Chapter 1: Ghastly Return

******

It was just past seven 'o clock in the city of St. Canard, where children were eagerly awaiting the chance to go out and beg for candy from their neighbors. Today was Halloween and it was a very special day indeed. For the denizens of the Negaverse, this was the first Halloween they had been able to celebrate in nearly a decade.

Their evil overlord, Negaduck, had been vanquished thanks to the efforts of Darkwing Duck and the Friendly Four. The self proclaimed ruler of St. Canard had vanished months ago and there hadn't been a single sign of him since. With the citizens no longer living in fear of Negaduck, the Friendly Four helped to restore order to the city and it made a rapid recovery. Now, the people could enjoy simple pleasures like clean air, water, electricity, and enjoy their holidays without fear of retribution. The Friendly Four were certainly in the grateful hearts of the parents and children alike as they celebrated Halloween.

As for the four heroes of St. Canard, they had all spent their first Halloween in years by taking their two kids, Gosalyn Mallard and Tank Muddlefoot, trick or treating up and down their suburban neighborhood. The pair of kids had decided to go as Robin Hood and Maid Marian, while the four had naturally donned their Darkwing costumes. They had all returned home in the early evening, both kids with bulging bags of candy in tow. The only snag in the otherwise fun-filled evening occurred when the other three had figured out that Quackerjack had made Tank a real bow and arrow, not just a toy one like he had said he would. However, after arguing that nothing bad had happened because of it and that Tank was more than mature enough to have the bow, the subject was quickly dropped.

Eventually, all of them had retired to the master bedroom on the second floor of their small two-story home. It was the former home of their ultimate enemy, Negaduck, which they had worked together to renovate after his disappearance from the Negaverse. No one who entered it would have ever guessed that just months before there were holes in every wall, the furniture was in shambles, the pipes were bent and broken, the windows were smashed in and the roof had holes in it. No one that is, except for its former occupant, Gosalyn Mallard.

The sweet, red curly haired duckling was now happily living in the cozy renovated home with her four guardians, the Friendly Four and her best friend Tank Muddlefoot. Once Negaduck had disappeared, the Four had quickly rounded up Launchpad and the three evil Muddlefoots, locking them away in a high security prison. Though they were his family, Tank had never agreed with their support of Negaduck and he knew that he was as good as dead to them after helping Darkwing out anyway. Still, he was too young to be on his own just yet, so Gosalyn suggested that he should come live with her and the others. Tank had been a long time ally of the Four and they agreed with their daughter that he should stay with them. In fact, they had insisted on it.

Since then, the six of them had happily lived together in the small house that had once belonged to the dreaded overlord. Currently, all six of them could be found laying or sitting on the king sized bed in the darkened master bedroom, watching an old horror movie on the television. It was the standard haunted house movie with a standard horror movie plot. A small family had just moved into an old creepy house, only to find out that it was haunted. The storyline was being seen from the father's perspective, who was now entering a darkened hallway in the house by himself with nothing more to protect him then a baseball bat. It was about midway through the movie and the house was finally seriously trying to get rid of the family members, one way or another.

Megavolt was sitting on the right edge of the bed with Gosalyn and Tank close beside him watching the movie progress. Quackerjack was fidgeting where he sat on the left edge of the bed. It wasn't that he thought the movie was boring; it was more that he was never one who could sit still for very long. Behind him was Liquidator, who was lying down with his wet head resting on a pillow. His eyes were only half open and his posture made his disinterest in the film quite clear. Bushroot, on the other hand, was sitting on the bed behind Megavolt, with his arms curled tightly around his knees. The plant duck was rigid, not wanting to watch anymore, but not able to tear his eyes away either. He hated scary movies, but he didn't want the others to tease him for being a wimp. If he had torn his eyes from the screen for a moment, however, he would have noticed that he wasn't the only one who wasn't handling the movie very well.

The eerie music and darkened corridors were beginning to get to Gosalyn and she inched closer and closer to Tank as she continued to watch, getting more and more jumpy by the minute. Suddenly a door slammed on the television and Gosalyn yelped, throwing her arms around Tank's neck in fear. Tank, who had unfortunately just taken a big bite out a popcorn ball, choked and sputtered as Gosalyn buried her head in his chest and shivered. Alarmed, Megavolt put a gentle hand on his daughter's shoulder, while Quackerjack patted Tank on the back until he stopped coughing.

"Gosalyn, sweetheart, are you alright?"

Megavolt's caring, nasally voice made her look into his blue goggled eyes with her frightened green ones. She allowed him to pull her into a hug as she tried to compose herself.

"There, there, Gos, it's okay. It's just a movie. None of this is real and it can't hurt you."

"I know it's not," she whispered embarrassed at her childish behavior, "and I know I shouldn't be scared. I'm sorry."

"Hey, there's nothing to be ashamed of kiddo." Bushroot chimed in, his arm growing out so he could pat her on the back. "There are a lot of adults who get frightened by these films too."

"In fact, if you had just looked behind you, my dear, you would have witnessed one of those terrified adults in all their quivering glory." Quackerjack looked straight at the plant mutant as he said this with a teasing grin. His green friend stuck his tongue out in reply, a bit of sap rising in his cheeks.

"Advisory warnings suggest that perhaps this particular piece of cinema is not suitable for minors." Liquidator spoke up, turning the attention away from the embarrassed Bushroot and back to the manner at hand.

"I think maybe you're right." Megavolt concurred, letting go of the red haired duckling, searching for the remote.

"Oh, no, please don't turn it off!" Gosalyn pleaded guiltily, grabbing the electric rat's blue gloved hand. "I don't want to make everyone miss out because of me."

"That's sweet Gosalyn, but it really isn't any trouble. I think most of us have already seen this movie anyway."

"Really?" She asked in a low whisper, looking at every person on the bed in turn.

"I don't mind. I prefer comedies anyway." The jester replied, pulling out a paddle ball. He bounced it as quickly and noisily as he could to cover up the sounds coming from the television.

"Ten out of ten movie critics agree that this movie does nothing for the Liquidator." The watery dog replied with a yawn. "Besides, any local movie retail store could quickly satisfy his horror movie needs if so desired."

"I'm not disappointed, believe me." The mutant scientist said, casting a warning glare at the clown across from him as he opened his large bill to add in a sarcastic remark.

"What about you Tank?" Gosalyn turned to her friend, the only person who hadn't spoken yet.

"I'm pretty tired anyway." The intelligent duckling informed her with a shrug. "Besides, everybody knows that movies like these rot your brains."

"Oh please, like you don't have any brain cells to spare." Quackerjack cut in, playfully ruffling the thick, tidy brown hair. Tank gave a grunt of protest at the treatment as Megavolt smiled at his friend's antics. He finally located the remote and turned off the television.

"I think maybe it's time for you two to get ready for bed." The electric rat informed them in his best parental tone. The pair of children nodded, never ones to argue, and started moving towards the bathroom. Tank walked into the dark hallway without a second thought, but Gosalyn hesitated, the scenes of the man walking by himself in a haunted corridor still fresh in her mind. She looked up as Megavolt placed a comforting arm on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll go with you. We both know I've got enough electricity running through my blood to light an entire city." He ended with a wink and his daughter gave him a small smile in return.

"And make sure to brush your teeth really well!" Bushroot said with a stern nod of his head. "You know what all that sugar can do to your teeth. You have a pretty smile and I don't want you to get any cavities."

"Thank you, Bushroot. I will." She gave him a small curtsy before taking the outstretched hand of her electric guardian and walking down the hall. As soon as they were gone, the teasing grin returned to the clown's face as he turned to the plant duck.

"Gee, Bushy, you sound like a public service announcement." Quackerjack remarked with a giggle as he continued his game of paddleball. "Everyone knows how much dentists exaggerate about these things."

"This coming from a duck with false teeth." His green friend retorted with an eye roll.

The liquid dog began chuckling after the curt reply and the grin quickly disappeared from the jester's beak, replaced by a sour countenance.

"At least I don't have to brush anymore."

"Eight out of ten analysts agree that Quackerjack needs to know when he's beaten." Liquidator sat up and waved a finger back and forth in a tut-tut fashion as he spoke. "Sources rightfully claim that small consolation statements will only hurt his chances of winning the debate and not help it."

"You always side with Bushy." The toymaker pouted childishly as he finally lost his paddleball game. "I'm your friend too, you know."

"You started it." Bushroot told him, folding his arms primly. "And you've been teasing me all evening."

"Oh come on, you know I don't mean anything by it." Abruptly, Quackerjack somersaulted backwards on the bed, sitting up right in between the pair of mutants. He threw his arms around both of them in a spontaneous gesture of fondness.

"We've all been through a lot together. I may tease you sometimes, but you both mean a lot to me. You know that."

It was unusual for the jester to speak in such a subdued manner and after exchanging bemused glances, the other two returned the embrace of their friend.

"Perhaps it is time we all follow our doctor's recommendation and get a good night sleep." Liquidator suggested as the three broke apart and the eccentric duck somersaulted back to his spot at the corner of the bed. "Any eye witness would concur that we've all had a busy day."

"I also think we should all sleep here tonight." Bushroot put in with a nod. "I think Gosalyn will feel better if we're nearby her tonight, especially if she has a bad dream."

The other two nodded and made themselves comfortable on the bed. Tank came in a few minutes later and lay down in the middle of the bed. Completely at ease in the company of their loved ones, the quartet soon fell into peaceful slumber.

******

Gosalyn dutifully brushed her teeth as Megavolt waited for her in the hallway. He had said a quick "good night" as Tank, who was still dressed in his Robin Hood costume, had passed him by and then started whistling to pass the time.

"Hey, Megavolt?"

The quiet voice made him glance down towards the door and see his daughter standing there hesitantly, looking adorable in her pink Maid Marian outfit that she worn for Halloween.

"Yes, what is it?"

"It's just, well, can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"How does that movie end?"

The electric rat studied her for a minute, debating whether or not he should tell her after how scared she'd been just moments before.

"I want to know." She said fervently, taking a good guess as to why he was hesitating in answering her. "Please?"

"Okay," he gave in with a sigh. "Basically, the father character decides the house is too dangerous to stay in and tries to get his family out of there. The house toys with him, allowing him to get close enough to his kid's and wife just before it makes them disappear. While this is happening, he keeps seeing a shifting white shape that resembles a portrait painted of an old woman that he'd found in the house when he'd moved in. Finally, he realizes that the vengeful spirit is connected to the portrait and when he destroys it everything goes back to normal."

"So, everyone ends up being okay?" Gosalyn asked looking very relieved indeed.

"Yes, once the painting was destroyed, the ghost's ties to this world were gone. Everything it did was undone and the family moved out as soon as possible, burned down the old house and lived happily ever after. Does that make you feel better?"

"Yes!" The curly haired duckling replied with a happy smile. She took his hand as they began walking back towards the master bedroom. "Thank you for telling me the ending."

"You're welcome. But still, if you want to stay with me tonight, you're more than welcome to."

Before she answered, they peeked in through the door and Megavolt smiled at the sight of the other four residents of the house fast asleep on his bed.

Looks like we all had the same idea. It seems like I can always count on them to be on the same page as me.

"Well, if it's not too much trouble…" She trailed off, being polite and feeling a little guilty that the electric rat's bed had been taken over for the evening.

"Of course not." He reassured her with a pat on the head as she resumed her place next to Tank.

Smiling at one of her parents, she slowly stretched out on the bed with a yawn.

"Good night Megavolt." Gosalyn whispered as she closed her eyes and went instantly to sleep.

"Good night Gos." He whispered back softly, glad that his daughter didn't seem to have any trouble going to sleep.

Stroking her curly red hair gently with his gloved hand, he thought back to how nervous the four of them had been to becoming her guardians. It wasn't that they thought she was going to be any trouble – far from it – it was more that none of them really had any experience with children, let alone raising one. Their lives for the last few years had been about nothing but fighting and struggling against Negaduck. That was a full time job and it certainly left no time for any other endeavors.

In spite of this, however, the four of them worked together to raise her and after a while all of their uneasiness on the matter disappeared. As a matter of fact, Megavolt had been surprised at how well their different personalities and skills had complimented each other.

Each of them performed separate duties and roles around the house. Megavolt was in charge of fixing any electrical/mechanical problems and was normally the one driving the kids around. He made sure that everything was working properly, that they had all the supplies they needed and (with a little help from Liquidator) that all the bills were paid.

Quackerjack, not to anyone's surprise, was the constant playmate for Gosalyn and Tank. With his toy factory up and running again, he had an endless supply of games that he could entertain the kids with. He had more than enough energy to keep up with the two kids, a fact that the other three appreciated when they were worn out.

Bushroot was the one who made sure that the house stayed clean and that everyone was well fed. He was the only one of them who could cook and with his knowledge of plants and nutrients; he made sure that everyone got a decent, healthy meal. It had been very out of character for him tonight to make candy apples, cookies and other sweets for everyone since normally he detested letting the kids have anything that was sugary and unhealthy. Truthfully, he was the most maternal person out of the four of them.

Liquidator was in charge keeping track of allowances and that the kids had earned them. He made sure that both Gosalyn and Tank learned the value of frugality and how to make their money last longer. When he wasn't doing finances, he also joined Quackerjack in playing some games with the two kids. Not surprisingly, the Liquidator was an expert at any board game or card game involving money, which he won every single time, much to the displeasure of the jester.

Looking at each of them in turn, he was proud of how they had come and how much he enjoyed living in their small home. Glancing back down at the two sleeping kids again, he also thought about how proud he was of how grown up and mature they both were.

"What are you thinking about, Megs?"

The question startled him since he thought that all of his friends were asleep. Quackerjack rested his beady eyes on the leader of the Fearsome Four, studying him for any signs of misgivings.

"Oh, I guess I was just thinking…"He trailed off, clearly struggling for how to phrase this sentence.

"Yes?"

"Well," He choked off again for a second, before sheepishly meeting his friend's eyes. "I was just thinking that everything I love is lying on this bed."

Blinking in surprise for a minute, a warm, understanding smile spread across the toymaker's bill. It was very unlike his electric friend to be so sentimental, but then he remembered his own unusual sentimental gesture earlier that evening. They had all been through a lot together, but they had persevered and now they could enjoy the simple things like celebrating Halloween. Days like this always reminded them of the bad times and made them grateful for what they had.

"I'm sure everyone here feels the same way."

A moment of peaceful silence passed between the pair as they looked at all the sleeping occupants of the bed. Stretching for a minute, Megavolt finally lay down on the bed making himself comfortable and putting an arm around Gosalyn as Quackerjack closed his eyes.

"Good night Megavolt. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night."

******

The peaceful sleep of Gosalyn Mallard only lasted for about an hour before she woke up again, feeling a chill running up her spine. The whole room was unusually cold and she hadn't been sleeping underneath the covers. Shivering, she was about to get up to find a blanket to put over herself when she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye.

Rubbing her eyes, she turned herself towards the source of the motion and sat straight up as a dark pool began moving across the floor. It stopped in front of the bed and lay still for a moment. The curly haired duckling drew her legs up to her chest as she watched the pool ripple and then come to life. It rose upward slowly until it began to flesh out into the form of a short duck with slanted red eyes. The glowing red eyes met hers for a split second before she let out a terrified scream.

Startled, the Friendly Four and Tank all stirred and looked for the source of the cry.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" Megavolt asked, being closest and recovering first. "Did you have a bad dream?"

Puzzled when he received no reply, he followed her gaze and immediately sat bolt upright at the sight before him. The other members of the Friendly Four did the same, their eyes widening as they stiffened in shock.

"Negaduck?!" The four said in unison staring terrified at the apparition before them.

Gosalyn's fear was replaced by shock as it finally dawned on her that this was her former father and ruler of the Negaverse. Or at least, it was his shadow. The red eyes were overcast by the familiar fedora hat that he always wore accompanied by his signature sinister grin. His body was draped in the same costume he had worn day in and day out until he had disappeared. In his right hand, the young girl recognized his favorite weapon: his chainsaw. Only this time, it seemed to glow red with tiny spits of flame decorating the edges of the blade. His entire body was see-through and there was some type of energy, almost like a blue electrical current was running through it.

"Well, well, I'm glad to see you all remember me." They recognized the deep evil voice that spoke to them as Negaduck's, although it sounded slightly distorted. There was an echo after his last word, making it seem like he was speaking to them from somewhere far away.

"What do you want?" Bushroot demanded in a firm voice, his blue eyes never leaving the shadowy figure before them.

"I've come," he replied in a low, deadly whisper, "to take back what is rightfully mine!"

Without warning, he stuck out his left hand and hit all of the members of the Friendly Four square in the chest with a small electric shock. The attack surprised them, but not as much as watching their own shadows come to life, slide away from them, and head towards the former overlord of the Negaverse. The shadows split up and formed mirror images of the Friendly Four, two flanking each side. All four of the apparitions had glowing red eyes and twisted smiles on their faces.

"I'll start by taking back my house!" Negaduck raised his chainsaw for effect, making sure that all of them could see its fiery blades. "It's time I paid you all back for defying me."

******

Author's note: Alright, I got through the first chapter. I'm planning to have the main story done on Halloween, so be looking for updates in the near future. I've never really written anything in the horror genre before, so this is all quite new to me. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!