Ghostbusters: A Different Adventure

Chapters

Prologue: A Rift Between Worlds
Chapter 1: Hotel Haunters
Chapter 2: Bellhop Boos and Cooking Clownery
Chapter 3: Trial by Water
Chapter 4: Panic in the Streets!
Chapter 5: Sweet and Present Danger
Interlude: New Developments, Old Problems
Chapter 6: Silence is Golden
Skipping forward - Museum Madness (working title- slightly edited)

Prologue: A Rift Between Worlds

Prologue

It was some time after their second time saving the world. Egon Spengler, Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddamore and Peter Venkman decided to take some down-time. But something changed that! A portal suddenly opening up in the middle of the rec-room of their workplace!

“Ray? What's going on?” Peter asked, worriedly.

“Looks like a cross-dimensional portal! Level 8 at least!” came the reply, having to shout over the anomaly taking place.

“So... what do we do?” Winston asked.

“I don't know! This is kind of a first for us!” Ray returned.

“My suggestion?” Egon put in, “TAKE COVER!”

“Good suggestion!” the other three said in unison, each hiding behind something heavy.

With a flash of purple energy, the portal dissipated.

“Now what was THAT?” Winston asked.

“Looks like a completely new kind of energy, far different than anything we've experienced before.” Egon replied, taking readings on the area. “Looks like a level 6, but since this is, much like I said, a far cry from PKE, I can't be entirely certain.”

“Uh... guys?” Winston called for the attention of the others, “There's something here.”

On the floor was a basket with a silk-wrapped bundle.

“This one's a level 4 on its own! Amazing!” said Ray, taking a reading. It may not be perfectly accurate... But it was better than nothing.

Inside the basket was a sleeping purple foal, snoring quietly, oblivious to what had occurred.

“Aww! Isn't she cute?” Peter said, taking the foal from the basket.

“Careful, Peter! Who knows what might happen?” Egon warned.

The foal, for her part, yawned cutely and turned over, still asleep.

“We got a crib around? We need to put her somewhere.” Peter asked.

“We.... might.” Winston said, scratching his chin. “Let me check.” he added, sliding down the long pole they had as an express route of sorts, moving to check the basement.

Just then, the foal woke up, babbling at them.

“I wonder what her name is?” Ray said aloud.

“Vesperum Lux!” she replied.

“A smart one, considering that she can't be more than 10 months old.” Egon noted.

“What'd she say?” Ray asked.

"That was Latin for evening light, so..."

The little baby looked around and then brought out a hoof and pointed to a picture they happened to have of a sun setting and a moon rising at the same time.

“Evening light... Oh! Twilight!” Peter said, much to the little one's delight.

“She appears to be equine in shape, but her DNA doesn't match any earthly creature known to us yet.”

“Egon.” Peter said, deadpan, “She just came through a cross-dimensional portal. I think we've established that.”

“Do you know where your parents are, little one?” Ray asked.

“Ray, i don't think she has-”

'Twilight' thought for a second or two, frowning, before saying “Non memini” Then her eyes widened. "Et vos eritis mihi in parentes?"

“That's latin for "I don't remember" and "Will you be my parents?" I believe she's imprinted on us. Basically.” Egon stated.

“Well, that's just great. I don't know anything about child care!” Peter said, exasperated.

“Neither me. We'll have to wing it somewhat, i guess.” Ray said.

Just then Winston came up carrying a small crib.

“Haha! Found it!” he said, putting it on the floor. “Beyond this, it should be much like caring for any other baby.” he said, unwrapping her so they could put her more comfortably into the crib.

"We have one of those... Why?" Peter queried, as an aside.

As the cool air brushed over Twilight, she shivered, her wings extending and, the blanket no longer there, her horn on full display. “Brrrr. Nunc ego Im frigus.” she said.

“Of course, I could be wrong!” Winston said, grimacing. "What'd she say, anyway?"

"She says that she's cold." Egon translated curtly.

"Oh." Winston said, returning the blanket to Twilight.

Just then, Janine came through the door.

“Hello! Anybody in... here?” She laid eyes on Twilight and immediately spuealed loudly, dashing over to hug the surprised Pony.

“Janine? JANINE!” Peter called out to get her attention.

“What?” she replied.

“She's just a babe. I think she needs her oxygen?”

Sure enough, Twilight was lightly tapping Janine's shoulder, mouthing "Aer! Aer!"

“Oh! Right! Sorry.” she quickly apologized, putting down the spluttering foal, who glared at Janine, annoyed.

“Well, gang. Looks like another screwed up day at the office.” Ray commented.

“And many more to come.” Egon affirmed.

Feeding Twilight was a conundrum at first, so they just gave her a little of everything. They found that she had a preference to the fruits and vegetables, some dairy products too, though she would also eat a bit of the meat and some sweets they proffered as well. When presented with Mexican food, she either was hesitant or outright evasive, so they decided not to go that route more than once.

When she learned to speak English, she started to call them different names, to tell them apart. She started calling Ray "Dad", Egon "Father", Winston "Uncle" -or some form thereof- and Peter "Pops". They thought up various nicknames for her and used them whenever they felt like it.

Over the next couple of years, little Twilight learned much from the crew. She learned about secretary work from Janine, learned about paranormal activity from Ray, watched TV with Peter or just played some games with Winston.

She also learned a lot of science related things with Egon, who discovered that she was practically a sponge for knowledge, learning how to fluently speak English by the time she was 1 & 1/2 years old! Not to mention having read through the crew's entire collection of books. (Except for a select few that she seemed rightly wary of.)

And by the time she was 4 years old, she was nearly as intelligent as Ray and Winston combined, with an IQ of 250, when tested! Only Egon was more so, though he declined to relate what his actual IQ was.

A few years later, they were practically on par with each other, Twilight often aiding Egon in his experiments. After a time they decided to call her Twilight Spengler Sparkle, as she more synced with the personality of Egon that any of the others.

Occasionally the guys would leave to take care of a problem, leaving Janine in charge of Twilight. Janine was okay with this, because it meant that she got to spend some “girl time” with the purple Pony, who was also good for business, customers feeling more relaxed after petting her.

After a particularly nasty mission, they brought home Slimer, a more or less benign spirit who was eager to meet Twilight as well. It served as an experiment as well, though after their first meeting Twilight was cautious around it.

Then she started to come into her powers, at first learning how to levitate objects many times her weight, teleport, generate fire or ice, turn her magic into objects (she learned that from a comic she read around that time) and more! Though she still "tried" not to be a burden on her adoptive parents. She even learned how to walk on two legs when she had to, to better aid them.

Then, by the time she was eight, they figured that it might be time for “Take your daughter to work” day.

“Alright, for today we'll start at 50% capacity.” Egon said. “That should keep any burning or tissue damage to a minimum.” he added.

“Great. Danger is our lives.” Ray deadpanned.

“Oh, hey! There's our girl!” Peter said as Twilight came up the stairs, having just had breakfast.

They got Twilight into a customized version of their typical outfit, sized for her.

"Lookin' good Sparks." Peter said, using one of his nicknames for her.

Suddenly a pulse of energy swept through the room, staggering the group.

“What was that?!” Egon exclaimed.

“Ray?” Peter queried.

“Looks like a pulse of psi energy; a wave of Necromantic energy. Powerful enough that we could see it. Substantial, too! Level 7 or more!”

Janine put in, “I probably don't want to know this, but i'm going to ask anyway. Is a level 7... whatever... bad or... VERY bad?”

“Well, on a scale of 1 to 10-” Egon started before being interrupted by Peter,

“Let me guess.” he said, Twilight joining in, “It's a 7.”

“Let's just say that we're about to get really busy.” Egon finished.

Suddenly there was a sound of glass shattering and Slimer escaped from the space he was contained in.

“Hey! Slimer's escaped!” Ray exclaimed in warning.

“No. Wait. Come back.” Peter said sarcastically.

Twilight literally flew down the staircase and rounded the corner, following Ray and Egon down the stairs to the basement. There they saw Slimer looking at their containment unit.

“He's been obsessed with it ever since Egon added the viewer to that.” Ray explained to Twilight.

“Now, you know what to do. Try to get the proton stream on him.”

Shifting to a two-legged stance, Twilight raised the Neutrona Wand toward Slimer and fired.

Slimer, of course, was aware of their presence and moved at the last moment, causing the blast to hit the containment unit instead!

“Oh no! Not the containment grid! That's some sensitive equipment you're disintegrating, kid!” Ray said.

Twilight flinched at the reprimand.

Just then a ghost escaped from the unit.

“Uh oh! You let one out!” Ray said.

“That's my fault.” Egon said. “I was doing some calibrations earlier. At least we know to reinforce the unit in the future. You two go after Slimer and that other one. I'll have this up and running again by then.”

As the two of them continued on, Ray, feeling that he had been a bit harsh, said, “Oh, by the way, the containment unit? Don't sweat it, kid. It wasn't your fault.”

Twilight beamed at this.

"Anyway, taking the proper precautions, Slimer's more or less harmless. The other guy? Not so sure. Still up for it, Sparks?"

"You know it, Dad!" Twilight beamed, raising the wand of her pack.

The two continued to the sub-basement, where they spotted Slimer.

“Alright, Twi. Remember: we break the process into three steps. You remember them?”

“Mhm.” Twilight said, nodding. “Sap, Cap and Trap.”

“That's right. All ghosts are made by a buildup of PKE, as you know. We need to disperse that.”

Twilight nodded and rose to two legs again, firing off the proton stream.

“Nice going, Twilight!” Ray said, firing his own.

Slimer tried to escape the stream, but at first wasn't able to, Eventually, though, he managed to slip through a nearby wall.

“Uh oh! We lost Slimer!” Ray stated.

Then the other ghost came up, laughing maniacally.

“Let's try this again, kid!” Ray coaxed Twilight.

“Right!” she replied, firing again.

This ghost was significantly harder to wrangle than Slimer was. At one point, it even tried to attack them physically. Twilight leaped and flipped 360 degrees before landing back on two legs, wobbling slightly before resuming the attack. A moment later, the proton pack enabled the Capture Stream.

“Nice! We got him winded. Keep him that way until the slam meter you'll notice charges. The higher the charge, the more damage it'll do, so keep that in mind! Then, slam him around to make him dizzy!”

As they did so and drained the ghost's PK Energy, Ray threw out a trap, allowing them to capture it, Ray turning his off part way, long enough to let Twilight go the rest of the way.

"Nice job, kid!"

Ray's PKE meter buzzed. When he picked it up, it turned out that Egon was on the line.

“Did you catch them?”

Turning to Twilight, Ray said, "The PKE meter will also act as a communications device." then returned to Egon.

“We're batting .500. Twi bagged her first one, though. REALLY nasty customer.” Then he turned to Twilight again. “By the way, always remember to retrieve your trap. And also, on crossing the streams. In a word: Don't.”

“Seriously.”

Egon added.

“It can really sting, too.” Ray added.

"Hmm..." Twilight thought to herself.

Slightly Later

"Hey, why does Twily get to carry new equipment?" Peter asked.

"Two reasons." Egon said. "One: her unique physiology won't allow her to carry one of our regular packs, so it just felt right to modify the design somewhat anyway." he looked up at Peter. "Secondly: she's something of an... Experimental Equipment Technician."

"She gets a cool title, too?!" Peter asked, a touch louder than necessary.

"It means" Ray cut in, "that she's carrying around a bunch of -albeit tamer- sensitive equipment that, if handled poorly, could launch her into New Jersey."

"Our eight year old daughter gets to carry stuff that if handled wrong could blow her into New Jersey." Peter snarked. "Keep the title, kid; It'll work hard for you."

A few minutes later, Ecto 1B was prepared to go.

“Where do you think the little spud will go, Ray?” Peter asked.

“The Sedgewick Hotel. That's where we first found him.” Ray replied.

“Right. His original manifestation point.” Egon affirmed.

“They have a nice buffet, there.” Ray added as an aside.

“It is a GREAT one. Tell Winston that after he's done, we'll be at our... usual table.” Peter put in.

“Training's on the job, this time.” Egon said to Twilight. “Let's go.”

Chapter 1: Hotel Haunters

As they went in, the manager of the Sedgewick hotel strode up to them, angrily. “That disgusting green..... THING has returned! I demand a full refund!”

Peter calmly said, “Sir, if you just checked the fine print on our invoice-”

“Invoices.” Ray corrected.

Peter rolled his eyes, but continued, “Right, invoices,” with a bit of a chuckle, “you'll see that your warranty on re-hauntings expired LONG ago. You should have taken the extended service agreement.”

At this, the manager deflated, but let them pass, reluctantly.

“There are some interesting PKE spikes, here.” Egon said, thinking aloud. “The readings don't seem to be exclusive to the 12th floor. You three go on up and capture Slimer. I want to take a look around.”

“Right.” the other three said in unison.

As Peter went to press the call button, the door opened and a woman dressed in black stepped out.

“Oh. Hello there, miss. You're perfectly safe now that we've arrived.” he said.

She replied dismissively, “Back off, loser; NEVER gonna happen.”

All three snickered as she left. Peter looked to Twilight, “That approach rarely works with me. Show you why later.”

As Ray, Peter and Twilight were in the rising elevator, Peter said, “Mr. Stantz, if you'd do the honours?”

“Proud to, Dr. Venkman.” Ray replied, switching on the proton packs.

"Part of our settlement with the city: proton packs must remain off in heavily populated public areas." Ray explained.

"And in close quarters. It minimizes the city's liabilities and satisfies the restraining order the maid here had put on us." Peter added.

“You had a restraining order put on you?” Twilight queried, cocking her head slightly to one side.

“Yeah, you throw a stream of highly-charged particles at someone and they get all sue happy.” Peter said, exiting the elevator.

Just then they noticed something coming around the corner.

“THERE HE IS!” Peter exclaimed, firing.

One scream later and the sound of a door slamming shut, the three facepalmed/hoofed and moved on.

“Nice. Now we've got another plaintiff.” Peter said, wincing.

“Ever hear of the concept “Whites of their eyes”, pops?” Twilight remarked.

“Sure, muffin. Laugh at my misfortune, whydon'tcha.” Peter snarked back.

As they moved on, they saw a dresser with a green aura go by. “Oh! Contact! He's close!”

Sure enough, Slimer was nearby, gorging on wine on a service cart.

THE HUNGER....

Twilight blinked. "Did you say something, Dad?" she asked Ray.

Ray raised an eyebrow "Uh... no. Why?"

"I could have sworn I heard someone say that they were really hungry."

Ray and Peter exchanged a look and then looked to Twilight, worriedly.

“We'll talk about this later. Egon will likely want to know this. He'll know more than we will." Then he returned to the task at hand. "Alright... showtime. We wear him out, then we capture him. That's what your proton stream is for, after all."

But when they fired, Slimer quickly floated off, tearing down the nearby corridor.

Must... Escape!

"There it is again..." Twilight muttered.

Not hearing what Twilight said, and being caught up in the moment, Ray commented enthusiastically, "You've got him on the run! C'mon, let's go! Peter?"

“Nah. I've seen this one. I know how it ends. I'll just... guard the elevators and escort any ladies to safety.” Peter said, moving to do just that.

Ray and Twilight shared a glance and rolled their eyes.

“Yeah, okay.” Ray deadpanned as he and Twilight moved forward.

They chased after Slimer, who phased through the next wall, leaving a slimy residue behind.

“This might be a good time to explain to you about the PKE meter and the Paragoggles; Your meter will flash and buzz when it detects a potential signal. The Paragoggles are linked directly to your active PKE Meter. This lets you see otherwise undetectable phenomena, while you track it. Ghost trails, object auras, all kinds of cool stuff!

“Now, when you get close to an anomaly, the antennae on your meter will begin to rise, which means you're headed in the right direction. When it's flat, you're following a cold trail. This is also indicated by the bars you see on it. Now, just take a scan.”

Twilight ensured that her shot was perfect and took it, immediately adding a new entry to her PKE meter's database. "Got it!" she said.

“Simple as that. Way to go, kid! Remember: Red signifies a hidden ghost. Green indicates an environmental paranormal anomaly. Blue means an active sample.”

“I'll remember that, dad.” Twilight said, smiling.

They kept moving forward, their meters suddenly turning red. “We have a reading! Now, just to follow it.”

They followed the trail to a planter where Slimer was assuredly hiding. Ray blasted the planter, releasing Slimer from its remains. Again they tried to catch it, but it was still too quick. But, Twilight did get its entry into the database, so it wasn't a total loss.

They gave chase down the hall, the meters suddenly going blue. They moved through the halls, and saw a vandalized set of vending machines.

"Phew! Whoa! He's definitely been here.” Ray said as Twilight scanned the samples left behind.

“This is a good example of what I mean." Ray explained, "An 'active sample', like this, is something you can collect, like a cursed artifact. We get paid extra for everything we scan and collect. Then we roll it back into Research and Development. The extra funds let us experiment with new equipment and offensive technologies. Which, in turn, you get to wear on your back to test. This makes us able to capture ghost more easily and... so forth(1). Remember, if you need to, you can always review techniques, tutorials, and equipment specs in your online Ghostbusters Field Manual. It's all accessible from your PKE Meter."

“I got it, dad.” Twilight replied, nodding.

Then the com units came on as Peter radioed Ray.

"Ray! I don't... feel good!"

"Peter? Come in! You okay?"

Then Peter's icon appeared on their displays, the word "Medic!" below it.

“Uh-oh. Man down! We've got a man down! Go, go, go!"

They rushed to the rescue and found Peter, on the floor, pack sparking and with slime stains on his shirt.

“He's been slimed! Again! Hustle over here and help him up, will you, Twilight?"

As Twilight helped him up, using a water spell to wash off some of the slime, Peter bemoaned, “How did this even happen? I was covering the elevators!"

Twilight asked, “Did you have your Neutrona Wand sheathed at the time, pops?”

“Yeah. So?” Peter replied.

“It might have decided that dad and I posed too much of a threat to it and dashed off. Since you were the closest unarmed entity, it targeted you. Slimer does have a high propensity for mischief, after all.”

“Oh!” Said Peter, surprised.

Ray nodded at Twilight approvingly. "When one of us goes down, we always help each other out. It's all about teamwork."

Peter replied, annoyed, "Oh, no, my friend. That was back in the pre-sliming era. Right now, it's all about payback!"

Egon came up on the radio.

"You three need to get down here immediately. Our live-in science experiment is tearing apart the lobby, and he's not alone."

Ray was confused. "More ghosts? But we gave this hotel a clean bill of health five years ago."

Egon replied,

"New people die every day.”

“Call the elevator, Junior.” Ray said, making a go-ahead motion.

Twilight pushed the call button and when the elevator came, they went inside.

Author's Note

Chapter 2: Bellhop Boos and Cooking Clownery

They got out of the elevator -with a little effort on Twilight's part, who had to manifest her magic as a crowbar to open the door.

In the sitting room were Slimer and two new ghosts, which a quick scan proved to be

Bellhop Ghosts

Immediately, they all opened fire on the ghosts, attempting to do as little damage to the environs as possible - with limited success.

As they continued, Slimer broke off from the others. Ray said "Never mind the Onionhead for now. The ghosts with the red caps are fighting hard to hold stasis!"

Peter snarked again, "Come on! He's a New York bellhop! Just tip him, will ya?"

At length, the last Bellhop Ghost was trapped.

“That convulsive PK Shockwave really stirred up the nest. Man, this lobby is so wrecked!" Ray thought aloud.

Egon put in, "Can we please call Winston and tell him his night off has officially ended?"

More ghosts arrived shortly.

Ray warned, "More of them!"

But immediately after, Slimer fled the lobby, as did the Bellhop Ghosts.

Ray said, "They've split up!"

Egon commanded, "Peter, follow me! The others are floating upstairs. “

Peter spluttered, “But Slimer... he-”

“Twilight, you and Ray can pull our airy adversary/“friend” into a trap as fast as you can. There's a massive bulge in these spikes. That indicates that this isn't just some routine clearing job."

Peter muttered to himself, "He gets so bossy when he hasn't had his nap."

“What was that, Peter?” Egon asked.

Peter was quick to say, “Nothin'! Nothin'.” Turning to Ray and Twilight he said, “Give him one or two for me, 'kay pumpkin?” he said, with an offhanded salute.

Twilight's only response was a nod.

Ray and Twilight

Hey now... is that honey glazed ham?” Ray queried, sniffing the air.

“Prime rib, too, i think.” Twilight said, sniffing as well. While she didn't typically eat much meat, she couldn't deny that it did smell inviting.

Walking a little further they came to a closed door, the smell of food exuding from the other side. “There. The Alhambra Ballroom. No way he could pass that up." Ray said.

The hotel manager, (John O'Keefe, by name, Twilight found out) said, "Absolutely not! You can't go in. The Rodriguez Bar Mitzvah is set to start in half an hour!"

Peter communicated,

"I'll bet the beef brisket is today's special."

"...and you've done quite enough already. I'm sure the... thing... will just go away."

They heard sounds from the ballroom.

Twilight and Ray tilted their heads and raised an eyebrow in unison.

"I... I'm willing to risk it! You're not going in there!"

Ray nodded, "That's all we needed to hear. Alright, we're out! Service has been declined beyond this point."

Egon communicated,

"Sounds like the Alhambra's off limits."

Peter put in,

"Oh, no, no, no. The shnutz you say. Nobody slimes Pete Venkman twice and gets away with it. There's a back way in there, through the kitchen."

Egon warned,

"Peter? Do you remember the Ellis Island incident?"

"Nobody can prove that was my fault!"

Reaching the aforementioned doorway, Ray said, "You probably didn't bring an apron, but we're gonna take a little shortcut, I guess. According to Peter, The Alhambra should be right through... here.”

After a short distance, Ray said, ”Okay, Sparks, you're on point for a while."

A little ways forward they discovered a black and orange tar-like substance.

“Alright, don't touch the slime, kid. It's extremely dangerous. We might have to deal with that another day, though."

Twilight scanned the Black Slimejust in case.

As they proceeded, a cupboard full of dishes nearly fell and blocked the path, but Twilight's quick thinking (and levitation) got it back into place before anything else broke.

They opted to go the other way, just in case.

As they went that way, the stoves started up. “Nothing to worry about. Most kitchens have self starting pilot lights.” Ray joked.

“Intruders? Or maybe just.... dinner guests?” Twilight heard.

“Did you say something, dad?” Twilight asked, beginning to feel spooked.

Ray said, “No, why do you-” he turned back, but then cautioned, “Whoa! Heads up, kid!"

A large ghost flew past (a quick scan by Twilight revealed him to be Chef Sargossa) and to the other side of the kitchen, ringing a dinner bell.

"Come and get it!"

Ray said cautiously, “Don't be hasty, now!”

Sure enough, several fish-like ghosts began coming out of the woodwork, as Twilight quickly scanned them.

Ray was more ground-bound while Twilight was free to use the full three dimensions of the kitchen due to her smaller size. Between the two, the fishy frights were fricasseed fairly fast.

“Next time, maybe you'll stay for dinner. Hahahaha!” Twilight heard.

“Dad?” she queried, intending to tell Ray something.

“I'm okay kid, the worst of that is over, seems like. Come on, let's go.”

They came upon a piece of furniture that had been blocking the door. “Alright, Sparks, check this out. To move objects like this, you can use the other half of the Proton Wand; the Capture Stream.”

With the two of them using their Capture Streams in just such a way, the object was removed, and Twilight set it upright.

“That's all there is to it. Usually one just throws this junk anywhere. We don't stick around to clean up.”

Stepping through the next doorway, the inviting smells came back.

“You know, I thought he said 'Rodriguez Bar Mitzvah.'" Ray commented.

Slimer was easy to spot as he floated over to a cake and started eating it.

“The hunger... if only i knew what would stop it...”

“Dad? I've been meaning to tell you...“ Twilight began

“Yeah, kid?” looking back to Slimer, Ray said, "Would it kill him to mix in a salad once in a while?”

Twilight smiled “He's already dead, so i doubt it.”

“True.”

“Dad...” Twilight began again, “I think i can hear what ghosts are saying.”

Ray twisted back to Twilight. “What? Really?”

“Really. I heard the bellhop ghosts, Chef Sargossa in the kitchen and Slimer is complaining about his endless hunger right now.”

Slimer, hearing this, turned to them. “You know NOTHING of my hunger! The agony I've been through!”

“Then tell me!” Twilight requested.

“Long ago i lived in a place far away. The people were simple, as was everything, but the food was delicious. There was only one dish that could truly quench my hunger, that would satisfy me.... But now, in this afterlife.... I've forgotten what it is!”

“Do you remember what it was like?” Twilight said, invested in this now.

“It could be eaten dry or as a soup. It could be spiced with many different things. There was no right way to make it. It was juicy and flavourful....”

“Ramen.” Twilight guessed.

“What?” Slimer queried, floating closer to the floor.

“Chinese noodles. Dry or wet, as soup or in stir-fry, can be spiced with many flavours.... it fits your description to a T!”

“I think.... Yes! That might be it! If only I could have a bowl or two of that.... i could move on!”

“You're in luck!” Twilight said. “I've had it several times and memorized a spell for it.” With that she grabbed a bowl with her magic and concentrated. Moments later there was soup in the bowl and Slimer began devouring it.

“It's delicious!” Slimer commented, wiping his eyes of ethereal tears.

At length, a few refills later, he finished. “Thank you, miss Twilight. I feel fine now. I shall darken this garden no more.” Slimer said as he disappeared. “Thank you all... for everything.”

Ray was looking curiously at his adoptive daughter. “Okay, kid, fill me in.”

Twilight explained, “Slimer was cursed with eternal hunger until he found one thing that could satisfy him. With that done, he... moved on.”

Looking around, Ray said, “Perhaps a place setting disturbed. Still pretty much ready for the Rodriguez family."

The hotel manager ran in.

"The Alhambra Ballroom! The Bar Mitzvah!"

“Everything is fine sir. Nothing broken.” Ray reassured him.

“Actually, that might be the LEAST of your problems.” Twilight said, bringing attention to herself for the first time, “Did you check to see if all of this food is actually kosher?”

“Uh....” the manager said, the enchantment that Twilight had been using dispelled by drawing attention to herself.

“I'll take that as a no.” Twilight said. “You can't have things like honey glazed ham and prime rib for a party of Jewish people! Pork is especially a no-no, as i understand; It can't be kosher by its very nature; no matter how or how much you cut or cook it! It's against their culture. Don't you know that?”

“Oh no! The Bar Mitzvah! What will I do?!”

“Oh, that's easy. You put the non-kosher products aside and we'll take it as part of your fee. Then you can quickly replace it with something appropriate.”

At Mr O'Keefe's request, some of the staff dashed to do just that. Fortunately, the Rodriguez group had called in and said that they'd be running a little late, so all was going to be prepared with time to spare.

Ray said "And now, thanks to me and my new exclusively assigned recruit here, the festivities can now proceed in an entirely ghost free environment. And to the Rodriguez: L'chaim from the Ghostbusters!"

They exit the ballroom and bumped into Egon and Peter, who had been just outside.

“Nice negotiating, Twiggy. You got us some lunch with just a few words.” Peter complimented, petting Twilight.

Egon said, "Nice of you guys to join us. You grab the spud?"

“Uh.... No. He crossed over.” Twilight said.

"WHAT?!" Egon and Peter queried in unison

One explanation later, Peter grumbled, “Well, that explains that. I guess he DID get away with it.”

Egon knelt down and gave Twilight's ears a scratch. "This is a fantastic development, Twilight. I'm very proud of you. But things can't always end peacefully. With some spirits....”

“Yeah. I know.” Twilight said, leaning into the affectionate touch.

Ray noticed some new ghosts coming in. "Uh-oh! Heads up! Your initiation is over, Twi! Now give us a... hoof! We've got a couple of troublesome spirits here, looks like!"

As they armed themselves and Twilight found a better vantage point, the manager found himself instead fascinated by the display of energy, making sure to stay where he could see the show, but could stay FAR away from it!

After one ghost was caught by Twilight, Ray said, "Nice streaming, kid! You're getting the hang of it. Good trap work too."

At length, the last one was caught.

Peter said, "See? That wasn't such a chore now was it?"

John O'Keefe asked, "Who's going to pay for all this?!"

Ray replied smartly, "No need to worry, sir. As you know, the Mayor rode to office on a strictly pro-Ghostbusters platform, and we now invoice the city directly for all captures and eliminations. An unhaunted New York is a tourist friendly New York."

"No... the damage!"

“Oh, don't worry about that.” Twilight said, activating her magic. She clapped her hooves and casually said "Argulfraster." A lavender glow surrounded every broken object and scorch mark on that floor. With a flash, everything knit back together, as if nothing had ever happened to it. There was also a hint of lemon in the air.

The manager was awestruck. "Amazing! Okay, I'll withdraw that complaint. But please, be discreet from here?"

Ray said, "Discretion is our professional watch word."

Suddenly, a new ghost flew by.

“'Tis a wonderful day to be a'fishin'!”

Peter said, "Heads up!"

Ray commented, "Whoa! Where did HE come from?!"

Egon put in, "I suppose we should go after him. Unless you... want to discuss it first?"

For the second time in his life, John O'Keefe had nothing that he could say.

Ray said, "Cadet, go with Dr. Spengler. Check out the angry fisherman."

The two quickly went to the stairs.

Egon said to Twilight, "This way. Looks like he's drifting upstairs."

A short way up, Egon looked up, then back at Twilight and said, "Shh."

Unfortunately, the fisherman was having none of it-

"Ye won't be landin' me that easy, Ghostblighters!"

-and cast his line to one of the parts of the staircase, collapsing it. This stranded Egon on one side and Twilight on the other.

Egon said, "I can't get across there! Move!” Twilight nodded. “Also, Take this trap!" Egon added, throwing Twilight his extra trap.

It was about this time that Twilight realized that things were about to get real; that she was, for now, on her own.

“Well... (gulp) Here goes.” she nervously said, continuing on.

Chapter 3: Trial by Water

Twilight followed the trace of the fisherman, when a tidal wave rushed toward her, seemingly from nowhere!

“YAAAAAAH!!!” Twilight screamed as the wave swept her off her hooves.

Ray communicated,

"Hey! Is there a bathtub overflowing up there?"

Egon put in,

"More specifically: a 7000-cubic meter bathtub filled with protonically charged seawater? And, um... sea cucumbers?"

The ghost passed by Twilight, who was quite wet and was rendered unable to fly due to her soaked wings, so she just folded them back into her outfit, rather angrily.

“You aren't getting away from me!” Twilight exclaimed, giving chase, but lost the fisherman around a corner, hearing only his laughter.

“Grrr! He got away.” Twilight growled, her impatience rising.

As Twilight continued slogging through the partially aquatic environment, Egon communicated,

"Ray, did you tell our daughter about semi-dimensional rift entities? This type of highly agitated environment is a highly likely manifestation point."

Sure enough, a candle holder on a nearby wall abruptly animated and attacked Twilight, who took a scan before she made short work of it.

Candelabrum Crawler

“Never mind, I think I get the idea.” Twilight said back, rolling her eyes.

The fisherman appeared, again. “Catch me if ye can, lass!” he taunted, the dashed off.

Twilight followed him to an elevator room. The doors opened and drained out the water remaining.

A short distance later, Twilight entered a restaurant named "Sargassi's". The fisherman ghost appeared.

“Do ye fancy me restaurant, lass? It's been a while since i had any customers.”

“It's... certainly authentic.” Twilight replied, taking the convenient opportunity to scan the ghost. "Pappy Sargassi", the meter labelled him.

Pappy Sargassi

“Definitely gives off the high seas vibe.”

“Glad ye like it! Alas, ye won't be around long enough to truly enjoy it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, ye see, among ghosts I be somethin' of an... epicurean, i think ye call them. I love to try different foods, exotic ones, even now that i be not among the livin'.”

“You don't say?” Twilight queried, not liking where this was going.

“Yes indeed. I used to enjoy many foods, though fish always held me heart. Y'see... I've never had the opportunity to try a unicorn...”

“I don't think so.” Twilight said, drawing her proton wand again, aiming carefully and firing. Her target, however was easily able to dance around her shots.

“Ye won't catch me like that, lass! Are ye a tad angry?” he taunted.

Hearing that, Twilight realized that she was letting her anger lead her and her fear hinder her. She focused on removing said fear and anger, and in that moment time seemed to slow for her by about 50%. with her perception thus enhanced, though hardly noticing it, she aimed a bit ahead of her target, hitting him for the first time.

“Ye're getting better, lass! Maybe you'll catch me in... another ten years!” he taunted again, disappearing around a corner.

Shortly afterwards, the other Ghostbusters arrive.

Egon said, "Good work, kid. Are you alright?"

Twilight nodded. “I'm okay, but he got away.”

Ray said, "Nice going, though. You might really be the right person- er, Pony for this job."

Peter added, "Yes, you have helped destroy a significant section of a five-star
New York hotel in just under three hours. And then repaireid it! Your mother and I are so proud. Aren't we, Egon?"

Everyone wisely decided to ignore that.

Suddenly a blip appeared on Twilight's PKE Meter. Egon said, "She's got something! Let's track it down!"

Twilight followed the trail around the corner that Pappy Sargassi passed around, when an explosion rocked the bar. A huge construct of some sort appeared just after, taking in many pieces of furniture, becoming a golem of some sort. Everyone was so startled that they even almost forgot to scan the gestalt before firing upon it.

Kitchen Golem

Peter said, "Egon? Ray? This is something new for us, isn't it?"

"First one I've ever seen! It's some type of highly focused anthropomorphic animator, an entity which attracts familiar objects to itself so it can materially manifest its rage!" Ray replied.

“Maybe i'll get some long pig as well!” Twilight heard.

As they fired on the beastly furniture golem, they found that parts that they blasted off came back to the gigantic construct. Egon analyzed, "It's generating a field of attraction so strong that it's able to reassemble its component parts!"

Ray put in, "But it's also losing strength! Keep tearing it down!

Eventually a part of the golem started to glow.

“Twilight!” Ray exclaimed, pointing.

“I see it!”Twilight confirmed, using her magic to pull the object off of the golem, which exploded into a million pieces.

Just after, Sargassi reappeared and the five ghostbusters made short work of him, allowing Twilight to trap him.

“Try eating that.” Twilight sassed.

Peter offhandedly commented, "I thought I didn't like knives and forks flying at me. But, when knives and forks and..... other stuff become a big angry giant? That's, really, me not liking it. A lot."

Ray quipped, "Happens every day, right?"

Chapter 4: Panic in the Streets!

Egon said, "Anybody hear from Winston yet?"

Thump

Winston communicated,

"Uh, guys? I'm right outside. And so is something else."

Peter joked, "Gosh, we've missed you, partner. Glad you could make it. But first, how was Aida? We had to make do with, uh, this new specimen here."

Winston replied,

I've been trying to get here for over four hours, Peter! Traffic is a tad blocked right now!"

Thump

Ray said, nervously, "Wait...I know that thud..."

Egon grabbed his own meter, communicating, "Winston, what do you see out there?"

Winston replied in a deadpan tone.

"It's big, it's clean and soft and white. And you aren't gonna like it."

Just then a gargantuan white shape passed by the window before moving on

Ray was nearly panicking. "No... this is not possible. Not here! Not now! Not again!"

Quickly, the group headed back down by the elevator. As they dashed out of the hotel, Twilight said to the staff, “Keep that food ready for us! We're coming back when we're done.”

The Ghostbusters exited the Sedgewick Hotel and saw... The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Egon put a hand on Ray's shoulder, comfortingly.

Ray put out, "It wasn't me this time, I swear."

Chapter 4: Panic in the Streets!

Winston said, "Pull it together, Ray.”

Peter asked, “What do we have that can stop that cheap confection?"

Winston was the one who answered that. "Ray, weren't you gonna finish up the install of the Super Slammer today?"

Peter said, "The.... Super Slammer? Sounds untested. Tacky, and exciting! I'm in. But, will it work?"

Egon answered, "Against the minions of a god? That was never the intent, but in theory I suppose it could. But a Muon trap of this capacity has never been used, or even made before."

Peter joked, "Uh-huh. And why would that stop guys that don't know any better?"

Winston added, "Yeah, man. What are we? The FDA?"

Twilight put in, "We'll have to clear a path through this mess first.”

Suddenly, some marshmallow creatures began animating from the piles of residue that Stay Puft had left behind.

"And this is a good place to start, i guess." Twilight said, scanning one before tossing it aside with her magic.

Marshmallow Mini

Ray said, "Lordy help us! Stay Puft is somehow hatching these... mini minions from pieces of himself. Well, there's paranormal physiology for ya.”

Twilight nodded, putting in, ”Always something to make your stomach turn. It's like Dragon's Teeth in Greek myths. Sow 'em into the ground, warriors come out. Kind of.” she said, dodging clumsy strikes from the aggressive creatures.

Ray commented, raising his proton wand, “Nettlesome little yarpers! ...and yet they look so darn tasty. Blast 'em!"

The busters proceeded to blast the little creatures to pieces, stopping to direct anyone who came by to go to a safe location.

Winston, the most perceptive of the main four members, looked up. "Hey! more trouble!”

"Multiple class 5 FRV's! Inbound!" Twilight quickly scanned the ghosts, revealing them to be

Construction Worker Ghosts

and

Hobo Ghosts

Egon ordered, "Ray! Prepare the Muon trap."

Ray said in a semi-singsong tone, “Switching on the Muon trap." Immediately, a bright light began to rise from the top of the Ecto-1.

Winston commented, "Aw, yeah! My favorite song: 'Switched on Muon trap!'

Twilight asked, curious, “Is... that actually a thing?”

Winston replied, “Well, yeah. We were brought in for a recording session, but that's there and not here.”

Zapping the ghosts with as much skill as they could, being careful to cause as little damage to the environs as possible. And, of course, not cross the streams.

Winston asked, perceptively, “Is it just me or are the ghosts harder to take on than usual?”

Twilight replied, “That's my fault, but i'll explain later.”

The two of them wrangled the ghost that they had been attacking over to the Ecto-1. Just then the light sucked the ghost in, gone in an instant.

“Oh yeah! I'm LIKING the Super Slammer!" Winston exclaimed.

Egon said, "Throw all the ghosts you capture at the Slammer. You can relinquish your hand-held units."

They moved on to the next ghost, and the next.

Peter said at one point, "I dreaded you when you were alive. You're worse!" nefore shooting another hobo ghost. "And whoa! Ugh! What, big soap shortage in the afterlife, guys?!”

Twilight pointed out, “I don't think they'd be able to hold it.”

Winston tried the diplomatic approach briefly, sparing a bit of cash for one of the Hobo ghosts. “Don't give them change! You're only encouraging them." Peter complained.

Winston's reply was, "Venkman, we need to have a talk about tolerance!"

Twilight added, "Yeah. You suggested tipping the bellhop ghosts, but discourage giving change to the ones that needed it more? Sheesh!"

Nearby, one hobo ghost was harassing a couple of people.

“Change! Change! Aw, come on!”

Twilight heard. She gave him what she had on hoof of her allowance, satisfying the ghost, which disappeared. The coins she had given him had dropped to the ground, which she scooped back up, smiling.

Egon's meter suddenly beeped. "I'm detecting something... significant. Behind us."

Winston listened out. "What is that? Am I hearing... wings?"

“Not mine.” Twilight said.

Suddenly, three stone gargoyle statues on the exterior of the Sedgewick Hotel animated and began to attack.

Egon quickly scanned the incoming fliers "Class six! Kinetic animators! Multiple contacts!"

Stone Gargoyle

“Well, they're made of stone, right?” Twilight pointed out.

Winston caught on first. "Grab 'em and slam 'em!"

With the five of them working together, the gargoyles didn't stand a chance. Add to that, a few more ghosts were trapped.

Egon mused, "Interesting. Ghosts and gargoyles."

Ray exclaimed, "Hey! That was a game! 'Ghosts and Gargoyles'. It was a game we played when I was in the Seminary."

Peter joked, "Ghosts and Gargoyles. What dink game didn't you play? Do you have your eight-sided dice with you?”

“Of course not, Peter. I wouldn't bring those on mission.” Ray scoffed. “Don't be ridiculous.”

Peter scowled as nobody even chuckled at his joke, but said no more.

Shortly further, there was a large white mass of marshmallow blocking the way.

“What a... what a... what's uh... what a... wh... what do we do?" Peter asked.

“Zap it?” Twilight suggested. And they did just that, to little effect.

Egon said, "It's not vaporizing fast enough. There's too much of it."

"Damn! We were starting to make good time, too." Winston quipped.

Ray added, "And I thought it couldn't become any harder to get around Manhattan. Any ideas?"

Egon stated, "Well, we're not getting through that way now."

Winston cast around and saw a possible detour. "Hey, we can cut through this alley. We might be able to head off Stay Puft." Then he turned to Twilight. “Let's go see if we can find us a shortcut. You with me?”

“Yeah. Let's go!” Twilight affirmed.

As they went in, the lights dimmed.

“Spooky and clothesline fresh.” Winston joked.

As they tried to go around the rows of washers, several of them blocked the way. ”Are you kidding me? Haunted laundromat?” Winston said, slightly annoyed, but they continued.

After picking up a nearby sample, they noticed the back door. “That looks like our exit.” Winston noted.

Nearby was a fuel truck blocking the way.
“That tanker's leaking gas all over the place. That is a serious safety hazard, man." Winston said. “Maybe we could use that to our advantage.”

Egon communicated,

"I wanted to test these first, but since we're waiving that safety step today anyway, you should be aware that I modified the Neutrona Wand, which normally releases the particle stream. You can now fire off what i call Boson Darts, essentially charging your stream and releasing it as a ball of energy."

“Nice!” Winston exclaimed. “That'll come in real handy.”

Twilight said, “This might also be a good time to mention that I made a modification as well. I noticed how careful you guys are about crossing the streams. So I modified the polarity by a factor of 1.4863. It decreases the general output of the proton stream by 30%, but it will allow you to cross the streams safely. Even better, when you cross the streams it wil increase the damage output by 25% initially, doubling for each addition to the stream. So the next person would add 50% to the stream's power, the next, 100% and... after that it begins to destabilize. I'll need to tinker with that at some point.”

Winston exclaimed, "Wow! It's like Christmas came early!"

Ray replied,

"Earlier than what? They started Christmas before Halloween this year! Santa came to my house dressed as Dracula! I WISH I was kidding!"

Egon said proudly,

“Nice work, Twilight! Though warn me if you intend to do that in the future, okay?”

“I'll remember, father.” Twilight promised.

Backing up, Twilight and Winston started blasting at the tanker's leakage, setting it ablaze.

Winston said "You guys might wanna stand back."

Egon communicated,

"How far back, exactly?"

Winston repplied, "Back. WAY back."

“Preferably as far as you can.” Twilight added.

A few seconds later, the tanker exploded, clearing the passage.

Egon communicated,

"Do I still have eyebrows?"

Peter added,

"Same old, same old."

Winston said, "I said, "way back"."

Ray said, coming through first, "Nicely done! Great job, guys!"

Peter said "Yeah, combustible gasoline. It's the future.”

“Actually, it's the present.” Twilight pointed out, half-jokingly.

“Egon, once again on the Super Slammer. I, uh...dog ate my homework." Peter suddenly apologized.

Egon reassured him, "It's a prototype, Peter. Do you recall the memo from you about getting too many memos on prototypes?"

Peter said, "Well, I did write that memo."

Egon explained. "Essentially, we've mounted a high-expansion, rapid cycle multiple ghost absorber. It's faster and larger than our portable units."

Peter exclaimed, "Am I on Jeopardy?! Is this a big enough stick to roast this guy? Okay, okay!"

Egon said, "Potentially. But our exposure to interdimensional deities has been only marginal to date, so it would be wise to anticipate some error."

Suddenly, there was a scream.

Winston said, "Somebody needs a Ghostbuster." raising his proton wand.

Twilight stopped to snag another cursed artifact and followed.

Stay Puft threw a vehicle in their direction, causing debris to go flying in all directions.

Egon exclaimed "Yaaah!"

Peter said, "You know for a big guy, he fights awfully sneaky. Someone should tie a bell around his neck."

This actually got a chuckle from the group, which Peter was pleased with.

Nearby was a theater, currently abandoned.

Ray said, reading the banner, "'Hindenburg The Opera'? Wasn't that show shut down
when the stage caught fire and killed the cast?"

Peter Said, "I read the reviews...Oh the humanity! I had to say that."

Winston added, "That's right. Ruthless producers. They just reopened it last week.”

As they got closer, their meters went off.

“It's cracking. There must be something really bad about this place." Winston said.

Egon ordered, "Grab a full scan."

“Hey, what have we here?” Twilight queried.

The others looked in the direction of Twilight and noticed what she was pointing to.

“Whoa, wait! Don't touch that!” Ray said, pulling Twilight back a bit before scanning the find himself. “That's what I thought. Black Slime. Like we saw back at the Sedgewick.”

Egon exposited, “Black Slime is a hazardous form of ectoplasmic residue.
Toxic to both body and soul. Very dangerous.”

Ray said, “Egon and I haven't developed clothes and boots sufficient enough to insulate against the negative psychokinetic effects of this stuff yet, so be careful."

Winston summarized, "In other words, the stains don't ever come out.

Suddenly the Black Slime started bubbling and turning red.

Watch yourself!" Ray warned.

Portals began to form, ghosts immediately coming through.
A quick scan confirmed that these were

Opera Diva Ghosts

as if it wasn't obvious enough already.

Egon joked "Look out! The Fat Lady's singing!"

Peter quipped in turn "She is so over."

Ray said, "Looks like an opera singer, and a hefty one at that. Peter, you better take her."

Peter complained, "What's that supposed to mean? I'm a chubby chaser? I take out one plump girl on a blind date, like her personality and you guys can't let it go."

Twilight, for her part, could hear what the ghosts were saying, but had no iidea what they were talking about.

So they began to blast at the ghostly singers, capturing them one by one. Before they were done, growls could be heard.

Winston said, "We don't have time for you right now, gargoyles!"

Ray called out, "More of them!"

Properly rallied, the Opera Diva ghosts, Gargoyles, and Hobo Ghosts attacked.

Twilight said, “Quick! Cross the streams!” The busters did just that, striking all the ghosts at once and completely sapping their energy in seconds. The Gargoyles couldn't take the heat and exploded, leaving the crew to plug the ghosts into the Super Slammer.

Winston said to Twilight, "We just did a service to humanity, kid. Hindenburg is a terrible show."

Ray said, from the Ecto-1, "Times Square, post-urban renewal. All shiny and clean. I love it!"

A thump and a thunderous growl later, Peter said, "Say, is that him?"

Egon deadpanned, "He's hard to miss."

Peter said, "Egon, how close do we have to get the big trap to reel him in?"

Egon replied, "A lot closer than this."

Twilght wondered, "What's he up to?"

Ray speculated, "He's... looking for something."

“Maybe.” Egon said, "Or is he looking for someone?"

Ray looked concerned and sank in his seat.

Chapter 5: Sweet and Present Danger

Chapter 5: Sweet and Present Danger

Nearby, a reporter was on the scene. "If you can see behind me, the streets are in absolute chaos! Authorities are doing everything they can to quell the panic and maintain order! It is madness out here! The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, star of the popular children's television show, is on a rampage! This is NOT the Stay Puft we've come to love!”

Just then the 'Busters arrived on scene.

“Fortunately, the Ghostbusters have arrived to put everything to rights!” He continued, motioning for the camera to shift over to the heroes of the hour. “As for me? I'm getting outta here!" He added, before running to his vehicle, the camera crew packing up as well.

Ray and Egon had gone in one direction while Peter, Winston and Twilight went in another, to distract their target.

Egon communicated,

"The trap is damaged. I've got to fix it or we won't stand a chance."

Ray added,

"You need to get from here to there... make sure the big boy doesn't find whatever he's looking for!"

Egon spoke again,

"Good strategy. It's dangerous, though... that's a lot of open ground to cover."

Turning to Twilight, Winston said, "Alright, 'rook. Looks like it's me and you. Let's go across Times Square and get into the building Stay Puft is so interested in. You guys keep him off of us if you think you can!"

Egon communicated,

"He knows you're there, Winston! I don't think he likes it!"

Ray added,

"Yep. He spotted you. Keep moving!”

Winston warned, “Keep away from those feet! He'll stomp you into peanut butter.”

"Don't you mean jelly?"

"You eat what you like and I'll eat what I like, Ray."

"Fair enough."

Of course, Winston was in more danger than Twilight was, as he couldn't get as full a range of mobility as she could.

“Boson Darts!” Winston called, firing off one of his own.

Twilight, having an idea, charged hers up before letting it off as a much more powerful shot.

(New Upgrade: Boson Dart Supercharge)

“Nice Boson, that really rocked him!” Winston praised Twilight.

“Now let's see if he wants... S'more!” Twilight joked.

At this, Winston facepalmed.

"Well I can't let you guys have all the jokes."

As they kept firing, Stay Puft started moving toward them.

“Here he comes! Evasive maneuvers! In other words: stick as close to me and as far away from him as you can!” Winston called out. “Venkman! You've gotta distract him!” Winston communicated, trying to get a hold of Peter, receiving no answer.

“Venkman! Are you getting coffee?! Venkman's getting coffee!” He complained.

Sighing and turning back to Twilight, Winston said, “I guess it's up to us. Stay on your toes!”

“I don't have toes!” Twilight said, following Winston's lead anyway.

“Just follow me! Quick!” Winston clarified, firing off another Boson Dart

Stay Puft roared in anger and frustration, starting to advance again..

“Oooh, boy! He's really mad now!” Twilight noted, running faster.

“There's our way in! Break for it!” Winston said, running through the front door to the building nearby.

Inside, people were panicking and running all over.

“It's okay! Ghostbusters! Just a level 5 thought-form Crossrip! The professionals are here! Everybody calmly exit to the street! Make no sudden movements!” Winston said, trying to calm the people down.

“Better yet,” Twilight added, “Get to the basement!”

Suddenly a thud resonated through the building.

“Guess he didn't find what he was looking for on the bottom floors. Come on. We've got to get to the top floors!"

Another cursed artifact later, this time a painting, Twilight followed.

“Did you just... Scan that away?” Winston asked, pressing the elevator call button.

“Actually,” Twilight replied, “I've been teleporting the artifacts i find directly to our vault, where they.... SHOULD be safe.”

“Smart idea, Twi.” Winston said, nodding

As the elevator's bell pinged and the door opened, two men could be seen inside.

The first man said, "All full. Going up. He, uh, just passed gas. Catch the next one."

Thinking quickly, Winston stuck his foot in the doorway, opening the elevator once more.

"Relax, sir. We handle foul vapours all the time." He said.

The first man said to the second ""Let's stay in for lunch", you said. "Why leave the building?", you said. "It'll be quiet", you said. You know you're fired?"

The second replied, "You're right. I secretly knew our lives would be in danger and thought, "Hey, I'll make sure I trap Mark with me inside an elevator!"."

The elevator pinged again. "Excuse us. Our stop.” Winston said.

“Stay with me, Twi. I'm sure there's more fun up ahead.”

Twilight and Winston entered what looked to be a drafting room. PKE meters out, they started trying to get some readings. It wasn't long before the meter buzzed with a red signal. Which, of course, meant more trouble.

Winston froze. "Uh oh. Careful...”

“Okay... it sure got quiet all of a sudden.” Twilight noted.

Slowly, Twilight followed the trace upward. And upward...

As if on cue, the grate to the air vent above them was knocked aside and Marshmallow Minis began flooding into the room.

“They're in the vents! They're in the vents!” Winston said, raising his Proton Wand again.

Ray communicated,

“Don't let them circle behind you! We encountered that problem at one point.”

“Too late!” Twilight said, having found that they were surrounded already.

They started firing all that they had at the irritating targets, only for them to explode each time.

“Yuck! I'm getting covered in marshmallow!” Twilight complained.

“Looks like Stay Puft is working overtime generating these little creeps. Like crazed, hormonal teenagers on a pre-Final-exam bender!”

At an opportune time, the two of them shot a Boson Dart, eliminating the rest of the minions that were around.

“Good shooting!" Winston said, giving Twilight a bro-fist.

Suddenly, more Marshmallow Minis burst through the double door to the next room, but they were made short work of.

"Aaaaah!” a woman's voice rang out.

Winston said, encouragingly, "Ready to be a hero, kid?” To this, Twilight nodded.

“By the way,” Twilight said, “Judging by the heat off of those Boson Darts, i assume that they would... kind of hurt if we were hit. I think i'll implement an Immunity clause into that so we can't get hurt by each other's fire.”

“Good idea.” Winston agreed.

(New Upgrade: Boson Dart Immunity... Pending)

After collecting another cursed artifact, a diorama, they continued to the next room.

Winston tried communicating again, “Venkman, come in please. It's pandemonium up here - chunks of the building missing everywhere. You are required at this site now!"

Stay Puft's head came into view, causing the two to duck behind the wall, thankfully remaining unseen.

Peter replied,

"I'm so happy to be in demand, but these sugar balls have got me nailed down. I can't get past 'em. They're disgusting! And they're unhealthy!"

Twilight said, "Oh, did we mention there's a spectacularly beautiful lady in distress?"

Peter replied,

"I'll be right there."

Winston and Twilight shook their heads. Classic Peter.

Winston re-focused on the task at hand. "Alright! Show time!"

Again, a scream sounded. "Aaaaah! No! Somebody help me!"

The duo reached the room that the voice was coming from, finding that Stay Puft had also discovered the room.

Winston tried to reassure her. "Easy now, Miss. Just relax. No sudden movements. You're perfectly safe."

As if on cue, Stay Puft reached into the room.

"Sudden movements! Sudden movements!”

The woman proceeded to run through the nearest door as Twilight and Winston started firing on Stay Puft, the combined power of the two's assault at point-blank range driving it off, though reluctantly.

Nearby was another hole in the wall that revealed a rather spectacular view of the area.

“Wow! Check it out, kid! What a view. Manhattan! I love it!” Winston cheered.

Suddenly, Peter charged in. “So, where is she?”

Twilight and Winston rolled their eyes, but opened the door and pointed the way, Peter eagerly going through.

Winston and Twilight soon followed and reached Peter and the woman.

Peter said to the woman, "It's okay. I've got you covered. You're fine now."

Winston chided, "You didn't spill your coffee, did you Peter?"

"I got coffee for all of us. Except you, Twiggles. You're a touch too young for that.” He said to Twilight at the last bit. “Anyway, the little monsters spilled it. And what's the story with those things, anyway?"

The woman said, "W-was... that a Manifestation of Gozer?"

Peter and Winston exchanged a look.

Peter said, "Uh. Yeah, probably. It just may be. Could be.” then he added, “Would you like to take the most direct route outta here or the scenic route? It's the lady's choice."

She replied, "There's a stairwell over here. Let's go!"

Peter commented, offhandedly, "Whew! Yeah; grace under pressure. I appreciate that in a lady." following after.

Winston said to Twilight, "Okay, 'rook. Let's do this quick and quiet-like. Before tubby soft squeeze out there figures out what we're up to."

A rumble sounded through the building.

Peter venomously retorted, "I think “tubby soft squeeze” has dog ears, Winston!" glaring.

Twilight said, "We go up then. To the roof! Go! Go!"

Stay Puft punched a hole in the wall, right near the 34th floor.

The woman screamed again. "Aaaah!"

Peter said, "Well, hello there." still moving.

Winston warned, "Stay Puft's spotted us! Move! Move!”

“This way!" Twilight called, heading to the nearby door.

Peter, upon reaching the door, said, "Well, that's some relief."

The woman said, "Come on! Let's go! There's gotta be a way out of this situation!”

Suddenly, a slew of ghosts rose from... pretty much nowhere and attacked, causing the busters to retaliate, doing their best to keep their charge safe.

After collecting a new artifact, Twilight continued fighting, using every bit of mobility she could, crossing streams with one or the other often, combining their strengths.

After all of the ghosts were trapped, the 'Busters shared a high five, or a high one, in Twilight's case. “Great job!” Peter exclaimed.

Egon communicated, suddenly,

"I don't mean to alarm you, but we have lost sight of Stay Puft."

“Huh?!” Peter said, “How could you lose sight of something that big?”

“Wait...” Winston said, checking his PKE meter, "I'm picking up a pretty strong signal!”

The trio started toward the edge of the building while the woman tried to stay as far away as she could.

All of a sudden, Stay Puft reached over the edge, nearly pulling itself up all the way, roaring.

Twilight jumped at this, her wings locking in an upright position. “Yaaah!” she shouted.

“Cross the streams, all as one!” Winston ordered.

The combined blast knocked Stay Puft from the edge, falling from the building.

“That's how you do it! Great job, guys!" Winston said.

“Ha! Free s'mores for everybody, from 54th Street to 5th Avenue! Happy Thanksgiving!" Peter joked.

Peter looked over the edge. "There he goes! The big evil sailor all the way to the - ...oooh! Not quite! Didn't make it. Hey, Winston? Say three people, each about the size of one of your fingers knocked you off the side of a thirty story building and you had to climb all the way back up t-to tear 'em apart. H-how mad would you be at these three little dinky types?"

Winston replied, "I'd go with mighty pissed."

Peter added, "Uh huh. Okay, and throw in a sugar high, too."

The woman looked over the edge and said, "That giant blue and white toy... man... thing... whatever! It's still coming! It's climbing the building!"

Peter quipped, "I'm impressed with his agility, considering his complete lack of bones."

Egon communicated,

"Good news. We've got the Super Slammer back on pulse and Ecto-1 is rolling. We're re-positioning now. Can you hold Stay Puft there for a few minutes?"

Winston said, "If by 'a few' you mean less than one, then sure, we can probably do that."

A rumble shook the building, causing Twilight to fall over the edge.

Winston thought quickly and extended a grappling cable from his belt, latching on to Twilight. "No sweat, kid! We've got you!" then he added, “I knew that this would come in handy, someday.”

Peter held on as well, putting in, "Hey, did somebody tell you it was break time? Well, as long as you're down there, would you see if you can knock Mr. Sweetness off?"

Winston said, "All right there, Sparks, are you okay? You're all strapped in, we've got a good tight grip on you. Now pay attention! Here he comes! The Big Daddy manifestation himself! A raging blob of densely packed marshmallow!”

“Whoa, boy! Melt him, Twiggy! Give him full stream!" Peter cheered on.

Egon communicated,

"He's right, Twilight. Your health insurance isn't set up yet and probably won't begin for another 89 days. Bureaucracy. Yay."

Twilight did her best to blast Stay Puft with all she had, but due to her modification, she was only working at about 70% of the usual, so it was taking much longer than usual. Things got worse when Stay Puft started sending out more Marshmallow Minis, these ones on fire.

Winston commented, "More of those minis. How many can he possibly make?"

Peter said, "From two hundred thousand square feet of solid marshmallow? Mm hmm. Probably about sixty. Thousand."

"Two thousand, three hundred and ninety two, if he wanted to maintain cohesion. But that's by our physics, which i think we can say he defies!" Twilight corrected.

After blasting Stay Puft with her barrage of energy, Twilight noticed that Stay Puft seemed to be getting tired. One supercharged Boson Dart later, Stay Puft fell part of the way down the building, though he was quick to latch back on, looking even more angry than before.

Peter said, "Is that his upset look? What do you think, guys?"

Twilight slowly wore Stay Puft down, blasting him as much as she could, but she had to be careful, because her wings were still locked in place from the adrenaline rush she was receiving and she couldn't move as much.

“You've got him on the ropes, kid!” Winston said, as Stay Puft became tired for the third time, “Land the last one so we can go home!"

Twilight charged another Boson Dart, this one for much longer than before.

“Now take THIS!” she called out, releasing the super-supercharged Dart.

Stay Puft couldn't take that, and this time fell all the way to the ground, exploding.

Peter joked, "You've killed my dessert!"

Winston crowed, pulling Twilight back up, "Scoreboard reads: Ghostbusters, two! Gozer the Gozerian, zero! Lookin' like a big-leaguer out there, kid!"

Egon Communicated,
[quote]"Ray and I are in position, the trap is set. We are prepared to capture Stay Puft.”After a beat,

“Where is he?"

Peter said, "He's that white puddle you're driving through."

Twilight said, "Timing's off by just a hair, father. But we're glad the trap is working again."

(Later, on the ground)

The woman said, "I guess I owe you guys my life."

Egon finished scanning her. "She's clean."

Ray asked, "How do you feel?"

She replied, "Pretty good, all extremely weird things considered."

Peter put in, "So far, just another screwed up day at the office.”

“Pretty much.” Egon and Ray said in unison.

Twilight said, “You know, I never forget a face. I think we saw you earlier at the Sedgewick Hotel. You gave pops here the brush-off."

The woman said, "My name's Ilyssa. Dr. Ilyssa Selwyn. And-"

Peter Interrupted, "I am Dr. Peter Venkman. And that's, uh, Egon, Ray, Winston and Twilight.”

“Uh huh. The Ghostbusters."

Egon asked, "Have you ever been involved in this type of quantum temporal rift event before?"

Ilyssa tilted her head slightly, confused. "A quantum what?"

Ray clarified, "It's called 'arcing'; a large pulse of psychic energy."

Ilyssa said, "Ah. Actually, yes. I was at the museum. A pulse of blue light surged through the building... and then I was standing outside a room on the thirteenth floor of an old hotel."

Winston said, "The Sedgewick."

"That doesn't make sense. The Sedgewick doesn't have a thirteenth-floor." Twilight noted.

Ilyssa went on. "It was pulling me, like a magnet. I felt as though I was in a deep dream. I came to and ran over here."

Ray asked, "Here?"

Ilyssa clarified, "It's a temporary office while I'm in town. I came to do research after I... woke up."

Egon said, "We'd like you to come to our lab so we can run some brief tests and ask you some more questions."

Peter suggested, "Here's an easy one: would you like to go out for Thai, Mexican, Japanese?"

All of the others present gave Peter a deadpan look. "Wow, Dr. Venkman. That time you almost went 45 seconds without saying something abrasive. Wanna try for a whole minute next time?" Ilyssa retorted.

"Besides, we have dinner waiting for us." Twilight added.

Peter said, undeterred, "A doctor. And a fiery one too! Charming. So charming."

If you listened carefully, you could hear the sound of face meeting palm (or hoof) echo through the streets.

Interlude: New Developments, Old Problems

Later, at the Firehouse, after stopping at the Sedgewick to pick up dinner, the Ghostbusters returned to the GBHQ, Ilyssa in tow.

Winston asked, after swallowing a morsel of food, "So, you know so much about Gozer because...?"

Ilyssa replied, "Because I'm a specialist in ancient Mesopotamian cultures and architecture. Sumerian, primarily. Gozerian, more specifically. I'm here as a guest curator for the Gozerian exhibit that's opening tomorrow at the Natural History Museum."

Egon said, "You are aware, of course, that we also have some... history with Gozer."

Ilyssa nodded. "Yes, of course."

Ray put in, pridefully, "Gozer was a bush-leaguer before he met us. A strictly farm-team deity! We put him on the map!" he said, puffing out his chest a bit.

Peter said, "But our getting stiffed on invites to opening night... just an over sight, right?"

Ilyssa raised her hands, palms outstretched. "I don't have anything to do with that."

Suddenly a high-strung voice rang out. "That, gentlemen, was all me! And I can assure you, it was not an oversight!"

Janine peeked around the corner. "Oh, by the way, you have visitors."

Peter deadpanned, "Thank you, Janine. You're a first class lookout.” He then turned to the man. “Walter Peck, I did not recognize you without the Mayor's backside attached to your nose."

As if on cue, Mayor Mulligan's voice came from just outside the door. "Okay, everybody! Put 'em back in their skivvies!” And he laughed. Then he turned to Ilyssa. “Apologies, uh... Dr. Selwyn. Are you alright?"

Ilyssa replied, "I think so, but... I'm worried about the exhibit."

Mayor Mulligan exclaimed excitedly, "Are you kidding?! You can't buy publicity like this! The guest curator of the Gozer Exhibit -the expert Peck recommended,- is attacked the night before the opening by Gozer himself?!”

He then turned to the Ghostbusters. “Please tell me that was Gozer!"

Egon explained, "Gozer manifested in a familiar form; one he had used before: The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. But this event was weaker than his first encounter with us."

Mayor Mulligan "Ha! That's all I need to know. Thanks!" He then noticed the smell permeating the room. “Saaaay.... Is that honey glazed ham? And beef brisket?”

“Among other things, yes. Help yourself.” Twilight spoke up.

“Don't mind if i do. And who is this cute little specimen?” the mayor asked, helping himself to some of the top-quality fare.

“This would be our adoptive daughter and newest member, Twilight Sparkle.” Ray explained. “Twilight, this is Mayor Jock Mulligan.”

Peter spoke up, "Come on, Jock. What's the idea bringing...(cough) 'preck' around here? Oh, have I coughed at the wrong time?"

Mayor Mulligan said, "Listen. Here's the deal. You and Peck... all you guys are going to work together."

Peter and Peck spoke in unison. "What?!"

Ray waved a hand in the air. "No way, no how."

Egon added "Impossible."

"It's like trying to connect two negatively charged ions." Twilight put in.

The mayor attempted to assuage them. "Look. This city has given you at least a dozen contracts for the jails, courthouses and wharves. You guys want to grow your business. Get some county and state work too. I'm all for it. You've been big supporters, and great for my campaign."

Ray pointed out, "Well, some have said our endorsement is what got you elected."

Mulligan joked, "But not out loud!” Then he coughed, continuing. “Anyway, after all the damage you've been causing lately, the city council wants you under close supervision for a period of no less than six months!"

Twilight spoke up. “Actually, ever since I've joined I've been magically repairing the damage that we cause.”

The mayor was taken aback. “What? Really?” to which Twilight nodded. “Oh.” he said, his speech derailed.

Peter said, "We file reports on time. There's no need for extra supervision."

That got a laugh from the mayor. "Ha, ha, ha! Funny guy, Venkman! You've always been my favorite.”

Egon started, "Well, that's where your friend here comes in. He's annoying, a stickler for the rules...”

Mayor Mulligan agreed, “In other words, the perfect "Peck" for the job. He's our new head of P-COC!"

Ray asked "P-COC?"

Twilight explained, "P-C-O-C: Paranormal Contracts Oversight Commission. Janine explained it to me.”

Peck added, “And my first official act is going to be suspending you clowns' operating license." he said proudly, slapping a folder onto Janine's desk.

“You can't do that.” Twilight said.

“And why not?” Peck queried, hands on hips.

“Because you'd have to prove your claims beyond a reasonable doubt to those on your level, in a way that the majority of them could agree with. And have evidence. You aren't the only head that P-COC has.” Twilight answered, bringing Peck up short.

“I looked up P-COC's operating procedures. There's a fair bit of red tape, and considering your bias against us -and as i understand, anything mystically related- well.....” Twilight left the last bit hanging.

After a few seconds, Mayor Mulligan inserted, "Listen up, Peck. Launch your investigation if you have to, but for now just keep things under control -including that attitude of yours- and my office in the loop. But remember, if the Ghostbusters cease to exist, so does your job. So you need each other. Beautiful, in an ironic, symmetrical kind of way, isn't it?"

Peter started to complain. "Hey, Mulligan. Come on..."

The mayor interrupted, "It's Mayor Mulligan to you, Venkman. So, do we have an understanding? This kind of protects us all. You want more business, I want to keep my approval rating up, and Peck wants his little fiefdom. You play by the rules, -easy- we all get what we want and the city council gets what they need."

“When you put it that way, it is the best option.” Egon said.

“Okay, big night tomorrow, Ilyssa! Get some rest!" the mayor said, taking a plate of food before he sauntered out of the room.

Ray put in, after a moment, "So! Now that we're all “””friends”””, can we get invites to the Museum opening?"

Walter Peck said, "Not. Likely. But I'll be seeing you soon. You can count on that." He turned to Twilight, “And i'll ESPECIALLY keep an eye on you.” he said, before following the mayor.

Peter commented, sneering, "Doesn't Peck look exactly like the kind of guy who would "accidentally" walk into the stream of a boson collider?" he said.

Though entirely in agreement, Egon changed the subject. "Ray and I have been talking... and we think we should have a look at the museum. Whatever happened, it started there."

Peter said, "Okay, I'll take one for the team and stay with Ilyssa. You guys go with Winston and Twily.”

Winston said, "What about Peck? He's supposed to be informed of everything we do."

Ray said, "What he doesn't know can't hurt us."

“Especially if Doctor Selwyn acquires tickets for us legit, before he can stop us.” Twillight added, winking at Ilysssa, who winked back.

"We'll do that tomorrow. Best to rest up from all this. Doctor Selwyn, you can take the guest room, over that way." Egon said, pointing toward a room in the back.

They said their goodnights and went to rest, Ilyssa getting the guest room.

Before they left the next morning, Janine said, "Hey Guys? Before you do anything, you need to make a detour first. Something big is going down. It's on 1010 WINS now."

Ray walked over to her desk. "Tune it in."

"...and another ghostly sighting has staff at the New York Public Library scrambling for answers."

Egon half-groaned. "The Gray Lady."

Ray said, "Let's get her for real this time. Let's go!"

Winston asked, "Well, what about the Museum?"

Ray quipped, "It's been there for 104 years. Where's it gonna go today?"

Winston said, "Uh... this thing you guys have for the Gray Lady borders on the weird. You know that, right?"

Ray replied, "She made us look like schmucks. Not this time."

Janine added, "Oh, and another thing? According to the paperwork i have I'm required to tell “him” where you are and what you are up to."

Egon said, "Tell him he can meet us at the Museum. We'll be there. Eventually."

With that, the team got into the Ecto-1 and left for the Library.

Chapter 6: Silence is Golden

Egon looked around the area in the front of the library and commented "Big crowd. Venkman would love this."

Ray said, "Captain McMahon from the 12th says there was a massive disturbance. Real fireworks show."

Winston noted, "Not much going on now."

"Maybe.” Egon said, “But didn't there used to be... two lions out here?"

Twilight pulled out her PKE meter. "Checking for valences."

Egon did the same, and, scanning the remaining statue, said "Hmm... interesting. Ray, take a look at this."

Ray was the third to be on the ball and grabbed his meter, scanning as well. "Wow! Big spikes!"

The lion statue suddenly exploded, revealing a ghost.

Egon warned, "Stay back!"

The ghost they saw dashed into the library.

Winston stated, "Look out! There they go!" giving chase.

Another ghost came along and the two of them floated off.

Ray exclaimed, "Whoa! Double full torso animators! Twilight? Are they saying anything?”

Twilight listened for any commentary from the ghosts, but when she did....

“GAAAAARGH!!!”

“YAAAH!!” Twilight screamed.

“You okay, kid?” Winston asked.

“Beside my mental eardrums screaming in pain, I'm fine.” Twilight assured, rubbing her head.

“C'mon! After them!" Egon said.

The group pursued the ghosts slightly further into the Library.

Ray exposited, "They're a couple of Class-five Animators. Never seen them in tandem like that! They're really agitated!"

“Yeah.” Twilight said, “I figured that out the hard way. These spirits aren't just agitated, they're completely feral; Bestial. Nigh-on berserk.”

Winston grimaced lightly, but said, "Switching on the packs." doing so.

The group ran up the stairs, catching up to the two ghosts.

"All right...take it easy, now." Ray said.

Noticing them, the ghosts began to fly off.

Winston called after them. "Hey! He said 'take it easy!' That's not 'easy'!” he said, firing off a proton stream, missing entirely.

“Missed! Damn!"

Ray put a hand on Winston's shoulder. "Sorry, Z. Better luck."

Egon spoke up. "That one is a Beast. Ray. Let's chase him down. Winston, check that next doorway. See if he has any 'other' friends."

Winston agreed. "Leave a haunted room? I got no problem with that."

Twilight burst Winston's bubble. “You do realize that the whole place is likely haunted, right?”

“I was trying not to think about it, but yeah. Thanks.” He replied.

Ray said, "Hey, Egon? Don't you think now is a good time to explain the new CPS?”

Twilight facehoofed. “Right!” I forgot about that. I helped install that last night. But you never explained how it works.” She said, switching to the Shock Blaster.

(Shock Blaster: Installed. Also, Blast Stream Focusing added)

“To use the Shock Blaster, it's best to get up fairly close. Its effect is powerful, but dissipates quickly over distance." Ray explained for Twilight and Winston.

Egon said, "Please be careful, it's a prototype."

Ray continued. "Also, the Stasis Stream will temporarily slow down paranormal entities. If you train the stream on the target long enough, you can actually stop it entirely. Pretty much turn it to stone!” he said, demonstrating the shock blast first. “This is how you use that." Ray said, firing off a blue coloured pulse.

Winston whistled and said, "Cool! A freeze ray!"

"A stasis stream. This has nothing to do with cold. But the effect is similar." Ray corrected.

Winston turned to Egon, asking, "When do you have the time to work on all this stuff, Egon?"

Egon replied, "I've been conducting an experiment in which I sleep an average of fourteen minutes a day. Leaves me a lot of time to work."

Ray shifted attention back to the situation at hand. "Great! Ready to roll.”

Hey, Sparks? You think you can handle that little fella yourself? We'll meet you back here."

Ray said, "Remember. Stay alert. Keep your PKE Meter up. Animators can hide in anything."

Twilight walked down the stairs as the rest of the team split up, each going in a different direction.

Suddenly, Twilight's meter started buzzing. She went over to a display case which the meter was indicating, her wand floating in her magical grasp as well.

At that time, the first ghost phased through the case and shot off before Twilight could get... well, a shot off.

“Hey! Ugly just shot around that corner!”

Ray said over communication.

"Same here." Twilight said, as she walked through a nearby door, following after.

She came into a large room, mostly empty, but with a few bookshelves around.

"Look! It's the cadet!" Winston said from above. “How's it lookin' down there, kid?”

Egon's meter started buzzing, those of the others shortly thereafter. "Strong emanations. No direct source, though."

Ray explained to Twilight, "We followed our guy in here and it gave us the slip."

Egon continued, "Detecting a strong anomaly, here..."

Chairs and desks erupted into the air in the reading room, as several books added to the mix, starting to form another golem-esque construct.

Ray said, "Uh-oh. Here comes something big!"

Egon analyzed, "Now that is a fine example of a Level 6 Bi-Dimensional Attractor."

Winston joked, "Egon! Did I mention what a good idea it was that you had to come up on the balcony?”

Twilight backed away nervously.

“What's wrong, Twi? Give it the ol' what-for!”

“I... I can't!” Twilight protested. “I just... can't!”

Ray asked Egon, “What's wrong with her?”

“The construct is partially composed of books. Mostly hardcover, if I'm correct. Either way, I don't think she can bring herself to harm it!” he replied.

Winston suggested, “Then just freeze it for us, Sparks! We'll do the rest.”

“Yes. Yes, I think I can do that.” Twilight said, flicking on her stasis stream function. She began spraying the gestalt with the blue coil of energy while the others blasted away at it the old-fashioned way.

Ray exclaimed, "It's losing strength! Keep tearing it down!"

Soon enough, a single part of the construct started glowing.

Egon noted, "All of its power is emitting from a single focal object!"

Twilight wasted no time in using her magic to tear that object off, causing the thing to explode.

Ray praised her. "You got it! Fantastic!”

“Man. How much PK energy must it take to collect and animate an entity like that?" Winston asked aloud.

Egon answered that. "A lot. A lot of very angry energy."

Ray joked, "How easy was that?" before they continued on.

"Wait! Not so fast, I'm getting some big fluxes here." Egon said, as they entered the next room.

Twilight, however, got a blue sine on her meter and a little searching later found another artifact. A rather.... well animated portrait of Eleanor Twitty herself.

“Well, if this isn't foreshadowing...” Twilight said quietly. “Appropriate, in a library.”

"I think it's her. Yes, yes, it is her! Eleanor Twitty, The Librarian!" Ray said as the apparition passed by.

“Well, called it.” Twilight mumbled to herself.

Giving chase, Egon said. "Look! There she is! Meet us at the stairway door!"

Ray went to kick the door open for Twilight, but before he could do so a purple aura encased the handles on his side, turning and opening the door.

“Going my way?” Twilight joked.

Ray wasted no time in saying, "She went down that way!"

Egon communicated,

"Winston, check upstairs to see if the other Phantom doubled back."

"Roger."

Right near the stairwell, the Gray Lady said “Shhh. Not so loud. This is a library, after all.” before vanishing.

Ray said, "She shushed us. That witch."

“Well, we are being pretty loud.” Twilight countered.

As they went down the stairs, several of the books fell off a couple of bookcases. Twilight quickly used her magic to re-shelve them by author and title.

At the bottom of the stairs was a large reading room, with an oversized table and a few chairs around it.

Egon warned, "PKEs out. And try to be quiet."

Slowly, the table and chair set began to rise, halting in midair.

Ray commented, "Oh, wow! A full stabilizing levitation! I'd say we're close to something."

Twilight shrugged. “Big deal. I do that all the time.”

“It isn't the same, Twi.” Ray said, a tad scornfully.

Egon demanded some attention. "Ray..."

"You got something?"

"I've got something. Right... here." Egon said, indicating a particular bookshelf.

Ray whispered, "Kid, check that out.”

Twilight went to do so when the ghostly librarian manifested again.

“Yaahhh!" Egon shouted, quite startled.

“Shhhh. Quiet, now. Don't want to disturb the peace.” she smiled and dashed for the door at the far end of the room, the levitating objects crashing unceremoniously to the ground shortly thereafter.

“Hypocrite.” Twilight snarled.

Ray growled, "Ooooh! She keeps shushing us! Nevertheless, that's her! The Gray Lady! She's the first ghost we ever hunted. Man, I wish Venkman was here."

Egon and Twilight said in unison, "I'm pretty sure he doesn't."

Ray warned, "Easy now...she's reeeeal skittish." before they went through the next door.

“Follow me if you can!” Twilight heard, before the ghost fled down a narrow corridor, blocking the way with a bookshelf. Twilight was about to telekinetically move it, but then an entire line of bookshelves blocked the way further.

Egon said, "Damn! Lost her!"

Twilight also noticed some Black Slime on the wall behind where the first bookshelf toppled, which she scanned.

Ray said, "Let's go! We'll cut her off!"

“That almost never works.” Twilight complained, but was largely ignored.

Egon, PKE in hand, said, "These readings are off the charts!”

“We have those on PKE emanations?” Twilight queried.

“Yes. But now I'll have to make new ones." Egon said, pouting slightly.

They entered a large reference section, typical lines of bookshelves in high quantity.

Ray exclaimed, "Wow!” then added, “Now listen. This place is reading like a psychic pressure cooker. Prime your thrower. Everybody stick close together."

Egon spotted the fastest way through. "Here! This way! Quick!"

A set of shelves quickly blocked Twilight's path. She smiled with a “what kind of idiot do you take me for?” expression before flapping her wings and flying over the assembled shelves, easily bypassing the obstacle and reuniting with her adoptive fathers. An otherworldly shriek of frustration followed.

Ray said, "From what I'm reading, There are two hostile spirits roaming around in here."

"Two that we know about." Egon corrected.

“Yes, Egon. Two that we know about.” Ray deadpanned.

“At least we're still together.” Twilight said.

As they passed by the shelves, at one point Egon said, “The temperature's dropping. Event imminent! Brace yourselves!" before a bunch of books fell on them. Or they would have if Twilight hadn't re-shelved them almost as quickly as they had fallen.

“You're getting good at that, Twilight.” Egon commented.

“It is kind of my thing.” Twilight said. “One of my things. I have a few things.”

Winston communicated,

"Guys? I'm in the periodical archives looking at a stack of old newspaper clippings... All about some nut named Edmund Hoover, AKA, 'The Collector.'"

Egon said, "Hmmm... go on."

"This dude has a history you should know about. He was a rare book collector who seduced Eleanor Twitty, the head librarian of this place."

Ray gasped, "The Gray Lady?!"

Egon nodded. "That would be my guess."

Coming to a crossroad of sorts, Egon indicated for Twilight to go to the left and Ray to go to the right. Both nodded before moving on.

Twilight briefly saw a spirit enter a room. When she came in...

“Black slime... Oh, Celestia.” she said fearfully. “At these levels... Uh... Father?”

“Yes, Twilight?”

Egon replied.

“Think i could enable the Slime Blower early? This room is pretty close to becoming a cross-dimensional portal.”

“Truly? Then yes. I will allow it. We can't let this get out of hand. Or hoof, in your case.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Very funny, Father.”

“By extension, we'll do the same.”

Egon added, before returning to silence.

She proceeded to neutronize the slime on the walls, allowing her to continue without worry.

As Twilight passed into another room with several conveyor belts and -again- books all over the place.

Winston communicated,

"Okay, guys, it's dead up here. The good kind, I mean. You all cool?"

Egon replied,

"We may need to get back to you on that."

“So that's a 10-0 for now.”(1) Twilight clarified.

Twilight continued to scan around the room that she was in, when she heard Ray who communicated,

"Hey, Kid? What's your 20? I'm in some kind of a dark tunnel, moving fast... towards a bright light.”

“10-9 dad?”(2) Twilight said. “I can barely hear you.”

Suddenly Ray came in from one of the conveyor belts.

“Nice of you to drop by.” Twilight joked.

Then a bunch of floating books started to follow.

“Class I Swarmers! Pesky, but combustible!" Ray said.

“Dad, you know I can't do that!” Twilight complained, though taking a scan quickly.

“Twilight!” Ray shouted, “At some point you're going to have to overcome this.”

“But... But I-”

“Being a bit of a bibliophile myself, I understand, believe me. But sometimes you need to do what's necessary to get the job done. These books are possessed by angry spirits and will kill you if they get the chance. Now, are you going to just sit there and take it? Or are you going to put up and help me?”

Twilight closed her eyes, a single tear following. Then she reopened them, a determined, angry expression on her face.

“Let's do it.” she said with some ice in her voice.

Ray nodded and they started blasting at the Book Bats, as the guide called them. Twilight focused on putting them in stasis instead of burning them, but she did so without visible remorse or hesitation. "She'll pay for making me do this." she mentally snarled.

After a while, all of the Book Bats were defeated.

“I'm proud of you, kid.” Ray said. “That can't have been easy to do.”

“It wasn't.” Twilight confirmed, “But like you said... sometimes you have to do what needs to be done.” she added.

Ray started to look around. "Now where's that Class Five Animator? I tracked the slug here.”

As if on cue, said Animator appeared from a nearby wall.

“GAAAARGH!!” Twilight heard, causing her to wince.

“There's the Big Fish!” Ray said. “Let's give him a new home - in our containment facility!”

“This i have no issue with at all.” Twilight said, that angry look returning. She, of, course grabbed a scan first.

Cruster (Class V Telekinetic Animator)

The two crossed their streams, easily sapping the energy of the ghost.

“Throw your trap, Twily!” Ray ordered.

Twilight nodded and did so, slamming the ghost into the trap.

(Slam Dunk Trapping added)

"Yeah! Get dunked on!" Twilight exclaimed excitedly.

Just then, the other Animator appeared, howling as well before attacking.

"There's the other one!" Ray said. "Give him full stream!"

Ray and Twilight scanned the ghost and started to attack, but it built up some energy in its ghostly hand, lobbing it toward them, leaving a scorch mark on the floor.

Crusto (Class V Telekinetic Animator)

“More powerful than I expected! It might even have effectively become a Class 6!" Ray said, redoubling his efforts, trying not to get hit.

Twilight used one of the nearby tables for a better vantage point, jumping to another whenever an attack was thrown.

By the two's efforts, the other ghost was trapped after a time.

Ray wiped sweat from his brow. "Phew. Good work. That took some doin'." he fist-bumped his daughter before they continued onward.

Egon communicated,

"Congratulations, Ray, uh... but I'm near Special Collections. Someone you've been wanting to meet again is here."

Ray nodded. "We're on our way!”

The two came into another room with many rows of bookshelves.

Keep an eye on the twitchy ones; they'll really crease ya if you aren't careful.” Ray warned.

Shortly thereafter, constructs made of paper appeared and started attacking.

“Watch it!"

Twilight grabbed each of them in her magic and said “NO! I am no longer in the mood for this.” before slamming them together, bursting the small golems into smithereens.

“Vicious work there, kid.” Ray extolled.

“It felt good to get that out.” Twilight said, with a sigh. “Those are loose pages, not books, so I'm fine with that.” she added as they went forward.

Ray said, "Looks like the Gray Lady makes her own reinforcements. Keep your eyes open, team. She's upping the ante."

Winston communicated,

"Thanks for the warning, Ray. But I have no idea what you're talking about."

Egon replied,

"You may wanna just take our word for it."

Author's Note

The numbers 10-0 and 10-9 are from police code, meaning Use Caution and Repeat that message respectively.

Skipping forward - Museum Madness (working title- slightly edited)

Author's Note

I might be able to finish up the library part eventually... but for now I'm skipping that because I've had a small flash of inspiration and by Celestia, I'M ROLLIN' WITH IT. Besides, the part just before the conclusion to this chapter felt really good to write.
1) Roll for random pony.....

Skipping forward - Museum Madness (working title- slightly edited)

As Ray, Winston and Twilight entered the Museum through the back entrance, Ray looked left... then right... then he took up his PKE meter and said, "Okay, Peter; try to keep Peck busy."

Peter sighed, but replied,

"Fine. I'll take one for the team."

With that, the trio proceeded forward, only to find some large patches of Black Slime.

Twilight queried, "Dad?"

Ray needed no explanation. "Yeah. I see it too - Switching on the packs." he replied, doing just that.

Switching to the Slime Blower device, they quickly soaked the patches of slime. Ray commented, "One nice thing is that the neutronized slime just -eventually- dissolves, leaving fresh humid air, but not much else."

Twilight, being at a lower angle, noticed the switch for the power in the area and flipped it with a flick of her magic.

Winston said, "Ah! And lo, there was light!"

Ray added, "Nice finding, Twilight. This'll make it easier to navigate through this area safely, anyway."

As they went along, they saw more patches of the caustic substance. Of course, aside from making a bit of a mess, they quickly dealt with that issue.

Moving on to the next room, they noticed a mumbling sound coming from a crate that was nearby. Switching to the Proton Stream momentarily, Twilight fired off a boson dart, breaking the crate open, revealing the museum's manager, doctor Rutherford, who thanked them profusely beforer saying, nervously, "Is that... thing g-g-gone?"

Ray was quick to reassure him. "Seems like it. But if it comes back, you're perfectly safe with us, sir."

Doctor Rutherford said, "Thank goodness. I'm a really big fan, you know. I had you guys over for my daughter's birthday party once."

Ray raised his eyebrows. "Is that so? Well, I'm sure we can get you some merchandise, if you like. It's always nice to meet a fan of ours."

"Oh, that would be great." Doctor Rutherford gushed, then continued, "Anyway, I'll lead you guys to where the party is really at." So saying, he moved toward the elevator, only to be interrupted by a blue ghost. Twilight's quick thinking resulted in a scan of the Posessor Ghost.

She warned, "Class 7-4! Full torso manifestation; wandering posessor! Careful!"

Doctor Rutherford stumbled back, and Ray stepped in front of the ghost. "You'll have to go through me first!"

The ghost looked taken aback briefly, but then smirked. "Really?"

Twilight deadpanned at the same time, "Seriously?"

The Posessor ghost was about to do just that, but Twilight quickly sparked up her magic, grabbing a hold of it. "Ooooh, no you don't!" Manifesting a semi-transparent chained rod, she thrust it forward, saying, "Get over here!"

Sure enough, the chain looped around the ghost and tugged it back toward Twilight, holding it steady, long enough for Winston and Ray to begin zapping it. Twilight joined in, and soon enough it was trapped.

Doctor Rutherford extolled, "Alright! You guys are REALLY good!"

Ray said with a certain amount of satisfaction, "Proton-based exorcism in a nutshell. Shall we continue?"

Suiting action to words, they entered the elevator.

Arriving at the main event's main room, the three men (and one unicorn) were immediately spottted by Walter Peck, who stomped forward, a couple of security guards just behind. "No! No, no no no, NO! I will NOT have you fraudulent gangsters ruining this event!"

"Jeez, Peck; RELAX." Ray said. "We mostly came to warn they mayor of something."

Peck folded his arms. "Whatever you have to say will have to go through myself. Otherwise, GET OUT."

"Nuh uh, Peck-a-bee." Winston said, "This is important for him to hear."

Taking that as his answer, Peck said, "Gentlemen, remove these frauds. With EXCESSIVE force."

Just then, more Posessor Ghosts arrived, some of them being particularly ugly. A quick scan by Twilight showed these to be Beauty Queen Ghosts, ironically enough.

As Ray and Winston went to work, hosing down the ghosts with the Proton Stream and any possessed people with slime, long enough for the Ghosts to leave the guests' bodies, Twilight said, "Alright! This place has way too many ghosts for my liking." Sparking her magic, four proton packs appeared. She levitated them over to Peter and the guards as well. "Congratulations, gentlemen; You've been temporarily drafted." Twilight said. "Now put those on and help us out!" she added, going to attack the ghosts herself.

Peter, with his pack strapped on, said, "I suggest you listen to her. If this place has as many ghosts as we think, we might need the extra help." So saying, he turned his pack on. "That said, this could be fun." he added before going to help out.

The ghosts having been dealt with for the moment, the Mayor arrived at that very convenient moment. "Would anyone care to explain to me what just happened here?"

Peck said, angrily, "I keep telling you, sir; these frauds, these... these... fakes! They're trying to steal money that they haven't done anything for! I'll see them on Riker's Island for this travesty! I don't CARE what the rest say!"

Ignoriong the incensed man, Ray said, "Look, sir, we have something to report. This world is becoming closer to crossing over with the Ghost World. The longer we don't act, the more unstable things are going to get. We've been to that place for a bit. It's not a pretty sight. It's like Brooklyn and the Bronx combined."

"Without Queens in the middle." Twilight added.

Peck, tired of being ignored, took over again. "Look you; I''ve had enough of the lot of you. I'm going to shut you down for good. You will never work in this town again."

Ray held up his hands. "Hey; we're only mortal, here. We just find the haunted places and apply our... brand of magic."

Peck scoffed at that. "Yeah. Too bad that magic-"

Ray warned, "Peeeck... you DON'T want to finish that thought..."

Peck got even closer. "Doesn't. ExisT." he finished with emphasis.

Raym Winston and Peter began to back away. "You're going to wish you hadn't said that, Peck."

"And why would that be?" Peck queried disbelievingly.

"Mister Peck." Twilight growled, actively drawing attention to herself. Her mane was beginning to smolder, as if ready to burst into flame at any second. "I've heard of being in denial, but you, sir, take the cake. I can understand not liking us; you're entitled to that opinion. I can understand wanting the best for the city. We all do. Outright denial of things that are a known fact... You've been posessed just this night, you've seen us take out these ghosts. You're -presumably- listening to a magical Pony... and you still deny that magic or ghosts exist. Well, I have news for you, mister Peck..."

"Twilight, don't hurt him. He's just doing what he thinks is right, like we do." Ray warned.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt him. I have a far better idea." She glanced at mayor Mulligan momentarily. He sighed, but nodded, giving the universal "go ahead" gesture.

Twilight grabbed Peck in her magical aura, lifting him into the air. Shortly after that, the aura around her horn rose a bit more, the glow that was around the first ring of her horn extending to the second, glowing brighter. Her eyes also went bright white.

Peck felt his insides twist as he was flipped to one side. He started to grow a coat of fine pinkish yellow fuzz, startimg at his neck, but swiftly starting to cover the rest of him. Peck felt his hands and feet clench hard, shortly thereafter becoming hooves. His hair started to grow out, becoming a full mane in seconds, also sprouting a tail, both a three-tone -buttermilk yellow, mandarin orange and burgundy red- combo in colour. He also briefly lost his hearing, before it came back, somewhat louder and somewhat higher up. As he wondered at that, his new ears swiveled around, gesticulating wildly as his face began to extend slightly. Then, he felt his insides clench again as his internal structure changed entirely, leaving Peck 1) quadrupedal and 2) female! Almost as an afterthought, a mark of a peach with glasses appeared on her flank(1).

Dropping Peck to the ground, Twilight said to Peck, in an authoritative echoing tone, "Up to now, unbeliever, you've lived your life in denial of the mystical, paranormal, arcane or otherwise. Now it is a part of you, and you shall have to accept that. I hereby mark you with a brand of Actaeon; May the world have more mercy upon you than you would have given us. Good luck, my... little... Po...ny..." So saying, Twilight slumped to the floor, unconscious.

Finally, a mark of a bow and arrows with an X through it appeared on the new Pony's chest, just as Peck regained consciousness.

Shaking her head, Peck said, "I just had the worst-" her eyes widened when she noticed the pitch of her voice. Silently, -and with an admirable amount of restraint- she felt around, taking stock of her new form, from her face to her hooves. Once done, she looked up at the Ghostbusters and the mayor, all of whom were looking smugly down at her.

Peter decided to be the one to rub it in. "Well, uh... 'Peachy Keen'... You asked for it."

The new Pony inhaled, presumably to shriek in terror, but fainted instead.

Winston said, "And here I thought Peck'd never shut up."

Just then, a new ghost appeared. If Twilight were awake, she would have heard "What's this? A party and no one invcited me? I must say, I'm disappointed! But the fun has just begun!"

So saying, the ghost grabbed Ilyssa and dashed away, guffawing madly.

Ray picked Twilight up, putting her across his shoulders, where she hung limpy. She was oddly light for an equine creature of her size, he noticed. She was slightly smaller than a Great Dane, but felt like she weighed next to nothing. Shrugging it off, He said to Peter and Winston, "You guys, go after Ilyssa and that... other guy. We'll catch up when Twilight awakens."

The two security guards, still temporarily drafted, stepped forward. One said, "If there's going to be a lot of ghosts, you're going to need help. We're coming with." One of them went to Ray's side, the other moving to follow Peter and Winston.

Peter said, "I like this plan! Let's do it!"

Ray turned to doctor Rutherford and asked, "Can you direct me to the security room? We'll kind of need to go there."

Doctor Rutherford said, "Better yet: I can take you there." Noticing that there was an extra Proton Pack nearby, he strapped in and turned it on. "I may not be a brave man, but this museum is my responsibility. I'll do what I have to."

Ray smiled. "I knew you had it in ya. Come on, I'll explain how the thing works along the way."

So saying, they split up to cover different paths.