Shattered Destiny Ch.8

A/N: Hey guys, so important news.

Lux is going to be my new co-author. Originally a beta, I felt that they deserved more credit. Lux has really transformed this fic, and I'm excited to write the rest of this fic in the future with them. Lux has their own author's note at the end of the chapter, so make sure to read!

With that being said, 'Shattered Destiny' will be under reconstruction with its earlier chapters. The plot won't likely be changed, but the chapters will be cleaned up and re-edited. Look for more notes in the future, we will keep you updated on that. Thanks guys and we hope you enjoy the chapter.


The trip to Amity was agonizing, and the fact that it took nearly half the day to get there was only part of the reason why. For Danny, the time spent in the jet did nothing but exacerbate his anxiety. He wasn't ready for this. To be honest, he wasn't sure if he would ever be ready.

The Titans weren't helping in the least. They understood the situation as a serious one and tip-toed around him cautiously. Apparently, Robin had let them all know they were traveling back to his hometown. Beside him, Beast Boy failed to ease the tension with jokes. Starfire and Cyborg were in an intense discussion— Cyborg was attempting to teach her the concept of a relationship on earth. At any other time, Danny may have been tempted to tease the cybernetic teen as he tried in vain to get through the conversation without a blush or stammer, but he couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension enough to hide it if he opened his mouth.

"We're almost there." Danny was startled to see Raven looking at him carefully through calm, violet eyes. Her lips were set in a thin line.

Danny gave her a sharp nod in understanding before unconsciously clenching his fist in an effort to calm himself. He shut his eyes and leaned his head back against the window. He could feel Raven's eyes still on him even as he watched the scenery pass by. He opened his fist and closed it again, biting his lip with enough force for him to taste blood. It was decided.

"Raven. When we get there, don't let me do anything stupid."

He forced him himself to let down the stone wall hiding his emotions, to drop the mask. He needed someone else to see what he was struggling with. It asking a lot from her, but Raven wasn't the kind of person to question feeling. He unclenched his hands, allowing them to tremble, and looked her in the eyes.

Raven didn't flinch. Face impassive, she nodded slowly. With this, Danny turned his attention back to the sight outside of his circular window, allowing himself to be swallowed by his thoughts once more. He could feel her aura receding somewhat as she walked away with silent steps, almost as though she were floating.

Some semblance of relief filled him briefly at her lack of digging. He'd known, deep down, that she would understand. He'd seen her anger firsthand, the way that it built up and destroyed everything in its path. His own anger was just as destructive. He needed someone who could stop him if he let the ghost in him take control, and she was the only member on the team powerful enough to do so. Even now, he could feel his emotions fighting him for control.

It scared him.

"Finally! Sweet, sweet land!" Beast Boy yelled, startling Danny out of his thoughts for the second time that day. Upon registering his words, Danny tensed, preparing himself for the landing. He breathed deeply, closing his eyes. With steely movements, he stood.

His heart beat rapidly in his chest, filling his eyes with the sound of his own blood. The hatch loomed before him. Robin was barking out orders and Cyborg moved to open the hatch. Time seemed to slow down as hatch opened, letting in too-bright sunlight that made the pain behind his eyes flare angrily. They were on the edge of Amity Park's public garden, near the forest. The familiar smell of rain greeted him, and he breathed it in, tasting it. The grass was damp, and the leaves of the trees nearby were slowly changing color, with only hints of green on some of them.

It was a beautiful mid-fall day in Amity Park. Normally, he would have reveled in it, but now greeted him with a strange sense of familiarity that left him feeling like he'd been punched in the stomach.

This was where he'd grown up, where he and his friends had practiced hand-to-hand combat and played childish games for the hell of it. The memories were so vivid that he could barely distinguish them from reality. He could see himself laughing as he tripped over a tree root while they were playing a game of chase gone south, landing on his face as Sam tackled him. Her weight on his chest had been welcome. Tucker stood a few feet away, bent over and holding his sides. Sam's mirthful eyes had his as she smiled gently before leaning in to kiss him. The swings nearby swung gently, and briefly he could see his sister pulling him as he begrudgingly joined her to swing. Across the park was where his mother had been a part of the community garden, where he'd helped dig out spaces to plant white roses on one of the days she wasn't distracted by her work. Gardening happened to be one of his mom's favorite hobbies when she wasn't in the lab. His dad had joined them after some prodding and pleading from his mom and with a promise to stop and buy more fudge on the way home.

He'd known it would be hard for him to return, but he hadn't realized how hard it was until now. It would never be the same.

Danny brushed off the memories with a scowl, trudging on through the park without a second glance. He didn't know exactly where Robin wanted them to go, but he had a pretty good idea judging from the complaints of his team. The only fast food joint in Amity Park was the Nasty Burger, and it would only take a few minutes to get there from here.

"Yo, Danny wait up! Where's the fire?" Cyborg called.

Danny turned to find the Team trying to catch up to him. He hadn't realized how fast he'd left in his effort to leave the memories of the park behind. Stopping to wait for them, he pasted a grin to his face, "Sorry, guys."

Amity Park was a small town. You could pretty much walk wherever you needed to go. All too often, Danny had run across the park to escape Dash and his gang. He could almost see his lanky 14-year-old body dashing across the park in his desperation to get away. He remembered having to always look at the ground in order to avoid stepping on his shoelaces, causing him to trip over his own feet. For some reason, they were never able to stay tied.

Danny cut across onto the concrete path once everyone had caught up to him. It would lead straight to the restaurant. It was sort of a backroad, and out of the way so the Titans wouldn't be noticed. He'd walked this route hundreds of times. It wasn't comforting that he still knew the way.

"Who is it again that you want to interview down here?" he asked, slowing down and falling into step with Robin. He figured that sooner they got what they needed, the sooner they could leave.

Robin was silent for a moment. His lips were pursed in concern, his eyes calculating. For a moment, Danny might have thought that he'd caught a glimpse of empathy on the boy's masked face before he opened his mouth to speak. "There's a few. Actually, one of the interviewees is supposed to meet us at the Nasty Burger."

"Dude!" Beast Boy yelled, stalling everyone's conversation.

Danny's eyes followed Beast Boy's arm to see that he was pointing his finger at the monument of none other than Danny Phantom. It was at least fifteen feet tall. The last time he'd seen it, Danny Phantom had stood proudly where he held the supposed earth with one strong arm. The other had been tightened into a fist, threatening anyone who would dare cross him. His face had been set in a smirk while his eyes held defiance, determined to beat the odds. Once upon a time, that was who Danny used to be. Proud and ready to protect, happy and naïve. Not yet jaded by life.

It mocked him.

The monument itself was now broken. It was chipped in a few places where people had thrown rocks. The earth sat next to it on the ground, shattered into hundreds of pieces. His name, which had been proudly displayed on the marble stone was now hastily covered in spray paint.

"Who is that?" Cyborg asked as the rest of the team drew closer to the statue. Danny followed behind, frowning.

"The only word I can make out is Phantom." Raven replied, squinting her eyes to try and make out the rest of the words. She soon gave up and walked around to observe it with the others.

"Please friends, why has it been destroyed?" Starfire asked in concern, hovering closer look at the face of the person depicted. Danny crossed his arms and remained silent, apprehension growing with every moment.

Robin was the one to answer, "I'm not sure, Star, but we'll find out."

"Why does it matter? He's not here anymore." His tone was harsh, but he couldn't find it in himself to care. This had gone on long enough. He turned his back on the defiled statue, trying his best to ignore the pairs of eyes boring into his back and sending his body on high-alert.

"Wait, you knew him?" Beast Boy's voice was incredulous, accusing. Danny turned back to the changeling with a nonchalant shrug, glancing at the statue wistfully.

"Who didn't?" he said, voice low, "He used to protect this town, but he's been gone a long time."

"Surely we can find this Phantom so that he may help us with our case, yes?" Starfire asked innocently. Danny felt his aura spark.

"No." he said, hoping that the shortness of his response would discourage the Titans from asking any more. He didn't have the energy for this. Not right now.

It must've worked, because after a few moments of quiet contemplation, the team continued their trek to the restaurant. Danny didn't let himself take anything in, instead letting himself focus on his own footsteps and keeping his body from betraying him. The prospect of running into anyone that he knew was both extremely likely and even more daunting. Amity was a small town, after all.

Danny could smell the Nasty Burger long before he saw it. That's how it always was. If he'd still been sixteen years old, he would've basked in the greasy scent of fast food. Now, it just made his stomach twist.

"Please tell me they have something other than meat." Beast Boy complained, dragging his feet dramatically across the grass. It was a welcome distraction.

Danny grinned despite himself,"Actually, they have an entire menu made specifically for vegetarians."

"Really? At a place called 'Nasty Burger'?" Robin asked, his voice filled with disbelief. Danny turned around to give the group that was following him a small, knowing smile.

"It's a long story."

Despite the Titan's shenanigans (Cyborg was complaining loudly about his grumbling stomach), Danny couldn't find it in himself to relax.

When the Nasty Burger finally came into view in all its glory, Danny froze in place. Suddenly, he was fourteen again. The memory of the blast flooded his mind, back to the day his future self plotted the death of his family, sealing his fate. He could see the tanks reaching their limit. His family and friends strapped down, looking at him through helpless eyes, his own hand reaching out in a feeble attempt to stop it from happening, even as he lay wounded in the middle of the street. The stench of smoke filled his nose as the tanks began to overheat. The sound of cackling laughter in the distance was maddening. His eyes locked on his mother's. He could hear himself shouting in desperation as he watched on in horror, unable to move, unable to breathe as the tanks blew up just before Clockwork stopped time.

"Are you alright?" the voice sounded as though it were coming from miles away. He clung onto it like a lifeline. He blinked, unclenching his stinging hands. They were shaking. Even from outside, the smell of grease was overwhelming. Quickly, he tamped down the urge to throw up. His skin felt clammy, and he knew he must've looked like a wreck. Robin had his hand on Danny's shoulder. He shrugged it off.

"I'm fine." he said, cursing his voice for shaking. In an effort to change the subject, he turned his attention back to the restaurant. The Nasty Burger was booming. Danny narrowed his eyes, "Looks like word got out that the Titans were coming to Amity Park."

The Titans followed Danny's gaze. The entire restaurant was buzzing with activity, and people had begun to point their fingers and shout in recognition from behind the glass. Raven sighed and pulled up her hood. Cameras were suddenly flashing and local reporters were running down to meet them. Danny turned to Robin with a raised brow. The boy wonder shrugged helplessly. Soon enough it was hard to even walk down the rest of the walkway. Every step there was a camera, or mic, or a face. Danny had to resist the urge more than once to throw a punch. Reporters had no sense of personal space whatsoever.

Then the questions began.

"Robin, is it true that you and your team are here on a mission?" One reporter asked before someone else shoved their own question at Robin, not allowing him time to answer.

"Is Amity Park in danger?" One asked and it was all they could do to shake their heads before another took its place,

"Detective Fenton, is it true that you are now an official member of the Teen Titans?"

Danny scowled before shoving the mic out of his face, ignoring the reporter.

"Does your visit have any connections with the recent raid over the remnants of FentonWorks?"

Danny stopped suddenly, floored. The reporter took advantage of his silence to push further,

"Detective Fenton, do you know who is responsible?"

"What is your relationship ties with the Titans?"

"Do you have anything to say about the Titan's involvement in Amity Park?"

So many questions were coming all at once but Danny didn't hear them. FentonWorks had nearly been destroyed, so who would raid it? And more importantly, why?

"Alright, alright people. Shoo. You'll all have plenty of time to ask questions at my press conference later this week."

Danny recognized the voice instantly, his eyes widening as he watched the figure on the hoverboard bark out orders overhead. The reporters began to grumble, but to Danny's surprise they listened, leaving reluctantly. The figure, who was clad in black and red, hovered over the ground before pressing a button on her wrist. The hoverboard retracted into her suit and her mask came off. Her expression was one of astonishment when she met his eyes.

"Danny."

It was almost a whisper, and he was glad for that. The truth was Danny hadn't told anyone when he'd left Amity. Of course she'd always been intelligent and eventually had found out where Danny was on her own, but his message had been crystal clear. He simply hadn't wanted to be found.

He looked back up at her with nostalgic eyes, giving her a small, sheepish smile. An emotion ran through him that he couldn't name. The past was something he hadn't wanted to face, and now he didn't have a choice.

"Hey, Valerie."


A/N: Hi, my name is Lux, also known as fanfiction user astrovagant. I'm the new co-author, but originally I was a beta! You can find me here on FFN, as well as on archiveofourown under the same username. I also have a DP tumblr spaectral!