Merry Christmas Everyone! Thanks to everyone who has been following my story this far. Please let me of any suggestion for this story or any new stories you may want to see for the new year. Everything is much appreciated and thank you again! Here is the new chapter! Enjoy and Happy New Year.


Fenton Works Night

In the quiet of his room, Danny sat on his bed with his older sister Jazz occupying his desk.

"I'm stuffed." said Danny falling backwards. "Mom really has gotten better with cooking."

"That's because they stopped using their inventions drenched in ectoplasm to cook."

"You mean like the time mom made hot dogs and they chased us around the backyard." Jazz shuddered at the thought of having to combat food on a daily basis.

"Yeah but, this summer has presented even more surprises." Jazz smiled at her younger brother. 'Especially the fact you're dating your enemy.'

"I was even more surprised that you invited the Fright Knight…"

"Ridere." said Danny correcting his sister.

"Sorry. I was surprised that you invited Ridere to dinner." Danny sat back up and looked out his window. The night sky was painted with stars and a cool breeze brought trees to life.

"He isn't as evil as I thought. It just helps me understand that my enemies are more like us."

"Do you think that goes for Braedon too?" asked Jazz standing up. Danny gaze fell to the hard wood floor.

"I don't know." 'I don't know much about him to be honest.'

"Either way, I know you'll do great little brother."

"Thanks Jazz." She walked toward his door and stepped into the hallway.

"No problem Danny. You better head to bed. The days are slowly counting down." Danny nodded.

"Goodnight Jazz."

"Goodnight Danny." She closed his bedroom door and headed for her room. Danny turned off his lights and laid in the darkness. Focusing again on the starry display, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

'Eron.'

"Yes Daniel."

'Do you think I'm strong enough to beat Braedon?'

"Why do you ask?"

'He almost took over the ghost zone. That means he's extremely powerful right?'

"Daniel. Strength isn't measured by power but, will and purpose. You strengthen your will through training and your purpose reinforces it."

'That doesn't really answer my question Eron.'

"Only you can provide the answer. It's your will versus his and the strongest warrior will win. Now rest my friend."

'Okay, goodnight Eron.'

"Goodnight Daniel." Danny closed his eyes focusing on the trails ahead. Suddenly, an image of Ember came into his mind. 'I wonder how Ember is. I don't want her to feel like I haven't been thinking about her.'

Next Day Amity Park

Ember, Dani, Kitty, Spectra and Desiree all sat in the local café drinking tea after a long day of shopping. Each in a human disguise enjoying the splendor of the human world.

"Ahh, it's been a while since I was here." said Kitty placing her cup down. "I hate being stuck in the ghost zone."

"Most definitely. It's quieter than usual since we're preparing for war." said Spectra.

"Speaking of preparing, how are you guys here?" asked Dani sipping her cup of hot chocolate.

"The training was more for those who possess noncombatant abilities or who have little training as to use their powers. In our case, we've had years of practice and trained only for one day. Now we're free to enjoy ourselves until the day of battle." Desiree responded pushing her tea aside.

"That makes sense." Ember said looking off to a couple in the center. She sighed causing her company to follow her gaze. They turned back to her with a smile gracing their faces.

"Missing your boyfriend?" Ember met her friend's gaze.

"We haven't really spent any time together since our date."

"I will take that as a yes." responded Spectra. "How did you and the ghost boy get involved anyway?" Ember perked up immediately as she recalled the events that led up to the present.

"Wow, he's quite the charmer. I thought he was an over confident, boastful child. I see now I was wrong and I see you've grown too Ember." smiled Spectra. Ember responded with the raising of her brow.

"You're kind, patient and more open. I can see that he's has been quite the influence on you." Ember smiled. 'You have no idea.'

Kitty eyes suddenly widened and then grinned looking to Ember.

"Speak of the devil." Ember quickly turned around to Danny walking down the sidewalk.

"Danny? What is he doing?"

"Who is that with him?" asked Desiree noticing the unfamiliar being walking by his side.

"That's Ridere." Desiree opened her mouth to question who it was but Ember quickly said, "Otherwise known as the Fright Knight." All the girls gasped except her and Dani.

"Come on Ember. Let's go see your boyfriend." Kitty said with a wink. Everyone nodded as they paid and left out to follow the two.

Danny and Ridere were returning to Fenton Works after visiting the mall. Clutched in Danny's hand was a small gift box wrapped in blue paper.

"Thanks again for the company Ridere. I don't think it would have been as easy by myself."

"No worries Danny. I'm honored to accompany you. I believe your partner will enjoy it." Danny's cheeks turned red.

"We're not really partners."

"However, you do share a deep affection for her?" Danny sighed heavily peering at the box in his grasp.

"I do Ridere. I guess I'm still afraid."

"What troubles you?" Looking forward, Danny sighed again.

"I can say that I have feelings for her more than a friend. It's seems strange since we've only been friends for a short time but, I've always thought she was beautiful and amazing."

"Then, what prevents your confession to her."

"I'm afraid of hurting her."

"Why are you afraid of that? You possess a pure and kind heart. Why would that even cross your mind?"

"When I met Clockwork, he showed me an evil grown up version of myself. He took lives with no hesitation and everyone I cared about was gone. Ever since the thermos that held him was stolen, those memories never stop. I'm afraid of anyone getting hurt during this war."

"But especially her." reassured Ridere.

"Yeah. Believe it or not, I'm scared about whether or not I can be the hero everyone expects me to be." Ridere placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "Danny. Do you know why I was called the Fright Knight?" Danny shook his head.

"Aside from being called the spirit of Halloween and being imprisoned in a pumpkin." Ridere chuckled.

"Yes, aside from that. The Halloween spirit title is beyond my understanding but, Pariah named me because I revealed no fear in battle. I faced every opponent with confidence and ferocity. Therefore, I became the fear of my enemies."

"How can you not feel fear?"

"I was taught how to overcome it by facing it head on. Believe it or not, when I was young, I was afraid of heights. My master took me on a journey to the highest mountain top in our region. He told me to stand at the edge and stare toward the ground. Fear immediately overtook me and I began to step backwards. I took only two steps and felt something sharp against my spine."

"Those two steps are in the wrong direction Ridere. How can you expect to stand against your enemy when you can't see through an illusion?" He said with a sword in my back.

"An illusion?" asked Danny.

"Yes. I stood there the entire day looking down and meeting my nightmares face to face. I learned that day that fears are nothing more than a mental fabrication. My master wasn't afraid because he, as he would phrase it, saw through the mist our mind creates. I only came to this understanding by feeling the fear and still choosing to fight. That is what you must do my friend."

Danny was silent as his words raced through his mind. 'It makes sense. I won't know until the time comes.'

"You've trained hard for this Danny. Put all that hard work toward protecting what is important. Only then can you reinforce your will and emerge victorious."

"Thanks Ridere." 'He sounds too much like Eron.'

"Danny! Ridere!" Both warriors turned to the group of girls following close up behind. A smile came quickly onto the halfa's face as Ember walked closer.

'Oh no, the gift. I can't let them see this.' He made it vanish into a portal. Ember ran up to him and embraced him. He returned the hug and they could hear the giggles behind them.

"Hello ladies. How is everyone?" The girls all responded, "Good."

Desiree spoke first looking at the man beside him. "Are you truly the Fright Knight?"

"Yes, I am." He smiled. Desiree averted her gaze to the sidewalk as her cheeks became a light red.

"What is your name milady?" Still looking away, Desiree replied, "I am Desiree."

"It is truly a pleasure." He said walking before her, taking her hand and kissing it tenderly. Her face was full on red as she mumbled, "It's a pleasure to meet you too."

Kitty inched closer to Spectra and Ember. "Seems that Desiree has a potential boyfriend girls." she whispered. They nodded and grinned. Dani cleared her throat to gather attention.

"Danny, what are you doing today?"

"Ridere and I were just out at the mall today. Spending some time before the main event. What about you guys?"

"We went shopping earlier and were going to the beach afterwards."

"How about you two come and join us." said Ember pointing from Danny to Ridere.

"Sure, sounds like fun."

"Indeed." agreed Ridere.

"Alright, let's go." They flew off to the beach and the rest of the day passed like the wind. Danny and Ember spent the entire trip together much like Ridere and Desiree. Danny and Ember sat in the sand viewing the setting sun. Everyone else returned to the ghost zone leaving the two alone.

"Danny, why did you guys go to the mall?" Danny jumped from her sudden question.

"Uhhh well, I had to go and purchase something."

"What is it?"

"Sorry, I can't show you." Ember pouted at Danny.

"Please. You can show me. Is it a gift for your mom or something?"

"You could say that."

"Come on, I promise not to tell."

"Are you sure you want to see it?" She nodded.

"Alright but, you have to close your eyes." Ember happily shut her eyes. Danny pulled the box out of his dimension and held it in front of her. He took a deep breath and said, "Okay. Open your eyes."

She quickly opened her eyes to a blue box in Danny's hand.

"Danny, what's that?"

"A gift for you." Ember looked at him bewildered as she pointed to herself.

"Why did you get a gift for me?" Danny's cheek slowly became red.

"It's a late birthday gift." Ember's face followed his example as she couldn't help but smile and blush.

"Thank you Danny." He handed it to her and her heartbeat quickened.

"Open it." She tore through the paper and uncovered a black box. Her eyes widened with anticipation as she took off the lid. Within was a silver necklace with a blue crystal pendant. She picked it up and saw the words "Happy Birthday Ember Your Friend Always Danny." engraved on the back. Ember couldn't stop the tear that rushed down her cheek.

"Happy Birthday Ember." Ember stared at Danny smiling at her.

"Danny, it's beautiful."

"Yeah, it reminds me of you." He looked into her eyes as he continued.

"I wanted to give you something that is a sign of friendship and a reminder of all the memories we have created together these past few weeks. Thank you Ember for being an amazing friend." Ember launched toward him and locked him in a tight hug.

"Thank you Danny. No one has ever been this nice to me before." He wrapped his arms around her.

"Well, I take it you like it." She kissed his cheek and backed away. He touched his tingling face.

"Danny, I have a confession to make." Danny let his hand fall to his side as all his attention fell to Ember.

"Remember when you said that you thought I was beautiful the first time you met me." He nodded.

"I did think you were kind of cute after our first encounter. I didn't pursue those thoughts because we were from two different worlds back then. You were a human forced into fighting ghost and I was a ghost rock star looking for meaning in her existence." He smiled warmly as he placed his hand over hers.

"Ember I…" She cut him off by saying, "Thankfully, now I know that I have people who care for me and who I can call family. Thank you dipstick for not leaving that night."

Danny smiled from ear to ear. "I'm glad I was able to help Ember." The sun was completely gone. Danny stood and offered his hand to Ember. She gladly took it.

"Time to go home."

"Yeah, unfortunately but, thank you for the wonderful time baby pop."

"No thanks necessary. May I walk you home milady?" Ember lighted slapped his shoulder.

"I wouldn't have it any other way Sir Dipstick." They laughed as he opened a portal to her realm. Floating outsider her door, Danny and Ember said their goodnights and parted ways. Flying through the void, Danny smiled thinking about the girl he's begun to fall for.

'We really have become closer. After this war, I will tell her how I really feel.' The rest of the week passed quickly as the day of reckoning was quickly upon them.

Fenton Works Friday Morning

Danny stood in his basement with a feeling of déjà vu. There before him was his family looking worried and anxious. Much like they looked before he left for training. He wore his cloak and his enlarged scythe clutched in his fist. Suddenly, Danny's fiery friend appeared through the portal with Dani beside her. He smiled.

"Okay guys. I'm off to Clockworks'."

"Please be careful dear." Maddie said.

"Go get em Danny boy." said Jack standing beside his wife.

"You got this Danny. Make us proud." Jazz said as everyone joined in one big hug. They released Danny. He walked toward the doorway into the ghost realm and took one last look back.

"I will be back everyone. I promise to stop this guy and be home before you know it." He passed through and Dani waved then, quickly followed. Before Ember could follow, Maddie grabbed her by the hand. Ember looked to Danny's mother as tears rushed down her cheek. Without a word, Ember said, "Don't worry Mrs. Fenton. I will watch Danny's back. I promise."

"Thank you Ember." She wiped her eyes and smiled letting go. Ember gave a nod and went into the portal. On the other side, she came to Danny and his cousin waiting for her.

"Everything okay?" Ember glanced back at the swirling doorway.

"Yeah, everything's just fine. Come on, we have a war to win."