"I still don't understand why you would do that," Danny deadpanned, turning his head to face his girlfriend.

"I told you before, Danny. It is to show that conformist idiots what can be achieved by every person and to show my disgust towards them and competition at large," Sam rolled her eyes.

"I still don't get it," said Phantom.

"Ugh!" Sam grunted in displeasure, crossing her hands and turning away. Danny couldn't help but notice how cute she looked even when in such mood.

It didn't mean that he was going to push his luck. Better just drop the topic and enjoy being in a bed with the girl he loved being with. Sighing, Danny put his head against Sam's back.

"I'm sorry, Sammy. I'm just not into this stuff, you know?"

Sam shivered at the contact. The girl turned back to him. She pecked his forehead slightly. "Apology accepted."

Danny chuckled. "If it's the bribe of the judge then I am the most corrupt one in the world."

The girl laughed. "This joke is stupid," she shook her head.

"But you laughed," Phantom smirked, before looking at the clocks and sighing. "I guess we should get up."

"Yeah. I guess you are right," Sam nodded.

They both climbed off the bed. They had a few spare minutes, because they had been almost dressed already. Danny, for some reason, always was in his white and red shirt, even in bed. It confused Sam, but she herself was fully dressed all night. She was a ghost, she didn't sweat, she simmered. So her outfit was perfectly fine after long wearing, and it's not like leaves could wrinkle much.

Still, Sam had to change into normal clothes. She actually smiled softly when she noticed Danny looking away on purpose, blushing brightly. He was so nice and gentle. She honestly didn't mind if he looked, but Sam was shy to tell him, not sure about his reaction to such behavior. Phantom meanwhile simply put on his jeans, standing with his back turned to her perfect in his opinion form. Sam finally tapped on his shoulder, making him look at her. She smiled.

"Shall we go?"

"Uhm...yeah, let's go."

As they descended to the kitchen, Danny started making breakfast.

"You make my afterlife so hard with your veggie views," he said over dramatically.

Sam rolled her eyes and picked up the fruit from a bowl. "I'm not going to eat anything with a face on it."

She didn't notice her boyfriend's grin. However, the girl then noticed eyes and a mouth drawn with black marker on the apple. Sam looked at Danny with a non amused expression.

"Very funny," she deadpanned.

Phantom stopped resisting and exploded into laughter. Sam tried to keep neutral expression, but soon she started laughing as well.

"What's going on here?"

The teens looked at the entrance to the lab and saw Jack's huge figure in the doorway. Danny's mood dampened considerably.

"Just having fun, Dad," Phantom said, taking a packet of fruitloops.

Sam didn't approve of his tastes, but she could understand that hardly everyone shared her views on food.

"Hm...Sam, right?" Jack asked.

"Yes, Mr.Fenton," she said politely.

"Hey, you wear the same clothes Jazzy wore once!" The giant beamed.

"Was there something you needed, Dad?" Phantom was quick to stop the suspicions from arising. If his parents were to look inside Jazz's shelf and find the clothes' absence, he would get into troubles.

"Ah, yes, I wanted some fudge."

He opened the fridge, but Danny calmly stopped his fumbling.

"We have been out of it since yesterday."

"Oh, you are right, Danny-boy," Jack closed the fridge. "Mind buying some?"

"I have such thing as school," Phantom sighed. "I think you should spend some time outside, anyways."

"Can't do, kiddo. We are working on a very important object, and with less time because of our teaching, we have to work in the lab more."

Danny threw a glance to his girlfriend, a message passing between them.

"Well, I've got to go now," Jack said with a can of coke in his hand, before running downstairs.

"I still can't picture him as someone evil," Sam mumbled, before seeing a plate with tomato soup before her. It was left from yesterday, and despite it not being the lunch, it was simple and tastier than anything Danny could make in a short while.

Danny sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe he isn't. But his idea of all ghosts being non-sentient and vile creatures clouds his view and gives him a moral high ground, as real as my good academic performance," he said sarcastically and dug in the cereal. "What about Maddie, though?"

"She seems nice...but I'm really uncomfortable near her," Sam commented without any eager.

"You tell me. Let's not talk about this," Danny pulled on a smile. "Do you need anything for that pageant? Some dress maybe? I can buy one."

The girl shook her head. "No," she said firmly. "First, it will be unfair. Two, I will try to do without those frilly costumes, otherwise what will be the point if I become one of that snobbish herd?"

Phantom chuckled. "That's why I'm happy that we are dating," he said with a soft smile. "Because you're so unique."

Sam looked at the plate of soup, being as green as its inners were red. "You just can't stop embarrassing me," she mumbled, although holding a small smile.

Danny leaned and kissed her. "Because you look so cute when you are like this."

He leaned for another kiss, but was hit slightly by a spoon.

"Enough. Let me eat," Sam said half teasingly.

On the way to school they met Tucker. The dark skinned teen suspiciously commented on how the two were always together. He did suspect that their relationship was something more than of two friends, so he constantly teased them about it. They didn't mind much, but it was still awkward. God, how they hated pretending. Sometimes they wanted to just kiss in public and let everyone see.

When the group entered the school, the hell broke loose, as a crowd of girls swarmed around him, showing the photos of their pretty clothes they were going to wear, or some other stuff.

"Vultures," Sam mumbled, saving her boyfriend from the crowd. It was interpreted as an attempt to get Danny to herself.

"Thanks, Sam. We really have..."

"Hey, Danny, wanna some cookies?" Some girl asked, shoving a plate forward.

"Sorry, that's judge's bribe. I'll let it slip for the first time," Phantom said with a note of sarcasm and fake concern.

There were also multiple glares from the male part of the school. In a snap of the fingers one of the least popular students became the center of the girls' attention. Danny would have given off the responsibility without a single question if he could. From one trap from another, Phantom saw a stack of papers in one of the contestants' hands. Now he was surprised.

"Is...is this the work for the entire school year?" Danny asked half jokingly.

The blonde cheerleader nodded. "Yes, do you want it?"

"I'm really sorry that you've wasted so much time, but I'm not going to be persuaded by bribing. It concerns everyone!" Phantom said loudly. It gave him some space.

"I'm proud of you," Sam whispered quietly with a smirk. "Not to be seduced by so many goods..."

"I'm already being seduced by one beautiful rose."

"How can you be so annoying and flattering at the same time?" Sam responded, before Tucker managed to get to them, since they had gotten separated.

"Jesus, I'm so envious of you dude. If only I was at your place."

"You don't want that, Tuck. They will wipe the dirt with me again when everything ends."

"Still...for at least a short while..."

"Tell them that you are judge's friend, or something," Sam shrugged.

"It's a bad idea, Sam," Responded Danny, looking at her. "He will have no influence on my choice whatsoever, no offense to Tuck. And once they find out, he will become a new denizen of the Ghost Zone. Don't do it, dude...where is he?"

Sam pointed at the returned crowd. "You are a bit late," they heard Tucker's happy cheers. "I now feel really bad."

"Relax, I'll save him when his butt will be endangered. Like always."

After the lessons Danny had to wait, because Sam now had practice lessons. He actually had a good laugh at seeing the unusual scene. All girls were keeping their backs straight in order not to let the books on their heads fall - a standard exercise. Sam either didn't get the purpose, or ignored the rules intentionally. Probably the latter. She read the book given to her, much to Ms.Mattingly's displeasure. Danny regretted not being able to take a picture. Such a philosophical meaning. True nonconformity, mixed with satire on modern society of being unique and at the same time similar.

From the tribune Phantom also watched the lady. He couldn't get rid of suspicions towards her. Just the similar name wasn't enough. But his ghost sense didn't go off, so she really must have been a human. His gut contradicted the opinion of his other senses, telling him to be wary. Suddenly his phone rang and Danny got distracted. He took it out of the pocket of his black jacket and accepted the call.

"Yes?"

"Punk, we've got trouble," Walker's voice sounded.

"What is it?" Danny's eyes narrowed.

"You do remember that two idiots? Dressed straight from medieval times?"

"Yes...don't tell me they got away, Walker. How is it even possible?"

"Should have sent a bigger envoy. Some policemen were ended, with the signs of burn marks. The remaining ones don't remember what happened as it was too fast. Any orders?"

"They have some friends outside..." Danny mumbled, rubbing the lower part of his face. He sighed. "Wait...Medieval, burn marks...you think the same thing I do?"

"The claims against Aragon sound valid, but there aren't any proofs. And for that arrogant flying furnace to go rescue his pawns?"

"Doesn't seem likely, yes," Danny tapped on the hand on his chair. "There is plenty of fire ghosts around."

"You'd love to get rid of that lizard, wouldn't you?"

"My thoughts are my concern, warden. Get back to your duties and find the fugitives. Don't engage if they aren't alone."

"And..."

Phantom sighed. "No, they aren't going to be executed without judgement."

He ended the call and rubbed his temples, leaning back in his seat.

"What are you thinking about?"

Danny looked to the side and saw Sam sitting nearby. "Just a call from Walker. Usual royal stuff. Are you done already?"

"Yep. Ms. Mattingly said she had to go, so the lesson ended twenty minutes earlier. I hope it's not my fault."

"Why do you think so?"

"I accidentally stepped on her foot and she looked really pained. She may be one of the most shallow and over sugary people I've met, but I'm still sorry. She didn't want to listen for excuses."

"Yeesh. You take it too seriously, Sammy. She probably had other plans. Evil, plotted scheme, for instance."

Sam snorted. "You think so?"

For the several following days Danny had to go through the torture of being a judge. While he begged for this to be over soon, Tucker didn't want to leave his blissful heaven. Sam seemed to have fun with messing around the competition, much to the others' annoyance. For instance, when they were supposed to practice shiny smile, Sam showed her sharp canines all ghosts could retract at will. Mattingly gasped and ordered to give her what she thought were plastic vampire teeth. The girl excused herself to the bathroom and pretended that she had thrown them out. Danny had a good laugh, just as his girlfriend did.

The other contestants seemed less and less confident. They thought that Phantom was going to choose his girlfriend of all people, not caring that they denied any claims about their relationship. Sam, however, told Danny that she wouldn't mind at all if he chose someone else. Her target was to voice her opinion, and she did so, winning never was her intention. Danny thought it was sweet and cute. Sam trusted that he still would prefer her over everyone else after everything was over.

Finally the day of the contest arrived, and Danny couldn't be happier. It was hosted during the evening, and many would rather prefer to go home than to stay there. But Lancer's magical pen and a tablet quickly fixed the issue.

"So...good luck?" Danny wished weakly to Sam. She wasn't wearing any dresses, just her usual dark outfit.

The girl shrugged. "I guess. Thank you, snow head."

"Hey!"

Sam laughed and walked off, leaving Danny alone. She knew he actually liked her nickname. Soon Tucker approached his friend.

"You know, I'll actually miss that," he looked at the girls waving to them. "Eh, popularity is so impermanent."

"Tell me about it," Danny rolled his eyes.

On the other hand he had a popularity. Among many of his ghostly subjects. At least he didn't do anything to disappoint them. A gust of air escaped his mouth all of a sudden. Meanwhile Sam was waiting for the competition to begin. She was fixing her hair, even if she didn't plan to win, it was not a reason to look improperly. She heard a cough and jumped slightly, looking to the side and seeing one certain blonde woman.

"Oh, Miss Mattingly, I didn't hear you."

"Maybe you would have been quiet, too, if not for that combat boots of yours," she said a bit harshly.

"At least I know that no animal was harmed while making them," Sam crossed her hands. "Is something wrong?"

"Why are you wearing...these?" She pointed at the girl's clothes.

"This a competition of not only posing. This is a talent show."

Mattingly grunted, before suddenly flinching. She went away, but Sam seemed confused at such reaction of hers. The girl decided to follow, as she had plenty of time. She went behind the scene, where no one was present. A strange place for someone who seemed vulnerable to a piece of dirt and bacteria living there.

"It wasn't my fault!" Sam caught a quiet exclamation and hid behind the corner.

The girl also heard a male voice. "I don't care what caused it, Dorathea, you were almost spotted!"

"I'm sorry! It won't repeat again!" Dorathea said fearfully. "I don't think there should be any problems."

"You're not supposed to 'think', woman! Do. As I. Say. Whoever the girl shall be, get her to the Ghost Zone instantly!"

Sam covered her mouth to hide a gasp and ran off. The girl returned to the backstage, looking around rapidly. Danny was nowhere in sight. But there was Tucker, who tried to get the last shine of attention.

"Tucker, where is Danny?" She asked.

"Why would you need him?" Paulina materialized out of nowhere, making Sam wonder who was the ghost here. The latino girl had a bright pink dress which caused a gagging reflex in the ghost girl's throat. "You had enough time smothering him."

"He was only smothered by your perfume!" Sam exclaimed. "Shallow witch."

She was way too worried to keep her head cool.

"Wow, relax, Sam," Tucker intervened. "Danny ran off somewhere. I don't know."

Sam blinked. That act could mean only one thing.

At the moment Danny ducked away from the arrow thrown at him. The green projectile hit the billboard behind him. He stood on the roof of the building, in his ghost form.

"Flames, you two really should find a hobby!" Danny exclaimed, charging and hurling green energy disks.

They were still silent, continuing to attack the King. It was simply ridiculous how persistent they were. Danny retreated back to the advertising construction, a plan forming in his mind. He phased through the object behind him, knowing that he would be followed. As soon as the ghosts went through they received simultaneous blasts, which launched them backwards.

"You should have dug that axe of war sooner," Phantom said dryly, despite another pun.

He then fired another blast, making another minor explosion. This time he wasn't going to let them slip. The half ghost descended on the roof. He had to finish it quickly, before the competition began, or the humans crowded up. The last thing he wanted was facing them. Suddenly Danny perked up and his reaction allowed him to grab the arrow.

"How the hell are you still standing?!" Danny exclaimed, before seeing the axeman approach him.

He did the unexpected. Seeing as his opponent's head was protected by a piece of cloth, Phantom jumped and stabbed him, using the arrow as the dagger. Finally there was at least a yell of pain from him. To destroy a ghost one had to destroy his core, so Danny knew that he was going to be fine. Using the moment of weakness, Phantom grabbed a familiar thermos and uncapped it. The device flashed with a vortex of blinding white light, sucking the specter inside. Danny glanced at the archer, who seemed stunned.

"I am a kind ruler," the teen said with a chilling calmness on his face. "But it doesn't mean that your crimes will go unpunished."

Danny pointed the thermos at him. "BOW, or you will face the same outcome."

The archer dropped the weapon and raised his arms, obviously terrified. Phantom sucked him in a thermos and smirked. Alright, that was a good pun. He then became invisible and flew back to school. Danny landed first inside the school building, hiding the thermos in his locker. Then he, in the human form, ran outside. The competition almost began, he was in time, panting to keep an appearance. He sat on the jury's chair.

Then he had to keep down his hysterical laughter. To see Lancer in a medieval herald's outfit, playing a flute and singing, was not an everyday's occasion. The continuation was less funny. Hearing the only thing Paulina could do - cheerleading and bragging, some other girls he didn't know about juggling, singing yodel and doing other things, was not that interesting. Finally Sam went to the scene, she was the last. The girl noticed him and her eyes flashed in relief. Danny thought she was worried about his fight. Sam went to the stage, nervously glancing behind the curtains.

"Hello, I'm Sam and I'm going to read...haiku of my own creation."

"Immortal danger here
When you feel a sudden chill
Wonder what it is.
Beware of undead in blue dress."

Suddenly Dorathea went from behind and started dragging the girl away, giving a smile, which covered the anger Phantom noticed. Danny raised an eyebrow.

"Immortal, undead, huh," he mumbled barely above the whisper. Danny then recalled another thing. "Blue dress...Mattingly is a ghost?!"

In a flash he jumped from his seat and ran after them.

"And so, after making a careful consideration, the judge is ready to announce the winner..." Lancer started.

"Sam!" Danny shouted after his girlfriend, as he kept running and trying to find her.

"Samant...well, that's unexpected."

It caused an uproar of enormous amounts. Danny unwillingly turned the entire army against her. But he didn't care, Phantom finally found Sam, and found her resisting the firm grip of the blonde woman. The woman regarded him with a strange look, but then put a golden tiara on the girl's head. Before Danny could do anything, there was a bright green flash, so bright that he had to cover his eyes. When he looked at the spot, there was nothing. Phantom's eyes flashed with green color. The King was going to break Aragon's gates. His suspicions turned out to be correct. It was the same Dora he suspected, and it led to only one assumptions.

"It just keeps getting better," Danny growled, before his phone rang. "Me and my tongue. Yes," he all but snapped.

"My Lord, we have news," a voice sounded, a bit fearful at the tone.

"I have no time."

"You ordered to track that plant ghost's movements...well, he is returning a week sooner you've expected. It is tomorrow."

A.N. Poor Danny. Luck hates him.