Hello and hi guys. Guess what? I'm not dead! But I am getting there slowly but surely. What? That's not funny? Oh yeah... I'm sorry for making offcolored jokes. Still thanks for Reading, Following, Faving, and Reviewing my story!

Not much time pass when Vlad Masters had just arrived back home through his ghost portal and transformed back into his human half. Then he marched over to a metal table littered with various gadgets and devices as he removed his Plasmiwatch.

"Fudgenuggets..." he grumbled dropping it there.

No doubt after his battle with the two dragons and dragging himself out of the moat surrounding the kingdom, the billionaire quickly realized his device was in a state that lacked any usefulness whatsoever. Simply put, it did not work. Whether that was due to the dragon fire blast or ghost water or a combination of the two was up for debate. However, what was clear as day was he needed to get a replacement. Though it would take a business day or two. After all custom pieces of equipment weren't made in abundance nor sold in any store. He'd have to make a call and put in a very special order. But this time, he'll make sure to acquire more than one; to be on the safe side.

With clenched fists, he marched over to the bin located right next to the entrance to the decontamination shower area, which was located at backside of the lab. Quickly, he ripped off his suit in a monsterous(or ghosterous...?) show of strength before tossing it in the disposal bin in front of him. Then he stripped off his socks, tanktop, and boxers before tossing those in the bin as well.

After that was accomplished, it was now time for the billionaire to head inside the decontamination shower area and wash off whatever filth he managed to accumulate while in the Ghost Zone.

As soon as the water was at a comfortable temperature for him, Vlad stepped in and sighed once the droplets eased the tension in his muscles.

"There we are," he let out before contemplating aloud, "Now to plan my next move. Of course I can't go back to that kingdom just yet. For starters, I'm not at full strength so going up against a dragon, or in this case two, would be suicide. Secondly, they more than likely are in possession of the key. It wasn't in the same spot where I last saw it when I snuck back in. Its logical to assume they have it. Unfortunately, I will have to wait until I get another Plasmiwatch before making a move again. In the meantime, I'll just dispatch a few Plasmibugs to that location. Its best to get the layout of a realm and know its day to day activities."

With his mind made up, Vlad concentrated on finish showering.

Around the same time inside the Ghost Zone...

"Over here Em!" called Kitty waving an arm from nearby the entrance to the mall.

The flame haired musician noticed her friend right away.

After making her way over to Kitty, Ember said, "My bad for taking long. Had to find a way to get away from Danny without raising a red flag. So where is everyone?"

"Youngblood and Johnny went to the arcade," answered the girl with fishnet stockings. "Spectra on the otherhand sent me a text saying she couldn't make it and we should go gift-shopping without her."

Ember rolled her eyes.

"Figures. The one person who came up with this idea bailing on us."

"Look on the bright side. You have one less person to interrogate you about Danny."

The rocker considered Kitty's reasoning.

"Hm... Make it two and then I'll be happy."

The biker babe smiled mischieviously as she laid a hand on the musician's shoulder.

"Oh Em. If only it were that easy."

Ember let her disappointment show with narrowed eyes and a frown.

"Why did I agree to this again?"

"Because you want to score points with Danny."

"And why would I want to do that?"

"Because you like him."

"Of course I like him; we're friends. And he helped me get out of my funk."

"Not like Em. I'm saying you 'like-like' him."

The rocker folded her arms.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Kitty raised a knowing brow.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. And even if I was trying to score points, which I'm not, wouldn't it defeat the purpose when we're all buying him something?"

"Not when the rest of us will buy him something crappy compared to your gift."

"You guys would do that for me...?!" eagerly questioned the pop princess. Once Ember realized her mistake she was quick to correct herself with, "I mean uh... if it was true that I like-liked him and wanted to score some points, not saying that I am, all of you would do that?"

"Of course we would. But only if you like-like him. Too bad you don't though."

Ember weighed her options. She could admit that she actually has feelings for Danny in the hope that it would progress their relationship further with the gift she will buy. Or she could keep quiet and risk Danny finding her gift dissatisfactory compared to the ones her friends might get him. One option left her vulnerable and had the best chance at making the ghost teen happy while the other shrouded her feelings, but had the best chance at making Danny disappointed.

"(Darn you Kitty...)" thought the musician as she sighed. Then she said, "This won't get back to Danny?"

"My lips are sealed."

"And you'll make sure 13 and pipsqueak keep their traps shut too?"

"If they even think about spilling the beans they'll go missing for the next 11 hours."

"What about Spectra?"

"Since she decided to bail on us we won't clue her in."

The pop princess let out another sigh.

"Okay I... like-like Danny..."

"There. Was that so hard?"

"Kinda."

"Anyway, we'll meet up with the boys and tell them the plan."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Then the two proceeded to enter the mall together.

"So how long have you like-liked Danny?"

The pop princess groaned.

"Its part of the deal Em," explained Kitty. "Now spill."

"Fine... I guess it sorta happened after he helped screwed my head on straight."

"Makes sense. Have you told him yet?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Its... complicated."

"What do you mean by that? And don't tell me it has something to do with Skulker."

The flame haired ghost fell silent and Kitty noticed her guilty expression.

"Its Skulker isn't it?"

"Um... maybe?"

"What happened?"

"Don't judge me but we kinda kissed yesterday..."

The biker babe gasped in astonishment as they both stopped.

"You made out with Skulker?!"

Ember flinched at the outburst.

"Yeah..."

"How? I thought you were with Danny the whole day."

"Well... I went back to my pad for a little while to grab something and on my way out Skulker bumped into me. Then he started talking and he said stuff like how he wanted to see how I was doing and that he wanted for us to get back together. And when we were through he surprised me with that kiss."

"Oh... so you didn't initiate it?"

"No, but I didn't exactly try to stop it once I realized what was happening."

"And why didn't you try to stop it?"

"Because... I don't know... maybe I feel guilty about dumping him I guess? Then there's the long history between us."

"In other words, you still have feelings for Skulker."

The pop princess nodded.

"Did you tell Danny about... what am I saying? Of course you didn't. Will you tell him about the kiss?"

"Um..." Ember hesitated. "I want to but..."

"You're afraid of what he might think of you."

"Yeah..."

"Long story short, you like-like Danny enough to want to start a relationship with him, but at the same time you also haven't closed the door on your ex. Now I get why you called it complicated."

"Any advice?" Ember kinda pleaded.

"Well, since you're not together, I guess you technically didn't do anything wrong. Although, I think you should make sure you're officially done with Skulker before trying to move on with Danny. It wouldn't be fair to him if you were having second thoughts about your ex."

"And what about the kiss? Should I tell him?"

"That's up to you," Kitty pointed at her with a finger.

Ember paused to think.

"I'll... keep a lid on it for now I guess. But if I do make up my mind about moving forward, I'll tell Danny what happened beforehand."

The girl with fishnet stockings smiled.

"Whatever you decide, I'm in your corner."

Ember smiled.

"Thanks."

"Don't take too long though because you need a man like yesterday," joked Kitty.

At the remark, Ember felt insulted and she glared at her friend.

"I don't need a guy that bad!"

"Of coooourse you don't," agreed Kitty sauntering away in the direction of the arcade with a smile.

Ember knew her friend didn't really mean what she said but chose to let it go in favor of not wanting to jeapordize the offer Kitty had all so graciously suggested. And so she followed her without a word.

I have a question.

What should Ember buy Danny? I have no clue as of yet but I'm open to suggestions. If I do use it you will be credited with the idea.