Chapter 3

A few days later, Dana spent some time training under the teachings of Spidey and Agent Venom. But mostly Agent Venom, which did not go unnoticed by the spider hero prime. The Symbiote hero really enjoyed seeing what the Ectonurite hybrid could do. She was eager to learn and adapted fast, which made her a force to be reckoned with.

And when they were not training, the two heroes just talked to get to know each other better, even sharing their own interests and talents that were not hero related.

"I love to dance, as you know, but I also love spooky stuff too," she said. "Though, there was a time I wasn't sure if I did."

"What do you mean?" Flash asked gently.

"Well, there's this bad guy named Zs'Skayr," she said. "He's an evil Ectonurite and tricked me into thinking he wanted me as his daughter, but in reality, he was just wanting to use me for his plan to rule the world."

"Ouch," he said sympathetically. "Hope you gave him something to remind him that no one does that to you and gets away with it."

"I did, along with my friends," Dana said before her shoulders drooped a bit. "When I came back to the Grant Mansion, I thought for sure Rachel would kick me out, but she welcomed me back, not blaming me at all. I felt so bad for believing that creep's lies, but she reassured me that she knew I didn't join him to conquer the world. I went with him because I was hoping to better understand my heritage and I just wanted a parent."

He looked at her. "You didn't have one before you went with this Zs'Skayr guy to your homeworld?" He asked gently.

She shook her head. "No."

After a pause, she spoke up again. "When I returned, I was so hurt that I decided that I wouldn't want parents again. I didn't want to go through that hurt again."

He looked thoughtful before recalling how he saw Phantasmo and Melodica cheering Dana on and how she hugged them happily and they seemed to equally love her and were proud of her. "What made you change your mind on not wanting parents?" He asked.

She smiled. "That was because of Dad," she said. "When I first met him, I freaked out thinking he was the same monster that had hurt me and I ran from him, but he caught me. I was scared of him, but when he didn't hurt me and told me he was Ghostfreak's dad, that told me that I could at least trust him a little, as Ghostfreak was my best friend."

She smiled. "He taught me a few things about being an Ectonurite that I had no idea about, even telling me that just because I was a hybrid, it didn't mean that I was a fake Ectonurite. It meant I was unique."

"Sounds like he really earned your trust," Flash commented.

"Yeah, he did," she said. "When he learned I didn't have parents, he offered to adopt me on the spot. I was surprised, but then I met Melodica and she was instantly excited to meet me as she had heard a lot about me from Snare-Oh and Kuphulu, who were two more of my best friends then."

The hero smiled. "Sounds like some really good friends," he said. "So, they became your brothers that same day you met Phantasmo and Melodica?"

"Yeah," Dana said. "Rachel knew a good judge and called him up and he came right over and they signed the papers, making me their daughter." She smiled. "That was one of the best days of my life. Rachel even threw together a party to celebrate me finding my forever family and I honestly couldn't ask for a better one."

He nodded before looking back at her. "Spidey said you met the Howling Commandos," he said.

She nodded. "That was when Zs'Skayr came back and kidnapped my family, telling me I had to face him without the Plumbers," she said. "Rachel remembered when she hosted the Commandos and when Mr. Fury heard that we needed help, he agreed and then they agreed too. If it wasn't for them, I would have lost my family that day."

"Hey, even if the Howling Commandos hadn't helped, we would have jumped in," Flash said reassuringly. "Spidey wouldn't have left you guys hanging."

She smiled before leaning her head on his shoulder. "Thanks," she said softly, smiling up at him.

He blushed a little, flattered that a pretty girl was resting her head on his shoulder. Phantasmo, who was watching in the distance, noticed but smiled as he had learned from Peter that Flash was a good guy and had changed from the way he once was. He decided to let them be, remembering how it felt to have a blossoming romance.

Eventually, and unfortunately for Agent Venom, it was time for Dana and her family to return home. But not before saying goodbye. "I'm going to miss hanging out with you," the girl said, hugging him.

"Me too," he said. "Drop me a text whenever, okay?"

"I will," she promised.

Meanwhile, the Jocklin Sisters made time to thank Spider-Man for keeping an eye on their little sister. Rachel assured the spider hero that they had gotten the present ready for Dana. Took a little while longer than expected, but Tina Fitzpatrick made sure to get every detail perfect for Dana to love and appreciate. You could say it had been a long couple of days at the Cardinal Boutique for Rachel and Sasha.

"Alright, they'll be on their way soon," Spidey said. "We'll miss them. It was a blast to host them."

"We can't thank you enough, Spidey," Sasha said. "Oh, and one of our nephews is having a birthday and was hoping you and the other heroes might be able to attend."

"I'll pass along the message, but I can guarantee for sure that I'll be there," he said with a smile. "Catch you guys later."

"Catch you later, Spidey. Be careful out there," Rachel said.

As Dana was saying the rest of her goodbyes to the team, who wished her well, Flash/Agent Venom slipped a wrapped box in one of the suitcases addressed to Dana saying 'Open me at your birthday. -AV'. Ghostfreak and Snare-Oh spotted him from the distance, but smiled as they remembered Phantasmo had mentioned that Flash had said he had a gift for Dana, but didn't want her to find it until she got back home. He had told Phantasmo what the gift was and the Ectonurite was pleased at the young man's thoughtfulness and promised not to say anything to Dana so that she'd be surprised.

"We're all ready to go," Kuphulu said.

"Let's get everything loaded up," Melodica said as they did so, soon ready to go.

Phantasmo nodded. "Dana," he said to her gently. "It's time to go."

"Yes, Dad," she said before hugging her friends one more time. "Thanks again, guys."

"You're welcome, Dana," Spiderman said with a smile. "By the way, Happy Birthday."

The others echoed him and she smiled before thanking them again and heading over to her family, eager to tell the rest of the family about her adventure.

They arrived at the Grant Mansion in time for the party and Dana opened the gift Rachel and Sasha got for her, gasping as she saw it was the costume of her favorite contestant and winner of Masked Dancer, Cotton Candy! It also had a bat theme to it and candy jewels all over. She truly was happy for it and thanked her big sisters with a great big hug. The party was enjoyable and it wasn't long before Dana stumbled upon one final gift to open…and it was from one spider hero she knew and met. She opened it, gasping softly.

Flash had given her new shoes as birthday present. Pure, shiny white ballet slippers. He chose those specific-colored shoes because white meant light, goodness, innocents, and purity, all things he felt describe Dana perfectly. And a small reminder of the snow owl that brought them together without realizing it.

She was overjoyed on the inside with some happy tears running down her face as she truly loved her new shoes and she wanted to try them out now with the poncho.

"Thanks, Venom," Dana muttered to herself, knowing she would return the favor one day.

She was looking forward to it.

And that concludes "Dancing My Way Into Your Heart." :)

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GoldGuardian2418