Danny Phantom in: Spectre Rejecters

Part 12

Maddie shuffled over to the edge of the bed. Her husband, Jack Fenton was sprawled out over the bed hogging the sheets and snoring loudly in a somewhat heavy slumber. She eventually decided that, despite the fact that it was only five in the morning, she would get up. She climbed out of bed and put on some jeans and a plain T-shirt. Slipping on her warm fluffy slippers she quietly went downstairs and made herself some toast and a cup of coffee. Flicking on the TV, she relaxed on the sofa and switched over the channels in an attempt to find something interesting. She paused when she came across a strange news report about ghosts. The show was named "The ten most wanted ghosts in Amity Park". She sighed; the countdown was already down to two, featuring a ghost who called himself "the box ghost". Random images flashed on the screen, mostly bad-quality CCTV footage and blurred mobile phone photographs.

"And here's the moment you've all been waiting for! The title of 'The most wanted ghost in Amity Park' goes to Danny Phantom; the mischievous ghost boy formerly known as Inviso-bill!" Maddie was expecting this. Inside she knew that her son wasn't the great evil that the media assumed. Images flashed across the screen, now high-quality photographs that were most likely taken by professionals, and movies ranging from amateur clips most likely recorded via cheap equipment; to high-quality news report resources.

"Funny, isn't it? The public seem to jump to conclusions so quickly." Maddie spun around to see Jazz standing behind her, staring at the television. "They assume that all ghosts are evil and want to destroy. I bet the fact that Danny Phantom is a hero skipped their minds completely…" The girl said in a relaxed tone.

"How long have you been standing there? And why do you always refer to your brother as a 'hero'?"

"When Amity Park was sucked into the ghost zone and was under constant threat from the ghost king, who climbed into the ecto-skeleton at the last minute? Danny Fenton. When there's a ghost around, who suddenly disappears? Danny Fenton. Who, against your knowledge, sneaked out of his room almost every night to put a stop to the constant ghost threat? Danny Fenton. That kid has put his life at risk to save this city countless times; if he isn't a hero then please tells me what one is." Maddie nodded, knowing her daughter was right. She patted the seat next to her, beckoning Jazz to sit next to her.

"It's just that… Your father doesn't share our opinion. If Danny appeared right now; Jack would probably kill him. Jazz sweetheart, I know this sounds really confusing but I need you to understand that…" Maddie cut off, half wanting to stop all together. "I need you to understand that I've had to keep my opinions to myself, because I know that if Jack was to find out he would be really angry and might even leave me. On the other hand, I don't think I can live with a man who wants my only son dead." Maddie pulled a tissue from her pocket and dabbed her watering eyes, feeling Jazz rest her hand upon her shoulder.

"Don't worry mom, it'll be okay… We'll sort this mess out…"

"Bye mom!" the red head yelled as she went through the door to school. Maddie sat on the sofa, now reading the newspaper that had found its way through the letterbox about half an hour ago. She was hoping to find at least one article about her son, but had no luck. She threw the newspaper across the room and stood up. Why was she letting a stupid man corrupt her life? She walked into the kitchen and looked through the cupboards looking for something to cook that would take her mind of this situation. Suddenly, Jack Fenton burst through the door. "Good morning Maddie!" His face fell. "Where's your jumpsuit? You can't hunt ghosts in…"

"Jack will you shut up!" She screamed, "All that goes on in that pea-sized brain of yours is ghosts. Ghosts, ghosts, ghosts, I'm sick of it! I played happy when you forgot our anniversary, I pretended I didn't mind when your gift was a ghost, I even sat by when you turned on our son – NO MORE! Now, there's something I need to talk to you about right now. Sit down and listen."

"But…"

"Hush"

"Um…"
"SIT DOWN!!!" Maddie was losing her cool. She had to get this off her chest; if she didn't her life would be full of guilt and misery… but telling him could make him reject her, but either way her life would totally suck. "Quite frankly, I am sick of you and your hatred of our son. I know you want to make him full human again, likewise I don't care. We should love our son no matter what – it seems that I am the only one of his parents doing this."

"Are you crazy? Ghosts are evil and I don't want Danny to be a ghost! That's final!" She slapped her husband round the face.

"Don't talk to me like that Jack Fenton!" Jack was shocked by his wife's reaction. "I'll say this once and once only, you have an hour to pack. Get out of my house!" Maddie shrieked loudly, and pointed up the stairs.

"But…" he tried to say,
"OUT!!!"

The man knew there was no point in arguing, and trudged upstairs like a spoilt little child who was in trouble with his mother.

About two hours later, Jack returned down the stairs. "I'll be staying with my Mom if you need me… goodbye Maddie, I love you." Maddie didn't answer. She loved him in college, she loved him when they were married, and she loved him less than six months ago… Now she didn't seem to give a damn about him. Jack Fenton was gone.

He'd show her. He'd show her that her son wasn't her son anymore. He'd win back her heart.

Gwen heard a loud knock on her door and gulped. There's only one man on the planet that knocks like that, she slowly walked to the door and opened it.

"Hi mom!" Jack yelled, throwing his arms around the elderly woman. "I and Maddie have had some… difficulties… So I came to live with you again!" He said with a huge, cheesy grin across his face. Gwen smiled and looked up at her son, who was larger than her, and smiled sweetly.

"Very well son, follow me." She said, leading Jack up the stairs. The house was pretty much the same as it was when he was just a boy. The soft purple carpet with lilac flower-printed walls, various family photos and the pleasant aroma of lavender that always seemed to linger around the house – it was all still there, but of course with a few updates such as the pictures of Danny and Jazz. The man smiled when they reached the room he lived in as a kid, which obviously hadn't been tampered with since he left. His old toys still acted as ornaments around the room, his walls still had the same ghost pattern, along with the huge "ghost busters – I 'aint afraid of no ghosts!" poster stuck above his bed. He smiled and kissed Gwen on the cheek, before rushing into his room, setting his bags down, and looking around.

"Now Jack…" the man looked up at Gwen; her blue eyes stared back at him. "If you cause any damage to this house, or anything in it – that includes me and the dog – because of your silly ghost experiments, I will kick you out and you will never set foot in my house again. Do you understand?" She said sternly. It always frightened Jack when his mother spoke in this tone, so he simply agreed. He wasn't going to do any experimenting here, he was going after the ghost boy – who just so happened to be in Wisconsin; which fortunately for Jack, wasn't that far from his current location.

"Wait… dog?!" Jack bellowed, he loved dogs and had always wanted one. It had always been a great disappointment when he had discovered that Maddie despised the creatures. Just as he said this, a small dog ran into the room, happily wagging its tail. Jack reached down to pet the canine, and was horrified when the creature snapped at his hand.

"Meet Scrappy…" She began, "I'm sorry, he's never bitten anyone before. You know, people say that dogs have the ability to sense good nature in people…"

"Thank you mom, I think I'd like to get settled in now." Jack groaned, trying to get rid of Gwen and her rotten little dog.

Tomorrow; right now he needed rest. As for tomorrow would be a big day for him; tomorrow was to be the day he kidnapped and took down the ghost boy.