"I cannot believe this."
"Zuko, you said it five times already," Katara complained.
Danny's assumption about the fate of the Fire Prince turned out to be correct to the letter. Zuko indeed had joined the avatar's team to save the entire world. But the general attitude of the group was very apprehensive about the idea, despite the fact that Aang himself was actually ready to forgive everything before, being his cheerful and kind self. Katara openly showed with all her being her resentment, but the prince was not complaining. Most of the time. He knew what was coming, they had to warm up to the idea.
They were currently staying at the Western Air Temple. The temple was notable in that, unlike the other four temples, it was situated underneath the edge of a cliff instead of atop a mountain. The spires seemed as though they were built upside-down, and because of that, the temple was hidden to the passerby.
"I mean," Zuko continued. "I would have never thought that father..."
"Pfft," Sokka huffed, trying to make a campfire with the stick. "Come on, he is an evil dictator. Why should he care about some...creepy...vile being your sister is?"
"But to outright banish? It's ridiculous!" Zuko got up and exclaimed. "She was the only heir, now what is he supposed to do? Although, I think he was really pissed off at her."
"Why?" Aang asked, sitting on Appa's furry tail.
The thing was that Zuko had learned about everything not so long ago while briefly venturing into the town for supplies, the rest of the gaang was oblivious to the recent changes in the high circles of the Fire Nation. And the prince knew that he was about to drop the bomb right now.
"Well, Phantom bashed father so many times that his whole body was broken."
Everyone sweat dropped at that statement, while Sokka's jaw hit the floor in almost comedic manner. He shot up in the standing position and approached Zuko.
"Wait, so you want to say...that your buddy just went in...and almost KILLED the ultimate bad guy of our entire journey? Why didn't he?!" He exclaimed in exasperation.
"I don't know," Zuko responded. "His motives never were clear to me," he suddenly realized that of everyone present he knew him the best.
"But I think I do know," Aang scratched his cheek, jumping to the group. "After all, didn't the Fire Lord betray him first? Katara, you said that the balloons bombed everyone, right? Maybe Phantom took it as a great offense. Enough to cause all of this destruction."
"Well," Sokka shrugged. "It's a good thing the bad guys fight."
"That does not remove the problem with the Ghost king. Aren't you worried, twinkle-toes?" Toph asked, looking at Aang.
"I...I don't know. This threat is...different," the boy sat on the ground. "A spiritual one. We've got used to the Fire Lord and his soldiers, but...I don't know what he will do in the Spirit world, I am helpless when I go there. And he is probably just as powerful in both places."
"Has he done anything there?" Katara asked.
Aang shook his head. "Well, I think I would have seen the war if it was there. Although, Roku said that the conflicts in there are fights between single extremely powerful beings, where the winner takes all. Roku also said that the king's heralds are walking across the lands. He is seeking allies among the spirits, while the ghosts are already totally subjugated."
"Let's not worry about this until the time comes. There is still one war we have to stop," Katara tried to ease the mood.
Everyone seemed content about this, returning to what they were doing. They weren't the only ones concerned about the development. It was very torturous to be left in shadows, not knowing about the next move of the seemingly omnipotent being, so unpredictable and obviously dangerous if angered. An enormous rock would have fallen down from their shoulders if they knew what he was currently doing.
"I cannot believe it," Danny rubbed his forehead, "I am definitely cursed."
"Stop crying and pay up," Azula rolled her eyes, smirking widely.
"Here," Danny tossed her the game cash. "Why do I always step on the red line?" He put his head on the hand.
"It has nothing to do with luck. It's your own undoing," The princess shrugged.
Two friends decided to relax that evening. Danny definitely needed some rest from the busy week, trying to adjust the world to its former order was complicated. It would have been easier with nearly divine power of the Crown, but he would manage on his own. Azula was also resting in a long while. For a change she let the half ghost decide what sort of otherworldly entertainment they would have that evening. So far she liked everything, starting from watching the movie and eating some delicious foreign food, ending with the table game of monopoly. Danny had already regretted the latter.
"Alright, you damn dice, don't make me step on another damn hotel."
Phantom threw the dice, before slamming his head on the desk at seeing the outcome.
"I give up, you win."
Azula chuckled, leaning back in her seat. "I always win, Phantom, don't you forget that. Even if it is some irrelevant game."
Silence set in the room as the butler brought another two cups of tea. She was not yet ready for fuzzy drinks. The princess didn't like them. Taking a sip, Azula leaned back in her seat. So that's what Danny meant by relaxing a while ago. It was really different from the rest she was used to...but it was pleasant, she could not deny that, albeit she could keep her opinion inside. The princess didn't want to make Phantom even more smug than he was now. With a cup of warm tea, in a soft seat and without anything on her mind...it was truly a bliss.
She didn't notice Danny smiling warmly at his friend. Then he seemed to recall something.
"Listen, Azula...what happened yesterday?"
"What do you...oh, are you never going to leave me on that?"
Danny chuckled. Yes, the past day's occasion was truly unique. He hadn't confronted her on that back then only because he himself wasn't so sure. So, what happened? It started as one of the steps in Azula's far-going scheme. It implied that they were going to create a serious of unfortunate deaths. The Fire Lord was rapidly rebuilding what Phantom had decimated. Azula knew that he was trying to do so before Sozin's comet. It would bolster the power of each fire bender, and it had some sort of symbolic meaning.
Anyways, the two solved the issue easily, and Danny had not so much remorse at the death of that rare scumbag and boot-licker. Once again one of Azula's trusted men assumed the post. The Fire Lord obviously did not see through the deception and agreed to put the guy there. The aim was to make each general-governor loyal only to the princess, unbeknownst to Ozai. But before that something happened, while the two teens remained in the town where the main HQ of the region was located.
It wouldn't have been even a blink on the radar, if only the guards did not harass the locals, just as usual. But those were their countrymen, and it was disgusting all the more. But what left Danny totally speechless was that Azula...stood up for them. Granted, she was about to burn them to a crisp, leaving their children orphaned and their wives widowed, but it was something out of her world. Phantom stopped the disaster before someone could see whose face was under the hood. Azula then reasoned that a favor from the locals was useful, and then she used it. But Danny knew it was not the total truth. Maybe they were making progress, but pointing everything out was not going to speed up the things.
"I'm talking about your firebending," Phantom changed the topic. "Were you holding back or what?"
"Obviously," Azula huffed. She was lying, Danny had learned to see through her deception.
"Azula..."
"What?" The princess narrowed her eyes.
"You know you can tell me," Danny repeated the same cliche motto. "You know I won't kick you out even if your bending will be all gone. So..."
Azula kept staring at him, searching for the tiniest bit of deception. She still hadn't got over the main complex of hers, Phantom guessed.
"Fire is the element of rage, hatred..." the princess started. "While it was directed at the avatar, my idiot brother...I guess it worked out just fine."
"And now when the main subject is your father you are conflicted," Danny finished. "You cannot actually bring yourself to hate him with the same BURNING passion."
"Leave the puns out of it."
Danny raised his hands in surrender. "There must be another way of using fire...very well, I'll send Demiurge to scan the biggest library for anything concerning the subject. In the meantime, don't try the easiest path, Azula. Don't try to eradicate the rest of the feelings just for the sake of getting everything back."
"I'll go there, too," Azula responded. "I think I'll know when I see something of value."
Danny laughed. "No one knows that library better than Ghostwriter. He has already been sending his little bookworms to you with the books you requested. But...very well, I'll arrange everything."
That night, if the reduced light could be considered as such, Azula had nightmares once again. It was the second night in a row when this was happening, ever since the entire ordeal with the governor and her unusual behavior. Nightmares without some grotesque eldritch abominations or anything of the sort, no, those were the vivid dreams, the brightest projections of the memories, brought by the ever developing fever. But it didn't make her feel better. Azula hadn't told Danny about her strange illness, thinking that that thing would just vanish.
The nightmares were about that moment Ozai banished her, all over again. The mind traced back, to all the moments of the seemingly affectionate behavior of her father, now all obviously faked to her blurred, dreamy consciousness. It hurt, and she wanted that damn dream to end. She closed her eyes, but could still hear everything, all that honey, sugarcoated words which she knew were lies. She yelled loudly and in tears, Azula shouted that they all were liars. At her final shout she finally woke up, all in tears. She felt weak, both inside and the outside, her fever was getting the best of her. The princess could barely sit, she was so exhausted. But neither she wanted to lie down, knowing to where it would lead. She saw the clock, it was only 1 am, she couldn't just wait until the proper time. Azula took a ragged breath and buried her head in her knees.
"Azula..."
That voice made her bury her head even more vigorously. No, not her again.
"Azula, look at me," the same soft, motherly voice called for her.
"You are just a hallucination," Azula mumbled. "Why would I need to?"
"Because that's what you did last time."
"So what? You are just a creation of my feverish mind. Why won't you just go away?"
"It is as you said, I'm inside your mind. I'm here because you haven't pushed me out."
"Yes, why didn't I?"
"Because you could need me now of all times."
"I never needed you. Especially not in the form of pestering hallucination."
"You cannot trick yourself, Azula. You know it is not truth."
The princess remained silent, still looking in the opposite direction. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder, it startled her and almost made her jump. Hallucinations could not do that. But as she turned to the side, she saw two glowing green eyes looking at her. A soft, sad smile adorned his features.
"A rough night?" Phantom asked in concern.
"You cannot imagine," Azula muttered. "You heard screaming, didn't you? How long have you stood here?"
"Enough," was the brief answer. "Who were you speaking with?"
"With no one. It makes me sound like crazy, doesn't it?"
"Good thing I deal with crazy on daily basis," Danny chuckled. "Are you SURE you don't want to talk about this?"
Azula yawned. "I'm too tired to do anything."
Phantom looked at her for a moment. Her ruined, loose hair, her exhausted eyes and pained look, so poorly hidden. She needed something. Well, maybe a least this, if there wasn't anything else she was willing to accept. Azula felt two arms wrap around her and her eyebrows shot up. Did he just...hug her?
"Whatever this is..." Danny looked into her golden eyes, pulling away slightly. "Don't hold all of this inside, princess. You cannot imagine how light you will feel afterwards. Now, go to sleep. You need it...especially with this fever."
He gave a soft smile, before setting her in the bed.
"Why do you care so much?" She suddenly asked. "I understand that you house me, but..."
"Azula, you helped me learn some things...albeit unintentionally, maybe. And you helped me get over my burdens. Most of them, at least. I will never forget this, and it is only fair that I help you to move on from what troubles you."
Phantom got up, slowly walking to the door. And just as he stood there, he looked back. Several times he had told her this, but the poor girl just could not admit to herself that he was helping her only because of the genuine concern for his lost friend. Her repeated question only showed how insecure she was.
"If only you'd let me."
Next morning Azula felt surprisingly well. Albeit the signs of the fever were still there, like the risen temperature, the princess could muster enough strength to go about her daily routine. Azula still remembered her plans for that day, but she wasn't quite certain of where to go for that purpose. Maybe if she encountered Danny he would explain everything. But when she entered the dining room, she only saw the familiar ghostly servant standing in the corner and writing something.
"No, no, that's not it..." Demiurge mumbled, fixing the monocle. "Oh, shambles, have I forgotten the list in the office?" He then seemed to acknowledge Azula's presence after she coughed. "Good morning, Your Highness. My Lord is currently away on some job, he tasked me to inform you that he is currently in the Boiling Rock. The meaning is lost to me."
Azula smirked. "He doesn't seem to lose time, does he? And you are here..."
"To accompany you, seeing as you are unaware of directions. After you have your breakfast we will set off right to the library. I will also inform you of every detail of His Majesty's whereabouts."
Meanwhile, Phantom was so far on the toughest challenge in a long while. Because some dimwit actually thought that making a prison in the middle of the giant gazer was a good idea, he was nearly suffocating from all that endless steam going upwards. Of course, he could just move to the island itself instead of using pretty inconvenient means of transportation, but where was fun in that? He was going to stage a damn prison break, it should be done in a way that leaves a great story to tell afterwards. So, staying invisible, he was sitting alongside the newest guards that were going to relieve the soldiers stationed down there. The funicular wagon was slowly slipping downhill, while Phantom regretted wearing a costume that day. It wasn't helping at all.
Stepping out on the platform, he decided to add some fresh air by cooling it a bit. The others seemed to enjoy that brief moment of cool air. But Danny didn't wait long, going forward, on to his newest goal. He already was trying to concoct a worthy plan. There was only one exit, and it could not move everyone out, seamlessly much less. Thus, he needed some other thing. Seeing as it was a prison for war prisoners and quote on quote 'traitors', Phantom saw no harm in doing an overkill and freeing all people present. If the princess needed chaos, he would give chaos, because he had mastered this ability to perfection.
Standing on the edge of the metal platform, the king looked around the place. There really isn't much to say about prisons in general. They weren't supposed to be some architectural marvels, instead they were this giant, gloomy structures that imposed authority. In this regard, the place was awfully plain, except for maybe pentagonal structure, but who could care less about it, in all honesty? To get a better idea of what was inside, he had to get to the place where the main boss sat. Yes, getting to the warden's office would give him a good insight.
Grinning, Phantom calmly strolled down, still unseen, recollecting on that one time when he escaped prison once. It took him less than a day, considering the fact that he was unable to utilize his power back then. It should be a piece of cake now. If he got to the office through that labyrinth, that is. Maybe he should possess some guard and know where to go. But, as Phantom was about to step inside another meat suit, he heard a small talk.
"What would the prince do here?"
Danny stopped abruptly, turning around. He tilted his head and approached two guards. So Zuko was here? How convenient.
"Why would I know? It was really stupid to come here on his own. He must have had...some reason."
"So, the warden just...locked him up?"
"Of course not. Well, from what I've heard. The warden has sent a hawk with the message already. Someone from the capital would take him into custody. That's really messed up."
Danny took it as a clue for instigating his search. Once he was in the secure place, and it was the janitor's closet just like in the old times, Phantom decided that he needed some assistance in the search. Time to try something new. Whatever Vlad could do, so could he. Or maybe what he saw in the show. Honestly, his powers were like some sort of bending — the limit to them was only how creative he was. Phantom took off his glove.
Ectoplasm dripped from his palm into another, before taking form of the little flying bugs, the size of the ants. Sending them all around the prison was less-energy consuming than sending the duplicates. The literal spying bugs (and that was made for shits and giggles) cost less. It was his ectoplasm, so he could see what they did when he wanted.
"Hope I'm not getting punished for copyright violations."
Danny chuckled, before hearing the door open. There was an auburn haired girl, teenager at the seems. She stared wide eyed at the white haired guy in a white costume just standing in the closet.
"Uhm..."
"Anyone out there?" Danny asked.
The girl looked around, before shaking head. A move of Phantom's palm and she was inside the closed room.
"Wh-what are you doing? Who are you?"
"I am the janitor ghost. Here to clean up the mess," Danny rolled his eyes. "Before this gets awkward, I'm searching for prince charming locked here."
"And you are in the closet because..."
"Hey, you have to start somewhere. Actually...you are one of the prisoners, aren't ya?"
"What gave me away?" The girl asked sarcastically.
"Nevermind. Interested in getting away?" Danny smiled.
"Better ask who isn't. Now, who are you and why are you helping?"
"Worry not, good lady. All in due time. Mind if I tag along?"
"Uhm...I'd rather not to be seen with a white peacock."
"What's that with girls calling me some kind of bird?" Danny raised his eyebrow and rubbed the back of his neck.
"May I take the mop now?" The girl asked.
It flew into her hand, much to her surprise.
"Fine, I'll do it myself," Danny approached and suddenly went through her, now standing next to the door. The girl shivered, it was like a cold shower. "If somebody asks, you didn't see anything."
With that Phantom vanished from sight. As he was out of the room, his mind was suddenly struck with the image. Danny grinned. Off to the mess hall, then. Soon he was there. Nothing special about it either. That guards on every corner could be a bother to his conversation. And speaking of, there was the prince of the Fire Nation, wiping the floors. Danny stood nearby, unbeknownst to him.
"What a promotion," he whispered. Zuko jumped in surprise and started looking around, but the guards thankfully did not notice. "Yes, it's me, your friendly neighborhood ghost. Now stop looking around."
"D...Danny, what are you doing here?" Zuko whispered, continuing his work.
He was experiencing many conflicting emotions right now. Just what that crazy and powerful ghost was planning?
"Planning a breakout, but I'm not so sure about what to do, actually."
"Why would you do that?"
"Consider this an investment in my personal entertainment. I'll be near Ozai when he hears about this. It gets boring sometimes. So, any ideas?"
"Now is not the time. See me after curfew or something."
"We don't do curfew here, I'm a damn King, I have schedule."
But Danny still walked aside, where the guards weren't watching. So far it was boring.
In the meantime Azula was inside the library. Actually, it was a luxurious manor, with the library just located inside. The princess could see that on the inside was much bigger. The entrance hall wasn't much of that, it was more like one big office, the princess and Demiurge immediately saw the owner of the place sitting at the desk, rapidly pressing buttons on the keyboard of sorts.
The ghost had absolutely pale skin, vivid green eyes and pitch black, unkept greasy hair. Glasses adorned his nose, on his chin was a goatee. Ghostwriter was dressed in a purple coat above the black sweater. A scarf was wrapped around his neck. The owner of that place instantly noticed the visitors. He gave them an inquisitive look.
"Ah, visitors. Lovely," he sighed tiredly, before getting up.
"You have been informed about the visit," Demiurge said.
"Yes, you imprint of imagination," Ghostwriter approached the two. "Albeit, he does appear to have a sense of humor," he murmured as he sized the skeleton. "Anyways, what is it you need?"
Azula thought for a moment. "Some book about firebending, I suppose."
"Oh, please, don't tell me you are one of those," Ghostwriter sighed. "No appreciation for culture that is literature," he made a gesture to follow him. "You are aware that I possess every written piece? Every love letter, every childish scribble? I've seen what your people have been coming up with lately. A crime against what literature is."
They passed several rows of shelves, ghosts popped out there and there, as the place had been now open to the public use. The owner seemed apprehensive about the idea, but Phantom had persuaded him to let everyone enjoy what made Ghostwriter himself passionate. The boy had learned how to press buttons. Nearby slithered some little worm-like creatures. They should have been gross, made out of books' sheets, but no one seemed to mind. They were rather cute actually. They were some sort of workers.
"Fire Lord this, Fire Lord that," Ghostwriter kept his rant, albeit with much less octave. "That really buggers me. After so much effort at writing THE BIBLE, I now see this get popular and it just gets under my skin."
"So...are you like Wan Shi Tong? With all these books and whatnot?" Asked Azula.
"A wannabe, he is," the ghost said dryly. "He, who knows ten thousand things," he huffed. "Pathetic. Are you seeing everything around? I know each word said in all of these books. I do know much, much more, girl. Why do you think we, ghosts, are superior to the spirits? We know much more than they do. If that's their smartest spirit, then they do have a problem."
"A lot of love for spirits you have," Azula mumbled sarcastically.
"I know your world has gotten used to them. And we used to live by them. Are you aware that before Pariah the spirits were in charge?"
They were now in the totally empty part of the library, it seemed much less modern, ancient even. There were torches lighting everything, and the books looked worn-out themselves. But seeing Ghostwriter so seamlessly navigate around made the guests confident that they weren't walking for nothing. Azula blinked at what the ghost said.
"Wait...does that make...King Phantom the second GHOST King?"
"Yes, it is not widely known, girl, but hey, I'm one of the oldest ghosts here. Have been around since that knuckleheads drew a picture of a mammoth on the wall of their cave. So I do remember the old times. It doesn't make Pariah a good person, oh, no, sir. If anything, he wanted all that power for himself, there wasn't any liberation on his mind. My point is that we have developed a sense of uniqueness since then. I know that some spirits are pissed, some fear that he will take them over as well."
"No, Da...Phantom doesn't have anything like that on his mind."
"Tell them that. What they see right now is a teenage boy who so far has been known to them by interfering with their main champion's efforts. On your behalf, must I add. They do not attack because they fear the Crown. All of us do to some degree."
"Yes...I saw why. How can something this powerful exist?"
"That...is something even I don't know. Because it is older than me and no records exist for me to learn that. Some speculate that the entire essence of our world is concentrated there. There is also the Reality Gauntlet, something that can make any person a god...or could, before Phantom destroyed it...surprisingly easily, actually. And I saw the boy use it, quite underwhelming, come to think about it. Pariah used to do more."
"More?"
"Try the Plague which took half of the world's population. Phantom is immature, and thus the power manifests to him through such showcases. The crown gives the power to split the world apart and then repair it how the wearer deems fit. But in this case, unlike the gauntlet, it demands immense will and power of the user."
"He is mature," Azula put in, "Much more than people give him credit for."
Ghostwriter shrugged, "I'm yet to see it. Now, what book exactly do you require? I would have sent a bookworm to retrieve it, but since you are now in high circles...I have to do it myself."
"You don't have to," Azula blurted out.
Had she really just said this?
"Yes, I don't. Now answer."
"Something about the styles and sources of firebending."
Ghostwriter hummed and dug in the shelves, "Let me guess, problems with throwing fire around?"
"Stop playing all smart with me," Azula crossed her arms. "I get it."
"I just asked. I guess I was right, huh? Well, I have no books on that..."
The princess was about to ask what kind of library that was, but then the ghost took out a thick scroll. He blew off the dust and smirked, before outstretching the piece of knowledge to her. Azula gently took it in her hands. It was really heavy.
"The rules are the same as with any other document of the likes. If you damage it in anyway, you will remain indebted to me and you won't like what I would do. You can break the seal, however. Since it is ancient, it must be read here, but you may take notes from it. Now, we must make you a library card first. The past books are on the king's account."
A.N. Does it feel that I'm stalling or am I going somewhere? I can't quite put my finger on it. I mean, I could speed up the pacing a little. Or should I slow down? I also feel repetitive. Help, guys, speak your mind.