"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more." - Madame Swetchine

Titans Phantom

Chapter 4: Natures Forces

Danny wanted to scream; well, he probably would have if his head didn't feel like it wanted to crack through his skull. As Danny observed the Titans walking through the doors, he could almost laugh at the looks on their faces as they took in his bookstore. He could barely make out Cyborg saying 'man whoever made this place is a genius.' Well he was half right; Danny had gotten the idea from his parents, who used this geometrical shape in a lot of the fractal codes they built to fit their ghost hunting equipment. Although to Danny, it was also a part of his memory in another way. Soon however, the Titans were swamped by the majority of his customers who had seen them come in, and no one was immune to the 'heroes' of Jump City. They were surrounded by goths, nerds, preps, and every other stereotype imaginable.

"Dude! Where did all these people come from!" Beast boy freaked as he was surrounded by nature lovers.

"I do not know. Friends, please go back to the books of reading!" Starfire said as she tried to pull off all of the guys with hearts for eyes away from her.

Finally after much persuading from Robin, he managed to break up the crowd. Raven's group left the quickest as they slunk back into the darkness. Cyborg's and Beast Boy's group heading over to the café to log on to the computers. While Starfire's guys all going upstairs to the comic book collection, and Robin's group merely dispersed among the store until finally they had a clear line to Danny, who currently was rubbing his head as if he had a headache.

"What?" Danny said looking up to meet the Titans with a glare.

"Not friend Danny, we seek your assistance and knowledge," Starfire said not being able to hide her joy at seeing him again. Danny had to restrain himself from not slamming his head on the table, was this girl always so cheerful?

"Fine, what can I do for you?" He asked running his left hand through his raven hair. As he did so, all of the Titans were shown the scar, although a normal person might play it off as a trick of light, for it looked to be so old that finally the pigment seemed to be returning. The Titans weren't fooled.

"Have you heard of someone called Phantom?" Robin asked getting straight to the point, he wanted to talk to his team about what they'd just seen and confirm it with Raven.

"As in, spirits and apparitions?" Danny asked careful to keep his voice neutral and calm. The Titans all looked to each other, they hadn't thought of Phantom as a spirit, just a super powered teen like themselves.

"Yes," came Raven's monotone voice, as she lowered her hood her violet eyes meeting Danny's blue, a surge of emotions crashed through him, slamming into his walls. Raven could almost hear it; she was standing just on the other side, if she'd just reach over. It was gone, the water had calmed the instant Danny's eyes left hers bringing Raven's mind out of the trance.

Danny tore his gaze away from Raven, she reminded him to much of Sam. Raven's eyes were only one shade darker and while Raven's skin was slightly grayer, where Sam's had been crystal, both girls easily could have passed for sisters and that's what cut him so deeply, as the shadow of Sam danced behind Raven. Danny answered the question he'd been asked.

"The books are on the fifth shelf in front of the store, to the right by the couch," with this Danny began to stand, he needed some Advil, when all of the sudden he heard his name being called as a group of eight guys made their way downstairs, all of them reminding him of Sidney Poindexter.

"Danny, as the head of the Comic Geeks of Today, I demand that you by these books for us," said a nerd dressed in high blue pants with a country boy shirt on, his pocket filled with several pens, his hair was flaming red and his freckles almost covered up his acne, almost. His name was Cole, and he was so focused on Danny, he never noticed the Teen Titans standing right behind him. But the other nerds did, and they were shocked speechless. Danny began rubbing his temples again; he really didn't have time for this.

"Look, I've told you once; if you can't get ten signatures I'm not buying those books. And if you even think of pestering the other customers again, I will let them send you to the hospital."

A blush formed on Coles face. "We have already decided to stay away from the…darker customers." He said and for the first time he looked away from Danny and noticed the Teen Titans instantly, his eyes widening to saucers.

"Oh my gosh, the Teen Titans! You guys are my heroes! Please you have to help us; we only need two more signatures for Danny to buy the books we want!" All of the other nerds jumping into action surrounding the Titans once more, some of them practically on their knees begging for their help, the Titans just were looking confused.

"Um what books do you guys want?" Beast Boy asked, making sure to keep an eye on Danny, who was too busy rummaging through one of the drawers trying to locate the pain medicine to notice their predicament.

"We want him to get all fifty comic books of Mega Monkeys!" Cole said, Beast Boy yanked a pen right out of Coles pocket protector immediately, and signed the little piece of paper. Cyborg followed, but checked to make sure these nerds weren't simply just trying to get their autographs.

"Yes!" All of the nerds yelled as the Titans watched them, walk forward and slam down the book request form, now filled with ten signatures on the counter top. Danny, who had managed to find the Advil and take two pills, looked up when he had the contract practically thrown in his face.

"That's ten. When will they be in?" Cole asked smugly, looking down Danny did see in fact that yes, there were in ten signatures… the last two, he looked up and glared at Cyborg and Beast Boy who were busy looking elsewhere whistling a tuneless song.

"Fine. Give me a week and they should be in," all of the nerds rejoiced, along with Beast Boy who was whooping at the fact that his favorite game was now a comic book; the nerds quickly decided to celebrate elsewhere when they noticed several scary looking customers emerge from the shadows glaring at them. Danny giving a nod to them in appreciation as they slid back in between the book shelves as the nerds ran for the doors.

"Enjoy my bookstore," he said stiffly to the Titans, seating himself back behind the counter, picked up his book and began reading once more. Silently, the Titans headed to the spirit aisle looking for any clues as to who Phantom might be, but after a search they gave up. All of these books were about different spirits that inhabited the Earth, most just legends and folklore, all of the apparition books only describing evil spirits, created out of violent deaths from humans. None of these books even came close to describing who Phantom was. Not finding anything, the Titans sat down on the couch, Robin and Raven merely choosing to stand, careful to make sure no one was listening Robin started.

"He doesn't just have one scar. There were others on his wrists and hands."

"Did he cause them himself?" Beast Boy asked.

"No. Not friend Danny wouldn't do something like that he is to…strong," Starfire said not sure how to describe the look of life on Danny's face when he helped her at the party and with her sister.

"I agree with Starfire, his wounds are not self-inflicted," Raven said her monotone voice hiding the inner turmoil in her head.

"You sensed something?" Robin asked anxiously.

"Not really, when we entered the store I felt a wave of tiredness surrounding him, but no will to end. His emotions are there, it's just impossible for me to delve deeper past the wall he's created, but their so… powerful."

All of the Titans merely sat there and stared at Raven, how could a normal teenager have that kind of power? Robin, getting frustrated at the fact they had learned nothing, decided that the team should head home, before they pissed off Danny even more.

"I'm going to stay," Raven said, in actuality she really did like his bookstore and it was also a chance to observe Danny some more.

"Okay Raven, see you back at the Tower," Robin said and with this the Titans left, Starfire giving one last look back to her friend and also her not friend Danny.

For a few minutes Raven simply stood there letting the sunshine flitter in through the glass window and warm her back. Turning she made her way down the rows of books, the store continuing to grow on her. She paused when she came to the poetry at the back of the store. When looking at the titles, she noticed that many of these books possibly could be originals, or very good copies. She walked along the aisle, her fingers trailing across the chestnut wood, gazing at the different poems all in different languages. Some even appearing to be from other planets, 'Where did he get all of these books?' Raven thought stopping and picking up the first book within reach. It appeared to be from the seventeenth century; its red binding flowering into a single gold letter D and opening the book to the first yellowing page Raven read the title The Complete Works of John Donne 1572-1631edited by Gerald W. Daniels, 'odd name for an editor' Raven thought. But none the less she sat herself down in a nearby chair and began to read.

"For the first twenty years, since yesterday,

I scarce believed thou couldst be gone away;

For forty more I fed on favours past,

And forty on hopes that thou wouldst they might last;

Tears drown'd one hundred, and sighs blew out two;

A thousand, I did neither think nor do,

Or not divide, all being one thought of you;

Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.

Yet call not this long life; but think that I

Am, by being dead, immortal; can ghosts die?"

Raven nearly didn't finish the poem, to her it seemed pointless, why would a man sit there and say he had lived twenty-four thousand years when his love had only been gone one day? He acted so childish, yet the last two lines kept haunting her. Taken in context they sounded humorous and exaggerated but, they were also the only two lines that didn't fit the style from the rest of the stanza. As if the two lines were meant to be read separate from the whole work, and when Raven looked at the lines again her heart hammered beneath her breast Phantom flashing through her mind, his hollow green eyes staring back at her. Raven shut the book when she heard Danny make an announcement standing up behind the counter.

"It looks like it's going to rain soon so I'm closing up." He said.

In any other store Raven would have found this odd, but looking around she understood as many of the darker customers slinked out, the techno geeks giving vigorous thank yous, for the fact that Danny had probably just saved their 'babies' lives. Looking back down at the book Raven noticed the next poem was titled A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning she wanted to stay and read it, but the store was nearly empty now. Standing, Raven decided to ask if she could simply buy the book. Silently, she headed over to Danny who had just turned the open sign to closed, the rumble of thunder passing over head.

"Is this book for sale?" Raven asked. Danny meeting her eyes, for a second waves crashed inside his heart, before he looked down to the book Raven held in her arms.

"No. You're holding the original," he stated.

"I see," Raven said looking down at it as well, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice, she didn't even know why she wanted this book; she just did. Danny watched as Raven turned to go put it back on its shelf, her violet eyes failing to hide the confusion and hurt underneath them. Danny let out a sigh; he was so going to regret doing this.

"Look you can take it with you until I get a copy of the book alright, you just can't buy this one," he said nervously rubbing the back of his neck for just bending one of his own rules.

Raven turned and faced him again, shocked by him allowing her to borrow one of his books, even if it did sound like he'd taken a punch to the face to tell her this, but she couldn't help the small smile that passed her lips.

"Thank you, I will hold onto this until you have the copy for me," Raven said her normal monotone voice back in place; Danny merely nodded, seeming to debate rather or not he should resend his offer. Raven made sure to leave before he could change his mind. She walked for about half a block, before Raven felt the first tear drops of rain fall on her face and looking up at the dark cloudy sky, she became nothing more than a shadow of a bird and flew home back into her room at Titan's Tower to drop off her book, the rain coming swiftly now. Deciding that she should let her team know that she was home, Raven left for the main area until she ran into Beast Boy, who was holding a big pink balloon with a devilish smile on his face.

"What are you doing?" Raven said Beast Boy letting out a girlish scream as he desperately tried not to drop the liquid filled balloon onto the ground. Managing to catch it just in time he turned to Raven who was looking at his giant rubber band sling shot with blank curiosity on her face.

"Please tell me this isn't another ridiculous prank," she said meeting his eyes, in which Beast Boy instantly smiled smugly at his geniusness.

"Okay, it's not a ridiculous prank. It's a brilliant one! Ha!" He said with Raven rolling her eyes.

"Okay check it out, remember how Cyborg put red dye in my shampoo and I turned brown for two days…" Raven remembered. She and the team had laughed their way all the way through next week at that.

"Well sister, it's payback time!" Beast Boy exclaimed slamming his hands together in anticipation.

"I give you, the Beast Boy Insta-Lube 9000! See when chrome dome steps around the corner his foot tugs the string, the string trips the lever, the lever releases the mother of all rubber bands, which sends a balloon load of motor oil flying right at him and wham! Pretty clever huh?" Beast Boy said now looking to Raven who looked at his silly blueprint which he had taken out. He then put it back into his pocket.

"You're a genius," she said mentally adding 'in your own mind.'

"It's just a little clean, dirty good fun," he said in return just as they heard a door opening and footsteps echoing down the hall.

"Here he comes!" Beast Boy said in an excited whisper quickly grabbing Raven and dragging her back around the corner, kneeling so that they could watch the play by play.

"I do not think…" Raven tried to say as Beast Boy peeked around the corner then quickly shushed her.

"But what if…" She tried again but failing.

"Why are we hiding?" Came another whisper behind both the two Titans, who Beast Boy immediately shushed as well. That is until Beast Boy realized that the new whispering person was a smiling Cyborg.

"Ahh! Cyborg! You can't be Cyborg!" BB yelled as he and Raven both looked at Cy's very large form and confused face.

"I can't?" He asked.

"If you're you then who's…" Beast Boy said pointing around the corner to where a tall feminine figure rounded the corner with purple boots that tripped the string, which tripped the lever, that released the mother of all motor oil balloons, right into Starfire's face. Now in his defense, BB did try to stop it, yelling out a dramatic 'no' right as the brown smelling liquid connected with Star's face sending her crashing onto the floor.

"Starfire!" BB said as the other two Titans emerged from around the corner.

"You o.k.?" Cyborg asked as Starfire opened her eyes rubbing the offending liquid away, not understanding why her friends would attack her so.

"This is punishment? I did something wrong?" She asked at this Raven and Cyborg plastered their best, we-screwed-up-but-how-do-we-make-her-understand-this, smiles.

"You didn't, he did," Raven said pointing to Beast Boy who smiled sheepishly as he walked over to Starfire trying desperately to explain, Cy and Rae weren't amused and Starfire getting very angry at his trying to crack a joke about him screwing up.

"On my planet we have a name to those do such terrible things. You are uh, uh, GLORBAG BARBLERNLECK!" And with this she proceeded to get the offending goo out of her face and hair.

"I'm a what bag?" Beast Boy asked backing right into Cyborg. Cy looking down at the little grass stain who could be such an idiot at times.

"You heard the lady." He said seriously.

"You are such a Glorbag." Raven said in agreement. Star's eyes now an electric green and she looked ready to throw a star-bolt right at BB's face.

"Come on guys, can't anyone take a joke?" He said right as a clash of thunder roared in the sky shaking the very Tower followed by a brilliant flash of lightening that lit up the entire hallway in blinding white light, right, as Robin emerged from the shadows.

"Titans trouble!"

And with this they left.

The storm was getting worse Danny could hear it all the way from his Lab down in the basement. When a crash of thunder killed the power, Danny stopped what he was doing and headed into the kitchen for a flashlight. As he bent down to retrieve it from cabinet by the phone he heard another crash, only this sounded like glass being thrown in. Danny ran up the stairs, where he noticed two things, one the glass hadn't been shattered, the door just violently shacking on its hinges as the wind and rain pelted into his store and onto the carpet. The second was when he headed to go close and relock the door, his bare feet sank into small puddles on the carpet roughly the size of thirteen combat boots.

Danny felt the blood run out of his face, his heart constricting in his chest, adrenaline soaring through his veins. He turned off the flashlight and closed the door, locking the deadbolt after giving it a hard push. Taking one step back from the door, water running through his toes, closing his eyes, he listened to the darkness his muscles coiling for battle, his back to the store, lightening dancing across his face. The rain continued hammering the city and in another flash of lightening a man appeared behind Danny ready to attack, his arm about to make contact to the base of the unmoving teen's neck. He felt the slice cut through the air, and quickly Danny side stepped it, his right arm coming up to redirect the attack. Grabbing the man's armored forearm and with all his strength Danny threw him into the glass, which gave resounding vibrations from both the man and thunder. The fight began.

Slade had been monitoring Titan's Tower all day, thinking of ways to get what he wanted in the most painful and cruelest ways. So when he saw the Titans all leave their Tower, his heart leapt in joy as ideas and plans formulated in his mind. He watched them enter a bookstore, plainly titled Bookstore, from hacking into the city's police security cameras on the street. 'God bless Big Brother.' Slade thought. Unfortunately, the bookstore didn't have any cameras inside that Slade could hack, and he didn't like that. No storeowner in their right mind wouldn't put a camera in place, unless if they had something to hide. Slade sat in silence till thirty minutes later four of the Titans emerged and left. He waited another hour for the sorceress to leave, a red carved book held between her arms. He zoomed in, that was an original. Slade began hunting through the city's archives, trying to find who owned that store, the search only turned up one piece of paper. That the store had been bought under the name Danny age fifteen on August 25,2010 with the help of Vlad Masters who was his legal adoptive guardian.

Vlad, that billon dollar man had cost Slade several stock holdings when he'd bought all of the businesses. So why had he helped this kid buy a store, when Vlad never claimed to have any kids at all. Another mystery, Slade felt his mouth tug up into an evil smile, he loved a good chase. And with this Slade set off to the store, the rain pouring now. The store was closed when he got there, even though it was only seven o'clock; however, with the darkened sky and rain it felt more like midnight, this was going to be easy. Slade quickly picked the lock, not worrying about if there was a security system, if there wasn't even a camera. He prepared to open the door when the wind howled and did it for him. Entering the pitch black store, he decided to leave it open, the violent screaming sending chills down his spine. Slade was impressed at the design of the place, the lightening giving brief glimpses at its layout. It seemed to go on forever, the chestnut shelves surrounding him a small, oak counter at the back, behind it a small door which probably led to a closet or backroom, to the left a small café, and a set of stairs leading up to the second floor which looking up. Slade could see the middle had been cut out into a hexagon with beautifully carved chestnut railing.

He had only walked about half way when he heard the light padding of feet, followed by the click of a lock, Slade quickly took refuge behind the many shelves and he watched a boy with raven hair, step out from the small closet door, dressed in a short gray shirt with dark blue jeans holding a flashlight. He followed as the teen made his way towards the door pausing just for a second as his bare feet stepped into a puddle on the thick red carpet. The boy knew he was here. Slade watched as the teen turned off the flashlight he was holding, blending almost into the shadows if he hadn't still been making his way towards the door and instead of leaving, he shut it, locking himself and Slade inside. 'The kid has guts' Slade thought as he watched the child take one step back from the door his breathing shallow, probably out of fear. Slade decided to kill him quickly, he never noticed the tensing of muscles beneath Danny's shirt and when he did it was too late.

His back connected with the glass doors first, his metal armor sending shockwaves of pain down his spine. Slade quickly recovered, it would take more than glass to take him down; he stood facing the teen what was his name again? Oh, right,

"Danny, come now is that any way to treat a guest?" Slade asked slowly walking forward like a predator stalking his prey. Only the prey wasn't backing down.

"Yes, now why are you here?" Danny said taking a battle stance and slowly beginning to circle. Slade watched Danny's movements, this kid was a fighter. 'Let's see how good,' He thought.

"I'm here to get a book."

And with this he lunged at Danny, managing to get a hit in before Danny spun off into the darkness of the Victorian styled store. 'He's using the field to his advantage, just like Robin.' Slade thought as he moved into the shelves going into the darkest part of the store. Slade began to feel his stomach tighten his eye not able to see his hand two feet from his face; he began trailing his fingers along the book shelf for support listening for the slightest of movements.

Danny barely escaped. The man had punched him in the face disorienting him, black fogginess setting around the corners of his vision. If it hadn't been for the fact that he designed this place and knew it by heart he was pretty positive he wouldn't have gotten away. So now here he sat on the ledge, his feet hanging over the railing as he tried to calm his breathing. His head giving painful throbs every time he tried to take deep breaths, his headache from the morning giving him painful reminders that it was still there. Danny watched the first floor as another flash illuminated a shadow making its way down the back aisle, Danny stood quiet as a cat and walked on top of the railing preparing to strike, the man wouldn't be so lucky this time. And in the next flash he was plunging downwards just as the man looked up his eye going wide in surprise as Danny's foot connected with his chest sending him flying into the counter top. Danny did a roll as the carpet absorbed the shock, he ignored the fact that by doing that, his stomach flip flopped, making him want to hurl. Damn, he was never teleporting again.

This kid was a lot harder to kill than Slade expected. And he would have been impressed if Danny's attacks weren't sending him to the front door. In fact, Slade would love to have him as an apprentice, but there was something in Danny's eyes. It was as if they could see through Slade's very soul and at the same time, spoke volumes about Danny himself. This kid would never bend to Slade, he was to…strong. And at the same time so very weak. It told Slade the kid wouldn't last much longer. Something was eating Danny alive, but he wouldn't die. Therefore, Slade would never be able to control him. Thunder cracked the same time Danny sent Slade crashing through the glass and into the street, his ice blue eyes blazing in the darkness.

Danny followed out onto the concrete, never registering the glass on the ground slicing through his feet, or the rain which was pounding him to the bones. No, he was only focused on the man who had cruelty for eyes. He began coiling, the rain morphing around his body, showing the raw power gathering inside Danny. Slade stood preparing to defend himself, when out of the storm two teens came flying past them: one with pale yellow skin and spiky blonde hair dressed in gold samurai armor, the second with fare blue skin with deep blue hair that was partly showing under his armor that he was dressed in, which was deep blue samurai gear. They flew past them, taking the rain along as well, until only the overhanging black clouds remained hiding the night sky. Danny managed to jump out of the way before he was slammed into by the fast yellow one riding on electricity, 'Geez what is with stupid superheroes almost flying into me!' Danny huffed as the spiky kid turned and yelled at him.

"Hey watch where you're going! You almost hit me!" And with this both teens disappeared leaving Danny standing there his mouth hanging open 'did he really just say that' he thought. At this, Danny remembered he still had a fight to deal with but turning back to the street the man was gone.

"Damn."

He muttered carefully making his way back inside the store before he realized he'd locked the door to keep the evil eyed guy inside. Sighing, Danny looked around to make sure no one was around before he phased himself through the glass and floated back down into his house making sure to hit the emergency alarm button, which dropped heavy steel bars down in front of the door and windows, one of which Danny had shattered. He was going to have some paperwork at that. It didn't take long for Danny to pull the broken glass shards out of his feet, most he simply pulled out with tweezers the blood immediately clotting preventing any of it from getting on his bathroom floor. Pulling on his combat boots, ignoring the slight sting his wounds gave him from being aggravated by his socks; Danny made his way back up the stairs into his store, flipping on the lights to survey the damage he caused.

Beast Boy and Starfire had been searching about thirty minutes for Thunder and Lightning, but to no avail, they only could follow the destruction the two had caused all in the name of 'fun'. Beast Boy had cringed at that, those two thought that this was fun. And when he tried to explain that to Thunder, he only ended up getting zapped by Lightning. Plus it didn't help that Starfire still wasn't talking to him.

"Beast Boy!" Starfire called as she flew next to him a good ten feet away he instantly transformed and hit the ground, looking at her with big hopeful puppy dog.

"Yes, please tell me you've forgiven me!" He said desperate to have his friend back, she merely humped at this, turned and pointed to Danny's bookstore, glass littering the sidewalk.

"I wish to make sure not friend Danny is unharmed from the shattering of glass," and with this, she made her way over to the store, Beast Boy's ears dropping. Standing outside his door, they knocked and waited for Danny as he walked up to the door, sighed and pulled it open, allowing them to enter.

"What?" He said his head giving a painful throb.

"Not friend Danny, are you unharmed? We saw the glass and the broken window," Star stated her eyes filled with concern for Danny, it looked like a small black bruise was forming a crescent shaped moon high on his cheek bone. Beast Boy noticed that his clothes were damp and his semi messy hair was plastered to his face. Danny brushed it out of his eyes before he answered.

"Yeah I'm fine. The glass just shattered from the storm caused by those two teens."

Starfire and Beast Boy froze, and Star temporarily met BB's eyes forgetting that she was still mad at him.

"You have seen them? Please, which way did they go we need to stop them?" She asked. Danny looked at her for a second before all three exited the store Danny pointing down the street.

"They went down five blocks and turned left, heading into the arts district. But why are you chasing after those other heroes? Besides stopping them from reckless flying," Danny asked, at this Starfire's eyes darkened.

"We were fighting them on the bridge; they were destroying it. They are not heroes," And with this she flew off. Beast Boy grimacing, he may not be smart, but those two weren't evil, they just didn't understand.

"Is that what you believe as well?" Danny asked as he looked down at BB, for some reason the green guy wasn't smiling, probably because Starfire wasn't happy, and that set Danny's nerves on edge.

"What! I don't know. They say they're doing this 'cause it's fun. But their fun nearly destroyed the bridge." And with this Beast Boy transformed and flew off to go catch up with Starfire, leaving Danny there to process what he'd just said. Danny chased after them, rage burning in his chest.

Starfire and Beast Boy landed at the main building in the arts district and walked up to the once beautiful marble stone slabs that had been knocked down like domino tiles on one side of the small glittering pool. As Starfire bent down to inspect the burn marks, Beast Boy once again tried to lighten the mood.

"Well, either they were just here, or this is the ugliest modern art I've ever seen," he said pointing to the destroyed rubble. Star merely stood turning her back away from Beast Boy.

"You are not funny. You are a glorbag barblernleck," she said walking away from Beast Boy.

"Come on Star, you can't stay mad forever. What! Do I have to do the face? You know you can't resist the face," he said transforming into a cute little green tabby kitten with big adorable eyes and a cute pink nose, mewing softly as Starfire looked down at him.

"Humph," was all her reply.

"She resisted the Face!" Beast Boy said shocked, panic filling his heart, he desperately ran up to her as she was observing a burnt piece of metal that at one time held a giant marble stone world.

"Just talk to me Star! Come on, this is no fun," he said now begging on his knees.

"Wrong again, green one!" Came a nasally voice as Lightning and Thunder emerged from the air, chasing after the two Titans, Thunder went after Starfire as she dodged his sonic blue attacks and managing to get behind him and fire one of her star-bolts. In a way, it was sort of like the game of tag, only deadlier. Lightning firing at Beast Boy, who turned into a rabbit just to get away, then mouse, the yellow teen kept attacking.

"Ha! Your animal forms cannot protect you forever!" Lightning said, that is until he was hit by a green Ox sending his tall, lanky form crashing into the ground.

Star and Thunder where having a battle of power as they both struggled to hit the other with their attack. Starfire screamed out in a burst of strength as her star-bolt defeated Thunder, sending his massive blue form back onto the steps of the art building. She then turned to Lightning and began again.

Beast Boy charged at Thunder head butting him into the wall in bear form. This time he prayed Lightning wouldn't interfere.

"I don't want to hurt you. And I don't think you want to hurt me," he said trying to see just who these two brothers were.

"Pain does not amuse us," Thunder said his deep voice and eyes confused at what the green changeling was trying to get at.

"Could've fooled me. Keep playing rough and innocent people will get hurt!" Beast Boy yelled as he gripped the armor on Thunder's shoulders.

So intent were the teens, that they never noticed a tall thin man with a long white beard and hair, dressed in a red robe and black clothing appear, he looked to be of Asian descent. Smiling, the man took out a small brown box supported by three legs. It looked like a camera box and opening the lid, he directed a red laser that powered up as he turned the handle, sending a powerful stream of energy through the remaining stone walls destroying them all as it went. The rocks came falling down; right where Star was her electric green eyes growing wide in surprise until she screamed as the rocks came down on top of her.

"Star!" Was all Beast Boy could get out, as he watched his friend get buried hidden behind smoke. He never even thought where the attack came from, but the two teens did and they were shocked by the man's power.

"Your gifts are your own. Who are they to tell you how to use them?" came a mysterious voice in the darkness.

"And who are you that commands such power?" Lightning asked

"Show yourself!" He screamed.

"As you wish." And with this a man emerged from the smoke, his straw hat showing only one eye.

"I am but a humble, old man. Whose power is drawn from nature, like your own. Come with me and sow as much destruction as you please," he smiled as Lightning exclaimed his happiness at the thought of more fun, but Thunder stopped him.

"Will we harm anyone?" Thunder asked, his brother looking at him like he was crazy.

"What? The green one has poisoned your mind!" Lightning said, but his brother still wasn't convinced.

"This destruction, will we harm the innocent?" Thunder tried again as he and Lightning looked back to the strange man.

"Would it matter if you did? You are unique, gifted, better. Why should anything interfere with your enjoyment? I am going, follow if you wish," the man said as he left.

"Come brother, and leave your foolish thoughts behind," said Lightning as he too turned and left with the man, Thunder giving one last look back before he turned as left as well.

Danny almost didn't make it. He had run five blocks when he heard the sounds of battle. But as he watched he noticed the two different colored teens, merely looking as if they were having fun. His thoughts were confirmed when he heard Beast Boy try and tell Thunder of the consequences if he kept playing this game. Beast Boy almost had him when Danny heard the sound of energy powering up and looking, saw a strange old man fire a red beam of energy at the marble walls. Danny transformed right as the energy struck the first wall, he turned intangible when he heard Starfire scream, and he teleported when he realized he wouldn't make it.

Starfire felt someone holding her. And her first thought was of Robin, but he wasn't here. Slowly, she lifted her head from the strange person's shoulder to see that Phantom was the one who had saved her. Only he wasn't, it was as if he were clear. A shimmering white aura surrounding him, and looking at herself Starfire noticed that she herself was the same clear white. She tried to pull away, but immediately stopped when she heard Phantom give a hiss of pain.

"Don't. I won't be able to keep this up much longer, especially if you get to far away," Phantom said looking at her, his eyes a soul piercing green meeting Star's temporary clear ones. She nodded, not wanting to hurt him anymore. Lowering her head back down onto his shoulder she felt him shift slightly placing one arm between her shoulder blades, the other on the small of her back, before flying her up and out of the jagged pile of rocks. The second they were out Starfire felt his power leave, and both she and Phantom became visible. It was then, that Starfire realized, that she was virtually 'hugging' Phantom, and she felt a red hot blush dance across her face, remembering the entire conversation her and Raven had about how hot Phantom was, when they had first seen him standing in the desert after her sister's arrest. The blush disappeared quickly when she felt herself taking most of his weight as he began to collapse. Gripping onto him Starfire helped him find his way to the ground without gravity doing it for him. Phantom let out a small sigh as he leaned back on the fallen rocks, sending her a smile of appreciation. Starfire smiled as well, but was torn away when she heard Beast Boy cry out her name, looking back down at Phantom who gave her a nod that he was fine, ushering her to go, his eyes concerned for Beast Boy. And with this, she flew up into the air landing lightly behind Beast Boy as he frantically dug through the rocks.

"Come on Star give me a sign here! You have to be alright okay! 'Cause I… it was just a joke, you know back at the Tower. And I'm sorry. I never said it, but I'm really, really sorry. It was supposed to be funny and you could've been hurt and I'm a total glorbag," Beast Boy said his shoulders beginning to shake from the tears that threatened to spill over. Starfire who had been shocked at Beast Boy's statement shook herself out of the trance and walked closer to BB a smile spreading across her lips at her friend's apology. Beast Boy turned when he felt a shadow move into his vision and saw that it was Starfire, instantly he smiled and screamed out her name in pure joy, leaping into her arms as the adorable kitten she loved, causing her to laugh.

"I am glad that you are unharmed as well," she said, Beast Boy transforming back into his human form, down on his knees as he looked up to Starfire.

"I am sooooo sorry. You gotta forgive me!" He begged, with this she placed her hands on his shoulders as he stood up.

"I already have. Now those evil brothers must be made to apologize," she stated.

"I don't think they are evil." Beast Boy said his thoughts were answered when Phantom emerged from around the corner looking a little exhausted but unharmed.

"They're not. But they're about to do something they'll most likely regret."

With this, Starfire looked up meeting Phantom's gaze as Beast Boy gave a girlish shriek, wildly turning and pointing his finger right in Danny's face.

"What the…how long have you been here!" BB yelled Danny giving him a mischievous smile.

"Long enough. What did you do to Star back at Titan's Tower?" He asked Beast Boy giving an 'eep' noise, but Phantom didn't pursue the question as he turned his gaze to the night sky.

"We need to go," he said, and with this he flew off Starfire and Beast Boy following behind him.

Thunder and Lightning were not happy. The strange man had promised them fun destruction, but he had taken them to a field in the forest just north of Jump City. And in the field were just simple firing targets, with sticks holding them up, some protruding out of the bags to form arms and weird pale symbols painted onto the bags themselves.

"Sticks and leaves? Is this a joke! There is no fun in blasting such frail targets!" Lightning said frustrated at the man.

"Are you certain young master? Try, you may like what you see," the strange man said pointing to one of the nearby targets. Giving a growl of annoyance, Lightning did as he was told letting his gold electricity flow free and strike. The target went up in a blaze the fire dancing around the symbol burning the sticks inside. Lightning jumped in surprise at the colorful display.

"Dancing lights! Pleasing!" He said his nasally voice filled with happiness his face one of amusement.

"Let Thunder try his hand," Thunder said and walked forward, blue energy condensing in his giant palm as he unleashed sound itself. When it hit the target, it gave a resounding boom and exploded into fire.

"Wondrous noise!" Thunder boomed.

"See brother, there is no harm in our fun," Lightning said as he stood by Thunder's side gazing up at him. With this the strange man walked forward.

"And there is so much fun to be had," he said. With this both brothers soared off the ground riding on golden electricity and dark blue clouds striking every target in sight. Until none were left, leaving them wanting more.

"More targets old one," Lightning demanded.

"Yes please give us more," Thunder said turning to look at the strange one-eyed man who gave a wicked smirk.

"That won't be necessary. You've done quite enough," he said, both brothers now staring at him in confusion, they watched him pull a circular tablet out with a final symbol painted on it and throwing it up into the center of the sky the device being pulled by some unknown force. It turned red, as it gathered energy around itself before firing at all thirty-nine burning totem poles. Bringing them together forming a giant flaming Beast, taller than the trees, this rose from the ashes at the man's command.

"Burn fire! BURN IT ALL!" The man screamed with this the Beast began to move, but was stopped when six people stood on the ground below.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you, play with fire and you're going to get burned," Robin said looking up at the flaming beast that sent a wave of red at them. All of them dodged, Danny choosing to not comment on the lame witty retort. As he flew into the clouds, letting the wind drown out his pounding head. Teleporting to save Starfire hadn't been smart, he nearly failed, and to top it off he was still fighting blackness that surrounded his vision. It was official, he definitely wasn't using that power ever again; it had too many side effects. Danny watched as the Beast made its way towards the city, fire now spreading into the trees and soil, making it hard to see the man standing on the hill smiling, along with the two brothers.

"Good very good," the man said.

"Brother what've we done?" Thunder said looking to Lightning.

The Titans focused on stopping the Beast, Robin yelling for them to go. Robin threw smoke bombs down to confuse the Beast as Raven ripped up the nearby trees to stop the fire from spreading. Beast Boy and Starfire joining in to help, as Cyborg slammed his sonic cannon into the ground covering the thing in wet dirt, extinguishing the flames, stopping the Beast.

"Is he out?" Beast Boy asked, his question quickly answered by the Beast's roaring voice new flames licking up its disfigured body.

"Had to ask," Raven said.

The Beast was growing more powerful by the second, his fury increasing at these foolish humans that stood in his way. It was then that Robin noticed the man standing on the hill next to Thunder and Lightning looking down at the entire fight.

"Go young masters' fire is your creation, they have no right to destroy your fun," he said Lightning quickly agreed.

"Yes! We must fight!" He said, Thunder didn't agree.

"But brother," he tried to say.

"Do not annoy me with your foolish concerns! Come!" Lightning said and with this Thunder followed.

As soon as the brothers were gone Danny attacked by breaking the staff in two, the man not seeming be surprised by his appearance.

"Phantom, we meet at last," his grey eye smirking, Danny hesitated, 'he knew of him', but it didn't last long, for the old man attacked.

Robin made his way up the burning hill he needed to get there. Phantom hadn't helped them fight the Beast, but Robin knew he was at the top of the hill, and he would need help. Starfire told them on the communicators that Phantom had saved her, although she didn't go into details but she did say he was weakened. And now he was here still fighting, he would need help.

The Beast was getting closer to the city. The Titans were losing ground fast, Raven striking the creature with her black magic extinguishing it once more. Only it didn't die, the cracks in its skin formed again and fire spread out from its very core, blowing all of the Titans back. As they tried to get up, they were struck by Lightning sending them back down to the ground once more, Lightning approaching Starfire, Cyborg, and Raven preparing to strike again. Thunder however was in a standoff with Beast Boy, who growled at him in his tiger form.

"Stand aside green one," Thunder said Beast Boy giving another roar. Both charged at one another, Thunder tapping into the primal instinct inside Beast Boy, given to him from Nature itself.

"I do not wish to do harm to you," Thunder said, shadow violet-blue mist swirling around him, and Beast Boy who gazed at Thunder through his tiger eyes.

"But you want to destroy homes and innocent lives?" He retorted.

"No," Thunder said back.

"Then what're you fighting for?" Beast Boy asked.

"My brother and I, the old says we are unique, gifted… better," Thunder said trying to make it sound like a just answer.

"Gifts don't make you better. Just different, it's how you use them that counts."

After that, Thunder left.

Danny had been holding his own pretty well, especially since he wasn't even attacking. Something about this man's fighting style reminded him of someone. The man backed Danny up into a tree his back slamming into its bark, Robin racing towards them.

"Tell me child, have you let someone die before?" The man asked and it was then that Danny knew. He was the man from the store, the one with the cruel grey eye.

"NO!" Danny yelled firing a green ecto-blast right into the man's chest. Robin was next to Danny in a second, who stood there gasping for air.

"Are you o.k.?" Robin asked. Phantom didn't even look at him he just stood there -watching the strange man- with shocked eyes as he stood up from the blast. The man gave a merciless smile that sent chills down Robin's spine.

"I see you have. Did you fail? Like you're about to do now."

With this both Danny and Robin turned toward the giant flaming Beast as it moved to the last forest floor, the houses just a mile away. Phantom spun facing the man again, when he noticed his broken staff laying in the dirt a gold symbol at the top, the same that was on the Beast. Danny quickly turned meeting Robin's gaze, understanding dawning on his features.

"Go," Robin said and with that Phantom flew off at top speed, leaving Robin alone with the man, raging fire at their feet.

"Robin, what a pleasant surprise," he said.

"Who are you?" Robin asked. The man attacked.

Lightning had reached the three Titans lying on the ground.

"It seems your power has its limits. But mine has none," Lightning said, his hand coursing with gold electricity. As he raised his arms to strike, he was blown back by powerful attack of blue thunder. Anger flared through Lightning at his brother's betrayal.

"You betrayed me?" Lightening accused.

"We have done wrong, my brother, our fun must stop," Thunder said his voice giving no room for argument.

"No one commands lightening. Not even thunder!" Lightning yelled as he attacked his brother.

The Beast was almost at the bottom of the hill as the Titans watched helplessly.

"Those houses go, the whole city could go. We gotta stop the fire!" Cyborg yelled.

"How?" Raven asked.

"Any way we can." Cyborg replied and with this they took off running towards the outskirts of the city. Lightning flew at Thunder blasting him back into a boulder that had yet to be claimed by the fire. As he sank onto the forest floor his brother approached him ready to attack again, when Thunder met Lightning's eyes.

"Tell me, brother, are we still having fun?" He asked. Lightning didn't attack, his electricity going out.

"No." He said.

"Observe," Thunder said as they watched the Beast make its way to the road, the Titans doing everything to stop it. Shooting water and holding back the fire with Raven's power, but what shocked Lightning the most was the white haired teen who flew straight at the Beast's head, his leg connecting to and fire as he delivered a powerful roadhouse kick, making the Beast stumble backwards a few paces. Both brothers stared in shock as well as the Titans. And Lightning watched the teen do it again, he realized that Thunder had been right all along.

"They also have gifts. But they use them for good, while we waste ours on dangerous fun. If we are so special brother, let us act special. We must help," Thunder said as Lightning watched the same teen kick the Beast once more, if only back to the same place he'd been not seconds before.

"But how?" Lightning asked and with this both brothers looked to the only people they knew could help, the Titans.

The Teen Titans couldn't believe their eyes. Phantom was knocking the Beast back, if only a few feet, but his strength was slowly failing, the entire right side of his leg black and burned as he continued to drive the creature back.

"That's enough man! You'll kill yourself!" Cyborg yelled as he kept his foot on the fire hydrant directing water onto the Beast. Phantom kept attacking, giving one more kick before he landed next to Starfire who immediately caught him as his leg gave out. They all watched as the Beast began making his way forward again, then suddenly Thunder and Lightning were there.

"Please, we wish to help," Lightning said as he gazed at the Titans his eyes falling on Phantom and his bleeding leg.

"How? You two created this thing," Raven stated as she continued to push the fire back.

"Create a storm," Phantom said, everyone now looking at him.

"If you do that, then I'll be able to help you stop him," No one argued, looking at the blazing green-eyed teen. Quickly the two brothers disappeared into the sky. Black clouds thickening, the drumming of thunder being heard up above, and following after flashes of lightening.

Danny hurt. He felt like he'd just stepped through the fires of hell, no scratch that, hell was too broad of a term. He felt like he had a spike driven through his head, and every muscle flayed from his bones. That's what he felt like. But as the first drops of rain fell, he stood, Starfire letting him go as he reached inside his very core to the one power that could kill fire, ice. His power surged forth, his eyes completely blue as he rocketed through the sky releasing his power down the center of the Beast, which howled in pain. Again, he attacked, bringing his right leg down into a curve slashing the Beast once more. He sent an ice punch up high, ignoring the searing flesh as his fist made contact with the flames. He kept attacking until his ice formed the opposite symbol carved on the Beast's head, which read fire. The great symbol coldly burning, resting on the creature's chest read ice. And with this the Beast screamed out in pain, as it sank into his skin dulling the creatures flames, the storm pelting the monster down, killing it until nothing was left but ash and ending the forest fire that had been raging. They had won. The Titans cheered, never in their lives had they been so grateful for rain.

Robin was pinned to a tree, suspended in the air as the man held him up.

"Robin, is that the best you can do?" The man asked when a stray bolt of lightning struck the man to the ground, dropping Robin. Landing on the ground, Robin looked to see the man standing, his face falling off revealing the brown metallic mask underneath. Robin gasped, as Slade disappeared into smoke, leaving behind only the talisman of fire.

"Slade," was all Robin said.

Everyone was still cheering when Beast Boy turned to see Thunder, Lightning and Phantom walking up to them. Well, Thunder and Lightening were walking, Phantom was floating, burn marks across his right leg, and up his left arm and fist. Beast Boy ran up to them followed by the Titans. Thunder bowing to both Beast Boy and Phantom.

"I am sorry for the trouble we have made," Thunder said nudging his spiky haired brother as well.

"I am, also sorry," Lightning replied sincerely, taking extra care to bow to Phantom.

"You have taught us much green one. Thank you," Thunder said shaking Beast Boy's hand.

"Don't thank me. Thank the person who taught me," Beast Boy said gesturing to Starfire who approached as the two brothers bowed to her in respect.

"And thank you for helping to defeat the flame monster." She said.

"Yes well, we wouldn't have done it without your teammate." Thunder said looking over to Phantom who hovered there his mouth hanging open in shock at what he'd just assumed.

"Thank you, white haired one," Lightning said and with this, both flashed away in white light to rejoin the storm.

The Titans all looked at Phantom with fear at the fact that the brothers had called them teammates. But Phantom just sighed, looking beat up and burned.

"Please, you require healing," Starfire said, but as she approached Phantom, he recoiled from her, his senses seeming to return to him.

"I am Not your teammate," he growled, his glowing eyes solidifying the statement. The Titans all stared, Phantom began to leave when Robin emerged from the forest his eyes immediately meeting Phantom's

"Do you know who that man was?" Danny asked before Robin could question his injuries.

"Yes. It was Slade," Danny froze, his feet hitting the ground. That had been Slade. The one who had broken into his store, the one who said…

"Phantom, you o.k. man?" Cyborg asked walking up and placing a hand on Phantom's uninjured shoulder. Then Danny did something he swore he'd never do again, he teleported home.

The Titans were back at home. Cyborg analyzing the thing Slade had left behind.

"So, Slade wants to destroy the city, the question is why?" He asked.

"I don't know. But I will find out and he won't get away with it," Robin said, but another question still plagued his mind what had Slade said to Phantom up on that hill? And why did he seem afraid?

Everything was falling into place. When those two teens flew past him in the storm Slade knew how to get what he wanted. Granted with the Beast gone it would take longer to get Phantom to join him. But soon, he would have everything, including the Titan.

The dream was coming. He knew it and yet couldn't fight it. So why did his muscles already feel like they were on fire? It wasn't time yet? The dream started, Danny remaining silent as he watched helpless, struggling to get free only this time the dream began to change, for alongside his family stood the Titans. He watched, and for the first time in over a year Danny screamed out, as Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Mom, Dad, Jazz, Tucker, Starfire, Raven and Sam all died. Fiery pain awoke him as he continued to scream.

AN:IMPORTANT. Okay I'm getting tired of Danny always saving them, so thankfully I've been able to introduce him more in there not superhero moments. Also, I don't know what the symbol on the Beast's head meant I couldn't figure it out so I made the meaning up! And if you want to see the Japanese word for Ice just go the Google Translate and type in ice and it will show you! Enjoy, and Review!