Chapter 25: Something's Rotten in Washington, DC

At Casper High, history class was ever more boring than usual and not just because Mr. Lancer was subbing for their regular history teacher. Speaking of the devil, Mr. Lancer was showing the students an educational (and therefore boring in most students' opinions) reel about some Eastern European kingdom. "Travel for Kids presents… This is Zoravia." A narrator announced.

The students struggled to stay awake during the rest albeit Tucker became genuinely interested once Zoravia's computer industry was mentioned. He and some of his male classmates became even more interested once they caught a glimpse of Zoravia's Princess Natasha. Sam liked the part about the Zoravians being able to elect their leader even if only Royal Family members could be elected.

"Now, for sake of those of you who don't keep up with the news, King Carl of Zoravia is going to meet the President of the United States in Washington." Mr. Lancer stated. "For even better news, this class will be allowed a field trip to Washington for the occasion." He said and handed each student a form for their parents to sign. "Any questions?" Mr. Lancer asked and noticed Tucker eagerly raising his hand. "Yes, Mr. Foley?"

"Will Princess Natasha be there?" Tucker asked. Several other boys were just as curious so they just waited for the answer.

"I honestly don't know, Mr. Foley." Mr. Lancer answered. He was annoyed but didn't say anything because the question was technically pertinent to the topic. "Any more questions?" He then noticed someone else. "Ms. Manson?"

"How old is this reel?" The goth maliciously asked. 'It'd serve those stupid boys right if Princess Natasha turned out to be middle-aged by now.'

"It's brand new, Ms. Manson." Mr. Lancer answered. "Princess Natasha is around your age. More questions, anyone?" Only one student had a raised hand this time. "Mr. Fenton?"

"Mr. Lancer, what happened to Lubek?" Danny asked.

"He moved to Zoravia, Illinois and is currently the Principal of Fountain Park High, Mr. Fenton." Mr. Lancer answered and everyone laughed at that. "It's no joke. He really became an educator."

"Shouldn't he be behind bars after everything he did to force the Zoravians to accept him as their ruler again?" Sam asked.

"There are no extradition treaties between the United States and the Kingdom of Zoravia and Lubek hasn't been proven guilty of breaking any American laws, Ms. Manson." Mr. Lancer explained. "Now be warned. There'll be a test about whatever you'll learn at the trip and those of you not going will take a different test out of fairness."

The students, obviously, groaned at how Mr. Lancer is killing the fun. "I bet Alex and her friends are having a better school day just because they didn't have to watch that stupid documentary." Sam commented after they left the classroom.

Meanwhile, at Beverly High, the spies were just leaving a history classroom. "Ugh, I can't believe we had to sit through some stupid video about some former Soviet republic." Clover commented in disgust. "At least there'll be a field trip about that. Anything to avoid sitting through classrooms."

"Actually, Clover, Zoravia wasn't a Soviet republic since they had a King of their own in 1988." Samantha replied.

"Who cares?" Clover disdainfully asked.

"1988?" Alex asked. "Where did you come up with that year?"

"That documentary was copyrighted in 2003 and King Hector was said to have died 15 years before." Samantha explained. They then were sucked by a familiar tube, prompting them to scream in terror.

"Girls, I have an assignment for you." Jerry told them. "I presume you're aware of our nation's royal visitor."

"More than I'd like to." Clover muttered.

Unfazed by Clover's comment, Jerry pushed a button and his screen showed a picture of a balding man wearing a brown suit. "Girls, this is Lubek, former King of Zoravia and current Principal of Fountain Park High School. With the President of the United States and the current King of Zoravia about to meet, we have reason to believe Lubek plans to interfere out of fear the President will extradite him back to Zoravia, where he'll face justice for his crimes against his former homeland."

"I assume it's not a coincidence we're going to Washington for a field trip." Clover deduced.

Jerry decided to ignore it. "Since Lubek and King Carl aren't coming before the day you and your classmates arrive at the White House, you can wait until there." He said and then handed the girls some devices. "I believe there's no need to remind you how to use any of these devices." He said and the girls nodded. "Good. Now go back to your class and be ready for the trip." He then pushes a button that got the girls sent back through a tube.

Back at Casper High, Team Phantom was commenting on the impending trip. "I hope Princess Natasha is also going." Tucker commented. "She won't resist the Foley charm."

"Tucker, I thought you didn't want to pursue a long-distance relationship." Danny said.

"It's not that much of an issue when the girl has a permanent address, Danny." Tucker explained. "And it doesn't harm if the address happens to be a palace made of turquoise located in a nation with a good computer industry."

Sam rolled her eyes at that. "Tucker, even if Princess Natasha is also going to Washington, and that's by itself a big if, I doubt she'd find you that charming."

"The goth's right, Foley." Dash maliciously said as he appeared. "It's one thing that there are crazy girls who prefer Fenturd over me but there's no way a Princess would prefer Foley over me."

"Wanna bet?" Tucker maliciously asked.

"What's the bet, Foley?" Dash asked.

"If you get a date with her, I'll eat my hat." Tucker said. "If you don't, you'll renounce your presidency and not run for the next school president election."

"Well, it's not as degrading as eating underwear of wearing nothing but it in public but, since dating a Princess is enough of a good thing by itself, you got a deal, Foley." Dash replied and walked away.

"Sucker." Tucker muttered.

"What was that?" Jazz asked in confusion.

"While I'm sure I'd easily win considering Dash doesn't seem to be popular with non-Amity Park girls, there's a chance Princess Natasha won't be there as Sam had just reminded me and, even if she is there, it's unlikely her security detail would allow students she never met before to approach her so, had I proposed a bet where the one to get a date with her wins, I'd have no choice but to settle for a draw."

"Does he really believe he'd have better chances than Dash?" Jazz asked in disbelief.

"Well, at least he accounted for the possibility of Princess Natasha not being available." Danny answered, amazed that Tucker could be right for a wrong reason.

"I'm disgusted about a girl, even if she's some spoiled Princess, being used as an object to settle a bet but I'll love seeing Dash being knocked down a peg." Sam commented.

"Hey!" Tucker protested. "I do have a chance. Sure, the Internet says she likes ripped guys but it also says she's a brown belt in karate. Like those fancy gowns would allow the necessary freedom of movement to earn that."

"Let's just hope our parents will allow us." Sam commented. "I don't have much faith on my chances with mine."

Later on, at Sam's home, her parents were overjoyed at the news. "Of course you can go, Sammykins!" Pamela Manson happily said.

"Not so that but your mother and I will go as chaperones so we can hopefully meet the President, I mean keep an eye on your troublemaking friends." Jeremy Manson replied.

Sam rolled her eyes at her father's comment.

Meanwhile, Danny and Jazz were returning to Fentonworks. "Danny couldn't we be flying home?" Jazz asked.

"The Guys in White are probably around hoping to catch the fruitloop during an attempt to attack our family again, Jazz." Danny explained. "I mustn't risk them seeing Phantom entering or leaving home."

"Do you really think they would discover you?" Jazz didn't have faith on them.

"Be quiet, Jazz." Danny pleaded to his sister. "You never know when they're overhearing us."

"Danny, you're too paranoid." Jazz commented.

"Can you believe that, Operative O?" Operative K asked. "Who do they think they're tricking with that lame acting?"

"Yeah, Operative K." Operative O replied. "Do they really expect us to believe a prepubescent boy like Danny Fenton could be Danny Phantom?"

Inside their home, the Fenton siblings told their parents about the field trip. "How remember, kids." Jack Fenton told them. "The President might want to ask you questions about our ghost hunting gear so I'll drill it all on you."

"Jack, darling, I think you should let me handle this." Maddie told her husband and gave him a cookie. "Here's a cookie. And there's some fudge inside the fridge."

"Thanks, Mom." Both Danny and Jazz said after Jack dashed for the fudge.

"You're welcome, kids." Maddie replied. "Jokes aside, at least tell him about the Fenton Ghost Weasel if you get a chance."

Two days later, the Casper High students were on their way to Washington. "Mom, can't I sit next to my friends?" Sam asked.

"Sammykins, you not only need better friends but also get over the fact that Fenton boy is dating somebody else." Pamela argued. "Now befriend those cheerleaders. You need popular friends."

'Poor Sam.' Danny, Tucker and Jazz thought. 'At least nothing worse could happen.' Danny added.

The bus then went out of control. 'I had to jinx it, didn't I?' "Cover up for me." Danny asked Tucker and Jazz, whose job was made easier by the fact nobody but Sam was paying attention at him as he went ghost and phased out of the bus. He still didn't feel secure enough of his duplication power to use it and stay focused on what he had to do at the same time. After stopping the bus, he heard an unwelcome and yet familiar voice. "I knew you'd reveal yourself, whelp."

"Skulker." Danny glared and flew towards the Ghost Zone's self-proclaimed greatest hunter.

Skulker fired a beam at Danny but the ghost hero blocked it with a shield. Danny could've dodged but then the beam would've hit the bus.

"Kids, please stay calm." Jeremy Manson asked. "Keep your heads down in case one of the ghosts shoots through the glass. I'll keep watching so we'll know when it's safe."

"And I'll keep an eye on Sammykins." Pamela added.

"Somebody please shoot me now." Sam muttered.

'No fair.' Valerie angrily thought. 'Two evil ghosts out there and Dad made me leave my ghost-hunting gear at home. Not that I'd have a chance to leave without anyone noticing.'

"Skulker, I'm not the only halfa, remember?" Danny asked. "Why don't you hunt Plasmius?"

Skulker took some time before responding. "That's for me to know and for you to find out, whelp."

"You never really thought about that, right?" Danny teased the hunter. Furious, Skulker tried to hit Danny with a stronger beam. 'Not the reaction I was expecting.' Danny thought as he raised a shield to block the beam. Feeling like he had no other choice, Danny used his Ghostly Wail to weaken Skulker. Having lost his armor to the wail, Skulker was easily sucked into a Thermos. Danny then phased himself back to the bus and changed back into Danny Fenton before anyone not into his secret noticed his absence.

"I should've been there fighting those ghosts." Valerie muttered.

"Ha." Dash scoffed. "You do you think you are? The Red Huntress?"

A few repairs later, their journey to Washington had no further trouble. Upon arriving at the hotel, they found out they weren't the only students there. "Alex?" Danny asked in surprise.

"Danny!" Alex exclaimed and ran to embrace her boyfriend, to the surprise of several Beverly Hills boys. 'What does she see in him?' They thought.

"Look!" Mandy called. "Alex's dating a scrawny loser!"

"Don't call him a loser!" Alex protested.

"Wait a minute!" Mandy asked. "If that boy's school is here, that means… Dash and Tucker are here as well!"

"Oh, you remember me?" Tucker was flattered.

"More than I'd like to." Mandy muttered.

"Is this Dash you speak of as nerdy as him?" Mandy's friend/lackey Dominique asked.

"No." Mandy answered. "Dash Baxter is just so much of a jerk his good looks, physical condition and star quarterback status don't make up for that."

"Is that him?" Mandy's other friend/lackey Caitlin asked while pointing at the bully.

"Yes." Mandy answered without interest.

"Look, my friends and I have better taste than Mandy." Dominique told Dash as she and Caitlin approached him. "Interested?"

"Sorry, you both are pretty girls with good taste but I have a Princess to score so I can win a bet." Dash arrogantly answered. "Maybe after she leaves we can do something."

"No wonder Mandy didn't like him." Dominique commented and Caitlin agreed.

"That alone is worth the trip." Sam told Danny and Tucker. The latter of whom then approached Mandy's friends.

"Girls, I'm available." Tucker said with a suggestive smile.

"No wonder." Dominique dismissively replied and Caitlin agreed. Both girls left.

Danny then tried to change the subject. "So, isn't it an amazing coincidence both our schools are here?" He asked Alex.

"Danny, I don't think it was a coincidence." Alex whispered back.

"Why not?" Danny asked and then another group of students showed up. They were led by a balding man who approached the reception. "Excuse me. I am Principal Lubek of Fountain Park High and I believe we have a reservation in zis place."

End chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own the "Princess Natasha" series or any of its characters. The Kingdom of Zoravia and the town of Zoravia, Illinois (formerly Fountain Park, Illinois) are locations previously mentioned back in Chapter 18.

Author's Note: Before anyone tries to 'correct' me by pointing out it's "Karl" as some websites say or used to say, the King's name is really "Carl" as evidenced during that show's intro and when the first episode shows a close of a ballot from when the Zoravians had to choose either Carl or Lubek as their King. The Queen's name being misspelled as "Leena" is easier to understand since Queen Lena's name only appears on the credits of some episodes.

Answer to Leonardo (guest): Sim, ele é o pai da Madison. E sim, teremos uma adaptação de "Planeta Fantasma".