Spurned Past, Tentative Future

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Spurned Past, Tentative Future

ShadowOfAGhost

“Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name.

What’s puzzling you is the nature of my game.”

- The Rolling Stones, Sympathy for the Devil



Chapter 1



Dark, dreary, dismal, there were no better words to describe the day. It had been raining steadily for the past four hours and all had been quiet in Jump city for at least a week. Raven sat alone in her room reading her latest find. Beast Boy was staring out the window at the city in the distance. Cyborg sat playing the game station online with some stranger a world away. Starfire floated about her room reminiscing about her home planet she left behind. And Robin, for once, grew weary of training in the gym. He found himself wishing Slade, Mad Mod, The Hive, anyone would attack. Slowly he made his way to the main room of the tower, joining in the collective sigh of boredom that seemed to echo through the tower.

‘Maybe I’ll check the mail,’ he thought. ‘My latest issue of “Gadget and Tool” should be here by now.’ Though he knew he had canceled the subscription eight weeks ago. In the mailbox he found a large manila envelope with no markings on it, not even a return address.

“I wonder what this is,” he said. He carried it inside with him and took it up to the common area. Everybody had gathered together, it would seem, as if they thought they might find something to spark their interests.

“Hey Robin, what’cha got there?” asked Beast Boy.

“I don’t know, I found it in the mailbox. It doesn’t seem to have anything written on it.” He replied. “Only one way to find out who sent it.”

Robin opened the file and placed the contents on the table.

“This looks like some sort of résumé,” Raven stated.

“What is a ‘ra-zoo-may’, is it some form of weapon?” asked Starfire, preparing a starbolt just in case.

“It’s not a weapon, Star, it’s a job application,” Said Robin. “Whoever dropped this off must be interested in joining the Teen Titans.”

“We shouldn’t even consider adding a new member,” cautioned Raven, “Ever since Terra betrayed us I’ve been against adding any new members.”

Robin responded, “You have a point, Raven, but if we just ignore this then whoever sent it may join up with Slade instead, and we definitely don’t want that to happen.”

“So what does it say then?” Cyborg asked.

“Well, he says his real name is David Zhenfry, alias Phantom, he’s about 5 foot 7 inches tall, age 16.”

Beast boy spoke up, “Dude, what are his powers though? Can he walk through walls, have X-ray vision, or turn invisible or something cool like that?”

“No,” answered Robin, “he says that his only abilities lie in the gadgets he uses and his ability to sneak around and work with computers.”

“Robin, I still don’t like the idea of adding a new Titan, we need to research his past before we even consider a vote to admit him.” Raven said.

“Don’t worry Raven, we’ll check him out before we do anything else.”

As Robin reached for the envelope to replace the application, he noticed a small, handwritten note that had fallen out. It was a single sheet of white paper with the words “I would like to meet you all in person some time, perhaps we could all get together and discuss this?”

“Let us set up the meeting right now!” smiled Starfire.

“Easy Star, it could be a trap of some sort, and besides, there’s no information here about how to get in contact with him. No phone number, no address, nothing.” Robin observed.

“Why would he ask to meet us and not tell us how to contact him?” asked Cyborg

Starfire chimed in “Robin, did he not say he can sneak around? Perhaps he will find us?”

“Good point Star, he may very well find us.” A rumbling in the rear of the room startled them as they turned around to see what the noise was.

“Sorry y’all,” Cyborg groaned, “I guess it must be gettin’ close to lunch. Who wants pizza?” They all agreed with Cyborg and headed out.

“Last one there picks up the tab!” yelled Robin as he ran for the garage.

* * *

Robin took his motorcycle, Cyborg took the T-Car, and Raven, Starfire, and Beast Boy all flew to their favorite corner pizza parlor. It ended up that beast boy had to pick up the tab, though he would spend the next half hour arguing with Starfire for shooting him down just as he took the lead. Robin, however was the first there and claimed the right of victory to pick the toppings.

They were just sitting down to enjoy their pizza when they heard a voice emanating from the shadowy corner to their back. “So, what do you think, or is this a bad time to introduce myself.”

Startled, everyone spun around in their battle stance ready to defend themselves as the stranger stepped out of the shadows. He was dressed entirely in black army fatigues. He had dark colored eyes and hair so dark it was almost black. A pistol hung in a holster by his right hip and a large buck knife with a blade that looked to be at least 5 inches long was tucked into his belt on his left. Yet despite all the black that encompassed him, a feeling of warmth and friendship seemed to radiate from his smile.

“You must be David, I’m Robin”

“Nice to meet you, and please, call me Phantom.”

“Sure thing, by the way these are…”

“…Beast Boy, Cyborg, Starfire, and Raven. I know them, well, they don’t know me but I’ve done some…research…in making my decision to apply to the Teen Titans.”

Cyborg was stunned, “But…how? My security systems would have prevented you from getting anywhere near the tower, much less the island. My sensors would have picked you up.”

“Your security has one major flaw, it’s controlled entirely by computer. I’ve been monitoring the system remotely from my laptop. When you took it offline to upgrade it three weeks ago, I took the opportunity to install a backdoor into the system so I could come and go and have the system recognize me as friendly. Don’t worry though, I never disabled the system or went in to the tower, I only observed what I could see from the windows.”

Cyborg was seriously ticked off. He took great pride in the security system he had made and considered this a slap in the face. Robin on the other hand seemed impressed.

Beast Boy was the first to break the silence, “Dude…you’ve been watching us for the past three weeks?”

“To some extent. I never looked in anybody’s personal room, only the living room and the training rooms.”

A look of relief came over raven at that last comment. ‘At least he didn’t look in my room. No one looks in my room.’

“Would you care to join us for some of the pizza” Starfire offered.

“Thank you,” Phantom responded, pulling up a chair. “If it had been tofu I would have to pass,” he looked at Beast Boy, “but I was able to make sure that didn’t happen, thanks to my concussion bullets because tofu is truly criminal.”

There was a hearty burst of laughter from Cyborg as Beast Boy sat there looking flustered.

“But, Starfire shot me down, and I don’t have any bullet wounds.” BB responded.

“No Beast Boy, that was me,” he said reaching into his pocket “and you don’t have any bullet wounds because I don’t use real bullets. I use these.” He placed what looked like a regular 9mm round on the table. “I call it a concussion bullet because it fires a small non-lethal explosive capsule to knock down opponents.”

Robin seemed intrigued by this technology.

“What say we vote on it now,” Robin proposed “unless that is anyone has any objections.”

Only raven spoke up, “I think we should still give it some time to think it over. After all, we don’t want to have another incident like we did with Terra.”

“I agree completely, you just met me and haven’t had any time to think it over. Tell you what, when you have decided, come to the abandoned apartment complex at the corner of 25th and main. I’ll be there waiting for your decision.”

With this the team said goodbye and departed.

* * *

Exactly one week later Robin met with Phantom at the abandoned apartments and gave him the team’s decision, and his Teen Titans communicator. He was now part of the team.



* * *



“How do I know that you will remain loyal to me?” a mysterious voice asked.

The room was filled with shadows and machines that seemed as though they were long dead relics strewn about in a random fashion.

“I shall take an oath to you.” Phantom replied. “What reason do you have to mistrust me? I have always been and always will be loyal. ‘Make thick my blood,
stop up th’ access and passage to remorse
that no compunctious visitings of nature (natural feelings of pity)
shake my fell (savage) purpose, nor keep peace between
th’ effect (fulfillment) and it!’” (1)

“Good, my young apprentice.” The voice said.

“I shall always remain loyal to you my master…Slade.”





(1) -William Shakespeare, Macbeth Act I Scene V


So, tell me what you think! This is the first fanfic I've ever posted so feedback would be greatly appreciated.:D

[Raven37]

This is very good so far. I really like it. This could definitely turn out to be a great story. Keep up the good work!!!:D

[Sproxie]

this is really good! i like it alot, post soon. ;)

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Thanks for the replies! I will try to post a new chapter soon, though I should warn you that I don't get much free time except on weekends, and I am a slow writer, though I hope to have the next chapter posted by November 29.:D :tom:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Good news, I've finished the outline for chapter 2 so should be done by the date mentioned above, maybe sooner.

[PressureCooker]

Not bad at all! We are only one chapter in to this story and the plot has already twisted into a pretzel! I must say I'm intrigued as to what may happen next...:anime:


Good work and please keep it up!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Happy Thanksgiving! :meatwad:

[Kregor8]

I am proof that it pays to advertise in your signature. If I hadn't seen your plea, I'd never have opened this. I don't get much time to read fics.
Here's what I have to say. I love Macbeth. I think it is Shakespeare's best play. So you get extra bonus points for that.
"That merciless [Phantom],
(Worthy to be a rebel, for to that
The multiplying villanies of nature
Do swarm upon him)." Act I, Scene II

Yes, I do like this very much. The fact the the Titans didn't just automatically spring to letting in a new member - that they gave it some time - is also commended.

I need to go. Like I said, my time is limited. But now, I will be sure to make a small space for this story.

Keep up the goods,
7<regor

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Here's Chapter 2! I don't think the ending is as good as the first chapter, But it's still worth your time to read!:D

Spurned Past, Tentative Future

ShadowOfAGhost



“You can’t hide your lyin eyes, and your smile hasn’t been disguised.

I thought by now you’d realize, their aint no way to hide your lyin eyes.”

-The Eagles, Lyin’ Eyes



Chapter 2



Since Phantom had moved in, things had changed very little. Now instead of one quiet and reserved person sitting around the tower, there were two. Despite their first impressions at the Pizza Place, Phantom was actually a very quiet and pleasant addition to the team.

“Robin, we need to talk.” Said Raven.

“Sure, what is it Raven?”

“I’ve searched all the public records and spoken with many people in the town, there is nobody by the name of David Zhenfry.”

“Have you found anything else?”

“There were a few people who thought they had heard of him, it would seem he might be a drifter.”

“Good work, Raven, though I don’t know what to make of it.”

“Don’t mention it.”

This was pretty much all they knew about their new teammate. Starfire had been able to learn a little about him when he first moved in. Among the few possessions they had found while helping Phantom unpack were a few photographs, most of various natural landmarks but one of a small smiling boy with his parents caught Robin’s attention.

In it the boy smiled brightly with his parents standing proud on either side of him. The picture, which had no frame was tattered around the edges and faded. The boy in the picture bore an eerie resemblance to their new team member, though if it were him, it would seem he had aged 20 years. The words We will always love you were scrawled at the bottom. Robin had tried to point this out Cyborg, but it was snatched up before he got the chance.

As the memory faded, Robin found himself standing in the rear of the common room. Phantom was sitting at one end of the couch quietly reading a book, something by Peter Straub it looked like. He looked like he really didn’t want to be disturbed, but Robin decided he had better ask him now rather than later.

“Phantom, may I speak with you a minute?” said Robin.

“Sure,” he responded, not even looking up from his book, “What do you want to know?”

“Have you ever heard of someone named Slade?”

Phantom sat his book aside and let out a heavy sigh. “Yes, unfortunately, I do. I worked for him once, like his apprentice almost.”

“What do you mean you were his apprentice?” Robin questioned, this was the most information anyone had ever gotten out of him.

“About four years ago my parents both died in an accident, and I was forced to live out on the streets. One day he saw me and decided to take me in. he raised me like I was his own son and was very kind to me. He taught me everything I know, fighting technique, stealth, patience, the works. Eventually he started sending me on small missions, never harming anybody. Later, though, he gave me missions that gradually became more sinister. I refused to do most of these tasks, but he would attack me relentlessly if I defied him. About a year and a half ago I was fed up with his cruelty and constant torment and tried to sneak away one night. I don’t know how I got away from him but I’ve been wandering from city to city ever since. The warm and friendly man who had taken me in was completely replaced by this new and corrupt monster who desires only power.”

Robin was stunned. He himself had been Slade’s apprentice only a year before, though against his will. He had never detected even the slightest hint of warmth from Slade’s cold heart.

They were interrupted by Cyborg bursting through the door. “Hey y’all gather ‘round! It’s time to begin!”

Starfire and raven came in from the side door and they all formed a circle around Phantom.

“What’s going on? Why are you all staring at me?” he asked.

“You were able to spy on us and learn about us, you should know very well what this is.” Cyborg replied.

“Don’t tell us you actually thought you could avoid it, there’s no way around it.” added Robin.

“Wha…What are you talking about?”

“You are saying that you did not predict that this would occur?” Starfire asked quizzically.

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about! What’s going on here?!” Phantom was starting to feel like a caged animal being held over a ravine. They were all expecting him to know what was happening, but he didn’t. This was one of the few times in his life that he had ever been caught completely off guard, and he NEVER liked being caught off guard.

“Your initiation of course!” Grinned Cyborg.

Before him out of nowhere appeared a unicycle, a pink frilly dress and an oversized pair of clown shoes.

“You expect me to degrade and utterly humiliate myself for the sake of a cheap laugh?”

“Yes!” they all responded in unison.

“So be it then.”

Within a matter of seconds Phantom found himself struggling around the room on the unicycle. Riding a unicycle in and of itself was a challenge; add to that the awkward clown shoes getting in the way and the frills of the dress which got caught in the spokes and sent him face first to the floor more than once. Everyone in the room was in hysterics. Raven, having lost control of her powers in her fits of laughter, broke a few of the windows.

After about 5 laps around the room, Phantom felt that he was finally getting better and ultimately started bunny hopping in little circles around the group. The show went on for at least another 10 minutes, gradually getting more intricate until Robin finally felt compelled to reluctantly end the humiliation. With his stunts finished, Phantom hopped off the unicycle and gave a small curtsy. This done he abruptly retired to his room and mourned the loss of his final shred of dignity.

‘It wasn’t that bad,’ he thought, ‘Sure they were laughing at my humiliation, but at least they were laughing.’

From down the hall he heard Beast Boy and Cyborg calling for an encore and the others trying to discourage them, saying that he had already done enough.

If nothing else he was going to burn the accursed dress on the roof later that evening, but first he had an encore to give. Digging through his drawer he found three flash-bang grenades. He rarely used these because even though they did nice work of incapacitating his enemies, he hated the noise and bright light they gave off. He carried these into the other room and was greeted with cheers of laughter and disbelief from the others as he mounted the unicycle and began his juggling routine.

An hour later they all sat about in the common area. The team exhausted from their bellowing laughter.

“Man, that was real good. The best laugh I’ve had in a while.” Cyborg sighed.

“It must have been,” Phantom replied, “after all, look how many windows Raven broke when she lost control of her powers.”

Just then, the alarm went off. They rushed to the screen to observe Mad Mod trying to pull one of his stunts.

“Time to move!” shouted Robin. “You too Phantom! Today we see just how good you are.”

With this said, Robin, Cyborg and Phantom ran for the garage while Raven, Beast Boy, and Starfire took off from the roof.



* * *



By the time they arrived on the scene, Mad Mod had already hypnotized most of the people downtown.

“‘Ello my duckies!” he taunted them “Have you come to get your selves schooled?”

“You never learn do you?” Robin retorted.

“On the contrary, It’s duckies like you that never learn!” He mounted a large floating platform and floated into the sky, his evil laugh trailing behind him.

A mob of hypnotized civilians trudged toward them like zombies in a monster movie.

“We have to be careful around them!” Robin shouted. “They’re all just innocent bystanders that have been hypnotized!”

“What do suggest we do then?” muttered Cyborg

Robin hastily asked “Phantom, did you bring any of those flash-bang grenades?”

“Yes, but everyone is too crowded together, anyone in a 2 foot range risks injury.”

“That leaves only one option. We have to get Mad Mod’s staff!” Robin Barked. “Titans, GO!!”

Beast Boy morphed in to a pterodactyl and flew high into the sky to chase Mad Mod with Starfire close behind. Raven erected a barrier to hold off the advancing army of mind slaves. Mad Mod Easily dodged all the attacks thrown at him. Phantom started firing at Mad Mod, but he was too far away to be accurate.

“I can’t hit him!” he said, “I need something, hopefully it’s still where I left it! I’ll be back!”

“Phantom! We need you here! Hold your ground!” Robin shouted after him, but he was already gone. The remaining Titans had to resort to whatever they could to hold off the mob which would smother them if they didn’t hold on.



* * *



Phantom hated to have to run from the fight, but he knew that the only way to take out Mad Mod was to destroy his staff, but in order to hit him he would need to get the one weapon he had left behind, just in case things went sour.

A minute later he reached the abandoned apartments and went up the stairs to the roof.

‘It’s still here! Excellent!’ he thought.

He picked up the brown tarp and unrolled it. Inside he found his prized possession: a .45 caliber rifle modified to fire .45 caliber concussion rounds. On top was a long range scope. He looked through it and could clearly see Mad Mod dancing through the air. He never missed with this rifle, and he didn’t plan on missing now. He took aim.



* * *



Things were bad. Raven could no longer hold the barrier, and people were beginning to push through. Phantom had abandoned them at the peak of the fight, some Titan he was.

Just then a shot rang out followed shortly by the sound of an exploding concussion round. The team looked up and watched as Mad Mod came crashing to the ground, his staff shattering on the pavement next to him. The hypnosis broke along with his staff and the people dispersed, each as confused as the next. Phantom came trotting up to them, his rifle in hand.

“Where were you!?” Cyborg shouted at him. “You left when we needed you the most!”

“I needed to get my rifle. My pistol wasn’t accurate enough.”

Robin seemed angered at this, “You still need to fight together, as a team.”

“Sorry,” he responded, “I’m just too used to going solo. I guess I’ll have to work on that.”

“Your dang right you do!” Cyborg yelled at him.

Either way, the battle was a complete success. On the ride home nobody spoke.



* * *



“I don’t trust him Raven,” Cyborg said “He abandoned us. Even if he did win the battle for us, I still don’t trust him.”

“I don’t trust him either. Something strange is going on here, so I think we’ll have to keep a close eye on him.”

‘I don’t blame them…’ Phantom thought, he had eavesdropped on the conversation. ‘But…is this really what I ought to do? Should I stay loyal to Slade as evil as he is? I feel like I belong here though.’

With these questions swimming through his head he retired to his room for the night.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

As always, feedback would be greatly appreciated!:)

[Crowgirl]

DUCKIES!!!!!

Sorry, but dude, this is awesome! I like this phantom guy, but he seems a lot like Cyborg. I loved the part from Macbeth, it was really good. Phantom seems... flexible, able to be torn by two different beliefs/teams/ideas/people and is okay with it. I would appreciate more!!!!

NOW!!!!

[Sproxie]

DUCKIES!!!!!

Sorry, but dude, this is awesome! I like this phantom guy, but he seems a lot like Cyborg. I loved the part from Macbeth, it was really good. Phantom seems... flexible, able to be torn by two different beliefs/teams/ideas/people and is okay with it. I would appreciate more!!!!

NOW!!!!
I agree with Crowgirl, DUCKIES! *cough* no, her entire post, but I'll be more patient..... :sweat:

[T.T.Raven4]

MORE PLEASE! GO SLADE AND HIS NEW APPRENTICE!!!!!! (But Slade likes me better :p )

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I'm starting on the outline for chapter 3 tonight.

regarding the Duckies thing, I was trying to stay as close to Mad Mod's Dialect as possible, and unless I'm mistaken, In the episodes with Mad Mod in them, He refers to the Titans as Duckies.
correct me if I'm wrong.

[oneeyemonkeypie]

I like how even phantom isn't sure of himself. He seems to make up his mind as he goes along, a very easygoing person. Nice.

[Kregor8]

Eh. Who said this chapter didn't match up to the first? I think it was equal, if not greater. A little bit of action - well done too. Not just the usual n00b writer stuff like "and then he kick, and she punched, and brake his shield and fell'd on his head." Now, if you've never read "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (forgive my sometimes abismal spelling. I correct as I can), then you wouldn't understand that.
Let's list another positive here:
Nice long chapter. The characterizations of the different people so far have been acurate - especially Mad Mod.
Here's a complaint:
Mad Mod is almost too good a villian to be used as minor stuff. He needs something wacky and wild to make him come into his own. Other than that, this is all gold. 8 days between two chapters this size: I don't consider that slow writing.

7<regor

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Update: I'm on a role write now. I have finished the outline for chapter 3.

(Let's play spot the Pun...:p )

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I found an interestin web site that offers ALL KINDS if information about Teen Titans Episodes, including Quotes, mistakes, FUTURE EPISODE NAMES AND AIR DATES and bloopers, just click on the name of the episode on the page.


http://epguides.com/TeenTitans/ (http://epguides.com/TeenTitans/)

[Crowgirl]

YOU SO TOTALLY ROCK!!!

Thanks for the site, but not thanks for making me wait longer for another chapter. Don't make me get my chopsticks....

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Relax! I'm a third of the way done typing the next chapter.:D

[Raven37]

Very good!!! Not that many people bring back Mad Mod in their fics so it was a good ides for a villian.:D Write more or suffer the wrath of Bologna Man!!!!!! Muahahaha!!!!!!! :evil: (don't ask...):sweat:


-Raven37http://fs5.deviantart.com/i/2004/306/9/0/Cunyao_by_zau.gif

[Sproxie]

I found an interestin web site that offers ALL KINDS if information about Teen Titans Episodes, including Quotes, mistakes, FUTURE EPISODE NAMES AND AIR DATES and bloopers, just click on the name of the episode on the page.


http://epguides.com/TeenTitans/ (http://epguides.com/TeenTitans/)
OOOooOooo, i know a better site!! :D and if you check for some slight mistakes you might find some interesting things, for example, i found out all the names of the episodes in the LAST season! :D *cough* yea umm -> http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/EpisodeGuideServlet/showid-13878/Titan_Rising/ and please post soon!

[T.T.Raven4]

Great sites guys! They were nice! I love the mistakes.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

OOOooOooo, i know a better site!! :D and if you check for some slight mistakes you might find some interesting things, for example, i found out all the names of the episodes in the LAST season! :D *cough* yea umm -> http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/EpisodeGuideServlet/showid-13878/Titan_Rising/ and please post soon!
It's the same site that I posted, but it has a better looking interface.

[Sproxie]

o crap! yea it is! oops my bad, i never got to finish looking :sweat: oops

[rrarbecy]

CH. 1: You have GOT to be kidding me. Not AGAIN! Betrayal!!!!!

CH. 2: Nice gun. Lovely.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Just wait for chapter 3... it will be ready shortly. Until then, speculate.:evil:

[T.T.Raven4]

Yes! *Sits in anxiousness*

[raven54]

careful... TV tome sometimes can't be trusted; it's infamous... check out http://www.animationinsider.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43

they're's a person there that leaks info.
____________________________________________________________________
i just read this (yes, im a total dork. Please don't eat me!!) and i'm finding it quite enjoyable. can't wait for more:anime:

[Sproxie]

TV Tome has always been Reliable for me. :shrug:
Hey! i've been there before! sorta got an account there... :sweat: but who leaks info? and where?

[Crowgirl]

Actually, when I first started looking for Teen Titans websites, I found TV Tome, and it was COMPLETELY reliable. More reliable than Cartoon Network anyway.

ShadowOfAGhost, I am waiting, chopsticks in hand....

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Maybe this will satisfy your hunger for the next chapter: I was bored today and I had off, so I finished Chapter 3 way ahead of schedule! here it is:



Spurned Past, Tentative Future

ShadowOfAGhost



“You can fool some people some times,

But you can’t fool all the people all the time.”

-Bob Marley, Get Up, Stand Up



Chapter 3



The machines moved slowly around them, some faster than others and some of them slower. Some of them didn’t move at all, like relics frozen in time. There were no lights, only shadows engulfing the entire room.

“Soon we will strike. All is going according to plan.” A mysterious voice said in its usual calm and unwavering tone.

“How should we strike, master.” Phantom asked the voice.

“You have the access codes to the tower, correct? In the dead of night you will disable the security and a legion of my sentinels will enter to crush the titans.”

“Where will they enter, master”

“They will enter from the roof, 200 of them anyway, another 200 will enter from ground level. I suspect however, that a few may even go in through a few windows if the alarm is raised early.”

“I will see to it that the alarm is disabled completely, master”

“Good. And I will make sure to program the sentinels not to attack you unless you betray me.” The mysterious voice still spoke in its unwavering tone.

“I would never betray you, Slade. Do you remember my oath?”

Slade stepped forward into view, “I remember it. But this is the stage in the game where I’ve lost every apprentice so far.”

“Forgive me for saying so, master, but terra was weak. I shall triumph where all the others have failed.”

“You are not the only one who has told me that before, but I have more faith in you than I did the others, as you have served me loyally for several years.” Phantom couldn’t see his face past his mask, and never had, but he could tell that there was a smirk on Slade’s face.

“And what of us?” phantom asked him.

“I shall enter from the basement, and you will meet me there. Together we will wait for the sentinels to wear down the Titans and then together we will strike them down.”

“What time should I expect you, Master?” phantom asked, his cold voice sounding more like Slade’s than it ever had.

“Midnight. Make sure you rest up, you’ll need your energy to fight.”

“Yes, master.” Phantom said, and with that he departed for the tower.



* * *



Phantom returned to the tower at 11:00 that morning, hoping to avoid everyone for the rest of the day, but he knew that was impossible. He knew the attack would be on his mind all day, he just had to get to his room…

“Phantom! Where ya’ been man?” Beast Boy ran up to him in the hall, “Everyone’s been looking for you all morning.”

“I’ve been around town.” He responded coldly.

“Dude, what’s your problem? I only asked where you were!”

Phantom ignored him and continued on toward his room, hoping to get a chance to think.

It seemed to take forever but he finally got there. Once inside he locked the door and sat down on the bed.

‘What am I doing?’ he thought to himself ‘I can’t believe I’m going to set up my friends for an attack!’

The voice of Slade echoed through his head ‘You have no friends! You have no family! You only have me! I brought you in and taught you everything I know. If you betray me, all you ever had will be gone!’

“It’s not true,” he said to himself, “They are my friends, they are the best friends I have ever had!” he was torn between the two. He could not decide. On the one hand he had his friends, the only people who ever cared for him, the only people who ever trusted him. On the other hand he had Slade. Slade had brought him in from the cold. Slade had taught him everything he knew. Slade was like a Father to him.

‘But he has no trust in me. He thinks I can’t do it. He hates the Titans, but he knows that they are my friends. If he truly cared than he would not make me do this to my friends. Maybe I’m nothing to him, maybe, HE’S USING ME!’ Phantom threw the lamp off the desk next to him, sending it crashing against the far wall.

The truth was so hard to believe but he realized that there was no denying it. Slade had been using him this whole time. Preparing him for the day he would attack. Brainwashing him.

“I can’t do this to my friends.” Phantom muttered. “I have to go back, I have to. I certainly can’t just ask him to call of the attack, I have to get him to reschedule and attack first. There is nothing left to turn to but betrayal.”

Starfire floated by Phantom’s door upon hearing the crash of the lamp. She was about to knock and see what happened when she heard a voice from inside.

“---There is nothing left to turn to but betrayal.”

“This is not good.” Starfire said, “I must go and inform the others that of which I heard!” she rushed off to find the other Titans.

Phantom opened his door and stepped in to the hallway. I have to go see him now, before it’s too late.” He went down to the garage to find a ride. He could hotwire the T-Car, he thought. But if there was an emergency, they would need to use it. He set out on foot to Slade’s hideout.



* * *



“Friends, I have very bad news!” Starfire said as she entered the common area, “I am afraid that our friend Phantom may try and betray us!”

“This is not good,” Cyborg said.

“I knew we shouldn’t have trusted him.” Raven scowled.

“Dude, what are we going to do?” Beast Boy asked.

“I don’t know,” Robin sighed, “But we have to find out what he’s planning and prevent it.” ‘Why did this have to happen,’ he thought, ‘ I was just getting to like him too.’

“Star, did you hear him say anything.” Robin asked.

“He said that there was nothing left for him to turn to except for betrayal.”

“All right,” Robin sighed, “here’s the plan. Cyborg, go in to his room and look for anything you can find that might tell us what he’s planning. Raven, you help Cyborg look. Beast Boy and Starfire, I want you to try and find him. If you find him, follow him but don’t let him know that you are there. I’ll scan the computer database for anything useful. I hate to say it but until we have proof otherwise we have to treat him like any other enemy.”

Raven and Cyborg headed for Phantom’s room. Starfire and Beast Boy went to the roof and took off to look for him.



* * *



For the second time that day, Phantom found himself in dim and desolate factory. He had come to try and gain the upper hand on Slade, his anger giving him courage, but now that he was here again, he felt timid and afraid. He had felt Slade’s wrath before, his unrelenting, undaunted wrath. It had been the only time he had ever failed Slade, and he had been sure to never fail him again, but now memories of that savage beating he had received haunted his subconscious.

“Phantom, my young apprentice, you should be with the Titans, they might get suspicious if your away too long.”

“Th…That’s why I’m here,” he stammered, “They are suspicious of me. I think we need to postpone the attack.”

“Postpone the attack? Now why do you think we should do that?” Slade asked in his calm, clear voice.

“They are too suspicious of me, master. They might be expecting an attack. For this to work we need to have the element of surprise on our side.”

“How do I know that things will not deteriorate further?”

“I can make them trust me, master!” Phantom shouted, “You’re the one who taught me the value of patience!”

Slade chuckled softly and began to pace slowly toward phantom, “You’re lying to me. I can see right through your charade. You think they’re your friends, you feel obligated to protect them. You’re merely trying to bide you’re time until you can warn them.” He chuckled again. “Didn’t I tell you never to betray me?”

“I’m not betraying you!” Phantom interjected.

“LIAR!!” Slade shouted as he backhanded Phantom. “You want to betray me just like all the others!” he kicked Phantom square in the jaw, sending him sprawling.

“How could you be so ungrateful for all I’ve taught you.” Slade rushed at him once again, but this time Phantom was ready. Phantom grabbed his outstretched fist and threw him across the room and followed up with a volley of concussion rounds. All five rounds struck Slade in the chest, knocking him farther back.

“You never believed in me. You never trusted me!” Phantom shrieked. He charged toward Slade full tilt and rammed his shoulder into his gut. “You just wanted me for a pawn in your little game.”

Slade responded to this accusation with a swift uppercut and a kick to the stomach.

“Go ahead and kill me,” Phantom snarled, “If you can, that is.”

Slade lashed out and grabbed him by the hair, “What did I ever do to deserve this?” he growled, “I brought you in, I trained you, I gave you everything your heart desired.” He gave Phantom a swift knee to the chest and tossed him aside like a rag doll.

“I will never…give up…on my friends!” Phantom screamed and charged at Slade, his hunting knife drawn. He slashed at Slade; Slade easily dodged each swipe a retaliated with a right hook. Phantom ducked just in time and slashed at him one more time with the knife. He struck gold, leaving a long diagonal gash on Slade’s chest. Slade retracted and grasped at his wound. It was large, but it wasn’t too deep. He knew that if he wanted to keep fighting he would have to be careful it didn’t open anymore. He pulled out a retractable bow staff from the back of belt and took a combat stance. Phantom grabbed a nearby pipe and held it at one end like a sword. He didn’t have much training with a bow staff so he knew Slade would have the advantage here.

With a yell and dash, Slade was on top of Phantom, sending blow after blow his way. Phantom did his best to block the attacks, but was caught off guard as Slade swept him off his feet with a low arching attack. Slade swung down at him but phantom rolled out of the way and repeated Slade’s actions, knocking Slade off his feet. Phantom pulled out his 9mm and fired his last six rounds point blank at Slade, one to each kneecap, three to the chest and one to the face, chipping off a large chunk of his mask and knocking him out cold.

Without thinking Phantom ran from the room as best he could and headed for the tower. He had to warn the others because he knew that Slade would still launch the attack with or without him.



* * *



“Robin, we have found Phantom!” Starfire spoke into the communicator, “should we try to follow him?”

“Good work Star,” Robins voice crackled back, “follow him and call back when you know where he’s going”

Phantom sat in an alley, leaning against a dumpster. ‘There’s no turning back’ he thought, ‘Slade is no longer a part of me.’ He sat quietly trying to catch his breath and survey his wounds from the previous battle. ‘Nothing broken,’ he thought, ‘only a couple bruises. I was lucky.’

He looked up and saw Starfire peering at him from the roof of one of the buildings. He considered calling out to her, but he realized that it may not be the best idea incase the Titans were trying to track him down. He would just have to try and lose her.

Phantom stood up and ran off toward the street, at this time of day, it would be easy enough to try and disappear in the crowd of tourists.

Startled by how quickly he ran, Starfire lost a few seconds trying to catch up to him.



* * *



“Cyborg, look at this.” Raven was crouched over by the bookcase in the corner of Phantom’s room. When Cyborg came closer he saw what she was looking at. It was a small leather bound book with the word Journal stamped on the front. Raven flipped through the pages.

“What’s it say?” Cyborg asked.

“Its a history of his life, so far as I can tell. The day he became an orphan, the day Slade took him under his wing, reflections on things he learned.”

“Is there anything in there about the Titans?” Cyborg asked

Raven flipped a page and a look of shock came over her face. She dropped the book on the floor and immediately ran out headed for her room and bolted her door behind her.

“That can’t be good if it spooked Raven like that,” Cyborg said to himself hesitantly picking up the book and looking at the page that had flipped open. A big grin came over his face as he read what was there…



Today I met with the Titans for the first time. It was really nice to meet all of them, especially Raven. As dark and Mysterious as she is, there’s something about her that I can’t get her out of my head. She is…beautiful. I can’t get my mind off her. I only pray she doesn’t try to probe my thoughts. I can’t begin to think how embarrassed I would be. It’s sad the way she feels that no one cares for her. We have a lot more in common than I ever thought. Maybe if she knew I loved her, she might come out of her shell a bit, open up to the world around her. But I know I could never ask her out. I am good at many things, but asking out girls as shy and beautiful as she is not one of the things I’m particularly good at. “I am a drop of water, in an ocean, searching for but another drop.” Shakespeare wrote that in Comedy of Errors, or at least I think that’s how it went. Raven…is she the drop for which I seek in this ocean we call life?



Beneath it was a heart with an arrow through it and a crudely drawn picture of Raven.

“Hey Robin!” Cyborg yelled, “Guess what we found!”

Raven came rushing in and tried to grab it from Cyborg, but Robin was too quick and snatched it out of Cyborg’s hands and quickly reading it over.

“Well Raven,” he smirked, “It would seem someone has a crush on you.”

“Give it to me Robin.” She snarled.

“No way, it has way too much information about Slade in here, we have to read it all.” Cyborg and Robin both chuckled as they left the room.



* * *



Phantom had successfully eluded Starfire and Beast Boy and was now back at the tower. He walked in to the common area and sat on the couch.

“Robin,” he said “hear me out.”

“Don’t worry, Raven knows you like her,” Robin chuckled.

“Or at least she does now!” Cyborg finished, as they both burst into laughter.

“Would you shut up and listen for a minute?! I admit, I was working as a double agent this whole time!” That caught there attention. “I’ve left him though, he was trying to get me to be a pawn in his game.”

“You lied to us?!” Robin yelled.

“Here me out for God sake!! I’ve left him behind. He wanted me to attack you all tonight! He’s bringing an army of about 500 sentinels!! He’s going to strike at midnight tonight!!”

The room fell dead silent.

__________________________________________________________________
a few twists, a few tricks, I hope you enjoyed it!:D

[Sproxie]

I really, really am starting to like this story! Alot. this chapter was Awesome! Please post soon! i should add this to my sig too... but it's already starting to get too long :sweat:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Thanks for the support! I'm glad you like!:D

[Matt A]

Hmm, lots of minerally goodness...

This is only chapter three, and you've already managed to create one of the most morally complex characters I've ever come across. Phantom is, quite simply, a genius creation - a man who can do both the right thing and the wrong thing, but at least has the decency to be aware of it.

I'd love to see what places you take both this character and the plot. Just do it quickly, all right...

[raven54]

TV Tome has always been Reliable for me. :shrug:
Hey! i've been there before! sorta got an account there... :sweat: but who leaks info? and where?Sprox-5 TT bucks says that R. won't D. in S.4...;)

check out the main forum, not the sub-forums

i reeealy liked the fight scene you wrote- it's the best i've seen it a while. the action is very believable, not jerky at all. More, please!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Le'ts not start a war here about whether it's called Soda or Pop.:mad: Though to set the record strait: When Soda Pop first came out on the market it wass called just that, Soda Pop. 2 Words. Since then, the name has been shortend by the Drinkers to either Soda or Pop, though the correct Name for it is both as one, Soda Pop. I guess it just depends on what region of the world or whatever, you live in. It's simply one of those preferential things. (Toe-May-Toe) (Tah-Mah-Toe) Personaly, I call it Soda, But for God's sake DOES IT REALLY MATTER?!:moon2:

[raven54]

what now? are you yelling at my sig or something posted before?

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Apparently I've had this thread viewed 484 times! (Unless that counts the number of times I viewed it of course:shrug:)

[ShadowOfAGhost]

what now? are you yelling at my sig or something posted before?
1. It was a combination of your sig and other places I've seen the conflict arise.
2. I am not trying to attack anyone who calls it pop, I'm merely stating that is a preferential thing as to what you call it and that BOTH are right.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Sprox-5 TT bucks says that R. won't D. in S.4...;)
What are you talking about in the spoiler? are you placing bets on the next chapter or something?:confused:

[Sproxie]

Sprox-5 TT bucks says that R. won't D. in S.4...;)
yea i figured that out sorta late :sweat: i think they are gonna do that in like S.5 or somethin.... but i'm pretty sure it will be in the last S. (thats what happens in the comics i think.... and why is it S. instead of the whole word?) :sweat:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

yea i figured that out sorta late :sweat: i think they are gonna do that in like S.5 or somethin.... but i'm pretty sure it will be in the last S. (and why is it S. instead of the whole word?) :sweat:
I...Don't follow. S.5? do you mean Chapter 5? and what are you thinking will happen?:confused: :confused: :confused:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I just figured out how to use the spoiler code and I'm anxious to use it some more so...

What do you get if you cross an elephant with a rhino?
A HellifIknow

[Sproxie]

havin fun? :p
actually, we're not trying to guess what will happen in the chapters :sweat: but can you post the next chapter anyway? i would still really like to see what happens.

[Crowgirl]

How 'bout this:

We all stop playin' with spoliers and get back to reading this fantastic literary work ShadowOfAGhost has so kindly put up for us? And by the way, my faithful chopsticks are my best torture device, not for hunger. Although...

Please post more, now would be nice.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

It'll be a little while before I can get the next chapter posted. I promise it'll be a nice long one just like the others but I highly doubt it will be out before the end of the weekend. I only got the last one out so fast because I had a day off. Either way, rest assured that I am still working on it.:)

Sincerely,

Public Relations Dept.

[Kregor8]

Ah, the beauty of a well written story. Chapters 1, 2, and 3, and not a serious flaw in any of them.

Here's my little thing on invented characters:
If you're inventing a character, there are two choices. Either you can make an evil, static character, or you can make a dynamic character. Either way, no flat characters are allowed. Also, no static good characters are allowed. Anti-heroes are fine, but they still have to change in some signifigant way. These are just my personal rules on creating characters (for a TT fic). And yes, I do break them some times. (I assume you understand the terms flat, round, static, and dynamic).
Here's the really amazing part. You've never read my rules (oh, now you have, I guess), and yet you've created one of the most fascinating and true to life characters I've ever read (in a superhero story, that is). Congrats. Also, ignor the rules. They apply to me alone, and I only listed them to show how well you've been doing.

The fight scene was well described. Dynamic and interesting. Here's a tip. It's called a "bo" staff, not a "bow" staff. "Bow" is something you shoot arrows with. "Bo" is an eight foot long martial arts weapon. There. Now you know.
I also love the journal entry. Not only did it provide some humor, it provided more Shakespeare. I'm not sure how you manage that. My allusions are all pop-culture (or at least most of them are). Also, I like the way you start every chapter with a song lyric. I've been wishing I could do that with my fic for a long time. :sad: Oh well, maybe I'll do that in my next story.

7<regor
Ps. Don't think I'm an idiot.
Pps. Even if it is an arguable point.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Wow, thanks. Though it aparently may not seem like it, I don't really try that hard to make the character like that, I just write the plot and then base the character on the events that will hapen and the choices that will happen.:)

By the way, did I get the shakespear quote right? I know it's probably close but I was going from memory.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Kregor, why would I think you to be an idiot? This is not intended as a slam on anyone, but you write the most thorough and thought through responses of anyone on the thread. I'll try to have chapter 4 out by the end of the weekend, I've finished the outline, so it's just a matter of typing it up.

[Kregor8]

Danke, danke. I sometimes feel like I'm an idiot. Ah well, such is life. I'm not sure how well you got the quote, but since it was somebody quoting in his journal, then obviously it needn't be exact.
Nice that chapter four is comming up. Can't wait to read it.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Chapter 4 is half done, and I hope to have it done by the end of the day.:)

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Chapter 4 is finally finished!:D

Spurned Past, Tentative Future
ShadowOfAGhost



“Well those two men, took to fighting,

And when they pulled them from the floor,

Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.”

-Jim Croce, Bad, Bad Leroy Brown



Chapter 4



The common area seemed as if in suspended animation. No one moved. No one made any noise. Even the clock on the wall had gone quiet. Outside the sun was starting to set on Jump City.

“How many?” Robin asked, finally breaking the silence.

“500 sentinels. 200 from the ground floors, 200 from the roof, and about 100 more from below the tower, about 500 in all.”

“When Terra led an attack on us, she brought only about 200 maximum.” Cyborg said, “How are we going to take out that many?”

Raven walked in through the side door and noticing Phantom, tried to avoid eye contact with him, “I thought I heard an argument and something about an attack. Is everything alright?”

“Go find Beast Boy and Starfire.” He replied, “We need everyone here. Now.”

Without another word, Raven headed back into the hallway and called them on the communicator. Within 5 minutes everyone was gathered together in the common area.

“Now Phantom, start over with what you were saying.” Robin prompted him.

He let out a heavy sigh and began…”Up until early this afternoon I have been working for Slade.”

“I knew it!” Raven shouted at him, “You sold us out!”

“Please, all I ask is that you let me finish, this is of critical importance,” he retorted.

“Why should we trust you?! You lied to us!” Beast Boy yelled at him.

Without another word, Phantom unbuttoned his coat, unstraped his flak jacket (bullet proof vest), and lifted his shirt, revealing several large, dark bruises. “Parting gifts from Slade.” He replied coldly. “If I hadn’t been wearing my flak jacket, he would have likely broken my ribs and seriously messed up all of my internal organs. In short, I’d be dead.”

“Oh, I can not begin to think of how bad that must be.” Starfire muttered frightened at the sight of the large bruises.

“I did a number on him as well. One of the things I never found out was how much armor he wears. I was able to give him a nice big gash on the chest, two busted kneecaps a few rounds to the chest, and took off about a quarter of his mask.”

“Then what are we worried about?” Beast Boy asked, “You beat him pretty bad, he shouldn’t be a threat!”

“It’s not Slade we have to worry about, its the army of 500 some odd sentinels that pose a threat.”

Once again, the room was dead silent. This time Beast Boy broke the silence, “Dude…did you say 500 of those robot guys!!”

“They attack at midnight.”

“This also is not good! There is no way we can be victorious!” Starfire cried out.

“Unlike the fight with Terra, we have three major advantages; surprise, preparation, and numbers.” Replied Phantom, “In the fight with Terra you were all taken by surprise, by the time you realized what was happening all of the sentinels were inside. This time we have a few hours to prepare. In these few hours we need to set traps to take out a few extra sentinels and figure out a plan of attack, maybe we can seal off sections of the tower and fight limited numbers at a time. And finally, we have better numbers than last time. Previously it was 4 Titans versus 200 sentinels, now there are 6 of us.”

“How can we be sure that you aren’t lying to us now?” Raven questioned him, “And if you really are on our side why didn’t you warn us about this before?”

The one question he didn’t want to hear. Phantom didn’t have a clue as to how else he could prove he was telling the truth. The other question wasn’t as difficult for him, he knew right away what he would say to it.

“I regret not having told any of you about my history with Slade. Frankly I was afraid I would be cast out. I…I’ve never really had any friends before, and I was afraid of losing the 5 of you. Before I became an orphan I was an outcast of sorts. I had hoped someone, anyone, would bring up the subject, but I was too afraid to do it myself. As to how you can know I’m telling the truth, I have no idea. I’ve shown you my prior injuries, but that’s all I have to offer. Whether or not you trust me is your decision, though I swear now that I will never betray the team ever again.”

There were several seconds of unnerving silence before anyone spoke.

“I trust you.” A gental voice floated from the back of the quiet room.

“Me too,” added Cyborg.

“Dude, I’m glad to have you as a friend.” Beast Boy chimed in.

“It takes courage to admit your mistake to your friends, especially in fear of abandonment.” Robin said, “I admire that in a friend.”

Raven had her eyes closed in contemplation. “You lied to us. You betrayed us. We trusted you. We were your friends.” Raven sighed, “But what you have done is unforgivable. You had your chance and you threw it in the dirt…but if the team is willing to give you another chance, then so be it. You can prove your loyalty to the team by standing by us now.”

Phantom smiled, these were true friends indeed.

“As for a date, well, let’s see if we both survive this ordeal.” She added with a faint grin.



*. * *



The Titans had to work fast. They had only two hours to midnight, assuming, of course that Slade kept to the previous plan. Cyborg set out to get the security grid online and at full alert. If anything came within 100 yards of the tower, the full titan alert would sound and each floor would be sealed off within one minute.

Raven and Robin were on the beach setting up a few…surprises…that phantom had supplied them with. Phantom hated to use them because of the danger they posed and their tremendous potential to destroy, but in the coming battle, the claymores would be worth their weight in gold. Everyone knows mindless robots never look for tripwires.

Beast Boy circled high above the tower in hawk form keeping an eye out for an approaching army.

After the security systems were set Cyborg decided to try and call in a few favors. The only two he was able to get through to were Aqualad and Speedy. Aqualad agreed to patrol the waters around the tower to watch for any form of underwater assault. Speedy, however, was too far away to make it in time for the fight.

Starfire searched the tower for anything Slade might be using to spy on the Titans efforts. She managed to find and destroy three cameras, not realizing until Cyborg started panicking that they had been their own.

While all of this was happening, Phantom was in his room sitting on the bed. Before him lay his rifle, his pistol, and a box of concussion rounds for each. He finished cleaning and reloading his rifle and put it in the sling on his back. He loaded up several clips for his 9mm and stuck them in his coat pockets and his pistol in the holster.

He looked over at the mirror next to him, checking the dark green face paint he wore and put on his olive wide-brim hat. He didn’t know why he wore the hat, especially in the dead of night, it just felt right and it always seemed to bring him luck in dire circumstances. Looking at his reflection again he realized he was probably going way overboard, but he didn’t care.

Walking out of his room he ran into Starfire, who seemed very perplexed at seeing him this way.

“Ready, Star?” he asked her.

“I am ready, but why is you’re face the color of glorpals?”

“Face paint,” he said, “It helps with the camouflaging effect.”

“But a true warrior will wish to be seen by all his foes, why do you wish to hide yourself?”

“Never underestimate the advantages of stealth and surprise.”

With that he walked in to the elevator and rode it to the top.

When he reached the roof he retrieved his rifle from the sling on his back and lay down in the prone position on the blacktop surface.

Beast Boy landed on the roof behind Phantom and walked up to him.

“Dude, I thought I saw them in the southeast corner of the city, by now they’re less then a mile away.”

“How many did you see?” Phantom replied in a tone so flat it could have been Raven.

“I couldn’t tell. A lot, I guess. They weren’t traveling in lines, they just jump from rooftop to rooftop like some sort of ninja or something.”

“Thanks. Go inform Raven and Robin, I’ll tell Cyborg, Starfire, and Aqualad. And watch where you step on the beach.”

Beast Boy flew down to the beach, being cautious for once in his life. Phantom in the meantime flipped open his communicator and called the other three.

The time was 11:30.



*. * *



Phantom had betrayed him. He had come to him, and tried to save his friends. They had fought and he had won. He underestimated Phantom, and it had cost him his pride. Pride was a temporary matter however, and it would quickly be regained once that treacherous, ungrateful, apprentice of his was destroyed along with his friends. Slade smiled behind his mask. Phantom had gotten the better of him earlier, but Slade sill had an ace up his sleeve.

Slade wanted to know that phantom was dead; he wanted to do it himself. The cut he had received earlier wasn’t deep, and the pain from the point blank concussion rounds had faded. This time he would not over estimate his apprentice.



*. * *



“Robin, I have a visual on sentinels. Permission to fire?” Phantom spoke into his communicator.

“We see them too,” He responded, “Fire at will.”

Hitting the Sentinels wouldn’t be hard. Hitting them in their only weak spot, the brown circle on their faces, would be very hard indeed, but Phantom always loved a challenge.

Phantom peered into the scope and activated the night vision function. He squeezed off the first round and missed, hitting it in the upper torso and knocking it down. He saw another and fired, hitting his mark and destroying it. He fired at ten more, destroying nine of them. They were slowly inching closer. At this point they were barley 200 yards away, and Phantom knew he wouldn’t have time to get off many more shots.



*. * *



Aqualad continued to swim his patrol around the island. ‘If they were to attack the island directly’, he figured, ‘they will have to come by sea.’ He had seen nothing yet though, which he considered a little fishy as it didn’t make much sense.

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a plume of silt rising from the seabed and swam over to see what it was. He looked down and saw that a mobile transport of some sort had risen from under the seabed and continued rise to the surface with the aid of several float tanks. Aqualad swam closer and realized that this platform like object was headed for the shore of the city. Slade’s sentinels would use it to cross the channel.

If things weren’t bad enough already, he saw that there was some sort of sub heading for the island. No doubt it had more sentinels on it.

Aqualad swam to the surface and fished out his communicator. “Robin, can you hear me?”

“I read you Aqualad, have you found anything?” he responded.

“Yeah, there’s a sub with sentinels inbound for the island. There’s also some sort of platform floating to the surface for the ground troops to use to get to the island.”

“Good work, Aqualad. Attack if you can.”

Aqualad put away the communicator and submerged. He swam for the closest thing, which was the sub and got ready to attack. He called forth three squids to try and crack it open. He threw power packed punches one at a time at the hull of the sub and with the help of the squids, it ruptured and sank to the bottom, taking 50 sentinels with it. He thanked the squids for their help and turned to attack the platform, but by that time it was gone.



*. * *



Robin, Starfire, and Raven had regrouped inside the main floor of he tower. Some how some of the sentinels had slipped past the security systems and the mines and were now inside. They fought them now, trading blows and mangling the sentinels as they came after them. They lay in small piles and damage to the tower was growing. Holes in the walls, broken furniture, doors blown off of their frames, you name it, it had happened.

“Where is Phantom?” Raven asked, “He promised to fight with us.”

“He may be on one of the other levels fighting with Cyborg or Beast Boy.” Robin responded between attacks. He had out two of his birdarangs, and was using them like daggers to slash and stab at the sentinels. Starfire sent volley after volley of starbolts at the attackers, but they seemed to do little to the endless onslaught of attackers. What was it that Phantom had said to her earlier?

“Star, when you’re fighting the sentinels later tonight, remember to concentrate your fire on the head. If you can hit it on the head, you’ll hit their weak spot.”

“Phantom said we should aim for the head!” she shouted, firing a dual burst of starbolts at the face of the nearest sentinel. Its head exploded in a shower of sparks and it fell to the ground.

Cyborg and Beast Boy were on the floor above them in a very similar situation.

At this point in the game, there had been no need for the alarm, everyone knew that Slade had arrived.



*. * *



Phantom was not with Cyborg or Beast Boy like Robin had thought. On the contrary, he was in the basement. Across from him stood his former master.

“We meet again, Slade.” Phantom said in as sarcastic a tone as possible.

“Phantom, it’s always a pleasure.” Slade responded in his cool, collected tone. “Only this time, you will not escape.”

“You will be the one escaping!”

‘This is it,’ Phantom thought to himself, ‘Time to prove myself to the team.’

Phantom lunged toward Slade and attacked with a left hook. Slade dodged to the right and followed up with a punch to the gut. Phantom doubled over and Slade kicked him in the face.

“Tell me,” Slade asked him, “Has fighting along side the titans really made you this soft? I thought I trained you better than that.” He walked over to where Phantom lie on the ground and kicked him hard in the ribs.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!” Phantom screamed. He could not, would not give up this easily. He grabbed Slade’s leg and pulled him to the ground. Phantom struggled to his feet and pulled out his pistol. Before he could fire, Slade tripped him and he went down again. Out of nowhere Slade pulled out his bo staff and swung down at Phantom. Phantom rolled out of the way and recovered his pistol. Sitting up he fired three shots at Slade and hit him in the leg and the chest. Slade stumbled in the direction the rounds had pushed him and regained his footing. He looked up just in time to see a rifle butt come whistling toward his face.

Slade regained his composure and stared deep into phantoms eyes. “It’s truly a pity that you decided to betray me, Phantom. You could have ruled this city, this country in my wake. But you decided to throw it all away and join up with the Titans. A grave mistake indeed.” He charged at Phantom and struck him in the arm and then the head with his staff. Phantom went sprawling on the floor. He was loosing this time and he knew it.

Phantom pulled his hunting knife out of its sheath and braced himself for Slade’s next attack. It was as if the fight had turned into a staring match, both fighters stood poised to attack.

‘All I need now,’ Phantom thought, ‘is for a white dove to flutter off between us.’

Both fighters charged each other and struck. Phantom slashed at Slade and made a short but deep gash on his left shoulder. Slade in turn jabbed Phantom in the side, making Phantom drop his knife. Slade picked up the knife and turned it over in his hand.

“This is a nice knife.” He stated, “But it will look better buried in your gut!” Slade charged and began to stab at him with it. By this time the Titans had finished off the other sentinels and hurried to Phantoms aid.

“Stay out of this!” he shouted at them, “This is my fight! I need to do this!”

The other Titans were hesitant to listen but Robin stopped them.

“Let him fight,” he said, “This is a matter of pride. By beating Slade here, he can finally know that Slade is out of his life for good.”

Both fighters had taken a heavy beating and both looked ready to collapse from exhaustion. Slade still had Phantom’s knife and Phantom stood unarmed. Slade charged at Phantom again who narrowly dodged the attack. He spun around and knocked Slade to the ground. Phantom pulled out his pistol and leveled it at Slade’s Mask. If he struck now he could knock him unconscious and win the fight.

***Click***

It was jammed, and before Phantom could react, Slade rose up from the ground and sunk the knife deep into Phantoms chest. He withdrew the knife and tossed it aside.

“A pity. And to think you were almost a challenge.” Slade muttered and retreated into the shadows.

Phantom looked to his friends and gave them a weak thumbs up and a smile before abruptly collapsing.



*. * *



The Team stood around Phantom’s bed in the infirmary. He had lost a lot of blood in the fight.

“Do you think he’s gunna’ be okay?” asked Cyborg.

“He took a lot of heavy blows, he’s got injuries all over.” Robin somberly replied, “I highly doubt he’ll survive the night.”

A tear rolled down Raven’s cheek as she excused herself from the room. She had vowed never to let the rest of the team see her cry. Once in her room, the tears flowed freely.

‘This is my fault.’ She thought ‘I distrusted him so much he felt he had to prove himself.’

As Phantom lie unconscious and near death in the infirmary, Raven, for the first time in her life since leaving her home on Azarath, cried herself to sleep.

[rrarbecy]

You're amazing. That was a really sad ending. You showed what kind of a man Slade is with that wisecrack even after he was beaten almost as badly as Phantom. I can't wait to see what becomes of Phantom.

[Matt A]

I second all that.

Need next chapter...now!

[T.T.Raven4]

How do you do those spoiler things???

And I Loved that Chapter! It was sad, and It really leaves you hanging. You are gifted with fight scene. It was excellent. Please write more. This was so awesome!

[rrarbecy]

How do you do those spoiler things???

And I Loved that Chapter! It was sad, and It really leaves you hanging. You are gifted with fight scene. It was excellent. Please write more. This was so awesome!
You do this put "spoiler" in brackets, write what you want, and put"/spoler in brackets"

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I'm glad you liked this chapter:D , I'll try to have the next one out by next weekend! Until then, play spot the play on words! (in chapter 4, that is)

BTW: Can anyone recognize the game that the quote "You will be the one escaping!" came from? The only hint I'll give is that it was on the Sega Genises and it was said by the main charecter to the boss at the end of level 1.

[Sproxie]

You're amazing. That was a really sad ending. You showed what kind of a man Slade is with that wisecrack even after he was beaten almost as badly as Phantom. I can't wait to see what becomes of Phantom.I completely Agree! *girly squeal* I love this story! :D

[T.T.Raven4]

thanks rrarbecy!

I don't think it's the last of Slade though...not a chance. GO RAVEN AND PHANTOM RELATIONSHIP!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Just to let you know, I might be a little bit longer than I usualy am to post again. I plan on posting the next (Final:crying: ) 2 chapters immediatly after each other, so you don't get confused and think that the end of the next chapter is the end of the story. However, If I get three responses saying to, I will post the opening song lyrics for the next chapter which may give you a hint.;)

[Matt A]

No! The story can't end now! No good story should ever end!

Sorry. I'm not sure how much help posting the opening lyrics now will be, but I'm game for it anyway. Consider it 1/2 a vote from me.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Don't worry, The two remaining chapters will be the best written of them all, who knows, if it's called for I may write a follow up...

[T.T.Raven4]

Don't worry, The two remaining chapters will be the best written of them all, who knows, if it's called for I may write a follow up...
SUSPENSE! I love this fic. I just love Slade's Apprentice fics! It turned out so well! Write more!

[rrarbecy]

thanks rrarbecy!

I don't think it's the last of Slade though...not a chance. GO RAVEN AND PHANTOM RELATIONSHIP!
Any time, and I don't like that. BB/Raven all the way!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I had an excelent ending lined up for the story, but now that I think about it, I don't think I want to end the story quite yet. What I think I'll do instead is write the next chapter and the orrigional ending and post them as chapter X, but after that I'll continue on with new chapters.

[Crowgirl]

There we go! That's the way to think!

I loved Chapter 4, it was the best chapter so far. The fight scene was well-written, the emotional scenes were fantastic (I loved the end, when it said 'for the first time since blah blah blah, Raven cried herself to sleep'), and I loved everything!!!!!!!

It was also good to see Aqualad again.

Can't wait for more!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Spurned Past, Tentative Future
ShadowOfAGhost



“If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?

For I must be traveling on now, cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see.

If I stay here with you girl, well things just couldn’t be the same.”

- Lynyrd Skynyerd, Free Bird



Chapter 5



The sun rose the next day over Jump City. It’s brilliant orange, red, and yellow streaks decorated the sky like an intricate tapestry. As the sunlight entered the infirmary window Robin walked in. He looked at the large monitor hanging over Phantom’s bed and quietly wrote down what it told him.

Phantom was still unconscious and had a very weak pulse, but he had survived the night. That was the first good sign on the road to recovery, but he knew Phantom wasn’t out of the woods yet. The team would celebrate once he woke up, and no sooner.

The Titans had comprised a schedule for taking care of Phantom each night. Though still unconscious, they decided that they always wanted to have someone ready in the event he woke up. The first night, Robin took watch, Raven the second, Cyborg the third, Starfire the fourth, and Beast boy the fifth night. When he finally opened his eyes one week later, it was Raven he saw sitting next to his bed.

She sat reading a book in a chair next to his bed, when she first heard him speak to her at 3:15 that morning. “Wh…What happened?”

Raven looked up, not knowing if she had actually heard what she thought she did. Noticing he was in fact awake, she immediately set the book aside and leaned over next to him, “After the battle with Slade, you fell unconscious.” She responded in an abnormally soothing voice. “You’ve been out cold for a week. It’s good to see you’re awake.”

“I must be having some sort of hallucinations,” he whispered to her.

“Why is that,” she responded, “What do you see?”

“You’re smiling.”

She repeated herself; “You’ve been unconscious for a week. It’s good to see you’re awake.”

She took out her communicator and buzzed the other Titans. Upon entering the room, the Titans were elated to see that he was awake again. None of them seemed to notice that it was just past 3 in the morning.

“How do you feel?” Starfire asked him.

He groaned and responded “Tired, and I’m in pain all over. It feels like I was hit by a truck.”

“But how could you have been hit by a truck if you were asleep this whole time?” Starfire pondered aloud.

“He was comparing the beating he took to being hit by a truck.” Cyborg said.

“Oh, I think I understand. Like if a glorblar fell on you.”

“Umm, yeah.” Phantom looked around the room to make sure he wasn’t the only one who was clueless to her meaning.

“We should let you rest,” Robin said, “It’ll take a while for you to fully recover. If you need anything give one of us a call on the communicator.”

“All right,” he whispered, obviously tired out, “But before you go, tell me, did we win?”

“You might call it a draw.” Cyborg spoke up, “We defeated all of the sentinels, but Slade got away.”

“Then I failed.” He muttered. He had let the team down. Slade had beaten him and gotten away.

“Dude, you nearly killed him!” Beast Boy retorted.

“That was the best I’ve ever seen,” Robin said, trying to console him, “You could probably beat me.”

“Don’t kid yourselves, I lost! I let the team down.”

“The only thing you need work with is your form and your evasion,” Robin smiled at him, “I can probably help you out with that. By the way, what form of martial arts were you trying to use?”

“Basic Street fighting. Attack with anything and everything you’ve got and don’t give up until you’re dead. Living on the streets for several years, you start to pick up things like that.”

Phantom seemed deep in thought, which the others mistook for being tired. Everyone said goodnight and returned to their rooms, except Raven who remained with him.

Phantom stared over at her, wondering why she hadn’t left with the others. “Why don’t you get some sleep,” he asked her.

“We all take turns watching over you in the night, tonight is my turn. Tomorrow night is Cyborg.”

“I think I’ll be fine,” he said “But I could use something for the overall ache.”

Raven leaned over close to his face. “I’ll see what we have,” she said. Under normal circumstances she might have tried to use her healing power on him, but he still had a few fractures, and she didn’t know what adverse effects it might have. Instead she opted for 2 Ibuprofen. That would do well for muscle ache.

By the time she returned with the medicine, Phantom was asleep again.



* * *



Three weeks later he was finally able to get out of bed and walk around. But four weeks in the infirmary had taken its toll and atrophy had set in. He was weak and even short walks tired him out. He knew though that with regular work in the gym he would be back up to par in no time. Robin had Starfire help him in demonstrating various forms of blocking and evasion for Phantom. Eventually he regained enough strength to spar with Robin in the training area and to practice the new techniques.



* * *



It had been six weeks since the battle with Slade. Phantom and Robin were returning from the training area, where for the first time Phantom had beaten Robin. Phantom knew that Robin wasn’t really trying, but that didn’t really change things. If Robin didn’t want to give it his all, Phantom would only make his next victory all that more vicious, after all, Phantom hadn’t been trying that hard either.

Since he had recovered, Phantom began to wear green more than he did black. When asked why he had changed his uniform, he simply shrugged it off and said he felt like a change. Deep down though, he had changed because black had reminded him too much of Slade. He still wore his traditional army fatigues though (only these were green).

He got a shower and headed out into the common area for lunch. Midway there he met Raven. “Erm, Beast Boy is cooking lunch today,” he stammered, “So I was wondering if you would rather…go out for lunch?”

She could see over his shoulder that Cyborg was cooking, not Beast Boy, but she knew what he was trying to ask her.

“Sure,” she replied equally flustered, “I’d…love to.”

Phantom had recently purchased a used black truck, but they opted to walk together instead.

They were noticeably absent from lunch and Cyborg was making a ruckus about skipping out when he had made his famous burgers, but Robin caught on to where they were going and told Cyborg to just set some aside for them. Beast Boy didn’t understand why Robin was smiling, but Starfire soon caught on as well.



* * *



Phantom and Raven walked down the sidewalk. They had nowhere particular to go so they just wandered around downtown. Ultimately they ended up at a restaurant they could both agree on and sat down to eat. Raven wasn’t sure if she should feel flattered or embarrassed, as Phantom never seemed to stop gazing at her. Either way they sat and ate their meal in silence, neither of the two courageous enough to start a conversation.

Ultimately though, Phantom found the strength to speak, “I…I don’t know if I’m going to stay with the Titans.” He said.

“Why not?” Raven asked in her monotone voice.

“After I fought Slade,” he muttered, “and ended up in the infirmary, I had a lot of time to think. I was disturbed by the thought of how close I had come to death. I don’t think I can handle the stress of things around the Titans. Some day I want to have a wife and raise a family, but I almost lost the chance that day. I would still be glad to help anytime the Titans need me, but I’m afraid that someday I might be in the same scenario and lose.”

Raven sat in silence, her head bent over, thinking about what he had just said, and what she could say to change his mind. “We all feel the same way. It’s part of being a Titan, but so you know, that was the largest battle we ever fought in. No one will ever want to see you go. Robin would blame himself, Beast Boy would lose a role model, years would pass before Starfire returned to her normal cheerful self, and Cyborg would lose one of his best friends.”

“But how would you feel about it?” he asked her, “You mentioned everyone but yourself.”

Raven knew exactly what she wanted to say. She knew exactly how she would feel, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him how she felt. Instead she excused herself from the table and threw away the trash from their meal.



* * *



By the end of the day they had explored most of the city and were sitting atop one of the highest buildings in the city, watching the sunset together. They had enjoyed a wonderful day together and were in no hurry to return to the tower. Phantom never had gotten a straight answer out of Raven about how she would feel if he left, but he felt he had a pretty good idea.

As they sat close together on the roof top, Phantom began to feel warm all over. It was strange, but he felt it suddenly getting excessively hot.

Raven stood up and stumbled a few steps back, “Phantom! Your on fire!”

Snapping back to reality, he realized that his coat was indeed engulfed in flame! He hastily pulled it off and threw it on the ground.

A psychotic cackle made him turn around to behold a figure adorned in a bright orange and red cloak.

“No,” Phantom gasped, “You’re supposed to have died!”

***this is the new version of events. orrigionaly, Phantom was supposed to leave, and then the next chapter would have taken place 15 years in the future, but I decided that instead I'll have the story run a few chapters more.:)

[Matt A]

What the f**k? I didn't see that coming!

Phantom's recovery and his budding relationship with Raven were both masterfully handled, and then to finish it with such a sudden introduction of a new bad guy...well, that was just genius.

Two questions, though: who is this bad guy, and how do they and Phantom know each other? And, more importantly, will all this new stuff relate back to the bits with Slade?

Either way, I can't wait to find out...

[rrarbecy]

Lynyrd Skynyerd and this chapter have something in common. They both ROCK!!!! Who is this guy? I thought psychotic cackles were the Joker's beat(Jack ROCKS by the way).
*sings*
Sweet home Alabama,
Where the skies are so blue
hoo hoo

[T.T.Raven4]

God I love that song.

Great chapter. I bet the dude has something to do with Slade...That was awesome, and the emotions of Raven were played perfectly. Write soon!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Originaly, I was planing on posting the original ending next as chapter X, but I realized that I can still use it somewhere down the road... as for the new Enemy, well, you'll just have to wait:evil:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Lynyrd Skynyerd and this chapter have something in common. They both ROCK!!!! Who is this guy? I thought psychotic cackles were the Joker's beat(Jack ROCKS by the way).
*sings*
Sweet home Alabama,
Where the skies are so blue
hoo hoo
Allright, I know this wasn't your origional meaning, but just so you know, ALL of the song lyrics have something to do with their respective chapters. example: This Skynyrd lyric was about leaving a girlfriend behind to continue traveling the world/country/whatever. This is exactly what Phantom had been considering until Raven talked him out of it.

[rrarbecy]

Allright, I know this wasn't your origional meaning, but just so you know, ALL of the song lyrics have something to do with their respective chapters. example: This Skynyrd lyric was about leaving a girlfriend behind to continue traveling the world/country/whatever. This is exactly what Phantom had been considering until Raven talked him out of it.
I realized that. Hey, Ghost, would you mind if I did that song lyric thing? I dont't know if it will work, but I'd like to try it.

[Sproxie]

God, i loved this chapter....
As they sat close together on the roof top, Phantom began to feel warm all over. It was strange, but he felt it suddenly getting excessively hot.

Raven stood up and stumbled a few steps back, “Phantom! Your on fire!”

That was Hilarius!
I loved EVERYTHING!!!
Phantom's relationship with Raven is awesome
and who is this new Villain??!?
i can't wait for another chapter! :crying:

[Crowgirl]

What the f**k? I didn't see that coming!
Who did??????

That was awesome!!! I loved when Phantom and Raven were officially together, great!

Oh yeah. WOuld it be possible if I did the lyric thing for one of my future stories?

Note: Now see nevermore and Aquagirl, look how I nicely ask if I can use his writing style...

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Go for it! if you want to use the lyric Idea take it and run with it!:)

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I'll try to have the next chapter posted by the end of the weekend, but NO PROMISES!

[Crowgirl]

but NO PROMISES!
Uh......

Can't wait for the next chapter!!!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Uh......

Can't wait for the next chapter!!!
Sorry if that sounded harsh, I just haven't even gotten a tree or the Christmas decorations out of the attic:sweat:. I'll try to see what I can get done in my other free time though.

Until then, Happy Holidays.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

BTW: Can anyone recognize the game that the quote "You will be the one escaping!" came from? The only hint I'll give is that it was on the Sega Genises and it was said by the main charecter to the boss at the end of level 1.
Nobody seems to know the answer so here it is:
Captain America and the Avengers

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Things might slow down for a while, I have to start studying for my midterm exams. schoolwork comes first, unfortunatly.:(

[T.T.Raven4]

Unfortunatley, you're right. I can wait...BUT I STILL WANT MORE!

Mid Terms Blow...

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Next chapter is half done, expect a few crappy jokes.
(I havn't really counted, but I get a strange feeling that I have more posts on this thread than the rest of you combined. Just goes to show how pathetic my life is...)

[T.T.Raven4]

Welcome to my world!

*Shows you too my dark black room lit by 7 candles*

Welcome to my happy place!

Lol

I'm anxious, but I hate, and love to say, you're chapters are worth the wait.

[Matt A]

Wuh?

[T.T.Raven4]

Wuh?
It's best...that you do not understand.

[Matt A]

Okay. I'm really scared now...

[Kregor8]

This is a review of chapter 4. I haven't read chapter 5 yet. I will though...

That's a whole lot of sentinels. I usually don't like mass battles like this, because you don't get the close-up, slow-mo style, punch-for-punch, nitty-gritty fighting. You, however, have done a good job at making it past this predicament. For one, you didn't spend much time on the fighting itself. You described the scenery a little. This was good. If we can't see the battle, because it's too huge, the effects of the battle are usually the best way to go. Also, you skipped right to "the boss fight." Here we get the blow-by-blow, smack-em-up, bone-crunching, flesh-flaying, blood-spurting (ok, not that one) details. Slade's general attitude thoughout the fight isn't quite what I'd expect from him, but his final comment is absolutly perfect. The mightier-than-thou, not-a-scratch, walk-out-grinning attitude is what it's all about when it come to a major psycotic villian like Slade.

A pity. And to think you were almost a challenge.
Mmm, mmm, mmm! So great.

Ok. I need to go. I'll try to read chapter 5 as soon as possible. Keep up the greats!

7<regor

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Chapter 6 should be out in a day or two. It's not as serious as the previous chapters, but it helps to move the plot along and clear up some questions you might have from chapter 5.

[Kregor8]

Ok, chapter 5 review.
Not much action, but it was a nice cool-down from what just went on. The one thing that gets me is the long timespan. 6 or 7 weeks is a long time...it's not like the Titans got a 6 week respite. And wouldn't Slade, when he was able and realized that Phantom was still alive, try to finish the job? I guess we'll just assume he's either too weak or is plotting something (typical of him). I really liked

As they sat close together on the roof top, Phantom began to feel warm all over. It was strange, but he felt it suddenly getting excessively hot.

Raven stood up and stumbled a few steps back, “Phantom! Your on fire!”

Completely uproarious. I never expected that second line. Also, you've introduced a new baddie, so things should get start getting hot again. Just a guess, but he sounds like Hotspot (you know - Master of Games thing). But that's just a guess, and my record for guessing on this story is pretty sorry indeed.

7<regor

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I'm not sure I know who hot spot is, but here's the next chapter so you can check yourself:

All right, I don't think this is my best writing to date, but its not too bad. Maybe this will give you some answers...and a look into a well guarded past.

Spurned Past, Tentative Future

ShadowOfAGhost



“She’s got a smile that it seems to me,

Reminds me of childhood memories,

Where everything was as fresh as a bright blue sky.

Now and then when I see her face,

She takes me away to that special place

And if I stare too long,

I’d probably break down and cry.

Whoa oh oh, sweet child o’ mine.

Whoa oh oh oh, sweet love o’ mine.”

-Guns ‘N Roses, Sweet Child o’ Mine



Chapter 6



It had been years. Years had passed since these two had seen each other. Growing up they had been best of friends, but that was a long time ago. Before Fire Bug had been run out of town. Before Fire Bug had tried to kill him.

“Be careful Raven,” Phantom said, “It’s impossible to block or dodge his attacks.”

A high irritating voice responded to him. “I don’t plan to fight,” he said, “I just wanted to let you know I’m back in town.”

“You were banished from town.” Phantom replied.

Raven looked a little confused, “Phantom, who is this?”

“An old friend turned enemy,” he responded in a surprisingly cool tone. “He and I go way back.”

Fire Bug smiled and chuckled at this, “We certainly do.” Fire Bug chuckled again, “And as far as I can remember, you’ve never had a girlfriend in your life! Tell me, is she the best you could do?”

Raven’s eyes began to glow red. She muttered something indistinguishable under her breath. If looks could kill, they would have had a homicide on their hands.

“Uh oh,” Phantom said mockingly, “Now you done did it, you gone and made her mad. If I were you, I’d be on my knees begging for mercy right about…now.”

“Ha!” Fire Bug laughed, “Now you’re getting your girlfriend to pick your fights for you? Ha!”

Out of nowhere a sandbag hurtled toward Fire Bug and walloped him in the back of the head, sending him sprawling.

“What the…” was all the time he had to say before it circled around for another pass and broad sided him.

“I don’t have time for this,” he said. Suddenly, he was engulfed in a pillar of flame and disappeared. Phantom wasn’t fooled however, he watched as Fire Bug ran for safety.

Raven was still seeing red as she stood breathing heavily with rage and fury. Somewhere down the street, a car exploded in a ball of flame. As shrapnel rained down, Phantom took a careful step toward Raven.

“Raven,” he said oh so cautiously, “Are you feeling all right?”

An evil grin spread across her face, “Much better!” she sighed. Her eyes still had a faint tint of red to them, but it was fading.

He picked up the charred remains of his coat and reached into the pocket. He pulled out a small blue stress ball and handed it to her. “Just in case you don’t have time to meditate.” He added with a smile.



* * *



Phantom and Raven walked in to the tower together at the end of the day. Phantom didn’t even bother to put his scorched coat into his room before seeking out Robin.

He found him in the common area, looking over a map of the city. “Robin, find anything new?” he asked.

“There was a car bomb that went off about half an hour ago, I’m trying to figure out what the police have to say on it and whether or not we should investigate.”

“Don’t bother,” he replied, “After we met up with one of my old friends, Raven kind of lost her temper.”

“Oh, that makes sense. But who is it that you said you ran into earlier?”

“He’s a pyrokenetic who goes by the name of Fire Bug. He and I were friends growing up, but somewhere in between…the incident…and when he skipped town, we sort of lost touch.”

“So you say he’s a pyrokenetic?” Robin looked at him quizzically.

“A pyrokenetic such as Fire Bug can light tremendous fires with sheer will of mind.” Phantom added a grim tone to his voice, “There is no way to dodge it. There is no way to block it. The only warning sign is a feeling sort of like the air heating up around you.”

Robin said nothing as he turned back to the terminal in front of him and pressed a few buttons, setting off a general Titan Alert.

Within moments the entire team was gathered around in the common area, waiting to see what the trouble was.

“Phantom, repeat what you just told me for the team.”

As he did so he added very few comments and personal memories. He also brought up his image on the big screen TV along with his profile. Quickly reading over the facts, he made sure to keep an edge to his voice.

“Just to recap, his name is Baxter Spidmin, alias Fire Bug. He’s a pyrokenetic, so he can light fires with only a thought. He has bright red curly hair and hazel brown eyes. He’s about 5 foot, 4 inches tall, 23 years old, and is best described as hasty and hot tempered. Do not try to face him alone. Any questions?”

Cyborg was the only one to speak up, “Just one. What does he want here?”

Phantom replied in a cool, yet piercing tone, “He wants to destroy the city, and probably wants to kill me as well.”



* * *



Fire Bug walked down the middle of town. No one had recognized him yet, which was good. He had stashed his robe away under a dumpster in an alley. Wearing a bright orange and red robe would draw serious attention to him, which was the exact opposite of what he wanted. He walked with his head down staring at his shoes, not watching where he was going.

He looked up and immediately recognized where his feet had taken him. This was the dark alley in between the pet shop and the bowling alley a few blocks from the outskirts of the city. It was here that as a young boy he went to practice and work on his abilities whenever he could. His parents had never noticed when he left, they just continued to argue no matter what went on around them.

He walked down the alley and sat on top of a cardboard box. He sagged into it a little bit, but he knew that it was still better than sitting on the ground. It was then that he first heard that dark cold voice speak to him.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” it said, “I’ve heard you are one of the most dangerous people who ever lived in this town.”

“Who’s there?” he asked the shadows.

“Patience, Fire Bug.” The voice returned.

“Show yourself or so help me I will turn everything in this alley to ash!” to prove he wasn’t kidding he glanced over at a stack of boxes and watched as they burst into a raging inferno. The new light this provided allowed him to see a man clad in black and orange walk slowly toward him.

“I could teach you to improve your power. I could help you get the revenge on the city that you so desperately seek.”

“I work alone. No one can change that.” Fire Bug was starting to get angry now. When he got angry, people would burn.

“I think I can convince you otherwise. We share a common goal, you know. We both hate this city, and we both hate Phantom. We could do this together.”

“I will do this! You on the other hand will turn into a pile of smoldering embers!”

“Temper, temper. You’ll never do well in a fight with anger like that.”

“We’ll see about that.” Fire Bug smirked as he tried to set Slade’s boots on fire.

The metal heated up, but the rest of the material was fire proof. No matter how hard he tried, he could not set him on fire.

“You expected that little trick to work? I’ve spent that past few weeks watching you and learning about your powers. I know more about you than you know about yourself.” Slade grinned under his mask, “I’ll ask you again, will you become my apprentice?”

“The mere thought that I would work with lowlife scum such as yourself…it’s a joke. Now I suggest you leave.”

Slade made to lash out and grab him but with a bright flash and a pillar of flame, Fire Bug was gone.

“I’m disappointed you won’t join me.” Slade spoke to the emptiness around him, “You could have made a powerful ally tonight, instead you gained an enemy.”



* * *



Phantom sat on the edge of his bed, starring out the window at the city. It seemed so long ago that he had last seen Baxter. At first he had trouble remembering when he was younger, but once he got one thought into his head, they started to snowball toward him. He remembered running around the city streets with him when he was eight. He remembered their frequent trips to the ice cream shop on the corner. The time they had slipped out late at night together to explore the city rooftops. He remembered when Baxter had first taken him to that alley and shown him what he could do.

Phantom remembered what he had come to refer to as the incident, the night his parents were in the accident. He remembered standing next to his parent’s bed in the hospital watching as they died. He had been there with him, standing by his side, like the older brother he never had.

He remembered when he first heard on the news that police believed his parents’ deaths had been anything but an accident. He remembered seeing the police sketch of whom they thought the perpetrator was, and the utter disbelief that followed.

The memories now were as clear as day. He envisioned walking through the pounding thunderstorm to the police station and personally leading the officers to the alley where he knew Fire Bug (his recently acquisitioned nickname) would likely be. He remembered the shear fury and anger in Fire Bug’s face when he realized his best friend had turned him in. Baxter had always maintained his innocence, but the jury thought otherwise. At the age of 20, he had been sentenced to death. But the night before he was to be executed, he killed the guards and fled the city. In the following months a nationwide manhunt had ensued. It was three months until the police found the charred remains of a body in the forest about 50 miles from the city limit. The fire was so intense that there was very little evidence to disprove that it was his body. Everyone had simply presumed he had killed himself out there in the forest that day, unable to cope with himself and what he had done. It would seem, though, that he had very effectively faked his own death.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The song I selected had very little to do with this one, but I couldn't find anything better and this is one of my favorite songs so.....

[Matt A]

Mmm, good stuff...

A three-way war sounds pretty promising. Fire Bug and his relationship with Phantom was very well introduced, but perhaps a little more information on Bug's crimes may be called for.

The stress ball line was just genius.

[T.T.Raven4]

The stress ball thing was brilliant. It had me laughing.

FireBug was well introduced, along with his relationship with Phantom.

This is a very...different fic. What I mean is, not many people tun down Slade it seems, and here's a first. Like Welshies Mate said, a 3 way war. Very Good. I Love it. Write on!

~TTR4~

[Sproxie]

Mmm, good stuff...

A three-way war sounds pretty promising. Fire Bug and his relationship with Phantom was very well introduced, but perhaps a little more information on Bug's crimes may be called for.

The stress ball line was just genius.Definitely

And I loved the "Car Bomb" line.

[Kregor8]

Ah yes. We're all loving the beauty of the stress ball. I'm not sure exactly what strikes me about it, but like everyone said, nicely done.
Fire Bug is way cooler than Hotspot. His powers are so strange - and wicked cool. Fire, oooh! *fwooosh!* Ah! AH! It burns!
I'd say the same thing as everyone else about the 3-way conflict, but that would be dull. What I want to know is who's going to take down FireBug...Slade or Phantom. Or Raven, perhaps? Suspense...
The word you used would be spelled "pyrokinetic." Nice idea, I can't think that I've ever heard that word before. Technically, however, that would mean he was a fire-mover, not a fire-maker. A telekinetic or psycokinetic is one who moves (kinesis) things with his mind (psych). Spelling's wrong, root's wrong. And hey, I was just talking about what I said. Anyway, since it's fiction, we'll ignor it because "pyrokinetic" just sounds so wicked awesome. Besides, it's not like X-Men is real science anyway...

7<regor

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Actualy, the idea came from a book I read: Firestarter[/im_a_little_glow-tag_short_and_stout] by Stephen King.

Here's an excerpt from the afterword:

"While Firestarter is just a novel, a made-up tale with which I hope you, reader, have passed a pleasent evening or two, most of the novel's components are based on actual happenings, either unpleasent or inexplicable or simply fascinating. Amoung the unpleasent ones is the undeniable fact that the U.S. Government, or agencies thereof, has indeed administered potentialy dangerous drugs to unwitting subjects on more than one occasion. Amoung those which are simply fascinating-if a little ominous-is the fact that both the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have programs for issolating the so-called "Wild Tallents" (a term for psionic abilities coined by the science-fiction writer Jack Vance)...and perhaps putting them to use. Government-funded experiments in this country have centered largely on influencing the Kirilian aura and proving the existance of telekenisis. Soviet experiments have centered largely on psychic healing and comunication by telepathy. Reports filtering out of the U.S.S.R. suggest that the Soviets have achieved some moderate success with the latter, particularly by using identical twins as communicators.
Two other so-called wild talents that both Governments have spent money to investigate are the phenomenon of levitation...and that of pyrokinesis. A good many real-life incidents of pyrokinesis have been reported (Charles Fort catalogues several in [i]Lo! and The Book of the Damned); these almost always revolve around an act of spontaneous combustion where almost unimaginable temperatures have been generated. I do not say such a tallent-or curse-exists, and I do not indicate that you should believe it does. I am only suggesting that some of the casses are both eerie and thought-provoking, and I most certainly do not mean to impute the train of events in this book as likely or even posible. If I mean to suggest anything, it is only that the world, allthough well-lighted with flourescents and incandescent bulbs and neon, is still full of odd dark corners and unsettling nooks and crannies.
Unsettling to say the least, don't you think?:sad:

[rrarbecy]

I heard pyrokinetic on the show Charmed on the WB. (Rose McGowan is HOT)

[starfire0639]

i love it(the fic i mean:D )!!!!!!!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Could you imagine how much fun it would be to make things spontaneously (sp?) combust? It would be a great trick at parties!

On a more serious note, I'm trying to keep the chapters going at a standard rate, but I may slow for a while. I typicly work on it for about 10 - 15 minutes a day after I get home from school, but at this point in time I am working on:
1. An Eagle project
2. This Fic
3. Studying for Midterm exams
4. (after I finish this fic) an RPG started by rrarbecy
5. The Christmas Story contest (after the contest ends, I'll post it win or lose)
6. (if I feel like it) a program for simplifying the use of VBcode on the forum (input your text -> click the button for the effect -> copy onto forum) if it works, I'll try to find a way to post it so y'all can download the .exe file
:coach: :moon2: :frylock: :tom:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I think I finally found difinitive proof of which Robin is the Robin in Teen Titans! In the haunted episode, just after Robin activates the quarentine protical, Raven uses her power to penetrate his mind and several scenes flash by on the screen. Most of them are of Slade, but if you pay attention, you will see one in which there is a sillouet of two people falling to the ground from a trapeez, in the background you can see the inside of a roof of a circus tent. The first Robin in the batman series is the current Robin! In the Batman Series, the orrigional Robin became an orphan after his parents died. They died because they were members of the circus, the trapeez act to be precise. One night, something hapened when they were performing with out a saftey net, and they both plumeted to their deaths. How could Robin from Teen Titans have the memory of watching his parents fall to their deaths if the second Robin was the Robin from Teen Titans! Difinitve Proof At Last!!!:D

And with that, I have broken 100 posts on this thread.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Just Because I say I might slowdown for a while dosn't mean you have to stop posting...I get lonley when I'm all by myself :crying:

On a More Serious note.........MY TROOP COMMITTEE APPROVED MY EAGLE PROJECT PROPOASAL!!!!!!! HOO-AHH!!!! :D :D :D

[Matt A]

Okay, if you write a new chapter then we'll start posting: "build it, and they will come", as the quote goes. Your story rocks, so don't get discouraged.

I'd be pleased about your eagle project thing, 'cept I don't have a clue what you're talking about!

Oh, and the Family Guy quote is just genius.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

In the US, their is an organization known as the Boy Scouts of America (http://www.scouting.org/) (BSA). The highest rank a scout can obtain is that of Eagle. It takes years of work and is nationaly recognized. One of the main things that you have to do is the Eagle Project. It takes an incredible amount of work, planing, and time. For mine I'm going to tear down an old bridge at a local park and build a new one. I have to raise about $800 to do the project and it will likely take until April to complete, But I'll still try to work on the story, as the hardest part (planing and initial aproval) is behind me. :cool:

Also, Welshie's Mate, Scouting was started in England, so I know there has to be something of the equivelant there.

Quick Update: I'm working on the Christma Story Contest right now (half done), after that I'll type the next chapter. I currently have the outline written out in my notebook for the next chapter, which is the main step for me. As of today, I'm out on winter break. (Damn this politicaly correct BS to hell!)

[rrarbecy]

In the US, their is an organization known as the Boy Scouts of America (http://www.scouting.org/) (BSA). The highest rank a scout can obtain is that of Eagle. It takes years of work and is nationaly recognized. One of the main things that you have to do is the Eagle Project. It takes an incredible amount of work, planing, and time. For mine I'm going to tear down an old bridge at a local park and build a new one. I have to raise about $800 to do the project and it will likely take until April to complete, But I'll still try to work on the story, as the hardest part (planing and initial aproval) is behind me. :cool:

Also, Welshie's Mate, Scouting was started in England, so I know there has to be something of the equivelant there.

Quick Update: I'm working on the Christma Story Contest right now (half done), after that I'll type the next chapter. I currently have the outline written out in my notebook for the next chapter, which is the main step for me. As of today, I'm out on winter break. (Damn this politicaly correct BS to hell!)
:rolleyes: Boyscouts :rolleyes:

[Matt A]

In the US, their is an organization known as the Boy Scouts of America (http://www.scouting.org/) (BSA). The highest rank a scout can obtain is that of Eagle. It takes years of work and is nationaly recognized. One of the main things that you have to do is the Eagle Project. It takes an incredible amount of work, planing, and time. For mine I'm going to tear down an old bridge at a local park and build a new one. I have to raise about $800 to do the project and it will likely take until April to complete, But I'll still try to work on the story, as the hardest part (planing and initial aproval) is behind me. :cool:

Also, Welshie's Mate, Scouting was started in England, so I know there has to be something of the equivelant there.I used to be a Scout myself for a few years, so I do know a fair bit about all that stuff. But we don't have a ranking system of that kind, or even one at all: Scouting over here is a lot more informal.

Anyway, tearing down a bridge sounds quite fun. Good luck!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Allright, I'm off school 'til Jan 3 and I've finished my entry for the christmas contest. That means I'll be working on the next chapter starting either tonight or tommorow morning!:)

Also, I've gotten an idea for my next story after this one. all I'm going to say about it is this
Title: Shattered Dreams
Teaser Line: Dreams always fade, but nightmares never cease to haunt you

It will be at least 2x as long as this one.

[Matt A]

Sounds cool.

[starfire0639]

booyah im outa schooll till the forth hehehehehehe ya i know im special but do work on your chappie as am i and maybe just manybe..the spirit of christmas will help us reach our goals-looks up monotoen and eyes glossy:sweat: hehehe sorry i just watched christmas carol

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I should have the next chapter out in the next day or two.:D Sorry for the wait!


If you're having withdrawl, I posted my entry for the X-mas contest. Here's a link: http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?p=1558658#post1558658

It's called Star in the Sky and its only the one chapter, but enjoy it either way!:) spread the word!

Merry X-mas!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Long pause, short chapter, I apologize.

Spurned Past, Tentative Future

ShadowOfAGhost



“And then I burn,

Churning my direction,

Quench my thirst with gasoline!

So give me fuel,

Give me fire,

Give me that which I desire!”

-Metallica, Fuel



Chapter 7



The sun beat down on the Titans from high above. The heat of the day in the mid day sun was extreme to say the least. Normally, the Titans didn’t investigate fires, but when arson is suspected and a pyrokinetic with a grudge shows up in the city, the Titans decided to get involved.

The building which had burned was a historic landmark in the city. That which had once stood at the site was the historic police station, and was one of the original buildings from when the city had been a town. It had been used until up to three years ago when it was closed to the public. Ultimately a year later it had been closed to everyone so the historical society could preserve it. Now it lay in a heap of ashes. A lot of good the renovations had done.

Upon reaching the site, one thing seemed oddly out of place amongst the charred remains of the historic police station. The building had been made almost entirely of wood, so most of it was ash, and all of it was charred…except one post which stood strait up from the middle of the scene. Phantom climbed the pile of rubble to inspect it.

“Rule out all accidental causes!” he shouted down to them, “I can guarantee you this is arson! I can even tell you who did it!”

All of the Titans knew what he was going to say, but Robin decided to ask anyway, “Who did it?”

“Fire Bug! No doubt about it!” Phantom could clearly see on this post, the very thing that Fire Bug used to leave as his calling card carved into the wood. A reversed capital F combined with a lowercase b into one letter.

“Friends!” Starfire asked, as the other Titans climbed up to meet him, “What is that smell?”

Everyone looked at Beast Boy, “What?” he asked, “That wasn’t me!”

Phantom took a deep whiff of the air around him trying to identify what the smell was. “This smells like natural gas,” he said, “But there wasn’t anything in the air when we got here.”

“Any of the gas that was still in the air would have dissipated.” Cyborg noted.

“Either that or it should have burned off in the fire.” Raven added, “In which case there should still be some burning jets of flame from the ruptured pipes.

The scent of the natural gas grew thick in the air.

Cyborg looked up at the neighboring rooftop, “Phantom, tell me that’s not who I think it is.”

Phantom looked up at the hooded figure who smiled a sadistic smile at him and waved.

“IT’S A TRAP!!!” he shouted, trying to run as fast as he could. The footing was loose, so when running became apparently impossible, Raven created a massive black energy ball to lift them into the air.

A fraction of a second later, the world around them disappeared as all they could see was wrapped in orange, red and yellow. A deafening sonic boom filled their ears as the world around them exploded. Pieces of wooden shrapnel flew everywhere. Though Raven’s protective shield had saved them from the blast, it had been severely weakened, and could not block all of the shrapnel. As a result, each of the Titans was hit by a few pieces of flying wood, battering each of them.

When it was all over, Raven let them all down again, they all had resulting bruises, cuts, scrapes, and tattered uniforms. The Titans looked back up at the rooftop to find where Fire Bug was, but he was no longer there.

“Boo!” he shouted at them and laughed.

The Titans turned around to see Fire Bug taunting them.

“Most impressive, you almost had them.” A cold voice echoed. The Titans turned to see who this new voice was, and saw Slade standing on a neighboring rooftop.

“What do you want?!” Fire Bug shouted at him, “I already told you I won’t join your little conspiracy theory!”

“I only wish to watch and see you fight.”

“So be it then.”

All of the fighters took a ready stance, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Robin attacked first, charging forward and launching three exploding disks. Fire Bug simply raised his arm and enveloped them in flame, destroying them in the air.

Starfire flew in the air above and the moment the disks exploded, she sent a volley of Starbolts at Fire Bug, which he dodged easily. Cyborg fired his sonic cannon at him, and once again it was dodged. Fire bug retaliated with a kick to the face and a laugh.

“Is this the best you can do?” he mocked them.

A plank of wood flew through the air, enveloped in black energy, and struck Fire Bug in his lower back, leaving him open to Beast Boy’s rhinoceros charge. Beast Boy struck him in the chest and sent him sprawling and ultimately falling into the pile of rubble.

Phantom pulled out his pistol and fired three rounds into his chest. Fire Bug struggled to his feet as the Titans regrouped around him.

“I will never quit,” Fire Bug proclaimed, “You can not win!” a wall of flame surrounded him and then forced itself outward from it’s epicenter. The Titans knew they had no time to run, and they were forced to brace against the searing wall of heat that enveloped them.

“Time to show you one of my favorite tricks.” He grinned a sinister smile. Reaching inside his robe, he pulled out a golf ball sized rock and a small vile. He gently tossed the magnesium into the air and lit it. A brilliant white light was emitted, blinding the Titans. He then threw the vile at Robin and lit the substance that was inside it. The liquid flames splattered all over Robin’s cape.

“The fun thing about napalm,” he cackled, “is that you can’t put it out!”

Robin was forced to take off his cape and throw it on the ground. Having regained sight, he turned to face Fire Bug. “That was my best cape,” he breathed, “now I’m going to have to make you pay!” Robin charged, fists of fury flying this way and that. Fire Bug dodged most of them, and ultimately grabbed one of his arms and threw him over his shoulder. Beast Boy charged in veloceraptor form, but Fire Bug dodged to the side sent a wave of flame after him. Another large wooden plank hurtled toward Fire Bug, but this time he saw it in time. He set it ablaze, and was hit with no more than a clump of ash.

Phantom dashed toward him and landed a flying kick square on his jaw. Fire Bug knew he couldn’t defeat the other Titans all at once. He would need to attack them one at a time while they were all alone. Only a little more abuse and he would be forced to retreat.

As if responding to his thoughts, Cyborg shot him in the back with his sonic cannon, forcing him to his hands and knees. The Titans closed in on him for the final blow, but before they could strike, he summoned up another wave of flame, and made his escape.

Fire Bug had gotten away, now they had to deal with Slade.

“Where’d he go?” Beast Boy asked.

Slade was gone too.

Tired, battered, and bruised, the Titans decided to follow suit, leaving Robin’s still burning cape behind. There was one question that was on everyone’s mind. How had they been lured into trap like that?

They had underestimated him.

I promise that the next chapter (8) will have two fight scenes and the chapter after that (9) will have a few surprises in it. I've been waiting a long time to write chapter 9 so I promise it will be good!

[starfire0639]

kk shall defintly wait it was good and i liked the fight seen but im not really into that kinda thing im more into the emotions and stuff of the charchters but hey i cant force ya to do that and seeing thru different eyes the chapter was pretty cool no matter how short it was:sweat:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

kk shall defintly wait it was good and i liked the fight seen but im not really into that kinda thing im more into the emotions and stuff of the charchters but hey i cant force ya to do that and seeing thru different eyes the chapter was pretty cool no matter how short it was:sweat:
just wait for chapter 9, thats all I'm going to say. In fact, I've probably said too much as it is.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I'd like to ask that everyone take a moment of silence for all those who died in southeast asia. All 24,000 of them. If you follow religion, I ask that you pray for them.
:(

...

[Kregor8]

Yeah, a tsunami is devastating. But, this chapter was good. And that has nothing to do with it. For some reason, as terrible as it is in actuallity, destruction is fascinating. I think that's why we feel the need to explore it in fiction. Excellent job on exploring destruction.

Fire is my favorite of the four elements (as definned by the ancient Greeks - fire, water, air, and earth). And napalm is fun too. So what was the rock-flash for? Like a flashbang, without the bang?
Twas a nice little fight scene. I'd expected a bit more from Slade, but still. I keep forgetting the Phantom uses those concussion rounds. When he shoots somebody, it hurts, but it doesn't kill...
Looking forward to the next 2 chapters.

7<regor.

Ps. METALLICA!

[Crowgirl]

...................................


That was my silence for those in Southeast Asia. Tsunamis like that are awful.

Are you sure that this Robin is the Robin in Batman? What you said seems, well, a little far-fetched. No offense, I'm just the type of person that would need more proof, not the Charlie Brown type (But Charlie Brown rocks!).

Congrats on the Eagle Scout thing. My older brother is a boy scout (And the kids he uh... 'controls' tell me he says 'Okay, Guys' way too much) and he thinks it's wicked cool. He's got his Arrow of Light and all that jazz. He's great at camping and that junk. Personally, I think he is way too devoted.

I throughly enjoyed your chapter, I like how Firebug set up a trap for the Titans. The 'F' and 'B' in the fire reminded me of what Daredevil does in the movie. You know, with the two intertwined 'D's'.

Overall though, great chapter. Can't wait for more!!

Crowgirl

[Matt A]

Now that was a cool fight!

Oh, and I offer up whatever prayers I can give over the whole tsunami thing.


I know that it seems a little contradictory to post both of those above sentences at the same time, but that's just me.:sweat:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

And napalm is fun too. So what was the rock-flash for? Like a flashbang, without the bang?the rock was a clump of magnesium. the more pure it is, the brighter it burns, but yet it is harder to burn when it is pure. Pure magnesium will leave you permanantly blind if you stare at it directly when it burns.

[Sproxie]

NICE fight scene! I think you described everything very well. Fire Bug seems like an awesome character, I can't wait to see him more in future chapters.

Tsunamis are FREAKY. Everyone over in Southeast Asia has my sympathy. :sad:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

To make up for the long delay for this chapter, chapter 8 will be out in about 1-2 days! It's Already half done!

[Crowgirl]

Works for me!

[Matt A]

Likewise!

[starfire0639]

wow floridas like the last to get that news i just now we have A prayer seminar this wednesday at midnight and were donating water so moment of silence from ash~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Okay, I promised early delivery, so here it is.

Spurned Past, Tentative Future
ShadowOfAGhost


“We sing the death song kids,
‘Cause we’ve got no future!
And we wanna be just like you!
We wanna be just like you!
We wanna be just like you!
We sing the death song kids!
We sing the death song kids!”
-Marilyn Manson, The Death Song





Chapter 8



Rain poured down hard. Heavy rain always depressed him, and it would seem that it always would. Depression and fury are never safe to mix. Hasty decisions result when these two are mixed. But none of this logic reached the surface of Fire Bug’s conscious.

He was back in his alley sitting on a wet and sagging cardboard box, his only protection from the rain was his hooded robe, and that was drenched to saturation. He had to kill Phantom at any cost, even at the cost of his own life. He had shamed himself twice already by running from him, but the third time he would not run.

Fire Bug looked up. In the heavy rain it was hard to tell, but he thought he heard metallic footsteps echoing down the narrow street. Peeking around the corner of the building, he saw Slade slowly striding down the sidewalk. Another person he meant to kill, but not yet. He wanted to kill Phantom first, he would have a better chance with Phantom. He didn’t want to run, he didn’t want to hide, but he also didn’t want to fight. At least, not yet.

Fire Bug peeked around the side of the building, trying to judge how much time he had before Slade made it to his alley. He looked, but Slade was gone. Perhaps Slade had turned down another alleyway to his own secret base of operations. Sighing relief, Fire Bug turned around to return to his box. Before him, however, stood Slade.

“You will come to find that I am a very giving person,” Slade muttered in his piercingly sinister voice, “You have declined my offer for teamwork and friendship twice, but I am here to offer you one…last…chance. Will you or will you not join me as my apprentice?”

Fire Bug smiled under his hood, and decided to mock Slade’s final offer, a choice he would latter regret. “I have found that I could care less about you. You can eat your offer of teamwork and friendship and take them with you strait to…”

He was interrupted by Slade backhanding him across the face. “And I thought you were smarter than that.”

“You just picked a fight with the wrong guy.” Fire Bug grumbled. He pulled out a small vial of napalm and threw it at Slade. The vial splattered all over Slade’s chest.

‘Perfect!’ Fire bug thought to himself, ‘all I have to do is light it, and this guy is history!’ He raised his arm and pointed to the splotch on Slade’s chest. “Goodbye!”

Nothing happened. He couldn’t summon the fire with his mind. Both realization and Slade struck him instantaneously. As he flew into the brick wall and sunk to the ground, he realized that it was because of the rain. In light rain or a drizzle he could still use his pyrokinetic power, but when immersed in water, or in this case, rain, he could do nothing with his power.

Slade landed another strong kick on his chest. Fire Bug would have to resort to standard fighting technique. Slade had just gained a major advantage.

Fire Bug landed a strong punch in Slade’s gut, and followed up with a kick to the shin. Fire Bug followed up with a right hook, but Slade dogged it and grabbed his arm and threw him over his shoulder and into the brick wall. Fire Bug was loosing strength fast. He didn’t know how long he could hold on. He could only hope that Slade would let up and let him live.

Fire Bug struggled to his feet, but Slade was already there, and picked him up by the front of the cloak. Slade gazed deep into Fire Bug’s swollen and bruised eyes.

“I thought you would have given me a challenge. I thought you were stronger than this. You’re not worth my time and energy.” Slade abruptly threw him into the dumpster at the end of the alley.

There was only one way he could regain his honor now. Fire Bug had only one thought before passing out in the dumpster.

‘Must…kill…Phantom.’



* * *



Phantom and Raven had decided to go out for dinner. Phantom drove them to a spot he had found years ago in his wandering. It was one of his favorite places to come and think while watching the sunset. This evening there were a few clouds in the sky, scattered about just so as to make a perfect sunset. Raven looked at the beautiful sight as Phantom unfolded a picnic blanket and laid it out on the ground. The sky was dashed with orange, purple, and yellow, but what stood out the most were the brilliant streaks of red, some almost pink, while others as dark as crimson.

Together they sat down to eat the meal they had brought. After the meal, the sat quietly in each others embrace, watching the sunset. It reminded him of the first night they had been out together, sitting on the rooftop watching the sunset. They had been interrupted, of course, but it was still a magical time for them both. Phantom had turned on a CD in the truck, setting a wonderful mood, as the sounds of Bob Marley and the Wailers spilled out of the cabin.



I wanna love ya’

And treat ya’ right

I wanna love ya’

Every day and every night…



Phantom and Raven were so tied up in their thoughts of each other that neither of them heard the rustling in the bushes behind them. In fact, Fire Bug had been spying on them for the past 15 minutes.

Now was his time to strike. Neither was paying attention, so he would have the element of surprise on his side. He had been wary about attacking so soon after his defeat at the hands of Slade, but pride took over, and he made his move. Slinking out of the bushes, he picked up a small stick and tested to make sure his powers still worked. Assured that they did, he reached into his cloak and pulled out one of his vials of napalm and threw it at Phantoms back. The moment it splattered, he set it aflame.

It had been pure luck that Phantom had finally picked up a new coat that morning, and was now wearing it, or was wearing it.

Phantom tore off his coat and threw it off the edge of the cliff in his haste. He turned to face Fire Bug, a look of pure rage on his face. If not for Fire Bug, he would have attempted to get his first kiss out of Raven. Now the two foes stood face to face, vengeful aggression boiled inside Fire Bug, murderous fury inside Phantom. Raven, somehow, went unnoticed to the two of them. As the stared each other down, Raven called for the other Titans for backup, though she knew it would take at least half an hour to find them.

Phantom grumbled something inaudible. “What was that?” Fire Bug asked him.

“I said that’s two coats you owe me now.”

Fire Bug merely chuckled at this new proposition. “I owe you nothing!”

Fire Bug ignited the brush around Phantom and rushed at him. Phantom jumped out of the way of the flames and sidestepped Fire Bug’s charge. As Fire Bug went by, Phantom fired a concussion round into the back of his right knee, causing him to topple over. Phantom strode over to where he lay. “You killed my family! You… owe… me… everything!”

Phantom kicked him hard in the ribs. Fire Bug screamed in agony and rolled over. “Did I?” he grinned. Surprisingly fast, Fire Bug reached over and grabbed Phantom’s leg, pulling him to the ground and giving himself time to get up. “You should have seen the sheer torture I put them through before the police arrived. I never knew your father could scream that loud.”

A large Brach flew from the woods and struck Fire Bug in the chest, doubling him over. Raven’s eyes glowed red, and she towered above the others. “Do you believe in karma?” she asked in a sinister voice, “What comes around goes around. Only in your case, don’t expect to be so lucky as to die!”

“Raven, leave him to me. This is personal.” Phantom said in a surprisingly cool, calm voice. He had apparently found a nice thick branch on the ground, and was now carrying in his hand. He rushed at Fire Bug and struck him in the side of the head, shattering the branch with a thunderous crack. Phantom unrelentingly landed blow after blow on Fire Bug, gradually pushing him closer to the edge of the cliff and the jagged rocks below. Ultimately, one of his kicks missed and Fire Bug was able to grab his outstretched leg. He spun him around behind him and sent Phantom over the edge. Before he fell though, Phantom grabbed Fire Bug’s robe and they both plummeted together to their deaths on the rocks below.

Raven ran over to the edge of the cliff, but it was too late.



They were both gone.



* * *



The other Titans arrived shortly after to find Raven sobbing on the blanket, and they immediately feared the worst. They spent the entire evening searching for Phantom, but all they found was the mangled corpse of Fire Bug. Over the next eight weeks, search parties were formed from various groups in the area. But no traces of Phantom were ever found. At the end of the eight weeks, the last glimmer of hope that Phantom would show up on the doorstep or that news would arrive from a hospital saying he had been found was gone. The Titans found themselves finally accepting that which they had feared all along.

Phantom was dead.



One more chapter to go. I could probably get it out pretty soon (2-3 days at the most) but I might let you stew over this one for a while.:evil:
I'm thinking that I will take a vow of silence (on this thread) and not answer questions or post any updates until the next chapter is out:evil:

[starfire0639]

aaaa:eek: !-no phantom was like the cunning boyfriened of ravens that found her heart!you cannot kill him this is toture already please do write the last chapter soon....................*sniffles*ill try to wait:crying:

[Matt A]

My thoughts exactly.

[Crowgirl]

You... you... you...

GAH!!! I cannot believe you killed him!! Starfire 0639 is sooooo right. Phantom finds Raven's heart then it gets ripped out because he died and she lost her love. GAH!!!!!! I. Can't. Believe. You.

Other than that disturbing fragment, I enjoyed this chapter. I liked the Slade and Firebug thing, very nice. I also enjoyed the extrmely violent song you opened with.

Please write the next chapter as soon as you can!!

Crowgirl:D

[ShadowOfAGhost]

To hell with the vow of silence! I can still have fun watching you stew in anger and post at the same time.:evil: The final chapter is the epilouge, and due to only being 1 1/2 pages long (Word, TNR, 12pt) I have already finished writing it:eek:. That's right, you heard (read, rather) correctly. The next chapter is ready. I'm only going to wait for a total of five seperate people to post on the chapter. If you want the last chapter, pitch this fic!

[starfire0639]

wow!people agreed with me im the happiest person alive! as for you shadow evil......................pure evil................

[Sproxie]

You... you... you...

GAH!!! I cannot believe you killed him!! Starfire 0639 is sooooo right. Phantom finds Raven's heart then it gets ripped out because he died and she lost her love. GAH!!!!!! I. Can't. Believe. You.

Other than that disturbing fragment, I enjoyed this chapter. I liked the Slade and Firebug thing, very nice. I also enjoyed the extrmely violent song you opened with.

Please write the next chapter as soon as you can!!

Crowgirl:DWHAT SHE SAID!!! :mad: YOU KILLED PHANTOM!!! You're INSANE!

To hell with the vow of silence! I can still have fun watching you stew in anger and post at the same time.:evil:
:eek: I will get you while you sleep, just watch!! :evil: *goes and sobs in a dark corner mumbling "Phantom"* :crying:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I counted myself, here it is:



Spurned Past, Tentative Future

ShadowOfAGhost



“Oh, you’re the best friend,

That I ever had.

I’ve been with you such a long time,

You’re my sunshine.

And I want you to know that my feelings are true,

I really love you.

Oh, you’re my best friend.”

-Queen, You’re My Best Friend



Chapter 9

(Epilogue)



15 Years Later



This was the day that Raven had been fearing all her life. The day she knew that she would lose all control over her power. From where she stood, she could look out at the crowd that had gathered. Many that she saw had been friends with her or with the Titans over the years. In this white room, they all stood out.

She could see Cyborg sitting with Bumble Bee, his new fiancé. Next to them were Robin and Starfire, who had been married several years back. They were struggling with their two children they had had, who were both now five years old. Everyone had thought that two separate species could not have kids, though after several years, they were successful. They had twins, one boy and one girl. It would seem that the Tamaranian genes were recessive, as neither of the two could fly, shoot bolts, or lift incredible weight. The girl had an undying optimism, much like their mother, and the boy was best described as laidback and reserved, much like his father. The only physical similarity to their Tamaranian heritage was their fire red hair, and a pale orange tint to their skin not quite as dark as their mother.

Beast Boy had finally found a way to revive Terra, but they had too many differences to work out for their relationship to have succeeded, and they eventually went their own separate ways.

Raven turned to face away from the crowd and back to the man that stood directly in front of her. Before her stood a man about five feet seven inches tall, with dark brown hair and eyes. His name was Mark Fryzhen.

She had met him around seven years ago, and they had been going out for the past six. Though he was wonderful to her, and she deeply loved him, she knew there would always be a hole in her heart from her first love.

As she stared deep into his eyes she began to remember the face of her first love, and she realized just how similar the two looked. Same dark hair, same dark eyes, same feeling of warmth radiating from his smile. It was almost as if it were him, but that was preposterous. He had died fifteen years ago. But still, the similarities were uncanny.

As the name finally surfaced in her mind, she was vaguely aware of hearing herself mutter it quizzically, “Phantom?”

As if in response to the name, Mark smiled and chuckled, “I was wondering how long it would take…before you realized it.”

Raven rolled this statement over and over in her head, “You mean you’re…”

Mark only smiled again.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”



end



“‘Cause girl I was made for you,

Girl you were made for me.

I was made for lovin’ you baby!

You were made for lovin’ me!

And I can’t get enough of you baby!

Can you get enough of me?”

-Kiss, I Was Made For Lovin’ You

Got'ya!!!:D
If you didn't figure it out, this was a wedding, and yes, phantom was alive after all, and yes he is the one getting married to Raven. He shanged his name, and she never realy noticed it was him before.:D

Are you Happy? You got a Happy ending after all!

[Crowgirl]

Got'ya!!!:D
If you didn't figure it out, this was a wedding, and yes, phantom was alive after all, and yes he is the one getting married to Raven. He shanged his name, and she never realy noticed it was him before.:D

Are you Happy? You got a Happy ending after all!
ECSTATIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU SOOOO HAD ME FOOLED! I cannot believe you did that! You rock after all (Not that you didn't, but...)!!

This has been a fantastic story. You are truly fantastic!

'Nuff said. Normally, I would say more, but I'll let other people say my inward comments this time.

Crowgirl

P.S. Since I'm sleeping over my friend's house tomorrow, Happy New Year to all!

[Sproxie]

:eek: I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!! Happy ending! Yay! :anime: This was my favorite chapter ever. I don't know why, but I really loved it. GREAT STORY!

[starfire0639]

i love you shadow!omg you didnt kill him off and raven got married!i love it yay!im so glad my fav charachter didnt die!well his secret identity did but the real person didnt!i am so very happy right now shadow ...you rock!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Just because this story is over, don't think I'm simply going to fade away into the shodows (no pun intended). Far from it actually! I already have plans for my next story! I did a bit more preliminary planing this time around, and where as this story was 9 chapters, the next story is looking to be about 20! It will not feature any additions to the Teen Titans, but I will introduce a new enemy, who I do not have a name for. He will play a small, yet critical role in the story. I have already posted a few details about the upcoming story, and I will repost them here.

Title: Shattered Dreams

Teaser Line: Dreams always fade, but nightmares never cease to haunt you

I will continue with the song lyric idea.
I will post a link to the new thread when I get the first chapter up

With a new story will come a new avatar. BUNNY RAVEN!!!

im so glad my fav charachter didnt die!well his secret identity did but the real person didnt!You hit the nail on the head. Phantom wanted to leave the Titans as you may recall in a previous chapter because he feared he would never have the chance to be a husband\father someday. so after his near death experience, he feels he has to retire in order to someday meet this goal, but he loves Raven, so he makes sure he leaves just long enough so that he is too old to rejoin the Titans, and then rekindles his relationship with Raven.

Fire Bug, however, did die.

[Matt A]

All I have to say is...wow. I wasn't expecting you to deliver a happy ending after all that sorrow, so I doff my cap at you for pulling it off.

I can't wait for your next fic! It's gonna be so cool!

[Kregor8]

Wow. *sits quietly, surrounded only by the fierce beats of Argyle Park*
Wow. *scratches head again, trying to think of anything to say*
I knew Phantom wasn't dead. Don't tell me how I knew - I just figured it. You went out of your way not to prove he was dead - that was enough for me. You did an absolutely amazing job with this story. There was only one dropped line that bothered me.

Back in the beginning, Phantom uses Lady Macbeth's line as a vow to Slade. This he later breaks, but I didn't see any reprocusions for that. Not that I blame him - he made the right choice in leaving Slade. The problem is he made the wrong choice in vowing to serve him and something should have come from that.

Ah, well. Minor complaint for such a marvelous story. I like the whole ending. It's hard to put in a happy ending after all the other stuff you wrote. Excellent. I'll wait patiently (or at least more patiently than you waited to end this one) for your next story. It's sounding wicked nice, right about now.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Remember the attack on the tower? When Slade beat him to an inch of his life? that was the reprocussioun. He was orrigionally supposed to leave the Titans after that near death experience and do what he did in the epilougue. But since he didn't, I planned the next segment somewhat like a seperate story and tacked it together like the two stories were one. That's why there where no direct reprecussions from Slade in the extension chapters.

[Kregor8]

*smacks head with great force against monitor*
Obviously, I shou...
*wipes blood off screen. Hmmm*
Yeah, I should have noticed that. I guess I'm just being a bit dense. Hmm. Maybe it's all these cracks in my monitor...
Enough of that now. I guess that leaves only nice things to say.

Ah, and I've already said them! Cool!

7<regor

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Two Posts Within One Hour!!! Are you feeling okay Kregor?

If not, I'm sure this lovely nurse can help you out.:>: :nurse:
:p

http://www.jwolfe.clara.net/Humour/NonMedPicts/Stress-AntiStressKit.gif

[starfire0639]

yay! you mean i actually got it right!?!:eek: wow hehehehe and i have taken that stress thingy before but it gave a concusion:anime: did ya know they give codine for that....................off point i cant wait to read your next fic im sure itll be better than this one which meanms it would be very very very good love your fics shadow!hope you write more soon!and thanks again for not killing off my fav characher only his identity...........hehehe im so proud that i constructed a clear sentence fdor the plot without awsome or cool in it and now i will go celebrate:D

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I'm starting work on chapter one later today. Watch for the hyperlink.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Christmas break, its a good thing.

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?p=1565360#post1565360
(Shattered Dreams):^: Chapter one is now posted!

[Aquagirl15]

ahhhhh, happy endings i love happy endings. i'm a late poster but to say the least, I LOVED IT!!!! i thought i should read your first work before reading your second fic (although i cheated...:sweat:) but this was soooo awesome! i can't wait to read more of Shattered Dreams. <- never undersitemate (sp?) a second fic, they are always good... sometimes better than the first as writing grows better the more it is practiced. :D in a lot of the suprising parts i found myself biting my hand in well, suprise! :shrug: yeah weird but... i had to do something to get my excitment out cause when i read this it was 2 in the moring so i couldn't just jump for joy. :rolleyes: you are a great, awesome, fabolus, masterful (you can stop me whenever) writer. mucho awesome indeeed!

[Oh look I'm...]

I just finished reading this after what seemed like an eternity of shying away from it. Truly, "Spurned Past, Tentative Future" has one awesome thing going for it: for a first fanfiction, it actually turned out really well. Usually, first fanfictions aren't really that good, because they're often based around one scene that motivates the whole three chapter story. But this one was different. I will admit that the beginning was a little off, but it turned into something radically cool with a killer twist. No pun intended.;)

First, I didn't think much of Phantom at the beginning. The character really didn't do anything for me. He seemed like your general run-of-the-mill OC, and then he turns into something spectacular. Why do I like Phantom so much now? To me, his character represented a "younger Slade." If anyone has ever wondered 1) what Slade acted like in his younger years and 2) what if Slade had been a Teen Titan, then this fanfic displays those two perfectly. Phantom is as troubled as he is calculated, much like Slade, but eventually grows on the Titans. The whole time, I was thinking, "Phantom is Slade." And that's pretty much how I feel about his character. Well done!

Second, Slade was written spot on, which is rare in fanfictions. Your choice of lines for him was excellent. It's clear that you value Slade more than some other characters, because it definitely showed in your writing of him.:D Like I said before, probably the best thing about this fanfiction is that you wrote Slade so well that I was able to see the mirror-like comparisons between him and Phantom, who really are two peas of the same pod, but one decided to take the path to Good. No longer will I wonder how Slade would've been as a Teen Titan. I have Phantom to thank for that.:)

Okay, criticism time. Yeah, I know, it's the worst part of the job. To put it bluntly, this was indeed in the "Furst Fanficcy EVURR!!1!" category, but I can see how much you greatly improved over the course of your tenure. The writing itself of "Spurned Past, Tentative Future" struck me as a work that wasn't too planned out, happening more on the spur of the moment than anything else. This was quickly apparent to me from your frequent reminders that the fic was supposed to end with Phantom leaving in Chapter Five. I, for one, am glad that you kept the fic going, and it didn't get dull at all. Now, for the ending, I'll only say this: I'm not a fan of fluff unless I'm writing it, but even I couldn't help but "awww...." at the last few lines.

I'm glad every Titan got to be happy. It's a nice respite from the harsh world we actually live in.

Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars.