A.N. You know, I hate the new text redactor here. Half of the screen is used for nothing. Oh, well. So, I had a lot of fun with this chapter. And the following ones are going to feel the same way to me, because I've been waiting for this route since the very beginning. And I cannot wait to bring this story to the sequel with Korra. Ah, sweet dreams.

Danny put down the crown on the pedestal. Its flames flickered, being just as untamed force of nature. It was as if it didn't want to let go, clutching Phantom's hands in its own fiery grip. The half ghost only gave it an empty look, before waving the tongues away. He turned around, eager to leave it in this dark room forever. As he had put it down, his conversation with the piece of regalia was over. Taking a ragged breath, Phantom shut the door, before it vanished at his whim. No door, no indication of the presence of the powerful artifact.

The ghost king strolled down the corridors of the dungeons, lit only by the dim green torches. He went upstairs, greeted by the upcoming light. Yes, he could use some more light downstairs, but why bother? He didn't want to come down anyway. And Danny hoped that he wouldn't have to come down again. The half ghost was going to his office, but thn in the middle of his way, he was interrupted by a voice.

"Going somewhere?"

Danny looked are and saw Azula standing near him. And she looked angry, with her hands crossed.

"Yes, to my office..."

"Congratulations," the princess spat. "What was that about a trip to show the world?"

"Oh, yes," Danny rubbed his forehead. "I'm so sorry."

"Sorry does not cover that you have said about two hours wait. You've been absent for a DAY, Phantom," Azula glared at him.

Phantom looked actually stunned by this revelation. "A...a day? God...it's worse than I have thought."

"What is it?" The princess uncrossed her hands.

"I...nevermind. It shouldn't be of any concern now," the look on Azula's face clearly stated that she was not satisfied with the answer. Of course she wasn't. "Look," Danny put his hands on her shoulders. "I'm...I'm really sorry for this. I had to do this and quick. I thought I would manage, but..." he hissed nervously. "You can say I got carried away. Revenge is the thing like that, and I had to make sure that those people would never harm anyone. And the only way to do that was..."

"To slaughter them? How could you?"

It was the goddamn crown, Danny told himself. It brought up every weakness of his just so it could exploit the situation and turn him into a vile murderer. He was stronger than it was. Phantom still held the might to resist the temptation of nearly boundless power in favor of retaining his morality. He took it off and now nothing could force him to put it back on. It was all a thing of the past from that moment forward.

"I know, it's against everything I stand for, I'm disgusted with myself..."

"How could you not bring me alone while you were having all this entertainment?"

Danny froze. His look couldn't quite show how he felt about what she had just said. Phantom just looked, avoiding Azula's angry gaze. But then she sighed.

"Not that I wanted to go out anyway, but it still insulting to be ditched like this, Phantom. Especially after you you started showing off as the only person who actually cares about what is going on."

"Azula...I do care, I'm giving you everything you want."

"Obviously not. You think that stuffing me inside this wretched box is going to fix everything? Surprise, Sherlock, it does not."

Danny looked at her strangely at her using the term she wasn't supposed to know. "Sherlock?"

"I looked into that black box," Azula crossed her hands.

Phantom chuckled softly, before looking into her golden eyes. "Again. I'm sorry, princess. I will try to make this up to you. I may not be able to guess what a fire-bending tough princess may want. I've never met anyone quite like you..." he smiled, "So, just tell me what you need and I will do it. Within reason, of course."

Azula seemed to contemplate the options. But Danny felt that something was off. A dreadful feeling rose in his stomach as he got a sudden feeling that her response was not going to be to his liking. And what do you know, the smile of hers didn't add to his confidence. Phantom raised his fingers, before snapping them. The two ended up in his bedroom: wide and empty for the lack of the things to furnish it with. Danny was in two minds about making it smaller.

"Why are we here?" Azula asked.

"Just to suffer," the king responded, before approaching the bed. "I have a feeling that what you want is better to be mentioned in private. AND I'd like to hit something soft when I faint."

"Show off," the princess huffed, before putting her hands on her hips. "Although...yes. There is something you can help me with..."

"Your own uncertainty doesn't bode well with mine."

"Fine, if you want me to drop it on you. Your own little adventure gave me an idea. An idea of revenge. On my father."

Danny stared at her blankly. Azula meanwhile was growing impatient at his inaction. Phantom's mind meanwhile was trying to return to its normal processes after the abrupt stop-signal. While he himself had enacted one such scheme not even two hours ago, and princess bluntly pointed out that she wanted to burn the bridges just like him, Danny was apprehensive by the prospect of going back to that world. But was the deal even in that?

"Why?" Phantom asked.

"What do you think?" Azula sat on the bed by him. "I was used as a toy and now my master has decided to toss me out like nothing. I never forgive. Especially the ones who have lied to me throughout my entire life. And he is going to pay for this."

"Wait, so broken body is not enough?" Danny raised his eyebrow.

"I'm not satisfied for two reasons: one, he is just going to capture some water-bending healer to fix him, two, he was screwed over by you. But I still require your assistance for my own plan. I want to pay him back for all the pain he has given to me during these two weeks."

"Meaning?"

"The pain I felt was not physical. It's all inside. That's why I want him to feel the same way. I will ruin him, I WILL MAKE HIM FEEL LIKE A WORTHLESS WORM!" Azula yelled, the sparks flew between her fingers. Danny did not like her expression, she clearly wasn't herself. Or, maybe, she was too much like herself, brushed with a mop of desperation.

"I already did so," Danny got up and looked at her. "Or do you think he felt something else? He was miserable, I could savor it. His shrieking made it even more obvious. Your father has lost his mind long ago, but he is able to hide it well."

"Exactly!" Azula exclaimed. "This is the only occasion in his entire life. And the only way to make him feel like this is to make him helpless, alone and insecure. Danny, we will overthrow him!"

Danny froze, not turning away even for the briefest of moments. "You...called me by name."

"So?" Azula huffed as if it was nothing, but then she gave him a surprisingly soft look. "I'm not asking for your army or your henchmen...I need only you, the rest is on me. I will not burden you at all," she smiled.

Phantom sighed and dropped on the soft mattress. "You just can't live and sit on one place, can you?" He moaned and rubbed his face with the gloved hand, "All these conflicts and destruction...have you not had enough? I brought you here, in the place where the war you lived with is nonexistent. I wanted you to see the world when there is no one willing to kill you every day, in hopes that you will find inner peace."

"Don't preach me like uncle," Azula mumbled, looking away. "It's not how things work. You think I'm going to change just because of what happened? Because of a couple of pep talks? I like the way I am."

"You already have," Danny smiled. "You don't need this, Azula. Revenge is an empty cause."

"Speaks the one who went on a murderous spree. I doubt that you had warm feelings for them, whoever they are."

"It's different, they posed an ever-present threat to my entire kingdom. I had no choice but to do just that. I had a history with them, yes, they tortured me, because of them I was on the run for so long. But do you see any satisfaction on my face? It is not just dissatisfaction with me going further and further from my line of morals. Their death did not give me any joy beyond the brief seconds of me ripping their hearts out. I wanted revenge, this is obvious, but...not much beyond that. If I didn't have this..." he pointed around himself. "What would I have done next? I have other purposes in my afterlife, a clear goal. Do you?"

Azula was silent for a while, finding the words to choose.

"Danny, I was manipulated all my life."

"To be honest, many people feel the same way about you."

"But I just won't be able to move on while that bastard is out there. I don't even want to kill him. I want to see him get what he deserves from me."

"And then?" Danny's look became cool, "You are in the line for the throne. Your brother has most likely joined the avatar. If he does not get rid of him and take Ozai's place, then it will be you. You said you will overthrow him. While I myself would love to see this...you should not go there. And I do not want to get involved once more."

"You said I can leave whenever I can," Azula whispered.

"The door is out there. Open it and you will end up on one of the Fire Nation islands," Danny snapped his fingers. "Your welcome may last for as long as you wish. But I never said anything about other kinds of assistance. Please, I'm trying to do what is best for you."

"You don't know that!" The princess exclaimed, getting up. "Only I know what is best for me."

"Really?" Phantom asked, getting up as well. "Then know that this door won't be opened again."

"What?"

"Plain and simple. I control all the entrances now. And you shall not enter again."

"H-how can you do this?"

"Simple. Because someone here obviously does not appreciate what I do. Then you probably don't need this at all. Go ahead," he made an inviting gesture towards the door.

Azula made several steps forward, the sense of betrayal once again rising in her stomach. So, even he was ready to just leave her alone in the world now? He, who was the only one to lend a hand of help to her when everything seemed to be against her? A minuscule tear appeared in the edge of her eye as she touched the brass doorknob. Her hand shook lightly, but she was unaware that Phantom was far from being apathetic to the situation he put her in. His own heart ached with each step she made towards the exit, both from the room, and probably his life. He wanted to stop her, say that everything was alright and that he did not mean it. But his inner voice stopped him. It was made for only one purpose and it had to be done. He heard the doorknob turn, not wanting to even look that way. But then he felt the bed shake a little.

"Happy now?" Azula mumbled. "Go ahead, praise me and tell me that I made the right choice..."

"I won't," Danny made a small smile, turning to face her. "I'll just say that I'll help you."

Her look showed immense shock. "Then what..."

"Can't you see? You just showed that power, revenge and the will to be superior no longer are the most important things to you."

"And this is a good thing?"

"Of course!" Danny shouted in excitement, a grin threatening to split his face. "Now I know that nothing will be lost to you once you get what you want."

"You idiot," Azula growled, obviously not liking that she was being fooled again.

Phantom shrugged. "I'm whatever you want me to be. So, you mentioned your plan? Mind sharing?"

Azula sighed and guessed that she could as well go somewhere with this. She got what she needed. "There are many steps, but there are few I need your assistance, as I said. First, I think we need to talk to the Fire sages."

"You mean...that religious guys who are in charge of whatever you believe in?"

"Yes, they are the only ones who have the right to renounce the Fire Lord, although this law was long since forgotten."

"And you know this because?"

"The ghost who brings me the books is very helpful."

"Ghostwriter, you sneaky little...alright. So, what do we need?"

"The ones who are currently in charge are too faithful to my father. No use of them. But there are also others. The Fire Sages who once served in Avatar Roku's temple. They were arrested shortly after the current avatar got there and escaped. One of them was incarcerated rightfully so, for actual treason. If we convince them...we might get the chance."

"Hm...a sound plan. You are good at this, I cannot deny. What is my part?"

"You are a very reliable way of escaping if something goes wrong. Besides, I cannot be accused of treason as well, it would ruin everything. So..."

"I'm there to take the blame, yeah. Nice," Danny grumbled. "Are you gonna change for this occasion or..."

"Give me five minutes."

The plan was set into motion ten minutes later, Phantom teleported them to the island, where that temple was located. The volcanic air immediately filled the teens' nostrils. Oh, yes, that's how the edge of the Fire Nation archipelago felt. The lasting first impression was guaranteed to every passerby. The dynamic duo went up the path slithering through the Crescent Island. There was very little to see, despite the island's somewhat poetic name. Only volcanic ash and its main smoking source. The glistening magma was like the veins on the long rotting corpse.

Phantom was wearing a new black suit with a white collar and pants, while the rest of his ghostly outfit remained pretty much the same. He saw no need in turning human for this  occasion. It was more reliable, actually. The half-official clothing made him look delightfully devilish. The silvery cane was just to add to the appearance. Azula meanwhile was wearing her old Fire Nation robes.

"Once again two heroes set their feet on the sullen ground of..."

"Stop narrating already," Azula groaned. "Your voice is not helping."

"What's wrong with my voice?" Danny kept his narrator's tone. "I have also learned to do this," he changed his voice so it sounded like he was on the other end of the radio. "I don't have inner organs so I can make it sound however I like!" He then coughed and his voice went to normal. "But seriously, are you sure they are here? I mean, is it a house arrest? That's stupid, they never left the temple anyway!"

"They 'repented'," Azula made air quotes. "So the sentence was lightened for everyone except the traitor. I recall he is in the Boiling Rock now."

"Okay, first, how do you know all of this?" Danny asked.

"I am still the princess of the Fire Nation," Azula said as a matter of fact. "I tend to know a lot of things. And as for the plan of getting them out, it's pretty straightforward this time. But we should CONVINCE the Fire Sages. The signs of torture will be visible, and killing them is obviously not the way to go. So...you come into play."

"Me?"

"Simple," Azula said, "They worship the spirits our entire country does. Religious matters must come before their loyalty to my father, remind them about that."

"I'm the King of Ghosts, Azula. Spirits are not under my control."

"Yes," she grinned. "But they don't have to know that."

Then she pushed him behind the rock and stood there herself. She slowly peeked around.

"Alright, there are two guards at the entrance. Deal with them."

"Ah, just like good old times," Danny grinned, fixing the white collar of his suit. "You give orders and I ruin everything."

He stepped out and strolled towards the building. It was a five-tiered pagoda built atop a craggy hill. The edges of the roofs were red, while the inners were painted gold. Two guards instantly noticed the approaching teen, pointing their spears at him.

"Who are you and what are you doing here? The island is off limits."

"Really?" Danny's eyebrows shot up, before he looked around. "I don't see a sign anywhere. I just wanted to go on a pilgrimage! Oh, look, three headed monkey!"

The guards looked to where he was pointing, before Danny bashed their heads together, knocking them out. He then burst laughing non-stop.

"I...I cannot believe that actually worked!"

He then was patted on the shoulder, more to urge than to calm down.

"Come on, joker," Azula pushed him forward. "We have a job to do."

Danny wiped a tear and then made his head intangible and invisible, before phasing it through the door. After he did so, Phantom reassured her that the coast was clear. The two entered the massive hall, which was completely and utterly empty. There were many statues, and they were of many Fire Lords. The place obviously looked like it had gone through some repairs. The entire building had been destroyed, so...Danny hummed, putting both hands on the silver handle of the cane.

"If I were a Sun worshipping monk, where would I be at noon?" He asked a rhetorical question.

"Conducting rituals," finished Azula. "We need to go to the highest floor. They would need to be closer to the sun for all this stuff. Do you see any stairs?"

"I hear footsteps," Danny commented calmly. "Time to try a new trick."

"I think your experiments can wait. We don't need witnesses."

"Well...no. Fine, hold tight," Danny offered his hand.

The doors opened, before even more guards walked in, seeing nothing at all.

Phantom flew them up, through three more floors. Azula never liked the feeling of something passing right through her, or, in this case, her passing through something. The two passed many rooms, each obviously served some different purposes: barracks for soldiers (obviously the latest addition), the kitchen...a lot of stuff. The teens stepped on the ground of the top floor, there were no walls, just a ceiling. As the guests were still invisible, the sages did not notice them.

Danny couldn't resist a small snicker at seeing their pointy hats. They were like a damn chimney on their heads. The rest of their outfits were fine: the crimson robes, nothing special but the rubies on their chests. Although one of them had a gem on the stupid hat. There was a statue of Ozai, talk about being worshipped. The sun made of gold was on top, and with the help of golden elements on the supporting beams, the fake sun shone quite brightly. The thick smell of incense was present. The monks sat in meditation poses near the statue.

Phantom leaned towards the princess. "Will you do the talking, or..." he whispered.

"You should begin and make them sympathetic. Then I make an appearance. Put me behind that column, I'll wait there."

Danny nodded invisibly, before doing as she told him to. Phantom then stood in the middle of the room, before dropping invisibility and hitting the ground with the cane a couple of times. That didn't seem to bother the sages, as they kept meditating. Phantom's shoulders sank.

"Don't try to pretend," he said, "I would have known if you were in the Spirit world."

One of the sages got up and turned around. He had very strange mustache: they were long, yet they were shaven in the middle. The old man looked at the guest and was stunned at first. The glowing body and eyes gave Phantom away. The teen grinned toothily.

"Hello there, good sir."

"You..."

"While I am glad that this world knows the newest King of the Spirit world by face, it is quite rude to point fingers at people," Danny said dryly, putting a hand over his heart. "Hey, you there, stop pretending already. I can sense that this meditation is pointless."

The other sages got up, wearingly looking at the guest.

"What do you need here?" The main sage asked, gulping. "You and the Fire Lord..."

"Have a tense relationship after I blew up his toys and broke every brittle bone in his body. Yes. You see..."

Time to bring up all the knowledge he had picked up during his presence here.

"This whole ordeal made me wonder," Danny snapped his fingers, making chairs out of ectoenergy. A little push and everyone was now sitting at the conference table. "God, that smell..." in a move of his palm the air was clean of the incense, while their source was tossed out. "So, the point is simple. As I journeyed around to see the current state of affairs...I was utterly disappointed."

"Why?"

"The lack of spirituality. You of all people should understand this. The likes of the Fire Lord, they are like people who only utilize one of their hands. The other just...hangs there. I think your imprisonment has taught you a lesson on how little the Fire Lord cares about this things."

"And you care because..."

"Because I am in charge of my world for a reason," Danny shrugged. "I understand the value, for I was a human once. An insignificant speck on the face of the earth. Spirituality is what brought me here. I have realized my goal here. I must bring back the spiritual part to the world."

One of the sages snorted. "It's the Avatar's job."

"Really? So that's why it works out perfectly. If one from this side cannot figure everything out, then so will we. Killing the Fire Lord is not an issue, but...it will not solve all our problems. I see the opportunity in bringing the Fire Nation to the ways it once followed."

Danny got up, walking around the sages while saying all of this. He stopped near the guy in charge, taking a hold of his frail old shoulders. "Just imagine, the Fire Sages shall be restored to their full potential, leading the entire country, and now obviously the conquered world towards spiritual enlightenment," he whispered, but everyone heard it.

Azula watched behind the column and smirked. It was going perfect, she saw the gleam in the sages' eyes. The promises of untold power came from the one who possessed it, what was there not to be excited about? And to spite the one who put them in prison in the first place? She knew Danny was obviously sweetening everything, because they had as much spirituality as Zhao, they just went in a different way about it. A bunch of charlatans they were. Phantom learned well from her.

"While it sounds...interesting..." one of the sages said. "What do you need from us?"

"The rest of the sages are a lost cause. They are clinging to the Fire Lord, but he is just a false shepherd leading the entire world to damnation. We can change this. But the transition must not happen at the snap, no, it has to be gradual, so as to convince the people that it is not just some fanatical coup. That is why we have made an alliance..."

Phantom looked at where Azula was standing, before the princess walked around the column. The sages were astonished by this revelation that left them totally speechless. The princess smirked at their surprise, before coughing to get their attention.

"As my friend said," She began, "to assist in this transition I will be here."

"Princess Azula...are you serious? That would mean..."

"I want to see my father overthrown. His Majesty has shown me the path for our country that I'm willing to follow."

Danny was so going to tease her for this obviously faked admiration and dedication. But there was no other way. The only way to convince the sages was to play the card of the religious valor. Because they obviously weren't truly faithful, but seeing the princess who was even less so behave this way...it might work.

Phantom smiled. "Yes, precisely. That's the whole point. We need you, as the highest religious authority, to crown her the Fire Lord."

Silence settled in the room. Neither of the teens liked their hesitation.

"B-but what's the point?" The head sage asked. "You almost killed him already!  And...as I heard it was nothing. His death would remove all needs for all of this."

"As was said," Azula interjected. "That's neither the point, nor the proper way of going about it. He shouldn't be killed off. At least not immediately. We need everything to be done officially. I've chosen you all because you can be entrusted, for my father has done horrible things to you."

The sages looked at each other, then at their head, who seemed to contemplate everything.

"But the coronations are made by the sages in the capital. We live on the outskirts!"

Danny grinned, whistling lightly to call attention. "Believe me, if you agree, your promotion will be the fastest in the entire Fire Nation history. You all will assume important positions. In exchange we want this, and that you surround yourself with equally faithful."

That offer was impossible to refuse. The head sage got up. "We agree to be of assistance to your righteous cause," he said with bravado.

"Splendid!" Danny exclaimed joyously, before a scroll appeared in his hand. He put the thing on the table, before moving it closer. "Let's just get rid of formalities. Leave your signature here, here and here, all of you."

Azula raised her eyebrow. "And something to write with?"

"Well, people used to sign these with their blood..." Danny left the sentences hanging just to see the faces. "But you can say that we are in the middle of the rebranding company. So," he showed them a red ball pen. "That should do."

When the last hieroglyph was left on the scroll, Phantom grinned broadly.

"Well, then, that will be the end of it," he chuckled. "I shall contact you when the time comes."

"Until then," Azula continued, "Return to what you are doing, and remember what you have promised in exchange."

With that the two vanished, only to reappear in the castle once again. The princess looked at her companion, who looked very satisfied with himself.

"What's the deal with this scroll? It's not even in our language."

"Exactly," Danny chuckled. "It's just a copy from Nasty Burger menu. This thing doesn't mean anything," he burst laughing. "But they, apparently, chose 'Double nasty surprise'."

Azula sighed, looking at her friend's childish act. Was she really hoping that that guy was going to help her in her plans? Well, he already did, that much was obvious. But there were many steps to take before finally striking. After certain preparations she would need to bring the enemies of her father together.

And what's the better way to do this than to break the biggest war prison around?