#aria in b-flat

[27dragons]

So I was re-reading Aria in B♭ recently (yes I re-read my own stuff and I'm not ashamed to admit it) and I suddenly wondered what the "description" of B-flat was, because we named it that because it was about Bucky Barnes and the flat symbol looks like a lowercase b. But I wasn't curious enough to like, go find the chart because I couldn't for the life of my remember what it's actually called.

So just now I encountered it on a different post, and...

Depending on whether it's major or minor it's either "magnificent and joyful" or "obscure and terrible". And really, thinking about how the particular ups and downs of that story... not the most inaccurate descriptions. 😂

[cheruib]

listening to this is the equivalent of eating a peach on the hottest summer day under the shade of a big tree

[beevean]

I'm thinking of getting into the Castlevania series. Are there any good games to play as a starting point (that's preferably not an NES game)?

Haha, yes there are :D

There are roughly three CV genres: Classicvanias, '80s and '90s platformers where you play as a Belmont, you only have a whip and subweapons at your disposal, the physics are stiff, and you're going to die a lot; Metroidvanias/Igavanias, the 2000s games where you explore the castle, level up, find equipment, and gain new abilities to proceed; and 3Dvanias, which it's self explanatory :P

I'm going to assume that by "NES game" you mean the Classicvanias, so I'm going to skip past them.

Symphony of the Night (PS1) is an excellent starting point, and it was mine. It's the first Metroidvania and by far the most beloved. It's the game that turned Alucard into the icon we know today and gave Dracula his tragic backstory. The game itself has a nice structure where it starts off as linear, then it slowly opens up, and the difficulty is on the easy side (perhaps too easy, if you know what you're doing: the game has a lot of little secrets). Add a great atmosphere and a superb OST, and you have a gem in your hands. (to note, though, SoTN is the direct sequel of Rondo of Blood, a Classicvania, and while it's not necessary to understand it I feel it enriches the experience. If you ever decide to play a Classicvania, RoB is a pretty good choice)

Aria of Sorrow (GBA) is the next most beloved game. It polishes all the little flaws of the previous games, including SoTN, and streamlines the experience. The main gimmick of this game is that the protagonist, Soma Cruz, has the power to absorb monsters' souls and use their power, so every playthrough is a different experience (unless you grind lol). Fun fact, this is the second to last game in the timeline, taking place in 2035, and it's very important for Dracula's character. It also has a direct sequel for DS, Dawn of Sorrow, which IMO was pretty good but not a first player's choice.

Portrait of Ruin (DS) is a personal favorite of mine :D you play as two characters at the same time, Jonathan Morris who is more focused on melee weapons and Charlotte Aulin who is more focused on magical spells, and instead of traversing a giant castle, you traverse a castle and go inside magical portraits à la Super Mario 64 lol. In my opinion a balanced, charming game. Some of the tracks were composed by Yuzo Koshiro of Streets of Rage fame, btw!

3Dvanias are a bit of a special case: I think they're worth playing, just not as your very first titles. Maybe after you tried these three?

Lament of Innocence (PS2) is the first game in the timeline, and it narrates how the Belmonts became Dracula's sworn enemy. In the context of the games of the 2000s, it's a rather odd beast: you play as Leon Belmont, so again you mainly use the whip and subweapons (but you can combine those subweapons with orbs you collect and increase your attacks exponentially), and the structure is similar to Mega Man's, in that you choose which area of the castle you want to explore via teleporters. You don't level up, but you unlock new moves with the whip, and there is a lot of 3D platforming you'll have to do. Excellent atmosphere and music.

Curse of Darkness (PS2) is technically the sequel to Castlevania 3, but you only need to know that Trevor Belmont killed Dracula 3 years prior. You play as Hector, a Devil Forgemaster who can forge weapons and monsters to help him in battle. The structure is unique in that you'll have to go from point A to point B, but there is the occasional backtracking you'll have to do once you unlock the right moves. If you can get past the very flat level design, the main focus of the game is fighting enemies to gain materials to forge equipment with, and level up his Innocent Devils like Pokémon lmao. It's one of my favorites and I think it's super fun, but I may be biased. Also another game with a stellar soundtrack.

These are my picks. I hope you have fun <3

[gasparodasalo]

Attributed to Francesco Maria Veracini (1690-1768) - Aria schiavona for Strings and Basso continuo in B-flat Major. Performed by Alberto Martini/Accademia I Filarmonici.

[mushroomgamerr]

Barbie CC Haul List: Part 1

Clothing for Ken (14 items):

bukovka - Pants Male Puresim - Simple Shirt Garfiel - Masato - Shirt and cashmere plaid sweater Beto_ae0 - Guaira (Shorts) Beto_ae0 - Guaira (Top - V1) ChordoftheRings - ChordoftheRings Pants B-72

Plumbobs n Fries - ANTON | sweatshirt Plumbobs n Fries - ANTON | sweatpants

ChordoftheRings - ChordoftheRings Sweater T-438

Sims House - MEN'S UNBUTTONED SINGLE SHIRT ChordoftheRings - Short Sleeve T-shirt T-437 ChordoftheRings - ChordoftheRings Shorts B-71 Sims House - MEN'S SHIRT WITH ROLL-UP SLEEVES Plumbobs n Fries - ESTEBAN | top

Clothing for Barbie (26 items):

busra-tr - Daisy Dress talarian - Hadley Houndstooth Crop Cardigan

talarian - Eliza Houndstooth Crop Tank Top talarian - Eliza Houndstooth Bodycon Skirt

Dissia - Miley Dress Dissia - Bonnie Sweater

MysteriousOo - Dress with wavy layered sleeves Adult

MysteriousOo - Silk nightdress with lace and dots

MysteriousOo - Silk sleepwear top with lace and dots

MysteriousOo - Silk sleepwear shorts with lace and dots MysteriousOo - Pleated skirt with small pouch MysteriousOo - Short dress with puff sleeves Adult turksimmer - Set-Bottom C772

talarian - Kehlani One Shoulder RuffleTrim Dress Joan Campbell Beauty - Felicia Dress Beto_ae0 - By Beto X Anonimux - ROSE (Dress V2)

Camuflaje - OUTFIT 014 - Dress

busra-tr - Jumpsuit (Overalls) BD68

busra-tr - Butterfly SET-116 (TOP) BD431 busra-tr - Butterfly SET-116 (SKIRT) BD432

busra-tr - BIKINI SET-349 (TOP) BD970 busra-tr - BIKINI SET-349 (BOTTOM) BD971 busra-tr - BIKINI SET-358 (TOP) BD990

busra-tr - BIKINI SET-358 (BOTTOM) BD991 mermaladesimtr - Sequined One Shoulder Dress MC488

Dissia - Buto Blazer

Kids (15 items):

FeistyBabydoll - Child Barbie Hoodie

MysteriousOo - Short dress with puff sleeves Child

lillka - Vicki Dress

MysteriousOo - Dress with wavy layered sleeves Child MysteriousOo - Two-tone sweater with ruffles

MysteriousOo - Two-tone pants with ruffles MysteriousOo - Short dress with puff sleeves Child talarian - River One Shoulder RuffleTrim Dress FlyStone - Camila - child sandals with flowers

Dissia - Knitted Socks Kids (Shoes)

Dissia - Wendy Sneakers v1 Kids

KaTPurpura - Fred Top

KaTPurpura - Jedrek Top

KaTPurpura - Amaris Swimwear

KaTPurpura - Emile Top

Toddlers (19 items):

talarian - Harmony Plaid dress MysteriousOo - Short dress with puff sleeves Toddler

talarian - Freya One Shoulder RuffleTrim Dress talarian - Emily Dress with lantern sleeves talarian - Ava Polka Dot Dress MysteriousOo - Summer dress with big bows on the sides MysteriousOo - Plaid sundress with buttons

MysteriousOo - Short dress with puff sleeves Toddler

MysteriousOo - Two-tone hoodie with pocket FlyStone - Aria - toddler boots with bow FlyStone - Isabella - toddler flats with striped bow Dissia - Knitted Socks Toddlers (Shoes)

Dissia - Wendy Sneakers v1 Toddlers RobertaPLobo - Toddler Boy Top 245 RobertaPLobo - Toddler Boy Bottom 245B

KaTPurpura - Pavel Top KaTPurpura - Aitor Top KaTPurpura - Braulio Top Swimwear KaTPurpura - Braulio Pants Swimwear

Infants (5 items):

KaTPurpura - Zoel Top KaTPurpura - Zoel Pants KaTPurpura - Roar Top KaTPurpura - Roar Pants KaTPurpura - Kay Jumpsuit

Feminine Shoes (9 items):

MysteriousOo - High heel boots with grooved soles mermaladesimtr - Heart Detailed Heel Stiletto S139 mermaladesimtr - Diamond Heart Heels S17 Arltos - Thick bottom boots / 187 Arltos - Simxties flower shoes v2 asan333 - 333-Bow slippers ShakeProductions - 958 - Espadrilles Sandals ShakeProductions - 864 - Sneakers (Female) Arltos - Socks (shoes) / 112

Masculine Shoes (4 items): ShakeProductions - 981 - Sneakers (Male) ShakeProductions - Sneakers (Male) - S062305 mermaladesimtr - Men Slides S72 FlyStone - "Dorian" classic derby male shoes

[countessofravenclaw]

15 and 19 for any next gen kid/s of your choice

Wohooo! So since you didn't specify I am gonna answer for all the Roller Crew kind who I have a rounded idea about (All the Kids have names and birth years, but not everyone has a distinct personality in my mind yet).

So we'll be talking about the three Perida kids: Oscar, Aurora and Laura, plus Victoria Arias, Stella Balsano, and Ivory Alvarez who are the oldest children of Pelfi, Lutteo, and Simbar respectively.

How is their clothing style?

This was hard at first, but in the end, I ended up making some mood boards. Right now I am imagining the kids in the year 2047, so Victoria is 20, Oscar 18, Aurora and Stella 16, and Laura and Ivory 15

So lets to this from oldest to youngest

So, first Victoria. She is the daughter of Delfi and Jazmin is her godmother, so she obviously would be very stylish and probably little bit more daring clothing

Oscar was alos kind of hard, because well, I have never been a guy, so planning an outfit for him was harder. But in the end, I landed in, a casual but still put-together vibe. He is very well-raised, and a gentleman obviously, so that would b something he would wear. Not every guy wears just slacks. Also, the sports jackets that Gastón wore to not run in genetics. He abandoned them once he hit uni himself

Aurora has been another thought one, because I think she wouldn't be overflowingly girly, but definitely not a tomboy either. One thing about her that I know is the she would prominently wear golden jewelry

The way I imagine Stella is that she does resemble Luna in looks and spirit quite a lot. I don't this she dresses up quite as horrendously as Luna did, but she definitely would still prefer bright colors and some star imagery

The way I see bot Simbar's kid is that their personalities wise they are similar to Simon, while the girls really look like Ambar. And for Ivory, I really think her style would be very princessy, especially while she is younger.

And we have Laura. While I said that her sister isn't uberly girly, but Laura really is.

These flat lays are just examples of what they would wear

What are their main interests?

So lets tackle Oscar, Aurora and Laura first, since they are the Gastina kids.

They all are pretty big nerds, they love Star wars and Harry Potter etc. Obviously big readers all of them. None of them really get into writing passionately, but you bet they slay an essay at school.

Oscar is really into science, mainly biology and chemistry and wants to be a doctor (Influenced by one of Gastóns cousins). He also is into "Extreme" sports, in a safe way, meaning rock climbing and ropes courses (This does drive Nina crazy, just a little bit). Things to do with heights. Never says no to a Roller coaster. He also loves animals a lot..

Aurora really likes mysteries and solving them. Math and physics are her strong suit, and her literature class, especially argumentative pieces. She is also really interested in different languages and has a bit of a goal to be able to speak four languages before she graduates college

Laura is the artistic one. She skates, draws and has some interest in playing the guitar (Matteo gives her occasional lessons). She's also a hopeless romantic. She's straight A student like her siblings but isn't exactly passionate about any form of science.

Then the rest

Victoria really feels pretty similar to Delfi. She's into media and stuff like that. There is a little small feeling I have that maybe she could have an interest in screenwriting, which develops once Delfi transition more movie and Tv production. She also does contemporary dance

Stella is really like Luna, like I said above, so she obviousky loves to skate, but also is an avid reader. She also loves to bake, something she picked up from her grandma obviously

Ivory also skates and sings in a choir. She also loves dressing up, and sometimes plans her outfits days ahead

And there we go, obviously this whole post excluded Lucas, William and Olivia Arias, Milo Balsano and Esme Alvarez, but including them would have taken way too long and I don't have a rounded vision on them yet

[lesser-known-composers]

Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801) - Piano Concerto in B-flat major

Mov.I: Allegro 00:00 Mov.II: Recitativo, Allegro Moderato, Andante, Aria, Largo 07:32 Mov.III: Rondò 13:21

Pianist: Andrea Coen

Orchestra: L'Arte dell'Arco Leader: Federico Guglielmo

[sheetmusiclibrarypdf]

The Library Of Easy Piano Classics, Vol.1 & 2

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[casspurrjoybell-22]

Master - Chapter 7b

*Warning: Adult Content*   

"Linc is going to kill me when he finds you like this," Arias' Master says above me but I don't look up at him.

I keep myself on my knees with my head to the floor and my palms flat beside me, making myself as small as possible for my Master so when he returned he'd be pleased with me.

Arias pulled me up many times and tried to make me stand, he wouldn't listen when I begged him to let me go so I had to bite him to leave me alone.

Arias hadn't said a word to me since, standing quietly next to his Master silently.

I hoped he wasn't too mad at me but I needed to be better for my Master and I didn't want to risk him leaving me ever again. 

I was a bad slave since the moment Master met me.

When I hear Master's machine outside, I bite down hard on my lip and dig my nails into my hand, stopping myself from getting up and running to him. 

I wanted to go to Master and be in his arms but I had to please him as much as I could.

The door swings open and it takes everything inside of me to not look up at Master, I keep my eyes to the floor as he steps towards me. 

My heart thumping harder than ever before as I wait for him to punish me.

But Master doesn't do that, he picks me up from the floor and hugs me tighter than he ever did before.

I couldn't stop myself when I felt Master holding me, I tried not to but I couldn't help but wrap my arms around Master and squeeze him to me. 

I didn't mean to start crying but I did, I could feel my own heart hitting against Master as he breathed heavily against me. 

I caved myself into Master to try and quite my sobs, hiding my head in his neck as my wrapping my legs around him.

Clinging to him so tightly he could never disappear.

Master tries to pull me back but I wouldn't let him. 

I kept crying against him as I took in the feel of my Master. 

He was warm and he smelled like he always did when he carried me, like something nice and safe. 

My fingers curled around Master's shirt, holding him tightly as I glued myself to him hoping to never have to let go.

"Kalem," Master whispers, his voice sounding tired and worried. "Kalem, let me look at you."

I loosen my grip on Master as slowly pull away from his neck, sniffing and shaking as I looked at Master. 

Master looked sad, he looked like if someone hurt him which just made me cry harder because I didn't want him to be sad. 

I cast my eyes down instead of at him as I wipe angrily at my tears, they shouldn't be there.

"I-I'm sorry Master," I say with a hiccup. "I-I'm so s-sorry."

"There's nothing for you to feel sorry about," Master scolds but I shake my head as I take quick breathes.

"I-I'm a b-bad s-slave," I admit as I look down.

"You are not a slave," Master says angrily. 

I whimper and keep my eyes down, growing even sadder that I already upset him.

Master puts a finger to my chin as he lifts it but I don't let my eyes reach his.

"Look at me Kalem," he demands and I don't hesitate to meet his gaze. "You're not a bad slave because you aren't a slave at all. If you aren't ready to hear that you're not one at all, then hear this, you are not a bad slave."

"B-But I..."

"You are not a bad slave," Master repeats clearly and firmly making me quiet immediately. 

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Y-Yes Master," I reply and he gives me a small nod before he gaze softens.

"I'm the one that's sorry," Master says after a moment. 

"I shouldn't have left you alone for so long without telling you what was happening exactly."

"I-I thought you d-didn't want me anymore," I whisper gently before looking away, Master mumbles something I couldn't understand before locking his jaw shut and taking a breath.

"I will never stop wanting you, so get that ridiculous idea out of your head," Master says as he rubs my cheek with his thumb, Master dips his head to find my eyes but I keep them down. "I'm not letting you go until you tell me to."

"N-Never," I promise, glancing up at Master for a brief second to see him smile.

"I missed you," Master says suddenly making my eyes widen as I look up to him in shock.

"Really?" I ask hopefully.

"More than I knew I could, I wish I never left your side," Master reveals making my lips part in disbelief as I stare at him. 

Master continues to smile with his kindest smile as always as he looked at me, with no sign of lying that I could find. 

I could feel the heat filling my face again so I looked away.

"I m-missed you too Master," I reply, leaning into Master's touch as he smiles even brighter.

I look away from Master again, burying my face back into his shoulder to hide. 

I couldn't look at him when he smiled, he looked too good then. 

Master just laughed gently as he rubbed my back soothingly.

"Thank you for taking care of him while I was out," Master said to Arias and his Master. "I won't leave him in such a state again."

"Sure," Arias replied sounding meaner than I'd heard him before.

"Until the next play date, then," Arias' Master said with a light laugh that ended quickly. "Ow, shit Arias seriously?”

Master turns around towards them, allowing me to see Arias glaring hatefully at his Master who was rubbing the back of his head with a wince. 

Arias' hard gold eyes found mine, making me tense when I remembered I bit him.

Before I could apologize he offered me a smile and nod, walking back into his Master's home without another word. 

His Master shuts the door and followed quickly just as Master opened the door to his machine and put me inside.

"Let's go home love," Master says making me look up to him, unsure if I heard right because I thought Master called me love just then.

Master smiles again, bringing the straps over my body to lock me in place before leaning in to press a gentle kiss to my cheek making me suck in a breath. 

Something bright and rough began to run through my entire body making me shiver as Master pulled back, I brushed my finger to the place he kissed and smiled a little.

The drive home was quiet and I tried not to think about how scared I'd been without Master, how I didn't know what to do without him. 

I'd never felt like that in the slave house, I never felt that lost and alone.

I didn't want to lose Master ever again, even for a second.

Master didn't seem angry at me, he looked happier than before now as he sat in the front. 

I snuck glances at him through the tiny mirror above him but looked away whenever he saw me looking at him. 

I wanted to feel happy too but I couldn't when I knew that a punishment would be coming soon.

"I'm sorry Master," I mumble quietly as I twist my fingers around themselves, staring at them in my lap.

"For what?"

"I was angry and ignored you," I start feeling the guilt build inside of me as I remember my bad behavior. "Please punish me any way you see fit."

"Kalem, I am not punishing you," Master says sternly making me frown, I look up at the mirror to find him already looking at me.

"But I disrespected you. As your slave, you should punish me," I reply, saying what the trainers told me.

"Kalem you are not my slave and I will never harm you in any form, so I will not punish you," Master says using the tone he used whenever he didn't want to talk anymore so I stayed quiet.

I didn't want to upset Master in any way, even if I didn't understand his decision. 

He was my Master and if he didn't want to punish me then I shouldn't question him, good slaves never questioned their Master's decision.

[markseow]

Concert 24 April 2023

Arias from Handel Ariodante, Handel Harp Concerto in B flat op 4/6, Handel Organ Concerto in B flat op 4/2. The English Concert, conducted by Harry Bicket, led by Nadja Zwiener. Emily D’Angelo, Olga Kulchynska, Tom Foster, Oliver Wass Wigmore Hall, London.

[nicolearnaboldi]

Hola

Nico estamos afuera del colegio de los niños con esta canción

[rayatii]

Currently practicing one of my assigned arias, and I probably currently have the worst high B-flat in the entire history of high B-flats...

... Which I absolutely intend to correct by practicing hard in a way that keeps my voice healthy.

[supercantaloupe]

14 and 28 for Spotify wrapped!

14. Fiala, Concerto B flat major for Clarinet, English Horn and Orchestra: Andante cantabile

28. Handel, Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17 / Atto primo: No. 12 Aria Cara speme, questo core tu cominci - Live

[ask meme]

[27dragons]

Aria in B♭ - Chapter 12

Tony hadn’t been lurking in the front parlor, awaiting the troupe’s return, no matter how high Jarvis raised his eyebrow. He’d been meaning to read this treatise, and there was no sense in taking it back to his study when the lamps in the parlor were perfectly adequate, and the chairs just as comfortable.

Of course, if he happened to be there when the troupe returned -- in high spirits, from the sound of it -- then it was only polite for him to go out and greet them and ask after the performance’s success, wasn’t it?

That’s all it was, convenience and manners. Tony wasn’t panting by the door for his lover like a pampered housepet awaiting its master’s return.

“Good evening, Lord Stark,” Mr. Rogers said to him, nudging Mr. Wilson out of the way from where he was reporting on his successful first performance. “I was asked to let you know, Buck-- er, Mr. Barnes and Miss Romanoff happened across an old friend in the audience, and they’re planning to have a late supper, to renew their acquaintance. They didn’t want you to be concerned.”

That was... that was good, wasn’t it? Bucky hadn’t much felt like socializing since the accident, so if he was feeling well enough to entertain a friend, that was a good sign. And it was good for a man to have a broad range of acquaintances and friends, not to spend all one’s time with a paltry few. It was good. No reason at all for Tony’s lungs to fill with lead, his stomach to drop. Tony pasted on a smile. “Thank you for the courtesy, Mr. Rogers. I hope they have a splendid evening.”

That was the proper thing to say, and Tony said it without much thinking about it, his mind already racing ahead to the moment of Bucky’s return -- which was likely to be some hours, if he and Miss Romanoff were engaged for supper. He kept his smile fixed. “In that case, we must all adjourn to the dining room for our own supper, while you tell me of your triumphant evening.”

This chapter fills the following bingo squares:

for @27dragons, the @starkbucksbingo square G5: “This is probably a bad time, but marry me?”

for @tisfan, the @buckybarnesbingo square C1: Kink: Seduction Mission

[the-names-salomea]

Polish music - because it’s not only Chopin [LONG POST]

As it’s Polish Independence Day (11.11) and @redhatmeg​ came up with the idea of celebrating it by posting about Poland/Polish people, I decided to make a post about notable Polish composers, adding links to their most famous pieces.

- Stanisław Moniuszko (1819 - 1872)

Known as ‘the father of Polish national opera’, one of the best composers of Polish romanticism. His work is characterized by usage of Polish texts and inspiration from Polish folk. His most notable work include operas such as Halka, Straszny dwór and over 300 songs compiled in Śpiewnik Domowy.

Prząśniczka

Mazur from Halka

Mazur from Straszny Dwór

- Maria Szymanowska (1789 - 1831)

One of the first female composers in European history. Wrote over 100 piano pieces, including polonaise and nocturnes, preceeding Chopin. Toured extensively through Europe, inspiring other artists (Beethoven, Cherubini and Goethe dedicated pieces to her). Her salon in St. Petersburg was visited by prominent musicians, writers and painters of her time.

Nocturne in B flat Major

Świtezianka (based on Adam Mickiewicz’s work)

Polonaise in F Minor

- Michał Kleofas Ogiński (1765 - 1833)

Not only a composer, but also a diplomat and a politician. He took part in Kościuszko Uprising, Napoleonic War (he dedicated his only opera to him) and as a Russian senator he fruitlessly tried to convince tsar to reconstute Commonwealth.

Polonaise Pożegnanie z Ojczyzną

- Henryk Wieniawski (1835 - 1880)

Regarded as one of the greatest violinists in history, often called ‘a poet of violin’. He started composing his first pieces at the age of 13. His Violin Concerto No. 2  is second most-played violin pieces (after Paganini).

Scherzo-Tarantelle, op. 16

Violin Concerto No. 2

Polonaise de concert No. 1 in D major, Op. 4

- Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860 - 1941)

Another composer - politician - not only did he convince Woodrow Wilson to add creating Polish independent State to his Fourteen Points, but also became Prime Minister of Poland. Had charisma he used both in politics and when giving concerts in Europe and the USA.

Menuet

Symphony in B Minor Polonia

Fragment from Manru, his only opera

- Karol Szymanowski (1882 - 1937)

Famous composer of the Young Poland period, exponent of Polish colourism. Being raised by Romantic music, he later got inspired by the Orient and Antique, and in his third period is characterized by using Polish folklore, in particular from Podhale. He was openly gay - one of his partner was a writer Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, who wrote libretto to one of Szymanowski’s operas King Roger.  

Roxana’s aria from King Roger

Stabat Mater

Taniec zbójnicki from Harnasie

- Witold Lutosławski (1913 - 1994)

Regarded as one of the most greatest composers since Chopin. Known for his unconventional approach to music and using folklore as a natural reaction to ban on Polish culture under German occupation.

Musique funèbre

Five Songs

- Krzysztof Penderecki (1933 - 2020)

Avangarde composer, one of the follower of sonosim. His music often arouse uneasy feeling in a listener, like in his Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima. His music was used to movies such as The Exorcist, Kubrick’s The Shining or Wajda’s Katyń.

Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima

St Luke Passion

Lacrimosa from Polish Requiem

- Wojciech Kilar (1932 - 2013)

If you’ve ever watched Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Pianist, Ziemia Obiecana/The Promised Land or Trędowata, you’ve heard his music.

Waltz from Trędowata

Vampire Hunters from Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Orgia from Ziemia Obiecana/The Promised Land

[dp-marvel94]

Below the Greenhouse

For Phic Phight 2021. Prompt by @ave-aria: Maddie discovers the depths of Vlad's obsessions when she stumbles upon his secret lab. Despite the shock, part of her almost isn't surprised by the stolen Fenton Tech, the ripoff ghost portal, or the eerie Holo-Maddie—but the clone she finds floating in the pod at the back of the room? That's another matter entirely.

Word Count: 7,951

Also on AO3 and Fanfiction.net

Note:

Me: *sees a prompt with the word clone*

Me: Oh no.

We all know why this happened.

 Maddie knew Vlad Masters was a creep. She did. And she’d known this for a while, even when she, Jack, and Vlad were in college. Before his accident, she had known he'd been preparing to profess his “love” and ask her out, even though he’d known full-well she and Jack were dating. And while, that might have been forgivable back then, when all of them were young and naive and Vlad didn’t hold such bitterness towards her husband, it wasn't now.

Now, Maddie knew Vlad was hopelessly bitter. After his accident, he’d refused to talk to them. He’d shut them out of his room when they visited the hospital and after he’d been released, he’d refused their phone calls and ignored their letters. Eventually, she and Jack gave up and they moved on with their lives.

That was, until Vlad chose to reconnect. And unfortunately, Vlad was worse than ever. More smug. More arrogant. More creepy. He ignored the fact that Maddie was happily married with children and he still insisted that she should leave the love of her life for him. 

Maddie really only tolerated him for Jack’s sake. Her husband still enthusiastically loved the man who’d been his best friend in college and she couldn’t bear to crush his spirit, though the woman was increasingly doubting her choice to stay silent now.

And now, Maddie realized that Vlad was much more despicable than she thought.

It started with a series of strange phone calls. The voice was robotic, yet strangely familiar sounding. It reminded her of her mother or maybe her sister? Either way, the sound somehow tugged at her heartstrings just as much as it made her shiver anxiously.

“Please save him.” The woman’s voice asked, an oddly flat plea.

“Tell me who you are.” Maddie demanded, not for the first time.

The speaker ignored the question, continuing. “I cannot get Number 6 out myself. Please save him.”

“You keep saying that, every time you call this number.” The woman sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. This was the fifth time she had gotten a call like this. All from an almost emotionless, staticky voice. All begging her to save someone or something called Number 6. Something she couldn’t seem to get anymore information about. “But who is number six?” Maddie asked, trying, probably futilely to learn more.

The answer surprised her. “Number 6 is just a boy. He should be free. He does not belong in a laboratory.”

Maddie frowned, brows furrowed in confusion “A laboratory?”

“That is correct.” The robotic voice answered.

“I’m sorry, are you talking about an actual child? What is a child doing in a laboratory?” The woman wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“Number 6 is physically younger than the age of majority and therefore meets the definition of a child.”

“Okay?” Maddie furrowed her brow and repeated herself more severely. “Why are you keeping a child in your laboratory?”

There was a pause. “I am not permitted to share that information.”

That made the woman’s stomach flop. “And why not?”

“My dearest has forbidden me from discussing the details of his experiments with outsiders.”

Maddie frowned again. “Then why are you talking to me?”

“You are a loophole.” The speaker said without hesitation.

That gave the ghost hunter pause. She opened her mouth to ask more when there was a mechanical whirl across the line.

The fast, choppy words cut through. “Dearest will be leaving on a trip tonight and be away for the next three days.” 

“Wait, what are you-” Maddie started.

“The address is 600 North Maple Drive. Enter through the trapdoor in the greenhouse. I will be waiting.”

Across the line, a male voice called from far away. “Pull up the data from the last test, dear. And prepare the subject for sample collection.”

Maddie shivered; there was something familiar-

“Please hurry. Save him.” The robotic female voice whispered before the line cut off.

Maddie sighed, dropping the phone. She put her head in her hands. She didn’t know what to make of that. At first, she had thought these mysterious calls were pranks. Maybe even a ghost trying to trick her. Except…. That didn’t feel right. It had been a week and no ghost had acted against her or her family. No ghost would wait this long to act and no human prankster would continue this charade for this long either.

So who had been calling her and what do they really want? Could the speaker really be asking for her help? The idea made dread pool in her stomach, especially now. Now that she had more information. Now she had a location. And that was Vlad’s address. And that other voice...it had sounded like… Vlad, as if the speaker was in fact in Vlad’s mansion. Her stomach flopped. He’d been talking about data from a test and preparing a subject for sample collection. That in and of itself wasn’t necessarily that alarming. Vlad had a background in science. He could be conducting research, just like she and Jack did out of their own basement. Except…

Number 6 is just a boy. He should be free. He does not belong in a laboratory. The words rang in her head, making her feel sick.

Maddie sat for a long while, staring at the phone. So many questions clashed in her mind and she wanted answers. What was really happening here? And how would she learn the truth?

An idea started forming in her mind. A surely bad, horrible idea. She still had no idea who had been calling her. It probably was a trap. So why did she want to follow the instructions? And the prospect of sneaking onto Vlad Master’s property? She could get in serious trouble. And for what? Vlad would never do anything as immoral as what the speaker hinted at. Except...what if? Doubt grew in her mind. What if?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That was how Maddie found herself pulling up to Vlad’s mansion in Amity Park. The woman sighed, putting the car into park and taking the key out of the ignition. She was really doing this, wasn’t she? The scientist could hardly believe her own actions. But it was the middle of the night and she was alone, in the small forest behind the mansion. 

Silently, Maddie got out of the car and started sneaking across the yard. She hadn’t told Jack where she was going. Maybe that was a mistake but the woman somehow knew he’d try to talk her out of this. And he would have a point. Yet the woman was still driven forward despite her better judgement. 

Arriving in front of the greenhouse, the ghost hunter stopped. She looked side to side, checking to see if anyone was watching. The yard was quiet and bare, only the sound of night insects cutting through the air. Maddie looked back into the building. To the left of the door was a blinking red light but other than that, inside was dark. Tentatively, Maddie jiggled the greenhouse’s door handle. It didn’t budge at first but then there was a buzz and a click. The door unlocked and the woman frowned, watching the blinking light turn from red to white. Was that a security system? And...had the door just unlocked for her?

Maddie bit her lip. She considered turning back but...she wanted answers. Instead, she pulled her ectostaff out of her belt. A blow to the head from it would be just as effective on a human attacker as it would be on a ghost.

The woman opened the door, quickly stepping though. She closed it and cautiously crossed the room. From what she could tell in the dark, this was a normal greenhouse. She breathed deeply, taking in the wet earthy smell of dirt, the soft perfume of flowers, and… She sniffed. That scent, old batteries, ozone, and citrus. That was familiar. Was that ectoplasm? 

Maddie turned, eyes searching for the tell-tell glow of a ghost. Her gaze fixed on something a few rows over. The huntress continued forward, brow wrinkling at the sight. Unsurprisingly, these were plants but….a faint glow enveloped the snow white leaves, the orange and black fruits. Tentatively, she reached forward and cupped one of the fruits. Even through her gloves, she could feel the ghostly chill. 

Maddie’s frown deepened. She’d never seen anything like this before. Was this some kind of ghostly plant? And in Vlad’s greenhouse of all places? Where did it come from? How did the billionaire procure it? And why hadn’t he said anything to her and Jack?

With that thought, the ghost hunters’ stomach flopped with nerves. There was actually something here, something out of the ordinary. Her mind turned back to those phone calls, the reason she was here in the first place. The speaker had said something about a trapdoor.

With that, Maddie pulled a flashlight out of her belt and flicked it on. She looked down, searching, and her eyes widened. Oh….well then. There, not three feet in front of her, was the door. The woman approached. Crouching down, she put down her staff and grasped the flashlight between her teeth. With both hands, she pulled the door up, revealing a short ladder leading to a narrow passageway.

The ghost hunter furrowed her brow, hesitating for a moment. She braced herself, forcing her shoulders to relax to dislodge some of the anxiety. Maddie stood up straight. She grabbed her staff and started lowering herself down the ladder. Once she was at the bottom, the woman turned and pointed the flashlight down the passageway. There, maybe ten feet in front of her was a metal blast door.

Dread rose in Maddie at the sight but she tried to push it down. This was probably an old cellar, or maybe even a bomb shelter. Rich people tended to have those, didn’t they? It could be…..

The woman stepped forward. Tentatively, she placed a hand on the opening mechanism. It looked like a wheel that she’d need both hands to open. She moved to return her staff to her belt but before she could, a mechanical whirl sounded. The wheel started turning. Paling Maddie rapidly stepped back. Her heart pounded in fear of being caught.

Then the door swung open with a groan. The ghost hunter registered bright light pouring through the opening. She blinked for a moment, her eyes adjusting to the change. Then she registered the translucent figure floating across the doorway. 

Maddie scowled, acting on instinct. “Take that ghost.” She swung her staff but the blow never connected, instead sailing through the blue clad figure without resistance.

“I am not a ghost.” A familiar, robotic voice responded.

It was then that Maddie finally registered what she was seeing. She gasped in shock. It was herself, except floating, translucent, and...glitching around the edges? “What are you?” She breathed.

“I am the MADDIE program, an artificial intelligence meant to emulate Dr. Madeline Fenton.”

The ghost hunter stared for a long moment in confusion. She hadn’t expected a response and now her mind couldn’t catch up, barely processing what she was seeing.

The hologram floated backward, motioning into the door. “Come inside.”

Maddie blinked, registering the words. Her eyes flitted from her strange double to the interior of the room. Concrete floor, metallic walls, sturdy work tables, and….a soft green light. It looked familiar, very much like the Fentonworks lab. The woman’s heart skipped a beat. She’d already come this far….

The huntress took a few steps forward and crossed the threshold, all the while keeping her eyes on the hologram. The other figure was unmoving and silent, not even blinking. After another long moment staring, Maddie warily looked around. As she’d glimpsed, there were shiny metal work tables and shelves. A station with a microscope, centrifuge, and table top incubator. She frowned, eyes falling on glowing vials of ectoplasm. 

This was a lab, obviously. A ghost research lab, based on the ectoplasm. But below Vlad’s greenhouse? Her eyes flickered to another table, this one holding familiar looking devices. Ectoguns, slim and silvery with a design Maddie knew intimately, despite the unfamiliar logo and red accents.

The woman walked forward, tentatively hefting the gun. “This looks like our model 35.” She stated seriously.

Maddie then turned, facing the source of the soft green light. Her jaw dropped at the sight of the swirling green. “That’s a portal. A ghost portal.” She muttered. 

The scientist took in the design of the frame, of the ecto-filtrater and the control panel. That was her and Jack’s design as well. Her mind swam, information bouncing around senselessly as she tried to make sense of all this. This was a lab. A ghost research lab. A hidden, secret research lab in Vlad Master’s backyard, below his greenhouse. Vlad’s secret lab. But...why?

She bit her lip, her eyes falling on the Fenton Works designed weapons and the portal. Their stolen designs. Maddie could barely believe it, yet she wasn’t as surprised as she should be. Vlad still having an interest in ghosts? The creepy billionaire stealing their blueprints? Why did that seem all too plausible?

“Dr. Fenton?” A staticy voice asked behind her.

Maddie turned, frown deepening as she took in the hologram again. Her mouth felt dry. “He….Vlad...made a hologram that looks and sounds like me.” She felt sickened at the thought, at the evidence in front of her. 

“Yes. I was modeled after Dr. Madeline Fenton.” The hologram replied.

The ghost hunter put a hand on her head, feeling a headache grow. It made sense, in a sick kind of way. Vlad had a fascination with her. He was not exactly subtle in his ‘affections.’ Of course he would create this creepy copy. “Why?” She groaned, in rising anger.

“I was created to serve as a digital assistance and security system.”

Maddie looked up, blinking in confusion. She hadn’t been expecting an answer. The woman then frowned, realizing something. A security system? Did that mean… “You unlocked the greenhouse door for me...and turned off the security system.”

“That is correct.” The hologram replied.

The ghost hunter wrinkled her brow. “Why?”

Somehow, almost imperceptibly, the figure’s expression softened. “You came to take Number 6 away from here.”

That gave Maddie pause, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the AI with new eyes. “You were the one calling me.” 

It finally hit her. The voice on the phone, the monotone one that reminded her of her mother and sister. It was this AI, this AI which sounded very much like Maddie herself. Of course she hadn’t recognized that. Most people don’t know what they really sound like outside of their own head and Maddie herself was no exception.

“Yes, I did.” The AI confirmed. “Please save him.”

“Him?” Maddie bit her lip, feeling that familiar dread again. “Number 6? Who is this person?”

The hologram floated toward the other side of the room, towards a tall cylindrical metal tube that Maddie hadn’t noticed yet. “Come.” She motioned the ghost hunter to approach.

The huntress did so, fixing a studious gaze on the tube.

“Viewing panel opening.” The AI announced as the whirl of gears sounded throughout the room.

In front of the cylinder, metal paneling slid apart. Slowly a gap opened, making the inside of the pod visible. Maddie first registered neon green ectoplasm swirling in some kind of solution. Then her jaw dropped. There, suspended in the chamber was a lithe figure. It looked male, the form of a young teenager. For a moment, the ghost hunter registered white hair and a black and white garment. Phantom? Had Vlad managed to capture Phantom? No...that….

Her brow furrowed, stepping closer. She examined the glowing body. The figure’s appearance was shifting. Its skin was a mosaic of ghostly blue and a pale, more human color in ever changing, shifting patches. The black and white garment also shifted, seeming to grow and spread over the body before retreating, leaving bare skin. On the head was a mop of black and white hair, the patches rapidly changing color and appearing to move across the skull.

Maddie frowned. There was a resemblance to Phantom. (How? How in the world?) But this wasn’t the same being. “This is a ghost.” Her brow wrinkled in confusion, despite her confidence of the fact.

“Yes.” The MADDIE program answered plainly. 

The scientist turned. “I am not letting a ghost out of here.”

The hologram frowned. “Number Six is a boy. He deserves to be free.”

Maddie pointed. “But….that is a ghost.”

“Yes.” The AI confirmed again. “But he is also a boy. Observe.” The translucent figure waved a hand over one of the computers. “Display subject’s vials.”

Instantly, readings appeared on the screen, a rhythmic beeping commencing. The ghost hunter studied the words and numbers. “Oxygen saturation, Blood Glucose, Blood pressure, Heart Rate.” Her brow furrowed. “These are vials for a human.”

“Yes. These are Number six’s vials.” 

Maddie scrunched her nose in disbelief. “But...this is a ghost.” 

But the sound of the heart monitor pounded in her head. She turned, facing the figure in the tube again. The readings could be fake. But why? And why did Vlad have a ghost captured in his lab? And why did it resemble Phantom? Or at least, it seemed to. Not that she’d ever been this close to Phantom before but the white hair, suit, and lithe figure were the same. She took in the shifting appearance. And what was that? An attempt at shapeshifting?

Maddie turned back to the screen, reading again. At the top, it read Clone Six, 100% stability. “Clone?” The woman questioned. “Clone of who? Of Phantom?”

“Yes.” The AI answered. In response, the ghost hunter turned sharply. The hologram continued. “Subject Six has completed the gestation period and is now viable and capable of living outside the artificial womb.”

Maddie blinked rapidly. There was a lot of information there. “Clone? Vlad cloned Phantom and...it’s ready?”

“Yes. He is stable.” The hologram turned. “Please save him. Take him away from dearest.”

“Look.” The scientist pinched the bridge of her nose. “I am not letting this ghost go.”

“He is a boy.” The AI insisted.

“You say that but-”

“And a ghost.” The hologram continued. “He is a living boy and a ghost.”

Maddie’s heart skipped a beat. “Living?”

She turned back to the chamber, something in her resonating at the word. The strands of black hair, the human colored skin, the patches that did not glow. She looked up into the face and something itched in the back of her mind. It looked familiar, not just because the ghost looked like Phantom.

Maddie took another step. She reached forward until she was touching the glass. The heart monitor steadily beeped as the figure in the chamber twitched.

The huntress shook her head, denying. “That’s just...not possible. Someone can’t be a ghost and a human.” What the AI was saying was nonsensical, completely impossible. So why did Maddie not feel certain?

“Initiate wake up sequence.” The AI declared.

Startled, Maddie’s head whipped to the side. “What are you-”

In the chamber, something thumped. The woman’s head turned to see flailing limbs. The figure’s eyes suddenly popped open, one blue and one green panickedly flickering around the room. The rate of the heart monitor increased. The being thrashed, chest spasming. A hand pounded against the glass. 

“What did you do?” Maddie demanded of the AI.

There was no answer, just fearful flailing within the tube. The ghostly figure’s gaze shifted down and fell on Maddie. The eyes widened, silently begging. More pounding of hands on the inside of the glass. The beeping increased, pounding into the woman’s head. The ghost boy blinked and the eyes were blue, icy blue. The gaze, the familiar gaze stabbed Maddie in the heart.

The woman panicked, her own heart race. Her eyes ripped away from the boy. What do I do? What do I do? Her mind raced. Her gaze fell on a large button marked, Emergency release. She acted without thinking, slamming her hand down on the button.

There was hiss and a beep from the chamber. In the blink of an eye, the glass wall of the chamber parted. Maddie yelped, jumping back as water and ectoplasm poured out. The liquid soaked her anyway. Then, the boy inside the tub was falling. He tipped forward and the woman reached out to catch him on instinct.

A surprisingly heavy body fell onto the ghost hunter. Her knees threatened to buckle under the sudden impact. Instead she wobbled and wrapped one arm around the lithe body. Shakily, Maddie lowered herself to her knees, taking the ghostly figure with her.

Numbly, hardly believing what she’d just done, the woman huddled on the floor. She tensed at the being reached towards her. A part of her brain screamed that it was unsafe to be so near to a ghost, yet she didn’t move as ungloved hands weakly grabbed onto her jumpsuit and the ghost pressed into her chest, as if it was hugging her. 

Maddie looked down at the being, marveling at the sight. Its appearance was still shifting. Black and white hair. Black jumpsuit and bare skin. Patches of ghostly blue and pale human skin. The woman could feel the ectoplasmic energy, the ghostly chill radiating off the being as well but..... Its glow...there was something off. The glow was dimming. It flickered like a light bulb before cutting off.

In front of her came a whine as the ghost buried its head into her shoulder. Soft cold breath caressed her check. Breathe? Maddie’s heart skipped a breath. She could feel the chest rising and falling with fast breaths, pressed against her as it was. And that beeping. Maddie glanced up at the display. The heart monitor was still keeping pace with a rapidly fluttering heart.

The scientists breath lodged in her throat. No this was...ghosts didn’t breath. They didn’t have heart beats. They didn’t…. She looked down at the shaking figure again and her world turned upside down. The black suit was receding, evaporating. It disappeared off the arms and chest, every part of the body she could see, leaving bare skin below. And that skin, it was changing. Pale peach-tinted skin was rapidly replacing the inhuman blue. A warm breath blew over her check, the ghostly chill quickly vanishing. The weight pressed into her increased, the fingers holding onto her becoming warm and solid. And on the head, black overtook white until she was staring down at the full black head of hair.

Maddie’s mind stopped unable to process. This was...she was...in front...of her...this was... She blinked rapidly, as if the sign would change but...the lack of glow, the human skin tone, the warmth, the breathing, the black hair. That..that damn heart monitor. This...this was...no...no way. The ghost hunter shakily, wrapped her arms around the now hyperventilating figure. She winced feeling the warm, solid skin under her gloves. This was impossible but….

This...this was a human. No ghost...no ghost could fake this. No shapeshifting would give a ghost human warmth and a heartbeat. And she could feel it, the rapidly fluttering heart pressed against her own. 

The ghost whined again. No. no. The boy. The boy who had just been a ghost but had changed. The boy who’d just been inside that pod. Who was shaking and hyperventilating in front of her. Another whine. A tear fell onto her shoulder.

Maddie’s mind finally caught up. Her arms shifted into a more proper hug, hands reaching up to run through the black hair. “Shhh. Shh. It’s okay.” The woman whispered. “Breath with me. In.” She breathed in deliberately. “And out.” She pushed the air out of her lungs. “In and Out.”

The boy copied, his breaths following hers. In and out. In and out. His breathing slowed as did the beeping of the heart monitor. Slowly, so slowly, his shaking subsided but the boy didn’t let go of her suit.

Maddie stayed still, questions bombarding her now that the boy was calmed. This boy, who was he? Where had he come from? Why...why did Vlad have a teenager in his lab? And why did he have a ghost that could change into a human? Or was this a human who could turn into a ghost? Her mind raced, her own heart rate increasing with overwhelming confusion. How was this possible? What was this kid?

She looked down, an idea sparking. That ghost disease that all the teenagers supposedly got. The disease that gave them ghost powers. She and Jack had never seen any of the supposedly infected students. They’d dismissed the claims as absurd. Humans could not have ghost powers. Yet Jazz and Danny’s friend, Sam, had both insisted that they’d gotten sick and both had displayed a ghostly ability. And if...if that was true….. She paled, the overheard words from the last phone call hitting her. Tests, sample collection, subject, experiment. If Vlad was experimenting with that disease, experimenting with ectoplasm on...on….

“Where...where am I?” A quiet male voice asked, directly in front of her. Maddie stiffened at the words, roughly pulled out of her thoughts. “What’s happening?”

The woman’s heart stopped. That voice. That voice. Oh god. Suddenly shaking, she unwrapped her arms from the boy. Gently, so gently, she grabbed his wrists and pulled his hands off of her. The boy seemed to shrink in on himself at that, shoulders falling. 

He sniffled but Maddie shushed it. “Look...look up at me.” She quietly asked. Slowly, the teenager obeyed and again, the mother felt like her world was turned on its head. Familiar, icy blue eyes met hers. The curve of that nose, the round chin, the slightly chubby cheeks. Oh god, she knew...she knew this face intimately. A trembling hand reached out to touch, cupping the boy’s cheek. “Danny?” Maddie asked, before she could really think.

The blue eyes widened, looking at her with the most pure and innocent hope she’d even seen. “Danny? Is that...is that my name?”

The woman’s expression fell, her mind catching up to the question, to what she was seeing. No, this couldn't be Danny. She had just seen him earlier that night. And on the face in front of her….The freckles….the freckles were wrong, laid out in a different pattern. And the scar above his lips, where was it? The mother glanced down, at his collar bone. The birthmark wasn’t there. And...her heart skipped a beat. No, he was too young, maybe two years younger than her son’s current age of 16.

The woman removed her hand. “No. I’m sorry. You’re not….you look like him, like Danny. So I thought….But you’re not...you’re not him.”

The boy’s shoulders fell and his eyes fixed down. The suddenly heartbroken, lonely look broke Maddie’s heart. “Oh. Then...who am I?”

The ghost hunter frowned at the question, her mind trying to form an answer. Who was this boy who looked like her Danny? Wait…. The words on his vitals display flashed in her mind. Clone number 6. Clone. “You’re a clone.” She blinked, mouth falling open. “You’re a clone of my son.”

The boy looked up, raising a brow. “What’s a clone?”

Maddie flushed at the question. It was so innocent. And his eyes, staring up at her like she had the answer to every question in the universe. “That’s...that’s complicated.” She glanced down, cheeks reddening in a sudden realization. “Let’s umm...let’s get you some clothes first.” The mother blushed for a moment. He’d been naked this whole time, while they’d been hugging and she had been comforting him.

“Clothes?” The boy tilted his head and the innocent confusion, the lack of embarrassment, just about killed Maddie. This looked like a teenager but obviously he wasn’t actually one.

The mother pushed the thought away, head surveying the room for something to cover the child with. She gaze fixed on something white hanging on one of the walls. Lab coats. Maddie started pushing herself to her feet.

The boy whimpered, grabbing her hand. “Don’t leave me.”

Maddie’s expression softened. “I’m not. I’m just going to get you something to wear.”

Shakily, she stood and walked across the lab. All the while, the woman could feel the eyes on the back of her head. But she ignored it, focusing on grabbing a coat. She pulled the white garment off the peg and quickly returned. Maddie then knelt down and held out the coat. The boy looked at it with no recognition as if he had no idea what to do with it. He probably didn’t.

“I can put it on you then. Hold out your arms.” Maddie instructed.

The boy, the clone, (this was a clone, a clone of her son. Her son. How? Why? What?). The clone did as she said and the woman dressed him as if he was a little child. (He probably was). The woman tried to smile comfortingly as she fastened the buttons. “There you go. All covered up.”

The boy looked at the sleeves curiously. They hung past his hands as the garment swallowed him. He waved his arms, watching the ends flap. The child laughed at the sight.

Maddie’s heart clenched at the child-like display. But then she turned her attention to the AI that had been silently watching the entire time. Standing, she scowled. “Is he a clone of my son?”

“Yes.” The MADDIE program replied. “Subject Number 6 is a clone of Daniel James Fenton.”

Maddie looked down again. Somehow, despite how impossible this was, that made perfect sense. The appearance was nearly identical, to perfect for strangers. And….she swallowed. Vlad had a sick fascination with her children, with Danny in particular. She knew the man fancied himself something of a godfather, with his pet names, presents, and advice. And Danny despised it, much more than any teenage boy should even if said godfather had a tendency to flirt with his mother.

The woman paled, all sorts of horrible idea coming into her head. What Vlad must want from Danny, what he must really want from her son. And to do the scientifically impossible? She shivered. Tests, experiments. She remembered the hybrid ghostly appearance, the ectoenergy flowing off of him. From some the ghostly disease? But… “Wait...you said that he was clone of Phantom earlier?”

The hologram’s response was cut off by a scream from the floor. Maddie’s eyes flicked down panickedly as the clone looked up at her. “My...my arm...it’s gone.”

The woman’s eyes just about popped out of her skull. His left sleeve with the hand and arm inside of it were gone. Maddie knelt down, reaching towards where the limb should be. Her hand hit something solid and chilly. She rapidly blinked. “It’s invisible. Your arm is invisible.” Panic rose in her. Ghostly abilities. There were ghostly abilities. He had ghost powers.

“Invisible?!” The boy shrieked. 

Maddie’s heart clenched. That sounded just like Danny, her son when he was scared. The boy’s mouth was open with panic, his breath increasing. And all the woman could see was her son. Her son’s face, screwed up with panic and fear. It made her soul ache. She gently wrapped her hand around his invisible one. “It’s still there but you need to calm down. Breath with me. Like before. Okay. In and out.”

The boy copied her action once and his hand returned to visibility. He threw himself forward into her arms. Maddie returned the hug without hesitation. Then a breath later, cold swept over her. The body in her arms disappeared, turning into cold mist. Both the woman and the boy screamed as he turned intangible and fell through her.

Maddie rapidly stood, stepping back. What was happening?! On the floor, the boy returned to solidity, the slightly translucent appearance disappearing. He rolled onto his back, panting. The beeping of the monitor increased with his breathing as his face scrunched up fearfully. 

Then a heartbeat later, just when Maddie thought she was done with surprises for tonight, something else stole the breath from her lungs. A white ring of light formed around the boy’s waist. It spread up and down his body and everything the light touched changed. The scientist blinked away the spots in her vision. And there, writhing on the floor with a panicked expression, was Phantom. Or...he looked like Phantom. White hair, black and white jumpsuit, panic filled green eyes.

It suddenly all hit Maddie like a tractor-trailer. He was a clone of Danny.. .and he was a clone of Phantom. Of Phantom. Danny...it clicked into place. Oh god, Danny’s accident with the portal. Him setting off all their equipment. His badly hidden injuries. Falling grades, skipping class, not sleeping. Oh god. Danny was Phantom. Danny Fenton was Danny Phantom. That...that was a pun, damnit. Of course her son would name himself after a pun. And… her eyes fixed on the boy on the floor. His face even stayed the same! No wonder Phantom avoided getting close to them!

In front of her, the clone was hyperventilating again. “What’s happening to me?!” He cried, tears welling in his eyes. His legs were fused into a ghostly tail which lashed in front of him.

The mother’s brain kicked into gear, her motherly instincts taking over again. She knelt down. “Sweetie. Sweetie. Calm down. I’m here.” 

She grabbed his arm, intending to pull him into a sitting position but he was so light, as light as a balloon. With the slightest tug, he was pulled into the air, floated. Maddie pulled the ghost boy into her arms. She cupped the back of his head.

“What’s...what’s happening to me?” He cried again.

“I don’t know.” Maddie answered honestly. She had only the barest idea of what all was going on. But still... “I’ll figure it out. I’ll help you. You’re safe. I’m right here.”

The boy wiggled in her hold, crying into her shoulders. “I...I don’t understand. I don’t understand. Who...who am I? Who are you? Where are we?”

Maddie didn’t know. Or rather she didn't know how to answer those questions without making him more scared. She desperately wished she did know. She’d have to have a long conversation with Danny about him being Phantom and about what is actually going on between him and Vlad but for now...she hugged the boy tighter.

A long minute later, light passed over the clone again. He became heavy and warm in Maddie’s arms. His knees wobbled for a moment before steadying as Maddie held him up. “There, you’re doing it. You can stand.” His posture strengthened and the shaking stopped. Finally, the mother asked. “Do you think you can stand on your own?”

“I...I think so?” The boy said, uncertainly.

“Alright. I’m going to step away slowly. I’ll catch you if you start to fall.” Maddie reassured.

The child nodded as the woman backed away. He wobbled, tipping forward but the ghost hunter gently grabbed him. They stood, hands on each other's forearm for a long pause, until the boy steadied himself. He looked down at his feet, lifting one before putting it down and then doing the same with the opposite. Finally, he let go of Maddie’s arms. After hesitating, the mother did the same.

The boy studied her compassionate face, brow furrowed with deep thought. “Who are you...to me?”

Maddie considered, studying his face in kind. Her son’s face. A face so like her Danny’s. He was a clone, a clone of her son. Meaning...he was her own flesh and blood. Her lips pursed in thought. More importantly...he was a child. A confused, scared child who needed her help. And before she was a ghost hunter and scientist, Maddie was and would always be a mother.

“I’m your mother.” She said without hesitation, smiling. “Your mom.”

“Mom?” The boy asked, testing out the word. 

Maddie nodded, reaching forward and gently whipping one of his tears away with her thumb. “I’m your mom.”

The child smiled, his eyes lighting up like that was the most wonderful thing he had ever heard. It very well could be. “Mom.” The word rang out with so many emotions, with some much love that Maddie’s heart swelled. The boy stepped forward hugging her again.

The mother ran her finger through his hair. “Yes baby. I’m here to take you home."

“You will take him away from here, then?” A staticy voice asked, beside the pair.

Maddie turned, pulling away to look at the AI. Beside her, the clone tilted his head as he looked between the two but didn’t ask.

The scientist nodded. “Yes. I think I understand why you called me now.” Of course she did. This was an AI made to copy her, something of a digital clone. If Maddie was in her place, she would not so easily agree to whatever Vlad had planned. She would not leave a child here to be experimented on. And as the MADDIE programs 'original’, for lack of a better word, she wasn’t exactly an outsider and therefore a loophole.

The hologram nodded. “I will disable the microchip then.” A light on the monitor blinked out and the beeping of the heart monitor stopped. The AI then turned to the computer. She pointed to a flash drive plugged into one of the ports. “That contains all research data. Take it with you.” 

Maddie obeyed, taking the drive. The AI winked. “Excellent. Delete all research data. Command alpha-06-gamma-58-epsilon.”

There was a loud dial tone and the computer fritzed, the monitor wavering until a blue screen reading ‘System Deletion’ in large print was displayed.

Maddie raised a brow, impressed at the AI. 

Then the clone asked. “What about you? Are you coming with us?”

The program shook her head. “No dear. I am not like you. My purpose is served.” The AI turned to deliberately look at Maddie. “Number 6 has been saved.”

The boy frowned at the statement as did the mother, considering the statement and the depth of it. She didn’t know what to make of it except...it almost felt like one mother was handing off her son to another.

“Go on.” The MADDIE program encouraged. "You may go out the way you came and I will lock the doors behind you." She frowned. "I will distract dearest for as long as I can."

Maddie wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I suppose you can't just call him Vlad?"

"No." The AI almost sounded annoyed. "My programming is most inconvenient."

The ghost hunter nodded in understanding. Then she turned to face the clone. "Come on then sweetie." She wrapped one arm around the boy and started leading him towards the door. Before passing through, the women turned back to face the hologram. "Thank you."

The corner of MADDIE program's lip turned up as she offered an accepting nod. The pair then turned back towards the still open door. The clone wobbled slightly, progressing slowly as he gained more confidence. Maddie carefully stepped across the threshold with the boy still at her side. Once they were in the tunnel, a gap sounded from beside her.

"What is it?" The mother glanced to the side, eyes wide with concern.

"The ground's cold." The boy muttered.

"Oh." Maddie looked down. "You're not wearing any shoes." She'd have to get him some once they got home and some proper clothes. "Just step carefully, okay? Actually…." With her free hand, she pulled out her flashlight and shone it on the bare ground in front of them. "There." 

The pair advanced carefully, Maddie helping the boy to clumsily climb up the ladder. They crossed the greenhouse and the mother pulled the boy along as he eagerly studied their surroundings. 

"It smells nice in here." The clone commented, sniffing the air.

"It does." Maddie agreed. 

Arriving at the door, she finally opened it and the two found themselves in the open air. The boy suddenly stopped, looking down. 

He hummed in the back of his throat, pleased. "I like the grass under my feet." Maddie looked down to find the kid wiggling his toes. Then there was an awed whisper. "Wow. Are those the stars?"

The mother looked up again to find him staring up at the sky in wonder. Maddie smiled. "Yes, they are. Aren't they beautiful?"

"Yeah." He breathed.

Maddie let him look up in awe, as she herself marveled. She couldn't help but be reminded of Danny's love of the stars. But even with the resemblance, he was a different person from her Danny, wasn't he? She could already see little difference. This child-like wonder was something she hadn’t seen in her son very often now. But still she wondered. This clone seemed to know the words for things. He could speak clearly and had good coordination all things considered. How was that even remotely possible? And yet he still had the air of someone who had never seen the world before, like every was new. Because it likely was.

With that, Maddie cut off her musing. "Come on sweetie. We need to keep going."

The mother hated cutting off his exploration, especially as his expression fell. But the boy nodded anyway, taking a step forward. The pair continued, cutting across the yard, into the trees, and to the car. Maddie clicked the fob to unlock the vehicle. She guided the boy to the car, opened the passenger's side door, and helped him sit. The mother then walked around and opened the driver's side door and sat down herself.

Maddie turned to find the clone looking at his seat belt curiously. She reached over. "Here let me help you." She buckled him in.

The boy hummed, fidgeting in his seat while Maddie buckled herself in. She put the key in the ignition and started the engine. Instantly, the radio started, a song from their local eighties station broadcasting through. The clone flinched at the sudden sound before relaxing. 

He turned, looking at the woman with wide eyes. "What's that?"

Maddie smiled. "It's music."

"Right. Music." The boy nodded. He tilted his head, listening to the song. After a moment, his head bobbed in time. "I think I like music." He hummed along, wiggling in his seat.

It made Maddie want to laugh so she did. She chuckled as she put the car into drive and pulled away. She turned into the road and started driving back towards Fentonworks. The song ended just as they pulled up at a red light.

The clone turned to face her. "Where are we going?"

She looked at him out the corner of her eye. "We're going home, like I said earlier."

He nodded. "Right yeah. I remember that." He hummed. "What will we do when we get there?"

Maddie paused, considering the question. "Well...we’ll talk to your dad and your….Danny and Jazz….and we’ll figure all of this out.” 

She’d hesitated for a moment, thinking to refer to Danny and Jazz as his brother and sister. But Maddie had no idea how they’d take this. Hopefully well. Those two were good kids but living with a clone of yourself….Maddie could hardly imagine. At least Jack would be eager and welcoming. She knew her husband well enough to be sure….Oh boy, she really should have told him something about all of this before she’d left.

"All of this….you mean the….clone thing and…" He bit his lip. "The flashing light and the floating and disappearing and falling through things?"

"Ghost powers." Maddie said, brow furrowing. "You have ghost powers. As far as I can tell, you're some kind of ghost human hybrid? Not that I knew that was possible until less than an hour ago…." She frowned. "Nor did I know you existed."

The boy frowned, looking worried. His lips pursed. "So...you don't know what my name is then, do you?”

Maddie's heart fell. In front of them, the light turned green. The woman turned back, removing her foot off the gas. The car pulled away before the mother pulled into a parking lot. 

She took a deep breath, the impossibleness of the situation hitting her. She was sitting in her car with a clone of her son. A clone that she’d found in the secret laboratory below Vlad Master’s greenhouse. A human-ghost hybrid clone of her son who was also a hybrid. She had another son now. A son who she now had to tell that she didn't know his name, because he likely didn't have one yet.

Maddie put a comforting hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.” She gently apologized. “You’re right. I don’t know. And sadly….” She took a deep breath. “And I know this will be hard to hear but...all I know is that hologram called you Number 6 and...that’s not exactly a name, is it? ” 

His lip quivered, eyes starting to water. “But….that’s….”

The mother took his hands and squeezed it. “That will change. Your father and I can pick out a name for you; that’s what parents normally do for their children. Or….if you have something in mind, we’ll happily call you that.”

The clone looked down, biting his lip in consideration. “I’ll...I’ll think about it.”

Maddie’s face softened. “Alright sweetie.”

He turned his head up, blinking at her. “Sweetie? Can that be my name?”

The question was asked so innocently that Maddie couldn’t help but laugh. “No. That’s a pet name. I call all my kids that.”

“Oh.” He blushed in embarrassment. “Well that’s...at least, that means I’m one of your kids.”

The mother nodded her head. “Yes, of course. You’re my son.” It should have been surprising how much her heart swelled with love at the statement but well….Maddie had made up her mind. This was her son. Not Vlad Masters’ experiment. Not just Danny’s clone. Her son and Vlad was not taking him away from her.

They would have a lot to figure out. A name for this boy. His complete origin as a clone. How to deal with having a third child, one who’d just appeared overnight. They’d have to deal with the implications of her revelation that Danny was Phantom. And Vlad...what he’d done was horrible. He’d stolen blueprints and her son’s DNA. He’d experimented on a human or...humans. She internally frowned; he was clone number 6. Did that mean that there had been five others? 

Either way, Vlad was deplorable. There, in the depth of his lab, below something as innocuous and normal as his greenhouse, Maddie had discovered that and the true depth of his obsession with her and her family. And now she knew, Vlad needed to be stopped. He needed to be punished. But what exactly to do with him, considering how taking him down would likely expose Danny’s identity as Phantom? Yes, they had a lot to deal with but….

Maddie leaned forward to kiss her new son’s forehead. “You have a family now. And a home. And everything else we’ll figure out together.”

A soft smile crept across his face. “I like how that sounds.”

“Good.” Maddie smiled. “Now...are you ready to go meet the rest of your family?”

“Yeah.” He squeezed the hand still holding hers. “I’m ready Mom.”