Komand's eyelids slowly started to rise. She flinched slightly from the pain her wounds caused, when the young woman tried to move. Komand hissed quietly. She felt a hand gently touching her chest, not letting her move too much. Komand opened her eyes and saw a familiar white haired monarch sitting on a chair nearby, who kept a small smile on his face. The light always surrounding him seemed to be much brighter than usual.

"You are very pretty when you sleep, you know?" He said.

The woman smiled softly, shifting her head on a pillow. "Where are we?" She asked.

"You were seriously damaged. I ended Fright, so the attackers lost the battle. I just carried you to the hospital, after healing what I could myself."

"Good to know," Komand mumbled with half closed eyes. "Is something wrong?"

"You sensed it, didn't you?" Danny chuckled, but his look clearly showed his true emotions. "I've trained you well...but not good enough, apparently."

"Oh, Danny," Komand raised her hand and touched his cheek. "You are blaming yourself again."

"Are you...not mad at me?"

"For what? For saving my stupid butt?"

"For putting you in danger. I should have known that everything would be this way, it was just so obvious. And yet I let this happen, I..."

"Danny," Komand said firmly, effectively stoping his panicking ramble. "You are not in fault here. I know you would have come sooner if you could. But you don't need to worry about something you aren't able to prevent."

"Doesn't mean that I can't feel bad about leaving you for certain death."

Komand was about to lightly slap her lover for his stupidity, when the medical droid quickly stomped into the room.

"Sir, there is a..."

"MOMMY!"

It happened too quickly. One second there was no one in the room, but then there was one seven years old hugging Komand. The woman winced slightly, because the girl touched her wounded places. Danny at seeing this removed Dani by phasing her off. The girl's look turned from happy to concerned in a split second.

"Are you okay, mommy?" She asked while her father put her on a lap.

Komand smiled, "Yes, I'm fine, sweetheart. Your father is just worried for nothing."

Danny pouted. "That's because I love you so much," he whined.

"What's this thingy under your eye?" Dani asked.

Komand raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Phantom took a datapad lying nearby. He activated the front camera and gave the device to his lover. Komand gasped slightly and put a hand on the place. There was a small scar going from under her eye to the nose. She looked up at Danny.

"So, does it make me look fat?" Komand asked dryly.

"No, you are still pretty, mommy," Dani answered instead.

Both adults laughed. "Yeah, what she said," Danny added, shaking the girl slightly. "I think it makes you even more cute."

The woman blushed slightly at the praise and smiled.

"Oh, come here, you flatterer," she pulled him closer and kissed Phantom lightly. But then she pulled away. "No more until you realize that you are not guilty for my little misfortune."

Danny chuckled, but then one of the droids went into the room again.

"Sir, there is a crowd of journalists outside."

"What?! How did they find where we are?!"

"The rumors, I guess," Komand added dryly. "Wait. Have you brought me to a public hospital?"

"I didn't have much time. I guess we will have to deal with them, or they are going to pester you."

Danny put his daughter on the chair and went out of the room. Outside two Death Troopers joined him, walking by their Emperor's side. Phantom had brought Komand to the Amity Park hospital, and was near her most of the time she was unconscious. It was actually surprising they didn't find out sooner. Soon Phantom exited the building and was greeted by a small crowd. They seemed afraid of the monarch's guards, so Danny just told them to stand on a bit longer distance.

"You surely can search," Danny said in a joking manner, fixing his white gloves. His bright smile showed that he was ready for everything. "Well, go ahead."

"Your Majesty, what's the reason of you being here?" Phantom heard over the cacophony of voices.

"Just checking on my close friend. I actually hoped that everything would go quietly."

"How often do you visit like that?"

"Quite a lot. But just to make checks without informing the governors. It is always more fruitful. This was an exception."

"Who is your friend?"

"I am afraid that's personal and I have the right to remain silent. Next?"

"There were multiple bodies carried from the portal. What happened in the Ghost Zone?"

"You know of Fright Knight, I take it? Well, he brought together an army of undead to come here. Try fighting the beings which resurrect after being shot down, it isn't easy. Our men and women fought bravely and will be rewarded accordingly. Those who died protecting our country, their deed won't be forgotten. I ask you not to pester the veterans about the details, give them some rest, please, it was a tough battle."

Sadly, Phantom knew it was pointless to ask. He'd have to warn the soldiers. Suddenly his communicator started to beep. Danny raised his finger. "Wait a moment please," he said, before choosing to listen to the message instead of looking at a hologram.

"Greetings, My Lord."

"Keeper, what is it? There are journalists out here."

"We have found an information you may find interesting."

"I can't leave this place. If it is something physical, bring it here. You know before me where I am."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

With that Danny ended the talk and turned back to the journalists.

"Sir, who were you speaking with?"

"The Head of Imperial Intelligence. Anyways, I really have to go now. If you have any more questions, ask my press secretary. Farewell."

Danny turned around, despite the reporters' protests, his pearly cape swirling around. The Death Troopers followed their leader through the corridors. Phantom realized that he needed to move his lover somewhere else. Hyperion had everything required for her healing. Of course it did, more than ten kilometers were obviously filled with something. Once he opened the room again, he saw Dani talking with Komand excitedly, showing a list of paper to her.

"Having fun?" Phantom asked.

"Oh, baby girl was just showing me what she has drawn," the woman responded with a smile. "Have you seen it?"

"Nope, Daddy hasn't," Dani answered.

"But I'd like to take a look."

The girl immediately ran to her father, showing him a picture. She surely had improved her skill, even if it was still on the level slightly higher than a seven years old's. It was an image of Phantom's flagship. Danny chuckled, looking at the girl and ruffling her stark hair, making her giggle and hug him.

"Why Hyperion, though?"

"'Cause your ship is awesome!"

Phantom chuckled again. "It sure is."

Then Danny realized that she needed a temporary replacement in the Separatist Senate. He would think about this later. Family was always important for him. People could always say that the great leaders fully dedicate themselves to the state, but it wasn't exactly true. The happiness the family gives is unchallenged, and it inspires the rulers for great and kind deeds. Phantom spent an hour playing with his daughter, even taking a role as her horse, much to his lover's laughter. But Dani loved every second of it. However, soon the joy was over when someone knocked on the door. Sighing, Danny put his daughter on the chair.

"Come in."

The door was opened and a man went inside. He was a Twi-lek, who used to live on the planet belonging to what used to be the Imperial Enclaves before the war. He had blue skin and eyes. The man hit his lightly armored chest with his fist and bowed.

"Good day, Your Majesty. Chin Mrak at your service."

"I don't recall seeing you around," Danny immediately gained a noble posture. "A newbie?"

"I was going through the field trainings. Scouting the ghosts' movements."

"Very well. Take a seat, please."

"Uhm," The agent looked at Komand. "Is it the right place to..."

"Oh, go ahead. She won't be of any problem. Right?"

"Noope."

"See?"

"Very well, My Lord."

There was an issue with the defeated ghosts. Phantom knew who was responsible, and they weren't going to be let go easily. Needless to say that his presence gave a second breath to his soldiers, who were ready to counterattack, without even having a proper rest. In a few hours they were already bombarding the Observants' Hall. Those who didn't have time to flee, were executed without any judge or prosecution. They, along with many other ghosts, had to learn the harsh lesson of defiance. Then Phantom gathered all his ghostly allies and came up with an offer. The case clearly showed the vulnerability of the Imperial governace in another world. And instead of being vassals, Danny suggested that they should join the Empire completely. They accepted. But it was before the current moment. The report conserned some of the details, and Danny wondered what was there so important.

"We have interrogated the ghosts who were nearby, they said that almost no one left or entered the Hall. Some of them managed to flee, we are searching for them. What shall we do with them?"

"Interrogation. And then do what you must," Danny said carefully, avoiding the word 'killing'. Dani was still sitting nearby. "If someone hides them, first warn those ghosts about helping our enemies and the price they would have to pay."

"Yes, sir. I'll pass your order," The Twi-lek bowed.

"Anything else?"

The agent nodded. "You have also ordered to scavenge the artifacts which could be there. The bigger ones were moved to the transport ship and will be delivered where you wish. One in particular...we wouldn't have payed attention, but one of our allies adviced to bring it to you immediately."

With a loud metallic thud, an object was put on the table. It was the thermos the Observants had picked. With a shaking hand, he picked the cylinder and gulped.

"How did you find it?"

"The thing was on the ground in one of the rooms."

"Was it...opened when you found it?"

"Yes, sire."

"You may leave."

It wasn't an offer. The agent got up, bowed and left. Phantom called the droid and asked to look after Dani. Komand didn't manage to even blink how quickly all of this happened.

"Danny, what's going on?"

"It wasn't supposed to happen, they weren't supposed to touch it..."

"Danny..."

"How did they manage to get it, Clockwork was supposed to..."

"DANNY!"

This finally got Phantom's attention. He turned to his lover and gave a ragged sigh, hugging himself. Komand was starting to really worry for him. What could it possibly be? Danny never seemed to fear, he was cocky, disgusted, angry, and for him to actually being so fearing... Komand never saw an expression of such immense horror on Danny's face.

"Sorry, I...spaced out for a moment."

"So I have noticed. What's wrong?" Komand asked in worry.

Phantom sighed and sat on a chair near her. After a minute of silence he finally found the proper words.

"Tell me, what do you think of this thing?"

Komand looked at the item now lying on the shelf. "It looks like a thermos."

"Because it is. But keeping the soup warm isn't its only purpose. It was an improvised prison for ghosts, courtesy of Fentons. And it just happened to hold the only person I ever feared," Phantom whispered grimly.

"Who?"

"Myself."

Danny drummed on the top of the thermos. Komand only looked at him in confusion.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Look, I know it sounds crazy, but...I have traveled in time before. It happened seven years ago, but I still remember everything. Damn, I don't even know how to explain this. Back then I was supposed to pass the test which was supposed to 'decide my future'. It was wrong, of course, I'm an Emperor now. Still, I was worried as hell, and, by a turn of events, I got the answers to that test.  It was when the paths in the timeline split in two directions. It depended on whether I choose to return the answers or keep them. Me from the other line chose the second. I returned the answers once I have learnt my lesson and met HIM."

"But how is this connected?"

"My teacher would have learnt about it. He would have decided to confront my family, and my friends would have tried to stop them. But the teacher would have chosen a place, which was an unintentional bomb. It would have detonated. And I would have lost everything. The only difference from the situation I was in when I left Terra, is that I now hated my parents, hatred is different from grief. Also, I didn't have my uncle. In that, other case, he was genuine for a change, he wanted to help me. I don't know how he came to that conclusion. He would have ripped my human and ghost halves apart. But...my human part wasn't only a breathing piece of flesh, it was also a complex of humane feelings. And being ripped away so ruthlessly and uncaringly, my ghost half would have killed the human one in the end."

Danny got on his feet, looking out of the window longingly.

"Now, honey, imagine a being with immense power not the tiniest bit weaker than me, because he IS me. A being, which feels no fear, no affection, no mercy and remorse. He doesn't need any gain, he kills only to eradicate all living beings around, for the sickening pleasure of it. And THIS being is someone who used to be kept inside the thing which stands here. He was limited to Terra, now the entire Empire is his safari field."

Komand just stared at the stark haired man. She just couldn't believe that the ghost in front of her could become so horrible by just one snap of the fingers. Her imagination refused to think up the image. To think that her sweet lovely Danny could go on a murderous spree. Phantom was eaten from inside by her silence. He sat on the bed near her and Komand was surprised when Danny hugged her closely to him.

"Please, promise me that you won't try to confront him."

"What?" She asked, still catching up to the events. Danny pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"Komy, his very existence depends on me. He NEEDS me to suffer, he needs me to become like him in order to exist. And the only way for him to do that is to kill you or Dani. I don't want to lose everything again," he whispered hoarsely, stroking his love's cheek.

Komand was at loss of words, but she knew that Danny needed reassurance more than ever.

"It's not like I actually can," she smiled weakly, trying to brighten the mood. "I promise."

Danny smiled. "Thank you. I'll find him as soon as I can."

His later actions were drastical, but Phantom had no choice. The Clone War was one thing, but his ultimate enemy threatened everything and everyone. Danny asked to call an immediate meeting of the Imperial, and later the Separatist Councils. To his subjects he commanded to have the eyes peeled, without alarming the populace. However, a big amount of the Chiss populace complicated things, only hair could give him out, but that demon could change his appearance.

But if the Imperials complied without saying a word, the Separatists needed to be convinced in the upcoming danger. But Danny knew most of them wouldn't believe him. He had no proofs, and most of the members would disperse his idea. He wasn't even going to try. But...there was also the Republic.

In one of the rooms within the large building of the Republic Senate was the Supreme Chancellor's office. It was a big circular room, with a big glass window taking a considerable part of the walls. The rugs were red, as well as the wallpapers. Several aurodium statues stood around and in the center was the black table. Near it was sitting an aged man, with short grayed hair going around the big bald spot on his head. Chancellor Palpatine was dressed in dark red and black robes.

"Senator Amidala, you are putting too many hopes on our enemies," he said in a stern, yet very gentle elderly voice.

The twenty five years old narrowed her brown eyes. Amidala was wearing light blue and black cloak. "Your Excellency, this war has been going for one year by now and the losses on both sides are already nearing the conflict with the Sith Empire. We must start negotiations."

"Support Senator Amidala, I do," Yoda, who was sitting nearby, added. "As Jedi, our duty it is to maintain peace."

"Yes, probably," Palpatine responded. "But what makes you so confident that the Separatists think the same way?" He asked, drumming his boney fingers.

"Well, you should probably ask one."

They all looked towards the entrance, and saw the white haired general/dictator standing at the doorway, with two blue armored Senate guards lying on the ground. He gave an innocent smile, even though Yoda sensed something heavy inside of the visitor. Phantom didn't look like he was going to attack, and Yoda wasn't the one to jump into fighting.

"I hope you came here to surrender, general," Palpatine said with narrowed eyes.

"Nah, not as long as I can get out of here."

"And how did you get in?" Padme asked.

"Ah, Senator Amidala, I heard a lot about you," Danny approached them. "Gunray just wouldn't shut up in his threats to you."

The woman couldn't resist a small snort. Phantom calmly sat on the chair as if he was in his office at Babylon. Palpatine decided to wait with pressing a button beneath his table. Yoda was just curious.

"Answering your question, I have my ways of getting in and out every place I want, starting from the Sith Lord's tomb and ending with this guy's closet," Danny pointed at the Chancellor.

Then his look became more serious. "But in all honesty, I came here with a request. And it doesn't concern the war."

"Speak then," Palpatine said calmly.

"Look, I may kill your clones, but I don't want the civilians' deaths. Coruscant has recently suffered from that Zillo beast. You may have defended Malastare and beated one of my subordinates, but costly. Several districts were completely destroyed. How was your rating after that, Chancellor?"

"I'm given emergency powers anyways. After the war ends, I will step down, ratings don't concern me."

"But not the lives, I hope?" Padme asked.

"Of course, Senator."

"She has just said my point," Danny added, before sighing. "Look. I'm not siding with you, neither I am betraying the Confederacy. I just want to save lives, and there is a horrid beast on the loose."

The confusion was evident on the others' faces.

"He may have a humanoid appearance, but he can give the most wicked Sith Lords a run for their money. He has the same name as me, but I prefer to call him Dan, for short. Don't you dare to call me this way. He is powerful, more than any Jedi or Sith. We must combine our efforts in order to defeat him before his goal of ending every living being will be completed."

"How powerful can he be if you fear him so much?" Padme asked.

"Let me tell you, he cracked open the energy shield from the outside, then alone slaughtered ten thousand armed soldiers, blew up thirty fighters and threw around hundreds of tanks. And all of this in less than a day without breaking into sweat or using any weapons. He also turned the prosperous city into broken wasteland in this amount of time. I managed to defeat him only because I took him by surprise. He is weakened now, we must find him now."

Everyone was silent. But Palpatine was the first to speak.

"And why shall we trust our enemy?" He asked.

"And why shall I trust you? Yet, I'm the one risking my neck here. If you hear or see anything concerning him, please, contact me. But DO NOT approach him alone. In return, I will assist the negotiations. I know the right people. Do we have a deal?"

"We will think about it," Amidala said with a small smile. She was glad her idea was getting a development.

Phantom nodded, before walking out of the room.

"That was...unusual," the Chancellor noted when the door slid behind Danny's back.