Memories

A Danny Phantom/Teen Titans crossover

Chapter 9

Phantom woke slowly from yet another nightmare, his blue eyes scanning the walls of the medical ward in a lazy manner. He groaned quietly, rubbing his right hand across his cheek before he froze. Why isn't my arm hurting? The boy looked down at his wrist, his eyes widening when he saw that it was completely healed. There wasn't even any bruising … and he was sure there was a lot yesterday.

"What's goin' o- holy crap!" All of his cuts and scrapes were gone too! Phantom raised his left hand and rubbed the back of his head gently. His head didn't even hurt. He jumped to his feet and walked over to the floor length mirror, examining his reflection in shock. I don't have a scratch on me … how is this possible?

Phantom ran his hands over his chest and stomach, lifting up his black shirt to unravel the gauze around his ribs. He did not wince once and when the bandages fell away, the teen saw that his broken ribs were completely healed. It was like they hadn't even been broken. There was nothing wrong with him.

The teen's breathing began to pick up and he stumbled back to his bed, hitting the call button on his bedside table as he did. "This … this just isn't possible. How? I-It doesn't make sense," he mumbled, his hands touching every part of his body that had been injured. But he felt nothing. Not even a slight tinge of pain. This is so weird.

"Phantom, what is it?" Cyborg asked the moment he burst into the medical ward. His eyes zoomed in on the teen sitting on the bed, staring at his palms with a confused expression. "And why are you out of bed?"

Phantom looked up at the metal teen, blinking slowly at him. "I got up 'cause … I'm not hurt anymore," he said, shaking his head as if he didn't believe his own words.

"What are you talkin' about?" Cy demanded, striding forward to get a good look at the disheveled Phantom. "Of course you are. You can't possibly heal in one day, especially considering Raven didn't fix you up."

"No, seriously." Phantom stood up, a scowl on his face. "I'm fine. There's- there's not a scratch on me!" The teen waved his arms and rotated his wrists to showcase how uninjured he was. Cyborg watched his display with a growing look of shock.

"Wait, let me see." The half-robot grabbed Phantom's arm and examined the wrist that had been broken yesterday, but no longer was. "That's … weird," Cyborg said at last, after checking Phantom's unbroken ribs. "How?"

"I don't know!" Phantom shouted, grabbing his messy, black hair tightly. "It doesn't make sense. I-I just woke up and I was fine." The boy looked away from Cyborg's questioning face, confusion igniting his anger. He didn't know what was going on either.

Cyborg nodded slowly, placing a gentle hand on Phantom's shoulder. "You think it's because of your powers?"

The dark haired teen shrugged Cyborg's hand off. "I want to see Raven." He narrowed his eyes aggressively. "Now." The half-robot looked like he wanted to object, but when he saw Phantom's eyes flash a bright green he backed away slowly, his hands raised in front of his body.

"Yeah, cool, cool. I'll call her, man. Just stay calm." Cyborg hit his communicator button, immediately alerting Raven that she was needed. "She's on her way, just, chill out."

Phantom continued to glare for a moment longer, before dropping his eyes to the ground, an anxious expression crossing his face. What's going on? I knew I had weird powers but this … this is just paranormal. He shook away the thought, though a part of him clung to the idea. He could fly, walk through walls, and become invisible. That sounded kind of ghostly, didn't it? No. That's just dumb. I'm not dead. I think I'd notice if I was dead.

He sighed, running an uninjured hand through his shaggy hair. Phantom clenched his hands together, interlacing his fingers and leaned forward so his elbows were placed on his knees. He bounced his legs up and down, his nervousness making him feel jittery.

After what felt like an eternity to Phantom, Raven walked into the Med Lab, her expression calm. Cyborg nodded his head at Phantom and said, "He ain't hurt, Rae. You didn't heal him, did you?"

The girl frowned thoughtfully, and shook her head. "No, I didn't." she answered, coming closer to Phantom. She placed a hand lightly on his right shoulder, and he looked up at her, confusion etched across his face.

"Is it my powers, Raven?" he asked. "Is that why I'm fine?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes, it appears so," she said. Phantom nodded shakily, looking down at his hands placed in his lap. I guess that means I still have more powers that I don't know about, he realized. He squeezed his hands into fists, frowning. And I don't think that's a good thing.

Raven and Cyborg were talking quietly by the door, shooting quick glances at Phantom when they thought he wasn't looking. He decided to ignore them and stood up, pulling his black hoodie on. Phantom looked at the two Titans before quietly phasing through the floor. The boy landed lightly on the ground of the level below, feeling confident of his rising control over his abilities.

He sighed, sticking his hands into his jeans pockets. So much had changed for him in such a short amount of time. But he still didn't know about his past. It was very frustrating. I want to know about those people from my memories, Phantom thought, trudging down a random hallway. I know they're important, but why?

Phantom walked into the main room and immediately went to sit by the large window. He stared out at Jump City, an exhausted look in his eyes. I just wish I could understand who I am.

-T-

Hundreds of miles away, in the small town of Amity Park, Samantha Manson sighed. She leaned her head on her left hand, her eyes staring blankly out at nothing. She could hear her math teacher droning on about something, but she wasn't listening. Sam looked down at the pencil in her right hand and then to the sheet of paper she had been drawing on. She blinked slowly at the symbol she'd doodled several times.

"Danny," she whispered, closing her eyes. The girl sighed again, rubbing her hand against her forehead. How long had it been since she had last seen her friend? I don't even want to think about it. I miss him too much. I just don't get why we couldn't find him. The girl slowly raised her head, trying to focus on her teacher's voice.

"And if you multiply the x by the y value you will get …"

Sam's focus faded out again. A major headache, she thought sarcastically. Sam continued to ignore her teacher until the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. The girl exited the building, her feet dragging heavily across the sidewalk.

"Hey, Sam," Tucker said softly as he walked up to his friend. "How was your day?"

Sam attempted a smile at him. "Fine, Tuck. Just fine." Even though Sam would never admit it, she was very proud of the brave front her male friend was holding up for her. She really did appreciate it. The two teenagers walked side by side down the street in a comfortable silence. Well, it was almost comfortable. Sam couldn't help but be painfully aware of the empty space beside her; the one that should have been filled by her best friend.

"So what do you plan on doing this weekend? The usual, avoid your parents like the plague, or are you gonna go outside the box?" Tucker asked, fiddling with his PDA. He took a quick glance up at Sam, hoping to garner a smile from her.

The girl didn't respond for a moment, her eyes staring unfocused at the ground. She suddenly looked up, face set in determination. "I'm going to the Ghost Zone," she said, looking Tucker straight in the eyes. "And you're coming with me."

-T-

In the crowded airport of Jump City, Vlad Masters stepped off his private jet and into the busy terminal. He surveyed the coming and going residents with cold, calculating eyes, a smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth. The people around him were so … small, insignificant. They were nothing to him, nothing at all.

The man slung his bag over his muscular shoulder and began to walk towards the exit, his stride very self-assured. He kept his head held high and his shoulders pushed back. As he passed a large window, he glanced out at the city, a full smile blooming on his face. My prize is somewhere within these streets. Soon, he will be all mine. The thought caused Vlad to chuckle quietly. He pushed his way to the exit of the terminal and was greeted by a pale, older man with gray hair, dressed in a suit.

He held a card that said, 'Masters, Vlad,' in red letters.

"Hello, Carl," Vlad said loftily, stopping in front of his ghost butler. "Wonderful day, isn't it?"

The ghost smiled at him, taking Vlad's bag as they walked outside. "Yes indeed, sir." Carl opened the back door of a stretch limo, stepping aside for Vlad. "A fine day for hunting, sir."

The half-ghost grinned at the ghost's words. "Too true," he said as he slid into the limo. The door closed behind him and moments later, the vehicle started off down the street. Vlad stared out the window, a confident smile placed on his face. Once he got to the hotel penthouse he had rented, he would contact Skulker and then Daniel would be his for the taking.

-T-

Starfire peeked her head into the main room, her body still hiding behind the sliding door. "He out there?" Beast Boy whispered from behind the alien princess.

"Yes," she answered just as quietly, her round, green eyes stuck on the still form of Phantom. "And he looks most the depressed." Beast Boy peeked out the other side of the door, eyeing Phantom as well. He nodded. I'd be bummed too if I were him.

"Yeah," he muttered, quickly pulling his head back out of the room as Phantom turned in the sound of their voices. "We gotta cheer him up, Star." BB said, motioning at the T-tower's newest guest. "He really needs it. He looks sadder than Raven!"

Starfire nodded, feeling pity for the Phantom tug at her heart. She really liked the boy. He reminded Starfire of a brother she never had. She did not like seeing him unhappy. "But what could we do, friend Beast Boy?" The two Titans thought about it for a few moments, before Starfire grinned and floated into the air. "We must go to the mall of shopping!" she declared happily.

BB smiled along with her and punched the air. "Yeah, Star," he said. "That'll totally cheer him up. No one can be depressed there." As one, the pair moved into the main room and came up behind the quiet Phantom. He continued to sit dejectedly in front of the window, staring out at nothing.

"Yo, Phantom!" Beast Boy said, completely oblivious to his new friend's dark mood. "We're going out."

Phantom turned slowly, his blue eyes dull and vacant. It took a moment, but eventually he managed to focus on the two Titans in front of him. "Huh?" he mumbled, shaking his head quickly. "What'd you say?"

Starfire floated into his view, her face alight with a large grin. "We are taking you on a …" she paused, seeming confused for a moment. "Tripping of the field!"

Phantom raised an eyebrow, shooting a quick look at Beast Boy. The green changeling grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, she means, like, a field trip," he explained. Phantom continued to stare blankly at him, and the younger boy began to feel a little awkward. "We're taking you to the mall."

"I don't want to go," Phantom said, turning back around to look out the window. BB and Star looked at each other behind his back, both looking a bit put-out.

"Aw, c'mon," Beast Boy tried again, sliding up to Phantom's side. "It'll be fun." Phantom remained silent. "We can get junk food." The changeling received no response. "There'll be girls there!"

Phantom sighed. "I. Don't. Want. To. Go." he said, glaring at BB momentarily. "I want to be alone."

Beast Boy took a few steps away from Phantom, pulling Starfire with him. "I don't think he wants to go," the changeling stated the obvious. Starfire frowned, her bright eyes looking crestfallen.

"But he must, friend Beast Boy!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands in front of her body. "It brings joy to the small children, and the teenagers like to do the hanging out. The Phantom will have a most wonderful time there."

"Yeah, but Star, he doesn't want to go." BB said, rubbing the back of his head. "And we can't really make him …"

Suddenly the doors to the room swished open and Raven floated inside, holding a book close to her face. Beast Boy smiled deviously, his ears perking up. "But maybe Raven can," he said, raising his eyebrows at Starfire.

The alien princess looked over at Raven and clapped her hands. "Glorious idea, friend Beast Boy!" she said before quickly flying over to her female friend. "Raven!" Starfire said, floating before the girl in question.

Raven sighed softly, looking up from her book. "I'm probably going to regret asking this but, what is it?" she said, staring dully at her two comrades.

Beast Boy lowered his voice, placing a hand on one side of his mouth. "It's about you-know-who," he said, making gestures at Phantom's back. Raven just stared at him, looking bored. "We wanna take him to the mall, but he won't go," BB explained quickly.

"And?" Raven said, raising one eyebrow.

"We thought it would be most helpful for the Phantom if he got the fresh air," Starfire answered. "We wanted to do the cheering up."

The half-demon looked at Phantom, then back to the others. "You can't make him go if he doesn't want to," she said slowly, looking back down at her book.

"But Ra-a-ven." BB whined, somehow managing to turn her name into a four syllable word. "Just look at him." He pointed back at Phantom. "Do you really want the poor dude to end up like you? All dark and unhappy?"

Raven glared at the changeling, and his ears instantly drooped as he hid behind Starfire. "C'mon, Rae," BB said, peeking his head around from behind Star. "You know it'd be good for him."

"Please, friend Raven." Starfire added, her green eyes round with passion.

Raven shut her book with a snap and stood up. "Fine," she said, walking right up behind Phantom. "I'm going to the mall," she told him without emotion as he slowly turned to face her. "Are you coming?"

Phantom stared at her for several moments, his teeth grinding together. He seemed to be mentally debating something, his eyes flicking between the window and the three Titans in front of him. Eventually he sighed and stood up. "Sure," he said, causing Starfire to float into the air happily, and Beast Boy to smile and whoop.

"It'll be fun, dude!" BB said cheerfully, grabbing onto Phantom's arm. "Trust me." Starfire and BB dragged the helpless Phantom out of the room, Raven trailing slowly behind them. Even though she didn't show it, she was surprised that the boy had agreed to go only because she said she was going. Did that mean anything? Raven shook her head, sighed, and flew after her comrades.

-T-

As the four teenagers exited the T-tower, a lone figure invisibly watched them from the air. Skulker narrowed his bright green eyes at them and slowly followed their path, pressing a button on his forearm to contact his employer. It looked like Plasmius would have his prize sooner than he first thought.

-T-

ML: Heh-heh, dude, this chapter switched point of views so many times! It's so ridiculous. And for some reason I had a helluva hard time writing it. Nothing would come to me. I had to literally force myself to sit down and right. Bleh. And it was a super filler moment. As you can see, I put a small hint of Raven/Danny pairing, but I don't think I'm going to expand on this. I'm not sure, but it seems super cliché. I'd just rather avoid it than bother with it. So, now we got Vlad/Slade/Sam & Tuck/ and Skulker all in the mix, plus the Teen Titans. *laughs* I am loving this!

Disclaimer: I do not own DP or TT.