The Clone Chronicles: Band on the Run

Well, the night was falling as the desert world

Began to settle down

In the town they're searching for us everywhere

But we never will be found...

Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The heat hung in the air- the black-haired girl paused, leaning on the building as she dropped from ghost-form. The town seemed fairly empty tonight- There were flyers everywhere. A concert in the Isleta- Ember something-or-other. She'd found the hotels nearby to be a good place to filch food- she felt bad about it, sure, but people tended to be pretty careless around hotels. If she hung around behind a group for a bit, the staff would usually assume she was with them. And that way, she could eat pretty easy, at least continentals. And with so many out tonight for the concert- that would make it easy for her to crash in a room, for a bit. A nice, quiet evening- a rarity for her. She was broken from her thoughts when from the direction of the amphitheater was a loud starting chord. It was electric. One of the upshoots of being near an amphitheater- you could enjoy the music from the outside. But this time, she decided to take a closer look. It was inviting stuff, rock and roll- youth, rebellion. All the reasons she lived the way she did. But she'd never heard anything quite like this. There was a softness in it, yet... it wasn't soft-rock. It had edges- but they were smooth edges. Shelter could wait for the moment. She took to the air, heading to the source- She'd never pulled something like this before. She phased into the the building, becoming tangible and visible in the middle of a row. She would have dropped to human mode first, but in this crowd? Half the crowd had dyes of some kind and clothes were weird all over. She looked positively... normal. Well, except for the fact she'd simply popped into visibility there- something none of the people around her seemed to notice. They were too captivated by the performance- a rocker, early-20's from her looks, was performing. Blue skin with green eyes- and amazing pyrotechnics made it seem her hair was on fire. It was amazing what people could do when they tried. The excitement was palpable, and contagious in the atmosphere. She found herself cheering along with the crowd, and the first set seemed to go by in no time- at which point she felt a tap on the shoulder. She turned, only to notice a very large man.

"I'll have to ask you for your proof of admission."

"What?"

"Your ticket stub, young lady."

She stumbled, attempting to form a plausible excuse.

"...Well. Just like I thought. Come on. You've had your fun, little girl. If you come easy, I'll just drop you off at the backstage exit."

His hand on her shoulder was firm. She sighed. At least it wasn't a big deal. No charges. She let him think he was making her go, following him back... And that was where things got weird. She looked, and... the hair was still on fire. Or, now she was closer- the hair was a fire. And that... that had to be normal skin. Her ghost-sense went off again, as she stared. The performer, who was taking a large gulp from a thermos, took notice of her gaze, and the man. The performer raised a brow, before approaching.

"Hey, Bruno. What'd the little girl here do to get herself kicked, huh?"

"Got a gate-jumper, Ms. McLain. Just appeared in the middle of a row... No idea how she got past. I was just showing her the way out- it would've taken half-an-hour to get her to the real exits through the intermission crowds."
The woman raised a brow when she got closer, seeming to notice something about Dani, "It's alright. No need to boot the little baby-pop out... Let me talk to her."

The man nodded, and made tracks from the backstage.

"So," Ember said, "What brings you sneaking into my concert?"

Dani gulped, "Ah, well... I... I heard the music from outside... It sounded so good, and I'd never been to a concert before, so I... I snuck in."

Ember chuckled. "I did the same thing, once. Granted, back then that was because it was Jett... Tell me, kid. You a member of Mr. 'Saved the World''s fan club or something?"

She pointed to the emblem on her shirt.

Dani raised a brow. "Truth for truth- are you a ghost, Ms. McLain?"

Ember laughed, "What gave you the first clue, the flaming hair?"

Dani chuckled... She wasn't sure the motives, but figured she'd given her word. "Not exactly. We're cousins."

"...Cousins, huh? And does he know you're here?"

Dani laughed, "What, you know him? Besides, you're just a musician. What could you possibly be hiding? Backwards lyrics?"

Now this, this could be a lot of fun, Ember thought.

"Kind of. You could say we're acquaintances. Is he around?"

"I wouldn't know. He lives a long way off, and I... well... my father is very... hands-off, you might say."

Her manner betrayed her a bit there, the squirms.

"...You talk like he's the only one who'd worry... Single parent?" Ember guessed.

Dani fidgeted again, trying to find the right words...

"...None?" Ember asked, her face turning a bit more intrigued.

Now Dani was a bit to eager, "No, no, I just-"

The older woman put a hand on her shoulder... "It's alright, girl. You're not in trouble, in fact... Why don't you stay back here? I think I'd like to hang with you after the second set."

Dani nodded... "Sounds good."

The woman gave her a thumbs up as she headed back from the wings onto the stage... and the music started again, and Dani began feeling rather more starstruck by the woman... She was so nice to her, and so pretty... And the energy of the music was absolutely infectious. She found herself wishing the music could last forever... Again it seemed to end far too soon. Ember high-fived her as she left the stage.

"Was that an awesome concert or what?" Ember smirked at Dani.

Dani grinned back, "Definitely, Ms. McLain."

"...Ms. McLain was my mom. Call me Ember, babypop."

Put a hand on Dani's shoulder... "If you don't mind, I've just a couple more questions, for in private."

Dani nodded, "Of course, Ember." Something in the back of her head felt like something was off, but she shrugged it off, following the rocker's lead to a star dressing room. She closed the door behind them, sitting down at a vanity...

"...So. You and Danny Phantom- I want to know everything."

Of course, everything. Danielle knew she should hold back, but she couldn't- something about this woman was compelling her.

"I'm his clone," she began.

"Clone?" Ember interrupted. That didn't make sense... "Shouldn't clones be... y'know... identical?"

Dani fidgeted a moment, uncomfortable. "Yes."

"But... you're not," Ember asked, "Why?"

"...My DNA wasn't complete. My father hates me for it..."

Ember paused... That was something she had experience with, in her life. Abuse was such a personal thing... poor girl. She sighed. She couldn't use the girl now... but what would she do then? Just kick the girl on her way? That'd be heartless as the man she once loved.

"...I understand if you don't want to talk about it," she said, gently, as she stood, "You can come with me, if you don't have anywhere to go... There's room for another where I'm staying."

This is what you get for being a soft rocker, Ember, she thought to herself.
"You mean it?" the girl's eyes lit up, and she hugged her... "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"

Ember laughed, "Easy, kiddo. I need those lungs to sing."