Third Person POV

The golden dagger shimmered in Riona's hands as she twirled it between her slim fingers. Fright Knight lunged at her again, but Riona swiftly dodged. She turned and swung her dagger, managing to inflict a minor wound on the Ghost King's side. 

White hot pain flared in the wound on Fright Knight's side and he bit down on his tongue, drawing hot, salty green blood. Those Spirit Daggers sure packed a punch He spat on the floor, facing Riona with fire in his eyes. He charged at her once more with Tucker and Sam backing him up. While the two humans had her focused on deflecting their blasts, the former knight had a clear shot to Riona's middle. It didn't even matter if he struck her core anymore - though that would be optimal choice - he just wanted her gone. Their time was running out.

Riona dodged the blasts, with one or two hitting her suit of armor. Fright Knight drew closer to his target and as she came within striking distance of his sword, Riona vanished. She reappeared behind him and landed a hard kick to his back, sending him sprawling forward. She laughed, throwing her head back, "Now THIS," She exclaimed, "is a good way to die!" She looked around at all of the furious faces sending her death glares. "We should all be honored to die today. May we find solace in the depths of despair." She cried, throwing her arms in the air.

Dani and Jazz stood protectively over Danny as he slowly, but surely, started to wake up. They watched as Fright Knight, Sam and Tucker all took shots at Riona but she continued to avoid the majority of them. "At this rate we'll never beat her." Dani said, as she charged her hands with green energy. She was beginning to think of a plan, but she wasn't too sure if the others would approve. Or if she could even go through with it. Why was she even thinking of such a horrible plan?

Jazz bit her lip. Something about this whole situation seemed wrong. Riona was obviously mentally unstable, and she appeared to have two separate personalities with one being more timid than the other. The personality that was currently in control appeared to believe that they were going to be beaten, but by the way she was fighting you couldn't have guessed that. She didn't want to go down without a fight. Or maybe there was something deeper to all this. She could obviously kill them all with little effort, but she looked to be holding back. Why? Was she trying to stall? If so, what was the reason behind it?

Sam cried out in pain as Riona's dagger sliced through her Fenton Peeler armor. The dagger had cut through the metal and a part of her shirt, but it had barely brushed against her skin. There wasn't even a mark. Still, a burning pain flashed through her entire right side. She grit her teeth and tried to focus back on the battle. Tucker was now being targeted by Riona's glowing blade as Fright Knight chased after her. She leaped back into the fray to protect her friend, firing blasts at the ghost girl. One of the blasts managed to strike Riona square in the back and she was knocked to the ground. Fright Knight wasted no time and raised his blade above his head to bring it down on Riona. 

The psychotic ghost girl managed to roll away from the descending sword at the last second. She threw her dagger at Fright Knight and it lodged itself into his right shoulder. He screamed in pain and fell to his knees, dropping his sword. Riona pulled out two more daggers, throwing them at Sam and Tucker. The first dagger impaled Tucker's suit and the blade stuck into his thigh while the dagger aimed at Sam lodged itself in her left shoulder. Riona twirled back around and conjured another dagger. Before Sam and Tucker even started crying out in pain Riona lunged forward and drove the dagger into Fright Knight's stomach, twisting it around. The Ghost King's screams paired with the wails of agony from the two humans were like music to her ears.

Gasping  for breath Riona stood, staring down at her wounded intruders. She snickered, "Maybe we won't die today after all." She said proudly. Riona raised an eyebrow, "You five have been most troublesome for us. Because of you all our plans could have gone up in smoke!" Rage flamed in her eyes, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG I HAVE WAITED TO BE FREE FROM THEM?!" She screamed, "Sure, being a slave to the Lord and Lady of Death has its perks but it isn't a lifestyle one would choose graciously." She scoffed, crossing her arms. "In fact I'd rather die than spend one more second serving them."

The fire faded from Riona's eyes and a horrified expression claimed her features. "N-No. I didn't mean that!" She said loudly, "I love serving them! They saved me!" The fire returned, "Yeah and because of that I have been stuck with you for countless centuries!"

While Riona argued with herself, Jazz slowly approached her from behind. She tried to not look at the agonized faces of her friends, who were continuing to scream with pain. Those daggers were powerful enough to kill a spirit, she couldn't even imagine the pain Tucker and Sam were feeling. Even Fright Knight, who was not a spirit but he did have a high ghost standing, was in immeasurable amounts of pain. His hands were currently wrapped around the dagger in his stomach, working up the nerve to pull it out.

Jazz slowly charged up her blaster, working to hide the sound as best she could from Riona's sharp ears. She closed one eye and aimed for the middle of Riona's back. She stole a glance at Fright Knight who had removed the dagger from his stomach with a tiny yelp of pain and quickly removed the one lodged in his shoulder while adrenaline rushed through his veins. He looked drained, but readied his sword anyways. Jazz would fire her blaster, catching Riona off guard and Fright Knight would finish off the job.

Jazz fired her blaster and time seemed to slow down. The green ray of energy traveled through the air, its aim true. Fright Knight leaped to his feet and started to charge towards Riona. Riona was struck in the back with the blast and fell forward. She turned around angrily, staring at Jazz with renewed hate. From the corner of her eye she saw the Ghost King approach and sighed. This little dance of theirs was getting boring. Not a very fun way to die after all.

Riona got to her feet quickly, her dark armor smoking from Jazz's blast. She leaped into the air, out of range of Fright Knight's sword and fired more daggers at him. Some caught on his cloak, pinning him to the floor. She flew over to Jazz and picked up the girl, pinning Jazz's arms behind her back with one hand and roughly gripping her face with the other. She spun around to face the two humans still in pain, holding Jazz's face so that the human girl was forced to look upon her friends' suffering. "You have crossed me for the last time." She told them, releasing Jazz's face to conjure another dagger. She gripped the handle tight and held the golden dagger directly in front of Jazz's heart. A smile graced her features. "Time to die!" She cooed in Jazz's ear.

Danny finally fully awoke and sat up with a start, startling Dani who had been standing right in front of him. The little clone's eyes widened as she watched in horror the events that followed Danny's abrupt awakening. Jazz threw her head back, colliding with Riona's face. The ghost girl dropped the teen, using her hands to clutch her more than likely broken nose. Then a sharp cracking noise could be heard and Riona's eyes widened. The others in the room gasped in shock as they stared up at the psychotic ghost girl. 

Riona's eyes went down to her chest where a giant spike made of ice had broken through her dark armor and was now sticking out of her chest. She raised a hand and tapped it. "Huh." She said as a small trail of blood leaked from her mouth, "Would you look at that." She chuckled and it turned into a cough. "Well," Riona croaked as her body began to float down to the ground. "This isn't exactly what I planned but... I suppose it will do." As her feet touched the ground Riona slumped to her knees. She leaned forward and if not for the giant spike protruding out of her chest she would have fell straight to the ground. The spike propped her into a crouched position, making her look more like a sleeping person than one that was dying. "Until death..."She whispered, tears streaming down her face. "do us part." 

Everyone in the room stared at the wounded ghost. The ice spike had most certainly pierced her core and she was on the verge of death. No one knew how to react. They should be glad that Riona was defeated, but they felt no joy. Riona had been sick. She should have been destroyed when the castle reformed but she was kept alive and alone. And finally, she died.

Silence filled the room. No one knew what to say or how to react. Sam and Tucker were released from the agony of the Spirit Daggers for when Riona had passed, all the golden daggers had disappeared and the wounds they opened healed. Jazz was helping Sam and Tucker to their feet as Fright Knight sheathed his sword. They all turned to see Danny staring at his young clone, shocked. 

For Dani's hands were coated in ice and were still held out in the direction where Riona had once been floating.

I AM THE ALL MIGHTY LINE BREAK!

"HOW DARE YOU!" Umbra shouted as she dodged a bolt of blue energy, Tynan lay at her feet, unconscious and covered in bleeding wounds. Umbra flapped her black wings in irritation as she stared daggers at Clockwork while Nocturne and Dan battled Lucian and Chiara.

Clockwork readied his scythe, "I dare, because this all must end today." His red eyes narrowed, "The four of you have been a lingering shadow over all of us and have the power to change everything. Yet you do NOTHING!" He removed one of his hands from the staff to point at Umbra, "Today is the one day you can interfere with no consequence, yet you still do nothing. It is time for you to be removed."

The fire in Umbra's eye burned with rage. "You should learn to hold your tongue and know your place Clockwork. We are already aware of your betrayal, along with Lumen and Serenity." She lunged at Clockwork, her hands outstretched and nails extended. Clockwork rose his scythe and ducked under her grip, swinging up the scythe and slicing through the membrane of her right wing.

Umbra screamed in pain and crashed to the ground. She let out heavy breaths as she looked at her wing. It wing had a large, jagged gash in it. She wouldn't be flying far anytime soon. Shakily, she got back to her feet and turned, preparing to strike at Clockwork, when a flaming fist drove itself into her stomach.

Dan Phantom smiled at Umbra as she looked from the hand in her stomach to its owner. "Sorry lady, boss's orders." He told her as a small trail of blood leaked from her mouth.

"H-How?" She asked as she felt her strength leave her. "How are you able to defeat me?"

Dan shrugged, pulling his fist out of Umbra's stomach, leaving a large gaping hole. "Not really sure, if I'm being honest." He replied, grabbing his cape and using it to wipe Umbra's blood off his hand, "Maybe something to do with my new half-spirit status. But it's still just a guess."

Umbra slumped to the ground, her body lying in a graceful heap. Her wings draped over her body like a blanket. The tear in her wing, a gap in her armor. The Lady of Death had finally met her match. Tynan could only watch helplessly as his partner died a death not worthy of herself.

Lucian and Chiara were not faring much better. They took turns defending each other from attacks to returning fire. Lucian used his feathers as projectiles and fired them at the two spirits attacking them. Some missed their targets but the majority lodged themselves in some body part of their attackers. Yet they didn't stop. Nocturne and Clockwork were not going to give up. It was going to end here, today, even if it cost them their own lives.

Dan stood over the deceased Umbra, looking down upon her with pity. "I liked what you were selling Umbra, I really did. But unfortunately I have my own interests to take care of." He dusted off his suit and strode over to Tynan's limp form. 

The Lord of Death's eyes went wide. He felt an odd sensation pounding in his core. Fear. One of the most powerful beings ever to exist, was afraid. Tynan flapped his wings in a desperate attempt to get away from the murderous ghost. He rose into the air but quickly fell back down to the ground. He was too weak to fly, this was the end for him. His eyes glazed over Umbra's deceased form, lying in a pool of her own precious blood. Tynan swallowed hard, casting his eyes back on Dan. The flaming haired ghost was still a few feet away from him and there was a large distance between him and Umbra's body. This has to work.

Stealing one last look at Dan, Tynan flapped his large wings, propelling himself forward. Dan nimbly dodged the winged being, much to Tynan's pleasure. He landed in the pool of Umbra's blood and felt tears prick his eyes. "Forgive me Umbra, I was too weak to save you." He whispered as he pressed his hand to her cold cheek and stared into her glassy, lifeless eyes. He bent down and stuck out his tongue, lapping up Umbra's blood. He drank as much as he could before Dan grabbed him by the collar and lifted him away from his partner.

"Your time is up, Tynan." Dan informed the winged male as he charged his fist with flaming green energy.

Tynan licked the last bit of Umbra's blood from his lips and grinned as his eyes grew bright with fire. "If I'm going down," he growled, "I'M TAKING YOU WITH ME!" Tynan's wounds immediately healed and his strength returned with a vengeance. He balled his hand into a fist and cracked Dan across the jaw, knocking the flaming haired ghost back and crashing into the shattered remains of the glass table. 

Dan placed a hand on his jaw, testing to see if it was broken. He chuckled, "For an old-timer, you sure pack a punch." Dan stood, rolling his shoulders, "That's fine by me. It will make killing you so much more fun." And so, Tynan and Dan became locked in combat.

Back with Clockwork and Nocturne, the two spirits had successfully beaten Chiara who now was slumped on the ground, her feathered wings broken and in flames. She screamed in pain as the flames burnt away her precious feathers and scorched the tender skin beneath them.

Lucian was now defending himself as well as Chiara on his own. Nocturne morphed one of his arms into a scythe and swung at Lucian. His swing opened a rather large wound on Lucian's chest. Blood pumped out and dripped onto the ground as the winged male continued to fight, ignoring his injuries. He fired razor like feathers at the two spirits, each feather landing on their target. And neither side gave in to the pain.

Chiara lay on the ground, crying and in pain. "S-Stop." She begged, "Just let it end." Her eyes scanned the room, searching for the one who would end it. What were they waiting for?

Nocturne was thrown against a far wall and slumped to the ground unconscious. Dan crashed into the starry spirit's body as he was thrown by Tynan. The bat-winged male was missing an arm and one of his eyes. Blood leaked out of mouth and he was barely keeping himself airborne with his shaking wings. "THAT ALL YOU GOT?!" He shouted at Dan, who had his fair share of injuries. 

Dan was missing his right hand, the hand he used to kill Umbra, as well as one of his ears. He glared weakly at Tynan and smiled, "Oh, you wish old-timer." Dan leaped back into his battle with Tynan, landing a punch to the stomach. The wind was knocked out of Tynan and Dan swung his leg up and landed a roundhouse kick to Tynan's head. A spray of blood flew out of Tynan's mouth. He stared at it horror.

"No Umbra!" He cried, falling to his knees and trying to scoop up the spilt blood in his hands, "Don't leave me!" 

Dan raised an eyebrow at Tynan as he charged his left fist with flaming green energy. He drove it through the grieving male's back, straight through and out his chest. More blood leaked from his mouth a Dan removed his hand, shaking it free. Tynan slumped forward, falling to the ground as blood pooled around him. His eyes fell upon Umbra. She was alive again, and reaching towards him. Tynan smiled and let his soul pass on.

Dan wiped his hand on his cape. "That was far more trouble than it was worth." He muttered as he frowned when he saw his dirty cape, "And they made me ruin a perfectly good cape." His eyes scanned the room as he began to wander around. "Now, where did I leave my hand and ear?"

Clockwork rolled his eyes as he used his staff to deflect more of Lucian's sharpened feathers. He threw his staff, and it lodged itself in Lucian's stomach. The winged male stared down at the large scythe poking out of his middle and sank to his knees. He began to breathe heavily, something that ghosts or spirits do not need to do. Lucian let out a small laugh, "You may be able to kill us now, but we will return." He whispered, "In another time, another world, another life, the Ancient Ones will rise from the ashes and once again take control." 

The Master of Time merely nodded as he floated over to Lucian and ripped the scythe out of his stomach. Lucian fell to the ground and began to bleed out. Clockwork's red eyes fell upon Chiara. Her wings were in tatters and her clothes were stained with blood and ripped. Clockwork raised his scythe over his head, preparing to bring it down on the winged female. Chiara smiled up at him, "I have never been more proud of you Clockwork." She whispered, "You are truly worthy." Her smile faded, "Don't hold this against her."

Clockwork was about to ask what she meant when he sensed movement behind him. The Time Master whipped around to see Lucian back on his feet and he had already fired a bolt of golden energy at Clockwork. There was no way Clockwork would have enough time to dodge or block it, ironically.

He closed his eyes to accept his fate, when a rush of air billowed out his robes. A woman's scream was heard directly in front of him and a loud thump could be heard by his ghostly tail. Clockwork opened his eyes and looked down to see the smoking form of Serenity. Tears immediately formed in Clockwork's eyes. "Not again." He said softly, reaching out to Serenity, "NOT AGAIN!" Tears burned in his eyes as he glared at Lucian. He fired a single bolt of blue energy. It pierced the winged man's chest and he fell to the ground, lifeless.

"Clockwork." Serenity murmured. The purple clad ghost float to the ground, dropping his staff beside him.

"I'm here Serenity, you're going-" He began only for Serenity to hold up a singed hand.

Her face was littered with burns and parts of her hair were on fire. Her clothes were smoking and a large hole was in the center of her chest. Her skin was nearly charred black and the light was fading from her eyes. "Don't lie Clockwork. You knew that this was going to be the outcome."

Clockwork took her hand, gently holding it close to his lips, "I thought I could change it. Even if it meant that I didn't survive."

Serenity chuckled and shook her head, "You can't cheat in an event like this Clockwork. You should know that."

Dan had found and reattached his ear and hand and was now helping Nocturne rise from the floor. The two ghosts saw the heart-breaking scene before them. 

Serenity's eyes became unfocused, "I hear her, Clockwork. I hear my sister." Tears formed in her eyes. "She's waiting for me. So are the others." The Spirit of Order gripped Clockwork's cloak, using the last of her strength to pull herself closer to him. "Don't mourn me beloved." She whispered in his ear, "Move on. Take care of your new family. When your time comes, I will be waiting for you." Her lips found Clockwork's and they embraced in a passionate kiss. Once they broke apart Clockwork opened his mouth to speak, only for Serenity to fall limp in his arms. She was gone.

Clockwork gently placed her on the ground, laying her body out as gracefully as he could. He then grabbed his staff and rose, facing the still alive Chiara. "So, this is how it all ends." He said, raising his staff, the blade shining in the light.

Chiara shook her head, "Sadly, no. Unfortunately, Lucian's words hold true." She shakily got to her hands and knees. "We will return in the future. Maybe while you are still in this plane of existence or maybe when you are long gone but we will return." She lowered her head, "I wish this were not the truth but it is. Goodbye." 

Chiara spread her tattered wings and gave a weak flap. Almost instantly all of her feathers grew back. She soared into the air and quickly flew around the room, grabbing up all the bodies of her fallen comrades. "We will return." She repeated as her body began to glow with a bright white light. In a flash so bright the ghosts had to shield their eyes, Chiara disappeared.

Silence filled the chamber.

"Well." Dan said, flexing his right hand, "That was a waste of time."

Clockwork sighed, turning his scythe back into a regular staff and floated over to Serenity's body. Leaning down, he closed her eyes and picked up her limp body. Nocturne created a portal and they all stood in front of it. "Time to go home." Clockwork said as he floated into the portal.

A/N: Sorry about the long wait for an update guys. Been pretty busy with some changes going on in my life and was kinda lacking inspiration for this chapter. See you all in the next one.