Now the game is set...
"The blood-dimmed tide is loosed,
and everywhere the ceremony
of innocence is drowned…"
~Yeats
Titans Phantom
Chapter 29: Sneaking into School
Jinx was draped in jewels from the bank vault, examining them while Mammoth tried to lift a palette of gold. Gizmo, who had been made team leader, was flying around carrying a bag of money.
"Move it snub crunchers, we're running out of time."
Mammoth gave one more grunt before he gave up and glared at his two teammates.
"I could use a hand here," he snapped.
"How about a foot," Cyborg interjected, his boot sending the teen crashing into the far wall. The Trio gasped, looking to the entrance where the six Teen Titans stood.
Robin pulled out his bow staff, "Titans, go!"
Jinx dropped her jewels as she raced towards Raven and Phantom sending a brigade of purple magic their way. Both dancing around it as the ceiling started crumbling.
Cyborg let loose his sonic cannon at Mammoth. "Three raids in one week, man this is seriously getting old," he growled before trading places with Robin.
"The HIVE Academy's new leader must be up to something," the boy wonder said when Jinx twirled in front of him, destroying two of the bank vaults columns as she grinned her cat grin.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" she taunted as a star-bolt slammed into her back. Starfire landed behind her, eyes electric green.
"Yes we would," she snarled both girls engaging in battle. Up on the second level Gizmo was piling gems into his satchel when lama spit slammed into the side of his head.
"Hey!" he yelled looking over to the green changeling before Beastboy changed into a raptor and the kid screamed higher than a prepubescent teen. Beastboy charged, his teeth about to reach Gizmo's power pack when someone crashed through the wall and nailed him in the stomach.
Groaning, Phantom sat up to the now human changeling and smiled apologetically, "Sorry. Mammoth the lummox sure packs a punch."
On the ground level, Mammoth was grinning at his handy work when Cyborg slammed into him for retribution. That is, until Gizmo pressed a button and he was stuck to the ceiling by a gigantic magnet.
"Oh, you did not just do what I think you did?!" Cy screamed fuming mad.
"Check it out, the world's dumbest magnet!" Gizmo screeched while Phantom flew up to the mechanical teen to free him. When Jinx was blasted back by Raven, Gizmo suddenly knew it was time to go. As they headed for the vault exit, Robin threw a black tracer, sticking it to the back of Jinx's dress as they dodged her magic. Once they were gone and Danny had successfully freed his friend, Cyborg stomped forward like an angry bull.
"Yo, no one pulls a science fair on me and gets away with it!"
"It's okay Cyborg," Robin answered, helping Starfire up.
"We'll see them again. Sooner than they think," Cyborg couldn't help but smirk when his friend held up his communicator, a little red light flashing across the grid. Back at the Tower the HIVE emblem blazed on the city map.
Beastboy grinned. "Tracking device, very sneaky. Looks like the HIVE's secret headquarters isn't so secret anymore."
"So what are we waiting for?" Raven asked looking to Robin.
"We need to know what they're planning first," he stated as Phantom turned to look at Raven.
"Otherwise we could walk right into a trap."
At this Beastboy gasped and leapt into action. "Do I hear an undercover assignment coming on? Lucky for you guys, I happen to be a master of disguise." To this he started changing into animals causing Starfire to giggle and Danny to roll his eyes while Raven glared at the green mongoose.
"Yeah, because you'll really blend in."
Robin shook his head, "Sorry Beastboy, I was thinking of someone with a slightly better disguise."
Beastboy changed back and glared. "What? Oh come on, what're you going to do? Dress Danny up as a ninja or send Cyborg there looking like a washing machine?" BB snapped taping Cyborg, who had been standing there silently, in the chest. He fell over with a clunk scaring the changeling into a chameleon who latched on to Phantom's white glove. The real Cyborg strode in with a smug smile.
"That isn't me. It's my fully robotic replacement. Not nearly as charming but he can bench press a bus," Cy stated while his five friends ogled the now standing machine. However when Star tapped his head the robot promptly yelled boo-ya before it popped off causing all the teens to scream. Leaving the real Cyborg horribly flustered.
"He still has a few bugs to work out."
Beastboy pointedly crossed his arms and tried to keep the whine out of his voice.
"No fair, I may be all-green but he's half-metal! How come he gets to go?"
"Because I have a new toy," Cyborg sang enjoying annoying the little grass stain.
Placing two simple rings with a round opal stone in the center on either hand, Cyborg brought his fists together and in a flash of light the team was looking at a normal guy in gym clothes.
"A holographic generator!" Starfire exclaimed her eyes sparkling in approval.
"Dude, you look…" Beastboy started,
"Unplugged," Raven finished smiling.
"Nice work. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were just normal," Robin stated causing Cyborg to stare at his two dark hands in surprise. "Thanks."
Later when Cyborg was alone in his room, he found gazing at the glowing device behind him easier than looking at his reflection in the mirror dancing outside his peripheral vision. Someone knocked and Cy took a breath.
"It's open," he called.
The doors slid apart and both Robin and Phantom stepped into the room.
"Are you sure about this?" Robin asked in all seriousness. "Going to this school, using your civilian name."
Cyborg turned to face them and had to remind himself that the skin he was seeing wasn't real.
"Yeah man, Danny needs to be extracted anyways, not to mention the red flag he sent us."
"So how am I getting into school?" Cyborg asked. He nearly jumped when Rob appeared from the shadows by his computer console on the other side of the room.
"Man, I hate when you do that."
Robin decided to ignore that.
"The last files Danny sent were the blueprints of the entire HIVE facility with the entire security detail. I've managed to locate a back door in the system so you can get in through an access tunnel on the north side without being detected. After that, you're on your own. You'll need to find out Blood's plan, and locate Danny without endangering your lives further. The longer you stay the riskier it gets."
To this Cyborg turned to look at the full ghost next to him, "How is he?"
Both teens watched as Phantom brushed the silver device behind his left ear.
"Anxious. Blood knows something's up but that's all I'm getting. When can I remove the empathic device?" Danny asked looking to Robin who was gazing at the glowing blue and green ecto-dream catcher.
"Not until Cyborg locates your human half and determines if it's safe. We can't risk you two being drawn back together to early and tip Blood off."
"He's already tipped off man," Cyborg stated stepping forward. "I modified the Dream Catcher to split Danny's Human-half from his Ghost-half without splitting their personalities.
To the side Phantom snorted. "Thanks for that by the way. Otherwise for the last five months you guys would have had to deal with me wearing a bed sheet."
Cy smiled, "No problem man. But in order to achieve this I created the empathic devices." On the massive computer screen Cyborg pulled up the design schematic, breaking it apart.
"Each ear piece links to their synoptic nerves and links up their entire nervous systems. Effectively allowing both human and ghost to feel the other's emotions and physical duress with a simple touch while allowing Phantom to co-exist here on our plane without needing to replenish his ectoplasm in the Ghost Zone."
Danny hovered forward, "And the devices prevent me from unconsciously being drawn back to my point of origin if one or both are removed, right? Like the first time I was separated from my human-half before my parents found me down in the lab."
"Yeah," Cy agreed.
"I understand this, Cyborg. I helped program the devices," Robin stated stepping forward his cape clinging to the shadows. "What's your point?"
"My point is, "Cyborg answered, turning to face the computer banks pulling up the latest scans of the halfa's Nero pathways. "Fenton and Phantom might be more linked than we originally thought. Human Danny's scans show a higher electrical flow conclusive to when he uses his lightening power. And here, see this spike; it aligns perfectly to the time when our Danny collapsed in the training room, your ice core suddenly starting to de-stabilize from unknown causes."
Both Robin's and Phantom's eyes went wide.
"You're saying," Danny said looking up into Cyborg's human face. "That Blood somehow found out about my meta power and is making me use it?"
"Not only that. I did a scan, around the time you collapsed there was a massive electrical spike on the circuit grid that killed power to an entire city area. The same area where HIVE Academy is. Whatever happened to Human Danny afterwards is big enough to warrant suspicion."
"The fear I felt afterwards," Phantom trailed off his hand unconsciously coming to rest on the device.
Cyborg nodded his head, "That's what I'm saying man. Blood's already suspicious and leaving Danny venerable without his powers is a bad idea Rob. That's why I think Phantom should take off his device."
"No," Robin stated moving from where he'd been leaning against the wall.
"Even if Blood suspects something re-joining Danny may make things worse. Especially if he monitors the Titans through the media. Danny can't maintain a clone that long or that far away. Right now, separation is Danny's best weapon."
To this Phantom smiled and gently nudged Cyborg out of his shock before he could start arguing with their spiky haired leader.
"Besides Cyborg, I can take care of myself. And I'm not sensing anything too distressing so I'll be fine, you'll head out in an hour anyways. So take the time to get to know yourself again, Vic."
Cyborg jumped at Danny's use of his name and for the first time he noticed how human he looked again. Quietly, Danny and Robin left, one walking the other floating.
"So, how are we going to explain this to the others?" Danny asked watching how his friend grimaced.
"I don't know yet. But the mission is hardly over yet and Cyborg's right, the longer you two stay apart the riskier it gets. I've already had to adjust your ear piece three times to prevent you from joining and it's only going to get more dangerous," Robin explained trailing off, and Danny could see how much his friend was beating himself up with worry, so he quickly messed up the teens hair. Robin gave a yell and tore through the Tower, determined to make the ghost pay.
After Danny and Robin left, Cyborg looked into the full body mirror by his weights and saw Victor stone— star athlete— with two normal eyes and dark brown skin covering well defined muscles. It made him feel giddy to be looking at himself again. Pretty soon he was making faces and muscle poses that would have many a girl swooning.
"Ah, yeah man, somebody's been working out!" he added two arm-flexes before he turned to his door and realized Starfire was standing there. His stomach got lost somewhere in the ground from embarrassment and he felt a blush heat across his skin.
"Whoa! He Star, I didn't…how long have you been standing there?" he asked rubbing the back of his neck nervously, a habit he'd picked up from Danny.
"Forgive me, your door was open," she answered. Which was the nice what of saying she'd been standing there since the beginning, and it made Cy's heart drop out in shock till he remembered who she was and shrugged.
"Ah, it's cool. Just checking out the old unimproved me. I've forgotten what it was like to have real hands. Well, almost real," he amended, flexing them while looking at the two rings. Starfire walked up, gazed down for a moment before meeting his eyes sadly.
"They are most convincing. However, my preference is for the original."
Cyborg couldn't stop the decrepit laugh that escaped before he turned to face the man in the mirror.
"This is the original, Star," he answered, feeling her place a comforting hand on his shoulder. She was about to say something when Robin interrupted from where he stood at the entrance.
"Cyborg, it's time."
Cy gave one last look at the Tamaranian before he followed Robin out.
It was lunch time when Cyborg entered the school and he groaned a little at being handed some questionable mashed potatoes on his tray. Turning, he scanned the room for any sign of Danny. He wasn't here and Cy had to squish his growing fear back down as he anxiously tried to pick a table.
"Okay play it cool and…" Cy trailed off when he realized all the students were staring at him. Cyborg quickly took a whiff of his lunch tray and smiled.
"Sloppy Joes, just like the mad scientist who created me used to make," he nearly sweat dropped in relief when everyone went back to ignoring him. Taking a seat at the empty table, Cyborg hoped Danny would hurry up and show his ninja self. He was about to take a bite when three shadows loomed up behind him.
"You're in my seat," Mammoth growled from where he glowered down at him.
Cyborg really hated his luck. Gizmo floated next to him, sneering. "Hey newbie, this is our table. What do you think you're doing here?" he asked while Jinx slunk so close Cy could smell her rosemary perfume.
"He looks familiar, did you go to Dark Wave Prep?" she questioned and Cyborg had no idea what to say.
"What's your name, punk?"
"Probably something stupid, let me guess Snot Man? No wait, Captain Nose Picker!" Gizmo exclaimed laughing.
"Do you even have any powers?" Jinx asked her nose scrunching up in disgust at the thought if he said no. When Mammoth reached out and snagged his sandwich.
"I'm hungry." He at the entire thing in one bite. "Get lost."
Gizmo sniffed haughtily and threw a flat disk underneath Cy's chair. "Yeah scum, take a hike." The mini landmine went off and Cyborg screamed as he was flung across the room. The entire cafeteria burst into ruckus laughter, and Cyborg felt anger burn in him, growling he slammed his fists together turning him into a statue of rock the gods would have been proud of, in a flash of light. Before the Trio could even blink, Cyborg swung his fist and their entire table broke. The wave of power reaching all the way to the far wall. At their dumbfounded expressions he smirked and crossed his arms over his broad chest.
"My name is Stone, and it looks like you need to find a new table."
Gizmo chuckled nervously while Mammoth whistled low.
"Not bad."
Jinx merely shrugged.
It was as Cyborg was turning to leave did he see two students sitting a few tables back. The young woman in Red, Cyborg immediately recognized as Valarie. She looked up from her food and whispered something to the teen across from her dressed in all black. Cyborg watched as the boy's back straightened slightly before the teen lowered his hood and turned, revealing messy black bangs covering a pair of very familiar ice blue eyes. And even though the mask covered half the teen's face, Cyborg knew Danny was smiling. Unconsciously, he took a step towards them when a slim arm wrapped around his.
"I don't think so big guy, you don't want to hang out with them," Jinx stated, smiling.
"And why not?" Cy asked shedding his Stone appearance, surprised when he saw Jinx blush while looking up at his normal face.
Gizmo snorted, "Because those two are the teacher's pets. Shadow especially."
As they left the lunch room, Cyborg raised an eyebrow, the silver band around his forehead following.
"Shadow?"
Mammoth growled, "Don't know his real name. Kid hardly speaks and besides, the girl's way tougher."
Jinx giggled, "That's because you've never fought Shadow and trust me, he's good."
"He's still a no good barf brain who uses his sword for everything," Gizmo sniffed and both Jinx and Mammoth burst out laughing.
"You're just upset because he used it to slice your weapons pack open for messing with his girlfriend Red." Jinx answered and Cyborg reeled from this information. Danny had a girlfriend? And it was Valarie?!
"Anyways, Stone, let's see how you do in combat practice."
Cyborg felt his stomach clinch up in nervousness again. The arena was massive, tall and completely done like a bee-hive. And Cyborg tried to ignore the students sitting in the stands watching. A bell rang and the honey comb tile they were standing on began to rise. Cyborg put his hands together and became Stone while the Trio turned serious. The finish line rose on the opposite side of the room.
"Gamma maneuver," Jinx suddenly called before leaping into action along with Gizmo.
"Wait, I don't know that!" Cyborg called, panicking as Mammoth shoved him aside.
"Then get out of the way," he answered dropping down and taking off. The big guy was all ready out of range when the robots appeared. Cyborg let out a frustrated growl and tried to ignore Gizmo's and Mammoth's taunting laughs before Jinx said something about the Headmaster watching. He promptly stopped listening when the three became pitifully trapped by some mechanical tentacle arms. With one final push, Cyborg threw off the robots and cracked his disguised knuckles and took off at a dead run.
Easily stomping on the tentacles aimed at him, flipping up and over the HIVE Trio in a acrobatic move Rob had taught him. Cyborg looked back in time to see plasma guns charging to fire at them. Thinking fast, he ripped off two floor panels, spun to gain momentum before sending them hurtling through the air. Cutting not only the restraints on the teens but destroying the guns as well. Still struggling, Cyborg helped disentangle them, helping Jinx up last, he gave her a brief smile before Gizmo pointed straight ahead.
"We gotta cross the finish line." All four took off and when the bell rang again, Stone depowered and smirked proudly at the team.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!"
"Zip it, grapple grain!" Gizmo hissed.
"You, Stone!" Brother Blood called coming up to them on a floating panel, his expression less than amused. "Sneaking into my school, destroying my drones, making some of my top students look like amateur pick pockets. You must think you're very clever. But you're not clever," Blood stated while Cyborg tried not to flinch and Gizmo, Jinx and Mammoth all had their jaws dropping in shock and fear till Brother Blood smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.
"You're brilliant. Well done, Mr. Stone, well done."
Cyborg let out the breath he'd been holding and felt his heart restart.
"I see a bright future here for you at HIVE Academy."
"Hey, thanks. Great school you've got here, Professor Blood."
Brother Blood gave a small smile before remembering the three other students standing in the corner. He rounded on the Trio who were already cowering in fear.
"And as for you three, failure will not be tolerated. You were already sent back after graduating once. Fail me again and I'll have you sent to your doom! Do I make myself clear?" he asked, and Cyborg nearly gasped when he saw their eyes go red before bowing in complacence. Now he knew why Robin had sent Danny ahead of him. And Cyborg watched almost in a daze as Blood turned to the other students and spoke on unveiling their class project. Cyborg stood in silence as the teens all chanted their Headmasters name. As the students were filing out, Blood motioned for Cyborg to follow.
"I've been looking for another student to train alongside my newest protégé. And I do believe Mr. Stone, your powers and quick thinking will compliment his nicely."
"Uh, thanks Professor."
Blood gave a small nod before opening the teal door, revealing a smaller training room. A lone figure sitting in the lotus pose, katana resting next to him. Upon entering, Danny stood, silently moving to stand beside Brother Blood and Cyborg tried not to shiver at how creepy that was.
"Stone, meet Danny or as he is known in these hallways, Shadow."
Danny extended his hand for Cy to shake.
"It's an honor to meet you, Stone."
Cyborg flushed from trying not to laugh at how formal Danny sounded and he could see annoyance flash in those eyes as he reached out and shook his hand.
"Uh, thanks but you can call me Vic."
Danny gave a nod and turned to Blood, awaiting instructions.
"Stone, I'd like you to follow Daniel's schedule. He'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have. Classes start at six a.m. sharp. Have a nice night," Blood said before leaving. When Cyborg was sure the man was gone he turned to Danny and yanked him into a hug.
"It's good to see you, man."
Danny gave an 'ack' noise before he pulled away and lowered his mask. His whole face lighting up in a smile.
"Thanks. I'm surprised Blood likes you so much."
"I'm a likable guy. Speaking of, you're not…" he trailed off with some vague hand motions, and Danny cocked his head to the side before his eyes widened in understanding.
"Oh, no, I'm not under Blood's mind control. I can hear his voice in my head, but I can take care of myself."
Cyborg let out a sigh of relief.
"So what's this whole class project hype about?"
"Don't know. Blood's keeping it under lock and key, and he doesn't exactly trust me at the moment. He found out about my empathic device."
Cyborg felt his heart hammer in panic. "And?"
Danny shrugged, "I said it was helping me stay alive which isn't a lie. It's the truth but…"
"Not the absolute truth either," Cy finished, smiling proudly at his friend.
Danny nodded, "Blood can't read thoughts but he can sense when he's being lied to through the mind's inability to lie to itself."
"So instead you've been giving facts and weaving them together to form a truth just not the truth, easy enough to fool him."
"Yep. Technically, if I lose this device, I die."
Cyborg shook his head, "Man, even in your head you've got a silver tongue. I'll contact Robin and figure out what this class project is. You focus on maintaining your cover. And are you really dating Valarie?"
He asked as they walked down the hall, Danny pulling up his mask.
"It's complicated, she also asked me to the Sadie Hawkin's dance in two days. Anyways, I'll see you tomorrow," Danny said turning and walking down the hall. Cyborg waited till the place was empty before he contacted the Tower. Robin jumping on screen, his voice filtering in.
"I don't think Cyborg would appreciate…"
"Appreciate what? The fact that he's already the top butt kicker in his class," he stated choosing to ignore Beastboy yanking a big green hat and putrid yellow scarf off his robotic replacement.
"Your infiltration is successful, yes?" Starfire asked.
"You bet. Had a couple of close calls though…uh, Shadow's fine, Blood's keeping a close eye on him though."
On screen Phantom visibly relaxed from where he stood next to Robin while Star, Raven and Beastboy gave each other curious looks.
"What have you learned?" Robin asked, and Cy started walking down the hall, mindful that his forearm was exposed.
"They're working on some kind of class project. Sounds heavy but no details yet."
"We'll find out and get out," Robin ordered.
"Got it. Stone out." Cyborg had fully reactivated his holographic generator when Gizmo, Mammoth and Jinx appeared down the hallway.
"Well what do you know, it's the Headmaster's new scrumbuffin' pet."
Cyborg backed away before Jinx stepped forward. "Get him. And don't bother trying to run."
"You won't get far," Mammoth commented, "The whole schools in on it."
"In on what?" Cy asked warily.
"What do you think pifred brains? You're initiation." At this, mechanical arms held out a unicycle and a pink frilly dress.
Cyborg gave a startled laugh. "That's it?"
Mammoth smirked, "Don't laugh. You have to eat the unicycle."
That was unexpected.
The next day, Cyborg stepped out of his room to see Danny and Jinx in a glaring contest. When they noticed him, Jinx promptly blushed and Cyborg knew Danny wasn't going to let him live this down.
"It looks good on you," the ninja snarked, Jinx giggled, and oh, Cyborg was so going to get the halfa back for this. Turns out, the classes were a lot harder than Cyborg had expected, and it didn't help that the only reason Gizmo didn't completely hate Shadow or Red was because they never answered questions in class. Which was something Cyborg couldn't help but do.
"So that's why any effective Doomsday plan needs, Mr. Stone?"
Cyborg jolted in his chair, "Uh, effective miss direction."
"Correct. Moving on," Brother Blood said turning back to the chalk board.
Danny gave him a thumbs-up, while Valarie smiled, Jinx had hearts in her eyes, and Gizmo was fuming behind him while Mammoth stifled his laughter. It was such ordinary drama between their growing hodgepodge friendship, Cyborg caught somewhere in the middle between them, that he didn't know what to do. Plus the Sadie Hawkins Dance was tonight, that was another ordeal all together.
Jinx had asked him along with a handful of girls he hadn't even met. Some of the braver ones had asked Danny and both Titans watched in amusement as Red chased them off. But when Cyborg saw Jinx standing outside his dorm room, dressed in a long black and pink corset dress, her hair pinned up in loose curls, her beauty offsetting his light blue tux, Cyborg felt, normal.
The dance floor was covered in flashing lights, students moving to the beat. Tables surrounding them so they could sit, eat, talk and the girls could kick off their extremely tall high heels. Cyborg and Jinx ended up sitting with a girl named Bumblebee and her date along with Danny and Valarie. Gizmo and Mammoth over by the drinks, spiking the punch. It was fun. Cyborg realized and Jinx was stunning and cute and it suddenly hurt, knowing that this was his first school dance. As well as his last.
Turning his head to the side while he and Jinx swayed to the music, her soft face resting on his shoulder, Cyborg saw Danny and Valarie moving slowly together. When the halfa met his eyes for a moment, the mask was gone on his friend's face. Instead, there was sad acceptance. Cyborg looked away, he'd only been here for three days and he didn't want to leave. Regardless of the fact that this place was evil. He didn't want to think what five months would have done to him.
Four more days passed in a blur until finally Cyborg heard the hum in his arm. Robin was calling.
"This isn't a good time guys, we've got a theory of mayhem test tomorrow and I'm totally going to bomb."
"Please tell me you're joking," Robin groaned.
"Yeah, uh, look sorry I haven't checked in. I've been learning their combat techniques," aka. getting his tin can handed to him by a very human Danny. "Weapons training," Valarie helped him with that. "Armor and we had a dance..."
"A dance?! Cyborg, you're there to find out what the HIVE is planning. Not learn to tango." Robin snapped.
"I know, I know," Cy said trying to placate his friend. "This hasn't exactly been a tea party okay. I just need a little more time."
"Or maybe it's time we went on the offensive," Robin answered, and as Cyborg made his way to the computer labs, Robin glanced over to Phantom. Green eyes met his, and Danny gave a slight nod before stepping back, running a hand through his snow white hair.
Valarie and Danny were studying in their dorm room when feelings of sharp apprehension coursed through him.
"Danny, are you okay?" Valarie asked noticing how his pencil had stilled.
"Huh, oh it's nothing. I'm gonna go get some air."
Quickly Danny stood, exiting their room, pondering why his other half had sent those feelings. Unless Cyborg was making his move. Making a fast decision, Danny forked left instead of right, heading to the computer labs.
It took Cyborg about fifteen minutes to hack into their systems.
"I'm in."
"Good, just make it quick," Robin ordered on his arm screen.
Cy set to typing. "O.k. I found the mainframe, whoa think I just found the class project. They're building something called…"
"An Ion Amplifier," Brother Blood finished. Stepping out of the shadows calmly as Cyborg scrambled to stand, terminating Robin's call as he hid his arm behind him.
"Well this is a surprise, Mr. Stone. Or should I say Cyborg," Brother Blood continued, in an instant Cy dropped his disguise and aimed his sonic cannon at the man's heart. Outside the room, Danny stood frozen in place, his sword drawn.
"Relax, I don't want to fight. It's a remarkable device really, compact, elegant, devastating in its power," Blood explained holding up the black and gold arm band. "But it's nothing compared to you."
"What do you want from me?" Cyborg growled as Blood sat the device down on the desk, moving over to stand in front of the teen. His long white robe giving the appearance of a ghost floating across water.
"Oh it's not what I want that matters. It's what you want and what I can give you."
Suddenly Cyborg understood what Danny meant when he said about Blood's mental voice. Trembling, he stumbled back, trying to get away from the man as he raised his palm to touch Cyborg's sonic cannon. Silently, Danny moved forward but stopped at the look of wonder that passed across his friend's face. Steeling himself Danny retreated, there was nothing he could do now watching as Cyborg turned over his palm.
"My hand, I can feel it. It's real," he whispered the prickle of human nerves, real muscle moving instead of synthetic made him shudder in amazement and disbelief. Then it was gone. His metal hand returned and Cyborg screamed falling to his knees in devastation. Blood placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Serve me, and I can make you what you once were, I can give back your life."
Pleading eyes met his, "I'll do anything you ask."
Quietly, Danny listened to Blood's plan against the Titans, waiting until Cyborg went to collect Jinx, Mammoth and Gizmo to inform them of their assignments when he moved from the ceiling and onto the floor.
"Do you really think it's wise to be fooling Cyborg into killing his friends?" Danny asked as Blood turned to face him, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"And what makes you think I'm controlling him at all, Daniel?"
"I don't know? Maybe because alongside your telekinetic power you can alter perception, memories, even controlling your students decisions. That's why Valarie doesn't remember telling you about my meta ability, because she can't remember. You've been using her to spy on me," Danny said glaring up at the man.
Brother Blood had gone eerily silent before he sighed. "You really are smarter than I give you credit for, my pupil. But what's to stop me from eradicating your memories?"
At this Blood's eye went red, and Danny circled his teacher feeling Blood stab his mind. He only had seconds to act.
"You misunderstand me, sensei."
Blood paused, his eyes turned back, and Danny felt the hold on him release.
"What do you mean?"
Blood watched as his pupil walked up to him and gazed directly into his eyes. A foolish and brave act.
"What I'm saying is that you need someone loyal to you regardless of your control."
Blood reached out and grasped the teen under his chin, watching as not even fear flickered in Daniel's eyes. Blood felt pride swell in him.
"You would stay by my side, even at the risk of my controlling you?"
"I will."
Brother Blood found himself smirking in triumph and he straightened, letting his clawed hand fall away.
"Very well then, this is my one command: you will agree to never lie to me. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Very well." And Blood watched as those ice blue eyes turned brilliant red in the pitch dark room and Danny felt the order sear through his mind.
Valarie was worried. Ever since Danny had been released from the medical wing he'd been different. On edge, not that anyone but her could tell. And now he had spaced out before suddenly wanting air? It made no sense and now it had her wandering the halls, heart hammering in worry. By chance she passed one of the vacant computer labs only it wasn't empty, sliding up against the wall Valarie amplified the sound on her visor and listened in to Danny's voice.
"Are you sure he'll be able to complete the task? They are his friends."
"Were," Blood corrected. "But you're right. The Teen Titans needn't perish yet, I have some employers who wouldn't like their plans being disrupted by their deaths. That is why you, Daniel, will save them." Blood stated and Valarie felt her pulse quicken, just what exactly was Danny getting himself into?
"How?" Danny asked calmly but Val knew better, she could hear the undertone of relief.
"When Cyborg takes aim you will deter him and help them escape my school, gain their trust by living in their city and report to me."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, now I believe you have some studying to catch up on."
With this Valarie hastily returned to their room, sitting on their bed in shock. A few minutes passed before Danny entered.
"Valarie, you're still up?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes. I am," Val answered noticing how her voice held no inflection. So did Danny, concern overcame him, and it ripped holes in Val's chest. In three strides, she crossed the room and cradled his face in her palms, as if afraid Danny would disappear.
"Val, what's wrong?"
Her voice choked in her throat, but Val managed to fight past it.
"Danny, why are you doing this? Why are you willingly going to work for Blood?"
She watched those blue eyes widen. His lips parting in shock before a wall seemed to come up between them, and Val nearly punched Danny for that.
"Valarie, I can't explain but please trust me. I know what I'm doing."
"Doing? Danny, Blood's evil. I knew this coming in on my scholarship. So did you after that Titan girl tried to kill you. So why?"
"Because I'm not the hero right now," Danny answered pulling away, raking a hand through midnight hair, refusing to look at her and Valarie scoffed.
"Not right now? Believe it or not Fenton, I can tell when you're bullshiting your way through half-truths and this is one of them," she snarled in anger, watching Danny's posture stiffen.
"And besides, even if you help the Titans they won't so easily let you join, not after Terra. Especially since they don't even know you!" It was then Valarie realized she'd been screaming. Her throat aching in pain as silence descended in the soundproof room. For a long moment, Danny only stood there, then like a puppet cut from its strings, he sagged onto the bed, gazing down at his hands.
"That's not entirely true, Val," Danny whispered and Valarie reeled back as if she'd been slapped.
"What do you mean?" She asked dread knotting in her gut.
"I know one Teen Titan," he stated, and Valarie knew Danny wasn't referring to Starfire.
She collapsed beside him, her eyes searching his face.
"How long?"
"How do you think he got his ghost hunting equipment?" Danny answered and instantly Val was on her feet. But Danny grabbed her wrist before she could flee.
"Valarie please," he begged.
"No. You've known Phantom since before he left Amity Park. Since before Pariah Dark, you've known and you led me along," Valarie choked, her voice wrenching. Tears streaming down her face while Danny's eyes pleaded for understanding.
"Val, he's not what you think…"
"He's Phantom!" she screamed, fists coming up to pound weakly into Danny's chest even as strong arms wrapped around her.
"And you're a perfect hunter? Val, he's made mistakes. No one's perfect…please, try to understand…"
"Understand what? That when I was down with a leg broken in two places, he slammed into me with enough force it crushed my bones into the ground? Causing nerve damage that still affects me? What do you want me to understand, Danny? What do you want me to forgive?" Valarie begged, sobbing into the crook of Danny's neck. Warm lips brushed the top of her head and his arms pulled her closer.
"I'm sorry," Danny whispered hoarsely and damn, his voice sounded so far gone. It was like he was apologizing in Phantom's place. It made Valarie feel like the bad guy, and it pissed her off that Danny, the cute nerd Fenton, could do this to her. It made her equally love him more.
Slowly, after many deep breaths and the soothing circles Danny was tracing into her back, Valarie felt some sense of her composure return, along with the horrible flood of embarrassment at having ruined a nice uniform.
"Danny, I'm…"
"If you say you're sorry Val, I'm going to kick your ass," Danny stated, his smile was pinched in worry but Val could see the humor in his eyes.
She chuckled, "I'd like to see you try, Fenton. You still can't beat me in a fight."
Danny flushed, "That's because you cheat."
"No, I'm devious," she quipped back, moving out of his cool arms so he could change. It was when the scars were revealed did Val take a breath.
"Danny, what you said, please give me time. Forgiveness isn't as easy for me as it is you."
The knife wound disappeared under a layer of black, and Valarie looked up to Danny's understanding gaze.
"I understand. But Val, this mission it'll be starting soon."
Valarie felt her heart jolt at this, and she stepped forward, placing her hands in the folds of the tunic where that scar was.
"You still won't tell me the details as to how you got this."
Danny shifted uneasily, "I…"
As his voice trailed off Valarie smiled sadly up at him.
"You know, I may not forgive but you don't trust."
To this Danny gave a small laugh, running a hand through his hair.
"A perfect combination, right?" his hands stilled and he looked to the clock. "It'll be starting soon."
Valarie felt her heart stop, but she pulled away and grinned her broad grin. Ignoring the voice in her head whispering how both of them knew how to make the other miserable.
"Go get them, Fenton."
She watched the door close, her smile fell leaving her alone in thought. For if Danny said he wasn't the hero right now…Val didn't finish that sentence. She wouldn't give Blood anymore ammo to harm the boy she loved.
Phantom teleported into the Academy and looked around.
"Clear." He answered before a black bird swooped into the room and the rest of the Titans emerged as well as Cyborg's robot self. Robin flipped open his communicator and looked at the red dot, the team following closely behind him.
"I'm picking up Cyborg's signal directly below us." Right as he said this, the floor tile they were standing on flipped and all of the Titans screamed in shock before Phantom managed to grab hold of Robin to stop their leader from being made a pancake. The lights flared to life and the team found themselves standing in a battle arena, Cyborg disguised as Stone along with Jinx, Gizmo and Mammoth on the other side.
"Not good," Beastboy mumbled looking up at them.
"The Teen Titans," Brother Blood said floating in on his panel. "So nice to make your acquaintance. I'd introduce you to my students but I'm fairly certain you've already met."
"Attack pattern, Alpha," Stone ordered and the Titans watched in shock as Cyborg led the charge. Blood watched the battle from high above, the shadows in the hall moving momentarily. As Starfire and Phantom battled Gizmo, Jinx took on Raven as Mammoth went after Beastboy who was protecting the robot. And Robin was left fighting Stone, his shock making his movements sluggish.
"Cyborg, take it easy," he hissed before a hand grabbed his hair and Cy threw him into the nearby wall.
Beastboy was desperately searching the controls for the robot Cyborg, "Oh c'mon, how do you make this thing…oh, attack mode."
The robot charged into a wall leaving a decent sized hole and a very confused changeling.
Starfire and Danny were battling multiple Gizmos.
"Hey Star, mini-sun!"
With this both teens condensed their energy and when Starfire took Phantoms hand their powers exploded out like a growing sun. Gizmo's previous taunting voice going shrill as he crashed landed when Mammoth slammed both teens together and into the ground. Shaking the stars from his eyes, Phantom growled, his eyes flashing dangerously green but slight movement behind Brother Blood stilled him. Right, the curtains still up.
Robin pulled out his escrima sticks and blocked the flurry of punches.
"Knock it off, Cyborg. It's time to drop the act."
"This isn't an act," Cyborg growled. In the next instant, Robin was sliding across the floor next to Star and Phantom. Raven following, Jinx's magic throwing her into Phantom's arms as Mammoth added Beastboy to the pile before Gizmo entrapped them in a golden dome. The release button on the outside top of the shield.
"A force field, Phantom, can you?" Robin asked but Danny shook his head.
"I can but it would take you guys with it."
Stone walked up to the force field when the robotic Cyborg grabbed his middle and tackled him into the wall. Both emerging and Stone glared at his creation. Stone charged and punched Cyborg in the face, sending him into a column creating a crater in it. The robot opened its eyes and hit back.
"Boo-ya!"
"Boo-ya this," Stone growled and he was on top of the robot destroying it, pounding his fist so hard the robot fell apart with sickening ease, the ring on his right hand shattering, revealing who he truly was to everyone in the room.
"I knew it!" Gizmo yelled to the startled Trio. "The scumbag is one of them!" he fumed.
"No, he's one of us," Blood answered walking forward, his eyes red.
"And I'm ready to prove it," Cyborg replied both eyes glowing.
"I had a feeling you'd say that. This will magnify your power by amplitudes unimagined," Blood stated holding up the devastating Ion weapon, placing it around Cyborg's sonic cannon.
"Destroy them for me, and you will have your reward."
Shadow watched from his perch in the darkness as Cyborg pointed the weapon at their friends. Danny tensed, the Dragon's Gale drawn when he saw Cyborg smile.
"Psyche!"
It was completely unexpected when Cyborg whirled around and fired at Blood. The man barely managed to throw up a red energy field before blue slammed into it, forcing the energy upwards and destroying the main hull of the school. Everything began to crumble, when Valarie felt the tremble, she sent a silent pray to whatever god would listen to her, to keep Danny safe as she left the compound.
In the chaos of the crumbling arena, Danny decided it was time to improvise, leaping down, his sword cut through the containment device with ease. Startling Beastboy and Starfire, who both gasped as Raven's eyes went wide, she was about to say something. But Danny placed a finger to his covered lips and they remained silent.
In front of them Blood was furious.
"A foolish choice my friend, very foolish," he said backing onto his floating panel where Mammoth and Gizmo stood. Jinx gazed up at Cyborg, hurt in her cat eyes. "You could have been one of us."
"I could have been a lot of things," Cyborg replied. Jinx merely shook her head before rejoining the Headmaster. Disappearing into another hallway.
Cyborg turned to see his friends standing behind him, smiling in joy and pride. Robin lifted his head up as if just realizing the place was coming down.
"Raven, get us out of here."
"Thought you'd never ask."
Beastboy was sitting on the couch in the Tower's living room in deep contemplation as he looked at Danny and Danny.
"Dude, is that why you never changed back?"
Ghost Danny sighed, "Yep."
Beastboy then looked to Cyborg, "And the reason you were being a jerk to us?"
"Because when I found out what this thing could do I had to get Brother Blood to trust me. So sorry for playing ruff."
The changeling then looked over to Human Danny.
"And you really went all ninja at that school because?"
"To figure out Blood's abilities and gain the knowledge and layout of the school. Oh, and I'm good at not getting brainwashed. Not immune to it like Cyborg is apparently, but I manage." To this Danny sent a fond glare at his friend, and Raven tilted her head in curiosity.
"But if Blood had all those HIVE kids were brainwashed, why not you?"
As an explanation Cyborg pointed to the mechanical part of his head.
"Because half my mind is electronic. He may be able to fool the man but he couldn't fool the machine."
Robin smiled at this. "Which means next time we face Blood we have our own secret weapon."
Cy grinned, "Whatever man, I'm just glad it's over."
Human Danny idle swung his legs in the air from where he sat on the counter top and perked up as if waiting to hear those words.
"Which means we can take these devices off."
With this both Danny's removed their empathic devices, and the Titans watched as Phantom turned clear and flew inside human Danny whose aura momentarily flared, his ice blue eyes turning green and dazedly he stood.
"Okay, five months of different memories to catch up on and…Beastboy, I can't believe you did that!" Danny fumed as the changeling sheepishly backed away.
Cyborg was standing in front of the mirror, looking at the holographic self from his past. Sighing, he pulled off the ring and Cyborg returned.
"Goodbye, Stone."
"For your thoughts I will pay six grumbfars," Starfire said walking in. He really needed to start remembering to close his door.
"If that's your way of asking if I'm okay, don't worry I'm fine. I never got to finish high school because of this," he gestured to his hands."And when I was at the HIVE, for a while there, I actually felt normal."
Starfire took his hands in hers and smiled, "I did not know you before. So to me, you are normal." Cy found himself smiling at her wise words when they heard Beastboy call his name.
Danny put his uniform away, grateful to be back to in comfortable jeans and washed out shirts as he carefully placed the Dragon's Gale back in her case. When the door slid open and Robin stepped inside. And while his ghost memories were used to the changes Robin had undergone, Danny's human memories weren't.
For Robin's uniform was darker. Where there had been green was now pitch black and the red of his tunic had been reinforced so that Danny could see the sweeping lines of separated plates. But not only that his friend had grown, Robin was still shorter than him by a few inches but overall Danny found that Robin looked older. More worn out with age. It was then Danny realized that to Robin, so did he.
"I take it everything went as planned," Robin stated.
Danny gazed at the oriental box underneath his sword before opening it to reveal a yellow and black HIVE communicator. Robin glanced at it, and Danny shut the lid with a click.
"And Project Endgame?"
Danny met his friend's eyes and gave a nod.
Robin's face hardened, "Then it's a go."
The silence that descended them was a heavy one, both knowing the stakes were high when they heard Cyborg scream at Danny to run and Beastboy suddenly poked his green head in Danny's room a leer on his face.
"Oh Danny, half of you left the Teen Titans," he sang creepily before Raven stuck her head in as well, her eyes mischievous.
"That means you have to go through the initiation." Her tone was that of a devil. In the hallway Cyborg screamed— pleaded— really, for Starfire to let him go.
Danny felt what little color in his face flee. He didn't even get a chance to scream before Robin whipped out a pink wing from god-knows-where and plopped it on his head.
AN: Read and Review
~Rin