Hi guys I'm sorry that this took so long to write. Life's been a little crazy but you aren't here to hear excuses. Hopefully I'll be able to get back to weekly or at least biweekly update. Also Mimi1012 asked me if I would answer question. Sure I'll do it if you guys want me to. If you have a question please ask me. Just make sure if your asking in a review to indicate that you have a question you want answered. Thanks and enjoy the chapter.
I was bored. It had been an hour since I had been brought to Titans Tower and nothing has happened. I had been brought to the same room I recovered in after my fight with the then villainous H.I.V.E trio. It had quickly been converted into a mock interrogation room. The bed had been wheeled out and a table and chair had been brought in. I was currently sitting in the chair, hands cuffed to the table, and staring at a few small scratches in the wall.
Ugh. This is taking forever, I know they have to make sure Robin's alright but he just got hit in the head. It's not like he's undergoing surgery or anything. If I knew it was going to take this long I'd of phased through the handcuffs the moment they left me alone. I could be in the next state by now.
Who am I kidding, I wouldn't leave. The Titans deserve some sort of explanation. I am their friend so I'll tell them my story even if it might hurt me. Then I can phase through the handcuffs and make my escape.
I've come up with a course of action, now if only something would happen. As if hearing my thoughts, the door opened and in walked Raven. She walked over to the table and stood behind it while staring at me with an unreadable expression.
We stared at each other for a few seconds before I finally got up the courage to speak. "So why am I here?" I asked. I'm pretty sure that it's because I'm a wanted criminal but this way I can find out how much they know.
"I think you know why." Raven replied. She's good, a short answer that gave me no information. I'll just have to try again.
"I'm not really sure. Shouldn't I be told what I'm being charged with. Also what about being read my rights or asking for a lawyer?" I continued with my innocent act.
Pulling out a price of paper from inside her cloak, Raven started reading it aloud. "It says here that you are being charged with kidnapping by the Fenton's; and identity theft by the Guys In White. Also lets not forget the outstanding charges of theft and assault. I'd say that's enough to warrant an arrest. Hence why you're here."
That's more than I thought there would be. I can't believe the I'm being charged with theft and assault. Those incidents happened two years ago and my innocents has partially been proven. If the charges are still there that can only mean the GIW kept them valid for some reason. But why?
As I was in deep contemplation, Raven returned the piece of paper to the spot in the cloak. As she raised her head she, the hood of her cloak slid back just enough for the light to reveal her face. As it did I noticed a small glint of light coming from the left side of her face. There was a small metal earpiece in her ear. That means she's listening to someone while she's talking to me. I instantly connected the dots.
"Robins telling you what to say. Isn't he." I stated. Raven tried denying it but her surprised reaction was all the proof I needed. It makes sense. Raven probably wouldn't be that thorough. Sighing I said, "Just bring him in so he can talk to me directly. While your at it why don't you bring in the rest of the Titans and the H.I.V.E. trio if their here. I think they should hear what I have to say."
"Alright, I'll go get them" said Raven after a moment of hesitation. She left the room and returned wheeling a bed carrying Robin while being followed by the rest of the Titans and the H.I.V.E. trio.
The parade of people entered the room and Raven wheeled Robins bed beside the table while the rest of the group circled around the bed and table. Robin was awake and glaring at me but I couldn't take him seriously with the bandages surrounding his head.
"You're gong to tell us why you're here. Why Slade wanted you. And most importantly, why you were impersonating our friend." ordered Robin as he continued his ineffective death glare.
"It's a long story" I said.
"We have time" said Robin.
"It all started two years ago when my parent built a ghost portal that didn't work. The idiots put the on switch on the inside. And me being the child of those same idiot decided to go inside that same ghost portal to fix the problem." From there I told them everything. From the first few months where I struggled to control my powers, to my battle with powerfull enemies. I told them about my victories over ghost and the mistakes along the. I told them every detail no matter how ugly. It was actually kind of nice to get the secret off my chest. Sure Sam, Tucker, and Jazz knew it but Sam and Tucker were there when it happened and Jazz figured it out. I've never actually told someone about my secret until today.
"And then the Guys In White showed up at my house ready to arrest me for no reason other than I was a ghost. I ran and since that day I've been running ever since. This is the first place I've settled down in for long but I can leave. The only thing I ask is that you don't turn me into the Guys In White. I don't want to turn into one of their experiments" I pleaded.
"We are going to talk this over." said Robin carefully once I finished. With that everyone but me filed out of the room. Well Robin got pushed out but that's besides the point. Once they'd left I phased through the handcuffs and stood up before walking towards one of the walls. I was about to phase through the walls and be free when I stopped.
What if the Titans believed me and didn't tell the GIW about me being Danny Phantom. I wouldn't have to run and I could stay in Jump City with my friends. Then I wouldn't have to live in constant fear of being found out. I might even be able to find a way back home. My real home in Amity Park where my family and two best friends are. But what if the ignore my request and turn me in. I'd need to leave now or turn into a ghostly guinea pig. What should I do?
My indecision cost me. The Titans returned, this time without the H.I.V.E. trio, and the walked in on me staring stupidly at the wall one hand partially outstretched towards it as I tried to make a decision.
"How did you get out of the handcuffs?" demanded Robin.
"Well you see I was sitting there when an escaped circus monkey climbed in through the window and hid under the table. A few seconds later two clowns climbed in as well and asked me if I'd seen a monkey. Taking pity on poor Abu I told them I hadn't seen one and the left. As thanks Abu picked the locks on the cuffs before he left." I replied.
"Wow. I would like to meet this Abu of the monkeys" exclaimed Starfire excitedly as she clasped her hands together. Everyone, including me, gave her looks of disbelief.
"Starfire, I was joking. I actually just phased through the handcuffs" I said as Starfire looked dejected.
Ignoring Starfire, Robin continued his interrogation. "If you could set yourself free at any time, why did you wait so long to do so? You could have left the moment you got here and you wouldn't have had to tell us anything." asked Robin.
"I don't know" I answered honestly as I pondered his question. After about twenty seconds of thinking I said "I guess I was just tired of running and of fearing that I'd be caught. I guess I was hoping that you guys might accept me. So was I right?" I asked semi hopefully.
"After hearing your story, decide not to turn you on" said Robin. Relief washed over me after he said that. "You've done more good than harm, sure you've made a few mistakes but we all have."
"And you don't have to worry about the whole half ghost thing" piped up Cyborg. "I'm half robot and you aren't weirder than that." said Cyborg as he flexed his mechanical muscles.
Relief washed over me after they finished. "Thanks guys" I said. "I really appreciate that. Not many people accept ghosts."
"We only have one more question for you." said Robin. "Do you want to be a Titan. Your experience and powers would be invaluable to the team."
"I'm sorry but I can't." I replied. Cries of surprise came from the group and I think I heard Beastboy say "Come on dude". When they finally quieted down I continued. "The moment I fight with you the media will report that I'm a Titan and my enemies will track me down. Not to mention the Guys In White will start investigating you because you are fighting alongside ghost scum" I spat out bitterly. "I don't want you guys to have to go through that. That's why I'm declining your offer."
"Do you really think we care" said Raven. "Yah man, we've gotten bad press before." said Beastboy. "Beastboy definitely knows about bad press." joked Cyborg. "His attempts at flirting made the news once."
"Hey, it was one of those celebrity gossip shows. It wasn't the real news" shouted an indignant Beastboy.
Before Cyborg could respond, he was cut off by Robin. "Are you sure you don't want join the Titans. What everyone said is true, we don't care about that stuff. If we did we wouldn't have asked you in the first place."
"I'm sure. I'm sorry but I won't be joining the Titans" I replied. I was really tempted to accept the offer. It would give me a chance to become a hero again but I couldn't do it. Apart from what I told the Titans I've also enjoyed the lack of responsibility that comes with just being a normal, sort of, teenager. And I know that at one point my hero complex is going to force me to become a hero again, so as selfish as it is, I want to enjoy the time until that happens.
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Evening had come and the sun was starting to dip blow the horizon. Orange light bathed Jump City causing everything to gain a golden glow. I flew invisible above the city, passing golden buildings and parks while on the way to my apartment.
I was ready to go home. Thankfully after my little interrogation the Titans let me leave. The events of the day coupled with revealing my secret, had left me emotionally and physically drained. I can't wait to just crash on my bed.
I reached my apartment building and I decided to forgo walking up several flights of stairs. I phased through the wall and into my apartment. Not bothering to take off my shoes or change I flopped onto my bed and instantly I was asleep.
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I was back in Slade's cave; a place I'd been only a few hours earlier. Everything was dark except for the wall of monitors which displayed static. As I look around at the currently dead machinery I heard the sound of a click behind me. Turning around I noticed that a spotlight had turned on. In the small ring of light was Slade, currently spread eagle in the same restraint I was in before I was rescued. Curious, I walked over to get a better look.
When I stepped into the circle of light Slade spoke up. "Here to admire your handiwork." he said with a hint of bitterness and malice.
"What handiwork?" I asked slightly confused.
Slade let out a cruel laugh. "You don't remember. And it just happened too. If you want to know, remove my gloves" Slade said.
I nervously reached out and grabbed the glove on his right hand. Giving it a slight tug I pulled it off and immediately I let out a gasp. Where Slade's should have been was just creamy white bone. All of the muscle and skin was gone. I recoiled in disgust.
"What's the matter. Not enjoying the results of what you've done" Slade said mockingly. While speaking Slade broke the restraints holding him and started walking towards me. As he walked his suit started disintegrating, revealing even more pale bone until Slade was just a skeleton wearing a helmet.
"But I didn't do this to you" I cried as I desperately tried to get away from Slade.
"You kill me and don't even feel remorse. Your are a monster with no feeling. But I can't entirely blame you. I've heard ghost can't feel." Slade said cruelly. Then he started growing taller. As he grew, I watched in sick fascination as organs and muscle started growing followed by a pale, skin that seemed to glow with supernatural power.
"I'm not like that. I swear." I pleaded.
"Oh you are like that. That's why you should join your kind, in hell." With that Spade lifted his leg and stomped it down into the ground. Cracks formed around me and the ground under my feet gave way.
I jumped to the side in a desperate scrabble to grab something, anything to keep from falling. I managed to grab a small indent in the wall of the newly made hole but my fingers were already feeling the strain. Glancing down I noticed that a swirling green portal opened up a few feet below me. Several skeletal hands out came out of the portal and latched onto my ankle.
"Somebody help me" I yelled. "I swear I'm not like that." I looked up and saw Slade staring at me behind his mask with a cold glare. He then stomped on the ground again. The piece of rock I was holding onto crumbled and the hands around my ankles dragged my down. Down towards the depths of hell.
I woke of panting heavily and drenched with sweat. It was just a nightmare. I glanced over at my digital clock which read 2:17. I was about to go back to sleep when I shoot upwards. I had killed somebody.