Broken Phantom

-Jazz-

The next morning came too quickly, the Ghost Zone's perpetual twilight giving little sense of time passing. Breakfast was subdued but tense, the air heavy with the weight of yesterday's revelations. The dining hall was quieter than it had been the night before, though it was no less ornate. The green flames in the chandeliers above seemed brighter, sharper as if reflecting the mood.

Danny stood at the head of the table, a steaming cup of what looked like ectoplasmic coffee in his hand. Unlike the night before, his posture was more relaxed, and there was even a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Alright, everyone," he said, his tone lighter than it had been during dinner. "I know yesterday was... a lot. But today's a new day, and I promise it'll be more exciting than terrifying. Probably." He winked, and a few nervous chuckles rippled through the group.

Dani snickered from her seat. "Way to inspire confidence, Dad."

Danny shot her a playful glare before addressing the group again. "But seriously, we've got a busy day ahead. The tournament starts this afternoon, and it's not something you'll want to miss. The Phantom Nebula is one of the most vibrant places in the Ghost Zone, so enjoy yourselves, but remember the rules."

He set his cup down and leaned forward slightly, his tone softening. "Stick together. Don't touch anything unless you're absolutely sure it's safe. And if something feels off, find me, Dani, or Valerie immediately."

Jazz watched as the tension in the room eased slightly. Danny's casual demeanor had done its job, and even the more skeptical classmates seemed less on edge.

"Oh, and one more thing," Danny added, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Try the ecto-biscuits. They're better than they look. Trust me."

Dash, who had been poking at his plate suspiciously, hesitated before taking a tentative bite. His eyes widened in surprise. "Huh. Not bad."

Danny grinned. "See? Told you."

He laughed a little, she knew that in spite of everything, today was a day that Danny was excited for.

The tournament was something Danny had created even before he officially took the throne.

He created it as a way not just for everyone to come together, but for those who wished to challenge him, those who wished to have fun and just let off some steam- Danny himself- to just do.

And not just ghosts but all the residents of the Infinite realms.

-Dash-

The Phantom Nebula was nothing like I'd imagined. When Danny said we were heading to a city near his castle(mind blown,he has his own castle), I'd pictured something out of a Halloween movie—spooky, dark, and falling apart. Instead, the Nebula was... alive.

The city was beautiful.

The streets were bustling with ghosts of all shapes and sizes, their translucent forms glowing faintly as they moved between towering, floating buildings. Vendors called out in languages I didn't understand, their stalls overflowing with strange, glowing objects and swirling vials of what I assumed was ghost food. Bridges of ectoplasmic energy connected the structures, forming a web of pathways that shifted and reformed constantly.

"Stay close," Valerie warned as we stepped off the floating platform that had brought us to the city. "And don't touch anything."

"Yeah, we got it," I muttered, though my eyes were already darting around, taking everything in. It was hard not to stare. Some ghosts were huge, their forms shifting and flowing like liquid. Others were small and quick, darting through the crowd like sparks of light.

Danny led the way, his hands in his pockets, his steps casual. Ghosts parted for him like water around a rock, their gazes lingering on him with a mix of awe and respect.

"They really respect him," Star said softly, her voice tinged with awe.

"Of course they do," Dani said with a grin. "He's their king."

Danny glanced back, his expression a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Let's not oversell it, Dani."

"What?" she said, feigning innocence. "I'm just stating facts."

He's really changed from puny Fenton.

It's different from when I used to shove him into lockers.

I was a little jealous.

The scrawny kid had grown up to become something I had never imagined. A King. Wasn't that a surprise.

-Paulina-

The arena loomed ahead, its sheer size breathtaking. The structure seemed to rise endlessly into the sky, its walls glowing faintly with the same green energy that pulsed through the Ghost Zone. Inside, the hum of anticipation was palpable. Thousands of ghosts filled the stands, their translucent forms shimmering in the ethereal light.

Our group was led to a section near the top, the view overlooking the massive circular arena below. The ground glowed faintly, its surface shifting as if alive. It was both beautiful and unsettling.

Danny turned to face us, his hands resting on the railing. "This is it," he said, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and authority. "The tournament will begin shortly. Remember what I told you. Stick together. Don't draw attention to yourselves."

Paulina couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. The stakes were high, and the energy of the crowd was almost overwhelming. But as she glanced at Danny, standing tall and confident, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they would make it through this.

Suddenly, a ghostly announcer's voice boomed through the arena, speaking in a language Paulina didn't understand. The crowd roared in response, their cheers shaking the very air. Danny's expression hardened slightly, his gaze narrowing as he scanned the arena.

"What is it?" Jazz asked, noticing the change.

"Nothing yet," Danny replied, though his tone suggested otherwise. "But stay alert. This tournament isn't just about fighting. It's about power, alliances... and sometimes, making a statement."

Paulina shivered at his words, her unease deepening. Somewhere in the shadows of this vibrant city, she couldn't shake the feeling that something may happen.

She just hoped it was a feeling.

The coliseum lit up and the announcer's voice rang out again but surprisingly this time she could under them perfectly.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Creatures of the Absolute Infinite, the time you have been waiting for is here again." The roars of cheer that ripped through the place nearly made her rip off her own ears.

The excitement was clear and she could see some of her mates too getting in the mood.

She looked towards where Danny was sitting and she watched him, eyes sparkling with excitement and relaxed.

It seemed that everyone was the same so she guessed that she could ease up and relax too for now. Turning back to the arena Just as everything seems to start.