The fog rolled through the hills like a tide hitting the shore, its ebb and flow leaving behind pearls of dew while above, the stars glistened like the spray of an incoming wave. A serene view, with each detail playing its part to create one all encompassing feeling: Peace. That's what Harry saw as he watched his godfather take in the landscape before them as a free man for the first time in over a decade.

The term, 'free man,' might be used too loosely here, since technically Sirius was still an outlaw. 'Soon to be a free man' would be a more accurate description, because as Harry and Sirius were stargazing, Ron and Lupin were lugging a peculiar blubbering man behind them. His peculiarity was in part due to his unique ability to leave the human classification of primate behind to join the order of rodents, and his lasting endurance these twelve long years in the Weasley household as said rodent. But the overshadowing reason for his peculiarity came from the man's lack of a thing all creatures of the chordate phylum have in common: a spine. In his cowardice, the man spouting endless pleas, bribery, and shameless tears had caused the death of a good friend and let another one take the fall for his crimes. Needless to say, justice would be served, that is, if Harry had anything to say about it.

"You know, when you were born, James asked me to be your godfather," Sirius said, drawing Harry out of his thoughts. The man was gazing nonchalantly at the sky, but Harry could tell by his tense shoulders that he was nervous.

"I've heard. You still are, I think," he commented.

Sirius gave him a wry smirk. "They took away many things from me, but that was one thing they couldn't change." His smile faltered when he realized their eyes had met, and he looked away. Shifting, he added, "What I'm trying to say is that, since you are my godson, if you wanted to get away from the muggles and live with me here, you'd live closer to your friends and be amongst your kind, I'd be happy to have you."

"You want me to live with you?" Harry asked.

"Only if you want to," Sirius replied. He tried to play it cool, but he was waiting for Harry's response with baited breath.

Harry furrowed his brow and thought of his family back at home. His parents probably wouldn't miss him if he left; they hardly even knew when he was home anymore. Danny was already questioning his loyalty to his family, but leaving would just confirm it for him. Jazz was the most likely to understand, but would be disappointed at him for his choice.

Harry looked at his godfather, and he fully took in his gaunt appearance. The years in prison had not done the man well. His baggy eyes spoke of sleepless nights stricken with fear while his pale complexion and thin frame told of malnourishment far before his escape. The ragged fabric that hung from his body was a sad excuse for clothes. Thin, ripped, and deteriorating were just a few words that described their detrimental state. He wasn't sure how the man had survived the cold nights on the run.

His haggard appearance hinted at the state of his inner turmoil. Mentally, the man had spent twelve years trapped in a building with fear-inducing creatures. When he was finally declared innocent and started transitioning back into society, he would need a lot of help to recover and find his way again. He would need someone there to keep him grounded, help him through his trauma, and remind him that he was a good man. Harry wanted to be that person.

While he loved Danny and Jazz, Harry was starting to think that that part of his life was in his past. His ten year plan did not include living in America and dealing with mundane life in the midwest. He wanted to be a wizard and his place was here, not thousands of miles away.

"I would love to," Harry replied firmly. A grin blossomed on his godfather's face.


The ground was cold, wet, and unforgiving. Danny felt every piece of gravel as they sliced his face. Merciless, booming laughter sent chills down his spine. Icy drops of rain fell, but Danny didn't have time to ponder whether the phenomenon was normal for the Ghost Zone. He was struggling to pick himself off the blacktop.

In the distance he heard Ember's dissonant strum of chords blasting through bones, causing the ground to tremble from its vibrations. Tires screeched as Johnny plowed through the ranks while the skies thundered with the roar of two raging dragons. His mind subconsciously searched for the familiar whir of his friends' ecto weapons, but he couldn't hear anything over Skulker's heavy artillery. The sound of war penetrated the night, drowning the persistent patter of rain.

Feeling the mixture of ectoplasm and water drip down from his face, Danny staggered upright. He threw an ectoblast as another one came crashing into his stomach. He was flung to the ground again, rolling from the impact. Danny coughed as he got onto his hands and knees, feeling the metallic ectoplasm ooze out of his mouth.

With head spinning and vision blurring, he fought the temptation of unconsciousness; succumbing to its allurement would mean certain death. Rising once again, Danny glared at the ghost king. The king was sporting his own damages. Danny spied a smoking shoulder, satisfied that his blind shot had connected, though it did nothing to hinder the violent king. Danny was soon sent sailing, once again, from another powerful blast.

"Give up, halfa. You do not have the strength to defeat me," Pariah shouted triumphantly as Danny shakily picked himself off the wet concrete. The ground shook with the power of the king's voice, sparking a memory that Danny never wanted to think about again. Before today, it was a memory that only surfaced in his worst nightmares. Scrunching his eyes, Danny widened his stance with a grimace. He hated this power and his own weakness for needing it. He hated his mind for always bringing him back to that fateful day where everything he did was not enough.

Calling upon one of his least favorite powers, Danny opened his eyes and fiercely met the king's gloating face. Bracing himself, he spat, "Never," and released his most fearsome power. The surrounding buildings crumpled and glass shattered from the sound of his wail. Each reverberation sent the king flying further and further away. Danny continued to hit him with everything he had until there was nothing left to give. Dropping to his knees, Danny gulped in fresh air while taking in the damage.

What remained of the nearby skeletons were piles of dust dissolving in the soil from the rain. Nearby cars were turned over with their windows smashed. Danny found the king in a heap across the parking lot. He let out a breath of relief until the king started moving. His ghostly glow turned red with rage, his injuries only fueling his anger. Dread shot through Danny.

Too tired to think and too weak to stand, Danny watched helplessly as the king stomped towards him.

"You insolent rat!" Pariah seethed as he kicked Danny across the lot. "You thought an abomination like you could defeat me?" Danny was punched down before he could stand back up. "The master of both living and dead?!" Crumpling to the ground, Danny felt the edge of death closing in. His pounding heart drowned out the distant fighting. It was just him and Pariah.

"How foolish." Danny felt himself getting pulled up by his hair and realized that this was it. He had spent a year trying to defend his home and loved ones from danger, and now there was no more he could give. His late nights fighting and struggling to stay alive had come to this moment. Feeling exhausted, he sent one last wish that his family would be kept safe.

He felt Pariah's grip tighten as time seemed to slow. Feeling a familiar tug at his core, and a heavy weight in his pocket, a spark stirred inside of him. He was going to die anyway. If he could take control of the object before that happened, then Pariah's power would split in half. That way the next person to face Pariah would have a chance at defeating him. Corruption wouldn't matter when he was dead. Danny's hands moved without thinking.

"What is that?" Pariah barked, as Danny pulled the ring out. Wasting no time, Danny glared at Pariah's shocked face and put the ring on his finger.

"Stop!" Pariah yelled, but he was too late.

Danny screamed as his mind was flooded with the ring's power. It was like a sun had forced its way inside him and was radiating raw energy. It was too much and it needed to cease before it consumed him.

With its raw power came the ring's influence. It was raging and ugly, and Danny glared at Pariah as hatred took root. Anger roiled through him and demanded retribution. The man had destroyed his city, threatened his people - he had to pay.

And it would be so easy, too. Pariah was just an ant compared to Danny. He'd only be getting what he deserved.

No! Danny thought as he fought against the influence of the ring. He didn't put the ring on for power, or to destroy Pariah. All he wanted to do was weaken the king by getting rid of the ring's power before he died. If Pariah no longer had its power, then someone down the line had a better chance of stopping him.

The ring fought for control and Danny struggled. "You will listen to me!" He shouted through clenched teeth. "You are here to do my bidding, and I want you gone for good!"

Danny felt the ring bend to his will and take his command. More power built up inside him, causing Danny to cry out in pain. He had already felt like a rubber band being stretched too far. Something had to snap, and Danny feared it would be himself.

When the inevitable happened, Danny felt like he was split in all directions. He let out another agonizing scream as the ring broke in half. Raw power poured out, destroying everything around Danny as it went.

Not that he could see it. Danny was in too much agony to notice the things around him. He didn't see the parking lot lights fall like dominos or the black top turn to rubble. He didn't hear the birds chirp as the sun dissipated the green abyss. He didn't see the Ghost King fall, never more to stand.

To Danny, all he felt was pain, before losing consciousness.


From the rubble, people and ghosts slowly began to emerge. Seeing a human struggling, a ghost pulled him out exclaiming, "He's done it! Phantom's defeated the king!"

The person looked at the ghost confused. "Phantom? I thought that was Invisobill fighting that guy."

Skulker, who sat atop a nearby pile, spat a bolt out at the pair. "Humans and their pet names," he scoffed.

"His name's Phantom," Sam growled, pulling herself out next to the man. "Always has been. It's about time you morons got it right." Seeing Skulker's growing smirk she narrowed her eyes. "What's your deal?"

Looking in the direction where Pariah fell he stated, "My prey has become a more desirable target."

Not having the energy to argue with the ghost, Sam sent him a nasty glare before following his gaze with a worried look.

People and ghosts had watched the skeletons and mysterious hooded figures disappear without a trace. Ghosts were reunited with their once controlled friends and humans embraced their loved ones. In unison they cheered as the town was returned to Earth.

.

A/N - I forgot to add Harry's talk with Sirius in the last chapter, so here it is in this one. At some point I'll put it where it belongs for continuity reasons, but for now it's here. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed it!