A.N. Alright folks, you voted and I have to say I'm surprised that it is draw. Yep, eight voters for each, if I'm not mistaken. So I guess I'll find a compromise. The ship will fly, but so it won't distract from the plot, deal? DON'T KILL ME!

It was a good thing the human civilization hadn't developed well enough. Otherwise, an entire armada, consisting hundred ships, would have been spotted on the edge of Solar system. The Imperial fleet emerged near Pluto, but it was only to concentrate forces. Not that only one Star Destroyer wouldn't have been able to capture the planet, but Phantom decided to be more...delicate in that question. But first he had to debrief his subordinates. At the holographic table was projection of all the planets in the system. Near it stood several holograms of captains and admirals, who were patiently listening to what their Emperor had to say.

"Well done, gentlemen, the hyperspace jump went without a stitch," Phantom praised. "Now we can concentrate on establishing our dominance over the system. Humans never were able to travel further their own moon, but they launch special zonds to take photos of the planets. They must be avoided at all costs. We must not be spotted too early, am I clear?"

Receiving multiple nods, Danny continued. "Now, there are nine planets here, even if they don't consider this one a planet," he pointed out of illuminator at the flying rock. "Pluto is of no interest to us as well, next go Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter. Those are gas giants, send five of our ships to each and scout for any valuable gases. They must remain there till the end of campaign. Same goes for the asteroid belt and Mars. Maybe there are some useful resources. Mars also has acceptable conditions to set up an outpost, but there isn't enough oxygen, so be warned. Since it is so close to Earth, the ships you send there must remain on the back side of the planet. They can see you through telescopes."

"Here comes the most interesting part. The rest of our fleet must remain here. Only at my command you are to jump into hyperspace and come on Earth orbit. You will receive further instructions there. You are dismissed."

The holograms were turned off, and Komand approached eighteen years old ruler.

"So...you are not going to just sit here, I take it."

Danny grinned. "You read my mind, my dear apprentice. Yes, since I know about that planet more than anyone, I'll be the most fitting candidate for this task."

"How dangerous this conquest is going to get?" She asked. Seeing Danny raising his eyebrow, Komand continued. "If there is an entire race capable of doing what you can..."

Phantom laughed. "Relax. Earth is dominated by humans, while my kind exists in...another place. I'll show you later rather than tell you. Humans aren't really different from the Yuths. Except for anatomical differences, you are very much alike. Your skin color, though...well, they will assume you spent too much time under sun."

"Does that mean I can go, too?" Komand asked hopefully. She was really curious about his homeworld.

Phantom tapped on the ground and hummed. "I don't see why not, but you have to learn the language first. Follow me," he invited.

Komand followed the Emperor to his room. There Phantom put his hands on her head, with his thumbs on her forehead. Both Force users closed their eyes. Danny was teaching her English through the Force, quite convenient ability. After a short time, he let go of his apprentice and opened his eyes, and Komand sighed tiredly, as she rubbed her forehead. When you learn an entire language in less than a minute it can prove mentally exhausting.

"Okay, go take a nap now. Once you wake up, we will go."

Komand nodded groggily, "Ugh, fine."

She lied down on a sofa. The second she closed her eyes, the apprentice started snoring loudly. Alright that part broke the peaceful image. In the meantime, Danny had to disguise himself. Phantom was presumed dead, no pun intended, and he wanted to keep it that way as long as possible. If only he was still a halfa...a lightbulb appeared above his head. He walked to his bathroom and attempted to use the Dark Side technique. That ability could hide the corruption caused by it, Danny actually wondered if he could use it to add minor changes.

Phantom succeeded. Looking in the mirror, he froze at his image. Midnight black hair, more tanned skin and ice blue eyes, which were opened widely. He slowly moved his hand across his face, finding it hard to believe it was really him staring back from the mirror. He had almost forgotten how he looked like when he was alive. But it wasn't the same, that illusion couldn't make his heart beat again. He was dead, and there was no going back. His sorrow then turned into rage. He unvoluntary clenched his fist, cracking the sink in two. However, he saw what he had done and froze the pipe, closing the leak. Phantom also realized another thing.

"I'm on a very dangerous edge," he mumbled.

That unrefined hatred and lust for blood...it was what could push him to the Dark Side. And Danny was glad he decided to bring Komand along since the beginning. Someone had to prevent him from that. Danny sighed and just decided to continue with his disguise. Looking like Danny FENTON was not part of his plan. However, maximum he was able to do was partially remove his illusion. His hair were now dark gray. With green eyes, but without such toxic gamma and light. It could work.

He had previously ordered to make himself 'special' clothes. It was an official black smoking, white shirt and tie.

Taking off his black military uniform, Danny tried his new clothes on. Since the materials were different, the feel was different, too. They were softer and more comfortable. The uniform was the same he found in the wardrobe of this same ship. The only difference was that he had a white 'DP' emblem on the left part of his chest, with white axelbants connected to his shoulder straps. His belt had the Imperial coat of arms on it. It was a hexagon, with arrows coming from its center to its corners.

Phantom sat on his chair and waited for his friend to wake up, looking out of his window and on the lifeless stone which used to be called a planet. He felt really strange. Just a year ago, a mere thought about becoming an astronaut excited him. He dreamed of becoming the first man on Mars, and seeing Pluto on such a close distance would have made him faint. How curiously everything had changed. Now he ruled an entire interstellar Empire. And that space rock now seemed for him just that - a rock.

Danny felt something nuzzling against his hand. Seeing what it was, Phantom smiled. He petted his hawk. Alva grew to the size of kakadoo, and was already eating meat in huge amounts. It was rather useful, she was eating all pests who were brought by scouting ships. Apparently, her stomach was made of steel. Of course, her Master was doing constant checks in order to prevent any alien diseases. It never stopped amusing the Emperor how his subordinates were giving nervous glances at her razor talons and sharp beak, while reporting to him. Everything he had to do was whistle and she would tear the person to shreds.

In his thoughts Danny didn't notice how the time passed. He heard movements behind him and smiled.

"Well, good morning," Phantom said, turning back on his chair.

Komand jumped in surprise at seeing an unfamiliar person standing there.

"Who are..." she rubbed her eyes.

Danny's eyes glowed. "Looks like my disguise works perfectly," he said smugly.

"Ah, it is you," Komand deadpanned, getting up and stretching her muscles.

Phantom pouted. "And who did you think it was?"

"I thought it was someone prettier," she snorted at his dumbfounded expression. "So, what is your plan?"

"Take this clothes first," Danny gestured at a pile lying on his table.

Komand nodded and took the clothes, before going to the bathroom. Danny patiently waited for his apprentice. Soon she exited the bathroom, wearing short cap sleeve dress barely reaching for her knees. It was white above the belt and black beneath it. Komand crossed her hands as Danny hid his blush. She looked really nice.

"Why does everything you make has to be black and white?"

"Dunno. I just like those colors and I don't know your favorites," Danny stood up and patted the bird for the last time. "Put your lightsaber in there," he pointed towards leather purse.

Komand did as he said and took the bag.

"A cloaking device is hidden there as well. Anyways," he outstretched his hand, "Let's get to the fun part."

They walked out of the alleyway. It was a square in front of city hall. The city hadn't changed a bit. Danny smiled slightly, breathing in vomits coming from the cars. It was nice to return home. And soon, he will make his homeplanet a prospering jewel in Imperial Crown. It would become rich, that much was undoubted. Since it was the only place where the ectoplasm could be excavated, the Earth would get a lot of money from the trade.

However, it will be hard to 'convince' humans. The conquest will go smoothly, but they will stick to their democracy, not realizing all its flaws. And, as long as GIW exist, no one will bow to the ghost Emperor. Also, they had an ectoweaponry, which, with slight additions could be turned into blasters. The bullets won't do anything to the Stormtroopers, so only the GIW possessed threat to the invading forces. Maybe it will even go without any losses.

Phantom knew nothing about evolution of their weaponry. Because, as was previously mentioned, first humans create weapons, and only then civil technologies. Phantom wasn't worried so much, they obviously hadn't developed space technologies, and that meant that there will be no visible resistance to the Imperial Armada. One squadron of Star Destroyers had weaponry equal to France's nuclear arsenal. However, he still planned on acquiring the weaponry samples. And the most satisfying thing was that it will be completely legal.

"So, what's our plan?" Komand whispered.

"Well," Danny rubbed the back of his head, "Care to go for a walk?"

Two Force users walked down the road, with seemingly no purpose in mind. But Phantom had a purpose. Thankfullly, the city layout hadn't changed. Danny was silent all the way, fully absorbed in his memories. The ghost was recalling the past, and the gray buildings didn't lift his mood. Suddenly, one building caught his eye and he chuckled.

Komand, on the other hand, was born in futuristic city, so visiting a backwards planet was enlightening for her. That primitive technologies were funny. She was only observing alien designs and people around. Danny was right, they didn't look any different from her race. When her friend chuckled, she turned to him. Danny noticed her look and a question in it. Phantom pointed at the small building, built from red bricks, and a white sign in front said 'Casper High'.

"Ah, high school, the best days of my life," he commented in sarcastic tone.

"That's where you were educated?" Komand asked.

"Well, if you call living on the edge of being expelled an education, then yes."

"Why? You don't seem stupid."

Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I didn't have enough time to study. I learned only what I wanted. You can see I found a good use to that knowledge."

After a few more minutes of walking Komand decided to ask something.

"Hey, Phantom..."

He shushed her immediately. "Don't call me that around here. It's Danny, okay?"

Komand blinked, "Alright, but where are we going?"

"I'm afraid we are already here. Just play along, you may not like it."

Komand raised her eyebrow, before looking around for the place where they were going. Apparently, it was a large brick building ahead. Why she thought that? Because there was an entire station, positioned on its rooftop. There was also a neon sign, which said 'FentonWorks'. Suddenly she felt Danny's hands gripping hers. Phantom stared right in her eyes, with a pleading look on his face.

"Komy, inside that building I may lose myself. Make sure that it doesn't happen, alright?" He asked.

The apprentice nodded slowly, surprised by his tone. Last the time he was like that when she said that they were friends. Emotional and vulnerable.

"What makes you say this?"

"Because behind that door leave people I hate the most in the entire galaxy."

Before she could ask what he meant, Danny was already knocking on the door. She growled slightly under her nose. If there was one thing she hated in her Master, it was that he preferred to leave her in shadows. And most of the times, it was because she wasn't going to like it.

Soon the doors opened, and the second it happened, there was a flare of hatred coming from Danny. It wasn't going to be easy. The person who opened the door was very tall, was wearing an orange jumpsuit, had graying black hair and blue eyes. The giant of a man smiled brightly.

"Hello there, how may I help you?"

"Hello, Mr. Fenton," Phantom said in calm, almost cold businessman tone. "May we enter?"

"Oh, of course, come in," Jack gestured to come inside.

The living room was the same as Danny remembered it. Jack invited them to seat on a sofa.

"Hey, Mads, we have guests!" He called loudly.

From the basement came a woman in blue jumpsuit, brown hair and lilac eyes.

"And who are you, young man?"

Danny smirked internally. They were such morons. On the outside he remained calm.

"Daniel Fendin, ma'am."

"And why are you here?" Maddie sat on an armchair nearby.

Phantom sighed. "You see, my home was attacked by the ghosts a few days ago. If not for that good men in white suits, we wouldn't have been talking right now."

Alright, he was having too much fun with this. He could go nuts and then laugh the entire day on his ship. However, Maddie seemed suspicious, that was not what he wanted. Obviously, she wasn't going to buy the same trick twice. Fenton was Phantom, after all, despite what they believed in. Danny had to move away her attention.

"My poor wife was seriously wounded in that attack," Phantom said, looking at his friend, and Komand's eyes were ready to jump out from her head. What did he just say?!

"Shh, Komy, calm down, stay with me," Danny said softly, putting a hand on hers, fully getting into his role of caring husband. He was trying to make her surprise look like painful recalling of traumatizing event.

Komand decided to make him pay later, and Danny could see a burning inferno in her eyes, despite a sweet smile on her face. A feeling of dread rose in his stomach. Thankfully, she decided to play along with an act.

"Thank you," she said.

Phantom sighed on the inside. Thankfully, his plan worked without problems, Fentons obviously believed them.

"That stinking piles of ectoplasm!" Jack jumped on his feet. "Don't worry, we will avenge your wife, or I am not Jack Fenton!"

'Oh, better avenge my sister and kill yourself,' Danny thought.

To Komand it seemed strange. These people looked nice, why was she feeling only hatred coming from Phantom?

"I don't really want to bother you, but since you are leading experts in ghosts, we decided that we want to purchase everything you have for sale."

Fentons' jaws dropped.

"I'LL BRING EVERYTHING!" Jack exclaimed in excitement and ran off, while Maddie simply got up and followed.

Now when Danny and Komand were alone, the last one turned to her Master. Phantom gulped.

"Wife?!" She whisper yelled.

"I had to make it believable," Danny argued. "Madeline seemed to suspect something. I tried to divert attention."

"You are so dead after we finish," Komand growled, getting up from the sofa.

They started waiting for Fentons, and while doing so, the young woman walked around the living room. She examined the primitive technologies there and there, and Danny was patiently sitting on his place. Suddenly, Komand saw something on a shelf. It was a photo. Fentons were present there, but so were two kids. The first one was a teenage girl with red hair and teal eyes, wearing black sweater and blue jeans. There was also a boy, with raven black hair and strikingly blue eyes. He looked oddly familiar...Komand glanced at Danny and her eyes widened. Replace his illusional gray hair and green eyes, and they will be the same!

Phantom noticed her shocked stare, and then a photo near her. His look turned sad as he looked on the ground.

"Huh, no one could figure out for three years and now you solve the puzzle by simply looking at my old picture. Good job."

"It's...you?"

Danny approached her slowly and took the picture in his hand, looking sadly at it.

"Yes, I'll tell you everything later, but promise not to tell ANYONE. If someone finds out that their Emperor is related to this..."

"Here you go!" Jack's booming voice was heard from the staircase. Phantom quickly put the picture back and looked at him. Maddie followed her husband, carrying another box.

Jack put a huge box nearby. "All those beauties will cost you...five thousand dollars."

Danny whistled. Judging from his reaction, Komand assumed that it wasn't cheap.

"Are you sure we need them?" She asked carefully.

"Nonsense, my dear," Phantom waved away her concerns. "Nothing is expensive when it comes to your safety. I'm buying them, but I don't have such money on me at the moment. Here," Danny gave them a business card. "My agent will come later and give your payment. If he doesn't arrive by tomorrow, contact me."

"I'm not sure..." Maddie said.

"Do not worry, you will receive your payment," Phantom added, waving his hand slightly in front of Jack's face. He knew it was pointless to do the trick with Maddie.

"Yeah, Mads, the GIW are buying them twice cheaper! It's an opportunity!"

Maddie sighed, "Fine, we will wait."

Danny nodded, picking up both boxes, letting out a fake grunt. Turning away, he grinned deviously. Like he was going to pay them. Too sad that for now it was everything he could do.

He and Komand went out of the house. And as soon as the door closed, Komand looked at her friend.

"So, would you kindly to explain what's going on here?" She asked.

Danny only gave her a look, which said 'later'. Komand could sense he wasn't eager to share the information.

When they entered another abandoned alleyway, Phantom made another portal and they came out back in his quarters on the flagship of the Armada. Danny put his boxes in the far corner of the room, before flopping on his chair behind the desk. Sighing deeply, Phantom looked at his apprentice, dropping his illusion.

"Well, it was obvious one day we will have this conversation. Ask away," he said without any enthusiasm.

"You are related to that people, aren't you?"

"Yes, Komand. You just met my birth parents."

She was only slightly surprised. It was just too obvious, and she had time to comprehend this fact. Komand only got her thoughts confirmed.

"Wait, they are humans, right?" Receiving a nod, she continued. "Then why you aren't one?"

"It's...rather complicated. Do you know what ghosts are exactly?"

Komand shook her head. Sighing, Danny tapped on the table.

"Ghosts, for the most part, are souls of deceased people," he said grimly.

Now that what made Komand's jaw drop and eyes to widen.

"You may not believe me, but just think, I can fly, my heart doesn't beat...When a person dies in extremely painful conditions, they become ghosts. Ectoplasm is truly magnificent thing. It can even bring dead back to 'life' in a certain way. My situation was a bit different, I died and was exposed to ectoplasm at the same time. Unstable ectoplasm. I became something unique, something which broke the laws of nature. I was alive, but by snap of the fingers I could become like this and do all the things ghosts can."

He crossed his hands, leaning back in the chair. "One year ago, the process was finished. I was killed and became a full ghost."

"Who killed you?" Komand felt really weird asking that question, but she didn't have any reason to distrust him. After all, why lie about the fact that you are a walking dead?

Danny looked straight in her eyes, and Komand felt uncomfortable under his neon gaze. "My parents," he responded bluntly.

Komand was shocked again. "Why?" She whispered.

"Because they hate ghosts. They didn't care that their own son was one. And they didn't care if they killed a few people in the process, they simply blamed me. They may seem nice, maybe they truly are, but ONLY to humans. For them, I'm just an ectoplasmic manifestation of post human consciousness in need of eradication. An animal, which they can examine however they want," Danny said bitterly.

Feeling his pain growing with each word, Komand tried to comfort him.

"Phantom...Danny, don't let it get in your head. You yourself told me that sorrow leads to the Dark Side. Maybe it was for the best?"

Danny's head snapped towards her, his eyes glowing brighter.

"Gods, that's not what I meant," Komand said in exasperation. "If you stayed with your 'family', then what would have been of the Empire? You freed all that people from slavery and expanded it three times, you have already written your name down in history. If not for you, our country would have been conquered as the time went. You helped all of us. As for Fentons, you are getting your revenge anyway, there is no need to feel sad about what happened before. I suck at being a wise crack, do I?"

Phantom's look softened considerably. He smiled at his friend's words, before a teasing smirk appeared on his face.

"Yes, you do. But this one was very nice."

"Very funny. Glad to have you back from your angsty ball," Komand deadpanned.

"I guess my little act back there is forgiven, right?" He asked.

"Yeah," she slapped him across the face with a loud smack. "You are forgiven."

With that Komand left the room, taking her clothes on her way. Danny rubbed his sore cheek.

"It was worth it," he smirked.

A.N. I'm evil, yes, I'm pulling time, but heads will fly in the next chapter.