The Royal Life

Daylight sparkled into the room and warmed the features of a drowsy dreamer. Yawning Danny roused and got up and gasped! He been so put out last night that he didn't remember coming into this grand bedroom.

Walk in closet and complete entertainment system and computer. He walked into the bathroom and start to notice that there where marble sinks and toilet, as was a solid gold bathtub! He hurried through brushing his teeth and went to go get his clothes on. (He was wearing silk nightclothes)

"Hold it right there mister!" said a feminine voice sharply from behind him

Turning his head he thought the voice was coming from the mirror over the sink. Casually he walked back in and started at his reflection that rippled for a few secs and changed to a young blue haired female!

"Ahh!"

"Don't scream at me you adolescent gentleman. You need to get back in here and brush for two minutes and floss and use mouthwash! And those fingernails are smutty! You don't want to appear to the King looking and smelling like a wet dog who rolled in the mud with a couple of dead skunks! Now take a shower and I'll be back in a minute to check on you Mr. Phantom after I check on the other three. See you in a little while Danny!" said the lady in the mirror with a musicale bubbling voice as she vanished!

"DANIELLE!" screamed Danny

"Danny, Danny what's the matter? You look like you saw the Angel of Death or something. Danny sugar its only 6:15 breakfast is still 45 minuets away! So what the reason for giving me a heart attack?" asked a half conscious Danielle in her silk nightgown with her hair in boisterous disarray!

"There a lady in the mirror! And she was barking orders like a drill sergeant! She had short blue hair and wings like a dragonfly! Who was she? And what she doing in my bathroom mirror?" screamed Danny

"That was what the 911 was on? Oh Danny! That was just Elaine! Remember my secretary? She trapped inside a mirror for the next 10,000 for publicly humiliating my grandmother. She supposed to be learning humility. She can appear in any places where there's a reflective surface but her main home is the mirror in my bedroom. Now that you woke everyone up take a shower and clean your teeth right and meet at the foot of the grand stairwell and we'll meet my parents for breakfast! See you at 7:00!" she said as she walked through the wall into her room.

"This place is so cool! And each of our rooms reflect our own unique personality!" obverse Jazz as she began to soak up their surrounding

"Its Middle Ages meet the 22 century and the people are so friendly and everyone is just cool!" said Tucker

"This goes way beyond what we thought the Ghost Zone was all about!" cooed Sam with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Yeah its pretty cool. Hey what's this?" asked Danny as the stopped to look a the Mural Map of the Ghost Zone

" I see you found the Self Portrait Map of the Ghost Zone by Jacqueline Ivory. She was born with the gift of art. She did much of the artwork that you see here. Come we mustn't be late for breakfast. They descended the staircase and walked into a room with a long wooden table and silk cushioned seats.

Danielle's family was already present so she pointed out to each of them where to sit.

This was Danny first chance to get a good look at the King and what he couldn't believe was how tall he was or how he wore his hair. But he looked so ordinary talking to his wife over coffee and reading a paper. He put down the paper for a sec and clapped his hands and said in strong warm voice,

"Greeting friends! Particularly you, young Danny. I hope you enjoy your stay at Phantom Palace. For breakfast we have Honey Nut Cheerios and Strawberry Pop Tarts and cinnamon toast and blueberry muffins with a selection of fresh juices. So let not sit here listing to our stomachs rumbling lets eat!" he said with arms spread wide.

"That's breakfast? I thought is it would be different. Much different!" Sam whisper to Danielle who was pouring chocolate milk into her cereal.

Gabby laughed lightly. "Not everything here is formal. We do try to incorporate modern connivances with old fashion ways."

"I feel that I should warn you all that while you're here you'll all be on a schedule. There's so much you have to learn before the ball at the end of the week. But don't worry I have complete confidence in all of you." Danielle said cheerfully.

"First thing I think that should be address is that we have arranged for you all too meet with Esther and Ruth for a wardrobe change. And you all are taking dance lesson from Josephine. Oh and Jasmine we would so appreciate if you would help decorate the Ballroom after you finished with everything. So is there anything you need to address darling?" asked Desdemona as she played with a spoon.

The next half hour went by fast. With tummy full to capacity they left only to be greeted by a tall fair skin woman with raven hair and sapphire eyes. She wore a creamy silk wrap dress and gold slippers. Next to her was a medium height girl with long dark hair with a dark red bandana on her head in a simple dark red dress and leather sandals. She wore tons of gold jewelry.

"You girls come with me." spoke the woman and gestured to the young girl as she continued, "You boys follow my daughter Ruth."

They were lead to a chamber where they removed their clothes and were presented with the finest clothes they ever seen.

"Tucker I think you put that on backwards. And take the hat off. Ahh! So what to you think?" asked Danny as he walked out wearing a designer suit.

"I think this thing smells. An man does it itch!" Tucker complained scratching himself fiercely.

"I meant me you idiot!"

"You look fine Master Daniel. Sir Tucker if you will kindly remove those glasses and wear these ones we can begin." Ruth told the boys handing him a pair of gold spectacles.

"What are we doing today Ruth and where's Wulf?" Danny asked

"Patients young master. Your bodyguard shall be here momentarily. Today will consist of the basics. Edicts and manners, horseback riding, fighting, and of course your studies." Ruth explained calmly.

"You mean we have to go to school? Man I thought we were on vacation!" Tucker complained.

"Sir Tucker I will not tolerate your insolence. Now if you follow me we have to go see someone about turning you into proper gentlemen. Forward march!" Ruth ordered shoving the boys through the doorway.

They marched through the castle taking in all the artwork, armor, and ghost. Everyone seemed to know where they needed to go and did so without question. Ruth stopped in front of two doors and opened them. Danny and Tucker walked in and sat down at a table. A ghost phased through the back wall and looked up.

"Yo Danny I have a dumb question. If everyone can phase through walls and junk why do they have doors?" Tucker whispered.

"Because most rooms are phase proof and we need doorways you techno dweeb." Ruth told him. It was obvious she found his limited knowledge on her world pathetic. "Gentlemen may I introduce you to Master Jedrek. His name means strong or manly in Polish. He will be you instructor in your studies. I will return in three hours time to take you to your next lesson. Till then I bid thee good day." Ruth said curtising and hurrying out the room.

Master Jedrek looked and his new pupils with little enthusiasm. He was use to teaching lords, counts, dukes, and princes. Not an escort and a squire. Jedrek wore a simple white robe that went well with his silver hair and eyes. "There shall be no talking while I teach. I expect you to have complete respect for me. You will address me as Master Jedrek at all times and under no circumstances are you to misbehave do I make myself clear? If you two don't have any questions we shall begin now."

Danny swallowed hard and sat up straight. This was going to a long three hours. Tucker glanced around nervously knowing this wasn't going to be pleasant. Jedrek taught them Classic Lit, history, music, art, math, politics, and a ton of other stuff. This was worse than Lancer class! Danny couldn't wait for the three hours to be up. Finally Ruth along with Wulf fetched the boys.

"I hope you two enjoyed your studies." Ruth said in an even tone but her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Friend Danny it is good to see you. I live to serve." Wulf said quietly. He assumed his bodyguard position by standing behind Danny ready to defend him against all danger.

"Come with me adolescent Master Danny, the king would like to see you. Right now."

"Boy you are in trouble now!" snicker Tucker

"Why don't you go meet the Canmore brothers outside Tucker? You could use a little training in how to be a man and not a wimp!" snapped Ruth

So Tucker went outside and Danny followed Ruth.

On Tucker way to outside he kinda got lost and wounded up being attacked by all of the Hunting Dogs. He wounded up showing of his nice purple undines with the Power Rangers S.P.D. on them!

"Here it is the King privet Chambers." She said as she turned and left.

Gulping he pushed open the doors and he and Wulf walked into the room.

"Welcome Daniel, the Hebrew name which means God is my judge. In the Bible he was a great prophet. I to hope you am enjoying your stay. If they're anything I can do to make you more comfy just name it. It's the least I can do for my daughter 's betroved! So tell me what to you think?" asked Othello as walked form his desk to greet the boy.

"Sir, I mean your Highness. I don't want you to get the wrong impression but I'm no savior, I barely got through puberty! I'm not big or strong. I'm just an ordinary boy with ghost powers. I know two things, one I love your daughter and two I want to do everything in my power to prevent another Human – Ghost War. But to be honest I have no clue how to accomplish this. And don't you want to talk to Wulf here too?" asked a confused Danny who was looking at his feet because he couldn't face this man intense green eyes.

"Please, Danny, call me Othello. I may be a king but I'm still just an ordinary man. That's deeply appreciated what you have done regarding the Renegades. I since that it been a very heavy burden on your shoulders. Especially for one so young. I notice that you and Wulf share the same bond as Tala and me. Pay heed to it. For it is a very special bond. I thank you helping him and letting me witness his son, which you honored by name of Talon birth. I've appointed Wulf as your personal bodyguard. I've shown great generosity as to give a flea bath and new clothes. And that new necklace he wears act like a translator. Now I want you to come here to sparred a bit. My little Filly has told me you are becoming quite the little pugilist. I would like to see how good you really are and see where I can help you improve." He said resting his right hand on his shoulder.

"You want me to fight you? But surely you one of the greatest fighter who every lived. Umm that is… I mean." He stammered

Chuckling lightly he smiled and said whimsy " Danny even us ghost are animate. We are just living spirits. I think I can teach you yes. So assumed the position and let 's go!" he said with one hand doing the come motion

Danny went ghost and began to push and kick and punch. He actually landed a few but he was only the river against the mightier boulder.

"Ugh! What am I doing incorrect? I just so, so…" panted Danny with his fists clenched

"Flustered? Angry? Doubtful? You are letting you emotions cloud your thoughts. You must not let your rage consume and blind you in battle. Don't let negative emotions rule you. Take those thoughts and mold them into a tool to help you fight. Stay focused on your goal. And don't become distracted. The only way to be truly defeated by ones enemy is to fail to defeat the enemy with in us. As long as you believe in yourselves and don't let your sprites become broken you will prevail. Now watch me closely and do exactly what I do when I do it." Intersected Othello in a wise voice. They trained for the next hour.

While this was going on Sam had found her way into the garden. She found a stone beach near a water founded and sat down and began to dreamily sniff her rose and think of Zekk. He was so handsome and they so much alike. He was dark gloomy and mysteries. He wrote very dark gothic pomes. Some of the she began to recite out of memory. Her favorite one was called Tales of a scorned woman bleeding and broken heart.

But as her little fantasy played out in her mind she was sudden brought to halt when in her daydream. She was dancing her in beautiful gothic dress for the school dance. She and Zekk were dancing in ancient medieval dudgeon with nothing watching them in the torchlight but the fierce stone gargoyle protectors. They enter the center of the room underneath the iron black candle chandler. She gazed into his eyes and leaned into to kiss him when she back startled because Zekk had change into Danny!

"Samantha! Samantha! Darling are you alright? You look like you seen the Angel of Death. What wrong honey?" asked Desdemona as she hugged the girl who was in total shock.

"I'm sorry Queen Desdemona. I was just sitting here and got lost in my mind and …" Sam said trying to quickly explain. Why did seeing Danny in her dream bother her so much?

"Let me guess you were dreaming about a boy who in the moment of a kiss changed into your best friend?" she said kindly

"Yeah how did you know?" asked Sam surprised

"In high school I took psychology for two years. Call me Desdemona. Let me guess you meet a boy. The boy of your dreams on the way here but your confused by your feeling for him and your relationship with Danny. I mean you've know him for all your life so there bound to be some attractions and romantic feelings for one another. And being only 14 you are a little unsure about the more mature feeling you have for this boy. Am I right?" asked Desdemona

"Yes and I'm also petrified for Danny and myself. I know he truly loves your daughter and I'm sure they'll be very blissful together. And I know he with her might be able to prevent a war from coming back. But must he lose his humanity and leave everyone who loves him for a world that may not accept him? He a great chap with a heart of gold. Not at all like that other halfa he told us about. But what stopping him from become malevolence?" asked Sam with her head hung.

"Come with me I want to show something." She replied and the wander deeper to garden. They walked for about ten minutes till they came to a small grove of thorny red rose bushes in the shape of a heart. In the center on a granite block was a marble statue. It was about 5'7 and seems to be a woman. Her right side was of an angel and left side was a demon. Cupped in her hands was a heart. On the plague beneath it read

"Spirit of the heart" by Jacqueline Ivory

"That statue is incredible! But what does it represent?" asked Sam uncertain

Smiling she turned and responded "It represent the good and evil in everyone heart. That no one is born good or evil but rather they choose to make that choice. In their own heart. But just because someone heart is dark does not mean it will always be that way. And even the purest heart can become dark. It's all your choice. Come its lunch and we're having pizza. Veggies for you and meat lover for all of us. Come the others are waiting."

Sam stays a moment more and gaze at the stone woman. "I must tell Danny how I truly feel about this or I truly will regret when he made the next king and comes to live here forever." She thought as a tear rolled down her face. She race to catch up.

At lunch everyone was talking and laughing. Jazz was going on and on about the details for the ballroom. From what kind of decorations to the placing of food. Tucker kept rubbing his bottom. And he was for some mystery reason sitting on a cushion.

"So what's next on the agenda? We have had such a great morning I simply must know what is next!" exclaimed Jazz as she ate her five slice of super spicy sausage pizza.

"Don't we still need to take some kind of dance lesson? With some French lady Josephine?" asked Sam as she dip her cinnamon stick in the tasty icing.

"You don't see Madame Josephine till after dinner. Danielle has something quite different in mind for you guys this afternoon." Said Desdemona as she wept some pizza sauce off her lower lip.

Danielle quickly pushes her chair out and said in a rushed voice. "Yes and we best hurry if we are too be on time. So come off it then. Get up and follow me.

Quickly the group followed her as she hurried outside and began racing toward a stable at the other side of courtyard.

"Danielle why are we running? What the big secret?" asked Sam

"Acornia is about to give brith. And I must be there. It is my duty as her friend and Spirit Walker partner to be there for her at the birth of her first child. So hurry!" She raced inside the stable and head down the rows till she came to the 14 stall on the right side and to their amazement there was a beautiful unicorn laying inside just ready to go into labor.

"She beyond any word of normal beauty. How did she come to be your Spirit Walker?" asked Jazz

"When I was seven she came to us after her mother was killed by rabid wolves. She wander out of the forest scared, tired and hungry. She was only about little over ten weeks old. Barely escaping certain death. It was Easter Sunday morning when we found lying outside the gates barely alive. I helped nurse her back to health and we bonded. I gave her ,her name and I'm the only one she lets ride her. And now she about to give birth to her first child." Said Danielle.

They watch in amazement. As the contracts hit Tucker back up and screamed. "AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"WHAT!" everyone cried in unison

Quivering he pointed to the stall next to Acornia where a huge black steed with blood red eyes was looking angrily at Tucker

"Oh Tucker you are such a cry baby! That just Phantom Stallion. Or Phantom. He kinda of in charge of all the animal. And he is also the father of Acornia 's child. His story of how he came to be here is just as heartbreaking as hers. I'll tell you about it if you like." Said Gabby

They all nodded.

"Three months after we took Acornia in we had some freaky storms. It first rained for 72 hours straight and then for the next 96 hours it snowed and hailed. With bitterest of winds. Many animals died, others got separate from there groups. Phantom comes from the horse band that live in the Valley of Trinity just beyond the south side of palace. His mother died and then he got separated from band and was attacked by cougars. He barely made out with his life. When he landed on our doorstep he was severely dehydrate and suffering from hypothermia and starvation. We took him in and save his life thought we nearly lost him three times. It was our friendship and kindness and the love he felt for Acornia that kept him alive. He will do anything you ask but won't let anyone ride him. Danielle thinks he just waiting for the right person to come along." Said Gabby as she got a couple of sugar cubes out of her pocket and gave them to him.

After twenty minuets the colt was born. It was a boy, and like his father he was black with red eyes. But unlike his father he seems to posses a horn like his mother. He stumbled for a few minuets till he found a nipple to suckle on. He began to drink with pleasure. His mother and father began to stare at the kids and Danielle figure out what they wanted.

They want us to name him! So lets hear some nominations!" cried Danielle

"Well" said Sam " like the name Deshawn."

"I think the name Enoch would be nice." Said Danny

"No it should be Jedidiah!" said Tucker

"Those names are way too complex, I think the perfect name for him is Nico like on that Animal Planet movie." Said Jazz

"Nico the Black Unicorn! I like it! How do you like it Acornia?" asked Danielle.

She brayed a bit and nodded. After Nico had been fed they all got some riding gear. Danny tried to get on one of the horse but it shook him off. The others were already mount and waiting.

"Damm this should be so hard! What am I doing wrong?" he scream as stooped his foot and said "Oh crap!" he said because he stepped into some horse manure

Phantom was giving a great deal of laughter off.

"Oh so you think that funny? Well its not! I've never ridden a horse before now but after all I've done I think I can handle any of you quarter pods! Even you!" he steamed

To his surprise Phantom undid the latch on his door and trotted over to Danny and knelled down in front of him!

"You want me to ride you? You've chosen me? I always have been picking last. Ok let me get the material." He said

Soon they were all ready to run in wide valley with the gentle breeze in their faces.

After that the party went back in for supper. Then Josephine who was a young fair skin lady with purple hair and silver eyes taught them all to dance.

"Well it's been such a thrilling day! Can't wait for tomorrow. I see you guys in the morning I'm hitting the sack early" said Sam.

Tucker and Danny went to the game room to play a game of pool and Jazz went to the library. Danielle went to be with her family.

Sam entered the Gothic room and just clasped onto the bed. She gripped a pillow and laid her head on. But she couldn't get comfortable because there was something under her pillow. She reached under it and pulled out a black envelope. On the front in glittering purple gel in was her name. On the other side the envelope was sealed with a sticker of the pentagram

"Uh, what this?" opening it up and began to read. It was written in gothic lettering and the more she read she realized it was a love letter! From Zekk! Inside the envelope was on a chain iron cross that had a pentagram in the center with a dragon wrapped around it. There was also picture of them eating lunch yesterday. She smiled a rare smile and sighed. But when she heard Danny laughter from down the hall she realized she was still feeling torn about her feeling for Zekk and her close friendship with Danny.

"No matter what I got to talk to Danny and tell him how I feel about his chose! But Zekk thanks you for giving me this hope that I can really be in love. But first I must take care about this throbbing in my heart. I have to tell Danny that I need reassure and maybe and something else. I will tell him tomorrow, yawning I need my beauty sleep!" Placing the letter in her pocket she blew out the candle and went to sleep.

Soon everyone was asleep but they may be dreaming peaceful dreams now but soon the in a living nightmare.