A/N: Well, it hasn't been QUITE as long between updates, right? I tried to get this one out a little faster, but it was a challenge to write. It's not super long, but I can't put it with other chapters. You'll understand when you reach the end.
Remember to read/review/follow! Reviews motivate me to keep going! I'm excited to hear everyone's thoughts on this chapter!

Chapter 26: A Picture of Loneliness

They had once been so beautiful, the Infinite Realms. The lands that had once existed have long since been scattered and tainted by the breeze of greed. It speaks poorly for not only themselves, but their counterparts as well, their dreams tainted by lust and greed, drowning in a false happiness.

He glances at the portal on the wall, something akin to a smile pulling at his lips.

"They will be beautiful again, soon enough."

ZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzBREAKzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZ

His body aches, and he suppresses the urge to vomit as he rolls over with a groan. The floor beneath him is hard stone, and he can hear a chain rattle near his feet. Finally, he wrenches his eyes open.

He's in a cell, most likely within Pariah's Keep. He'd recognize this aura anywhere. Two guards are stationed by the door, a pair of skeletons.

Did he really think these two mindless constructs could stop me? he wants to snort, but instead looks down at the chain around his ankle. Human-proof, and likely obtained from Walker.

It certainly makes the situation a little more difficult.

He glances around the cell, and then at the guards. He touches a tentative hand to his abdomen, feeling the dried blood glueing his shirt to his wound. He can still feel the blade piercing through skin, muscles, and organs. Hot blood forced out with every heartbeat. The fact that he's still alive after that is somewhat terrifying.

It's something he'd never doubted before, but recalling the past few years, with the explosion and now…

Can I die?

The thought causes bile to rise in his throat again, but he stuffs it down with a firm thought, I have something more important to think about right now.

He reaches inside for a trickle of icy power, trying to gently pour it into the lock around his ankle. Slowly, but surely…

Nothing. Cold, empty nothing.

Not this again!

He recognizes this feeling.

"Long time no see, Fenton."

Step, clack, drag. Step, clack, drag.

Yulian Kovich, looking much better than the last time he'd seen him, hobbles into view, a cane in one hand and a Plasmius Maximus in the other. A smirk twists those lips, turned pale by his lengthy stay in the Infinite Realms.

"Kovich. You got out of Pandora's Palace?"

"I'm a smart guy."

"What about your pals?"

"Ross didn't make it," another voice chirps in, an overly-white grin appearing from the darkness, "Too bad, so sad. I made it quick, though."

"It got the guard to open the door," Kovich shrugs.

Ramirez laughs, "His expression was priceless! Hey, think he's wandering somewhere in this forsaken place?"

"You make me sick. You killed your friend to save yourselves?!"

"He was never a 'friend'. He's happier dead, anyway."

"That's not your decision to make."

"Boss, can you picture it? What do you think he'd call himself?"

"That's not important. Focus on the task at hand."

"Alright," he tsks, pulling a knife from his belt and ramming it through the forehead of the nearest skeleton, "fine."

"You know, our current employer disapproves of your destructive habits."

"It's not like it does anything to them," he rips the knife out violently, quickly wedging it between the thrall's ribs.

"You should still behave. He's our ticket to getting out of this place. This isn't the time for you to have a rebellious phase."

He snickers, shaking his head, "You know you're my only boss, Boss."

Kovich raises an eyebrow but doesn't respond, instead turning back to their captive.

"I hear your little secret got out."

"On television."

Electric fear races to the tips of his toes, recalling the last few moments before he lost consciousness. Had there actually been a news crew?

Of course. It's a ghost fight in Amity Park.

The GIW had surely been watching. They would've swooped in on his family and friends like hawks the moment they saw him transform. The most danger, however…

Danielle…

"Your little girlfriend must be in a lot of trouble," Ramirez grins, "Or is she your fiancee now?"

"Sam can handle herself."

"Sam, that's right, that was her name," he licks his lips, "The fighter. Think she'll come here to save you?"

"She's smarter than that," he stuffs down Impurity's possessive anger and smirks, "You couldn't handle her anyway."

"All the more fun to-"

"-Ramirez," Kovich interrupts, "Just get him and let's go to the throne room."

"Yes, Sir," the youth replies, unsheathing an ectoranium knife, "Let's go."

Human-proof chains around my ankles, and an ectoranium knife at my back. How. Perfect.

They shuffle along the stone passageway and up the stairs, eventually emerging into the main hall of Pariah's Keep. Thralls kneel before the throne, upon which sits a familiar silhouette, looking every bit the evil vampire part he usually plays.

Danny waits in dread for the usual condescending comment, 'Oh, Daniel, I'm so glad you've joined us!'

But he's silent.

Okay, now we really know something's seriously messed-up here, he squints at the form on the throne, the alarms in his head ringing.

"King Plasmius welcomes you, Halfling."

The Fright Knight descends from above, the crown upon his head. Thralls are crushed beneath the feet of his steed as it alights, but he pays them no mind as he dismounts. The fires in the hall flare violently for a moment before steadying again.

"I'm a little miffed," Danny snarks, "Usually he takes special glee out of 'welcoming' me himself. What, you catch a cold in outer space, Vlad?!"

The shadow doesn't even twitch, and a block of ice settles in his stomach.

"Our glorious King doesn't need to speak with you," the Knight sneers.

No.

It can't be.

"I'll make it simple. Surrender now or we'll obliterate your precious town and everyone in it!"

No demands for Mom. No complicated chess schemes.

Just a simple declaration of war.

The crown isn't on Vlad.

He wants to check, to make sure that he's correct. But with the distant tingle of the Plasmius Maximus keeping his core at bay, he can't do anything in this moment.

"The Infinite Realms with continue to fight for their freedom," he answers clearly, "Whether I'm here or not."

"It seems you need more time to think," The Fright Knight hisses, "Take him back to his cell."

"Can't I even greet Plasmius properly? Come on, Vlad, I know you're angry about being left in space, but this is just rude."

Silence.

"My mom worried a little bit about you recently. She wondered if space was a little harsh."

Silence.

"...You really just left it at that, huh?" he finishes quietly, his mind certain, "Way to knock over your own king. You lived your whole life desiring a love you'd never obtain. I almost feel sorry, knowing that you never even thought about looking somewhere else. You could've been happy, Masters. No matter what, you could've found someone who would care about you if you'd just looked around."

"Silence!" The Fright Knight bellows.

"I didn't like you. Not one bit, but...that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt knowing that you finished dying a completely miserable human being."

The lone shadow on the dais remains unmoving. Hollow cheeks sunken in and red eyes glazed. It slouches forlornly on an imposing throne, an empty and desolate picture of loneliness.