Dash lay on the floor of the abandoned house, his body battered and broken. Blood poured from deep gashes across his arms, legs, and torso, staining the dusty floor beneath him. His breathing was labored, shallow, as the werewolf loomed over him, savoring his pain. The creature's sharp claws had torn into Dash with merciless precision, leaving him unable to defend himself. Every breath felt like fire, and his consciousness flickered between agonizing clarity and the dizzying pull of unconsciousness.
The werewolf, a hulking, monstrous figure, stood over Dash with a twisted grin. It reveled in the sight of its prey suffering, circling him like a predator enjoying the thrill of the hunt. "Pathetic," it growled, relishing the pain it had caused. "You thought you could take me on?"
Dash's body trembled, but his spirit fought against the overwhelming urge to give in. He had been many things—arrogant, rebellious, a pain to others—but there was one thing that had always kept him going: his family.
"Danny, you bastard!" Dash's voice was hoarse, barely a whisper, but there was a ferocity in it that spoke of desperation. His body screamed in agony, but his mind held onto one single thought: I can't die. I won't die like this. My family needs me. He tried to move, but his mangled left leg refused to cooperate, sending fresh waves of pain shooting through him.
He had always been the bad boy, the one who didn't care about much except his own amusement. Guns, knives, the thrill of battle, the hunt—those things had filled his life. But there was one thing that had always been more important than anything else: his family. His parents, his siblings. Jazz, who had once been an outsider but had become part of his world.
He had learned to push past pain, to embrace the harshness of life, but even Dash, with all his bravado, knew there were some things he couldn't face alone. "Please, Danny..." His voice broke as he muttered the name of the one person who had become an ally.
"I'll do anything," he gasped, his chest heaving. "Just save me. I can't... I can't die like this. I have to make sure my family is okay. I have a mission. I can't... leave them."
The werewolf chuckled, the sound dark and low, like the rumbling of a distant storm. It seemed to find Dash's words amusing. "Your family? They're already as good as gone." The beast's claws scraped against the floor, eager to end the fight, but something in Dash's eyes sparked. He wasn't finished yet.
Despite the pain, despite the blood, Dash refused to surrender. His whole life had been about survival, about fighting for what mattered. Even if he was on the brink of death, even if the werewolf was going to finish him off piece by piece, Dash would keep fighting—because his family depended on him.
He couldn't let them down. Not like this. Not when the battle wasn't over. Not when he still had breath in his lungs.
Somewhere, far away, in the skies above, Danny was closing in on the scene. The energy from the ghostly battle still lingered in his body, and as he flew, he felt the sharp tug of desperation—a pull from his ally, from someone who had been a part of his life whether they both admitted it or not.
"Hang on, Dash," Danny muttered to himself, urgency rising within him. "I'm coming. Hold on."
Dash's eyes fluttered, his consciousness slipping, but through the haze, he caught the faint sound of something familiar—something that gave him just enough strength to cling to life.
Danny hovered above the abandoned house, his silhouette illuminated by the pale moonlight as he surveyed the scene below. Dash lay sprawled on the bloodied floor, breathing heavily, while the werewolf stood over him, ready to deliver the final blow. Without hesitation, Danny's sword, forged from concentrated ghost energy, speared through the werewolf's chest with a flash of green light, pinning the beast in place.
The creature howled in agony, its claws scraping futilely against the floor. Danny floated down, his expression calm but commanding, as his voice cut through the werewolf's cries. "Then serve as my assistant from now on, Dash, and I'll help you survive in this new world."
Dash's weary eyes flickered toward Danny, disbelief mixing with pain. The werewolf's form collapsed as Danny withdrew the sword and extended his hand. With a subtle tug, the creature's soul began to separate from its physical body, drawn toward Danny like a moth to a flame. The werewolf's ghostly form shimmered with a faint, spectral glow as it was pulled into submission.
Inside Danny's mind, Naruto's voice echoed with explanation. "This is your new skill. These living monsters, once defeated, can be bound as your shadows. They're weaker than their original forms, but they can grow stronger by feeding on your enemies."
Danny observed as the werewolf's ghost knelt before him, bound by invisible chains of energy. Naruto's tone shifted to one of caution. "But remember: never let them too close to your power or allow them to develop intelligence. If they do, they'll turn on you without hesitation."
Danny dismissed the werewolf's ghost for now and turned his attention back to Dash, who struggled to sit up, his body broken but his pride somewhat intact. "You win, Danny," Dash muttered, his voice strained. "Just... help me to my house."
Danny crouched beside him, his voice firm but understanding. "Dash, you're in no shape to go home. If your family saw you like this, it'd only make things worse. I'll heal you tonight, and you can face them tomorrow—stronger and ready. Let them sleep in peace for now."
Dash hesitated, his instincts telling him to argue, but the logic in Danny's words was undeniable. He nodded weakly. "Understood, sir."
Danny raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Sir? Are you serious?"
Dash straightened as much as his battered body would allow, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "I was born serious, sir. You saved my life. You're my superior now."
Danny couldn't hide his incredulous expression. This was Dash Baxter—the same guy who had tormented him for years, now willingly calling him "sir." The absurdity of it all almost made him laugh. "Fine," Danny said with a small smirk. "We'll see how you handle yourself in the days to come. For now, welcome to Team Phantom."
With that, Danny formed a rectangular platform of ghost energy beneath Dash, lifting him effortlessly into the air. As they flew toward their headquarters, Danny's mind raced with plans for the future.
Sebastian entered the study with a mix of unease and curiosity. "Sir," he said, addressing Danny, who was busy reviewing blueprints for new equipment. "We've received a request from Spider-Man."
Danny looked up, intrigued. "Spider-Man? Really?"
Sebastian nodded, though he seemed as surprised as Danny. "Yes. It seems he's seeking assistance."
Danny leaned back in his chair, contemplating. The idea of working with one of the most well-known heroes in the world felt surreal. "We'll meet him tomorrow," Danny decided after a moment. "Let's gather intel on the situation before committing."
Sebastian gave a small bow and left the room, leaving Danny alone with his thoughts—and Naruto's voice, which suddenly chimed in.
Naruto took control of Danny's energy manipulation to start crafting upgrades. The shield that Technus had stolen and subsequently destroyed was being replaced with a new design. This time, it would incorporate electrical energy into its structure, making it more powerful and versatile.
Danny's guns were also undergoing a transformation, enhanced to channel ghost energy and electricity, giving him the firepower to take down stronger opponents. Naruto even created floating funnels—small, autonomous weapons that could fire concentrated blasts of ghost energy while being controlled mentally.
As Danny observed the upgrades taking shape, his excitement bubbled over. "I've got a rail gun now," he muttered, grinning like a kid in a candy store. "And maybe soon, a full-on mech suit like Iron Man."
Naruto chuckled. "Focus on mastering your abilities first. Weapons should enhance your power, not replace it. Remember: a blade is only as dangerous as the hand that wields it."
Danny nodded, taking the advice to heart. The Rasengan, his go-to attack, was undeniably powerful, but its speed and destructive force weren't always practical. The rail gun, however, offered a new level of precision and devastation. With its ability to fire projectiles at supersonic speeds, it would become a game-changer in his arsenal.
Danny sat in his study, holding one of his upgraded weapons in his hands. As he admired the intricate designs and the ghostly glow it emitted, his mind wandered to one of his greatest inspirations: Sasuke Uchiha. He recalled how Sasuke wielded his sword with unparalleled precision and purpose. The blade wasn't just a weapon; in Sasuke's hands, it was an extension of his very being, a tool of absolute destruction.
Danny grinned at the thought. "A sword is only as strong as the one who wields it. I get it now. My weapons aren't just tools—they're part of me."
Naruto's voice resonated in his mind, lighthearted yet purposeful. "Good. That understanding will take you far. Also, don't worry. You'll get the full arsenal soon enough. That includes an extending sword. You've earned it now that you've broken past your limits."
Danny's eyebrows shot up in excitement. "An extending sword? Like the kind that can stretch and strike from a distance? That's sick!"
Naruto chuckled. "Enjoy it while you can. You've grown stronger, but don't forget that with power comes bigger challenges. Technus is out there, and he's not going to stay idle. He's improving, too."
Danny's expression turned serious at the mention of Technus. The ghost had proven to be a cunning adversary, always adapting and evolving with new technology. While Technus wasn't purely evil—his obsession with technology bordered on a misguided desire for recognition—he was still a potential threat. However, Naruto's tone shifted, adding a layer of intrigue.
"Recruiting Technus might not be a bad idea. He's not evil at his core, just... eccentric. If you can convince him to join us, he'd be an invaluable asset."
Danny leaned back in his chair, considering the possibility. Recruiting Technus instead of destroying him outright could be a game-changer. With Technus's genius and technological prowess, he could help upgrade Team Phantom's arsenal beyond anything Danny could imagine.
"But how do I convince someone like Technus to work for me?" Danny wondered aloud.
"Simple," Naruto replied. "You offer him what he wants: recognition and the chance to create without limits. Show him that working with you benefits him more than fighting against you. Just don't let your guard down. He'll test you."
Danny nodded, his resolve hardening. He glanced at the new designs for his weapons and armor. With the upgrades Naruto was helping him create, he felt more prepared than ever. He had chains that could bind souls, floating funnels that shot ghost energy, and soon, he'd wield an extending sword capable of cutting down enemies at a distance. The rail gun was already becoming his ace, capable of hitting targets at Mach speeds.
As Danny looked at his reflection in the blade of his ghostly sword, he couldn't help but smirk. "If Technus wants a test, I'll give him one he won't forget. And if he's smart, he'll join the winning side."
For now, though, Danny had another task ahead: solidifying his growing team and preparing for the battles yet to come. Dash's surprising loyalty, the potential alliance with Spider-Man, and the ever-looming threats from enemies like Lord Loss meant Danny had no time to rest. His journey was far from over, but with Naruto's guidance and his own unyielding determination, he knew he was ready to face whatever came next.