Danny Phantom: Cloning Blues

by Futuramakid

Special thanks to my Beta-reader and sounding board Anthiena

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing.

One breakfast later...

Vlad had taken her aside, he wanted to talk in private, about her extra ability.

"...Danielle," he said, for that was what he had dubbed her- she found it rather odd that he had named only her, but said nothing for the moment- "you and your brothers all have extraordinary powers. But... this... psionic ability of yours is rather... unprecedented. It is... unique. I'd like to know more about it, if you'd feel comfortable speaking about it."

"Of course, Dad. We're family," she assured, before continuing, "Well... it started... in sleep, before I woke up."
"In sleep?" he queried.

"I was in the blackness... and then they were there too. I could... feel them," she said, "they were a comfort to me, and I to them..."

"And... what you did earlier... with your brother?" he asked.

"...I talked to him. Physically and mentally," she explained, "but... he wasn't like them. He was... well, empty. He had no consciousness, no concept of self beyond the necessary to live."

"Hmm, interesting," Vlad replied, "...I wonder why..."
"Couldn't tell you," she admitted, "he's just... different."

"...do you know the extent of your powers?" he asked, "is it possible you could command your other brothers?"
She recoiled at the thought.

"Absolutely not. Even if I could, I wouldn't. That would be wrong."

"...Indeed, indeed," Vlad said, humoring the girl, "however, as you seem to be the only one able to speak normally... Could you act as, say, a leader of sorts, among your brothers?"

"...Okay..." she said tentatively.

"Very good," he said, smiling at the girl... "I have something to do now. You and your brothers may occupy yourselves as you will..."

She nodded, and led the group out, gesturing them to follow.

Later...

"..."

Valerie was utterly stunned, dumbfounded. She had come on a routine call from Vlad, in his personal lab.

"...Danny Fenton and Danny Phantom were the same person... and I didn't even notice?"

"Indeed," Vlad replied.

"And I even liked him..." she said softly, taking the full blow.

"I believe it would be accurate to say that Daniel played you like a harp from hell... where he's now gone in a handbasket."

"...how long have you known?" she asked, looking at him with a tinge of anger in her eyes.

"That, my dear, is unimportant," he said cooly, "what is important, is that he is ravaging our world... and if he is not stopped, things will not be pretty. He is more powerful than you, more powerful than my equipment... But I believe I have something capable of stopping him."

"...But you said..."

"I said he was more powerful than my equipment, dear..."

He pressed a few buttons, bringing up a security feed.

"...What... what are they, Mr. Masters?" she asked, looking over the motley six it showed.

"They," he replied, "are my attempts to duplicate Daniel... They are the last hope of defeating Phantom."

Valerie noticed the little girl, blissfully unaware of all this, in the center of the group.

"...Vlad... are these... children?"

"...Only chronologically... They are, biologically, as old as Daniel, save the girl, who lacks only two years... They need training if they are to battle Phantom."

"...and you want my help?" she inferred.

"That would help accelerate things, yes," he replied, "I would provide room, board, and such while you do so... "

"...Vlad Masters, you are really... I don't even know where to begin."

"Of course, I understand if your feelings for Daniel lead you to decline... Unfounded as such a rejection would be... These are things, Valerie. Copies, twisted echoes... and ghosts besides."

Valerie bit her lip. Part of her wanted to agree, but part of her couldn't.

"...Ghost or no, Vlad... they're children."

"...They will fight, Valerie, whether or not you train them."

Valerie took a deep breath.

"...Fine. We play by your rules. And we'll cover this up for my father how?"

"You're enjoying a special work-education program from Axiom Labs, free of charge..."

"I'll go back and pack my things... And I'll be back tomorrow."

Valerie sighed when she left... It was like a rug had been pulled from under her. No longer were things simple, no longer were people people and ghosts monsters... She had much to ponder that night.