A.N. Bet you didn't expect this. I had just written something by that moment, and successfully forgot about this. So, here, enjoy.

Danny rubbed his temples in annoyance and sighed deeply.

"Can we get rid of him?" He asked, looking behind at Sam.

"NO, you CAN'T kill him," she glared.

Tucker whimpered even more, clutching his nag's neck like his life depended only on that. He rode beside them. He didn't have a way to escape from the demon and his follower. What did they want him for? Some satanic ritual? Sacrifice? One thought of that made Tucker faint several times on their way.

"Jeez, I didn't mean killing," Danny deadpanned, raising his hands. "Besides, it was a rhetorical question."

"A what?" Sam asked, raising her eyebrow.

"A question I don't need anyone to answer because I already know it."

"Then why asking it in the first place?"

"To blow off some steam. I know that we can't just let him run away, he will tell everyone."

"I won't, I swear!" Tucker put in, still shaking like a leaf.

"I became the King of the Dead not because I trusted every guy I knew for one day," Danny commented. "I won't take any chances."

"But what about me, then?" Sam asked. "You didn't know me at all, but still helped me."

"It's different. Why would you run to the Inquisition if they want you dead? Besides, it would have been a shame if a cute girl died."

He only then realized what he said, his cheeks flushed green as he looked away. Sam stared at his back with wide eyes, her face becoming warm and red. Tucker stared at the exchange between them. Yes, he had previously noted a bond between the two, but when he learned who they were...it just seemed surreal. This Devil was probably planning the most sinful things with the attractive girl, trying to seduce her. Well, she was a witch already...

"But if she turns from that path..." Tucker cursed the words which jumped out of his mouth.

To his relief, Danny only laughed. "Oh, such a naivety, how cute. Tucker, do you really think that all the people burned down, drown or, in the best case, decapitated, are all guilty?"

"Well, maybe there are some mistakes..."

Sam narrowed her eyes. "Mistakes?! I was almost killed!"

Tucker flinched. He shouldn't anger the one who was holding the demon back.

Danny decided to intervene. "Religion during this age of human history is the most effective way to fulfill ambitions. Pope himself has a huge army, an enormous palace and for what? To shed blood of fellow humans and christians. Because the God hears him better on top of what used to belong to Rome's true owners? And the Inquisition is his most disgusting, yet effective instrument. What society is this, when one accidental word can lead to death? I'll tell you, this is what my world was like during my father's rule. HE was the true devil out there. I'm trying to make my world a better place for its inhabitants."

"Sinners?"

"People you call demons. We have our own share of problems. Feudalism is severely outdated, and without father's iron fist, many of the Lords think too much of themselves. Anyways, Sammy, the next town is where your grandmother lives, right?" Danny looked back.

Sam nodded and smiled. "Yeah."

"I can already see lines of smoke through all that trees. And Tucker. Spill a word, and I won't hesitate."

Tucker gulped and nodded frantically. As the group started approaching, they saw the cause of that smoke. And while Tucker and Sam were ready to puke, Danny's look remained neutral. Why wasn't he surprised that they were burning down dead bodies? Smoking black and scorched corpses were consumed by fire. Hungry ravens were eating roasted meat. Near the pile was a figure in black robes and white mask with long nose, leaning on a wooden staff. Plague doctor noticed them and turned to the group.

"You have chosen a bad time to come here, kids. Turn away now, or the disease will take you all."

Sam gasped in horror. "No," she whispered.

Danny heard it and understood her reaction. "Tell me, good sir, do you know about Manson's whereabouts?"

"If you mean Old Lady Manson, she is there, for some reason she had refused to go away. God be merciful on her, she is too nice to die from some nasty illness. Last time I heard she is still alive. I live out of town, so the news spread slower. It was three days ago, but who knows how the situation can change."

Phantom cursed quietly under his breath. That didn't help him at all.

"Well? Are you going to leave?" The man asked.

"Yes," Danny responded, earning a stunned look from Sam. "Have a good day, sir."

Tucker followed the ghost teen on his nag, because he didn't have any choice for the matter. Sam was looking on the ground, giving occasional glances on the town. Diseases were like that, such small town could die off completely. Cruel reality of life without proper medicine. The girl looked up at the Ghost King.

"Danny, why are we going away from the town?" She asked sternly.

"Are you kidding? You want to die from the plague?" Danny responded incredulously. "I'm surprised it appeared so soon. By our records the plague epidemy should appear only hundred years later and come from Middle Asia. I have a suspicion that one of the Ghost Lords is responsible. Their actions are like that, cruel and pointless."

"And there is no way you can heal them?"

"Nothing I know of. That's why you should stay as far away from that town as possible."

"But my grandma is still there! She must have been waiting for me," Sam mumbled the last sentence.

"If my opinion means something..." Tucker started.

"No it doesn't," Danny interrupted bluntly.

"I think we shouldn't go in there," the dark skinned teen finished.

"Exactly," Phantom agreed, before noticing Sam's angry expression. "Sam, don't be stupid. I don't think your grandmother will appreciate it if you risk your health just to see her."

The girl turned away, looking at the furthering settlement. Suddenly she jumped off Bucefal on dusty road. Danny's eyes widened in surprise at the initiative. Sam put her hands on her hips and narrowed her lilac eyes.

"If you are not going, I'm going alone," she said, before strolling away.

Danny appeared in front of her. "Sam, that's ridiculous. The plague is highly infectious and has almost a hundred percent chance of death."

"Then I'll have to be careful," the girl said confidently, going around the ghost teen. But Phantom wasn't going to just let her go to obvious death. He again appeared in front of Sam and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Sam, the plague should appear hundred years later. The fact that it exists here means that it didn't spread out. And the only way for that is for the entire town to die in isolation completely. Either that or death of the entire Europe."

The girl's hands started to shake. "I just want to see my only relative who ever cared about me. Sorry that I won't leave her," she said angrily, pushing his hands off her. Sam stomped in direction of the town. Danny sighed and rubbed his temples. For god knows what time he learned how stubborn that girl was. But, that's what he liked about her. If Sam was not going to back down, he could only make certain precautions to prevent her drastical decision from backfiring.

"Sam, wait," he called.

"What do you want?" She spun around.

"I'm coming with you. And I think I have an idea how to avoid the virus."

"A what?"

"Well, actually a bacteria, Yersinia pestis, if I'm not mistaken. Bacterias are tiny creatures you can't see without special tools. There are those who aid living beings, while others can kill them, like this one. If one bacteria gets inside your body, it will multiply and infect you entirely. But if they can't even touch you, you won't fall ill."

Sam realized what he meant and smiled. "And if you make us intangible they will pass through!" She said.

"In theory. I'm not very good in humans' anatomy. But, it's not like I have any choice but to help you. And Tucker, you are coming with us. Tucker?"

They both looked to the side and saw that the named teen was trying to run away. Danny facepalmed.

"Maybe we should just let him go away?" Sam offered.

"Oh no, he won't," Phantom growled, before his pointing and middle fingers glowed green.

He fired at the road hundred meters away. No horse could be faster than light, and the green beam flew forward and hit the ground right in front of it, creating a minor explosion, not much bigger than a small petard. But it was enough to make the animal stand on its back feet in fear, while Tucker let go of the reins out of surprise, which proved to be a mistake. Immediately the teen fell on the hard ground with a yelp, a cloud of dust flew in the air and the running steed didn't help at all. Tucker coughed and, once the cloud dispersed, he saw that the horse decided to leave him and run into the forest. Suddenly Tucker felt someone grabbing the collar of his clothes before he stared into a pair of glowing green eyes.

"Where do you think you are going, Foley?"

"Oh, I, ehm, saw a rabbit! We didn't have breakfast, you know?"

"Have you really just tried to lie to the King of Hell?" Danny raised his eyebrow, before letting go of the dark skinned teen. Tucker landed on his butt again and grunted in pain.

Sam finally caught up with them. "Danny, stop being so harsh on him."

"I just don't trust him at all. AND I'm not eager to have an extra burden," Phantom crossed his hands. "It's called pragmatism."

"Well, sorry that I am NOT eager to travel with a damn DEMON!" Tucker exclaimed, before the ghost's eyes flashed brighter and he yelped slightly in fear.

"It's not like you have any choice," Danny rolled his eyes, before a list of paper appeared in his hand after a whirlwind of green fire. "This contract states that I have a full possession of your soul. Figuratively speaking, so cheers!" He clapped. "After I'm done walking around this world, you can jump around singing yodel as long as you wish."

Sam couldn't supress a snort in the end. Even while grumpy Danny could be funny.

"But until then, you stick here, for if you leave who knows what I'll do with your soul which will remain in my hands?"

That wasn't as funny. Phantom waved his hand and a list of paper dissappeared. The ghost then looked at her.

"Alright, let's move out. Take my hand."

Sam did as he had told, and the familiar tingly feeling overtook her. Danny smiled down at her.

"Try not to touch anything, that will give everything away. Tucker, I hope my warning was enough for you to wait here."

Tucker nodded and grunted. That was enough for the ghost. As he and Sam were approaching the town gates, Sam decided to speak.

"I still think you are harsh on him," she mumbled.

Danny sighed. "Maybe I am."

The young woman smiled. Sam was happy that he was ready to change. If not for others, then for her.