Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Danny Phantom.

AN: This is my second try at writing a story since my first one sucked. Hope you like it!

Masquerade

Somewhere near Wisconsin, deep inside a dark forest, sitting on a ledge that overlooked a water fall sat Vladimir Masters. In his arms he held a tiny child wrapped in a soft blue blanket and sleeping softly.

Vlad glanced at the child and then stared down at the fall's raging waters and jagged rocks. He would always feel guilt whenever he remembered this day later on in years. He would always feel slight pain and regret for giving up the person he loved the most. And he would always feel accomplishment when he remembered the reason he had to give that person up.

Flashback

Vlad stood outside a large brick house. Hanging over the door of the house was 'Fenton' in big neon lights. Vlad floated to the second floor and peered inside a small window. A slight frown appeared on his face when he saw his old college buddies holding hands and staring down at a tiny boy sleeping in his crib.

The woman let go of her husband's hand to pick up the tiny boy in the crib. She cradled him in her arms and rocked him slowly. She started singing softly to him. Vlad watched as a small girl walked into the room holding a teddy bear that a striking resemblance to Albert Einstein. She walked over to her father, who was sitting on his bed, and sat on his lap.

The woman carrying the child walked over and sat down next to her husband. They looked at each other lovingly before they were interrupted by the doorbell.

"I'll get it…" The said as he stood up still holding the small girl in his arms.

He walked down the steps and made his ways towards the door. Put the small girl that was in his arms down. He reached for the knob and pulled the door open to reveal his old college roommate.

"Vladdy!" He grabbed Vlad and pulled him into a crushing hug.

"Jack…can't…breathe…" Vlad chocked out.

"Oops… sorry" Jack apologized letting him go.

Vlad flicked off some imaginary dust as he looked around the inside of the house. It was a whole lot smaller than his mansion.

"Jack, dear? Who was at the door?" Said the woman as she walked outside of the room. She was no longer holding the child in her arms.

"Maddie! So good to see you again!" Vlad said as he watched her eyes widen a bit.

"Vlad Masters? Is that you?" She asked starting to smile "I haven't seen you in ages"

"What on earth are you doing here?" Maddie asked him

"Well, I was in town and I decided to stop by and say hello to my old friends" He said putting on his famous fake smile. " I was wondering if you and Jack would be willing to come camping with me near my home in Wisconsin."

"Of course V-man! We would love to come!" Jack exclaimed

Vlad looked at Maddie and saw a slightly worried glint in her purple eyes.

"And of course, you may bring the children" He said as he watched the glint in her eyes disappear as she smiled

"Well, alright…I guess we could have some fun on this camping trip" She said

"Yes…I'm sure we will" Vlad said. An evil grin forming on his mouth

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Vlad, Maddie, Jack, and Jazz were sitting around a small campfire in the woods. Jazz was sitting next to her mother. Her eyes kept closing for a few seconds before they popped back open. Vlad looked at Maddie and then Jack.

"Jack?" he asked. Jack lifted his head to look at Vlad. "Would you like to come with me to get more wood?"

"Sure, Vladdy" Jack said standing up. He walked over to his wife and daughter and gave each of them a small kiss on the cheek. "Vlad and I will be back later"

Maddie and Jazz waved goodbye to them as they watched them walk deeper inside the forest. Jazz yawned.

"I think it's time for someone to go to bed" she said to Jazz as she picked up the small girl in her arms and walked inside their tent.

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Vlad walked deeper inside the forest, with Jack following him.

"Are you sure we'll be able to find are way back, V-man?" Jack asked Vlad as he stepped over a large rock blocking his way.

Jack didn't get an answer. All he got was the chirping of crickets and the sweet sounds that came with the night. Vlad led them into a very small clearing. Vlad walked over to a large hole in the ground and stared down at it.

"What's this?" Jack asked him." Did you dig this hole in the ground for someone?"

"Yes, Jack, I did" Vlad asked backing up slightly

"Who'd you make it for?" Jack asked. No reply.

"Vlad?" He said turning around. Vlad was standing behind him and in one fast motion he pushed Jack into the hole.

Jack fell to the ground. He moved slightly and then lifted his head up to look at Vlad.

Vlad grinned evilly "Why…I made this hole for you Jack" He said starting to walk away.

He ignored Jack's cries for him to come and to not leave him there. Vlad lifted his watch to his mouth flicked it open and whispered.

"Kill him"

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Maddie heard footsteps coming closer. She left the tent and saw Vlad standing near the campfire. She looked around searching for her husband.

"Where's Jack?" she asked Vlad

"…He's gone" he replied not lifting his eyes to meet hers.

She looked at him confused. "What do you mean he's gone?" she asked getting worried.

Vlad looked up at her. "He's gone, Maddie, and he's never coming back…"he told her.

Tears started to form in her lavender eyes. She stared at him with disbelief. "You're lying…" she whispered.

Vlad knew what would come next. Yelling, sobbing, and more yelling. If she started screaming, he was sure someone would here. He couldn't let that happen.

He stood up and walked towards her. She took a few steps back. He walked towards her again, faster this time. Maddie glanced over shoulder and ran deep inside the forest. Vlad let a frustrated growl and ran after her. She kept her eyes looking forward. She could her him getting closer to her. She ran as fast as she possibly could before reaching a clearing. She walked over to a river. Her eyes followed the raging waters before they stopped. She walked towards a ledge and stared down at a gigantic waterfall.

"I am terribly sorry I had to do this, Maddie" she heard a familiar voice say.

Before she could turn around, she felt to arms push her back and send her falling to her death.

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Vlad walked over to the campfire and kicked dirt into it. The fire went out leaving darkness surrounding him. A single tear slid down his face. He reached and wiped it away. He looked around until his eyes fell on Maddie and Jack's tent. He walked over to it and stepped inside. Jazz was sleeping on her blowup mattress and the baby boy was sleeping in his crib.

He walked over to the crib and took the tiny boy into his arms. He glanced at the little girl before kicking her mattress. She woke up instantly.

"Uncle Vladdy?" she asked "What are you doing?"

"Get out of here…Leave!" He shoved the poor girl outside "GO! And never come back!" he yelled.

Jazz started crying before she got to her feet and ran. Deeper and deeper inside the forest. Vlad knew there was no way she would be able to survive in there alone. Some animal would probably find her. She was as good as gone.

Flashback Over

Vlad stared down at the tiny child in his arms.

"From now on you will be known as Daniel Masters. Son of Vladimir Masters and heir to the throne"

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AN: Please Review and keep my spirits up!