Dawning of a Sun

by pearl84

A twist in destiny makes the month old Danny F. half-ghost and places him in the hands of the ghost king: Plasmius. Stuck in between a Human and Ghost war, will this young prince find his true self? And most importantly, who will he fight for?AU DxS VD-FS

66. Chapter 64: Pretense

Hello, I am back! And yes, this is finally the last chapter of story arc 2. Enjoy!

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Chapter 64: Pretense

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Tom couldn't believe it was possible that Gregor was alive! Yet, he suddenly felt like he could breathe again.

He had to find him!

Tom took off down the road; but as he did, he quickly barked out Valerie Gray's number to his car's computer.

Unfortunately, it went straight to voicemail. He tried two more times, only to grow frustrated. If anyone knew where Gregor was, it was she!

The hunter quickly commanded his car's computer to dial another number; and luckily, the person answered.

"Jared," Tom said when Valerie's adopted father answered. "I need to speak to your daughter."

The man on the line sighed before saying, "She's locked in her room. She actually ran away from home two days ago! And if it wasn't for her friend, Tucker, I don't know what would have happened! I'm sorry, Agent C, but right now isn't—"

"Gregor is alive. I need to talk to her!"

"What? How is that possible?!"

"That isn't important right now! Time is of the essence! Put her on!" Tom exclaimed.

The man on the phone quickly replied, "Hold on."

Tom tapped impatiently at the steering wheel with his good hand as he continued to listen. He knew that Jared must be hurrying since his breathing had increased. Then he heard what sounded like a knock and Jared asking Valerie to open the door.

But growing impatient as the seconds ticked away, Agent C sighed before he said loudly, "Tell her, Jared!"

The other man hesitated, probably not believing the news himself yet. But Tom heard when Jared finally told Valerie that Gregor was alive.

There was a deafening silence before he undoubtedly heard Valerie's voice.

"How can you—?!" Valerie began in a mixture of anger and fear. She clearly did not believe her adoptive father.

But before she could finish, Jared must have given her the phone, because the next thing Tom heard was Valerie's anxious voice.

"Who's this?"

"He's not lying," Tom replied seriously.

"Agent Chrome?! What are you—?"

"Gregor is alive!" he confirmed.

Valerie gasped in disbelief but then quickly shouted, "It can't be! How can you even joke about—!"

"Valerie, I am telling you the truth!" Tom answered gravely; but there was clear anxiety in his voice. "I just found out! But I don't know where he's at!"

"Then, how do you know he's alive?!" Valerie shouted back in a broken voice. "Agent C, we both saw how he was attacked; and then your house! What you're saying makes no sense!"

Tom paused. Damn it. He didn't think this through. How was he going to explain this impossibility?!

"I...," he began hesitantly. "Frederick had him... After the attack, Gregor escaped and went to him; but he's run away again and—Damn it! It doesn't matter right now! What's important is that he's in danger, and I need to find him!"

Tom punched his steering wheel. He had no mental clarity to try to create a cover up story right now! Hell, at this point he would risk telling the girl everything if it meant finding Gregor!

Valerie quieted. It's not like she didn't want to believe her friend was alive! She wanted it to be true so badly; but she couldn't make sense of it! But she could also hear Tom was as disconcerted by the news as she was.

"Valerie, I promise, I'll explain everything later," Tom then said, almost desperate. "But right now, I need you to focus and think! Gregor is critically injured! He could die for real this time if I don't find him! I need to know: Where does Gregor go to find his dragonflies? Where would he go to hide?!"

Valerie was having a hard time wrapping her mind around what the hunter was saying; but at the possibility that her best friend was somehow alive, nothing else mattered.

She quickly thought of Tom's question before she shakily answered, "He went to several places; but there was one place he loved to go. I know it's down Old Hazel Witch Road. It's an off road from the main road that leads to Circus Gothica."

"Valerie, there's acres of forest in that area! I need something more than a road! I'll never find him!"

"I-I never went there with him! He wanted to show me, but I hate bugs! Even when—Sam!"

"My niece?" Tom asked, confused.

"Yes! Gregor told me he took her to his favorite spot once! It must be there! He has to be there! And if anyone knows where that's at, it has to be Sam!"

Tom hesitated before he said, "I'll call her. In the meantime, can you head out there? Maybe... Maybe you can get lucky and spot him on your board. I'll call you back when I'm in the area, too."

"Okay, okay... I-I can't believe it, Agent C," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "I thought we lost him and—"

"I know. But right now, let's worry about keeping him alive. I'll talk to you soon," Tom replied before he hung up.

The hunter then quickly took note of where he was. 'Old Hazel Witch' Road was not too far ahead. The problem was it was past dusk now; and off roads like those were hard to spot.

He quickly pulled up his car's GPS system to make sure he didn't miss the turn. But then, after thinking more about it, he called his niece.

After his slip with Valerie, he needed to make sure he was careful with what he said to Samantha. He was anxious to find Gregor; but he was really treading dangerous waters here.

To his surprise, Sam actually picked up after two rings. He had feared he'd have to resort to calling Pamela...

"Uncle Tom," Sam muttered. "I-I heard what happened with Gregor. I'm-I'm sorry."

"Yeah...," the man replied, actually a bit hesitant. "Sammy... I-I gotta ask you something about Gregor."

"What?"

"Do you...Do you remember that place he liked to go catch dragonflies...? The place near Old Hazel Witch Road?"

Sam didn't reply right away. But she then answered, "Yeah... He took me there once. Why?"

Tom felt his chest tighten with anxiety at the possibility of actually finding Gregor.

"Do you know where exactly that was? There's a forest, a large one in the area... Do you remember where he took you?"

Sam sighed. "It was getting dark that day; and it was raining; but I remember we went until the end of the road. Then, we went down the bank and beyond an old gate there. It was pretty deep inside but it's easy to find if you know where to look."

Tom resisted the urge to growl. He didn't know where to look!

"You have to be clearer than that, Sam," he answered instead.

"What I mean is that he knew where to go because dragonflies like places near water. They breed there. And they like to hunt in the area. In other words, look for a large pond or lake. There's only one big one in that area. That's where we went."

Tom's eyes widened. Of course!

"Thank you, darling. You have no idea how much you've just helped me out!"

"You didn't answer the 'why' part," Sam replied, unsure.

Tom couldn't help but smirk to himself as he answered, "Sentimental reasons. I thought it could be a good place to pay my last respects to him..."

"Oh," Sam said quietly. But then, she added, "I really am sorry. I-I know I was angry at what happened; but I.. did care about him. I would have never wanted him to get hurt or killed."

Tom's smirk melded into a frown. "I know, darling. Listen, I have to go. We'll talk later, okay?"

Sam sighed but nodded. "Sure. Bye, Uncle."

Tom disconnected the phone before he focused back on Gregor. He hesitated as he had a sudden thought. What if Freakshow was wrong? What if Gregor wasn't alive? Or worse: What if he just ended up finding his dead body?

'Tom...'

The man frowned deeply this time. Wait... Could it be...? These past days, he thought he had been going crazy. He kept thinking he had been hearing Gregor's voice. That the boy was haunting him somehow!

What if he had really been calling to him?!

But if he had, it was different than the past times when he had been hurt or afraid! Those previous occasions when Gregor called him telepathically, it was strong. Distinct. If by some chance he had been hearing Gregor in the past days, then it had been very weak. Almost non-distinguishable.

That was not a good sign.

Finally, he approached the dark side-road and turned onto it. Soon, his car lights came on as it grew darker.

Tom drove until the road ended at a steep bank blocked by large logs. He was forced to park on the side of the small dirt road.

He quickly got out of the car and walked over to his trunk. Pulling off his white jacket, he then placed it inside his trunk before he pulled out an emergency kit. He opened the box and grabbed a flashlight, compass, and flare gun before he closed his trunk again.

Turning on the flashlight, he looked around the area, trying to find anything that could lead him in the right direction.

"How am I supposed to find you in here?" Tom wondered nervously out loud.

But suddenly, he thought of something.

That's right! Gregor had had his suit's control device on his wrist when he got attacked! And it had a tracker in it!

Hopeful, the hunter grabbed his flashlight with his mouth and worked on linking his own device to Gregor's. But it almost immediately failed to link up. Damn it. The device was either damaged or the trees were interfering with the connection.

Maybe if he kept walking...?

Tom sighed; and picking a path, he set off into the dark forest in hopes of finding some of those few 'markers' Sam had mentioned to him. He wasn't exactly frightened of being out in the woods, but he knew what he was doing was insane and terribly dangerous. Yet, it did not matter. All he cared about was finding the dragon ghost.

"Sam said there was an old gate...," Tom muttered, looking around. He went deeper for another two minutes and briefly noticed his communicator went offline soon after. This place was a deathtrap! How the hell did Gregor go in here all the time?

Luckily, just before he thought he would need to resort to marking trees and using his compass, he spotted the old gate.

Tom sighed in relief and quickly headed towards it. He paused as he saw the steep slope after it. His shoes were not exactly meant for outdoor tracking.

Cursing himself, he still continued forward, carefully making his way down the bank.

"Tom."

The sudden voice invading his mind was enough to jolt him. As he lost his footing, he yelped and tried to grab a nearby tree but didn't quite manage it. He tumbled the rest of the way down the bank. And it was a miracle he missed the jagged rocks nearby.

Tom bit back a cry of pain, sure that he had just broken his arm again and now his ribs were on fire, too. Full of muck and filth, he sat up to inspect his partly broken cast before pressing a hand against his ribs.

'Tom.'

The hunter clenched his teeth to push back the pain. He slowly stood back up and looked around for the flashlight he lost. Luckily, it was still on and nearby.

"Tom!"

The man quickly turned, looking around the area. "Gregor?" he called out. He wasn't crazy! He heard the boy calling to him for sure this time!

"Gregor!" he shouted and continued forward at an urgent pace. And then his watch beeped. It was picking up the tracker on boy's own device!

"Gregor," Tom muttered as he quickly synced his watch to the boy's own suit band. He then began to follow the device's digital map; but it was the boy's telepathic voice calling him again what truly drove him further.

The boy was actually ALIVE!

Soon, he came upon that huge pond that Sam had said; and Tom smiled.

"Gregor!" he called out loudly. "Hey, answer me! Gregor!"

He kept walking, his pace quicker even though he was limping from his tumble.

And then he heard it. Not a mental voice. Or, cry for help.

But a soft whimper.

Tom's breath stilled. The sound... It came from...

He heard it again.

There!

Tom jogged over to a huge tree. In fact, the tree was so monstrous its roots arched above the ground about three feet, creating a type of barrier or shelter.

But right in between the cover of those huge roots, he saw the best sight he had seen in the past days.

"Gregor!" Tom gasped out, climbing over one of the roots to get to him.

Surprisingly, the boy was in dragon form and curled up on a soft, wet, nest-like pile of dirt, leaves and rotting vegetation.

"Gregor! My God! You're alive!" he exclaimed, kneeling down beside the ghost and reaching for his head.

Gregor's hazy red eyes slowly opened to stare at him. "Tom?"

The hunter grinned; and despite himself, he pressed his forehead against the ghost's own. "You really are astounding, little demon!"

Gregor sighed tiredly. He had been trying to call to Tom for days; but he was just too weak to really get a good connection. He honestly thought he was going to die alone here.

He still might die, he remembered; but at least it wouldn't be alone now.

"Let me look at you. How badly are you hurt? Can you turn to your human disguise?"

Gregor felt when Tom grabbed at his face, trying to inspect him.

"I.. I can't control my transformation. Not since the gems merged into my core."

Tom tensed. "What?"

Gregor sighed shakily. "The Gems are gone. When I woke up, I-I was in my dragon f-form. It made no sense because I-I could feel the gems still inside m-me... But when I tried to—to take them out they're not there anymore! But... But still are. I still feel them. They protected me."

"Is that why we couldn't take them out before?" Tom wondered out loud. But then he shook his head. That didn't matter right now.

Gregor groaned softly as he started to feel his exhaustion weighing more heavily on him from the simple act of talking. At least nothing really hurt anymore. He had gone numb a day ago. But wanting to tell Tom what happened because he was still scared and totally confused, he continued to talk. "I-I thought I was dying...," he muttered. "It felt like that since-since you brought me back to-to your house. But it got worse and worse. And then that bastard Skulker ran me through with his sword I thought it was over. But-But it wasn't. The pain... it got worse. I-I just wanted it to end! Then y-you injected me with Phantom's energy. It hurt like-like hell at first; but then it stopped the pain; and instead, I felt this-this force, like it just recharged my core. But I had no control over it! And all I could think was about escaping from it—from everything that was happening. And that's when I felt the gems' powers swell, too; and I lost control of my core... I heard your voice next to me, and then nothing. I think I teleported, but I don't remember. I just woke up here."

Tom stayed quiet for a moment, trying to make sense of what the dragon ghost was saying. It was clear to him the gems must have caused the explosion of power around them, which resulted in its destroying his home. But the energy had also protected the teen and most likely Tom himself. It must have created some protective barrier when it climaxed.

But after the blast, the teen teleported? He didn't know Gregor could do that!

Tom sighed. There was no point of thinking it through now.

"What's important right now is that you're alive and we can get you back home so you can finish recovering," Tom spoke up again. "Even with those gems, it's a miracle you survived being run through like that! Do you think you can stand? If we cannot get the gems out, then we need to move to a spot where I can get reception and send for help."

"I can't move," Gregor replied quietly.

Tom frowned. "Okay... Then, I will just go—"

"No, don't go!" Gregor quickly pleaded with a whimper.

Tom hesitated, and a sinking feeling began to curl in his stomach.

"Gregor, I..."

"It's not healing," Gregor whispered fearfully.

"What's not healing? The wound from...?" Tom began but drifted off when he looked down again at the ghost's chest and noticed something he had not at first.

What he had thought had been mud or wet dirt was actually saturated dirt with ectoplasm. And as he pushed off some of the leaves stuck to the boy's partly exposed chest, he further realized Gregor's chest was still ripped open.

"Crap..." Tom whispered. The ghost didn't seem to be profusely bleeding like how he had been when he first got run through, but the more the hunter pulled off leaves and dirt, the more he could see the wound was slowly seeping ectoplasm and the ripped tissue was almost necrotic.

Gregor really shouldn't be alive.

Realizing the boy had fallen quiet, Tom quickly looked back at his face and his eyes widened when he saw Gregor's eyes were barely open.

"No, No. Hey. Don't do that!" Tom demanded, grabbing the dragon by part of his mane to jolt him to attention. "You're not dying now!"

Gregor opened his eyes again, and just nodded; but he was feeling super tired. He actually wanted to keep talking since he missed not having someone to talk to for days. But each time he talked, it was like all his energy seeped out of him.

Tom should just let him take a nap. Leave it to the jerk to make him stay awake.

The hunter just continued to glance at the dragon ghost as he quickly pulled off his shirt and pressed it against the boy's wound. But in his dragon form, that was like trying to use a tissue paper for a gun wound.

But he didn't know what else to do! If he risked leaving the boy now, he could...No! No, he needed to figure something out!

Tom pulled out his phone and lifted it high; but he realized he still had no reception. And he already knew even if he tried to stand and look for a signal, he was not going to get it this deep in the forest. Damn it all! How the hell did he have the best technology in the world, and still could not get even one damn signal bar!

"Gregor... I need you to try to turn human again," Tom said seriously to the boy as he sat back on his legs next to him. "It's the only way I can get you out of here! You have to try!"

"I can't...," he replied softly as he struggled to slightly shift his head onto the man's lap. "It's okay... I like it here anyways."

"Gregor!" Tom called, a bit panicked. "You cannot die. Do you understand? That's an order!"

But the young dragon really didn't hear the man. His ghostly ears had already tuned into the soft sound of Tom's racing heart, which was soothing his mind...The guy was so stubborn, wasn't he? Or maybe he was just in denial. Even he knew he was not getting out of this one.

It had been scary at first to face his certainty of death. But not as scary as it had been facing it alone. Tom didn't seem to realize that the only reason he had been holding out all these days was because he really had not wanted to die alone. He had tried to call Valerie, maybe even his brother at one point... Everything was a blur. He just knew he had wanted someone... Just anyone to be here with him.

And now that Tom was here, he felt like he could finally give into the inevitable. It was fine. He had a crappy life anyways.

"Gregor! Either you turn into your human disguise; or I am going to go—!"

"No," Gregor growled in his throat while firmly driving the word into the man's mind at the same time. He also made it clear to the man that he was not going to let him leave him alone by quickly raising one of his claws and pinning the man down. This jerk was not going to leave him alone at his last moments!

"Gregor!" Tom snapped but his bravado was gone. The hunter was so close to losing his composure at this point. "Are you wanting to die here? Get off me! I can go get help, damn it!"

Gregor was not really paying him any mind anymore. The hunter was warm. Gregor had been way too cold all these days... Cold and lonely...

Well, maybe not completely lonely... Lately he had been hearing his brother's voice at times. They had not talked since they physically faced-off. But Gregor had been too tired to annoy or anger his sibling like he would have in any other circumstance.

Instead, he had just let Elliot sit in his mind, probing at it without responding back.

As much as he hated Elliot in his mind, he had been his only companion in the past couple of days.

At first, his brother had been angry and defensive, like usual. But as Elliot realized what had happened and as he realized how Gregor was dying... Elliot's emotions changed. But Gregor had been too tired to really figure out how Elliot was exactly feeling about his approaching, long-awaited demise... But it had been odd to have Elliot just 'sitting' in his mind completely quiet... That is, until recently.

In fact, as recent as a couple of hours, his sibling had been trying to get his attention. Something about their parents. Something about something which... Gregor had no interest in trying to make out or understand... It was getting annoying.

As annoying as Tom's voice's still trying to get his attention now.

Gregor was too tired and his mind too weak to understand or be bothered with anyone.

"Gregor, look I know that..."

Again, Gregor did not listen to whatever Tom was saying, because, suddenly, he remembered something about his ghost parents.

Or was it that Elliot was projecting his thoughts about them to him?

Gregor didn't know. His mind was still fragmented; and he was probably delirious. But he remembered... Wait. Hadn't he had a run-in with his so-called parents recently? It was blurry, but yes, yes, he had! In fact, it had been in this very place he was now at. He remembered that now. Even under his master's full power, he remembered seeing them in this place.

"Gregor, for the love of—!"

"My parents were here...," Gregor muttered out loud, this time unknowingly expressing what was on his mind and not really caring who he was saying it to.

Tom tensed but then answered, "What do you mean?"

"They came to see me. Told me about Plasmius... Told me I was in danger...Maybe it's why I'm alive. They're still calling me..." he finished with a tired sigh.

Tom was quiet for a moment just watching in the darkness as his shirt became drenched in ectoplasm. How much longer would Gregor's body hold out like this? Even if he somehow got him to Freakshow the damage was too great and his core was too weak.

It truly had to be the gems that had kept him alive this long. But while his core had been spared, even those gems couldn't save Gregor from a wound that large so close to his core. Tom had enough experience with what killed a ghost. It had been his whole career to recognize it; and to use it to his advantage.

So, he knew the truth in his mind already: Gregor was not going to survive this.

And Gregor knew it, too. That is why the boy had no urgency or interest in Tom's getting him help. They both knew it was futile. There was nothing in this world that could save him...

But maybe there was something that could in another...

Tom's heartrate went up even more as he carefully spoke again, "You said they are still calling to you?"

Gregor didn't answer.

"Gregor? Who is calling to you?"

The teen's mind focused back on Tom again with his question. How did Tom know someone was calling to him? Wait, did he tell him just now?

"Gregor, tell me who?"

"My brother..." he whispered weakly, not caring anymore what he told the hunter. He tried to curl his tail closer because he was cold. He wished Tom had brought him a blanket.

The GiW leader noticed the boy's actions; but the man's gaze was locked on his sagged wings, which looked like wilted flowers. The hunter reached for one of them, and further saw the dim ghost hue around them. The hue was clearly fading. And though his wilted wings were barely glowing and were scarred from his many fights, they were still shiny and soft.

His weapon was still impressive even at his end.

Tom heard the soft purr from the dragon ghost as he passed a hand over a part of his wing.

Damn it.

The man's teeth clenched inside his sealed mouth. He hated ghosts! He would always hate ghosts... But the thing was... Gregor was more than just a ghost to him now.

And maybe that was fine. Maybe it wasn't as horrible as he had believed for so long. After all, Tom knew his connection to Gregor wasn't based on some weak feeling of care or comfort... No, it was more powerful than that. His connection with the dragon ghost was based on instinct. Necessity. He needed Gregor as much as the boy needed him. They were essential to each other's survival.

And he be damned if he was going to let him die!

But while Tom was now painfully aware of the only solution to saving him, he still didn't like it. It went against everything he was... It went against all his plans for his weapon. It went against his possessiveness of Gregor!

And yet... he easily ceased all internal argument with himself. His desire to save the boy was stronger than any other reason he could think of to sway him from his sudden decision.

Tom sighed deeply before he soberly asked the dragon ghost, "Gregor, can you call to him? Your brother? Or parents? Could you let them find you?"

Gregor blinked a few times because he was only half-conscience at this point. "Call my brother?"

"Yes... If your parents warned you about Plasmius, then they are looking to save you..."

Gregor didn't answer; he didn't understand what...

"Let them find you, Gregor...," Tom ordered quietly. "I want you to let them take you."

Gregor's eyes widened. The hunter's command jolted his mind enough to bring it to full attention. And with his sudden adrenaline, the dragon ghost pulled his head and claw off the hunter.

"What, no way!" he gasped out. Why was the hunter trying to scare him like this? Didn't he see he was dying?

But when Tom just stared soberly back at him, Gregor grew terribly destressed. The man was not kidding.

"No... Tom, no! I-I rather just die, okay? Damn it, just let me have some peace before I die!"

But when Gregor squeezed his eyes close and his head dropped, clearly dizzy, Tom placed a steadying hand against his face.

"Hey, calm down. You need to conserve whatever energy your core has left..."

"No...," Gregor whimpered before he began to cry as the thought of being 'taken' terrified him more than anything else in the world. He still remembered when he had been young; and he had jumped into the ice-cold waters and had seen that portal.

That portal had threatened to pull him in... to take him away from the world that he knew. It had been horrifying.

And it still was.

"I'd rather die," Gregor whimpered. "Please... just let me die here."

"You are not dying. I won't let you!" Tom commanded firmly.

"B-But they will take me away!" Gregor gasped out. "I-I'll be gone forever! They'll take me from you and my master! I'll be trapped with them! I-I'll be alone! I don't want... No, you... You promised you wouldn't leave me alone again!"

"Gregor, I am not leaving you in there!" Tom assured him, though it was obvious the man was growing anxious. "Don't forget you are mine. No one can have you!"

But then Tom sighed sharply when the boy's head just dropped back on his lap as he continued to cry.

The man was quiet for a brief moment before he said bitterly, "I don't like this anymore than you do... But we both know you'll die here if we do nothing! Damn it, Gregor! This is your only chance! Your core is too weak to heal here! Your body too hurt! But in there—in the ghost world—you have a chance! You can be saved by them! You need to go!"

"I don't know how to be a ghost. I'm human...," Gregor wept as he repeated again and again, "I'm human!"

Tom closed his eyes and forced himself to reign in his emotions.

"Gregor...," he called to the boy in that tone of voice that left no more room for argument. "Call them. Now."

Gregor whimpered. Tom was not his master. He didn't have the power to force him into submission; but he didn't need it.

He never had.

"What do I say to them?" he choked out.

Tom narrowed his eyes and grabbed the boy's muzzle enough to get him to look at him as he answered, "Tell them you're hurt. Tell them you don't remember anything. Tell them nothing except what they need to hear. Do you understand me? You are going to pretend... You will pretend to be a ghost for as long as it takes. Can you do that, Gregor? Can you pretend?"

Gregor stared at Tom for a long moment before he raised his head on his own to glance at the wound on his chest... It was black and oozing... It was killing him slowly. Is this what he needed to do to survive at this point? Pretend?

Could he do that? He had pretended to be human for so long that he had stopped pretending... So, was it time to pretend to be a ghost now?

Gregor focused back on the man before he desperately whispered, "Swear to me you'll get me back... That you won't just leave me in there! You have to swear it!"

"On my life...," Tom answered seriously; but then with a small smile, he added, "As if I'd give up my weapon..."

Gregor narrowed his eyes to hide his fear. "Right... 'cause you'd suck as a hunter without your weapon...Don't forget—"

But then the dragon ghost's body suddenly spasmed and he lost his words. His head just as quickly slumped back onto Tom's lap. His core was getting worse. It was so close to giving out. He knew he wouldn't survive the night at the point.

"Call them, Gregor!"

With the desperation just behind the command, Gregor pushed to do what he knew was needed at this point...

"Elliot," he called; and then he let his mind open fully to his sibling.

He instantly felt Elliot latch on. And Gregor realized he had already been looking for him. But now, with his mind opened, his sibling would be able to track him down...

Whether Elliot's intentions in finding him was to kill him or save him, Gregor did not know. And at this point, there wasn't any benefit in telling Tom.

With nothing more left but to wait, Gregor just laid there, barely having enough energy to stay awake. The man beside him had gone quiet again, though he was now stroking his head and neck.

"I thought you were dead... If I am letting you go for now, it's just to make sure that does not happen. Understand?" Tom muttered.

Gregor smiled in spite of how weak he felt. "Aww, Tommy. You need me so badly... It's cute."

But the man did not even react to his teasing as he softly demanded, "You come back to me, little demon; or I'll go in there and find you myself."

Gregor sighed. "Yes, sir..."

They honestly did not know how long they sat there. But it was really hard for Gregor to not fall asleep. Tom kept forcing him to stay awake. He kept telling him how he was not 'allowed' to die.

And just when Gregor was going to ask him to just let him rest, they heard the ambient sounds around them abruptly stop.

Tom felt his watch grow hot, alerting him to a sudden spike in ghost energy. And there was definitely more than one new ghost in the area. The hunter still remembered how powerful Gregor's father was. He never really met Gregor's brother or mother. But he didn't need to, to know he did not want to be spotted by any of the boy's family members.

They would kill him on the spot.

Tom turned off his flashlight before he pulled away from Gregor.

The boy instantly turned his head to look at him. His glowing red eyes looked panicked as he realized what was about to happen.

Tom frowned soberly. "I'll find a way to contact you... For now just survive. Stay alive. I'll see you again..."

Gregor whimpered as he watched Tom slowly creep away before he found refuge in some other trees a few yards away.

"Gregory?"

The teen began to shake as he heard his brother's voice in his mind.. seeking... demanding for him to reveal himself

Gregor hesitated only another moment before he let him come...

It didn't take long. He felt more than saw as Elliot walked up to him.

Gregor raised his head enough to look up at his brother.

Uncertain red eyes met untrusting yellow ones.

"Missed me, Elliot?" Gregor asked with a tired smirk to hide his fear. "Or... just here to kill me? Couldn't be easier right now..."

Elliot scoffed at him before he turned his head and called, "Father."

Aragon, who had been suspiciously looking around, quickly turned his attention to Elliot. And seeing him gesture over to where he was, the older male moved forward. But the moment Gregor saw Aragon come over and heard the older dragon gasp out his name, Gregor couldn't hide his fear anymore.

What the hell was he thinking?! He couldn't do this!

Gregor whimpered as he turned towards where Tom had gone, and called telepathically to him, "Tom, come back! I can't do this! I can't!"

But Gregor forgot he also had his mind connected to Elliot; so Elliot also heard him.

Elliot's hackles rose as he quickly turned his own eyes to where his brother's gaze had gone.

"Someone is here. That hunter," Elliot growled at his father in Ghost Speech.

Aragon narrowed his eyes as his mouth began to seep fire. "I will take care of that beast!"

Gregor panicked as he realized what he had just done. These ghosts would kill Tom! The man was all alone. There was no way he could stand up to two powerful dragon ghosts! And he was too weak to protect the hunter!

Meanwhile, Tom cursed when he saw Aragon move towards where he was hiding. Any closer and the demon would smell him.

Gregor suddenly wailed, stopping Aragon in his tracks.

Aragon gasped as he watched his son convoluting in pain just before his energy hue suddenly snuffed out.

"Help... Help, it hurts! It hurts so much!" Gregor whimpered out.

Aragon instantly returned to his ailing son, only for his eyes to widened at finally seeing the gaping wound right where his son's core would be. How was his child even alive?!

Aragon purred as he soothingly said, "It will be alright, Gregory. Here, let me help you now..."

Although he was obviously hurt, Gregor had just screamed to keep Aragon from finding Tom. But seeing the large dragon so close to him and with the intent of touching him, he grew terrified all over again.

"No! S-Stay away!" Gregor whimpered; but Aragon still placed a hand against where his symbol should be.

In the distance, Tom was as tense as a bow. He kept telling himself that Gregor's family would not hurt him and that they could save him... But it did not make him feel any better. The sight of that creature close to his weapon... It almost drove all logic from his mind.

His hand clenched around his gun.

He was about to really go out there and 'protect' Gregor when he saw the boy's body flash red; and in the next instant, the boy turned back into his human disguise. How had that ghost just done that?

Gregor gasped at finding himself in human form.

With his hand still on the boy's chest, Aragon assured his injured son, "It's alright. It will be easier this way..." He then released blue energy into his core to keep it stable for now. He followed that with ecto-goo to temporarily seal the wound.

Although the pain was much better, Gregor suddenly felt dizzy. He wondered if it was possible to die from stress and shock. Having his 'ghost father' this close, touching him, sharing his energy... it was too much. It should have made him feel better but it made him feel worse. He didn't want to be taken by this ghost. He wanted to go back to Tom.

He wanted to go home!

So, when Aragon picked him up to carry him, he lost it.

"No, No, No! TOM! Don't let him take me! No!"

Aragon gasped when his son suddenly panicked. The boy wouldn't even look at him from how terrified he was of him. Aragon was sure he was too weak and injured to be putting up this much of a struggle. That only meant his fear was greater than his instinct for self-preservation!

Elliot frowned, sensing his twin's mounting fear. It wasn't something he often felt from him, especially not like this.

"Father, he is not going to go willingly with us. He is convinced he belongs here. With this Tom human..."

Aragon glowered as he glanced over to where that human was possibly hiding. He wanted nothing more but to go find that monster and rip him apart for doing this to his child. But Gregory was in bad shape. And this might just be his only chance to save him.

With a sigh, Aragon grabbed one of Gregor's flailing wrists. "Forgive me, Son. But you will die here if I do not bring you home."

Gregor cried out when he felt sharp fangs puncture his wrist. And almost immediately, he grew dizzier and his body heavier.

Aragon frowned, confused. Odd, he had made his toxin strong enough to instantly knock his son unconscious. And yet he was still awake, though barely.

Meanwhile, Elliot glanced over where he knew that human hunter was. He was liking this less and less. It couldn't be this easy. Why would that human let them take Gregor?

Elliot had been certain he and his father would have been met with resistance from this hunter and his followers. But the human was just watching.

"This has to be a trap," Elliot muttered, glancing around them.

Aragon had already thought the same; but he didn't care at this point.

"Trap or not, your brother is gravely injured. We must take him home."

"Tom," Gregor weakly called through his telepathy before he gave in and stopped struggling.

But then, Gregor saw a green portal quickly forming and opening up. The sight was so horrifying, he couldn't take anymore. And with a last plea to the hunter, Gregor finally passed out.

Feeling his son finally grow still, Aragon paused their departure and glanced back into the quiet forest. He then yelled out in Human Speech, "He is not yours, Hunter! Do you hear me?! He never was!"

As he and Elliot finally left with Gregor through the portal, the dark forest remained quiet.

Tom soon moved out of the shadows. But his jaw and shoulders were tense as he stared at the spot where Gregor had been taken.

The only reminder of the boy was his green ectoplasm staining the ground and the dragonflies which had now returned to buzzing about in the area.

"Stupid demon," Tom muttered darkly, his good hand fisted at his side. "You have it all wrong. He stopped being yours long ago... And I am going to prove it to you by having him rip out your core as a trophy for me."

---

"Plasmius!" Skulker gasped out when he found the King at his door. He quickly pulled his friend into a hug; but he then released him and asked in disbelief, "How in the Ghost World did you escape?"

Vlad sighed tiredly before he replied, "I'll explain, but I need an energy supplement and perhaps some food."

It had been difficult to trek the several-hour flight back to his kingdom. He had almost passed out a couple of times on the way back. Being forced to be human for days and practically freezing to death with little food had taken a toll not just on his human side, but his ghost side, too. His core was too weak to even keep himself warm at the moment. The fact that he was just clad in a simple pair of pants and his cape did not help matters.

Skulker finally seemed to realize just how bad Vlad looked, and he quickly frowned in concern. He quietly gestured him in and then led them to his kitchen.

"Where's Ember?" Vlad asked as he watched Skulker grab some things out of his fridge and pantry.

Skulker glanced at him before he replied, "It's very late, Plasmius. She's asleep."

But he knew his friend had asked because he wanted to make sure Ember did not overhear anything they would be discussing soon. But the hunter knew they were safe to speak. Ember's bedroom was on the fourth floor of his home, well away from the kitchen. Plus, Skulker's keen senses and Plasmius' ghost sense would pick her up if for some reason she came downstairs.

"Oh, right...," the older half-ghost muttered before he sighed again as his thoughts drifted to his son. He almost went straight to him at first. But something had stopped him.

"Thank you," Vlad said when Skulker handed him a drink and then put down some food for him.

Skulker nodded but then said, "Hold on. Let me get those supplements."

Vlad didn't reply as the hunter left and just focused on gulping down the cold drink that felt like a balm to his parched throat. He had just picked up what looked like a cookie when Skulker returned.

"Here," the hunter said as he draped a warm blanket over his shoulder. "It should help stabilize your body temperature until your core is well enough to do it on its own."

Skulker then handed him a bottle before he finally placed a first-aid kit on the table and opened it. He wordlessly grabbed a syringe already filled with energy.

Vlad smiled at how prepared Skulker always was. But he still said nothing and simply swallowed three supplement pills. He then drew back his cape to expose his shoulder in preparation to take the energy shot.

"So, what happened?" Skulker asked again as he prepped his friend's shoulder. He soon injected him.

Plasmius closed his eyes as he felt the energy seep through his body and quickly reach his core. It made him feel so much better.

"Aragon let me go," Vlad finally answered quietly.

Skulker froze just as he had pulled out the needle. "What?"

Plasmius shrugged. "His other son, Elliot, spoke with him. And apparently, he convinced Aragon to let me go and retract his declaration of war against the kingdom."

"And you believe that?"

Vlad scoffed. "Not in the slightest."

Skulker frowned as he sat next to his friend at the table.

"Does anyone know you have returned yet? Besides me?" Skulker then asked.

"No... I came straight here. And if it's alright with you, I think I will stay the night. I'm exhausted; and I do not have the desire to see anyone else right now."

Skulker nodded. "Of course." He hesitated this time but then asked, "And your son? I assume you know he has left the kingdom."

Vlad stared down at the half-eaten cookie in his hand. "Yes... I instructed him to go to the Human World. Wisconsin."

"Without telling anyone? Not even me?" Skulker further questioned, this time sounding a bit upset.

The older hybrid's eyebrows creased. "You would have tried to sway my decision; and I needed to do this to keep him safe."

"Of course, I would have tried to sway your decision, Plasmius!" Skulker replied with clear aggravation this time. "Telling your son to leave at a time of crisis, especially when his father is imprisoned by a powerful enemy, was foolish! The council thinks him a coward! They were even considering treason! How can you do that to him?! You could have at least told me! We could have thought of something else!"

"I killed Aragon's son!" Plasmius hissed at him. "I might as well have plastered a death sentence on my own son's head! What else was I supposed to think than Aragon coming after Daniel in retaliation?! You even saw it! The day before I turned myself in, he got to Daniel without hardly an effort! If he wanted, he could kill him without batting an eye! Daniel isn't safe in here!"

Skulker fell quiet for a moment; but he then said more soberly. "You did not kill Aragon's son. I did."

"Under my order," Vlad argued. "Not that it even matters at this point! It certainly made no difference to Aragon!"

"Of course, it matters!" Skulker replied, frustrated. "You decided to sacrifice yourself over it! And then you force your son to hide away in the Human World! Surely you had to realize how exposed you left the Kingdom with such moves?"

Plasmius frowned. " It would have been worse if we would have gone to war with Aragon and his kin."

"Is that what you think?" Skulker asked, his pent-up frustration with himself, his friend, and over the whole matter in general showing in his voice.

"Vlad, you know full well Aragon stands no chance against the kingdom! If he would have attacked us, we would have destroyed him and his kin!"

"It's exactly what I wanted to avoid! As if I need more deaths on my hands," he answered bitterly.

Skulker shook his head before he abruptly stood and began to pace his kitchen. "I cannot believe it... No, I cannot believe you!"

He stopped pacing and glared at the King as he added angrily, "Even after everything, you still want to protect Aragon?! Plasmius, he was not even going to hesitate to destroy everything you have built! He was going to slay you and possibly your son!"

"Skulker, I know that!" Vlad answered, aggravated. "And this isn't just about protecting Aragon! I was trying to protect the kingdom from more deaths, too!"

"No, Plasmius!" Skulker hissed back. "The reality is there was no real threat here until you decided to turn yourself in to Aragon! Until you told your son to practically abandon the kingdom! What would have happened to this Kingdom if Aragon had killed you and your son was forced from his right to the throne?! Did you stop to think about that before worrying over sparing Aragon and his kin's lives?!"

Plasmius just closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was mentally, emotionally, and physically too tired to argue right now.

But out of all his exhaustions, his emotional one was weighing on him the most. It had been for the past days.

"I'm tired, Skulker..."

The hunter's indignation faltered, remembering how unwell his friend was. But he soon realized the King was more than just physically tired.

"I never wanted the throne," he spoke quietly as he opened his eyes and lowered his hand to the table. But he was not looking directly at his friend as he continued with a frown. "I just... I wanted peace. I-I wanted to escape the death and destruction we grew up in. My desire was to simply grow old with Desiree and watch our children grow... together."

Skulker's eyebrows creased. He could not remember the last time Vlad had spoken about Desiree. In the past, he just avoided any mention of her.

"I cannot have that anymore," Vlad said soberly as he finally stared back at his friend. "But that does not mean my son cannot have that still. And like it or not, Daniel will always be my priority. Even before this kingdom. Don't you see? The closer I get to victory over the humans, over Aragon, or any other enemy, the more I risk Daniel's safety? And I will not do that!"

Vlad pressed the heel of his hands against his forehead as he said, "If I lose Daniel like I did Desiree... It's over." He looked back at Skulker and added fearfully, "And my enemies know that."

Skulker's expression melded into concern. "Vlad... even if you could keep your son locked in a bubble, safe from your enemies, you will end up destroying him."

Vlad looked back at him worriedly.

"He's the Ghost Prince."

"Because of me," Vlad suddenly whispered sadly. "I brought him into this... If I had just..."

But the King didn't finish.

Skulker's eyes widened. He had never heard his friend ever question his past decision of taking in the young half-ghost as his son. Never.

Plasmius lowered his gaze as he thought of Desiree again. "Desiree would be alive if I had kept away, too... If I had just..."

"If you had just what, Vlad?" the hunter cut him off. "Left Danny to die in that lab?"

Vlad closed his eyes and shuddered at even the thought. No, of course not. He would never regret saving his boy. But maybe he should have returned him to the Fentons. Maybe he should have listened to Desiree.. or Clockwork.

Clockwork had warned him he would be sacrificing more than he knew.

But it wasn't that, that bothered him most. He had been alone in that cell with his thoughts and emotions for days. And it had been enough to stir up all his doubts and fears.

What bothered him most was the thought that all the death and pain that already happened could all be in vain...Desiree's death...All the ghosts and humans that had been killed in this war,...even Daniel's suffering. All in vain...if Daniel still got killed because of him.

And he couldn't deal with that... To know he had saved that innocent baby from a quick death, only to drag it out for all these years of fear and suffering and end in death anyways?

No, it would destroy him. But was Skulker right? Was his obsession to protect Daniel a worse fate than death for his son?

What if it was? Was there really much he could do about it now?

"I have to finish this," Vlad muttered. "Even if you are right, Skulker, there is no turning back now. I will protect Daniel at all costs... even if it means he will not be able to sit on the throne someday."

Skulker's eyes widened. "You cannot make that choice for him!"

Plasmius glared at him. "Why not, when all this throne brings is death and suffering?! Why can't Daniel have a different life than mine?! Why can't I hope for something better for him?!"

"Because it's not your choice to make!" Skulker stressed again. But then shaking his head, he added, "It's late. And you are clearly mentally and physically unwell. This is not a conversation we should be having right now. You are not thinking straight!"

Vlad shook his head, though his anger faded. "No, Skulker... I have had plenty of time to think about it." He looked back at his friend and revealed, "I am keeping Daniel in the Human World until I am done conquering at least Amity Park. Until I am sure it is safe for him to return home. As I said, this place is no longer safe for him."

Skulker just stared at him. "Your son does not know how to be human. I cannot believe you even asked him to go there on his own in the first place! Now, you are talking about leaving him there? For possibly years?!"

"He will learn," Vlad muttered. "He must now."

"Vlad... do not do that to him. It's cruel. He belongs here," Skulker whispered sadly. "What happened with protecting him at all costs?"

The older hybrid sighed. "This is why I must do this... I am going to give him the choice I never had, Skulker." His eyebrows creased in sadness as he added, "The choice... Desiree wanted him to have "

Vlad lowered his gaze as he grew quiet for a moment. But he then said, "You're right... What he does with his future is not my choice to make. But once I am done conquering the Human World. Once the kingdom is safe again... He will have the choice of taking the throne or not. And maybe someday... I will keep my promise to Desiree about telling him everything."

Skulker just frowned, clearly not liking what the King was saying.

There was a long silence before the hunter asked quietly, "What are you going to tell him when he asks you why you are forcing him to stay in the Human World?"

Vlad didn't answer right away. But he then replied, "I will go to Wisconsin tomorrow so he knows I am okay. I will tell him only what he needs to hear."

Skulker just lowered his eyes, unable to say anymore. He knew there was no changing the King's mind. It seems lately there was no convincing anyone to see reason, just like...

Skulker gasped and abruptly said, "Dora!"

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "What about her?"

"She came to see me today! She said she was going to Aragon's home to try to get him to release you! I have to—!"

"Wait!" Plasmius quickly said, grabbing his friend's wrist before he could stand up. "As alarming as this news is, I would have likely seen her on my way back; or at least seen her at Aragon's terrain when I was there."

"Vlad, there is no guarantee of that! She could have taken a different route! Or, Aragon could have kept quiet and had her locked up! Dora was adamant on going! She did not even care that the council would banish her from the kingdom; or that she was risking Aragon's wrath! She just wanted to help you!"

The King frowned in worry. He had not gone home, so he had no way of knowing if Dora was at the castle or had really left.

"Around what time did she come by?" Vlad asked.

Skulker sighed deeply. "It was past noon... Around three in the afternoon, perhaps."

"I highly doubt she left for Aragon's realm so late in the day... It's a several hour flight, Skulker. She would not have risked the danger of the active portals. It would make more sense she would plan to leave the next day, early morning. This means, if we head back early to castle tomorrow, we can intercept her."

But Skulker was not convinced. "I hope so, Plasmius. If something happens to her..." He shook his head, and said instead, "As if I do not carry enough guilt. You should have heard her, Vlad... She hates me. She hates me for killing her nephew and for putting everyone in danger. Not that I disagree..."

The older hybrid's eyebrows creased. "I'm sorry, Skulker. I wish things could have been different between you both."

"It's my fault. I ruined our bond," Skulker answered bitterly. "I pushed her away. I do not deserve her, Plasmius... I never did."

"Do not talk that way," Vlad answered. "I still have hope that you both will rekindle your bond. I know you love her... And I have a feeling she still does, too—in spite of what she may say to you."

"That is a nice sentiment, Vlad... But even if she did still love me, I killed her nephew. There is no getting past that."

Vlad fell quiet. It seemed in that sense both he and Skulker were the same.

It seemed they were simply not destined for happiness.

"It's late," Vlad just said with a sigh. "Even if Dora did leave for the Dragon Realm today, there is nothing we can do now. We will handle this in the morning, my friend."

Skulker just nodded.

---

Freakshow was surprised when Tom returned hours later to Circus Gothica. In fact, it was like three in the morning now. But the ringleader also had not expected to see the normally polished hunter shirtless and covered in mud and ectoplasm... The ectoplasm was the most concerning.

"What... What happened? Did you find him?"

Agent Chrome just walked past him, though he replied, "Do you have whiskey? I need a drink."

Freakshow rolled his eyes before he followed the man back to his private quarters.

"Make yourself at home," the ringleader said sarcastically when Tom just walked right in without waiting for him.

Tom didn't answer and just went over to the man's bathroom and threw the door shut behind him. He was too tired and on-edge to think of how awful he must look. All he could think of was what his next steps would be; and the quickest way to get his weapon back once he recovered.

Splashing some water on his face, he washed away the specks of dirt and ectoplasm on it. He then grabbed a nearby towel, bunched it up in the running faucet to get it wet before wringing it out the best he could with one hand.

He finally walked out of the bathroom with the damp towel as he worked on cleaning himself up just enough so he didn't feel so uncomfortable.

Of course, Freakshow was impatiently waiting for him with crossed arms.

"You better have a good reason to annoy me twice in one night, Thomas. What happened with my slave?" the ringleader demanded.

Tom resisted the urge to snap back that Gregor wasn't 'his slave'; but he stopped himself. After all, he was talking to Frederick... and not Aragon.

"Yeah, I found him," Tom replied, oddly subdued as he sat down on the desk chair nearby. He looked around the tent. He really needed a drink.

"Then, where is he?" Freakshow pressed, his teeth gritting together. It was like pulling teeth with this idiot!

"He... He's in the Ghost Zone," Tom muttered as he stared at the grimy towel in his hand.

The ringleader's eyes widened, "What?" But then he shook his head. "Tom, this isn't the time to—"

"I am being serious," Tom cut him off, looking at the other man. "He was critically hurt. I couldn't just... It so happened his family had been searching for him for days... I let them take him back."

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Freakshow exploded. "Did you just lose your damn mind?! You are the stupidest—!"

Tom suddenly stood and grabbed the man by his shirt. "Does it look like this is the time for you to be testing my patience, Freak?! I know exactly what I just did! What I just risked! But Gregor would be no use to us dead! It was the only choice I had!"

But Frederick was too angry to be intimidated and he yanked himself away from the hunter as he sneered back, "You could have brought him back here, like we agreed on! I could have healed him!"

"He would have died here!" Tom exclaimed back. "You didn't see the shape he was in! His core was giving out! And he had a wound right over his core that wasn't healing! Don't you get it? Gregor should be dead! And he would be dead if I had not made this choice..."

The man paused before adding bitterly, "For all we know, he could still die in there."

Freakshow pulled out his staff and focused on Gregor. It glowed with red power, but it was dim. Barely holding a connection.

"I can't believe you just gave him up like that!" the man muttered angrily.

"He'll come back. I haven't given anything up," Tom snapped back.

"He'll come back?" Freakshow repeated but then scoffed. "You're truly delusional, Thomas! The only thing that held Gregor here was my staff! He doesn't have emotional ties to you or some fatherly attachment! He is not connected to you OR to me! The only thing he is connected to is THIS staff! And you all but severed it by allowing him to be taken a world away! My power over him won't last if he's in the Ghost World! In other words, he might as well be dead, because we just lost him!"

Tom fell quiet as he stared at the other man's staff. No, Frederick was wrong. The hunter knew by now Gregor wasn't as attached to Freakshow's staff as the man believed. No, something more held the boy here. He had tethered Gregor in other ways to him and to this world; and Tom knew it was true from the way the dragon ghost broke down at the thought of being separated from him and from this world.

There was no doubt in Tom's mind that Gregor would return to him. Not because he had to anymore, but because he wanted to.

Gregor needed him.

"How long before the connection severs completely?" Tom suddenly asked with a more normal calculative look in his eyes than his previously subdued attitude.

"I don't know! It depends on the ghost!"

"We need a way to communicate with Gregor," Tom answered. "Perhaps, a way to even keep him connected to your staff... And I got just the thing... or ghost, I should say."

Freakshow looked thoroughly confused.

Tom stared at the other man before he revealed. "I know about the Gems. About how you are after two more; and how you want to use Gregor as your own weapon. You should know by now I'm not going to let that happen."

Freakshow narrowed his eyes but didn't reply.

"But I will make a deal with you...," the hunter continued. "I will help you get those other gems if you help me insure my weapon's return."

"The gems are their most powerful when combined. And I cannot combine their powers without Gregor!" Freakshow snapped back.

Tom replied. "Frederick, those gems almost killed Gregor. And that was just two of them. What do you think will happen to him if he absorbed all four gems?"

Freakshow rolled his eyes. "Do you know how long I've researched these gems? They are not going to kill him as long as they are attached in the correct order!"

This time, Tom frowned in confusion.

Freakshow hesitated; but realizing there was no point in keeping it a secret when Tom already knew his intentions, he finally said, "The reason the Gem of Form and Gem of Fantasy overwhelmed him is because his core is not powerful enough to control them. The power to control the gems comes from the Gem of Power—the energy force that can bind all the gems. But the most essential of the gems is the Gem of Life. Unlike the other gems, this one holds actual life in it. It is said to even be a living being. It gives life to its master. As long as he first fuses the Gem of Life, then the others will fall into place; and they will not kill him."

But Tom shook his head. "Frederick, you are wrong about these gems. Those other two gems Gregor has already fused into his core."

"It's not possible."

"He told me!" Tom stressed. "He couldn't take them out. Hell, when he was with me, they wouldn't come out! And now, they just... He said they were physically gone. That they have merged into his core."

Freakshow frowned deeply. "That should have killed him."

"For all we know it could still kill him!" Tom hissed at him. "Why did you make him keep both of those gems in his core? Are you trying to kill him?! Because each time I leave him with you for a moment, it seems he is always near death! I mean, just look at what happened now! If you had not messed him up so badly maybe he would not have gotten hurt to the point I was forced to send him into the Ghost World!"

"Of course, I'm not trying to kill him! I told you... The gems protect him."

Freakshow shrugged before crossing his arms. "Sure, the gems come with risks; but the benefit outweigh the danger. Instead of playing the 'blame game' with me, you should be thanking me. He would be dead right now if it wasn't for me telling him to put those gems in his core. They saved him from Skulker!"

Tom sighed in aggravation. They could go in circles all day with this.

"Look," the hunter said, forcing himself to calm down, "My point is there has to be another means for you to use those gems without risking Gregor. What about his twin?"

"What about him?" Freakshow asked, annoyed.

"You could control his mind and use him for your purposes just the same," Tom replied.

"Dragon ghosts are too powerful, Tom! The only reason I managed to gain control over Gregor is because I got him young."

"You are not using Gregor for whatever you have in mind with those gems," Tom said firmly.

Freakshow scoffed. "You forget who owns him. Push comes to shove, you know he will always choose me over you. I am his master. And you... You just hold his bag of dog treats. Bottom line, Chrome: You don't get to choose what I do with my slave. Or did you forget about our last conversation around Gregor?"

Tom narrowed his eyes.

Freakshow smirked. Of course, the man remembered. They both knew who had the upper hand here. He only let Tom 'borrow' Gregor because it benefited him. But the dragon ghost was his... his to command or his to kill if he ever felt like it.

But ultimately getting into another battle with Thomas under the current circumstances was unwise. The idiot had let Gregor go back to the Ghost World. Freakshow needed the kid back; and the only way that was going to happen was with Tom's help.

"Look, I think you are missing the most important thing here," Freakshow spoke up with a raised eyebrow. "If Gregor absorbs these gems, he will be unstoppable. Not even the Ghost King will hold a candle to his power. You want to take down the Ghost Zone, as you call it? This is the way to do it."

Not that Freakshow was going to let that happen; but the idiot hunter didn't need to know that.

Tom frowned with uncertainty as he looked at the other man's staff.

"Wow, you really got attached to him, didn't you?" Freakshow said with a scoff. "Just a few years back you wouldn't have hesitated to risk Gregor's life... Now... You can't even stand the thought."

"I am not explaining my reasons to you," Tom sneered.

Freakshow shrugged. "In the end, we both want similar things. And in the end, we both need Gregor. So, right now, instead of arguing over his future, why don't we focus on the present task of getting him back before my staff's control of him cuts out?"

"He will come back on his own," Tom insisted.

"Ugh, there you go again!" Freakshow exclaimed, frustrated. "Okay, fine! So, what is your grand plan, then, dragon whisperer?"

Tom rolled his eyes, but still answered, "The Ghost King must think Gregor is dead. And we are going to keep it that way."

"You think he won't find out now that you let him go back into the Ghost World?" Freakshow snapped.

"His ghost father was trying to save him from the Ghost King, Frederick," Tom said with a smirk. "That tells me they don't get along... As the saying goes 'the enemy of my enemy...'"

"So, you think Aragon will also keep Gregor's survival from the King?"

"Without a doubt," Tom answered smugly. "What perfect place to hide my weapon than right under my enemy's nose? I am going to let Plasmius think he has won. Let him have his little victory over Amity Park... And meanwhile, I will continue to plan his demise... My secret weapon will remain a secret again until it is too late for him to stop me. I will attack him from the inside. I will take his son and his whole kingdom; and he won't even see it coming!"

"That's all great; but then your whole plan rides on Gregor returning," Freakshow reminded him with slight sarcasm. "And I do not know how much longer my hold on him will last."

Tom smirked. "You let me worry about that... What I need from you is for you to use your freaky staff on another ghost."

"Another ghost?" Freakshow asked, immediately intrigued about this mystery ghost.

"Yes... I had a feeling it would come in handy eventually," Tom said.

"And what do I get out of this?" Freakshow asked. "You know if you want me to bring this ghost under my spell, it is to serve my purposes, too."

"I would be okay with sharing...," Tom answered with a shrug. "I heard the Gem of Power is in the hands of Gregor's father... Aragon, was it?"

Tom then said with a dark smile. "Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours...? For now."

Freakshow smirked this time. "Like good ol' times, then?"

"Exactly," Tom answered with a chuckle.

---

"What were you thinking?" Vlad asked with a frown as he stood in front of Dora. "Do you honestly believe putting yourself at risk was going to help my situation?"

"I had to do something, my lord," Dora replied worriedly. "I could not allow my brother to harm you when you were not at fault for what has happened! You were forced to slay my nephew by the unfortunate circumstances!"

The King fell quiet. He knew who the female dragon ghost truly blamed for Gregory's death.

"Dora... I am sorry. If there had been another way..." But Vlad stopped himself and said instead, "I know you are angry with Skulker. But if you believe I was forced by circumstance to do what I did, then you must also realize this was not Skulker's fault, either."

"With all due respect, I must disagree. He knew my nephew was alive," Dora replied angrily. "He knew for years since Gregory had been just a small child! He could have prevented all this then! Instead, he chose to keep quiet. He chose to murder a child he could have saved! And he chose to endanger us all now!"

"Your nephew murdered Ember's parents," Vlad replied quietly. "He has harmed countless of ghosts... He was likely even involved in Desiree's death. Dora... even if he had been a child... What else did you expect him to do?"

"He could have told me!" Dora said as her eyes swelled with tears. "He could have stayed with me! He could have trusted me enough for us to work through this together! Anything, but what he did!"

Vlad lowered his gaze.

But the dragon maid shook her head to banish her emotions; and instead said sadly, "My lord... Please understand. You and the Prince... You two are all I have left. Even if our kinship has changed since milady was alive... I could not bear to watch Prince Phantom lose his father, too. I could not bear to see you hurt. I would gladly give my life for either of you. It is why I was willing to face my brother... if it meant helping you."

Vlad nodded. "Thank you, Dora... But I also need you to understand why I do not want you to risk such a thing again." He hesitated before adding. "I know I do not always show it, but you are dear to me... You have been like a mother to my son and a sister to me. I am indebted to you. And it is my duty to protect you—not the other way around."

Vlad placed a hand on the female's shoulder before he said, "I hope you can one day find it in your core to forgive Skulker... Believe me... Sometimes the right choice is not so easily seen, especially when you are faced with the loss of a loved one."

"My King?"

Vlad turned towards the new voice in the room and smiled when he saw Anĝela walk into the throne room.

She immediately moved closer and then hugged him.

"Forgive my forwardness, but I was so worried," Anĝela muttered.

"I am also glad to see you," he answered back before pulling slightly away from their hug, sliding his arm down against hers and then pulling her arm-in-arm with him.

He didn't know why, but right now, he welcomed the female's closeness. Perhaps he was more emotionally distraught than he thought with his recent thoughts of his deceased wife, his son's not being home, and all he went through with Aragon. But even if he didn't feel romantically about her, Vlad could not deny the fondness he felt for his female advisor and friend.

Dora couldn't stop the smile tugging on her lips. She had not known until now how 'close' Angela and the King had grown.

But she was not the only one who noticed.

"I am sorry to interrupt," Serenity spoke up as she suddenly walked into the throne room with Justeco.

Angela quickly stepped away from Vlad, who finally noticed his audience. "My, this is quite a welcome," he muttered.

"You had Wulf sent word of your safe return," Serenity replied. "It should not surprise you that many of us would come to see this with our own eyes."

The Head Ancient then glanced at the female advisor in the room. Even though Angela was looking down, Serenity still added, "Although some of us have a harder time containing our emotions than others."

The King did not miss the double-meaning and he raised an eyebrow in challenge. "Or perhaps not all of us can mask our emotions as well as you, Head Ancient. Nevertheless, I am glad to see you... And Justeco," he then addressed the male ghost, "It is good to have you back on the High Council. I take it you all held everything together in my absence."

Justeco nodded. "Indeed so. But we will certainly discuss this in our emergency council meeting today."

"Where is Prince Phantom?" Serenity asked abruptly.

Plasmius locked his gaze back on the female Ancient as he answered, "Hidden. Under my order. And my son will remain as such until I say otherwise."

"Is that so?" the Head Ancient asked. "I think you have forgotten that your son is also our Prince."

This time, the King fell quiet and just stared back at the female ghost.

The tension was so thick in the room that the others glanced at one another, clearly uncomfortable. And the rising temperature in the room did not help matters.

"Dora?" Vlad suddenly spoke up but kept his eyes on Serenity. "Can you ask Skulker and Fright Knight to come to the throne room? They should be around in the palace. Let them know there is a matter I need to discuss with them."

"O-Of course, milord," she answered and quickly left the room before closing the doors behind her.

"Perhaps...," Justeco began with a slightly squeaky voice before he hurriedly cleared it and continued, "Ah, perhaps we should discuss this matter about the Prince later today in our meeting?"

"I agree," Anĝela muttered.

But the King replied, "Why wait? Everyone in this room is now part of the High Council. And the Head Ancient here feels she is in her every right to question my decisions."

Serenity shook her head. "King Plasmius, my intention is not to challenge you."

"Are you sure?" Plasmius asked, this time with a glare. "Because that is exactly what I think you are doing!"

The room grew hotter as Serenity's fire core now reacted to the King's angry one. They didn't care if Anĝela and Justeco were growing more uncomfortable by the second.

"You might be the Ghost King," Serenity said firmly, "But you have no right to put all of us in danger! Each time there is a threat to the Prince, you make decisions without the vote of the council! And let me remind you, my King, that the High Council is here to make sure everyone—including the King—upholds the laws and acts in benefit of the kingdom. I think it is time you start thinking about the repercussions of your actions."

"No, Serenity," Vlad replied, his eyes still narrowed. "Perhaps you should think about the repercussions of your actions! I do not care if you are the Head Ancient. I will only tolerate so much of your disrespect!"

"My King... Head Ancient...," Justeco dared to intervene. "I must insist it is best to leave this discussion for our reunion in the council room. I am sure together with the other council members we can come to a resolution over any disagreements."

Serenity just stared angrily at the King before she finally looked at Justeco. "I apologize. You are right, Justecto." She looked back at the furious older hybrid and added, "We best wait for our meeting. I am sure King Plasmius will have a sound argument and explanation why he feels the Prince needs to be away from the Kingdom."

"Your King will most certainly have a sound explanation," Vlad answered coldly.

Serenity slightly bowed. "I am glad to see you are safe. Good day." She then glanced at Anĝela but said nothing else and finally left the throne room.

Justeco cleared his voice and said, "I will also take my leave. I just wanted to make sure you were well, my King."

Vlad didn't reply and just watched the Observant also leave. Once he was alone in the throne room with Anĝela, he sighed with aggravation.

"I think I best take my leave as well," Anĝela suddenly said.

But Vlad quickly looked at her, and said, "Wait. Don't go. Just..." He sighed again and forced his core back in control. The room's temperature finally returned to normal.

"I'm sorry," he then said soberly.

"No, I am sorry," Anĝela replied quietly as she looked away in shame just as her wings partially enfolded her.

The King frowned, confused. "Why are you sorry? It is not your fault Serenity makes it a personal mission to aggravate me."

Angela hesitated, but then replied, "She has been upset with you and us because of your decision to hide the Prince without telling anyone. So, I am sure it did not help matters that..."

She shook her head. "I should not have hugged you like that. I seem to be forgetting my place lately... And others have already begun to notice."

The King's eyebrows heightened in surprise this time before he moved closer and placed a hand against one of her wings since they were still wrapped around her.

When she looked at him, he added with a smile, "You have done nothing wrong. And it is not Serenity or anyone's business if I want to have a bond with someone. You know you are one of the few ghosts I trust wholeheartedly."

"But is it ethical, my King?" Anĝela asked soberly. "I am your advisor and physician."

"Anĝela ," Vlad answered, "You are my friend who also happens to be my advisor and physician."

"A friend who is also in love with you," she muttered, unsure.

The King's eyebrows creased as he unconsciously removed his hand from the female before he replied, "We talked about this..."

She sighed, though her wings only parted slightly. And now looking at him, she soberly assured him, "I know. And I told you, I understand. I am more than content with the bond we have... But it does not change my feelings. It does not change that those feelings could affect my services to you as your advisor and physician."

Vlad fell quiet before he then took one of her hands and placed it against his core. He then said, "Aragon did something strange to my core, and forced me to stay human for days... I feel better, but my core is still unwell."

Believing he was just wanting to change the subject, Anĝela pushed back her uncertainties and focused on the feel of the King's core.

"It is clear your core is still recovering. You know better than I do that your human side is not meant to thrive in our world. This would explain why your core and body are still so stressed and taking longer to recover. Did you take anything?"

Vlad just stared at her before quietly answering, "The usual. Vitamins. Energy shots."

Anĝela nodded before she reached for one of her wings and plucked a feather. It then turned gold in her hand. As she soon pressed it against the King's core, it slowly began to dissolve and absorb into him.

"I do not feel any permanent damage; but this should help you recover sooner," she assured him.

As they waited for the healing energy to finish absorbing, Vlad finally said, "I must admit I still fail to understand at what point has your feelings for me impeded you from helping me as an advisor or physician in the past or now?"

Anĝela quickly looked at him in surprise.

But Vlad just smiled at her. "You see, Anĝela, I refuse to choose. Because while I might need you as an advisor or a doctor from time-to-time, I will always need you as my friend " He hesitated before he reached forward and this time ran a hand through one of her wings as he added, "Whatever bond we have, I will not give it up as long as you do not want to, either."

Anĝela smiled at last before she answered, "Who am I to deny my King?"

Vlad chuckled. "Oh, am I forcing you to like me, my good doctor?"

"I dare not anger you with my honest answer," she said with a smirk.

Pulling away from her at last, he answered with a smirk, "Good. One insufferable female for the day is enough."

The two looked at each other before they laughed.

But then, Vlad sighed deeply since the indirect mention of Serenity reminded him of his deceased guardian. "How I miss Horris... Things would be so different if he were still here."

Anĝela's eyebrows creased in sadness. "I know... I miss him, too."

"Thank you," Vlad then said seriously, removing his hand from the female and placing it against his own core. "I feel better."

Anĝela smiled warmly at him. "Of course, Vlad." But she then frowned. And she seemed to hesitate this time before she worriedly asked, "Where is Danny?"

"In the Human World," Vlad answered soberly. "That is what I need to speak with you and the others about."

Anĝela nodded at remembering the King had asked Dora to find Fright Knight and Skulker.

Plasmius crossed his arms and frowned as he then said, "I did not expect that Aragon's amulet could force me to become and stay human... But perhaps it's not too farfetched since his amulet gives him the ability to disguise others in a human form as well as himself..."

Anĝela raised an eyebrow. She was a bit confused at the odd change of subject; but she soon realized why the King was saying this.

"It gave me an idea though...," Vlad continued. "You see, I need to keep Daniel in the Human World for the time being; but I also need a way to keep watch over him whenever I cannot physically be there with him..."

"I do not think I understand...," Anĝela began, unsure.

Vlad smiled a bit before he asked, "Anĝela? You have been practicing Human Speech, right?"

"Yes... But why are you...?"

"I am not leaving until I speak to Vlad!"

The King frowned at hearing a very similar voice shouting outside the throne room.

"Oh, how nice, Spectra has arrived," Anĝela said sarcastically.

Vlad tried not to laugh and instead answered, "Be nice."

"I have more right than all of you to be here!"

This time Plasmius frowned and asked himself, "Why must she be so dramatic?"

He walked over to the door and threw it open. As he expected, Spectra was there, arguing as usual, only this time it was with Dora, Skulker and Fright Knight. "What is going—?"

"VLAD!"

Spectra lunged at him with such force he stumbled backwards as she gripped him in a hug. "I was SO worried! I knew it! I knew you couldn't be dead! You're too powerful to let that idiot Aragon kill you! But.. But are you okay? Are you?"

Skulker quickly palmed his face in aggravation while the other just rolled their eyes.

"Spectra!" the King finally exclaimed, trying to pry the female off him. "Calm down! Can you just calm down for a moment?! I am fine!"

But Spectra then pressed her hand against his core; and it was so abrupt, Plasmius jolted and quickly grabbed both her wrists and pulled them away.

He ignored the unpleasant tingle that ran down his spine, and just said, "I'm fine, Spectra. I know you were worried, but as you can see, I am back and no worse for wear; so please, calm down."

"And Danny?"

Vlad frowned before he released her and took a step back. "He is not at the palace. That is all you need to know for now. But if you can be so kind to take your leave. I need to speak with Dora, my warriors and advisor."

"Advisor?" Spectra questioned; but then she finally noticed Anĝela in the room; and her expression soured. Why had she been alone with Vlad?

"Spectra?" Vlad said again, getting her to focus on him instead of the other female.

Realizing she was letting her jealousy slip, Spectra's expression quickly melded into a bright smile. "Oh, right! I'm sorry! You're doing 'King' stuff! But, hey! When you're done, mind if we catch up? I don't mind hanging around in the castle for a bit!"

"I am going to be a while...," Vlad forewarned.

"That's fine! No rush!" she chirped happily before she pulled forward and hugged him again. But she made sure that Anĝela saw her triumphant grin.

"Little winged freak. I wonder if Tommy would like to get his hands on a pair of ghost wings!" she thought darkly without a twitch in her smile.

Anĝela, who hadn't detected any hint of Spectra's true thoughts, had remained stoic the whole time.

When Spectra finally left, Skulker locked the door behind her. He turned and quickly ushered Fright Knight and Dora further into the room.

"I am surprised Spectra did not question my presence in this meeting," Dora muttered with slight displeasure in her voice.

"She was too busy questioning other things," Anĝela answered with a tight smile.

"Do not worry about Spectra, right now," Vlad spoke up dismissively. "I am sure it will be of no news to you all that Daniel is in the Human World. And he will be remaining there for some time. However... There is something I need from you all, more importantly from you, Dora."

"Yes, milord?" the dragon female hesitantly asked.

Vlad glanced down at her amulet and asked, "Your amulet... Does it work like Aragon's own?"

"To some extent. It is not as powerful as his," she answered.

"But you can use it to disguise yourself or someone else as a human?" Vlad asked with a growing smile.

Dora blinked in surprise. "Yes, I suppose..."

"Then, this is what I need you to do..."

---

On a Sunday just after noon, Danny sat on a bench at a park watching the people around him. The park was full of people who were obviously enjoying themselves: whole families relishing a picnic or playing games; others jogging or walking; and still others simply lying on the soft ground talking on a phone or listening to music. He especially noticed young and old couples strolling about or just being with each other's company.

There were so many humans, all so different, all so normal and harmless.

Sure, he had spent a year in the Human World when he was a small kid. He had seen other humans, been to a park a few times... But now... now that he was older…

Now, that he had seen what war looked like and understood so much more... It was different.

This wasn't something he had expected. And it filled him with confusion and—dare he say—intrigue?

Why was he so drawn in by these creatures? He should know better by now, right? It was the same curiosity and fascination that had gotten him hurt and his mother killed.

Danny sighed deeply as he just continued to watch. Perhaps he was just drawn by the fact that he would never truly belong here, let alone be human. Sure, he was physically part-human. But as much as he might 'learn' to be a human, and over time adapt, and blend in... Did that make him human? ...Not when who he was, was a world away.

Who he was, wasn't here.

This wasn't his home. It never would be his home.

Suddenly, his thoughts evaporated with a young girl's anxious shout.

Danny then tensed when a black-and-white spotted puppy with a ball in in its mouth came running over to him—with the young girl not far behind chasing him.

"TJ!" the girl shouted again as she finally caught up and found her puppy licking at Danny's hands.

The teen smiled at the innocent creature. It really was adorable.

"I'm sorry. I'm still training him to listen," the girl said.

Danny's blue eyes locked with the little girl's own. She had to be about ten years old.

"It's alright," he answered; but then, the puppy grabbed its ball and put it in his hand.

The girl grinned. "He really likes you."

Danny glanced at the puppy staring expectantly at him and at the ball now in his hand.

"He wants you to throw it," she said.

"Oh...," Danny replied before he did just that. He watched with a smile as the puppy took off after it.

"I'm Jana. What's your name?" she asked brightly.

Danny's eyebrows creased since he was a bit hesitant to respond; but then, he answered, "Daniel."

"Well, it's nice to meet you!" she replied, extending her hand.

The boy tilted his head with slight confusion at the gesture; but then he remembered... This is how humans greeted each other.

He mimicked the girl who easily grabbed his hand back and shook it.

Such an odd greeting.

"Jana!" a woman's voice called out.

And Danny looked over at a female human in the distance waving at the girl.

"Oh, I gotta go!" she said just as her puppy returned. She grabbed the ball from TJ and waved it at him to get him to follow her. "Bye, Daniel! Come on, TJ!"

Danny watched her run off towards her mother, he assumed. He watched them interact with a small smile; but it soon fell into a sad frown.

He looked away, not wanting to bring about memories of his mother; and instead, his eyes fell on a couple of maybe friends? They were teenagers, too. A boy and a girl who were laughing and sharing something on their phones.

This time, he couldn't stop the painful memories from surging forward; but these memories were of Sam and Tuck... And their last interaction. Had he killed her? He remembered how angry and betrayed he had felt. He had not measured his toxin...

It was likely he had killed Sam.

He knew he shouldn't care. Humans were the enemies; but the truth was he never wanted them to be. The truth was that a part of him wanted to believe humans could be good. Like the little girl who had come by. But Sam had been like that little girl, too... Innocent. Good

And then she grew up. She became a hunter. A killer. His enemy.

But didn't it go both ways? Hadn't he turned into the same? How many humans had he now hurt as Phantom while part of this war?

Why did things have to be like this?

"Hey, kid, you okay?"

Danny startled at the sudden voice, only to realize it was Carl.

He didn't see the worried look at the driver's face as he sat next to him. He handed him an ice-cream cone.

Danny took it, but he just stared at the treat. He wasn't hungry.

"You know when I suggested to bring you to the park, it was with the idea that you'd might want to do some activities or at least chat with someone your age... Not just sit here..."

"I want to go home," Danny answered quietly. Because he truly did. He didn't want to be here in this world. He wanted to go back to what he knew. He wanted to be around the ghosts and friends he knew... He wanted his father.

God, he sounded like such a child!

But he couldn't help it. He just wanted to go home and for his father to be okay. He couldn't stand the sorrow and loneliness.

He realized that that was what it came down to: he was afraid of being alone.

"Yeah, sure...," Carl answered with disappointment. He could tell by the tone of the teen's voice that he didn't mean just leaving the park. And the driver also knew going back to the castle wouldn't make it better. The kid was clearly homesick, even if he wouldn't admit it. Heck, at this point, the boy probably wouldn't even say one way or another about any other suggestion that Carl thought might help... Heck, it was a miracle that he had convinced him to come out here in the first place.

"Come on. Let's head back, then."

Danny stood and finally took a bite of his ice-cream mostly because it was melting and he didn't want it to drip onto his hand.

It was vanilla. He smiled sadly at the memory of his father always getting him a vanilla cone when he would also bring him to the park.

But the thought of his father only made him feel worse. And so, he threw the rest of the ice-cream away as he passed by a trashcan.

Carl only glanced at him but said nothing.

Once they were in the car and driving back, Danny busied himself with the sights going by. Yet, his mind was clearly elsewhere.

Carl kept glancing back at him in the rearview mirror. Finally, he couldn't stand seeing the kid look so glum. He just had to say something.

"So Hobson got ahold of that teacher your father contracted for you... Ms. Thomas. She will be coming by tomorrow. It should be a nice distraction, right?"

"Hmm... Oh, yes," Danny replied absentmindedly. Apparently, his father had left very specific instructions for him in the event he ever did come to Wisconsin without him. That was so much like his father... Always planning ahead.

"Hey, kid...? Did your father say how long he would be away?" Carl suddenly asked.

It was strange that Mr. Masters would send his son to Wisconsin all on his own with no mention of when he would be arriving himself. Carl was sure if the boy's father were here, it would make the teen feel better at least.

Danny shook his head, and answered absently, "I do not know."

Carl frowned but then said, "He left another contact in the event he would be away longer than six months. An associate of his. Thurston Jeremy Mason. Heard of him?"

Danny sighed. "No."

Carl hesitated this time but still continued, "Your father and he are business partners. They own Masters and Manson Enterprise. It seems your father is interested in you meeting him... Maybe it would be a good idea. It will give you a chance to meet some of the people your father interacts with around here. Maybe meet some of their own kids... You know, so you can make some friends, perhaps?"

Danny didn't reply. Friends? Human friends? What for? So that they would betray him like his last two? So that he'd be forced to betray them as well...and then enslave them?

After that, it seemed Carl had given up in trying to cheer him up because they did not speak further.

"Thank you, Carl," Danny muttered as he stepped out of the car once they arrived back to the castle.

The teen just wanted to go back upstairs to his room and sleep. But the moment he stepped into the foyer, his eyes widened at the sight of Hobson

And his father.

It seemed like the older hybrid and the butler had been talking. But the minute the teen had walked in, they quickly turned to face him.

"Ah, there he is!" Hobson said with a smile towards Danny.

But the teen didn't hear him.

"Father?" Danny whispered in relief and disbelief.

"Daniel," Vlad answered with a soft, but also relieved, smile.

"Oh my gosh, Dad!"

The teen bolted to him and quickly embraced him tightly.

Vlad's eyebrows creased in worry at feeling his son shaking with emotion; and it definitely sounded like he was trying to hold back sobs as he buried his face in his chest.

"Hey, it's alright, little badger," he soothed.

Carl and Hobson smiled warmly at the reunion; but then, they silently walked off to give the father and son some privacy.

"I-I thought I would never see you again!" Danny whimpered, not letting go. His chest heaved with so many emotions, most overwhelmingly his relief. He had feared his father would have been killed by Aragon, that he would have been alone in the Human World forever...and that he wouldn't have been able to go home ever again.

It was too much.

"I'm sorry, Daniel," Vlad said with a sigh as he held the teen closer at realizing how much this had affected his son.

Skulker was right. Asking Daniel to come out here on his own had been cruel. But even now, he was convinced it was still necessary.

It took a moment, but Danny eventually calmed down. He pulled away just enough to look up at the older hybrid and asked shakily, "How did you escape? I thought Aragon was going to..."

"I know, little badger," Vlad cut him off before he could say too much. He glanced towards the hallway where he had seen his two male staff leave. This was not the place to talk about this.

"And I will explain," he added, focusing back on his son. "But right now, why don't we get something to eat? And find a more fitting place to talk? There's a few things I have to tell you..."

Realizing what his father was hinting at, Danny quickly nodded. But right then, Matty came running over and started purring and rubbing against Vlad's legs.

"Looks like I'm not the only one happy to see you," Danny remarked with a smile.

Vlad chuckled and picked up the cat. "Yes, well, what you do not know is that this little feline keeps me company each time I have to be here on my own."

Danny's smile fell a bit. He suddenly remembered how often his father had come out here on his own... Leaving his family and life behind; being alone in this world; pretending to be something he wasn't... The difference was his father had been doing it for years...

It made Danny feel foolish for falling apart over just a week and some days.

As he put down Matty, Vlad finally noticed the guilty frown on his son's face. But he knew what would help distract him from his thoughts. He had, of course, noticed it right away, but it had not been important at the time...

"Little Badger, you cut your hair," Vlad said with a chuckle before teasingly tussling the boy's short locks.

Danny instantly blushed. "It seemed like a good idea at the time..."

Vlad laughed warmly. He could imagine why his son would do such a sudden thing.

"Do not worry, no one is going to 'recognize' you," the man assured him.

Danny nodded though he looked away. He knew his father meant no one would put together that Phantom and Daniel were the same. He just couldn't say it right out since there were humans in the castle. He doubted they would be listening, but he knew they still needed to be careful. Still, he only felt more ashamed with his father noticing his paranoia.

"Well, come on. I don't know about you, but I am quite famished," Vlad said encouragingly.

The teen finally smiled, and followed his father to an outdoor patio. To his surprise, Hobson was already there, serving lunch.

How an older man like him got around so quickly... Danny would never know.

"Oh, good! Right on time. Hope you both are hungry. I made my specialty: shrimp scampi."

The half-ghosts thanked the butler as they sat down to eat.

But Danny was not interested in food. He was anxious to know what had happened and if all was well with his home.

However, he knew he had to wait for Hobson to be done serving them. And soon, he saw Carl walk in with drinks, too.

Danny quickly grabbed his drink in hopes of distracting himself. He really wanted the humans to leave him and his father alone so they could talk. He had so much to say to him... So much to ask him.

"So, Hobson, tell me," Vlad suddenly spoke up; yet he smirked playfully at his surprised son, "How has Daniel been behaving these past weeks? I hope he was not too much trouble…"

The butler chuckled. "No trouble at all… once I got him to stop getting the canned goods."

Vlad laughed when his son gaped and blushed as he stared wide-eyed at Hobson.

"What? But I only did that once!" Danny quickly defended himself.

"I would not worry about canned goods," Carl spoke up with his own chuckle. "But I would advise you to ban him from holding a pair of scissors again."

"Oh?" Vlad asked with a curious smile.

"I have doing just fine, Father," Danny jumped in before Carl could share with him that story. He hesitated as he glanced at the two humans but he still added more sincerely, "Carl and Hobson have been… very helpful."

"Yes… they are, are they not?" Vlad agreed, smiling at the two humans. And only Danny noticed the odd gleam in his father's eyes.

However, the older hybrid soon continued in a more serious voice, "It was not easy for me to send my son ahead without me. He is very important to me, and I do not trust his wellbeing to just anyone…"

Hobson bowed slightly. "We are honored that you have such confidence in us, Mr. Masters. I can assure you his wellbeing has been our priority these past weeks."

"Yes, and I like to think we've kept him entertained at least," Carl said. He then looked at the teen and added with a playful glare, "As long as the young master does not seek his cat on me, I think we will be just fine here."

Danny genuinely laughed; but he didn't notice this time that his father was carefully watching his interaction with the humans.

"You realize that is all her, right? I do not tell her to chase you," the teen answered with a smirk.

"Sure you don't, kid," Carl answered. "Just remember. If your cat kills me, no more horseback lessons."

Danny chuckled. "We cannot have that… I would hate to lose one of the few interesting things to do around here…"

"Oh, look at us chatting away while your food gets cold," Hobson suddenly said when he noticed his employer had fallen quiet. "Come on, Carl. I am sure the two masters have much to talk about."

Carl nodded; but before he left, he ruffled the teen's hair.

Danny smiled as the two humans left.

"I'm glad to see you have taken a liking to those two."

Danny quickly looked back at his father. "What?"

Vlad shrugged. "It's fine. Considering the circumstances, they are far from the least unpleasant people…" The older hybrid then picked up his fork and added, "I am satisfied at least that they are harmless… They wouldn't be anywhere near you, otherwise."

Danny watched his father as he resumed eating. "I guess I'm just used to them now," he answered, unsure of what else to say to that. He couldn't tell if his father was genuinely pleased with his 'liking' for the human helpers… But the teen just could not help but feel there was more to his father's comment than he was letting on.

"I am also glad to know you have been learning new things around here," Vlad continued. "It is important that you do."

Danny glanced over at the closed patio doors. His father was definitely trying to tell him something.

As much as Danny would not mind telling his father all about his weeks here in the Human World, the teen suddenly remembered everything else they needed to talk about. But before anything else, he needed to tell his father how he felt. How glad he was that he was okay.

"Can we talk now?" Danny asked quietly.

Vlad served himself a glass of tea, mostly to get his thoughts in order. But also, to discreetly use his ghostly hearing to make sure the human servants were far enough away so they could freely talk somewhat.

"Yes, but eat your food. It will get cold," Vlad answered before sipping on his tea.

But Danny ignored his food, and instead said, "I… I have so many questions, but first, I just want to say I'm so relieved you're okay… That you're here."

Vlad's eyebrows drew in. He realized at that moment how focused he had been on the news he needed to give his son. So much that… he had forgotten to just take in this moment and be glad that he was once again reunited with his boy.

"Little badger, you know I feel the same. And if I am honest, I, too, thought for a moment that… I would not see you again." He sighed before he then smiled sadly and further said, "I'm sorry for scaring you… for making you come here. I asked a lot of you, but you still followed through. And I cannot be prouder."

Danny lowered his gaze but still smiled. "Thanks, Dad. I… I wish I could say I did not want to just return home…" He looked up at him, and added seriously, "...to go find you and save you."

"Aragon and his kin would have slain you," Vlad replied soberly.

Danny's eyebrows creased as he asked, "What happened? When Ember told me you got taken by Aragon I was sure Aragon would have... How are you here now?"

Vlad sighed before he replied, "Aragon let me go... Elliot spoke to him; and apparently that was enough for Aragon to change his mind about the war and release me."

Danny's eyes widened. "Elliot...?" The teen smiled. "I need to thank him."

Vlad instantly frowned. "Nothing has changed, Daniel. You are not allowed near dragon territory, especially after this close call. I am not entirely convinced Aragon's sudden generosity does not have an ulterior motive."

"Even if that were true," Danny quickly answered, "I know Elliot. He would tell us if his father was trying to trick us. He's stood up to his father before. It's why he's no longer in dragon territory. Clockwork told me he left."

"Clockwork? Again?" Vlad asked, eyes narrowing. He couldn't stand even the mention of that ghost.

"It was the same day he told me about... you know, the gem," Danny answered hesitantly. He really did not want to see his father angry right now.

Vlad fell quiet as he glanced down at his food. He then picked up his fork and brought it to his plate. He took a bite; but after he finished swallowing, he looked back at his unsure son with a serious frown. "Regardless of Aragon's true motives, you need to stay away from Elliot—just like with Clockwork. That's an order."

Danny's eyebrows creased. He didn't understand his father. Elliot had practically just saved his life! And Clockwork clearly had been trying to warn them of the dangers around them!

He should just let this go, he told himself. But while Clockwork was a topic the teen knew better than to touch by now, the matter with Elliot was different. He really wanted his father to understand about his other friend.

"Father...," he said with a sigh. "I will do as you ask… I have so far; but I just want you to really think about this... You know Elliot is of age... And he does not have to abide by his father's rule anymore... Have you...? Have you ever thought of asking Elliot to join the kingdom, like Dora? He clearly does not share the same ideals as Aragon. He would be such a great ally—!"

"No, Daniel," Vlad cut him off firmly.

But the truth was the King had thought of it. He even briefly considered extending the offer yesterday, especially after what Elliot had just done for him and his son.

But Elliot's warning now rang too loudly in his mind.

He didn't understand the young dragon ghost's reasonings; but if he had asked him to keep Daniel away, it had to be for a powerful reason. And at least Vlad could say he shared the same desire as the dragon ghost: to keep his son safe, even if it would cost Daniel some of his own desires.

Vlad could tell by the look on Danny's face that he clearly did not understand his blatant refusal. But the man wasn't willing to tell the boy that his decision was Elliot's doing; or more importantly, that Elliot now knew their secret. If his son knew the truth, the older hybrid was sure Daniel would seek out Elliot. And more than ever, he needed to prevent that at all costs.

"We have too many threats and uncertainties at the moment for me to consider bringing in another dragon ghost into the kingdom, especially when Elliot's sibling had been such a threat to us," Vlad explained instead.

Danny frowned. "Elliot is nothing like Gregor."

"Perhaps... But right now isn't the time to take that risk... I'm sorry, but the answer is still 'no'. And I expect you to respect my decision on this," the older hybrid answered.

But then, he paused and finally noticed that his son hadn't even picked up his fork. He reflexively said, "Eat, Daniel."

"I am not really hungry," Danny replied, a bit annoyed. As if his eating was more important than what they were talking about! He hated when his father just brushed him off like this. He did not want to argue with his father right now. It was the last thing he wanted. But he couldn't help feeling hurt at how quick the older hybrid had just turned him down. It did not make any sense!

"I know you have barely been eating since you arrived," Vlad answered with a frown.

Danny looked back at his father and frowned. He had been so engrossed with his thoughts that he hadn't actually heard what his father had just said.

"What?" the teen asked, confused.

"You have not been eating," Vlad stressed. Was Daniel ignoring him on purpose?

Danny scoffed as he realized his father was still talking about eating!

"Can you blame me?" the teen asked, and he could not keep the slight bitterness out of his voice this time. "I thought I would never see you again! And I just left my home going practically up in flames! Forgive me if food is the last thing on my mind!"

"There is a reason I left very specific instructions—"

"Dad, please…." Danny cut him off tiredly. "I do not want to argue. I just want to be glad that you are okay and that things are relatively safe now." He then smiled sadly at him as he added, "I know you're worried about me, and I appreciate it... But I'm fine. At least I am now. And I am going to be a lot better once we go home. I promise I'll eat all you want once we're back in our world, alright? Just… let's go home, Dad."

Sighing, Vlad put down his fork. His son's hopeful look tore at his core because he knew this was the conversation he had been dreading. This was the reason why he could not be completely glad to be here with his son. He had hoped this conversation would have gone differently. He had not wanted to start it with talk of Elliot or upsetting his son. But here they were now; and if he was honest, there really was no 'good way' of telling his son what he was about to say.

"Daniel... I did not come here to bring you home."

The teen's smile faded, and he tensed. "Wait... What?"

Vlad looked seriously at him. "I wanted to make sure you were alright; and that you knew I was, too..."

"We're staying here?" Danny asked, confused.

"Not exactly 'we'," Vlad answered hesitantly before he added. "You will be remaining here. At least for now."

Danny's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you...? You are leaving me here? Alone?!"

Vlad replied soberly, "Our home is not safe right now. Not until I figure out who is behind Horris' murder. Not until I am sure Aragon does not have some ulterior motive... And not until I at least finish what I started in Amity Park... Until then, you—"

"No, I don't believe it….," Danny cut him off in a whisper. "You… would not do this to me. You wouldn't be this… cruel."

Vlad tensed as Skulker's own words rang in his mind. "I need to protect you," he answered. He wasn't trying to hurt his son! He was trying to keep him safe! Why didn't anyone understand that?!

But Danny was barely comforted by his reason. Quite the opposite.

"Protect me?!" The teen suddenly stood and slammed a hand against the table as his despair and sudden feeling of betrayal melded into anger. "How is leaving me alone within our enemy's territory protecting me?"

"Daniel…" Vlad began tiredly.

But the teen wasn't hearing it anymore and he exclaimed, "Isn't it enough for you that you forced me to flee like some coward from my own home?! Darn it, Father! I-I did everything you asked me! Against my wishes! Against what my core wanted—!"

"And I am asking you to do it again," Vlad interrupted him. But his tone of voice was not angry. Just sober.

Danny just stared at him at a loss.

Vlad's eyes softened further. He couldn't blame his son for being angry. This was a lot to ask of him; but it was necessary.

"Daniel... I know this is hard for you..."

"No, you don't... You have no idea!" Danny whispered angrily but his voice was now shaking.

"You know that's not true. If anyone understands better than anyone, it is me."

Danny felt his heart clenching in despair and fear. The boy suddenly went to his father, knelt down and grabbed one of his father's arms.

"Please, just let me go home," Danny begged. "Please, Dad? Don't make me stay here! I've only been here less than two weeks and cannot do this! Please. Please don't leave me here alone!"

Vlad was quiet as he stared at his son's teary and desperate eyes. It truly broke his heart; but even then, it did not sway his decision.

"I need you to learn to be Daniel Masters," the older hybrid answered soberly.

"No!" Danny exclaimed as he got to his feet. "I am not going to pretend to be something I'm not! Don't you get it? I will never be human! It's not who I am!"

"Daniel!" Vlad hissed as he glanced towards the patio door. The teen's voice was getting too loud; and while he was sure the servants were not nearby, he couldn't have his son risking their discovery like this. Last thing they needed was for one of his human staff to hear his son.

"Remember where we are at! Stop shouting!"

"You cannot make me do this," Danny answered quietly before he turned and walked off towards the garden.

Vlad sighed deeply before he stood and walked after his son.

"Daniel, wait," Vlad called after him. He quickly jogged forward to grab one of his son's arms and added, "Listen to me. Would you just listen for a moment!"

Danny yanked his hand away and glared at his father. "No, you listen! The Ghost World is all I know! My whole life is there! And ever since I learned what I was, you told me I was a ghost first! That we didn't belong here! And now you want me to stay, to belong, to be human?! Ask me for anything but that!"

"You were willing to go through with it when you thought I was gone, when you thought Aragon would kill me. Why not now?" Vlad asked soberly.

Danny looked away, but answered sadly, "I wanted to honor your wishes... I didn't want you to worry about me."

"But that is what I am asking from you now, my boy," Vlad replied sadly. "Please understand. Keeping you safe is the only thing that keeps me going. I cannot watch you get hurt or worse, end up like your mother. I promise you... I will not leave you alone for long. I will still return to check on you. And I will not make you stay here for longer than necessary. But right now... I need you out of the way, far from our enemies."

"Our enemies are here," Danny whispered anxiously.

"Our enemies are everywhere now, Daniel!" Vlad answered gravely. "But while we have dangerous ones in this world, at least here they do not know who you are. They do not know Daniel Masters. He cannot be reached. But Prince Phantom can be reached, can be hurt or killed. It is why you must stay here for now, as Daniel Masters, because he doesn't have enemies... He is just a normal teenage boy, like millions of others in this world. And while Vladimir Masters is his father, he can still live a normal life... Do you understand, Daniel? I need you to just be a normal human boy for now... Just for now. And I need you to learn for what's to come..."

Danny stared at him, "What's to come?"

"Once my takeover of the Human World is complete, we will rule over it together. Not just as ghosts, but as humans!" Vlad replied. "We will conquer this place in every sense of the word. I want to show you how to use your human side as a trump card to rule here as Daniel Masters the same way you rule as Prince Phantom in the Ghost World. But to do that... to walk with me into the next part of my plans, I need you to learn. And you need to be here to learn."

"What about my life back home? What will everyone think...?"

"It will be like before. I am keeping you hidden, safe until you can return home."

Danny shook his head. "They are going to think I am a coward."

"They will think what I want them to think," Vlad stressed. "You are just following orders. Remember, I am also your king. And as your king, it was I who ordered you to go into hiding. It is under my decree, and no one will judge you for that. I will take care of the rest."

"I... But I want to help you. As Phantom. I can still help, too!"

Vlad nodded. "Yes, but Prince Phantom will only appear when I need him. And right now, I do not 'need' him. I need Daniel Masters. Can you do that for me, Son? Can you trust me enough to do as I ask?"

Danny sighed but nodded sadly.

Vlad smiled back before pulling the boy into his arms. "You can do this, little badger. I know you can."

"How long with you be gone?" Danny asked quietly.

Vlad pulled away, and with an encouraging smile, he answered, "Do not worry; I will not leave you here alone for too long. You will see, once I am done conquering Amity Park, Vladimir Masters will also be taking a more active role in this place... I will teach you. And you will learn... Oh, Daniel. We're so close. So close to ending this war; so close at eliminating the threat of these humans and our other enemies... I just need you to trust me, alright? Everything will be alright, my son. Just trust me."

Danny just stayed quiet and nodded at his father.

---

"Agent C!" Valerie's adoptive mother gasped before ushering the man in. "I am so relieved to know you are well! We've been so worried!"

"Thanks, Trisha. It's been difficult lately," Tom replied with sigh.

"And Gregor? You said he's alive? Valerie has been frantically trying to contact you since last night!"

"I know, that is why I am here," he answered. "Is Jared and Valerie here?"

Trisha frowned but answered, "Jared's out back working on another of his carpentry projects. And Valerie should be returning from school soon. We insisted that she go so that she would be distracted from all this situation with Gregor... We have been trying to give her some space. But even when she first came here, it has never been this difficult with her."

Tom kept quiet, though he could only imagine how 'difficult' these days had been. Valerie's foster parents couldn't possibly know or understand the complexity of Gregor and Valerie's relationship the way he did.

From the moment they met, the two had formed a very strong connection. One could argue perhaps even unhealthily strong. They were like the ying and yang. Perfectly balanced with each other... But pull them apart, and they would fall apart.

"There is something I need to speak with you and Jared about...," Tom said instead. "And it might be best to discuss it before Valerie comes home."

Trisha's eyebrows creased; but then she nodded and said, "Make yourself at home. I will go get Jared."

Tom watched her leave before he turned and went to sit on a nearby coach. He groaned when he accidently bumped his broken arm still in a sling. Sure, it would have healed faster had he had more doses of the Prince's core, which, of course, he didn't. He paused. Maybe the healing properties and extra strength he got from them had finally faded away like he feared. But then again, they still had to be there in some way or else he wouldn't be alive right now—that is, if he didn't count Gregor's indirectly saving him. But all that didn't matter right now... because enhanced features or not, he sure messed up whatever healing had happened before he fell down that hill looking for Gregor.

Still... he yearned to have more of the Prince's core energy. He still craved it. The withdrawal had been almost unbearable. That was probably why he had been so unhinged as of late.

And yet...he really didn't care if he was...addicted to the power of that little demon's core because there was more to his lust than mere want. More than anything, having the Prince's core all in his power would be the ultimate trophy. It would be his ultimate revenge against Plasmius... Once he got his spawn's core, it would be game over.

It meant he won. And he would win.

"In the meantime, we'll continue to play our little game, Ghost King...," Tom muttered darkly. "Although very soon you might be in for a little surprise... I'll teach you and your little hunter friend to mess with my weapon..."

But his thoughts quickly switched to Gregor. He was anxious to hear back from his weapon. Was he still alive? Would he survive?

He did not know; and it was too soon to try to find a way to reach out to Gregor.

For now, Tom could only hope Gregor made a full recovery...

"Agent Chrome!" Jared called, pulling Tom from his thoughts. "We have been wondering about you!"

"I know. I am sorry," the GiW leader answered as the couple sat on a loveseat across from him. "But as I told Trisha, these past days have been hectic. I could not come sooner. And I know I owe Valerie an apology for leaving her in the dark since I called last night."

"She has been beside herself after you called her to tell her Gregor is alive and that you found him; but you did not call her back after that," Jared answered with a frown.

"I know... But my attention has been on Gregor..."

"Is he truly alive?" Trisha asked, worried.

Tom nodded. "Yes, but no one else outside these walls can know. The Ghost King could target him again. It is why I have relocated him to a safehouse until he is fully recovered."

"I see...," Trisha muttered.

The GiW leader nodded. "That brings me to why I am really here... I am going to be in Wisconsin for some time. As you can see, I also did not come out of this unscathed. And then, there is the impeding threat of another invasion to Amity... I realized it is best for me to step back from the spotlight for a bit and I would like to take Valerie with me."

Jared's eyebrows heightened in surprise before he glanced at his wife.

But Trisha just stared back at Tom with concern. "Agent C... Valerie is our daughter. We would be worried sick if you took her away..."

"My wife is right. She is still a minor. Her place is here, with us. If your worry is over the invasion and her ghost hunting, then just remove her suit and we will have her lay low until the invasion is over."

Tom said nothing at first before he leaned on his leg. "Do you all remember our agreement? What I said to you both when I asked you to adopt Valerie?" the head Giw asked seriously.

Trisha and Jared lowered their gaze; but it was Jared who answered, "Of course we remember..."

"You were both good field agents," Thomas continued. "You, Special Agent J, were one of my best undercover spies until your accident. I could have kept, General T, here, in the field. But instead, I allowed her to retire early with you... You both said you were indebted to me... And so, the day I came here to ask you to adopt Valerie, it was as a repayment on the debt... And a gift, of course. You both had always wanted a daughter..."

Trisha sighed. "We know we are indebted to you And have much to thank you for... But Agent C, you must understand, in all these years... She's become our daughter."

"Trisha is right. We know you were clear with us on your purpose of bringing Valerie to us; but she is our daughter foremost," Jared added soberly.

"Your daughter is my weapon's collar," Tom answered coolly. "That is her purpose. That is why you have her at all. That takes precedence... Or, is your affection for her more important than the safety of this whole world?"

The two tensed.

"Of course not... We know the mission is important," Jared muttered quietly.

"But she is still just a girl, Agent C," Trisha begged softly.

"Clearly, you both have lost sight of what really matters here," Tom answered with a displeased frown. "I have kept nothing from you. You two are one of the few who know the truth about Gregor. And Valerie from the moment I met her, I knew she would be the perfect tool to control that little demon—to make sure he never wants to take off his collar and leash..."

He leaned back again on the couch and added, "I actually doubted for a moment that my plan would work. Until recently. I am sure now Gregor will never turn on me, not even for his master. Not as long as I have everything he needs, especially 'your daughter'."

He narrowed his eyes on them as he then said, "So, I am not asking you both. I am telling you: I am taking Valerie away for some time. And you will both agree if you want her to remain safe... After all, the same way Gregor was targeted by the King could be the same way Valerie is targeted. And I assure you... she would not survive such an attack."

The two parents looked sadly at each other. But there was also some hidden guilt and shame for the secret they kept... The secret they kept from their daughter.

"How long?" Jared asked quietly.

"As long as necessary," Tom answered. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of her; and I won't take her from you both forever. After all, you both play 'good parents' so well. Can't have her disappointed, right?"

"No," Trisha answered sadly. But then looking at Tom, she added a bit worriedly, "And it will always remain like this, right? She can never know..."

"That you have let me use her as an object? No, of course not," Tom replied with a chuckle. "How would that benefit me?"

But seeing the troubled looks on the couple, Tom chuckled again, only this time it was more carefree. "Oh, come on. I am only kidding. I know you both love that girl; and I also care about her. How could I not after all these years? But we also have to look at the big picture. We're the good guys, remember?"

Tom grinned. "We are trying to save the lives of others who are defenseless against these dark creatures. And some of us have parts to play. Valerie is an important tool, yes. It does not mean that is all she is. And we have done her a favor. Who knows where she would be if I had not brought her to your doorstep? So, don't feel bad. You are both doing her and this world a great service!"

The couple just nodded, though they relaxed again with his reassurance. After all, they trusted Agent C wholly.

The couple soon changed the subject; and they talked about the actual threat to Amity Park and what the town should next expect. About half-hour later of conversing, Valerie finally walked in through the front door.

"Hey, Mama Trish. Papa Jared, I..." But Valerie's words fell away when she noticed Tom also in the living room.

"Agent C?" But then dropping her backpack, she demanded, "Where is Gregor?! I have been trying to contact you, and you just—!"

"Gregor is fine," Tom cut her off.

Valerie hesitated. It was clear she was furious with the hunter for keeping her in the dark, but her need to know about her friend was greater.

"Where is he?"

"In hiding," Tom answered. "He is very hurt, and right now, still in danger of the Ghost King targeting him again."

"I need to see him. I-I need to see for my eyes that—"

"You cannot see him right now, Operative Red."

Valerie's anger returned full force. "What? No! Let's forget for a second how much of a jerk you acted when we both thought Gregor was dead! Or the fact that you leave me hanging after you call me just to say Gregor is alive but hurt and you couldn't find him?! I have been calling you incessantly without a response since last night! AND NOW YOU TELL ME I CAN'T SEE HIM?! I DON'T THINK SO! You are going to tell me where his is RIGHT NOW!"

"Valerie!" her mother exclaimed; but Tom quickly raised a hand to gesture it was fine.

"I get you're upset," Agent Chrome said seriously. "Gregor is important to you. But he is also important to me. And right now, I do not need a little girl throwing a tantrum because of her emotional attachment to her friend. I told you in the hospital: Gregor knows the risk of the job. So do you. And you both also know our responsibility of protecting the human race comes first."

Valerie's eyes began to water as she whispered, "But Gregor..."

"Gregor is fine. He is safe. But you cannot see him right now. I need you to trust me. For this sake. And for yours."

Valerie shook her head, "I-I still don't understand. I just... I thought he was dead. How did he...?"

Thomas frowned. "I know this seems impossible. Believe me, when I learned of his miraculous survival, I also could not believe it. But, it turns out, Frederick had been in the area when the attack happened..."

"His boss?" Valerie questioned, confused.

"Yes... He had come by to see how Gregor was doing. He felt terrible that Gregor got overshadowed and he had not noticed until... it was almost too late. Well, long story short, Frederick saw the attack and ran into my house... We were both so distracted trying to fight the King and his minion that we never even saw his arrival. But he's the reason Gregor and I are alive. The fire in the room had grown so badly... I must have lost unconsciousness. I do not entirely know what happened after that; but from what Frederick told me, he managed to get Gregor and me far away from the explosion to save us. He took Gregor because of how badly injured he was... He was afraid the Ghost King would return to finish the job... And Gregor was so close to dying that Frederick has not been able to contact me sooner to let me know of his survival..."

Thomas paused for effect; but he then said with a sigh, "Frederick told me when Gregor woke up... He was very confused and afraid. But mostly, he was afraid the Ghost King had... hurt you. And... he ran out on Frederick to come find you. He didn't know if you were alright or not... You means so much to him, Valerie."

Valerie was in tears by now and she begged, "Please, let me see him. Please!"

"Operative Red, I need you to think," Agent C replied as all softer emotions were replaced with firmness "If the Ghost King hunted and then found Operative White, how long do you think it will be until you are targeted as well? Can't you see? I am not trying to be cruel to you! If I cannot let you see Gregor, it is because I must protect you both! And the only way to do that is to keep you both in separate and hidden locations to reduce the risk of his—or you—being targeted again!"

Tom stood and said seriously, "The Ghost King knows both of your identities and he knows you both are essential to his downfall. My job is to protect you both for the sake of all of us. For the sake of our mission. That means, Gregor must stay in hiding...and you do, too. That is why your parents are in agreement that it is in your best interest to come with me. I need to get you out of Amity Park."

"Leave Amity Park?" Valerie asked, now completely surprised as she stared between all three adults. What was going on?

"We are already tempting fate by still being in Amity Park, Operative Red," Tom further said, "The Ghost King could come to finish his invasion at any time now. We cannot be here when that happens."

"No, we can't just run and hide! And what about my foster parents?!"

"We will be fine, sweetie," her mom suddenly said. "We know how to keep our heads down."

Valerie instantly looked at her, and then her foster dad, who smiled back at her.

"How can you guys be okay with this?"

"Your safety is most important to us, darling," her father answered. "And we trust Agent Chrome to take care of you."

Valerie just stared in disbelief. But then, she shook her head and looked back at Agent C. "No. No way. I am not abandoning my city. And I am not leaving my foster parents or friends alone! I am going to defend this place even if it kills me!"

"Not as a Guy-in-White," Tom replied with a glare. "I am ordering you to stand down, Operative Red. And if you refuse to follow orders, then your career under my organization is over. And I suppose that also means you really will not be seeing Gregor again."

Valerie gasped. "You can't just—!"

"It is your choice. Not mine," Agent C cut her off firmly. "I am trying to protect you and Gregor. And if you will not let me do that, then... You can turn in your suit."

Valerie fisted her hands and looked away angrily. The idea of giving up, of cowering from those putrid ghosts left a bad taste in her mouth; but as angry as she was, she could not deny Agent C's logic. And she needed to see Gregor again. She would do anything to make sure he was safe, even going against her own wishes.

"Where are we going?" Valerie asked bitterly, looking back at him.

"We will be stopping at our sister facility in Michigan for a few days to wrap up some things... Then, we will be heading to Wisconsin."

"Wisconsin?" Valerie repeated with a distasteful look. "Isn't that one of the states under the Ghost King's banner?"

Tom nodded. "There is no telling how far the Ghost King's invasion will extend, once he overtakes Amity. For all we know, he could take over all of Michigan. It is why we will be going to Wisconsin. It is a stable state. There is very little ghost activity since it already belongs to the Ghost King. That makes it a good place to lay low."

Valerie sighed before answering, "Fine, we'll do things how you want. But is there really nothing we can do for Amity? All these people here are going to suffer!"

"And many more will suffer if we stay here to fight a lost battle and die, Operative Red," Tom replied seriously. "The Guys-in-White are the last stronghold against the Ghost King, and he knows it. We cannot be stupid in our actions now. So, make your choice. Either you follow my lead; or you turn in your suit and you can stay her as a common citizen."

Tom scoffed. "You could always join the Fentons and their group of misfits. Not that any of them will survive for long once the city is taken."

Valerie frowned deeply. She couldn't help but think of Tucker. She hoped Agent C was wrong about the Fentons and their team...

"When are we leaving?" Valerie answered soberly.

"Right now. Go pack the bare essentials. We can pick up anything else once we are out of this town," Tom replied.

Valerie hesitated before looking back at her parents. "Can't you guys come with us?"

Even if they were not her real parents, she did love them. And did not wish them any harm.

Trisha reached out and pulled the girl in a hug. Her eyes began to water as she told the girl, "Do not worry about us, Valerie, honey. You will see; everything will turn out fine and we will be together again in no time."

Valerie hugged her back; but when she felt her adoptive father cup the back of her head, she turned around and hugged him, too.

"I'm sorry about everything I said to you guys. You didn't deserve it! And I-I love you guys! I really do!"

"Oh, baby. We do, too. We love you so much," Trisha answered softly. And her husband echoed the same affection to the girl.

Tom watched on, a small smirk curling his lips. Sometimes he even amazed himself at his genius.

But then clearing his throat, he got their attention and said, "Let's go, Operative Red. No time to lose."

Valerie could only sigh before she retreated to her room to pack her things.

---

Two weeks later...

"They sealed it," Plasmius muttered as he stared at the solid metal doors.

"Yes, sire," one of the guards who had been watching the Fenton portal answered. "It was very sudden. One moment the portal looked like one of our normal ones and the next thing we know, we hear this odd grinding. Then, these doors appeared... We alerted Warden Walker as soon as we could."

"Do you think they realized we found their portal's location?" Walker asked the King.

Plasmius didn't reply at first. Instead, he reached forward, only to almost immediately retract his hand back when he saw the green barrier around the steel door flare.

"Ecto-radium shield," Skulker growled. "It seems they do know."

"Perhaps," Vlad finally answered. "Or... they could just be preparing for the inevitable... The Fentons know that with Amity's ghost shield disabled, and the Guys-in-White's retreat, the city stands no chance against another invasion."

"So, why wait any longer?" Walker asked with a smirk.

"We are not," Plasmius answered. He looked at Walker, Skulker, Wulf and Fright Knight as he added, "It is time to make our move. We have spent the past two weeks preparing our army in case Aragon attempted to invade us. Yet he has been quiet. At this point, we will wait no longer and chance any one of our enemies to gain the upper hand. With our Prince safety secure, we will switch our priority to the Human World and finish what we started in Amity Park."

"And this portal, my liege?" Fright Knight asked. "Is it wise to just leave it?"

"It would be less wise to attempt to destroy it," Vlad answered with a brief glare at the sealed doors. "The last time we attempted to destroy these hunters' efforts to create this gateway, it ended in disaster. At least now we know where it is. We can guard it. If we destroy it now, who is to say they will not just rebuild it again and we will be back in the same place? We were fortunate Prince Phantom found its location as it is... We might not get lucky a second time."

"If we destroy those humans, this will stop being an issue," Wulf reminded the King.

Plasmius gave the portal one last look before turning away from it. He then said, "The Fentons will be dealt with at the right time. But if they or anyone get in our way of taking Amity Park, they will perish just like those before them who have tried... Let us go. I need to gather the council to announce we will take Amity tomorrow night."

Walker, Fright Knight, Skulker, and Wulf followed the King out of the cave. As they arrived outside, the warden spoke up.

"What about Aragon?" Walker asked. "You have been expecting him to make a move for the past two weeks... What if his intention was to wait on you to make a move on the humans? He would know most of the Kingdom's forces would go with you... Leaving our Kingdom somewhat vulnerable."

"It is possible," Plasmius conceded. "But how would he know I am making a move on the humans tomorrow unless one of our unknown enemies would tell him?"

"We have unknown enemies?" Walker asked with a frown.

Vlad paused, and looking at the warden, he answered, "Not for long."

Before Walker could ask what he meant, Skulker jumped in. "There is much to do. Wulf. Fright Knight. If you both can alert the King's warriors so they can ready their kin. Walker... I believe you have a council meeting to organize?"

The warden frowned in annoyance at Skulker; but he then sighed and focused on the king. "I will notify you of the meeting time, King Plasmius. Until then..."

"We will get everyone gathered at the castle," Fright Knight said.

Plasmius and Skulker watched the others fly off before they also flew off the land in another direction.

"You need to be careful what you say to Walker...," Skulker muttered.

Vlad smiled at him in amusement. "Still do not trust him, do you?"

"Neither should you."

Plasmius sighed. "Skulker, the ghost has been guarding this kingdom before I was even born. You were the one who told me I cannot start distrusting everyone; or I would drive myself insane."

"Walker has never agreed with your method of ruling, remember?"

"I am aware... It's why I do not trust Walker...," Vlad replied with a raised eyebrow. "But I do trust that he cares about the safety of this world... Or at least, his concept of order around here. And for now, that is enough. Besides, if he were an enemy, at least I've kept him close enough...My concern is for the one's I haven't..."

"Which is why you are insistent on keeping the Prince away," Skulker replied with his own sigh. "The council was not very happy about that."

"Neither was Daniel," Vlad replied with a sober frown. "But ultimately, I have the last say. The Prince will remain hidden until I deem it necessary for his return. And no one is changing my mind about it."

"Oh, I know," Skulker answered with a scoff.

"Skulker...," Vlad began in a disapproving voice.

"I said I know, Plasmius," Skulker repeated. "Just because you are my friend and King does not mean I have to agree with your decisions... But I can respect them. You are lucky I am not my niece. She is angry with you. And me. She knows we are keeping something from her."

Vlad frowned. "About Daniel?"

"Of course, about him," Skulker replied. "My telling her the Prince is safe but that I cannot disclose the location would make anyone suspicious. You know, a day or so before you returned from Aragon's, she actually asked me what was the possibility of the Prince being hidden in the Human World?"

Plasmius slowed his flight to a stop. "Why would she consider this?"

Skulker frowned. "I am honestly not sure... Maybe the possibility is not so farfetched as we believe." The hunter paused before he added, "Maybe it is time we tell her the truth."

"Skulker, I am not opposed to it. I never was," Vlad answered. "But I did tell you that was Daniel's choice. He needs to be the one who tells her when he wants to..."

The King's eyebrows then drew in as he added, "It cannot be any worse than the fact that Elliot already knows..."

"Aragon's other son knows your secret?!"

Vlad nodded before he sighed. "Honestly, I am more surprised he did not know sooner since I would think it was something Aragon would have disclosed sooner to him and his kin..."

"Why did you not mention this sooner to me?" Skulker asked, worried. "Who else knows?"

Plasmius scoffed. "I say it is safe to conclude the dragon race all know at this point. Aragon had no hesitation in exposing me to his warriors and his son... And we know news travels fast."

"This is a dangerous situation, Plasmius...," Skulker replied gravely. "I am surprised you are not more concerned than this! How long before your secret reaches the kingdom...? As you said, news travels fast. And if Aragon has already started to deliberately reveal your secret, who is to say this is not his intention? He could turn the whole Kingdom against you!"

"No one would believe it without actual proof," Vlad answered right away. "Elliot hardly believed it. He probably would not have if Daniel had not previously mentioned that he had 'a secret'."

But then crossing his arms, Vlad added more soberly, "But you are right about this being a dangerous situation... I am still not fully convinced that Aragon released me simply at Elliot's request. His son's opinion has never mattered to him before. If Aragon and I hold any similarities, it is our desire to keep our sons safe even against their wishes..."

"You have been thinking about something, haven't you?" Skulker asked, raising an eyebrow.

The King hesitated to voice the thought that had been plaguing him for weeks now... He was afraid to voice it because if it was possible, things were definitely going to become more dangerous.

"...Skulker, I know it seems impossible, but... What if Gregory is not dead?"

Skulker tensed; but then shook his head. "Vlad, I ran him through. It was a clean attack right through his core. You saw him, too. No one can survive that!"

"But he should have died instantly...," Vlad muttered, eyebrows creased. "And yet, when I teleported into the house, he was still alive... Furthermore, Chrome survived the explosion. It was the first thing I made sure to find out the same day I went to see Daniel in Wisconsin."

The King's expression melded into a suspicious glare. "Something is just not adding up... Aragon should not have let me go so easily unless he knows something we do not... Like Elliot. There's something strange about that boy, Skulker..."

Skulker fell quiet as he listened to his friend with a troubled look.

"He came to warn me while I was imprisoned," Vlad continued. "Elliot told me he was a more dangerous enemy to me and Daniel than his brother or Aragon could ever be... What does that even mean, Skulker?"

Skulker crossed his arms in thought. His eyebrows hitched when he remembered something important.

"You know... Dora once told me Aragon's sons shared some sort of telepathic bond."

Plasmius looked even more troubled as he remembered, "Aragon once told me the same, too... But exactly how strong is this connection? Enough for Elliot to know if Gregory is alive or not? Enough for Elliot to have somehow saved Gregor from us?"

But Skulker shook his head. "If that was so, why did Elliot not act sooner? Wouldn't he have told his father from the beginning when he was a mere whelp that Gregory was alive and in the Human World? If they are so connected, why didn't Aragon know his son was alive all this time?"

Vlad frowned deeply. "What if Elliot never told Aragon?"

Skulker frowned back. "Why would he not?"

Plasmius fell quiet before his eyes widened when he remembered the argument Elliot and Aragon had at the palace right after Elliot had helped the Prince rescue Wulf and the King's other warriors from the Human World.

"Aragon did not believe him," Vlad answered. "That is what Elliot said... What he had been trying to tell Aragon..."

Skulker sighed. "Regardless, Plasmius The possibility of Gregory being alive is close to none. Honestly, for me it is simply impossible... But if by some miracle he has survived... then it might explain Elliot's warning to you. If their connection is strong enough where their minds can connect with each other, then nothing is a secret between them..."

Plasmius' eyes widened as he realized, "Whatever Elliot knows Gregory will know and vice-versa... 'A more dangerous enemy'."

The King glared again. "We need to make sure Gregory is dead, Skulker. This is one loose end we cannot afford to have... I cannot risk that boy revealing my and Daniel's secret to Chrome. If Gregory is alive... There is only one way to assure he does not learn or gets the chance of revealing the truth to the humans..."

Skulker sighed. "Elliot would also be a threat at this point... As if targeting only one of Aragon's sons was not bad enough."

"There would be no holding back a war with the dragon realm if we were forced to eliminate Elliot, too," Vlad muttered. "And this time, I will not be able to spare Aragon or his kin any longer."

The King sighed, suddenly aggravated. "Foolish Aragon! He has no idea he has possibly signed his other son's and kin's death warrants by being foolish enough to reveal my secret to Elliot!"

But then Vlad's eyebrows creased in regret. "I should have denied it. I should have said his father was lying."

Skulker shook his head. "It is like you said: Elliot would have realized the truth regardless. Aragon should have kept him out of this."

"I suppose for now, we can only deal with one enemy at a time, " Vlad said tiredly. "As soon as Amity Park is defeated, we will need to return to this... Like before, we will need to keep this between us."

"If that whelp is still alive, I will track him down. And this time, I will make sure he stays dead."

"We will track him down," Vlad answered gravely. "And it should be easy, because Chrome would never let such a valuable asset slip through his hands so easily. If Gregor is alive, he won't be too far from Chrome's side."

"What if we...?"

"BAM!"

Vlad gasped when a burst of red gas engulfed Skulker and quickly expanded towards him. But realizing almost instantly what the toxic fume was, Plasmius teleported away, only to be slammed in the stomach by a powerful tail.

The King gasped in pain; but hearing Skulker scream, he bit down his pain and extended his claws.

And right in time, too. Green smoke suddenly burst in front of him before his attacker appeared with claws ready to strike.

"Juukka?!" Vlad asked in disbelief just as their claws' clashing sounded loudly in his ears.

But the smaller ghost's red eyes just narrowed in threat before electricity erupted from his helmet, raced down his back, and engulfed his limbs. Very few ghosts matched the King's hot core abilities. But Juukka certainly came close with his electrical powers. And it didn't help that he had the remarkable ability of creating portals at will.

Recognizing the signature attack, Plasmius quickly teleported away again; but Juukka countered him without missing a beat. Several portals erupted around them before Juukka dove into one and instantly exited one closest to the King.

"Juukka! Stop! What are you doing?!" he exclaimed as he barely dodged the slash of claws at his head.

But Vlad heard only snarls and growls coming from the creature as he continued to attack. And Juukka's face was full of hate and aggression rather than the curiosity or playfulness he was known for.

It was a look that Plasmius had never before seen on the ghost's face. And he didn't like it one bit.

But then, Vlad cursed under his breath when he realized too late Juukka was too close. And in the next instant, he was smacked from behind by the creature's powerful tail. Juukka's body then lit up with electricity again!

This time, Plasmius reflexively countered the bolt of green electricity sizzling toward him with a pink one of his own. The atmosphere exploded in pinks and greens and thundered for miles as the forces collided. But it didn't end there...

"I have a message for you, Ghost King," Juukka suddenly said mentally as his eyes narrowed with malice as more portals continued to appear all around the King.

Plasmius jerked his head in all directions. These whirling portals were quickly becoming one! And their combined power was trying to suck him in! He was getting trapped!

"Take all that you want... But in the end, I will also get what I want: Your demon spawn's bleeding core in my hand."

Suddenly, a massive ball of green electrical energy exploded out of Juukka, penetrated all the portals, and then exited out the portals closest to the King.

Plasmius screamed as his whole body was engulfed in electrical energy; but as quick as the attack came, it was abruptly cut off by a blast to Juukka's back.

The creature tumbled forward; but he quickly whirled around, creating a dome-like barrier around him. He only briefly considered the incoming wave of ghost guards. With how close to the castle the King had been and with all the commotion, it was no surprise that the King's guards had now come to the rescue.

It didn't matter though. Juukka's mission here was complete.

Juukka glanced over at the King, who was trying to recover from the intense strike.

"Until next time, Ghost King... Although there might not be a 'next time' for your friend..."

Before Vlad could respond, Juukka easily disappeared through one of his many portals.

"My King!"

"Are you alright?"

But Vlad ignored the worried guards as he whirled around looking for...

"Skulker!" Plasmius exclaimed as he flew down to a small floating rock.

But the moment he tried to get close to his still convulsing friend, the King gasped at the hot sharp pain. He had recognized the first attack for what it was:

Blood Blossom gas.

And only one set of hunters used such devastating biological warfare.

"Chrome!" Plasmius growled before Skulker cried louder as the red hue around him only pulsed more intensely.

The problem was that the gas particles were still clinging to the hunter's suit; and so, anyone who touched him would also get contaminated and hurt.

Suddenly, Vlad's eyes lit up with an idea.

"Skulker! Deactivate your suit! You need to get out of it!"

But then Plasmius commanded to the guards around them. "And I need water! Now!"

Luckily, one of them was carrying a water pouch with him.

Skulker tried to reach his control panel but he couldn't focus enough to do anything. His mind was blurring with pain and fatigue, and his suit continued to spasm as much as his own body.

Plasmius cursed. He wasn't sure what to do right now. He knew the hunter's suit as well as his friend because they had built it together. But touching Skulker long enough to get to his suit's control and override his system manually would leave him in the same state as his friend before he could even succeed. And using his own wrist device, which had some control over Skulker's suit, wouldn't be enough to deactivate it.

There was only one other way. And he would have to be quick!

"I'm sorry, Skulker," Vlad said before he suddenly grabbed the hunter's helmet, screamed instantly in pain, and still ripped the head completely off.

"My King!"

Vlad gasped in pain as the gas now began to affect him, too. But he didn't stop and quickly pulled the helmet apart enough to get to his small friend, who was now barely conscious from the sudden disruption to his connection with his suit.

Vlad knew that a separation as sudden as that was dangerous; but if he didn't get his friend out of his suit, the gas would surely kill him.

"Water!" Vlad gasped out as he pulled himself and Skulker as far away from his contaminated suit as possible.

Skulker, still clutched in the King's hands, was immediately drenched in water. The King's own swollen hands began to cool down as the water washed away most of the remaining Blood Blossom gas.

"What is going on?!"

Vlad instantly recognized Walker's voice. Obviously, the warden had not been far, either. But then again, those electrical attacks were heard and seen for miles.

"It was Juukka, Warden! We saw him attacking the King and Skulker! But we were not able to reach them in time!"

"Well, then, find him!" Walker demanded. "And you! Go alert Bullet. I want Juukka found today!"

The ghost guards scrambled, except for a few who stayed behind.

"Are you okay, King Plasmius?" Walker asked, worried.

"I'll be fine. We need to get Skulker to a doctor," Vlad answered worriedly. "I do not know how much of the gas his core absorbed."

Skulker was still barely conscious; but at least his small body was no longer glowing red or convulsing.

"We can take him to the prison's infirmary," Walker answered.

Vlad nodded; and he and the warden quickly took flight towards the prison with several guards tailing behind them.

"I guess Serenity was right about Juukka...," Walker answered as he glanced down at the now unresponsive Skulker.

Plasmius did not reply. He did not know what to say when all he felt was fear for his very hurt friend and the sting of betrayal by the ghost alongside whom he had grown up... who he had once trusted his son to...

How could Juukka betray him like this?

---

Over in the dragon realm, Elliot quietly frowned as he stared at his unmoving twin on the bed in their old room. It had been weeks since they had rescued Gregor from the Human World; and though his weak core had somehow survived—and still surviving from—its grave injuries, he had yet to wake up.

Elliot could sense something happening within his sibling's body that he did not understand. His physical wounds, save for the really bad one on his chest, had healed; and even then, the one on his chest was definitely on the mend. Yet, his core still was weak and his energy was just not right. But Elliot knew he was not the only one who sensed that...

Aragon had been so afraid that Gregory's core would fail before it could recover that the dragon leader had used his amulet's power to keep it stable. He still was. And Elliot could only guess this was probably why Gregor was in a coma until his core healed and strengthened itself.

But while he had no idea when or if Gregor would stir, Elliot could feel his sibling was out of immediate danger. He could feel Gregor's core slowly stabilizing... growing stronger again.

He would survive. Not that Elliot took much pleasure in that.

The young dragon ghost glanced over at the closed door, wondering where his parents were. They should have returned by now. Then again, maybe it was good they were finally focusing on other things. They had barely left Gregor's side since he had arrived. But even they needed to take a break and tend to their own needs.

Therefore, it was only out of concern for them that Elliot was still here or why he even volunteered to step into this room while his parents took a break. He had been avoiding being anywhere near his sibling as if he were a deadly illness.

Because in Elliot's mind, Gregor was worse than any sickness... He was the harbinger of Death.

Honestly, Elliot had lingered at his parents' home mainly because he was nervous about his parents' safety. It was really tearing him in two, because the other part of him was just as anxious to return to his home He really should have returned to Ruĝa's side by now. She had to be worried. And she was alone with their forming offspring.

For all Elliot knew, their children could have emerged from their energy spheres by now... He did not want to miss something so important; but Elliot felt the need to be here. No, he was afraid of not being here when Gregory woke up...

What if his evil twin lashed out against his mother or father? What if this was all some trick and Gregor was helping that human hunter carry out some villainous plot against the Ghost World? After all, Elliot still did not buy how easily that evil hunter had allowed them to take back Gregory... He no doubt had an ulterior motive.

And even after everything, Elliot loved his parents so much. He loved his kin... He did not want them getting hurt.

And yet Elliot had still brought death to their doorstep by allowing Gregor to return.

If Elliot's guilt was great before...

"I should kill you...," Elliot suddenly muttered, glaring weakly at his unmoving sibling. "I should have stayed quiet and let you die alone in that forest... If it had not been because a war against the kingdom would have meant the destruction of my kin and Phantom... I would have not hesitated..."

In fact why didn't he just kill Gregor now?

It would be easy. His father could not blame the King if he took his brother's life. It would just mean his parents would hate him for the rest of his existence.

Elliot scowled some more at his twin; but it soon melded into a mixture of sadness and exhaustion.

He knew he should end this. Just kill Gregor and let it be the end; but he couldn't bring himself to hurt his parents in such a way and murdering his twin as vulnerable as he was now felt cowardly.

At least with his brother in some sort of coma, it meant his mind was free from that constant cursed connection between them. It almost felt nice. Elliot almost felt like his own person. If only this could last. If only one day he could be free from the prison inside his mind.

Elliot glanced back at the closed door again before he focused back on Gregor and then hesitantly approached his bedside.

Unconscious or not, Elliot knew by now he could never let his guard down around his sibling. And yet as he studied his senseless and helpless form, Elliot realized this was the first time he had gotten to really see his brother without their trying to rip each other to pieces.

The first thing he noticed about his twin was all the scars on his body. A lot of them were faded; but he had some noticeable ones, too. There was one in particular on his right shoulder that was indented, like he was missing a piece of the muscle there. It was probably his wing. If he recalled correctly, Gregor had a torn wing in his true dragon form.

Elliot's eyebrows creased when he then noticed something more. His twin's hair...

He reached out and brushed it curiously with his fingers.

He did not know why his hair was white. He remembered his twin had black hair like him as a child. But when he had first seen Gregor in the Human World, he had noticed the tips of his hair had still been black.

But it was now completely white. Why?

Elliot raised his hand before he gingerly placed it on top of his brother's bandaged chest. But even with that, he felt his core. In fact, it reacted to his own almost instantly.

Elliot gasped softly as he pulled his hand back and then gripped his own chest. The heat was unbearable and his surroundings started to blur. He knew his core was flaring blue because he could see his symbol lit up with the color.

Yet, before he could understand what was happening, his mind blurred and his eyes began to glow red as he heard his brother's voice... or was it his own voice?

"Master."

"Master...," Elliot whispered out loud in some kind of trance.

"...He has never understood you are not meant to destroy the Ghost World but are destined to command it—and command it for me!"

Elliot shook his head, trying to get rid of the voice. But it only held on tighter to his mind. Whose voice was this? He had never heard this voice before; so why did it feel like his whole being wanted to belong to it like... he did belong to it?

"...you came back to me. And brought me the Gem of Fantasy... You are the gauntlet I need to possess the power to rule the Ghost World and then this world, too! Do you feel it slave? Who am I?"

"My master."

"You finally remembered."

Elliot suddenly screamed and gripped his head as he dropped to his knees.

"Get out of my head! Get OUT!"

"Elliot!"

But the younger dragon could not know or see that Aragon had thrown open the door and rushed to his side.

Instead, Elliot's eyes were squeezed shut as he gripped his head harder and hissed at whatever was mentally attacking him.

"Who are you?! What are you?!" Elliot demanded before he suddenly snapped his eyes opened and unknowingly pushed his father away as he lunged at his unmoving sibling.

"You! This is your fault!"

"No!" Aragon exclaimed. And he reacted quickly enough to pull Elliot back before he could physically harm his senseless twin.

"He stole the Gem of Fantasy! He stole those powers!" Elliot exclaimed. "And he's going to enslave us all! He has to die!"

Aragon quickly spun Elliot around to face him and shook him. "Stop! Elliot! Calm down!"

Elliot's red eyes melded back to yellow; and Aragon tensed now that he saw it for the first time. What in the world was that?

Coming to, Elliot just stared wide-eyed at his father before he whispered, "He's too powerful... I-I won't be able to stop him. And I-I will lose control to him eventually... Father, I beg of you... Gregory cannot remain here. He is dangerous... He is not who you remember anymore. For once, please listen to me... I cannot..."

Elliot suddenly looked like a lost kid again before he unexpectedly hugged Aragon.

"I-I do not want to lose you. I do not want you or mother to get hurt. I am afraid of what he can do... And what I could do to you and mother... to our kin. He is working with that hunter. He is working with someone else and he will not stop! His thirst for blood with never end...! I-I will come back home. I will do as you want, just please... please make him leave!"

Aragon was troubled by what his son was saying; but it was more worrisome to feel Elliot shaking. He had not seen him like this since he was a young child. It truly shocked him and saddened him.

Aragon sighed and finally hugged Elliot back. "Calm down, my son... You have nothing to fear."

But Elliot just shook his head and gripped him harder. Why didn't his father understand how dangerous Gregor was? How dangerous he was?

Elliot had never felt that dark power within his brother wrap around him as strongly as it had just now. It was like there had been no barrier between them even with his brother unconscious. It terrified him.

Aragon hesitated this time, but then said, "I know you think your brother is unsavable. But your core is clouded with fear, my son. Can you not see? Gregory is as terrified as you are. Even in the Human World when he tried to attack me the first time he saw me, I could see and feel it. He does not know what he does."

Aragon pulled Elliot away at arm's length and smiled sadly at him. "I know in my core that whatever evil he has done, it has not been his own doing."

Elliot lowered his gaze. "Father, he..."

"Elliot," Aragon interrupted him. "I have spent years regretting and wishing to have had the chance to save Gregory... And now I finally have that chance. I cannot let him go. I cannot do what you ask me, especially when I can see your request is out of fear."

"Of course, it is out of fear!" Elliot exclaimed, pulling away completely. "I have seen him kill! I have seen him torture! I have tasted his lust of ectoplasm! He is evil!"

Aragon just frowned at him. "Elliot..."

But realizing he was crying, the younger ghost quickly wiped his face and muttered, "This... This is pointless. You will never understand. And I-I have to go. I cannot stay here a moment longer."

Elliot realized now he should have never stayed even a moment near his brother. It was too dangerous.

"No!" Aragon said, grabbing his arm this time to keep him from turning away and fleeing. "Stay, Elliot... Please."

The younger ghost shook his head. "I told you, the moment Gregory stepped foot here, I would leave. I have only lingered to see if he survived... Unfortunately, he has."

"Do not speak as such," Aragon quickly scolded, his expression hardening.

But when all Elliot did was lower his gaze, Aragon relaxed again and added, "It would be easier to help your brother if you stayed. If you returned home."

"I cannot."

"Why?"

Elliot looked at him sadly. He wished his father could understand; but he knew his father could not. And a part of him could not blame him. Elliot knew now how strong that need was of protecting one's offspring...

It was the other reason Elliot could not stay. He wished he could at least tell Aragon. He had always imagined when he became a father that he could share the experience with his own... perhaps bond from it. But that could never happen now.

As much as Elliot wanted to protect his parents and kin, his need to protect his mate and offspring was greater.

And in that sense, he and his father were exactly alike.

Aragon might not be the best father, but Elliot knew without a doubt that his father loved him and Gregory with all his core. And he could appreciate and respect that...

Even when Elliot was just as certain that it would be that unconditional love for him and Gregor that would destroy them all... that would destroy his father eventually.

Or, who knew maybe he would destroy them all first.

"Good-bye, father," Elliot whispered softly before he turned away.

But just then, Altigis appeared in the doorway.

Elliot said nothing, and just went over to her and instantly hugged his mother tightly.

Altigis, a bit surprised, held him back but still asked, "My dear Elliot, what is wrong?"

Elliot just shook his head as he pulled away; and unable to hold back his tears again, he just replied, "I love you, Mother." He glanced back at his father, and added, "I love you both."

But he then just pulled completely away and quickly left.

Altigis gasped, and called out, "Elliot! Elliot, wait!"

"Leave him, Altigis," Aragon said soberly. He then looked back at Gregory and repeated more quietly, "Just leave him."

Altigis looked terribly upset; but she also knew that even if she tried to go after her other son, he would not stay. Unfortunately, Elliot was just as stubborn as Aragon.

"How is he?" she asked worriedly approaching Aragon as they focused on Gregor.

The two moved closer; and as Aragon felt his core, Altigis passed a hand through his white locks.

"His core feels to be recovering, but it still feels weak. Perhaps, it is best he has yet to stir."

"How so, my mate? It has been weeks!" she replied.

"My fear is if he wakes without his core's full recovery and if the stress of seeing us and his new surroundings is too much for him, it could shock his core... He could still die, Altigis."

"Then, I agree it is best for him to remain asleep," she answered with a sigh. "But how much longer could it be?"

"I am unsure," Aragon answered. "It all depends just how injured his core was... And even if his core recovers, it does not guarantee he will wake up."

"I had assumed it was your power keeping him unconscious. Then, is he truly in a coma?" the female dragon questioned, clearly stressed by the possibility.

"My power is helping to support his healing core," Aragon explained. "I have never had to use the amulet's power like this before or for so long; so, I do not know if my power is what is keeping him asleep or if it is more than this."

He hesitated, not wanting to trouble his wife further; but he knew it was fruitless to withhold the truth about their son's condition from her. "I suspect there are other factors keeping Gregory unconscious, Altigis. As I mentioned to you there are these strange powers around him... I had hoped their hold on him would fade but they still seem present... It is quite concerning... They are not his own powers; and yet, they seem part of him... within him. I can only recognize one of those powers: the Gem of Fantasy."

This time, Altigis frowned. "Within his core? How can that be?"

Aragon frowned. "I wish I knew, my mate... Elliot mentioned Gregory had stolen the gem... I can only guess Gregory acquired it during his confrontation with Elliot some months back."

Altigis sighed. "But that does not explain why the gem is within his core; or how Gregory could know how to even use such an ancient power."

"I have never seen an ancient gem merged into a core before," Aragon admitted. "You know the tales behind them. Only certain energy-lines can use their powers; but there is nothing in the books suggesting that the gems could merge into a ghost core. Perhaps those hunters forced him to insert the gem as some kind of sick experiment. We will not know for certain until he wakes... That is, if he remembers..."

The female ghost caressed Gregor's senseless face as she whispered, "Indeed so. His memory loss is troubling. I know he was young when he was stolen from us, but his reaction to us when he first saw us... He does not remember us, Aragon. He remembers nothing it seems!"

Aragon remained quiet for a moment as they watched their unmoving son. There was certainly a lot to think about and worry about; but he kept reminding himself that his son was here at last! And anything else seemed to dim in light of this relieving fact.

"We will be patient with him, my mate," Aragon finally answered. "He was terrified when I brought him here. But I know in time, he will learn to trust us. And perhaps one day he will remember. In the meantime, we will focus on his physical healing and keep him safe. No one outside our kin can know he is alive, Altigis. No one."

Altigis nodded in agreement; but then still caressing her son's face, she smiled lovingly, "The other half of our core is with us again, Aragon. It is a true miracle."

Aragon's frown deepened; but mostly because his wife's words reminded him of their 'other half of their core' of Elliot.

"I am at a loss with Elliot, my mate," Aragon admitted tiredly.

Retracting her hand from Gregory, she looked back at Aragon and answered soberly, "You were too hard on him... Banishing him as you did."

Aragon growled in his throat as he turned away but still answered, "He gave me no other choice, Altigis! He betrayed us and his kin over the Ghost Prince! Curses! And he has done it again!"

He stared back angrily at his wife and added, "The truth is he would have let his own brother die if it had not been for his interest to save the Ghost Prince! That is the only reason he told us about Gregory's plight! And just now, while you were away, he lashed out against Gregory, insisting he needs to die! He has gone mad, Altigis!"

"Be calm," she responded before glancing at Gregory's unmoving form. She then continued in her sober but soft voice, "I am concerned as well about his resentment and fear towards his own brother; but arguing with him over it will get us nowhere, Aragon."

"And what will, my mate?" Aragon said with a sigh of aggravation. He was trying to keep his frustration in check for Gregory's sake; but it was hard.

"I have foregone my own law and pride to pacify him; and yet, Elliot is still just as impossible!" he said angrily but his voice much quieter. "I was willing to pardon him, and he rejected me! Several times! I even agreed to his request to release the King and cease my plans against the Kingdom at his request—and he still refuses to come home! He is still set on seeing his own brother and myself as the enemy! I do not want to lose another son, Altigis; but Elliot continues to back me into a corner! And it will come a point where I will not be able to continue to pardon or excuse his actions!"

Altigis stared worriedly at her mate. "He is our son."

"Gregory is also our son, Altigis!" Aragon paused as he fisted his hands. But he then added, "I know what Elliot thinks! He thinks I have chosen Gregory over him! And perhaps he might be right, but only because he has forced me to choose!"

"What am I supposed to do, Altigis?" Aragon continued, desperation now laced in his voice. "What am I supposed to do if Elliot one day decides to truly act on his threat against his sibling?! What am I supposed to do if the day comes when he comes against me?!"

Gregory suddenly groaned; and Altigis and Aragon quickly glanced at their son. He seemed suddenly uncomfortable even though he was not awake. Perhaps a nightmare.

Aragon sighed deeply before he moved back over to Gregory and placed his hand above his chest. He did not touch him physically; but he was close enough to transfer calming blue energy into his core.

Gregor instantly seemed to relax again.

"Is this what things must come down to, Altigis? Am I forced to choose between my sons?" Aragon asked sadly. "Must I condemn one to save the other?"

Altigis came up behind him and place a hand on his shoulder. "No, Aragon. We will not do such a thing. We must stay hopeful, especially now that Gregory is with us again. Elliot just needs time. They both just need time."

Aragon did not reply.

Altigis squeezed his shoulder and said, "Come, my mate. Gregory will be alright by himself for just a moment. We can continue to talk about Elliot while we take a walk to the gardens."

Aragon hesitated before he turned and smiled at his wife. "Alright, then."

As the couple left, they closed the door behind them, leaving Gregory alone.

Or so they thought.

A swirling portal quickly appeared over Gregor's bed before Juukka flew out of it and landed at the foot of the bed.

He looked at the closed door. He cocked his ears and softly chirped when he was sure the sound of the parents' footsteps had faded completely away.

Satisfied that they were gone for now, Juukka turned back and leaped right up onto the bed. His small soft paws made no sound or indentation as he made his way next to the boy's chest and sat down.

"Still sleeping, young one? Good... Sleep is good. Heals the core..."

Gregor's face only twitched a bit, as if perceiving the voice invading his mind.

"You are to sleep for now, as commanded... Master and that hunter wants Juukka to guard you... help you heal. I will obey their command. You will sleep and heal... Juukka will help... help you sleep until you are better and ready to return."

Blue energy emanated from the wolf-like ghost's body before briefly engulfing Gregor.

The smaller ghost then got up on all fours again, pounced and landed next to the boy's head, and then twisted and curled up beside him before resting his head on the boy's shoulder.

The wolf-like ghost chirped soothingly to itself as his eyes closed, though his ears remained perked and vigilant...like they always were whenever he felt he had a purpose.

It was nice that his master had given him purpose once more.

"Sleep... Sleep... Juukka will obey. Juukka will help the pup... My new pup."

---

It was close to midnight; and while it seemed like any other ordinary night in Amity Park, it was anything but.

Just like the first invasion, glowing figures began to appear in the sky and circle the outskirts of the town. But this time, there was no ghost shield or alarm to warn the citizens of the impending danger. There were no ghost hunters ready to defend the city...

They were completely on their own.

Explosions loudly rumbled and the destruction began. Soon, Amity Park lost all power and everything grew darker.

But none of that stirred Tucker. It was the screams that woke him up: the fearful screams of his neighbors as they were assaulted in their beds.

Tucker scrambled out of bed and ran to his door, only to run into his parents.

"Shhh!" his dad said as he grabbed his son's wrist and led him and his wife towards the basement.

"We need weapons!" Tucker gasped when the screaming and explosions grew louder.

"No weapons," Maurice answered. "They find us with any weapons or even suspect we are hunters, and they will kill us on the spot."

"It's alright, sweetie, we can wait out the worst in the basement," his mom assured him.

Too bad they never made it.

An explosion right outside their home caused all the windows in the house to shatter at once. And the Foley family instinctively dropped to the ground.

Right then, ghost guards came flying into the house with glowing weapons.

"Everyone, out! Or you die here!" one of the ghosts hissed darkly.

Tucker and his parents quickly scrambled to their feet. But apparently, it was not quick enough because one of the ghost guards struck Maurice in the back with its weapon, shouting, "Move!"

"No, Dad!" Tucker exclaimed as his father dropped to his knees in pain.

But seeing Tucker's shout as a threat, the same ghost suddenly grabbed Tucker by the hair and darkly said, "Do you want to die, punk?"

"Please!" the mother begged as she raised her hands in hopes of pacifying the creatures.

The guard scowled at the woman before shoving Tucker back towards her. "I won't tell any of you again. Move!"

Unable to do anything else, the Foley family were forced out onto the streets like hundreds of others. They were all being herded like cattle towards the center of the city.

Meanwhile, high above Amity Park, Plasmius watched the chaos. He narrowed his eyes at the satisfaction of finally bringing this town to its knees. It had been years, years of wanting to have this small victory. After all, Amity was just a bleep compared to the rest of the Human World. But this was personal. This was the place his wife had been killed and where his son had been tortured to the point that he had never been the same again.

The only thing that would make this day better was if Thomas Chrome was here. But, of course, the coward had fled along with his men. That was just like him. When he had first met that hunter, he was nothing more than some scared little worm. So, it was good to know not much had changed in that respect.

Chrome was still a maggot that he was going to burn alive someday.

Better yet, Daniel had given him such a grand idea when his son had asked to be present the day he killed Chrome. Plasmius had had so many pleasing thoughts about how he would kill Chrome since then... He would make his end slow and painful, that much was certain. Perhaps he would even let his son use him as target practice.

Of course, he wouldn't let his son kill Chrome. No. He wouldn't let his son stain his hands with that monster's blood. Besides, that was his right. Chrome was his to kill.

That hunter would pay for all he had done to him. For Desiree. For Daniel. For Falco... And now Skulker.

Although his friend had somehow survived the attack from Juukka, he was still very hurt and ill. Plasmius had almost postponed this invasion. He had never gone into battle without Skulker before. But then, he realized that Chrome was trying to scare him and keep him from taking Amity Park.

And no one was stopping him from claiming this wretched place as his.

So, he had moved forward—even if it meant doing this without his closest friend and warrior.

He had to finish this. He had to secure the Human World so that his son could be safe; so that the Ghost World could be safe; so that his broken core could find peace at last.

This had to end.

"My liege," Fright Knight suddenly interrupted his musing.

"Fright Knight, report?" Plasmius commanded.

"This might be our easiest takeover yet, my King," the knight answered. "There is very minimum resistance."

"And the Fentons?" the King questioned soberly.

"As commanded, we went there first, but we found no one. The ghost portal is sealed shut with that same ecto-radium shield we saw on our side."

"Could the Fentons truly have fled?" Plasmius pondered curiously. "It seems so unlike them, especially Jack. I was sure I would have to execute them as an example for any other little hunters lurking in this place..."

"It almost seems like the humans wanted you take the land of Amity," Fright Knight said, unsure.

"Perhaps. But I have no reservation in taking this easy victory." Plasmius grinned. "Besides, who said we are stopping here? No... We are taking all of Michigan. And we will destroy every single stronghold the Guys-in-White have left in this state. That imbecile Chrome had the gall to attack me in my own home, then we will return the favor."

Plasmius sneered. "That maggot will run out of places to hide eventually."

---

"Mom! Dad!" Jazz called out when she found them out in the porch conversing with her aunt. "It's happening! I just got a message from Lester!"

Maddie and Jack quickly stood and walked over to their daughter to see Lester's simple text of 'It's started... The Ghost King...' But the message was cut short.

Either it did not come through because of all communication lines' going down or Lester had not gotten the chance to finish his message for another reason.

Unfortunately, Spittoon, Arkansas, where Jazz's Aunt Alicia lived, was so isolated there was no cable. So, if the news was televising the invasion, they could not see it.

"Has anyone else reached out yet?" Maddie asked worriedly.

Jazz shook her head. "I've tried to call Tucker or message him, but he hasn't answered."

"Jack, we can try the satellite phones. Maybe we can reach Maurice," Maddie said.

"On it, Mads!" Jack said and ran off to find the satellite phone in their room.

"It's late, Maddie," Alicia spoke up. "Almost midnight. I reckon you'll need to drive fifteen miles into town to get some decent signal... You might have to wait until tomorrow, sis."

Maddie sighed quietly. But she then looked at her daughter and asked, "How long ago did Lester send that message?"

"Maybe five minutes ago," Jazz answered. "I tried to message him back but I'm not getting a reply."

"Here it is, Maddie!" Jack said waving the large satellite phone.

The woman thanked her husband, and quickly turned on the device. She then quickly dialed Maurice's number. The plan had been for all of Team Fenton to take cover in their basements until the worst of the invasion passed by. So, they all had a satellite phone to help them stay connected... But they were not answering. At least, Maurice was not.

"What if they didn't make it to their basement?" Jazz asked in dread. "What if they were taken or the King somehow knows they are hunters?"

"There is no way he could know. We have taken precautions to assure their identities remained a secret," Maddie quickly denied. She did not want to even consider the possibility.

Jack looked anxious, too, but still added, "Yeah, I'm sure they're fine. They might just not be able to answer right now. Plasmius likes to attack in the middle of the night or before dawn; so that means they gotta be in the middle of a lot of chaos right now..."

"Your father is probably right," Maddie agreed. "We can keep trying, but we might need to wait a few hours. If we cannot reach them tonight, we'll head into town at first light... They might have cable somewhere. Maybe the invasion will be broadcasted."

"Yeah, Plasmius likes to broadcast his invasions," Jack muttered angrily.

"This is awful. I hate that we're just sitting here...," Jazz said, troubled. "I hope everyone is okay."

This time, Maddie and Jack glanced at each other. They hated being away from Team Fenton, too. It felt like they had abandoned them, even when they knew splitting the team had been what was best for everyone. They could not risk Maurice and his family or any of the teens in their group to be associated with the name Fenton. The King knew Maddie and Jack were hunters. And as a result, anyone associated to them would be targeted.

Leaving had been the safest move for everyone.

But they still felt guilty. And they knew Jazz did, too.

"We'll return home again," Maddie assured her daughter. "We just have to wait for the right time."

"I just hope we have a home to return to," Jazz muttered.

This time, Maddie and Jack stayed quiet.

---

It was past noon the next day in Wisconsin when the Manson family also received a surprise of their own...

"Oh, Thomas!" Pamela wailed as she threw herself on her brother and began to weep. "I was so worried about you! I had feared the worst! And your poor, poor son! This is terrible!"

The head Guy-in-White counted to fifty in his head. It's not that he didn't love his sister. He did. But, God! Could she be any more dramatic?

"Pam? Pamela! My arm!" he finally exclaimed when she wouldn't let go of him.

"Oh, oh no!" she gasped as she pulled away and finally noticed his casted arm. "Look at you! Those monsters!"

Valerie, who was behind him, had already covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. She knew Sam's mom was a bit overbearing, but Valerie could not help but think that it was hilariously ironical that a man like Thomas Chrome was so powerless around his own sister.

"For the last time, Pam, I am fine! Look, just stop for a moment!" he finally pleaded.

"Stop? Stop what?" she asked, her worry turning into indignation. "How can I not be beside myself when you almost died, you lost your son, and you have not returned my calls, just to suddenly show up here?! You are absolutely inconsiderate of my feelings or anyone else's who cares about you!"

Tom sighed deeply. "Alright, I'm sorry. There is a lot going on. But we can talk about it later."

"Oh, you bet we will be talking about all this later!" she answered before her anger melded back into worry and her eyes began to water. "But right now, I'm just thankful I didn't lose you!"

The man just let her hug him again as she cried.

"I'm fine, Pamela," he muttered as he rubbed her back. But then, he gently pulled away; and desperate to distract her, he added, "Look, I want you to meet Valerie Gray. She was a good friend of my adopted son."

Pam finally noticed Valerie, who was now awkwardly rubbing her arms. "Hello, there... Wait... I know you. Weren't you Damon Gray's daughter?"

Valerie tensed but just nodded.

"Oh, you poor dear," Pamela said sadly and pulled her into a hug. But before Valerie could feel anymore awkward, the woman pulled away and added, "Your father was a good man. He would be very proud of you."

This time, Valerie just glanced over at Tom, silently asking him to say something. She didn't want to talk about her dad.

"As I said, there has been a lot going on," Thomas spoke up, surprisingly taking pity on the girl. "I apologize for not telling you, but I needed to bring Valerie with me. She is a witness to what happened with Gregor... And well, she is not safe in Amity Park right now."

"Of course. It is no problem at all," Pamela said kindly. "You are quite welcome here, dear. I am sure Sam will be happy to see you."

Valerie scoffed, "Yeah, I'm thrilled, too."

Tom shot her a warning glare which Pamela didn't see. But the girl quickly changed her tone as she added, "I mean, yeah, I can't wait to see her!"

"Where is she, by the way?" Tom asked curiously.

"Oh, she's in the theater room with Jeremy. They were watching a movie. I'm sure they didn't hear the doorbell in there. Come on. Let's go surprise them."

"Um... If it's all the same with you both," Valerie surprisingly spoke up. "I think I rather leave the reunion for later... We had a long flight, and I'm super-tired."

Tom frowned; but it was Pam who replied, "Of course, dear. Here, let me get one of the staff to take you to a guest room."

She walked over and rang a bell on the door. "It won't take long."

But then realizing they each only had a carry bag with them, Pamela asked, "Do you have more bags in the car?"

Tom shook his head. "No, we left in a bit of a hurry. I was at my second facility in Michigan all day yesterday and this morning . I'm sure you saw on the news what is happening in Amity right now?"

Pam frowned deeply and nodded. "Yes, I saw... The Ghost King attacked last night... When I saw the news this morning, they didn't show much and just said they lost all communication with the town for several hours now... It's so awful. Those poor people."

"Madam," a middle-aged woman interrupted them.

"Oh, Silvia," Pam answered, "Can you take the girl to a guest room on the second floor! She has had a long day."

"Of course, madam," she answered before smiling at Valerie and adding, "Come along, miss. I'll get you settled in."

Tom watched Valerie leave before saying to his sister, "You'll have to forgive her. She's taken Gregor's death very hard. They were almost like brother and sister, those two."

"What a tragedy," Pamela answered before placing a hand on her brother's shoulder. "And you? How are you doing? Losing your son... I cannot imagine how hard that must be."

"I try not to think about it," Thomas answered soberly.

"Tom, that is not healthy," she replied.

"It's how I cope, Pam. Come on. I want to see Sammy," Tom answered.

Pam just sighed but nodded.

Sure enough, when they made it to the theater room Sam and Jeremy were watching some kind of romance comedy.

Jeremy was fully enjoying it while Sam seemed bored out of her mind. Of course, Pam and Tom did not see that since the father and daughter were in the dark, just the light of the screen revealing the two people in the room.

Pam walked in and then flipped a switch at the nearest wall. In an instant, the lights came on and the movie paused.

"Hey, what...?" Jeremy began to protest. But when he saw who it was, he quickly stood and exclaimed, "Thomas! What a grand surprise!"

Sam slowly stood, her expression a mixture of uncertainty and worry. What was her uncle doing in Wisconsin?

After pulling Tom into a hug, Jeremy added, "We've been worried sick about you! I'm terribly sorry about your son!"

"Thanks," Tom muttered, patting the other man's back before he let go and focused on Sam. He smiled warmly at her. "Well? Aren't you going to greet me, Sammy? Or are you still mad at me?"

Sam shook her head and walked over to her uncle. She quickly hugged him. She hated her conflicting emotions. No matter how upset or angry her uncle could make her, she still cared about him. She still worried and would be heartbroken if something happened to him.

"I'm sorry, Sam," Tom said earnestly as he held her tightly. "I really am."

Sam felt her chest tightened. She wasn't going to cry in front of her uncle. "Me, too... I'm sorry about Gregor."

Her voice shuddered at the end, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Oh, Sammy... I wish I could have saved him. I do... He meant a lot to me, too," he soothed her.

Sam didn't reply. She couldn't. Gregor was a topic she had been trying hard not to think about. But seeing her uncle here...

"Guess who else is here?" Tom asked, pulling away enough to hold her by her arms.

Sam's eyebrows creased in confusion.

"Valerie," he answered with a smile. "I brought her with me."

Sam's eyes widened. "Where is she?"

"Upstairs. In one of the guest rooms," her mom answered with a smile.

"I need to talk with her," Sam said right away, pulling away from her uncle.

"Of course. We can always talk later," Tom answered with a knowing look.

Sam nodded and quickly excused herself before she raced out of room and up the flight of stairs. She had not expected to see Valerie again since she left Amity and things ended badly between them. But with what happened to Gregor, she needed to see her.

It took her a few minutes of looking into rooms before she finally saw one of the guest room doors open. She looked in and saw Valerie sorting through her bag on the bed.

"Valerie," Sam called.

But when the other girl looked up at her, she frowned in annoyance. "I'm tired," Valerie answered.

Sam hesitated but still walked in and closed the door behind her. "I know... I just... I really need to talk with you."

"About what?" she asked, crossing her arms and glaring at her.

"About Gregor," Sam answered soberly.

Valerie scoffed. "Why? Because suddenly you care now that he's dead?"

Sam winced. "Look... I'm sorry."

"It's too late for apologies," Valerie replied coldly before focusing back on her bag and continuing to unpack.

Sam just stood there in silence. Her chest hurt so much, and she did not know what to say.

"I-I wouldn't have ever wanted for him to..."

"He told me what you said to him. How you rejected him," Valerie cut her off, pausing to look at her.

"That doesn't mean I didn't care about him," Sam stressed. "I just didn't want what he wanted! I...I have my reasons."

"What? That he worked for your uncle?" Valerie challenged. She glared at her as she asked, "And who do you work for, Manson? The Fentons? Your uncle? Or whoever benefits you at the time?"

Sam tensed but quickly frowned in displeasure. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Valerie scoffed. "I don't? You think you can fool me like everyone else? Like you fooled Gregor or Tucker? No, Manson. I can see right through you. What you are is a traitor! What you do is turn your back on people when they need you most! So, save your 'sorries' and your 'I feel guilty' looks! I'm not buyin!"

Sam scoffed back this time. "Are you sure you're not just describing yourself?"

"Watch it," Valerie growled at her.

Sam narrowed her eyes this time. "Why, Valerie? You act like you're better than me when you've also been lying to Tucker! You broke up with him just because you found out he works with the Fentons!"

"Shut it, Manson! You have no idea why I broke up with Tucker!"

"Darn it, Valerie! I didn't come here to point fingers!" Sam snapped at her.

"Then, what do you want?"

"I..." Sam sighed. "I don't know what I want..." she admitted, looking away. "I just.." She looked back at the girl, and she couldn't stop the tears that suddenly swelled in her eyes. "Tell me he didn't suffer... That... That it was quick."

Valerie's eyes widened before she looked away. She felt her own pain grip at her chest. It was different now, of course. Now, she knew Gregor was alive; but she couldn't see him. She couldn't know for sure except trust Agent C was telling the truth. So, all she felt right now was how she felt when she watched him dying; when she had tried so hard to banish away his fears and pain. All she remembered was how broken he was; and in turn, how broken she felt.

She missed him so much.

Valerie finally looked back at Sam and watched as the other girl struggled to keep herself together. Valerie could tell at that moment how important Gregor had been to Sam. Even if their romance had been fleeting, Sam had seen the side of Gregor few got to see. That part of him that you could not help but love.

"It was quick," Valerie lied quietly. "He didn't suffer."

Sam took a shaky breath but nodded. "Thanks..."

"Yeah," Valerie muttered back, looking away again.

There was a long silence before Valerie said, "I guess we'll be spending some time together around here... Your uncle wanted me out of Amity Park. I'm sure you can guess why."

"Yeah," Sam answered, and wiped away her tears. "Listen, I know we don't always see eye-to-eye, but I wouldn't mind starting over."

Valerie sighed. "I guess it wouldn't hurt... Truce for now." But then she frowned with slight annoyance as she added, "But I still don't trust the Fentons and their little ghost fighting squad."

"And they—including me—still don't trust the Red Huntress or anyone who works for the Guys-in-White," Sam replied with a smirk.

But to her surprise, Valerie's expression melded into a sober look. "Not like any of us are much help to Amity right now..."

Sam lowered her gaze. She had seen the news. She could only imagine the fear and suffering the citizens were going through right now.

"They'll get through it. Tucker promised me he would lay low," Sam muttered. "They all are... We just gotta find the right moment to strike back and take back Amity Park."

"What we need is to find a way to get rid of Phantom. We kill the King's heir, and we'll cripple those ghost scum."

Sam looked up at Valerie and frowned at the hate in her eyes.

"Have you met him? The Ghost Prince?" Sam asked carefully.

"Enough to know I'm going to be pretty happy when I watch him turn into ecto-goop. I have a score to settle with that spook!"

Sam didn't reply this time, because she realized at that moment that there were no bygones with Valerie. There was no chance of a friendship with her. And whatever 'truce' they could possibly have would never last.

Not when she wanted to kill Danny... And Sam was determined to save him.

"Um, you have to be tired," Sam said as she began to move away to the door. "We can talk later. I should probably go find my uncle anyways.."

Valerie didn't say anything at first; but then before the girl could leave, she called, "Sam?"

The other girl paused at the door. "Yeah?"

"I think you should know... Gregor wanted to tell you about Agent C. He was never trying to trick you. Your uncle had forbidden him from getting close to you; so, he couldn't tell you... But you meant a lot to him."

Sam sighed. There was a lot she wanted to say to that but... It just didn't matter anymore.

"He meant a lot to me, too," she simply muttered back before she finally left.

But just as she stepped out, she found her uncle standing there.

Sam raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you managed to slip out of my mom's grasp so quickly..."

Thomas chuckled. "Yes, your mother... She's lucky she's my sister." He shook his head helplessly before he smiled back at his niece.

"It is good to see you again, Sammy. We parted on such a sour note..."

Sam shook her head. "I don't want to talk about that."

But placing a hand against her back to coax her to walk with him, he answered, "I think we should."

Sam sighed but still headed down the hall with her uncle. She replied, "I just don't see how it matters anymore."

"Sam, I needed to get you away from Amity, especially after the Ghost Prince almost killed you!"

"You put me in that situation, remember?" she replied bitterly.

"I was trying to save Amity Park from suffering like it is right now!" he answered as he stopped walking and removed his hand from her back. "If we would have captured the Ghost Prince, Plasmius would have had no choice but to surrender! We would have won this war and Amity would still be standing! Did you think it was easy for me? To ask you to risk your life like that? To put you near the Fentons when their incompetence puts everyone in danger?"

"Don't talk about them like that," Sam snapped back. "They are good hunters and better people!"

Thomas paused and frowned at the girl. "How do I get you to see the bigger picture, Samantha? How many more people need to die until you figure out who the real enemy is?"

Sam lowered her gaze and crossed her arms. There was a brief silence before she muttered, "Maybe it's you who doesn't know who the real enemy is."

Thomas suddenly grabbed the girl's face and she tensed when he made her look at him. "Look at my face, Samantha... I know who the enemy is," he replied angrily before letting her go.

He took a step back as he added, "This is far from over. I will not let the Ghost King win. And his downfall is in the hands of your ghost boy. And you, Samantha, will help me kill that little spawn... One way or another."

Tom turned away and left without caring for a response. As much as he loved his niece, she could be insufferable at times. She just didn't get it!

"I can't win with her," he muttered, frustrated. But just as he reached the room he would be staying in, he felt a drop in the temperature around him. And then, there was this strange smell in the air.

It was subtle. But he recognized it instantly.

He could recognize the stench of the Ghost Zone anywhere

Opening his door, he frowned angrily when he saw the fading smoke of a closing portal with Juukka sitting under it on his bed like a normal dog.

"Hunter," the ghost said into his mind.

Closing his door close, Tom sneered, "What the hell are you doing here?!"

"My master sent me."

"I made it clear to 'your master', I would call you when I needed you," Agent C snapped back. "That is why I gave you that device on your wrist to begin with!"

"Amity Park has fallen before the Ghost King," Juukka said telepathically while soft chirps passed through his actual mouth. "My master would like to know how long you plan to hide?"

Thomas growled. "I am not hiding! Freakshow knows the plan! He just needs to sit tight until I can recover my weapon."

"Your pup," the wolf-like ghost purred. "My pup."

Tom narrowed his eyes. "He is not yours."

"He is Juukka's assignment. He will be my pup until my assignment is complete."

Tom rolled his eyes before he went over to his bag on the ground and threw it on the bed.

Juukka didn't move in spite of the bag's landing inches from him. In fact, he just curiously stared at the item.

Tom pulled the zipper open and began to unpack his things and place them next to the ghost.

Tom remained silent and tried to ignore the creature watching him. The demon was so unnerving. The man had to remind himself the ghost was under Fredrick's command because he acted so normal. It was almost like how Gregor acted. They didn't seem like puppets, unlike all of the other ghosts controlled by the circus leader.

Was it because of their telepathy? Did it somehow make them immune to complete control?

That was a troubling thought. If Freakshow lost control of this creature, it could be extremely dangerous. In spite of its small size, the wolf-like ghost's power level was not only very high, but also seemed ancient.

He hated to admit it, but Tom wished Gregor was here. He would feel a lot better if his weapon was here to keep this other ghost in check. If he wasn't so useful at the moment, Tom would have killed this demon already.

He hated how innocent the damn thing looked. It unnerved him even more.

"Is that really all you came here for?" Tom abruptly snapped at Juukka.

"I am simply waiting for your questions, Hunter."

"What questions?"

"Juukka can sense you have questions. And my master asked me to serve you. So, it is also my assignment to ease your mind, Hunter. So, go ahead. You can ask Juukka anything you want."

Tom paused in what he was doing to frown at the creature.

"I asked you to look after Gregor. Keep him safe. Help him heal."

"Yes, I am helping my pup. He heals well. Slowly, but well. Juukka has kept him asleep. Rest is good, and Master said it will help him to keep close to Master."

Tom raised an eyebrow. Freakshow had mentioned that he could stay connected to Gregor through this ghost's telepathic ability. Tom was not sure how that worked, but he also could not deny keeping Gregor unconscious for as long as possible was beneficial.

After all, Tom couldn't have his weapon getting too comfortable with other ghosts.

"How long do you think you can keep him under?" Tom asked.

"I do not know. His mind and core grow stronger. He will eventually grow stronger than Juukka's power. Once he does, he will wake. Ancient gems in his core make him stronger more powerful. Pup will be unstoppable."

Tom smirked. "Good. I need him to be unstoppable."

But the man suddenly paused as he realized something. "Wait... How do you know about the gems merged in his core?"

Juukka chirped and tilted his head. "I know all about the Ancient gems. It was my past assignment to keep them safe... hidden. Juukka served the Ancients who created them."

Tom's eyes widened, and moving closer, he asked, "Does Freakshow know about this? That you served these...Ancients?"

"I only speak when Master commands it. I only answer what Master asks."

Thomas chuckled. Did Freakshow seriously not bother to wonder who this ghost was? Then again, he had not, either. He had just been interested in the fact that the ghost had telepathic powers like Gregor.

But now...

"Demon... Do you know where all the Ancient Gems are?"

Juukka stared back at Tom with red glowing eyes. "Of course, I do, Hunter."

"Tell me," Tom commanded with a growing smile.

"The Gems of Fantasy and Form pulse within my pup... The Gem of Power radiates around my pup's father, Aragon. And the Gem of Life... I handed it over to the Ghost King. He has the final one. He has hidden it, but Juukka can feel every gems' powers. They cannot be hidden from Juukka. It is an ability my old companion bestowed upon me to help protect the gems. He was a good companion... Good to Juukka."

Juukka lowered his gaze and they briefly flashed green as a vision of Horris briefly passed through his mind. But as quick as it came, it was swallowed up by the red haze in his mind.

No, that was his past. He had a new companion now. A new master and a new mission.

"Demon?" Tom called, and the creature looked up at him. "Would you be able to track down for me the Gem of Life's exact location?"

"Yes, Hunter."

Tom chuckled again. "You know? You might be worth keeping around after all."

---

There were only a few times in Elliot's life that he could say he felt overwhelmingly happy. It was like this moment had just been waiting for him to arrive and grant him this gift of watching life and love manifest itself before him.

"It's happening, my Elliot," Ruĝa whispered in awe as the four glowing spheres that had been nestled in their nest for a couple weeks now began to glow brighter and brighter with green energy.

And then, the spheres began to crack.

Elliot just purred and his ears pressed back as he moved closer. The energy escaping, it felt like his and Ruĝa's. They were part of both of them.

Unable to take more of the building pressure, the spheres shattered one by one; and four baby dragons no bigger than a common house cat were curled within each of them.

Ruĝa began to weep with happiness as she lowered her snout and gently stirred her offspring. Their eyes were closed and they would stay closed for another week or so. Their wings were still tightly tucked against their bodies by a transparent membrane. But the colors of their dragon skins were stunning: two pink, like their mother; one silvery white, and the last a dark purple.

Elliot also pressed his head close to the wiggling hatchlings.

"They are beautiful, my Ruĝa. So beautiful," he said still in awe.

Ruĝa purred in response and lay close enough for them to find her.

Elliot just watched with a smile as she encouraged them to nurse and continued to check them over.

She huffed in sudden amusement.

"What?" he asked.

She looked up at him and said with a smile. "Females... They are all females."

Elliot chuckled. "My father would love this..." But he then pressed his head against his mate's own and muttered warmly, "I do not care what they are. They are as beautiful as you, my mate. And I will love them with all my core."

"I love you," Ruĝa answered. "I am so happy right now."

Elliot settled down and curled next to her as they continued to watch their babies.

There was a peaceful feeling within the warm cave, and it truly seemed like time had stopped.

But it was not long for Elliot's overwhelming happiness to be tarnished with fear.

"They are so small," he said quietly. "So defenseless."

Ruĝa, who had been grooming her children, paused to look at her mate.

"Everything will be alright, my Elliot. We will keep them safe."

"Gregory will not remain asleep forever, my mate," Elliot said with a sigh. "And even a small slip from me, and he could invade my mind. He will learn of our offspring's existence."

"And if he did, my Elliot? Do you truly believe Gregory would want to harm children? With what purpose?"

"He would do so just to hurt me, Ruĝa. I know so," he answered tiredly.

"Why does he hate you so?" the female dragon asked with a troubled sigh.

"He blames me for his suffering. He does not say it directly, but I can feel it from him. Deep down he wishes our roles were reversed..."

"That is impossible," Ruĝa answered soberly. She pressed her face against her mate's neck as she added, "I would never love him. I would not want this with anyone else but you."

"How do you know that? What if Gregory had been spared instead of me?" Elliot asked gravely. "You would have grown up knowing him... you would have been betrothed to him. I would not be here..."

He lowered his gaze. "I would be dead. As much as I hate to admit it, I am not as strong as Gregory."

"Oh, my Elliot! Strength comes in many forms. You might not have been taken by humans and suffered as Gregory has, but you have endured your own trails in different ways. Anyone else would have gone mad with Gregory constantly attacking their mind. Anyone else would have lost their goodness. But you have not, my Elliot... You still hope and love and I know I would not have loved Gregory if things had gone differently because Gregory will never be you... To others you two might be identical, but I know within your cores you are vastly different. And it is only with you that I would have desired a union and desired our cores to create the treasures we have now."

"I feel the same, Ruĝa. I I love you so much. You have kept me good, have kept me sane. You give me strength; and I swear to you, I will continue to protect you and our offspring with all that I am."

He looked down at his offspring and added, "But for now, we will keep them a secret for as long as possible..."

"Yes, they will be only ours for now," she agreed.

They were quiet again, and Elliot did his best not to think about what was to come. He just wanted to enjoy this moment with his mate.

It was strange to think the world seemed to be falling apart around them; but within this cave, the world felt like it was falling into place. Everything felt perfect.

"So Father," Ruĝa spoke up again. "What will you name your daughters?"

Elliot smiled warmly as he stared down at the four wiggling young dragons. Yes, everything was perfect.

---

End of story arc