Disclaimer: I still don't own Danny Phantom. It will always belong to Butch Hartman, and I will always be just one of his many loyal fans.

Un-Shattered Bonds

Chapter 4: Bitterness loves company

At the Acropolis

Cupid was grumbling as he continued to do the chores foist upon his by Pandora, who lately seemed to be more cranky than ever.

"EROS! Once you are finishing vacuuming the living room, remember to wash the dishes after dinner! It's Fassolatha night!..."Pandora ordered to her little minion.

The cherub only nodded, already used to taking her orders to avoid her anger outbursts but he was still angry and miserable. Day in and day out he was up to his neck in chores: mopping, sweeping, gardening, tending to the centaurs, washing dishes, the windows and everything else in this enormous Acropolis!

It's been that way for 8 years now and he doubted that the end of his torture would soon arrive. He knew today was Valentine's day, the day where the spirit of love was suppose to be most at work and where they gain even more power from brining soulmates together. It had used to the one day of the year he truly looked forward to, for both the power boosts he used to gain and for the respect and influence he had over the other spirits.

Now he rather forget it ever existed, he gained no power or anything from this day anymore. Unlike his mother who was no doubt wasting her time with Clockwork just for a few cheap thrills from her unusual lust for him...just like with all of her lovers.

Disgusting!

As the angry servant kept vacuuming, trying to get his mind away from his situation, he ended up thinking of the only other thing painful to him.

"Psyche..." He thought sadly as he continued doing his chores.

Almost every day since his slavery began, his mind would go back to her and what they once had together. At times the memories brought him anger, sometimes sadness and other times...hope.

Hope that perhaps one day she would come back to him...but she never did and that just made him angrier.

He was no longer the spirit of love...he was a slave...and he will never see the only woman he ever truly loved again.

Psyche had left him and she was never coming back...

As always, he would spend another Valentine's day without her, unable to hold her hand again, stare into her beautiful green eyes and kiss her soft lips. Before, he was forced to bring others together so they could enjoy in splendor the joy he once had with his former wife, as it was his duty. Now he felt envy and longing whenever he saw a happy couple fly by the Acropolis, ones that were forged by his mother's power instead of his own.

He was angry. He was a miserable slave and he was all alone now.

And on the very day that was meant to be shared with the one you loved.

"Happy Valentine's day..." He thought sadly as he finished vacuuming and went to do his next chore.

The next day

As predicted, it didn't take long for the media to catch wind to what was called the biggest news of the year as every news channel and radio station was a buzz was focusing on one thing only: The long awaited engagement between world savior Danny Phantom and popular singer Ember Mclain.

"Good morning Amity Park, I am Hannah White..." The newswoman said to the camera.

"And I am Bruce Berkeley, our top story,...rumors have been confirmed that the number power couple Danny Phantom and Ember Mclain are engaged to be married..."Bruce said as he presented an image of the couple.

"That's right Bruce, after almost 8 years, these two love birds are finally breaking even more hearts than they already have. .."Hannah said with a grin.

"You got that right..."Bruce said as he continued with the report.

"Unbelievable. ...We've been engaged for less than 24 hours and already the world is in a frenzy..."Danny commented as he turned the TV off.

It was only 10 on the morning and already they have received several congratulatory gifts and phone calls from friends, fans and fellow workers. Danny still found it unbelievable how fast news can travel and how quick it can get a response...especially when it was about him and his Ember.

"I'm still amazed that the reporter actually managed to get a picture of your proposal at all, especially since the restaurant was rented out..."Ember said as she kept looking at her ring.

"They were going to find out one way or the other, but I still would have preferred keeping our engagement and wedding on the down low but now that's going to be impossible..."Danny mumbled.

"You got that right baby pop, I'm Ember Mclain and nothing I ever do is on the down low..."Ember said with pride, earning a chuckle from her fiancé.

Soon the two just laid on the couch, in each others arms, just enjoying the feeling of being so close to each other.

"I still can't believe this is happening Danny, we're gonna be married..."Ember said softly as she looked into her lovers eyes,

"Believe it, I love you Ember and I want nothing more than to have you as my wife..."Danny said as he caressed her cheek.

"I want to be your wife Danny...I want to wear your ring...live in the same house forever...and have a baby with you...or two or three..."Ember said as she cuddled more.

"We will...one day...First though, we actually have to have the wedding first ..."Danny said as he kissed her cheek.

"The sooner, the better I say...Heck, we could probably go to the courthouse later or go to the nearest justice of the peace to finish the job..."Ember said as she kissed him on the lips.

"As much as I'd like that, my folks would never forgive us if we don't have a real ceremony...Besides, we still need to give time so that all our other friends can fly in for the big day like Sam and her husband Christopher, not to mention Tucker is out of town and he would never forgive me if I got married without him being the best man..."Danny explained as he nibbled on her ear.

"And Kitty would throw a fit if I got married without her, Johnny and the twins...speaking of which, I probably should let her know by today..."Ember muttered as she enjoyed her lovers antics.

"Yeah, she is the mother of your God children...She'll probably even offer to have Kyle and Roxy to be in the wedding..."Danny said.

"After you marry me, they'll be your god kids too dipstick..."Ember said.

"Uh huh..."Danny said as he thought of those twins.

Kyle and Roxy were 5 years old and were always causing mischief. Kyle was the oldest, he had green hair, red eyes but mostly looked like Johnny and even had his own bad luck shadow he ironically called "Lucky". Roxy was blonde but mostly took after Kitty in looks and personality, she was a cute kid but a little spoiled thanks to Johnny spoiling her and her brother. They actually were sweet kids and Danny liked them, they just had a habit of getting into trouble, not unlike their father.

"With those two as flower girl and ring bearer, Tucker is without a doubt going to be the best man..."Danny said smiling.

"Since Kitty is married, she will definitely be the matron of honor is she accepts and I'm sure she will and I think your sisters will be part of the bridesmaids..."Ember said as she kissed his neck.

"Speaking of which, Dani told me she wanted to talk to you about arranging the wedding, turns out she's already predicted we would be married and she went ahead with some ideas..."Danny said with an eye roll.

"I'd love her input, she's like a little sister to me..."Ember said in a fond way.

"She IS going to be your sister in law..."Danny pointed out.

"Yeah, she is...another plus being married to you..."Ember said smirking.

"Oh so you're marrying me for my sister?..."Danny joked.

"Maybe or maybe I have other reasons..."Ember joked as well.

"Such as?..."Danny pressed on while Ember smirked.

"I dunno...You have a cute smile...and a great butt..."Ember said saucily as she gazed into his eyes.

"That all?..."Danny asked with a heated gaze.

"You are also a really great kisser.."Ember purred as she was now on top of him.

The two soon began making out with Ember on top. Ember started with pecking his cheeks and lips, enjoying it very much...

"Mmmm...oh...Danny..." Ember purred as she wrapped her arms around her beloved, who pulled her closer, deepening their kiss.

Their chase pecking soon turned passionate when Ember started biting down and licking his lips, demanding access to his mouth, which Danny soon complied.

"Ember...Ember..."Danny said in between their kissing, unintentionally causing Ember's hair to raise, not that either noticed.

"Oh! I love it when you say my name!..."Ember said before placing her tongue back into his mouth for another tongue tango. Once that was done, they paused due to Danny needing some air to breath but their gazes locked.

They both just felt so much happiness and love, just being together like this.

"I love you Ember..."Danny said to his beautiful lady love.

"I love you Danny..."Ember said before resuming their kissing.

The two remained like that for a long time, not knowing or caring how much time has passed. All that mattered was that they were together, in love and would soon be married. After so long, so many challenges and trials, they would be wed and live happily ever after.

Together forever.

Elsewhere

In a homeless shelter in the run down side of Amity Park, filled with all kinds of people that were run down by life, a certain individual was keeping to herself, away from the rest of the bums and unfortunate people whom she was ashamed to say, she was now apart of. She was wearing worn out rags and a distinguished bandana covering her face, along with an ugly scowl and a torn up newspaper in her hands.

"It can't be!..."The person shouted as she torn the rest of the paper to shreds.

"Shut up! Some of us are trying to nap!..."A grumpy,old hobo shouted from onto of his community bed that wasn't that far away from the person.

"No...No Danny...You can't do this to me..You were suppose to marry ME!..."The person muttered, feeling so much rage and misery right now.

This person was Paulina Sanchez, former beauty queen of Casper High who was now at the lowest of society's pecking order. No longer was she the spoiled but beautiful girl who had the world as her oyster. Now she was as ugly as ever and living in poverty ever since she came back to Amity Park after serving time in juvy. Since that awful day, the former Sanchez heiress had become a street rat, moving from one homeless shelter to another, living on the streets and trying her hardest to make sure no one saw the face that she has been cursed with for nearly 8 years now.

Since the day she lost her beloved, her good life and basically everything that ever mattered to her.

"It's not fair...I should be the one marrying him, not that ghost bitch..."Paulina cried in misery and anger, annoying those around her.

Ever since that horrible Valentine's day from so long ago, her life had gone down hill. She was sent to that horrible place known as Bludworth, where she endured unspeakable torture from the inmates and guards and even after being released about 3 1/2 years ago, her suffering didn't end there. Upon being released, the first thing she tried to do was reconnect with her parents, in hopes that they would take her back. Unfortunately for her, they had moved out of their old home and moved on with their lives. They even had another daughter to replace her...one that looks exactly as she used to.

It was horrible but it didn't end there.

She spent countless night nearly freezing in the streets and barely survived during the winter time. She had to struggle so much to either find some charitable place for a meal and a bed to rest on for the night before her she was forced to move to someplace else. It was terrible! Worst of all, while she was suffering in hobo town, the ghost has-been singer was living the life meant for HER. Paulina had been meant for wealth and greatness, she knew as a girl she was going to be one of the elite of society but that was ruined that's to Ember Mclain who had the money, fame and adoration that belonged to Paulina and no one else. She also had the love of the man that was suppose to be Paulina's soul mate but the ghost bitch stole him.

Now she was going to marry him and live the life she had dreamed since she was 14.

"No! I can't let this happen...I have to do something..."Paulina said as she ran out of the shelter. She didn't know where she was going or what she had to do but she knew she had to stop Danny before he ended up making the biggest mistake of his life by marrying Ember.

If that happen, her life would truly be over...more over than it has been for almost a decade straight.

FLASHBACK

About 4 years ago

In a dark alley that was next to a restaurant, some employees were throwing the leftover food. It was a three star Italian place and it always dumped their leftovers in a big dumpster at the end of the alley to be forgotten. Said garbage was easy picking for rats and alley cats...or people as mangy and desperate as either of them.

"I cannot believe I have been reduced to this..."Paulina said in disgust as she carefully picked up a half eaten garlic bread from the dumpster, making sure no one saw her. She was so disgusted with both this garbage and what she has been reduced to.

In her old life, she avoided garlic bread and anything fatty in order to maintain her figure but she has gone almost two days without eating and nearly fainted twice today. She barely managed to shoplift a candy bar before the store owner caught her and chased her out. She managed to escape before he could tell a cop or anyone else who would say that she violated her parole. Now here she was, starving and with a smelly dumpster filled with discarded food that no one else had wanted.

This was so wrong, against so many of her principals but...she was so hungry!

"Bottoms up..."She muttered sarcastically as she forced the discarded bread into her mouth and chewed quickly, trying to not think about the taste or the fact that she fished it out of the garbage.

Once done, she felt her stomach growl louder and she noticed part of a stromboli sticking out of the trash as well and she soon found herself eating it as well, along with whatever half seeming edible stiff she could grab before the rats came to get to it.

She was miserable, she was angry, she was repulsed by what she was doing but for the first time that day...she was full.

2 years ago

It was a windy October evening and Paulina was curled in an alley, shaking, feeling cold and scared. She was all alone with nothing but a cardbored box and some old newspapers that she found which would serve as her bed for this evening, something that has happened almost every night since she became homeless.

"Come on...Blanket...Blanket..."She muttered as she placed the papers all over her body, wanting to believe that they would grant her some warmth, only for her to stop when she saw the front page...it was a picture of him.

"Danny..."Paulina said longingly as she pulled the page closer only for a big gust of wind to blow it out of her hands, along with a few others.

"NO! No..."Paulina shouted as she scattered to gather her papers or she would be sleeping and nearly freezing again. She only managed to get most but the picture of Danny flew into a nearby puddle and was ruined beyond all recognition.

"Danny..."She said sadly.

Paulina only tried to keep the tears from escaping her eyes. She was cold and alone and now she didn't even have a picture of her darling to at least give her some form of comfort.

She had nothing.

6 months ago

Paulina stared at the edge of the bridge, it was nearly 50 feet to the bottom. It was late and few cars were passing by, no one was noticing her. It was a very high distance and it wouldn't take long to hit the bottom and there were not that many people out this evening. They were all either distracted by their own lives and a great distance from her. They probably wouldn't notice her jumping off before it was too late...which was more than enough time than she needed.

She had absolutely nothing in this world and there was no point for her to be apart of it. She was homeless, she had no money, no family and she lost the love of her life to another woman. She had nothing in this world...

So she might as well leave it.

"Goodbye, cruel world..."She thought miserably, as she kept looking down. She kept looking down at the bottom, all she had to do was climb over the railing and jump off and it would be over. All she had to do was climb and jump...

Simple enough.

5 minutes have passed and she still hadn't climbed up...10 minutes have passed and still nothing...She waited almost half an hour, just looking down the bridge like and idiot but not moving until she walked away.

"Not today..."Was what she thought in disappointed.

She chickened out...just as she did last time and the time before that.

Present time

That night was not the first time she considered taking her life, or the last but each time she tried to end her life, she always chicken out. She didn't want this life but she was too scared to end it herself,which is the why she was still enduring her misery. She didn't want this life anymore, but she wasn't going to die today.

She was done being weak and wallowing in her misery. Danny was her true love and she was sick and tired of seeing him in Ember's arms. She wanted him back and she would find a way to have him back, along with her old life. She would make sure of it!

"I don't care what I have to do but I am done living like this..."She said in determination as she kept walking.

She needed to get Danny away from Ember but she knew she couldn't do it alone. She needed to find Aphrodite and somehow make her restore her beauty and give her back the love arrows, the only thing left in this world that could give her Danny's heart.

She knew that Aphrodite replaced Cupid, she learned from the trial when she came to give her statement and mentioned the love arrows and her son. If she was the new spirit of love than that meant that she most likely had the arrows now. Paulina needed to find her and get even.

She had successfully managed to capture Cupid once, but that was thanks to Fenton Work weapons and the element of surprise. She knew that if she wanted Aphrodite, she needed some form of weaponry and another person on her team. This was big and she knew that she couldn't pull it off alone...at least in her present state. She needed a partner here.

The question however was who?

She knew no humans would stand a chance, she would need ghostly assistance but all the ghosts that lived in this town were under Danny's jurisdiction and the ones who attacked the city. ...even she didn't think they would be willing to help her unless she can offer them something, which she can't.

"There's gotta be someone and something I could do..."Paulina said as she decided to take a detour through the woods to clear her head and think of her plot.

KABOOM

Suddenly she heard an explosion nearby, startling her to the core.

"What the heck?..."Paulina said as she ran towards to see what it was. Once she made it to the area where the explosion occurred, she saw a big crater in the ground and a blue creature with glowing hands.

It was a ghost...but he looked familiar.

"Glad to see I am still used to earth's gravity...as I need to be to regain my rule over the earth..."The creature said to himself, unaware that he was being watched.

"Rule the world? Who is that guy?..." Paulina thought until it suddenly clicked in her mind.

There was only one ghost that she recalled with blue skin who wanted to rule the world...and nearly succeeded had it not been for her beloved Danny Phantom.

"Vlad Plasmius..."She mumbled in shock, unable to believe it.

"Yes..." Was heard.

Paulina turned around to see Vlad hovering over her with a menacing expression on his face.

"Looks like I have a little stalker...Now I can't have you running off and revealing my return and ruining my plans for revenge..."Vlad said as he charged up his ghost ray, about to obliterate this nuisance.

"No! Wait! I'm not here to cause you trouble! I am here to help!..."Paulina shouted as she went to the ground to beg for mercy. To her relief, Plasmius didn't shoot but still looked suspicious.

"What are you going on about?..."He said in a distrust tone of voice.

"I am not here to stop you...I want to make you an offer...one that could benefit us both..."Paulina insisted, Vlad was silent but didn't shoot, letting Paulina live for the time being.

"Who are you?..."Vlad demanded.

"My name is Paulina Sanchez...We never met but I think we have the same kind of interests...and the same kind of wishes..."Paulina started.

'What are you saying?...'Vlad asked with a questioning look on his face.

"Is it true, that you had wanted to marry Danny's mother and wanted payback on his dad?..."Paulina asked, recalling an old interview Danny did after the Disasteroid concerning Plasmius and why he did what he did.

Vlad merely nodded.

"What if I say I know of someone and something that could give you the love you wanted and maybe even help you get your power back too?..."Paulina offered.

Vlad raised an eyebrow but thankfully lowered his hand..."I would say, what would be in it for you?..." He demanded, already knowing that the had to be some kind of catch here.

"You are not the only one who lost everything thanks to the unfairness of the world, but I am willing to help as long as you give me the one thing I want..."Paulina said seriously.

"And what exactly would that be?...'He asked, wondering where she was going with this.

"Simple, I want my old life back and the one man that was meant to be mine: Danny Phantom..."Paulina said sinisterly.

-To be continued

Next time on Un-Shattered Bonds

The partnership

A/N: Two chapters, all in honor of Valentine's day!

REPLIES to my amazing reviewers:

Invader Johnny: That would be cool but I don't think I'm going to make this a crossover

Feurrige: Nice guess but it's Paulina who Vlad runs into here but I won't give any spoilers yet on Cupid/Eros role in this story. You will just have to wait and see.

Dreams Come True 996: I don't know. My guess, his sister probably has that cat now LOL!

Spectrer: You're welcome.

:) Till next time everyone, remember to read and review :)