Wow, she's beautiful, he thinks to himself, eyes scanning over her slender frame, wrapped in breezy black and purple fabric. A ring sparkles on her hand, and it makes him smile with a realization that it's one he gave her. It's not a wedding ring, but some sort of official seal.
Whatever.
She's his wife.
Nothing else really matters.
She's marvelling at the carpet - moss, he's somehow certain - beneath her feet.
Where are her shoes? He almost laughs aloud, but refrains. He has other things to tease her about.
"What, you didn't think we'd have sheep or wool in the Ghost Zone, did you?"
"Where have you been?"
In a prison with Kovich and Ramirez, which is as pleasant as it sounds, I assure you.
"Unfortunately, working," he takes her hand in his own and kisses it, admiring again the ring, "Instead of spending time with you."
His words don't sound right somehow. His mind forms one thing and his lips another. Weird. Usually he has more control over these things.
...oh well. He's racing off to somewhere with Sam now. What was it he was wanting to show her? He can't quite remember...It was really cool, though…
She's so amazing. I love her so much...I don't think I can even imagine not having her in my life. Beautiful, strong, sweet-and-sour Sam. Neither of us are perfect, but if she's okay with that, so am I.
I'm definitely getting the better deal here.
"Yes, you've certainly gotten more than you were supposed to have."
Only now does he notice the black thorns snaring him, tearing him away from her.
It's only darkness here, but its somehow familiar. He can hear his heart pounding in his ears, as if to remind him that he's still alive.
That voice…
"Long-time-no-see, Daniel Fenton."
"Long-time-no-see, Death."
Death chuckles, "You're so much bolder than the last time I saw you, Child."
"You're not here for me. Not yet."
"True," he sounds as though he's smiling.
"So what are you here for?"
"You seek power that defies The Crown of Fire, do you not?"
"What, you going to hand it to me on a platter?"
"Nothing comes that easy, Halfling."
"So talk."
"Bossy child," something whacks him across the head, "Mind your manners."
"Ow…" he mutters, rubbing at the back of his head, "Sure. Yes, Sir."
"Now, pay attention and watch."
The world around him changes. He stands in a courtroom, upon a seat resembling a throne. Beside him are The Observants, and below him is a familiar figure, kneeling in chains.
"Pariah Dark, do you have any contests to the charges as they have been explained to you?"
"No," he grins, "But I do believe you've gotten the wrong idea."
Unease drifts through the room, the glamoured Observants shifting nervously.
"Do I?"
"Yes, Old King. I think you've failed to realize that your reign is over!"
Breaking his chains, Pariah leaps towards him, fingers outstretched-
-and the scene changes again. He stands in a field of grass. Seven figures approach, draped in long cloaks. The Ancients.
"Milord," one of them bows, "If I may speak freely?"
"Of course. You could hardly offend me, child."
"The power of Pariah…"
"The Eternal Realms had grown complacent. While I would rather that he would lead in justice, not doing so is his choice. He'll be rewarded according to his choices - even if that means filling the cup of his iniquity to overflowing."
"What of the Dream-woven? The Fright Knight? Was he not once your faithful servant?"
"He, too, had choices he had to make. I must confess that I'm disappointed, but 'tis the way of the world. He's a desperate being who fears nonexistence."
They sit in silence for a while.
"...have you prepared what I asked?"
"Of course. The Coffin of Forever Sleep has been prepared, if you would only empower it."
"For only Death can seal away his own power."
The world fades again, and he's once again alone in the darkness.
"What does it mean, 'his own power'?"
"Pariah infused some of my own power into The Crown. He believed it was all of my power, but he was sorely mistaken."
"As if a crown could hold the power of Death," Danny snorts.
"He was not aware of my true name. None of them were."
"If only the power of Death can seal it away...do you have a second coffin?"
"I believe that this time, we must combat fire with fire to end this madness."
"What do you mean?"
"Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom. Overcome The Trials of The Ancients and find me. Obtain a crown, which holds more power than that mere symbol could ever contain. For this crown holds more than just the power of Death, but the true power of the Infinite Realms."
"True power of the Infinite Realms?"
"Obtain the True Crown, the Crown that even I cannot wear, and defeat he who would claim to wield the power of Death."