(Rewrite) Transdimensional Troubles

Chapter 8: Talks and too little fights

Everyone grimaced. Yeah, that did sound weird.

"Well, while we are moving through this endless network," grinned Phantom. "Want to talk about something?"

"For the King of the Dead you are way too chatty," Sokka grumbled.

"Look who is talking, seabrain."

Danny got looks. "What? You are from Water Tribe as far as I can tell. Or did I get this one wrong?"

"Yes, I'm from there."

"And who did you expect the king to be? Some cloaked skeleton with a scythe? I'm just who I am, even in death. And I have no personal quarrel with you, so why not talk?"

"You want to kill Aang," Sokka noted. "That's personal enough."

Suddenly Danny laughed. "And you just believed what I said in front of the ones who want to do the same. Why would I need the kid?"

"Eh...to gain power and stuff..."

"I'm already the main pretender to the throne of the entire dimension. I'm powerful enough, and once I get the crown I will be unstoppable by mortals. I have to settle score with certain gits wearing white. After that I think I'll just be putting everything together. Avatar is not something what bothers me really, he can do whatever he wants."

The humans couldn't believe him that easily. They had no reason to trust the teen in any way, because his past actions told completely another thing. Better for the half ghost, the lesser the possibility of their belief, the lesser the chance of them spilling everything said out loud. Well, if you don't count that acrobat girl, he always seemed the most friendly one when not trying to beat them to a pulp. The mere fact that he changed his behavior that easily was unsettling. Which manner was real and which was a faux - that's another question. He was obviously playing his own mind game.

"Why the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked. "Earth Kingdom could help you as well."

"It wasn't that accessible at the moment. It took you a week to get to see the King. I was brought to the Fire Lord in a fancy carriage. They made the offer first."

"Just that? They are killing thousands of people! They started this war."

Sokka was forced to look forward again after a shove.

"Yes. They did. If you lived in my condition, you would have learned that when the opportunity arises, you take it. Be it some regime which exterminates every other nation just because of what they are, then it would have been another story."

"Yeah? Is slavery alright in your book, then?"

"My country used slaves for centuries. Each nation in the end comes to the realization of its own mistakes. Some don't live long enough to do that and die. It only makes the rest better, assures that nothing like this happens again. In this case, it matters little who wins this war. Yes, it may take a long while, but for me - a being with eternal life...Well, I guess I'm not the person to talk. But I know what MY people need, and I'll give it. Your world is the responsibility of the Avatar. I am not obligated to anything."

"Jeez, you are a cold one."

"Is it because I put you in the ice? I already wasted my time helping you, mortals. What did I get? BEING ON THE RUN AND EATING JUNK FOR OVER A YEAR!" Danny's eyes glowed with neon color. It made the others shiver. "I'm not going to repeat the same mistake. Once my help will be overdue you all are going to betray me. No matter who that will be. Fire Nation or your Spirit Champion. The spirits hate me just as much and that spineless boy will do what they say. This is why I care little. I may spare lives because I am not a murderer, but that's. It."