DISCLAIMER: Please for the love of all that is good. Don't believe anyone, anyone! Who believes that I own Danny Phantom. Why? Because if I did, it wouldn't be on a kids show, that's for sure. Seriously, am I the only one who sees this has going further than just a kids cartoon, I can't be.
'What an awesome way of saying, Happy Birthday,' Danny thought to himself as he looked out of the back seat window. It was nothing but desert for miles.
Danny pressed up against the window and looked in the direction they were heading, he could see a white building, not much different from a high security apartment complex (well maybe a bit more security than usually but you get the idea), but with one difference,
No windows; not one. Danny liked privacy, don't get him wrong, but this was insane.
And scary, let's not forget scary.
His parents were less than impressed of doing this government routine again (once with his sister Jazz, now twice with him), as they grumbled at the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle.
The first time (with Jazz), they were dead silent. Too scared to talk or move. Worried that they would never see their baby girl again. That was the only reason why Danny was allowed to go in the first place, was incase he wouldn't see his sister again.
Now, there was still some tension, an elephant in the car, so to speak. However, his family thinks "If Jazz didn't make it, then Danny won't either."
They never said that and Danny was sure they were worried for him, but he guessed having his sister go and come back, his parents were more relaxed about him.
Danny doesn't mind. It puts his family at ease.
Even if he thinks it's bull. Somewhere, deep down, he just knows, he'll never leave that building. It'll be bittersweet and he'll hate every minute of it. Then again, maybe everyone who comes here thinks they'll stay forever, he should ask his sister.
Danny flicked his eyes over to his sister, nose deep in a book he couldn't even pronounce the title of and couldn't help but want to ask some questions to help with the "test", or was it multiple choice? She promised him there was nothing she could do and nothing she could talk about but even some last minute calming points couldn't hurt.
Danny was about to ask, when the car lurched to a stop.
So caught up in thoughts he didn't notice that the pure white building got bigger and bigger.
He looked out the window and realized they were at their destination.
Remember what he said about this place looking like an apartment building? He lied. It's was ten time bigger and taller and had a lot more security up close.
Perfect for whatever they were doing to people in their.
Danny couldn't hold back a gulp as he thought of what would happen if he passed their "test".
His father stopped the car at a security booth just outside the building. An old man with a name tag that said 'Jay' on it, came out of the booth. "Excuse me? Sir", Jay spoke in a rough voice. "Do you have your invitation?"
Kids at school, the older ones, joked about the 'invitation' was more like a death certificate to the lucky boy or girl that passed their test.
His father, Jack, nodded his head and looked to his mother, Maddie, as she got the envelope and took a slip of paper out.
She handed it to Jack, who then passed it on to Jay, who gave it a quick glance over and nodded his head. He went back into the booth to (press a button? Switch a lever? Danny didn't know), make the security bar, stopping unwanted people from coming in (or escaping), lift up, inviting the family to come inside.
Jack nodded to Ray, and pulled the car up.
They were in, no going back. It was like a prison, he had a chance for freedom in two years, then after five more they can't touch you. If you pass the "test" in the seven years...you can't even die quick enough to escape.
They reached the front doors, nothing fancy about the doors themselves, but Danny did notice the guards, and more importantly, their weapons, guns.
Danny shivered at the thought of all the videos of people trying to break free, run, escape. The government did want these people alive, but some got too hectic, chaotic, desperate for escape and were killed. They showed the videos to warn people, to a say a message Danny like to think as, 'once you're in our land, we own you, if you want out, go ahead and try.'
Danny got out of the car with the rest of the family, he went to the trunk to get his stuff, everything he owns to date.
After all, if he passes their test, he might be living here.
For the first time in his short life, Danny really hoped he failed this test, bad.
The guards opened the door for his family, checking up and down everyone to make sure there were no outside weapons, and waved for some workers to help.
The welcoming centre looked nothing like Danny thought of when he was the building. It had a welcoming colour tones and music playing softly. Chairs lined up for waiting, and a front desk.
There was no one here. Ghost town was a better word for it.
Posters were put up, though Danny couldn't agree with what they were saying, none of them matched with what this building was for. Sayings like, 'to better our future,' 'think of your Perfect Kids.'
Okay that last one, yes, but others made Danny question if they truly knew what was going on. Hell, even Danny doesn't know what really goes on here. The government makes this place seem happy, while people that have got out, spoke of horror.
Two people, a man and a woman, came to help, their name tags read 'Jenny' and 'Tommy'.
"Hello!" Said Jenny, in a high pitched voice. Danny could almost imagine Sam's reaction to this girl, blond hair, blue eyes. Looks like the type Sam hates and Tucker would totally be hitting on.
Tommy continued, in almost the same pitch as Jenny. "Welcome to S.M.F Incorporated! I'm Tommy and this is Jenny, we're going to be helping you today!" His green eyes sparkling, and brown hair swaying as he spoke.
"Will it be the two of you today?" Jenny spoke, pointing to Danny and Jazz.
Jack shook his head as Maddie said "No, our daughter has already taken your..."test"." Danny wanted to laugh because his mom had said a lot more colourful words to describe the..."test". "Our son, Daniel Jackson Fenton, will be taking the test."
Jenny nodded but was still eyeing Jazz. "It's a shame, you look so intelligent...we would have loved to have you."
Jazz put on a fake smile. Danny could tell, it was wonky, and he could tell Jazz wanted nothing more then bitch talk the women into next week.
Tommy looked to Danny "Alright then little guy! Say goodbye to your family! Don't worry, if you pass or fail, you'll get to see them again!"
Danny already knew that was the biggest amount of bull he ever heard come out of a human mouth before. Kids with older siblings spoke they almost never saw their brother or sister once they are picked.
He gave a hug to his parents (who looked very much ready to never give him up) and his sister (who gave him a whisper of "Hey, if you pass, it would be the first test you beat me in."). Which made Danny give her a playful glare.
They gave him one last tearful smile before exiting the building. Leaving him all along, sort of.
Danny turned to Jenny and Tommy just has their smiles fell. Tommy turned to Danny and shoved him towards a hall on the right side. Picking up his luggage were big guys in tuxedos, his escorts, Danny guessed. "Get moving kid, follow those people carrying your stuff, would wouldn't want to lose it would yah?" A cruel smile was on his face as Jenny laughed at his joke, looking up and down Danny before scuffing at him.
Danny looked wide eyed at the two before jogging to catch with the tall big guys, carrying his stuff.
One of them noticed he caught up, and grabbed his arm in a tight grip before pulling Danny up in front of him.
Danny never felt so small before looking between two guys ahead of him, and two behind him.
Danny took notice of the hallway. It was kind of creepy to see a row on row of doors. It was just quite enough (the four men weren't much talkers, Danny guessed), that he could hear through the doors of some of the more louder occupants. Danny guessed these were the employee. Danny didn't hear the soft sniffles of children crying or shouting of any kind. Instead, he heard T.V's and muffled laughter.
Danny almost ran into one of the guys ahead of him, when they stopped at an elevator at the end of the hallway. One of the front guys pushed a button and waited.
A soft beep came from the elevator and the doors opened, a kid, or what he thought was a kid, there was too much hair to tell, came flying out of the elevator, by passing Danny and the four dudes and booked it across the hallway, heading towards the exit.
An adult came out of the elevator shouting "stop!" And "get her!" Danny was shocked to see the man carrying a gun in his hand.
Danny was shoved into the elevator and watched as the girl was being held back by Tommy and as the doors were shutting, the guy with the gun took aim. Danny's eyes went wide as his breath caught when the doors shut. It did nothing to stop the noise of the gun going off.
Danny started to shake. The videos did nothing to prepare him for the real thing. One of the guys noticed his shaking. "Relax, it was a tranquilizer."
Danny didn't believe him. He never heard a tranquilizer gun make that big a boom before.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. He was led through another hallway with even more doors that never seemed to stop, just an endless row on row. These door had numbers, that's what he was right now, a number.
They stopped at one door. One of the guys unlocked it with a key, and pushed Danny inside.
There was nothing inside here. It was a big room with nothing but a table and two chairs. Near the entrance was another door, maybe a closet or bathroom?
The guys put his stuff on the table and started looking through the luggage.
Danny was appalled. "H-Hey!? What the hell do you think you're doing!?"
This got the attention of one of the guys as he looked to Danny and stalked towards him. Danny flinched and closed his eyes. The guy only grunted as he started to pat Danny down, looking for something within his pockets. He pulled out Danny's wallet and cell phone and put them in a baggy ('that he pulled out of nowhere', Danny though).
He then motioned for Danny to do something. When Danny didn't do anything he growled. "Strip."
Danny went wide eyed and blushed a mad red. What?! This guy was on something pretty good, to think Danny would just strip, maybe he'd do a little dance too?
When Danny just looked at the guy like he had three heads, he reached for Danny's shirt and tried to lift it when Danny yelped out, "Okay! Okay!" And begun to strip down to his boxers (at least he didn't really have to dance, hey, silver linings). The guy took his clothing and gave him a new outfit.
"Change in the side room and make sure to change your underwear." The guy barked out, shoving Danny away from the entrance and towards the side room, before shutting the door.
He stood there, white clothing in hand, when the situation finally sunk into Danny.
'I'm...in hell'
At this very moment, Danny couldn't honestly think of worse place to be. This was the lowest thing humanity supported and liked, sort of. He was being forced to partake in tests, which he really doesn't want to do, and possibly becoming nothing more to these people then a paycheck. At first glance this program seemed so nice, but then you thought about it. Do these people really sign up for this? How old are these people? But the people who are on the rewarding side of society never thought of the hardships and horror of the other side. You see, not every kid is sent here, no. Government officials and anyone making a lot of money had their kids safe. Just goes to show money makes this fucked up world go round.
This was the lowest stage of humanity anyone could see and Danny was about to get a big mouthful of it.
Hopefully, just a mouthful.
He didn't want to imaging what would happened if he went full immersion. Full immersion meaning staying here until he's old.
He quickly got dressed, so he would wouldn't piss off one of the four guys (it was so hard to tell them apart, they're all...buff), and opened the side room door.
His stuff and the guys were gone. Danny went to the door and tried to open with no luck. He was stuck in here.
On the table was a pair of shoes, velcro shoes. They probably didn't want any kids getting any ideas.
"Hello, Daniel, or is it Danny?"
Danny spun around to see the door had opened and a woman stood in front of it. She gave him a warm smile.
"I have a Perfect Child, you know? My husband and I named him Daniel, but he prefers Dan." She said with a smile.
A Perfect Child, the biggest reason why he was here.
"I think your file said Danny, yes? Don't worry sweetheart, if you're too scared we could sit and chat for a bit, I know this is a lot to take in, but I promise, you'll get through it just fine."
For the first time since he got here, he smiled. She sounded really nice.
"It's okay ma'am but could I get your name before we begin?"
She blinked at him, shocked, before she went back to smiling. "Lilly-bell. Please, have a seat." She motioned to the desk and chair, he sat down.
"Before we begin, it's my job to inform you of what we do and ask of you, even if you know already."
She cleared her throat before beginning her speech.
"It begun as a joke. No one took the operation seriously. Sure people were happy but no one could think there was realism behind it. It's wasn't until the benefits started showing that people realized this is beneficial, a must, a stepping stone in life, Evolution! Here Danny, at Soul Mate Factory Incorporated, we make people happy! At first it was volunteers, that saw true potential in this idea and we found them soul mates. Then, people started to see the product of their bond, children. Perfect Children, like my Dan. Humans that are born smart, good looking, perfectly made and free of defects, and people began to realize the good this could do for society, and thought of ways to somehow mass produce Perfect Children! So with technology only thought possible, we match soulmates, keep them in these mass buildings, have them make Perfect Children, and give them to loving families that will spoil them, and let them flourish under proper parents. Here at S.M.F. Inco. We produce one eighth, almost one seventh of the countries profits, brought us out of debt and with plans to expand, the world can see the good we make for humanity, do you understand Danny?"
Danny could only gape at the women. So passionate (Danny swore at first she sounded like an actress perform her big performance), over something so horrifying, so disgusting, cringe worthy, so inhumane. He got the basics of this hell hole but this was a lot more detail then he wanted. He was expected to find his one love, have kids, then have this company sell them off? Danny thought it would be bad to voice the negatives, so he just shut his mouth and nodded his head.
"You see, we had to face many challenges before we got here today. Some including what people have the balls to call "inhumane". Please, this is the definition of human, reproduce, make money, make people happy. Another problem was gender. We understand that soul mates can be same gender, so, we created technology to make it possible. It was hard, it turns out you can't test tube the babies, and the fertilized egg has to be inside the "mother" for this to work, so we created an artificial womb for the bottom boy, don't worry, our computers and staff will figure out what you are Danny, and for girls we- actually, we don't need to go into detail on that. Unfortunately, not everyone is fertile, and soul mates we find that can't produce kids are simply let go, we have yet to create a 100% guarantee on fertility and the government won't hold people for no reason. Another would be if the soulmate isn't born, or in another country. We have a deal with other countries where if they move to America, they have to do the test, and for everyone we keep you in the system for five years, after that, if your soulmate appears, you won't come up, a sad but true part of the company." As this said this, she really looked sad, they this company couldn't sell more kids, because there was a five year limit on the would be parents.
Danny felt like he was going to puke.
Danny also wanted to question how this chick knew all of that and why was she telling him all of this.
However, Danny just nodded, although he really wanted to cry himself out of this nightmare, for fuck sakes he doesn't even know what gender he likes!
She spoke up again. "Now, I'll be asking you questions, you'll answer questions on paper, experts will be looking into your genetic makeup, DNA, all that fun stuff, then we'll wait for your results. So, what do you want to start with?"
During the whole conversation, Danny's dark sadistic side was singing "Happy Birthday to you."
'What an awesome way of saying Happy Birthday, we're going to sell your future babies!'
I don't know, I thought it was cool, any comments, questions, anything wrong, you want to fix it? Leave a comment, I don't mind.
Bye!
Revised 05/04/18