Chapter Text
It’s been three months since the defeat of Gozer. Business has been steady, especially since the guys had to recapture the ghosts that were set loose when the containment unit got shut down.
The guys were excited to have a weekend off. Janine had worked the schedule so they could have a break. She for one was in desperate need of some time off, and the ghostbusters were exhausted.
Peter was hoping he could talk Dana into a night out. She had been distant since her experience and he wanted to spend time with her to help reassure her.
Ray had plans to do some research on some occult materials. He has always been interested in magic and the sorts; he was ready to explore further into that area.
Winston was going to give Ecto-1 a badly needed cleaning and tune up. Ray had offered to help, but Winston knew he really wanted to look into some books and stuff. So he kindly assured him it’d be ok for him to get it done himself. He kind of wanted a little private time anyway. Nothing against the guys, but Winston needed some time to himself to process everything he’s seen with this new job.
Egon, of course, had plans to conduct some experiments and work on repairing a few ghost traps.
Janine had tried several times to invite Egon on a night out with her, but she couldn’t compete with molds, spores and fungus - and now, add slime to that combination. It hadn’t taken long for her to realize her feelings for him. Those feelings had only grown stronger since the battle with Gozer. She had feared deeply for their safety and, now that they had survived, her heart yearned even more for Egon. But, it seemed like she was never going to be able to win him over.
So, when she met a handsome businessman earlier this day, the offer he had made to take her out was starting to look more and more inviting. She knew she’d likely never stop loving Egon, but if he truly was a lost cause, she needed to consider what’s best for her life. She called and asked his secretary if he was available. She was transferred immediately to his office.
“Janine! I’m so glad to hear from you!”
“Hi Paul, I’d like to accept your offer for dinner, if it’s still available?”
“For you? Always! I’ll pick you up at your place at 6:30 if that’s alright?”
“Yes!” She gave him her address and actually felt giddy.
Two weeks passed. Peter was becoming increasingly frustrated with Dana. He hasn’t been able to convince her to go out on a date yet. Her experience with Gozer had traumatized her badly. Janine had tried reassuring him that he must be patient; she needed more time.
Ray had also seemed a bit on edge lately. Janine had overheard him and Winston talking a few days ago. Ray keeps having gut feelings that something big is coming. Winston couldn’t get Ray to elaborate which in turn, put Winston’s nerves on high alert.
Janine had worried that Winston might be considering another line of work. He seemed less enthused every day about going on calls. She didn’t have any idea how Egon felt about any of this. He’s been too busy in the lab.
Janine, on the other hand, had been enjoying the company of Paul Smart these past few weeks. He was a bit arrogant, but he treated her like a lady. And that’s what Janine needs right now.
The phone rang.
“Ghostbusters!” Janine answered. She took down the information and slammed her hand on the alarm.
The guys arrived at the garage area. She handed Peter the information. “This sounds rough guys. Possible Class 6, maybe 7.” The anxiety in her voice was heard by all.
Peter smiled casually. “Hey, no sweat. We’ll be back by lunch time.” He gave her a playful wink.
The guys headed to their destination. Ray was fidgeting in the front seat while Winston was driving. “Hey man, what’s wrong with you?”
Ray shook his head. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this one, guys.”
“That’s usually my line!” Peter teased nervously.
“I agree with Raymond,” Egon replied as he stared at his PKE meter. “I’m already registering readings.”
“What’s that mean?” Peter asked.
“It’s a high probability that the readings I’m picking up now are originating from our destination. It’s only 7.5 miles from the firehouse. So, either this entity is extremely strong or there is more than just one.”
“Great,” Winston moaned.
Ecto-1 pulled up in front of a department store building. The guys could tell this was definitely the place. The windows were blown out, people were running and screaming all around, and lights were flickering off and on inside the building.
The guys got out and geared up.
“Ok boys! Let’s earn our pay!” Peter shouted over the screaming all around them.
Egon led the way with his PKE meter. They carefully stepped over or around debris that was lying on the floor. Light fixtures and ceiling tiles were scattered all over the floor. Suddenly, Egon stopped and signaled to the others to stop. He turned to face them. “Up ahead,” he whispered. He put the PKE meter away and gripped his thrower.
The others gripped their throwers a bit tighter as they slowly inched forward. Just ahead, they could see it. A huge reddish-brown creature was standing in the middle of the room. It resembled a large horse-like creature with long horns coming out of its temples. It had red eyes that glowed and instead of hooves, it had long fingers with sharp claws. It had what looked like a tiny fairy trapped inside of a glass; a thick catalog book was laying on top to keep the fairy from getting out.
The fairy was very small. She had long brown hair pulled up into a tight bun. She wore a bright orange form fitting dress with yellow trim along the bottom. Her wings were a delicate shade of light blue.
“What the hell is that? Tinkerbell?!” Peter whispered.
“I’m more concerned about the bigger one, Peter,” Egon dryly commented.
“Is it a Class 6?” Winston asked.
“Affirmative,” Egon replied.
Ray took a deep breath. “Ok then, let’s do it.”
“I think the best thing to do is come at it from all sides,” Winston suggested.
“Yeah! I’ll distract it while you guys move around!” Peter said.
They all agreed and prepared to move once Peter started his distraction.
He walked quite casually into the room. He stopped once the creature made eye contact. Peter had put his thrower back in the upright position on the pack but was ready to grab it at any moment. “Good day to you! What brings you to this fine establishment today?”
The creature narrowed its eyes at him. It stood upright on its back legs. It was at least eight feet tall! It remained quiet as it stared Peter down.
“Oh ok, the strong, silent type, I see?” Peter continued light-heartedly. “I’m afraid you’ve been scaring off some of our finest citizens. For that, I’m gonna have to kindly ask you to leave.” He could see the others as they got into position.
The creature still remained quiet. It lowered itself onto all four legs. It seemed as if it was preparing to charge Peter. The guys were ready, waiting for Peter’s instruction to fire.
Suddenly, the creature lunged forward, headed straight for Peter! “LIGHT ‘EM UP!” he yelled as he grabbed his own thrower at lightning speed! Within seconds, all four streams were wrapped securely around the creature.
Ray threw out the trap, opening it up directly underneath the creature. The monster wailed and clawed as it was being sucked into the trap. But it was no use; soon, it was silenced as the trap closed, successfully capturing it inside.
“Way to go, man!” Winston said as he gave Ray a friendly pat on the back.
“Thanks! And Pete - you were great!” Ray said enthusiastically.
Peter gave an overly dramatic bow as if on stage. “Thank you, thank you.”
Egon was busy taking readings on the small fairy, which was still trapped inside the glass.
“You need not be frightened; I won’t hurt you,” she said in a small, sweet voice.
Egon put away his PKE meter. “I apologize. I was simply making sure.” He smiled as he removed the thick catalog book from over the top of the glass.
“Oh wow! A pixie!” Ray exclaimed.
Winston looked at Peter, who just shrugged his shoulders.
Ray, seeing that they were confused, explained. “Pixies are legendary fairies! They fly around here in our realm helping people who are in need of enlightenment and encouragement.”
“Yes. I was roaming through this building in search of such people,” she replied in her tiny voice.
“Sure! This is a department store after all! Just drop by for some shopping!” Peter quipped.
“What’s your name?” Ray asked.
“Oh! I’m sorry! My name is Astra!”
“A pleasure to meet you!” Ray replied. “I’m Ray and these are my friends: Egon, Winston and Peter!”
Astra smiled. “It’s wonderful to meet you all!”
“You might’ve heard of us? We’re the Ghostbusters,” Peter replied.
Winston chuckled. “You’ll have to excuse him. He’s not had a chance to say that enough lately!”
“I figured that when you blasted that horrible creature!” Astra replied. She took a moment to study each ghostbuster before speaking. “As a gesture of my deepest appreciation for your help, I’d like to offer you gentlemen something. I think it’s something you all need, whether you realize it or not.”
“Awesome! Like what?!” Ray asked.
“I can sense what troubles each of you. I’d like to give you the chance to see what your lives would be like if your business closed its doors,” Astra stated.
The guys’ eyes all widened in shock.
“How…? I’ve never actually …said…,!” Peter croaked.
Astra fluttered her wings and hovered in front of Peter’s face. “You have thought it lately. You are frustrated with the effects a past creature has caused your beloved to have. You have considered quitting so that you could either help her further or move on completely.”
Peter’s eyes swelled with tears, but said nothing.
Astra then fluttered over to Winston, hovering. “You have asked yourself several times if this career is what you really want. You have considered a future with your father’s business.”
Winston’s eyes widened. “Sure, but I wasn’t going to actually do it!”
She fluttered to Ray. “You have found a new area to explore. Perhaps your own enthusiasm for this business has faded as well?”
As Ray stood there dumbfounded, Astra fluttered over to Egon. Egon’s face paled in anticipation of what she would say. Astra hovered in front of Egon’s face. “And you, Dr. Spengler, are hiding behind your scientific career to avoid facing the truth in regards to your feelings for a young woman.”
She fluttered a few feet away from the men so she could address them all at once. “I will allow you all a glimpse into what could be your future, should you decide to not alter your present course.” Perhaps this will give you all the encouragement you need, whichever route you choose.” She then clapped her hands together twice.
The guys looked around. Suddenly, they were standing in the firehouse’s garage area. The Ecto-1 was gone, no one seemed to be around. Astra hovered beside them. “No one will be able to see you, but you will be able to see and hear them.”
“Sorta like Scrooge in The Christmas Carol story?” Ray clarified.
“I have a feeling it’s gonna be more like It’s a Wonderful Life,” Peter mumbled aloud. “And I’m not talking about the warm fuzzy ending; I’m talking about the part where George sees a dark, greedy town.”
Winston nodded in agreement.
“Where’s Ecto?” Ray asked worriedly.
Astra explained. “This is no longer a ghostbusting business. That equipment and vehicle are gone. The only thing that still remains is the containment system, still full of its ghostly inhabitants.”
Janine came up from the basement. She looked a bit worn out. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her make up wasn’t as bright as usual, and she sat down at the desk looking very fatigued. She wasn’t wearing her usual business attire either. She wore a long cream colored skirt that hit just above her ankles. Her blouse was pink with long sleeves.
As she tiredly worked at her desk, the guys watched from across the garage.
“I don’t like this,” Ray whispered. “This isn’t like Janine. “What happened to her bubbly personality?”
“This is only the beginning,” Astra said, her voice filled with grief.