Ghost King Danny: Book 1

A The Horseman's Commander Production

Author's Note: Hey guys. Just gonna jump right in.

Last Time:

Vlad frowned thoughtfully. Old habits are hard to break, but for Daniel…I'll try. "I'll try, alright Little Badger? I can't promise I'll succeed, but I will try."

"Guess that's all I can ask for, Fruitloop." Danny smirked.

Vlad growled slightly. "Stop calling me that!"

Danny smirked even wider, "Then stop calling me Little Badger."

Vlad sighed exasperatedly, "Fine. Let's get back to the tour, shall we?"

Danny smiled and just walked back towards his parents without another word.

"Finally! I want to see more of this impressive lab Vladdie!" Jack exclaimed.

Vlad smiled at Jack. Not a fake smile though, a genuine smile, because he at least had Danny's trust.

"Sure, my friend. Over here we have my…"

In a clocktower in a floating green expanse, a staff wielding ghost smiled. "All is as it should be."

This Time:

Jack Fenton was not stupid. He might have a tendency to ramble, and miss things occasionally, and a slight addiction to fudge, but stupid? No, no, no, that was something he was not, contrary to most people's opinion. Would a stupid person be able to build a portal to the Ghost Zone?

A Zone that seemed to distance him from the two people -besides his loving wife of course- that he cared about the most in his life.

Vlad, his best friend.

And Danny, his only son.

Both by accidents, that he now knew, was his fault.

He was lying in his bed in his best friend's mansion –he smiled at that, glad that his friend was able to recover so well after his accident. He sobered again.

An accident that he caused.

He had to make things right. What happened back then? He and Maddie would visit Vlad every day in the hospital. Then it dropped to twice a week. Twice a month. Then, at some point, Vlad just…faded, from his mind. For years. Years! What kind of friend was he? He wouldn't forget a friend so easily…right? He didn't even know Vlad was still alive, until the reunion, most of which was still a blank to him, funnily enough. Bah, that didn't matter. What did, though, was apologizing to Vlad for forgetting about him for all these years, and he was going to go do that. Right now.

He removed the covering from his side of the bed silently, laying still enough to hear his wife's soft breathing, until he finally rose, and his feet made a soft thump on the beautiful velvet. As he made his way to the door, he heard his wife call for him.

"Jack? Where are you going, snookums?" Maddie rubbed her sleepy eyes into focus.

"Oh. Hey Mads. I'm going to make things right with Vlad. I feel horrible having ignored him all these years, and I feel I should apologize."

Maddie walked up to Jack, with her hand caressing his cheek, before she kissed him soundly on the lips.

Jack sat there, stunned for five seconds before asking,

"What was that for?"

Maddie smirked.

"For being able to realize when you've made mistakes. I did tell you that the calculations weren't correct, now that it's coming back to me."

"Did you? Huh. Guess I was so excited about the portal working, that I didn't stop to check."

"I'm proud of you, Jack. And I'm certain Jazz and Danny are too. Just…" Here she hesitated.

"Just what, Mads?"

"…If this apology doesn't go well, remember you have us?"

Jack was flabbergasted that his wife would think that and did the same thing she did not five seconds ago.

"What was that for, hun?"

"A reminder that I will never abandon you, or the kids, no matter what. Ok?"

A soft nod was his only answer.

Jack smiled at his wife, as he led her back to bed, kissed her on the forehead, and walked out the door.

Outside The Fenton's Room

Jack was trying to remember the way to Vlad's study, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember where his study was! He was about to go back to bed and talk with Vlad in the morning when he heard a voice behind him.

"Master Fenton. What are you doing out of bed at this hour?"

Jack jumped in surprise as he turned. Where'd he come from?! He sputtered for a moment before speaking.

"N-No, of course not, uh…who are you again?"

The large man Jack saw before him sighed, his cerulean irises drooping as if exasperated, and put away his watch chain.

"I am Sebastian, Head Butler to Master Vladimir, at your service."

Jack blinked. Oh. Maybe he could help me then!

"Oh. Alright. Can you help me find Vlad? I need to talk to him about something."

"Certainly. If you will excuse me, while I check if the Master is available." At Jack's nod, Sebastian turned around and went around a corner before turning back towards Jack.

"The Master is willing to see you. I will take you to him. Follow me."

Right. Left. Left. Left. Right. Straight. Left. Right… After what felt like an hour, Sebastian stopped in front of mahogany doors with ornate golden handles.

"Here we are, sir. I shall announce you."

Jack simply nodded, thinking over what he needed to say.

"Announcing Jack Fenton to see you, Sir." Jack heard a soft, smooth "Send him in." and the door swung open, revealing Vlad in front of a desk, reading a book bound in leather.

"Jack! What are you doing up so late? Couldn't sleep?" I wonder what he wants, Vlad thought, confused at Jack's behavior. Jack was silent for a few moments before he was able to speak, and his voice was so quiet that Vlad actually had to strain to hear him.

"I'd-" Jack cut off but started again after a few minutes.

"I'm sorry, Vlad."

Author's Note: Ah, much better. Needed to get out the scene before it left me. Tell me what you thought! I'll get back to Danny and Co. soon. See you my friends!