at the other.

Swallowing, the merman nodded in acceptance. "The exile Plasmius was charged with the crimes of raping mermaids and slaying their younglings," he started. "With the former king being frozen in ice, there was no one to pass proper judgement. In such a harsh case, he would have been executed and left for the ordinaries to feast upon. However, he was exiled to land for the rest of his days. It was deemed that killing him was letting him off too easily and that he should suffer for his crimes."

"Instead, he terrorizes the humans above and any merfolk unfortunate to cross his path on land," Phantom growled. "He should have been killed as soon as he was captured!"

"I agree completely, my liege, but it was out of my hands at that time," the knight informed. "My sire was one who opted for exile. I would prefer he were slain on the spot."

"Who was it that passed his judgement if Pariah Dark was unavailable at the time?" the shark inquired curiously, eyes narrowing in a silent dare for the swordfish to try and avoid the question.

The dare was not taken, but it wasn't the knight who answered. "A group called only the Observers."

Snarling at the intrusion, Phantom snapped towards the voice and paused in surprise. A purple and blue jellyfish merman was floating in place, a staff with a sparkling blue and white crystal in his hand. Crimson eyes locked with his own pair, one scarred, but they were dancing with knowledge and a hint of mischief. The edge of the jellyfish bell reached halfway down his tentacles that were loosely wrapping around whatever they could to try and keep him in place.

"It was they who wanted to exile him instead of killing him," the newcomer informed, ignoring the swordfish grasping his blade and getting between him and the king. "I told them they were being foolish and it would only bring disaster. They simply don't listen to anyone beyond themselves. Rest assured, sire, with you in charge, they hold less power now than before. You just strike me as the type of merman that won't allow anyone other than one person sway your decision."

"And you know me so well," Phantom scoffed. "I assume you are Clockwork. My queen said she met with you before."

"You already selected a queen, my liege?" Knight inquired curiously.

"I was curious about her," the jellyfish replied. "After all, humans cannot be trusted as they are a selfish species. So I set up a little test for her. I admit, I was not actually expecting her to jump in the water, disregard her own safety, just to save a young ordinary. I even manipulated the currents to pull her away just to see if you would be willing to find her." He chuckled lowly, crossing his staff over his chest to impersonate leaning on it. "And from what I understand, she is not yet your mate."

"Yet, but she will be," the shark merman growled lowly.

"As your advisor, perhaps you shall listen to my words," Clockwork said calmly as he rose higher to be level with the laying king. "Do not force her to make a choice she would be unhappy with. You may want me to change her with the gift of my line, but I will refuse to do so unless she asks me personally."

Phantom snarled, charging at the jellyfish merman and wrapping his claws fingers around the other's neck, slamming him into a wall of the cavern they were meeting in. "As your king, you will do as I say!"

"I will not," Clockwork denied, unafraid of the claws digging into his skin. "If you force the matter into your own hands, your mate will never forgive you. You will lose her. Besides, from my brief meeting with young Valerie, I did sense there is more to her than you are aware. In fact, as close as you think you are, I am surprised you failed to notice."

"You should know better than to disrespect the king," Fright Knight scowled, arm lifted and poised to strike as soon as he received the command. "Even an ancient like you is obligated to respect and obey him!"

Clockwork chuckled humorlessly. "Who says I am an ancient? I am much like you, Fright Knight. My name is but a title passed down my line. I do not even have a true name like you do, and neither will my offspring. We are all Clockwork. As for you, Jardan… Or would you prefer Phantom?" The fingers around his throat clenched tighter, but it hardly affected him. He is, after all, a jellyfish. "Do not think the title of 'King' gives you the right to decide what is to be done with every life. Our lives, our decisions, are not yours. And that includes your mate."

Phantom snapped his hand away, leaving long cuts around the merman's neck. "Once my goal is complete, Valerie will accept her role at my side. You will use your magic to change her!"

"Only when she wishes it will it be," the jellyfish added knowingly. "Be more observant of her. Maybe you will see it soon enough. As it is, she has been searching the water for you. I recommend returning to her before someone of less pleasant intentions gets to her. After all, any mermaid would love to be the king's mate."

Scowling, Phantom jabbed a sharp nail into Clockwork's chest. "This discussion is far from over." Shoving the other into the wall one final time, he swam from the cavern.

Shaking his head, Clockwork turned to the knight glaring at him. "Keep the information you heard secret for now," he suggested. "I do not think our people are ready to hear that our new king has intentions for a human mate."

"Any who defy or disrespect him will be punished by me personally," the swordfish assured sharply. "He is, after all, far more worthy of being our king than the last."

"Nice to know we agree on something. Your father could never agree with me on anything." Letting out a mocking gasp of realization, he regarded the swordfish with a smirk. "Tell me, how does Dora fair? From what I understand-"

"She is well," the knight snapped, baring his teeth aggressively. "His attempts were unsuccessful."

"Oh, good! The last thing we need are young leviathans trying to reclaim the oceans again. It was a nightmare getting rid of them the first time."

"Yet another thing we can agree on, jelly."

Clockwork taunted him with a grin, hearing his child snicker from behind the wall of coral where he hid him. "I think we'll get along just fine."

Here is a line!

Night had fallen and Phantom had not returned to the building. Valerie wanted to stay and wait to see if the merman would be back, but her father was adamant that she return home. They plan to give Phantom at least two more days before going out to search again.

The call from Vlad was a surprise, his message even more so. He wanted to meet with her and Phantom once the merman returns. Or as soon as they could. He admitted to having a slight problem himself that may make it difficult for him to meet them alone, but she was to call him and they would plan from there. She tried to warn him of what the merman wanted to do, but he said he was already aware and they will discuss it more when they meet.

Though that only matters if Phantom returns. She wasn't aware of just how much of her life centered around that shark until he was just… gone! She knew most of her day was taken up just speaking with him, swimming with him, but without him there, she felt lost. Almost incomplete. Hollow. She was worried about the merman, wanting to know where he is and what he has been up to. Then she wants to hit him, like Ember suggested. Maybe a few times.

"Hey!" someone greeted cheerfully, making Valerie jolt in surprise. Looking over, she saw a man a few years older than her, dressed like he was trying to be cool but his whole demeanor just screamed 'sleezeball'. His bleached hair was slicked back, probably with the oiliest gel he could find, and his teeth were yellow, eyes bloodshot, not to mention she caught a whiff of alcohol clinging to his clothes. "What's a pretty little thing like you doing out here by yourself?"

"Waiting for a friend," she brushed off, getting to her feet and crossing her arms with a cock of her hip. Best way to deal with guys like this was to show absolutely no hesitation or fear. She knows she can kick this guy's ass if he tries anything, anyway. "He's supposed to be here any second."

"Making a pretty lady like you wait seems like a shitty thing to do," the guy chuckled, his back hunching over as he let out a hacking laugh.

"Whatever you're selling, I'm not buying," Valerie warned, her body tensing for fight or flight, whichever she may need to do.

"Who says I'm selling anything?" he asked, looking over her lewdly. "Maybe I'm the buyer."

"I'm sure as hell not selling," she growled, her lips twitching up in distaste as she took a step back.

He wasn't taking her warning seriously, which was obvious when he grabbed her and pulled her against his body. "No need to be like that, sweetheart," he purred, grinning at her struggling to free her arms. But the limbs were trapped between their chest. "I bet I can keep you company."

She huffed, glaring at him before leaning her head back and snapping it forth, headbutting him in the face. He released her, stumbling back and holding a hand to his bleeding nose. "Not if you were the last guy on the planet!" she snapped, getting into a defensive stance as the man straightened up and glared angrily at her.

Blood pouring into his mouth and coating his gritting teeth, he snarled, "You bitch!" He lunged for her, but she sidestepped him and brought her elbow down between his shoulders to knock him off balance. He stumbled into the sand, but quickly got to his feet and charged at her again, his arms catching her when she tried to evade and trapping her under his body when they went down. She kicked and hit, but his legs were over hers and his hands held her wrists. "I was going to be easy on you, but you just had to piss me off!"

"Fuck you!" she spat, wriggling a leg free and kneeing him in the groin. He fell sideways, off of her, which allowed Valerie to jump up and get away from him.

"Get back here, whore! When I get my hands on you-!"

The threat was cut off suddenly with a snarl and a yell. Her feet almost skidded to a stop as she spun around, seeing the man on the ground with a very angry merman hovering over him. Claws fingers wrapped around his throat and sharp teeth baring down in his face, Valerie was just surprised the guy didn't piss himself.

"Finish those words, I dare you," Phantom snarled, his claws digging into the pale skin of the human's throat.

All her attacker could do was whimper pitifully.

"Phantom!" Valerie called, bringing the merman's attention to her. "Don't kill him. Feel free to knock him out, though."

Phantom grinned, grabbing the man by his hair and dragging him up as he stood. The guy whimpered even louder, his weak hands trying to pry off the merman's much stronger grip. Then he slammed him down into the sand, the impact kicking up the sparkling grains in a cloud. When the cloud cleared, there was a small crater around the merman and the human was unconscious.

"There," he scoffed, turning to Valerie. Though her angered posture and gaze confused him. "What? He's still alive."

"Where were you?!" she shouted. "I get into work, and I know I should have gone to the lagoon first, but it wouldn't have mattered! Because you weren't there! I went diving in the ocean trying to figure out where you went, and all I got was a chance to meet Ember and her kid, and she tells me you've been sneaking out for nights!"

"I lost track of time when I finally found the Knight and we spoke for a little while," he excused. "Why are you so angry? I have returned!"

"Because I was worried about you and had no idea what was going on!" she nearly screamed, her body trembling as she ranted. "You don't just disappear like that without saying something! You could have been hurt out there and I would not have known! Some random cryptic hunter could have caught you, and no one would be the wiser about it! For all I knew, you just left for no reason!"

As she raved at the merman, he closed the distance between them. "I had things to do," he replied calmly, staring down at her. "I apologize that my errand caused you distress. That was not my intention, Valerie."

"You could have said something," she spat, slapping his shoulder angrily. "Anything! Just talk to me!"

"You would worry over it nonetheless," he pointed out with a shrug.

"But at least I would have known what was going on! Goddamn it, Dan, if you want some kind of relationship with me, then we need some real communication! Or is your stupid agenda all you care about?!"

His hands gripped her arms to hold her in place, their eyes meeting each other. He was still calm, slightly annoyed, but he could easily see that Valerie is furious with him. "Would that really have made it better?" he asked lowly. "Or would you just be angry because I did not return sooner? I have things I need to do and things I want to do, Valerie. I cannot keep you informed of everything."

"You can sure as hell try," she scolded, pushing him away. "I can't keep worrying about you. I can't keep working myself up like this every time you disappear because you keep secrets!"

"Very well," he accepted with a nod, letting her go. "You wish to talk, then let us talk."

Rolling her eyes with a frustrated sigh, Valerie shook her head. "Not out here. Anyone could see you and freak out." Nudging her head to the side, she added, "Come on. My car is right over there. We can go to my place. Tomorrow, we're going back to the facility."

Here the Chapter Ends

Wow. That was less than I expect. But I hope everyone still liked it.

Next chapter, some things get cleared up between them. Hopefully. Maybe a bit more, if I play my cards right. We shall see. ;)

Let me know what you guys think!