Chapter Text
Time has passed...
"We're owned by our hearts
We're owned by our fears
We're owned by the sparks
That heal as they tear…"
~Unknown
Titans Phantom
Chapter 1: Five Months
Season Three
Danny awoke once more to the feeling of fully blossomed bruises across his back as he lay on his stomach, glaring with the upmost hatred at the alarm clock. Five-o'one. Classes start at six and already he was groaning from pain. The bed dipped suddenly, a warm body rolled over, and Valarie placed a feather light kiss upon his bare shoulder.
"Morning."
"I would say that back, but it's not even dawn yet."
Valarie chuckled before getting up, moving towards the bathroom, pulling off her nightclothes as she went being mindful of her three cracked ribs. Danny waited patiently till he heard the sounds of running water before he started getting dressed in the all black uniform, save for his white sash around his waist, crossing over his chest.
Opening the bathroom door, the warm condensation swirled around him, easing straining muscles, Valarie's silhouette behind the curtain. The water cut off shortly, and she stepped out in a red fluffy towel before heading into the main room, shutting the door once more as Danny finished brushing his teeth then carefully wrapping his face until only his ice blue eyes remained. The last two things were his reinforced black tabi boots, and he flipped up the black hood over his head before stepping out into the room. Valarie was tugging her wet hair into a ponytail, the red plated armor of her uniform glistening, her new visor only concealing her eyes, sloping gently across high cheekbones.
"Ready to go?" She asked looking towards him, and Danny had to marvel at how ordinary their routine had become. How each of them knew the other so well they no longer needed verbal communication to know where the other was. Striding over to his dresser, he grabbed the green hilted katana and his backpack. Absently, he ran a hand through his crow black hair underneath the hood feeling for the small metal device no greater than a quarter, hidden behind his ear. Phantom sensations filled him as if his body were still asleep. Valarie said nothing to this, far used to his strange behavior since they both found themselves here at the HIVE Academy.
"Ready."
Both teens headed for the door. Sometimes, it was hard being the only two regular humans in this place. If high school was bad, then this place was a nightmare for them. Every super powered teen here wanted a piece of the two normal teens. Of course, it usually ended with those power kids flat on their backs in the battle arena. In fact, the reason Valarie had three broken ribs in the first place was because Mammoth had demanded a rematch. The two of them walked into their first class Chemical Warfare and took their seats. Closer to the front, Danny could see the trio, Mammoth grumbling when he looked back to the duo, Danny leveled them a glare causing both Gizmo and the lummox to squeak while Jinx merely gazed back before turning to face the teacher. A note slid across the desk.
'What was that about?'
Danny barely glanced at it before scrawling his answer and sliding it back, 'Merely saying hello.'
Beside him, Valarie gave a snort, sending the paper back to him, 'I can take care of myself, Fenton.'
The teacher up front was quizzing Kyd Wykkyd, a vampire, while his girlfriend Angel, she literally had white wings, tried to give him the answers. Such original names, but he wasn't one to talk. He got nicknamed Shadow while he was here and god, Danny hoped Jonny 13 didn't try and kill him for that.
'I know. But I like people to remember you're not the only human they can pick fights with.'
At this Val gave a snort and Danny couldn't blame her. Because ever since Blood took him personally under his wing most of the students were too afraid to fight him. That and he accidentally put the girl named Bumblebee in the medical wing for a week. The bell rang and they made their way through the hallways towards the cafeteria for breakfast. Students were pushing and pulling while some were in the middle of the hallway blocking the flow of traffic. Once Danny and Valarie had their trays they sat at the corner table in the far back of the room, watching the normal clicks form among the tables.
Valarie let out a snort when the Trio, as Danny fondly dubbed Jinx, Mammoth, and Gizmo scared off a couple of freshman.
"Hey Danny, look around you, you've got your freshman, J.V. jocks, preps, asian nerds, cool asians, varsity jocks, unfriendly black hotties, girls who eat their feelings, girls who don't eat anything, desperate wannabe's, burnouts, sex to the active band geeks, the greatest people you will ever meet and the worst."
At this Danny carefully hid his laugher behind his hand, stifling it until he met Val's eyes and raised a questioning eyebrow.
"So are we the awesome people or the Plastics?"
Valarie took a moment to think about it before digging into her eggs, throwing the bomb across the room into Gizmo's orange juice.
"Definitely the Plastics."
Danny snorted as orange juice went flying causing the little snot to start cussing up a storm.
He looked back to Valarie and smiled, "I'll wear my pink shirt."
"Only on Wednesdays," Val corrected before the two resumed eating while Gizmo tried to burn holes in the back of their heads.
After re-wrapping his mask the two headed for social sciences, which was quote 'unquote' the art of psychological manipulation and warfare. Danny always tried and failed to not roll his eyes at all the class titles. Blood really liked warfare.
At nine o'clock Valarie was heading to field training with the rest of their class while Danny went off to his. By nine-thirty, his muscles burned so badly Danny wondered if he were on fire.
Blood slammed him onto the training mat and Danny felt the nerve cluster near his left hip that had been struck by the bo-staff lock up his entire leg.
"Really Daniel, I expected better you aren't even utilizing the nerve strikes I've taught you," Brother Blood growled in exasperation.
Danny huffed and pulled himself up, and god, sometimes being human really sucked.
"That's because I can't get close enough to you, Sensei," the non-halfa stated, and Danny could feel the sweat trickling down his eyes, his mask damp along with his clothes. Thank god he remembered to pack spares. The elder gentleman with wispy white hair gave a good natured huff before coming into a ready stance, his red and black gear flowing with the movements.
"That's because you're still telegraphing your moves with your feet and not trying to redirect my momentum now, again."
It were times like these when Blood was actually training him and not beating him to the ground that Danny almost forgot he was supposed to…Danny stopped that line of thought and charged making sure his muscles didn't try and get ahead of his mind.
When eleven-thirty came around Danny was finished with showering, walking through the twisting metal hallways painted in yellow and black waiting for Valarie to get out of class. The bell rang at eleven-forty-five, and she came out of advanced trig class. Her thick black hair was now pulled into a bun, a fresh bruise on her cheek. Without thinking he was brushing a loose strand of hair away to get a better look at it, his gloved palms feathering across the tiny hair on her skin. Val took his hand and sighed.
"I'm fine. Kyd Vamp got in a lucky shot. I decked him for trying to fang me," she said this as Angel, the dude's girlfriend, strode by, gave a humph, before flouncing away. The teens all around them walking by undoubtedly started new rumors about their 'love life.'
"So how was training?" Valarie asked while they walked down the hallway towards lunch.
"Fine, Blood says I'm about done with the hand to hand, and he's about to start re-fining my sword skills," he said this as a group of girls strode by before turning away, giggling and running off, leaving Danny extremely confused.
"Um…what was that about?"
"Apparently, I like chains and you're the screamer," she answered snickering while Danny felt his pale skin burn under the mask.
"Why do people always assume the quiet ones are screamers?" he mumbled while Val shrugged.
"Don't know, why do they assume we've even had kinky sex, or any sex for that matter?"
It was then Danny remembered just how compromising this was for Valarie, and he felt guilt clench his stomach. And all because she was female.
"I'm sorry. I forget what the girls say about you."
Valarie's mouth thinned but when she looked up to him, Danny could see how grateful she was that he even cared.
"It's alright. But you know, if I'm a whore you are too."
"No way, since I'm a guy I get a free pass as being a player with charisma."
To this he received a solid punch to his arm before the two broke off to go get what they wanted for lunch. Watching Valarie walk away, her head held high in the confidence and grace she always projected made his stomach flip. The two of them choosing to room together originally hadn't even been about their feelings. It was solely based on survival.
Neither Danny nor Valarie were safe from their roommates or the hazing that went with trying to fit in. So Danny had done the only thing he could think of, he went to Blood and requested a room change. It wasn't like there were policies in place preventing both genders from rooming together, it just didn't happen. Even the teens who proclaimed they were dating didn't do it.
So the scandals that followed were bordering on legendary. And sure, being so close to Valarie had rekindled all the emotions he so readily felt for her. But it's not like he could trust her. Except… right now, he was only human. Danny felt his heart hammer at this thought and felt only warmth, no sliver of pressure from his ice core.
Absently, he ran a hand through crow black locks, one finger brushing metal and a thrum of power surged through him. Making his blood sing as if he were in a fight. Picking up his tray, Danny pulled the black hood further over his head before taking a seat across Valarie, his back facing away from the other students. He took a breath and lowered the mask.
At two-thirty Brother Blood or Professor Blood at the moment, when he was teaching, was writing down another formula for the semester project their class was working on in his Doomsday Class. The only class that didn't have the title warfare in front of it.
Finally three forty-five was combat practice, the last class of the day. And the one time Danny could fight alongside Valarie. Today however, the students gathered to watch Billy Numerous, See-More and Angel brave the top training course as the group attempted to cross the finish line. Both Valarie and Danny sat back and relaxed along with the other students.
"You know that paper isn't due till Midnight Val, you can relax a little." Danny stated rolling his shoulders to relieve the tension. Valarie snorted and kept typing.
"Not all of us can create a paper by solely writing the conclusion, Danny," she snapped back glancing up to those ice blue eyes.
"It's called reverse writing, Val, you really should try it sometime."
"I think I need to be dropped on my head a couple of times before that'll work."
To this Danny flushed so badly even Valarie could see it. She burst out laughing.
"That happened two times, Val, and need I remind you Dash was involved."
"Red, Shadow! Since the two of you seem so at ease, why don't you put your muscles to the test!" Professor Grimes shouted, his uni-brow bristling and both teens groaned before jumping into the arena and set to work.
Later when Danny was typing up the final paragraph on the dark purple couch in their room, he heard Valarie cuss and looked over to see her fuming mad on the bed, her face livid.
"What's wrong?" he asked getting up, moving to sit beside her.
"I just tried submitting my paper and my whole computer crashed!" she yelled, her fists clenching the bed sheets nearly tearing them.
"Don't you have a flash drive?"
"That snot nosed brat stole it two days ago."
Danny growled, "Then three guesses who messed with your computer while we were occupied."
Valarie let out a pained sound and flopped back on the mattress before looking to the clock and groaning.
"Eleven-thirty, if I don't submit my paper I can kiss this scholarship goodbye and you know Professor Chrome doesn't accept any excuses."
Danny winced knowing this to be true. Looking back to her computer then her forlorn face steeled his nerves. Setting aside this school's morals and intentions, this place was the only thing that had pulled Valarie back from the brink. Especially after Phantom…after he had broken three of Val's ribs and caused severe damage to her leg when she'd already broken it hunting him.
"Val, I think I can try something."
Valarie gave him a sharp look before sitting up.
"What? It's dead as the desert."
Carefully unwrapping his left arm, Danny revealed the small electronic chip imbedded in his arm. One of the many things Valarie had questioned him about to which he never answered. Now she watched fascinated as the wires moved underneath his pale skin before retracting altogether. Danny gave a small sigh and placed his palm on the laptop before giving her a sheepish grin.
"Just, don't freak out okay?"
Valarie met his eyes and nodded.
Her best friend turned his eyes back on the computer and blue electricity began to spark. The computer gave a soft hum before the restart page appeared and the computer turned on. Valarie gave one of her most girlest squeals, which she would vehemently deny later, before wrapping her arms around Danny's neck and pulling him into a kiss that tasted faintly of electricity.
When Valarie pulled away, she was happy to note that Danny was redder than a tomato.
"I…you're welcome?"
He questioned, and the romantic inside Valarie couldn't help but laugh at how cute her friend's reactions were.
"Thank you. Danny, why didn't you tell me you're a meta-human? How long have you been able to do that and oh my gosh, you're just like that kid in Dakota, Static Shock, I think is what he calls himself!"
Danny chuckled before relaxing. "Careful, Valarie, your inner fangirl is showing. And um…a couple of months and because I didn't want anyone to know."
To this Valarie rolled her eyes in fondness. "You are so strange, Fenton."
"Yeah, uh, Valarie. Not to be ungrateful for all this attention, but shouldn't we submit our papers now?" he said, his ice blue eyes drifting over to the clock which now read eleven-fifty.
"Oh, crap. We should."
Two submissions later, along with promises of retribution against Gizmo, Danny had to admit that today was a better day. Getting up, Danny popped his back and headed for the shower while Valarie assumed a lotus pose and both began their nightly rituals. When he was done, Danny stepped out of the bathroom in his night pants carefully toweling his hair, making sure the empathic device was still concealed by his jet black hair.
Valarie was already in bed, her breaths already deep and languid. On the dresser L.I.S.A. sat and carefully Danny placed the device back on his wrist. Feeling the wires sink below, strings of code following before the sensation of charged air lifted. It was only then did the non-halfa lie down, immediately scooting closer to Val and the warmth radiating off her. He may only be human now but his temperature was lower than average. One of the reasons they ended up sleeping together, that, and with only one bed in the room it gave them extra space. Of course try explaining that to hormonally frustrated students and see how well that pans out.
Closing his eyes, Danny remembered laughing at how Valarie said it didn't matter. That comparing the Red Huntress and Shadow to any of the students here was like comparing Superman to the Box Ghost. Danny had ended up nearly passing out, he had been laughing so hard. Still, as Danny felt Valarie roll over, her arm falling across his back as she unconsciously dragged her head to rest in between his shoulders, effectively making him a pillow…again, the teen knew that while they truly were mature in every sense of the word, they were also broken in every sense as well. And both of them had all the scars to prove it.
Danny struck a nerve cluster that sent Billy Numerous to the ground quicker than a stone, before whirling around, drawing the Dragon's Gale, deflecting the purple magic with ease as Jinx danced just outside striking distance. She was the last one left of the group in the arena in the gym. Other students outside the ring chanting both of them on. Jinx smiled, her cat eyes dancing, her normally styled hair pulled in a high ponytail, sweat running down her face.
She smirked doing cartwheels, "I will get that mask off one way or another."
Three more strikes of magic into the ground, and Danny let out a snort, jumping up to balance precariously on the high bar. It was something all the students tried to do when he decided to train in the gym, to get his mask off. The only part of his uniform that remained no matter where Danny went along with his sword but whatever, details. Apparently this was some manga joke or another that he didn't know about. Danny flipped out of the way as the high bars were destroyed, the ties of his mask falling across his black tank top.
"Whatever, Jinx, I'd like to see you try without cheating."
The girl gave a howl of protest before surging forward engaging in hand to hand her movements swifter than a snake. Danny moved around her, Jinx felt her fingers curl around Shadow's mask, the material smooth, when suddenly she was on the mat. The magic she'd laid beforehand caving underneath her feet. Jinx felt her face heat as she realized Shadow had used her own trap against her. Letting out a growl of frustration Jinx sat up, jumping slightly when a bandaged hand was extended to her. Meeting Shadows eyes she allowed herself to be pulled to her feet, those twin pools sparkling in approval.
"Good fight, better than the four country hicks with only two brain cells."
Somewhere Billy screamed, and Jinx couldn't help but laugh. She might not know Shadow very well but he did have a decent sense of humor.
"Thanks," Jinx then turned to the crowd, placed her hands on her hips and smirked. "So which one of you thinks you can take the reigning champ and de-mask him?"
To this hands and voices rose in shouts but before Jinx could pick, Brother Blood's voice froze all the teens in place.
"No one will. Shadow, come with me."
Danny looked to Jinx in a silent apology before taking a running start, leaping up onto the second level following the Headmaster out, the students watching him go.
Brother Blood swept silently through the hallways never once speaking to Danny. It had the teen's nerves on end, for normally the man always had something to say. They entered the smaller training arena, and Danny felt fear begin to prick his senses.
"Sword on the table," Blood instructed as he swept off his long white robe revealing his red armor underneath, Danny did as instructed. Coming back he stood before his teacher, both bowed and the next thing Danny knew, he was being attacked so fast the non-halfa didn't know what to do.
"Focus on using my energy against me."
Blood's eyes were hard, and Danny leapt out of the way from a nerve strike that would have stopped his heart.
"I…can't…"
The Headmaster's eyes were furious, and the next instant Danny was blown back with red telekinetic energy.
"Really?" To punctuate this statement Blood redirected Danny's momentum to the mat, and he rolled out of the way barely avoiding a foot to his stomach.
Danny had no idea what was going on. Blood never attacked him like this. It was when the two clawed fingertips drew blood from his throat that he realized Blood was trying to kill him. In a sweeping motion, Danny had Blood's legs out from underneath him, the Headmaster in mid air corrected his position. But it was with great surprise when Blood realized that was exactly what his pupil had wanted. For Danny tumbled underneath him, springing up and vaulting to the other side of the room. When Blood turned his palms and eyes red, he was met with blade so sharp it could sever his neck armor with ease, resting right against his artery. Blood could hear Danny's breaths coming in pants as his form trembled in fear. The blade however remained perfectly steady, those blue eyes hard.
"What was that about, sensei?" Danny snarled, and Blood relaxed his posture allowing the teen to know he wouldn't attack.
"It has come to my attention, Daniel, that you are in fact a meta-human like myself with an extraordinary gift."
Slowly, Danny lowered his sword, then the black mask revealing his annoyed expression.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Blood sighed in exasperation, "Really Daniel, I expected you of all people would understand the importance of utilizing every skill one has in the midst of battle. It had been my hope that when presented with a situation where your life truly hung in the balance you would end it with decisiveness."
The Headmaster watched as his pupil's eyes widened in understanding before dropping down in shame, his hand gripping the Dragon's Gale. Blood's eyes softened, and he placed a hand on the teen's shoulder, "A decision you made, in choosing to wield your sword instead."
Danny's eyes snapped up, and Blood felt his heart warm at seeing his student react towards his praise before he reminded himself of why he'd instigated this lesson in the first place.
"However, I will not allow my top student to train only half of his abilities, you will start refining you Lightening ability."
With this, Danny frowned and glared at Blood, "I can't. My meta power has the potential to stop my heart. It's not like your psychic abilities."
Blood nodded before his eyes went red and in a second so were Danny's, "I know my pupil, the risk is great but the potential is greater. You will learn to master this ability through my teachings. Understood?" He asked.
Danny blinked his eyes changing back, with no hesitation he undid the bandages on his left wrist and Blood watched as the teen carefully removed the wire chip before handing it over. Blood took it and smiled.
"I understand," Danny answered.
"Good," Blood took the device in his palm and crushed it. "We'll resume training tomorrow."
Danny made sure Blood was far away before he collapsed on the ground, shaking off the mental imprint left in his mind. Once Danny was sure he was free did anger boil up in him at the fact that Valarie had promised. Getting up he stormed angrily to their room, Val modifying her hunter suit at her work desk.
"Hey, Danny, what's up?"
"What's up? Val, I asked you not to tell anyone about my power and the next thing you do is go and tell the Headmaster about it? What the hell, I know you want to protect me and everything but that's crossing a line!"
Valarie, who had been sitting there in shock, stood up and glared her face chagrined.
"I don't know what you're talking about Danny, but I didn't tell Blood anything about you or your meta powers! How could you even think that about me?" she screamed, and Danny felt his emotions boil over.
"Oh, I don't know the fact that you're the only person who knows about me. How about that?" he snapped when Valarie slammed her fist on the desk, silence filling the room. When she looked at him again Danny felt his heart wrench from the tears gathering along the corners of those hazel gold eyes, her black hair fanning her face.
"Danny, I may not like you being here. I certainly don't agree with you choosing this life but I would never betray you. I didn't tell Brother Blood anything."
The non-halfa felt indignation flare up in him. "Oh, so I can't choose this path but you can? No hypocrisy there, Val. You weren't the only one hurt by the Titans," he snapped, and Valarie became rigid. Everything closing off, making it impossible for Danny to read and he cursed at his stupidity as he watched Val grab her backpack and storm angrily out of the room.
The door closing seemed to bring everything home, and Danny found himself sinking down onto the bed, his emotions drained.
"Damnit, if Val doesn't remember then that means Blood can alter perception and memories."
The thought of him begin able to alter his own made Danny tremble in fear, but he resolutely pushed that doubt aside. If he began going down that path it would only make things easier for Blood. Still Danny had brought up an old argument without meaning too and now Valarie was pissed and he was left feeling like the bad guy. Curse Val's sense of justice. Danny tried not to laugh at the philosophical arguments that thought implied.
One month later, Danny found himself in the arena, Blood monitoring the obstacle course as he tried to focus on maintaining the flow of lightening through his sword while dodging six massive robots. It was as he released his forth lightning bolt that pain seared his senses. Only it wasn't coming from him, the device behind his ear causing explosions of lights to flash behind his eyes. A robot landed a solid punch and the last thing Danny knew was darkness. He awoke hours later in the medical wing. Every muscle locked in pain, a doctor speaking in hushed tones to his mentor. When Blood saw him, he approached, placing a comforting hand on Danny's head, the one place that didn't hurt.
"Well, it seems we now know your limit. Although I must say I'm very proud of you."
Danny lifted one eyebrow before his eyes started throbbing, Blood though understood his question.
"Your power knocked out our power grid for an hour but the doctors did notice something strange, when your power fluctuated it came out of nowhere. Your heart had been steady so why?"
As he said this, Danny felt those fingers brush behind his ear and graze the device. Fear. He couldn't move, couldn't do anything and Blood saw all of this. His eyes went red, and Danny tried not to scream when he felt a voice fill his head. His body arching in pain.
"Tell me what this device does, Daniel."
Danny heard Blood's physical and mental voice pound blades in him, and he needed to answer, to tell the truth.
"Empathic device."
Instantly Blood's eyes lost their red hue and Danny felt his body fall back against the bed, every nerve roaring and if Danny had the strength, he'd be screaming till his throat was bloody. Gasping for breath he met Blood's face. The man was curious but at the moment concern outweighed answers. When Blood left, Danny tried to ignore how relieved he was before sleep claimed him with the nightmares filling his soul in dread.
Valarie was asleep when Danny awoke, her head lying on the bed, long black hair spilling onto his hand. Gently, he threaded his fingers through it, savoring the course softness. Valarie's eyes fluttered.
"Danny? Oh, thank god you're alright."
A chuckle passed his lips and Val frowned, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze.
"Yeah, how's classes been?"
Valarie shrugged, "Fine. Brother Blood's about to unveil our class project for the semester and now I know why I was being given so much trig work and you were stuck with all that chemistry."
"Don't tell me…a hydrolysis reaction canon? Energy efficient and yet deadly."
Val chuckled but shook her head, "Na, something to do with ions. That's all I got before Gizmo got a little to curious and I was forced to start playing Mega Monkeys to distract him. Don't know why you'd ask for that information anyways."
Danny groaned before sitting up, moving so Valarie could join him while he gathered his thoughts.
"Val, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I know you'd never do anything like that."
Hesitantly, he looked up from their intertwined hands to see Valarie's surprised expression before she smiled.
"Thanks Danny, and I'm sorry for not wanting you here. Sometimes I forget how powerful you are and what you've been through."
To this Danny had to laugh at the irony before he gave a light peck on her cheek and stood up, muscles groaning but otherwise he'd live.
"You know, we really know how to make each other miserable."
Valarie stood as well and wrapped her arm in his while they walked through quiet hallways back to their room. It was only when Valarie was asleep did Danny open his laptop, take a photo, attach the file and send it on its way.
Closing his eyes, Danny knew the hardest part of his five month mission was about to begin. The next day at school there was a new student who went by the name of Victor Stone.
AN: Read & Review
~Rin