Danny wiped the sweat from his forehead, his body still trembling from the intensity of his nightmares. As his breathing began to slow, he turned his head to the right, where Star lay curled against him, her head resting lightly on his arm. She was fast asleep, but her expression was far from peaceful. Her brows were furrowed, her body trembling slightly as though she were lost in some terrible dream.
Danny's heart ached at the sight. Star had always been strong, or at least she pretended to be. She carried herself with confidence, a fierce fire burning in her eyes, but Danny knew better. Beneath that exterior was a girl who had endured pain and words that cut deeper than knives.
As her body shivered, he couldn't bear to watch her suffer. Moving carefully so as not to wake her, Danny pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her protectively. He rested his chin lightly atop her head, his lips brushing her hair as he whispered softly.
"I'm here, Star. I'll always be here for you," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "You're stronger than you know. Don't let their words hurt you. You're amazing, and you'll never have to face anything alone. I promise you."
Star stirred slightly at his words, her breathing evening out just a little as her trembling began to subside. Danny pressed a series of feather-light kisses to her forehead and cheeks, hoping to ease her troubled mind.
"You've got all of us by your side," he whispered again, his voice full of warmth and sincerity. "No one can ever take that from you."
Star let out a soft, contented sigh, her body relaxing into his embrace. Danny felt a small pang of relief as her expression softened, her features no longer marred by the torment of her dream.
At 7 a.m., Dash stood outside his family home, the early morning mist still hanging in the air. He gazed at the house, his mind heavy with the weight of the news he was about to deliver. It wasn't that he didn't think his family could handle it—they were tough, disciplined, and accustomed to facing difficult situations—but this news would still hit hard.
As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, he heard the familiar voice of his mother call out to him from behind. "Dash, where have you been?"
Turning, Dash saw his mother, Carol, approaching him. His younger sister, Kori, trailed closely behind. Carol's posture was impeccable, straight-backed and confident as always. In her forties, she still carried herself with the same military discipline she had in her youth. Her blonde hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and her sharp blue eyes were filled with concern as they met Dash's. She didn't need to ask more than once; she could tell something was wrong.
"I was at my boss's house," Dash replied, his tone serious. His gaze lingered for a moment on Kori, who had already picked up on his mood and seemed to brace herself for whatever news was coming.
"Boss?" Carol's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Let's talk inside," Dash said, his voice low and steady. It was clear this conversation was going to be something they needed to handle with care. Carol and Kori exchanged looks, and without another word, they followed Dash through the gate and into the house. The atmosphere was tense, their hearts heavy with the uncertainty of what was to come.
Inside, Carol and Kori stood in the living room, their posture still tight with the preparation for bad news. Carol had been in military service before Dash was born—an ace pilot in her prime, highly respected, and a woman who had never been afraid to take charge. When Dash was born, she'd made the decision to retire to ensure that her children wouldn't grow up without parents. Though she no longer flew combat missions, she still held immense influence and strength, both in the family and beyond. Her background as part of the Danvers military family had made her both a force to be reckoned with and a fiercely protective mother.
Kori, on the other hand, was a contrast. While she followed the family's fitness regimen, she had no real interest in the military lifestyle. Instead, she dreamed of starting her own business, of building something she could call her own. While Dash and Carol were both blonde-haired with striking blue eyes, Kori had inherited her grandfather's amber hair, green eyes, and slightly tanned skin. She was as beautiful as her mother, yet her quiet demeanor hinted at a peaceful ambition that didn't match the intensity of the rest of the family.
Both women were physically fit and stunning, their toned bodies showcasing the results of years of discipline and exercise. Yet their strength was not something people easily overlooked. No one dared approach them unless they were prepared to suffer the consequences, a lesson they'd learned from their father, who had always been fiercely protective of them.
Dash, similarly, was the product of this discipline. Standing tall with a muscular build, he had inherited the good looks and physical prowess that ran in the family. He'd worked hard to maintain his body, but even so, he knew he still had a long way to go before he could truly match his father.
Jack, the man Dash admired above all else, was the epitome of strength and toughness. He had been a model of manliness to Dash, someone who had the skills and courage to be a great military man, but chose a different path, focusing on his work in the lab instead of the field.
Growing up, Dash had always struggled with the idea of weakness, especially when it came to people he deemed as wasting their potential. He had no patience for those who didn't push themselves to be the best version of who they could be. Danny Fenton had been a prime example of this. Dash had always seen Danny as weak, a person who could have had more if he just put in the effort. The way Danny looked—small, unremarkable, and always downcast—had been a constant source of frustration for Dash. It was the very image of wasted potential.
But things had changed. Danny had started to push himself, to grow, and his body had transformed as a result. Now, he had the strength, the physique, and the resilience Dash had always admired. For the first time, Dash found himself respecting Danny—no longer disgusted by his previous weaknesses, but now seeing him as a worthy challenge. Danny had earned his place in Dash's eyes, and the disgust was gone. What remained was a sense of respect for the person Danny had become.
"Mom, Kori," Dash began, pulling himself out of his thoughts, "I've got something to tell you."
His mother met his gaze, her expression steely. Kori stood quietly beside her, her face betraying little emotion but her eyes betraying a silent fear.
The trio sat in silence, the weight of the conversation pressing down on them as the tension hung in the air. Both Carol and Kori wiped away the sweat from their faces with towels, the motions automatic as they processed Dash's words. Carol's piercing blue eyes never left her son, studying him with a calm yet wary gaze, as if waiting for the full explanation.
"Mother, I am sorry. Please forgive me," Dash finally spoke, his voice laced with an emotion Carol rarely heard from him—guilt. His eyes were lowered, unable to meet hers, his usual confident demeanor faltering.
Carol felt a cold pit form in her stomach at his words. Something was wrong, and she could feel it in her bones. She placed her water down slowly and regarded her son carefully, knowing that whatever came next would change everything. "Dash, what happened? Say it properly."
Dash took a deep breath, his mind racing as he searched for the right words. For a few seconds, he stumbled, his tongue tripping over the weight of the truth. But then, without hesitation, he found his voice. "Father is dead. He died because of me. I was infected by some werewolf, and he tried to get me healed by playing a game with a demon. He lost... and the demon killed him, but healed me partially."
The words hung in the air, the rawness of his confession undeniable. He didn't sugarcoat anything, offering no excuses or explanations. He spoke directly, fully accepting responsibility, but knowing there was nothing he could change. The reality of what had happened hit Carol and Kori like a physical blow. Kori, normally the more emotional one, sat frozen in place, shock etched into her face. There was no need to question the sincerity of Dash's words. The atmosphere in the room said it all. This was real.
Carol's face was unreadable for a moment. She had been through the horrors of war and loss before, but this was different. This was her husband, the man she had shared her life with, taken away because of a gamble. A cruel, senseless game that had cost Hash his life.
"What do you plan to do now?" Carol's voice broke the silence, her tone even, though Dash could see the subtle shake in her clenched fist, the tension in her shoulders.
"I plan to work with my boss to fight these kinds of incidents... and get stronger to get revenge," Dash answered, his eyes hardening with resolve. This wasn't just about his father anymore. This was about vengeance—about making those responsible pay.
"Who is this boss?" Carol asked, her brows furrowing, though her voice remained steady.
"Phantom. I'm part of his team now." Dash could feel the weight of her gaze upon him, as if she was evaluating every word, every gesture. Carol, Kori, and even the community knew of Phantom—the mysterious new hero who had been making waves recently. Just last night, the news had covered his defeat of a mechanical abomination with remarkable ease. But as much as he was praised, Phantom was still an enigma, and there was always the question of whether he was truly a hero or something darker. Carol's sharp instincts immediately picked up on the uncertainties that lay in the unknown.
"Do you trust him?" Carol's voice was sharp, searching for any signs of hesitation.
"Yes," Dash said firmly. "He saved me, and I know his power now. Without him, I'd never be able to achieve my goal."
Carol studied her son for a long moment, her expression unreadable, but there was a softening in her eyes that showed she understood, even if she didn't fully agree with the dangerous path Dash had chosen. "Good, you can still think clearly. I'll take care of things at home so you can focus on your goal. But stop if you ever feel like you're losing yourself. Your father would never want that."
Dash's heart clenched as he looked at his mother. She had always been strong, a pillar of strength and resilience. But now, he could see the cracks in her armor. She walked over to him and pulled him into a tight embrace, her warmth and strength grounding him in that moment.
"I understand, Mother, and I'm sorry for making you go through this," Dash said, his voice breaking slightly as tears began to fall from his eyes. He was a man's man, always pushing himself to be tough, but the pain of losing his father had broken through that tough exterior. The reality of his loss was something he couldn't ignore, no matter how much he tried to focus on his next steps.
"Never cry again until the enemy has fallen," Carol whispered fiercely into his ear. She pulled back slightly, wiping a tear from his cheek before continuing. "I will contact old friends to design a proper training plan for you."
Dash nodded, feeling a surge of pride. His mother's determination always fueled him, but now, it was more than just about training. This was about honoring his father's memory and ensuring that the tragedy he'd suffered wouldn't be in vain.
"Thank you, but Phantom is already preparing one for me. I'll be busy most of the day following his training regimen," Dash explained, trying to focus on what he could control.
Kori, who had been quiet throughout the exchange, finally spoke up, her voice hesitant. "Brother, are you dropping out?" She knew how much Dash had been focused on his studies, how he had always been disciplined with his academic life. Becoming a full-time vigilante would affect everything.
"No," Dash replied firmly. "I'll still attend, but I won't stay for all the classes. I'll be training most of the time."
Kori nodded, accepting his decision even if she didn't fully understand it. "Okay, I'll handle it." She seemed resigned to the fact that her brother's life was changing in ways she couldn't stop, but she would support him nonetheless.
Dash stood and gave his mother one last hug, then patted Kori on the head. "I'm going to relax for a bit, then start training. I'll go to school tomorrow."
As Dash left to his room, Carol turned to Kori, whose eyes were filled with unshed tears. She had always been the strong one for her younger sister, but this time, Kori needed her comfort. Carol stayed with her daughter, calming her down and helping her process the grief that weighed on them both.
After a while, Carol helped Kori get some rest in her room, but Carol herself couldn't sleep. As the matron of the house, she knew she couldn't show weakness, not to her children. But in the privacy of her room, with her husband's picture staring back at her, she let the tears fall. Her expression hardened with a quiet, simmering rage. Jack was gone, and she couldn't let his death go unanswered.
'I will ask Maddie if she can let me join her crew,' Carol thought as she wiped her tears away. She hadn't been in touch with Maddie much since their college days, but they were family friends. Maddie ran a tight ship, and if anyone could help Carol get her hands on the demons responsible, it was her.
They did have a monthly barbecue with them where Jack and Hash used to wrestle for the show.
So they could be considered family friend and one of the reasons why Dash knew so much about Danny.
Carol's mind turned to the plan she would put into action. She had always been a woman of strength, and now, she would harness that strength to ensure those demons paid—no matter the cost.