No one could ever imagine seeing Phantom like this. Broken, in tears, ignoring that he was not alone. The Jedi were at loss about what to do. Anakin and Obi-Wan, asking his older friend for the further course of action. But he was silent, feelings of sorrow and pain were radiating off the ghost in unspeakable amounts. Surprisingly, that was Danny who spoke first.

"Are you going to stand there?" He asked in the almost emotionless voice. He didn't even look their way.

"It is our duty to arrest you, Phantom, you are wanted for your crimes against the Republic."

Danny got up on his legs and stared at the republicans with a neutral expression. "I'm not in the mood for debates about what my crime is. It is not up to you, mortals, to decide."

"Not you too," Anakin groaned. "We just saw you kill one of these 'gods'."

"Even gods can be slayed. You are mortal, can you live through what I have?" Danny lazily pointed around himself, still sounding emotionless. And indeed, the destruction was evident. "Just what I thought. Now, if you excuse me..."

"You aren't going anywhere."

Danny's hand flickered with red smoke. "Is this a threat, general? You want to beat someone who has wiped the floor with the one who did the same to you? I'm not too keen on making you my subjects in that meaning."

They didn't get what he had meant, until the realization dawned upon them.

"What did you mean by the 'Lord of the dead'?"

"Exactly what you have heard. I'm yet to bring all of the undead under my rule, but I don't have time for this. No one has canceled the war," he made a jab, reminding about who had called off the negotiations.

"This is ridiculous," Anakin said.

Danny then dissappeared in a cloud of smoke. Phantom stepped out in the accursed building where the tragedy had happened. The crown was gone from his head as he went forward. Surprisingly, there was no one else inside. Danny heard quiet sobbing. He sighed heavily, Dani hadn't run off as he had told her. But the newly proclaimed Ghost King wasn't going to blame his baby girl. Even he hadn't experienced something like that, to lose someone so precious, especially for the eight years old child - her caring mother.

Danny kneeled near his daughter, the rustle of his cape caught Dani's attention. She turned her red face to her father and lunged into his arms, quietly sobbing into his shoulder. She never felt safer than in his loving embrace. Phantom hugged his little girl, as tight as he could without causing her any discomfort, he unconsciously feared more than ever to lose his small bundle of joy and happiness. The very thing which kept him going against all odds. He was her father, and he wanted to see how Dani grew up and achieved the greatness surpassing his own. He knew she would.

"Don't leave me, Daddy," Dani begged.

The ghost's core melted at her words, he hugged her even tighter, if that was even possible. "I promise, my little phantom. I will always be with you."

They sat like this for a few minutes without saying a word, holding each other. But after a while Dani's sobbing subdued, her breath became steady. She had fallen asleep. Situating the girl in his hands, Danny brought himself to face at the heartbreaking sight. He slowly moved Komand's locks away from her closed eyes and her beautiful face. She felt so cold. Phantom felt a lump shoved down his throat, as he held himself from another breakdown.

Why? Why everyone he loves should die?

"I never break my promises, Komy," Danny mumbled as a tear went down his eye. "I won't let any harm come to our baby."

It was painful to go through the funeral procession. Extremely so, especially for Dani. But it had to be done properly, according to all the rituals their culture dictated. But it was also a moment when the Empire learned that the rumors had been correct. There was something going on between the two. They just didn't know how big their love was. The Yuth traditions meant certain procedures, some of which Danny didn't approve of, but out of respect he had to comply with the religious representative's requests. Komand always followed her people's customs, some days of the year she didn't eat, in some other moments she was making small sacrifices, like throwing a chiken leg in the fire with a mumble of prayer. At the funeral she was dressed in the most beautiful clothes there were, and the Emperor made sure of it. His core panged at seeing her so beautiful in what looked like a blissful sleep.

But in the end, as the tradition dictated, she was put in her family mausoleum. No cultural building had been destroyed since Phantom's rise to power, and even the tombs of the old noble families were left untouched. Not if Danny would have ever let something to happen to something so important to his lover.

But he let something happen to her.

The object of his main concern was Dani. She had been quiet ever since the entire ordeal and that worried her father. Phantom knocked on the door of the girl's room. Without waiting for a response, he entered it. The ghost saw Dani on her bed, looking at the distance. The girl glanced at the doorway, but didn't say anything. Danny sighed heavily and sat near her. The covers rustled quietly as he landed on the soft matress. The curtains were closing the cloudy outside from the view halfway.

"Dani, sweetie, look at me, please."

The girl complied and got into sitting position, with her legs beneath her. Dani looked up and two pairs of neon green eyes met. Danny wrapped his right arm around her, pulling the girl closer.

"The servants say that you almost don't eat," he started in a concermed tone.

"Sorry, Daddy," Dani mumbled immediately.

"I'm not scolding you, sweetheart, I'm just worried. It isn't healthy, especially for someone as young as you."

The girl shook her head, her snow-white ponytail jumping from one shoulder to another. "Not hungry."

"Dani. You may be a half ghost, but both species have to eat. Or would you rather drink ectoplasm?"

The ghost girl grimaced. It tasted horrible, like used socks in a form of the liquid. The action caused a small chuckle escape Danny's mouth.

"Just as I thought. What do you want for dinner?"

"I told you I'm not hungry," Dani said grumpily, pouting her lips.

"How are you talking to your father?" Phantom asked jokingly, before his gloved fingers traveled to her armpits.

A loud fit of giggles filled the room. Dani tried to wriggle out of his grasp, unable to hold back the laughter.

"Da-daddy, please stop!" She cried.

Phantom did as Dani asked, letting her pant for breath. She sat back and looked at him with a small smile. Well, that's the progress. Danny just wanted to make his daughter happy again. Some may say that it was improper in such time, the ghost didn't care about what others would think. Dani was a child, if he let her sit alone all day, she would stop being the same peppy girl, closing in herself, and that was something Danny couldn't allow. Maybe he was paranoid and nothing would have happened, but he wasn't going to take the chances. God, it was so hard to be a parent. But he would have it no other way.

Later that evening Danny managed to bring the ghost girl out of her room. They were sitting in the dining room. It was huge, but with only two of them, the royal family were sitting at one end of the long table. The flames crackled in the fireplace, being one of the few sources of light. The chandelier above was the second one. Danny put the spiced piece of one of many exotic animals in his mouth. The sharp canines in his mouth made it more simple to process. As he put the glass of wine to his lips, Phantom noticed that Dani was poking her salad. She wasn't about to touch it. Danny sighed and put the glass back on the table.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

Dani straightened on her tall silk chair. She only looked at the seat in front of her, which used to be occupied. Phantom noticed where she was looking and sighed again. He put a hand on the girl's small shoulder.

"Dani, I know it must hard for you. I miss her, too, believe me. But you won't be able to change this by starving. Please, sweetheart, eat your dinner."

She nodded and started to eat. Phantom smiled slightly. He was glad she was listening to his words.

Phantom decided that it was time that the princess started to get accustomed to her responsibilities little by little. For now, she was going to simply follow him on many important events. He knew that Dani didn't like it much, but she always did what her father said. In reality, Danny wanted to keep her as close to him as he could. And during the month afterwards, he dedicated every second he could to tending his child. Only the most important matters were discussed with him, the responsibilities were passed to the Imperial Council, all war questions were solved by Grand Admiral Thrawn and Lord General Haseas.

Dani had nightmares for a long time. That's why Phantom was near her, in his arms she fell asleep, in his arms she woke up all in tears and sweat. But gentle strokes had an effect on the child, Dani always calmed down. One time she didn't want to go to sleep, because she feared of seeing nightmares again. But Danny convinced her. Later that night the nightmare awoke the girl, and Dani went as far as calling him a liar while crying. She didn't know how much she hurt him, even if he knew that were just emotions.

Phantom tried to lift her mood. They read fairy tales together in turns, and Dani was proud to show her reading skills and happy to receive a praise. Danny even took her on a small sightseeing around Terra, as they were incognito. This way he connected the enjoyable and useful, also checking the situation on the planet. At least there was something satisfactory.

It wasn't much, maybe, but the girl felt better, Danny could sense it. And if she felt better, so did he.

The demarche he had planned was going to happen. No one believed he had a sizeable force under his control. And, even if carefully, he was going to reassert his authority. Now he had another purpose in mind. He wasn't going to obey someone who had assisted to kill his love. But Danny didn't show his newly found hatred during the nearest Council meeting. He could sense fear in the fellow members. Of course, they now feared the one who could snap their bones with a flick of his hand, they lived only because he wanted them to. The battle was seen everywhere, but the Empire itself. Dan's plan probably was on taking his place as the Emperor, since they had almost the same face.

Mygeeto was a huge industrial hub of the Northern Outer Rim. After it had been taken over by the young dictator, Phantom proclaimed the planet to be the capital of his Protectorate. Of course, while still remaining within the CIS. Since it was the confederacy, he was free to do whatever he wanted with his region of space. No one knew where Phantom took all the money to develop the region, while collecting taxes for the central government. But there was a special spot in the Imperial budget for the development of the Outer Rim. It would slow down the general progress, and the five year plan would have less ambitious plans, not to mention the heavy taxation of the populace. However, unlike the Republic, the Empire had no debts, the healthcare, even if very far from perfection, was free, just like the education, coexisting with commercial schools and hospitals. None of this had been before the Emperor. The people had reasons to love their ruler, despite everything.

Mygeeto used to belong to the Banking Clan, but Phantom drove them to the simple representation, excavation of the rich resources. The locals, who had been not much different from the slaves, were eternally grateful for being granted standard working rights. Still, they were only four percents of the generally Muun populace. The Clan wasn't happy, but Phantom was the one with guns. Now they shut up completely, for he wasn't really limiting their excavation projects, and the fear was added to this.

And now the wide streets of the central city were filled with the loud rumble. To demonstrate the power he had, a small portion of the Imperial military was summoned to the planet, namely several cohorts of the First Legio and the Death Corps. Forty one thousand soldiers in total. It was a marvelous view from the tribune where Phantom stood, looking at the standing army, dressed in the shining white armor, of the hardest veterans who were led by their Emperor. After the speech, which caused the applause from the audience, the orchestra started playing the inspiring marching music as the soldiers started to stomp forward, their legs hitting the ground in a perfect synch.

https://youtu.be/458REFZ2VKM https://youtu.be/dRDrENlSr1M (you may turn this on while reading)

In front of each square of the squadron, in which the cohorts had been split for the march, were walking the special soldiers - the aquilifers. The legionaries were holding the two meters long chromium rods, with the golden hawks with horizontally spread wings on top. It was the symbol of the First Legio. A bit below the top were rectangular standards of the cohorts. Usually those were the banners of the cohort's homeworld, for each of them was conscripted from only one planet. For example, the Terran cohort had the blue and white symbol of the UN.

As he watched the transpiring scene, surrounded by his commanders and his daughter, Danny heard a metal clanging behind. He briefly looked behind and raised his eyebrow.

"What do I owe the pleasure, general?" He asked.

Grievous approached him, as usual, with hunched back and the black cloak hiding everything but his head. The commanders stepped aside, while Dani clung to Phantom's leg, threatening to rip his pants off.

"I'm here on behalf of Count Dooku."

Danny's look darkened for a moment, but it dissappeared just as quickly.

"And what does he want?"

Grievous suddenly coughed, putting his clawed metal hand to his mouth, hidden beneath the mask. "The entire Galaxy is watching. And as the Supreme Commander of the Confederacy, I'm ought to be here."

"Statement: So, basically, you were sent by Dooku to spy here," HK stated bluntly.

"HK, please, let me do the talking," Danny raised his gloved hand. "Let it be known that I'm not telling anything. But you can remain and observe. The cherry on top is yet to appear," he pulled a smile to his face.

The Yuth noticed that the smile was forced. Grievous' eyes fell on the girl clinging to Phantom's leg, making her shake even more. Danny didn't like this at all.

"And who is this?" Grievous asked.

"My daughter, now, would you kindly."

The general snorted and turned away, looking at the parade downwards. The news about the infamous dictator having a daughter would soon be everywhere, but what's the difference if his enemies already knew this? Danny stroked the girl's hair and she calmed down, relaxing her grip. Phantom looked at the parade again, leaning against the railing. The thunder of drums and rattle of plastoid armor sounded surprisingly fitting each other. But suddenly Grievous' eyes fell on one certain part.

"This is the banner of Kalee," he commented.

"What? Ah, yes, the Kaleesh. They aren't officially the part of the First Legio, more like auxiliaries. But the equipment is standardized."

"A what?"

"Auxiliaries are local volunteers who are willing to serve in the army. They aren't enlisted on the main worlds, only in distant places."

'And they also are not the imperial citizens,' he added mentally.

"So the Kaleesh are ready to serve you?"

"They don't serve me, general. They are my allies who listen to my orders. But yes. They are ready, for I had helped them in their time of need. Why sudden interest?"

"I am the Kaleesh."

"Oh, I see. So many things became clear," Danny mumbled in the end.

After the last division marched down the wide street, the rumble of the vehicles could be heard over the orchestral music. No one had ever seen such tanks on repulsors. Yes, the design was purely made in the halls of IRB. The main advantage of the entire imperial technologies was their adaptivity. Without a second of doubt the doctrines, the military techs, were abandoned the second more proper device or idea was discovered. They were introduced in the army, taking the best things from the minor states of the Unknown Regions. Being principal in the war was not the way of the victors.

Walkers weren't used in the legions after the enemies started destroying these running, more like crawling, ducks. Artillery and tanks could do the job well and without them. Danny felt something else from Grievous. He sighed, keeping his hands under the cape behind his back.

"If you want to say something else, general, speak," Phantom said, still holding the same neutral tone he had assumed ever since the funeral. He only broke it while talking to his daughter. That's all.

"Dooku also had a request."

Danny tried to keep the neutral expression. "And what is it?"

"His Acolyte went rogue. Apparently, she has run off to your 'Protectorate'. You are known to have a wide network of spies, so you are able to track Ventress down and bring the traitor to him."

"And how does it feel to be Dooku's errand boy?"

"I'm no one's errand boy," Grievous growled.

"The best slave is the one who doesn't realize that he is not free. You don't owe anything to the Banking Clan, yet you still serve them and Dooku."

"They give me the opportunity to kill as many Jedi as I can. And that's enough."

"Well, they are not the monopolists in giving such an option."

"Ah, I understand. You want me to join you. Not going to happen, Phantom, I may appreciate the action, but it doesn't mean that I'm going to join your little game for power."

"Fine, I'll find this apprentice if your boss gives me the information about how she looks like."