Summary: AU. Caught in the middle of Vladimir Master's evil plot to take over the Kingdom of Amity, Prince Daniel is turned into a half-ghost. Now he must flee for his life, hide in the company of two new allies, and fight his way back to the throne. DxS

Disclaimer: Butch and Nick own Danny and Co.

Chapter 7: Prophecy

A soft but urgent knock came at Vladimir Master's closed study and he bid the intruder to enter. Queen Madison appeared behind the lavender door, eyes bloodshot from excessive weeping over her ill husband and her lost son.
Our of all her troubles, however, she appeared to be relatively calm and collected. Her hands were gathered together before her and Vladimir stood up and bowed as she entered. She shook her head and brought a trembling hand to her mouth, knowing she dreaded the words that were about to escape her lips. She attempted to ignore the fact that her eyes automatically wondered to an illuminating gem that stood by his desk. She broke her glare and proceeded with her concern.

"Vlad," she said in a dark tone, "Jack is dying." He came around his desk and lead her to a chair. "I did not know who else to come to, and I wanted to ask for your help a long time ago. I've just...oh Vlad I've been so worried! It's all too horrible to handle..."

He crouched down before her and took her trembling hands. "How may I be of assistance, my queen?"

She lifted her heavy eyes to meet his and began in a trembling tone, "A couple of nights ago...I...there was someone...someone outside my chamber. I heard them say -- say that they were planning on getting Jonathan out of the way and taking the kingdom. Someone's killing him, Vlad, I know it, but I feel so lost because...I have no idea who...and...I didn't know who else I could trust..."

His expression fell with these words. He pondered on them for a moment and then smiled at her. "That is most grieving news, my queen. I do trust that I will do everything in my power to unveil the scoundrel. Do you...have any suspicions?"

Madison considered this for a moment. In all honesty, she had not even contimplated who could possibly be plotting against her husband. The only enemies he had were ghosts.

"Well...no," she said meekly. "Not really, I mean, who would do such a thing?"

He smiled once more and said, "I see. Yes I very well understand what you mean, your husband is a very aimable man." He got up and turned his back to her, stroking his chin. "May I ask, who other than you has not left his side since he fell ill?"

She was not sure what he meant by asking such a question but replied, "Not but that medic and Sir Lancer. They never leave his chamber, or are at least standing outside of it to guard it."

Little did Madison know, but the medic was actually posessed by a ghost that was being controlled by Vladimir.

"Sir Lancer?" he said. "Never leaves his sight do you say?"

"Why?" questioned the queen suspiciously. "What do you suppose is wrong? You don't honestly suspect him off -- "

"Oh no no," said Vlad, giving a soft chuckle. "Of course I was not accusing him of anything I was simply...pondering is all."

She nodded her head in apprehension and fell silent.

"Do tell me, however, who was it that objected to asking the ghosts of Prince Daniel's whereabouts?" he said, smirking.

She looked taken aback at the question but then answered it slowly, "J-Jonathan and...Sir Lancer..."

"And who is it that is constantly left to labor the king's tasks?"

"Sir --"

"And who was it that was first seen at the sight of the king's first expression of illness?"
The queen gasped. "Sir Lancer."

"Do you still doubt your suspicions?"

"Oh but I had none! Oh...all this time...I thought you said Jack had a heart condition?..."

"That he did, but when he did not get better I suspected that it was far more serious. Only then did I take it into consideration that it was a more intricate situation."

"Then what can we do?"

Vladimir placed his hands on her shoulders. "There is one thing I promise to do, my queen, and I will. I promise to protect you from harm. If it is indeed Sir Lancer that is bestowing these ill deeds upon our king, I will make certain that he is found out and found guilty."

"You will arrest him?"

"Far better," he said with a grin, "I will send him to serve as a guardian at the Ghost Abode. He will never return to trouble us again."

"Oh thank you, Vlad! I was so worried you would not know what to do, but now I know otherwise. You have lifted a heavy burden from my heart. And Jack? He will get better?"

He looked at her sadly. "That I cannot guarantee, my queen. I will search for all possible remedies. Once the fiend is out of the way, however, it should be easier to keep an eye out for him."

The queen nodded and tears of joy slid down her face. As unusual as the behavior seemed for a queen, she replied by grasping Vladmir's hand and bringing it to her lips. "Thank you. Thank you, Vlad. Thank you so much."

Vladimir's eyes widened at her expression in amusement. "My deepest pleasure," he replied. She squeezed his hand and returned it to his side before she left his study, smiling one last time at him and closing the door behind her.

He observed his hand which she had kissed and brought it to his face to inhale her sweet scent. "Now, if only that girl showed up with the prince's head on a plate, things would be all too perfect," he said to himself as the possessed Bertrand materialized next to him, bowing and registering that he had accomplished his duty by presenting a flask full of a bright pink fluid before him.

"Hurry then, dear," said Vladimir as he took the vile, walked over the amber stone in the goblet and poured it into it, watching the gem slowly absorb the king's essence.

----------------------------------

Queen Madison sat mournfully beside the pale king in his chamber. She gripped his still hand gently and admired his sleeping face with tears in her eyes. His skin was clammy and stiff and he moaned in his sleep. He had not awoken for over a day.

The queen felt torment at the fact that someone as close as Sir Lancer could possibly plot against her king. He had now left the castle by Vladimir's orders and only time would tell if Jack's condition would improve. Sir Lancer had always seemed so faithful, such a chivalrous knight. Then again, perhaps her judgement had wavered in the past years. She thought she knew her son so well, after all. She never imagined he would run away from his duties. He had never even said anything that would send her to suspect such things. True, he was often perturbed and unsettled as a prince, but he had a good heart. If those ghosts she had sent could not deliver him, she knew no one could. She had done everything in her power to assure his safe return, all she could do now was pray that he was alive and safe.

The thought of this sent even more tears running from her eyes. This should not be happening; everything had always been so well in the Kingdom of Amity. She had not even bothered Jazmine with news of her father's illness. Lord knows she had enough responsibility as a queen now. Madison was immensely proud of her daughter, but the thought of her family falling apart made her realize that there did not seem much hope for the kingdom. What would happen if Daniel didn't return? What if Jack did die? And what of her? Who would carry on the crown? There was no heir left. And there was no hope.

She noticed her hands shaking and lowered her face into them as she sobbed.

What made things worse, however, was the more she thought of it, the more that stupid gem kept haunting her dreams. She couldn't get it out of her head no matter how hard she tried and, lately, it seemed to be getting worse. She had wild fantasies of making an extraordinary elixir from it. Her imagination wondered if it could possibly possess supernatural abilities to turn metal into gold, provide eternal youth and beauty, or eternal life. At times she even contemplated if the gem could cure her dying husband. She hated the thought and despised it, but part of her did not want to see the gem damaged. The less she could hold on to her husband and the hope of the future of the kingdom being restored, the more she found herself longing for the precious jewel. The object represented ideal paradise in her mind, and if she could claim herself the owner of it, everything would be at calm and peace around her, as if it would be the solution to all of her problems.

Her train of thought was interrupted as Jack suddenly began to gasp greatly, though he still did not seem to be awake since his eyes were shut. She immediately stood up and began to call his name during his seizure. Her heart was plummeting violently at her throat.

"Daniel...ghost...Vlad..." Random words escaped his lips as he gasped violently.

"What is it, darling? Daniel isn't here. Neither is Vlad, oh please be at rest!" she sobbed as she held her husband's hand and hovered over him. His expression scowled but he seemed to still.

She looked down at him with concern and closed her eyes painfully as she kissed him on his brow.

A soft knock came at the door and the queen bid the disturber to enter.

Lady Paulina bowed before her as she came into the room. "Forgive me, your highness. Advisor Vladimir wishes you should join him in his study."

"Tell him it can wait," said the queen bitterly through gritted teeth as she looked down sorrowfully at her husband.

"I'm afraid, my queen, that it may be urgent due to the state of King Jonathan," said the girl, her head bowed. "It would be my honor to assist the king at his ill hour."

Queen Madison stood up and walked away from her husband to face the girl. Her face was placid but a slight smile breeched her lips.

The queen looked at her with disdain and tears in her eyes. "The king has been poisoned. You very well know that. Do you honestly think I would leave his side to the company of a pupil?"

The girl blushed slightly and said, "I was not aware, your majesty. May I offer to guard the chamber?"

The queen sighed deeply and escorted herself and the girl out of the room, locking the chamber behind her and placing the key within her robes.

"And if he is to have a seizure, my queen?" the girl questioned meekly.

Madison considered this and looked at the girl. "Can I trust you?"

The girl looked at her somewhat pityingly and her eyes became downcast. "Trust no one," came her reply, which surprised the queen.

She looked at her in contemplation and then asked, "Has anyone visited the king without my knowledge?"

"No, my queen," answered the girl.

"And has anyone acted strangely?"

"If they did, your majesty would be first to know."

The queen nodded sadly and then handed the girl the key, though somewhat hesitantly.

Paulina watched the queen ascend up the stairs as she stared at the key in her hand and then called to her. "Your majesty, wait."

Queen Madison turned as the girl slightly came forward.

"There's a book. In the library. It's coated in blue velvet with an eagle crest on it and it's in the west corner. I stumbled across it when I was bored during my lesson. I think you might find it interesting."

"What do you -- ?" began the queen.

"Just believe me," said the girl, smiling slightly. "Vladimir Masters told me it was not for my eyes, but I believe it could hold the answers to some of your questions."

Queen Madison did not know what the girl was talking about, but took her to mean more than she comprehended. "You are certain it's still there?"

"It is said the book can only be revealed to the one who needs to read it most."

The queen had never heard of such a book, and most definitely did not know that such a mystical object resided in the very castle.

"Thank you," the queen said softly when she really wanted to ask why she was telling her this and continued up the stairs.

Before she made it to his study, however, the queen already met Vladimir walking toward her with a snide on his face. She halted her stroll and waited for him to reach her.

"Poor news, my queen," he said, attempting not to grin, "Medic Bertrand has just informed me that Jonathan's state is still deteriorating despite Sir Lancer's departure. It appears that he may still have allies within these very walls. Your orders?"

The queen brought her hands to her mouth at these words, but could not deny that she was only half-heartedly surprised. Why? Why would someone do that? And who?

She looked away as he awaited her reply.

"I don't know. I just don't know anymore," said the queen sorrowfully. "How could I?" she said, turning to look at him with glistening eyes.

He watched her solemnly and then replied, "I will search the grounds, my queen. Any evidence that suggests the culprit will be brought forth."

"Thank you," she said breathlessly, although she knew such evidence could hardly be found. His eyes squinted as he smiled, whipped his cape around, and continued down the hallway and out of sight.

Madison sighed. She knew she was desperate, desperate for anything that could at least give her the slightest clue as to what was going on. What was it that Lady Paulina had said? A book. Yes, that's right, she had said something about a strange book in the library. Should she even bother, or would this just be another hollow cry for help? She had nothing better to do and so she proceeded into the dark dusty confinement lined with wooded bookshelves. She had never really paid much attention to it, but the place was eerie. Clearly not many had wondered into the deeper parts of the library, not even the students. Why would the girl know of anything? The queen began to have doubts as she proceeded to the shady corner of the library and a chill raised the hairs on the back of her neck. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Her eyes darted upward to see a large tapestry hanging on the wall. It had a portrait of someone she knew was a great writer, but she just couldn't place the name. He wore dark blue robes and a pair of spectacles rested over his green eyes while a mop of messy black hair swept over his features. He also had a somewhat untamed beard and held a book in his lap. She squinted to see the spine clearly. The eagle crest! Anticipation stirred inside of her at the discovery. She searched the bookshelf frantically with her fingers, but no such book that fit its resemblance could be found.

She suddenly felt the temperature in the library drop and began to shiver greatly, rubbing her arms vigorously to keep warm as she watched her breath escape her in small puffs of fog. How could it have gotten so cold so fast?

Her eyes immediately widened and she backed away in fear as she watched the books on the middle shelf of the bookcase begin to move aside to reveal a dusty book with an azure cover. She protruded a shaking hand in hesitation only to find the book move forward and open itself before her. A sharp gasp escaped her lips and she desperately wanted to run in any direction at all, but her feet were kept planted firmly onto the floor.

She looked around in panic to see if there was anyone or anything in the library with her, but found nothing of the like. Still hesitating and the temperature growing even lower, she made small steps toward the book. She was surprised to find that it had absolutely no writing in it, but a lot of its initial pages had been roughly ripped out, the broken notes edged on the spine. She brought her shaky hand to it once more to flip the blank pages that were still intact, but found her jaw slightly dropping as she witnessed letters form themselves on the page before her. When they stopped she found a small couplet written on the dusty parchment. Holding her breath deep within her chest, she read:

Fools will ask of obvious truth

The wise inquire the lie

Since you are neither, skip the proof

And do not question why.

What in the world did that mean? Don't ask about the truth or the lie and don't ask for proof and don't ask why? What? How did that make any sense?

"Wh-What should I ask?" said the queen nervously, reminding herself that she was, in fact, speaking to a book.

The unknown. She gasped. It had heard her and it had replied.

"A-Alright," said the queen, suddenly feeling bolder, although she could not tell why. "Alright, tell me...tell me who's the one unfaithful to the king?"

Among the trusted, a traitor untried.

She read the message hurriedly, her eyes darting at the page. That told her nothing. Of course whoever the traitor was she was trusting him. Or her. She trusted everyone.

"Yes, but who?"

Another.

Her face fell as she guessed that the book perhaps did not know or could not tell her. She assumed it meant to ask it another question.

"Where is my son?"

Not amidst the deceased but neither alive.

She considered this, though at first slightly startled. One of the four ghosts she had sent after Prince Daniel had told her something of the sort, that something strange had happened to him. And that elderly ghost had described him as a ghost. What could that mean? Daniel surely wasn't dead, but then what was he? Not dead but not alive...She shivered at the thought as well as the ice cold temperature. She needed to know more from the book before she froze to death.

"What of my husband?"

The king will not live until his reign had died.

What did that mean? Was that some kind of prophecy? She feared that someone would have to take Jack's place if something happened to him, but did this mean that there was some hope?

"There is a stone -- "

Yes, it's power is something you must contrive.

"You know of it?"

My knowledge is merely a mirror to thought.

She narrowed her eyes. So it was that the book did not know the answer to everything. It was simply guiding her, but to what? Did she already know the answers to her own questions? "I...feel foolish saying this, but I think it's overpowering me. It has me enchanted, I haven't stopped thinking about it since before Jack fell ill. What should I do?"

Don't interfere. Gain what destiny has begot.

"But what is it? I wish to know -- "

A heart of stone is a heart all the same.

The cold was beginning to get unbearable and her knees were growing weak. This wasn't helping her, it was only making her all the more frustrated. She felt as if she was wasting her time talking to herself in front of a journal. "What is your purpose? What if I do not understand?"

She was taken aback to find the ink form itself into place on the parchment with its longest reply.

My purpose is hardly to thoroughly explain

A message is all I have to proclaim,

But frailty is something you have to abstain.

Oh ho ho. Great advice. Just perfect. "And of the message?"

Time unveils knowledge and knowledge gives light

Let fall in it's place and play part to the plight.

This time she scowled, her tone riveting. "Knowledge gives light? What do you --?"

Do not play the fool.

"And the wise?"

Only in anticipation of consequences.

"Consequences?"

The inevitable.

Her stance was failing and she could no longer feel her arms or nose. She knew she had to leave. "What are you?"

A writer and his composition.

"Of?"

All and nothing.

"Are you a ghost?" she said accusingly, looking around to find nothing. The book had paused this time and only replied after the moment of hesitation.

You have questioned your line of curiosity. Concentrate on the solution, not the problem. Recite the verse every night before sleep. You must leave now.

"But --"

The page on which the writing had occurred was suddenly ripped out as if by an invisible hand and vanished. She gasped and backed further away, embracing warmer temperature. The book shut loudly and was moved back to its original place as the other books once again collapsed before it and obscured it from sight.

She ran out of the library, embracing even warmer temperature and walked away hurriedly, rehearsing the rhyme in her mind. Among the trusted, a traitor untried, The prince not amidst the deceased but neither alive, the king will not live until his reign has died...

She did not notice a squire running toward her as she kept her eyes lowered and her arms around herself, walking at a fast pace.

"Your majesty! Your majesty!" he called, panting.

She stopped in only an afterthought.

The boy was young and bore blonde hair, she noticed, as he bowed before her. "Your majesty...Lady Paulina has been caught poisoning the king. Treason!"

"What!" the queen exclaimed in objection. Don't interfere. Gain what destiny has begot.

How was that possible? She had trusted Lady Paulina, who had helped her. Why would she of all people poison the king? She already knew she was suspicious of her.

"Come at once to the Grand Hall, your majesty," said the youth.

She followed him in his hurried wake.

"I did not get your name, squire," she told him coldly. Something prevented her from trusting him, it seemed too outlandish. All of it.

"Dashiell, your majesty," said the boy earnestly. When they reached the Grand doors, he held them open for her and bowed as she entered. Lady Paulina was clutched on each arm by two guards, her face bowed in guilt. Vladimir stood beside them, his hands folded at his back as the queen took her thrown, a scowl on her face.

She knew she had to speak first, she simply did not know what to say. "Explain," was the only word that could come out of her mouth.

Madison looked to the girl and she did not avert her eyes. Her face, that which had always appeared fair in youth and beauty was torn in sorrow. She just could not have committed such a crime.

Paulina opened her mouth humbly to speak when Vladimir's booming voice shattered the silence, "A scoundrel and an impurity to the kingdom. This woman was found administrating poison into the king's drink! Squire Dashiell admitted to having witnessed the vile act."

The hall was filled with silence again as Madison's eyes watered in anger. "And to what does Squire Dashiell admit his presence by the King's chamber?"

"Only on my orders to guard it," said Vladimir in a silky tone. It made her shiver slightly in displeasure.

She turned once more to the girl who had not spoken a word. She wanted to refuse to believe it, but yet there she had been, with key at hand standing by the king's chamber. And she had left her there. "To what do you testify, Lady Paulina?" she said monotonously.

The girl began to weep and Vladimir scowled. "G-Guilty, m-my queen."

Queen Madison gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth. So she admitted it. "How could you?" the queen replied bitingly, looking away from the weeping girl. Her sobs resounded against the enormous walls and the queen turned her head from her in disgust. "Take her away," she spat.

The young woman's cries only shattered the Grand Hall even more as the guard's grips on her tightened and she was forcibly led out of the castle.

Vladimir remained before the queen as she stared down into the velvet carpet, a sober tear rolling down her cheek.

"Such dreadful deception, my queen," Vladimir spoke sympathetically.

Her head snapped to him. She said nothing but simply met his blank gaze.

"I just want it all to stop," she breathed. "It shouldn't be like this..."

"Of course not, my queen," he said admirably and bent down on one knee before her, taking her hands into his own. "My only honor is to protect you from any harm."

She nodded and looked down at his hand which was holding her own. She took it out of his grasp so she could meet it with her other palm.

"There may be a better way," he spoke in a heavy tone.

She looked at him quizzically.

"And what, pray tell, is that?"

"There...is a law," he spoke mystically. "It states in the Chronicles of Amity that should a king fall ill or in dispose to govern the kingdom and no heirs are to take his place, the king himself is able to appoint the new ruler. Through marriage to the queen, of course. I had discussed the terms with him if ever anything of the like were to happen..."

She frowned at him, her heart pounding at her chest at the prospect.

He took her hand in his once more. "...Maddie, he appointed me to protect this kingdom, to protect you. If this keeps up, you stand too great a threat... I'm afraid it is the only way..."

She stood up briskly. "Preposterous!" she snapped. "I will not give up on Jack or Daniel! And of all...to marry you, Vlad? How can I possibly even contemplate letting the kingdom move forward without them!"

"Now, now, Maddie -- "

"Queen! Your Queen Madison!" she said angrily, whisking her hand from his once more.

He drew back his hands in apology as she huffed and stepped away from him, facing her back to him.

"Perhaps you would simply...consider? You are not safe, and you are all that is left, my queen. Take that away and all that you and the king have worked for would have been in vain. I'm sure he would not want that now, would he? Who do you know better to manage the kingdom of Amity then myself? I cannot guarantee Jonathan's recovery, no one can. It is time to take precaution."

She sighed heavily, her heart still pounding violently in her chest.

"At least, my queen, do take it into...consideration," he said, getting to his feet and leaving her standing beside her alter.

She couldn't. She couldn't possibly consider something like this. To leave Jonathan and marry that...that...She had no word for him. As much as she trusted him, he still repulsed her.

A heart of stone is a heart all the same.

She walked over to Jonathan's throne and glazed it gently with the palm of her hand. She wanted her king to live and she wanted her son to be safely back at the castle. She kneeled before the king's throne and an illumination suddenly flashed before her eyes: the one thing she seemed to want as much as any of it, and how she cursed herself for it. She could almost feel the amber tingle beneath her fingertips as she clutched the armrest of the throne and tears escaped her eyes because the pain and worry over the ones she loved competed with her obsession. She was torn and broken and she knew not what to do. Perhaps Vladimir was right, perhaps it was necessary to take precaution, especially with the state she was in. But no, how could she give up? She felt herself grow weaker as she wept evermore. She needed time to collect herself and make the right decision.

Time unveils knowledge and knowledge gives light

Let fall in it's place and play part to the plight.

zomg! It's liek Ghost Writer! Hez so hot! haha. Yeah, I figured Maddie needed some help. I'm glad I brought him in actually, he's cool. By the way, my "poetry" totally sucks. It's kinda hard though when you're trying to get a conversation across, but I tried my best. Don't kill meh! And, don't worry, you're not supposed to understand what most of that random jumble means in the poem. It's just important to Maddie right now. Vlad, meanwhile, is killing two birds with one stone. Literally.

This was, by the way, the last Madison chapter. I'm gonna miss them, I like writing her character a lot. She'll be back again only at the very end. I know Paulina appeared somewhat nice, but honestly, take away the status of popularity and Paulina is honestly not that bad a person. I kinda feel bad for her, she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

And, urgh, school starts next week. How dull. This is honestly one of the few things keeping me sane right now. That's a good thing too seeing as I still need to do a bunch of crud to prepare.

Your reviews, by the way, were amazing, guys! Thank you so much again. I'd love to hear more from you!