"The irony of this predicament is something else entirely," Azula mumbled, "While back in the day I would rather be killed than be let inside the palace of the locals, now we are simply invited to talk with their chieftain. So...casually."

Danny shrugged, glancing over to the gloomy teens accompanying them, "You know, I am almost concerned about the interest they show in the matters of the spiritual realm," he whispered.

"You shouldn't be. The Northerners are obsessed with all this spiritual nonsense. It's nothing out of ordinary."

"I thought those were the Air Nomads."

"It clearly shows that our lessons have been for naught, Daniel," at this Phantom chuckled nervously, "The locals are adamant about spirits and their world. The Nomads are too preoccupied with their own body and spirit. At least that's what I was told they do. I'm pretty sure that the Avatar's kid follows their traditions. If Sozin had waited they would have died off from their rice diet."

The twins looked at each other. If their faces could show emotions, then a note of confusion would have crossed said faces. They heard the exchange perfectly, but it still made little sense to them. This in turn made the twins question whether or not those loony characters should be brought to their father, who never took kindly to mundane interruptions. The palace was well guarded, but the entrance was granted immediately. On the inside the place was made out of ice as well. Through the multitude of corridors they got to what could be described as a throne room. There was a throne and the one sitting on it, after all. A strict looking man with extremely sharp features and long hair sized up the guests and a look of wonder appeared on his face.

"Desna, Esca. Who are the guests? I told you that nobody is allowed..."

"Salutations, honourable chief," Danny stepped forward and gave a bow, "Pardon us for this sudden visit, I fully understand your displeasure. But I come on behalf of my world and the matter cannot wait, I am afraid. Daniel Phantom is my name, I believe you've heard about me."

To avoid needless explanations, Phantom immediately shifted into his other form, basking the ice room in pearly white light. Since the problem that had made the young king come was nearly in his grasp, he had concluded that he could reveal his identity outright. The Chieftain was stunned from all the seems, and yet he regained the composure quickly. Danny's actions were not in the least hostile, so he didn't attack either, Unalaska ordered his children to stand down as well.

"And your charming companion must be Princess Azusa," the man quickly deduced.

"What tipped you off?"

"I am not quite sure. I suppose those stories about you two always being near were correct. Nonetheless, I am curious as to what two criminals are doing in my Palace, not having aged a bit and decades later."

Azula and Danny could both see that the chieftain was examining them thoroughly. It was to be expected from the leader of his people.

"All these questions have the same answer, Chief Unalaq. Before throwing us in prison from which we will inevitably escape, I wish to ask you for cooperation."

"Cooperation," Unalaq asked incredulously. "And bring the entire world to loathe me as a collaborator?"

"Don't play coy," Azula stepped forward, "Nobody will ever know we have been here. If you agree to listen, you will know of the threat upon this entire world."

"Go on," said the chieftain longingly, sitting on his throne.

Danny coughed, "The Spirit World and this one are...misaligned. You see, the former connects all of dimensions, all of the time periods, and thus a portal can launch you to a totally different place. However, it is connected to all of them by a rope of sorts. That spot in time and space is normally unchanging and spawns more portals around itself than any other point. In simple terms, when you enter some spot, then return and go in the same one, the same amount of time should pass. Honestly, I am no less confused about how it works than you are. But my point is, this problem cannot be left alone, because if you twist and bend the rope enough times...it snaps. As the chieftain of the Water Tribe, someone by definition spiritually enlightened, you must see reason. And we ask for your assistance."

"And if I refuse?"

"You are free to do so. I want cooperation, not you doing everything instead. If you say no, then we will just do everything ourselves."

"The general terms you use do not ease my concerns or make me any more sympathetic to your cause."

"That's because I don't know what's happening myself. I've narrowed the search to this area, hence we are here. My senses that allowed for pinpointing the location of everything supernatural is going haywire. Kind of like when you put a compass on a magnet. And it seriously gives me a headache."

"And what do you suspect you will be doing?"

"Most likely it is the flows of ectoplasm that have tied into a knot. All I have to do is untangle them. But that's the best case scenario. It could also mean the involvement of some incredibly powerful spirit or ghost that just sits and feeds on said flows. Only a bare minimum of human thoughts, feelings and ideas reach, creating a very ragged image that makes little sense, severely limiting the contact. It also might interfere with time continuum, creating loopholes in which it flows differently..."

His scientific ramble went on for a good minute, confusing everyone present further and further. That's before Unalaq decided to intervene.

"I don't think I follow..."

"Those are the terms me and other researchers utilise. Not that there are many, mind you. I've also dedicated my afterlife to learning about the worlds and bringing this knowledge to academic standards. We are different, because I'm not a spiritual person. I try to find scientific explanation to everything."

"You have admitted the magic of bending," Azula smirked.

"That's because I haven't found anything to contradict it, princess. Everything is magic to the primitives. My point is, the quantum and ectological physics suggest this kind of explanation. And also the tools I will need to resolve this situation."

Unalaq's lips thinned. To him, the boy was spouting nonsense. There was no need to seek some deeper explanations. How could one use science to describe what a person felt or sensed during vigorous meditations? Despite his belief that Phantom was mistaken, to put it lightly, the man could also see that the teen was convinced in what he was saying. Which didn't mean that the chief liked it.

"I cannot approve of your venture."

"Afraid we will desecrate it?" Azula crossed her hands.

"Your lot better keep quiet, especially after what you have done to the moon spirit," Unalaq's eyebrow twitched.

"I think you pissed him off," Danny muttered through his smile, glancing to his lover. "I suppose that IS your reason, chief, correct?"

"I have no trust in her and by extension her accomplice. I'm yet to learn which one of you plays the second fiddle."

Phantom and Azula glanced at each other, then pointed each to themselves.

"Look, chief. I am the king of the entire spirit world," the former floated a bit closer to the man, "What reason do I have to bring ruin? The situation is as messy as it gets. And if anyone is qualified to solve the issue aside from the avatar, and I doubt she is competent, mind you, it is me," he folded his hands.

"She is my niece."

Both guests blinked.

"Oh. I'm sorry?"

Unalaq sighed, "Don't be, you are right. She neglects her spirit too much. But so do you."

"This is not something resolved by meditating in front of it!" Danny raised his voice. "I don't see you doing anything about it. How come that you haven't noticed the abnormalities yet? It's all over the place! It won't be long until the spirits and ghosts pour out here and cause destruction!"

"What makes you certain? I thought you said 'the rope would snap'."

"A rope gets thinner before it does. I am certain, because I studied the subject. This world is of importance to Azula. The spirit world is essential to you. Neither of us would like if the connection gets severed. Dead souls will roam the world in an ever-increasing proportion. If nothing is done, that's what will happen. There is also the chance that both worlds will collapse on each other, creating a rather grotesque amalgamation. Neither option seems appealing."

The chieftain tapped on his throne in thought.

"There is something which makes me wonder. Since when are you two concerned with the balance and order?"

"Since I assumed my role as the king it has become my official task. And Azula..."

"Well, I can't let Daniel kill himself in the process," she crossed her hands and smirked.

"Are you two..."

"Yes. Can we please stay close to the subject?" Azula rolled her eyes.

"Fine. I cannot allow people like you to do as they please near our sacred place."

Phantom sighed, "Is this your final answer, chieftain?"

"Yes. It is final and not up for debates."

"Very well. We shall go then."

"And if we catch you going there, you will be officially declared criminals and put on the wanted list. Be happy that I am not going to persecute you now out of respect for your status."

"Sure, I will leave it to a human to decide whether or not a ghost is allowed to speak with spirits. Farewell."

There was a note of venomous sarcasm in that sentence. That being said, Phantom turned around, his cloak fluttering due to his heavy footsteps. Azula could see the barely concealed rage within him and couldn't help but smirk. Sometimes he just had to stop playing nice and show the world just what he was capable of. And what they were being saved from by his kindness. She knew that the northern army was not going to stop him. Phantom's solidification of power over the world was not bloodless, but in the end his kingdom was bigger than what the Fire Lord could ever dream to have. Granted, he did not fully exert his rule over everything, and most of the domain was nothing but lifeless void, but it was still commendable. Azula followed her lover out of the room and the palace, having remembered the path in and out. They both stopped near the icy staircase - a very questionable design choice.

"He sure is a prick," Danny crossed his hands, reverting into a human form. "The fate of the worlds is at stake and he can't overstep his stupid superstitions. He can't see further than his own nose."

"Were you serious about that lecture?"

"I may have overdone it with dramatics, but that's the big picture. The connection between the worlds is some serious stuff. After all, the Infinite Realms are the crossroads of the multiverse. What is a crossroad if it doesn't lead anywhere? You can't just cut off the connection to any of the worlds."

"I think so. I wouldn't like that, that's for certain. You said something about a powerful spirit?"

"Yeah. That's one of the theories. Like a very fat pigeon sitting on the power line, that thing may be an obstacle. The problem is that the spirit is, well..."

"Fat?"

"Yeah. Who knows what we will need to do to beat that thing. That is, if this theory is the correct one. We won't know until we check."

It went without saying that the two will do what they did best — spew into the faces of the world leaders and do exactly the opposite of what they were told. But first they really needed to settle in and have a shower. At least the locals had the decency to melt the ice and warm it up with coal. Civilisation reached even to the furthest corners of the world. However, the couple also abused the hospitality of the local hotel owner. Aside from them using maybe too much of it, other visitors of the hotel later complained about a series of noises coming from the room the amorous duo had rented.

Upon exiting the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his belt, Danny looked back inside.

"You coming, Azula?" He asked.

"Just...a moment," the young woman called back between the pants. "Stupid...ghost boy."

"You are welcome," smirked Phantom and began brushing his teeth.

The night was still young, if the two hurried, they could reach the pole before Unalaq would even be able to dispatch his soldiers. The main problem was that going out during the night when the cold could eat you alive from top to bottom was not a good idea. Danny didn't feel a thing, but the concern about his companion took priority. Not that she would want to go out, sometimes she was still stubborn and bratty, but it couldn't be helped. Still, Phantom was calm about this, he could wait until the morning, it wasn't like the humans were eager to go there in the dark of the night.

Finally, the couple decided to wait until the morning before going out. There was no doubt in their minds about being watched. Unalaq did strike them as a control freak and as such he was bound to try and put the leash on them. The expectations turned out to be correct, unless both of them were struck by paranoia. Here and there, during the breakfast, during a morning stroll to scout the situation — there were people that kept eyeing the couple. It could be because they were obvious foreigners, but there were also other tourists who didn't get half of said attention. And it was generally rude to stare.

It all lead to the couple sneaking out of their room under the metaphorical invisibility cloak. Their absence would be noted, taken as an insult, a challenge. Azula reasoned that if they were going to depart right after doing what was perceived as crime here, then there was no need in being courteous to the people who couldn't take the hint. Instead, they would rather go forth and break as many laws as needed to save that ungrateful world.

Azula shivered under the cold and stinging wind, wrapped in several furs. Phantom was carrying them both through the unwelcoming weather of that piece of ice floating in the ocean. They flew in the North Pole's general direction, for several hours in fact. At some point, in order to prevent hypothermia from taking his companion's life, they were making stops every once in a while. Danny would make a structure out of ice for the two to sit in and warm up with the fire the princess made. Phantom had also taken some covers from the hotel — the fire demanded fuel, besides it was helpful for warming up. The half ghost would have admittedly gone faster without the princess. Not that he would point that out openly, of course. He knew she was stubborn, and came here only because of him. Sounds selfish and conceited, but Danny knew Azula too well. She was surprisingly lazy at times. And seeing how she hated every second being here, he knew that her presence was only for him. Chuckling at his thought, he went towards the centre of their makeshift igloo, where the princess sat under several covers. Without asking he just sat behind her, startling her a little when she appeared to be sitting between his legs and in his gentle grasp. The only thing exchanged were small smiles.

Still, despite those moments, the trip to the North Pole was unpleasant. Danny had to keep the juices running, so between teleportation and flight that spent a little to no energy, he would pick the second. Who knew what they could possibly encounter, the power had to be saved up.

Then, around noon, the two could see something significant far away. It was a beam of crimson energy. Like a crimson thread it connected the skies and the earth.

"If that's not ominous, I don't know what is," Danny mumbled.

"Something that emits that light, I'd say."

Phantom nodded, before they flew forward. Beneath them, wherever one was to set an eye, lied a mountainous tundra, devoid of life in any form. It was scarred by a whole web of rifts in the glacier, revealing to the flying couple the endless black voids. The absence of the living was hardly of any surprise, for even if the sun graced that land with generous amount of light, reflected and multiplied by snowy surface, the cold was slowly becoming more than a nuisance. It was unforgiving and merciless, settling down here was a prerogative of the daring or stupid, sometimes a mixture of both. Barbarians fit the criteria, but there weren't any villages in sight. The answer to that could be found further, in that ever-present column of light. Phantom supposed that the living feared what could surround its source.

Danny landed on the pearly white snow, his boots disappearing inside of it halfway with a characteristic satisfying crunch.

"What is that? Azula asked, looking inside a crater-like area.

"A forest."

"I know what it is, doofus. What is it doing here? Maybe all the spiritual energy made it grow?"

"While that would explain the vegetation," Danny pointed around as they slid to the bottom of the crater, "It's not only that. Aren't you getting overheated in that mantle?"

Azula did notice how it became hot all of a sudden. She didn't need to be told twice to take off the unneeded pieces of clothing. From her look Danny figured that he owed her an explanation.

"That is an interesting phenomenon. Apparently, somewhere here are the holes that will lead down all the way to the planetary crust. Geothermal energy formed in the very core of this planet from the radioactive decay materials left from millions of years since the planet came to be. It found its way here and made the place warm. Or it could have actually come from the spirit world. That is also a viable option."

He could see her deadpan expression. While his scientific enthusiasm was contagious, and her look actually was hiding amusement, it wasn't the proper time for lectures. She just sighed and patted his shoulder like a proud but tired parent would and went further into the forest, Danny following close behind. The greenery around was rather diverse: pine trees, oaks, Phantom could also swear that he saw some tropical trees here and there. And the vines, vines literally everywhere, making it difficult to traverse the area. There was no doubt that they were being 'fed' by the otherworldly energy, for the local soil could hardly provide for so many eager mouths. Every plant here reeked of ectoplasm, and it pushed away every other smell.

Only Danny could feel it, however. Humans who did were usually diagnosed with the so-called 'phantosmia', and to them it felt like something burnt or rotting. That was the smell of the Ghost Zone, not unpleasant to its dwellers, yet concentrated beyond norms here. The closest equivalent would be shooting in your face with an air-refresher. As such, Danny wriggled his nose in discomfort as he grimaced.

Finally, they reached their destination. Upon closer inspection that beam of light didn't seem to have any source, it was just that — a crimson column with no end that disappeared in the ground without leaving a trace. Danny immediately came down to examining it. His professionalism kicked in as he professionally poked his finger inside the beam. Nothing happened, and upon seeing his limb intact Danny then looked inside. Seconds later he retracted, looking thoughtful.

"It is dormant," he concluded, "It is clearly a portal, but..."

"Thinking up another metaphor?" Azula smiled.

Danny snorted, "None come to mind. I'll tell you what we need to do to open it. However, I don't know IF we are supposed to open it."

"But isn't opening the portal supposed to, I don't know, synchronise the clocks or something?"

Phantom brightened up. She actually listened to his lectures!

"It does sound very plausible. I think that if I pour my energy it might open the gateway in its entirety. Maybe we have the case of a clogged pipe...but then all the worlds would have needed constant entrances..."

"Your human world does have a couple."

"Yeah...Bermuda Triangle. Well, not to dwell any further..." 

Phantom's hands glowed with emerald light. However, as he touched the beam again, it actually repelled him, like a magnet with similar polarity. Only magnets didn't sting anyone with electricity, making the researcher yelp in pain.

"Seems I have visitors."

The voice was coming from behind this curtain made of light. The voice, deep and ancient, made both intruders tense.

"It has been a while since the last time someone came. And you are not Unalaq"

"What does Unalaq have to do with it?" Azula asked.

"I sense an unusual amount of spiritual energy on you, human. That would be impossible, unless you set your foot into our world. And the other...what a tremendous power, the Ring of Rage to top it off, yet you also remind me of a mortal."

"It seems that, whoever you are, have been out of the loop for a while."

"I cannot comprehend what you imply, but i can infer that you are asking about my imprisonment. An unjust and undeserved one. Who are you, may I ask?"

Whoever it was, the being behind the portal was awfully polite.

"Daniel Phantom is the name. The recently ordained King of Spirits and Ghosts. This here is my companion, princess Azula of the Fire Nation."

"A king? Now that is certainly interesting. I should have realised it from the artefacts you bear. What brings you here?"

"Apparently, this world and ours are misaligned. And you are the reason."

A loud laughter followed from behind the light, "No, child. I am not the cause. At least not entirely. It is acceptable for someone so young not to know, but it is nonetheless important. I am talking about Harmonic Convergence."

"Oh..." Danny scratched his chin in though, "I know about it. I just wasn't aware that it will be soon."

"But it will. All the signs are in the air, and I have been counting the days until this event. After the Convergence everything shall be as it is meant to. The planets shall align and the spiritual energy will resume its flow as it should. Until then, such misbalance is expected and nothing out of the ordinary."

"Huh. So what you mean to say is that spiritual energy is affected by gravitational fluctuations."

A moment of silence. Then the voice decided to finally respond.

"What."

"Amazing really, I didn't know ectoplasm was so sensitive to it. I'll have to test those theories later. It would explain so much. Nonetheless, your words are interesting, Vaatu, I'll take them into account."

The princess's breath hitched at this off-handed revelation. It couldn't be the one who she thought it was.

"So you know who I am. You are surprisingly accepting of the idea of talking with me."

"We are just talking. And you have been quite useful so far. There is no reason for you to lie to me about it, even if you are what you are. Call it pragmatism, I did fight in a war alongside her, after all," Danny pointed at Azula. "No offence, hun."

"Ha, I think I like you, child. Since you are a king, perhaps..."

"Everything ends with conversations, pal. I'm not freeing you, as I'm not that invested in this whole debacle. Lest I aggravate the spirits. Solve this on your own."

"Leaving the great Vaatu indebted to you can ripe some benefits."

"None I could use. Very well. I guess we will leave and consider the situation. Thank you once again for making things clearer. Now we at least know the cause."

"Do you think we can trust his word on that?" Asked Azula and peaked an eyebrow.

"As I said, there is no reason for him to lie about the cause. But what happens after — that remains to be seen. You want to talk about it?"

The princess was silent for a while, glancing at the beam of light, as if trying to find the dreaded spirit. "Privately."

Danny nodded. The situation was shaping out to be more and more interesting as it unravelled.