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 5: The partnership

At Amity Park

With Danny and Ember

The two lovebirds have just existed Danny's apartment which was smoking a little, having had an accidental fire which was finally put out thanks to the sprinkler system, however it left the two of them a little soggy as well.

"Sorry again about that Danny...You know that when we get like that...I lose a little control..."Ember said in an embarrassed tone as she used a towel to wipe her face.

They're making out was getting more heated and Ember got another power boost from it. Unfortunately it cause Ember's hair to raise and set a nearby pillow on fire, not to mention the smoke set the alarm and sprinklers on.

"It was just an accident baby...though I guess after we get married, we might have to invest in some flame-retardant furniture and sheets..."Danny said with a chuckle and he got rid of the rest of the water from his hair.

"Yeah, yeah...Well, since the mood is ruined now, what else do you wanna do?...'She asked sarcastically.

"Let's go for a flight..."He offered as he took her hand.

The two ghosts then took off, enjoying the sights from way up high as they continued to hold hands.

"No matter how many times we do it, the city still looks so beautiful from way up here..."Ember said as she looked down.

"Not as beautiful as you..."Danny said with a smile.

"I walked right into that one, didn't I?...'Ember said sarcastically.

"It's true..."He shrugged, causing Ember to laugh.

However, their flight was cut short when several News helicopters came to them, all with camera men and desperate reporters.

"DANNY! EMBER! Can we have a word?..."A reporter from channel 3 shouted.

"When's the wedding?!..."A reporter from channel 5 shouted.

"Any plans for children?!...'A reporter from channel 2 screamed.

"Is it true that Ember is pregnant?!..."The first reporter shouted.

Danny and Ember both resisted the urge to roll their eyes at those questions, especially the last one.

"No! And get lost you vultures!..."Ember shouted as she grabbed Danny's arms and quickly teleported out of there.

They soon found themselves in a nearby alley and Ember grabbed her head, resisting the small migraine she had.

"You okay, baby?...'Danny asked in concern.

"I'm fine, even in small distance...Teleporting just never agreed with me...'She sighed as she rubbed her temples.

"Savages, they couldn't at least give us a day before hounding us..."Danny said sarcastically.

"I can't believe the last one though...We haven't even gone that far yet..."Ember said in annoyance.

'You know how the media is, always trying to stir up anything for a juicy story..."Danny shrugged.

Even though they have been together for 8 years, they haven't gone further than some intense making out. Ember had thought about it and sometimes tried to convince Danny to take that step but he was insistent that he wanted to wait until they were ready and Ember respected his wishes, though she didn't exactly hide her own feelings on the matter. Ember was honestly surprise after the first attempt but deep down she didn't hate Danny's wish for celibacy before marriage. It showed that Danny cared about her and not just her body.

"You do realize they never would believe that it's you who want to be celibate until marriage...No offense, but the media doesn't actually believe that couples that have lasted as long as we have actually wait...or that it's the guy who insists on the waiting...'Ember cracked.

'Excuse me for wanting to be a gentleman..."Danny shrugged, having already had this conversation before.

"Yeah well Mr. Gentleman, as soon as the vows are exchanged, you can't put it off anymore... You have no idea what I plan on doing to you...'Ember said with a mischievous smirk on her face, expecting him to blush, look embarrassed but smile none the less.

To her immense surprise, Danny just sent her a smirk, folded his arms and send her a saucy gaze.

"I look forward to it dear...and you have no idea what I plan on doing to you..." He said as he playfully tapped her nose, making Ember blush all over.

Ember was silent and felt the ectoplasm in her cheeks heat up. Danny mostly got like this during their more intense make out sessions and even only then, they never got passed second base and some playful groping...mostly from her anyway.

She knew that he loved her and his desire to wait was "understandable" but...but...

"Are you sure we can't just elope and get it over with?..."Was the first thing out of her mouth, before she actually realized what she said and covered her mouth in shock.

Danny started laughing and shook his head... "I'm sorry but we can't...We've already talked it over..."Danny said as he chuckled.

"You really want me don't you Ember-baby?...'Danny said playfully.

"Oh shut up..."A blushing Ember said as she turned away with her arms crossed, making Danny laugh louder. Despite her hardest to remain pouty, Ember soon found herself breaking in giggles as well.

Suddenly a loud ringing was heard and Danny turned to pick up his cell phone and smiled when he saw who it was on the caller ID.

"Hey Tucker...Before you say anything, I am sorry I haven't called yet... I was going to but the press beat me to it..."Danny said jokingly.

"I hope you are referring to your engagement with Ember because if that's so...Congratulations man, I knew that you'd do it one of these days..."Tucker said on the other line.

"Thanks Tucker...'Danny said.

"Though it wasn't the media that told me, it was Jazz...'Tucker said.

"Put him on speaker phone...'Ember said and Danny did just that.

"Hey Tucker..."Ember said.

"Hey Ember...Congratulations on becoming future Mrs. Danny Phantom..."Tucker said.

"Thank you...So how's everything in D.C?...'Ember asked.

"So far, so good...The president is still going over the files I gave him but if he accepts our notion, we will be one step closer to expanding the alliance all over the states and not in Amity Park...'Tucker said.

"Let's hope he accepts Tucker, I know that some ghosts are still hostile but a lot of them are willing to accept the law to live here in the human world and even integrate them in schools and colleges..."Danny said as he looked at Ember.

"I know for sure that Kitty would want Kyle and Roxy attending a human school and even college when they get older, she's always said it broke her heart that she never got to live to see her own graduation, so she wants to give her kids the experience..." Ember said.

"Well, I won't know until later but I have a good feeling about it...Anyway I just wanted to give you the heads up as well as my congratulations..."Tucker said.

'So Tucker, since we already have you...there's something I want to ask you..."Danny started.

"If it's about me being best man for your wedding, then the answer is yes..."Tucker said without a moments hesitation.

"How did you know I was going to ask you that?..." Danny asked in surprise.

"What ELSE would you ask from me after getting engaged? Danny, we've been best friends our whole lives..." Tucker said dramatically.

'Thanks Tuck, you're the best..."Danny said smiling. He soon ended the call and sent a smile to his blushing bride.

"Well, now we have the best man chosen, who's next?..."He asked.

"Later, we can plan later...Right now I just want to relax and get out of this smelly alley...'Ember said, earning a chuckle from her man.

The two of them then left the alley, feeling happy. They would soon be married and all that mattered was that they were young, happy and in love.

In Washing D.C

In a hotel, near the William Jefferson Clinton Federal building

Sam Manson-Morgan had just returned from another meeting at the EPA along with her husband Christopher. It was a meeting to shut down an oil refinery in Texas, because their agents have discovered was dumping its waste in a nearby lake. As always, Sam managed to get her way and now all that was left was to get the proper authorization from her superiors.

"What a day..."Sam sighed as she sat on her bed.

"You were amazing today my black rose..."Christopher said as he rubbed her shoulders.

"I'm not celebrating until those papers are signed...This is always the part I hate...the waiting period..."Sam grumbled as she tried to enjoy his massage.

"Bureaucracy can find itself anyway dear...Sad but true...'Christopher sighed.

Sam flicked on the TV and saw a news report that left her surprised.

"So far, we have yet to get any more details on the upcoming marriage between world savior Danny Phantom and Ember Mclain but..." The news reporter continued the report.

"So they finally did it...Danny and Ember are getting married...'Sam said.

"So it seems...'Christopher said. Suddenly the phone started ringing and Sam saw who it was on the caller ID.

"Hey Ember..."Sam said.

"Hey Sam, did you see the news yet?..." Ember asked on the other line.

"If t's about your engagement, then yes, me and Christopher are watching it right now..."Sam said.

"Sorry you had to find out from the media first, I swear these pesky reporters will be the death of me...'Ember said in annoyance.

"Aren't you already a ghost?...'Sam asked and could imagine Ember's eye rolling right now.

"Funny..."Ember said sarcastically.

"It actually was..."Another voice suddenly piped up.

"Hey Danny..."Sam greeted.

"Hey Sam..."Danny said.

"Hello Danny and Ember..."Christopher said.

"Hey Christopher, so how's everything in D.C?..." Danny asked.

"Wonderful, we just managed to convince the organization to shut down a Texan oil refinery for turning several lakes into toxic waste dumps..."Christopher said proudly.

"In a few days, old man Dalton's gonna pay for his crimes against mother nature..."Sam said.

"Good for you guys, making the world a more eco-friendly place..."Ember said in a pleasant tone.

"That's our job..."Sam said proudly.

"Anyway guys, we just wanted to tell you guys the news and that you can expect an invitation...'Danny said into the phone.

"Thanks and congratulations you two, I'm really happy for you both..."Sam said honestly.

'Thanks Sam, anyway we gotta run, see ya..."Danny said.

"Bye, you guys..."Ember said.

"Alright, later..."Sam said before the call ended. To her surprise, she saw her husband staring at her.

"What?...'Sam asked in confusion.

"Are...Are you alright with this? Going to the wedding?...'He asked slowly and Sam figured out what he meant.

"What? Danny and Ember getting married? Of course I am, why would you ask that?...'Sam asked genuinely surprised.

"It's...I mean...I know you guys are still friends and Danny is a cool guy but...well, you guys did have some history and-...'Christopher trailed off, not even knowing what he was even saying.

"Chris...You don't have to be jealous. Danny and I are just friends and I am happy for him. He and Ember are good for each other and I want him to be happy...'Sam said honestly.

"I know you guys are just friends...You're right...and he was really nice at our wedding..."Christopher said as he recalled their wedding.

Danny and Ember had attended and were amiable during the whole event, even brought them a cool video camera as a wedding gift.

"Danny might have been my first real boyfriend but you are my soul mate Christopher, I love you..."Sam said as she placed her hand on top of his.

"I love you too my black rose..."Christopher said before kissing her.

Danny and Ember weren't the only one's happy and in love. For over a year Sam had been blissfully married with Christopher, working for the EPA and just living life to the fullest. Sam Manson-Morgan considered herself a happy and successful young woman at age 24. She was marry to a wonderful man who shared the same passions as her, she had a successful career doing what she loved most and she still had a good relationship with her best friend who was in his own happy relationship.

She wouldn't have it any other way.

Back with Vlad and Paulina

"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.

"DANIEL?! It's his fault my life was ruined along with his idiot father! I want him to pay for everything he did to me: ruining my plans, playing with my emotions and choosing that fat oaf as his father instead of me!..."Vlad exploded in anger.

"But what if I know a way that can get you Mrs. Fenton's love and make Danny see you as his dad?..."Paulina said quickly.

She didn't want Vlad to hurt Danny. She loved him and she wanted him and while she needed Vlad's help, she would not let him hurt her beloved.

"I had spent years trying to break that stubborn boy...what miracle could you possibly possess?..."Vlad demanded.

"Have you ever heard the name Aphrodite?..."Paulina asked.

"The legendary spirit of love and beauty, yes I have but I thought she was only a legend..."Vlad said skeptically.

"Oh she is real...She's part of the reason my life was ruined. I used to be the most beautiful girl in Amity Park...and look at what she did to me!..."Paulina shouted as she angrily took off her bandana, revealing her face to Vlad.

"Ugh!..." Vlad recoiled in disgust at the sight of the very ugly face.

"I know it's horrible...She took away my beauty and my one chance at Danny's heart...I want her to pay and she has what we need. She has something called the sacred love arrows. They can make anyone fall in love with anything but Clockwork said that unless the spirit of love uses them, it could make the whole world hate each other or something. .."Paulina explained as she tried to recall the details of her only encounter with that bitch.

She told Vlad her entire life's story, how she had once been the beauty queen of Amity Park and that she was in love with Danny and wanted to marry him. She told him about that Disasteroid Valentine's day from 8 years ago, getting cursed by Aphrodite to look like this and her suffering after that. She told him of her time in Bludworth,her rejection from her parents and her time in poverty. All the while, Vlad was fascinated with only one part of the story.

"So the love arrows are real, which would mean they are in Cupid's possession since he is the current spirit of love..."Vlad suggested.

"No, a lot has changed since you've been gone. According to an interview Danny once did, Cupid was replaced by Aphrodite, so she is the one we need to find..."Paulina said.

"What do you mean "we"? While I am grateful for the idea, I don't see why I need your help if I can overpower Aphrodite myself..."Vlad said darkly.

"You need me! Even if you do find her, you will just become a drooling zombie upon seeing her..."Paulina shouted, angry that he would try to exclude her.

"What do you mean?..."Vlad questioned.

"Apparently any man who looks at Aphrodite can't stop obsessing over her beauty...Ghost or not, not even Danny was able to resist her spell..."Paulina said in jealousy as she could still remember how Danny ogled Aphrodite that one time.

"I see...then I guess I would be in need of your assistance. ..but what of my power and Daniel, even if we do make Maddie love me and Daniel love you, I am still in exile as the entire world hates me for failing to stop the Disasteroid..."Vlad asked.

"Ever heard of a guy called Clockwork? .."Paulina asked.

"The master of time...Yes, I have spent nearly a decade searching the entire Ghost Zone trying to find him..."Vlad said angrily.

"I remember where he lives, when I was defeated, he, Danny, his sister, the ghost bitch Ember and Manson all took me to his place so that Aphrodite could could curse me...Before they dragged me back to the human world through the portal..."Paulina said in annoyance.

She could still recall how Ember gagged her mouth while she and Danny took her back via the Fenton portal before they literally dropped her at the police station where she was trapped in before that horrible trial that sent her to the nightmare world known as Bludworth.

"Ember? You mean Ember Mclain?..."Vlad asked and was surprised when he saw Paulina's face purple in anger.

"Do not say that name! That ghost bitch ruined me and stole the love of my life! Worst of all is that they are getting married and I can't let that happen!..."Paulina shouted.

" Daniel is marrying Ember Mclain?! Just how long was I trapped in space?..."Vlad thought in surprise before shaking it off.

"Are you sure that you know where to find him?..."Vlad asked closely.

"I might have been in the Ghost Zone one time but a person doesn't forget an experience like that...I remember passing a lot of places when they took me away...I would know it if I saw it..."Paulina said, trying to sound certain.

Vlad paused as he tried to considered these options. It was almost too good to be true. He had spent years trying to find Clockwork, in hopes of somehow changing his fate so that he could get Maddie. Now this hideous girl is offering to take him to her and a way to secure Maddie ' s heart and Daniels obedience by overpowering both the master of time and the spirit of love. It was so simple yet so ingenious.

And all he has to do is give Daniel to this girl and make Aphrodite turn her back to her previous looks, IF she had any that is.

Vlad took a good look at her ugly mug and tried to resist the urge to laugh. It would be a good form of revenge if Daniel was forced to marry this girl, even if she had a prettier face beneath this one, Vlad could already detect her less than appealing personality from the first moment of meeting her. Paulina was angry, bitter, miserable and had a strong desire for revenge and taking what was meant to be hers. Even if she loved him, he doubted the brat would be happy be I got stuck with her.

It's a win-win!

He could finally have Maddie 's love, Daniel as his son and heir and all the wealth and power he deserved over the human world and the ghost zone as well. Vlad's face soon sported a twisted, sinister smirk as he turned to Paulina.

"Very well Ms. Sanchez...we have a deal..."Vlad said as he extended his hand. Paulina looked down and grin and took the evil ghosts hand in a firm handshake.

This was the start of their alliance and there was no turning back now.

-To be continued

Next time on Un-Shattered Bonds

A twist in time

A/N: Just to let you know, all the previous scenes happened roughly around the same time Vlad and Paulina were talking. I just wanted to give some light to Tucker and Sam here, if only a bit.

REPLIES to my amazing reviewers:

Feurrige: You just have to wait and see...

Invader Johnny: If it IS wrong then I guess I am wrong too, along with most people who read this so far.

Jasonvoorhes: Yes, they are.

Wiseguy2415: That's alright, I know that the sight has been a little buggy lately.

Guest: In response to your two reviews:

1) I'm glad that you enjoyed my portrayal of Clockwork and the others.

2) Thank you, I appreciate your interest. Also, very well said about Cupid, Vlad and Paulina.

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