A/N: Well, well, well, raise your hand if you had figured out who the Prophesy's Omen was? What? That many? Y'all are way too clever for me! Now to tie up some loose ends. And, sniff and boo-hoo, too bad!! This is the end!!!! But it is bittersweet indeed that I started this story on the birthday of a member of my House, I mean, family, and NOW I end it on the birthday of another member of my family! I dedicate this Epilogue to Lisa. Happy 22nd and, as always, YOU ROCK!!! Anyhow, here is the Epilogue. My, it is VERY long! Actually, my personally fav Epilogue (next to HOWE, of course!)! Enjoy!

Shadow of a Doubt—Epilogue—The Beginning of the Rule and Home

The festivities were already in the planning stages. The entire Realm was invited to the crowning ceremony of the new Prophesy, which would be in a few short days. Danny, Sam, Tucker, Johnny 13 and Sombre were invited, of course, and given dignitary quarters in the castle while the gala was being prepared.

Spirto had retrieved all the rings of his house and had given Danny and Johnny 13 special talismans in their stead to protect them from the elements. Though an ominous cloud seemed to have lifted off the Realm, the atmosphere which surrounded and was within the castle was still as hostile as ever to flesh-shadows and the Far Frozen ice creatures. Still, both of the flesh-shadows noticed that these talismans were not as powerful as the rings, as they were more aware of the harsh elements in spite of the talismans. Johnny 13 didn't' seem to be bothered by the slight discomfort. But just like Frostbite had said, Danny was especially uncomfortable because of his ice powers.

Even though they wanted to stay for the celebration, the three teens felt the need to go home. They all had migrated to Danny's room and were discussing all that had happened, including Danny and Sam's telling Tucker about how they got their new telepathic powers. Tucker was totally amazed, and asked them all kinds of questions about it. They told him most, but not all, that had happened in their encounter with Jiva when she had seized Sam's body. Not that Danny and Sam wanted to hide this from their friend. They just knew that some of the turmoil they had shared was best left between each other. And that feeling they both agreed upon solidified their bond.

But as the trio talked, the effects of the Spectre realm were taking their toll on Danny. His friends, on the other hand, were a different matter. True, Sam and Tucker were still weak from their encounters, but they had noticed that they weren't suffering from any more of the effects from this realm. They, of course, did not know that the reason for their tolerance was directly correlated to their time in said realm. Their violent encounters and absorption of so much Spectre energy had not only allowed them to understand the Spectre language without the Ghost Gabberettes, but also, now made their bodies immune to the effects of the harsh environment.

Danny? What's wrong?" Sam asked him, concern in her eyes as she noticed her boyfriend's appearance.

"Yeah, dude, you look awful," Tucker agreed, equally worried.

Danny's breathing had changed to a laborious one and he was obviously sweating more. His make-up was too complex to allow the same immunity as his friends to the Spectre realm.

But just as Danny had convinced them not to worry, several soldiers suddenly burst in and soundly commanded, "Lord Spirto requests your presence!"

Though confused by the soldiers' stern insistence, the trio said nothing. After all, many things had changed—definitely for the better-- since the new Prophesy had ascended to his chair. So, the teens took this intrusion in stride; and after Danny took Sam's hand, they all went willingly to see the Prophesy.

As they walked down the hallway, the threesome noticed that it seemed brighter than before the fall of Phasma; but then again, that might have had to do with the general happiness that could be felt by every being in the castle. In fact, the entire castle looked different both inside and out. Overall, it was still grey and black, but the gray now occurred more often than the black, except for the addition of the white flags streaked with green pulsating flames that now proudly flew upon all the minarets….

Several Spectre servants hurriedly came and went, slowing only enough to politely bow in acknowledgement to the new friends of the Prophesy as they passed by. The trio could tell even with their silence that these Spectre were excited about the change.

The three best friends were joined by Johnny 13 and Sombre when they reached the Room of Authority. They all nodded to each other and were escorted in by the Spectre soldiers.

Spirto looked regal yet simple as he sat upon the Chair of Authority. The amulet was now whole again, restored by the power of the heart encased in all the three former rings. It now seemed to dance with its own bright green flames within the stone.

Spirto's appearance had also changed. He was no longer entirely black. He was still mostly ebony throughout, but what was once spikes of black hair atop his shadow head was now replaced by a crown-like ring of green flames. And if his claws had been exposed at the moment, they would have been as green as the amulet, his eyes and his flaming hair.

Danny wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand and took in another ragged breath while waiting for the Prophesy to speak. He couldn't help but feel privileged to witness the beginning of the rule of the greatest Prophesy of the Spectre as there ever were. He smiled at the thought and momentarily forgot about his discomfort.

The Prophesy waited for all five companions to situate themselves in front of him before he spoke. "My friends," he began, gesturing for them to come closer to the Chair of Authority. They obliged him and he continued, "I owe you many explanations."

The five looked at the other and then, looked to Danny. The boy took a deep breath. "No, that's OK, Spirto. It's not necessary…" he began, speaking for the group.

But Spirto interrupted him, "No, please! I beg of you. Let me explain! I had hoped to spare you from any danger, but it was not meant to be. Still, I had put all of you in a very desperate and unnecessary situation during the P'numbra Parley and I think you should know why. And at least for the sake of my brother, Sombre, who does not know all that had happened to me after we were separated those so many years ago, I would like to tell you my story.

All five of the companions looked at each other and nodded. Then they all turned to Spirto and smiled, encouraging him to go on.

Spirto returned their smiles with his own weak one and said, "I do not know how much you remember, Sombre…."

His brother gently interrupted him, "Our friends here know some of what happened. They know of the defeat of our father by Varjo, our imprisonment and our torment at the cruel hands of Esprit. And of our escape. And how young you were at the time…a mere Spectre youth and all…But we do not know all that had happened at the place we were supposed to meet--you know, where the rings were smuggled to and where we were to meet up with our mother…" Sombre's face fell to grief at the memory, and quietly added, "Nor do we know all that happened since our separation."

"Then you already know a lot!" Spirto said, nodding to his brother to acknowledge his same grief. "So, I will tell you how I got to that rendezvous point and how things came to be afterward."

And Spirto began to tell his lost story….

"We had escaped from the prison and we, of course, knew we needed to travel separately because our escape would be soon discovered. Sombre went first and agreed to get the rings, which, as you know, were smuggled out of the castle by our dear mother... I, however, was not as wise as my brother…"

Sombre was about to interrupt him in his brother's defense. After all, Spirto had been very young at the time. But Spirto lifted his hand to indicate for his brother to be silent for now. Sombre nodded in compliance.

And Spirto continued, "Like I said, at the time of our prison escape, I was not as wise as my brother. I dared to challenge Varjo!"

This time, Sombre gasped. The others merely looked on in surprise.

"I found Varjo in the Room of Authority with his daughter and son."

This time, the four non-Spectre looked at each other as they gasped in shock. They did not know that Phasma had a sister!

"Phasma had a sister?!" Tucker uttered, blurting out what everyone else was shocked over.

Spirto waited for them to calm a bit before he continued, "I am sorry you did not know about the daughter of Varjo. But, I will still continue. His daughter, whose name was Atma, was the elder of the two offspring of Varjo. She was much, much older than me, even older than Sombre. In fact, she was just about as old as our own mother. But as she stood there, staring down at me from next to her father, there was both a fierceness and gentleness to her that I cannot fully explain here."

"His son, of course, was Phasma. As you know, he was quite a bit older even to my brother. And you also know how I felt about him. Even then, I knew he was beneath contempt."

The five companions nodded in agreement and Spirto continued, "Varjo was, at first, quite amused at my audacity. He knew of me as no threat, yet he allowed me to defy him. He did not even feel a need to have the guards restrain me. But he grew bored with my threats; and it was then that he fired a powerful red-and-black ray at me. I fell to the ground, totally made helpless and senseless by the blow. Even here, in our Realm, in his afterlife, Varjo had no regards for the….how do you…humans…say it?...Ah, yes….Varjo had no regards for the concerns of children." He paused a little and then mused out loud, really to himself, "Perhaps, then, I should pity Phasma more."

He paused again and pressed on, "The next thing I remember, I was in a carriage pulled by shadow steeds, speeding with great need to a designation of which I knew nothing! I roused from the seat I had been upon and looked around. And then I saw her: the daughter of Varjo! I, of course, was frightened, but I was also confused at seeing her. Why had I not been put back into the dungeon, or worse? I dare not speak; and for a long time, we looked upon each other in silence."

The others were enthralled with his tale and kept their full attention to the Prophesy. But then, Tucker inadvertently shifted. He suddenly felt weak and dizzy, painfully aware once again that he had not quite gotten over his ordeal and they had been standing the whole time while listening. But he didn't complain.

Sam, too, was suddenly more aware that she had not fully recovered from her encounter. She also seemed to be getting tired and leaned on Danny for support. Danny obliged her, even though he felt that the way he was feeling under the weak power of his talisman, he might need her support soon.

Spirto immediately noticed this and responded, "Forgive me, my human friends! I have forgotten your comfort!" He clapped his hands, and several servants immediately came into the room. "If you please, our friends need chairs!" he told them.

Without hesitation, they retrieved the number needed and all the companions except Sombre sat down. The servants then left them alone.

Only then did Spirto feel that he could continue. "Finally, Atma spoke, and she told me how brave she thought I had been for standing up to Varjo! You can imagine my shock at that comment! She went on to explain how she had hated her father because he had forbidden her to marry. She was much more useful to him in another way, and did not want her to become distracted. But her brother was not only allowed to be married and have offspring, but was given even more privileges than the daughter of Varjo."

"She continued to go on about her life and her hope for the future and I wondered why she was telling all of this to me, the son of Ombre!"

Sombre looked at his brother in awe. He had never realized how much insight his brother had had, even at such a young age!

"So I asked her that and she told me. She told me that I had reminded her of herself! I knew that she had been a cunning warrior, but I did not know at the time that in all the history of the Spectre she had been the only female Spectre to be so! She had been much beloved by all the Spectre army, even trusted by my own father, before Varjo grew to power. But when her father did wrestle the Chair from my father, Varjo eventually grew jealous and even threatened by her influence over the soldiers. But she only had the care of the Spectre in her deepest being. Even though she did not have….I think you call it 'love' …for her father, she had no desire to challenge him for the Chair. But Varjo did not believe it!"

Spirto paused and actually seemed to be upset at what he was saying. Obviously, he had feelings for the Spectre he was talking about. But still, he added, "And Varjo was planning to rid himself of her the very night Sombre and I escaped from the dungeon! But she had been warned and had made her own plans to escape. And then just before she was to flee, I had come to challenge Varjo!"

"Those soldiers loyal to her helped her save me after Varjo attacked me, and told her of the band that was sent to hunt my brother and mother."

"So, here we were riding in a carriage, taking me to somewhere I did not know! I had been so enthralled with her story that when I realized that I did not know where she was taking me again, I panicked! I begged her to let me go to my brother!"

Spirto paused again and looked at Sombre, and Sombre knew by that look that this had been the reason that Spirto had been so late in coming to their rendezvous point.

"She did not speak at first to answer me and I began to cry! Again, she was amazed at this, as Spectre do not cry! Then I learned something of her that changed my thoughts forever! She consoled me in my mind! It startled me out of my spell and she then told me of her special gift. A gift she had inherited from her mother."

Sam suddenly brightened when he said that and she blurted out, "She could read minds like Jiva!"

Spirto was surprised by her outburst, but it did not upset him. He replied, "Yes, my friend, she could. But she could do more than that. She could also keep another Spectre from reading her thoughts!"

"Anyhow, please forgive me. I am getting ahead of myself! After she had consoled me, she then told me that we were actually heading to the very same rendezvous point after all! She had heard from her spies where it was. I was overjoyed and when we got there, we found that the soldier band sent by Varjo had just arrived as well."

"But again, I let my passions rule me and I immediately jumped out of the carriage before it had even stopped, looking desperately for Sombre!"

Sombre shifted a little in mental pain at the memory, but he kept quiet as his brother continued, "But the soldiers had been given terrible power by Varjo, and the fight was fierce. Somehow, I had found Sombre, but he insisted that I go. He had his ring and could fight the soldiers with it. Then I saw my mother nearby, the one who had smuggled the rings out, and I tried to reach her. But one of the seals hit close to her and she was thrown away from me! I screamed her name and then some other soldiers came to her and took her away! I was infuriated and charged after them, leaving my brother behind. But then, just when I had thought I had reached the soldiers who had taken my mother, I was once again hit by several powerful red-and-black seals. I did not know, of course, at the time that I had been very hurt, as the blows had knocked me out."

Sombre shuddered at the memory. He had, of course, thought his brother had perished!

Spirto saw his reaction and chuckled a little and said, "Do not worry, my brother. As you can see, I did not perish, nor, as I can plainly see, had you, even though I had also thought so! No, I was saved once again, by the daughter of Varjo! Her soldiers had also saved our mother and helped her to flee to the Flesh-Plane. Our mother was safe for a time, Sombre, but I still lament when the spies of the daughter of Varjo had learned that she had perished at the hands of Spectre bounty hunters, when she had ventured in one of her many attempts to find us in the Ghost Zone and beyond. …. When I found that out, I was so distressed and could not be comforted that the daughter of Varjo had them meet justice…" He stopped a moment, mourning her memory just as Sombre let his head fall in grief. They both had truly loved their mother. But at least for Sombre, there was an odd comfort in knowing what had become of her….

There was silence amidst the entire group for a long time before Spirto spoke again. His voice cracked with emotion at first, but he pressed on, "But the daughter of Varjo took me to the farthest border of the Spectre Realm and nursed me back to health. When I was strong enough to ask why again, she had told me once more how so much like her I was. And then I understood. She took me in and she became as my own mother. She taught me everything she knew. How to be cunning, how to be a warrior, how to read the Spectre mind, but more importantly, how to block any Spectre from reading my mind! She was an excellent teacher and I grew to… to love her as if she were my mother.

Danny suddenly realized that this was also something that they had not thought about when trying to figure out who the true Prophesy was. Now, he had no doubt that Spirto was the one destined to be the Prophesy. Spirto had the unique power to read and block minds, which no other male Spectre had even been able to do since the time of the Whizards. But, more importantly, Danny knew that Spirto would have been the best leader for the Spectre. After all, he was the only Spectre who had inherited the deepest and purest forms of human emotions, which would make Spirto a compassionate and wise ruler.

Spirto paused again, moved by the story once again. The others hearing it were equally moved, but waited to hear more. Spirto sighed and continued, "But some things she could not teach me and some things she did not reveal to me until after the Parley. Not that she did not ache to tell me. She just knew that the time was not right. She wanted for me to grow with my own mind and strength first. In the meantime, she had the power to disguise herself. She made herself ancient and broken of form. And she used her mental powers to find a way into the ear of Phasma."

Suddenly, Danny had a wild thought.

"The old Spectre who got Jiva out of Sam! That was Varjo's daughter!" Danny blurted out, unconsciously wiping off his wet brow with the back of his hand.

Spirto smiled at how clever a flesh-shadow this one was. "Yes, my friend. Asara, the head of the Elders, was warrior of Spectre, daughter Atma of Varjo and mother Asara of Spirto. And she made it just as easy for me to gain the confidence of Phasma. She wanted as much as I did to have the Spectre free and proud as before. But now I know that she was wise and careful, and I am thankful that I listened to her. She would not let me act too early, though with each day that passed, I ached so much to do so."

Spirto sighed again, still grieved that many had suffered while waiting for his rise to power, but strangely relieved, nevertheless. "Then you five came and soon, we will need to find out all that each had encountered here. But you all know what had happened at the Parley. And we all are here in good friendship. But in the meantime, I am glad you would hear my words."

All five sat in silence, taking it all in. Finally, Tucker dared to ask, "But what was it that she did not teach you and what did you find out after the Parley?"

"Tucker!" Sam chided him.

And for the first time in a very, very long time, Spirto laughed. And though his laughter was brief, it seemed to lift up everyone's spirits there. He finally said, "It is all right, friend Sam, House of Manson! I did tell you that I wanted you to understand all! And I am glad to please you, friend Tucker, from the House of Foley!!"... He paused briefly and then continued, "She told me that what she could not teach me or tell me was of another gift that she possessed. A gift thought long lost by the Spectre. And a gift that only was given to the male Spectre. But you remember that she had been the only female Spectre who was a warrior? She, too, was the only female Spectre who had the gift of prophecy! She had two Whizards as her ancestors. One was named Imago. He had been the father of the father of Fantasma, who was the mother of Asara and Phasma; and he, too, had the gift of prophecy. And then there was Abantesma, whom you also know had the gift of prophecy. But you may not know that he was the father of Esprit, who was the mother of Fantasma. But Phasma did not inherit the gift. Why, you might ask? Well, I can only suppose that the fates had not willed it! Male Spectre were the only ones who had been given the gift, but it was still a gift, which means that it was possible that the male descendents of those with the gift of prophecy would not receive it."

"But back to Asara, which you now know had the gift of prophecy. She had known since the time she had first seen me that I had an important role in the Spectre future, which included rising to leadership to the Spectre! But, again, she was wise not to have told me this at that time. I would not have fulfilled my destiny!"

The listeners were silent, taking it all in.

This time, Johnny 13 braved a question, "But what about Phasma and Jiva, then?" He paused momentarily before adding, "And that 'Bhuto' dude?"

"A wise question, Johnny, House of Thirteen! They are completely powerless and can no longer harm any other Spectre. But I am not like their ancestors! They have been sent not to oblivion, but to banishment. They will not perish from their punishment, but will not be allowed in the Spectre Realm until, perhaps, if it is possible, that they are willing to make amends for their grave actions! How long that will be, we cannot, of course, say…But believe it or not, I have the most pity for Phasma but none in the least for Jiva and Bhuto!"

This time, all five sat speechless, especially Sombre. He was fully content about his decision. Spirto was the true Prophesy of the Spectre. But then he had a sudden memory and he blurted out, "And I have great news for us as well, Spirto! Our father, Ombre, lives!"

"What?" Spirto cried, falling back into the Chair of Authority in shock. The three teens had never seen such strong emotion coming from Spirto, so they knew that the news penetrated him deeply.

Sombre continued, "Yes, he neither perished nor abandoned us in the end!" And he quickly told his brother Libro's story.

"And where is he now?" Spirto excitedly asked his brother after he was through.

"He is in the Flesh-Shadow Plane for now. He was saved by Clockwork."

Spirto sighed, 'Ah, yes, Clockwork... His fame has spread even to our realm, as your fame will spread, my friends!" Spirto said, especially looking at Danny.

Danny smiled in embarrassment at the high compliment, and, though he was beginning to get dizzy, managed to utter, "It will do us more honor just to know you, Spirto the Splendid, Prophesy of the Spectre from the House of Phanto!"

"Kudos, there. Neat name!" Sam told him mentally.

"Thanks!" he answered right back to her mind. But Sam could tell he wasn't right.

Spirto smiled at what Danny had called him, and used that title from that day forward. He then said, "Now, my friends, you told me that you must go, but I wish you would stay to be honored by all the Spectre!"

"We would love to stay, but our 'houses' are expecting us to be back for our own special festivities that we call "Christmas", Danny said with a weak smile, trying to fight his spinning head. "Besides, you will still have both of your brothers here to celebrate!" he added, pointing to Sombre and Johnny 13.

But suddenly, Danny dropped his hand and groaned, startling everyone. He fell senseless against Sam and she supported him just as Spirto jumped up and rushed over to him. The moment he touched the boy, he recovered.

"What is wrong?" Spirto anxiously asked.

Danny slowly looked up at Spirto and placing his hand on his head while righting himself, he weakly told the Prophesy, "I-I'm sorry, I didn't want to tell you!" He lost his balance again and Spirto grabbed him in support again. "I am not a flesh-shadow like Johnny 13! I am both human and ghost, and you know I have powers like the Far Frozen Ice Creatures. The talisman you gave me wasn't strong enough to protect me like your rings were. But I'm all right now!"

"I am sorry, I did not know of this! But that would explain it all!" Spirto said as he placed the entire amulet around Danny and clapped his hands. Several servants returned and bowed to Spirto.

"Quickly!" he hurriedly said. "Bring the trays!"

The servants immediately retrieved the prepared tray of items. Spirto also retrieved another talisman that had been there among other similar stones. He immediately touched the gem in his hand to the amulet that was still around Danny's neck; it momentarily glowed a bright green, and then returned to its original clear color. The Prophesy placed it over Danny's neck and removed the larger amulet. And Danny was now fully recovered and smiled weakly at Spirto. He then took some other things off the tray and handed them to the boy. Danny's face brightened more when Spirto said, "And, of course, I am sure you want these back!" They were Danny's wrist Blazers and Sam and Tucker's Ghost Gabberettes!

"Yes, thank you, Spirto!" Danny said with a smile as he put on the Blazers and shoved the ghost gabberettes into his pockets. Sam and Tucker no longer had any need of them since their own encounters. Then Danny remembered the last comment about "explaining". He asked Spirto, "Uh, what did you mean that 'it would explain it all'?"

Spirto smiled and said, "First, I was quite perplexed on what kind of creature you were. You could breathe, yet had shadow powers, and, of course, the powers of the Folk of the Far Frozen. Now, I can see why I was confused. I was uncertain at first that you were not the Prophesy! Asara had told me after the Parley that she herself was not totally certain until you had presented my ring to me. Remember that the gift of prophecy is not always forthright. The rings of the amulet would not glow for flesh-shadows, but apparently I now understand that they did for you when you first saw them!"

Danny, Sam and Tucker gasped. How could he possibly know of this? But they said nothing.

Spirto chuckled a little and said, "Remember that Asara taught me to read minds! And with the amulet, it is apparently instantaneous. I apologize, then, as I did not mean to intrude upon you when I did that. I have still not mastered this great gem. But I felt all your memories when I touched you at the P'numbra Parley and just now! And I know of your first encounter with the rings. If not being commanded to use their power, they would only recognize the Prophesies. They recognized Ombre, my father. But they also recognized you! As you just told me, however, you are not just flesh-shadow. And an even more exceptional flesh-shadow. You are the only ice-creature who managed to survive here. And you are also flesh-blood, a human. The rings have never encountered such a creature as you and were probably confused by your distinct energy signature. But I knew that when my ring glowed brighter when I took it from you at the Parley that I was the one who had been foretold. I am sorry!"

"I'm not!" Danny insisted. "I don't think I could ever be as wise as you, Spirto, when it comes to ruling such an awesome race as the Spectre!"

Spirto smiled back at his compliment and proceeded to continue what he had started to do. He quickly gave Sam and Tucker each another similar talisman. He then said, "I was planning on giving you these at the celebration. I could not let you go without giving you our thanks and the good-byes of the Spectre!"

He backed up a little from the trio and continued, "Since you all now have Spectre in you, know that you all are welcomed in this realm at any time. These talismans will protect you whenever you are here. Well, they will protect you, Danny, House of Phantom! Even though you have part Spectre in you, your signature is too complex and will not allow you to be completely safe here without this jewel."

"Your friends, however, will not need them fully until they become shadows-of-the-flesh as well. But as long as they are still flesh-bloods, pardon me, still humans, they will not have much need of these jewels. You see, they have in many ways become part Spectre, since their encounters here were so unique and intense. But, if your friends wish, they may still use these gems to keep them completely unaffected by the elements here. Before all that happened to them, they, as you know, were affected by the elements, which is why both Sam of Manson and Tucker of Foley could be harmed by the Spectre powers."

The three best friends looked at each other, astounded by Spirto's words.

But before they could say anything, Spectro added, "But that is not all! These stones can also be used to call upon the help of the Spectre at any time. We are eternally indebted to you for what you have done for our kind, especially since you still helped us even when you were so unlike us and had no bonds to come to our aid."

Danny smiled, and was able to reply, "But, with all due respect, Spirto, you're wrong. Like you said, we all now have Spectre in us and you also are of the flesh-shadows. So really, we are more alike than you think!"

"Kudos there, again!" Sam mentally told him.

"Thanks, again!" he chuckled back in his mind.

Spirto smiled but didn't say anything.

"And don't forget to come visit us anytime you want!" Tucker said, before briefly admiring the reflections that danced off of his talisman and onto the chair next to him. But he quickly realized that he must stop and he turned his attention back to the Prophesy.

"I will not forget!" Spirto said. He floated over to Sombre. He gave him another amulet along with a huge embrace which lasted for quite a bit of time. Then they pulled away and the Prophesy said, "I am glad you will be here to celebrate with me! I can easily send both you and our other brother back to the flesh-shadow plane with the power of the amulet. But you will not need that. This amulet will give you the power to return here as quickly as you want, or to anywhere else where you desire to go. We also can communicate with it so that you will always know how your brethren in the Spectre Realm are. So when you do leave, do not be a stranger to your home anymore, brother!"

"I will not. And I will say the same to you for our other home! And, then, it will be possible for both of us to plan to see our father."

They both smiled and then Spirto went back to the tray and retrieved another item. He flew over to Johnny 13 and said, "I am sorry that I cannot give you back your ring. But please take this small gift in its stead."

He dropped another ring into the biker ghost's hand. It was not as beautiful as his old ring, but was still grand with its shining gold band. The crystal was still green but was no longer round, but was rectangular in shape.

Spirto continued, "You will still be able to communicate with Sombre with this. But you will no longer need to have him near. You will be able to find him, speak to him and see him at anytime and anywhere with this ring. And it, too, will be able to alert your brothers here should you have need of us." He then pointed to Sombre and still speaking to the biker ghost, added, "Please take care of him, my brother!"

Johnny 13 looked down at the ring, placed it on his finger and said with a smile, "You have my word, Spirto! And this ring is cooler than my bike!"

Everyone laughed and then there was a pause.

Spirto looked to Danny again, and reminded him, "Do not forget that we all will have to meet one day as you requested when we first met for that 'long talk', Danny Phantom! There is much we could learn from each other!" He extended his right hand out in friendship to the boy.

"I promise!" Danny said as he took Spirto's hand and shook it affectionately. And Spirto chuckled at the odd feeling as he looked down at their moving hands.

Johnny 13 looked to Sombre and they nodded to each other. "Uh, before you go, can we say something?" Johnny 13 asked the three teens. Sombre moved closer to his biker friend.

The three teens nodded.

The biker ghost began, "Uhm, like I told you a while back, uhm, well, uhm…"

Sombre interrupted him, "What Johnny means is that we are sorry for all the wicked things we have done. We deserved our 'butts' getting kicked' all those times, but hope you will put those things in the past. We no longer wish to be your enemies. If you think it is possible, we would like to try to be friends to all of you."

Danny, Sam and Tucker looked at each other. They did not need to confer with each other and all three nodded and smiled. Johnny 13 reached out his hand and all three of them grabbed it and shook, and then did the same with Sombre.

Everyone again fell into an embarrassed silence.

Then Sam mentally told Danny, "Uh, shouldn't we go?"

"Yeah!" he blurted out loud when he heard her. But then when he saw everyone look at him at his odd utterance, he said with an embarrassed smile, "I mean, we're glad everything turned out for the best! And you're right, Spirto. We will come back for that 'long talk'. And thank you! But I think my friends and I need to return to our homes, er, I mean, houses!"

Everyone nodded and Spirto personally escorted them to the entrance of the castle.

The three best friends waved at him as they left for the Specter Speeder. Spirto had offered to use the amulet to send them directly home, and even though they had thanked him profusely, they refused. After all that happened, the trio needed the long ride home in their spacecraft to unwind and to talk about everything that had happened. Besides, they wanted to stop at Clockwork's castle to check on their friend, Libro.

They quickly found the spacecraft where they had left it and Tucker put in the coordinates.

After that quick stop at Clockwork's, they were sure that even though he would not be able to leave the castle for a long time, Libro would be all right in the end…They all chuckled when Libro insisted that they continued to call him that, as he had grown quite fond of the name.

Finally, the Specter Speeder entered the portal at Danny's home. The lab was decorated for the holidays, but no one was in it. Sam and Tucker left their amulets in the Specter Speeder and all three stepped out of the craft. The three then walked up the lab's stairs and entered the kitchen just as Danny called, "Mom! Dad! Jazz! I'm home!"

But no one answered. They quickly rushed to the living room. With all the vibrant decorations throughout, the whole house seemed to be the only thing alive. Now that his parents had finally resolved their differences about the holiday soon after the "Ghost Writer" affair, they seemed to go 'overboard' more and more each year in celebrating Christmas.

"Maybe they had some last minute shopping to do? After all, it is two days before Christmas!" Tucker said, after checking his PDA for the correct day.

"Maybe…." Danny began, then fretted, "Oh no! We've been gone so long that maybe something's happened…like lots of other ghosts attacking! Could you guys call your homes and make sure everything is OK?"

They nodded right away. Tucker called his parents and Sam called her grandmother. Neither family had reported anything awry.

Then, Tucker made a quick call to Valerie and after hanging up, confirmed, "No, Valerie said it's been very quiet. She doesn't know that we have our own 'code word'. Even though she doesn't think I know about her ghost hunting, she still kinda lets me know when she is doing that. She tells me that she has "extra work". So, everything has been quiet because she didn't have 'extra work'. Probably has to do with the ghost's own Christmas truce day, you know."

Danny and Sam had looked at each other and blushed when Tucker mentioned his and Valerie's own 'code word'. They didn't need to tell each other mentally that their own 'code word' wasn't in the least lame after all!

Then Danny said, "Well, at least, that's good! But where's Mom, Dad and Jazz?"

He grabbed his friends and soared to other parts of the house. Still, no one was there. Finally, they returned full circle to the incredibly overly decorated kitchen again. Then Danny finally spied a note on the table. He landed, released his friends and grabbed the note. As his friends looked on, he read:

Danny,

Gone to the hospital with Dad and Mom. Everything's OK!"

Love, Jazz

"Gone to the hospital and Everything's OK?" both Danny and Tucker yelled at the same time, reacting with their own interpretations of what that meant.

Sam picked up the note and after glancing at it, tried to calm both of her friends down. "Well, Jazz's handwriting is steady, so she wasn't upset when she wrote it," she observed. But, of course, the girl was worried, too.

"Let's go, then!" Danny hurriedly said, not at all calmed by Sam's remark. He scooped them up and soared to the hospital in supersonic speed.

Danny and his friends quickly landed in a hidden area near the entrance. And Danny just as rapidly changed back to his human side. He slipped the talisman still hanging around his neck into his shirt and all three ran inside.

Danny anxiously ran up to the information desk and breathlessly exclaimed, "Are there any Fentons here? I just got home and just got the message that my whole family was here!"

The desk clerk didn't seem fazed in the least by the boy's agitation. She slowly and calmly looked over the computer's roster and said, "Oh, yes, there's a Mr. Jack Fenton in room one-twelve. He is about to go into surgery!"

Danny's eyes were wild and wide as he gasped. "C'mon!" he commanded to his friends as he dashed off. He didn't even wait for his friends as he rushed to find his father's room.

The boy finally located the hall that matched the first part of his father's room. As he passed 'Room 101', 'Room 102', 103, his heart rate jumped at each step.

Sam and Tucker were right on his heels.

Finally, 'Room 110' flew right past him. He was running so fast that when he finally saw the room number he wanted and hit the brakes, he slid past it a little.

He quickly backtracked as Sam and Tucker reached the room at the same time. They burst into the room and saw Danny's mother and sister standing by the bed which contained his father.

His father's foot was wrapped in a bandage ten-times larger than his foot. Danny gasped when he saw that and blurted out before his family could react, "What happened? What's wrong with Dad?"

"Calm down, Danny," his mother said, "He's all right!" She then sweetly added, "Oh, and hi, Sam and Tucker!" She didn't seem at all upset.

Sam and Tucker just nodded weakly.

"Yeah, didn't you get my message?" Jazz added.

"Yeah! And somehow, 'Gone to the hospital' and 'Everything's OK' don't seem to go together!" Danny quipped back.

Then looking at his father's foot again and turning to address his father, he asked, a little more calmly, but not really, "What happened anyway, Dad?"

"W-well," Jack chuckled, clearly embarrassed. "There was this accident and…"

Danny's eyes frantically shifted to his mother as she interrupted her husband, "You see, sweetie, you know we've been working on getting the toaster oven calibrated, and, well,…."

This time Jack interrupted his wife, and Danny frantically shifted his gaze back to his father, "Yeah, darn thing wouldn't calibrate and I, heh-heh, got a little frustrated and I, uhm, heh-heh, put my foot in it!"

"Literally," Danny's mother deadpanned as she unwrapped her husband's foot, revealing the toaster oven which, if it had been plugged in and turned on, would be at that moment nicely toasting his father's foot.

His father winced in embarrassment, and then suddenly, everyone burst out laughing, especially Danny. But his laugh was more in relief.

Sam and Tucker couldn't help but think through their laughter that "Everything's OK" as Jazz had written was true after all.

"But what about the 'surgery' thing?" Danny added, suddenly remembering that little piece of news.

"Oh, that," Jazz casually said. "It'll be 'surgery' alright! 'Surgery' for the metal shop people! We're just waiting for a machinist to come here to saw the toaster off!"

Danny then laughed in amusement when he said, "So, looks like you're going to get a new toaster after all, Mom and Dad!"

And everyone joined him in laughter again.

Finally, Maddie looked at the younger teens and turning to Danny, said, "You all really look beat, honey! We'll have plenty of time to talk about everything later. Why don't you and your friends go home? I want you plenty rested for Christmas!"

Danny didn't answer her right away. He turned to his father and asked, "Then, you're all right, Dad?"

"Sure, son, you know me!" his father answered, still wincing with embarrassment.

Satisfied, Danny then answered his mother, "OK, mom! See you guys later. And just so you know, we have lots to talk about. We solved the mystery!"

They all hugged each other and said their combo 'hello and goodbyes' and the three best friends left the hospital, still thinking about their adventure.

As they walked down the hall, making their way back to the entrance, Danny remarked to his friends, "What an adventure, huh? Stopping Phasma and Jiva, solving the mystery! And I have to say that I'm so glad that Spirto was the Prophesy! I was worried it was me for a while!"

"Yeah, we did, too! But I can't believe that you wouldn't want to have such a butt-kicking army like the Spectre at your disposal! That would've been awesome!" Tucker excitedly said.

"Heck no! I mean, I agree with you about the Spectre. They are mega-cool! But this is my home here, dude, and I'd rather be kicking butt here with my best friends than kicking butt and sweating over there!"

They all laughed and continued on, all the while with the mystery still ringing throughout their minds.

Then just as they stepped outside the hospital, Sam suddenly realized something. She turned to Tucker and said, "And speaking of 'mysteries', you weren't petrified in the hospital just now, Tucker. What gives?"

"You're right, Sam! But it's a mystery to me, too! But I think it has something to do with everything that has happened when we were under the new hospital and in the old one."

"Huh?" Danny said, not sure of what he meant.

"Well, you weren't there when we found the last scroll and that red gem. You were in the Spectre realm looking for Libro. So, to make a long story short for now, I think that the fact that we almost got killed there somehow short-circuited my brain, and now I'm not afraid of hospitals anymore! I think that I was so relieved that I missed joining some of the nastiest ghosts to come out of the hospital, that it kinda jolted me out of my paranoia!"

They all laughed again.

Tucker then added, "And speaking of 'hospitals', I wonder how long Libro will have to be with Clockwork?"

"All I care is that he'll be all right. And I miss him already!" Danny truthfully said, giving Sam a weak smile. Then he frowned a little and added, "And I'm sure you'll miss him even more, huh, Sam? You won't get to talk to him all the time anymore."

Sam looked at him and knew by his look, his sympathetic tone of voice and thoughts that he was genuinely upset for her and Libro. He had become just as much a friend of Libro as she was. She thought about all that they had gone through since the beginning of this mystery, and how badly things might have ended. She was so glad that they had resolved everything and now they might have more opportunities in the future to grow closer in understanding each other. And for her to put all of her insecurities behind her.

She suddenly stopped in that realization and Danny looked at her, more concerned by her reaction. Thinking he had gotten her upset, he was about to send a telepathic message to her when she squeezed his hand, continued to walk on, and mentally told him, "That's OK! I'm sure we'll see him again. Besides,… I'm very lucky. In the end, I still got the guy!"

THE END

A/N: Well, sniff, that's it!! Thank you SO very much for all your thoughts! I really look forward to them! They REALLY make my day!! And I especially thank Nicktendo Squad who is the undefeated champion of usually being the FIRST one to review each of my chappies!! I AM AWED!!! And, of course, I also especially thank Angelus-alvus, pearl 84 (again and again and again for your MEGA cool betaing!), Nicktendo Squad, DPCrazy, Wishes for Wings (well, then, what do ya think, huh?) , dpphan333 (like the 'phan' part of your name!), Horselvr4evr123, crazyvi, DandNsGirl, Silver Shadowbreeze (did the story live up to your cool name?), Thunderstorm101, inukagome15, dragonfire411, Mystica234, and all you countless ?????? other mysterious readers for ALL your thoughts! (Though I would have loved to have heard from you as well!)

Now, how many of you finally guessed the mystery of the names of the Spectre? Well, well, that many?

Anyhow, for those of you who, like me, are clueless about mysteries unless I write them, here is the answer: All the names of the Spectre were taken EXACTLY from or were DERIVATIVES of the words for either "shadow" or "ghost" in various foreign languages!!! Here's the run down:

SHADOW..................................................................................................... GHOST

Hindi: Asara, Jiva, Bhuta, Preta, Atma ......................................................Hindi: Jiva, Bhuta, Preta, Atma

Spanish: Sombra .......................................................................................Spanish: Fantasma, Espiritu

Portuguese: Sombra .................................................................................Portuguese: Espirto

Italian: Spectre, Fantasma, Expiro, Spettro.............................................Italian: Spirto, Ombra, Fantasma

Latin: Umbra .............................................................................................Latin: Phasma, Manes, Imago, Umbra

French: Ombre, Fantôme ..........................................................................French: Fantôme, Spectre, Esprit

German: Schatten .....................................................................................German: Geist

Japanese: Shi sou, Shadou .......................................................................Japanese: Obake

Finnish: Varjo

Indonesian: Hantu

OH, and about "Abantesma" I somehow got the notion that it was Portuguese, but when I rechecked it, I couldn't find it again, but I thought it was such a cool-sounding name that I just kept it!

To those of you who guessed all about the names, I give my HEARTIEST and LOUDEST applause!! You are officially, then, extremely clever persons!

Also, in case any one was still confused about the "P'numbra Parley" and what that meant: "Penumbra" is a synonym for 'shadow' and I just contracted, or shortened, the name for the drama of it. "Parley" is a synonym for 'council'. So, the 'P'numbra Parley' means "Shadow Council".

"Prophesy", pronounced, "Prah-fi-SIGH", actually is a verb, which means 'to foretell the future'. But I turned it into a noun (my invention alone, BTW!!) to give the title of the leader of the Spectre a more exotic ring to it.

"Prophecy', pronounced, "Prah-fi-CEE", is a noun, which means the actual omen or foretelling. I used this word to actually describe the riddle of who the true Prophesy of the Spectre would be….Got that?

Have I missed any other confusing words? Oh, as you can see, I took the name of the Spectre from the French word meaning "ghost". It is NOT pronounced the way that Danny pronounced it in Chapter 3. In reality, it would be pronounced as the French do, which would be "Spehcktr" , which is one syllable and the 'e' is silent. But I liked saying "Speck-tray", accent on the first syllable, better, and voila!! The same 'logic' applies to 'Ombre'!! And "Esprit' was NOT pronounced just like the French would, either. Instead, Penelope Spectra's 'real' name was "Es'- pree". ( 'Spree' in actual French!) Got that, too?

As far as pronouncing the other Spectre names, I could compile the list for ya, but don't want to bore ya too much! But the PRINCIPLE Spectre's names were pronounced as such: Ahm'-bray (Ombre), Sahm'-bray (Sombre) Spear'-toe (Spirto), Speck'-tro (Spectro), A-sar'-a (Asara), Faz'-ma (Phasma), Jee'-va (Jiva), Bew'-toe (Bhuto), and A-ban-tez'-ma (Abantesma). My apologies for 'butchering' their correct pronunciation in their native tongues, but I just liked the way they sounded when I pronounced them as such. Anything goes for the REST of the Spectre names, BTW!!

Well, I hoped you had as much fun with "Shadow of a Doubt" as I did!! And I hope you'll join me in reading my next story, "TrueHeart", which I will be posting in the near future.

And again, many THANKS to all you wonderful readers!!! truephan