Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom in any way, shape, or form. Never have, never will. Also, I do not own the song "Welcome to My Life".
Lyrics
"Speech"
'Thought'
Sixteen year old Danny Fenton sat in his living room, listening to his parents berate him for missing his curfew for the fourth time that week. He had, in fact, heard the same speech multiple times each week over the two years since the accident.
"Now son, your father and I love you very much, but-"
"This is ridiculous, Danny! It's no wonder your grades have been slipping."
Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place?
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you
Danny was different from most. He was neither human nor ghost; he was neither dead nor alive. Instead, he was somewhere in the middle. He often felt like he didn't belong in Amity Park or the Ghost Zone. And to add to this, no one knew the real him anymore. The ghosts saw him as a traitor, the kids and teachers a screw-up. Even Sam and Tucker were wrong, thinking that the only change in him was increased maturity. Often, he felt like quitting everything.
Do you ever want to run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room?
With the radio on turned up so loud
That no one hears you screaming
"Danny! Pay attention to your father when he talks to you!"
"God! Will you two just SHUT UP!" Danny bellowed. Clenching his fists, the angry boy ran up the stairs to his room.
"Danny, what's-"
Danny slammed the door before his sister could finish, locking it as loudly as he could. He ran to the window, considering running away.
'No,' he thought to himself, 'running is for cowards.' He went to his mirror, slowly removing his shirt. The ghost hunting had effected him physically as well as emotionally. He was no longer the scrawny fourteen year old boy he had been. His now-muscular torso was covered with scars. The two most noticeable were across his chest, forming an 'x'. He had gotten one from Skulker, the other, sadly, from the box ghost, who had found a box full of butchers' knives.
Danny had also become quieter, and seemed to give off a dangerous vibe. He was always miserable. It took Tucker a considerable effort to even make him laugh falsely.
He took out his red pocketknife. After withdrawing the blade, he placed it, tip down, upon his skin. Then, he made a relatively small cut on his upper biceps, being too smart to make the cut where it would be noticeable. His eyes widened when, once more, he saw his red human blood mixed with the glowing green of his ghost side. He went to his stereo and cranked the volume up to max. Hoping no one would hear him, he screamed at the top of his lungs.
No you don't know what it's like,
When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like, To be like me…
Danny's family knew nothing of his torment. True, Jazz knew about his powers, but she didn't know about his emotional misery. The three of them didn't know what it was to do their best and still do nothing right. Sam and Tucker knew more than they did, but not everything.
To be hurt, to feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
Danny arrived at school the next day, already knowing the series of events that would occur. He walked into the building, turning a cold shoulder to the stares that followed him. He had changed his wardrobe a year ago. He now wore baggy black pants that were on the edge of indecency. His shirt was tight fitting and black, displaying his new robustness. Around his neck, he wore a black leather choker with metal spikes going around the outside.
"Hey! Fen-Terd!" a jeering voice called from behind. Danny turned to lock eyes with Dash Baxter, who still picked on him despite the changes.
The outcast glared at the blonde, a violent aura radiating from both. Unconsciously, the rest of the students cleared a space around the two. Dash drew back a fist and punched Danny in the face as hard as he could. Instead of crumpling up, as the jock thought he'd do, Danny felt years of suffering bubbling up. He struck back, hitting Dash square in the eye. He reeled back, surprised by the other's strength. His surprise grew as he was lifted up by the collar and slammed against the nearest locker. Dash quivered in fear as another fist was aimed at him, this time at his stomach. Before Danny could strike, however, they were interrupted.
"Daniel, I need to speak with you in my office."
Danny glared at Mr. Lancer out of the corner of his eye. He then punched his tormenter in the gut, knocking the wind out of him, and stared him in the eye.
"Next time, I won't go easy on you."
That said, Danny casually tossed Dash across the hall; the door of a nearby classroom was reduced to splinters as a result of Dash's impact into it. Danny, seeing this, turned and followed Mr. Lancer, leaving behind shocked murmurs that Danny had been going easy. Two people, though, believed it. They slipped away and followed their friend, who they felt they no longer knew.
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life
Danny sat stoically in the now familiar office, letting Lancer yell himself out.
"Danny, listen to me when I'm talking to you." When he had the student's attention, he continued, "You've let all of you're grades slip, and your behavior has become a serious problem. Can you tell me why, Daniel?"
"I just don't give a damn anymore. I mean, no one cares anyway, and the stress is already pushing me, so why should I bother trying?"
"Well, regardless of what you think, you're suspended for three days starting tomorrow."
Danny nodded and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
"Hey, Danny." Tucker called from behind. Danny turned, and his expression softened as he saw his two best friends approaching him.
"Hey, Tuck. What's up?"
"We saw you beat up Dash, Danny," Sam stated grimly.
"Yeah, man. That was freakin' scary! And not in the good way, like I thought it'd be."
"Sorry. I guess I just lost it."
"Dude, I'm not sure that I can hang with you anymore. Not 'til you cool down, anyway. Self-preservation, ya know?"
Danny nodded. "I understand, Tuck. Actually, I was expecting it." Danny turned to the Goth. "What about you, Sam?"
"You know me, Danny. I'll always stick by you. But only you can work out your problems."
"Danny nodded glumly. "I know."
Do you wanna be somebody else?
Are you sick of feeling so left out?
Are you desperate to find something more,
Before your life is over?
Later that night, Danny stared at the stars outside his window. People said that wishes made on stars come true, but Danny knew better. After all, he was still himself after two years of wishing. He also wanted to see the world outside of Amity Park before he was an old geezer, but that wouldn't happen, either.
Are you stuck inside a world you hate?
Are you sick of everyone around?
With their big fake smiles and stupid lies
While deep inside you're bleeding
The young hero hated his life. Sure, ghost powers had been cool at first, but the novelty had worn away with the years. He despised the way everyone came up to him, acting all sympathetic and saying they understood what they didn't
No you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me…
To be hurt, to feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life
Danny knew for a fact that no one knew what he was going through. Well, Vlad probably knew, but he wasn't exactly someone you'd discuss these things with.
No one ever lied straight to your face
And no one ever stabbed you in the back
You might think I'm happy,
But I'm not gonna be okay
"Danny! Jazz! We're going to a ghost convention!" Maddie called as she walked out the door. Danny sighed at the sound of this common lie. He knew for a fact that his parents were off to hunt the ghost-boy. The first time they told this lie, it was like a dagger was dug into his back. Every time it was repeated, the figurative knife was twisted slowly. Danny didn't know how much longer he could maintain this façade of happiness.
Everybody always gave you what you wanted
You never had to work It was always there
You don't know what it's like What it's like
'No one at school works as hard as me to get what they want. Whenever anyone, including Jazz, wants something, they only have to ask. I'm always told no.' Danny thought bitterly.
To be hurt, to feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like…
Danny decided to take his life into his own hands. He coolly picked up his knife and withdrew the blade.
Welcome to my life
Danny sliced into his left wrist.
Welcome to my life
He then slit his right wrist. After a few minutes, he was almost gone. With his last breath, he sang, "Welcome to my life."
And, just like that, Danny Fenton was freed of the burden of living in two worlds.
A.N. Yay! My first ever fic is finished at last! Please R&R, and be gentle with criticism. Remember, I'm a rookie at this whole writing business. Let me know if you think I should do a second chapter or an epilogue or something.