Third Person POV

As the castle entered their field of view, the not so merry band of ghosts and humans were getting nervous. They had one shot, one chance to make everything right again. If they failed, the Ghost Zone would fall under the rule of a new, potentially even more tyrannical Ghost King. As they grew closer, Nocturne and Clockwork led the way, keeping their eyes peeled for any surprise attacks. Fright Knight exited the speeder and mounted his steed, acting as backup and protecting the humans inside the speeder.

Surprisingly, they arrived at the front doors of the castle without issue.

"Maybe he doesn't know we're coming?" Tucker said, hope in his voice. Soon after he finished his sentence, the castle rumbled and the doors creaked open.

"Or not," the technogeek sighed. 

The humans armed themselves with every piece of ghost fighting equipment they could find. Jazz equipped herself with the Fenton Ghost Peeler, Sam grabbed the Fenton Foamer and a Fenton Wrist Ray while Tucker opted for the Fenton Ghost Gauntlets. Geared up, the three humans exited the speeder, following close behind the three ghosts. As soon as they entered the castle, the doors slammed shut behind them with a force that nearly knocked the humans to the ground. Darkness was all around them until Fright Knight unsheathed his sword, letting its ghostly flames light their way. 

As they began to make their way further into the castle, Clockwork suddenly slammed down his staff, bringing everyone behind him to a halt at the entrance of a darkened hallway. "Wait," he whispered, "something isn't right."

"Yeah, you're right," Sam added, "We're standing in a dark hallway while Danny is in trouble! We have to help him!" The goth began to charge past Clockwork into the hall when the entire hall started to turn sideways. Sam stepped into the hall and slipped, her fall aimed directly at a suit of armor holding a very real, very pointy sword.

"Lady Sam!" Fright Knight cried out, flying in to catch her and return her to the entrance of the hall with the others. While Sam recovered from the shock of what just happened with Tucker and Jazz looking after her, Clockwork muttered to himself.

"Clockwork, mind sharing what is going through that old cog-brain of yours?" Nocturne huffed.

"Yeah! What was up with the moving hallway? Did it always do that?" Jazz cried out.

The purple clad spirit shook his head as he shifted to his toddler form. "Vizier must have found his Relic... but how?" he said to no one in particular. Turning to the rest of the group, Clockwork explained, "Vizier is the Elder Spirit of Space. He is using his powers to bend and shift the castle to his will in order to prevent us from finding Danny."

Clockwork cursed himself in his mind for not considering that Vizier might have his Relic with him. This made things much more difficult. "We must stick together and be wary. The castle could move and change at any instance."

The group nodded in agreement and pushed into the now sideways hall, being careful to avoid the suits of armor holding various weaponry. They made it through the hall with no further issues and pressed onward. They made their way through seemingly never-ending stairways, rooms that lead to nowhere, windows that became doors and underneath rugs that became stairs.

"It feels like we've been doing this for hours and we've gotten nowhere!" Jazz shouted. "How are we ever going to find Danny in this labyrinth?" She fought the urge to let tears spill from her eyes. Her fear of losing her brother could not cloud her judgement now, she had to stay positive.

"Patience, Jasmine. We will find Danny. We just need to outsmart Vizier," Clockwork assured her.

Nocturne huffed, "This ceased to be interesting hours ago, it is just redundant now. If I had my Relic, we would have been in and out already." The large spirit crossed his arms and bowed his head to enter a rather small room filled with painting. The others followed after him as the doors slammed shut behind them and disappeared.

A maddening laugh filled the room. Readying their weapons, the group prepared for an attack, standing back to back in a  defensive circle. The laugh died away and was replaced by a smooth echoing voice. "Well played, my other half," it purred, "but you'll never get to the Prince. He is mine now. Together we will bring the Ghost Zone into a new age. An age where ghosts and spirits reign supreme!" The voice laughed once more before it's presence disappeared from the room. 

"Hmm, now that sounds interesting," Nocturne mused to himself as Clockwork passed by him, looking at a painting. Fright Knight aimed his sword at Nocturne's throat, prompting the Elder Spirit to raise his arms in defense. "Only kidding," he chuckled, pressing down on the end of the sword and aiming it away from himself. "Don't fret little knight, we'll save your precious Prince."

Fright Knight's eyes narrowed at Nocturne but he felt it would be useless to start a fight among their own ranks at this crucial moment.

"So now what?!" Sam shouted, throwing her arms in the air. "We just sit around, trapped in here while the world ends?"

"Of course not," Clockwork chimed in, tapping his staff on a painting. "No room is without an exit, and this right here," the purple clad ghost pressed his hand on a painting of two solid black doors with green swirls covering it, "is our exit." Clockwork's hand went through the painting and, shortly afterwards, so did the rest of him. 

The remaining five shared a look before approaching the painting and following Clockwork's example. After falling through the painting, they found themselves in the throne room of Phantom's Keep.

Jazz gasped as her eyes landed on the throne. "Danny!" she screamed. Everyone's gaze immediately went to the throne where a familiar ghost boy was currently tied up. His head hung limp and his hair covered his eyes. He didn't appear to be breathing. The three humans immediately stood up and rushed to their friend, with Fright Knight close behind. Clockwork and Nocturne hung back, surveying the room closely. Something about this felt too easy.

Sam, Tucker, Jazz and Fright Knight made it to Danny's side and Fright Knight freed his liege from the restraints. Danny fell forward and Tucker and Sam dove to catch him.

"Don't worry buddy, we got you," Tucker assured him. The three humans hugged Danny and stood, with Sam and Tucker each taking one of Danny's arms and slinging it over their shoulders. 

"Alright, we got Danny!" Sam shouted at Nocturne and Clockwork, "Get us out of here!"

Danny suddenly stirred in their grip. He shivered violently, breaking free of Sam and Tucker's hold on him and fell to the floor, writhing silently. 

"Danny?" Jazz said tentatively, reaching out to touch her brother's shoulder.

The young halfa's eyes immediately opened, glowing solid green. He rose and walked away from them, seating himself on the throne. Danny crossed his legs and leaned his elbow on the armrest, resting his cheek on his fist. "Vizier!" he shouted.

A grey skinned ghost with wrinkled features and burning red eyes materialized next to Danny. He wore a tattered black cloak with white accents that hid a black tunic and white trousers. His oily black hair spilled past his bony shoulders and was held out his face but a iridescent pendant attached to a silver chain. In one hand he held what looked to the humans like a Rubik's cube but it was only different shades of purple. "Yes, your Highness?" the ghost, Vizier replied, bowing as he did.

"What's going on? Clockwork what's happening?!" Sam shouted, turning to the Master of Time. Her question went unanswered as Clockwork's eyes were glued on Vizier.

Danny waved his hand in the direction of his friends, "Remove these intruders from my castle at once," he commanded, showing no emotion on his features.

A sickening grin appeared on Vizier's face as he clasped his bony hands together, "With pleasure, your Highness." Vizier gripped the cube in his hands and aimed it at the group.

"Move!" Clockwork shouted, grabbing Jazz and flying off. Nocturne grabbed Tucker and Fright Knight pulled Sam off the ground as cobblestone spikes jutted out from the floor. 

"Keep to the air, we have a better chance of avoiding his attacks that way," Clockwork instructed shifting to his middle aged form. Jazz aimed the Fenton Peeler at Vizier, only for Clockwork to shake her. "Do not waste your efforts on Vizier. Focus on Danny, he needs all of you. You must take the Crown of Fire from him. It is the source of all of his power," the Time Master urged. "Leave Vizier to Nocturne and me."

Jazz nodded and looked to Fright Knight. The ghostly knight whistled with his free hand and a portal opened, with Nightmare hurtling through. The steed flew through the room, avoiding cobblestone spikes and picked up every human. He returned to Fright Knight's side and they prepared to avoid the shifting throne room traps to get to Danny.

Nocturne floated to Clockwork's side, raising an eyebrow at his fellow Elder Spirit. "And how, pray tell, are we supposed to defeat Vizier when he not only has his Relic but mine as well," Nocturne hissed, his voice dripping with malice. In his mind he was already thinking of the many ways he would destroy Vizier for even touching his Relic, but sadly none of them were possible.

Clockwork remained expressionless. "I understand your rage, but this must remain a battle between Vizier and I. I must finish what I started," the Elder Spirit sighed. He raised his staff, twirling it and creating a glowing blue clock. He raised his hand above the stopwatch on his staff and whispered, "Time Stop." He slammed his hand down on the button and in an instant, he and Vizier disappeared.

Nocturne's eyes widened as a slight smirk appeared on his face. "Oh, how very interesting," he mused to himself.

The throne room immediately returned to normal as Fright Knight, Tucker, Jazz and Sam charged at Danny. They came to a stop in front of their friend, who remained seated upon his throne looking incredibly bored.

"Danny, come on. This isn't you," Jazz pleaded, approaching her brother cautiously. "We don't want to hurt you."

Danny emotionless face cracked as he began to laugh, clutching his stomach and kicking his legs up in the air. "You? Hurt me?" he said in between laughs. "I am your King! Nothing you puny beings could even think of doing could possibly bring me harm. Especially with my advisor right he-" Danny cut himself short as he turned to his side and noticed that Vizier had disappeared.

The young halfa rose from his throne, distressed. "Vizier!?" He shouted, his solid green eyes searching the throne room. Danny rolled his eyes before sinking back into his throne, "Useless spirit."

"My liege, I beg you, do not make this harder on yourself. You must fight Vizier's hold on you," Fright Knight begged, dropping to one knee. "Do not become Pariah Dark."

Danny's expression turned deadly serious as he stared daggers at his former bodyguard. "Do not dare mention that weakling's name in my court," he growled. He began to approach them, charging his hands with flaming green energy. "I will warn you one last time, leave my court now or face the consequences."

The four held their ground, making no indication that they were going anywhere.

"Very well," Danny shrugged, "you have chosen your fate." Danny began firing flaming balls of ecto energy at the four. 

Fright Knight deflected the incoming projectiles with his sword, though one or two did strike him. The injuries he gained reopened his wounds from his fight with Vizier, but he remained standing. He returned a few blows, sending waves of green flames Danny's way.

The ghost Prince dodge them with ease and continued to fire upon Fright Knight, oblivious to the fact that the humans began flanking him. Jazz aimed the Fenton Peeler at Danny, taking a shot. 

At the last second, Danny saw the blast and flew out of the way. He regained his composure and charged at Jazz, who stood her ground. As Danny grew closer, he noticed the orange haired teen grin.

"Now, Sam!" she shouted.

Danny turned his head all too late as he saw a giant glob of green goop headed his way. It was a direct hit and pinned him against the stone walls. Danny roared in anger, fighting with all his strength to free himself.

"Hurry, that won't hold him forever!" Fright Knight cried out, using his sword to support himself, "Sir Tucker, the gauntlets! Remove the crown!"

Tucker nodded and ran as fast as he could to Danny. "Stay away from me! You are all lesser beings before my might! I will destroy you all!" Danny screamed, thrashing violently against his goopy prison. His hands burst into flames and began to melt the goo.

"Tucker, hurry!" Sam yelled.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh," Tucker muttered to himself as he got closer to Danny. He fought every urge in his mind that told him to turn tail and run away. He wasn't going to lose his best friend. For once, he would be the one to save Danny. 

The young halfa was almost free as Tucker reached him. The technogeek leaped into the air, charging the gauntlets. He clasped them around the flaming crown atop Danny's head and pulled. It didn't budge.

"Guys! Help!" Tucker yelled, "It's not budging!" Fright Knight, Sam and Jazz raced to Tucker's side, grabbing onto the teen and helping him pull on the crown.

"Unhand my crown at once! I command you as your King!" Danny growled, as he continued to try and free himself.

"Pull!" Sam shouted. All four friends poured the last of their strength in removing the crown and finally succeeded. The crown went flying into the air as Danny let out an ear piercing scream. Blue flames engulfed his body and melted away his restraints. 

Nightmare flew to Fright Knight's side and used his wing to shield his rider and the humans from the flames. The flames died down, and Nightmare lifted his wing, revealing the motionless body of Danny Phantom.

"Danny!" the four cried out in unison, rushing to his side. The halfa looked unharmed but he did not appear to be breathing.

"Oh no, oh no. Danny no, don't do this!" Jazz whispered, tears spilling from her eyes. She pulled her brother's head onto her lap, brushing his white locks out of his face.

Tucker and Sam began to shed tears, with Sam clutching tightly to Danny's hand. Fright Knight simply hung his head in shame, throwing his sword to the opposite side of the room.

The sound of applause from behind them stirred them from their mourning. They all turned to see Nocturne hovering above the ground, a wide grin on his pale face. "Well, I must say, that was quite the show. Very interesting. Such emotion, such drama, such tragedy. Why, it almost made me shed a tear," Nocturne cheerfully said, mock wiping away a tear. "Though it had quite a cliche ending. Not interesting at all."

The three humans aimed their weapons at Nocturne, rage burning in their broken hearts.

Nocturne's eyes widened. "Now now, no need to get sensitive," he cooed. He twirled his hand and in a puff of golden sparkles, a black box appeared in his starry hand. "Thankfully, our Fright Knight broke a few rules and we have a very important Relic at our disposal," the Elder Spirit said gleefully.

He floated over to Danny, opening the box and pulling out a white crystal attached to a silver chain. Inside the crystal was Danny's symbol in a black, vein-like design. The young halfa's body began to float away from Jazz and came to rest in front of Nocturne. The enormous spirit gently draped the crystal around Danny's neck and scooped him into his arms. He floated away from the four towards the throne.

"Where are you going with Danny!" Jazz shouted, aiming the Fenton Peeler at Nocturne's back.

"Be still, little human. I am not going to bring harm to the halfa. I merely want to see something truly interesting," Nocturne assured her. The starry spirit sat Danny down in the throne and backed away. "Now," Nocturne whispered as he morphed his hand into a starry blade, "do not disappoint me young Prince."

"Wait what are you-" Sam began to ask but her question was cut short by Nocturne piercing Danny's chest with his starry blade.

The world seem to move in slow motion as screams erupted from the three humans. Nocturne's eyes burned with excitement as he drove the blade deeper into Danny's chest. Fright Knight's eyes went the other side of the room where he had thrown his sword only to find that it had disappeared. Sam charged the Fenton Foamer as Tucker readied his gauntlets. Jazz had tears in her eyes as she aimed the Fenton Peeler at the blade piercing her brother's chest.

"Wait!" a voice shouted. A stone pillar came flying in the direction of the four friends and Nightmare had to swoop in to save them. They turned to look at who had thrown the pillar and saw none other than the Time Master himself.

"Clockwork, what are you doing?!" Sam screamed, aiming the Fenton Foamer at the purple clad ghost.

"You cannot interfere!" Clockwork urged, rapidly shifting between forms.

"But he's killing Danny!" Tucker cried, trying to dismount from the flying horse only for Fright Knight to stop him. "What the heck Fright! I knew we should have never trusted you!" Tucker screamed, tears streaming down his face. The ghostly knight made no response, his eyes were glued to Danny.

Tucker turned to look and his eyes widened. Nocturne broke free from the starry dagger currently lodged in Danny's chest and backed away. Danny's eyes opened, glowing a pure white. The young halfa began to float off the ground as his body was absorbed into a growing, crackling ball of white energy that began forming in Danny's chest.

"Get down!" Nocturne shouted, flying to Clockwork's side and pushing the Master of Time behind a pillar. Sam, Tucker, Jazz, Fright Knight and Nightmare followed suit, taking shelter behind the pillar Clockwork had thrown at them.

The room became engulfed in blinding white light, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. The castle began to rumble as the light flooded every room of the castle, until the entirety of Phantom's Keep was a ball of white light. The energy finally dispersed, flying to every corner of the Ghost Zone. 

In the throne room, the light faded away and Danny's body went limp, and hurtled towards the ground. Fright Knight rushed out from behind the pillar and caught Danny, resting his limp form on the floor. Jazz, Tucker and Sam soon rushed out from behind the pillar to see the young halfa completely unharmed. There was no mark where Nocturne had pierced him and the crystal had disappeared. But most importantly, there was a steady rise and fall of his chest.

Tears of joy was on each of the humans' face as they hugged each other in joy. 

Danny groaned as his eyes fluttered open. Fright Knight helped him sit upright as Danny clutched his head. "Ugh, am I dead?" he asked. In response to that question he received a swift punch in the arm from Sam. "Ow!" he cried out, "What the heck, Sa-" Danny was cut off by his friends wrapping him in a bear hug.

"Uh guys," Danny wheezed, "I can't breathe." His friends released him and he noticed a ghost that looked a lot like Nocturne and Clockwork floating off to the side. They seemed to be talking quietly to each other, and Clockwork handed the Nocturne-looking ghost a blue box.

Fright Knight gripped Danny's shoulder, returning the teen's attention to his friend. "It is good to have you back, my liege."

Danny smiled at Fright Knight, slightly confused. "Uh, good to be back, Fright," he chuckled.

Clockwork floated over to the five, shifting to his elderly form. Just as Danny was about to greet the ghost, his friends aimed their weapons at the Time Master. Fright Knight reached for his sword, forgetting that it had gone missing, only to find that it had been returned to its sheath.

"You better have a good explanation for this, Clockwork," Sam hissed. Tucker and Jazz nodded in agreement, glaring at the spirit. Danny looked around wildly, absolutely confused.

Clockwork sighed, lowering his head. "You are angry and confused. I understand. But we do not have time to waste," the Elder Spirit instructed, grabbing Danny's arm and helping him to his feet. "A new ruler must be crowned today. I swear to you that all your questions will be answered in time. For now, we must act with haste." Clockwork explained while floating around the room.

"We have a coronation to throw."

A/N: Hey all, so sorry about my disappearance. I have no excuses. Only apologies. I hope that some of you are still reading my books and can forgive me. I finally have my spark back and have many updates planned. The Halfa Prince and it's trilogy will be completed. There will be upcoming updates for my 'The Ghost Brother' spinoff fic '20 Years Later' and 'A Different Kind of Hero'. Heck I may even write another one-shot for 'The Ghost Brother'. Thank you to those who have stayed with me. I hope you are all staying safe and I look forward to seeing you in the next update.

Phantom out!