AN: hey guys, sorry it took me so long to update. Check out my profile on what's going on, all right? Well, I want to thank all of you who reviewed, I love you all. Since I'm having computer problems, I won't be able to reply to the reviews like I used to. So, in general, thank you all and I love you so much for reading and enjoying my work. I make these stories for you. Oh, and sorry for the language to come, it's rated PG-13! Gotta make it that way lol.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Danny Phantom

True Love

Danny tried his best to remain as normal as possible, but it grew harder and harder to keep his act alive. Every time he saw Sam, she was kissing Derek passionately. It sickened him to even be in the same school, yet he had to keep going. His grades were failing enough already.

After school, Danny would go to the Internet Café and look up information on Dark Shadow, the name that Derek's ghost form appears under. For a few days there was no lead, but he was hoping that'd change soon.

Tucker would call him late at night, telling him everything Derek and Sam did together when Danny wasn't around. It just seemed that Derek was the head in the relationship, which didn't sound a thing like Sam. She was the type of girl to express her feelings no matter what the situation, and when she hated to do something, she wouldn't do it. Yet, from what Tucker was saying, she was doing a lot of things she was against.

"Alrighty," Danny said, taking a seat in his usual chair at the Café. There were only a few other people with him this time, which was the perfect amount that he loved. Not enough people to see him turn ghost in a horrible situation, yet plenty of people to justify him actually being there. "Let's see what I can dig up today," he whispered, going to his past search links.

"Been there," he said, mentally crossing that link off in his mind. "Nothing there, or there, or here, hmm, a little here, but not enough…."

He continued to cross of every link until he made it to the last page, feeling tired and bored. "Okay, what's this last link?" He asked himself as he read it over.

"The Legend of Dark Shadow. He disguises himself as a young, handsome man in order to obtain the most beautiful and strong spirited girl in the generation gap. Using his ghost powers, he controls the girl of his choosing by keeping her heart in his hands, enabling him to change her actions to something that fits his needs. After having full control over his chosen one, he will take her away to his tower, and fulfill the ritual that will restore his body with enormous power and strength, and the young girl he chose will become his new bride."

Danny could feel his mouth drop, and he could only stare at the words in front of him. "He's… controlling her?" He shouted, alarming the other surfers in the room. "What's the ritual?" He glanced around the screen, and found the "more information" button. With a hard "click," he continued to read.

"The ritual, which would be carried out once Dark Shadow has his bride to be, consists of the blood of the true love of the girl he chose. Dark Shadow will then lay his bride on the altar, while he completes the ceremony. After it is complete, he will become stronger and be able to control every breath his new bride takes. Thus making him the most powerful ghost in the world – and the next."

Danny fell back in his seat. Sam was going to be controlled by him forever, unless Danny could find out who her true love is and keep him protected from Derek for as long as he needs to. Which would be until he comes up with a better plan.

"I gotta call Tucker," Danny said, grabbing his backpack and rushing off towards home.

"So, Derek is actually using Sam to become stronger?" Tucker asked, walking back and forth as he asked his questions again.

"Yes, and after the ritual is complete, Sam will become his bride, and she won't have any control over her life again," Danny said, sitting on the edge of his bed, watching Tucker pace the floor.

"And we need to find this true love of hers so that can't happen?"

"Exactly," Danny said. "But, who finds their true love at fourteen? This is going to be more complicated than we thought."

Tucker sighed, "Maybe. I mean, we won't figure out who the guy is unless Derek tells you himself."

Danny sighed, "Yeah, I guess that won't happen. It's up to us, Tuck. We have to save Sam."

Darkness surrounded him. His only ray of light was the tall light standing next to him. But even that wasn't enough. Danny glanced around him, seeing nothing but darkness, pure darkness.

"I've got to stop dreaming," Danny whispered to himself. A burst of icy wind swept across him, and he wrapped his arms around him for warmth. His ghost sense told him enough. But it was too late. He already knew what was coming.

"Dark Shadow," Danny said, seeing a shadow come up through the floor. "It's about time you showed your true form."

Dark grinned, his fangs a dirty yellow. "I had to make sure it was the right time, other wise it would have been pointless."

"Well, you couldn't have picked the more perfect timing, Dark," Danny said. "Because I'm in the mood to kick your ass."

Dark flew around him like a fly around garbage. "You do realize you can't go ghost in your dream, don't you?"

"Uh… now I do."

Dark chuckled, "You really are pathetic, Danny Phantom. You're going to loose your best friend in a few hours, and you're still worried about finding her true love."

Danny frowned, "You've found him already."

Dark nodded, "I sure have, Danny. And at midnight tonight, I shall have the power to control the ghost zone, and your precious friend."

"You won't get away with this!" Danny shouted.

"Why don't you try and stop me?" He chuckled again, sinking down back into the ground. "See you at midnight, Phantom."

Danny awoke with a fright, and before he could even wipe the sweat away from his brow, he turned to his ghost form and rushed off. "There's no way he's going to control Sam," Danny said as he flew across the night sky.

Sam couldn't control her actions anymore. Derek had complete control over her body. The only thing he couldn't get was her spirit, and that she was never giving up. It was eleven at night, and he had taken her to a old home in the outskirts of town. It was a home that Sam and Danny used to trick-or-treat at when they were kids. It was the ideal Halloween horror home that they enjoyed.

But this horror was different than a goofy costume and bags of candy. She was going to loose control of her life forever if she didn't stop Derek soon. The only problem was, she couldn't.

"Doesn't it look lovely?" Derek said, handing her a dusty white dress. "My last bride wore it so wonderfully, and I believe you will too."

"Of course, My Lord," Sam said, wishing she could take it back. I wish I could tear this dress and wrap it around your neck!

He ran his finger along her cheek, dragging it softly down her jaw. "You truly are beautiful, My Dear. I am going to enjoy these thousand years together so much."

"As am I, Sire," Sam replied. Yeah right! I'd rather die!

"Now, run along and put that dress on. We will be having our guest of honor arriving soon."

Sam turned and walked into the other room, wishing she could feel the hope she used to. With Derek controlling her heart, he controlled her emotions as well. She couldn't cry even if she wanted to.

The dress was faded white, stains of blood and something yellow – she didn't want to know what it really was – were scattered around it. Floral lace made the sleeves, and she tried to get her fingers through it without running through other holes. After pulling it over her head, she had to fight it down her body.

After it was on her, she paused, glancing at herself in the mirror across from her. She looked like the bride of Frankenstein, that much was certain. Only her hair wasn't straight up in the air, and she didn't look like a vampire from a zombie movie.

Desperately Sam wanted to sigh, but she couldn't. She just stood in the mirror, capturing the last look of the girl she used to be, and the brainwashed controlled woman she will become in a matter of minutes. Whoever their guest was, she prayed it was someone who might save her.

"Sam, Darling!" Derek called. "Our guest has arrived! Come out and greet him!"

Her legs moved her away from the mirror and out to stand next to Derek. Please, let it be someone who can save me, She thought. Please let there still be hope for my future.

Danny followed his ghost sense, and it led him to the same old home Sam and he used to go trick-or-treating when they were kids. It still looked the same as it had five years ago. The ugly trees in the front lawn, the smell of dead men, and the spiders and bats.

"This has to be the place," Danny whispered, gritting his teeth. "I just hope I'm not too late." Taking a deep breath, he flew faster, flying straight through the walls and into a large empty room.

"You are a little late," came Derek's voice, turning Danny around completely. "But we're going to have to manage."

Danny raised his fists. "Okay, bring it on, Dark."

He laughed. "You haven't figured it out yet, have you Phatom?"

Danny frowned. "What do you mean?"

Derek grinned, turning to face Sam. She looked like a different person in the wedding dress, and Danny felt his heart sink at the sight of her pale face and blackened eyes. She had no control over her body. It wouldn't be much longer before Derek took over her completely.

Running his fingers over her cheek, Derek grinned as he continued to speak. "She was so heart broken to tell you to leave her alone forever. I tried to cheer her up by telling her what she was gaining. Of course, she wouldn't listen to me. And then you. You cried like a baby after what she said. I thought it would never stop."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Danny asked, his eyes glaring down at him with flames of anger.

"Oh, it has everything to do with this," Derek continued, his finger running down Sam's neck. He stopped, wrapping his fingers around a small chain, pulling a small piece of jewelry out from under the dress. "This is a nice necklace. 24 karat gold name, a black skull with rubies and jewels in a bow, and a pure silver chain. No doubt a gift she would get from her true love."

"What are you talking about, I gave that to her," Danny said.

Derek sighed, his voice sounded annoyed. "You still don't get it? She promised to wear it forever, Phantom. She still is. Take a look around you. You're the only one here to save her. There is no one else around."

Danny frowned, taking a second to look around him. Derek was right, there was no one else in the room. But… what was he talking about?

"You are Sam's true love, Danny," Derek answered his unasked question. "And you are the blood that I need for the ritual."