“WE’RE THE GHOSTBUSTERS!” Shouted Peter, punching the sky.

There was a ripple of confusion in the crowd, they were plainly trying to decide what to make of these four strangers that had appeared as suddenly as the dawn, there was a pause, and then the local priest spoke up.

“That church has been haunted for years! Are you telling us you got rid of it?”

“Exactly!” Replied Ray.

The crowd began to murmur, for a moment I was slightly unnerved, who knew what their reactions might be to the strange concept of ghost busting. The talk grew louder and my heart began to race, could these people find the idea so absurd that they were prepared to resort to violence? One man was about to shout something, I prepared for the worst, thinking we would be squarely thrashed if the crowd turned violent.

“Ghostbusters!” Cheered a roughly spoken forty-year-old man.

“Yeah! Let’s here it for the Ghostbusters!” Cried a small shoeshine boy.

A faint smile spread across my face, these people weren’t violent! They were as peaceful as could be, I felt extremely reassured, and I could feel my heart regaining its normal speed. I glanced to my left and I could see that Peter was positively beaming.

All of a sudden, the entire crowd began cheering wildly!

“Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters!”

“They like us they really like us!” Cried Peter.

“Wow” Said I, “Did you get this kind of reception in the future?”

“Not a chance!” Replied Winston.

“Well what are we waiting for?” Asked Ray, “Let’s meet our fans!”

The Ghostbusters began to move into the crowd, shaking hands, they seemed ecstatic, everyone there was thrilled to do so much as see them up close, everywhere I looked people tried to get closer to them, I felt a deep happiness that I couldn’t explain.

As if coming out of a trance, I glanced around and Holmes was by my side, the look on his face would have revealed nothing to a stranger, I am proud to say however, that I know Holmes as if he were my kin, and so I could tell that he was extremely pleased with the reception that had been given to them.

“This is quite a moment.” Holmes said to me.

“Yes.” Said I, “I don’t know about you, but I feel like everything is just beginning.”

“Quite. By the way Watson, I didn’t want to say anything in front of our new friends, but I have the instinctive feeling that they were not sent here by accident! I believe there may be a greater purpose to all of this!”

I was quite perplexed at hearing this, “whatever can he mean?” I thought to myself, it seems that Holmes knows me just as well as I know him, for he was able to read my face quite perfectly, and almost immediately answered the question that was running through my mind.

“My dear Watson” He said “I have been a detective for many years, and if there is one thing that I have learned, it is to trust my instinct, it very rarely lies! As to what that greater cause may be, all I can say is that it will be revealed in time!”

Just as Holmes had finished talking the reporter I mentioned earlier approached us eagerly! The reporter addressed Holmes first.

“Mr Holmes?” Enquired the reporter.

“Yes, I am he.” Answered my friend.

“Could you please tell me your involvement in this, and how you met these people?”

The Reporter began to scribble a few preliminary notes down onto his paper, and Holmes began.

“Why certainly my good sir, I am an associate and consultant to the Ghostbusters, quite simply from now on we will provide aid in all areas of the unknown, if anybody out there requires assistance in relation to this subject then we are the people to come to! Visit our headquarters, (my residence) at 221B Baker Street, any time, day or night.”

Holmes finished his speech, the reporter looking very happy indeed.

“Thank you so much, Mr Holmes, do you know, people all across the world will here of this, you’re going to be even more famous than you are now!”

“You are quite welcome!”

With that the reporter took his leave, disappearing into the crowd. The Ghostbusters were still receiving a very large amount attention, but judging by Holmes’ face it seemed that Holmes believed it was time to go.

I approached the four paranormal eliminators and subtly told them that it was time to take our leave. Taking note, they left the excited crowd behind, and, accompanied by Holmes and I, began jogging down the streets, back towards 22B Baker Street, where we would be able to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea!

Upon returning to Holmes’ residence, we sat down in exhaustion. The scale of what had just happened began to sink in to me, I had witnessed a real ghost, proof of life after death, and I had been present at a genuine exorcism, I can’t help but tell you that I was almost in a state of shock.

“That was incredible!” Said I with excitement, “What do we do now?”

“Well, I reckon we need to set up business!” Replied Peter.

This was a good reply, and Holmes agreed.

“So what’s our first step?” I asked.

“Advertise!” Remarked Holmes, “It would be wise to let the country know that the Ghostbusters exist, placing an advertisement into the times might be a good idea.

“Great!” Exclaimed Ray, in a fit of excitement, his face full of a childish excitement. “I’ll get to work on it straight away!”

Ray picked up a pencil and paper from the table next to him and began to write. Five minutes passed and Ray was ready to show us the advertisement!

Have you ever witnessed something you could not explain?
Have you felt extreme feelings of dread in a familiar location?
Have you or a member of your family ever seen a spook, spectre or ghost?
If you answered yes to any of the above then you need the GHOSTBUSTERS, an elite team working in co-operation with the legendary SHERLOCK HOLMES, dedicated to solving YOUR paranormal elimination needs!
Our Staff will work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, in order to keep your family safe from the threat of the unholy!
All you have to do is call upon the GHOSTBUSTERS at 221B BAKER STREET, LONDON, and WE will be ready to help YOU!

The advertisement was perfect! It had everything that was needed. It was Egon, who spoke next.

“We must stock up on equipment then!” Said Egon, “We cannot count on there being bibles and holy water everywhere we go!”

“That is a very good point!” I remarked. “I can acquire some medical bags that can be used to carry the equipment.

“Excellent!” Remarked Egon, “That would be of great help!”

“So what will we need then?” Enquired Winston, “I reckon that we need a standard equipment list!

As he spoke, Holmes took up his violin and began to play, his music is of the most exquisite kind, quite worthy of a symphony orchestra, and when Holmes plays you can tell that he is analysing the situation.

“I think that we definitely need a bible and holy water” Answered Egon
Egon got to his feet, and took himself to the brandy cabinet and opened it. Obviously someone who had a great experience in the choosing of alcohol, selected a fine brand, and poured himself a glass of it, as he did that, I couldn’t help compare him to Holmes, their mannerisms were so similar, it was uncanny!

“It might be a good idea to take crucifixes and cameras as well!”

Holmes set down his instrument and joined Egon in a drink.

“It has occurred to me that it might be an idea to publish the details of these cases in the Strand Magazine.” Stated Holmes.

I personally thought that this was a good idea, it would have provided great entertainment to the world, Ray, however had other ideas, it did not require a super detective like Holmes to see this written in his face, I wasn’t sure if Ray would explain, but he did!

“That would be a bad idea!” Retorted Ray.

“Would you care to elaborate Dr. Stantz?” Asked Holmes.

Though Holmes would never say it, he hated being corrected, and I could see that he was annoyed by this contradiction.

“Well, we shouldn’t even be here, in this time I mean, now, the only way we can make a living is to do what we know, ghost busting! The thing is, if we allow too much information about us to be recorded then it could create a paradox! All you need to do is watch Back To The Future to see what I mean!”

“Back To The Future?” Asked Holmes, confused.

“Oh, sorry it’s a, err motion picture about Time Travel, it err, hasn’t been invented yet, but you get the idea? If we make a mess up here, who knows what may happen!

“Yes, I do see your logic, goodness me, is that the time? Gentlemen, it is late, and I bid you good night!”

Holmes took his leave, and I too bid the Ghostbusters goodnight!

The next morning I felt amazing, I would have called it a once in a lifetime experience, if I did not know that from that moment on I was going to be part of this team of heroes.

After having my morning wash, and dressing myself, I took up my coat and cane and headed out of the door, on my was to Holmes’ a most brilliant idea struck me and I altered my direction and headed for the local casters, smiling at my own brilliance.

After my visit to the casters, I called upon a good friend of mine, Dr. Charles Foster.

“Watson!” Exclaimed Foster with excitement. “How are you my friend? Tell me everything, still working with Sherlock Holmes, foiling evil villains and reaping the rewards?

“Steady on, permit me to join you in a drink, and I will tell you all about it.” I said!

So with that he took my coat and invited me in. I sat down and engaged in conversation, sipping a glass of brandy at intervals!

“So there you have it,” I said, “We have diversified to other fields, the paranormal to be precise! And I must say, it’s rather fascinating.

“It sounds it!” Replied Foster “I dare say it’s a chilling business though, so then, what brings you to my door Watson?

“Well, I was wondering if you had any spare medical bags that I could have, I would be willing to pay of course, it’s just we need equipment bags!”

“For sure! Watson, it would be my pleasure, I have two that you might use, as for paying, well, I wouldn’t hear of it! Be my guest!”

“Well, thank you Foster, I am most grateful.”

And so, soon after that, I took my leave, and headed towards Baker Street, pleased with the mornings activities, and happy in knowing that I had contributed to the greater good.

I arrived at Holmes’ at Twenty Past One, inside the Ghostbusters were enjoying a cup of tea, and Holmes was playing his violin magnificently.

“Ah, Watson!” Greeted Holmes, “How are you? I trust you got her alright?”

“Yes, yes of course!” I said “And good morning, to you, Peter, Egon, Ray, Winston, Did you have a good night?”

“We certainly did!” Remarked Peter.

“Ah good, good!” I said, “And I have a surprise!”

“Ooh, I love surprises, what is it? Come on, tell me!”

I was pleased to see such interest in what I had to show, so without wasting any time I opened one of the medical bags and took out a bronze doorplate, it was about 10 inches by 10, and written on it was the following:

221B Baker Street,
Headquarters of the
Ghostbusters
And Residence of consulting detective,
Sherlock Holmes

And directly below the text was the bold logo from their uniforms, apparently know as, the “No-Ghost” logo!

“Wow!” Cried Ray, “That’s great! An actual name plate!”

“Glad you like it!” I said.

“That looks extremely professional!” Remarked Holmes, “It’s perfect.”

“I agree with that!” Answered Holmes.

“Looks like we’re back in business!” Exclaimed Winston.

The next few days passed very quickly, and all the preparations were made, Holmes ordered, six bibles from the local bookstore, and I arranged for regular shipments of holy water from a nearby church. The nameplate was fixed up onto the wall in front of the door and Egon was able to find a quality camera.

“So how much we charging for each job?” Asked Ray.

“One Hundred and Fifty Pounds! We’re going to be rich! I can feel it in my bones!” Answered Peter.

I was shocked, one hundred and fifty pounds is a lot of money, we couldn’t charge that much, there would be outrage! I expressed my concerns, and thankfully we were able to sort out a much fairer price, that of Fifty pounds, it was still a lot, but it would have to do!

******

It seemed like we would never get a customer, almost two weeks had passed since placing the advertisement in the paper and we had had no replies!

“Damn it!” Exclaimed Peter.

This language was quite appalling, and if I had heard it from any other man I would have seen them to the deuce, I had to remind myself though, that this man was from the future, and I daresay that things are done very differently, but still, it didn’t seem right.

“Yo, sorry man!” Apologised Peter, “I forgot about the rules from this time.

We were all crashed on the chairs, sipping brandy, it was late and most of us were fed up, Peter’s cursing, was due to our lack of business, I was about to reply when there came a knock at the door.

I got out of my chair and approached the door, upon opening it, I came face to face with a very flustered gentleman, and I was quite taken aback, but was still able to greet him.

“Good evening sir, I am Dr. J. Watson, how may I be of assistance?”

The man was evidently panicked, so I invited him in, he sat down and wasn’t able to say anything until he had steadied his nerves with a strong drink.

“My name is Sir. Robert Andrews,” he explained, “I live at Andrews Manor, It’s had a history of being haunted, but none of us really believed any of the stories, until recently that is! I’m sorry, I just don’t know what to say…”

Sir Andrews was in a real state of shock, so much so that he was in dire need of a second shot of brandy. I began to try and calm the poor man down.

“Look, it’s ok, why don’t you tell Dr. Spengler over there exactly what happened and we’ll do our best to try and sort out your problem, we handle things like this all the time!”

Ok, so I lied, but at least it made the poor man feel better, he regained his composure and began to tell Egon everything…

“The history of the manor stems back to the middle ages, it was then that apparently the haunting began, it rumoured to be the ghost of an evil knight in the family, his name was Sir Gelion, he pillaged towns, abducting daughters and abused them. His reign of terror continued, with every crime more and more evil, until one day he met his march! Sir Larkham, the white night of a town called Hednesford, confronted Gelion, in the manor; they did battle in the very grounds that still exist today. Larkham was victorious, and peace was restored to England. From that day, the manor was deemed haunted, and it is said that sometimes Gelion can be seen roaming the halls looking for revenge, and as a matter of fact I believe that I have seen this deadly site, it roared at me and I fled to my bedroom.”

This was a very intriguing story; I could feel my heart skipping a beat, could this be our very first official case as the Ghostbusters? I hoped it would be!

“Sounds like your classic Repeating phantasm…” Explained Egon, “ We should have no problems in sorting out your little problem.”

“But let’s talk seriously for a moment!” Interrupted Peter, he had a crafty gleam in his eye, and I knew what was coming next, and sure enough… “Now for tracking and confrontation of the ghost we’re going to have to charge you Forty pounds, but we are having a special this week, on Eliminations and Exorcisms, and fortunately that’s only going to come to Ten pounds.”

“What!” Exclaimed Andrews.

“Well, do you want our services or not?”

“Yes of course, of course, I can’t pay you now, but I assure you that as soon as we reach the manor you will receive your money.”

“Glad we reached an understanding!”

“Well,” I said, “When do we leave?”

*****

The following day we gathered our equipment, the six bibles, three bottles of holy water, six crucifix necklaces, a camera and Egon’s PKE meter. Everything was packed away; in the end we had three bags; two general purposes and one for the camera. Egon made sure his PKE meter was clipped onto his belt.

After running through a plan and making sure we all knew how to perform a basic exorcism we called a Hanson cab, and, escorted by Sir Andrews we set off for the manor.

*****

As the cab approached the front gates, the manor loomed into view, magnificent and elegant. The front of the building was covered in Ivy and decorated with gargoyles and other statues, regardless of the buildings beauty, it filled me with a sense of foreboding, and I remember thinking to myself that, if there was ever a haunted house, this was most definitely one. I could see this same feeling on the face of my colleague.

“Welcome to my home!” Remarked Sir Andrews.

The cab drove to a halt outside the front doors of the manor, as we stepped out a beautiful young lady in her mid twenties came out to greet us, upon seeing this fair maiden, Peter’s eyes lit up, and he made sure he was the first to greet her. He took her hand and kissed it.

“Ah,” Said Peter, “it is a Pleasure to meet you miss…”

“Miss Andrews” retorted our host, “This is my daughter, Nelly. Nelly, this is Dr. Peter Venkman, a Ghostbuster.”

I’m not sure but I think I detected the slightest emphasis on the word “Daughter”, Peter, however didn’t seem to notice, that or he really didn’t care either way!

“Delighted to meet you, Dr. Venkman” Said Nelly.

“Oh, please, call me Peter.”

Peter kissed her hand once more and then let go, Nelly’s cheeks turned a subtle shade of red and she giggled.

“Ahem! Shall we get started?” Asked Sir Andrews, with a slight aggression.
“Yes I believe that might be best.” Answered Holmes.

We were shown into a grand hall, where servants took our coats, the entrance hall was exquisite, filled with splendid and terrible decorations, the feeling of dread that I experienced outside were magnified ten fold in here! Though I had little experience in this field, I could tell out right that there was definitely great evil present in the house, and it sent shivers down my spine.

I was about to utter my thoughts when Egon took up his PKE meter, I will not lie, I cannot fathom this device, I do know, however, that this device was picking up some sort of a reading, my suspicions were soon proven to be accurate.

“There is definitely a strong psycho-kinetic reading here, sweet mother of… it’s off the scale, what ever we maybe dealing with it’s big! You were right to hire us, Sir Andrews” Exclaimed Egon.

“What do you need us to do?” Asked Sir Andrews.

“Ok then bud,” Replied Winston, “First off, where have you seen the apparition?”

“I have seen it in the East wing corridor on the second floor, and in the dining room.”

“I too have seen it!” Interrupted Nelly.

“What!” Roared Sir Andrews, “You have seen this creature of evil, and you said nothing?”

“I am sorry father, but I did not want to worry you…”

“Ah, well, I suppose you had the best intentions my darling, you best tell this good gentleman where you saw it.”

“I witnessed the vile creature in the study on the ground floor, Dr. Zeddemore.”

“Thank you very much, and now, my next piece of advice is for you to seek refuge at a neighbours, is that possible?” Explained Winston

“No I’m afraid not, there are few houses around here,” Explained Sir Andrews, “Though we could stay in the servants lodges at the bottom of the grounds.”

“That would be ace! If you could recall all the servants from the house, except on to act as a guide…”

“Yes, yes, of course, you may have the use of my butler, Meadows, Nelly, would you be so kind as to fetch Meadows for us?

“Certainly father…” Nelly replied.

With that Nelly left. We waited for approximately five minutes, before the lovely girl made her return, alongside her was the butler Meadows. The plan was explained to him, before our hosts and the rest of the staff left the house. We were alone.

*****

We had precious few hours of light left, so we had to work quickly, a camera was set up in the dining room, and we made sure we were well fed. Then, darkness came…

*****

We were in the dining room; Meadows had left us by this time, and had returned to the servants’ lodgings.

“Well it’s eleven fifty six, are you certain something’s going to happen?” I asked.

“Nothing is ever certain in the world of the paranormal!” Replied Egon, “Still, it does seem like this might be a dead cause.”

“Ha!” Blurted out Peter, “Good one Egon! DEAD cause!”

“It wasn’t meant like that…”

“Sure it wasn’t, wow, our Egon cracked a joke! That’s worthy of the front page!”

“I tell you it wasn’t a joke!”

“Whatever you say Ziggy!”

“It wasn’t!”

“Ok…”

“I swear to you!”

“No… I believe you…”

“Honest!”

“Right…”

“Can we just leave this now?”

“Of course!”

Peter abruptly stopped talking.

“Eleven Fifty Eight…” I remarked.”

“Give it time.” Said Ray. “Give it time…”
We were all armed with a bible and crucifix, Holmes, Egon and Ray had a bottle of Holy Water.

“Eleven Fifty nine…” I said.

“Doesn’t look like there’s much happening.” Said Winston.

All of a sudden there was a horrific scream from above us, the scream of a woman…

“NELLY!” Shouted Peter.

I looked at my watch, the hands were spinning, and it should have been twelve o’clock!

“What the hell?” I ejaculated.

Egon looked at his watch, it was suffering from the same thing…

“Witching hour!” Exclaimed Egon, “Thirteen o’clock!”

“Yo, we have a damsel in distress up there!” Screamed Peter.

“Let’s go!” Shouted Holmes! “The game is afoot!”

We burst out of the dining room door, directly into the main hall, running, we climbed the stairs in time to see a door to our right slam. Running as fast as we could we followed our invisible foe. Peter flung the door open ran in, I heard a gasp of horror, I realised why. Nelly Andrews was lying unconscious on the floor in a heap!

“NELLY!” Screamed Peter. He ran to the defenceless girl and put his fingers to her throat. “She’s got a pulse!”

“Oh thank god!” Said I “Let me see…”

I kneeled down next to her and took her in my arms; she had fainted, from shock most likely, and was in no immediate danger.

“Stay with her!” Said Egon, “We’ll follow the ghost!”

“No! She’ll be fine; she just needs the protection only an experienced Ghostbuster can give! Peter stay with her!”

“Got it!” He replied!

“Let’s go! Let’s go!” Shouted Ray.

We set of into a run again and chased down the corridor, I could feel the evil in this house, and I was terrified…

As we ran I could feel the sweat running down my brow, door after door, corridor after corridor, door after door, still we pursued our foe, and always no closer and no further. My heart was racing, adrenalin was flowing through my body, the ratio between that and fear was almost indistinguishable. And as we ran my senses began to fail, a pounding echoed through my head, and the corridors began to grow smaller.

My head span, the corridors still getting smaller, was it just my imagination? Was it just the fear intoxicating my mind? Or was it really happening? Could it be that the evil in this mansion was so great that it had the power to control matter? I didn’t know…

The Corridors WERE getting smaller, I was sure of it! A hideous laugh filled the corridors, a laugh that smacked of cruelty, we reached the door of the corridor we were in, and Ray pulled on the handle, the door wouldn’t budge!

“Shit!” Cried Ray, “The door won’t budge!”

“God Damn it!” Cursed Winston.

“We have no choice but to go back…”

As he said that my fever was growing worse, I felt like I was in a bath full of boiling water, my cloths were drenched with sweat, the room was spinning, colours merged, and that terrible voice resonated through my head, corrupting my thoughts, and bestowing pure terror upon my head, what little light was in the corridor was becoming to bright, I clutched my head as I swayed from side to side, unaware of my surroundings, except that a black knight wielding a blood stained sword strode from behind a corner, the hatred and violence radiating off it, my conscious faded and he was the last thing I saw before I passed out!

*****

My head throbbed with pain as I awoke in a dark room. Looking around I saw that my friends and myself were all chained to a wall in some sort of dungeon, they were already awake, and the dark knight was nowhere to be seen!

“Holmes, Holmes!” I whispered, “Are you ok?”

“Yes!” He replied “All of us are, it was you we were worried about, you’ve been unconscious for several hours!”

“Goodness, that long!”

“After you passed out we found ourselves down here…”

“It’s good to see you’re ok!” Said Ray.

“Where’s the Knight?” I asked.

“We don’t know!” Answered Egon, “That’s the problem!”
“Allow me to answer that for you!” The ghost of Sir Gelion stepped from out of the shadows and spoke. “Allow me to present myself, Sir Gelion!”

“You’re not really Gelion are you?” Snapped Egon.

The Knight laughed, his cruel and vicious laugh.

“Ha! You are intelligent aren’t you?” Retorted the ghost. “No I’m not Gelion, permit me to show you my true form…”

As he said that, his body began to glow a deep red, and he stepped towards us, the metal armour peeling away, as if it were nothing but butter, flames covered his body, and he stood in front of us.

As the flames died down, a large and hideous man stood there, his face contorted and demonic, his teeth pointed and sharp, and his eyes glowing red. And then he spoke, his voice harsh and rough.

“Gaze upon me in fear, mortals, for I will be your last sight!”

“Gelion, Gelion…” Muttered Egon.

The creature rose it’s arms above his head, great balls of fire appearing in each, we were soon to be burnt to a crisp, I was sure of it!

And just our attacker was about to strike, Egon cried out!

“Legion!”

“What?” Roared Gelion.

“Your Legion, the demon, be gone bile creature, I have said you name, now you are obliged to return to hell!”

“You are too smart for your own good, very well, fools, you have beaten me today, but I shall destroy you, even though on my last attempt I brought you to this time!”

“It was you…”

“Yes of course!”

“I warn you, soon I shall destroy you, and then there will be nothing to stop me from corrupting your world!”

And with that, Legion, or Gelion or whoever that thing was vanished, it was he that brought the Ghostbusters to our time, and now it vowed to destroy us all, we were left alone in the cold, dark and wet dungeons, chained to the walls…

To be continued…