Lord Pugsy here. I think this is the chapter people have been waiting for. I do apologise if the previous chapters weren't to everyone's expectations, but I thought they were relevant to understanding the relationship between Danny and the Titans. I only own the story, not the Titans or Danny Phantom.
"Umm…Who are you guys?" Asked Danny nervously. The Titans stopped in their tracks, struck down by that one question. How could he forget who we are? Thought Beast Boy, tears threatening to spill. Then it dawned on Raven as she remembered the brain damage that Danny had fallen victim to. She gasped at this revelation, and shared a knowing glance between Robin and Cyborg; they had it figured it out too. Danny had no idea who they were anymore.
"Danny, we're your-." Danny cut off Robin as he began to panic.
"How do you know my name?!" Demanded Danny, eyes wide in fear. "Who are you? Where am I? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!" The questions were coming thick and fast as he continued to press himself into the wall as much as possible. "ANSWER ME!" He roared. Before the Titans could even respond, they froze in horror as Danny started thrashing on the bed, his eyes turning neon green. He started to rip out the multitude of wires and sensors that were attached to him; his super-strength bending the bed until it started creaking. Cyborg tried to hold him steady, whilst Beast Boy morphed into a gorilla and attempted to do the same, but Danny lashed out and sent them both hurtling across the room. He jumped off the bed and started towards the Titans, his face twisted like a wild animal.
"RAVEN!" Shouted Robin. "Pin him back before he hurts himself or us". Robin's words knocked Raven out of her stupor and shrouded Danny in a tight black shield, causing him to struggle against it.
"I can't keep this up Robin. He's too strong." Raven said, struggling to constrain the thrashing teen. "Cyborg, inject him with something quickly." Cyborg ran across the room from where he landed and prepared the strongest knock out drug they had at their disposal, and injected it into Danny's arm once Raven dropped a small section of the shield. However, this just seemed to infuriate the ghost even further as he began to bang on the now full shield with unrestrained anger and fear; thin, hairline cracks began appearing, shouting constantly at his supposed 'captors'. It wouldn't be too long until he would smash his way through; once that happens, all hell will break loose.
It's not working thought Robin, frantically trying to think of something to subdue Danny. He glanced over at Starfire who was silently crying, and a solution came to mind.
"Star. I need you to hit Danny in the head as hard as you possibly can." Said Robin.
"I can't" Sobbed Starfire, terrified of the raging boy in front of her. "I can't hurt friend Danny."
"Star, you need to. Otherwise he is going to harm himself even further." And us, as an afterthought. Starfire managed to control herself again, and flew behind Danny who was still thrashing; she prepared herself for when Raven would drop her safeguard.
"Raven." Ordered Robin. "When I say, drop the shield." Raven, buckling under the strain of containing Danny, looked at Robin and managed a nod.
"NOW!" Raven dropped the shield and collapsed from exhaustion; before Danny could realise what happened, Starfire struck him in the side of the head, rendering him unconscious. The Titans just stood there catching their breaths, whilst staring at Danny's unconscious form, wondering what on earth had just happened. Starfire then carefully lifted him up and placed him back on the bed, as Cyborg began to replace the torn pads and needles.
"Rae?" Asked a concerned Beast Boy, as he walked over to where she was on the floor, back in his usual form. "Are you ok?" Raven looked up into the worried eyes of the changeling and managed a small smile.
"I'm fine, thanks Beast Boy." She tried to stand, but was still too weak and promptly collapsed. "Umm, would you mind helping me up?" Beast Boy hooked his arm around Raven's waist, hauled her up and helped her limp over to an empty bed where she collapsed again.
"BB, could you do me a favour?" Asked Robin, in a hushed voice.
"What?" Robin motioned over to Starfire, who was staring down at Danny, tears flowing freely.
"Could you take Star out of here and keep her busy for a little bit please? I need to discuss some things with Cy, and I don't want her to hear anything. She's upset enough as it is." Beast Boy nodded and walked over to Starfire, taking her hand.
"Hey Star." Started Beast Boy, trying to stay strong. "How about we go to the kitchen and get some hot chocolate? It'll help you feel better." A silent Starfire just nodded as she allowed Beast Boy to lead her away from the infirmary. Robin watched them leave, his heart constricting at the sight of Starfire so upset; he knew she was a gentle soul, but seeing Danny so violent broke her heart. It broke all of our hearts thought Robin.
"Cy, what happened?" Asked Robin, his voice almost cracking. Cyborg made his way around the bed to the other two, still brushing himself off from his sudden visit to the far wall, before answering.
"I don't know Rob." Muttered Cyborg, sadly looking down at the unconscious teen. "I thought his brain would heal fine. His other wounds, even the crumbled wrist, healed perfectly. His lungs even appear to be stronger than they were before. Somehow, something hit Danny's head with such astonishing power, that memory loss has set in, despite the brain no longer having any contusions."
"Maybe we could try and contact Clockwork?" Suggested Cyborg suddenly, grasping at straws. "Maybe even Dani?" Robin smiled at the mention of Danny's 'cousin' Dani. The Titans had met her once before, a couple of months after Danny had joined them; she had seen the conference and raced to Jump. Everyone loved her, especially Starfire. She was highly confused and excited at the mini-Danny and Beast Boy had had hearts in his eyes.
"We have no idea where Dani is Cy, or even if she could help." Said Robin, raising his hand before Cyborg could start. "But we will do another conference to outline Danny's situation, and hopefully she will see it and come. She deserves to know what's happened to him." Cyborg seemed satisfied with this idea.
"As for Clockwork" Robin started again, bitterness clear in his tone. "You know what he'll say." Cyborg scoffed in response.
"Yeah. He'll just say everything happens for a reason and just be there for Danny." He said sarcastically. None of the Titans really liked the Ghost of Time; Danny had told them all about what happened with his future self, and they failed to see what the problem was if Clockwork helped him out a bit with Dark Dan. But Danny seemed to trust him, and so they put their faith in Danny and trusted his judgement. After an uncomfortable silence Robin turned to Cyborg.
"Listen," He started. "I was thinking that someone should stay with him for tonight, and I was-." Cyborg cut him off.
"Don't even think about it Rob. I will stay in here for tonight. Starfire needs you a great deal more than Danny does right now." Stated Cyborg, in an almost hostile tone.
"I know Star needs me." Countered Robin, with a smirk. "That's why I was going to ask if you could spend the night here."
"Oh. Sorry." Replied Cyborg sheepishly.
"Don't worry." Smiled Robin. "Just come get me if something happens."
"Deal." He watched Robin leave the infirmary and then turned back to Danny; he was already starting to bruise from where Starfire hit him. Cyborg didn't know what to make of everything that happened this evening. It just didn't make sense. Then again thought Cyborg, nothing about Danny made sense. Half human and half ghost? Who could possibly understand what was going on with him? Thought Cyborg pessimistically. Then his eyes widened in realisation. Raven. He quickly looked over to where she was lying, still drained from holding off Danny. Her eyes were red and puffy and hadn't left Danny.
"Hey." Cyborg softly said. "You ok Rae?" She just looked at him.
"No. But I will be." She got off the bed and slowly ambled towards the door, pausing only to take a final glance at Danny, and then Cyborg.
"Goodnight Cy." He gave a small smile as she left. He liked how Raven had begun using their nicknames; it showed that she really was seeing the team as her family. With that last thought, he got himself comfortable on the bed Raven just vacated and fall into a restless sleep.
Raven entered the main room to find Beast Boy and Robin drinking hot chocolate, with Starfire cuddled up to Robin fast asleep; her mug left forgotten on the table. Robin nodded at Raven as she went to the kitchen to make some herbal tea. Once she finished, she acknowledged Robin and Beast Boy with a small nod and smile, and went to bed, fiddling with her locket the entire time. Beast Boy turned to Robin.
"What are we going to do Robin?" He asked quietly. "What happens if he doesn't get his memory back?" Starfire stirred slightly at Beast Boy's question. Robin put an arm around her before responding.
"I don't know BB. I really don't." Sighed the Boy Wonder. "I think the only thing we can do, is to be there for Danny." Beast Boy just stared down into his now cold hot chocolate.
"Chin up man. We have to be strong. For Danny." Robin gently said. "We have to remember that even though we are having a tough time, Danny will be far worse. He is going to be very afraid when he comes to, and it's up to us to help him with all the questions he is bound to have, and to ease his fear. Remember how he was there for us during what happened with Terra?" Beast Boy mumbled a yes, fully aware of how depressed the team got. Danny had been an emotional rock for them during that time; always going out of his way to make everyone feel better (he had come onto the scene when Terra came back after running away to Slade). He had meditated with Raven, let Cyborg beat him at video games and helped him in the kitchen, sparred with Robin, went flying with Starfire (it was here when he promised he would give Starfire a hug everyday) and had therapy sessions with Beast Boy as he was impacted the hardest by Terra's fate.
"Ok Rob. I can be strong. For Danny." Said Beast Boy. "I'm off to bed now so I will see you in the morning".
"Good man." Smiled Robin. "Do you mind passing me a blanket? I don't think Star is going to want to move any time soon." Beast Boy stifled a giggle as he passed Robin a couple of blankets and pillows from under the sofa.
"Thanks." Said Robin. "Good night." The next couple of days are going to be hard thought Robin as he shifted his position under Starfire to get more comfortable; kissing her lightly on the forehead. Very hard indeed.
Robin's face disappeared into green and white swirls on the monitor in front of the troubled ghost, as he watched the unfolding events. You have no idea how correct you are Master Grayson, the ghost thought. The fates of both realms hang in the balance, and young Danny will need all the help he can get if he is to emerge victorious against the new threat plaguing us all.
Nowhere near as hefty as the previous chapter, but I think it is good nonetheless. The next instalment will include lots more action, drama and a surprise visit from a certain someone. Until next time.
Lord Pugsy.