Broken Hearts
Chapter Eleven
Rising Phantom
"There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world; there is merely the comparison of one state to the other. Only a man who had felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss."
~Alexandre Dumas~
Jump City Courthouse 0925 Hours
"All rise for the honorable Judge Baxter," the bailiff introduced as everyone in the courtroom rose as the judge walked in. Phantom was shaking badly hoping that nothing would go wrong. He really didn't want to go to jail for something he didn't do. He watched the judge as he sat down.
"Thank you, you all may be seated," the judge ordered and looked at the defendant who was slightly shaking. The judge gave a sigh knowing that Phantom was probably having a panic attack from being placed on trial for something that wasn't his fault. His wife had been there when the ghost attacked and gave them his plan, but he still had to be the one to make sure that everything was fair. He only hoped that the only person really going after this was Johnson.
"Your Honor," the prosecutor began. "I would like to drop any and all charges on Mr. Phantom. I have never agreed to them in the first place, but I was the only lawyer ready for cases and Johnson was very pushy. The Titans have also given me evidence to prove that Phantom had nothing to do with what had happened here in Jump City during that attack."
"What?" Johnson yelled standing up. "He's…"
"Bailiff, please take him out of my courtroom. I will not tolerate disorder in my courtroom," Judge Baxter stated realizing that this was probably going to be a quick and easy case now that the prosecutor didn't want to charge the ghost with anything. Now that there was evidence suggesting that Phantom really had nothing to do with the attack, he was free to go. He was glad too since the next case was about a murder. It was more important than them trying to get a hero thrown in jail because of what he was. The sheriff blinked a few times before getting hysterical.
"You can't do this!" Johnson yelled as he was dragged out of the room. The judge sighed and looked at the young ghost who was just staring at the other side directly at the prosecutor with disbelief. "He's…." his voice trailed off as he was dragged out of the room.
"I'm dropping these charges because I have evidence of the hero that the ghost is. The only person who wanted to charge him was Johnson, and I didn't even want to bring this to trial. In fact, Johnson barely had anything to begin with," the prosecutor explained. "Unfortunately Johnson has a few things that need dealt with still with the ghost, but I think that the Titans will take care of those due to more evidence being uncovered. I would also like to charge Johnson with a few things myself."
"With what?" Baxter questioned watching the eyes of the prosecutor light up. Phantom was sitting on the other side of the room in disbelief while everyone was smiling at the turn of events.
"I have several things, Your Honor. I will get back to you once I have it on file along with the evidence. I don't want to waste anymore of your time today," he answered getting everything together and standing up with the judge. He knew what today was for the courtroom, and he didn't want Phantom to stay in the prison until the murder trial was over, so he was able to pull a couple stings and everything worked out in the end.
"Case dismissed," Baxter slammed the gravel against the soundboard letting everyone know that this case was over, and he also knew that whatever Johnson had tried Phantom with would never be able to be used against the ghost again. He was free.
Phantom just sat there until the defense lawyer pulled him up in respect for the judge. Phantom stumbled slightly as pain shot across his back. The judge sent a small smile at the ghost seeing that he was in disbelief and some pain. Phantom blinked his eyes a couple times as everyone started cheering. The Titans made their way up to him.
"And Phantom, I hope you keep up with the Titans. I think you have helped everyone in some way already," the judge stated before he left the room. Phantom nodded still in shock.
"See, you had nothing to worry about," Robin smiled putting his hand on Phantom's shoulder as an officer undid the cuffs around Phantom's wrists. Phantom jerked his wrists back when the officer let go, and everyone just stared at him surprised. The officer gave a small smile knowing that Phantom had been doing that every time someone took the cuffs off. It seemed to be a habit for the hybrid. Robin looked at the ghost worriedly and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I can't believe it was that easy…" Phantom trailed off looking down at his wrist and gently began rubbing them. They were slightly red.
"You're not in Amity; Jump will listen first before making decisions," Robin stated was a smile. Sam ran up to them.
"Phantom," she grinned wrapping her arms around his waist. Robin blinked at the small girl while everyone else just awed at the little girl smiling up at her hero. Phantom gave a small smile back and kneeled down, careful not to hurt himself any farther then he already was. "My daddy promised he wasn't going to let anything happen to you, and he kepted it."
"You'll have to thank him for me," Phantom smiled touching the tip of her nose. She giggled.
"I will," she responded as Robin put a comforting hand on Phantom's shoulder.
"I guess you want to go home now?" Robin questioned knowing that Phantom probably wanted to sleep in his own bed instead of the uncomfortable prison bed they had him in, and probably to get something to eat since he had been so stressed lately that he hadn't really had a heavy diet to help get weight back on. He was looking better, but he was still under weight.
"That would be nice," Phantom answered with a smile. They walked out of the courthouse while cameras and reporters surrounded them. Robin glared at them mad that they couldn't leave them alone long enough for Phantom to get out of here.
"Can you get us of here, Raven?" he asked looking at his friend. She nodded and chanted, letting the black magic surround them. The next thing they knew, they were in the living room of the Tower. Phantom flopped on the couch and winced instantly regretting that.
"Ouch," he mumbled leaning forward hoping to help die the pain that shot across his back. Raven rolled her eyes and walked to the kitchen area to make some tea while everyone else smiled.
"You knew something like that was going to happen," Beastboy pointed out only for green goo to suddenly stick to his mouth to keep him quiet.
"Not really, and you are still annoying," Phantom smiled as everyone sat down. Cyborg grinned.
"Doomed?" he asked looking at his ghostly friend. Phantom grinned and sat up straight so he could get a good look at the TV.
"Watch as I kick your butt," Phantom grinned throwing the controller in the air and catching it behind him. He flipped it back in front of him, and it landed perfectly in his hands. Cyborg glared and started the game muttering to himself about how Phantom was a showoff.
Titan's Tower 1100 Hours
"Where's Phantom?" Beastboy asked walking into the room. Robin looked at the changeling with a raised eyebrow.
"He's asleep in his room. I told you that an hour ago," Robin stated wondering why BB couldn't just leave the ghost alone for a bit. Phantom had enough stress for one day, and BB just seemed to always want to be in the way of the ghost getting any rest.
"I didn't see him in his room," Beastboy stated as worry and doubt flooded his being. He had been thinking about Terra lately while Phantom was in jail, and the fear of Phantom running away as well. Robin stood up and headed to Phantom's room. The doors opened to reveal the empty room.
"He said he was going to sleep since he didn't any good sleep at the department," Robin whispered hoping that Phantom was somewhere close.
"Maybe he left," Beastboy stated sadly knowing that Phantom had a better reason to leave than Terra did.
"Who left?" a voice asked walking into the room. Robin and Beastboy both turned to face Phantom.
"Where were you?" Robin questioned narrowing his eyes wondering why the ghost wasn't where he said he was.
"Cyborg asked if I could help him with something. He woke me up, and I figured I might as well," Phantom shrugged walking into his room and grabbing a couple things.
"What is Cy working on now?" Robin asked curiously. He was glad that Phantom was with another member of the team and was starting to open up, but he didn't think that those three days at the precinct would have actually helped as much as it did. Phantom grinned.
"Who would I be to ruin his surprise?" Phantom challenged leaving the room. Robin and Beastboy stood there for a second before the alarms went off. Everyone headed to the living room as Phantom typed up what was going on. The team left to find the trouble while Phantom stayed and coordinated everything for them from the Tower.
Jump City Bank Three Days Later 2400 Hours
The alarms blared though the building as three villains began stealing gold bars from the bank's vault.
"Move it, Slug Crunchers, we're running outta time," Gizmo informed as Jinx inspected the jewelry with glee. Mammoth was trying to lift the gold bars skid by himself, but had no luck. There were too many bars on it to let him be able to lift the thing up. He looked at his partners annoyed that they weren't helping in any way.
"I could use a hand here," he grumbled knowing that they were running out of time quickly. They needed to get out of there before…
"How about a foot?" Cyborg yelled kicking Mammoth across the vault and into the wall on the other side. Jinx and Gizmo watched as Mammoth slid down the wall in a daze. They all looked back and seen all six of the Titans. They each took a step back not knowing who the sixth one was. Robin smirked knowing they had an unknown player for them. Phantom floated behind theM hoping not to get into trouble. The last time he fought with the Titans it was against Terra, and now Robin believed he was ready to go ahead and help them with some normal villains. They wanted to slowly get him back into the rhythm of fighting crime.
"Titans, Go," Robin ordered flipping his staff around. Raven, Star, and Phantom took to the air while Beastboy turned into a tiger and ran forward with Cyborg and Robin trailing behind. Gizmo decided to level the odds by creating holograms of himself and headed off for Raven and Phantom. Phantom grinned slightly and turned invisible causing the original Gizmo to stop short of getting closer. Raven picked up some gold bars and threw at him causing him to slide across the room from the impact.
Mammoth headed straight for Robin and tried to pile drive him, but Robin back flipped out of the way in time. The ground shook, and Phantom reappeared to stop the crack from going any farther into room and hitting more of his teammates or causing the structure to become unstable. Jinx jumped forward and decided to try to hit him first just to get a feel for the new hero. He jumped up and created an ecto shield that prevented her powers from hitting him. His green eyes turned blue and ice slowly started to form on the ground making her fall. She shot a bad luck beam at him only for him to vanish into thin air, leaving the air around him colder. Mammoth stood back up and slammed his fist into a wall just to get the vault to start to collapse and start to become even more unstable. Jinx sent more beams up to the ceiling and started making the entire place rumble.
Gizmo fired a few missions at Raven creating her to lose her balance and fall into Robin. Starfire came up and started throwing blast at him to get him to back off a bit. Cyborg came around and started firing at Mammoth as the place began to tremble even more. Phantom stopped most of the debris from falling by freezing it together to help stabilize it all.
"Three raids in one week," Cyborg growled out annoyed. Phantom had only been to this one, the rest were while he was still in recovery while coordinating the fights. "This is seriously getting old."
"The HIVE Academy's new leader must be up to something," Robin mused as he dodged Mammoth's punches.
"And wouldn't you like to know," Jinx shot back getting ready to fire more bad luck beams. Starfire shot her in the back.
"Yes, we would," she demanded getting ready to fire at them again. Jinx dodged out of the way without a care in the world. Phantom fired at her as well and hit dead on. He turned around and let Starfire finish.
"This crud should be worth…" Gizmo began only for spit to cover his face. "Hey!" He looked over to Beastboy who was a llama with drool coming out. Phantom blasted Gizmo back into the fray with everyone else before he could think. Beastboy turned into a velociraptor and jumped down scaring Gizmo into backing away and then turning around, screaming, and running away. Mammoth noticed this and throw a rock at Beastboy making him turn back and lay in a pile of rubble. Cyborg turned and tackled him to the ground while Phantom checked on his friend.
"Beastboy, you okay?" Phantom asked. Beastboy could only see stars as drool slowly dribbled down. "He's fine," Phantom mumbled looking at the drool, slightly grossed out.
Gizmo grinned at Cyborg and clicked a couple buttons making him stick to the ceiling with a magnet.
"Oh you just not do what I think YOU DID," Cy yelled at the top of his lungs angry that he was just made to looked like a fool. His face turned red in anger.
"Check it out; it's the world dumbest magnet," Gizmo gloated laughing. Phantom flew up to his friend and laughed a little while sending an ecto charge through the device causing it to lose its magnetizing ability.
Suddenly Jinx was sent across the room by Raven who looked slightly annoyed. Mammoth and Gizmo cast worried glances at their fallen comrade before she quickly got back up. Robin and Starfire were suddenly behind Raven as Beastboy, Cyborg and Phantom grouped together on the other side.
"Junk it; let's blow this place," Gizmo ordered flying out with Mammoth running behind him. Jinx fired her beams at the ground causing it to rumble. Phantom and Raven both put shields over the Titans to protect them. Green and black wove into each other to keep everyone inside safe. Raven and Phantom looked at each other feeling their energies weave in and out of each other to create a stronger shield.
After that was done, Cyborg glared at them.
"Yo, nobody pulls a science on me and gets away with it," Cyborg yelled upset at Gizmo for the magnet. Phantom and Beastboy both started laughing while Raven sent them glares.
"It's okay, Cyborg. We'll see them again," Robin grinned holding up his communicator. "Sooner than they think." Everyone smiled knowing that they now had a way of getting into the HIVE base and figuring it out.
"Can we get something to eat first?" Phantom asked wanting some kind of night time snack. Robin shook his head. He as starting to really see who Phantom was, and the best part was that Phantom fit right into the team. He was opening up, and Robin could really start to see what Phantom was really like.
Titans Tower 1000 Hours
The computer screen blinked with the HIVE symbol on it. Robin had figured out that was where the villains were hiding. He took a quick look at Danny to see that he wasn't in Phantom form this time and that he was trusting enough to not wear that sweatshirt. Instead he was wearing a pair of sweats with a t-shirt. He burns were still there and noticeable up close, but they didn't seem like they were hurting him anymore. Robin was glad that their friend no longer had to suffer from the burns, but he knew that the memory was still hurting. Danny also seemed to be filling out nicely too. Robin could still see his ribs clearly, but he wasn't as bad as he once was. He still had a high protein diet, and Starfire planned on making him something once Cyborg gave the okay. Cy had been trying to delay it as long as possible already knowing how Star's cooking was, and Robin was glad that he was because he really didn't want Danny getting sick so soon after recovery.
"Tracking device," Beastboy stated with a grin knocking Robin out of his thoughts. "Very sneaky. Looks like the HIVE's secret head quarters isn't so secret anymore."
Danny looked up at him curiously wondering why he was pointing out the obvious. He held a remote up and waited for Cy's cue. He wanted to freak Beastboy out so badly.
"So, what are we waiting for?" Raven asked wondering what Robin had planned.
"We need to know what they are planning first," Robin explained as he turned to his team. Starfire and Raven were standing next to each other while Danny was sitting on the couch. Cyborg and Beastboy were standing in front of him. "Otherwise we could walk right into a trap."
"Dude, do I hear an undercover assignment coming on?" Beastboy asked with a huge grin hoping that he would be able to do it this time. Danny blinked and shook his head knowing all the details of what was going on already since he had been part of the planning process. "Lucky for you guys, I happen to be a master of disguise," he explained and started changing into different animals. Raven glared at him. He changed into a monkey, a kangaroo, and then a mongoose.
"Yeah a green mongoose is going to blend right in," Raven stated wondering how he ended up a hero. Starfire giggled, and Danny grinned enjoying his new friends' company.
"Sorry Beastboy, I was thinking of someone with a slightly better disguise," Robin explained rubbing the back of his neck. Beastboy looked at him in disbelief.
"But what are you gonna do? Dress Cyborg up as a washing machine?" Beastboy questioned wondering what they were planning. Then he remembered Danny, but decided to keep quiet hoping that they might go ahead and let him take the assignment. He hit Cyborg's chest, and the robot fell over with a thud. Beastboy screamed and jumped up on the ceiling as a lizard and stuck. Danny outright laughed already knowing every detail.
"That isn't me; that's my fully robotic replacement," he grinned. "Danny helped design it, and it's not nearly as charming, but he can bench press a bus." Starfire knocked on its head.
"BOOYAH," it yelled unnecessary into the room scaring everyone when it's head popped off. Danny groaned knowing Cyborg screwed up a bit in the computer area of it and didn't screw the head into place correctly.
"He still has a few bugs to work out," Cyborg stated in horror. Danny stood up and placed its head back on and started fixing the problem. Beastboy jumped down from the ceiling.
"No fair, I maybe green, but he's half metal," Beastboy shot back wanting to do this so badly. "How come he gets to go?"
"Because I have a new toy," Cyborg taunted with a grin. Danny smiled knowing that this was going to be awesome. He had helped using some of his parents' blueprints for an invisible ghost shield to help them catch ghosts. It was supposed to give the illusion of them being invisible, but also protect them from attacks with a ghost shield built in. It never worked the way they wanted it to, but Danny was able to put a good enough coat to it to act similar to a weak ghost shield, even if Cyborg wasn't going against ghost.
Beastboy just glared at him upset that he was taking over the assignment he wanted. Cyborg ignored him and showed everyone the rings on his fingers, and then he punched them together creating a bright light. Everyone shielded their eyes as the holograph did its job. The light faded, and in its wake was a normal person wearing a white muscle shirt and blue shorts. Everyone looked at Cyborg impressed. Starfire gasped in glee so excited.
"A holographic generator," she grinned jumping up and down. Cyborg grinned.
"Dude," Beastboy drawled not believing it. "You look…"
"Unplugged," Raven finished with an unsurprised face.
"Nice work. If I didn't know any better, I would think that you were just normal," Robin stated with a smile.
"Uh, thanks," Cyborg stated looking at his hands while doubt went though his mind. He wished that he was normal instead of some half robot freak.
"I wouldn't say normal," Danny piped up. "More like he looks like a human, but he's still Cyborg. You forget can't that part. That's the abnormal part."
"Danny, stop it," Cyborg stated looking at him annoyed.
"Well, it's true. There's no such thing as normal," Danny defended grinning like an idiot. Everyone just shook their head at the halfa. "Your personality is the part that makes you weird."
"Oh yeah baby, someone's been working out," Cyborg grinned in mirror flexing his muscles with the hologram on and becoming highly impressed with not just his brains now, but also his body. Danny walked up to his room and smiled.
"Wow," Danny smiled scaring Cyborg half out of his mind.
"Whoa, Danny, hey, I didn't… how long have you been standing there?" Cy asked rubbing the back of his neck. Danny shook his head.
"Enough to know that if I had a video camera I would have some pretty great blackmail," he answered letting a smile come to his face. "That, and your door was open."
"Hey," Cy pouted slightly. "Ah, whatever, it's cool, just checking out the unimproved me. I forgot what it was like to have real hands," he whispered flexing his hand. "Well, almost real," he muttered when he heard the faint sound of metal parts moving.
"Cyborg, there's nothing wrong with you. In fact, it makes you, you. I prefer the robot look," Danny comforted with a small smile. "I mean, everyone here has a story, and you are no different. You made something of yourself, and that's more than what most people can say. It's not what's about on the outside, but on the inside, the person you are and how you treat others. That's what more important, and that's what's never going to change. No matter what. You would still be you no matter what happened."
"Thanks, Danny," Cy smiled feeling a little better. After all, Danny was also half of something; it just wasn't as noticeable until you really looked.
"Cyborg, it's time," Robin ordered walking up to the doorway. Danny turned and looked at Robin curiously before back at Cy with an encouraging grin.
"Go kick some butt," Danny grinned as Cyborg turned off the hologram in order to get his things ready.
HIVE Academy 1200 Hours
Cyborg looked around the room remembering when he was in high school. Even the food was weird as the lady slopped it on his tray. He sighed as he remembered bits and pieces of his time at his old school. He took in a deep breath and tried to relax himself a little from the mission and pain of his past.
"Okay, just play it cool, and you'll blend right in," Cyborg muttered as he went through everything again. He looked around the room as everyone stared straight at him. He felt nervousness come out, but he put it away as he tried to think of a way to look normal in with a bunch of freaks. He took in a big whiff of his food, and yelled, "Sloppy Joes, just like the mad scientist who created me used to make." He grinned and everyone went back to whatever they were doing ignoring the new guy. He sighed and headed for an empty table not really wanting to talk anyone just yet.
"You're in my seat," Mammoth suddenly demanded with a really deep voice as he came up behind the robot. Cyborg looked at the burger that was almost at his mouth.
"Hey newbie, this is our table? What do you think you're doing here?" Gizmo questioned glaring at Cyborg.
"He looks familiar," Jinx stated in a completely different voice from her two partners. "Did you go to Dark Way Prep?"
"What's your name, Punk?" Mammoth asked darkly hoping for his next meal.
"Probably something lame," Gizmo responded getting a thoughtful look on his face to come up with some embarrassing ones. "Let me guess: Snot-man. NO wait; Captain Nose Picker!"
"Do you even have any powers?" Jinx asked wondering why the teen was there in the first place. Cyborg just looked at them in surprise that they were actually there annoying him while he was trying to remain low. It wasn't helping him do that, but maybe it could help get him in deep enough so they wouldn't suspect him of anything.
Mammoth reached over Cy's shoulder and grabbed some of his food from off his plate while Cyborg was trying to think of something to say.
"I'm hungry," Mammoth informed eating Cy's entire sandwich. "Get Lost."
"Yeah, scum. Take a hike," Gizmo put in throwing a device under Cy's chair. It suddenly shot a boxing glove up and made Cy fly across the room. Everyone started laughing at him while he got up. Cy growled and slammed his fist together making his body look like it was made out of stone. He let out a cry and slammed his fist on the table causing it to wave to the end and break all of it legs off. It landed on the ground with a thud. The shock wave continued to race to the opposite side of the room and into a corner of the wall.
"My name is Stone, and it looks like you need to find a new table," Cyborg growled with a frown. He crossed his arms over his chest with an evil glint in his eyes to prove that he was a worthy opponent. Gizmo made some weird stuttering noises while Jinx smiled at him.
"Not bad," Mammoth stated slightly worried about the new kid kicking his butt.
"Let's just see how he does in combat practice," Jinx smirked wondering if he was all bark and no bite, or if he was able to really get it done.
Jinx led the small group to the combat room where most of the other students arrived to see how well the new guy would do. A bell rang and the ground vibrated to get the course ready for the team to do a run though. The four were lifted up on a column while the goal was shown on the other side of the room. Cyborg was in his stone like form.
"Gamma Maneuver," Jinx ordered jumping up and heading towards the goal. The other two tensed up ready to go leaving Cyborg there. Jinx was in the lead as Gizmo created metal bat wings to fly from his back.
"Hold on, I don't know that," Cyborg yelled upset that they didn't inform him of anything. Mammoth growled and pushed him away.
"Then get out of the way," he muttered loud enough for Cyborg to hear. Cyborg glared at him and then jumped down and started heading towards the three villains that were already fighting the course. Suddenly he stopped as more robots appeared out of the ground and headed for him.
"Time to kick butt," Cyborg muttered to himself as he headed into the fray of battle with the robots.
Lasers appeared out of the wall and started blasting at Jinx and Gizmo. Jinx front flipped away from them all while Gizmo glided over the lasers in a flight pattern. Gizmo sent missiles out to destroy the blasters so that they didn't have to worry about them anymore. Suddenly spikes popped out of the ground distracting Gizmo from firing anymore shots at the blasters and maneuvering around them. Mammoth just pounded though the spikes towards the goal. The two boys looked back at Stone who was having trouble getting the robots to back off him. They had a hold of his arms and back preventing him from moving.
"Ha, the newb is toast," Gizmo gloated with a grin.
"Hey Rocko, had enough?" Mammoth asked and started laughing with Gizmo at the new kid. Jinx ran in front of them with a serious face.
"Quit fooling around, the head master's watching," she warned pointing up at someone in the shadows and making her comrades straighten up. The three looked up at the head master before turning around and heading towards the goal. Suddenly appendages came out of the columns that were near it and caught the three villains, trapping them so they could no longer use their powers or abilities.
Stone took in a deep breath and punched all the robots away. He grinned and cracked his knuckles fully impressed with himself. He charged forward towards the goal and destroyed the appendages that came out of another column. He jumped up and over the three before looking back at their shocked faces. Another set of lasers appeared in the field and aimed right at the three trapped teens. Cyborg narrowed his eyes and pulled up two plates from the ground. He took careful aim and threw them so that they cut though the appendages holding the three teens and destroyed the blasters in a single move. He smiled down at Jinx and helped her get back up while the other two got out and up.
"We gotta cross the finish line," Gizmo yelled knowing that playtime was over since the head master was watching their every move. The four of them headed for the goal and crossed it while Jinx was last.
"Yes, now that's what I'm talking…" Stone began only for Gizmo to cut him off.
"Zip it, grumble brain," Gizmo warned flying behind the robot in disguise.
"You, Stone," the headmaster began while a plate lowered him from the stairs. "Sneaking into my school, destroying my drones, making my top students look like amateur pick pockets," he started as the plate carried him closer to Stone. He smelled like cheap cologne and smoke while he leaned into Stone's personal space making him want to gag. "You must think that you are very clever, but you're not clever," he paused for dramatic effect making everyone's mouth fly open afraid that Stone was going to get into trouble. "You're brilliant," Headmaster smiled backing away. "Well done, Mr. Stone. Well done."
Cy let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"I see a bright future for you," Headmaster stated pointing at the teen.
"Haha, thanks," he muttered slightly worried about what was about to happen now that he was in. "Ha, uh, great school you have here, Mr. …uh..uh?"
"Blood, Brother Blood," he introduced. "At your service." He turned and looked at the three villains while his eyes turned a deep evil red color. "And as for you three, FAILURE WILL NOT BE TORLERANED. YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT BACK AFTER GRADUATING ONCE. FAIL ME AGAIN, AND I'LL HAVE YOU SENT TO YOUR DOOM," Blood screamed angrily. They were cowering in the corner afraid of what would happen. "Do I make myself clear?" he darkly asked with his eyes narrowed. Their eyes turned red to match Blood's.
"Outstanding. In a few days, I will unveil your class project. The combination of all your hard work over the last weeks, and when it is unleashed, our foes will tremble in our wake. TREMBLE!" Blood yelled getting the students excited. They all started cheering while Stone just watched everything knowing that he needed to figure what all was going on, and fast. What Stone didn't notice was that everyone's eyes were the same color red as Blood's.
Titan's Tower 0900 Hours
"Cyborg's communications rely has been deactivated," Starfire informed slightly worried. Robin was pacing back and forth while Raven stood there watching him. Phantom was floating over the couch since BB had spilled something on it again. Beastboy was too busy playing with the Robotic copy of Cyborg to pay any real attention to anything.
"Could be interference, let's just give him a minute," Robin stated hoping that nothing had happened to his friend.
"Besides, who needs him," Beastboy piped up getting Phantom to glare at him. "This Cyborg is way more fun." The robot had a hat and boa on while placed in the most strangest of poses. Beastboy laughed, and Phantom shot an ecto-blast at his butt making him jump forward and rub the sting.
"Booyah," the robot stated. Phantom face palmed while the rest just stared at the changeling annoyed.
"Any chance we could replace Beastboy with a robot too?" Raven asked wanting to destroy the green hero. Robin was red.
"Cut it out. I don't think Cyborg will appreciate…" Robin started only to be cut off by Cy's call.
"Appreciate what?" Cyborg interjected with a smile. Phantom landed on the ground to see Cyborg's human look-a-like appear on the screen. "The fact that he's already the top butt kicker in his class."
"No, Beastboy making a fool out of you while you are gone," Phantom put in monotone. Everyone started at the ghost while Beastboy smiled guilty at his friend. "It's highly entertaining and yet extremely disturbing."
"Well, I can kick his butt later," Cyborg stated thinking that Phantom was only having fun. Little did any of them know that Phantom was freaking out. He wasn't sure why, but something was off with the entire deal.
"Your infiltration is successful, yes?" Starfire questioned hoping that their plan would work.
"You bet," Cyborg stated looking around to make sure that no one noticed him with his arm partly Cyborg. "But, I've had a few close calls though."
"What have you learned?" Robin asked wanting to get right to the point so that they had something to work with and not compromise Cy's cover. Phantom started typing on the computer to start any research that might come up.
"They're working on some kind of class project," Cyborg informed. "Sounds heavy, but no details yet."
Phantom sighed and sat at the chair at the computer and started spinning out of boredom.
"Well, find out and get out," Robin warned looking at his friend. "The longer you're there, the more dangerous it gets." Phantom shuttered getting the feeling back again. Robin noticed but didn't say anything since he was afraid to set the team off.
"Believe me, I don't plan on staying for long," Cyborg informed as he walked up to a door. The connection was terminated then. Robin sighed and hoped that Cy didn't get caught. He gave a look to the team telling them he wanted to talk to Phantom alone. Phantom was still spinning in the chair trying to distract himself from the feeling of doom slowly creeping up his spine.
"Phantom, what's up with you?" Robin asked knowing that something was off with his friend. He knew enough to know that Phantom was opening up, but he was acting weird now.
"Something doesn't feel right about this, but I think it's me being overly paranoid," Phantom explained stopping his chair once he realized that suddenly everyone else was gone.
"Last time you said something like that, we ended up fighting Terra," Robin informed looking at Phantom wondering how much Phantom had let go of his senses while on the run and how much he questioned himself. It wasn't safe.
"Yeah, but most of time its false alarms. Even here I thought that something was going to happen and it never did," Phantom explained standing up and facing away from the leader. Robin walked up to him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"We'll stay on our toes, and be ready for anything. Phantom, I think that something is going to go wrong too, but I thought it was just me. Maybe there really is something wrong. Can you hack into the system?" Robin asked wondering if Phantom had any hidden talents. Phantom gave him a smile and started typing into the computer quickly. The sight that met them was horrifyingly hilarious.
"Well what'd you know? It's the headmaster's scum bluffing pet," Gizmo grinned ready to get him.
"Get him," Jinx ordered grinning wickedly. "Don't bother trying to run." Stone just backed up slightly afraid of what was going down.
"The whole school is in on it," Mammoth informed knowing that everyone would stop him from escaping his doom.
"In on what?" he asked afraid that something was up.
"What do you think, pie for brains?" Gizmo asked with a grin and held out a pink dress and a unicycle. "Your initiation."
"Haha, that's it?" Cyborg asked wide eyed.
"Don't laugh, you have to eat the unicycle," Mammoth informed making Cy's eyes go even wider. Cyborg's mouth hung open unbelievingly.
Stone grumbled as he tried to get the dress to go down more. It was extremely uncomfortable. Jinx smiled at him and held up her books for him to carry down the hall. Everyone was laughing at him while he hung his head and followed Jinx down the corridor.
"You never when though the Titan's initiation," Robin informed grinning ear to ear at Phantom who was staring at the computer afraid to look up at his leader.
"Can we say that I've had enough trouble and go on? I think being placed in prison by you guys is enough. And that's when I was actually accepts as a member. Isn't that embarrassing enough?" Phantom stated setting the computer up so he could get pictures. Robin grinned. "And let's not forgot I died while in your care."
"Fair enough," he stated not wanting to push too much on Phantom. The ghost had a point about them putting him in prison and having him help them fight Terra. He also had enough torment from the little girl that was hanging on him the entire time he was in there, and Robin had to pictures to prove it. "I do have pictures of you and little Sam."
"How'd you…?" Phantom began glaring at Robin. He really didn't care since it was just a little girl. He felt safe around her since she couldn't hurt him.
"I have my ways," Robin stated grinning not realizing that Phantom really didn't care. He wasn't going to say that he didn't so he didn't have to go through what Cy would have to when he came back since he was now part of the HIVE.
Blood was walking though the weight room to see how far his students were progressing. He saw Stone lifting weights that were on some of the highest levels already. He grinned wickedly seeing how well the new student was doing.
"Looks like we have a natural," Blood observed seeing Stone push the bar up. "Take him to maximum," Blood ordered trying to see what the new student's limits were. He knew that something was up with this one. The person watching the stats followed and typed the command into the computer that put more weight on Stone's equipment. He struggled a bit before pushing it up all the way. Blood smirked knowing that this was the grand prize in his school.
HIVE Cafeteria 1200 Hours
"Lunch is super today, and the mash potatoes are dynamite," Gizmo stated with a wicked grin to the cloaked figure in front of their table. Jinx and Mammoth laughed at the inside joke that was about to play out. Stone just watched wondering why he worded it that way until he looked at his. He narrowed his eyes and then flipped the small device into Gizmo's potatoes. Jinx and Mammoth watched, and then suppressed their laughter so Gizmo didn't figure it out. He still saw their faces.
"Hey, what are you snot faces laughing at?" he questioned glaring at them. Jinx frowned and looked at him while Mammoth started piling food into his mouth. Suddenly his mash potatoes exploded all over his face causing the entire room to be silent until everyone burst out laughing.
"So, that's why any good doomsday threat needs what?" Blood asked looking back at the students and sighing seeing that some of them were half asleep and not paying any attention. Gizmo had his hand raised and was waving it around wanting to answer. Blood looked at Stone and smirked noting that he wasn't paying a bit of attention. "Mr. Stone?"
"Effective misdirection?" he stated more of a question than an answer. He honestly wasn't paying any attention because he truly didn't care.
"That's correct, moving on," Blood stated turning back around and facing the board once more. Stone gave a sigh of relief while Jinx gave him a flirty look. Gizmo looked at him angrily and Mammoth had wide eyes surprised at the new student for getting something right.
After class Jinx, Mammoth, and Gizmo cornered Stone. Suddenly Jinx pulled out a HIVE communicator and handed it to a cowering Stone.
"Congratulations," she stated with a smile. "You're one of us." Stone opened his eyes afraid of another prank. Stone took the device while Jinx smiled sweetly, Mammoth had a grin, and Gizmo wanted to kill him.
"But that doesn't mean we have to like you," he shot angrily. Stone just gave him a blank stare and then looked at the device.
Titan's Tower 1200 Hours
"So the plumber says," Beastboy stated only for Phantom to push him forward.
"Will, you stop messing with it," Phantom stated glaring at him. Beastboy grinned and made it 'Booyah' again. Phantom took the controller and aimed Cy's cannon at the changeling. Beastboy took off screaming. Raven looked up and smiled glad that there was finally peace and quiet. Robin looked at Phantom.
"No rough housing," he stated sending a glare at the ghost who grinned and pressed another button the made a pole shot out of the cannon that said bang. Robin tried not to laugh, but he couldn't help it.
"Boys," Raven sighed and went back to her book. Starfire looked at them curiously amused by their actions. Robin suddenly became serious as he looked up at the fake Cy and his worry reappeared.
"No word in four days; that's it, I'm calling him," Robin stated typing on the computer keeping the manly giggles at bay since the robot remain standing there in the cartoon pose with the small flag that said bang. Phantom walked up.
"Are you sure? It could blow his cover," Phantom suggested not wanting to get his friend in trouble. He was trying to avoid freaking himself out, but he was worried for his friend.
"Robin, please, we may endanger his mission," Starfire stated agreeing with Phantom. Robin wanted to send Phantom in after Cy to at least make sure that he was okay, but he also didn't want the ghost to be without backup nearby in case something were to happen.
"Or we may save his life," Raven put in making Phantom tense and fidget. Robin looked back at them wondering what would be best: calling Cy and seeing if he would pick up or just sending Phantom in quickly to make sure that he was okay. The only problem with the latter was that Phantom was still pretty unstable, and even though Robin trusted him; he didn't want to break the fragile trust the ghost still had with his team. "Something's not right here," Raven finished making Phantom antsy. Beastboy appeared again and glared at Phantom.
"Tell me about it. Can you make that thing burp?" Beastboy inquired making everyone glare at him. Phantom pressed another button and the robot belched right in Beastboy's face. He started laughing on the ground while everyone sent glares at Phantom.
"I'm freaking out and needed a distraction," he stated shrugging. Star put her hand on his shoulder.
"I am sure that Friend Cyborg is fine," she stated hoping to help Phantom calm down a little. He looked up at and gave a small smile. Robin was already typing on the computer to call Cyborg.
"Cyborg, do you copy?" Robin asked looking up at the screen hoping to get Cy's status. Phantom sat down on a chair by another computer and started hacking into the HIVE's cameras. He stopped realizing that the firewall was up and in different. Phantom started typing farther and realized that they had upgraded the system right before he hacked, but it hadn't gotten to the cameras yet. He decided to leave alone for now.
"This isn't a good time guys," Cyborg stated looking at them though his arm. Phantom gave a sigh of relief knowing that he was at least still alive. He looked at the team. "We got a Theory of Mayhem test tomorrow, and I'm totally gotta bomb." Phantom sent a glare at him making the temperature in the room go down slightly.
"Please tell me you're joking," Robin deadpanned knowing Phantom was ticked about that.
"Uh," Cyborg stated looking away. "Sorry, I haven't checked in. I've been learning their combat techniques, weapons, amour, and we had a dance…"
"A Dance," Phantom suddenly shot standing up in front of the screen. "You were supposed to figure out what they were up too and then get back here." Robin gently put his hand on the hybrid's shoulder.
"Cyborg, Phantom's right. You are there to get information and get out, not learn how to tango," Robin warned.
"I know; I know," Cyborg stated slightly ticked. "This hasn't been exactly tea party okay; I just need a little more time."
"Or maybe it's time we went on the offensive," Robin mumbled. He knew that Phantom was still not hundred percent, but it would be a good chance to see how well Phantom would work with them on something like this without risking the undercover operation that was going on.
Cyborg went and started hacking the computers for Robin and Phantom. Phantom was running a ghost program though the tower and Cyborg while Robin was putting everything together. Cyborg flew past the firewalls while Phantom planted some weird virus into the HIVE system.
"I'm in," Cyborg stated as he noticed Phantom stopped using his systems and was straight into the systems already. He would have to see what Phantom really knew about hacking later.
"Good, make it quick," Robin ordered watching as Phantom worked away at the computer from there.
"I found the mainframe. I think I just found out what their class project really is," Cyborg stated going though the same files.
"I got it," Phantom stated looking though the blueprints with Robin. Cyborg growled angry that Phantom had it before he was able to say anything. "It looks like they are building something called an ion amplifier."
Suddenly they were cut off. Robin started typing trying to figure what had just happened while Phantom was going though everything.
"Phantom, what just happened?" Robin demanded looking at the hybrid upset that something might have went wrong.
"He cut the transmission; I can't get it back. I think his cover was blown," Phantom explained looking at the screen that had everything from the HIVE database. His body began shaking as the stress and worry made its self known.
"Well, this is a surprise, Mr. Stone, or should I say Cyborg," Blood stated walking out of the shadows with a smirk. Cyborg hid his arm behind his back and let the holograph hide it again while he backed away from the computer wishing that his cover wasn't blown. He charged up his cannon and let his holograph completely die. He aimed the cannon at Brother Blood. Blood sighed. "Relax, I don't want to fight. It's a remarkable weapon really. Compacted, elegant, devastating in its power," Blood warned with an evil grin holding up the ion amplifier. "But it's nothing compared to you."
"What do you want from me?" Cyborg growled hoping that this didn't blow up in his face. His team was too far away to really be of any help at the moment.
"Oh, it's not about what I want that matters, it's what you want," Blood stated setting the device he held on the table. He slowly walked up to the hostile teenager. "And what I can give you." His eyes glowed red while Cyborg held his cannon. Blood gently rested his hand on the half robot's cannon and it changed back into his normal real hand, or what he thought was his normal real hand.
"My hand," Cyborg smiled seeing that it looked and felt real. "I can feel it. It's real." Blood suddenly dropped the illusion making Cyborg became desperate. He got on his knees wanting the feeling of being human again.
"I mean, everyone here has a story, and you are no different. You made something of yourself, and that's more than what most people can say. It's not what's about on the outside, but on the inside, the person you are and how you treat others. That's what more important, and that's what's never going to change. No matter what. You would still be you no matter what happened."
Danny's words suddenly ran through his head as plans formed on how to get out of this without getting into a fight until his team arrived. He needed time, so playing along was going to have to be his best option, and he had to look the part. If he played his cards right; he might even get that weapon from Blood.
"Serve me and I can make you what you once were," Blood promised believing his had all the pieces into play. Cyborg knew this was what the bad guy wanted; Robin went though the same thing with Slade while Phantom was being chased by another ghost hybrid. Funny how things truly come to play. "I can give back your life."
"You made something of yourself, and that's more than what most people can say."
"I'll do anything you ask," Cyborg stated knowing that his team needed to come quick. If it wasn't for Phantom, Cy knew he might have actually taken it into consideration.
"Good, then I think it's time for our students to see our little class project," Blood laughed believing he had finally won.
Phantom flew through the floor and looked around before giving everyone the go that it was safe. They snuck through the hallway and into the light. Robin glared at Beastboy for bringing the robot Cyborg, but they needed to try to keep Cy's cover if it hadn't been already blown. They didn't get anything, and Phantom and started flipping out. Robin decided to go ahead and bring him knowing that they would need all the help that they could get.
"Beastboy, hurry up," Robin warned knowing the changeling was tried and moving the robot since they couldn't get it to walk. Phantom was working on the computer trying to figure out why it wouldn't move.
"Next time Cyborg builds a robot; he better leave instructions," Beastboy grumbled as Phantom glared at him.
"I helped build the stupid thing. He needs to recalibrate it," Phantom muttered playing with more controls on the remote.
"BOOYAH," the robot suddenly yelled, and Beastboy quickly turned into a starfish and clamped over the mouth while Robin sent a glare at Phantom.
"I didn't press anything," Phantom defended putting his hands up trying not to smile. Worrying over Cyborg had made Phantom twitching, and Robin knew he was having trouble adjusting so he let it drop. Everyone sighed knowing that Beastboy had at least shut him up. Robin looked down at his communicator and located Cy's signal.
"I'm picking up Cyborg's signal," Robin paused looking at the device slightly confused as a sense of fore bonding came over him. "Directly below us." Suddenly the floor gave and the teens went crashing down the arena below. When they looked up, they seen Stone, Jinx, Gizmo, and Mammoth wearing smirks and looking down at them. Phantom gave a small shudder knowing that there was going to be a fight.
"Not good," Beastboy muttered looking around the arena.
"The Teen Titans," a voice said from above them. They looked up and seen Blood standing on a floating platform. "So nice to make your acquaintance. I'd introduce you to my students, but I'm fairly certain you've already met them."
"Attack Pattern Alpha," Stone yelled with a smirk. He needed to let out some of his anger, but he truly needed Blood to believe him in order to get that weapon from them before they could really use against innocent people. He looked at Phantom and noticed that he was tense and jumpy. Cy hoped Phantom would understand this long enough to play it right, but right now he needed to make the head master believe he was really turning his back on his own team. In order to do that, he needed to break the rings so everyone would see him as he really was.
"You would still be you no matter what happened."
Stone jumped forward and started the assault against his team. He needed to set the pace so he was in control of everything. Mammoth and Jinx set up behind him while Gizmo stayed to the rear. Cy could see that his friends were shocked, but he needed to try to keep to his plan. He just hoped that he wouldn't hurt anyone in this. He knew Phantom still was having trust issues, and he needed him to be the first one, but something told Cyborg that he was going to get hurt by the young ghost in this. Phantom took a strong stance while the rest of the team was still in shock. He gave the half robot a knowing grin and disappeared.
Gizmo fired missiles straight at the Titan as the others headed in the direction, but the only thing that seemed off was the fact that one disappeared, but they figured he just didn't want to fight. Suddenly Phantom appeared behind Gizmo and shot the boy in the back destroying his backpack full of tricks and gadgets. Gizmo landed roughly on the ground and started calling Phantom all sorts of names.
Jinx turned and kicked out at Raven who used her powers to throw the sorceress to the other side of the room. Robin realized how quickly Phantom had gotten Gizmo taken care of and was now dodging Cyborg's fists with a cocky grin. He shook his head and turned his attention to Mammoth who came up behind him and hit the ground causing him to fly forward.
"NO MERCY, NO MERCY!" Blood shouted believing he had won.
Beastboy had grabbed the robot of Cyborg and dragged him away from the missiles before they could land. He looked up at Phantom and noticed that Phantom was fighting the real Cyborg while Star and Raven were fighting Jinx. He noticed that Mammoth had thrown Robin across the room and hit Phantom dead on while Cyborg landed a punch to the young ghost's back. He noticed the small flinch on Cy's face when he realized what he had done. Before Robin was thrown into Phantom Cyborg would have only hit his arm if Phantom didn't dodge, but when Robin came flying through Cyborg's fist was already heading that way, and Phantom planned on flying backwards away from the punch, but everything crashed down when Cy's fist hit the young hybrid. Phantom screamed as he and Robin hit the wall. Robin quickly stood up and kneeled next to his friend while making sure that all the villains were at a distance.
"Phantom, are you okay?" Robin asked gently turning Phantom over on his back. Phantom hissed at the contact and Robin let him go afraid to hurt the young teen any farther. "Phantom?"
"I'm fine, but we need to pretend to be overwhelmed," Phantom muttered shaking as he sat up. Robin looked up at Cyborg not hearing what Phantom had said and blocked the punch headed for his head.
"Cyborg, take it easy," Robin whispered glaring at his friend. He wasn't letting him get to Phantom again. Cyborg grabbed his head and threw him across room. Suddenly his robot counterpart headed towards him yelling at max volume. Cyborg blinked not sure what the heck Beastboy had done to his robot. However, it would help him make Blood believe he truly wanted to work for him to be human again. He knew he could never truly could be just like Phantom couldn't truly be human again. They would no longer be who they were if they weren't the way they are.
"Cyborg," Phantom whispered slowly getting up. He watched as Cyborg fought his robot while Jinx headed towards him. He quickly put a shield up as she threw a bright pink beam at him. It collided with his shield and made a huge boom rocket though the room. Gizmo shot a tri-sphere at Robin, Starfire, Beastboy, and Raven trapping them in a force shield while Jinx made sure Phantom kept himself trapped in order to protect himself. They knew he was hit with a dangerous blow, and that he couldn't continue to fight any longer.
It was now just a match between the real Cyborg and fake Cyborg. Phantom watched as his teammates tried to destroy the force field trapping them, but he could only hope that Cyborg had a plan to get them out of there. He couldn't take much more of the sorceress's blows before his shield would collapse.
Stone ran up and punched the robot's face making him fly back. Stone stood over him with a small smirk until his robot yelled 'booyah' and punched him back causing him to go flying up and back into a column. He had to remember that his robot could bench press a bus. It was a fact that he was proud of, but was currently regretting it. He took a quick look at his team and noticed that they were even surprised at the robot's strength, but the face he wouldn't forget is the knowing grin Phantom wore. It sent chills down the teen's spine knowing he may have messed with some of the controls while Cy was undercover. He would get that ghost back eventually.
"Booyah this," Stone yelled heading towards the robot again. He was irritated, but he had to prove to the headmaster that he had his loyalty. He needed to get the ion amplifier. The robot put his gun up and Stone knew just where to hit it in order to destroy it. Then he started wailing on the thing just to get rid of his anger and annoyance. He was tired of this and wished he hadn't taken the assignment in the first place. He didn't want someone playing with his head.
And never wanted to hurt Phantom the way he had.
Danny: This is the rest of the chapter.
Me: Do you guys even read this? I said that last time this wasn't the complete chapter, but people don't seem to believe me...I wonder
Danny: Har, that would be mean...
Me: But it would get their attention
Danny: That it would, but they may hate you
Me: I want all of you who actually reads this thing though to review and tell me, and then ignore my next comment
Reviewers: WHY?
Me: BECAUSE THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHAPTER
Danny: Yeah, that'll
Me: It's really not, I just felt like annoying you guys for your refusal to actually read my author's note. I work really hard on them...
Danny: Let's see how many actually read the whole thing. You know if you did, tell us
Me: If not, ignore this like you already have and complain...knock your self out...literally.
Danny: See you next time!