The King's Decree VS Grey Ghost's Resolve

As the last logs in the fire burned, the Ghost held the Prince tightly, as if to declare to the entire world... "This one is mine." As they slipped into deep unconscious sleep, trouble was brewing on the horizon.

Deep within the Onyx Banshee's Kingdom, the king erupted in anger as they'd learned the Second Prince was missing.

"HOW!? SOMEONE FIND THAT LITTLE BASTARD SO THAT HE MAY BE MARRIED OFF TO THE LEVIATHAN PEOPLE'S PRINCE! I SWEAR TO THE GODS! FIND HIM! NOW!!!!"

Halbert took his best men and best ships and began their journey to the human realm in search of their lost prince...

The next morning came to find the Grey Ghost brewing some coffee for the both of them. He stared out the front covered windows as the relit fireplace crackled. He let out a soft breath as he took his hand out of his shorts pocket. The Prince came downstairs in the Ghost's Heemeyer Hoodie and one of his boxers then hugged him from behind. 

"Good Morning, my Grey Ghost." Said the Prince, kissing the Ghost on the back. 

"Good Morning to you, my sweet little Prince. The coffee is almost ready."

As they moved away from the window, the curious Prince watched as the Ghost poured some cold, vanilla-flavored creamer into the cup and then added the hot coffee. After a few stirs, he handed the warm mug over to the Prince, who took a sip and then guzzled down the whole cup.

"This stuff is amazing! We don't have..." The Prince was interrupted by a loud knocking on the front door.

"I'll get it, just wait here." Said the Grey Ghost kissing the Prince on the forehead before tossing on a hoodie and answering the door. 

"Yes? Oh, you're one of Nolan's Ensigns. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Grey Ghost, we have a situation..."

Within the hour, the Prince was dressed up and the Ghost was ready for battle. As the Grey Ghost turned to look at him, tears ran down the Prince's face. "Hey, hey, hey now. What's the matter?" Asked the Ghost, lifting the Prince's head.

"They're coming back to marry me off to that douchebag Maximillian of the Leviathan people..."

"... Do you want to marry him?"

"NO! I WANT TO STAY HERE AND WITH YOU!" Sobbed the Prince, clinging to the Ghost, "PLEASE LET ME STAY!"

The Ghost sighed and petted the Prince's head. "Do you regret last night?"

"Not one bit." Said the Prince as he looked into the Grey Ghost's star-spangled eyes.

"Then, I'll protect you and your people. No matter what."

As they made their way to the docks, a massive Onyx Banshee ship was docked and several important-looking people had gotten off of it. 

"The one in the center is my father, the King of the Onyx and Decker Banshees." Said the Prince as he gripped the Ghost's hand. 

Archie and the other delegates had been keeping the King of the Banshees and their soldiers entertained. As the Prince and the Grey Ghost marched towards them, the Ghost held his position in front of the Prince and unfolded his carrier decks. Despite the Prince's opposition to his position, the Prince was happy to have the Grey Ghost standing in front of him. 

"Ah, this is my grandson, our strongest defender and warrior, the Grey Ghost of Ottawa!" Said Archie as the Grey Ghost and Second Prince marched up to them. 

The King glared at his son. "Get aboard, time is of the essence."

"I think not." Declared the Grey Ghost, staking his claim three feet in front of the King. "Mighty King of the Onyx and Decker Banshees, hear my proclamation." The Ghost pointed at the King, both of his third and fourth metallic body-arm extensions known as his carrier decks were both open and loaded with the Redtails and Bluetails.

"I hereby challenge his prearranged marriage plan and hereby offer you my hand in the matter of the Second Prince's Marriage. I humbly ask, as the strongest warrior and descendant of Archie, Liberty Union Royalty, hereby challenge the current holder of that title for Prince Sam's hand."

Barbara, Susan, Morgan, and the other Delegates gasped as the King was frozen, taken aback by this young man's sheer determination. Halbert drew his weapon only for an older man to knock it down back by his side. 

"So... It would seem some things never change. You are now offering yourself up as the key in this world as Maximillian has in the other world. Welcome... Grey Ghost of Ottawa, Grandson of Archie of this nation's royal lineage." Said the older man. "I am Grand-Master Hydron Aquasphere, and I have overseen the Royal Line of this King and those who came before him. I hereby welcome you into the young master's suitor pool. 

The King nodded and his subordinates bowed their heads. "I am Donavon Hydrosphere, Royal of the House of Hydrosphere, King of the Banshee People. I hereby deny your request."

"Then don't take it as a request. I hereby challenge you for the right to fight for his hand. As the Mightiest Warrior within the Liberty Union, you must abide by this challenge or surrender your kingdom in shame." Declared the Grey Ghost, slamming the hilt of his Sledgehammer onto the concrete to enact the weight of his declaration. However, before the hilt struck the ground, Grand Master Aquasphere caught the Sledgehammer and stopped it. 

"What is the meaning of this?" Demanded the Grey Ghost.

"Forgive us..." started the King. "I merely wished to test the depth of your resolve. A lesser, unsure male would've shrunken away or attempted to reason with me. You chose to challenge me directly. As much as I would've relished the opportunity to see you in action, Halbert informed me of your tenacity in battle. I surely would've lost. I recognize your hand and grant you the chance to compete for Prince Sam's hand in marriage. Have your fleet ready to mobilize within the hour."

"They are already ready, Mighty King. Grandpa, please have the delegates get fresh clothing and put the Busch Hunter and the pro-temp council in power while we are away." The Grey Ghost said. After he finished speaking, he escorted the Prince onto their ship and kissed his hand. 

"I will not allow anyone else to claim thy hand. Wait for me, as I will follow you into the dark." Said the Grey Ghost before leaping into the air and landing on Enola Gay to meet up with their carrier. 

After about twenty minutes, the Banshee ships left the harbor followed by the Liberty Union Battleships Wisconsin, Texas, California, Missouri, and Illinois. The battleships were paired up with the Liberty Union's aircraft carriers Gerald Ford and Yorktown II. As the ships headed out to sea, they were joined up by the Liberty Union Destroyers, Lester & Ester, as well as the Liberty Union Light Cruisers, Patricia May & Craig Arthur. 

"They do have quite a number of ships, sire." Said Halbert looking out at them. 

"I am told that isn't even their full naval force. Not even half... JUST WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING ATTACKING THEM! You are severally lucky that Sir Archie of the Liberty Union is a kind-hearted man. Otherwise, we'd all be dead!" 

"My apologies, sire."

"You will be disciplined once we arrive home. Helm, inform the Liberty Union ships to prepare for transport."

"At once, sire."

As the ships pushed over the edge of the portal, Admiral Nolan gave orders. "ALL HANDS! PREPARE FOR TRANSPORT!" 

As he put down the intercom receiver, Archie looked at him and then out to the deck of the Yorktown II, where the Grey Ghost was standing out in the open.

"Think he can do this, Delegate Archie?" Asked Nolan's wife. 

"My grandson is tough. He honed his skills in the arena known as his home life. I have faith in him, just as his grandma did."

As the Liberty Union ships lined up, the Grey Ghost did as Grand Master Aquasphere commanded and fired his energy into the water, opening a star-spangled gate, large enough to allow all of the ships from the Liberty Union to pass through it. The Grey Ghost networked their ships together in a unified link as they passed through it. 

On the other side, Maximillian and the Leviathan fleet were awaiting just the King's fleet to arrive. It was easy to guess the surprised look to find the Liberty Union's Mississippi Fleet appearing beside them. 

Maximillian watched as the bipedal human stood up and sealed their gate shut. "This guy's aura... it's... it's off the charts..." Said the Leviathan leader uneasily as his ships fell in line, opposite the Liberty Union's ships. The Grey Ghost grinned as he saw the island approaching. 

"Finally... Let the fucking games begin."