Title: A Leader's Downfall

Summary: Shadow's an estranged relative who drops by to 'afterlive' in Whipstaff. Stretch immediately disintegrates with his presence. Will Casper and company be able to drag him out of his despondence before Shadow has a chance to plot his revenge?

Genre: Thriller/Suspense

Rated: T for swearing and violence

A/N: I know you all probably hate me for deleting most of my stories but I'll make it up to you with this story.

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Chapter 1

The Terrible Letter

"Will you guys quit your freaking swordplay already?!" Kat fairly screamed with rage. She was busy cramming for a huge Bio quiz and was not in the mood to entertain any disturbance. Unfortunately, the Ghostly Trio weren't taking the hint. They deliberately decided to have a jousting tournament in her room. And Kat swore that if she heard the words 'Touché' or 'On Guard' again, she'll destroy something. Sometimes she wondered why she put up with these loons. They weren't kind or friendly to her. Heck, they took pleasure in tormenting her. Especially their sadistic leader, Stretch. And honestly, Stretch and Kat's relationship hadn't improved a bit after the whole Halloween party. He was still as cold and aloof to her as he had first been. And now he was seriously testing the limitations of her patience. He threateningly pointed his sword at her and sneered.

"Do youse know whose roof you're living under?" He asked, challenging her. Kat sulked and crossed her arms. She hated playing games with him about his rightful ownership of the manor. When she bitterly answered, he smirked. "And don't you forget it." He warned her before ordering his troops to leave the 'fair maiden' to her work. Kat sighed in frustration. She threw up her hands. "Why, even if it's for one day, can't you be nice to me?" She shouted questioningly at the leaving ghost. Stretch halted; He was scowling deeply. "Cause you're just a worthless bone bag." He replied in a dangerously low voice. Kat's eyes widened; she was expecting maybe a good chewing off or an injury by that hazardous piece of armory he was wielding. Despite that, she was royally pissed now.

"And you're just an uncouth, uncaring and pompous ectoplasmic creep!" She shouted uncaringly. It was about time she finally exploded. She'd been allowing all her anger for him to simmer in her synapses but now's the time to unleash it. Stretch defiantly glared at her. "Dare say that again, you little…" He was cut off in mid-sentence when Casper presented him with a letter. Stretch eyed it skeptically. The Ghostly Trio or the Harveys rarely receive any letters. The letter was crinkled and dog-eared. Stretch flinched when he saw a letter 'S' scrawled on in what seemed to be human blood. He sliced the top open with his sword and hastily scanned through the crisp, clean paper which contained only two words and a fancy signature.

I'm back

-Walter McFadden/Shadow.

Stretch lowered the paper from his violet eyes. His pupils were now dilated and undecipherable. His mouth hung open. He allowed the sword to slowly slip from his weakened grasp. His grip tightened around the letter as though he wanted to rip it to shreds. Stinkie and Fatso huddled around him for questions. Stinkie touched his brother's stiffened shoulder. "Stretch, what'sa matter?" Fatso joined in. "Yeah, bro. What's on the letter?" Stretch stuck it out to them before balling his fists and keeping gaze to the floor. "Read it then rip it into pieces. Or better yet after ripping it, throw it in the fireplace. I don't ever wanna see that piece of crap." He ordered solemnly. After shooting inquiring glances at Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso skimmed through the letter. After doing so, they followed his orders. Stinkie even piled on more coal into the fireplace before signaling Fatso, who'd shredded the letter, into hurling the vile thing into it. Kat and Casper watched all this with quizzical expressions. What's going on?

Stretch looked more despondent than he ever was. Which is never. Angry, definitely. Happy, in a demented sort of way. But sad or despaired, never. He was bent over pitifully, letting out tears of controlled frustration. "Why now? Why is he coming back?" Stinkie patted his brother on the back consolingly. Kat couldn't contain herself much longer. "OK, What's going on?!" She questioned; she wanted answers. Now. Stretch exhaled deeply before turning to Kat, his head still bent. "Listen, Kitty Kat. This ain't nothin' for youse or Bulbhead to know. In fact, it's the direct opposite." He flopped down on Kat's bed. He buried his face in his hands. Kat could actually hear him say repeatedly 'Why? Why? Not now. Please not now.' Kat stood and, surprisingly, placed a hand on Stretch's shoulder.

"Sometimes, it helps to reveal secrets." Stretch looked up, his eyes moist and reddened with noiseless weeping. "Trust me; it's probably the most terrible thing you've ever heard." Kat was adamant, however. She was longing to know the secret. Casper had the same determined look as Kat had.

"Listen Uncle Stretch, you can trust us. We won't tell Dr. Harvey. Heck, he's going to be out of town for a year due to that sabbatical on Psychology he's attending. You can talk to us. First things first, who's Shadow and why does he have your last name?" He asked politely yet firmly. Stretch sighed; he knew he was licked.

"Alright. Casper, Shadow is one of your father's brothers next to me and Fatso. So, technically, he's one of your uncles as well." And at that point, Casper's afterlife changed forever.