Lord Pugsy here. I am going to stop guessing when I update new instalments as I keep going through writing frenzies and have already started three other chapters. I can promise though that there will be no longer than a week between each chapter. At the rate I am going, I may even get up to three chapters a week, or more. Be warned, this is quite a hefty chapter, so be prepared. I do not own Danny or the Titans or Disney Characters, only the story.
Numb. That is the only word that could describe how the Titans were feeling right now. They had never felt so helpless in their lives at how little they could do for Danny in the few days after he had crashed out of the sky. Even Jump had a glum atmosphere when they discovered the news of their injured hero; he had only been in the spotlight for a year, but the city loved their new ghost. The city clean-up was going better than expected; it appeared damage was limited to broken windows, fried circuits and a few ravaged roads, and the Titans were doing all that they could to help; anything to keep their minds occupied.
Raven had taken the first shift of watching over Danny on the fourth day; as she watched his peaceful state, she couldn't help but think back to the very first time the team had encountered Danny Phantom. It was the day they met the Puppet King.
Flashback:
"I don't want to be a puppet anymore." Whined Beast Boy, as he sat on the dais overlooking the cauldron, flames spitting out close to them.
"I know. No one gets to control my body but me." Said Cyborg, looking at his actual body guarding the Puppet King.
"Why would the little wooden man do this to us friend Robin?" Asked an upset Starfire.
"Guys, shut up! You're not helping. We need to figure a way out of this." Shouted Robin. As hard as he was trying to think of something, things looked bleak for the Titans. The only types of movement they could do was talk, twist their wooden heads and move their eyes. Despite Raven and Starfire coming to their rescue in each other's bodies, they too had been captured and had their souls transferred into puppets. "Raven. Can you think of anything? "
Raven shook her head. Her telekinetic powers were completely cut off from her, as were Starfire's star bolts. Only a miracle could save them now. That was when the room temperature dropped significantly, causing everyone to shudder.
"Robin." Said Raven. "I don't think we are alone anymore."
A green beam shot across the theatre, pinning Raven's body against the stage wall, with a green gag too. The other Titans' bodies experienced the same thing. Raven snapped her wooden neck round to where she could feel the cold presence at the back of the theatre, as the others starting whispering amongst each other.
"Hey!" Shrieked the Puppet King. "Who did this to my guards? Show yourself!" He said frantically.
"You know," came an echo-filled voice, silencing them. "I was looking for the Box Ghost, but I never imagined bumping into a possessed doll." Said the voice, chuckling. Everyone started to shiver at the bodiless voice echoing around the theatre. Whoever it is, thought Raven, let's hope it is benevolent.
"What are you doing here?" Demanded the Puppet King, worry seeping into his voice, as his eyes searched around the supposedly empty room.
"Oh you know, just hanging around." The voice said nonchalantly. " I am actually looking for an old acquaintance of mine. You wouldn't happened to have seen him would you?" Asked the voice. "Little blue guy in overalls? Obsessed with boxes? Shouting 'beware' to everyone?"
"Show yourself!" Screeched the Puppet King, waving his control rod around like a toy sword. The voice chuckled again.
"As you wish." A figure materialised above the cauldron, looking down. Everyone gasped; shock was etched across everyone's faces as they discovered the eerie voice belonged to a teenage boy with snowy white hair and glowing green eyes in a black hazmat suit. Raven faltered when she realised she couldn't sense anything from the boy. It was almost like he was dead.
"Who are you?" asked the Puppet King nervously.
"No one special really. Just a wandering Phantom looking for his fortune." Joked the mystery figure. With that, he disappeared again. Raven felt it get closer to where she and the other Titans were being kept atop the stone dais; she shuddered at the sudden coldness.
"Hey." Came the voice in a whisper. "You seem like the clever one here, even if you are a puppet. How do I stop Pinocchio over there?" Raven faltered at the insult. She wasn't sure whether or not she should trust this thing. She heard the voice sigh in frustration.
"Look, help me to help you. Or would you rather stay as a puppet for the rest of your life?" That clinched it for Raven.
"You see his control rod?" She asked.
"Mm-hmm?"
"Toss it into the cauldron. That will set us free."
"On it." Raven sensed the being move away and re-materialise again behind the Puppet King, swiping the control rod away from him and moved towards the flaming cauldron.
"Hey!" Cried the Puppet King. "What do you think you are doing?"
"I was thinking of making some smores." Smirked the boy, holding the rod precariously over the flames. "Do you have any marshmallows?"
"NOOOO!" Screeched the Puppet King as the stranger dropped it. Once it touched the flames, it disintegrated, causing blue light to escape from the puppets, returning the souls to their rightful bodies, as the Puppet King lay lifeless on the floor. When the Titans realised they could move again, they began to struggle against their binds, until they saw the white-haired stranger floating over to them.
"Easy, easy." He said, his voice no longer echoing. "This will go much faster if you don't struggle. Besides, if I wanted to harm you, I would have let termite head over there take care of you and not have intervened." Realising he was right, the Titans ceased struggling. After absorbing the green energy, the Titans began to stretch out their limbs, relieved that they were finally free.
"We owe you a debt of gratitude kid." Said Robin, scrutinising the boy and assessing whether he was a threat or not.
"He's right." Piped up Cyborg. "If you hadn't of shown up when you did, we would have been toast. Literally."
"But dude, who are you?" Asked Beast Boy in awe, staring at the white DP on the front of the stranger's suit. The boy smiled before replying.
"Phantom." He said, sticking out his hand. "Danny Phantom."
Raven's musing were interrupted at the arrival of Robin, who had come to take over. Raven had to be in the city as her powers had come in handy with lifting and disposing of rubble. Once she had left, Robin checked Danny's charts and smiled. Cyborg had done a good job; most of the broken bones had healed and his damaged organs were stabilised. As Raven had done before him, Robin couldn't help but think back to when they publicly acknowledged Danny as a Titan one year ago. It was that conference which caused him to put his complete trust in Danny Phantom.
Flashback:
The questions had been a seemingly endless and gruelling task. Danny was petrified; he had never been in front of so many people without one of them trying to shoot him or take him into custody before. If he hadn't of been in Phantom form, he probably would have fainted. After details of Danny's involvement with the Titans, who he was and what his motives were, every journalist and television crew were satisfied with the newest member. The Mayor even shook his hand and gave the team his blessing.
"Ok, last question." Stated the Mayor, looking out at the crowd of people in front of the City Hall. One lone hand arose from the front.
"Yes. This question is for Robin, leader of the Teen Titans." A powerfully built looking man said, with a smug expression on his face.
"Yes?" Replied Robin, apprehensive at what his question will be.
"How does it feel to have another freak on the team?" Asked the man. Uproar immediately followed; audience members were screaming profanities at the man and throwing bits of paper at him. Robin himself was bristling with anger, wanting nothing more than to whack the smug look off this guy's face with his Bo staff for insulting his team. Before he could do anything though, a hand tapped his shoulder. Robin turned to see Danny next to him.
"Hey. Mind if I take this one?" He asked. Robin was confused, but nodded his consent. Danny strode forwards to the end of the stage and floated a few inches, his toxic green eyes penetrating the obnoxious man.
"Freaks?" Asked Danny. "Is that what you see us as?"
The man faltered before nodding, growing increasingly uncomfortable under the ghost's intense stare.
"Let me tell you a little something about these so-called 'freaks' you so delicately labelled." Stated Danny, irritation starting to creep into his voice.
"We are no more freaks than you, or anyone else for that matter. Yes, some of us have powers and most people would look at these powers and see them as gifts. I am here to tell you that they are just as much a curse as they are gifts. To hold such power, and not let it go to our heads, is a burden quite frankly." Danny said looking at the man, but began looking at the crowd as a whole. He gestured to the Titans behind him.
"Starfire is an alien, as you are all aware of. An alien who has breath-taking strength and has enough power to level a city. An alien who is light years away from home. She doesn't use these abilities for selfish gains; she uses them to help people in need. She is the kindest person I have ever had the good fortune of meeting." Danny put particular emphasis on the word 'person'.
"Look at Cyborg." Danny started again. "Just because he is half robot, does not make him a freak. He is a technological genius who could take over the world using a standard PDA in a matter of minutes. Does he do this? No, he doesn't. He uses his genius to design security programmes for the city of Jump, making everyone's life a bit safer and more secure." The man was now starting to feel embarrassed at being told off by a teenager. But Danny was beyond the point of caring.
"Now take Beast Boy. He has unbelievable potential. You all know what he can do. He can transform into a freaking Tyrannosaurus Rex or a fire-breathing dragon if he wanted to. He could rampage through this city and would probably succeed at demolishing it. But he doesn't. He is far too concerned with keeping people safe to do this."
"Onto Raven. She has incredible power as a sorceress." Raven let a small smile slip at Danny's statement. He hadn't told them she was half-demon. "She could raze this city, and probably the world to the ground, repair it, and then do it again. But she doesn't. She uses her magic to help and protect her team and this city."
"As for me," Started Danny, his voice taking a solemn tone. Everybody felt their hearts tug at the sight of the sad boy in front of them. "I have been called every name under the sun. Some comical, such as 'whelp' and 'dipstick' and 'punk'; some annoying like 'Ghost Child' and 'little badger'. " Danny wavered before carrying on. "I have been called a 'freak', an 'abomination', a 'crime against nature' and a 'monster'." Danny paused and took a breath before carrying on.
"Maybe they're all wrong, maybe they're all correct. I don't know. Quite frankly, I don't care anymore. But there are three things that I know for certain. First, I am a ghost hybrid, and I am proud of it. Second, I am a protector, and I will do everything in my power to protect those I care about." He landed in front of the man who asked the question, having been reduced to a cowering husk by Danny's speech and unrelenting glare. With eyes glowing a brilliant green, Danny finished.
"And third." He paused for dramatic effect. " I. Am. A. Titan." The crowd erupted into an applauding frenzy as Danny flew back on stage and headed back towards his team. Robin smiled as Danny walked over to them with Cyborg, Beast Boy and Starfire rushing to give him a super-powered hug. He is worthy of being a Titan, thought Robin; he is one of a kind.
Robin had dozed off and didn't notice when Starfire entered the infirmary to take her turn watching over Danny. She smiled at the sleeping Boy Wonder and let him rest as she pulled up a second chair. That was one of the many things she loved about Robin; he was always thinking of others and putting other's needs before his own. She looked over at Danny's sleeping form as she thought back to when he had done the same for her when her sister Blackfire had come for a 'visit.'
Flashback:
Starfire was sat on the roof of the Tower, saddened that she had helped the Centauri Police arrest her sister. Despite it being Blackfire's fault, she couldn't help but feel upset that her sister had used her like she did.
"Starfire?" Danny's voice cut through her thoughts as he came over and sat next to Starfire, legs hanging over the edge.
"Yes friend Danny?" She replied, trying to sound her usual happy self, but Danny saw through it.
"What's wrong?" He asked. "Are you still upset with what happened with your sister?"
"I am. I am upset that she used me. I am angry because she made me feel unloved," Starfire started, before glancing at Danny's black eye. "And I am sorry that you were attacked trying to protect me." She felt her eyes begin to tear up. Before she knew it, Danny had pulled her into a hug and started to comfort the crying alien.
"It's ok Star. None of it was your fault. She acted terribly and the blame resides with her and her alone. You have nothing to be sorry for. A sister shouldn't do that to a sibling; I would feel lucky to have you as a sister." Starfire looked up with glistening eyes in surprise and joy.
"Do you really mean that friend Danny?"
"Of course I do." Said Danny with a sad smile. "After I lost my family, I didn't think I could ever grow close to anyone again. But after being here with everyone, I see them all as family. I see you as a sister Star and I promise to do everything I can to be there for you." This time it was Starfire who pulled Danny into a bone-crushing hug. Despite not being able to breath, he didn't pull away from the joyful Titan.
"And don't worry about the eye. It will heal in no time." Chuckled Danny. "Your sister packs quite a punch, but you pack a stronger one." Starfire felt as if a weight had been lifted after their conversation. As they left the roof, Starfire turned to Danny.
"Friend Danny. We all see you as part of our family too after everything you have done for us."
"Thanks Star." Danny said with a smile.
"Although I think friend Raven's feelings may be stronger." Starfire giggled as she left the now speechless and blushing ghost.
Beast Boy walked into the infirmary to relieve Starfire, when he saw Robin and Starfire cuddled up to each other fast asleep. He smiled as he remembered when they finally admitted their feelings for each other and how no one was remotely surprised. This however led to painful memories of Terra and what she had sacrificed when she took down Slade in the underground cavern. He still hoped one day that she could be revived. He took a picture of the couple before waking them up. They blushed when they noticed their positions and left without a word to the laughing changeling. Beast Boy brought out his stash of comics and began to read, taking the occasional glance at Danny. He couldn't help but think of how great it was when Danny joined the team; he acted as the peace-keeper whenever he and Cyborg got into food or video game fights.
Flashback:
Cyborg and Beast Boy were in the kitchen, and as usual, they were having an argument about what they should have to eat for dinner. Several glasses had exploded due to Raven getting annoyed at their constant bickering as she tried to read in the corner of the room.
"Meat."
"Tofu."
"Meat."
"Tofu."
"MEAT!"
"TOFU!"
"SHUT UP!" Roared Danny as he came up through the floor, startling the two boys. It had been three months since he moved in with the Titans and he was sick to death with the constant arguing; it kept bringing up painful memories of Amity Park.
"Now listen here, both of you." Danny started. "Out of the kitchen. Now. Tonight, I am cooking. And yes BB, I will be cooking Tofu." Beast Boy punched the air in victory and Cyborg looked like he had been slapped (which Danny was tempted to do).Before Cyborg could argue, Danny raised his hand.
"Cy, I know your views on tofu. In fact, I am pretty sure the whole of California knows your views on tofu. But you only hate it because you have never had it properly cooked. So tonight, we are eating my tofu. If you don't like it, I will go out and get you a pig and make you as many pork-based dishes as I possibly can. Deal?" Cyborg grumbled deal and left to go work on his car. Beast Boy was elated and went to spread the news that Danny had told off Cyborg. Raven put down her book and walked over to Danny.
"Do you think you can actually make that fake meat taste good enough for Cyborg?" She asked doubtingly.
"Yes." Was his only reply. His response may have been short, but Raven could sense the inner turmoil he was in thinking about the argument. She patted his shoulder and left to resume reading. That night, they tucked into a tofu only meal and everyone loved it, including Cyborg. Beast Boy couldn't believe that Danny had packed so many flavours into one dish; Starfire didn't even need to add any mustard. Robin was just glad that Danny could cook, as it meant they could have more meals in together instead of having to go out for pizza constantly or ordering take-outs.
…
"Grass-stain, you know you are no match for me." Taunted Cyborg, as he crossed the finish line first again. They had just bought a new racing game and Beast Boy was struggling to beat Cyborg.
"Hey guys. What are you playing this time?" Asked Danny as he walked in.
"The latest racing game that just came out. And you currently have the honour of watching me wipe the floor with BB here every time." Gloated Cyborg. Beast Boy just hung his head in embarrassment. Danny saw this and felt sorry for the green one. After eight months of living in the Tower, Beast Boy always struggled to beat Cyborg. He always got a kick out of watching Cyborg lose to Danny; Danny could beat them at anything, but he always wanted the satisfaction of beating Cyborg at something. So Danny hatched a plan.
"Fair enough. Come get me after and I'll play winner." Danny left the room, turned invisible and intangible and walked straight back in and sat next to Beast Boy as Cyborg went to get a drink.
"Hey. BB." Whispered Danny.
"Ah!" Squealed Beast Boy.
"Ssh, keep your voice down, otherwise Cy will hear us." Beast Boy nodded, still slightly startled. Danny carried on.
"I know how you can beat Cyborg." Beast Boy's eyes lit up at the prospect of finally winning.
"How?" He asked. Danny taught him some useful hints about cornering and when to brake. When Cyborg came back and restarted the game, Danny left and awaited the outcome.
"C'mon BB. Show me what you're made of." The race started and after the second corner, Beast Boy was in the lead. Cyborg was sweating as he struggled to catch up. Whenever he got ahead, Beast Boy would retake the lead at the corners. Finally, Beast Boy was declared the winner. Beast Boy smiled to himself at finally winning as Cyborg threw a tantrum, and at how great it was that Danny was with them.
Cyborg walked in as Beast Boy was finishing his last comic. Normally he would have playfully insulted Beast Boy, but he was in a far too tired and sombre mood from cleaning up the city to think of one. Beast Boy came to the same conclusion as he gave Cyborg a small smile and left to get something to eat. Cyborg went over to check the machines and Danny's injuries. He was pleased to see that the scar over his eye was clean; he would get to keep his eye and sight. Sitting in the chair across from the bed, he couldn't help but marvel at Danny's healing rate. It had only been four days since he crashed and here he was, almost as good as new. He sure is powerful thought Cyborg with a smile. I reckon he could even give the Justice League a run for their money, and he's only sixteen. Thinking about his power, Cyborg reflected on the time during Danny's first month as a Titan and what happened when they faced a certain vampire-like ghost.
Flashback:
Cyborg shot down all the missiles before they had a chance to hit them.
"Nice shooting Cy. Skulker's missiles fly stupidly fast, but you handled them brilliantly." Praised Danny as he sucked Skulker into the thermos.
"Not a problem man," grinned Cyborg. "These missiles have nothing on me."
Before he could say anything, Danny was hit by a pink ecto-blast, sending him into a nearby building.
"But what hope do you have against ecto-blasts my young, robotic friend?" Asked a vampire-like ghost who appeared above them with a Cheshire grin on his face.
"Who are you?" Asked Cyborg, aiming his sonic cannon at the ghost.
"My name is Plasmius. Vlad Plasmius. And I am-." He was cut off by a green ecto-blast to the face.
"A crazed-up fruit loop who seriously needs to leave me alone and get a cat." Finished an angry Danny.
"Why can't you just leave me alone? After everything I went through in Amity Park, why can't you just leave me be?!" Shouted Danny. They continued to fly through the sky, throwing and dodging ecto-blasts, with only a few on target. Cyborg felt helpless as he couldn't get off a clean shot without the possibility of hitting Danny. It dawned on him just how powerful a ghost can be.
"Because little badger," said Plasmius, dodging another green blast and firing several of his own pink ones. "You need me more than ever. I am the only one who can understand what you are going through. With me, I can magnify your power tenfold." Magnify? Thought Danny. He glanced over at Cyborg's cannon and then back at Plasmius. He realised he needed Cyborg's help to take Plasmius down.
"Cy, do you trust me?" Asked Danny, desperation in his voice. Cyborg looked at Danny and thought for a moment.
"Yes."
"Good. Now get both your cannons out and brace yourself." With this he shot some ecto-ice at Plasmius, freezing him solid. Before he could escape, Danny flew over to Cyborg and began charging his sonic cannons with ectoplasm until they were glowing green.
"FIRE!" Yelled Danny. Cyborg grinned and fired both his cannons at the half frozen ghost.
"Oh, butter-biscuits." Muttered Plasmius, before he was launched out of the city and into the next state by the cannon blast.
"BOO-YA!" Shouted Cyborg. "That was awesome. We have got to do that again."
"Definitely." Smiled Danny, giving Cyborg a high-five.
Cyborg was shaken from his memories when the machines monitoring Danny's heart beat began to rise. He couldn't believe his eyes; the readings were showing that his heart rate was back to normal as Danny began to writhe and twist under the blankets . He quickly pressed the emergency button to get the other Titan's attention as Danny opened his crystal blue eyes.
"Whoa. What hit me?" He asked groggily.
"Dude, the better question is what didn't hit you." Laughed Cyborg, relieved that Danny was finally out his coma.
"How did I get here?" Asked Danny, sitting up.
"You crashed down out of the sky a few days ago with enough injuries to put you in the morgue five times over. Welcome back to the land of the living man." Smiled Cyborg.
"It's good to be back, I guess." Said a confused Danny. "I do have one more question though, if that's alright?"
"Fire away." Cyborg had a few questions of his own, but he thought it better if Danny got his out of the way first. This was the moment the other Titans decided to come running through the door, overwhelmed and ecstatic at the sight of Danny awake and sitting up.
"Umm… Who exactly are you?"
Told you it was hefty. Sorry if it was a bit too long, but there was a lot of stuff I wanted to get down. Let me know if you want them made shorter or you are happy with this length. Until next time.
Lord Pugsy.