Broken Hearts
Chapter Nine
Fighting Phantom
"To fight and conquer all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."
~Sun Tzu~
Amity Park FentonWorks 2400 Hours
"Phantom, it's okay; nothing is going to happen," Raven promised as she lead him down the lab's steps. Phantom stumbled over to a huge wall like thing and changed in his human half. He felt his heart rate skyrocket and knew that his ghost half was trying to help keep him calm. He pressed his finger on the genetic lock, and the doors opened revealing the organized shelves of different kinds of weapons used to fight ghosts. Danny turned back into Phantom hoping that it would calm him down enough to think straight.
"I…I watched you guys fight some, but I…I'm not a professional," Phantom confessed. "But these are all the weapons my parents designed and used on a daily bases. Besides the boomerang, but that's a tracker, and its favorite person is me."
"Well, Robin does better with his bo-staff and throwing stars. Starfire uses her own alien strength and her star bolts, Cyborg has a cannon and super strength, Beastboy changes animals, and I have my magic," Raven explained hoping that would help Phantom to decide what to get. Phantom blinked before realizing that a common thing that they all could wear to help would be the Specter Deflector.
"Alright, that box there labeled SD," Phantom pointed to as Raven walked over and picked it up.
"Belts?" she asked raising an eyebrow. "Really? They don't go with my outfit."
"They protect against being overshadowed and ghosts touching you. It hurts them, and I should know," Phantom mumbled looking at her. "My mom put it on me one time before I could stop her. I screamed scaring the crap out of her. She quickly took it off, and I fell to the ground. She thought I was overshadowed, but nothing told her otherwise. That about blew my entire secret up in smoke."
"That's weird," Raven mumbled. "She should have picked up your ecto energy."
"My ghost core hid deep inside me after the shock. Usually it's resting on the surface where it's easily reached, but she scared me and it," Phantom explained. "Just don't put it on until we get back. I really hate getting zapped. I can't access my powers for a while either afterward."
"Count on it," Raven grunted putting it back in. She wasn't going to wear it if she didn't have to. She looked up to Phantom who holding a bo-staff similar to Robin's, only it's ends were glowing green.
"My mom made them. It's ecto powered and can hit any type of ghost," Phantom smiled pressing a button making the ends retract. "I think Robin will like it."
"Probably," Raven muttered picking up a small box like thing. She flipped the switch and a satellite thing popped out. It's radar slowly going around the room.
"There is a ghost directly ahead. You have to be some kind of moron to not notice the ghost directly ahead," it stated monotone. Raven smiled at Phantom's angered look.
"That thing had almost gotten me in trouble so many times," Phantom growled glaring at the device. Raven turned it off and placed it back knowing that they didn't need a tracker. Phantom picked up a fairly large bazooka like deal.
"I'm not sure if Cyborg can reconfigure it to his systems or not. He might just have to shoot it," Phantom explained looking at Raven. "Otherwise, I don't really know what to do about the rest of you. I think that the Specter Deflector will work just fine. It might even help your powers hit the ghosts as well. Sometimes my parents would make something and they would never know what all it could really do."
"Phantom, are you okay?" Raven asked knowing that Phantom was probably screaming on the inside.
"I just want to leave now," Phantom mumbled carrying the box and bazooka out. He placed the bo-staff inside the box and then closed the door off so no one else could get inside.
"Halt, who goes there?" a voice yelled from upstairs as Raven's magic quickly encircled Phantom, the weapons, and herself. The figure rushed into the room, but found nothing amiss expect for the lock on the door lit up as it reset. "What the…?"
Titan's Tower 0200 Hours
"I think that the city has pretty much been taken over," Cyborg mumbled knowing that the people were probably wondering what was going on. The last time they had been taken over, Terra had won against them. He was worried that they would blame Phantom since he was a ghost. That they thought he had turned on them as soon as he could.
"I got a hold of the police, and I told them that we are waiting on weapons from Phantom. He's the only one that knows how to beat them," Robin explained. Beastboy looked up at Starfire who was playing around in the kitchen.
"Star, what'd you doing?" BB asked knowing that whatever it was couldn't be good. She grinned.
"I want to make Phantom something. You said he was better…" she began only for Cyborg to cut her off.
"Not entirely. He's still thin, but right now we don't really have a choice," he stated. "Phantom's still on his diet." Starfire looked down dejected. Cyborg sighed and turned around knowing that was harsh, but Phantom was still at a worrying level.
"Cy's right, Star, we need to make sure he gets what he needs in order to get weight back on. I don't want him trying any alien food just yet," Robin warned. He really didn't need it getting Phantom sick from it either. They really didn't want to have to rebury the ghost so soon. They kept the grave stone up, but it was covered so no one seen it unless they were looking for it. Robin figured it was still necessary since Phantom did risk everything for them to defeat Slade and Terra.
A black shadow appeared on the floor and slowly turned into a bubble as Raven released her magic. Phantom closed his eyes and took deep breaths knowing he had to calm down enough to think straight. Robin walked up to them and looked at the box.
"Alright, what do we have?" he asked wanting to take care of this as fast as possible. Phantom opened his eyes and kneeled down next the box and pulled out the bazooka.
"This is for Cyborg since he likes shooting. Don't aim it at me please. I've been hit with it enough," Phantom explained handing it to the half robot. Cyborg grinned looking at it.
"It's so beautiful," he cooed and started petting it, succeeding in freaking out everyone in the room, except for Phantom who was use to weird people petting technology.
"Also there are enough Specter Deflectors for everyone," Phantom stated pulling out the five belts. "I don't think there was much, but I have a bo-staff for you, Robin."
"Cool," Robin grinned pressing the button and causing it to open.
"Once again, don't hit me with it," Phantom warned. "The belts protect against getting overshadowed, but I really didn't have anything else for anyone since you all fight with powers. The Defector might be able to be used with your powers, but once you put them on, don't touch me."
"Why?" Beastboy asked clipping the belt around his waist and reaching over to poke the ghost who stepped back.
"Because I'll get electrocuted again, and I really don't want my hair standing on end," Phantom explained keeping away from BB who had a huge grin on his face.
"Beastboy, leave him alone," Robin ordered pointing his staff at the changeling. "So all this stuff will prevent a ghost from hitting us?"
"Well, taking over your body at least. You have to do the dodging part," Phantom explained knowing he'll have to fight as well. There was no way he was going to send the Titans out there with equipment that might not exactly hold up. Cyborg looked up at Phantom.
"Can I try something?" he asked making Phantom stiffen.
"What?" Phantom whispered afraid. Cyborg changed his arm into his cannon and aimed at the ghost. Phantom jumped back and created an ecto shield around himself as Cy fired effectively destroying Phantom's shield.
"GOT IT, BOOYAH," Cyborg cheered leaving Phantom shaking. Robin glared at him.
"You scared the crap out of him," Robin pointed out while Phantom was leaning against a wall with wide eyes.
"He overshadowed me," Cyborg defended. "Now we're even."
"Cy, you really didn't need to do that," Phantom whispered looking at him. "Telling me what you were going to do would have been just fine."
"Not nearly as fun," Cyborg replied screwing something back into his arm. "I got the cannon to reconfigure to my own. Now I don't have to carry it around."
Phantom looked at the mess of parts on the floor where Cy had been working and felt a pang of guilt.
"Those were my parents' design," he muttered sliding down the wall and pulling his legs up to his chest. He just stared at the mess sadly.
"Dude, it's okay," Beastboy comforted forgetting he had to Specter Deflector on and headed for Phantom only for Raven to throw up a shield between them.
"We really don't need any more accidents. Let's go and figure this out," she ordered glaring at the changeling who looked at Phantom guilty. Phantom's eyes were blank as he just stared at what was left of the bazooka.
"Phantom, I needed the guts in order for this to work. I'm sorry," Cyborg stated feeling sad for making the ghost feel like crap now. Phantom closed his eyes and took in a shaky breath.
"It'll be okay. They had several, it's just…hard," Phantom mumbled burying his head into his arms. Robin walked up to him.
"We know, and we are here for you, but right now, we need your help to get those ghosts out of our city," Robin explained gently placing his and on the young teen's shoulder. "Come on, we have a city to save again."
"I don't think I can keep doing this," Phantom mumbled standing up. "It was hard enough in Amity."
"Yeah, but here people will actually like you," Beastboy put in.
"BB's right, Dude. Here, they don't have people saying that all ghosts are evil. They don't see the difference. If you save them, they'll respect you. Once you're a Titan, they'll love you," Cyborg stated with a smile. "Don't worry about it. Here they'll make sure that no one will hurt you if they go after your status. Most know that you helped us defeat Terra and Slade, and they already think you're a Titan."
"Even though I'm not," Phantom muttered knowing that's probably the only reason they even care. If they knew he wasn't, what would stop them from hating him?
Southern Labs of Jump City 0300 Hours
"A takeover, now?" O growled pounding on the keyboard. Masters arrived and glared at the agent.
"Yes, Phantom will be busy trying to keep everything for the Titans together in order to fight, and then we catch Phantom and send the copy out. Instead of us destroying the ghost ourselves, we'll let the Titans," Masters explain typing into a computer. "It's a genius plan, and I've check everything so it'll work."
"Yeah, but how do you plan on capturing Phantom?" K questioned knowing that was almost impossible. They would have him, and the Titans wouldn't know any better.
"It'll work like a charm," O grinned knowing that this would be the last chance they had getting the ghost. The police were closing in fast on their current operation, and they already had to move several times in order to avoid getting detected by the Titans or the police.
"I also some incrementing evidence to get Sheriff Jake Halls suspended for quite a while," Masters grinned holding up the pictures. "They're photo-shopped of course, but they won't see that part. It's done by a professional."
"So we should be able…wait, what about the youngest hero? The one that can tell the difference," K asked.
"We keep the copy away from him until we can either capture him, or destroy anything valuable he can give to the team," Masters smirked knowing he had this down to a science. "Get ready, Agents. We're taking Phantom once the Titans leave the Tower. They should be letting Phantom out to play at the rate the city is being taken over."
Titan's Tower 0400 Hours
"Alright, so we have Beastboy and Cyborg taking the north side looking for clues. Star and Raven will take the skies, Phantom, I want you to go ahead and take downtown. It's the hardest hit, but you know the area better than anywhere else in the city," Robin explained looking at hybrid who was twitching. Everyone was ready and had everything they needed. Phantom had shown them how to use the belts, and it turned out that they could mix with their powers to help fight ghosts better. "I'm going to be on the sea side. Not far from Phantom in case something happens. Titans, Go."
Everyone took off to their assigned areas while Phantom typed farther on the computer to make sure that everything stayed coordinated. He had an idea, but he wasn't able to use it yet. Robin turned around and watched as the hybrid seemed hesitant to leave his normal station. Phantom sighed and looked back at the door and noticed that Robin was waiting for him.
"Come on, you'll be fine," Robin smiled trying to lighten the ghost's nerves.
"It's just that…" Phantom started but the alarm buzzed again telling them that it has reached another level in their own danger zone.
"You're unsure you can actually keep doing this?" Robin stated as they headed out. "You'll probably be more motivated if the people you protected were more supportive, and Jump's citizens may know about your record, but they'll look at you first before making their decision."
"That might be part of the problem," Phantom mumbled knowing that Amity only liked him when he did something good, but if anything bad happened, it was pinned on him, even when he was nowhere near the town.
"We need your help. These are the enemies you've fought before," Robin stated. "If you believe you can take the lead, I'll let you, but you have to prove that you can." Phantom stopped suddenly looking at Robin.
"You would let me…" Phantom whispered with a shaky breath. Robin nodded.
"I don't know what I'm doing fighting these guys. I would lead the team like I always do when we face a new threat, but we now have someone who has faced this type of thing before. I'll take advice, but if you seem like you would be better leading, I'm not going to stop you from going ahead and taking over. You would probably get it done quicker with less chances of injury."
"Thanks," Phantom whispered with a smile. He ran back up to catch up with Robin knowing that if it was necessary, Robin would let him take over in order to get those monsters out of the city.
North Side Jump City 0400 Hours
"Does Phantom seem a little off to you?" Cyborg asked looking at the changeling who was searching for any clues as to what they were up against. BB looked up at him with a small frown.
"He's hurting, and you shot at him," he pointed out. "After that, he's probably as normal as he can be at the moment."
"Not that, he just seems more aggressive," Cyborg stated. "He was always playing peacekeeper, but now…"
"I noticed, but I think he's tired of sitting around the Tower," Beastboy smiled. "He's getting cabin fever."
"Think that sending him out on something like this will help then?" Cyborg asked as they came across some warehouses. Beastboy shrugged.
"I don't know, maybe. He's actually been going out on the roof, so he's got to be getting tired of just being around the Tower. He got in trouble for leaving the Tower and scaring us, but I think that once that rises, Robin would let him go into the city. He's not allowed to leave since the police are still investigating him, but at least he won't have to be stuck in the Tower," Beastboy guessed and then turned into a dog and started sniffing around.
"I'm surprised that Jake is working to help the ghost," Cyborg put in. "Normally a case like Phantom would be great if they could get him convicted, but he's looking more into it and seeing things that prove Phantom didn't do them." Beastboy looked up at him before changing back.
"I don't think that there's anything here. We should've checked the south side. There's nothing up here that seem suspicious," BB started but looked up and seen several ghost soldiers standing around them groaning.
"This sucks," Cyborg stated knowing that their little secret search mission is now over. Beastboy turned into a T-Rex and turned around effectively destroying most of the soldiers only for more to take their places.
"Dude, not cool," Beastboy stated as he turned back into his human form. Cyborg charged up his gun and started firing at them.
Over Jump City 0400 Hours
"There are many ghosts down there," Starfire stated looking down at her city. Her heart broke when she noticed that every street and alleyway had some kind of evil glow surrounding them.
"Yeah, and Phantom is barely able to keep himself together," Raven stated knowing that the only way to defeat these guys was with the hybrid's help.
"I hope that Friend Phantom will be able to fight this with us," Starfire murmured knowing that the hybrid was broken.
"We need the city's help to get him back together. He doubts his ability to save people since he lost his family. He wasn't able to save them, and I believe that's what hurts him the most at times," Raven put in as they descended a little to cover the damage. They leveled out and stopped noting everything that was going on below them. "We need to get them out of here before they do any real damage."
"To the city, and to Phantom," Starfire whispered. Suddenly they were surrounded by four ghost soldiers riding on bone dragons. Raven lit up her hands and put her back to Star's.
"We need to get out of here," she ordered as they started fighting the ghosts.
Pier Fourteen Jump City Docks 0400 Hours
Robin jumped down from the building that Phantom had dropped him off at. He watched worriedly as the ghost took off deeper into the city. Phantom turned invisible once he made it to the taller buildings, and Robin sighed. He felt like the ghost was only doing this because he felt like it, but there was something bugging him. Phantom wanted help, but it seemed like he was giving up at the same time. They were missing something, and whatever it is, it's hurting Phantom because they can't seem to figure it out. Robin took off down the docks looking for anything. It seemed like there were no ghosts around the area, and that worried Robin more than anything. Why were they avoiding the docks?
He started heading closer to the city to see if there was anything there and there was. Blockades of ghosts were guarding the piers making Robin wonder if they were trying to keep the citizens from leaving. He silently headed closer to them without making them aware. He watched and waited for them to start something, only for several to surround him before he realized what had happened.
Downtown Jump City 0415 Hours
Phantom flew back in the middle of the city and watched as the ghosts seemed to guard the middle of it.
"I can't believe they decided to attack here, but who is it that's leading them?" Phantom whispered to himself as he kept up his invisibility. He really didn't want to fight the army since he could barely do anything to begin with. He looked at the way the ranks were formed and what the army was trying to accomplish hoping that would give him a clue. They were the same soldiers that Pariah Dark had used, but they were set up differently. Dark's army was spread out though the city; whoever is leading them now had them in ranks forming barriers preventing anything from entering or exiting. Phantom sighed and flew back around them and landed in the center of town. He looked around until someone grabbed his shoulder and pulled him into an alley. He lit up his hand and aimed it at the person only to put it down once he realized that it was Jake.
"Calm down," Jake whispered hoping that Phantom wouldn't shoot him. "Robin told me that you were coming in the downtown, so I figured I would try to make sure that you were okay. I'm guessing that you are."
"Somewhat," Phantom answered as he looked out at the ghosts that weren't moving. They were where they were told to be in. "I want to know who did this. There are very few ghosts that can control this type of army."
"Well, I just got suspended and my partner has your case," Jake informed looking at the ghost sadly. "The only thing I could do was rip out that one page you didn't want anyone to know about."
"Who has it now?" Phantom asked slightly worried. He didn't want a cop that was only going to look at the surface. He would end up in prison then, and then back in the lab. Phantom gave a shudder at the thought.
"Johnson does, and I don't trust him," Jake explained. "I don't have my gun or badge right now. But if there is anything I can do to help."
"Actually," Phantom stated looking out over the ghosts. He slowly had a small plan, but it would require a lot from the sheriff. "Maybe, I need to know what those ghosts' orders are. If they are told to guard or simply stand there."
"What do you need me to do?" Jake asked wondering what the crazy ghost was planning. It was probably something to help figure out who was behind this.
"Beastboy?" Cyborg called after he shot the last soldier there. He looked around for his friend, but there was no trace of the young hero. "BEASTBOY!" Cyborg shouted typing into his arm hoping that he could trace the changeling's communicator, and the signal showed that he was standing in front of him. Cyborg looked down and noticed the small device. "This is not good," he whispered as he picked up BB's communicator.
"What the…?" Beastboy started looking around the small cell he was placed in. Phantom was standing across the room, but something was off. He was completely filled out and perfectly in shape. Beastboy gave a sharp gasp knowing that this was the copy. He pushed himself farther into the wall as cold panic set in.
"It's about time you woke up. I hope you have fun here," the copy grinned before vanishing into thin air. His voice was the same as Phantom's, but Beastboy could tell the difference in it. It was colder than the one that they had taken in. Beastboy wined and pulled at his collar. It was electric, and he quickly realized that if he tried to change animals that it would violently shock him causing him to go back into his human form. "Phantom, please be okay," he whispered hoping that his friend would be okay.
Raven quickly blasted one of the dragons and caused the rider to fall to earth and scatter into pieces. Starfire aimed her star bolts and directly hit one as the other blast missed when the second dodged.
"We have to get the team back together," Raven stated knowing that the others were probably in a similar boat. She quickly aimed her magic and shot only for the ghost to dodge once more and hit her dead on with a fire blast. She tried to make a shield, but it was destroyed and she fell to the ground.
"RAVEN," Starfire screamed and flew after her friend as the two ghosts followed her dive. She quickly caught her friend and continued down until she almost hit the ground before shooting back up making the ghost hit the ground at full force. She would have never thought about using that unless it was for Phantom, and she was glad that he was willing to share his own flying tips with them. Otherwise she may have never been able to get rid of the two chasing her while she caught her friend. She headed back to the Tower knowing that her friend was in need of medical attention. The infirmary was only half way done, but it had everything that was needed in case of emergencies.
Robin jumped up at scream that sounded like pain. He looked around before heading deeper into downtown hoping to find Phantom before it was too late. He barely escaped the small army that had surrounded him. He didn't fight, and instead slipped out before they could realize which direction he headed in. He looked around a corner and noticed Jake leaning against the wall with wide eyes.
"Jake?" Robin asked walking over to him only for the sheriff to point in the direction of several ghosts. "What is it?"
"Phantom," he whispered before collapsing. Robin gently felt for a pulse and was relieved that it was there. He looked up only to get a glimpse of Phantom standing with a proud smirk. Robin realized now what they were up against. He glared at the copy knowing that Phantom was so much thinner and shier than the one that stood over several cars and debris. Robin quickly hauled Jake farther into the alley and looked for one of the many short cuts back to the Tower. The copy was out, and that would mean that Phantom was either missing or was captured, and he only hoped that he was just at the Tower.
"Got it?" Phantom asked with a small smile at Jake.
"You are crazy, but it'll work," Jake stated getting ready to walk out. Phantom just wanted him to walk though the ghosts and hope that all they were doing was just standing there to scare people. Jake headed that direction only for a green blast to go past his head from behind. He turned around to come face to face with an angered Phantom. He backed as the ghost lit his hands once more. He shot and Jake prepared for pain, only it never came. He looked up and noticed a smaller body between him and the ghost.
"Get out of here," Phantom growled lighting his hands again and trying to strengthen the shield. The cloak of the ghost in front of him blew open to reveal a much thinner and weaker Phantom. Jake realized that there were two of them. The real Phantom was pushing against his shield trying to prevent the copy from destroying him.
"I'm not leaving you to deal with that," Jake stated looking at the hybrid with concern. "You're not strong enough to…" he was cut off when someone behind put a cloth in front of his mouth, and he realized that it had chloroform on it. Phantom went to help only for someone to grab him and throw him away. Jake watched as Phantom was blasted to the ground by the copy before his world turned black.
He woke up in an alley and seen the copy throw the young hybrid into a building making it collapse. His eyes widen in shock as two guys in white came up and picked up the young teen. Jake went to walk but he was suddenly frozen in place by fear. He felt someone come up to him, and the only word he could get out was, "Phantom," before he collapsed onto the concrete.
Phantom felt pain explode on his back as he was thrown into some type of room. He slowly placed his hands under himself and gently lifted his chest off the ground. His back felt like there was glass in it, and where he was thrown, he wouldn't doubt it. He blinked a couple times hoping to clear his mind.
"Phantom?" a small voice asked gently from the other side of the room. Phantom tensed and slowly raised his head to look at the speaker. It was Beastboy who had a concerned look. "Phantom, are you okay?"
"I don't think so," Phantom muttered closing his eyes and he focused on his wounds. He could feel the little glass shreds in his back now more than ever. "Can you move?"
"Maybe," Beastboy whispered back slowly making his way to his friend. He was about a foot away when the collar started vibrating letting him know that if he got closer, then he was going to get zapped. "I can't go any farther." Phantom looked up and noticed how close he was. He slowly moved closer as pain clouded his vision. He wanted the glass out so his healing could work correctly without it trying to figure what in the world was going on. Then the pain would be gone. Beastboy put a gentle hand on the hybrid's shoulder telling him that he no longer had to move. Beastboy wondered what his friend was doing until Phantom took off his cloak. Beastboy held back a squeak seeing the blood and ectoplasm dripping off of Phantom's back. Horror and dread slowly started filling Beastboy's heart when Phantom took in a shaky breath causing some of the glass to move around in the wounds.
"I need you to get the glass out," Phantom whispered as a shot of pain went up his spine and into his head causing the hybrid to take in another shuddering breath to help calm down his nerves. "Please." Beastboy slowly reached out over the wound but stopped before touching anything afraid that he would farther injury his friend.
"I can't," he whispered. He wasn't going to hurt his friend anymore. He could see some of the glass, but he knew that it had to be buried deep in Phantom's back. He was no professional, but he was terrified killing his friend if the glass wasn't taken out correctly. "I don't want to do more damage."
"I can't heal until it's out," Phantom explained looking up at the changeling sadly. "As soon as it's out, my wounds will heal faster, please. It hurts, and I want it to stop. I just want it to stop."
"O…okay," Beastboy whispered shakily grabbing one that was sticking out of the ghost's left shoulder. He looked in Phantom's eyes and noticed that the pain and hurt was slowly eating away at his mind. He was in so much pain, and Beastboy couldn't do anything to help comfort the hybrid knowing that when the glass was taken out that it was going to hurt the ghost more. He pulled it out slowly getting a pained moan from the hybrid. "Are you okay?"
"No, there's still more," Phantom mumbled feeling his healing working on the one wound without the glass. It was a cool feeling that spread throughout his body and slowly was beginning to comfort him somewhat. It told him that his healing was working like it was supposed to. Being with the Titans had helped him be able to focus on his powers and even get them back in order, and Phantom couldn't believe how easily he was able to feel his body responding to the wounds or how quickly. Beastboy gently felt over the hybrid's back again until he felt another piece and gently pulled it out causing Phantom to gasp and close his eyes in pain again.
"I'm sorry," Beastboy stated feeling the temperature in the room drop to a much more comfortable temperature than it was. Before Phantom arrived, it had been extremely hot and uncomfortable, but every time the changeling took out another piece of glass, the temperature dropped a few degrees. Beastboy took in a shakily breath knowing that his friend really needed him now. He gently found another piece that was lodged in Phantom's right side but close to his spine and right under his ribcage, but it wouldn't slide out like the rest, and Phantom groaned feeling the pull and the pain that came with it.
"Okay, leave that one for last," he whispered through clinched teeth. His body almost gave out on him, but Phantom took another deep breath hoping Beastboy could finish getting the rest out. Beastboy gulped and quickly found another one and gently pulled it out. He found about ten more before he was sure that they were all gone.
"What about the big one?" Beastboy asked knowing that one had to be causing the most discomfort. Phantom had winced every time he had gone near it. While Beastboy waited for Phantom's answer, he looked at the first wound and noticed that it was almost completely gone. Phantom reached his hand behind his back trying to find it before Beastboy grabbed his hand and lead it to the glass.
"I can't get a hold on it," Phantom whispered as the tip of his finger touched it causing pain to fly through his battered body. He was just going to phase it out, but he couldn't get a grip on it to do so. "Beastboy, you're just going to have to pull it out."
"Phantom, I couldn't…" Beastboy started only for the door to their cell to slam open.
"Well, what do we have here," O grinned as Beastboy protectively stood next to his friend. "Awe, the little hero trying to protect his villainous friend, how pathetic," O taunted walking up to them. His smirk grew as both prisoners winced knowing that they were trapped and there was no way out. Phantom was completely frozen in fear as past experiences flashed into his mind, and pain exploded everywhere as the agent kicked the ghost across the room. The glass dug deeper into Phantom's back as the ghost tried to keep his mind in control. He was slowly breaking down again, and the pain wasn't helping anything. Beastboy screamed as the other agent shocked the collar causing him to back away from his friend and the monsters. The other agent was right outside the door and just laughed at the pain and hopelessness of the situation the two heroes were put into. He had worked with previous villain's before, but these guys by far were his favorite. They caused pain and panic in their victims, and they didn't even consider themselves the bad guys!
"Now the two of you will be staying here until we are ready. Don't worry, your friends will see the light, and then your worlds will end," O grinned strutting out of the cellar and slamming the door shut. Beastboy blinked the stars out of his eyes as he looked up at Phantom who was leaning against the wall on his side. His breathing was ragged and blood ectoplasm was slowly leaking out of the wound with the last piece of glass in it. Beastboy took in a deep breath hoping that his friend was okay.
"Phan..Phantom?" Beastboy called hoping that the ghost was okay. He could hear the ragged breathing of the hybrid became slightly hitched as Phantom's first response. Phantom looked up at him before laying on the ground and facing away from the changeling. He felt helpless as the pool of ectoplasm and blood grew bigger. Beastboy's eyes widen as he slowly made his way closer to the hybrid. The collar wasn't giving him any warning yet, but he was very weary when he got to what he had remembered as his end. He slowly passed it and let a sigh of relief flood his being as he slowly made his way closer to his friend who was barely breathing. "Phantom, come on, wake up."
"Beastboy?" Phantom whispered hearing his friend. The pain was everywhere and the hybrid could barely focus on anything due to it. Beastboy gently placed his hand on the hybrid's back right above the glass that was still in Phantom's back hoping to be some kind of comfort. He hoped he would be able to try to get the glass out again so the ghost no longer had to suffer with it jammed in his back.
"Can you move so I can try to get the glass out again?" Beastboy asked knowing that had to be extremely painful. He may not have had as much medical training as Cyborg or any of the other Titans, but that didn't mean he was going to let his ghostly friend suffer anymore.
"Can't now. He got it shoved in too deeply and now if you take it out, I might not be able to breathe right. I think it's partly in my lung," Phantom answered looking up at him as a little bit of blood and ectoplasm dripped from his mouth. Beastboy gently put his hand on Phantom's shoulder and slowly tried to keep the ghost calm. He could tell that his friend was freaking out.
"We'll get out of here," Beastboy assured hoping it was before they decided to kill them, or Phantom bled to death. Phantom began coughing.
Titan's Tower 0900 Hours
"We've been up all night, and all we know it that Phantom is gone and so is Beastboy," Robin stated pacing the living room. He was ticked at himself for not going with Phantom to make sure that the ghost was okay. "The copy has been let out, and now people think it's actually Phantom. Jake is in the infirmary along with Raven. I should have just told Phantom to lead us instead of offering," Robin grumbled kicking the couch. Phantom would have had them doing something here, but at least no one would have been hurt. Cyborg looked up at him.
"I don't think things would have turned out differently. We still would have lost them," he sighed knowing that they probably had Beastboy with Phantom since he could tell the difference between the two Phantoms. They wouldn't want the changeling ruining their plan on trying to tear down the ghost.
"Yeah, but Phantom didn't want us to even go out there," Robin stated looking at Cyborg. "He wanted to know who we were dealing with before we fought."
"He did not want to leave the Tower," Starfire stated looking at her teammates sadly.
"No, he didn't want us leaving the Tower," Robin stated looking up at the city. "He knew he was going to be captured, so he had to of done something," Robin whispered typing into the computer to see what Phantom had done before he left. Phantom had told him he was working on something to help track ghosts, but maybe they could use to track him. Robin looked up at the coding and quickly realized what Phantom had been working on for the past couple days. Phantom had told him several little ghost things, but nothing that he couldn't find out by reading one of the many books the Fentons had written. And with this, they may be able to save the ghost still. "He put his ecto signature into the computer."
"We can track him?" Cyborg asked seeing the code. He quickly typed it into his arm as it started searching, and he hoped that Phantom had. It would help them be able to save him and Beastboy much easier without tearing the city apart. Robin looked at the large screen as it also searched the city. A glowing green dot flashed at the southern part of the city. "He knows how to play the game alright and stay ahead."
"Yeah, but how did he know we would get…" Robin began only to see that another dot appeared in the downtown area. He blinked wondering what that might until he realized what was in the downtown area of Jump City. "The copy's is the same."
"We know where to find him as well?" Cyborg asked wondering why Phantom didn't tell them a way to track the copy. "Why didn't Phantom share this with us?"
"Unless he didn't know if it would work," Robin stated wondering if the ghost knew he could've tracked the copy using his own ecto-signature. "He may have figured that he was weak, and would lose and hoped that we would be able to save him like last time, or he was experimenting with it trying to see if he could use it to track the copy and wasn't able to finish since we had the invasion."
"He was afraid of us having anything to track him with," Cyborg put in. "He's trusting us more then."
"What about Friend Jake and Friend Raven?" Starfire asked wondering what they could do to help them. They were still out for now, and they had no idea what was wrong with them.
"I don't know," Robin whispered wishing he would have given Phantom the leader title for this. Maybe no one would be hurt now. They haven't even completely put everything together in order to know what was going on. They didn't even know who the bad guy was the started everything. They knew that the Guys in White had some part in it, but Robin wasn't sure if Masters had something to do with it or not. Phantom had suspects, but nothing definite since he had several enemies that would love nothing more than to see him behind bars. The computer beeped telling them that they had a message, and it was from the police department. Robin clicked on the link confused as a webcam appeared on the screen.
"Robin," Johnson demanded rudely with a frown. "Where is Phantom?"
"Sir, at this moment in time," Robin began hoping to get him and his men to help them save the ghost, but only caused the sheriff to slam his hand on the desk.
"He's destroying the downtown area because you decided to help him!"
"That's not Phantom," Robin growled angry that the sheriff wasn't listening to him. This is one of the many reasons why they worked with Jake. Johnson was too trigger happy to care about what he was doing. "Phantom can barely last longer than an hour doing anything. He's in no condition…"
"He looks perfectly fine to me," Johnson growled throwing up a video of the copy destroying another building. "You have twenty-four hours to fix this or I'm throwing your butts in prison for working with him." Johnson cut off, and the team blinked surprised that he wouldn't let them get a word in about what was going on.
"They took Jake off the case," Cyborg informed looking though the profiles trying to figure out why Johnson was now taking care of everything. It hadn't made any sense, but now they were upset since there was nothing they could do to help them clear Phantom's name now. Johnson would only make it worse. "He's been suspended pending another investigation." Robin growled and slammed his fist on the table. Phantom needed someone on his side that was willing to look into everything and just not see something and assumed that it's the ghost's fault. Even with the evidence being enough to hold up in court, there was still enough there for a lawyer to get into it in order to keep Phantom out, but it would be an extremely expensive one. The Titans didn't have that kind of lawyer; in fact they didn't have on at all, and if they needed one, the prosecutor would help out.
"We know Phantom is in the southern labs, but we're not sure where. We need whoever is running this to think that we have no idea what is going on," Robin stated. "Starfire, Cyborg, go into the town and distract the copy. Fight him, and chances are you'll beat him since he probably isn't as strong or well trained in battle like Phantom is."
"What are you doing?" Cyborg asked looking at his leader who was glaring at his city feeling slightly betrayed. Phantom had done everything he could, and died doing so, in order to keep everyone safe from Terra and Slade, who was still missing.
"I'm going to the south labs to find the rest of my team," Robin stated turning around and walking out. He needed as much of his team as he could get at the moment. He headed down and hopped on his motorcycle and drove out of the garage heading for the labs. He wasn't letting his friend down again. Phantom didn't deserve to be treated the way he was, and Robin was going to make sure that people know the truth about the young ghost before was said and done.
"Phantom, why did they take me too?" Beastboy asked wondering why they had him. He was confused, and he wanted to be the one to save his friend. He didn't want to be here, and he felt that he should have been with Phantom to protect him. Phantom groaned and turned towards the changeling.
"Probably because you can tell the difference between me and that copy," Phantom answered as he started coughing. He rolled on his stomach and blood and ectoplasm dripped from his mouth. "I think it's getting worse."
"What can I do?" Beastboy asked hoping to help in any way that he could. Phantom looked at him and noticed his terrified eyes. He was scared too, but he was trying to remain calm knowing that freaking out at the moment would only make it worse. By now he could smell the decaying blood and ectoplasm, and it was getting to him. Beastboy had turned away from him a couple times since the smell in itself was horrible, but BB refused to leave the ghost alone.
"I honestly don't know," Phantom whispered closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. The sale air burned his lungs and another shot of pain made its way up to his head. Beastboy gently reached out for the piece of glass that was in Phantom's back. It had gone in deeper and was moving in and out of Phantom's back with every breath the ghost took. Beastboy could only imagine the amount of pain his friend was in at the time, and he wished that there was something he could do to help the ghost.
"Think there's a way out of here," Beastboy asked looking around the room before his eyes landed on the door: the only opening since there were no vents or anything. He was glad when Phantom had lower the temperature in the room, but it was becoming stuffy again. The air was always going to have that sale taste, but the smell of decaying flesh was slowly starting to eat away at what was left of Beastboy's sanity.
"Not unless we have someone who knows where we are, and I hope that Robin will be able to use my ecto-signature in the computer to find us," Phantom muttered remembering he was trying to see if he could use it to find the copy. He had finally gotten it in the computer and was ready to use, but then they had to go and he wasn't able to finish. "Maybe he got it to work."
"They can track your ecto…what?" Beastboy asked confused as Phantom shifted and coughed up more blood and ectoplasm. Beastboy felt a pang in his heart. He looked back around and grabbed Phantom's cloak and gently pressed on the wound in Phantom's back.
"Beastboy, try not to get it in farther," Phantom mumbled slowly getting his torso off the ground so Beastboy could wrap the cloak around him to prevent any more bleeding out that way. Every time Phantom coughed, he would reopen the clot that formed around the wound preventing the blood from getting out. "And it's an ecto-signature. Every ghost has one, and it tells you which ghost is which. Like DNA only much easier to track."
"Like a dog's smell?" Beastboy asked trying to lighten the mood. Phantom nodded as pain shot up his back again. Beastboy gently kept his hand on Phantom's chest trying to keep the ghost from falling back on the floor before he could finish wrapping the wound.
"Yeah, like a dog's smell," Phantom smiled slightly as he coughed up more blood and ectoplasm. Beastboy helped Phantom gently lay back on the floor. He listened to Phantom's wheezing until something hit the door hard. Beastboy shot up and stood protectively next to his friend. The temperature in the room dropped again showing that Phantom had been alerted as well.
Southern Labs 1000 Hours
Robin opened his communicator and looked at it. It said that Phantom was below ground in the building. He looked up, and the lab looked like crap, but when he got inside, it was new and full of tech. There was a smell of new machines and parts, but he could faintly smell decaying flesh mixed in it. He hoped it wasn't Phantom, but something told him that Phantom was probably laying on the ground injured somewhere in the building without any care. He narrowed his eyes knowing that Phantom was probably being tortured as well, and Beastboy was probably right there with him. He was beyond mad. Phantom may not have yet proved himself as a Titan to them, but Beastboy was one, and was a founding member. They had no right to capture him.
Robin got through the lab part and was able to hide below in the ventilation system. He looked at his small device again and followed it until he came up to a room that only had one guard. Robin growled knowing that's where his friends were. He quickly slipped past another camera after climbing out of the vent and headed straight for the guard knocking him into the door and unconscious in two moves. He looked though the guard's pockets and found what he hoped to be the keys to the door. He looked up hearing sounds come from inside the room, but he also noticed that the smell of decay was worse down here than t was upstairs. He sighed knowing that they would have a lot of work to do in order to keep Phantom from getting sick again. He smiled somewhat hearing more sounds and knowing that it was probably Beastboy trying to protect Phantom.
He finally found the right key after five tries and quietly opened the door, dodging a fist as it past his head. He looked up at Beastboy who looked surprised. Beastboy blinked a couple times realizing that their leader had come for their rescue.
"Beastboy? Where's Phantom?" Robin asked as Beastboy looked somewhere behind the door.
"He's hurt," Beastboy warned as Robin slowly walked up to the ghost. Blood and ectoplasm was dripping down his mouth as pain filled green eyes looked up at him.
"I'm guessin," Phantom coughed as he tried to sit up. "That you figured out how to get…the computer to find my…ecto signature." He would have said more, but it hurt just to get that out. Robin gently put his hand on the hybrid's back only for Beastboy to pull it away.
"There's glass there. I can't get it out; it's in too far," Beastboy warned hoping not to make it worse than it already was. Robin looked at Phantom worriedly. He knew they had little time, and he was hoping that Phantom was more mobile than he was now. Robin had figured that the ghost was hurt, but Phantom's wounds hadn't been taken care of and were in bad shape. "And I can't leave unless you get this collar off," Beastboy stated showing Robin his collar. That was at least easier to fix than Phantom's preventative state the Guys in White left him in.
"Here," Robin stated looking at the collar. He plugged his communicator into the small hole and shorted the collar causing it to fall to the ground. "Get one side; I'll get the other."
"Alright," Beastboy whispered as he picked the side that had the glass in it. Robin got the other side and they both carried the ghost out of the room as alarms started blaring. Robin quickly found the vent he used to get in and climbed in it grabbing Phantom and hauling him up as well. Beastboy turned into a bird and flew into it before changing back.
"Now what?" Beastboy asked helping Robin put the vent's cover back on so no one would look in there. No one needed to know that's how they escaped.
"We have to get Phantom back to the Tower," Robin whispered looking at the wheezing ghost. He couldn't believe he was having so much trouble trying to keep the ghost safe. If it wasn't one thing, it was another, and Robin wondered if the ghost just had really bad luck. "If what you say is true, he doesn't have much time."
"So how do we get out of here?" Beastboy asked knowing Robin probably drove the R-cycle.
"Hope that his cloak will prevent farther injury and keep moving," Robin answered getting in front of Phantom. "Phantom, can you at least crawl a little? We can help, but it's going to be hard in this kind of space since it's so small."
"I can try," Phantom mumbled getting his arms underneath him. He slowly starting moving forward following the leader, but he was stumbling since he was shaking so badly from blood loss and fear. Beastboy turned into a dog and went under Phantom helping keep him balanced. "Thanks," Phantom whispered as they were able to move a bit faster. Phantom still stumbled a bit, but Beastboy was able to prevent him from completely falling over. Robin looked back and knew that Beastboy wasn't going to let the ghost go. He sighed and headed up knowing that Phantom was probably sick of getting into tight spaces like this.
"Just a little farther," Robin whispered hearing Phantom's breathing get heavier. Suddenly the ghost started coughing violently making Beastboy wine and get Robin attention. He stopped and looked seeing the pool of blood and ectoplasm on the ground. Phantom's eyes were closed and his breathing was harsh. Robin felt fear slowly start to creep into his being, knowing that time was running out. Robin took in a shuddered breath trying to make sure that he could think straight in order to get Phantom out of there. "We'll get back to the Tower, Phantom, and you'll be in your bed asleep and comfortable. It'll be in no time at all," Robin encouraged as he headed on. He looked back as the two slowly followed. Beastboy looked worriedly between his friend and his leader.
Downtown Jump City 1100 Hours
Cyborg shot the ghost in the back as Starfire flew forward and grabbed him, letting the belt shock him. He screamed once more before collapsing to the ground. Cyborg walked up to him and held his cannon to the ghost's head knowing that it wasn't really Phantom, but the damage had already been done. The copy looked up before disappearing underground. Cyborg looked around as Starfire's hands lit up with her power. They waited for the ghost to reappear, but the army started surrounding them as laughter filled the skies.
"The Teen Titans," a male voice taunted. It was older, and much more arrogant. Cyborg growled and looked around for the speaker only for another ghost dressed in white with black gloves and boots appeared. His face was a pale blue while his eyes were solid red. His hair stood up in some sort of devil like way. Cyborg felt like laughing as the outfit since it looked like it had a mini skirt attached to it. "You guys are so easily tricked. You really believed that Danny Phantom, the 'hero' of Amity Park was really on your side?"
"He is," Cyborg grinned as the ghost looked at him funny. "You just don't who he is."
"Oh please, haven't you learned anything from trying to save Terra. She didn't want to be saved, what makes you think Phantom is any different?" the ghost asked lighting his hands up with pink ecto-energy.
"Phantom's loyalty surpasses any of our own. He hurting from the abuse and pain you and everyone else has put on him. Plus, Phantom's thin and unable to fight at the moment," Cyborg stated. "That's why it was easy for you to capture him and use tricks to make every one believe that he had been destroying the city he died protecting." Citizens who were trapped in the middle looked at the ghost floating in the sky surprised that he looked angry. They didn't know if they should believe that their heroes were protecting the villain, or if this villain was playing them. Phantom helped save their home from Terra, and according to some, it had almost cost Phantom his life. Why would he throw that work away?
"Please, I'm sure you have heard of an illusion," the ghost sneered. Starfire glared at him.
"Friend Phantom does not lie to us. He had nothing left, why would he betray us when he is the one who needs us? You are the one creating the illusion," she countered aiming her blasts at the ghost. "Phantom is not a criminal; he is much too loyal." She fired hitting the ghost in the chest. Plasmius growled and fired at her only for her to dodge every one. Plasmius growled and disappeared causing the entire army to vanish. People in the crowd cheered for their heroes.
"Well, that was easy," Cyborg muttered knowing that they were going to come back. They weren't done, but Plasmius knew he had lost this fight, but he had succeeded in causing doubt. Starfire looked over in distance knowing that Phantom was out there somewhere. "At least with these weapons, we know we can take Phantom on if he ever does betray us."
"I believe that the copy was nowhere near Friend Phantom's level of power. It was only meant to cause doubt in the hearts of the people he protected," she stated hoping that Phantom was okay. She felt useless knowing that there was very little they could do in order to help Phantom get people on his side.
Titan's Tower 1150 Hours
"Just a little more," Robin whispered as Phantom stumbled again. Beastboy stayed still hoping not to jab the ghost's side again.
"We're not going to my room, are we?" Phantom asked looking up and noticing that they were on the wrong level. Robin sighed gently moving forward again.
"We have to get you to the infirmary first to get the glass out," Robin explained as Phantom's uneasy walk stopped causing both Beastboy and Robin to about fall.
"No, I don't want to go back there," Phantom whispered closing his eyes and pulling away. Robin tightened his grip on Phantom's shoulder to prevent the ghost from falling on the ground.
"Phantom, after we get it out, and the wounds wrapped, we'll take you to your room, okay?" Robin asked half dragging Phantom forward. Phantom looked down and slowly walked next to them as best as he could.
"Where is everyone else?" Phantom whispered as they headed in the room. He didn't want to think about where they were taking him. Robin looked up and noticed that Jake and Raven were still out. Phantom looked up and noticed the two. He slowly started panicking as Beastboy looked at Robin for help.
"Hold him," Robin ordered slipping away and heading for a box of supplies. He took out a breathing mask and several kits, but didn't let Phantom see them. "Phantom, I need you to lay on your stomach. I'm going to get the glass out."
"But," Phantom started only for Beastboy to drag him there. Phantom gently laid down as Robin walked up to him with the mask.
"It'll keep you from being in pain while I get it out," Robin stated gently putting it over Phantom's mouth. Phantom was suddenly twitching, fighting himself on whether to run or stay still. Slowly the gas started to relax him as he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Robin slipped the mask completely over the ghost's face and strapped it down so it wouldn't fall off. Robin sighed as he undid the cloak that was wrapped around the ghost's torso. Beastboy felt sick as he seen the wound again. Robin cut up the back of the suit to get a better look. He closed his eyes as he noticed the scars that had some bruises and gashes from Phantom's fight.
"He's going to be okay, right?" Beastboy asked like a young child. Robin looked at him with worry as doubt about Phantom's condition slowly made its way to the surface.
"I don't know," he whispered as he grabbed a hold of the glass and gently wiggled it around hoping to slide it out. It refused to slide out like Robin hoped it would. Robin walked over open one of the kits and took out a needle and started to try to get anything away from it. He sighed as that didn't work. Beastboy looked at him worriedly. Robin took out a scalpel and slowly starting working around the glass trying to get it out. After three hours, he was finally able to get it out, but Phantom's breathing became worse as the monitors showed that there was more trouble.
Eastern Warehouse 1500 Hours
"What the hell happened?" Plasmius screamed glaring at the agents who were shaking.
"We don't know. We don't how they figured it out," K stated knowing that this was going to end badly for them. "Phantom was in custody, but we had a breach, and he and that hero were gone."
"We only did what you ordered us to," O defended hating that he ended up working for some ghost. He couldn't believe he fell into that, but he was so determined to kill Phantom that he wasn't caring about who he was working under, and he still didn't care. He didn't like it, but he wanted that ghost to die, slowly and painfully. He destroyed everything the Guys in White stood for in a matter of moments.
"Well, the only thing that worked was getting the citizens wary of the new hero in the Titan's team. Several don't trust him, and so far, Phantom is now wanted for questioning. Soon they'll have a warrant for his arrest," Plasmius sneered hoping that little bit worked so that he could get Phantom. He no longer wanted the ghost as his son; he wanted him as a slave. "Let's hope dear Chief Johnson will get everything together and know that Phantom is really the one behind everything that had happened in their city."
"What about Sheriff Halls?" K asked knowing that what they had done wasn't going to last very long since the Titans were probably going to look into it as well.
"If he gets in the way," Plasmius grinned. "Kill him."
Danny: This would have been up yesterday if the internet was working right.
Me: I also had another story finished and ready to go...my mother lost the file...how does that work?
Danny: Quit leaving the stories up when you leave...
Me: She could have just minied it and it would have been just fine...
Danny: Now you get to play catch up...
Me: Shut it, chicken wing
Danny: Zip it firefly
Please review and remember to drink lots of water