Broken Hearts

Chapter Five

Controlled Phantom

"You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you."

~Brian Tracy~

Downtown Jump City 2000 Hours

"That's the last of them," Raven stated as she flew back to her team. Phantom and Beastboy had disappeared. She knew Beastboy wanted to take Terra, but she wasn't sure about where Phantom went. He left in the same direction as Beastboy after Cyborg told him to do something. Suddenly their communicators started blinking and beeping warning them that BB was in trouble. Robin looked at Cy concerned that maybe sending Phantom to find him was a bad idea. The signal was strong as they all headed east.

"What do you think happened?" Cyborg asked hoping that Phantom was still on their side. They had to hurry just in case something was seriously wrong, which from what the signal, and their luck, it was. He had a bad feeling that something was wrong, and that BB was telling them that Phantom was in trouble with him.

"He should have waited to go after Terra," Robin stated angrily as they got to the entrance of the caves. He wanted to take this one step at a time so that the team never had to split again.

"He's about five hundred feet below us," Cyborg stated looking at Robin. The ground shook as a blast was heard. Robin looked at his team worriedly, and they headed down only to find that Beastboy was being attacked by a red-eyed Phantom while Slade and Terra were gone. Beastboy had changed into different animals avoiding most of Phantom's blasts.

"Beastboy!" Starfire exclaimed firing her star bolts at Phantom. Phantom dodged not taking his eyes off Beastboy, and Robin took out the stone and let it fall to the ground. Phantom screamed as his eyes turned back to green, and he passed out on the floor. Beastboy looked at them worriedly and exhaustedly before going to Phantom's side to make sure that the ghost was really okay.

"Phantom?" he asked scared. Whatever Slade had done, had given him control over the ghost. Phantom groaned and rolled over to his back. He held back another scream as he hit another tender spot. "Are you okay?"

"No," Phantom answered as he tried to get his breath back. He felt like a weight was sitting on his chest and everything was crushing him from all sides. Beastboy looked at his team before looking back at Phantom.

"Who's Freakshow?" he asked hoping to figure out what really happened. Phantom's eyes opened to look at the changeling.

"He had a staff that could control ghosts," Phantom stated as Robin picked the stone back up. Phantom felt his pain die down. He rolled onto to his stomach and pushed himself up. Robin kneeled next to the hybrid putting a gentle hand on his back.

"How did Slade get it?" he questioned knowing that they were going to have to figure how to get that away from him so that they didn't have to fight a friend that was at least trying to be loyal. Phantom looked at him for a moment.

"I don't know. I destroyed it last time," Phantom answered confused. "Everything is blurry. I remembered coming in here with Beastboy, but then when we found Terra…"

"Slade pulled that staff out and then ordered Phantom to attack," Beastboy stated looking at Robin. Phantom looked at them not sure what to do. Raven walked up.

"Can you fight it?" she asked knowing that he had to of in order to destroy it the first time. She wasn't completely sure that this was an honest mistake. She didn't want Phantom to hurt her team any more than they already were. Phantom looked at his hands.

"If I really was completely better, but one of the reasons why Clockwork couldn't really help me was because I have to heal mentally. I'm messed up, and I know that. It'll take time before I can really get back to myself, but that's time we just don't have right now," Phantom explained looking at them. Robin thought for a moment before an idea came to mind. He was glad that Phantom was willing to at least tell them he was messed up, but his plan might help them get the upper hand so that they can start helping the hybrid again.

"There is pain everywhere you go, Little Badger," Plasmius sneered throwing more blasts at the bruised and bloodied Phantom. "And there is nothing you can do."

"I can and will still fight," Phantom yelled putting a shield up and disappearing into the ground.

East Side Caves Jump City 0200 Hours

"Robin, are you sure?" Phantom asked worried. Robin could see that Phantom was still timid and afraid of everything even though he was no longer in pain. Robin didn't know why he didn't see it before now. Phantom was still the same, just no longer in pain. He was still jumpy, but without his pain, he was more open to them.

"I need Slade to come out. If you do get out of control, then I know how to keep you from hurting any of us," Robin explained as they headed though the tunnels hoping for a lead on where Slade was hiding. He knew that the villain was cornered. There was no way out without the Titans knowing. Phantom looked down not really wanting to play bait, but knew that if he wanted to prove his loyalty then he would just have to deal with it. He really hoped that it didn't backfire.

"I'm not sure about this," Phantom mumbled following the leader. Robin could tell Phantom really didn't want to do it, but he was still going with it. Robin really didn't want to ask too much, but they needed Slade and Terra taken down. Their entire city depended on them taking those criminals down. "What if…?"

"Phantom, we'll be fine. It's you we're more worried about right now," Robin cut him off tired of hearing Phantom worry over them. He really didn't think Phantom was protective like that, but Robin was starting to see more of the protective side to the ghost. It was slightly worrying, but at least it showed more of how Phantom would act in other dangerous situations and his loyalty to the team. He was glad that the ghost was at least able to be trusted enough to protect the team. "Slade really can't do anything if I have control right now."

"The stone only holds my pain," Phantom stated following Robin. "I don't see how that will help."

"You were broken out of the trance once you couldn't focus on the order. That small distraction will help. Slade will try to figure out why you keep getting out while we take care of everything else," Robin explained as they got to a dead end. Robin stopped looking around wondering how they got past him until he realized that Terra could move the earth. He had almost completely forgotten about that. Suddenly a rock wall came up and trapped them all in the small area as Terra appeared in front of them. She shot rocks at Cyborg and Beastboy trapping them in a cage like thing. Cy's system suddenly shut down while Beastboy was then trapped in a smaller cage with wires coming across and making it so he couldn't get out. Starfire was trapped under a huge boulder as Terra locked her arms and legs in place. Raven picked up a few rocks herself only for Terra to destroy them and shoot some kind of device at Raven causing her to go down and lose consciousness. Robin looked around as Terra vanished again. He could tell that Phantom was suddenly freaking out, and another wall suddenly shot up from them cutting them off from the rest of the team. Robin looked around prepared for a fight. Phantom carefully studied the ground hoping that he could avoid the mind control device Slade had.

"Well, it looks like the ghost can avoid some things. Freakshow had said something about you being able to get out of the control," a voice sneered. Robin stood in a defensive stance next to the ghost who looked at him worriedly.

"Robin, I can't fight it mentally anymore. There's only so much I can do to avoid it," Phantom whispered as Terra appeared in front of them with an evil grin. She held up the staff that was glowing red. Phantom closed his eyes and backed away knowing that once he looked at it, Robin was on his own. Robin growled and threw a birdarang at her only for it to miss her as she shifted the earth under her.

"Phantom's not afraid of some little ole staff is he?" she taunted. "He shouldn't be, but it sure looks like the big bad ghost is afraid of something as small as a staff." Phantom expanded his senses and let the temperature in the room drop. He avoided looking at the staff, but he could tell where everything was now. He could feel the energy from the crystal tickling his mind. He let a small smile grace his lips before letting ice begin forming on the ceiling. Robin glared at Terra readying himself for battle as he felt the temperature drop quickly. Terra grinned evilly before causing dust to come up from the ground to give herself cover. Robin coughed as Phantom silently listened for anything. Terra came up behind him, and before she could attack, Phantom froze the ground beneath her making the ice crawl up her legs. She couldn't move as the dust settled. Robin looked up and thinking quickly, grabbed the staff from her. Phantom opened his eyes and glared at her. She growled and broke the ice using her own powers before disappearing into the earth again. Robin held the staff tightly. Phantom wanted to turn and face him, but he really didn't feel like being taken control of even if it was his friend.

"Phantom," Robin whispered turning around and facing the other side of the room from Phantom making sure Terra wasn't going to attack again. He starting backing up until Phantom and he were back to back defending each other. "We need to get to the others."

"Robin, break the crystal," Phantom stated as he started feeling its affects getting stronger. If it was in there with him and close long enough, then he could still lose control. The energy was closer to him. He didn't have the mental wall he used to. Robin looked at ball wondering why Phantom wanted him too. He wanted to see if maybe Cyborg or Raven could study it, but Phantom's voice told him that even though he wasn't looking at it, it was still affecting him.

"I wanted to study it," Robin stated taking a quick peek at Phantom's shaking form. He was trying to fight the effect. "Besides, maybe we could find a way to destroy it so that way no one else can use against you anymore."

"Robin," Phantom warned hating where this was going. "Please, don't do this." Robin realized that if he didn't destroy, he would destroy any trust the ghost had in him. However, if he did destroy it, then anyone can still use it against Phantom.

"Trust me," Robin stated pulling the ball off the staff and throwing the staff across the room and grabbing Phantom. "We need to get to the others." Phantom's eyes opened to reveal red as he grabbed Robin and flew through the wall that Terra used to separate them. Phantom stepped away as Robin reset Cyborg. Cy blinked a couple before groaning. He looked at Phantom prepared for the ghost to attack.

"Why is he…?" Cy began walking up to the ghost realizing Phantom wasn't going to do anything. Robin frowned looking at the crystal in his hands.

"He's really going to hate me when this is over," Robin stated putting the thing in his pocket. "He's in my control. He couldn't fight it, but at least he has to listen to me now." Robin started cutting the wires on BB's cage as the changeling watched Phantom with worry. The ghost's face was blank like nothing was going on. Robin looked at Star who was watching her friend with worry. "Phantom, free Starfire." Phantom moved over to her and put a gentle hand on hers and turned her intangible pulling her out of the rocks. She went to say something before Raven destroyed her own cage. She turned to Phantom and growled.

"YOU!" she shouted flying up to him and knocking him into the wall. Robin stopped cutting and ran to them. He pulled Raven back.

"Raven, don't," Robin warned as Phantom laid there unmoving. The leader held the sorceress back before she could attack any more.

"He betrayed us," she screamed as her powers started acting up. Whatever that device had done caused her to see the Phantom with red eyes destroying the city. Random things began glowing black and floating as she glared in the direction of the ghost.

"No, he didn't. He's just not strong enough to break the spell," Robin explained holding up the crystal. Raven blinked at the small ball. She was certain Phantom had just made it up trying to prove that he really wasn't like Terra, but this just proved her wrong. She didn't want anyone coming into the team and breaking them apart by betraying them like Terra had done. "Slade had this, and it could control ghosts." Raven stopped and picked it up. She studied it for a moment before walking up to Phantom who was slowly getting up. He stood there staring at the crystal with a completely blank expression. Raven held the crystal up and watched as Phantom followed it wherever it went.

"Free Beastboy," Raven demanded pointing at the changeling who watched Phantom concerned. Phantom walked over to the green hero and broke the wires letting them die and getting Beastboy out of the cage. Raven narrowed her eyes at the crystal and looked back at Phantom who resumed watching it. "He knows that this is making him do everything and that's what he wants. He wants his control back."

"He wanted me to destroy it, but I wanted to see if we could study it and try to make something that counters it so he doesn't get controlled again," Robin explained looking at the ghost who began glaring at the small crystal.

"He knows enough about it to know that in order to get out, he needs to destroy it. I might know a spell, but I have to be the one to put him under control. He'll still listen to you even without the ball. I want him to be under me, and me only," Raven stated as she remembered a spell that can keep beings from being controlled by objects like this one. "Destroying this one will cause another to appear. They are hard to find, but they can still be used against him if I don't do this."

"When we get back to the Tower after this is over," Robin stated taking out the stone that had Phantom's pain in it. Phantom stiffened and stared at Robin with wide red eyes and backed away feeling that stone's effect. "He won't like the fact that we have control once he's out of it, but we have to find Slade and Terra."

"Terra tore out of here when she lost the crystal," Beastboy stated looking at Phantom sadly. He wanted the ghost to be in control. Phantom just watched Raven and Robin wanting to get away, but he couldn't because they had to tell him what to do. They were the ones control right now.

"Can we give Phantom back control without hurting him?" Cyborg asked hoping for Phantom's input. He seemed pretty good at finding things. A couple times he found the remote when they turned the Tower upside down trying to find it. He could barely get out of bed at the time too. Raven looked at the crystal and then closed her eyes letting her energy surround it hoping that it worked. Phantom's eyes turned white and then back to green as he blinked a couple times. Raven quickly hid the crystal so Phantom couldn't accidently get controlled again. He held his head and then sent a glare at Robin.

"Are you okay?" Beastboy asked walking up to his friend. Phantom looked back down and noticed that everyone was now free.

"Yeah. I can't remember anything after I told Robin to destroy the crystal," Phantom mumbled sending another glare at the leader. Robin looked at Raven hoping for something.

"He won't ever really remember," she stated walking up to him. "You don't remember last time either."

"It's blurry, but I could make some of what happened out," Phantom stated looking at the ground. "I did some pretty bad stuff." He knew what he did, but he wasn't in control, and he didn't like it. Same here, he wasn't in control even though it was his friend who held the crystal, but he still didn't like it. Robin walked up to him, and he flinched away.

"Raven knows how to keep you from falling under its spell again, but we have to beat Slade and Terra first," Robin stated. "And we need to get out of here. They are probably back in the city by now."

"What are we waiting for then?" Cyborg asked wanting to get this over with. He was tired, and he wanted Terra taken down. Phantom's eyes glowed white as a green shield surrounded them, and the earth shuddered before collapsing over them. Raven looked at him as he put his hands up and struggled against his shield. She quickly created one that went over top of his to help support the quickly thought of defense.

"How did he…?" Beastboy questioned as Raven tried to think of a way to get them out. Terra was now trying to kill them again.

"He can sense other's powers," Robin answered the unfinished question. He walked over to them.

"Phantom, can you focus enough to get us out of here?" Robin questioned. Phantom opened one eye and glared at him before nodding. Robin put a hand on his shoulder and told everyone to hold on to each other. Raven and Phantom let their shields down as Phantom turned everyone intangible and took off out of the ground. He landed over the caves and collapsed on the ground breathing heavily. The day had taken a lot out of him, and even though he was in better condition, it didn't mean he was invincible.

"Friend Phantom?" Starfire worried walking next to him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just tired," he mumbled as his cloak wrapped around him again. Robin walked over to the edge of the cliff and looked out at the abandoned city.

"He's out there somewhere," Robin growled glaring out over to the Tower. Cyborg walked up next to him.

"We need to finish this," Cyborg stated as the ground shuddered again.

"How do you keep getting out of there?" Terra shrieked firing more rocks at them. She was tired of them finding ways out of her death traps. She was no longer caring about how she did it, she just wanted it done. Phantom turned to her and shot an ice ray at her and froze her solid. She growled as her eyes turned yellow, and the earth moved up and broke the ice.

Phantom shot forward at her angry that she wouldn't just stop for a moment. He tackled her and fell off the cliff and down to the streets below. The Titans headed to look over and see their friend fight the earth controller. Phantom blasted her away while she shot a column of earth under him and forced him into the sky. Phantom used it against her and redirected his momentum back at her and slammed her into the ground creating a crater. She laid there for a moment before getting up slowly. She glared at him while Slade appeared behind him with an ecto gun pointed at his head. Robin noticed and threw a birdarang while the rest of the team headed down as fast as they could with the steep decline. Slade shot right before Robin's weapon made it to him while Phantom teleported out of the area and then appeared behind Terra and shot her forward making another crater in the ground. Slade backed into the shadows and disappeared while Terra lost consciousness. Phantom stood up and glared at her as the Titans finally got to the bottom.

"I win," he growled as he straightened himself out. His cloak opened to reveal the thin teenager once more. His ribs poked through the fabric and his features were sunken in. He was breathing heavily as Robin reached into his pocket to find that the stone was gone. This fight was over.

"Phantom?" Beastboy asked slowly making his way to the ghost. Phantom shuddered as he fell to his knees. Everyone headed for him to make sure he was okay when Terra groaned and slowly woke up. Robin turned and cuffed her. She growled at them while Robin dragged her away while she yelled curses at them. Whatever Phantom had done prevented her from using her powers. Raven laid a gentle hand on Phantom's back when he fell forward and caught himself on his hands.

"I guess it's over," Phantom mumbled closing his eyes. He could feel the pain and hurt come back. Clockwork may have told him the reasons why he did what he had done, but it still hurt. It didn't matter how this played out, Phantom knew he would be the one with the most pain. Phantom looked up at the remaining Titans. He was still a little mad at Robin, but he could understand where the leader was coming from. He wanted to protect the ghost from farther harm caused by the crystal. Phantom closed his eyes again as he fell on the ground and lost consciousness.

"Is he…" Beastboy began as Raven put her fingers against the hybrid's neck. She felt his gentle breathing and a strong steady heartbeat.

"He's fine. He is back to where he started though," Raven explained with a small smile. She was glad that he wasn't dead, but there was still so much that needed done in order to help him. "We need to get him back to the Tower."

"His bed is still set up in the living room," Cyborg stated kneeling next to them and gently picking the young teen up. A bright light appeared around his waist and changed him back into the human form. They looked at each other afraid of what that meant. Raven quickly teleported herself and Cyborg back to the Tower. Beastboy and Starfire headed in the direction of where Robin had taken Terra.

Titan's Tower 1200 Hours

"Raven, can you get anything from him?" Cyborg asked at they tried to get brain waves to appear on the motion. Nothing was happening. Raven looked at the ground sadly.

"No, there isn't anything there," she whispered gently running another wire to Danny's hand. His chest gently rose and fell while the heart monitor made a steady and strong beeping noise telling them that his body was still there while the other wave monitor remained dead silent.

"Think we lost him?" Cyborg asked knowing that it was going to kill them all. Terra betrayed them; they didn't need to lose the ghost. He was only beginning to heal a few of the wounds Terra had left.

"I don't know," Raven stated. She didn't want to trust the ghost. She didn't want another person on the team, but he somehow wormed his way into their hearts. No matter what they said to each other, they all cared about the young, brave hybrid. "Only time will tell."

"Sam?" Danny asked wrapping an arm around her. "What if we skipped today? Just me and you?"

"Danny, we have three tests and a lab to do," Sam smiled at him. "We can't, you goofball."

"We can always make them up some other time," Danny whispered in her ear causing goose bumps to appear on her arms.

"You have enough to make up because of the ghosts appearing," Sam stated looking at him. "I don't think you can afford it. Maybe tonight after we update the backup book."

"But Tucker won't leave then," Danny whined while a smile played across his face. Sam patted his cheek.

"I can get rid of him; don't worry," she promised kissing his cheek. "It's simple."

"No," Phantom whispered blinking his eyes. Everything was burning; there was nothing left. He could feel his own burns flaring up. "They can't be…" He listened to the screaming and the sirens of the fire trucks and other emergency vehicles that were outside. His classroom was nothing but ash and burning wood. Bodies lay out around him. He could no longer recognize any them due to the fiery burns. He shot out of the building knowing that everyone he cared about was in there. His parents were helping with a project, and no matter how much he begged them, they still came. He looked down invisibility. No one from his science class was out there, and he knew none of them lived. He stopped as he noticed Dash with a look of horror. He looked back and realized that the school was going down. He wanted to help but the burns dancing across his skin began throbbing before he could no longer stand it. He screamed. Everyone turned to him and realized that their hero had been in there, and he was hurting. Agents from the Guys in White grinned and headed for him only for a shield to appear around him. He looked at them with white eyes. The school froze over, and Phantom disappeared, never to be seen in Amity Park again. What was once a burning school was now nothing but charcoaled walls and ceiling with bodies littering what was left in the classrooms.

"If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?" Sam asked looking at him with bright violet eyes.

"Wherever you are," Danny answered with a grin. Sam blushed and turned away.

"What if you don't know where I am?" Sam asked trying to get an answer out of him that wasn't surrounding her. She admired him for it, but she always thought it would get annoying. He was always able to keep her on her toes though, no matter what happened.

"That will never happen," Danny whispered leaning closer. Sam kissed his nose and took off.

"Well then, let's see," she challenged disappearing behind a corner. Danny opened his eyes to reveal glowing green as he teleported to her.

"I win," he whispered behind her. She turned and seen him in Phantom form grinning proudly as his cloak flew out behind him making him seem even more mysterious. She loved that about it. He had added for Halloween, and then decided to keep it because he liked the way it felt. It was the only thing that he had added. Tucker added the belt so that he didn't have to carry the thermos around.

"This was never your fault, Danny," Sam whispered. "You can still go somewhere, and be whoever you want to be. I may no longer be there for you, those Titans will. They'll be there for you no matter what."

"Sam, I'm lost," Danny whispered looking for her. All he could hear was screaming and her voice. He wanted her to be there with him, to help him like she always did when he felt like there was nothing left. "Please."

"Danny, you are a fighter; you are a hero. You protect those who care about you," Sam screamed appearing in front of him. She was dressed like she was when Undergrowth attacked. "That's who you are. The Titans need you to help them and protect them. They can't heal on their own and neither can you." Tears streamed down both their faces. "Please, Danny. Promise me you'll never give up, no matter how hard it seems."

"Sam…I…I…I promise," Danny whispered reaching out to her. They both had gotten themselves in big trouble before, and they helped each other out, but now they were never going to be together again.

"Danny, only the Titans can decide your fate," Clockwork stated looking at the hybrid that had one blue eye and one glowing green. Half his hair was white while the other was black. His cloak was white with black liner, and he was wearing a plain white T-Shirt with the insignia on it. His pants were black with a beautiful white design crawling up the right leg. "You lost that chance once you started this path. You were running yourself into the ground hoping for death to collect you. You wanted to be with your family and friends, but your spirit kept fighting. You began fighting yourself. You wanted to be dead, and you wanted to live. You already walk that line."

"I want my Sam back," the hybrid whispered looking at the screen. Clockwork looked at him sadly.

"There is nothing I can do," he muttered closing the portal. "You are now in the Titans control. You lost your own ability when you could no longer feed yourself and ran yourself so far into the ground that almost no one could help."

"Everything is blurry," Phantom stated realizing that he was being controlled. He focused and let himself fight it. His beaten body refused to move as he looked up at the blonde haired girl.

"Well, it looks like the stray finally woke up," she sneered raising her hand. Ice appeared out of nowhere above him. He glared and vanished into a cloud of green once it hit the ground. Terra growled shooting earth at him.

"I'm not a stray," Phantom growled as the air grew darker. She backed away feeling the power coming from the hybrid. "My name is Danny Phantom, and I'm the protector of both the Human World and the Ghost Zone. I am a balance and one of a kind. You are nothing but a threat that needs to be taken care of." Terra vanished as Phantom looked everywhere ready for anything. He watched as the scenery changed into the Tower. He was looking at Raven and Cyborg who were desperately trying to get some kind of response from his body. Beastboy and Starfire suddenly came running in. They fussed over him before looking at him sadly realizing that there was nothing they could do. Cyborg began taking down the equipment.

Titan's Tower 1800 Hours

He was getting ready to take the IV drip out of Danny's hand when Robin entered.

"Cyborg?" Robin asked seeing that nothing was hooked up. He was sure that they would have already had everything ready to help the teen.

"He's brain dead," Cyborg answered as Robin walked up to the hybrid. He couldn't understand it. Phantom was strong, so why couldn't he fight this. His body survived, but his mind couldn't.

"He kept his promise about fighting death," Beastboy muttered knowing that he really wasn't dead, just unresponsive, but he might as well be.

"There was nothing we could do," Raven stated looking at the hybrid. She wanted him to stay. Both Beastboy and Cyborg had less fights, and they always seemed less likely to start one. Phantom was the peacekeeper. He was the middle, the balance, and the one that would always disable a fight before one could start. As to prove her point about there being nothing left, the body stopped breathing. Robin put his fingers to the teen's neck, and he looked down sadly not feeling anything.

"Time of death, 6:15 pm," Robin stated knowing that there was nothing left. He pulled a sheet over the young teen's head and headed out. He wasn't going to let his team see him cry. Phantom would have made a great Titan one day and even a great leader if he was given the chance.

"If you have one day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?"

"I would spend it with you."

"You are so cheesy."

"I have cheese at home, if you want some?"

Titan's Tower 0500 Hours

In Honor of a young hero who put everything he had into stopping a villain this grave was placed. He came looking for help, and instead helped to defeat Slade and bring the city back. His name was Phantom, and he lost everything and everyone he cared about in an accident, but he still never stopped fighting. His loyalty and trust were beyond any Titan.

He was a True Hero and Protector

He never stopped fighting

He was always there to help

And now we leave this in his Honor.

Danny Phantom~ Ghostly Hero

Titan's Tower: Seven Days Later 1200 Hours

"Why did you get that movie?" Cyborg asked glaring at the changeling who was sitting there watching the credit with sad eyes.

"It had a ghost," he mumbled. Robin sighed hating the fact that Beastboy was always depressing and finding things about ghosts more than anything else. He started reading novels about ghosts and learning more about them. He was so out of it that when a villain showed up, the team would noticed that BB's flight patterns were ones that Phantom shared with them. He was always trying to make sure the hybrid was never forgotten.

"Beastboy, Phantom might be gone, but we did everything we could," Robin stated hoping to cheer the green shape shifter up. "He was in so much pain that it's amazing he lived as long as he did."

"He was still our friend," Beastboy shot glaring at the leader. "You act like you don't care."

"Guys?" a voice stated quietly. Raven and Cyborg looked at the speaker, but Beastboy and Robin were too into their fight to notice. Cyborg's mouth dropped opened not believing who was there. Raven shook her head not knowing what to think while Starfire was trying to disengage the fight.

"I do too care," Robin shouted. "I just didn't let it affect the rest of the team. You're the one sitting around here moping."

"Because I lost a really good friend!"

"And the rest of us didn't?"

"Guys, enough," the voice shouted causing the temperature in the room to drop.

"What?" Robin shot back glaring at the speaker before realizing who it was. "How…?" Phantom walked forward with a grin.

"Jeez, I leave for a few days, and you guys are ready to eat each other," he smiled gently. Robin blinked not believing that Phantom was alive and standing there. Beastboy stopped and just stared with Starfire not sure what to think.

"How are you alive? You stopped…" Robin sputtered wanting to believe that Phantom was really there.

"Breathing? I'm a ghost; I don't always need to breathe. My body needed to shut down and restart before I could do anything," Phantom explained walking up to them. "It's weird, but I'm not sure how it worked."

"You're not dead?" Beastboy asked with his mouth hanging open. His friend, the one that helped him whenever he needed it, and the one that made him safe, and the one he felt he needed to protect, was alive. He was standing here with a smile.

"No, still the same half ghost hybrid," Phantom answered letting his cloak open. He was still extremely thin and bony. "My wounds and burns from the past few months are healed. The only thing that needs done is actually getting my weight back up."

"How did that…?" Robin started not sure what to say. Phantom wasn't in any pain, but he was still nothing but skin and bones.

"When my body reset itself, it healed all wounds, but without nutrients and food, I still lost weight," Phantom explained with a small, sad smile.

"How is it you survived a reset?" Raven questioned walking up to him. He backed up until Cyborg stood behind him. "You're entire life force would shut down."

"I dun no," Phantom shrugged. He started getting antsy, and really didn't want to stay in the middle of them all. Just because his body was healed, didn't mean he was better. Now he just needed to let go and accept what has happened.

"If you could have one thing in the world for free, what would it be?"

"More time with you."

"Will you stop that?"

"But, I love you."

"You are such a dork."

"But I'm your dork."

"Phantom?" Beastboy asked wondering if the hybrid was okay. He had spaced out on them.

"Yeah," Phantom responded getting back to earth. Starfire was shaking with delight that her friend was home sound, safe, and alive. She wanted to hug him so badly, but he had stated that once he was ready, he would let her.

"Are you okay?" BB whispered wanting to make sure that nothing was really wrong with Phantom. He didn't want to lose him if he really was back.

"As good as I can be, I guess," Phantom shrugged looking at Starfire who started slightly bouncing. "Star, if you be gentle, I'll let you."

"Wonderful," Starfire exclaimed wrapping her arms around Phantom's thin frame. He gently wrapped his around her as well, and she could feel his uneasy and shaky form. She couldn't care about that since her friend was back. Everyone was glad that he was open to letting people be closer to him. It meant he was healing. "I am so happy that you are okay."

"I'm getting there," Phantom whispered as his fears and paranoia started taking over. He fought it back down not wanting to upset the alien. Robin walked up and put a hand on Phantom's shoulder.

"What's the last thing you remember?" Robin asked looking at the hybrid. He wanted to know what Phantom had really been though and what he had seen. Phantom's smile disappeared as he processed the question. Starfire floated away happy that she was able to get her hug.

"I remember you stating my time of death. It was when my body shut down and let my ghost side do its job. That's why Raven couldn't get anything from my human side at the time. At least, that's what I'm thinking," Phantom muttered looking down. "I read the gravestone though. Do you know how awkward it is to read something like that and stay?"

"You were thinking about leaving?" Cyborg stated looking at the ghost. Phantom nodded.

"I didn't know if letting you guys really think I was dead would be a good thing or a bad. But so far, this is the only place that's actually welcomed me," Phantom whispered knowing he would never find any others like the Titans. "So when I had control back to my body, I didn't know if coming back would have been a good idea or not."

"You are always welcome here," Robin comforted knowing that the ghost was probably terrified of them thinking he was playing them. Robin wanted to give Phantom the chance, and knowing that the ghost was really alive helped.

"Thanks guys," Phantom smiled until Raven decided to make a comment since the atmosphere just called for it, and since no one else would have noticed.

"You are like a cockroach," she smiled shaking her head and leaving. Beastboy and Cyborg started laughing while Robin tried to hold it in. Phantom grinned cheekily.

"That's nice to know," he responded. Starfire looked at them confused.

"How is Phantom like a cockroach?" she questioned not understanding the comment. Phantom looked at her and then started laughing.

Amity Park North Side Labs 2100 Hours

"How is it that Phantom can get anyone to trust him, but we can't seem to get the public to see him as the villain that he really is?" O asked typing on his computer hoping for something in order to bring the ghost done.

"Gentlemen, I have a wonderful idea," Masters stated walking out of the shadows. "We show the public what a bad guy Phantom is."

"How? He plays hero well, and then he is protected by the Titans," K stated not understanding what their boss was getting at. Masters grinned.

"Then let's make him look like the bad guy. Separate him from the Titans and then have a clone destroy some things. Ruin his name. He'll come running, and then at his weakest, we strike," Masters explained glaring at the agents. "If you know what's good for you, I suggest you get to work. I don't take laziness lightly." The agents scurried out of the room like mice from a cat. Masters grinned watching the security camera of Phantom defeating Terra. He was powerful, but at the same time extremely weak. He knew the Titans would save him, and then all that needed to be done was to destroy their trust in the young hybrid. "I hope you had fun Phantom, because I plan on destroying the rest of your life unless you come to me."

Titan's Tower 1200 Hours

"Where is everyone else?" Phantom asked as Beastboy led him down another hallway. Beastboy looked around feeling like he had gotten himself lost. He was only supposed to keep Phantom distracted for a couple hours while they got everything set up and ready. They had started on the project after they saved him from the Guys in White, but stopped when he 'reset'.

"That's what I'm trying to find," Beastboy stated annoyed. He and Phantom were on the same level, but Beastboy lost where he was exactly supposed to take Phantom. He was about half an hour late, and he hoped that the rest had it done. If not, they had a few more minutes until Beastboy found them. They knew, and chances are they were waiting for them to show up. Beastboy turned a corner and seen Robin leaning against the door glaring at the changeling. BB smiled as Phantom walked up.

"I feel like I'm missing something," Phantom stated. He was tired, and he just wanted to go back to the living and either sleep on the uncomfortable hospital bed that had been salvaged from the infirmary or on the slightly more comfortable couch. Beastboy grinned and ran into the room Robin was standing next to.

"He got you lost, didn't he?" Robin asked knowing that was the reason. Everything was finished fifteen minutes ago and when Robin read the clock he figured Beastboy really had gotten them lost. He was worried, but figured that Raven could at least find him eventually. The real trick was making sure Phantom stayed up. He was constantly falling asleep. Robin was really worried about that since he hated the hospital bed and the couch had something on it that they needed to clean. When they did, something else ended up there. He was beginning Phantom was going insane because of it too.

"You could say that," Phantom muttered looking around at them. He didn't recognize anything there until he looked up at the door. It was grey, but his insignia was put on it in white. Phantom looked at Robin with a slightly open mouth not sure what to think.

"I think you staying in the living was a bit annoying to all involved. Besides, I think you deserve your own room since you plan on staying here for a while," Robin smiled as the door opened to reveal a neatly done room. Raven was leaning against the door to the bathroom while Beastboy was on the bed. Starfire smiled with a bit of white paint on her face while Cyborg was typing on a computer that was attached to the wall. The room was mainly black with beautiful white designed crawling up the walls. The ceiling was black as well with a layout of the stars. Phantom remembered telling them about how he had loved the night sky. His bed was a huge circle with his insignia on the cover and the dresser and night stand were white with black and green trimmings.

"Wow," Phantom mumbled not believing they would put so much work into one room.

"Terra's wasn't as detailed," Robin stated watching the young hybrid's face. "But there was a lot that she didn't do for us like you did."

"This is…I don't know what to say," Phantom whispered as Raven walked up to him.

"Thank you would be nice," she stated.

"Not enough," Phantom responded back looking at all of them. He didn't know what to do now. They had gone out of their way to give him a wonderful room.

"You could give us more about yourself and your past," Robin stated. He hoped doing this would help coax the ghost into opening up more. Phantom stiffened.

"I…I…" he stammered. He wanted to give them something, but once again, he was terrified of them knowing everything. Robin was trying to rush him into telling them and he wasn't quite ready for that.

"Robin," Raven warned noting that Phantom was shaking again. "Don't push him. That'll only cause more trouble."

"Phantom, you don't have to now, but whenever you are ready, just know that we are here to listen. You don't have to go anywhere else," Robin restated realizing that was part of why Terra ran. She was afraid of them knowing something in her past. The police were going to send him everything they could get from the criminal's past.

"I can do that," Phantom responded knocking Robin back into the real world. "It might be a while, I promise to tell you guys eventually, and I don't break my promises either."

"Good," Robin smiled as the team gathered together. "Let's get something to eat."

"Yeah," Beastboy yelled running out of the room. Everyone took off except for Raven and Phantom.

"You really going to tell us, or are you going to put it off so no one will remember," Raven questioned.

"Raven, at this moment, I'm mentally unstable. I know that, but I can't just let you all in without paying something," Phantom responded turning away from her. "I've never really had to tell anyone about anything. Everyone that I confined in is gone, but they were always there with me. I'm alone now, but I can get through it. All I need is someone to at least stay there with me."

"You're a little too honest for me to even think about letting you become a member," Raven stated showing that she wasn't about to let another stray enter their home and tear them apart again.

"I guess that makes sense, but I'm tired of lying," Phantom informed. "Ever since I was half ghost, I have never told my parents willingly what I was or what I was doing. I've been lying to them for too long, and now there is nothing I can do to reverse it. My mother was always worrying about me, and my father was so into his work that he barely realized anything was wrong."

"That's more than I expected to get out of you," Raven stated wondering if that was even the truth. She would have to check his family out. Phantom turned back around away from her and headed farther into the room wanting to explore it a bit. "You should come with us to get something to eat. Cyborg hadn't gotten to actually putting a bowl in here for fruits or whatever. He was busy trying to get you in the system and your own computer set up."

"It really is amazing," Phantom whispered looking at the door that lead to his own bathroom.

"Beastboy made sure that the shower worked," Raven smiled remembering when Phantom had scared the crap out of Robin since he had left to take one. Robin was terrified that he made another mistake when Phantom walked out of the guestroom shower with a smile. Robin went to ask him about it when Beastboy walked up to Phantom, and they started talking.

"That's always good," Phantom smiled. It had been a while since he was able to have his own room and his own bathroom. He missed being able to hide out and chill in something that was his own. He was so happy that he didn't really know what to do anymore. Raven pulled him around.

"You realize that either Beastboy or Cyborg, more likely both, are going to get into a fight about what we are eating, right?" she stated. She liked the fact that Phantom played peacekeeper. They respected him for some strange reason, and he was always able to stop the fight from getting out of control.

"Yeah," Phantom mumbled knowing that they were always getting into one. He was able to stop it, but he couldn't understand why they looked up to him like that. He was just another freak with powers. Why could he stop something like that? It was the same with Sam and Tucker, they would get into their fights and he would sit it out, until he really started taking the her thing seriously, and they never fought over it when he was around they would start, but he was always able to stop the fight before it got out of hand. When he started dating Sam, Tucker ignored them when they were eating since he was afraid that Danny would start siding with Sam. He never did.

"That, and you can't afford to miss a meal," Raven stated looking at the ghost and bringing him out of his musing. "You all there?"

"I don't know," Phantom answered looking at her. "I don't know if I ever will be either."

"Your memories are getting to you," Raven stated reading his face. It was just as easy as actually reading his mind, but she knew that not everyone would be that way.

"I really miss them," Phantom answered as he followed her out of the room. She stopped remembering the crystal.

"After we finish eating, there's something I need to do," she mentioned watching the young hybrid. His walk was slow and steady, but she noticed the small flinches across Phantom's face. She didn't know what to think, but she just kept a more careful eye. She didn't think it was anything about him doing something, just something that may have put him in some pain. She thought about it and realized that probably sleeping on the hospital bed wasn't the best place for him. He was probably sore from it.

They entered the living to Robin glaring at Phantom while Beastboy and Cyborg were quietly sitting at the table looking at the ghost sadly. Phantom blinked unsure at what happened between everyone. Starfire was sitting across the room looking at the ground. Raven looked between them all confused.

"What's going on?" she asked. She figured that they caught Phantom doing something.

"Phantom is being charged with kidnapping and harassment. After those charges were filed, another charge of kidnapping and harassment popped up from someone else. Those were dropped once they couldn't get a define answer from the guy. But the first one is still in play. Phantom has a warrant for his arrest," Robin explained as the computer screen behind him showed legal documents about the ghost.

"From who?" Phantom asked wanting to know what happened. He didn't remember doing anything that would tick someone off like that.

"Vlad Masters is the first while Ernesto Montez pulled back out when he reveal that he was possibly overshadowed," Robin answered. He knew that Masters would pull something like this. Robin knew he was the bad guy, but in order to prevent the Government from destroying the Teen Titans, he would have to take Phantom in until they could prove Masters is a bad guy or get the charges dropped.

"Robin…I never kidnapped him. He's kidnapped me and tortured me plenty of times, but I've never done that," Phantom tried to explain. He was terrified. He really didn't want to go to prison of any kind.

"The Harassment?" Raven stated noting that Phantom looked at the ground slightly guilty.

"That…may have been true. I have done some things," Phantom grinned a little. "A little harmless play…remember the time when they had video of Masters naked on the news? They got with a little help from me."

"Dude," Beastboy grinned. Robin shot a look at him before turning back to Phantom.

"You know what this means, right?" Robin asked walking closer to the ghost. Phantom took a step back as his fear and panic rose. He tried to fight it. Raven put a gently hand on his shoulder.

"You'll be in our custody until this is figured out," she stated narrowing a look at Robin telling him that he has to make sure Phantom is kept safe. "You'll have to stay in one of our cells in the Tower or the interrogation room until an officer can come and interview you. You are considered a meta-human."

"It's our job to enforce their rights," Robin stated as he took out a pair of handcuffs. He knew Phantom was innocent, and this probably wasn't helping his healing any. "Nothing will happen to you. I'll make sure of it."

"I didn't…" Phantom protested causing Raven to tighten her hold. She felt his cold fear as the temperature in the room dropped.

"Robin, stop," she warned as Phantom shook and ice formed on the floor. "Phantom, you'll be okay, calm down." His shaking became even worse as he phased though Raven's hand.

"Phantom? Please, we can get this resolved, but you have to work with us," Robin stated with concern. He knew this would happen, but he had to put Phantom on lock down. He had a friend in the police department who was coming later that day to interview Phantom. Robin told him that he would have no problems.

"I…I…I can't," Phantom whispered turning and running out. Robin took off after him not wanting to lose the young ghost. Cyborg put the Tower on lockdown knowing that Phantom could still get out. They didn't have to home ghost proof.

Phantom ran into his room and locked the door. He slid down it shaking violently. He didn't want to be in the system at all. His breathing became extremely fast as he caught his breath. He wanted to run away from the Tower, but he knew that would only cause more trouble, so he picked the next best thing: his room. It was still in the Tower, but it would give him enough time to at least think, and the Titan's would still know that he wasn't leaving them. He heard Robin calling his name though the halls. He ran past the room, but didn't even stop. Phantom felt slightly depressed that Robin thought he would actually leave.

He stood up and headed for the night stand where he had some paper and pens. He started a list on everything Masters had done to him. If Masters wanted to use the legal system to get to him, then he was going to as well. He no longer cared about his secret. Masters was trying to cause tension in the Titans by this. He heard someone walk up to his door. Phantom backed himself into the headboard of the bed. He loved it since it was soft and extremely comfortable. The Titans knew he had been sleeping on that bed and knew he couldn't be very comfortable.

Whoever was at the door must have realized it was locked. Phantom expanded his senses and realized it was Robin. He was saying something, but Phantom couldn't hear it over his own heart beating a mile a minute. He tried to calm himself down knowing that Robin wouldn't hurt him, but he was so terrified at the moment of everything going on.

"Come on, Phantom," Robin whispered running past the ghost's room. He had lost sight of ghost as the Tower went into lockdown. They knew it didn't help, and probably scared the ghost away. He sighed knowing that there was nothing they could do anymore now that Phantom disappeared. He wouldn't be like Terra either and show up in a few days or weeks. He would disappear and never been seen again. Robin walked up to Phantom's door knowing that the ghost never got the chance to really stay in there. He waited for the door to open only it never did. He looked up and realized it was locked.

"Phantom?" he questioned. He lifted his hand to knock, but he heard someone move. He smiled a little knowing that Phantom was at least still inside the Tower. "Phantom," he called hoping that the ghost wouldn't take off. He wanted to talk to him. He would let Phantom come to him, but they were still on deadline. If Phantom wasn't in cuffs and in their interrogation room by the time that his friend got there, Phantom was on his own. "Phantom, I just need to talk to you. I won't do anything I promise. There is something you need to know before you do anything. Please?"

"He's gone," Cyborg stated looking at Robin. Robin turned to him with a small sad smile. "There's nothing we can do now. He can still get out."

"The part of his mind that trusts us won't let him. He's in his room. The door is locked," Robin stated waving his hand in front of it. Cyborg's mouth dropped. He really didn't think that Phantom would stay. "We've buildup enough trust with him that he doesn't want to break it. He's trying his hardest, but there is only so much that we can really do."

"I can open the door," Cyborg stated opening the one next to Phantom's door.

"Wait, I want to see if I can get him to come to us rather than us going after him. He'll run, and we won't have any way to save him," Robin explained as he built enough courage to knock. He heard movement on the other side and hoped that Phantom didn't just take off through the ceiling when he heard nothing else.

"Only one of you can," Phantom mumbled though the door. Robin heard the slightly panicked and worried tone.

"Cyborg, stay out here, and don't push him," Robin warned as he heard the door unlock and open. He quickly entered as the door shut and locked again. They light were off, but Phantom turned them on once Robin came in. Robin turned to see the slightly stressed out and panicked hybrid. His hair was everywhere, and he was shaking. Robin really looked at him and realized that he seemed even thinner than he was when he came back.

"What…Wh..What was..as…it…that…you wan..ted…me to…know?" Phantom sputtered trying to remain calm. Robin looked at the ghost sadly.

"I won't force you to do anything you don't want, but you have to either turn yourself into us or run," Robin stated laying out the hybrid's options. Phantom was starting to finally calm himself down when Robin looked up at him. "If you run, we can't protect you and you're on your own again. If you turn yourself in, we can help you. We might even be able to get the charges dismissed or get you an extremely light sentence." Phantom looked over to the notebook he had been writing in. He wondered if maybe that would help. Robin stared at him with a hard look thinking that the ghost wasn't even paying attention. "You have very little time."

"I…I…" Phantom stammered looking back at the ground. He slowly backed up and then headed for his bed. Robin watched the ghost prepared for him to either disappear or attack. Instead he picked up a notebook and headed back for Robin. He shakily held it out for the boy wonder. Robin looked at it before looking up at Phantom and taking the notebook. He waited for Phantom to take off, but Phantom only held out his wrists. "I knew what would happen, but I don't want to leave the Tower if that's okay."

"That's fine," Robin smiled slipping the cuffs out of his pocket. He handed them to Phantom for him to put on. Phantom shakily took them and gently attached them to his wrist. He kept his hands in front since he could see them. That and they really weren't made for someone like him since he could easily break out of them. Robin put his hand on the ghost's shoulder and gently guided him out. Phantom was still terrified, but he trusted the Titans enough to know that they weren't going to hurt him.

Cyborg looked at them with a sad smile knowing that Phantom was still extremely scared, but was still willing to let them take him in. Robin was glad that they didn't have to lose their friend and that he let them take care of everything. If he couldn't save Phantom, he would just go ahead and tell him to run. He wasn't going to risk Phantom's life for anything.

Amity Park 1500 Hours

"I believe we have the compound to prevent the copy from destabilizing," O grinned injected it into the blob. Masters grinned. He had taken his research on cloning Daniel into making just a copy of his ghost side. It was so much easier than trying to create a full clone and the agents actually had some book smarts.

"That's good. I brought us some time by putting Phantom on thin ice with the legal system. If he does mess something up, then we have him," Masters grinned. He couldn't wait to start his plan.

"This one should be easy. If you could have anyone, who would you have?"

"I already have the one I want."

"Danny, why?"

"I love you. I don't need any other reason."

Danny: After yelling at the people who work for geek squad because they didn't know how to fix a computer that thought everything was a word document...

Me: I ask, she goes...'well, you might have to take it in so that we can fix it' ...really...

Danny: Five minutes after she hangs up she fixes the problem...

Me: Seriously? There are two ways to reset your computer...like Phantom! Who all really thought I would kill him like that?

Danny: She will never write a story where he actually dies...she cries enough...also...the last part isn't edited since she wrote it all again today...

Me: I had to copy and paste everything from this site in order to get my story back...and I lost another I was working on... I Have no idea what I was starting...

Danny: She ticked...and yeah...

Me: But the next one might be a while...I had to rewrite this, so it might not quite make sense, but any questions I can try to answer...

Danny: Please review...and have a nice day

Me: Also, don't watch ghost stories at one in the morning.

Danny: Her grad party yesterday lasted until ten this morning...

Me: It was epic!XD