Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The late summer sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving Amity Park cloaked in twilight. The soft glow of streetlights barely illuminated the cracks in the sidewalks as Sam Manson stormed out of her house, her boots thudding against the pavement. Her parents' voices still echoed in her head, dismissing her individuality and belittling her ideals. For years, they had tolerated her "phase," but tonight's argument had gone too far.

She wiped at her eyes with the back of her gloved hand as she made her way toward the Amity Park Cemetery. It was her refuge, a place where the living rarely ventured after dark. The rumors of the Amity Park Hound—a spectral, black dog with glowing green eyes—kept most people away.

But not Sam.

The cemetery greeted her with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Wrought iron gates creaked as she pushed them open, revealing rows of headstones in various states of neglect. Weeds choked the pathways, moss clung to the stones, and several markers had fallen over, left to decay in the dirt.

Sam frowned, a pang of sadness swelling in her chest. "This place deserves better," she murmured. It wasn’t right for the final resting place of so many to be forgotten like this.

She crouched down beside the nearest headstone, her hands brushing away the weeds that clung stubbornly to its base. The name etched into the stone was barely legible, worn away by time and neglect. "Don’t worry, Mrs. Peterson," she said softly, as though the name could still hear her. "I’ll fix this."

As she worked, her voice filled the empty graveyard. She spoke to the names on each stone, offering quiet reassurances and apologies for the neglect they’d endured. Pulling weeds, scraping off moss, and even propping up a toppled headstone, she poured her frustration and sorrow into her labor. Each sniffle betrayed her emotions—anger at her parents, sadness for the forgotten dead, and a strange sense of peace she found in their silent company.

Unbeknownst to her, glowing green eyes watched from the shadows of the treeline. Danny, the Amity Park Church Grim, stood with his hackles raised, his black fur bristling. His haunt had been plagued in recent years by delinquents looking for a thrill, knocking over headstones or leaving graffiti in their wake. He’d been ready to chase her out.

But this girl was different.

His ears perked up, his fur relaxing as he watched her. She wasn’t here to destroy anything. Quite the opposite—she was cleaning. She cared. Her small hands worked diligently, carefully, as if each stone belonged to someone she had loved. Her quiet voice carried on the wind, and Danny tilted his head as he caught the sniffles between her words.

She was crying. Why?

Danny's glowing eyes softened, his tail beginning to wag slowly. He liked this girl. For the first time in years, someone was showing his haunt the respect it deserved. She wasn’t just fixing stones—she was honoring those who rested there, as he had once done himself.

Sam paused now and then, brushing her arm across her face to wipe away tears she hoped no one could see. The sniffles reached his ears, and Danny tilted his head, his curiosity deepening. He wondered why this girl would come here, alone and upset, to do something so kind and so utterly thankless.

From his place in the shadows, Danny didn’t move closer. He didn’t want to interrupt or scare her. Instead, he settled in to watch, his large, dark frame blending with the treeline. His glowing eyes followed her every motion, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a strange warmth in his spectral heart.

This girl wasn’t like the others. She cared for his haunt, cared for the souls who rested there. And though she didn’t know it, she’d earned the silent protection of the Church Grim that night.

Chapter Text

The Amity Park Cemetery had transformed under Sam's care. What was once a neglected, overgrown graveyard was now bursting with life. Wildflowers bloomed along the pathways, neatly trimmed grass surrounded the gravestones, and the air carried a faint, pleasant scent of lavender and daisies. Sam visited almost every evening, sometimes with supplies, sometimes just to sit and read among the dead. This place felt like hers now, a haven where she could find peace away from her parents' expectations.

Danny watched her every time. He had grown fond of the peculiar girl who had turned his haunt into a place of peace. Her presence was comforting, and her dedication filled him with a sense of pride he hadn’t felt in years.

Tonight, the air felt different—thicker, heavier. Danny’s ears perked up as he padded along the treeline, his glowing green eyes scanning for any disturbance. Sam was kneeling in front of a plot, her hands carefully scattering seeds across the soil, when the sharp, cold scent of ectoplasm hit him.

A ghoul.

Danny’s hackles rose, his muscles tensing as a low growl escaped his throat. He bounded silently toward Sam, but before he could warn her, a wretched, decayed figure lunged out from the shadows.

Sam barely had time to react. She scrambled back, her heart pounding in terror as the ghoul—a skeletal, ghostly creature with glowing red eyes and elongated claws—hissed and swiped at her. She grabbed a nearby gardening tool and swung it wildly, catching the ghoul across its face. It shrieked, stumbling back, but it wasn’t deterred.

Danny’s growl turned into a roar as he threw himself between Sam and the ghoul. His massive form blocked her from the creature’s view as his glowing eyes flared with unearthly light.

The ghoul hesitated, hissing and clawing at the air, but Danny wasn’t about to let it attack again. With a snarl, he leapt at the creature, his jaws snapping shut around its spectral neck. The ghoul howled, thrashing and clawing, but Danny was relentless. His ghostly aura flared, green light searing through the darkness as he tore into the intruder.

Within moments, the ghoul disintegrated, its remains scattering like ashes in the wind.

Panting, Danny turned back toward Sam, his glowing eyes wide with alarm. She was lying on the ground, her pale face slack, her eyes closed.

No.

His heart—or whatever it was that ghosts had—felt like it stopped. Panic surged through him as he padded over to her, nudging her shoulder with his nose. “Wake up,” he thought desperately. “You have to wake up.”

Sam didn’t stir. Danny let out a low, mournful whine, pacing in a circle around her before settling beside her. He nudged her again, this time more insistently, his green eyes searching for any sign of life.

Meanwhile, across town, the Fentons’ lab hummed with newfound energy.

Maddie and Jack Fenton stood triumphantly in front of the glowing green portal they had just activated, their grins wide with pride. “We did it!” Jack boomed, clapping Maddie on the back.

Jazz Fenton, their only child stood nearby, her arms crossed, her face a mixture of worry and curiosity. “Are we sure this is safe?” she asked, eyeing the swirling ectoplasmic energy with caution.

“Safe?” Maddie repeated. “It’s groundbreaking! We’ve just opened a window into the Ghost Zone. Think of the possibilities!”

As the portal pulsed with light, none of them noticed the faint ripple of energy that spread through Amity Park—or the way Danny, still in his hound form, paused at the cemetery gates, his glowing green eyes narrowing as he felt the disturbance.

Chapter Text

Sam’s vision blurred, her body trembling from the adrenaline. She barely registered the hound turning toward her, its glowing eyes wide with alarm. The last thing she saw was the creature’s dark, hulking form as unconsciousness claimed her.

Danny felt his heart—if he even had one anymore—plummet as the girl crumpled to the ground. He rushed to her side, nudging her gently with his muzzle, but she didn’t stir. Panic set in. For weeks, he’d watched her bring life back to his haunt, treating it with a kindness he hadn’t seen in years. And now she was hurt, maybe even dead.

Something inside him shifted. The surge of ectoplasm in the air from the portal's activation had been strange, energizing in a way he hadn’t experienced before. He focused, instinctively willing himself to change—and, to his shock, it worked. His fur receded, his paws shifted into hands and feet, and for the first time in years, he stood on two legs.

He was human. Well, mostly.

Danny glanced down at himself and winced. Naked. Great. Spotting the church, he carried Sam inside and quickly found an old, dusty robe. It smelled musty, but it was better than nothing. He draped it over himself and gently laid Sam on one of the pews. Her breathing was steady, but there was a small cut on her forehead. He frowned, leaning closer to inspect it.

Sam stirred with a groan, her eyes fluttering open. The first thing she saw was his face—pale, youthful, with disheveled black hair and wide green eyes that glowed faintly in the dim light. She yelped, scrambling back and hitting a pew behind her with a loud thud.

Danny blinked, startled. He tilted his head, his glowing eyes dimming with each blink until they looked almost normal. “Ok?” he rasped, his voice rough from disuse, pointing to her head.

Sam touched her forehead, wincing as her fingers brushed the cut. She pulled her hand away, staring at the blood. “Yeah,” she muttered, still dazed. “What happened? The last thing I remember is—” Her eyes widened as the memory flooded back. “The ghoul. And… the hound?”

Danny nodded, his expression grave. “Ghoul,” he confirmed simply.

Sam’s mouth fell open. “Okay, now you’re just messing with me. Who are you, anyway?” she demanded, her voice sharp despite her lingering disorientation.

Danny hesitated for only a moment before flashing a dog-toothed grin, jabbing his thumb at his chest. “Danny,” he said proudly.

Sam stared at him, baffled. His grin widened, his energy almost infectious. If he had a tail, she was sure it would be wagging.

Chapter Text

Sam’s head was spinning, and not just from the cut on her forehead. She stared at the boy— Danny, apparently—wrapped in an old robe that barely fit, his grin radiating a strange kind of innocence that contrasted sharply with the glowing eyes she swore she’d seen moments ago. Something about him was… off.

“Danny,” she repeated slowly, narrowing her eyes. “You’re seriously just going to tell me your name, smile like that, and act like everything’s normal after I was nearly ripped apart by a ghoul?”

Danny blinked at her, the grin fading slightly. “Normal?” he rasped, his voice still rough. “No. You hurt,” he pointed to her forehead again, “ghoul gone.” He gestured vaguely to the church, as if that was explanation enough.

Sam’s brows furrowed. “You’re not really answering my question. Who even are you? And what were you doing here?” Her voice rose slightly with panic as she scrambled to her feet, leaning against the pew for balance.

Danny tilted his head again, his shaggy black hair falling into his face. He looked at her like she’d asked the most ridiculous question in the world. “Here. Live here,” he said simply, spreading his arms to indicate the church and the cemetery beyond it.

“You… live here?” Sam asked, incredulous. “In a creepy abandoned church?”

Danny nodded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Right,” she muttered, rubbing her temples. “Of course you do.” She took a deep breath, trying to piece together what little she understood. “Okay, let’s back up. The hound— you —saved me from the ghoul.” She watched his expression carefully, and his sharp-toothed grin returned at the mention of saving her.

“Good girl,” Danny said with a small wag of his hand, like he was trying to mimic a tail wag. His pride was practically palpable.

Sam stared at him in disbelief. “You’re… the hound? The Amity Park Hound?”

Danny nodded enthusiastically, the movement causing the robe to slip slightly off his shoulder. He adjusted it clumsily, clearly unused to wearing clothes. “Yes. Me.”

“You expect me to believe that you’re some kind of ghost dog that can just… turn into a person?” Sam asked, her voice laced with skepticism. “Do you even hear how ridiculous that sounds?”

Danny shrugged, his green eyes twinkling. “Ridiculous? Maybe.” He paused, then tilted his head again. “Truth.”

Sam opened her mouth to argue, but the memory of the glowing eyes, the snarling hound, and the ghoul dissolving into ectoplasm made her pause. Her rational mind screamed at her to question everything, but deep down, something told her he wasn’t lying.

She let out a shaky breath. “Okay. Let’s say I believe you. What now?”

Danny’s grin softened. He took a hesitant step closer, his hand reaching toward her but stopping short when she flinched. “Safe,” he said, his voice quiet and sincere. “You safe.”

Sam stared at him for a long moment, trying to reconcile the odd, dog-like boy in front of her with the fearsome hound she’d glimpsed earlier. She crossed her arms, her defensive posture softening just slightly. “You don’t exactly scream ‘safe,’ you know.”

Danny frowned, his expression almost wounded. He glanced down at himself, tugging awkwardly at the robe. “Not scary now,” he said, almost apologetic.

“Right,” Sam muttered, still unsure whether to trust him. “Not scary. Sure.” She glanced at the door, considering whether she should just bolt and never look back—but something stopped her. Maybe it was the memory of the hound standing between her and the ghoul. Or maybe it was the way Danny’s green eyes seemed to flicker with genuine concern.

She sighed, sitting back down on the pew with a wince. “Okay, Danny. If you’re sticking around, you’ve got some explaining to do.”

Danny’s grin returned, brighter than ever. He nodded eagerly, pulling the robe tighter around himself as he sat cross-legged on the floor in front of her like an obedient dog waiting for a command. “Okay,” he said, his tail-wag energy unmistakable. “What you want to know?”

Sam stared at him, her headache forgotten for the moment. “For starters, what are you?”

Danny’s grin shifted into something more thoughtful as he considered the question. “Guardian,” he said finally. “This place. My haunt. Protect.” His eyes glowed faintly as he gestured to the church. “Then… portal. Now, stronger.”

“Portal?” Sam asked, narrowing her eyes. “What portal?”

Danny’s face darkened slightly, his expression more serious than she’d seen. “Bad portal,” he said grimly. “Let bad things in. Like ghoul.”

Sam’s stomach turned at the thought. She’d heard about the Fentons’ ghost portal—the whole town had—but she hadn’t thought it was anything more than one of their crazy inventions. If Danny was telling the truth, though…

Her gaze drifted back to him, her curiosity warring with her fear. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

Danny nodded, his green eyes locking with hers. “Serious. Protect you. Promise.”

Sam hesitated, but something about the way he said it—simple, direct, without any pretense—made her believe him. “Fine,” she said finally. “But if you’re sticking around, you’re going to need more than an old robe.”

Danny blinked, confused, before glancing down at himself. “Robe good?”

“No,” Sam said firmly, a small smirk tugging at her lips despite herself. “Robe is not good.”

Danny’s grin returned, his sharp teeth on full display. “You help?”

Sam shook her head, unable to stop the faint smile that crept onto her face. “Yeah, sure. Why not?”

Danny’s tail-wag energy was practically contagious as he nodded eagerly. “Good. Friends now?”

Sam stared at him, caught off guard by the question. Then, after a long pause, she sighed and nodded. “Yeah, Danny. Friends.”

Chapter Text

Sam spent the next hour patching herself up with the meager supplies Danny managed to scrounge from the dusty corners of the abandoned church. She couldn’t help but steal glances at him as she worked. His movements were awkward, almost animalistic, as though he wasn’t entirely used to his human form. The way he cocked his head and sniffed the air when he thought she wasn’t looking reminded her of the hound she’d seen earlier, the one who had saved her life.

“So,” Sam said finally, breaking the silence. “You said this cemetery is your… haunt? What does that even mean? Are you a ghost or a dog or something in between?”

Danny sat cross-legged on the floor, a curious mix of childlike and intimidating. He seemed to consider her question carefully, his green eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. “Was dog,” he said after a moment. “Now… both.” He gestured to himself. “Haunt is mine. Protect it. People here.” He waved a hand toward the cemetery beyond the church walls. “Keep them safe. Rest in peace.”

Sam frowned, trying to process what he was saying. “So, you’re like a guardian? Of the cemetery?”

Danny nodded, a hint of pride in his expression. “Yes. Protect. But then…” His face darkened, his brow furrowing. “Portal. Big noise. Bad things come. Stronger now, but… harder.” He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if testing their strength.

She studied him for a moment, her skepticism softening. “And that ghoul? That was one of the ‘bad things’ from the portal?”

“Yes,” Danny said grimly. “More come. Too many. Hard to stop all.”

Sam shivered at the thought. “That portal’s a menace,” she muttered. “The Fentons really opened Pandora’s box with that thing.” She glanced at Danny, an idea forming. “But if you’re stronger now, maybe you can stop them?”

Danny hesitated, his expression conflicted. “Can fight,” he said slowly. “But… not alone. Too many.” He looked at her, his green eyes glowing brighter. “You help?”

“Me?” Sam asked, taken aback. “What am I supposed to do? I’m not exactly equipped to fight ghosts and ghouls.”

“You care,” Danny said simply, his tone almost reverent. “Fix haunt. Respect dead. Good heart.”

Sam blinked, feeling a warmth rise in her chest at his words. She looked away, trying to hide the small smile that tugged at her lips. “Yeah, well… someone has to.”

Danny’s grin returned, toothy and infectious. “You help. I protect. Good team.”

Sam raised an eyebrow at him, her smirk returning. “We’ll see about that. But first, you’re going to need some clothes that aren’t falling apart.”

Danny looked down at the robe again, frowning. “Robe bad?”

“Robe awful, ” Sam said with a laugh. “Come on, I’ll grab you something from my place.”

Danny’s eyes lit up, and he practically bounded to his feet, his excitement palpable. “Good! Go now?”

Sam held up a hand to stop him. “Wait, wait. You can’t just waltz out there looking like… well, this. ”

Danny tilted his head, confused. “Why not?”

“Because you’ll scare the crap out of people,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Stay here. I’ll go grab something and bring it back.”

Danny looked disappointed but nodded, his tail-wag energy dimming slightly. “Okay. Wait here.”

Sam started toward the door but paused, glancing back at him. “And try not to get into any more fights while I’m gone, okay?”

Danny grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the faint light. “Promise. Protect haunt. No fights.”

Shaking her head, Sam pushed open the heavy church door and stepped into the cool night air. As she made her way back toward town, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of comfort, knowing that the Amity Hound was watching over the cemetery—and, apparently, her too.

Chapter Text

The first time Danny and Sam noticed the influx of ghosts, it was subtle—barely more than a flicker in the otherwise quiet cemetery. A shade wandered through the trees near the graveyard’s edge, its translucent form barely visible in the moonlight. Danny dispatched it quickly, his large hound form moving with swift precision, and Sam assumed it was a one-time event. But then, more came.

At first, it was a slow trickle—ghosts appearing on the fringes of the cemetery, ghouls lurking in the shadows, and wraiths whispering through the cracked headstones. Danny handled them all with relative ease, his green eyes blazing as he fought to protect his haunt. But the numbers grew steadily, and it became clear that something had changed.

The portal.

Sam pieced it together after hearing her parents grumble about "Fenton nonsense" at dinner. The portal in the Fenton lab had been acting up, surging with energy and spewing out bursts of ectoplasm. The Fentons had chalked it up to technical difficulties, but Sam and Danny knew better. The portal wasn’t just malfunctioning—it was leaking ghosts into Amity Park.

Over the next few weeks, the cemetery became a hotspot for spectral activity. Sam spent more and more of her time there, helping Danny as best she could. Though she couldn’t fight the ghosts directly, she kept the area clear of debris, set traps, and used her quick thinking to guide Danny through particularly tricky encounters. Despite the chaos, they worked well together—a seamless team.

But one night, as Sam and Danny rested in the old church after another exhausting battle, Danny sat in human form, staring out at the moonlit cemetery. His green eyes flickered with something unreadable as he spoke.

“Not enough,” he said, his voice low and rough.

“Not enough what?” Sam asked, brushing dirt off her gloves.

“Protect,” Danny replied, his hands tightening into fists. “Too many ghosts. Not just here. Town.”

Sam blinked, caught off guard. “You mean… you want to protect the whole town?”

Danny nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Cemetery is haunt. Safe here. But ghosts… everywhere. People not safe.”

Sam considered his words, a knot of unease forming in her stomach. She’d seen the reports—strange lights in the sky, icy chills in random places, and unexplained property damage. Ghost activity wasn’t limited to the cemetery anymore, and it was only getting worse.

“But, Danny, that’s… huge,” she said cautiously. “You’d have to expand your haunt across the entire town. Can you even do that?”

Danny looked at her, his expression resolute. “Sam helped haunt. Made it better. Now, haunt bigger. Protect people. All people.”

She frowned, unsure how to respond. “You’d be stretching yourself thin, Danny. What if something happens and you can’t—?”

“Can,” Danny interrupted firmly, his sharp grin flashing. “Stronger now. Portal makes me more.”

Sam’s lips pressed into a thin line as she studied him. He looked so determined, his green eyes glowing faintly in the dim light of the church. Despite her doubts, she couldn’t ignore the swell of pride in her chest. Danny wasn’t just a guardian of the dead anymore—he was trying to protect the living, too.

“All right,” she said finally, her voice soft but steady. “If you’re going to protect the town, then I’m going to help.”

Danny’s grin widened, and for a moment, he looked more like an overexcited puppy than the fearsome Amity Hound. “Good,” he said, his tail-wag energy returning. “Team. Protect Amity.”

Sam rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s just figure out where to start.”

Danny’s resolve deepened that night, and from that moment on, the Amity Hound’s haunt stretched beyond the cemetery’s borders, encompassing all of Amity Park. The town didn’t know it yet, but they had a new protector watching over them—one

Chapter Text

The influx of ghosts grew steadily, spilling out of the Fenton Portal and spreading chaos across Amity Park. They haunted streets, disrupted homes, and frightened anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path. The Fentons, true to their reputation, ramped up their ghost-hunting efforts, but even they couldn’t keep up with the sheer volume of spectral activity.

That’s when the stories began.

At first, it was small things—rumors of a large black hound chasing ghosts away from neighborhood streets. People whispered about glowing green eyes that pierced the dark and low, rumbling growls that sent even the bravest shades fleeing. The sightings were sporadic, scattered across the town. Most dismissed them as urban legends, something to talk about while nervously checking their windows at night.

But the stories didn’t stop.

One night, a family was trapped in their home by a poltergeist, dishes flying and furniture slamming into walls. Just as the parents huddled with their children in the corner, a deafening growl echoed through the house. The poltergeist was gone in an instant, and when the family peeked out, they saw the shadow of a massive dog vanishing into the night.

Another time, a small group of teenagers dared each other to explore the park after dark, only to be cornered by a skeletal specter. They were certain they were doomed—until a blur of black fur barreled through the trees, teeth snapping and claws flashing. The specter dissolved in a flash of green light, and the teens fled, swearing they’d seen a phantom hound with glowing eyes.

The sightings grew more frequent, and the descriptions more vivid. Some called the creature a protector, a guardian of Amity Park. Others were less sure, unnerved by its fearsome appearance and unnatural glow. It didn’t take long for the name to stick: The Amity Hound.

At the Fenton household, the stories caught the attention of Jack and Maddie almost immediately.

“It’s a class-four spectral canine!” Jack exclaimed over breakfast one morning, slamming a newspaper onto the table. The headline read: ‘Mystery Ghost Dog Saves Family from Haunting!’

Jazz looked up from her book, raising an eyebrow. “Class four? Isn’t that a little high for a dog?”

“Not if it’s tied to a powerful haunt!” Maddie chimed in, her voice brimming with excitement. “Think about it, Jazz—if this hound is protecting the town, it might be territorial. It could be linked to the cemetery.”

Jazz frowned, her analytical mind already racing. “If it’s protecting people, doesn’t that mean it’s not dangerous? Why hunt it?”

Jack and Maddie exchanged a look, as if the question didn’t compute. “A ghost is a ghost, sweetie,” Maddie said, patting Jazz’s hand. “Even if it’s protecting people, it’s still a ghost, a threat. It will turn on us.”

Jazz sighed, her skepticism mounting. She’d heard the stories too, and something about them didn’t add up. People weren’t just scared of the Amity Hound—they were grateful to it. That didn’t sound like a ghost running amok. It sounded… different.

Meanwhile, Danny was working harder than ever. Each night, he roamed the streets in his hound form, chasing down ghosts and driving them back toward the portal. He was fast, relentless, and fiercely protective. And while the town had begun to fear him, he didn’t care.

Sam had taken to acting as his eyes and ears during the day, bringing him reports of strange occurrences and sightings. She mapped out patterns of ghostly activity, helping Danny prioritize where he was needed most. Together, they made an unlikely but effective team.

One night, Danny cornered a wraith near the old amusement park. The ghost hissed and slashed at him with clawed hands, but he dodged easily, his black fur blending into the shadows. With a feral growl, he lunged, sinking his teeth into the wraith’s form and tearing it apart in a flash of green light.

Nearby, a group of kids had been watching, their frightened faces illuminated by the glow. Danny turned toward them, his green eyes glowing softly. They froze, their breath catching in their throats. But instead of growling or advancing, Danny simply tilted his head, his tail flicking once before he disappeared into the night.

The kids ran home, their fear replaced by awe. The next day, they told anyone who would listen about the hound that had saved them.

As the weeks passed, Danny’s reputation grew. Some feared him, calling him a harbinger of doom. Others praised him as a guardian angel in ghostly form. Parents told their children bedtime stories of the Amity Hound who protected them from the bad ghosts, while teenagers shared exaggerated tales of its glowing eyes and fearsome growls.

The Fentons, meanwhile, were more determined than ever to capture the creature. Jack outfitted the GAV with ghost-detection sensors specifically calibrated to track spectral canines, while Maddie experimented with ghost traps designed to hold larger entities. They began patrolling the cemetery and nearby areas more frequently, hoping for a glimpse of their elusive target.

Danny, of course, was well aware of their efforts. He avoided them with ease, his enhanced senses picking up on their equipment long before they came close. But the thought of being hunted by Jazz’s parents gnawed at him, especially when he thought about how hard Sam worked to help him. He didn’t want to cause her more trouble, but he couldn’t abandon his mission.

Amity Park needed him, and he wasn’t going to stop.

Whether they feared him or loved him, Danny didn’t care. The town was his haunt now, and he would protect it at all costs.

Chapter Text

It happened in a blur.

Danny had been patrolling near the cemetery late one night, tracking the faint presence of a restless specter. The air was heavy, charged with ectoplasmic energy, and he’d been so focused on the hunt that he didn’t notice the trap until it was too late.

The Fentons’ ghostly net snapped around him, crackling with ectoplasmic energy. He snarled and thrashed, his glowing green eyes blazing as he tried to phase through it, but the net was reinforced—designed for powerful entities like him. He felt the zap of the containment field searing into his fur as Jack’s booming voice rang out.

“Gotcha, you spectral mutt!”

Danny growled, baring his sharp teeth, but it was no use. The net tightened, binding his limbs and forcing him into submission. Maddie was there in seconds, holding a strange device in her hands. Before Danny could react, she clamped a ghostly muzzle over his snout, cutting off his growls. The muzzle hummed with energy, suppressing his abilities and reducing his snarls to muffled whines.

Danny's struggles grew weaker as Maddie secured a glowing shock collar around his neck. It buzzed ominously, sending sharp pulses of energy through him whenever he moved too violently. He locked eyes with the Fentons, his gaze burning with equal parts fear and fury.

“Don’t worry, big guy,” Jack said cheerfully, patting the side of the ectoplasmic cage as they loaded him into the GAV. “We’re not gonna hurt ya—much. Just need to run some tests, figure out what makes you tick.”

Maddie nodded, her eyes sharp with curiosity. “Imagine the breakthroughs we could make with a class-four spectral canine under controlled conditions! This could revolutionize ghost studies.”

Danny thrashed again, his muffled snarls filling the small space, but the shock collar buzzed, sending another jolt through him. He yelped in pain, the sound breaking through even the muzzle. Maddie frowned, glancing at the collar.

“Careful, Jack. We don’t want to fry it before we get some answers.”

The next morning, Sam noticed immediately that something was wrong. Danny didn’t meet her at their usual spot in the cemetery, and there were no signs of his nightly patrols. She waited for hours, anxiety gnawing at her, before she decided to investigate.

It didn’t take her long to hear the whispers around town: the Fentons had caught the Amity Hound.

Her heart sank as the pieces fell into place. She knew Jack and Maddie’s reputation for ghost hunting, and while she’d always thought they were overzealous, she never imagined they’d go this far. The thought of Danny, helpless and trapped in their lab, sent a surge of anger and fear through her.

She had to get him out.

Sam slipped into FentonWorks that night, dressed in black and carrying every tool she could think of. She knew the layout of the lab from rumors and school science fairs, and it didn’t take her long to find Danny. Her heart twisted at the sight.

He was restrained in the middle of the lab, bound by ectoplasmic restraints that hummed with energy. The ghostly muzzle clamped over his snout glowed faintly, and the shock collar around his neck pulsed with an ominous light. Danny’s once-bright green eyes were dull, his struggles reduced to weak jerks as the collar kept him subdued.

Sam gritted her teeth, her fists clenched as she stepped forward. “Danny,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’m here. I’m getting you out.”

Danny’s eyes flicked toward her, a faint spark of recognition in his exhausted gaze. He whimpered softly, the sound muffled by the muzzle.

Sam’s heart broke, but she didn’t let herself falter. She worked quickly, disabling the restraints with a mix of improvised tools and sheer determination. The shock collar was trickier, its mechanisms designed to withstand tampering, but Sam had spent enough time around the Fentons’ inventions to figure out their weak points.

As she removed the collar, Danny let out a shuddering breath, his body relaxing slightly. He nuzzled her hand in gratitude, his movements weak but unmistakably thankful.

“We need to move,” Sam said urgently, glancing toward the stairs. “They’ll notice you’re gone any second.”

Danny struggled to stand, his legs shaky from the constant shocks. Sam slipped under his massive frame, supporting him as best she could. Together, they made their way out of the lab, moving as quietly as possible.

They were halfway to the door when an alarm blared, flooding the house with red light.

“Stop right there!” Jack’s voice boomed from the stairs. He and Maddie appeared, their ghost weapons trained on Danny. “You think you can just steal our prize experiment?”

Sam stepped in front of Danny, spreading her arms wide. “He’s not an experiment! He’s a person! ”

Maddie’s eyes narrowed. “He’s a ghost, Sam. A dangerous one. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

“I know enough,” Sam shot back, her voice steady despite her fear. “Danny’s been protecting this town while you’ve been too busy treating him like a monster. If you can’t see that, then maybe you’re the ones who don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

Jack hesitated, his weapon lowering slightly, but Maddie’s grip tightened. “Sam, get out of the way. This is for the good of everyone.”

“No,” Sam said firmly, standing her ground. “If you want him, you’ll have to go through me.”

Danny growled softly behind her, his strength slowly returning. His glowing eyes locked on the Fentons, a silent warning that, muzzle or not, he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

For a tense moment, no one moved. 

Sam kept herself planted firmly in front of Danny, refusing to budge despite the tension thickening in the room.

“Get out of the way, Sam!” Maddie’s voice was sharp, almost pleading. “This isn’t what you think. That thing is dangerous!”

“He’s not a thing!” Sam shouted back, her heart hammering. “He’s Danny! He’s been protecting this town while you’ve been—”

A sudden crack of energy cut her off. Maddie’s weapon discharged, the ectoplasmic bolt striking Sam square in the shoulder. The impact sent her sprawling to the floor with a cry of pain.

Danny’s muffled roar echoed through the lab, his green eyes blazing with fury. He lunged forward, snapping at his restraints, the energy field sparking wildly around him. The Fentons didn’t seem to notice the shift, too focused on their weapons and the growing chaos.

“Don’t move!” Jack shouted, raising his weapon. But it was too late. The burst of ectoplasm from Sam’s injury seemed to spark something deep within Danny. His body surged with energy, the faint hum of the portal’s residual power amplifying his strength.

With a deafening growl, he ripped free from his restraints, the muzzle cracking and shattering into pieces. His massive form loomed over the Fentons, his glowing green eyes wild and filled with rage.

“Stay back!” Maddie yelled, firing again, but Danny moved too fast. He swiped at her weapon with his claws, sending it clattering across the floor. Jack tried to intervene, but Danny turned on him, his snarling maw inches from Jack’s face.

The Fentons scrambled back, bruised and shaken as Danny’s claws slashed through nearby equipment, leaving deep gouges in the metal. Though his movements were feral, he seemed to hold back just enough not to deal a killing blow. Instead, he left them stunned and winded, clutching their injuries.

Breathing heavily, Danny stood over them, his form trembling as he fought to rein in his rage. The glowing energy coursing through him threatened to consume him entirely, but a faint whimper from Sam pulled him back. He turned, his glowing eyes softening as he saw her struggling to sit up, blood staining her clothes.

With a deep breath, Danny let the ectoplasmic energy wash over him. His form shifted, fur retracting and claws shrinking as he transformed into his human visage. He stood there, battered but defiant, his green eyes flickering faintly as he adjusted to his new form.

Realizing his nakedness, Danny quickly grabbed one of the Fentons’ spare hazmat suits from a nearby rack. The bright orange suit was far from subtle, but it was better than nothing. He pulled it on hastily, his movements clumsy as he focused on getting to Sam.

Kneeling beside her, Danny gently scooped her into his arms. “Sam,” he rasped, his voice hoarse but filled with worry. Her eyelids fluttered, her breathing shallow, but she gave a weak nod to let him know she was still conscious.

Ignoring the Fentons’ groans and the chaos around them, Danny carried her up the stairs, his steps steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. He burst into the living room, startling Jazz, who had been reading quietly on the couch.

Chapter Text

Danny burst into the living room, Sam cradled in his arms, her blood staining the bright orange hazmat suit he had hastily thrown on. Jazz, curled up on the couch with a book in her lap, jumped at the sound of the door slamming open.

“What the—who are you?” Jazz demanded, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the disheveled black-haired boy standing in her living room. She froze when she noticed Sam in his arms. “Wait, is that… Sam? What happened to her?”

“She’s hurt,” Danny said quickly, his voice low and rough, the strain evident. “She needs help.”

Jazz stood immediately, her concern overriding her confusion. “Bring her upstairs. I have a first-aid kit in my room.”

Danny nodded, carefully carrying Sam up the stairs with Jazz following close behind, questions clear on her face but unspoken for the moment. Once in Jazz’s room, Danny gently laid Sam on the bed, his glowing green eyes darting to the red-stained bandage on her shoulder.

Jazz grabbed her first-aid kit from under her desk and set it on the nightstand, her movements quick and precise. “What happened?” she asked, glancing at Danny, trying to piece together the situation. “Who are you?”

Danny hesitated, unsure how to respond without revealing too much. “A friend,” he said simply, his voice soft but firm. “She… got caught in the crossfire.”

Jazz raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but her focus returned to Sam. “This is bad,” she muttered, inspecting the wound. “We need to clean this and stop the bleeding. Hold her steady.”

Danny did as she asked, his hands trembling slightly as he supported Sam. Jazz worked quickly, cleaning the wound and wrapping it tightly. As she worked, her gaze flicked to Danny, her mind racing with questions. Who was this boy? How did he know Sam? And why did he seem so desperate, so protective?

When she finished, Jazz stood and crossed her arms, her piercing gaze locking onto Danny. “Okay, she’s stable for now. But you need to tell me what’s going on. Who are you, and why do you look like you’ve been through a war zone?”

Danny shifted uncomfortably, the oversized hazmat suit rustling awkwardly. “It’s… complicated,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jazz’s eyes narrowed, but before she could press further, Sam stirred, letting out a faint groan. Both of them immediately turned their attention to her.

“Sam,” Jazz said softly, kneeling beside the bed. “Hey, can you hear me?”

Sam’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused for a moment before settling on Jazz. “Jazz?” she murmured, her voice weak. Her eyes drifted to Danny, and she managed a small, relieved smile. “Danny.”

Jazz glanced between the two of them, her confusion deepening. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do,” she said firmly, her gaze settling on Danny. “But right now, we need to focus on Sam. And you’re not leaving until I get some answers.”

Danny swallowed hard, nodding. He owed her that much—for Sam’s sake.

Chapter Text

As Sam rested on Jazz’s bed, her breathing steady but her shoulder still bandaged and tender, the tension in the room was palpable. Jazz sat in her desk chair, her arms crossed and her sharp eyes flicking between the injured Sam and the mysterious black-haired boy in the oversized hazmat suit.

Danny leaned against the wall, his posture stiff and awkward, as if he wasn’t used to standing still. His glowing green eyes, now dimmed to a faint flicker, darted toward Sam every few seconds, worry etched into his features.

Jazz finally broke the silence. “Okay, someone’s going to start talking, or I’m going to call an ambulance and figure this out myself.”

“No ambulance,” Sam said weakly, her voice hoarse but steady. She pushed herself up on the bed, wincing at the movement. “I’m fine. Really.”

“You’re not fine,” Jazz countered, her tone firm but not unkind. “You’ve been shot, Sam. By a ghost weapon, no less. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”

“I’ll be okay,” Sam insisted. She glanced at Danny, who gave her a hesitant nod, silently urging her to explain. “Jazz, listen. What’s happening in Amity Park—the ghosts, the attacks—it’s all because of your parent’s Ghost Portal.”

Jazz grimaced. She knew that it was the catalyst that started this wild paranormal plague.

“Because I’ve seen what it’s doing,” Sam said, her voice gaining strength. “It’s not just some science experiment. It’s a doorway to another world, and it’s broken. It’s letting ghosts out into Amity Park, and they’re wreaking havoc.”

Jazz looks to the frazzled boy hovering over Sam, eyebrows raised. “And who exactly are you? Because you still haven’t explained that part.”

Sam sighed, cutting in. “Jazz, this is Danny. He’s the—he’s the Amity Hound.”

Jazz’s jaw dropped slightly, her gaze darting to Danny, who shifted uncomfortably. “The Amity Hound? The ghost dog everyone’s been talking about? You’re saying he’s the one protecting the town?”

“Yes,” Sam said firmly. “And he’s been doing a better job than your parents or anyone else because he understands what’s really happening. The portal is out of control, Jazz. If we don’t stop it, the ghost attacks will only get worse.”

Jazz stared at them, processing everything. She looked at Danny, who met her gaze with his glowing green eyes, and then at Sam, whose determination shone through her exhaustion.

“Okay,” Jazz said finally, her tone cautious but resolute. “What exactly are you proposing?”

“We destroy the portal,” Sam said without hesitation.

Jazz recoiled slightly, her eyes widening. “Destroy it? Do you have any idea what that would mean? My parents built that portal—it’s their life’s work.”

“And it’s a ticking time bomb,” Sam shot back. “Jazz, think about it. How many more people are going to get hurt? How many more ghosts are going to invade Amity Park before someone does something?”

Jazz hesitated, her rational mind warring with her loyalty to her parents. She looked at Danny, who was watching her intently.. “Portal dangerous. More ghosts every day. Hurt people. Hurt Sam. Must stop.” The boy states with conviction.

Jazz rubbed her temples, letting out a deep sigh. “If we do this—it’s not going to be easy. My parents have that lab locked down like Fort Knox, and it will be even more so after catching you.” She pointed to Danny. “We’re going to need a plan.”

Sam nodded, leaning forward slightly despite her injury. “Then we make one. We figure out how to get in, how to disable the security, and how to destroy the portal without getting caught.”

Jazz stared at her for a long moment, then at Danny. She still didn’t fully understand who—or what—he was, but the sincerity in his glowing green eyes was impossible to ignore. Finally, she sighed and leaned back in her chair.

“Fine,” she said, crossing her arms. “But if we’re doing this, we do it right.”

Sam nodded. “Agreed. So, step one: figure out how to bypass the lab’s security.”

Jazz frowned, her analytical mind already at work. “I might be able to do that. I’ve seen how their systems work, and I know where they keep the access codes. But if we’re going to destroy the portal, we’ll need something strong enough to make sure it’s completely gone. No half-measures.”

Danny straightened, his glowing eyes narrowing with determination. “I’ll help. Protect haunt. Protect town.”

The three of them exchanged a look, the weight of their decision settling over them. It wouldn’t be easy, and it wouldn’t be without risk. But for the safety of Amity Park—and for each other—they were willing to try.

Chapter Text

The trio spent the next few hours huddled in the dilapidated church, finalizing their plan to destroy the Fenton Portal. The tension in the air was thick, but the urgency of the situation kept them focused. Jazz took charge of the technical aspects, using her knowledge of her parents’ security systems to map out a strategy, while Sam and Danny worked out the physical execution.

The Plan

1. Disabling the Security System
   Jazz would temporarily disable the lab’s ghost-detection grid and override the door locks. She knew where her parents kept the override codes and had access to the tools needed to bypass the security protocols. The system would only be down for a short window, so they had to move fast.
2. Neutralizing the Containment Systems
   Danny would use his ghost powers to phase through and neutralize any traps or ghost-restraining devices in the lab. His abilities allowed him to move silently and quickly, avoiding unnecessary confrontation.
3. Destroying the Portal
   Jazz identified several key components of the portal that, if destroyed, would render it permanently inoperable. The power core and the dimensional stabilizer were the most critical. Sam suggested using one of the smaller ecto-weapons from the Fenton arsenal to deliver a focused blast.
4. Getting Out Unnoticed
   Once the portal was destroyed, they would clean up as much evidence of their presence as possible and retreat quietly. If all went well, Jack and Maddie would assume the portal malfunctioned.

Putting the Plan Into Action

The house was silent as they moved into position that night. Jack and Maddie were asleep upstairs, completely unaware of the conspiracy brewing beneath their roof. Jazz led the way, her heart pounding as she crept down to the lab. Sam followed closely behind, her shoulder still aching but her determination unwavering. Danny, in human form to avoid detection, brought up the rear, his glowing eyes scanning the dark corners of the house.

Once in the lab, Jazz got to work on the security system. Her hands moved quickly over the control panel, bypassing the ghost grid and deactivating the locks. The system let out a faint beep, and the lights on the panel flickered green.

“We’re in,” she whispered, stepping back. “You’ve got ten minutes before it resets.”

Jazz gestured to the portal. “The stabilizer is there,” she said, pointing to a glowing green cylinder attached to the side of the portal. “And the power core is in the back panel. Both need to go.”

Sam picked up one of the smaller ecto-weapons from the nearby workbench. “This should be strong enough to take them out, right?”

Jazz nodded. “Just don’t miss.”

“I’ll help with the core,” Danny said, his voice low. He placed his hands on the back panel, phasing through the metal to locate the power core. “Found it.”

Sam took aim at the stabilizer, her hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She squeezed the trigger, and a concentrated beam of ecto-energy blasted the stabilizer, shattering it in a burst of green sparks. The portal let out a low hum, the lights flickering wildly.

“Now the core!” Jazz urged.

Danny, still phased partially into the portal’s power core, focused his energy. With a guttural growl, he wrenched the power core free, the glow in his hands intensifying as he tossed it to the ground. The core shattered on impact, sending a surge of ectoplasmic energy through the lab. The portal sputtered and groaned, its swirling vortex collapsing inward until it was nothing more than a dead hulk of metal and wires.

The silence that followed was deafening.

“It’s done,” Jazz said, her voice barely above a whisper. She stared at the darkened portal, her expression conflicted. “They’re going to notice.”

“They’ll think it malfunctioned,” Sam said firmly, lowering the ecto-weapon. “And if they don’t, we’ll deal with it.”

Danny shifted back to his human form, his expression weary but relieved. “Amity safe now,” he said quietly, looking to Sam and Jazz. “No more ghosts.”

Jazz gave a shaky nod, her resolve hardening. “Let’s clean this up and get out of here.”

The trio worked quickly, wiping down surfaces and returning tools to their original places. Jazz reactivated the security system just as the clock hit ten minutes, the ghost grid humming faintly as it powered back up. By the time they crept back upstairs, the lab looked untouched.

As they sat together in Jazz’s room, exhaustion washing over them, Danny looked at the two girls, his green eyes softening. “Thank you,” he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. “For helping me protect Amity.”

Sam managed a small smile, her hand resting on the bandage covering her shoulder. “We’re a team, Danny. That’s what we do.”

Jazz, still processing everything that had happened, nodded slowly. “Yeah. But this is just the beginning. If my parents figure out what we’ve done…”

“We’ll handle it,” Sam said firmly, glancing at Danny. “Together.”

Danny nodded, his sharp-toothed grin returning. For the first time in a long time, the weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter. Amity Park was safe—for now. V

Chapter Text

Danny walked the familiar rows of headstones, his massive black hound form weaving silently through the graves. The flowers Sam had planted were in full bloom, and the cemetery looked better than it had in years. He paused at one of the older headstones, his glowing eyes scanning the area. Everything was as it should be. His haunt was safe.

But he wasn’t entirely alone anymore.

“Hey, big guy,” Sam called softly, stepping through the wrought-iron gates with her usual backpack slung over one shoulder. Danny’s tail wagged instinctively at the sound of her voice, and he padded over to her, his green eyes lighting up with a warmth that was impossible to miss.

Sam crouched down, scratching behind his ears. “How’s it going? Keeping things in check?”

Danny huffed softly, his version of a chuckle, and nuzzled her hand. She grinned and stood, slinging her backpack down onto the grass. “Ready to head into town?”

Danny nodded, his large frame shifting slightly as he stretched, preparing for their usual outings. While his days were spent guarding the cemetery, he had started joining Sam on her trips into Amity Park at night. In his dog form, he easily blended in, appearing as nothing more than a loyal—if unusually large—companion.

Sam led Danny through the quiet streets, their steps echoing softly under the glow of streetlights. She had taken to carrying a leash for appearances, though it hung loosely in her hand. Danny trotted beside her, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings as they made their way to the park.

“You know,” Sam said as they reached a bench overlooking the fountain, “you’re getting pretty good at this whole ‘dog’ thing.”

Danny huffed, his tail wagging slightly as he sat beside her, his glowing eyes fixed on the water.

Sam smirked, giving him a sidelong glance. “You’d almost pass for normal if it weren’t for the whole glowing eyes thing. You might want to tone that down when we’re in public.”

Danny blinked, his eyes dimming slightly. Sam laughed. “Better.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the few people still out and about. Occasionally, a passerby would stop to admire Danny, mistaking him for an unusually large, exotic breed. Sam played along, brushing off questions with a smile and a quick, “Yeah, he’s a rescue.”

Danny didn’t mind the attention as long as it stayed brief. He preferred the quiet, the sense of peace that came with knowing the town was no longer overrun by ghosts. The portal was gone, the Fentons none the wiser, and his haunt was thriving.

When the night grew late, Sam and Danny made their way back to the cemetery. As they passed through the gates, Danny shifted back into his human form, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders.

“You know,” Sam said, watching him with a smirk, “you don’t have to stick to just the cemetery, Danny. You’ve earned the right to take a break now and then.”

Danny shook his head, his expression soft but resolute. “The cemetery’s my haunt,” he said quietly. “It’s where I belong. I’ll always protect it.”

Sam nodded, understanding. “Fair enough. But don’t forget, you’ve got me. And Jazz. You don’t have to do it alone.”

Danny smiled, his sharp teeth catching the moonlight. “I know. Thanks, Sam.”

She smiled back, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “All right, big guy. See you tomorrow.”

Danny watched her leave, his glowing eyes following her until she disappeared down the street. Then, with a soft sigh, he shifted back into his hound form and returned to his patrol.

The cemetery was quiet, the flowers Sam had planted swaying gently in the night breeze. Danny lay down beneath a large oak tree, his green eyes scanning the grounds.

For the first time in years, the peace felt real, and Danny knew he would do everything to keep it that way.