Later the same day.
He was finishing up moments later, when they heard the Ecto-1 pull up again. They both ran out to meet the guys, with Slimer zooming along behind them. The ghost headed over to Ray, and sputtered frantically, waving his tiny arms around.
“Slow down, Slimer!” Ray said, and the group all saw Janine and Venkman standing close by.
“Janine!” They cried.
She smiled, “Hi guys, all through with Mrs. Roger's house?”
Peter came up to her, “Yeah, but we're not through with Mrs. Roger.”
“She's a ghost.” Ray added, both of them frowning.
Venkman tossed her a knowing smirk, 'What did I tell you?' She hmmphed at him, and turned back to them.
“Where is she?” Winston asked.
“I don't know,” She shook her head, “She had some ideas for fixing the place up.”
“I'll bet she does,” Peter and Venkman said in unison, and then traded glances with each other, while the rest of the group stared at them with apprehension.
“We got to find her, and fast.” Ray insisted.
“Let's go, everybody split up.” Peter ordered, and then went up the stairs, before anybody could say it was a bad idea. Venkman watched him go, and went to follow.
Winston stopped him, “Forgetting something?” He grinned, and gestured to the lockers where there was an extra proton pack for emergencies. Venkman had been borrowing it or someone else's on the occasional bust. Venkman grinned back, and went to suit up. Ray had already followed Peter upstairs by the time he got himself strapped in. It did seem a bit easier this time, though whether that was from him being younger, or the physical training from Master Windu, he didn't know. It certainly helped in either case. He then charged up the stairs, sure the ghost lady was up there. He thought he heard the other Peter cry out. *Uh-oh* He quickened the pace, but he almost got knocked out as Janine and Slimer came charging past him.
“Hey, hang on!” Venkman yelled, but they were already out of sight. He paused at the top of the stairs at the sight. Shit... he was too late. Just like in Johnny's vision. Janine had walked away, and frowned at him questioningly. He gave her furtive glances, and gestured with his head that she should get back downstairs. Slimer was meanwhile zooming around Peter, studying him worriedly. Then the demon bird landed on his head.
“Oh no you don't! Never mess with a Venkman!” He growled as he headed toward them, and charged up the thrower as the evil Tweety on the possessed Peter's head spewed fire at Slimer. The bird squawked angrily, and charged after him when the proton stream hit it. It kept him away from his other self by blasting him with fire. He watched in horror as his other self headed downstairs, and the bird followed him.
“Hey, stop right there!” He ran, and caught up with them as they at the top of the basement stairs. He tackled his other self, and they fell down, tumbling to the bottom. Venkman got up slowly while Peter got up mechanically, and headed toward the containment unit.
C'mon on buddy, snap out of it! You're scaring your twin here. Out loud, he yelled, “Wake up, Peter!”
At once his other face turned more demonic, “I am not Peter, I am the mighty Watt! Begone!” He violently shoved Venkman away, enough to knock his breath out of him. He laid against the floor, while his other self headed over to the controls to confirm voiceprint and handprint ID.
~He wants to shut off the containment unit. Stop him!~ He heard briefly. Peter? C'mon, pal, fight back! He didn't get any further response though. There was a sudden thunder of footsteps at the top of the stairs.
“Peter, what are you doing?” Ray yelled.
The Watt in Peter paused his hand to snarl at the other Ghostbusters, and laugh demoniacally, “Stay away!”
Winston exclaimed, “Either he's coming down with a real bad cold, or we got major problems.”
Venkman still couldn't get his breath to yell back, as Egon said, “Judging by these readings, I think Peter is possessed.” *Yeah, no shit, Sherlock, what gave you that idea? The ugly mug, or the even uglier birdbrain on my head?*
Janine shrieked urgently as the possessed Peter started to turn the handle, “Peter, no! Peter, don't do it!”
He growled in a low voice, his eyes now glowing, “I am not Peter, you pitiful fools! I am the mighty Watt!”
Venkman was finally able to stand up, “Like hell you are! Get out of there. I got your eviction notice right here!”
At that same moment, Peter slapped his own face, and declared, “No, I'm not. I'm Peter. Peter Venkman!” ~Why are you standing there? Help!~
I'm coming, pal. “Guys, cover us.” Venkman yelled as he tackled Peter again, knocking his shields down as he did so. He was then pulled in as he distantly heard Janine, “He's fighting it!”
Then he couldn't hear anything as his mind was wrenched away.
In Peter's mental landscape, he saw himself, locked away in a cage, and Watt snarling at both of them.
“Pitiful human! How dare you thwart the will of Watt!”
Venkman shot back, “Who writes your dialogue, 'cuz that's pitiful!”
Peter yelled, “Yeah, you suck! You're pathetic!”
Venkman added loudly, “You want a Peter Venkman? Well it's your lucky day. Buy the first Venkman, get the second free!” There was energy swirling around him, as he let his emotions build it up. He traded a glance to Peter, who frowned at him, though there was another field starting around him. They traded glances, nodded to each other, and the cage fell away from Peter suddenly. The two of them stormed toward Watt, who growled at them. The energy continued building around them both now, merging, and concentrating.
....Now.
Peter yelled, “And don't forget your special gift with purchase!” The energy flared out from them, and launched into Watt, pushing him back. He started to fade as he was shoved out of Peter's mind. But then two long arms reached out and clutched their ankles, yanking them hard, and sending fire lancing up at them. The two both screamed in unison from the pain, and another energy field launched from them, pushing Watt out of their mind.
They distantly heard Watt shrieking, “No, you can't have them back, I won't let you!”
Venkman was suddenly yanked out of Peter's mind as the two were physically wrenched apart. They both yelled at the proton streams lashing over them, pulling Watt away where he was finally trapped. The two of them breathed heavily from the exertion, dimly hearing the cheers from the others. They then heard the others come over to help them up.
“Peter? Are you all right?” Janine asked worriedly.
They both wearily said, “Yeah, fine.” Both Peter's put their hands in front of them, “But I've definitely had it with haunted houses. Right up to...” They put their hands up, and stared at each other.
“Yo, Egon, is this normal?” Winston asked.
Egon studied them, “I'm guessing both Peters temporarily merged with one another.”
“Wow, like a Vulcan mind-meld? That's incredible.” Ray exclaimed excitedly.
“This is temporary, right, Egon?” They both asked, and glared at each other. “Copycat! Stop it! No, you stop it! No, you!”
Egon said, “Will you both stop it before you give all of us a headache?”
Venkman nodded wearily with some effort, “Sure, oh waiter, check please!” and then passed out. Janine and Winston went over to help him.
Peter shook his head, “Lightweight. Anyway, I...” He trailed off, staring at his hair, now lying straight up. He tried to scrunch it back down with his hair, only to have it go back up again. He gave a low grumble at this.
“See, I can't go out in public like this! My life is ruined.” Slimer looked sympathetic, and went over to slime him on the head fervently, mashing the hair down with lots of ectoplasm.
Peter bared his teeth at the ghost, as Winston laughed, “There you go, Peter. Looking good!”
“Slimer was just trying to help, Peter,” Ray reassured him, even as Peter stalked toward the spud. He then broke out in a run as the ghost zoomed away, with Peter yelling and chasing him up and outside, and down the street.
“How's our other Peter doing?” Winston asked as Egon ran his PKE meter.
“Still some residuals, but they are minor. He should be fine.” They helped Venkman up to a ready bed, even as Peter eventually returned to the firehouse some time later to get cleaned up. Things were back to normal by the looks of it.
“Slow down, Slimer!” Ray said, and the group all saw Janine and Venkman standing close by.
“Janine!” They cried.
She smiled, “Hi guys, all through with Mrs. Roger's house?”
Peter came up to her, “Yeah, but we're not through with Mrs. Roger.”
“She's a ghost.” Ray added, both of them frowning.
Venkman tossed her a knowing smirk, 'What did I tell you?' She hmmphed at him, and turned back to them.
“Where is she?” Winston asked.
“I don't know,” She shook her head, “She had some ideas for fixing the place up.”
“I'll bet she does,” Peter and Venkman said in unison, and then traded glances with each other, while the rest of the group stared at them with apprehension.
“We got to find her, and fast.” Ray insisted.
“Let's go, everybody split up.” Peter ordered, and then went up the stairs, before anybody could say it was a bad idea. Venkman watched him go, and went to follow.
Winston stopped him, “Forgetting something?” He grinned, and gestured to the lockers where there was an extra proton pack for emergencies. Venkman had been borrowing it or someone else's on the occasional bust. Venkman grinned back, and went to suit up. Ray had already followed Peter upstairs by the time he got himself strapped in. It did seem a bit easier this time, though whether that was from him being younger, or the physical training from Master Windu, he didn't know. It certainly helped in either case. He then charged up the stairs, sure the ghost lady was up there. He thought he heard the other Peter cry out. *Uh-oh* He quickened the pace, but he almost got knocked out as Janine and Slimer came charging past him.
“Hey, hang on!” Venkman yelled, but they were already out of sight. He paused at the top of the stairs at the sight. Shit... he was too late. Just like in Johnny's vision. Janine had walked away, and frowned at him questioningly. He gave her furtive glances, and gestured with his head that she should get back downstairs. Slimer was meanwhile zooming around Peter, studying him worriedly. Then the demon bird landed on his head.
“Oh no you don't! Never mess with a Venkman!” He growled as he headed toward them, and charged up the thrower as the evil Tweety on the possessed Peter's head spewed fire at Slimer. The bird squawked angrily, and charged after him when the proton stream hit it. It kept him away from his other self by blasting him with fire. He watched in horror as his other self headed downstairs, and the bird followed him.
“Hey, stop right there!” He ran, and caught up with them as they at the top of the basement stairs. He tackled his other self, and they fell down, tumbling to the bottom. Venkman got up slowly while Peter got up mechanically, and headed toward the containment unit.
C'mon on buddy, snap out of it! You're scaring your twin here. Out loud, he yelled, “Wake up, Peter!”
At once his other face turned more demonic, “I am not Peter, I am the mighty Watt! Begone!” He violently shoved Venkman away, enough to knock his breath out of him. He laid against the floor, while his other self headed over to the controls to confirm voiceprint and handprint ID.
~He wants to shut off the containment unit. Stop him!~ He heard briefly. Peter? C'mon, pal, fight back! He didn't get any further response though. There was a sudden thunder of footsteps at the top of the stairs.
“Peter, what are you doing?” Ray yelled.
The Watt in Peter paused his hand to snarl at the other Ghostbusters, and laugh demoniacally, “Stay away!”
Winston exclaimed, “Either he's coming down with a real bad cold, or we got major problems.”
Venkman still couldn't get his breath to yell back, as Egon said, “Judging by these readings, I think Peter is possessed.” *Yeah, no shit, Sherlock, what gave you that idea? The ugly mug, or the even uglier birdbrain on my head?*
Janine shrieked urgently as the possessed Peter started to turn the handle, “Peter, no! Peter, don't do it!”
He growled in a low voice, his eyes now glowing, “I am not Peter, you pitiful fools! I am the mighty Watt!”
Venkman was finally able to stand up, “Like hell you are! Get out of there. I got your eviction notice right here!”
At that same moment, Peter slapped his own face, and declared, “No, I'm not. I'm Peter. Peter Venkman!” ~Why are you standing there? Help!~
I'm coming, pal. “Guys, cover us.” Venkman yelled as he tackled Peter again, knocking his shields down as he did so. He was then pulled in as he distantly heard Janine, “He's fighting it!”
Then he couldn't hear anything as his mind was wrenched away.
In Peter's mental landscape, he saw himself, locked away in a cage, and Watt snarling at both of them.
“Pitiful human! How dare you thwart the will of Watt!”
Venkman shot back, “Who writes your dialogue, 'cuz that's pitiful!”
Peter yelled, “Yeah, you suck! You're pathetic!”
Venkman added loudly, “You want a Peter Venkman? Well it's your lucky day. Buy the first Venkman, get the second free!” There was energy swirling around him, as he let his emotions build it up. He traded a glance to Peter, who frowned at him, though there was another field starting around him. They traded glances, nodded to each other, and the cage fell away from Peter suddenly. The two of them stormed toward Watt, who growled at them. The energy continued building around them both now, merging, and concentrating.
....Now.
Peter yelled, “And don't forget your special gift with purchase!” The energy flared out from them, and launched into Watt, pushing him back. He started to fade as he was shoved out of Peter's mind. But then two long arms reached out and clutched their ankles, yanking them hard, and sending fire lancing up at them. The two both screamed in unison from the pain, and another energy field launched from them, pushing Watt out of their mind.
They distantly heard Watt shrieking, “No, you can't have them back, I won't let you!”
Venkman was suddenly yanked out of Peter's mind as the two were physically wrenched apart. They both yelled at the proton streams lashing over them, pulling Watt away where he was finally trapped. The two of them breathed heavily from the exertion, dimly hearing the cheers from the others. They then heard the others come over to help them up.
“Peter? Are you all right?” Janine asked worriedly.
They both wearily said, “Yeah, fine.” Both Peter's put their hands in front of them, “But I've definitely had it with haunted houses. Right up to...” They put their hands up, and stared at each other.
“Yo, Egon, is this normal?” Winston asked.
Egon studied them, “I'm guessing both Peters temporarily merged with one another.”
“Wow, like a Vulcan mind-meld? That's incredible.” Ray exclaimed excitedly.
“This is temporary, right, Egon?” They both asked, and glared at each other. “Copycat! Stop it! No, you stop it! No, you!”
Egon said, “Will you both stop it before you give all of us a headache?”
Venkman nodded wearily with some effort, “Sure, oh waiter, check please!” and then passed out. Janine and Winston went over to help him.
Peter shook his head, “Lightweight. Anyway, I...” He trailed off, staring at his hair, now lying straight up. He tried to scrunch it back down with his hair, only to have it go back up again. He gave a low grumble at this.
“See, I can't go out in public like this! My life is ruined.” Slimer looked sympathetic, and went over to slime him on the head fervently, mashing the hair down with lots of ectoplasm.
Peter bared his teeth at the ghost, as Winston laughed, “There you go, Peter. Looking good!”
“Slimer was just trying to help, Peter,” Ray reassured him, even as Peter stalked toward the spud. He then broke out in a run as the ghost zoomed away, with Peter yelling and chasing him up and outside, and down the street.
“How's our other Peter doing?” Winston asked as Egon ran his PKE meter.
“Still some residuals, but they are minor. He should be fine.” They helped Venkman up to a ready bed, even as Peter eventually returned to the firehouse some time later to get cleaned up. Things were back to normal by the looks of it.