"Not the power to remember, but it's very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition for our existence." - Sholem Asch
Titans Phantom
Ch.1: Forgetting the Final Exam
The dream was always the same. It happened every night, always the same time, and every night Danny was awoken drenched in sweat and uncontrollable shaking. This night was no different. Silently he stood, stretching his back as he headed to the bathroom for a shower. As the water heated Danny stepped out of his night pants, he had long since given up the use of a shirt– seeing as how he always managed to rip apart the cotton fabric– and stepped into shower letting its scolding heat wash away the dream. So that Danny could begin his day. For a little over a year now this was his routine: he would wake, shower, dress, and by six be out the door heading to the park for a run.
The morning air was crisp and cool for a Californian day, much to Danny's pleasure. He always found it easier to run in colder weather, most likely due to his ghost powers but still, he didn't complain. Coming around a bend the sun peeked higher in the sky casting light right on Titan's Tower, illuminating it for all its worth, and if anyone other than Danny was there, they would have stopped and awed the sight. But for him it was only a symbol of hypocrisy. The dream steadily worked its way into his vision and Danny had to use all of his strength not to fall onto the concrete and let it take him over. He kept running. He didn't need this pain, gah! Stupid Titans! Stupid Titan's Tower! He was running along the beach now, silently cursing Vlad for requesting he live in Jump City… well not really. Danny would never admit it, especially to the fruitloop but in truth, Danny was grateful for letting him leave, to not stay in Amity Park living with Vlad. It made keeping his promise easier, sometimes, most days Danny just tried to get by. He was nearing the next curve that would take him past the beach and back on Main Street when suddenly he heard a loud boom, followed shortly by a scream that sounded like it was coming directly above him.
"Shit!" Danny screamed as he quickly did a back flip to avoid being crushed by a giant hunk of metal that hit exactly where he had been. Granted the impact wouldn't have killed him, but try and explain that to the guy who almost fell on you. Wait a guy? Danny did a double take before he realized that this was the teen named Cyborg from the Teen Titans. 'Oh my day keeps getting better and better,' Danny thought, watching Cyborg grumble as he pushed himself up into a sitting position.
"Oh, man what hit me?" Cyborg asked.
"Concrete, and sand." Danny added as an afterthought.
The answer caused Cyborg to jump, literally, for he hadn't known there was a person standing not two feet from him. Least of all a teen wearing a long-sleeve black shirt, and dark blue jeans that covered his black combat boots giving him an overall gothic appearance, yet none of this caught Cyborg's attention, no, what caught him were the teen's eyes. They were a pale crystalline ice blue. The kind that made every being no matter what age, gender, friend or foe, stop to stare into their depths. Cyborg didn't know how long he'd been staring but he mentally shook himself awake when he noticed the teen bend down and proceed to wave his hand in front of his face.
"Quit it." Cyborg said annoyed, and a little bit flustered.
"Oh, good you speak. I was afraid you'd gotten brain damage from just sitting on the ground." Danny said sarcastically.
'Okay now that's just cold.' Cyborg thought. But something else dawned on him. Why was this kid out here in the first place?
"Hey what are you doing out here anyway? Besides insulting my brain," he asked.
"Running; and if you don't mind I'd like to continue."
And with that, Cyborg watched as the strange kid with ice for eyes continued his run. Slowly Cyborg stood brushing off the sand that still clung to his form but none of that mattered. No, what mattered was that kid who had looked at him not with awe, or concern, just disdain and fear? Cyborg wasn't sure what that look was about, maybe he'd just startled the kid but Cyborg was pretty sure that wasn't the case. Ugh, today wasn't good to be a good day. Cyborg thought as he headed back to the Tower, making a mental note to never try and teach Starfire wrestling again.
Danny made sure not to stop, to not look back, to just run. He'd actually met one of those so called heroes and what was worse, was he had actual stuck around to make sure that idiot was okay! 'Stupid hero complex, why can't you just leave me alone,' Danny thought annoyed deciding to mentally picture his hero complex as a chibi, proceeding to then pulverize it with a sledge hammer. No, today wasn't going to be a good day. Sighing, Danny stopped in front of his store pondering the pros and cons of just keeping it closed for the day, and to wander aimlessly around town, but Danny thought better of it. For his family's faces were dancing behind his eyelids, and if he wandered, he would only end up home staring at their picture by his mirror. And that was something Danny wished to avoid, so he unlocked his store, which also was his house, but only he knew that, and switched the closed sign to open, waiting for the day to begin.
Meanwhile at Titan's Tower, Cyborg was having similar feelings. First, he'd gotten his butt kicked by Starfire at wrestling and now Beast Boy just had to go and lose the remote… and his toothpaste, and his football, and the waffle iron, things were not looking well.
"Things disappear, how am I supposed to know where they go?" Beast Boy said indignantly.
"How am I supposed to watch TV without a REMOTE?" Cyborg screamed. Sometimes he really wanted to strangle the little grass stain.
With this, a pale girl in dark blue cloths stood, snapping here book shut in annoyance, sometimes she'd just wish these two would stop acting so childish.
"Simple, you get up and change the channels." Raven said her voice revealing nothing to her emotions.
Quickly an argument pursued, Beast Boy defending what was left of his pride, Raven arguing that the argument was pointless, Cyborg just wanting his remote. Robin, who had entered with Starfire, was currently trying to defuse the situation while Starfire went to go bring the 'unhealthy foods to mend this problem'. Unfortunately, the fridge was currently growing some blue fuzzy mold that liked to scream at people, prompting Starfire to blast it with her star-bolts getting the wonderful substance all over herself, and the rest of the Titans, along the entire kitchen.
As the Titans all looked at the stuff dripping down from the ceiling in disgust, Robin in the middle of the group, offered a simple compromise, while trying not to vomit at the horrendous blue sight.
"Maybe, we should just go out for pizza," he said a particular large piece of blue goop dripped down from the ceiling and onto his arm. Everyone agreed.
It was nearing twelve and Danny was starting to get hungry. Looking at the clock he decided to wait a few extra minutes for all of his customers to finish what they were doing. They all knew he closed up shop from twelve to one to allow people, and him, lunch.
"Okay, I'm closing up in five, so if you want to buy something I suggest you do so now." Danny said. Four of five customers came up to ask if the books they wanted were for sale, while the rest of the customers simply filed out, one girl even switched his sign to 'closed' for him, which he was grateful for. Books paid for, store locked up, Danny headed out to lunch. Walking down the street Danny decided that he was in a pizza mood today, after all, he did run into a freakin' Titan. Or more like Cyborg just had to 'drop in' on him. Danny chuckled at his bad joke, it'd been a long time since he'd made one, if only to make fun of the hero. The day steadily started looking brighter, but as fate would have it, that didn't last long for once he walked past the clear white doors leading to the outside awning, there, sitting at the far table, was none other than the 'heroes' themselves. Danny abruptly did a one-eighty, prepared to head right back out the doors when over the all other conversations you heard Cyborg yell,
"Hey you! Ice guy!"
Everyone froze, Danny praying that Cyborg wasn't talking to him, the Titans all trying to figure out who the heck Cyborg was yelling at. "Uh, Cyborg who are you talking to?" Robin asked. "Him the guy with messy black hair," he replied.
At this point Danny knew there was no possible way to escape except nod and say hello, and then proceed quickly as possible out the door, or if need be jump off the roof, it was only a two story drop, perfectly manageable in human form. Because now the rest of the Titans had a perfectly good idea of which teen 'ice guy' was. Danny turned around and made his way over to the Teen Titans, looking as if life itself hated him.
"Yes," Danny asked careful not to sound rude.
"Um, I just wanted to say thanks man for making sure I was okay, Star really let me have it." Cyborg said a little flustered.
"I wasn't making sure you were okay, I was making sure you didn't try and nearly fall on me, again," and with this Danny finally met Cyborg's eyes and everyone quickly realized why Cyborg had called him ice guy. At Danny's statement Cyborg quickly turned red.
"Oh, well thanks anyway." He said.
Danny couldn't help but sigh, he'd been rude. Granted Cyborg deserved it, after all he and friends were sitting here playing 'hero' but he didn't need Danny's frustrations taken out on him. Danny reigned in his emotions and tried again.
"Anyways, is there any other reason why you called me over?" Danny asked, and with this Starfire jumped at the opportunity.
"Yes, what is your name? Do you live here? What is your favorite color? And would you like to be my friend?" She asked somehow turning four questions into one.
Danny found himself sighing yet again. He didn't have time for this; he didn't have time for them. He glared at Starfire who looked as if she'd been frozen to the spot.
"Danny, yes, don't have one, and not really."
Danny's voice was clipped and with each answer Starfire seemed to draw back, as if his very words where stabbing her. Silence descended upon the table, Starfire now refusing to meet the strange boy's eyes once more, for in him she had seen such vivid pain.
"Dude, you didn't have to be so heartless." Beast Boy said.
This was the wrong thing to say, for Danny turned his gaze now on Beast Boy, who animalistically shrunk back in his chair from the look of fire in Danny's gaze.
"I Am Not Heartless." And with this Danny turned and left the pizza place, his appetite long forgotten, leaving behind five stunned teens. Half-heartedly Cyborg and Beast Boy began bickering over a meat or veggie pizza but everyone could tell they weren't into it. Their thoughts were all on Danny. Unbeknownst to them someone was locking onto their signatures; they were alone now, the mission could be initiated.
"This is Gizmo to Jinx, begin phase one."
And with this a pale Goth girl dressed in a black witch dress with stripped purple and black stockings, with bubble gum pink hair tied into two ponytails the same color as her catlike eyes, released pink magic from her hands causing the parked bus to move forward down the incline, towards a small stroller in the middle of a cross walk. Quickly the Titans leapt into action, Starfire flying down moving the stroller out of the way as Cyborg stood in front of the bus, it hit him dead on, his force bringing it to a stop as Raven put it back into park.
"Um, don't buses usually have drivers?" Cyborg asked confused.
"And don't baby carriages usually have babies?" Robin asked who was standing over the carriage with Star and BB. And quickly the Teen Titans fell into a trap.
Danny hadn't even made it three blocks when he saw the bubble gum girl move the bus, down the street towards a baby carriage. At this Danny's first instinct was to save the child, he tensed, his muscles ready to move, when he froze. Why was there a baby carriage in the middle of the street with no mother? Unless— the Titans quickly arrived and saved the baby along with the halting the bus, it was then Danny watched as Robin and the others were quickly blasted back by a green teddy bear— it was a trap. Two minutes. Give or take that was all it took to defeat the Titans. Danny watched as Cyborg had a rocket strapped to his back and zoom off into the air, Starfire chasing after him. Danny made a mental note to watch where he landed, and make sure it wasn't on him. He watched as Raven was beaten by bubble gum, and pipsqueak, Beast Boy getting thrown around like a football by Mammoth until only Robin was left standing.
Danny had to give the kid credit, he wasn't going to go down without a fight, but it still wouldn't be enough. And Danny was right, he watched as he was attacked by Gizmo, Jinx and Mammoth, they all worked as a team to destroy the very ground beneath Robins feet.
Fear overwhelmed Danny; he ran forward not even checking to see if anyone was looking at him. He felt his power surge forth, drawing up two blue rings around his body, both travelling in opposite directions until who remained was a teen with snow white hair and glowing green eyes, with a white symbol carved on his uniform. His transformation lasted only seconds but to him it felt like an eternity, because Danny couldn't let Robin die. Not like his family, not like Sam. Danny quickly went intangible and flew down into the sewers searching for the Titans' leader.
Raven and Beast Boy watched in horror as Robin fell into the gaping hole in the street. "Robin!" Beast Boy yelled, quickly trying to make his way down into the water depths. Raven cut him short, pulling him back from one of Gizmo's attacks. She continued to pull him back. "What are you doing, Raven? We have to save Robin! Let me go!" Beast Boy yelled as she and Beast Boy dodged another wave.
"We can't. We need to leave; remaining here will only result in our deaths." She said. But Raven's voice was straining to remain calm as her desire to search for her friend took hold of her heart.
"We can't leave Robin!" Beast Boy yelled again. This time the two Titans weren't so lucky, as Mammoth threw heavy street pavement at them, narrowly missing Raven and clipping Beast Boy in the leg. He howled in pain as he and Raven ducked behind a forgotten car.
"I know, but Beast Boy I can't sense Robin's presence here anymore. I-I can't sense it anywhere." This simple statement caused Beast Boy's blood to run cold. Raven couldn't sense Robin, she stammered, she was afraid, Raven was never…
"Okay, let's head back to the tower." Beast Boys voice came out hollow; finalizing what Raven had just spoken. Silently she nodded and turning into a black bird, encompassed Beast Boy and dove into the earth racing home, away from the three who had just taken away their leader, and friend.
Danny hadn't been searching long. He found Robin half buried under a pile of rocks, the murky water surging all around him. He was unconscious; acting quickly Danny phased Robin out from under the rocks and laid him down in one of the smaller adjacent tunnels. The Titans leader looked a little worse for wear, his uniform was torn around the corners of his mask, his belt was gone, and a chunk of his cape was missing, and he looked more or less like the color of mud. Danny took care of that first, turning both of them intangible to wash the offending substance away and to prevent Robin from getting sick from the sewer water. Next was the head injury, which didn't look as bad now, he'd have a bruise but had no concussion and the rest of his body would be sore from the fact that he'd been buried under street rocks. But Robin was alive and that was all that mattered to Danny, he hadn't failed to save him, Robin hadn't died. Relief flooded through his system at this thought and he began contemplating leaving when he heard three pairs of footsteps drop into the sewers, and they definitely didn't belong to any of the other Teen Titans. Danny quickly turned both him and Robin invisible just as Jinx round the corner.
"I don't see Robin anywhere, nor do I sense his presence." She stated.
'Huh' Danny thought. 'When I make myself invisible I mask my presence as well, neat.'
Danny watched as the three teens continued to patrol the area.
"C'mon let's get out of this crum-sniffen place, it makes my nose want to fall off my face." Gizmo said his beady eyes watering at the offending smells, causing Mammoth to laugh.
"Yeah, let's go pay a visit to their precious Tower and take it," Mammoth added.
Both teens turned to leave, Jinx turned to follow and something shimmered in the light.
"Wait!" She screamed.
Danny froze, had she sensed him and Robin. Tensing for battle Danny watched as Jinx began to make her way to where both he and Robin where hiding but stopped just short bending down retrieving something trapped between the rocks, shaking it off, Danny saw what it was: Robin's belt.
"Okay we can go, now that I have his fashion statement." Jinx said as she attached it around her waist.
"That's why you wanted us to come down here! To get that pip sniffer's belt!" Gizmo screamed as Jinx nodded completely oblivious to Gizmo's attitude. Danny watched as the three teens jumped out of the sewers and left. He waited a few extra minutes to make sure they weren't coming back before dropping his and Robin's invisibility.
"Phew" Danny said. Leaning back onto the tunnels wall, he hadn't been sure his powers would have masked their presence with that sorceress around. Smiling Danny turned to fly off but not before Robin had started to come to, and what Robin witnessed startled him. There, kneeling in front of him was a person who seemed to be glowing white, with shimmering white hair that contrasted deeply with his black and white jumpsuit, but what startled Robin the most was the emblem on the teen's suit for their blazing white, was a ghostly letter D with a smaller P inside. But Robin didn't have time to ponder this for the teen stood up suddenly and the next words he said quickly grabbed Robin's attention.
"Now to go 'cause some chaos at Titan's Tower to give those three Hive agents some ghostly payback," and with that the black and white being turned clear and flew through the roof. Robin sat up slowly, mindful of his bruises. Had that guy just saved him? Who was he? What did he mean the Hive was at the Tower? Unless, their plan was to overrun it and keep it for themselves, fury filled Robin at this thought. Titan's Tower was their home. He needed to get to his team, fast.
They'd been kicked out of their home, Robin was gone, and it was over. This couldn't have happened, but it had. And now Beast Boy, Raven, Starfire, and Cyborg stood on the beach looking at the island that housed their home, or what used to be their home.
'Knew today wasn't going to be a good day' Cyborg thought bitterly, as the events kept replaying over in his mind.
"I wish Robin were here." Starfire said, her arms clutching desperately around her chest trying to hold back the ice that was setting into her heart, it reminded her of Danny's eyes.
"Well he's not! Don't you guys get it! They Won, We Lost, It's OVER!" Cyborg screamed, pain echoing in his voice as he and the others watched from the distance, their home steadily turning into a new letter.
"Then, the Teen Titans are finished?" Beast Boy asked his question coming out as a statement.
"Not yet, Not if I help it." A voice said. All four Titans jumping to see Robin standing behind them a smirk plastered on his face the one that showed he had a plan and knew it would work.
It was getting late. Danny had quickly returned to his store, apologizing to the group of teens who had gathered outside his store, thankfully they were willing to let him keep it closed for the rest of the day. One of the benefits of having a community based bookstore, people were a lot more understanding. After which, Danny quickly went ghost in the alley way and headed back to Titan's Tower which currently looked like a giant H. Silently he waited, floating in the living room as the Hive agents rummaged through the Titans things. Danny had to clamp his mouth shut at the sight of Mammoth eating the blue furry food, and Danny had seen plenty of gross things: flying meat, man eating hotdogs, but that was just disgusting. He waited till all of the agents were in the room and proceeded to have some sweet payback, after all, it was these nitwits who thought it fun to play 'villains' and force him into action.
First thing on his list of payback, Gizmo, who currently was flinging the Titans CD's all over the floor, 'well at least it gives me a chance to test my new power' Danny thought. And with this he raised his hand careful to make sure he stayed invisible and proceeded to shoot the CD's right into Gizmo's dorky little face. "Hey!" Gizmo screamed as he tried to dodge the flying disks. As Danny continued to do this, he looked over at Mammoth and Jinx, who were staring wide eyed at Gizmo's predicament so he decided to give them some grief as well by opening and closing the cabinet doors, flinging the questionable blue goo all over them, not so tasty when you're being covered in it. Both teens screamed like girls and jumped out of the way. So intent were the Hive three to survive the chaos of flying CD's and mold that they didn't see Cyborg's arm dismantle itself from the wall and proceed to make its way over to the computer, but Danny did, and he made sure to distract them enough so that they wouldn't notice it typing away on the computer, until it set off the blaring red alarm causing Gizmo to back up next to the chair where it was seated.
"What the hairballs?" Was all he could get out, for at that moment the chair with Cyborg's arm turned and proceeded to wrap itself around Gizmo, who screamed like a baby. And with this, Danny was done. He watched Jinx get pulled through the ceiling by a giant claw, and Mammoth get blasted into the elevator by a star-bolt. The Titans could handle themselves, even if they were just playing the 'heroes', Danny knew they'd learn someday just what that title meant, for they'd almost learned what it meant today. And as Danny flew back into his store, down into the basement that held a newly built lab and also his room, the halfa hoped that maybe those five would never have to learn. But he knew it was foolish, after all that little half pint had mentioned a man named Slade and Danny could tell that man would most likely be their greatest enemy. With this, Danny changed out of his clothes and into his long, red, checkered cotton pants, climbed into bed and stared across the room in the dark, to the mirror where he knew his family was. And at that Danny fell into sleep, fresh pain ripping through his heart, the dream coming again but this time he seemed to forget to be as afraid, even though he knew how it would inevitably end.