Disclaimer: I still don't own Danny Phantom as it's the property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Viacom International. I am just a loyal fan and nothing more.

Unshattered Bonds

Chapter 10: Search for answers

The ghostly pop princess, using her possessed new body, was trying to keep herself together as she kept her act up. She had to be quick and careful if she wanted to be able to pull this whole thing off.

"Now, it said to take another left…'Emebr thought as she recalled the directions on the map.

After a while, Ember finally arrived to Plasmius's study, carrying some cleaning supplies to give the illusion that she was going to do chores like an actual cleaning lady.

As if…

"Finally…"Ember thought as she entered the room.

She looked around and saw that it pretty much resembled the kind of office the President of the United States would have had, only more extravagant and less approachable due to all the paintings and pictures of Vlad's "accomplishments". She saw pictures of when Vlad took control from the former world leaders in exchange for total world domination. She also saw a picture of Vlad with Maddie at what looked to be their wedding and Ember tried not to vomit at the sight of it. She also saw a picture of Danny from what looked to be a graduation from college, though she knew Danny well enough to know when his smile was genuine and when he was faking it.

And in this picture, he was faking it quite a bit.

"Now if I was Vlad, where would I put the time staff?...'Ember questioned out loud as she took out a feather duster and pretended to start dusting just in case someone were to walk in here.

She checked around Vlad's desk, his knick-knacks and even behind the paintings just in case there was some kind of hidden passages or something you would see in the movies. After about half an hour of fake cleaning, she couldn't find anything remotely interesting.

"Dammit! It's not here!...'Ember growled internally.

She had been hoping to find something…anything…to give her a clue about where the old fruit loop might have hid his goods but nothing.

"Okay, so the study is out…Maybe Vlad has a secret lab or vault around here…"Ember considered, she recalled several stories Danny had told her about his enemy and she knew a secret lab wouldn't be out of character for him.

Now all she had to do was try and find it.

"Damn, just how big is this place?...'Ember thought as she explored the hallways, trying to find something even remotely useful.

She decided to go enter what looked to be some library to begin the next part of her search. To her dismay, she ended up running into a familiar face. It was Jazz, wearing a very classy outfit and she looked almost surprised to see her.

"Oh, you arrived fast…'Jazz commented.

"What?..."Ember thought in confusion until she remembered that she was supposed to be acting like a maid, and she tried to remember how they acted in the old movies she watched with Danny.

"Good morning, your highness, how may I be of service…"Ember said with a courtesy and tried not to lose her lunch at this demeaning act.

"The things I do for love…"Ember thought with a mental eye roll.

"I just sent for a maid a moment ago to let them know that I finished my tea…"Jazz said flatly, referring to the tray left there…. "I will be in the gardens now…'She said as she left the area without even saying goodbye.

Ember was surprised by her attitude. The Jazz she knew wasn't so…she couldn't describe it but she was a much friendlier version than this one, though she knew this was probably one of the effects of the changed time stream.

"I hope Danny hasn't changed too much…"Ember thought in concern as she took the tray with her.

She had to find the time staff, Aphrodite or a way to jog Danny's memory or else she was just going to be stuck in a miserable world filled with miserable people under the thumb of a tyrant.

"Not if I have anything to say about it…'Ember thought determined as she continued with her search.

Elsewhere

In an unknown location

In a dark, cold prison cell, the spirit of love was chained with ectoplasmic-resistant restraints. She has been here for a few days, yet it arguably felt like decades for someone like her, especially with this horrible collar around her neck that forced her to do things she would never willingly do. Such as keep true soulmates apart and give into the commands of monsters who lack any and all love in their own hearts.

"I do hope Clockwork is alright…and Ember…'Aphrodite said sadly as she only stood there.

She had spent the first three nights trying to fight and resist her chains but the collar she wore always sent her a painful shock. She tried to remain strong but even someone like her eventually gets tired. So here she was, in a prison cell that was in a world that never should have existed in the first place. She couldn't use any of her basic powers since Plasmius had the control and she couldn't use anything unless he allowed it.

"Vlad Plasmius and Paulina can use all my power but it won't change anything…Danny and Maddie might be confused but they will never have their true love…'The spirit of love and beauty said to no one but herself.

Love was a very delicate, sacred thing and no one can force it. Even someone like her.

True, sometimes the spirit of love can make an error and judgement and put people who weren't right for each other together but when that happens, she always tries to correct her mistake and try and find them someone they can truly be happy with. And she knew that no matter what, Danny and Maddie would never be really happy with Paulina and Vlad. Those beasts didn't know or cared. All that mattered to them was that they got their prizes. That was all those poor mortals were to them.

Prizes to be won and property to be owned.

Such a thing made Aphrodite sick to her own stomach and angry in ways she rarely ever felt in her lifetime. It was even made worse by her dingy living conditions.

"This is worse than what the actual Grecian prisons…"Aphrodite said as she tried to remain calm and patient.

She had sent her message to Ember and she knew that she was now immune to the effects of this time stream , so all she had to was remain patient and strong until her friend comes to free her. She wasn't worried about that. Ember was a smart and capable woman and she knew that if anyone would be able to a have chance to set things right, it was her.

After that…Oh, what she had planned for Plasmius and Paulina once she regains her freedom.

"Those two have no idea of the grave mistakes they have made…'Aphrodite growled.

For Paulina, what she planned to do with her would make that ugly curse she placed on her seem tamed in comparison and as for Vlad…Oh, she had something very special in store for him.

But until then, she had to wait.

Later

"I hate this…" Ember thought in exhaustion.

This castle was absolutely enormous and she spent hours searching the entire west wing alone. She had to try and find some form of vault that could hold the time staff but each attempt has come up short. But she wasn't going to give up, now was time to search the east wing.

"Once I have that staff, everything will be alright and once I get my hands on Plasmius, he's gonna-…'Ember's angry thoughts were cut off when she entered a new room and saw something that made her freeze in place.

Just there, about 10 feet away from her was the love of her life, Danny, who was currently preoccupied with his phone and didn't see her yet.

"Danny…'Ember thought, almost in a daze.

He was right there…so close…Ember almost couldn't control herself as she found herself taking some steps to get closer to him. She just wanted to see him, hold him and make him remember her and the love that was between them. She was only five feet away from him when all of a sudden, a new person entered the room.

"Oh darling, I'm back…'A shrill voice echoed.

Ember froze once more when she saw Paulina, no longer as ugly as a sin, reenter the room and glomp Danny who didn't fight her off.

"Did you miss me?...'Paulina cooed as she kissed his cheek.

"Sure…'Danny said as he had his arms around her.

Unknown to him, Ember felt her heart ache and her temper about to flare up. She was seeing her man with another woman, one who was being a little too hands-y for her taste.

"That skank…'Ember growled, trying to keep her emotions under control and not cause a scene.

This was a very delicate situation and she couldn't give herself away…but it really hurt…It hurt so much to see her man in the arms of another woman. The same vile woman she saved him from 8 years ago and the same one who was wearing her engagement ring.

"Anyway I just got a call from Sarah, she said my wedding dress should be here by tomorrow morning, special delivery…I can't wait to try it on…"Paulina said happily.

"And I can't wait to see you in it darling…'Danny said, causing her to smile.

"You should, it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride in that dress before the big day…"Paulina said in a "tut tut" way.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he never ends up seeing you in that dress…"Ember thought angrily as she just stewed there, trying to act like she wasn't obviously spying on their conversation.

"Oh servant girl, I am done with my tea…"Paulina said in a snooty voice.

Ember gritted her teeth but remained calm and she used all of her will power to not throttle the pink bitch and took the tray with the tea on it. It was a real challenge resisting the urge to smash it over Paulina's head.

'Also I would like some more cucumber finger sandwiches, chop chop…'Paulina ordered.

"Believe me, I would really like to give you the finger right about now…'Ember thought as she went to get the tray with the sandwiches in a nearby cart.

Since the room was big and the cart was at the other end of it, Danny and Paulina couldn't see it when Ember spat inside one of the sandwiches before putting it back together. She then handed the tray to Paulina and didn't try to smirk when she saw the Latina bimbo eat the tampered snack, totally oblivious to what she just did it.

"Anyway, it's getting late and I should catch up on my beauty sleep, not that I need any…'Paulina said happily.

"I know and remember the jeweler said he would come here tomorrow with the new selection of engagement rings to replace this one…"Danny reminded, surprising Ember.

' I can't wait to finally see a ring that is worthy of us…'Paulina said happily.

"What? Oh no, she didn't…'Ember thought furiously.

It was bad enough that Paulina was fucking up the time stream and stole her fiancé but now she was going to replace her engagement ring. Such a thought made Ember want to attack her but she was restraining by a thread.

"I'll walk you out…"Danny said as he took her hand.

Ember watched them walk out and she knew she couldn't watch this but she couldn't let them out of her sight. She discreetly followed behind them and she saw Danny take Paulina outside where a limousine was awaiting her. She couldn't hear what they were saying but she saw Paulina squeal about something and wrapped her arms around Danny, kissing him and she doubted it was a chase kiss.

"That's supposed to be me…'Ember thought as her anger was soon being replaced with sadness.

She felt her eyes begin to tear up and some were falling, despite her hard attempts to stop them.

It was pure torture watching them together like that. It was even worse because she knew Danny wasn't even in real love with her. Paulina was forcing him to love her again and if she didn't undo it soon, she would be seeing Danny end up married to her and then her entire afterlife really will be over.

"No…Never! I'll save you from her and the fruit loop Danny…I promise…" Ember thought as she watched the limousine drive away.

She knew that she had to get to Danny somehow before either Paulina or Vlad return tomorrow.

"There's got to be something I can do…'Ember muttered as she saw Danny reenter the castle.

She ran to where he was, trying to think of a way to fix things before things got worse.

Downstairs

Danny had reentered his castle and felt tired. Today was a long day of Paulina and her wedding details. He loved her but she was almost a little too excited with the prospect of them getting married. He knew they should be excited but he was worried they might have been moving a little fast.

"I'm being ridiculous…Paulina loves me…We have been together for years and it's high time we get married…and father keeps saying that I have to continue the family line since I'm heir…"Danny thought as he got inside.

Since he was a prince and son of the Emperor of the world, he knew that it was his duty to take a wife. He was at least happy that his father seemed eager to watch him marry the girl he's loved since high school. He even gave him the encouragement to go through with the proposal when he brought it up.

Paulina was happy, his parents were happy to know that he would be married and he should be happy to…but…

"Why do I keep feeling like something isn't right here?...'Danny thought somberly.

He really couldn't explain it but ever since he proposed, he couldn't help but feel that something was missing from his life but he didn't know what it was. Those dreams he has been having lately were getting more vivid as well but he still didn't know what they meant yet either and he wasn't sure if he should even bring it up. He didn't understand anything but for a while he couldn't help but feel…empty?

As he was so lost in his thoughts, he ended up bumping into someone. They were knocked to the ground and he saw that it was one of the servants.

"Oh I'm sorry…I wasn't watching where I was going…"Danny quickly apologized and helped her get up.

"No, I'm sorry…"The servant said as she got up.

However, he saw her eyes and noticed something. It was her eyes. They were a very bright shade of green…and they seemed familiar?...Like he has seen them before?

"Um…have we met?...'Danny asked, until he recalled her uniform….."Oh, um…you're the new maid?...'He asked in a nice way.

"You could say that…I'm Kate…the one with the finger sandwiches…"The servant girl said with a bow.

'Oh yeah…Well, they were delicious….Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you Kate, I hope you enjoy working in the palace…"Danny said politely.

"So…how was your evening with Paulina?...'Kate asked.

Danny blinked at that. It was unusual for servants to talk in such a casual way but Danny honestly didn't mind.

"Very much…She's really excited for the wedding…'Danny said and he didn't notice that she winced at that.

"Oh I bet she is…'Kate said, though Danny couldn't help but wonder what she meant by that.

"It must be so nice…To be able to marry someone you love…"Kate said slowly.

"It is…'Danny said, though he wondered what was up with her.

"Are…Are you happy as well?...I mean excited?..."Kate asked him.

Danny was surprised by that question but decided to answer her, since she was new and she seemed nice enough.

"I am…'Danny said, though for some reason, he felt that weird emptiness when he said that.

What was happening to him lately?

Kate didn't answer after that, she then excused herself to go back to her chores. Danny watched her but couldn't help but feel something strange as he looked at her retreating form. He couldn't explain it but he had a feeling that there was something about Kate…though he wasn't sure what it was.

"I must be feeling tired…I should hit the hay…'Danny thought as he retreated to his bedroom for the evening.

Though he spent the night wondering about Kate, the strange new maid, her green eyes and still wondering if he had seen her before. He couldn't explain it but that strange emptiness he felt earlier. He didn't feel it when he spoke to her for that one moment.

"This is getting weird…'Danny thought as he tried to get some sleep.

Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

To be continued-

Next time on Unshattered Bonds

Confusion

REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:

Guest: That's just Vlad for ya, everyone is a pawn to him, even a younger version of himself to use to improve his own life. As for Paulina with the ring, that was just an example of how shallow she truly is and that she only cares about having Danny all to herself. Only a truly selfish woman would be picky about the kind of engagement ring they would get from the man they supposedly love.

Invader Johnny: I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

Feurrige: In this timeline, Walker didn't exactly see Danny as his enemy but I always suspected that Walker would pull a Fright Knight and just work for whatever tyrant to serve his own needs. That's my opinion anyway.

RedKnight21: Eh, this is my portrayal of her in this fanfic universe. Just to show how obsessions and arrogance can turn a somewhat normal/shallow human into a selfish beast. Not unlike Vlad once upon a time.

:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)