Ghostbuster Girls Ch.10

Chapter 10

We're about to get very busy...

“They destroyed our Ritual Chamber!”

“I can see that.”

“This cannot be allowed to...”

“A setback only.”

The hooded figure turned to face the leader of the Cult of Eternal Night.

“Setback? These children not only disrupted our efforts, they destroyed a Ritual Chamber and took the Codex!” he protested.

“A Codex,” the leader replied. “Those who came before us had enough foresight to make two copies. I happen to possess the original.”

“Still... these... upstarts must be taught a lesson!”

“And they will. Take some of our members to the Canterlot Library and begin the summoning. Even if you fail, more spirits will enter our world. They will distract these so called Ghostbusters. I will take the original Codex to City Hall.”

The leader turned, revealing for a moment a more feminine figure under the robes.

“If the Ghostbusters should come to the Library... use the Codex. I am certain there is a spell that could be of use.”

“As you will it. None can stop the coming of the Eternal Night.”

***

Two days had passed since the battle at Crystal Prep. Once again, the girls were down in the Canterlot High Bomb Shelter/Ghostbusters HQ going over various things and generally getting ready for whatever call they'd get. But plans were in the works to check out one of the other possible sites connected to this mysterious Cult of Eternal Night, the Canterlot Library.

Twilight Sparkle was currently working on a new attachment for the Proton Packs, although every once in a while she did ask to see one of the girl's packs. According to Twilight, over the time they've been using the packs, certain trends among the girls have become evident. When the Boson Darts were added, Pinkie Pie was the most likely to use them. In turn, Twilight decided to try and install supplementary heat sinks to enable Pinkie to fire off more Boson Darts before needing to vent the pack.

Fluttershy was more inclined to try and aim, so not only did she get some more defined sights on her Neutrona Wand, Twilight was going to install some more focusing elements to try and keep the Proton Stream from wandering like with the other packs.

Applejack's roping skills inspired Twilight to try and reinforce the Capture Stream on her pack, which should enable the country girl to not only grab ghosts a lot sooner than the others, but may even be able to start physically tearing apart an Animator construct while the rest of the team has to use the Proton Streams. She also modified the Neutrona Wand's rear grip to be more like that of a lever action rifle like Applejack suggested, allowing for faster manual venting without readjusting your grip.

While Slimer was floating around, Sunset was looking over the book they had taken from Crystal Prep. While she couldn't read Ancient Equestrian, she could figure a few things out based on the diagrams and pictures. But every once in a while it was clear she was frustrated. Slimer would try to help by bringing over an ice cold soda bottle, which helped, and even trying to make sense of the book himself, which just made his eyes glaze over.

“So Fluttershy and I chased this ghost through the third floor into Principal Cinch's office,” Rainbow Dash said as she sat in a chair drinking a Coke. “And the thing starts chucking crystal shards at us! So naturally I'm like 'screw this' and open up on it.”

“We did catch it, but Rainbow...” Fluttershy trailed off.

“I may have been a little overzealous and... destroyed Cinch's desk. And chair. And... oversized portrait...”

“So... how did the prank go Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked as she was messing with her PKE Meter.

“Without a hitch. After everything went back to normal, Indigo Zap actually helped me get to the roof and we planted the flag right up front for all to see. She said she'd shoot me a pic of Cinch's reaction as soon as things calm down over there. Still kinda crazy with the cleanup,” Rainbow Dash explained.

Sunset wasn't even listening to the conversation as she flipped through page after page of the book. She knew that this was over her head, but she just wouldn't admit it. She didn't want to admit it. This was something from Equestria, and she knew nothing. Finally, she gave up. Closing the book, Sunset dropped her head down onto the table and sighed.

“I give up,” she said. “I can't figure this out.”

“Ya have been at it ever since we brought that thang back,” Applejack pointed out. “Ah'm pretty sure we all understand.”

“Do you?” Sunset asked. “This is something from my world. I should know something that can help us. Yet... I got nothing! I let you girls down.”

“Not true.”

Sunset looked over at Twilight, who was holding some sort of component that looked like it connected to the Neutrona Wand's emitter.

“No one expects you to know everything Sunset,” the purple haired girl said. “Just shows you're human.”

“Except I'm not human,” Sunset said. “But... I think I understand what you mean. Nobody's perfect.”

Taking a deep breath, Sunset got up and headed for the stairs. She needed some fresh air. As she made her way out to the front of the school, many students actually greeted her. After the Battle of the Bands, Sunset had proven to everyone that she had changed. They finally accepted her. But there was still that little bit of doubt in the back of her mind. They knew who she was. What she was capable of. Even after the events of the Friendship Games, Sunset wasn't sure exactly what people truly thought of her.

It was a small fear honestly. She knew they accepted her as one of their own. But she couldn't help but worry if that darkness within her reared its ugly, flaming head again.

An hour later the girls found Sunset just sitting on the ground, leaning against the statue. Slimer hung back, slurping on his soda, as this was something for the girls to handle. One thing did come to mind for the Spud. Kylie had taken control of Twilight's body, but only when circumstances allowed it. Sure Slimer was lousy with actual language skills, but he was smarter than he appeared. From what he overheard, Twilight was essentially knocked unconscious, but due to Kylie also being in her head, wasn't totally immobilized by the impact. Kylie was able to step in and take control because Twilight was unavailable. And, it was possible that the fact Kylie was still aware of what was going on immediately after the impact was because Kylie herself had already assumed control when Twilight blacked out. It just took time for Kylie to realize it.

“Hey Sunset,” Rainbow Dash greeted the redhead. Sunset turned to face the chromatic haired athlete and smiled.

“I just needed some fresh air,” Sunset replied.

“Well... we just came up with a theory,” Rainbow Dash said as she leaned against the statue. “You tore up that basement pretty good. That's bound to make these Cultists mad.”

Sunset thought for a moment before cringing. Dash was right. By obliterating the Ritual Chamber, Sunset had hoped to send a message, that the Cult couldn't continue without opposition. In so doing, Sunset may have painted a target on the backs of herself and her friends. The Cult would want revenge. All because Sunset didn't think about the consequences of her actions at the time.

“Anyways... Sci-Twi thinks that with the Cult down one basement, they're going to start worrying,” Rainbow Dash explained.

“We've already located one abandoned Ritual Chamber,” Rarity added. “And you and Twilight destroyed another. That leaves at least two possible Chambers remaining in town. We've cut their capability down by a third at least as long as the Ponyville Elementary Chamber remains abandoned.”

Sunset thought for a moment. They were both right. Due to the actions of the Ghostbusters, the Cult's ability to summon Nightmare Moon was diminished. And they needed to make sure the Ponyville Elementary Chamber remained out of commission. But something else came to mind. If the Cult was now worried, that would mean they would do everything in their power to succeed before they were stopped. And that could mean...

“We got problems,” Sunset finally said.

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“Dash and Rarity are both right. We've taken a chunk out of the Cult's capabilities. But that just means they're gonna get more desperate. They're going to try again. And they're going to keep trying until they succeed. Which means...”

“More Ghosts in Canterlot,” Applejack drawled.

“That's not good...” Fluttershy said meekly.

“No. Its not,” Sunset confirmed.

“More Ghosts mean...” Pinkie Pie said. “We're about to get a lot busier. I'll go get the energy drinks!”

Sunset sighed and stood up before turning to face the group.

“Applejack, you and Rainbow Dash go back to Ponyville Elementary. Make sure that Chamber can't be used again. Twilight, keep working on that attachment for the Proton Packs. I've got a feeling we might need a new trick up our sleeve. Everyone else... lets... keep hitting the books. There's got to be something we missed.”

With that, the girls dispersed. The only ones left were Sunset and Slimer. With a sigh, Sunet leaned against the statue again and looked up into the sky.

“I'm scared Slimer,” Sunset admitted. “If the Cult succeeds... one of the most powerful beings in Equestria will be unleashed on an unsuspecting world.”

Slimer flew down to be next to the girl, still slurping on his soda, and put a hand on Sunset's shoulder to reassure her.

“It took the six Elements of Harmony to end the threat of Nightmare Moon last time. We don't have that here,” Sunset sighed. “At best... we've got a mere shadow of the Elements with the magic my friends have. Nowhere near as powerful. If they succeed... I don't know how we can stop her.”

Slimer put his drink down and flew in front of Sunset. He then put a combat helmet on and made like he was holding a rifle as if to say “we carry on no matter the odds”. Getting the message, Sunset couldn't help but smile.

“Yea... I guess so,” she said. “Celestia... I hope you're right Slimer. Its just... Nightmare Moon was basically the boogyman in Equestria for a long time. While she wasn't Discord, Nightmare Moon could have caused devastation across the world if not for Princess Celestia banishing her to the Moon for a thousand years, and then Twilight... the Twilight from Equestria, and her friends using all six Elements to free Princess Luna from her darkness.”

Sunset closed her eyes and brought a hand to her chest.

“I'm only one mare,” she said. “One mare and six humans versus a veritable Goddess from my world. And we don't even have the Elements here.”

When Sunset opened her eyes again, she couldn't help but laugh. Slimer now had a hat on that looked like Link's from Legend of Zelda, and was swooping around humming the overworld theme. He was trying to tell her to have courage. He then shifted to look like he was wearing glasses.

“Sunset find a way,” he said, mimicking Dr. Malcolm from Jurassic Park.

“Thanks Slimer,” Sunset said with a smile. “You're right. And... you're a good friend. For a... slimy undead spud.”

Slimer laughed and nodded, indicating that he liked her too. With a smile, both girl and ghost went back into Canterlot High. There was work to be done, and food to eat.