Chapter 6

The Monster

PH23X's POV:

I'm not sure what leads me to this craving. My body again, seems to reject thoughts of betraying Father's wishes. My heart however, wants to be in the world. I want to feel everything it has to offer. Solitude is what I need right now, away from the prying eyes of Father and the Maids. I don't normally feel this way, but all of the feelings I am experiencing are starting to make me feel dizzy. I wonder when my senses won't be so heightened anymore.

The night makes the castle dark, and I squint to see where I'm going. Perhaps it is my sense of adventure that takes over, because before I know it I am floating quietly in front of the door to the world. Hot blood is flowing through my veins, and my heart beats in time with the desire I feel deep inside. I know this desire extends past whatever may lie ahead of me outside. I gulp, momentarily standing still. There is a war inside my mind; the side that wishes to obey father, and the side that wishes to feel fresh air on my face.

Which path should I choose?

Beyond that very door is the world, and I am about to go into it unprotected. I feel a slow nagging in my stomach. The urge to call out to Father to come with me is threatening to burst. Then I remember his angry face and swallow my fear. Sometimes in this life, in this world even, you have to take the riskiest chances. Jenny told me that's how you learn. If you never learn from your mistakes, how will you be better? Besides, wouldn't father want me to be brave? Wouldn't he want me to be more than a cowering figure, too afraid to move into the light?

I take a deep breath, then slowly phase through the door.

The cold winds of the night hit me head on. I feel a lunge in my stomach, as though I have dropped into cold water. My head spins, and for a moment I want to go back inside. Fear keeps me from seeing anything, and for quite a moment the earth stands still. Then, I calm down. A blast of noise fills my ears. I can hear crickets, the rustle of the hedges, and the distant babble of a brook. Owls fly overhead, a plump mouse in one of its beaks. I reappear, looking around with fascination. Something bright up above leads my eyes to the sky. It is the moon, and all around it are twinkling stars. A few stars are different colors, probably planets. Father instilled all these thoughts in me, but experiencing things first hand never got old.

The world was more incredible than I could have ever imagined. Night has turned out to be my favorite time of day. In awe, I glide further away from the castle. Something powerful fills me. My heart-rate has increased, and I feel the urge to scream in happiness. I feel something now, something I've never felt before. It is such a freedom, that I'm about to burst from the seams. Love for the world fills my heart, and a part of me never wants to leave this moment. I want to bask in the darkness of the night forever, and sing with the crickets in the hedges.

Gaining more nerve, I slowly soar up into the night sky. Father's house is so big that it climbs with me. I twist and turn, my arms wide in the wind. I look like a large letter "T", whirling and twirling, soft noises of glee leaving my mouth. All around me the air cradles me like a baby, softly lulling me with its lullaby. I want to drown in this sea of happiness for all eternity.

…Or at least for the rest of the night.

Danny's POV:

Rolling hills and tall pine trees pass me by as I ride through the vast Wisconsin sky. It is night, and I've been flying for hours. My body feels heavy and tired, like I'm passing through time faster than I can handle. It seems like a century ago I waved goodbye to Sam and Tucker, insisting to do this mission alone. After all, it is a bit more personal.

Hahah. Personal.

Can anything get more personal than someone just like me? I don't think so.

And this time, the "person like me" isn't a three year old dressing up as Danny Phantom for Halloween.

No, it's a lot worse than that. Tons worse.

It's a good thing my parents are so gullible. They still haven't noticed the disappearance of their Specter Speeder, weapons and of course the very unnoticeable fleeing of their only son.

I smirk to myself slightly as I think of adults. They claim they know everything, until they realize they don't have a clue what's going on.

But I'm not so different right now.

I sigh, leaning back into my seat. A tense expression pulls on my face. I haven't been this worried in awhile. Sure, I get scared sometimes, but fear like never before eats at me. I tighten my hands on the wheel of the speeder and try to take deep, calming breaths. Quickly I find that this is futile; for once I cannot win this battle.

What if it is true?

What if Vlad really made well… a clone?

What does this mean? Does he look like me? Does he act like me?

Is he…. me?

Or is he different? Is he like Danni, lost and twisted? Images of her terrified face swim into my mind. She was in deep, drowning in the water. Vlad held the lifesaver for her. . .unfortunately. Is he as misguided and brainwashed as she was when I first met her?

I shake my head and tremble.

"No way…just no way." I try to assure myself. But even to my own ears my voice sounds unsure.

There's no way Vlad could have done it, right? After all, he's never been able to find the missing key to his clones…morph DNA. It's the only thing that gives his clones longevity. But what if Vlad doesn't care if this clone lives? Maybe he's making an even better one.

No…maybe he's making an army of clones.

I feel like fainting, wondering how this nightmare can ever end.

Maybe I'll wake up sometime.

A beeping noise fills my ears, waking me up. The Specter Speeder blares as a thin screen pops down. I recognize my Father's face immediately.

"Hey, what do you know? You've made it to your destination…so this is just an explanation. Get it? Explanation, destination?" He pauses. Mom who apparently was filming this video, didn't think his "funny jokes" were the least bit amusing.

I don't either.

"Yeah. So…you're here…" his eyes dart around nervously. "Don't forget to take your Fenton Raincoat!" And the screen snaps off. I chuckle dryly under my breath and shake my head in amazement. My Father gets dumber every day, but for once it pays off. I'm now able to move from the petrified fear I've been in.

Apparently it's time to roll. My suspicions are confirmed when I see the faint outline of Vlad's castle. Even from here it is huge. I decide that parking the Speeder far away will attract less attention. That leaves me to the dark, ecto infected woods alone.

God knows what I'll find.

My heart hammers in my chest as I park the Speeder in a thick canopy of trees. Night also helps to shield me, and I quietly shut down the engine. Everything rumbles, then comes to a smooth standstill. The lights slowly fade off, and I am alone now in the dark.

I can hear crickets outside. Rough tufts of wind hit the window and make swooshing noises, reminding me of how alone I am. It is dark as well. The moon is the only thing guiding my eyes to see anything at all.

It's an eternity before I am finally climbing out of the Speeder. Frigid wind hits me head on, so cold that my ghostly body can feel its chill. The air reminds me that I am here, and that this is not one of my most recent nightmares.

Swell.

I move on, leaving the safety of my base behind me. It gets darker as the shadow of the trees passes over me completely. I attract too much attention when I fly, so I float down to the ground and begin to walk. The ground feels moist, as though it has been raining. Suddenly I feel like a scared child, or someone off to slaughter.

I'm Danny Phantom right? What can stop me but myself?

Oh, that's right. . .

"Just swell…" I hiss violently, and make my way further into the night.

PH23X's POV:

The splendor of the night leads me to the woods. Something about the dark gravel paths and tall trees makes me melt inside from the impact. Maybe it's that I'm venturing into the dark all by myself. My hand misses the feeling of Father's warm fingers in mine, but my legs tell another story. I decide that I want to experience this as much as I can, so I walk timidly into the woods.

The darkness overwhelms me. I can barely see the moon from the ground. My uniform blends in with the night, making me appear to be a walking head with arms, feet, a belt, and a "D". I giggle briefly at this occurrence. The night is silly. This gives me some hope that I can survive it alone.

I walk farther in, away from the safety of Father's castle. Though I am scared, I feel exhilarated. It's time to do some exploring. Gently I scoop up a rock in my hand. It is rough and sandy. I marvel at the texture, feeling every inch of it. I've never felt one before. I decide to keep it, knowing that the earth will not persecute me for stealing.

As I'm walking, I hear distant babbling. The rock drops swiftly out of my hands. The noise sounds like a monster, and I am afraid. I grit my teeth and run behind a tree. I cling onto it as hard as I can for a few minutes. When I realize that it is not coming any closer, I step away from the protection of the tree. What is that babbling? Come to think of it, the tone is almost melodic. Curiosity takes place of fear as I see what this creature looks like. As I break through into a clearing, I see that it is not a monster after all. Instead it is a small stream. The dark blue waters slither and glimmer in the moonlight, emanating more of the gentle babbling. I tilt my head to the side and grin in wonder.

I want to feel it.

I sprint over to it and kneel down. Smooth water flows in front of me. My mouth parts in excitement, and I take two shaking hands and place them in the water. The feeling is more amazing than any I've felt before. The frosty waters glide rhythmically over my hands, and I close my eyes to enjoy the sensation more.

"AH FUCK!" comes a voice from the distance.

What was that?!

A cool blue strand of frozen air leaves my lips. This has only happened when Father is around. Is he here now? I freeze, eyes wide, mouth open, and quickly go intangible.

Danny's POV:

I've been walking for at least ten minutes now. The only good thing about this is that Vlad had gravel trails implanted, as though anyone would actually care about him enough to walk all the way to his house.

Well…his castle-house.

Thoughts of the man make me angry. I can just see his gloating face, smirking as he orders me, erm..the clone around. It figures that someone as pathetic as him would have to take advantage of the weak minded.

I stop as I see his face for real. It is a large gold plate, sticking out like Sayonara Pussycat at an Ember concert.

Welcome to Master Trails, the Best Place to Hike!

If he replaced the words "Best Place," with, "Most lame," I would agree.

I growl and shake my head.

"That's Vlad for ya."

My annoyance has peaked. All I want to do now is find whatever it is I'm looking for, and deal with it. It might be extremely freaky, but if it ruined Vlad's plans it was well worth it. I puff up my shoulders, and narrow my eyes.

It's game time.

After a few more minutes, I see a break in the woods ahead of me. Could this finally be the way out? My anticipation peaks. I move closer, and suddenly see a small figure kneeling by the lake. I gasp and trip on a twig. I fall to the ground, covering myself with mud. I curse loudly and wipe my eyes of the muck. When I look up the figure is gone.

It must be my mind playing tricks on me.

I run a hand through my hair briefly, then make my way out of the woods.

It is silent, all for the murmuring of a small stream.

"Hmm.."

PH23X's POV:

The figure comes out of the woods. It is a horrid swamp monster certainly. All I can see from the center are horrible green eyes, as bright as my own. The monster looks to be shorter, and thin. For a moment he looks familiar, but that all changes when he begins to cross the stream. I let out a large gasp, and cover my mouth immediately.

The monster stiffens. He can hear me.

I cover my mouth, and see his hideous green eyes darting around. His brown face is dripping with his own essence, and I feel sick.

Why did I leave home? Now the mud monster is going to eat me!

Danny's POV:

I hear something…a whisper.

Then a blue stream of smoke issues from my mouth.

Uh oh.

I didn't imagine the figure by the stream. Someone is here, someone…young. I can tell by the way they move. Perhaps it is a baby, mutant puppy. Vlad probably has tons of those too..to play with his cats named after my mom.

Whoever, or whatever it is, it is right in front of me. Feet away.

I can almost reach out to touch them…and so I do.

PH23X's POV:

It reaches out to touch me, its arm dripping with muck. I scream, losing control of myself. I am now completely revealed to the creature! I react fast, like Father taught me. Quickly, I send my arm out and shoot a large light beam. It is weak; my concentration level is off as I fight to survive.

The beam hits the figure head on, ripping it apart.

Danny's POV:

The person unveils itself, and blinded by the muck, I cannot see. All I hear is an oddly familiar sounding shout.

I am blinded as a beam shoots at me..barely a beam at all. The heat feels nice as it washes over me. All the muck is ripped from my body, and my hair falls in front of my face from the force. I sway a little, then balance myself.

Okay…so I have company.

Time stands still as I whip my hair away from my face. As the silvery strands move away from my eyes, the identity of the figure makes my heart stop.

I am frozen, dead. My mouth drops to the floor, and I can say nothing.

PH23X's POV:

The monster turns out not to be a monster at all. Instead he is a boy.

Hey…he stole my clothes!

But as the muck is swiped away from his face, and he flips his hair away to view me, I know that he is not any ordinary boy.

He is me.

The same pair of green eyes stares back at me. An identical shocked expression, and face, and body and...and everything. Everything about him is everything about me.

I go rigid, barely stopping myself from falling over.

We stay that way, until we simultaneously do the only thing we can in this situation.

Scream.

Danny's POV:

A million thoughts race through my head at once as I view this hideous masterpiece that no one other than Vlad could create, out of his own sickness and hate. My worst nightmare has come alive, and I sputter as I try to form words.

It's real! He did it! He made a clone! Are there more? Is this clone out to kill me? What the hell is going on? Why is this happening? Why can't I breathe? Why whywhywhy?! God please let this be a dream…let this be a dream! Just let it be a dream!

But it is not a dream. There is no denying the frightened clone that stands before me, just as there is no denying that he is the exact replica of me in every way, shape, and form. He even screams like me!

"No..no no no no no! You are not real. This is not happening!"

PH23X's POV:

I choke and pant for air. All I want to do is be in Father's arms. I want him to take me away from this madness, this monster that's turned out to be worse than muck. I wish that he was a muck monster, and kill me now so I don't have to try to understand why he looks like me.

Why he looks like me…

I tremble and slowly back away. The boy's eyes trail up, and I bump into a hard figure behind me.

It's Father.

"Father!" I gasp. I fall into his arms, craving his protection. Father grips me tight from falling, and shushes me slowly.

Danny's POV:

"Oh, I assure you my Boy, it is happening."

The evil face of Vlad Plasmius grins at me from behind narrowed red eyes, and the same sick smirk he always sees fit to wear is plastered on his face. Hatred like never before fills me. He isn't even aware of the magnitude of what he's done.

He doesn't even realize that he created a life that is not his to control.

I shake my head a few times and take a step forward, arms clenched tight.

"You won't get away with this Vlad! What you're doing is sick and..and wrong!" I blurt out. It's the only thing I know how to say. My mind seems to have gone blank with shock and anger. I'm shaking with fury from head to toe.

The Clone looks back at me with wide, innocent eyes. He is like a child, so infantile and fragile. I know that he is not like the other clones. He holds onto Vlad tightly, not even realizing what horror the very man he loves has done to him.

Vlad's genius went beyond what should be gifted to the human mind.

Vlad throws his head back and laughs. It is colder and more sinister than usual. My scowl deepens until my face looks like a mask.

"Ah Daniel. . . you never learn do you?"

He pushes the clone to the side, where he falls to the ground. I shoot him a glance, then look back to Vlad.

"Learn? Yeah. I've learned enough about you to know you're an evil fruitloop!" I spit angrily.

"Yes yes, well that's all said and done isn't it?" His grin widens. "But what is even more said and done is that I always get what I want."

I scoff. "Yeah! When you make a screwed up version of it!"

Suddenly Vlad looks highly offended. The look is completely fabricated. He glances down at the clone, and frowns miserably.

"PH23X…" he pouts. So that's his name.

"Would you mind helping me get rid of the Beta Enemy?

Something dark flashes into the clones eyes. The look of innocence is marred pitifully by the searing gaze he scorches me with.

"The Beta Enemy?" he drones, suddenly sounding mindless.

Vlad nods his head fervently, looking as fake as ever. My head shoots from PH23X to Vlad as they talk, and I grit my teeth nervously.

The look in his eyes is enough to make me know that Vlad brainwashed him into hating me.

Swell.

PH23X's POV:

Father pushes me to the side roughly. I gasp and hit the ground, hard. The monster gives me an unreadable look, then becomes enraged. He points at Father, eyes narrowed.

He is insulting Father?

I watch as Father addresses the monster. It is as though he has known him for his whole life.

Daniel, he says.

Daniel…

He always calls me Daniel…

The monster looks angry, and horrified at the same time. He talks to Father as though he is not great. This sends a rumble of hatred throughout my stomach. Yet, he talks about me as though I am. He offends Father greatly. I can see it in his face.

"PH23X…" he says sulkily, gazing at me with big sad eyes.

"Would you mind helping me get rid of the Beta Enemy?

"The Beta Enemy?" I lose focus of who I am as thoughts of the Beta Enemy warp into my mind.

Danny Phantom must die. Danny Phantom is the Beta enemy. I am the Alpha enemy. I cannot trust myself.Danny Phantom must die. Danny Phantom is the Beta enemy. I am the Alpha enemy. I cannot trust myself.Danny Phantom must die. Danny Phantom is the Beta enemy. I am the Alpha enemy. I cannot trust myself.

"Danny Phantom is a villain, you can say. He has powers, and uses his powers to thwart me."

"After all, I'm only so cranky with you because of well.them."

I scream out angrily, jumping to my feet. He is the person who makes Father mad! He is evil! He is the Beta Enemy! I must eliminate him!

"Danny Phantom must die." My eyes are wide, and my voice is toneless as I slowly float up into the air. Danny Phantom, the monster, and Beta Enemy looks up at me with a surprised expression.

He will never know what hit him.

All my innocence floods from my body, and I all I want to do is kill him with Father.

Danny Phantom must die. Danny Phantom is the Beta enemy. I am the Alpha enemy. I cannot trust myselfDanny Phantom must die. Danny Phantom is the Beta enemy. I am the Alpha enemy. I cannot trust myselfDanny Phantom must die. Danny Phantom is the Beta enemy. I am the Alpha enemy. I cannot trust myself

Danny's POV:

"Danny Phantom must die!" the clone bellows.

Sounds suicidal.

Oh, great.

It turns out my theory about this clone is right. Jazz would be proud.

It turns out that this clone wants to kill me too. Nice brainwashing Vlad.

I grit my teeth and shout as the clone sends a huge ray of energy at me. My body reacts, flipping high in the air to narrowly miss the beam. I begin to fly to safer ground when I feel Vlad and the clone behind me, their breathing heavy and angered.

I need to get back to the Speeder. There's no way that I can take these two on my own. I can barely fight Vlad when he's hurt. How am I supposed to fight this powerful clone, and him? Why didn't I just ask Sam and Tucker to come with me? Why?!

More beams come my way. I flip and dodge them all easily, the night sky soaring past me, clouding my view of everything. I try to think, try to form thoughts, but Vlad and the clone are too fast.

I have no time to think, because before I know it, I am intercepted. Vlad made copies of himself, and apparently so did the clone. They all circle me, a huge group of them.

Of course!

I close my eyes and focus. Five clones of me slide out of my body. Vlad and his "son" don't seem too concerned. Their clones grin triumphantly with the same evil, and throw their arms out. Huge ectoplasmic rays burst out of their hands, and I react as fast as I can.

My clones and I put up a shield. It sinks and grows as I fight to hold on. The energy from the both of them is so powerful that I can barely hang on.

Come on Danny. You can do it! Just hold on! You can beat them! You're stronger than this!

But as the clone doubles at the same time, I am overwhelmed. My shield slowly disintegrates until it is nothing, and all beams hit me head on. I scream and thrash in pain, writhing in the hot beams until I can no longer stand it. For some reason, the clone stops, his eyes widening with horror. I can see some of his innocence return.

"Stop Father!"

"Stop!"

Vlad is distracted, and his beams stop coming. My body is weak, suspended in air as I try to hold on. Confusion racks through my mind. What is this clone doing? Vlad answers by taking him by his shoulders and squeezing tight. He forces the petrified clone to look at him.

"We've got him." He gasps happily.

And I slowly fall.

My body hits the hard floor, and I feel myself turn back into Danny Fenton. Vlad and his clone follow me.

Vlad's cape flows evilly in the breeze as he crosses his arms and smirks. The clone slowly kneels near me, a confused and pained expression on his face that is pulled between innocence, and hatred. It is such an intense look, that I know that someone different than me would have to wear it.

I could simply never make it.

"Good job Son." Vlad coos.

The clone looks up, a grin breaking the pale of his face.

It is the last thing I see before my world fades to black.

A/N: This is one of the most important parts of this story…and exciting. Danny and PH23x finally meet after all this time. It looks like Vlad has taught him well. . .

Let's just hope Danny will be okay!

Please Read and Review…tell me what you like about this story and what you don't. Even if it may be negative, let me know. I write for me, but I want all of you to enjoy it too!

Thanks..and hope you enjoyed! –Elusive-