Hey everyone. Lord Pugsy here. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed so far. I was not expecting such a fast response. Anyway, this chapter got done faster than anticipated as I already had a rough idea of what was going to happen. After this one, it will more than likely be a chapter a week as I have uni work to contend with, but I will aim to update as fast as possible.
Once again, I only own the story, not the characters.
Six Months Later
Six months was a long time to wait for Danny to return to the Titans. For the first couple of months, each of the Titans had their work cut out for them; Robin was mastering his new weapons, whilst training Beast Boy at the same time (which turned out to be far more difficult than the Boy Wonder anticipated). Starfire had destroyed the kitchen nine times trying to perfect her new dish; when she actually managed to create one that didn't want to make everyone throw up, her pet Silkie decided it would be a good idea to eat the recipe, causing her to have to start from scratch. Cyborg loved his new baby now that she was indestructible and shining like a diamond; by the end of the fifth month, he had just about beaten all of Danny's records aside from one, which was proving nearly impossible. Beast Boy started to really get into hand-to-hand combat with his ecto-gloves and had managed to use multiple animal forms whilst using them. However, the one who changed the most was Raven. It had only taken a month for her to get used to expressing her emotions (despite showing the same disposition towards Beast Boy when he was telling jokes), and she was enjoying it immensely. She realised how much she was missing out on before the locket; enjoying some girly time with Starfire and attempting to cook in the kitchen with Cyborg. However, after six months and not a word from Danny, she was struggling to keep her emotions in check and would have to meet with her emotions on several occasions just to calm herself down. Her worrying was becoming contagious and soon, all the Titans were starting to get the same feeling; even the usual happy and jokey Beast Boy was a bit sullen nowadays. To get their minds off of Danny's absence by the sixth month, they ordered a pizza with the usual veggie versus meat argument and watched a film.
Just as they were starting to relax and enjoy the film, the Tower started to shake violently as an earthquake struck Jump City with plates and glasses smashing everywhere. Luckily, Raven had managed to erect a black shield around everyone before any bodily harm was caused. Beast Boy was cowering by the now broken window and Starfire literally jumped into Robins arms, with an uncontrollable blush on his cheeks.
"Don't worry Star, it was just an earthquake. They happen from time to time. Nothing to worry about." Robin comforted Starfire with a smile. Just as she managed to calm down, they had a power cut causing her to scream again.
"Ssh ssh, it's ok. Power cuts are a natural thing to happen when there is an earthquake. The generators will start back up soon." Said Robin.
"Umm, guys?" Asked Beast Boy, still standing by the broken window, fear spread across his face.
"What is it grass-stain?" Jeered Cyborg, trying to lighten the tension. When Beast Boy didn't rise to the insult, Cyborg knew something was wrong.
"What's wrong BB?" He asked again, concerned.
"I don't think that is a natural reaction to an earthquake." Responded Beast Boy, pointing to the sky over the bay. Raven was the first to the window to check it out, and froze. Hanging in the sky was a massive electrical storm, with swirling black clouds and green lightning bolts striking the water, getting dangerously close to the city. The Titans froze helplessly as they gazed at the intense super storm. Before their very eyes, the dark clouds and green lightning began to merge into a mile large, emerald green vortex, slowly turning into a portal. Before they could ask, an explosion erupted from the portal with such ferocity, that its shockwave took out every window in the city, with debris raining down on everyone. The Titans weren't focused on the city though; they were focused on the last piece of debris which just crashed on to the beach in front of the Tower as the portal closed.
"Raven. Get us down there now. We need to see what's going on." Ordered Robin. Raven complied and surrounded everyone in dark magic and teleported them outside. The Titans were edging slowly towards the mystery object, when Raven sensed something and stopped abruptly.
"Stop!" She cried. Everyone turned to face her with confused expressions. "It's alive."
"Everyone, take up battle positions." Commanded Robin, extending his Bo staff, whilst Starfire lit up her hands with her star bolts and Beast Boy prepared his ecto-gloves. "Cy, scan it. We need to know what type of life form it is."
It's cold, whatever it is thought Cyborg, whilst scanning it. Far too cold for anything to be alive anyway. Once he finished scanning, his face dropped, and sprinted towards to the fallen object.
"Dude, what are you doing?! It could be dangerous!" Exclaimed Beast Boy.
"IT'S DANNY!" Cried Cyborg. Upon hearing this, the Titans raced towards the object, and stopping in shock. There, smoking in a large crater, was Danny in human form. He was covered in blood, his clothes were in shreds and many of his limbs were bent at awkward angles.
"Raven. Get us to the infirmary NOW!" Shouted Robin, as black magic was already enveloping the group.
The next hour was a blur as they cleaned up the infirmary and sorted out Danny. Cyborg hooked him up to several machines and discovered that his heart rate was only 17 beats per minute, half of what it should be for Danny; he was comatose. Cyborg ushered everyone out whilst he set to work, not wanting any distractions whilst he helped their broken friend. He did his best to clean him up without causing further injury to the ghost. When he was done, Cyborg hooked Danny up to an IV with essential fluids to aid the healing process. Thank God Danny was well prepared thought Cyborg as he injected some raw ectoplasm into the drip that he had stored away for emergencies. Danny had thought it would be a good idea to have a supply of ectoplasm around just in case something serious happened to him, which would require some extra help; the ectoplasm would boost his healing ability one hundred fold. Cyborg was glad Danny had suggested this, but was deeply saddened that he actually had to use it.
Cyborg called for the Titans now that Danny was done. They each crowded around Danny's broken form whilst Cyborg informed them the true extent of his injuries.
"He was in one hell of a fight, I can tell you that much." Said a saddened Cyborg. "He has forty-seven broken bones, including twelve broken ribs, a cracked skull and his right wrist being practically crumbled to dust. He has ruptured kidneys, a punctured lung, third degree burns down his right side and far too many fresh cuts and lacerations for me to want to count. The worst appears to be the one on his face." He brushed Danny's raven bangs from his face and the team grimaced at the deep gash going vertically over his left eye.
"If infection sets in, he could very well lose his eye." Stated Cyborg, a torrent of tears threatening to spill from his human eye. Starfire and Beast Boy had no such control as they were in floods of tears, clinging to each other. Robin didn't know what to think as he stared at his friend. How could anyone survive this? He thought morbidly. Everyone but Cyborg and Raven left Danny to his rest. Cyborg caught Raven's eye, nodded and left the infirmary. He, like the rest of the Titans, enjoyed the new Raven; the Raven who smiled more, who interacted with the team more (she only meditated once a day now) and joined in more conversations with the rest of them. He had also noticed that Danny was the reason for this, and he was eternally grateful to the ghost as his 'sister' was now an even closer member of the team.
Raven moved to the head of bed and placed a glowing hand on Danny's face, attempting to gauge any potential brain damage that might have occurred. She recoiled in horror as she realised the extent of the damage was more serious than what Cyborg was letting on; when (if) Danny ever recovered, he could have permanent brain damage. She placed a soft kiss on his forehead and left the infirmary. She entered the main room where Robin was in full on leader mode and giving the team instructions.
"Ok Titans, I know we are all worried about Danny, but the only thing we can do for him at the moment is just be there for him i-when he wakes up." Robin shuddered as he almost said if Danny woke up, but one glance at his team changed his mind; they really didn't need to hear anything pessimistic at the moment.
"But whilst we can't do much for him right now, there is plenty to do in Jump after today's events." He continued. "Now, as we can't do a great deal until Jump's maintenance crews are done stabilising the city's power, we will rest up tonight, and at dawn we will go into the city and do what we can to help out. We can take turns doing shifts staying in the infirmary, while the others are in the city; I don't want Danny waking up alone." Luckily Cyborg had rigged up a separate power cell to power the Tower in times of power-cuts, but the city wasn't as lucky. Beast Boy and Starfire just nodded, not trusting themselves to speak, and headed towards their respective rooms, their thoughts still on Danny. Cyborg, Robin and Raven headed back to the infirmary first before turning in for the evening.
"Cy, be honest now. What are his chances?" Asked Robin, preparing himself for the worst.
Cyborg glanced down at the ghost. "I don't know Rob. I can't give an accurate diagnosis. You know I'm basically in the dark when it comes to ghosts. And none of us know how efficient his advanced healing will be in his condition; I doubt it can make up its mind as to what needs the most attention." With a final sigh, and check of the equipment, he turned and left the room, leaving Robin and Raven. Robin looked over to the Dark Titan and saw the way she was looking at Danny and understood what she had already decided. He reached into a nearby cupboard and picked out some blankets and pillows and gave them to Raven. She gave him a silent thank you as he left the room. She pulled up a chair so she was next to Danny and tried to get comfortable, listening only to the beeps of the medical equipment, the only proof that Danny was still alive; she was determined not to leave his side. Before she could stop herself, for only the second time in her life, she cried as she fall asleep.
Just wanted to thank you all once again and I hope you are enjoying the story thus far after this second instalment. Some of you may be thinking that Raven seems to be acting a bit sappy at the moment, but have no fear. Later in the story, she will be back to her usual self of kicking villainous butt. I just really wanted to show an emotional and sensitive side of her, as most stories tend to emphasise her monotone voice and controlled behaviour and emotions. In response to a review, the next chapter will include some back stories of when Danny first joined the Titans. Until next time.
Lord Pugsy.