Third Person POV

The final battle was upon them. Two realms, two castles, one victor. As the Ghost King stared at his young companion held captive in the arms of a madwoman, a dagger threatening to slit his throat, he found himself thinking of the love that this psychotic being had stolen from him. Riona had killed the innocent Nina after her attempt on his life failed. Riona captured the young ghost boy and only the Ancients know what she had done to him. 

A clock ticked inside Fright Knight's mind. They were wasting time waiting here, figuring out their next move. Their time in this realm was limited for if they were still in this realm when the time was up then they would remain in that realm until the next Day of First Death. By his count, they had less than three hours left of the day. They needed to hurry.

Riona flexed her fingers that held the hilt of the dagger and raised an eyebrow at the five frozen intruders. "Well?" She questioned, pressing the dagger even closer to Danny's throat, accidentally breaking skin and causing a few drops of green blood to fall. Jazz and Dani felt their protective instincts go wild and both growled deep in their throats. Riona either didn't notice this or chose to ignore it as she continued, "The choice is yours. Leave now and no harm comes to the Diamond."

The red glow slightly faded from her eyes. "But, my Lord and Lady will be mad."

Riona hissed as the red glow returned with a vengeance, "Silence, we will deal with that when the time comes. Let me deal with these pests." The flaming haired ghost backed away a few steps.

Her hold on Danny loosened and she slackened her grip on the dagger. The red glow faded once more. "They will never forgive us for killing the Diamond. They need him. I can't risk them becoming angry with us." She whispered, her voice as timid as a mouse.

The three humans and two ghosts shared a look. They all took note of what was happening. Obviously, Riona's mental state was unstable. They could use this to their advantage. While Riona continued to have an argument with herself, the five of them began to flank the crazed ghost on all sides. Sam, Tucker and Jazz silently charged their weapons as Dani let her hands glow with green energy. Fright Knight readied his sword, quickly casting a worried glance to his fallen steed before focusing on Riona. They all locked eyes and nodded.

Sam, Tucker and Jazz fired at Riona from behind. The ghost girl screamed with pain and dropped both the dagger and her captive in shock. Dani fired a blast at Riona's front and swooped in, scooping up Danny and carrying him to safety. The green haired ghost girl fell to the ground, the three humans not letting up in their attack. Fright Knight gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and took the opening. Rushing forward, he aimed his sword directly at Riona's core.

AMAZING LINE BREAK IS HERE! That's all.

Umbra huffed, flapping her leathery wings in annoyance as she sat upon her black thorn throne. "I remember when wars weren't fought with technological weapons. Back in the good old days with hands and fists and regular weapons." She sighed happily, a dreamy look in her eyes, "The bloodshed was glorious."

Chiara frowned at her, "If you would prefer it, we could have a little battle of our own right here." Feathered wings fluttered challenging the olive skinned female, "Then we could see some bloodshed."

Ever the calm one, Tynan stepped in, "Now ladies, this is a day of peace for us. We must respect one another." He leaned over the glass table, staring at his and Umbra's side of the game. Currently, their pawn was performing well. He didn't approve of her using the Diamond as leverage against the intruders but he would trust her judgement... for now.

Lucian grinned at Umbra, a glimmer in his eyes, "We could go down there and stir things up. Cause a little bloodshed if need be."

Chiara sent her partner a warning glare. It was true that on this day it was their only chance to interfere with the lives of the beings in the Ghost Zone but they rarely took up the opportunity. The female winged spirit was going to keep a close eye on her partner for the remainder of the day.

Umbra smiled and stood, striding over to Lucian's golden throne. She caressed his cheek, "While that offer is tempting-" Her black dress swished around her ankles as she sat on the arm of Chiara's throne and leaned back, nearly sitting in the feather winged female's lap, "I doubt goody two-shoes here would like that."

Tynan grinned at his partner, crossing his legs as he rested his elbow on the arm on his throne, placing his cheek on his fist, "So why don't you convince her my dearest?"

Chiara growled and her wings flapped angrily, "You would be wise not to heed those words Umbra."

"No fun, as usual." Umbra sighed, returning to her own throne and taking her seat. All eyes went back to the glass surface.

Chiara stared at the part of the board that showed the ghouls attacking the first castle. The ghouls had breached the castle walls and were flooding in. Nocturne, Clockwork and the one known as Dan Phantom were becoming cornered in the throne room. Chiara noticed a fourth party in the room and grimaced, but said nothing of it to the others. She now knew how today would end. And, oddly enough, she was going to be happy with the result.

Normal Line Break here. Continue reading.

Body parts flew everywhere. Blood and gore stained what was left of the castle walls. The putrid stench of death invaded senses, causing insides to churn with disgust. Clockwork flew high into the air, followed by Dan and Nocturne. "This is worse than before!" Dan shouted as he fired an ecto-blast at an approaching herd of ghouls, "We're even more trapped in here than we were out there!"

Nocturne morphed his hand into a scythe and sliced through a row of the flying ghouls, their halved bodies falling to the ground. "Quit complaining and fight!" The starry spirit shouted. Dan bit his tongue to hold back a harsh retort and focused on the battle.

As Clockwork felled another herd of ghouls, he saw a flash of white light from outside the castle. The final battle had begun. "Quickly!" He shouted to his companions, "Follow me!" Without hesitation, Nocturne and Dan flew after Clockwork as the Master of Time led the way out of the castle, killing any ghoul that dared get in his way. The three ghosts managed to make it outside of the castle without injury, but the war was far from over. "This way!" Clockwork shouted, pointing back out at the battle field they had fled from.

As he flew off with Nocturne following close behind, Dan muttered a curse to himself before racing after them. The three ghosts flew over the battle field where the army of ghouls lingered. Some wayward ghouls caught sight of the three specters and gazed up at them hungrily. The ghosts continued to fight and dismember ghouls in their path, but found that the numbers were dwindling. Clockwork smiled at this as he continued to race towards the white light that only he could see. He was leading his companions into a battle that would be worthy of a place in ancient history books, and he had no doubts they would be more than willing to participate in it. Each ghost had a score to settle with the beings they were about to face.

As the light grew brighter, the number of ghouls that followed them lessened. Even the mindless, soul-sucking monsters knew better than to enter where their prey was heading. They would miss out on a truly delicious meal, but if it meant they would live then so be it. There was always other prey they could feast upon.

The light filled Clockwork's vision and he could only hope that the other half of their team were faring well against Riona. The ghouls were under her command and once their nearest prey - Clockwork, Nocturne and Dan - disappeared, they would begin to search for others. If Clockwork took even one second longer than the planned time frame, it would spell the end for the Ghost Zone. 

Taking a deep breath - though as unnecessary as it was, it did provide a sense of comfort - the Master of Time lead the way into the white light and let it consume him and his partners. They would be face to face with their new adversaries in a matter of seconds and it was going to be a brutal battle. They was no future Clockwork could see where they all made it out of this alive, but the future was always changing. Who knew for sure what the outcome would be?

They burst from a glowing white portal into a realm of endless grey, along with one other who would remain unknown... for now. As they recovered from the shock of the portal, Dan and Nocturne began to observe their surroundings. "The hell was that?" Dan muttered, rubbing his head, "And where are we?" He received no answer.

Nocturne's eyes darted around the new realm in horror. He too did not know exactly where they were, but he had a pretty good guess. His eyes went to the purple cloaked ghost floating in front of him. "Clockwork. Are we-"

"Yes." Clockwork answered before Nocturne could finish. 

Dread filled the horned ghost's core. The day had come where the battle that would decide the fate of the entire Ghost Zone, no, the world, would occur. It was terrifying, yet refreshing in a sense. Either they would die in a blaze of glory and foolishness, or come out as free victors. Swallowing hard Nocturne mentally readied himself. "Are we ready?" He asked.

Dan's lips spread wide in a fanged grin, instantly knowing where they were. He cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulder as his forked tongue slid across his teeth. "Definitely." He answered, practically bouncing in anticipation. A rather uncharacteristic action of him.

Clockwork flashed a rare smile at his companions and swirled his cape around his spectral body. "Then let us be off." The Master of Time declared. The three ghosts set off towards their destination that was a mere 30 feet in front of them. 

A large fortress, made up of pure white and midnight black stone. A drawbridge was built of pure, polished grey bricks. Small towers dotted the top of the wall surrounding the fortress, each with their own flag flying from the top. On each flag was a symbol of a swirling mass of green, white and black. Behind the walls rested a large building, similar in structure to the walls that surrounded it. Within the building laid bedrooms, a ballroom, and even a grand library. But they were mostly never used. All the rooms within the proud building always remained empty and abandoned. All but one. The room where four powerful beings met every millenia or so and sat around a pure glass table, watching over their little toys.

They had arrived at the home of the Lords and Ladies of Life and Death. And their arrival would not go unnoticed, or unpunished.

I AM THE AMAZING LINE BREAK! Hope you're liking the chapter!

Fright Knight's aim was impeccable, there was no way he could miss striking Riona directly in her core especially with her in this dazed state. He would avenge his lost bride, his wounded companion, and the fallen castle. Riona would become trapped in a realm of nightmares created from her own mind. There could be no room for error. With fire in his eyes, Fright Knight drew closer to the slumped over ghost girl, aiming directly for her core. 

Out of the corner of her eye Riona saw him approach, and panic swelled in her chest. She didn't want to die! Her Lord and Lady wouldn't allow her to die, right? They would save her, like they had done before. This gave Riona renewed hope but it quickly died as she saw Fright Knight growing even closer. Her Lord and Lady weren't going to save her, not this time. Had she angered them in some way? Were they disappointed with her? What could she do to make it up to them?

"Nothing." A voice inside her whispered, "This is the end old friend. I have to say, it's been fun messing with you." The voice caused a burst of energy to flow from Riona's core and into her hands. A small orb of light formed in her right palm and she crushed it by pressing her hands together. Slowly she pulled them apart as the light reformed itself in her hands. Fright Knight, against his better judgement, paused in his attack to stare at the beautiful glow. The light bent and twisted and swirled, forming itself into a familiar shape. With a final pull, the light solidified and soon Riona held a glowing golden dagger in her hands.

"By the Ancients." Fright Knight whispered, his eyes widening at this display. The others were in similar states of shock.

Riona glanced over at Dani, who was standing protectively in front of the still unconscious Danny. There were tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry." Riona whispered, her voice strained, "I didn't want to hurt anyone. I just wanted them to..." She trailed off, gripping the dagger tightly in her hands. The golden blade pressed into her right palm and drew blood. It fell from her hand and dripped onto the floor. She raised the dagger and held it in front of her own core. 

The group gasped not knowing what to do. Should they stop her? Sure Riona had done a lot of terrible things and deserved to pay for her crimes but was this going too far? Fortunately for them, they did not have to make a choice.

Riona's eyes began to glow bright red again. "Oh no." she said, lowering the dagger, "No way, I'm not going to let you end everything like this. Not after all we've been through." Her eyes fell once more upon Danny who was slowly starting to wake. A glimmer shone in her eyes. "If we're going out," she began, twirling the dagger in her hand.

"We're going out with a bang!"