Chapter 51
The silence that followed the intense battle was thick, broken only by the sound of labored breathing and shuffling footsteps. Dash stood near the group, his metal claws gleaming faintly in the moonlight. His heightened senses remained alert, but his attention shifted when Jack's voice broke the tension.
"What just happened?" Jack questioned, his gaze lingering where Plasmius had vanished into the night. His tone was heavy with confusion and curiosity.
Dash glanced at the older man, his wolf-like features betraying a hint of hesitation. Before he could respond, Jack continued, his voice laced with an odd mixture of awe and suspicion. "We might have just seen Phantom's father or something."
The comment hung in the air for a moment before Dash smirked. "I doubt that," he replied, crossing his arms. "Phantom's my boss."
Jack's eyebrows shot up. "Boss?" he echoed, his curiosity now mixed with disbelief.
Maddie, cradling her injured ribs, turned her attention to Dash, wincing as she adjusted her position. "Wait, you're saying Phantom has... a team?" she asked, her voice strained but sharp.
Dash nodded, his posture casual despite the weight of his words. "Yeah. He's got people working under him—handling the smaller stuff so he can focus on the big threats."
Jack's brow furrowed, his mind racing to piece together the information. "Are they humans?"
Dash chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that carried an air of mystery. "Who knows?" he replied, his tone intentionally vague. Without waiting for further questions, he turned on his heel. "I've said enough. You'll figure it out eventually."
Before anyone could press him further, Dash dashed away into the darkness, his hybrid speed carrying him out of sight in moments. The Fenton parents exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and unease.
"This has been a terrible day," Maddie muttered, her voice tight with pain as she clutched her side. "Let's just get out of here."