Danny Phantom in: Spectre Rejecters

Part 8

The half-ghost stood in the kitchen, thinking about the dream he'd once again had. This wasn't fair; he could have used his powers on pulling pranks and joking around, yet he chose to protect people. It was like all his hard work was being shoved back in his face. Taking a bite out of his toast – which for the first time ever HADN'T been burned, he began saying to Vlad, "It's pretty strange being in a house with only two people on Christmas day…"

"Huh?" The older man pulled a confused face; he was used to being alone on Christmas.

"Usually I'm surrounded by my so-called Family; then I have to suffer the annual "Santa Claus is a Ho-Ho Hoax!" or "Santa Claus is as real as my fat ass!" argument." He answered; visibly becoming angry at the mere thought. Vlad couldn't help but find the 'fat ass' comment a little funny.

"Daniel, I really think you should at least call them or something." The boy reached into his pocket and revealed his cell phone. "The battery is dead, ah well; I guess that means I can't call my parents…" He said, pretending that it was a huge disappointment. Why did Vlad even care? Unless he still had a thing for Maddie… but even so…

"Just use that phone…" Vlad replied pointing out the phone that sat on the table just outside the kitchen door. "It'll be cheaper anyway."

"Sure, thanks." Danny sighed, swallowed hard, then picked up the phone and dialled his parent's number.

"Hey look, it's a call from Wisconsin! It'll be V-man wishing us a happy Christmas!" Jack said dumbly, hurriedly answering the call. He was shocked to hear Danny's voice on the other end of the phone.
"Dad, put Jazz on…" He ordered. Before Jack had chance to argue, Jazz snatched the receiver.
"DANNY! Are you okay? What are you doing in Wisconsin?!" She practically screamed down the phone. How did she know it was him?

"I've been staying here… I just called to wish you a Merry Christmas. Tell Mom and Dad too. Err; goodbye."

"WAIT!" Jazz yelled down the phone. He could hear her sister shouting something to Maddie. "Danny, come round for a Christmas meal! Please, it'll give our parents a chance to explain themselves and we can talk about this situation. Then maybe you'll move back here." She pleaded.

"Um, could Vlad come?" His sister had just taken a sip of orange juice, and practically spat it everywhere,

"WHAT? BUT HES A CRAZED UP FRUIT LOOP!!!"

"I don't care. I don't trust our parents; I'm not coming unless Vlad does too." The girl sighed loudly before agreeing. Danny assumed that Sam had told her about him living at Vlad's castle, but was wrong.

Vlad was very reluctant to go. "I have spent the past 20 years, if not longer spending Christmas alone; I don't plan to change that!"

"So you don't care about me, is that it?"

"What the hell? Of course I do, but come on, spending Christmas with JACK FENTON?!"

"My mom will be there too. Besides, isn't it a great time to humiliate him?"

"That isn't the point!"

"So what exactly is you're point? Is it that you're scared that I'll move back in with them?"

"I never said that!"
"But you're thinking it, and it isn't true. I don't want to go back there."

The fight went on for a long time, until Danny finally persuaded Vlad to go; despite the fact that he himself didn't really want too. But heck, He should really give his parents a chance.

"Dinner is served!" Maddie said happily, bringing in the food and wine. Danny refused to look his parents in the eye; he was too angry. Even their cheerfulness was grating on his nerves. Everyone tucked in except Danny, who barely had anything to eat. "Now Danny, you need to eat something." Maddie groaned to her son.

"I'm not hungry. Besides, it's probably poisoned with something to kill my ghost half anyway." Maddie frowned.

"You know I wouldn't do that honey…"

"Whatever." The boy replied smugly. It wasn't long before the ghost topic was surfaced.

"We really need to do something about your ghost problem, Danny!" Jack stated.

"For the last time, it's not a problem, why can't you just accept me for who I am?!"

"Half ghost isn't who you are, son!"

"Don't call me son; it insults me. Me and my ghost half are one person; that person is I. Vlad accepted me; then again I guess he's just a better father than you could ever even dream of being!"

"Why you little…"

"Come Daniel, I think it's about time we left…" Vlad pushed. They walked out of the dining room and began to put their coats on. Maddie and Jazz followed them.

"Danny…" His mother started; "I am so sorry about your father. But rest assured, me and your sister will be here whenever you need us. Half ghost or not." This made the young half-ghost feel happier; however he was still angry at Jack, whom he refused to call "father" any longer.

"Oh, and one question Jazz… How did you know I was at Wisconsin?"

"A girl came to the house; she was looking for you…" Jazz trailed off when she saw Danny's expression. "What's up with you?"

"That was my cousin… She died infront of me." The girl didn't answer, she was stunned yet confused – Did Danny even have a cousin?

Both transforming, Vlad and Danny began to fly home. Suddenly, a red suit flew dead in their tracks.

"You two aren't getting off so easily this time!" She bellowed angrily. It was Valerie. Vlad moved forward, but was stopped by the younger half ghost. "I'll handle this." He said sternly, Vlad simply nodded.

"I've had it with you!" Danny began; "You're always interfering with my life, even when I'm not doing anything! You are just some stupid, confused little girl Valerie!" He shouted angrily, his hands were glowing a bright green and shaking slightly due to his rage.

"How do you know my name?" She asked in a suspicious tone.

"Danny Fenton, Danny Phantom. How more obvious could it possibly be?" Valerie backed off; she obviously didn't believe him, but Danny Didn't. Instead he raised his hands. "I tried to tell you, not all ghosts are evil. But you just won't listen. So obsessed with the fact that your right and everyone else is wrong- I've had it. Say goodbye to your little hobby." With that, he shot an ecto blast; which to him was quite weak; but sent the young hunter flying to the ground. Vlad floated beside Danny speechless. The boy looked up into the man's eyes. "I have enough problems; I thought I'd get rid of one of them." He said quietly. "Now, we can leave." But the older ghost wasn't speechless because of Danny's little outburst, he was concerned at the fact that during the boys attack on the hunter, his green eyes had briefly turned red.