Clockwork's Realm

Clockwork watches Danny on a monitor as he flies back home. A huge smile comes onto his face. "Everything is falling into place. Ah, before I forget." He opens his palms and two small energy orbs form. "Go to Daniel and Amber." The two energy spheres fly out of the realm toward the two teenagers. "They will need those for later. Now time to see my loving sister about the arrangements." Clockwork vanishes from sight.

Ghost Zone

'I can't believe the day I've had. I had a great time with Ember of all people. Still she isn't who she use to be. But, what possessed me to kiss her? I never thought I would have done that. What's even worse, I did it without thinking. She looked so beautiful though.' He tried pushing the thought into the back of his mind as his home came in view. He flew into the basement and stared into the quiet darkness.

'I can't take it back now. She probably didn't even notice. Anyway, I should go to bed. Everyone should be back in the morning.' He phased into his room and jumped into bed. 'At least I can see her tomorrow.' Danny laid unaware of the orb that phased into his body as he slept.

Morning came and the sound of his family woke him. 'Everyone must be back.' Danny got up and got ready. Afterwards, he headed downstairs to his family gathered around the table.

"Morning everyone." said Danny taking a seat next to Jazz.

"Morning sweetheart, how was your day yesterday?" Jazz looked at Danny and winked. Danny just smiled in response. "It was good. Nothing major happened. How was the convention?"

"It was fantastic Danny boy. We showed off the Fenton Locator and it was the talk of the town." Said his father with an ice pack on his head.

"That is until your father ate too many fudge bars and passed out hitting a steel table. He was out for two hours. It was fun nevertheless. Let's eat while it's hot." The family ate and talked throughout the morning. After breakfast, Danny left upstairs as Jazz followed. "So little bro, how was your date?"

Danny could feel his cheeks turn red. "It was pretty good. I took her to the field in the mountains and we had a picnic."

"That's sweet Danny. I didn't know you had it in you." He opened his bedroom door and Jazz saw his guitar lying against his bed. "Danny, when did you bring your guitar out?"

"Yesterday, I told Ember that I use to play guitar and I had to give up on it to master my powers. She said she would teach me how to play again and she spent all afternoon helping me. After that, I made us dinner, she fell asleep and I took her home."

Jazz stood there surprised. 'All of that happened in one day.' "Seems like you two are becoming rather close."

Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, you can say that again."

"What does that mean?" asked Jazz raising an eyebrow and smiling.

"Uhhh nothing. She just invited me over to her realm today to hang out again."

"So, another date huh?" she said teasing.

"It's not a date Jazz." 'Even though it felt like one.'

"You didn't deny it was a date earlier little bro." she said laughing. "Don't worry Danny, your secret is safe with me. Besides, you should enjoy yourself. You're about to head into another confrontation. It's best to enjoy the time you have."

"Thanks Jazz. It means a lot knowing I can trust you with this."

"You're my little brother and I will do whatever I can to help. Enjoy your time with Ember okay. Just let mom and dad know you're heading out."

Danny nodded. "I will." Danny headed downstairs to his mother cleaning and his dad reading the newspaper. "Hey mom and dad, I'm heading out for today."

"Where are you heading to Danny boy?" asked his father still icing his head injury.

"I'm heading to the Ghost Zone to meet up with Ember."

His mom poked her head out of the kitchen. "Okay, sweetie. Be home before dinner and be careful honey."

"I will mom. I will be back later tonight." Danny transformed and flew into the portal heading to Ember's realm.

Ember's Realm

Ember slept peacefully and was unaware of the energy that phased into her body as well during the night. She quickly woke up to a knocking at her door. She got up and flew downstairs. She opened it and was locked in tight hug. "Hey girl!" said Kitty.

"Hey Kitty. What's up?" said Ember trying to free herself. Kitty finally let go and smiled at her friend. "So, how did your date go?" A grin came onto her face as she could feel her cheeks heat up.

"Kitty, it wasn't a da.., never mind. It was great."

Kitty yelled. "Tell me everything!" She flew in and Ember filled her in about her day with Danny. "After dinner, I fell asleep by accident. He carried me all the way here and laid me in bed."

Kitty couldn't help but smile as she saw how happy Ember was. "Awww that's so sweet. I guess I get to keep my CD collection. I knew he would do something like that."

"Yeah, he's more amazing than I thought." Kitty nudged her in the arm.

"So, did you kiss him goodnight after he brought you home?" said Kitty with a sly smile.

Ember blushed thinking about Danny kissing her forehead. Kitty noticed her face change. "Did you?"

She shook her head. "He kissed me on the forehead." She said softly.

"What! No he didn't." Kitty yelled.

Ember face was entirely red now. "Yeah, he did."

She twiddled her thumbs looking down. "It was completely unexpected. I didn't know what to do. He just smiled and walked away. Strange enough, it reminded me of my mother."

Ember suddenly grew quiet and so did Kitty. 'I know Ember never likes talking about her old life. None of us do really.' Suddenly, a smile grew on Ember's face. "But, he's coming over today."

"Dating back to back huh. I guess there are no breaks on this train." 'They will be together in no time.'

"I told him it's only fair since I fell asleep."

"Wow, you really told him that? Sounds like you two are becoming close friends." Kitty smiled. 'Or maybe more.'

"He's better than I thought. To be honest, I was waiting for him to give me a reason to hate him. But in the end, he gave me every reason to like him."

"Awwwwww, Ember's in love." Ember blushed at her friend's taunt.

"No I'm not! We're just really good friends. That's all."

"Don't deny it. Besides, this is the farthest you've ever gotten with a guy. You remember your first date with Skulker."

"What first date." Replied Ember sarcastically. "He took me to his realm and showed me how to a make beaver pelt." She shuddered at the thought.

"Beaver memories aside, when is he coming?"

"I told him around 12."

"Okay." Kitty looked at the clock hanging on the wall.

"It's like 11:55. He's probably on his way now. What do you plan to do?" 'I honestly didn't think that far.' Ember shrugged her shoulders.

"You have no clue do you?" Ember smiled.

"You better think quickly. Knowing him, he's probably floating at your door right about no.." A slow knock at the door proves her point. Kitty looked at Ember saying 'I told you so.' Ember shot back a look saying 'Miss know it all.' Ember flew over to the door and opened it to Danny with a huge smile on his face.

"Hey Ember. How are you?" she stepped aside as Danny walked in.

"Pretty good. How about you?"

"Good." Danny looked to Kitty sitting on the couch and said, "Oh hey Kitty. How are you today?"

"Fine. I can tell your having a good day."

"Yeah, you can say that." Danny blushed looking at Ember.

"Well, I don't mean to intrude since Ember has something planned for you two today. Johnny's taking me out to a new restaurant in Amity."

"That's great. How is Johnny? I haven't seen him in a while."

Kitty was surprised. "He's doing well actually."

"That's good." 'Things have been quiet in Amity without the regular ghostly disturbances.'

"So Emy, what are you guys doing today." 'Darn you Kitty.'

Ember was silent for a minute before she said, "I was thinking I could take Danny to see Elemental's Point."

"Wow Emy, I can't believe this."

"What? That's not a good idea?"

"No, it's a great idea. I didn't know you two were on a first name basis." Ember stuttered as she said, "O..of course, w.w..we're friends after all."

"If you say so. Anyway, I better not keep my man waiting. You two have fun."

"Thanks Kitty. Tell Johnny I said hello." Kitty was taken back once again by Danny's words. 'He really is a great guy.'

"I will let him know. See you guys later." Kitty waved as she flew towards her home. They stood in silence waiting for the other to speak.

"Thanks again for yesterday Danny. I really had a good time with you."

'It shouldn't be this weird having her say my name.' "I'm glad you had a good time."

"Before we go, how about I make lunch for us. I can show off my cooking skills now." She winked.

"Sounds good to me." 'There she goes again making me feel funny. Feels like I have butterflies in my stomach.'

"Good, you take a look around while I'm busy in the kitchen. Don't come in until I call for you. Understand?" Danny nodded. She smiled and ran into the kitchen as Danny looked around her home. Her home looked similar to his's but it was the pictures that caught his attention.

'These pictures are amazing and they were photographed too. I wonder who took them.' He looked in the corner and saw a fancy A written in blue ink. 'I wonder whose signature that is.' Danny wondered into the kitchen and smiled. 'Sweet payback.' He thought.

"Ember McLain in an apron. Never thought I would see the day." Said Danny playfully. She turned around as her face turned red.

"Danny, you were supposed to stay in living room." Danny smiled as he could see her red with embarrassment. "Sorry, I couldn't miss seeing you in apron but, I wanted to ask about the pictures in the living room. Who took the photos?"

Ember washed her hands and placed a bowl of seafood pasta in the center. "I will tell you after we eat okay."

"Deal. This looks amazing Ember and I bet it tastes just as good." Ember blushed. "Well dig in so we can go." After they ate, they cleaned up and were heading toward Elemental's Point. Danny flew close behind Ember as she led the way.

"Thanks again for lunch. It was great." Ember laughed. "No problem. I'm glad you liked it. We're almost there."

"Cool, so what is this place exactly?"

"I will show you baby pop. Look, we're here." She pointed toward a large mountain with several caverns located along the side. Ember slowed down and grabbed Danny's hand before they flew toward the biggest cave. They landed at the entrance and looked deep into the dark opening.

"Ready for some fun?" Danny nodded. "Stay close so you don't get lost." They walked in and Ember's hair flared up. It illuminated the entire cavern and it looked as clear as day.

"Come on." They walked further in until they saw a faint glow coming deep within. A few seconds later, they entered a chamber with different colored rocks petruding from the walls. Each shined like a flawless diamond.

"Ember, what is all of this?" said Danny looking around with wide eyes.

"This cave has jewels that hold the essence of each type of core a ghost can have." She pointed at a red rock. "That one is a fire core crystal. It's the one I have."

"Wow, who else has a fire core?" He said touching it. 'It feels really warm. I wonder what these rocks do exactly.'

"For example the tin can has one." She said scowling.

"Skulker has one too. So, I guess I have an ice core then." Said Danny making an ice crystal in his hand.

"Yes and no, it's that blue on over there." She pointed toward a blue gem on the ceiling.

"What do you mean yes and no?"

"Alright, here's the run down. The red are fire, blue is water, green is air, and brown is earth. The cores can also evolve. For example, your core is technically water but, it's evolved into an ice core. Aside from these evolutions, there are mixtures too."

"Mixtures?"

"Some ghosts become powerful enough to have two cores. Unfortunately, I can't really think of anyone."

Danny shook as he thought of the one person he hated more than anything. "I can think of someone." Ember looked to him as he had that same look of hatred when they spoke of his evil self.

"Danny, are you thinking about him?" He nodded.

"When I fought him, he had all my powers and more. I believe he has both ice and fire cores. He used fire attacks against me just like the fruit loop. Thankfully, I think he never got the training he needed to use his ice powers like I did."

"It is possible. He is strong and without a doubt he possessed the trait of a fire core."

"What do you mean?" asked Danny as Ember pointed to her fiery locks. "I noticed your evil self had fiery hair too. But, it only shows in full ghost."

'So that's why Plasmius doesn't have fiery hair.' "Oh, that makes sense. I think the fiery hair looks better on you though." Ember blushed. "Each person gains there core based on how they became a ghost." She said looking away.

"What do you mean?" Ember eyes fell to the ground. 'That must mean how she died. I don't want to bring up any bad memories.'

"I'm sorry Ember. I didn't mean to upset you." She shook her head. "It's fine Danny. It's not your fault." Ember continued to look away.

'She must have had a hard life while being human. I feel like it will be a while before she tells me anything. Well until then, all I can do is be there for her.' Danny walked over to her and hugged her tight. She was taken by surprise as he held her close. 'There he goes again comforting me.'

"Ember, I'm sorry for whatever happened that keeps causing you pain. I wish I could take that pain away from you."

"Danny." Was all she could manage to say.

"I want you to know that I'm here for you okay. Don't worry. Everything will be fine." Danny said in a soft tone. Ember closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist. She couldn't stop the tears as memories flooded her mind. They stood there for only a few minutes but, it seemed like an eternity. She stopped crying and just enjoyed the embrace she shared with Danny. 'This is the first time I've ever been held like this. I feel bad about ruining our day. Why is this happening so much lately? Is it because I feel like I can trust him? Kitty is the only person I've cried around. Everything he does for me reminds me of my mother. She was the only one who loved me and now I feel like I may have someone else to add to that list.'