A/N: This is a short one set during Kindred Spirits. I've thought about this idea a lot, and it just makes sense to me. Also, for those of you who are reading Home Away, I'm still working on the next chapter. In the meantime, this could contain some subtle hints as to where I'm heading with one of the story arcs I've started. For those of you who aren't reading Home Away, Hakuna Matata, this story can be read separately.
Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom.
…Vlad's Colorado Lab…
I groaned softly as I came to; already I could feel the beginnings of a headache coming from being knocked out for the second time in what I assume has been less than twenty-four hours. Before opening my eyes, I try moving my arms and, just as I expected, found them bound by metal cuffs. I didn't want to open my eyes – I knew what I'd see and fatigue was already making itself known – but I liked the idea of being unconscious around my enemy – enemies – even less.
The first thing I saw was the wreckage of the first containment pod and then, predictably, Vlad smirking at me. Finally, my eyes landed on my cousin – my clone – Danielle, getting ready to follow Vlad's orders. She looks so small and unsure – so innocent – that I know that at least some of what I'd said to her, had had an effect.
She asks "Daddy" if she should start, sounding so much less confident then earlier, when she'd first betrayed me. I want to hate her for betraying me. I do, but then Vlad gets this…look on his face, and my stomach twists sickeningly, because I know what he's going to suggest. I know he thinks I'm weakened enough from the electrocutions and the beatings and that she's stronger than the last one that tried and might succeed. I know it, and I hate him. I hate him for even suggesting Danielle try something that, more than likely, will kill her.
And when she points this out to him, looking scared for the first time since I met her… I can see that she's waiting for him to prove me wrong. I know that she's waiting for him to prove that he really does love her…
I want him to prove me wrong.
But, he doesn't. Of course, he doesn't. Why would he? The Fruitloop doesn't know what love is.
"You exist to serve ME!" he shouts in her face and all at once, I am heartbroken because of how much he hurt her, proud because of how she responds by letting me go, and …relieved.
Relieved, because, if she had done as she was told…Vlad would have gotten exactly what he wanted…
Because I wouldn't have fought her...
Because, somewhere along the line, she became one of the most important people in my life. My cousin, if not closer. A member of my family.
A/N: Like I said at the start of this, I've been thinking about this for a while. I honestly think that Danny would have let Dani overshadow him rather than kill her by fighting back. I had some difficulty with tense throughout, since I have only written in first-person once before and not for Danny. Tell me what you think, and as alwaysALOHA!