"Look, I don't care whether they will agree or not," Danny said to Fright Knight. "I've tried and that's enough."
"So you did not even want that meeting?" The right hand ghost asked in surprise.
Phantom leaned back on his throne. "Of course not. It is just to show the will to cooperate," he made a tired groan. "Putting this mess in place is hellishly tedious."
The knight chuckled. "Every king on my memory said this very phrase. My Liege, I wanted to inquire about our...guest."
"I told you, Fright, she is staying. It's not like she is of any bother. Azula has been staying in her room all this time."
"Depression, I dare to assume?"
"And you are right. I don't blame her, the last weeks have been tough to her. So what's the problem?" Danny crossed his legs.
"You basically hold the heiress of the other world here. Aren't you going to utilize this opportunity?"
"She is not a tool, Fright. And I am a mere generous host," Phantom got up and fixed the collar of his costume. "Now, if that is all for now..."
"In actuality, sire...I also was willing to ask about your condition."
"What condition?" Danny raised an eyebrow, putting the hands behind his back.
"The crown, My Lord. In all the meetings you have worn the illusional replica. Why do you concern yourself over this?"
"I killed those people, damn it. I'm managing. By blaming the crown. Its power. It's untamed, wild. I've read the books within Ghostwriter's library. Too few kings before did not utilize the power. And the coincidence is...all the mentioned do-gooders were killed by the other candidates. The rest went mad, and there is now the known source."
"I haven't felt anything in the short while I've worn it," Fright pondered aloud.
"The crown is sentient. It ignored you because...well, you had no claim on it, no offense. That age restriction...it was clearly a ruse. For reasons unknown to me yet, I'm doing the research. Maybe the crown was just desperate for an owner. I need the crown for only one more thing. Then I will put it deep away. Go on with our plan."
Fright nodded. Chuckling, Danny passed the knight and went downstairs and then out of the throne room. The castle had been completely rebuilt, and thus the pretty corridors lined his way. Black and silvery were the prevalent colors. He had come to like those. Taking a deep breath he did not need, for he was in the ghost form now all the time, Phantom passed several windows. He was having the time of his afterlife. Yes, he now had a job, with the biggest wage one might add. But now there was no fighting in the wars, at least now, no concern of human nature...well, maybe except the well being of the one person he was giving residence to.
But come to think of that...yes, Azula would have learned the value of lesser beings by becoming one, possibly. But, one, he wasn't that cruel, and two, it could have the opposite effect. Where was Jazz when he needed her the most? Well, there is one person with a psychological degree, but she would just make Azula even more miserable. Suddenly Danny realized that it was the lunch time. Albeit he was in the Ghost Zone, feeding on the ectoplasm in the air, he still preferred the conventional way of filling his tank. An idea occurred to him, so the king changed directions. As the place obeyed his will, by turning around the corner he entered the corridor which was in the other end of the castle. Remembering his past experience, Phantom knocked on the door first. Hearing a quiet response from within the room, he entered it.
Danny really tried to arrange the room as if it was not the totally different world. Yes, by looking like her room back at home, it was Azula's wish to keep the place this way, despite the memories it brought. Because now matter what, out of the window was the same green and black abyss. A very glaring reminder. Azula was lying on the huge bed, staring at the ceiling. Her hair was loose and utter mess. Her golden eyes briefly turned in his direction, before again counting the tiles on the ceiling.
"You look like a toucan puffin," she mumbled.
Danny looked at his black costume, contrasting his usual jumpsuit. There was a white shirt beneath. So yeah, he did look like a toucan puffin.
"And you look like shit," Phantom responded and snorted. "I think you should come out from the room for once," he continued, looking at the tray with empty plates and silverware.
"Why? I'm fine here. The books you bring are boring, however."
Danny approached her and sat on the edge of the bed. He picked up the tome and examined.
"I mean," Azula got into the sitting position, "Why would I read about some delusional knight?"
"There is more to this than that," Phantom chuckled. "There are also other means of entertainment, but someone prefers to stay here. Tell you what, let's go out. I'll show you around, there is more to that than a dead wasteland."
"I am in no mood for talking with the dead..." she caught Danny's deadpan look. "Oh, shut it."
"I'm being quiet," Phantom laughed, before being kicked off the bed. "Okay, I deserved it. Still...let's go."
Azula sighed. "Fine. Otherwise I'll die from boredom."
"Yeah...and better change clothes. And wash yourself, you stink."
Chuckling, Danny got up and went to the exit. "I'll wait for you at the entrance in three hours."
Azula did go to wash herself. How the mighty have fallen, she had to do it herself. And damn it, that washing mumbo jumbo was too complicated. Welcome to the future, now the streams of water were coming out by themselves shall she turn the switch. The hot water was relaxing. Upon exiting the bathroom, conjoined with her bedroom, Azula saw a set of clothes on her bed. They were unlike anything she had seen before. There was a long sleeved red shirt, black leather pants, there were even the boots near the edge of the bed. Snorting at the king's choice, the princess proceeded to put on the clothes. They were surprisingly comfortable. After taking the shirt Azula suddenly noticed a small box buried beneath. Curious, she opened it. There was a golden necklace made in shape of the Fire Nation symbol. Huh.
Meanwhile Danny stepped through the portal and looked around. It was but an empty alleyway, and on the outside the streetlights were really bright. It was the evening, yet the place outside was lively. He took a deep breath of the late autumn wind, fixing his beloved black hoodie. He was in his human form, walking down the street so familiar to him. After all, it was his hometown, so many memories, both wonderful and terrifying ones. Why was he here? Simple, to cut the loose ends. Once these issues were solved, he could dedicate himself to his new home completely. He had a plan of action, and for that he went to the bar, knowing full well that he didn't need to search for what he needed. All that would come by itself.
Meanwhile, within the underground compound located in this exact city, one signal beeped, resonating off the white walls. The entire room fell silent, for such signal could only mean one thing. Every worker, each wearing a white suit, looked up from their rowed computers and at the man in charge of the unit, who just happened to be present there at the moment, with a cup of coffee in his hand. He was a bald dark skinned man, wearing the same suit just like others. He, just like everyone stared at the main screen.
"J, what the hell is this?" Agent O asked in anger.
"Phantom has returned...sir," the other agent responded. "But...that's ridiculous! We finished him off when he tried to escape!"
"Then he lived through this. Call our entire garrison here, we have to finish off that slime and make sure he doesn't come back again. Who knows what atrocities he is doing out there."
Danny put down another shot of god knows what on the table. The barman looked at him in confusion while wiping the glass.
"Jesus Christ kid, that's the tenth already. Chill out."
"I'm chill," Danny shrugged, not showing any signs of being drunk. "And I pay you twice as much not to ask questions about my age. Now, what the hell did you give me?"
"A secret mixture that contains one or more of the following: Kerosene, Propylene Glycol, Artificial Sweeteners, Sulfuric Acid, Rum, Acetone, Battery Acid, red dye#2, SCUMM, Axle grease and pepperoni."
Danny stared at him. "And you just gave this stuff to me?"
"Hey, the payer asks the music, you asked for the strongest one."
"Fair enough..."
"Well, I'll be damned."
Danny froze, before sighing and turning around on his seat. He was greeted by the sight of his biggest nuisance in his entire lifetime, discarding Box Ghost. The nuisance was wearing the same red jacket, albeit he should have graduated by now. Oh, well, maybe he stayed for another extra year and was still a quarterback. The blonde jock instantly sat nearby and nudged Danny lightly, just like in good old times. Only back then his arm was broken once.
"What do you want, Dash?" Phantom grumbled.
"Not even a hello, Fentina?" Dash laughed. "Didn't expect to see you here of all places. Especially after you vanished for good."
"Not to offend...actually, I don't care. You are the last person I would like to be with right now."
"I get it. Still sore about what happened...look. I just wanted to come and say sorry."
Danny choked on his drink. He stared at the blond, his ice blue eyes wide. "You? Sorry?"
"People grow up, Fentoad. But...after what happened when your entire family was dead...back then I actually swore that I won't bully you after all that. At least for a long while. And everyone thought you died."
"What a gent," Danny mumbled. "I do appreciate it, Dash. But I won't be buddy-buddy with you because of that."
"I don't need that. I just apologized."
"Good."
"But honestly, what did you do...and why do I find you here of all places?"
"This stuff tastes nice. And I am waiting here for someone. And because you apologized so nicely, I would ask you to leave before it gets very dangerous."
It was somewhat poetical. The fate itself arranged everything nice and tight, so as he could to arrange everything, to meet with any reminder of his past life. It also gave him some food for contemplation. Dash of all people seemed to have something in him even despite everything he had done. It gave Danny the thought that any person could change in a good way. It gave him hope for both himself and his friend.
"What do you..."
At that moment Danny's eyes glowed just long enough for the blonde to see.
"Now leave, Dash. Those guys will not take kindly to any other person getting in their way."
On the outside a huge number of white vans was seen, albeit not from the inside of the bar. But Danny heard them, even through the noise of the music systems. Furthermore, he heard helicopters. His keen senses immediately picked on the ectoplasm inside the guns the newest arrivals possessed. Phantom then noticed that the place was overcrowded. And the guests outside never cared for collateral damage. He flicked his hand while taking a sip of mojito he had ordered as well. The fire alarm went off.
Needless to say that the attackers were surprised at seeing the wave of people pouring out of the bar. And they in turn were terrified of the entire army piled up in this part of the street. One of the men barked an order for the civilians to get lost. They didn't need to be told twice. Following the next order one of the huge vans pointed a damn gun at the entrance. With a loud noise the entire wall was reduced to rubble. The detachment went inside. The dust was then gone, revealing what was hidden behind. From both sides. And while the king saw the squadron of white-wearing thugs, the attackers saw Phantom, who was sitting with his legs on the table. He was still sipping the drink in his hands, not sparing a glance at them.
"You shouldn't have knocked this hard," he commented calmly.
"Phantom! For all your crimes, your miserable existence shall be ended right here and now," Agent O shouted.
"Oh, so you are the judges now?" Phantom laughed, before getting up. "Mojito?" He offered, shaking the glass.
The GIW agents stared at him. Yes, the boy had been snarky before, but...by the end of their procedures he hadn't uttered a word, too damaged to even mimic a tiniest bit of human sentience. He seemed more than capable, and even the agents sensed something behind his confident exterior.
"Ah, Gits in White. In the flesh. You bastards have a long overdue debt."
"Ha, we would like to see you try, kid," Agent O laughed, taking out a pistol. "Our equipment has been modified several times. While you couldn't even handle our last toys."
"You morons caught me while I was unconscious," Danny rolled his eyes, tossing the glass away.
"Shouldn't have blown the entire household with yourself still inside. Possessing a corpse of the youngest Fenton. How noble."
"The corpse you so kindly tore apart," Danny mumbled. They didn't even realize the real state of affairs. "Now, get to the point already," Phantom's eyes glowed green as he stood in the middle of the room. "The first to shoot dies first."
"You wouldn't dare. You are a worthless do-gooder," O laughed.
Danny snapped his fingers. The gun in the agent's hands exploded, launching the man flying backwards with a yell of pain.
"It must have burned," Phantom commented. "Yes, I am a hero. However, as my new post dictates, I must wipe out all the threats to my new kingdom."
The agents were about to fire. He raised his fingers once more.
"You are carrying portable bombs," Danny grinned at seeing their reluctance.
"Is that all?" O got up, fixing the sunglasses over his eyes. "Flashy tricks?"
"Oh, I'm yet to begin twisting you all beyond any recognition. And why have you not shot yet?" Phantom smirked, making a step closer. His green eyes glowed even more ominously. "Alright, off with this procrastination. I only have two spare hours left. Well, then..."
He clapped his hands, before a monstrous explosion of the entire weaponry launched the first lines of soldiers around. From the smoke and the emerald flames Phantom emerged now in his ghost form, armed and crowned for this final endeavor in the human world. His palms, protected by the same black, clawed gauntlets, glowed with the green ectoplasmic energy, literally highlighting the upcoming demise.
"Let's get started."
Azula could not be called a patient person. That much was obvious to anyone around, and albeit she was able to wait out, expecting the opportunity to arise, in the predicaments like this she could only stomp on the ground impatiently. That place was pressing on her. She might have gotten used to the twisted sky, to the air, so heavy for the human nostrils and lungs. But she also felt the strange emptiness inside that nothing could fill. Because even if the servants were always there, ready to tend to her every whim, each time she looked at their green, blue, skeletal bodies, it was only a reminder of what this place was not. It got her thinking, however. Because Zuko also went through this, hadn't he? What had he felt? The princess never actually paid any attention to this. To her eyes he was a weakling, the one who deserved the punishment. To her mind he had simply cried while sitting in the corner of his stinking ship.
Oh, the irony, the most persistent follower of the people fallen. Always walking side by side, never shutting up about what got its companion there in the first place. One would consider this stalker to be a nuisance, and to some degree they would be right. But what also escapes the people, is that this nagging feeling gnawing at your heart is also a valid teacher. Take this instance, for example. The princess was now experiencing exactly what her brother had gone through. At least Zuko had had Iroh by his side, and what did she have? Danny was the only logical option. Both youngest members of the royal family were exiled, accompanied by two most unusual people the princess had ever seen. For as long as they knew each other, Danny always tried to teach her something. At first unwillingly, through the brief conversations, but now he was more willing to help her out. Phantom seemed to have found his way in the afterlife. Now he tried to help the princess find hers.
But no one actually bothered to ask if SHE wanted it to be this way. If she even wanted to change her way in life. But when the usual road on your routine way is broken, under repairs, you take another turn you have never chosen before. That's how things worked under normal circumstances. Azula was wondering how to go about this problem. The idea of reconciliation with her father was having a fight on the battlefield that was her mind. The fight was with another thought. Her pride demanded something else entirely. Azula realized how little she actually matter to the Fire Lord, for she was not stupid and could put two and two together. And to return to him, like a dirty beggar? She would not lower herself to this, she had begged only once, and Danny actually listened. Ozai would have just laughed.
All of what's happened...it made her rethink many things in her life. Not what she did, but for whom all these atrocities had been committed. So much effort, the entirety of her life had been spent on satisfying that fool's greed. And now Zuko's punishment looked different to her. What happened there? The prince spoke up against the will of a general, not the most bright one as Azula came to notice. The unwillingness to sacrifice one division to conquer the region on Zuko's part, and the princess still thought about it this way. But on the other hand...Zuko had the guts to do that before everyone...she never actually thought about this that way. It was always more of a foolishness than anything to her mind. Yet, Ozai took it as an offense to him. That moron actually wanted to duel over a couple of words, because the heir to the throne spoke his opinion. He had the full right, just like she did.
Putting aside Agni Kai itself, that act of the Fire Lord should have rung the first bell. It indicated just how disposable his children were to the Fire Lord. Yes, Zuko was weak, and he had nothing to do near with the throne, but...now what had happened seemed to Azula as going overboard. Even she had done something bigger than that. And, the princess did feel some sort of satisfaction when Phantom beat the living crap out of him so effortlessly. The Fire Lord would be at least partially crippled before the arrival of Sozin's comet. That fool was helpless if someone tried to usurp the throne.
At this thought her little mind train came to an abrupt stop. The princess simply stared at the fireplace, in the middle of the living room. It was a nicely built place, with dark wood, several chandeliers. The fireplace covered the room in a warm light. The princess sat on the main chair, with her legs on the table. Her small silence was interrupted by the intrusion from behind. The princess peeked around and saw that it was Fright Knight.
"Hello there," Azula called without enthusiasm. "Are you here to watch over me?"
"More pressing things are at hand. As we are talking, His Majesty is preoccupied."
"What is he doing?" The princess pressed.
"Cutting loose ends, as he wished to put it," Fright said briefly, approaching her. "I am unaware of his exact whereabouts."
"And what do these words even imply?"
"That is what I wished to ask you. Phantom I used to know was different."
"Different how?" Azula's interest was peaked.
"He was what you would expect a lad of his age to be. Impulsive, careless hero wannabe. I was freed by his own foolish intentions of winning some ludicrous argument. In the brief encounters with each other we used to only clash, but I did notice something lying in between. He always was different from the other ghosts, and it wasn't just his human part's presence. By looking at Plasmius, I see that the reason is not just being human. I have never been one, and thus am not able to come to any reasonable conclusion."
"But...you are a ghost."
"Spirits are their own beings, they are here longer than us. But we surpass them in numbers. What makes me different, is that I am not a stray soul. This world is more than just an illogical plane of reality. It manifests in everything, and everything can make it manifest. Humans have always lived in fear: of lighting, of the fire that gave them warmth, of the rabid animals out for their blood. When humanity entered the Dark Ages, their mindset was becoming different. Their jumbled thoughts, feelings, beliefs in the myths...And then I was given material form. And I knew my purpose."
"To...spread fear?"
"Amongst other things...yes. There were possibly other duties...but I have long since forgotten. Fear is the strongest emotion of all, and that's why only it remained. Each ghost clings to what makes them like this. Spirits are...pure in this sense, they aren't burdened by anything. And Phantom...he doesn't do that. He doesn't seem to be obsessed with anything. Plasmius let his ghostly part overtake, his lust for power turned into obsession, and now he is barely a human. Before everything what happened to the lad, everyone thought that he was obsessed with protecting his family. Out of respect for the only thing we all honor, no harm was done to them. Ever."
"But what changed?" Azula raised an eyebrow.
Fright tapped on the hilt of his sword. "His family died."
"I know that already. What actually happened?"
"No one but him knows the details. But we know the outcome. The entire house was blown up, and the gateway to the human world was gone as well. Then Phantom was gone from the face of the Earth. Many wondered what would be of halfa if one was to die. There were three options: he would go to Heaven or Hell, like a human, into oblivion, like a ghost, or...he would become a full ghost. Everyone assumed the worst. Now, seeing as he is not a full ghost...there is even more confusion among the people."
"You think he is a ghost without an obsession now?"
"That's an only explanation. Unless we all were mistaken about his real desires."
Phantom wiped his mouth from the droplets of ectoplasm dripping out. He was walking around the large room within a mansion on the outskirts of Amity Park. The office was halfway ruined, pieces of metal that had used to be turrets were scattered around. Danny smirked, turning human again. The defenses obviously worked as intended, but all they got in total...was a couple of small droplets. Chuckling under his nose, the half ghost picked up the piece of regalia, signed by the captain of the Green Bay Packers. The glass case had been broken amidst the fight.
"I suggest you put that down," a threatening voice was heard behind.
Phantom grinned under his hood. He slowly turned around and grinned. "Hello, Fruitloop," his eyes flashed green.
Before him stood a man wearing only his dark blue pajamas. He had gray hair, tied in a low ponytail, dark blue eyes, now wide open in shock. Firm features of his sleazy face were now stuck in their place.
"D-Daniel? Wh-what, how?" Vlad kept asking.
"Not even a hello?" Danny asked, taking the man's seat at the desk. "Where are your manners?"
"I would ask you the same question. What are you doing here, crushing everything around?!"
"I knew that once your precious collection is attacked you would come here at the second's notice."
"Why did you want to see me? There are better ways of gaining an audience."
"You think I would ask for talking with you?" Danny seemed genuinely amused and surprised. He put the can down and clapped his hands. "You are obviously out of touch with the world. See this? I think you recognize it."
Vlad looked at the palm of the sudden visitor, before his eyes were ready to fall out. The ring. That could mean only one thing.
"Daniel..."
"Oh, yes, Vladdie," Danny grinned widely, before getting up. "I am now in charge of this train."
"What do you want? Oh, I get it, you want to get rid of any competition," Vlad smiled. "I'm proud of you, son."
"DON'T," Phantom's eyes glowed. "DON'T. YOU. DARE. I don't care what you want to do. I'm not here because I see you as a threat. While you certainly are. No, I just want to know something."
"Know what?"
"Simple. I've had a long time to contemplate on the options," Danny whispered and shrugged. "Remember that day, Vlad? That day when everything came crashing down?"
"I do, Daniel," the older man sighed and stepped aside, before reaching inside the counter and taking a bottle of wine. "It haunts me just as much. The death of Jack I could handle. But Maddie's and...yours...it was too much."
"You lie," Danny responded without a single sign of contemplation.
"Do I?" Vlad took a sip of wine. "Why wouldn't I, little badger? As much as I resented Jack...have I ever wanted your death? Why do you think not a single ghost has attacked in your absence? It was my doing, child. I," he put down the glass. "Am the one who honored your wishes to keep this rotten town safe."
Danny looked at him for a good minute, his eyes still glowing in the darkness of the room.
"Every day of my torture..." he started, looking at the floor, "Every second between the times a blade was struck in my chest...I could only think of that day. It haunted my nightmares, their faces...they were near me when in my pain I couldn't even utter a word to them," a small tear went to his eye, before vanishing, "Two words that I'm sorry. I always blamed myself, it was the prison even tighter than the small foul room I was confined to. But now I learned something," the sadness in his voice reduced, he found the firmness.
Phantom crossed his hands. "I've had a chat with the head of local department. And I think you know where we are going."
Vlad gulped.
"It was you."
The silence was more pressing than if the teen yelled at him. The verdict of the newest judge was solid, unforgiving and cold. Ice creeped up the windows, and Vlad could see his breath. Phantom only stared, his green eyes not blinking once. For once in his life Vlad was unsure what to do. For once his guard was lowered down, and Phantom picked just the moment. Plasmius stood no chance against the ghost empowered by the crown and the ring just like this. There was only one option left, but not like that, he needed an opening.
"You told them," venom dripped from Danny's voice. "You said that my father was possessed, knowing all well that the GIW don't care about the damage. They killed almost all of us...I was alive only because of my ghost half healing me. You had been a horrible man before. But I didn't fully realize just what you are."
"Daniel...let's not be hasty here..."
"Hasty?!" Phantom exclaimed, and then his eyes glowed red. "I had two years to think about it," a blade appeared in his hand. "And you are not getting away this time."