Jazz leaned against the wall, her arms crossed as she watched Danny leave Star in his room, his expression unusually somber. Something was clearly wrong, and her curiosity couldn't be contained.
"What happened?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Did you impregnate her?"
Danny stopped in his tracks, his face briefly contorting in disbelief before he sighed heavily. "No, but that might've been better than what actually happened."
Jazz raised an eyebrow, realizing that whatever this was, it was serious. Deciding not to push further, she refrained from asking more unless Danny chose to elaborate. Sometimes, it was better to wait for him to open up on his own.
"Do you need my help?" she offered, her tone soft and supportive.
Danny nodded. "Yeah, I need to leave for a bit, so can you stay with Star? She's... going through something, and I don't want her to be alone."
"No problem," Jazz said, smiling reassuringly. "I'm happy to help."
"Thanks, Jazz. You're a lifesaver," Danny replied, pulling her into a quick hug before heading to his own room.
Jazz watched him go, her mind already forming theories about what might have caused this sudden turmoil. Star wasn't someone she interacted with often, but if Danny trusted her enough to step in, she knew it must be important.
In his room, Danny sat on the edge of his bed, his elbows resting on his knees as he tried to center himself. This situation was beyond his expertise, and he knew he needed guidance. His thoughts drifted to Naruto, his ever-reliable mentor and friend, who had helped him navigate the complexities of life more times than he could count.
Naruto's voice echoed in his mind like a calming presence. "Relax, or you'll make it worse. Just understand that things will get better. Let Star work with Sebastian to build herself up instead of you stepping in too much. This will be her test and her chance to contribute to your life. If she succeeds, you'll have a good partner with a strong mind. If she fails... well, she might fall into depravity."
Danny groaned inwardly. "You're not really making it better, Master."
"I'm laying out the paths here for you, kid. Do your best."
"I always do my best," Danny thought back. "But tell me honestly—what are the chances of her succeeding?"
"Five percent chance of failure," Naruto replied calmly.
Danny felt a wave of relief wash over him. That was a small margin, something he could work with. But just as quickly, Naruto's next words killed the fleeting comfort.
"Never take percentages too easily. Fate is unpredictable. Even in a small chance, things can go awry. If her will falters or her circumstances worsen, she could fall into that five percent."
"I understand," Danny thought with a grim nod. He knew Naruto wasn't one to sugarcoat the truth. Even with a high chance of success, there were no guarantees in life. It meant he couldn't take anything for granted. He'd have to stay vigilant and adapt to the ever-changing circumstances around Star's situation.
Determined, Danny stood up. He wouldn't let Star's life spiral out of control. If she was going to succeed, he'd do everything in his power to give her the tools and opportunities she needed to rise above this.
Dash Baxter had always been a prideful young man, raised in a strict household that demanded nothing less than perfection. His father, General Hush Baxter, was a man of discipline and iron resolve, someone Dash idolized and desperately sought to emulate. When Danny Fenton began surpassing him academically and socially, Dash's family deemed it unacceptable. They pulled him out of school, enrolling him in private tutoring with the intent to outshine Danny and reclaim his status.
But fate had other plans.
One fateful evening, Dash had been riding his bike down a dimly lit street. He was coming home late after a particularly grueling workout, determined to build the strength and discipline his father demanded. As he turned a corner, his headlights illuminated a chilling sight—a grotesque monster hunched over a lifeless, mangled corpse. The creature's glowing yellow eyes locked onto Dash, and in sheer terror, he pedaled away at full speed, heart pounding like a drum.
He didn't stop until he reached the safety of his home, collapsing in the garage as sweat drenched his trembling body. "Thank God," he whispered between ragged breaths, still haunted by the memory of the creature's blood-soaked claws.
But his relief was short-lived.
The next morning, Dash woke to find his room in ruins. His bedsheets were shredded, claw marks covered the walls, and his body felt foreign—stronger, heavier, and... wilder. The horrifying truth hit him like a freight train when he noticed dried blood on his hands and a strange, metallic taste lingering in his mouth.
Panicked, Dash fled his home, running aimlessly through the woods until he stumbled upon the source of his torment: a lifeless body sprawled beneath his feet. Blood stained his clothes, and the unmistakable smell of death filled the air. Reality shattered around him.
"No... no, no, no!" Dash screamed, stumbling backward in horror. Tears streamed down his face as he realized what he had done. "This can't be real. This isn't happening!"
Desperate for answers, he returned home and confided in the one person he believed could fix anything: his father. Hush Baxter was a man of action, and while his initial reaction was anger, he quickly shifted to problem-solving mode.
"You've made a grave mistake, Dash," Hush said, locking his son in the basement. "But I'll fix this. Just hold on."
Days passed, and Dash remained caged like an animal. His nights were filled with anguish as he heard his own growls and snarls, his body fighting a transformation he couldn't control. He expected his father to consult scientists or even government officials to find a cure. Instead, Hush delved into something far darker.
Dash's father summoned a being from beyond—a demon named Lord Loss.
The air in the room grew suffocating as the demon emerged from a swirling green portal. Its grotesque form was a nightmare made flesh: lumpy, pale red skin; eight mangled arms; a gaping hole in its chest filled with writhing venomous snakes; and blood oozing from countless cracks in its body. Yet its most unsettling feature was its gentlemanly demeanor, with a soft, sorrowful voice that dripped with mock empathy.
"General Hush Baxter, an honor," Lord Loss intoned, bowing slightly. "I understand you wish to make a bargain. Let us proceed."
The terms of the deal were simple: a game of chess. If Hush won, Dash would be freed from his curse. If he lost, the demon would claim Hush's life. Dash, confined in his cage, watched in mounting terror as the game unfolded. His father, a man of unshakable confidence, faltered under the demon's cunning strategy.
Checkmate.
"Apologies, Mister Hush Baxter," Lord Loss said, his tone almost regretful. "But a contract is a contract."
A green portal opened, glowing ominously as the demon gestured toward it. Dash's father turned to him, his expression unreadable.
"Dash," Hush said, his voice firm despite the circumstances. "Take care of the family. You're the man of the house now."
"No! Dad, don't!" Dash screamed, rattling the bars of his cage as his father stepped toward the portal. In an instant, the demon struck, plunging a hand into Hush's chest and ripping out his heart. Blood splattered across the room as Hush crumpled to the floor.
"FATHER!" Dash roared, his rage overriding his fear. His body shifted involuntarily, his claws extending and his muscles bulging as he lunged at the demon.
Lord Loss merely smiled, unfazed by the feral attack. "Ah, how deliciously tragic. Struggle all you like, child. Your despair only strengthens me. Call me again when you're ready to make your own deal."
With a final, mocking laugh, the demon vanished, leaving Dash alone in the blood-soaked cabin.
Dash's screams echoed through the empty space as he tore the room apart, his claws ripping through wood and furniture in a futile attempt to vent his rage. When there was nothing left to destroy, he collapsed to the floor, his chest heaving as tears streamed down his face.
This is all my fault, he thought, his mind spiraling into a dark abyss. If I hadn't gone to Dad, he'd still be alive. I should've died. I should've killed myself before any of this happened.
The sound of approaching footsteps snapped Dash out of his despair. He looked up, his bloodshot eyes narrowing in suspicion as a figure entered the cabin.
"Dash, is that you?" came a familiar voice.
Danny Fenton.
Recognition ignited something primal in Dash. His grief transformed into blind hatred as he launched himself at Danny with a guttural roar.
"DANNY!" he screamed, his claws outstretched, ready to tear apart the one person he now blamed for everything.