The road was quiet at first. Danny was sitting inside the carriage, looking out of the window and eyeing the landscape. He wasn't aware that two other passengers were eyeing him like some peculiar animal out in the wilds. He didn't look like a ghost at all. Aside from his strange clothing and piercing blue eyes, Danny looked like the average Fire Nation citizen. They were snapped out of their thoughts when the ghost started mumbling under his nose.

"I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore," he rubbed his chin.

"What is 'Kansas'?" Azula asked.

Danny looked at her and shrugged. "One of fifty states of America. I'm from Illinois personally, but I had to live in Wisconsin for some time."

Qin was confused. "Aren't you supposed to rule the Spirit World?"

Phantom snorted and chuckled. "Spirit World? Last time I remember it was called the Ghost Zone. Ah, good old race issues, they will never get old."

"I read that you hate each other," the minister continued.

"Well, I wouldn't put it that way...alright, we do hate each other. However, I'm rather apathetic to this rivalry. I have enough ghosts who want to end me just so they get the crown for themselves."

"Then execute them, is that much of an effort?" Azula asked leaning back in her seat.

Danny looked at her with mixed emotions. "Without actual proofs that they are up to something? That will be going against the law. Besides, when you challenge the King to a duel, only one can come out alive. Soon people won't be so willing to challenge me after some lose their afterlives."

He was truthful about the ghosts wanting to destroy him. Those few who managed to get into human world tried to kill him again. However, he was known to be merciful, everything Danny demanded from beaten foes was a promise to never bother him again. He never killed, and wasn't going to begin. Beating the hell out of criminals was another thing, he had to make sure they don't return on that dark path. He could create a terrifying image, black hood, which hid his face, and two deathly green glowing eyes. They ran away the second they saw him now.

Silence settled again in the carriage. Danny looked out of the window, now looking at the city around. If he didn't get it previously, he was confident that this society was pretty backwards. They got to the Palace, where there were already soldiers waiting for them. Azula was the first one to come out of the carriage.

"Come, servant," she ordered.

Danny smirked. "I think I outrank you, PRINCESS," he teased.

Azula turned back to him and narrowed her eyes. Soldiers around broke into nearvous sweat, awaiting for something to happen.

"You still shall follow my commands, so I outrank you," she said, daring him to say anything.

Despite what he could do and retort with, Danny decided not to provoke her any further. He didn't want another country to be after his pelt. Danny followed the officials inside the Palace, putting his hands into pockets of his hoodie. They went through the several corridors full of pompous decorations and pictures. He made a few assumptions. Those guys were obsessed with fire, which should have been obvious, since they call themselves the FIRE Nation. Again, Phantom was convinced that he was indeed the clueless one, as his friends preferred to call him.

He was interrupted from his musings when they approached the huge doors. One of the guards standing beside it stepped forward.

"Your Highness, War Minister, the meeting is in process right now," he reported, bowing to each of them respectively.

Qin paled. "I thought it was tomorrow..."

"The Fire Lord ordered to call it sooner," the guard explained.

Azula smirked, understanding what was going on. "Oh, looks like father wishes to show your success to the War Council as soon as possible."

"War Council?" Danny asked, raising his eyebrow.

The princess snorted and laughed under her nose. "I'm definitely going to stay and watch."

Phantom didn't know humans could be that white. Qin really looked ready to faint. Wait, did that girl just insult him? He didn't have time to react, because the doors were opened and the minister went inside, along with the princess. Danny guessed that he was expected to follow. He looked around the huge hall, before his eyes fell onto its center. There was a big table, besides which were sitting several important looking people. Since it was a War Council, Danny guessed those were military figures. He then saw a man sitting on the throne, looking down at the table. He looked at the new arrivals.

"Ah, War Minister. We were just waiting for results of your project," the Fire Lord greeted.

Qin bowed, while Azula almost unnoticeably stood near the wall. Danny wasn't sure about how to proceed.

"My Lord, the summoning has been successful, but the results were...unexpected."

Ozai finally payed attention to unfamiliar kid standing nearby. "Who is this boy?"

Danny stepped forward. "Daniel James Phantom, Lord of the Infinite Realms and King of Ghosts at your service."

The Fire Lord sized the boy in front of him, before turning to the minister. "Explain."

Phantom decided to intervene again. "Your Majesty, I believe I can tell more than your subordinate. You ARE the Fire Lord I heard about, I presume?"

Everyone was taken aback by his straightforwardness. Ozai leaned forward in his throne. "You are right. Now, I want to know why you are here."

Danny shrugged. "I was summoned," he stated the obvious. "Your info is a bit outdated, though. Pariah is not the King for almost two years by now."

"Go on," Ozai said.

"Well, I read the scrolls your buddy had here," Phantom pointed at Qin, who winced slightly. "It seems that they are at least...one thousand years old. Pariah indeed conquered the entire world and renamed it into Ghost Zone. However, his rule lasted for two hundred years only. He managed to beat his opponents one by one, but once they united, he was imprisoned till the events two years ago. Pariah was freed by my idiotic 'uncle'. Vlad wanted to get his crown and ring. Once used together, they could grant godlike power. His plans failed and I had to clean up the mess. I beated Pariah and, as a result, was declared the heir to the throne. I even have the ring."

Phantom showed his hand, and at his words the ring glowed brightly with green light, except its eyes, which glowed red.

"I'm called the King, but until eighteen I have no rights to rule."

"Why?"

"Because eighteen is the age of reaching adulthood in our culture. Until then I don't even have rights to use the treasury," he mumbled the last part.

Ozai leaned back in his seat of power, rubbing his bearded chin in consideration.

"You sound honest, boy. In that case, I welcome you into our world and country, King Phantom," he gave a faint smile.

Qin was actually more relieved than Danny.

"And I'm honored to be pulled here," Phantom nodded, putting a palm on his chest and trying to sound flattered.

"I'm interested in hearing more about your state."

"Let me guess," Danny leaned on the table, glancing on a map lying on the floor. "You are interested in military affairs, don't you?"

"What gave you this thought?"

Phantom looked at the Fire Lord with a deadpan expression. "It is a 'War Council', Your Majesty. Be it an offer of trade you wouldn't have invited me on obviously secretive meeting. Or summoned me at all."

"You are quite observant," the ruler noted. 'Too much for your own good,' he added mentally.

Azula rolled her eyes, Ozai was trying to get Phantom's alignment with pleasantries. The Fire Lord continued. "So, are you going to share this information?"

"Hm," Danny put a hand on his chin. "Most of my world has lived in anarchy for millenia. Split into independent domains of several warlords, chieftains, princes and kings. In my times of a commoner I've gained several allies among them. One of the most advanced tribes worships me as god, one queen is my friend, I've even staged a coup and put a loyal princess in charge. By pledging allegiance to me, they have obliged themselves to answer my call."

"Do you have forces of your own?"

Danny looked at the distance and tapped on the table in thought. "About fifty thousand soldiers, who will live and fight no matter the wounds as long as their ruler walks. There is one problem, however."

"What problem?" Ozai asked, raising his eyebrow and cursing mentally. Nothing can be so easy.

"I am present in this world only because of the ritual. I don't have an ability to rip a fabric between the worlds, I have a friend who can, but he is currently on the run from the police," he noticed confused looks and sighed. "That's how we call guards. Their boss hates me with passion, even if I'm soon to be the ruler. He had long since stopped following laws and started popping up with ones of his own," Danny coughed. "Sorry, I'm ranting now. Anyways, you get my point."

Ozai tapped on a hand of his throne. By the slight wrinkling of his face, Phantom understood that the Fire Lord wasn't pleased. Since it was his only lead in this world, Danny decided to stick around for now, and for that he had to make this 'alliance' work. Danny suddenly perked up, as if he had gotten an idea.

"For quite a while my family has been studying the nature of gateways between the worlds," he said, causing all the eyes turn to him. "My parents were able to build an artificial one, and I believe I will be able to recreate it, given time and resources. Until then, I'm ready to offer my own power as a preamble for our alliance."

It was his chance. If Danny manages to build the portal, he will be able to get to safe haven till he turns eighteen. No more running or fighting for his afterlife. It was the perfect opportunity. He just mentally prayed that Ozai agrees on his proposal.

The Fire Lord was contemplating pros and cons of the offer. After a minute he spoke again. "We will be happy to secure an alliance, but...we would like to SEE what you have to offer. Would you honor us with presentation?"

"Depending on how you would like me to present it."

"General Lao, you were about to report," Ozai looked down at one of the officers.

"Yes, Your Highness," The general stood up and walked into the center, picking up the stick and stepping on a big map, "We have rallied ten divisions of our troops towards Omashu," he moved metal figures towards southwestern part of a huge continent. "Our attack on the eastern part of the continent keeps the main forces of the Earth Kingdom occupied. All the supply lines to the city have been cut off, we were intending to starve them out."

"No, this won't be required. Our newest friend will lead the assault, as his royal status allows."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock, and Danny's opened extremely wide. Of all the things he could be asked for, Phantom was assigned to lead an army. However, it wasn't like he had a choice in that matter. Danny's expression became confident as he puffed his chest a bit.

"I'm honored by such level of trust, Your Majesty. I have just one request."

Ozai nodded, prodding the ghost teen to continue.

"Is there any way I can learn about the world I'm currently in?" Danny chuckled. "I don't want to get into embarrassing situation, I don't even know what an Earth Kingdom is."

The Fire Lord hummed. "I grant you access to the Royal Library, but I'm afraid you will have to depart tomorrow. We need Omashu in our hands as fast as possible."

Danny shrugged, "I guess I'll spend the entire night reading. Good thing I woke up a few hours ago." 

"The guards will show you the way there. But do NOT make my trust in you misplaced. Please, do not wander off."

"Sure thing," Phantom nodded, before following the soldiers out of the room. Near the doors he glanced at Azula and smirked. He DID outrank her.

What no one knew is that on his way he created an invisible duplicate of himself, who shared one consciousness with the original. The duplicate remained inside the room, because he didn't have a slightest bit of trust into those guys. Ozai just gave off that almost solid backstabbing aura. Azula approached the Fire Lord.

"Father, don't you think you trust him too much?" She asked.

"We have to know what he is capable of without making him suspicious. And that's why you will accompany him and then report directly here. Phantom may be a valuable asset in our cause. If he is not, shouldn't be too hard to dispose of."

"But, I already have a task," Azula argued.

"Your brother and uncle are not a priority anymore, they are not worth the time. The barge will be prepared by noon tomorrow, go and prepare."

"As you wish, father," she bowed and walked away. When she turned her head away, her expression turned pissed off, which only Phantom could see.

Danny's duplicate shrugged and dispersed on his observation point, passing everything he had heard to the original. It wasn't a certain proof of planned betrayal, but he still better be on guard, ignoring the insult of being called an 'asset' and disposable. The question was, who will betray the ally first - he, when the portal will be done, or they, after the Ghost King will win several battles for them.

Phantom was led into the library, and he found it really huge. Danny didn't know where to start, so he simply grabbed the scroll from the history section and sat on a chair, putting his legs on the table. From time to time Danny briefly looked up from his reading. The guards stood near several doors, unaware that it wasn't going to stop the ghost teen if he wanted. But he didn't, Phantom wasn't going to push his luck, not when it had finally smiled at him.

Next morning Azula woke up in dampened mood. Thankfully, she didn't damage anything or anyone during her morning procedures. The second she was dressed, the princess stomped right into the library, scaring the guards as she passed. When she pushed open the doors, Azula started to look around, searching for Danny. Not being able to find him, the princess turned to one of the guards.

"Where is he?" She growled.

The guard only used his pointing finger to point upwards. Azula looked up, and her eyes widened. Danny was grinning down at her from the ceiling.

"Morning, princess, how can I help you?" He asked.

"How did you..."

"Uhm, hello, I'm a ghost."

Phantom jumped down and floated an inch above the ground, before landing softly in front of her. "Even a toddler can do that."

Azula narrowed her eyes, clenching her fist. She couldn't harm him, not yet, and boy, Danny was going to enjoy it.

"Soo," he clasped his hands. "Is there going to be the breakfast? My last one was rudely interrupted."

"Help yourself," the princess waved her hand nonchalantly, before turning and walking away.

"I guess I'll just follow you theeen," Danny said in sing-song voice.

Azula groaned and put a hand over her face. Phantom was going to give her a massive headache.

The breakfast was on one of the balconies, and thank goodness, the Fire Lord ate separately, it would have been incredibly awkward otherwise. By looking at the delicious looking food Danny felt his legs go weak. He didn't have a full breakfast in such a long time. However, Phantom had a strong willpower, he didn't immediately run to it, and ate on steady pace. Two teens hadn't said a word, and the princess was happy that Danny's mouth was occupied. Her happiness didn't last long.

"Nice city," Phantom commented. The balcony gave a nice outlook on the capital, and during the day Danny was able to see it more clearly.

"It is the greatest city in the world and soon it will be its capital," Azula announced.

Danny shrugged, "It is very protected, but lacks the ability to expand."

"Is that so?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Well, yes, it is limited by the edges of this...volcano, right?" Phantom recalled the information he had recently learned. "We have long since passed the age of walls."

"Why?"

"Because the weapons we have created could turn the biggest walls into rubble in a matter of minutes, if not seconds. And no, I don't know how they are made," he added, foreseeing the question. "There were fortifications, but the cities are not limited now. Their populace counts millions now. Just imagine, wherever you look, the city goes through the horizon. My world is more advanced, obviously."

"And how much exactly?" Azula couldn't deny a slight curiosity.

"Well, so far I've only seen your country. The closest definition will be Japanese Empire before the Second World War. All those Asian traditionalism, going along with one of the most modern war machines."

"And what is this war?"

"The bloodiest conflict in history of mankind. In just six years, sixty millions dead, and if we count all the people who died in a Sino-Japanese war, which started two years prior...tell me, how many people died in the last hundred years of your war?"

"Clearly not as much," Azula responded, shrugging. "And how that war ended?"

"It was finished about seventy years ago, when Japan, being the last remaining member of Axis alliance, signed capitulation. Anyways, we are not in my world, let's talk about yours. I've been wondering, for what purpose this war began? Just so you will have world domination?"

"The strongest shall rule and the weak live to serve. Simple as that."

"Not to offend, but of all elements, fire is the weakest in my opinion."

"What?!" She snapped.

Phantom leaned back in his seat nonchalantly. "Just think about it, water can extinguish it, air can wave it away, and earth does not give a damn. This is why so far it has been a stalemate."

"We are pushing through the Earth Kingdom, we WILL win this war," Azula stood up and leaned on the table, anger clear in her voice.

"That's because they do not have war machines. I've been talking only about magic," Danny raised his hands in fake surrender. "Again, I do not mean to offend. We are on the same side, fighting with each other won't make us any good."

Azula took a breath. "Speaking of which, the departure is at noon. However, it's not like you have any belongings to pack."

"Yes, thank you for that," Danny nodded and smirked.

"Ugh, I'm not going to search for you again, so you better not to hide somewhere by then."

With that the princess stormed away and shut close the door. Danny looked at the guard standing nearby.

"Is she always like that or she just hates me?" He asked. The guard was quiet, nervously shifting a spear in his right palm. "Hey, I promise I won't tell anything."

The guard sighed. "It's not just you...Your Highness."

Danny blinked. "The rumors sure spread fast around here," he commented in amusement. "I'll wait in a library, then."

At noon there was already a palanquin awaiting for the princess. It was mostly red in coloration, with golden trim lining the top and edges. Two steps led to the seat, which had red cushions and is concealed on three sides by a pink cloth attached to the exterior of the palanquin's top. A smaller cloth also hanged from the roof, that one was mainly black and adorned with red borders as well as the Fire Nation insignia. The palanquin bearers, of which there were usually four, held the vehicle from the bottom side where the red bars were.

Azula went out of the Palace, before looking around. She sighed in annoyance, not seeing the half ghost anywhere. It's his problem, she decided. The princess sat in a transport, and she was lifted by a bunch of strong men.

"Sup."

Azula flinched out of surprise as her head snapped to the side and saw Phantom grinning at her.

"One day I'll burn you down if you keep popping up like that," she glared at him as the palanquin stopped.

"Is it my fault my footsteps are soundless?" Danny deadpanned, stomping on the ground soundlessly. "I don't know the reason behind that."

"Good, then continue to walk soundlessly," Azula grinned innocently and ordered to keep going.

Danny rolled his eyes and walked nearby. "I'll go there on my own," he informed, before suddenly disappearing in thin air and surprising everyone.

Phantom took off the ground and invisibly landed right on top of the transport. He was grinning all the while, patiently waiting to reveal himself. He was very light, so the bulky men carrying the palanquin weren't bothered by extra weight.

They went down into the harbor, where Danny saw a big ship, which, by his futuristic opinion, looked utterly ugly. A dark gray metal box which was somehow still above the water. What kind of moronic engineer puts a freaking HOUSE with several floors on the ship? He also didn't see any cannons. However, the house looked pretty nice by itself, and a red and golden ornament on the ship's nose as well. Danny was surprised that the palanquin was carried on the ship directly. Phantom phased his head through the roof and looked at Azula, dropping his invisibility.

"Hey, princess."

Azula threw a blue flame into his face. Danny extinguished a tiny fire on his hair with two fingers, causing a thin line of smoke go up. Even if he had a weakness to big temperatures, his ice core could grant him resistance to fire as long as the flame was small enough and weaker than the core. Phantom gave a devilish grin at her furious expression and jumped from the roof and stood near the transport.

"What, I'm a ghost, scaring people is only natural."

"I'm not scared, I want to throw you off this ship," Azula hissed.

"This is a diplomatical insult," Danny whispered, but his tone clearly stated that he wasn't actually hurt at all.

"Greetings, Princess Azula."

Danny turned to the source of two elderly voices. "AGH!" He yelped and jumped. "Scary old ladies!"

There indeed were two old ladies in crimson robes and seemingly uncomfortable hats. They were twins by the looks of them. The ladies simultaneously raised their eyebrows in confusion. Azula couldn't hold her laughter. Looks like the ghost could be scared as well.