I don't own Monopoly, Life, or any other games mentioned in this chapter.
I woke up in an unfamiliar room. I opened my eyes and the light from an overhead lamp poured into my eyes. I sat up on the bed and looked around the room. The walls were a grey metal and devoid of any decorations. Aside from the bed I'm currently on, the only pieces of furniture in the room are a small table to the right of the bed and a machine measuring my heart rate on the left. All in all, it looked like a boring hospital room.
Whatever this hospital did they did a good job. I feel great, like really great. Better than I've felt in months, even though I just got hurt. It's almost like I feel complete. That's strange but I'm probably pumped full of drugs for the pain, so that could be the reason.
The door on the other side of the room slides open with a quite hiss and in walks Robin. "Good your up." He said as he walked up to the bed. How is he here. The Titans were nowhere to be seen when I was being pummelled by the H.I.V.E.
"Where am I? What happened? And how did you get here? How long was I out?" I asked.
"You are currently in the medical bay of Titans tower. You've been unconscious for the last 18 hours. You were in critical condition after your fight with the H.I.V.E. Cyborg had to patch you up after you received a missile blast almost point blank curtesy of Gizmo." said Robin. "The thing is when Cyborg scanned you to find how badly you were injured we found something strange." That doesn't sound good. "The scan picked a small device implanted under your right shoulder blade. Cyborg manage to cut it out of you and this is what we found."
He held up a small oblong device no larger than a half centimetre. It consisted of a black cylindrical object cover by a translucent green rock. "This thing is like nothing I've ever seen before. It took me awhile to figure out what it's made up of and I still don't know what it actually does. It seems to emit a constant low voltage electric current and it is covered in a substance called ectouranium."
That thing must be from when I was shot by the GIW as I was running from my home. Now it makes sense why my powers wouldn't work. The ectouranium itself would have disrupted my powers a little but add to that the constant electricity, it's no wonder I couldn't use them. The low voltage is probably the only reason I can weakly use some of my powers. The device is basically a long range, long duration Plasmius Maximus. It's lucky I got hurt or else it might never have been found, well as lucky as you can be if you get hurt. Wait if it's gone does that mean my powers are back?
I decide to wait until Robin isn't in the room with me, I am still a wanted criminal. After I've thoroughly examined the device Robin continued. "The thing is I started to wonder why a teenager would have something like this implanted in them. So I decided to do some research" I don't like where this is headed "and the results were quite interesting. But it also raised a few questions that I want to ask you Danny Fields, or should I say Daniel Fenton" Crap "like what is a kidnapped teenager doing alone by himself in the middle of a city halfway across the country from his family? Or why he hasn't tried to contact his family or help even though he's free?" said Robin, his voice taking a harder edge to it near the end.
I need to think up a believable story and quickly. If I could stall for time I might be able to think something up. "Have you told the other Titans yet?" I asked.
Robin shook his head while he said "No I didn't. I thought it would be best if they didn't know."
I've got something. I hope this works. "That's good. That way they won't be in danger."
"Why would they be In danger? Is it from Danny Phantom?" asked Robin.
"No they'd be in danger from the Guys In White." I said.
"Why the Guys In White? Aren't they the government?" He asked in confusion.
"They are actually trying to capture me." seeing Robins look of disbelief I said. "Just hear me out okay. I use to help Phantom and because I willing helped a ghost they consider it the same as aiding and abetting a criminal. The Guys In White will hunt me until they capture me and anyone who helps me or is close to me. That's why I changed me name."
Robin listened intently while I spoke. "So why haven't they captured your parents? They are close to you." Robin asked.
"My parents supply the Guys In White with weapons. They can't risk losing that. Also my parents are hunting me as well." Not a lie. They do hunt me as Danny Phantom.
"Look I don't care if you believe me or not I just ask that you don't tell anyone I'm here. I will even stop hanging out with the Titans so they won't be in any danger if you want." I said.
Robin thought for a few moments before replying. "Against my better judgement I'll allow you to keep hanging out with the Titans. For some reason they really like you and they'd probably be sad if forced you away from them. Think of this as my way of saying thank you for helping me realize I wasn't being a team player."
"Thanks." I said and I meant it. The Titans were really fun to be around. The crazy antics alone always cause my face to hurt from smiling too much. I could do without the lame jokes from Beastboy though.
With that Robin walked over to the door, opened it, and called out "He's awake." In walked the rest of the Titans with worried expressions on their faces.
"How are you feeling Danny?" asked Cyborg the worry evident in his voice.
"I'm fine. You guys patched me up pretty good." I said reassuringly. They didn't look like they believed me.
"We're sorry, you got hurt because of us." Said Raven with a hint of melancholy in her voice.
"I'm fine you guys. By the way what happened to the H.I.V.E. anyway?" I asked. I am curious, how did I even get here.
"We managed to capture them after you were knocked unconscious. It's a good thing we arrived when we did or who knows what might have happened to you." said Cyborg. "Right now they are enjoying a nice comfy cell in Jump City Penitentiary."
"That's good to hear. So doc, when can I go home?" I asked as sat up to full height.
"You could leave now, but it would be better if you stayed here so we could keep an eye on you" reported Cyborg. That's not good, now that Robin knows I'm Fenton I should spend as little time as possible with the Titans. I really should be leaving Jump City right now but I'm reluctant to do that. I don't want to leave and say goodbye to Slide, Kelsey, and the Titans. I knew this would happen but I still went against my better judgement. I'll just settle with distancing myself from the Titans for now.
"I really should go. I don't want people to worry about me." I said as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up.
"Are you sure dude?" asked a worried Beastboy.
"I'm sure." I said as started to walk towards the door. I was stopped by a small cough from Robin. I turned around to a group of red faced teenagers.
"Um Danny you should probably wait until you have clothes on." Robin said as he pointed towards my chest. I looked down and saw I was in a hospital gown. That had an open back. And I was just facing away from the Titans. Well this is embarrassing but it does explain the blushing.
My face immediately started burning from embarrassment as I grabbed the back of my gown and pulled it around me in an attempt to cover up more of my backside. "That would probably be a good idea." I said as I walked back to the bed and sat down. I made sure to always be facing the Titans the entire way.
"We'll go get them" said Robin. With that the Titans walked out of the room.
The came back 5 minutes later with my pair of freshly laundered and repaired clothing. I quickly changed and left the room. From there I was escorted out of the tower and on to shore. I said a quick goodbye the Titans and started walking through Jump City. The moment I was out of their eyesight I ducked into a nearby alley.
Now is the moment of truth. It's time to test if I really have my powers back. I close my eyes and feel for the cold inside of me. I open my eyes to see a bright white circle around my waist. It splits apart revealing Danny Phantom to the world for the first time in over 2 months.
I turn myself invisible and shoot into the sky. I do a few flips and corkscrews as I get used to flying again. I have to keep from from yelling from delight, it would look … well I guess sound strange for there to be a shout from the sky if nothing's there, but I'm elated. I've missed flying the most during my time without powers. The adrenaline rush plus the fact that I don't have to walk everywhere. Now I can get to work quickly, wait my work is destroyed.
I start flying towards the Coffee Bean. I land in a nearby always and turn visible again. I walk out of the alley and toward the Coffee Bean. The windows are covered in cardboard and one of the letters that makes up the sign is missing. It has definitely seen better days.
I open the door and walk inside. The place looks like a tornado went through it. Broken pieces of furniture are strewn across the ground and there are several holes in the walls. I see my manager Joel talking with a guy wearing a hard hat. At the sound of the door opening they look over at me. Joel said something to the guy in the hard hat before he walked towards me.
"Hey Danny" greeted Joel tiredly. He looked worse for wear with dark bags under his eyes. Having your restaurant destroyed by supervillains will do that to a person.
"Hi Joel. I just came by to check base about what will happen now." I said.
"I'm sorry to say this but things aren't looking good. Repairs are going to take at least month. During that time I can't pay you. I'm sorry." He said.
"Oh" was all I could reply with. I understand why he can't pay me but that doesn't make me like it less.
Joel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope. "Here, this is the money you earned since your last pay check. I shouldn't be doing this but I know you need it. I hope it helps." Said a solemn Joel.
"Thanks" I said as I took the envelope. Inside was five hundred dollars. That's not a lot to last a person for a month. Luckily I had just paid rent for the month with my gift from Kelsey's family but I still have to pay for utilities. Most of the money will go to that and whatever's left can go towards food. I'll be hungry for the next month but I can manage.
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I take back what I said about being able to manage. I'm really hungry right now and it's only been a day into my month of hunger. I decided that I would skip lunch for the month and try and stretch what I already have in my apartment as long as possible. The only things I hadn't considered were the facts that I'm a teenage boy, and teenagers are always hungry, and that Slide and Kelsey brought the nicest looking sandwiches I've ever seen. That could just be the hunger speaking though.
Slide and Kelsey wanted to know why I missed school yesterday. I was in the middle of telling them about my fight with the H.I.V.E. when my stomach decided to give away how hungry I was thanks to a loud growl. Maybe they didn't hear that.
"Danny are you ok? Where's your lunch?" Kelsey asked with a worried expression on her face. There goes my hope that it went unnoticed.
"I don't have one" I replied honestly.
"Here have some of mine" said Kelsey as she held out half of her chicken ceased wrap towards me.
"No I'll be okay. You don't have a lot so I don't want you to be hungry. I'll be fine." I said. The moment I finished my stomach decided to betray me for a second time. I wore an embarrassed smile as I looked into the unconvinced faces of Slide and Kelsey.
"If you won't split a lunch here take this" said Slide as he reached into his pocket and handed me a 10 dollar bill. "Go buy yourself something from the cafeteria." I opened my mouth to protest but he cut me off. "I won't take no for an answer." Slide said.
"Fine" I said in resignation. Standing up I walked to the cafeteria and bought myself a basic ham and cheese sandwich. I walked back to the garden and sat down in my spot.
As I started into my sandwich Slide asked "Why don't you have a lunch today? You always have a lunch."
Thankfully I'd already thought up a story in case this happened. "It's because the Coffee Bean is destroyed. My parents had to leave to take care of my grandmother that lives on the on there side of the country. She's really sick and she needs constant care. I didn't want to leave so I managed to convince my parents to let me stay. The only condition they gave me was that I had to feed myself. They're paying for the house and bills but I had to cover everything else. And with my source of income gone for the next month I decided not to have lunch so I could stretch what little money I have left as long as possible." I explained.
"Why don't you just ask your parents for a little help? I'm sure they don't want you to starve." said Kelsey.
"My parents made it clear that the moment I can't handle myself I'll be put on the next flight to my grandma's." I said.
"I guess that you'll need some help from us" said Kelsey as she got a nod of agreement from Slide. "From now on you'll come to dinner at my house until your work reopens."
"And I'll be bringing you a lunch on school days" said Slide. "And you will accept what we are doing for you." He said.
"Ok ok I'll accept" I said as I resigned myself to the situation. "Thank you guys. This means a lot to me." And now I feel really guilty. I lie to them and they offer to help me.
"Come to my house at the same time as last time, ok" said Kelsey.
"Sounds good" I replied. "That reminds me. I know this is short notice but do you guys mind if I borrow a few things from you?"
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I was led by a guard to through the prison. I am currently in Jump City Penitentiary. No I'm not under arrest, I'm actually here to visit the H.I.V.E trio I fought. I was brought by the guard to a visitation room. A desk and chair were up against the wall on the far side of the room. Above the desk was a large window that let me view another room. It had several small hole drilled through it to allow sound to pass through and a small slot at the bottom which allowed small packages to sent through to the other side. On the other side of the window was an identical room to the one I'm in.
I walked over to the desk and sat down. I only had to wait for a few minutes before the door in the room on the other side of the window opened. In walked the H.I.V.E. trio and they didn't look very happy to see me. "Did you come here to gloat." said an angry Gizmo. They hadn't changed much since our fight except for the fact that Jinx and Mammoth's hands were restrained. Probably so they couldn't use their powers to escape. They walked over and sat down on the chairs in their room.
"No, actually something said during our fight confused me or intrigued me, which ever you prefer." I explained.
"Oh, and what interested you so much" said a disinterested Jinx.
"When I joked about you not having a childhood, you suddenly became defensive. Which means my joke was closer to the truth than it should have been." I said.
"So what if we didn't have a childhood, their stupid anyways!" an extremely defensive Gizmo. I could tell that he didn't believe what he said.
"I'm guessing superpowers didn't exactly make you very popular. People fear what they don't understand so they probably shunned you, right?" They remained silent. "I'll take that as a yes but please stop me if I'm wrong. So you had to grow up quickly to fend for yourselves. Causing you to miss an important part of life. That's why I've decided to give you the childhood you've missed." I said as I stared into the surprised faces of the trio. They probably weren't expecting me to say that. Trying to fill the awkward silence I continued. "With so many thing restricted in prison I thought a good place to start would be board games during this visit and cartons next visit." I borrowed a few games from Slide and Kelsey after school today. "Let's see what I have." I started pulling things out of my backpack. "I've got a deck of cards, chess, checkers, snakes and ladders, monopoly, it takes a while but it's pretty fun, life …"
My ramblings were cut off by an angry Jinx. "Why are you doing this? Do you want to be the person who rehabilitated the dangerous criminals? Or do you think we're some sort of charity case?"
"I'm doing this because I want too. I think you three were robbed of an important part of your life and I want you to experience it." I explained.
"What if we don't want to do this." asked a still indignant Jinx.
"It's your choice. Just remember prison can get pretty boring and I'm offering something to do for an hour or two." I said.
"Alright" said a reluctant Jinx.
"So what would you guys like to play first?"