Disclaimer: I still don't own Danny Phantom. It's the property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Viacom International and it always will be.

Cupid's Wrath

Chapter 9: Ember's in love!

Ember reappeared in her realm and felt a small migraine coming, she's been teleporting so much lately but she ignored it as she felt a sense of happiness come over her.

She asked Danny out and he didn't turn her down!

True, she left before he could give a straight answer but she figured if he was truly dead set against the idea he wouldn't have hesitated.

"I cant believe I asked him out…."Ember squealed as she felt a blush mare her chalky white face. Tomorrow was Valentine's day and she was going to spend it with a guy she actually liked!

"Tomorrow I'm going on a date with Danny...'Ember hummed happily...only to stop as realization finally hit her at what she had done.

"I'M GOING ON A DATE WITH PHANTOM?!…."Ember shouted in disbelief, she was suppose to find a way to get over these feelings, not hit on Phantom.

She couldn't believe she acted so impulsively in that situation. Now she was going to go out with him at Styx's Cafe tomorrow night, one of the hottest restaurants in the entire Ghost Zone and it wasn't cheap either.

"I can't believe I did that...What am I gonna do?….What am I going to wear?!...'Ember shouted as she rushed to her closet to find something appropriate for tomorrow.

She only had less than 24 hours to prepare for her date and she had no idea what to do. Getting reservations was easy enough but there was still a lot to handle for tomorrow.

Suddenly she heard a loud banging on her door and heard a familiar voice.

"Ember, are you home?..."Ember calmed down as she recognized it as Kitty. Wasting no time, she let her friend inside.

"Hey, what's up?..."Ember asked to the biker babe.

"I'm fine, I was getting worried and I wanted to check on you...So...how's everything?..."Kitty asked hesitantly to her friend who suddenly grinned.

"I'm going on a date tomorrow..."Ember said quickly, shocking Kitty in the process.

Before long, loud, high pitch screams were heard as it reveals that both Ember and Kitty were jumping and squealing in excitement.

"I can't believe it! You actually made a move?...'Kitty asked in amazement and Ember nodded.

"Yep! I asked him to Styx's Cafe tomorrow night!...'Ember said beaming, acting every bit like a teenage girl about to go on a big date.

"Oh my gosh! We don't have a lot of time...Have you picked out something to wear?..."Kitty asked only for Ember shook her head.

"Not yet, I can't decide..."Ember said honestly.

"This just won't do..."Kitty said grinning as she walked up to her azure haired friend.

"Sit back girlfriend, it's makeover time!…."Kitty shouted as she dragged her friend to the closet to pick to pick an outfit that would impress Danny.

Unknown to the two ghouls, Clockwork was keeping a close eye on the two, especially on the blue haired diva who was blissfully unaware that soon she would be free from Cupid's grasp but at a cost.

"It's strange, usually the longer a person is under that horrid spell from Cupid, they just get worse with their symptoms, and despite not resisting anymore, she was being much more tame than she could have been..."Clockwork thought as he replayed the scene where Ember asked Danny out to Styx's Cafe.

He was mildly surprised that Ember just settled for a few kisses on the cheeks before asking Danny out, compared to what she could have easily done to him in that situation, with the lack of powers and knowingly having her guitar at hand.

He hadn't forgotten that Ember had a selfish side and she was known to make people like her with her music, but not once the idea even came to her...it was almost like she genuinely wanted to earn Danny's affection...which only made it worse for both of them.

"Poor girl..."Clockwork thought in pity as he witness the ghostly pop princess and her friend planning for the "date" tomorrow.

Clockwork knew part of the reason Cupid resented Ember was because she had access to her own version of a love spell with her guitar, though they were more like extreme versions of an infatuation that only lasted a day or two, while Cupid could easily alter a person's desire and how extreme it could get at will and for how long. Though it was clear he valued himself being the only one who had power over love, no matter what kind or to what extent.

Speaking of the arrogant little cherub, Clockwork soon changed the screen to reveal his "friend' who was currently infecting many humans with the love bug, though the results varied greatly.

He witness Cupid strike a man who just recently broke up with his unfaithful girlfriend and sent him after a shy college girl. He also witness Cupid make a spoiled woman breakup with her henpecked boyfriend and set her up with someone just as shallow as she was, which was meant to end badly for both parties.

Clockwork sighed as he witness the actions of the self-proclaimed spirit of love. He was only a glorified, vindictive prankster that was too arrogant for his own good.

"They say love is blind...and that arrogant little idiot is blind in a very different way…."Clockwork muttered about the arrogant cherub before he closed his time window and soon reflected his attention to his young charge, Phantom.

The young boy was still very lost in his situation but Clockwork knew he was a strong boy and he would overcome it.

It was only a matter of time after all.

Danny was finally home, having waited three hours until his powers came back before leaving the roof top, not wanting to risk running into his fans or the press without some much needed protection. Once home, he was surprise to see Tucker was there talking to Jazz while Dani was in the kitchen trying to sneak in an early dessert but he didn't have time to contemplate it.

Once he saw them, he just exploded and explained the events from the last few days alone, starting from Ember's strange behavior and ending with her asking him to join her tomorrow night.

The end result was that now his sisters and best friends were rolling around the floor, laughing their heads off at his predicament.

"Are you guys done yet?...'Danny asked in an annoyed tone.

"Not even close!...'Tucker shouted before guffawing again.

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!..."Jazz let out before laughing once more.

"Hee hee hee! I told you she liked you, big brother!..."Dani said in between her giggles at her fuming brother's plight.

"Ha Ha Ha! I can't believe I almost missed this!...'The teenaged mayor chortled while he desperately tried to regain his composure.

These last few days he's been swapped with his mayoral duties and hadn't had much of a chance to hang out with his friend which is why he took advantage of his rare night off, only to find him distress and explaining his situation with the ghostly pop princess.

"Oh geez, thanks everyone! That's real supportive…"Danny shouted sarcastically, being fed up with the humiliation. Soon the laughing died down and both sisters and friend were composed and ready to address the half ghost boy.

"I'm sorry little brother…I just can't believe Ember saved you from Skulker…."Jazz said a little more seriously.

"That makes two of us…"Danny said as he flopped on the sofa.

Soon the atmosphere changed when they noticed the lost look on his face, it was obvious that he was really confused by the whole situation.

"Not only that but…oh, just look…"Danny handed them the card Ember gave him earlier and all three people jaw dropped as they read what was inside.

'She wants me to join her tomorrow at some restaurant in the Ghost Zone call Stacks's Café or whatever…'Danny mumbled as he rubbed his temples.

"Are you going to go?...'Dani asked innocently to the dark hair boy.

When Danny didn't answer, Tucker tensed up at the implication.

"Hold up! You're not actually considering going?...'Tucker asked in disbelief.

While it was kind of funny to think that Ember suddenly had a crush on Danny, it was another thing to think that Danny was considering returning it.

"NO! I mean yes….maybe…I don't know!..."Danny shouted in a defeated tone.

Danny sighed and just wanted to end it, his parents just left this morning to go on a romantic mini-vacation for Valentine's Day and won't be back for another couple of days, which left him stuck with his sisters and to deal with every girl in town pestering him for a date tomorrow.

It was really driving him crazy.

Tucker just stood there in disbelief, he never would have expected his friend would be confused about the situation, he would have figured that even if Ember had a crush on Danny now, he would just ignore her like he did with Paulina and his other fans, which was why Tucker was so willing to rib him about it.

He didn't expect that he would be so hesitant to flat out reject her, especially after everything she's done to him over the years.

"Then again, Danny has always had a thing for dangerous woman…'Tucker thought as he thought back to the other girls Danny expressed interest it: Paulina, Valerie and even Sam as well.

While Paulina was definitely major eye-candy, she did have a mean streak and Danny spent most of freshman year after her, not to mention the thing with Valerie. Despite being hunted by her for months, Danny wasthis close to going steady with her before she broke things off. Sam wasn't any different, while she was their friend and a great girl, Sam was no push over and could be very scary when she wanted to be and she and Danny were inseparable until the big break up.

Maybe it wasn't so crazy that he'd consider giving Ember a shot.

"I just can't believe this is happening?...'Danny muttered.

"If you're not sure, you don't have to go Danny...'Jazz said.

"I don't think I even have a choice here Jazz! I was serious when I said she saved me from Skulker, she could have easily ignored the situation and I would already be stuffed right now!...'Danny yelled.

"Ewww…."Dani mumbled at the mental image.

"So your gonna go on a date with her because you think you owe her one?..."Tucker asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It's not that, okay...I don't know...Ember's been acting really weird, and now all of the sudden she tells me she likes me and wants to go out with me!..."Danny said.

"Love's a crazy thing big brother, and no one can control how they feel about someone, all we can do is accept it and let it fly free...'Dani said, adding her two cents.

"Oh yeah, where did you learn that?...Danny asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Felipe said it to his twin brother on the Valentine's day special for "Love from the beyond"...'Dani answered.

'Didn't mom and dad tell you that you're too young for that soap opera?...'Danny asked with his arms crossed.

"Stop changing the subject! Do you like Ember or not?!..."Dani insisted and Danny hated being put on the spot like that.

"I don't know alright! My head is telling me that I should hate her and not go on that stupid date tomorrow but something else isn't letting me do it! A part of me actually doesn't hate the idea of spending with someone who isn't a crazy fan girl who just want to use me for some fame and bragging rights..."Danny said looking down.

Tucker sighed and went to console his buddy.

"Look man….We're sorry for laughing earlier...It was just the idea was unbelievable...but I'm sorry...if you choose to spend Valentine's day with her or not, then it's alright, it's your choice after all…."Tucker said honestly.

"He's right, no one can force you to go or not...maybe Ember is trying to turn a new leaf and if you wanna give her a chance or not, that's yours to decide..."Jazz said to her little brother.

"They're right big brother...and sorry about laughing...We just want to make sure your happy..."Dani said looking up to her brother.

Danny sighed and started to feel a little better and some pressure off. Despite driving him crazy sometimes, he could always count on them for anything.

"Thanks guys….anyway Tucker...Not that I'm complaining, but why are you here?..."Danny asked to his friend who suddenly flinched a bit.

"What? A young teen mayor, can't use his one night off to hang out with his best friend….'Tucker said quickly, earning a curious look from Danny, who let it go and both boys left to play some video games, leaving Jazz alone with Danielle.

"So what are you going to wear tomorrow?...'Dani asked with a sly smile to a confused Jazz.

"What are you talking about?...'Jazz asked to the little ghost girl who was grinning at her.

"For your date with Tucker..."Dani said to a surprised and red faced Jazz.

"You were spying on us?!…."Jazz accused her.

"I was in the kitchen which is 5 feet from here..."Dani said flatly only for Jazz to look embarrassed.

"Shuuush...Please don't tell Danny, you know how crazy he can get if either of us are with guys..."Jazz said, recalling the Johnny 13 incident and how Danny's been very protective since then.

"I know what you mean, he's worse than Dad sometimes..."Dani said with her arms crossed, as she hand't been spared of her brother's protectiveness as well.

"But when are you going to let him know that his sister and best friend are dating?..."Dani asked to her sister.

"We're not dating!...At least….not yet...I mean...We're just hanging out...Getting to know each other more..."Jazz said looking down as she recalled these last few weeks.

It all started with her interning at the mayor's office after the Disasteroid. She originally did it to add some more extra curricular activity for her college application and Tucker picked her since she was hands out the most qualified candidate. She was mostly acting as Tucker's assistant, helping him, organizing his schedule and so forth. During that time they started talking, despite their mutual links with Danny and Sam, they never really hung out together.

Sometime after her internship was over, Tucker started calling her more and she soon found herself flirting with the techno geek teen mayor who suddenly took an interest in her which she reciprocated.

She honestly couldn't explain it, Tucker was two years younger than her and she's known him since they were kids since he would always come over to play with Danny but they never actively hung out until she joined Team Phantom and even then, it was always with Danny and/or Sam.

She found herself liking Tucker when he wasn't trying hard at being a "ladies man" and Jazz soon discovered they had a lot of things in common, given that they were some of the smartest kids at Casper High and it somehow grew into something she didn't recognize just yet.

"It's complicated..."Jazz sighed.

"If you say so..."Dani said rolling her eyes.

"But your going to spend Valentine's day with him?..."Dani asked and smiled when she saw Jazz nod her head.

"Yeah...He's been persistent these last few weeks..."Jazz said in a fond way.

"Anyway, we can't let Danny know just yet...At first it was because he was depressed about the breakup and didn't need this kind of bombshell but now it's this Valentine's day drama...We'll tell him...once he's starts feeling better..."Jazz said honestly to Dani who was nodding in understanding.

"Okay...I'll be quiet..."Dani said before leaving to do her own thing, her thoughts on both of her siblings who were facing a lot of drama.

"Either love is really complicated or grown ups just make it that way..."Dani thought as she went back to her sweets hunt.

VALENTINE'S DAY

Ember's realm, Ghost Zone

11:00am

The following morning Ember was humming happily as she just got out of her shower and was feeling strangely chipper...she knew why...It was Valentine's Day and she was going to spend it with someone she actually liked.

"I can't believe this is happening..."Ember thought beaming, feeling a very strange sense of happiness and contentment at the moment.

It was Valentine's day and she had a date! For once she wasn't going to be locked in her realm feeling sorry about herself and binging on whatever comfort food she could get.

Ember didn't know why but she was really excited for tonight, she usually didn't get so girly or perky even with her exes...the last time she was this excited was…

"No! Don't think about him...'Ember growled as she tried to prevent those memories.

Even after so long David found a way to ruin her mood, but she was not going to allow it today. She finally had a date with a nice guy and she wasn't going to let anything spoil it.

"I wonder what Danny is doing right now?..."Ember thought as she painted her nail with her favorite light purple nail polish.

Since it was Tuesday, he was likely at school right now and possibly fighting whatever loser that bugged him and was causing him trouble. Ember didn't know why but she giggled as she imagined Danny doing his super hero act, she honestly didn't mind it as long as it wasn't against her.

"I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees Styx's Cafe..."Ember giggled as she imagined their date tonight and she felt her heart fluttering more and more as she thought about the cute ghost boy.

She spent all last night with Kitty picking out the right outfit and setting everything up for tonight, she didn't care if it was last minute and she had to persuade the staff into giving her a reservation, Ember never backed out without a fight.

"It's almost noon right now, which mean I have 6 hours to get ready..."Ember muttered as she went back to her pampering and styling, no matter what she was going to give Danny a knock out look for their date.

Ember briefly paused as a bad thought entered her mind.

"What if he doesn't show up?...What if he's late?...or wore...What if he stand me up?..."Ember thought and felt a depression come over her as she recalled what went down with David and her other exes before shaking her.

"NO! Even if this is sudden, Danny prides himself in being a "good guy"...He's not the kind that would stand a girl up...would he?..."Ember thought with some hesitance.

Suddenly she heard a knock on her door, she quickly put her robe on and answered it only to find Spectra, Youngblood, Technus and even the Box Ghost and Lunch Lady there.

"So it is true?!...'Spectra said accusingly.

'What are you guys talking about? And what are you doing here?...'Ember asked in annoyance.

'WE ARE TALKING ABOUT YOUR BETRAYAL AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT BOTHERSOME PHANTOM!..."The Box Ghost said in his usual, obnoxious way.

"Really, you guys came here to bug me about that?..."Ember said flatly, not even bother to hide it, since the damage had been done the other day.

"Ember and Phantom! Sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!..."Youngblood sang and laughed as he pointed at her and made some kissing faces.

"Ember I know your probably down because of your pathetic breakup with Skulker, but I can't believe you were desperate enough to use Phantom as rebound..."Spectra said cruelly to Ember who was getting annoyed.

Ember and Spectra might have hung out sometimes, but they were acquaintances at best, and Spectra was always prone to insult and humiliate anyone just for a cheep thrill.

"Honestly I said leave the poor girl alone! While I don't approve of Phantom ,we aren't her parents and it's her choice..."The Lunch Lady said honestly, trying to prevent a brawl.

"But my sweet Lunch Lady...'The Box Ghost was cut off when she gave her "angry face".

"Yes...darling..."She hissed menacingly at her cowering boyfriend.

"I...I...Uh...I mean...Yes, it is...her choice..."The Box Ghost said, calming down the old lunch lady ghost in the process. The other ghosts ignored the bickering couple and were glaring at the ghostly pop princess who was glaring at them in return.

"How could you betray us to the enemy?!...'Technus accused the ghostly diva whose hair suddenly blazed up.

"Listen! I'm only going to say this once, it's none of your business who I date and if I want to date Danny, then I'll date him and you guys will shut up about it..."Ember growled at her ghostly brethren.

"So you are dating him!...'Youngblood pointed only to be struck with one of her ecto-blasts.

"Your really desperate enough to go towards that halfa?...'Spectra said snidely to the pop idol.

"I don't care what you idiots think! This is my Valentine's date and your already spoiling it, now get lost or else!...'Ember hissed with her power radiating, surprising her "friends" who were shocked by the sudden power boost.

"She's gotten stronger...but how?!..."Spectra thought as she tried to make sense of it, it's been months since Ember performed in front of a crowed. Spectra bit back the retort she was going to make and realized it wouldn't be wise to keep agitating the blue haired rock idol who was become very, very, very angry.

Ember smirked as she witness them leave, no matter what, no one messed with Ember and got away with it without a few bruises or a huge blow to their pride.

She slammed her door and went back to her beautifying, her previous worries gone, no matter what, Danny wasn't David and he wasn't cruel enough to leave a girl waiting on Valentine's Day.

Was he?

Danny sighed, wondering for the millionth time today alone, why he was here and why he was doing this? He truly thought he needed his head examined with what he was doing. It was 5:58pm and he was a few yards away from Ember's door.

'I shouldn't be doing this...I should just flat out tell her that I'm not going and get it over with..."Danny thought as he thought about the ghostly diva.

He thought about the look in her eyes...for once there was no malice, sadism or deceit he usually saw in in those green orbs...or the star struck fanaticism he saw in his fan girls eyes...what he saw in them...whatever it was...it seemed real.

She said she liked him and she wanted to spend Valentine's day with him, Jazz and everyone told him it was his choice and he didn't have to be here if he didn't want to but he was now in front of her door with only one minute to six, along with a white rose in his hand he picked up since he knew it was rude not to bring something since shedid technically give him a card.

"Am I...Am I really here because I want to? Or is it because I don't want to spend another Valentine's day alone?..."Danny muttered as he knew he was at a crossroads.

He could easily fly back home and forget this ever happened or he could let himself spend time with Ember on Valentine's day.

With only one minute left, Danny stood in front of her door, weighing his options

On the other side of the realm, Ember was checking her makeup once more, glancing at the clock ever so often. It was one minute to go before Danny showed up for their date and she was feeling butterflies in her tummy.

"I hope he's not late...He wouldn't stand me up, right?..."Ember thought worried, her nervousness from earlier today was back in full force, growing worse with each passing second.

Ember eyed the clock as it finally reached 6:00pm, and she waited patiently for something...anything that would let her know that Danny was coming and she wouldn't be stood up again. After almost half a minute, Ember was about to fear the worse when she suddenly heard a knock and whatever fears from earlier melted away and was replaced with that happy feeling once more.

"He's here…."Ember thought excitedly as she opened the door and smiled as she saw the ghost boy she liked there with a shy expression on his face.

"Wow..."Danny thought as he took in her appearance.

Ember was wearing a dark purple knee length dress, with black boots and a matching jacket, making her look wild yet lovely at the same time. Her blue hair was down and he got a quick whiff of her perfume and he liked it to be honest.

Realizing he was staring, he got out of it and realized he should say something

"Oh...um...Hey..."Danny said awkwardly.

"Hey..."Ember said pleasantly.

"I..Uh...Here...'Danny gave her the white rose and saw her entire face light up.

"Oh Danny, it's beautiful...'Ember said happily as she quickly put it in a vase.

"I'm...I'm glad you like it..."Danny said awkwardly, feeling a strange lightness after seeing her smile.

After a minute, Ember came back and was smiling at him again, which made him feel that strange, lightness again.

"So shall we be off..."Ember said to her date.

"Uh...yeah...'Danny said and didn't try to resist when she took his arm and grinned widely.

"Next stop: Styx's Cafe..."Ember said as she lead to the blushing ghost boy to their destination.

-To be continued-

Next time on Cupid's Wrath

Be my Valentine

REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:

Zachary Gilmore andRebfan90: Thanks.

Invader Johnny: I guess we'll see in the next few chapter, he he he.

Fangirling2021: Well I AM open to any criticism, but I should point out that Ember is as much of a victim in this situation as Danny is, given that she can't control her new feelings. Although Ember is still technically a villainess and thus, if she see something she wants, she's not afraid to take it…however I do intend to flesh her out a bit more in the upcoming chapters.

FeMorgenstern11 and Mr. R3M: Thank you, I was just really tired of seeing Sam become a crazy ex, which would have been redundant with Paulina portrayal in this fic. Not to mention that while Sam might have flaws, it's obvious that romance or not, she'll always care about Danny.

For the love of Frisk: Thank you, aww…you're making me blush so much.

Wiseguy2415: I guess we'll see next chapter ;)

Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review