Disclaimer: I still don't own Danny Phantom as it's the property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Viacom International. I am just a loyal fan and nothing more.
Unshattered Bonds
Chapter 7: A new world of horrors
Ember didn't know how much time has passed. She only stared dumbly at the paper at hand and kept pinching herself, hoping that this was some kind of nightmare. She wanted to believe that she would wake up, the world was normal and she was the one engaged to Danny. To her dismay, she was still in that spot, wearing a time medallion and she noticed that she was no longer wearing her engagement ring. It was in the picture before her on Paulina's dirty hand, showing it off like she was mocking her!
"EMBER!..."The medallion shouted.
"What is going on here?..."Ember demanded.
"As I said, Plasmius captured Clockwork and the original Aphrodite and they made a lot of changes, the time medallion can show you but you have to be quick…"The medallion explained.
"Okay, tell me everything that has happened, what did those bastards do that causes this?...'Ember demanded.
The medallion started glowing again and produced a new window and Ember watched in fast pace the changes that Vlad made and everything. She saw them capture Clockwork and overpower Aphrodite. She saw them use some torture device to make Aphrodite change Paulina's appearance back to normal before knocking her out and going through time.
She saw that Maddie had still married Jack but Vlad got rid of him after Danny was born before he swooped in with Aphrodite's love arrows and made Maddie accept Vlad's marriage proposal.
23 years ago.
A 27 year old Maddie Fenton had returned home with her 2 year old daughter and her infant son. It's been 3 months since her husband of 4 years had died and she was still grieving. It had all be so sudden, she had taken Danny and Jazz to the doctor and Jack had stayed home to work on the prototype of the Ghost portal they have been aspiring to make.
Once she got home, everything was in a fire and Jack was gone. The police said that there was a big explosion and it was a lab accident.
An accident that cost her husband's life.
"Oh Jack…'Maddie said as she wiped away a tear.
She really didn't know how she was going to raise her two children with her beloved Jack. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see it was her old friend Vlad who gave her a sympathetic look.
"Oh Maddie, I know you are still in pain but you must understand that Jack would have wanted you to be happy again…"Vlad said as he patted her hand.
"Vlad, I thank you again for coming to help me with the kids until I get back on my feet but…"Maddie started but paused, feeling more tears fall.
"It was my pleasure Maddie, you know that I love Daniel and Jasmine as if they were my own and I would do anything for you…"Vlad said as he hugged the grieving widow.
"I know and I appreciate that Vlad, you are a good friend…"Maddie said.
"Perhaps I could be more…"Vlad said.
"What?...'Maddie asked, not understanding.
"Maddie, while I love Jack like he was the brother I never had, I cannot deny that there is something special I feel about you. Daniel and Jasmine are going to need a father figure and…I love you…'Vlad said as he got down to his knee and took her hand.
"You what?...'Maddie exclaimed, not understanding what was happening and not feeling very comfortable.
"I love you Maddie and I would give the world to you…and your darling children…" Vlad said to the woman of his dreams.
Maddie was stunned but started to feel strange. Maybe it was because she was depressed but she felt touched by Vlad's proclamation. She knew that Jack would have wanted her to be happy again but it was too soon.
"Vlad, I'm flattered but…it's too soon…"Maddie said gently.
"I understand but rest assure Maddie, I have all of the time in the world for you…'Vlad said as he fiddled with something in his pocket.
Maddie suddenly felt very strange. She couldn't help but find what Vlad said very sweet but the one she loved was Jack…who is dead…Vlad has only been a friend to her and nothing more. She was grateful that he helped her out with the kids…Kids she had with her beloved Jack…and…and…
"Maybe…Maybe he's right…Jack would have wanted what was best for me and the kids…"Maddie thought as she felt her heart beating a little fast.
Before she knew it, Vlad pulled her closer and stole a kiss…and Maddie didn't pull away..
"Poor Mrs. Fenton…"Ember said in dismay and anger.
It was obvious Vlad had used Aphrodite's power to force Maddie into accepting his fake declaration of love. It made Ember recoiled in disgust when she saw the wedding and how Vlad had Danny and Jazz's names changed from Fenton to Masters.
It looks like Vlad still wanted Danny as his own son…and he succeeded.
It was so wrong! Maddie was a good woman and her feelings were being controlled by a total monster who only wanted to own her, the same one who killed her husband in the first place! Ember kept looking at all the damage Vlad made to the Fenton's lives.
She saw that Danny still lived in Amity Park and Vlad became mayor again. He also still became half ghost, as Vlad even re-created the portal accident just so he could have his perfect half-ghost son.
About 10 years ago
Daniel Masters had just stumbled out of the Ghost portal his parents made. He felt pain all over and was stunned by what he saw in the mirrior. His black hair was replaced with white and his blue eyes were green.
"Daniel!..."His father Vlad ran in and saw what happened.
"F-Father…"Danny said weakly as he tried to regain coherence.
"Oh my…"Vlad said with a smile.
"W-What has happened to me?...'Danny said as he suddenly freaked out when his hand suddenly disappeared and then reappeared.
"Calm down my son, you don't need to panic…This is a glorious thing…'Vlad said.
"W-what?..."Danny asked in confusion.
"My son, do you trust me?.." Vlad asked the boy.
"Of course I do…"Danny said with some hesitance.
Vlad come forward and soon transformed into his ghost form, shocking his son in the process.
"W-What the heck?!..."Danny shouted.
"Don't be afraid my son, I can explain, the truth is I am not just the modest millionare mayor of Amity Park..."Vlad started.
"You're not?...'Danny asked in confusion.
"The truth is I am something called a halfa...'Vlad said to his adoptive son.
"A what-a?...'Danny asked.
"It means a half-ghost/half human hybrid..."The older halfa stated...
Vlad soon began to tell his story, how an accident in college left him with ghost powers, powers that Danny now possessed. He told him that it was the fault of an idiot whom he no longer wanted to speak about and that Vlad had gained powers, powers that were exactly like Danny. He told his son that he has been in the Ghost Zone and he knows all about it and he only kept this part of his life a secret to protect his beloved family.
"I can't believe it...'Danny said.
"Believe it my son, as you are now a stronger creature like me...I can train you, teach you everything you need to know and show you a world of ghosts..."Vlad said.
"You would do that..."Danny said in a stunned voice.
"But of course..."Vlad said as he pulled Danny into a hug.
Danny was stunned silent but relieved. He knew that his parents hated ghosts but to know that his father would share something like this and still accept him and offer to help him out.
"Thank you father..."Danny said, feeling so relieved.
"No need to thank me my boy, what else is a father for...'Vlad said with a smile while in the inside he was smirking.
He had the perfect half-ghost son that was loyal only to him. Just like he always wanted.
"That fruit loop..."Ember growled at what she saw.
She couldn't believe how manipulative and controlling Vlad was towards Danny. Even with having Danny see him as his parent, Vlad was still a jerk. She saw him forcing Danny to join the football team and pressuring him to get perfect grades and was very picky with who he associated with. Not just him but with Jazz as well and not to mention Maddie.
He didn't treat them like a family, he treated them like they were his property.
Ember kept watching the changes and scowled when she saw the next change. It was Paulina switched places with her freshman self and accepted Danny when he was still interested in her. All the while, Ember tried to keep her own head from exploding in anger.
About 10 years ago
Danny had arrived to Casper High. It's been over a month since the portal accident and he finally managed to get his powers under control thanks to his father's training. He was happy that he at least didn't have to hide this from him, though he insisted on keeping quiet from mother. He said that they needed time before they got the story straight. Danny decided not to argue and figured his father probably had the better idea.
Once at school, he saw a sight that made his mouth drool and his heart speed up. It was Paulina Sanchez, the most beautiful girl in school and his crush since he landed his eyes on her during the first day of school.
"Paulina..."He said in s dreamy voice, admiring her beauty from afar.
To his surprise, he saw that she was walking his way and Danny thought he was dreaming when Paulina turned to look at him and winked at him.
"Oh man, am I dreaming...'Danny thought in excitement as he saw her walking up to him.
"Hey Danny...'Paulina said in a flirtatious voice that made Danny grin silly.
"H-Hi Paulina..." Danny said as he felt his heart racing and he really wanted to ask her to the dance but he was too tongue tied.
Thankfully Paulina just kept smiling at him, showing off her pearly white teeth.
"Anyway Danny, do you have a date to the dance yet?...'Paulina asked.
"Uh...Um...No...Not yet...'Danny said, hoping he didn't look like a total dork to his crush.
"Well, I was wondering if...maybe...we could go together..."Paulina said as she sent him a saucy look.
Danny thought he just died and went to heaven. Paulina was asking HIM to the dance?!
"I am SO dreaming..."Danny thought as he discreetly pinched himself and to his joy, he was actually awake and not in his bed, hugging his pillow like he feared.
"Yoohoo, Danny..."Paulina waved her hand across his face that seemed to be in some daydream.
"Uh...Yes, yes...Yes, I'd love to go to the dance...with you.."Danny said, trying to contain his excitement.
"Wonderful, pick me up at seven..."Paulina said as she winked at him.
"Right, seven...'Danny said as he waved as she walked away.
Once she was out of sight, Danny fist pumped and let out a "manly" squeal of excitement.
"I'm going with Paulina to the dance!...'He said in excitement, wondering what he did to deserve this. Unknown to him Paulina was still watching him and was smiling in a dark way.
"Oh Danny..."She thought in desire as she kept her eyes on her beloved and how soon, they will be together forever.
"That...that witch..."Ember growled at the scene.
She knew that Danny was once infatuated with Paulina when he was a freshman but he never loved her. It was just the hormones. Paulina didn't care and was just taking advantage of that brief moment of lust to stake her claim before Danny got any wiser. Ember saw the dance and looked away when Paulina kissed Danny and agreed to be his girlfriend. It was like someone had rammed a knife through her heart.
"Danny...'Ember muttered as she saw more events, bad events that were never suppose to happen but did because of Vlad and Paulina's selfishness.
Tucker and Sam stopped being friends with Danny because of Paulina's influence and many other changes happened as well. She saw that Vlad never tried to clone Danny since he already had the son he wanted, which meant that Dani didn't exist in this crazy world. She also knew that some of the changes was that Box-Lunch, Box-Lunch, Roxy or Kyle didn't even exist in this world and that broke Ember's heart.
She also saw so many things such as Pariah Dark's invasion, where Vlad took both the crown of fire and the ring of rage, which made him the indisputable new ruler of the Ghost Zone. The Disasteroid also happened, but Vlad was the one who became the victor, he stole all of Danny's ideas and passed off the plan off making the Earth intangible as his own and got total world domination as his reward.
Vlad had everything he ever wanted, Maddie as his wife, Danny as his son and heir and absolute control of both the human and ghost worlds and Paulina was going to marry Danny.
"This is a nightmare!….'Ember said after watching all of those horrible clips.
"And that's not even the start…Ember, this is extremely dangerous. Plasmus doesn't even realize what danger he is unleashing. Time, like love, is very fragile and the more changes he makes, the more he is risking it to unravel…"Aphrodite's voice said.
"What can I do? Tell me…'Ember begged. She had to undo all of this somehow, Danny and everyone else were at stake.
"That's why I gave you the time medallion, to protect you from the changes…You cannot take it off Ember, even for a moment or you'll be affected as well…"The medallion warned.
"Got it, now how do I fix all of this?...'She asked.
"The only way is to get the time staff away from Vlad and free both of us before things begin to unravel…"The medallion explained.
"Alright but what about Danny, the only one who ever beat Vlad was him…"Ember asked.
"I have good news and bad news…The bad news is that they likely used my original's powers to make Danny act like he loves Paulina…Also, that Paulina made it so that you both have never met in this world...'The medallion explained.
"What's the good news?!...' Ember said, losing her patience.
"The last part is good news since it means that Danny doesn't see you as an enemy, he might not remember you but he at least won't be hostile...Paulina didn't really think about that...Despite everything, you and Danny are still soulmates, you just have to make him remember it…"The medallion explained.
"What do you mean?..."Ember asked.
"I'm sorry Ember but I don't have a lot of power now…You…You have to get Danny away from Paulina and free the original Aphrodite and Clockwork…before…it's…too...l-…"The medallion stopped talking and glowing.
"Aphrodite? APHRODITE?! OH NO!..."Ember shouted as she tried shaking the medallion, hoping to get her help back.
No such luck.
"Looks like I'm on my own here…'Ember sighed as she looked down.
She looked at her beloved necklace that Danny gave her seven years ago on Valentine's day. She always kept it close to her and it was the one thing she valued as much as the engagement ring that was no longer on her finger.
"Oh Danny...'Ember said as she admired the beautiful gold locket.
'Look inside it..."Danny said softly and Ember obeyed.
She opened the locket and heard the sweet melody of her song "Remember" but what stunned her were the words written inside.
"You are my song..."Ember read and felt her heart beat faster at the sigh of those beautiful words.
"I had the locket custom made...It's one of a kind, just like you..."He said in that warm ,sweet voice of his and Ember could almost shed tears of joy.
"I love it..."She said softly, almost crying as Danny tied it on her..."I love you Danny..."Ember said to her love.
'I love you too Ember..."He whispered to her, making her feel like she was the luckiest girl in the world.
Ember shook away the memory. Now was not the time to get lost in that, she had to focus and set things right before it was too late. Danny needs her, the world needs her and she was not going to let Vlad and Paulina get away with this.
They were going to pay for trying to ruin her beloved and all of her friend's lives!
"Don't worry Danny…I'll make everything alright…I saved you once from that witch and I'll do it again…I promise…"Ember vowed as she flew away.
She was determined to find the love of her life and save him from the shallow witch and the bitter fruit loop who made a really big mistake.
One way or the other, she would set things right.
To be continued-
Next time on Unshattered Bonds
The life of Danny Plasmius
A/N: Two for one! YAY!
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:
Feurrige: So far, no one is doing better in this world and Ember knows that.
Invader Johnny: Very well said, my friend.
Wiseguy2415: Thank you, I hope this part of the ride was as exciting.
CupidGentie: Thanks.
:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)