Life with Phantom

The big picture…..

….It's so easy to judge something only based on puzzle pieces scattered around, people pick the bits they like…trying seek their own image with it.

Sometimes they even force it, even when if it doesn't fit properly...the important is that it fits to their liking, right?

But what does it become when the puzzle's construction follows his own natural way? …..It gets cleared with all the facts……some like it….some don't like it….

….But no matter what the thought is, the picture is printed before their eyes. And it's time for those who have constructed it to really see it for what it's worth.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 1958….it's now been two weeks since Navarro was bitten by Willard…..and one week since he was brought back in his human form thanks to the totem of spirit control built by his friends. Needing time to rest, he often received the visit of Harold and Mary separately at his parents's home.

But that day was particular, since it was the first time Hal and Mary were in Navarro's room together. ….To be more precise, Mary was not aware that Harold would come today….even though she seemed to know the reason of his arrival.

Nevertheless, she was more than happy to see him. Navarro looked at the two directly coming to each other: greeting, holding hands and…kissing each other on the lips?

''Whoa! Seems I missed some declaration here!'' Navarro almost hiccuped, smiling while laying on his bed.

Laughing a little, foreheads touching each other for some time, the young couple turned towards Navarro.

''Yeah….we figured enough time has passed to tell you….let's say that after experiencing loss almost two times, we weren't going to…'' Harold hesitated.

''It happened during the time we built your totem…'' Mary revealed, strolling her left fingers on her new boyfriend's shoulder.

''Well felicidades for you two!''

Navarro was really ecstatic while saying that, for once in this span of two weeks: it was good news happening in his life. Even if it was not concerning him personally. He nevertheless regained his serious, with a reassuring smirk.

''But you didn't lose me! And we won't lose Willard either, what we did to him was a temporary setback…..once we manage to find a cure for my situation, then we'll transfer it to him as well!''

Under this commentary, Harold and Mary separated from each other, looking aside…getting gloomier, they took some time before gazing at Navarro, never more serious in their life.

''¿Q-Qué pasa?'' Navarro stuttered.

''Felix….there's…..there's something important we have to tell you!'' Mary grimaced from guilt.

Navarro's eye pupils almost shrinked…..whatever was coming, he seemed to know he was not going to like it.

''We….we wanted to tell you earlier….but it was just….we needed to investigate on our own first.'' Hal fixed, almost afraid.

''Out with it already!'' Felix impatiently ordered.

Hal gulped, Mary went forward.

''You know that Matzarathulu case in past June? With the disappearance of Inspector Kenneth?'' Mary opened, under Navarro's quick nod. ''Well….something weird happened to me….and during our analysis of the goop's DNA at my attic, I took an occasion to talk to Harold about it.''

Felix looked at Harold.

''….But I didn't see you talking to each other alone! And while in the way to Mary's attic in her house, you both said you had to take a ''nature's cal-''.'' Navarro quoted with his fingers, but interrupted himself because of the slow realisation. ''Ooooh…''

''Yep, years of drama class totally not wasted.'' Harold brushed off.

Navarro didn't know what to say since he didn't witness the exact discussion, but in Harold and Mary's head, that scene was clear as day!

-…-

Both said PIs were in the kitchen, close to each other, whispering all this time.

''And you're telling me? Why?'' Hal argued.

''Because I feel safe with you, you…you never judge! I fear Navarro would drop everything just to help me and Willard would just….be Willard.'' Mary turned aside. ''I don't want them to be distracted from the main objective of this case even for their friend.''

''Even so, I have to tell them. For Poe's sake Mary, we need as much ressources as possible, defaillance of powers is dangerous!'' Hal affirmed.

''Wait wait…..I don't know why I told you that in the end…..I mean….anyway, we fought Matzarathulu once and….my powers worked here! I'm sure it will be alright!'' the young woman reassured.

Thinking for some time, Harold put his right hand on his flirt's shoulder.

''……That's weird…..do you know why your telepathy didn't work in only this fraternity house?'' he asked.

''I thought it was first because a nasty spirit was here….but….there was nobody in the end, right? We fought it outside.'' Mary convinced herself.

Getting suddendly worried and silent, Harold backed away.

''You have an explanation?'' Mary noticed.

''N-….No, you're probably right!''

Harold said that with a smile, but as he turned away his face grimaced from confusion and some…anger….as he didn't want to believe something he possibly had in mind. -…-

''You….you both hid this from me and Willard?!'' Felix just blurted out loud.

''And we're sorry, we should have told you….but in the end, I was able to use my telepathy normally for the rest of the case, and all the others after during the month!'' Mary excused.

Harold cleared his throat, hands on the edge of the bed.

''But that's not the end of it…..when Mary said that to me…..I felt conflicted and angry! Because of something I saw, and only myself!''

Harold grasped a part of the bed sheets just thinking about it. Mary rode his mind for some time.

''It's because of what you saw for a brief moment when you teleported in Omega Alpha Pi isn't it?'' Mary revealed.

-…-

That scene in OAP that was already witnessed….who played back in both young grandparent's minds…….

''Ergh, if I knew that was going to happen, I would've brought the psychic amplifier.'' Mary complained in low voice.

''If we had that: good luck being subtle with that fashion failure thing on your head then.'' Willard nonchanlently whispered, right hand behind his back.

Mary was going to answer but suddendly, Harold appeared by teleportation behind them…his gaze suddendly shifted to Willard's back.

Yeah…..when…….when I teleported here….and behind them…..I saw Willard's arm on his back…glowing with an aura! -…-

''You mean he…he used his powers? Here?!'' Navarro leaned forward, eyes darted on Harold.

Hand on his forehead, teeth clenching, Harold hesitantly nodded. Then, he let go of Navarro's bed sheets.

''While that detail got to me, I didn't bought it this much attention, maybe Willard just prepared to defend himself. ...But when Mary told me about her power defaillance…..a scenario that was difficult to process printed in my head…'' Hal scratched his hair.

''Harold told me about what he saw during the week we visited you individually and in alternance. And….all became clear.'' Mary mimicked a mind blown with her hands. ''My powers didn't work in Omega Alpha Pi because……Willard, in secret, reflected my psychic waves so I could not read ANYONE's mind!''

Navarro's mouth trembled, so much he had to just sit on the side of the bed, feet on the ground.

''I don't believe it!'' he said, distressed, almost sweating.

''I didn't want to believe it either!'' Hal revealed, sitting side to Navarro, looking at him with regret. ''….Trust me, Felix, I was glad to have Willard in our team, no matter what I thought of him, but ever since that cursed vision…..theories brainstormed in my head, it made me anxious! I didn't want to break our friendship because of some possible conspiracies!'' Hal revealed, sitting side to Navarro.

Mary went towards both PI's, remaining stood up. Once she stopped in front of them, she spoke.

''When we started to investigate during your convalescence…..the question we first asked ourselves was this: Why Willard did this?!''

''Indeed……and the answer to me was clear: didn't you find this weird he insisted to be with Mary when we splitted our team? Not just proposed, INSISTED!'' Harold told to Navarro.

And indeed Navarro found it weird, now that Will's voice replayed in his head….

Wait……Navarro, go with Harold, I'll go with Mary in Omega Alpha Pi.

''Y-….yeah!'' the cursed leader approved.

''My theory was because: whatever past he had at Omega Alpha Pi, he didn't want anyone of us to know, just in case some old members back when Willard was part of that fraternity were still there…..'' Prune assured.

''…….Wait he….that was the real reason he prefered to HELP someone this time?! Why he really didn't want all of us to go in that dangerous club?''

Under Navarro's question, both approved.

''If my telepathy worked that day, something about Will would probably leak in these minds. He wasn't 100% sure it would happen, but he didn't want to take risks!'' Beyer broke down the theory.

Navarro was so taken back, almost in denial, so much that he was almost on the verge of tears.

''No, no, we all heard what he told us right?! About how an ex-friend of his brought him to Omega Alpha Pi when he was 14 and in another school and then-'' Navarro hesitated, as Willard's voice once again echoed through everyone's head.

-An ex-friend part of Omega Alpha Pi got me here doing some side ''jobs'' - -my memories from it are……far from OK, it was…humiliating-

Harold deeply sighed, as he felt what he was going to say was going to deeply affect everyone, specially Navarro.

''I'm sorry…..but all that sob story….was just one big lie, because I've went to see that ex-friend!'' the young adult with glasses dropped, moving away a little from Navarro.

And he was right to do so. Almost as a reflex, Navarro threw his fists on the bed while remaining in the same sitten down position.

''He-He lied! He…he lied to all of us!'' the poor leader maniacally stuttered with anger. ''…That ex-friend, how did you even get in contact with him?''

''Her…..'' Harold Prune corrected. ''And you would be surprised of the things Willard keep in his house!''

Mary used her telepathy to read Harold's mind….and print his vision in her head.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The scene played is almost like she was in his her friend's body: ransacking Willard's wardrobe.

She, or rather Harold, put out a box, filled with school projects, even school yearbooks. He started with the year 1951-1952, with the school name different from Lugosi Junior High school. The school year Willard was in seventh grade.

While the point of view leafed through the book, Harold's voice was heard.

I tried to find clues about the identity of Willard's ex friend……..and strangely, this was the only school yearbook our teammate kept…..finding something took me time, but once I saw it….my heart almost stopped.

It was impossible to tell the color of the pictures of course, but on several group classes picture shots and in some clubs, completly in the twelfth grade section, there was a picture of a goth girl. On each of the pictures she was present, her head was circled in red.

It was a long shot, and I wondered why Willard only kept this yearbook when he was not even a finishing student. ….Curious, I looked at the blank section where friends would usually write their comments or phone numbers…..I only found one message...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back to the trio of PIs, Mary in turn sit down side to Harold on the bed.

''Harold called her on one of these contacts, since it was the only hint we had, and we went to see her in person 3 days ago. Here's what we recorded.'' Mary indicated, taking Harold's tape recorder.

The three friends went out of the bed, only with the tape recorder left on it, Harold pressed play, everyone let the conversation went on…..Navarro becoming more and more uneasy as it progressed.

''…Willard…..yeah, I remember him, nicknamed him Willy! In spring 1951 there was a visiting day for students who were going to get into that school after the summer, and that kid was one of the sixth graders.'' Gricelda's voice remembered, nostalgia in her tone.

''Let me guess: you were affiliated to guide him?'' Harold's voice radically asked.

''Yes. No need to say that when he discovered I had the same interests at him in horror books, we bonded for some time, same when he entered seventh grade, we spent time as much as possible together." the witness's voice revealed.

''……..More than your fellow 12th graders?'' Mary's voice hesitated to say for a split second.

''Try to understand: yes I have other friends, but when I first heard of Willy I got told he would marry horror books if he wanted to, nothing else interested him and it scared his classmates. But me….I was the first person he became truly attached to! His teachers were proud of me for making him come out of his shell.'' Strauss's vocals boasted with nevertheless modesty.

If he wasn't so much distressed by all the info piled on him, Navarro would've laughed.

''Willard? Attached to someone?''

Harold and Mary just shushed at their friend.

''Really, he was like the little brother I never had, and he felt the same with me being his big sister. When I finished high school…it was hard, for both of us. ….Yes, we exchanged some phone conversations. But things happen, and….you go into paths you don't expect.'' the interviewee's voice mysteriously hinted.

Mary's voice on the tape cleared her throat.

''So let me decipher it for you: two years later, you were part of Omega Alpha Pi, and this was when Willard called you back.'' the voice indeed deciphered.

''It was very difficult times, for each of us….there was not really any occasion but to see each other in that social club. OAP's leader back then agreed for him to stand around, under pretext that he needed someone to clean the mess every night.'' Gricelda's call expressed with regret.

During all that conversation by tape recorder, Harold felt like he was there again….the scene played in him and Mary's head once again.

-...-

''So that's it, that's the humiliation Willard went through?'' Harold believed badly, taking notes.

In front of him and Mary sit together, Gricelda Strauss, now 23, was quite changed. Not any dress or makeup of black color, her ponytail hair was now brown though the tip of the hairstyle remained a little black. She denied with her head.

''No, at the contrary, it was not exagerrate to say even the young adult members were quite intimidated by this teenager. …..But again, it was the first impression he usually gave off around everyone.'' the changed woman commented.

She paused for some time, looking at her feet moving from nervosity, before saying this again:

''If anything, he's the one that skipped the steps.''

''Pardon?'' Mary one-shotted.

''You told me he was humiliated, but nobody even gave him the fraternity initiation…however………when he wasn't with me, he started to come out with dangerous ideas and experimented them, on official members!'' the ex goth woman revealed.

The young grandfather stormed up from the comfy couch, dropping his notepad, shouting ''No!'' .

''I'm sorry to say that's the truth!'' The woman said with enough confidence to not even having an ounce of emotion anymore.

''OK no, no way a boss of an entire fraternity would let a teenager trying to impose himself!'' Harold Prune argued, moving around, arms flailed.

''Normally yes, but not the one we had back then. I did try to convince him to expulse Willard, but he didn't care.'' Gricelda cleared her throat, then mimicked a bourgeois voice. ''People love extremes, and as generations of adults keep passing by, we need the youngsters to give us ideas!''

Covering his mouth from disgust, Harold didn't even know what to say, so Gricelda continued talking.

''I guess I didn't know Willard for what he truly was, and what the boss was thinking….all of that….it disgusted me to be part of a club who started to have no honor in its rules!'' Gricelda contempted.

''Then…..did you leave the club?'' Harold inquired.

''I started leaving the club the day Willard went.... too far!'' the ex-gothic lifted up her head. ''He coerced two members and all three pulled an initiation stunt on the boss himself….but they weren't aware he had an allergy and he-…..''

She almost groaned, stopping her own mid-sentence, but pulled herself together.

''When medical aid was required, the two others members had regrets of course….but that face of Willard…..it was like the demon incarnate!'' Gric resumed, hand covering one eye, desperate. ''….Our last conversation wasn't pretty!''

Mary rode Gricelda's mind once again, to witness the flashbacks she had in her head…. -…- In the witness's point of view, she was in front of Willard wearing a fraternity jacket, both talking, though the 19-year old at the time was very agressive in her tone. The place was close to the back of the house.

''I don't want anything to do with you anymore, you hear me?! I quit this club!'' she screamed. ''Oh come on, you'll really blame me for something I didn't know?'' Will brushed off, calmly. ''…Even if you didn't know, do you realise the consequences? You skipped the steps and wanted too much, you're just a kid Willard! What kid does what you just did without remorse? You're lucky he's gonna recover from it!'' Gricelda pointed agressively at her ex-friend.

Mary witnessed it all in Gricelda's mind……the nonchalence of Willard…if only she could intervene…

''And that's what matters right? I'm still the lil' Willy, Grissy!'' the…..''human'' shrugged, not even flinching in face.

Gricelda backed away from desperation, pupils shaking.

''…Don't even DARE to use our nicknames after what you just did. …….You changed!'' Will's ex friend panted several times. ''Or maybe you were always like this, maybe I didn't know your super natural kind enough! Either way…..I won't let you be reckless for the rest of your life!''

She then backed away a few steps.... "Goodbye, Willard!'' Willard then turned her back on her, going away, she didn't even let his last remark flinch her.

''Exactly like the others of your species….shame that I'm a part of it!'' -…-

Back to Gricelda's talk with Daemona's future grandparents, the former cried just to think of this moment, but she was still able to speak, like she was used to facing this aspect of her past now.

''…..I reported to the director of the school about Willard's actions. You know....I hoped the fraternity would just close. But all it mattered was Willard getting expelled! Go figure why that darn fraternity stayed. After tha...Willard didn't call me again, and I lived my own life.'' the oldest adult let off steam verbally.

Mary was as shocked, if not more, than the ex-gothic woman....

In fact….she was taking some time to speak, she shivered, and Harold didn't get why.

''…..Gricelda, I need you to answer me something important right now!'' Mary roughly seeked, the two companions looking at her. ''Wh…..when you were with Willard, did you see something weird behind him?''

''Y…..I mean…yeah? Word, are you able to transport yourself in my mind or what?'' Strauss threw.

During all this recorded conversation that played as a flashback, Mary and Harold didn't tell anything about their profession, and not even their ''friendship'' with Willard…..just that they heard he was humiliated at Omega Alpha Pi….so really…that remark was just a wild guess.

''You're gonna tell me who arrived first right? It was me…I waited for Willard in that corner on the outside….when he came, we switched positions because he was going to bypass me….but before he even came, yeah, I saw a weird mixture behind the house! ….I had the time to touch it…..it was orange….and hard…like cement!'' Gricelda Strauss described, mildly creeped out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The recorder tape of all the conversation in Navarro's room stopped right after that moment……

...

...

The first thing Prune and Beyer did were to look at their leader friend…..who had difficulty to hide his dismay! Looking at Harold, and Mary, he stuttered for a good amount of time.

''N-N….No-no-no-no! ¡Tienes que estar bromeando! Tell me it's not what I think!'' Felix panicked.

...

...

If it was just about Matzarathalu possibly being there that night…but no, something else made Navarro panic like that. Somehow, with all the info that was revealed to him these last minutes about Willard's past….and his true nature, he got it: the tragic last snow that snowball of conspiracy accumulated among the rest! Attempting to catch Navarro's attention by taking his shoulders with his two arms, Harold interpelled him.

''……Felix…I can see you're thinking like us now…..I never wanted it to come to this……out of all the resolves of our cases…..it was the one conclusion I didn't want to be true…..but as much as it pains you….and all of us…..I have proof! I risked my life to keep this only evidence!'' Harold eerily deployed.

Taking his backpack out of him and ransacking inside, the glassy young adult took out two sheets in two individual evidence bags: the one covered with orange cement he found one month ago when they were all in the netherrealm…..and a clean sheet of a written school project!

''….I've been bothered by it ever since I saw that messy sheet!'' Harold showed the cemented paper on his left hand.

my signal

''What Gricelda revealed to us….I was reminded of that sheet. And I swear the writing was like I saw it somewhere, but didn't remember I've went to see in my own home if there was school projects I kept around…..and the truth hit me….''

While saying that last sentence, Harold showed the cleaner sheet to his friend Navarro….he was so in denial he was afraid to look at the evidence. But at one point, he had no choice….he looked at the sheet, who had a similar writing. Was he really sure? While he checked in details, Mary informed the contents of it.

''Sometimes we would do team projects with Willard……when Harold's doubt began to spread….he compared the two papers for DNA.''

On the other sheet, Navarro noticed one word.

….signal.

He then took Harold's remaining sheet from his hands and looked at it.

my signal

….the same writing.

''Other than Matzarathulu.....…Willard's DNA was found on both of these sheets, check and double-check.'' Harold exposed.

Just letting the school essay drop, Navarro staggered towards his bed…sitting on it, curled up, in a small catatonic state. Getting more sad while looking at his friends, the new couple could only turn their head away.

''I never wanted to believe it….but….'' Mary said, head turned.

''….There was never any danger for Willard in this case………..never!'' Hal clenched his fists.

''….He, he manipulated everything, since-…since the very beginning!'' Navarro finally said, eye twitching. ''….He made a deal with Matzarathulu and did everything he could for that truth to not get exposed, didn't he?!''

And, as he concluded that.....he could only think of something Matzarathulu said in that case back in June..............

....Something that seemed innocent at first approach...

Poor fools, humiliated when they least expect it!

-…-

Outside Navarro's room, her mother Tatiana passed by the closed door….she heard some stomping and punches on soft matters, the heavy noise made her jump. Leaning herself, ear almost glued on that door, she listened.

''¡Maldito sea! I-I TRUSTED HIM, WE ALL DID, AND HE STABBED US IN THE BACK!'' Navarro's voice roared, under the punch noises.

''C-calm do-'' Harold's voice whimpered.

''THIS IS HIS BIRTHDAY GIFT ONE MONTH LATE?!'' Felix's voice interrupted. ''AFTER ALL I'VE JUST LEARNT AND COULDN'T STOP, YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN?!''

Tatiana couldn't help but breathing heavily, worrying for her son…..there was no names, but she was not naive. She knew it was about Willard, specially since he was the only one who didn't visit. Fist clenched near her heart while her eyes closed, she could only stay here…..let Navarro has his moment with his friends, shedding some difficult tears.

As she heard muffled cries while steps hit the ground, she stood up and went to call her husband.

Back in her son's room, he was now curled up on the ground, against the bed, his two friends snuggling against him to console him, struggling to hold their own tears.

''Is-is it my fault?! Ha-ha-have I been a bad leader? Have I led him this far astray?!'' Navarro choked, tears rolling down.

''Hey hey hey! None of this is your fault, you hear me?!'' Mary insisted.

''…..Thi….this was not his first rodeo I'm sure! No way someone like that was able to manipulate every detail in his first shot without fail! Even if we tried, not sure it would have changed anything. He was too far gone when he transformed into that…vampire!'' Harold precised, managing to control his tears.

''….Because that would not be the first time he made alliances and that's what turned him into this? Well HOW GOOD TO KNOW!'' Navarro growled, fueled with nothing but revenge.

Leaving his grisp onto Navarro, standing up, Harold Prune was filled with determination.

''Now you understand why we won't find a cure for Willard, he deserves to suffer all eternity for what he did….'' Hal expressed, kneeling down. ''But I promise you this Felix: no matter what will become of the Phantom Investigators, me and Mary are gonna investigate Willard's movements every chance we get, and if we find any dealings he made with any demon, we will brief you about it!" he then seriously promised.

''Yeah! Because then NO ONE will fall for his misdeeds! He may have monsters at his side…..but if somehow there's people out there with powers like us….they'll all be against him!'' Mary assured, arms still around Navarro.

Wiping away his tears, Navarro could only hug Mary back….right now, having what was left of his friends was what mattered to him….way before finding a cure for himself.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And with that….all was finally told.

What was there even left to say to the four children standing in front of Navarro? Who could only express silence.

And given that, in 2003, he was still standing with that same young apperance…only with a soul patch under his mouth. The present PIs could only guess that difficulties happened.

''....Do you see my point Daemona?'' Navarro tried to prove.

Daemona was snapped out of it once her name was heard….that's right….all that story was linked to the argue she had with her friends….and deeply hit Navarro.

''Do you see what can happen when you start to isolate a team without even taking the time to communicate? The path it can lead some to? Your grandparents and I had to lie to everyone and everything! About Willard, how I didn't age, why the PIs disbanded! This path only got worse and we didn't expect ourselves to fall for it....there's a reason your father is oblivious to what your grandparents were, we all chose to put that behind us....how could we even explain that us, the PIs, couldn't even see one of our teammates betraying us?!'' Navarro ranted. ''....All of that...for an argue that could've been avoided if I listened more...to what Hal wanted to say, instead of giving ultimatums!''

There was a long silence from all the kids, who just looked at Navarro breathing from getting this weight out. Daemona suddenly got closer.

''Profes-…..Navarro, ……do you really think ANY of us here is like Willard?!'' She said, with a little tone of deception.

''Don't make me say words out of my mouth!'' Navarro denied. ''I trust your judgment, you're all the most sharpest teenagers I know. I just want you to be aware that if a mentor can make a mistake, then his students can easily make it too! And one day you will grow up….challenges will get in your way!''

With the most reassuring attempt to smile, Navarro kneeled to face Daemona at the same height.

''Don't let the pride of leading a team isolate your friends like it nearly did with me and your grandparents…….and unfortunately went too far with Willard. I don't want you to go through a path of lies like I did!'' Felix put it simply.

Kira suddendly started laughing, arms crossed.

''Professor, please, I appreciate your concern, but none of us is like Willard.'' she assured.

She stood up, leaving her chair aside and put her hand on Daemona's shoulder, more close to the professor.

''You know…one time I was burned out by the Pis.'' Kira Williams revealed

''….¿Ah sí?'' Navarro's right eyebrow raised.

''Si amiga!'' the dark-skinned girl answered.

''Amigo.'' Navarro corrected.

''Amigo, To the point that I wanted to skidaddle out of it! ……However, not any justification would excuse a situation where I would personally betray my friends for my own DJ interests!''

While saying that, Kira looked at the picture of the 50s PIs, with Navarro and Daemona's grandparents celebrating Willard bringing a book, staring directly at the latter.

''You know what I see when looking at this Plowrong? I see a coward with no will to adapt to any situation, only caring about his own interests and took the easy way out when things didn't go at his tastes!'' she then gazed at Navarro. ''He was your friend so no offense: but who needs enemies with people like that who have no place in a team?!''

Daemona tapped Kira's shoulder, smiling wildly, relieved to learn of her position in this team as things went sour.

''However, Navarro's right: if we don't want to lose each other, we need to communicate about our needs.'' Daemona approved.

She finally turned to Jericho, sitting along with Casey.

''Jay, I'm sorry about the way I acted earlier! Is there something you want to tell us about your concerns these last few days?'' the girl leader asked.

''…….my school year!'' Jericho just spew out.

''….Huh?'' Kira interjected.

''If I don't study more seriously this year…I'm gonna have to restart my eight grade all over again. But this job takes much of my time.... and-……I still like being hanging out with you dudes. …It's just I don't want me being late have a stain over our friendship.'' Jericho moped, taking some time to look at his friends.

While Casey, Daemona and Kira smiled with compassion, Navarro got suddenly hit by that revelation....he tried hard to not express it in front of the students....but it was like....he wanted to laugh.

....That was it?

...That was the reason of this argument between his students?

....Maybe because of his past and all his link with Daemona's grandparents, he saw too much of his own group in the Phantom Investigators of today, and that's what made him laugh: making the situation more dramatic than it actually was. ....How could a fear of doubling a school year could even compare to lies and betrayal?

Despites the great sharpness of these young teenagers almost comparing to finishing students, they really were just kids....

....But that storytelling probably was for a good cause, he told to himself. With that, these four kids seemed more healthy to communicate now, putting all the stress behind them.

....But never again he was going to pretend the worse with a different generation!

...Back to the teenagers's discussion

''…..Of course, we understand! And don't worry, you'll still be the same to us no matter what happens! Even better: we'll help you study.'' Casey reassured.

''You're students too, Jericho…..and I'm sure there's a lot of people with powers like you all! I've been a PI too, so don't hesitate to take a break from supernatural from time to time…I can manage it now that you know my past!'' Felix smiled.

''That's exactly what I was going to say!'' Daemona added.

''…Gang, you rock!'' Jericho stood up.

The spiky-haired kid used his telekinesia to drag his three teammates towards him, into a group high five, under everyone's surprised scream.

''Have we really found a new record about lazyness?!'' Casey remarked with a little tomfoolery, under everyone's laugh.

Laughing as well, Navarro went away.

''I'll let you manage what you'll do about that thing in your soul collector, I have stuff to do.'' he decided.

A long silence ensued while the 63-year old young vampire continued to walk.

''OH RIGHT! OUR CASE'' Daemona screamed, running crazy followed by all her friends. ''GIRL, WAIT FOR US!'' Kira objected, running.

Snickering, Navarro took a plate of feasts in the fridge.....once he closed it, he looked at the calendar....

October 2003.....right now it was the 23th day. Once he turned the page to november, he put his finger on the date of November 1st and 2nd.

El Día de Muertos

Sighing a little, he then went back with the plate of feasts towards the basement.

Even if I'm still under that curse…..and despites everything…

….I'm hopeful.

Because really, keeping my heart has allowed me to still have contacts with the supernatural despites my age…

And with that connection between these two worlds…even with the difficulties….

No one is truly gone, and can only expand!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally getting at the bottom of the basement with that plate of food, Navarro looked at the beautiful art he started preparing.

An ofrenda…..with all the pictures of his own family, with candles that had yet to be lit. On top of one of the steps were a picture of his parents, way older.

(Original drawing by @beatleswings)

Besides…..friend's families are also family to me. Daemona, you have inherited your grandmother's backtalk and passion, your grandfather's sharpness and bravery even if you never knew him!

….I really see both of them in you!

Putting the feast at one empty place of the ofrenda, Navarro then turned to a small table with small food and candles, where there was a picture of Hal and Mary at their oldest age. Comparing the two pictures, Harold's seemingly colorful hair, stubble and mustache told he…..was way younger than Mary.

In a trashcan was a frame of Willard, in the age of 18, his last year as a Phantom Investigator. Surprising even himself, Felix took it for some time, stared at it.

The only one I don't even put here now is, ironically, the one truly dead to me.

Willard….I didn't know you for what you truly were, and it took me time to accept it! I'll probably never forgive you, for all your deceptions….and what you did to me!

….And yet….I can't help but keep asking myself one question.

….In these decades…your connection to Matzarathulu, and your deal….what was it truly?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The year is 1958…more particulary, June 1958 the night following Felix's team argue, in the forest close to Omega Alpha Pi.

Remaining in hiding, Matzarathulu suddendly saw a silouette walking slowly towards him.

''Well well…..if it isn't the oh mighty mortal.'' Matza cockily said.

As the shadow revealed himself, more into Willard Plowright wearing the same disguise as he did when he went with Mary at Omega Alpha PI, only this time he had a coat.

Willard didn't even flinch at the mocking tone.

''How are you feeling? Not inflating yourself too much?!'' the spirit of humiliation remarked, arrogant.

''….The only thing I see inflating here is you! Careful, you'll deflate!'' Willard sassed back with the most disdain he could have.

Matzarathulu growled.

''How dare you speak to an immortal like that?!'' his voice echoed in the area.

''Do you realise all the mess I had to pick up because of your impatience?! I had to stage a fight with my team just so I could see you in private!'' Will raised his voice enough to make his complice shut up.

It's almost like the spirit backed away, judging by the goop left in front of him.

''I told you to throw that message away after reading it! One of my teammates discovered it! If my ''boss'' hasn't intervened, we would both have been in trouble!'' Will grounded, never more menacing in his life.

''Oh…you found it back? And what are you gonna do about it?! You're in no position to intimidate me!''

Immediately under these words, Matza threw his orange goop at Willard, the latter, unimpressed, used his power reflecting to make the matter float and threw it back at his accessory....he received all the goop, and was unable to move.

Under his complaints, Willard moved forward, getting the extreme hair dryer out of his coat then made all the goop around Matzarathulu melt.

''Don't forget, I could destroy you in a snap if I wanted to!'' Will said, pointing at his own glowing arm once all was melted.

The strange creature chuffed, letting Willard have it with his frustration.

''Four years ago, when I met you eering around that fraternity, I wrote you a letter....''

Wait for my signal, when the fraternity will be closed for dangerous activities, I'll contact you, then you'll move in, sign a contract with naive university students and you can have their soul for all eternity, with infinite humiliation as energy to power you up!

Ending his citation, Willard took a deep, menacing breath.

''Why is it that no later than yesterday, I see you moping around that fraternity who is still open and learnt you've been doing this for a week?!'' he then concluded.

''Tsk, I have no time for waiting, there's no guarantee I will find this much people to have their soul, relying on three times the mortals present is quicker even if I have to hide....plus, I can't resist the smell of pizza...'' Matzarathulu justified, keeping his composure.

The corrupted PI took a deep breath, trying really hard to not go berserk for these stupid reasons. He then waved his index, noising with his tongue. Using his power reflector to play with Matza's fresh goop, he formed a portal and a small policemen getting sucked in it.

''And because of your impatience and that portal you created, an inconveniency made it open! People SAW your goop you pizza-face!'' Will insulted. ''If I hadn't reflected my teammate's telepathy to hide any trace of both our presences in this fraternity, you could've said goodbye to all your projects! And despites my actions, you now lost your own house thanks to my team's intervention!''

He got progressively more angry while saying that, Matzarathulu didn't know what to say.

''Have you ever heard of the saying: to lose patience is to lose the battle?'' the powerful investigator inhaled deeply, expiring loudly by the mouth. ''If you would not have done any of that: that missing officer would have done his job right; the fraternity would be closed; and you would got all the time you needed to power yourself up, invisible to others! Now that inspector doesn't even remember why he went there in the first place! You know the time it will take for that social club to close now?!''

Truly, the amateur creature didn't thought of it like that.

''So here's what we're going to do now: you're going to open that portal, erase it from the inside and stay in whatever doghouse you'll find!'' Will ordered like it nothing standing in front of him.

Showing the dryer he kept in hand, the mastermind pursued verbally his list of action.

"Meanwhile I'll use this and my powers to erase any of your traces and buy time so my team doesn't get you. This time you wait until the fraternity close and I'll contact you''

''And how will you do that if you keep your double agent shtick with the PIs, putrid human?!'' Matzarathulu dared to talk back.

Willard laughed, throwing his gadget aside, getting closer to his accomplice.

''You think this is my first babysitting with your kind? You really want to test me?'' the human scowled with his mouth. ''You know, I just discovered my mere presence can open nethergates like the one you created now, all thanks to my other activities and inflating side of evil! And I've learnt of me and my kind's growing reputation.''

His puppet gasped in surprise while Willard formed a weird shape with the goop…..like a head wearing a judge wig with horns.

''So how about I pay a visit to that ''Judge Psyjaak'' and tell him a simple mortal, a PI no less, have helped a monster like you not straying from his own path? I wonder how humiliating it would be for the spirit of humiliation to be demoted from its own status!'' he spitted at one millimeter of his victim's big eye without fear.

Screaming from bitter, Matzarathulu finally gave up.

''All right all right, say no more, I'll follow your way.'' Matzarathulu winced.

Willard went forwards, shaking one of Matzarathulu's members with his own hand.

''But once I sign my contract, you and I are over, you leave me alone! If you do that, I don't snitch you to your friends!'' Matzarathulu ordered.

''…..I always intended that anyway....And don't worry about me, I already have a plan to hinder my team's activities for a good while!'' Willard backed away, then turned around. ''See you at the end of the social club.''

''Wait!''

Stopping, Plowright turned back to his companion.

''….You're a pretty arrogant mortal, one day it will cost you….but you know what…I can respect your honesty and spiritual armor!'' Matzarathulu complimented despites everything. ''…Can I seek why an human like you is helping monsters like me?''

Taking some time to reflect, Willard sit down.

''Do you know why I'm fascinated by horror books?" Will opened with another question, then answering after a few seconds. ''....Someone like me, spending time in a club of litterature, it's difficult to picture, isn't it?''

''....It's true that you really looks like the black sheep of this group!'' Matzarathulu remarked.

''And I'm fully able to admit it....I'm fascinated by horror novels because: some endings are pretty tragic….sometimes heroes win….sometimes it's ambiguous! All the combination of words human put out of their pen to create an appealing story! But honestly….none of that appealed to me.''

Patting his legs to make the dust go away, Willard pursued his own telling of visions.

''The real thing that gets me about all these books are that: ….entities are pretty stupid and dependent!''

''I beg your pardon?!'' Matzarathulu interrogated.

''They flatter their ego with their master plan, they hurt humans, they despise them…..but what they don't realise…is it's that these same humans that drive them to become anything in the first place!'' Will explained, for a rare time having some passion in his gestures. ''.....All the stories humans invent related to fantasy or monsters....just to make their children believe in fairytales, or discipline them to not stay awake at night! ....Your kind not realising that you're just the results of our decisions is infuriating to me!''

Power reflecting the goop around him, Willard formed Matzarathulu itself, chasing an human.

''Now that you actually exist in our world, it's further proving it. After all, it's one of the human's weaknesses who power you up isn't it?'' Willard smiled.

''…Humiliation!'' his monster ''friend'' quoted.

Willard stood up, opening his arms.

''At the end of the day, I strongly believe it's humans who control monsters's best interests, not the opposite….you're only tools!'' the evil mastermind abhored. ''I couldn't care less if self-proclaimed independants entities dominate the world, one day or another, they're left with nothing as long as humans get used to them and resist! Even lost souls who're not evil and looking for closure are relying on humans to help them!''

Fingers on his chest, he continued his rant.

''….You see? My teammates and the netherrealm entites I made deal with can interpret whatever cliché or absurd backstory they want with me like I'm a fictionnal vilain. But in my opinion, I'm just a guy who'll stop at no end to see the laws of supernatural gets put in its proper place! ....And that's what got me my powers.'' Will revealed, lifting his arm surrounded with purple aura and black sprinkles.

Willard then turned away, digging this last advice in Matzarathulu's head.

''So choke on that when you'll finally get what you want: when you're willing to do anything, amazing things can happen!'' He walked a few steps, then turned around, smiling creepily, index on his mouth. ''Oh and shht, watch out for the bogeyman of your kind this late at night!''

And under these cryptic words, he went away, not even waving at what he helped all this time, only leaving his puppet in complete silence…… …No.....he was so out of it, he said to himself. An human so far gone from reality and so sucked in his hobbies that it consumed him.....Matzarathulu almost felt humiliation himself for being intimidated by…that mortal! How could that even be possible? He was just an human….

…Right?

''Gang…..we have to get out of here NOW!'' Navarro alarmed, face turned to his interlocutors.

''Wh…why?!'' Mary asked promptly.

"It's an elemental, and judging by how we don't see it, I'm guessing an air elemental!'' the leader warned, showing the remote.

Harold just looked at the netherrealm's sky, indeed, there was nothing more than green and white dots, with some colors moving around.

''So we have to escape something we don't see? In supernatural terms I call that bull-''

All the rocky area started moving quickly and horizontally like a rocket, making everyone move and fumble under the winds. Hal, still caught up in his line he was about to finish before all this event, began to change his vocals into a scream.

''-SH-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!'' he finished.

Everyone was flown away while holding hard to their gadgets and looking for something on the ground to grasp: the only thing that was without surveillance was the second soul collector, who flew and hit right on Inspector Kenneth's head, rendering him unconscious because of how hard the shot went. The offensive weapon ended its course by falling out of the zone, into eternal emptyness.

''O-O-O-OF-BLBL-BLFICER!'' Mary's lips flapped under the air flow.

And it was only until the big rocky area was struck into another rock that the former started to fissure itself.

''QUICK, ALL ON THE SAME SIDE BEFORE IT BREAKS IN TWO!'' Navarro screamed with assurance.

Harold rolled his vacuum to Navarro while Mary passed the morph box to Willard. The latter hurried himself to Navarro while Hal and Mary transported Officer Kenneth's uncounscious body.

On the other side, Shadowcop Wibbly just looked at the PIs trying to wake up the officer.

''Well….it seems this elemental will do the hard job for me. Thanks for the challenge though, this was fun! But I value my own life over a possible demotion!'' Wibbly thanked without remorse.

With a sign of salute, once Matzarathulu's house rock broke in two separate bits, the new jelly then jumped out of the surface, under the PIs's looks of bitterness.

''A jerk, but he's right, we have no chance, specially not against something we can't see!'' Hal said.

Mary used her telepathy to try to follow the signal of the air elemental. While it was not close yet, it was coming fast.

''RUN!'' she shouted in a panic.

Running as fast as she could towards the throne room, everyone followed her still holding their weapon. Harold put Kenneth on the Vacuum Ormal and teleported himself along with the two things by touching the handle of the gadget.

Once again all hiding behind the throne, they tried to discuss about a plan, but it was really more stressful than last time.

''OK, we NEED to get out of here, but we're very far away from the portal we've been through and there's no telling if there's any more close! This place is too big!'' Felix said.

''But we have to at least TRY fighting that thing!'' Will argued.

''Willard, we found Fred's father and got rid of what got in our way, we have nothing to do here anymore, the most important thing right now is saving him and ourselves while we have the chance!'' Felix counterattacked.

''OK then, Sherlock, how do you propose we do that? Luck seems to not be in our favor right now and we don't have time to mimick a big fight to open an existing nethergate!'' Will debated, impassible.

Mary stayed silent, hoping to calm down the adrenaline by holding Navarro and Will's hands with her two own ones.

''I……..I think I can tempt something I trained a few times over, but we all need to hold hands!'' Mary suggested.

''But, what are you think-''

''The longer I explain the more you probably won't be conscious to know the rest, just DO IT!'' Mary interrupted Harold really harshly, as never seen before.

''All right all right!'' Hal panicked, picking Navarro's other hand.

''Alright, keep your hands held together! Concentrate very hard and fill your head with your WILL to get out of this place!'' Mary ordered, eyes closed.

Everyone mimicked her moves by closing their eyes as well, telepathic waves went out of Mary's head, focused on what seemed to be the whole place. For some time, nothing seemed to happen.

''Come on…come on, I can feel that elemental coming closer!'' Mary spoke with despair.

Willard started grimacing as he started to turn his head towards the open space behind him. Suddendly letting go of Mary's hand, he stood up. Hearing the footsteps, Hal opened his eyes.

''Uh, what do you think you're doing?!'' the latter asked.

''Trying to hold the elemental off.'' Will just dryly answered.

''Stop trying to play the hero all by yourself! Elemental beings are too strong even for your power reflecting!'' Hal shouted, desperate from Willard's hot-headedness.

''You prefer to perish and not getting all smooshy with your girlfriend anymore?'' Willard scoffed, still waking away while hugging himself as a sign of mockery.

''What?! You idi-''

''HAL STOP! I agree with you about Will, but if anything, it's going to buy us time and you can teleport to save him anyway! We still haven't went through with my attempt. Keep focusing!'' Mary angrily ordered.

Seeing that Navarro, the leader, was not saying anything, trusting her and Willard even if he agreed with the duo's opinion about the lone wolf PI, Hal complied with bitterness. Closing his eyes and clenching his teeth, holding Navarro's hand, he kept focusing.

Meanwhile, Will Plowright got out in the open.

''Yeah, I'm one of Matzarathulu's party invites who keep disturbing the neighborhood, what are you gonna do? Mess up my hair?!'' Willard provoked, waiting for the unseen.

He heard an increasing growling, like the entity was getting closer. As soon as Willard felt even the slightiest change in the force of the wind, he surrounded his arms with aura, lifted them so the palms faced the front and bended his knees.

The invisible elemental pushed him with a strong wind , which only made Willard's shoes drag backwards on the ground, as he struggled to keep his balance while redirecting some of the wind in several directions. He even tried to push some of the wind forward with his hands but how could it even hit an element present everywhere?

Back on the PI trio's side, Mary started to smile while keeping her eyes closed.

''Yes….yes….I can feel….a portal opening!'' she cheered.

Everyone opened their eyes, like Mary said, a portal started to manifest.

''How….it really worked!'' Hal said, like he was dreaming.

''These two worlds share more psychic links than you think, you would be surprised what our combined wills and determination can do!'' Mary boasted, tapping Hal's back.

''Yeah, well done, but something tells me that portal is not going to be open long.'' Navarro worried himself.

Mary took Kenneth's body on her shoulders and immediately went through the portal, Navarro and Harold turned around to Willard, still busy.

''WILLARD, THE PORTAL IS OPEN, COME BACK!'' Navarro shouted as loud as he could. ''ALRI-''

Willard got immediately interrupted by a stronger force of wind. This time, even the power reflecting was not strong enough for him to redirect, his feet lifted from the ground while being pushed as a big speed close to the edge of the rock.

''WILLARD!'' Navarro shouted.

Harold, holding the vacuum despites it not working, teleported himself with it towards the edge of the ''cliff'' , where he was ready to receive Willard. The latter was so quick to be projected that he almost fell in the abyss, but his friend took his hand just in time before he could fall.

Sensing a change of force in the wind, Harold used his other hand to place the vacuum vertically behind him to be protected by the blast happening 1 second after.

''Gn……hold on, I'll teleport us all with our shield close to the portal!'' Hal shushed to Will.

Unfortunately, one split second before they disappeared, the direction of the wind struck them from the left, they almost directly fall but thankfully, Hal's team teleportation worked. He and Will, along with the broken vacuum, appeared close to Navarro and the portal, though not without rolling on the ground a little due to the gravity.

''Good, everyone's here, now OUT!'' Navarro shouted

Willard got back up and rolled the vacuum, Navarro followed him, but stopped himself. He noticed that Harold didn't get back up yet. He looked at a sheet of paper in a bag flying in the air.

Distressed, Harold ransacked his pockets: the sheet of paper covered in orange stuff he hid on him way earlier after entering the netherrealm, unknown to his team, was not here anymore. And looking at the various colors on the sheet flying right now, no doubt in his mind: it was the same!

For an unknown reason, Harold got progressively more hesitant, angry even, as he looked at his parachute backpack he had on himself all this time. Then, looking at Navarro, the portal, all the netherrealm, then back at the sheet of paper, He stood up, not even facing his teammate.

''Hal…wh-wh....what are you-'' Felix stuttered

Without saying anything, the glassy PI teleported away.

''HAROLD!'' Navarro screamed, mixed with worry and anger.

He noticed that Harold appeared right in the air side to the flying sheet of paper, he catched it, and as he was about to fall in the void. He remembered the parachute on his backpack he was still wearing, he opened it to not miss the dry land. But he almost forgot about the air elemental who pushed him far away, and because of the parachute, he even gained altitude.

''NO!'' Navarro shouted, while running.

''WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WE MUST GO!'' Willard suddendly appeared, taking Navarro by the arm.

Despites Navarro's protests, Willard cleared his memory that their teammate could teleport anytime, even if it did calm him a little, after all, a good leader is worried about all his team getting safe.

Finally getting through the other side of the portal, the two PIs ended on the grass of an unknown location, where Mary was waiting for them, trying to wake up officer Kenneth. All the gadgets were scattered around.

''W-….Where's Harold?!'' Mary worrily asked to the two panting PIs.

Taking some time to catch a breath, Navarro and Willard then stood up. Willard looked at the portal with a gloomy look, trying to hold back any commentary, Navarro rejoined him, also looking at the portal, getting worried.

Mary was the most distressed of the trio, trying hard to hold back tears, just looking at the empty portal getting smaller and smaller.

...

...

...

But suddendly, at the last second, Harold went through the portal, without his backpack. He fumbled on the ground but softened his fall with his hand, breathing heavily.

''Ha….Harold! Thanks the spirits!'' Mary exclaimed.

Navarro had a severe look, but he was really pleased that his best friend came back alive. He and Mary stood him up and gave him a big hug.

''Don't ever attempt something like this again without warning us. ¿Lo entendiste?'' Navarro ordered, looking at him with an harsh but fair tone.

''Promise!'' Hal just said, though he side-eyed a little.

Willard scoffed from almost disgust.

''So once again, the imbecile just gets a slap on the wrist due to the years of friendship!''

What Willard said to Harold, was met with a cold silence, the trio of PIs changed their expression of relief for surprised looks, all turning at Willard.

The silence could've went on forever, but more vocal noise resumed.

''Are you THIS dense about saving any atom of this UNIVERSE that you're ready to risk your LIFE for an INEPT object?!'' Willard lifted his voice, pointing at Harold.

''Wh-This is the thanks I get for saving you?….You're giving me LESSONS about sometimes doing my own thing?'' Harold went of Mary and Navarro's grip, walking towards Willard. ''YOU, who stands aside during all of our missions and didn't bother once to help people except for THAT PARTICULAR CASE?'' his voice rose up as well.

Mary almost pulled her hair out of despair, Navarro scratched his head. Another argue between these two that easily? What was happening? Not so long ago, everyone seemed happy, and to him, Willard seemed to improve himself even if there were some easy slips. After all, it takes time to really change.

Confused, Willard put his hands on his temples before energically moving them away.

''Wh-What do you even try to imply?'' Willard stammered lightly.

''If you have nothing to blame yourself for, than why what I just said is getting to you?!'' Harold reprimanded, crossing his arms.

He leaned himself towards Harold, he was not just confused, he didn't even UNDERSTAND what he implied with his vague arguments.

''Which amount of breath I stole from your mouth for you to have this much of a problem with me, man?'' Will spat out.

Navarro went along and separated the two, really frowning and annoyed.

''Look, I swear to both of you we'll find the time to talk about this, but right now, look at the situation.'' the phantom leader called order.

Willard and Harold looked at the environnement….the place was unknown to them. Just a grass and a freeway, gadgets scattered around, an unconscious cop. Mary tried to call hitchhike with her thumb, close to the route.

''Right now, we must figure out how we're going to get back to our destination.'' Felix curtly proposed.

''Oh….sorry about that.'' Mary said, her thumb still out. ''The idea of combining wills to make our own nethergate appear worked. But it's not perfect, I can't control the destination!''

''…..Yeah, at least the mission is accomplished.'' Hal reassured.

Willard chuffed, abstraining himself for any more commentary. Everyone lifted their thumb, hoping for someone to take them.

It took some time, but a big car finally stopped. Though the single short-haired black woman with earrings in there was confused seeing the situation, she let everyone get in, including the gadgets and the ''asleep'' inspector.

Driving to the destination of the adress of Omega Alpha Pi Navarro told her to go, she glanced a few stares at the policeman sitting behind.

''But hey….isn't that the missing guy I saw spreading on the news?'' the driver said.

A long silence, to the point that the motor of the car was the only thing heard.

''You four, if you don't want to get in trouble, you better explain yourself now!'' the woman in her middle-30s warned.

''It-It's nothing….it's just that we saw the cop in trouble from abductors. We followed them and managed to make them go away, we saved him.'' Felix awkwardly excused.

''And now….he has a son to see, a son who he dearly misses!'' Mary added, more confident.

''Well….he sure looks saved to me.'' the car driver remarked, glancing at the unconscious policemen through the interior mirror. ''Well, you better wake him up before we get here, and I do mean before!''

The woman then drove us back to our car after a long, silent, painful hour of roadtrip. We took the gadgets with us, thanked her and let her drive the cop to Omega Alpha Pi to meet back his coworkers searching for him.

….We were really fatigued, night was falling, we spent an entire day non-stop on this case. Whatever was the resolve with Frederik and his father…..and for Omega Alpha Pi, we would've learnt the following morning anyway. But for now…….I had to resolve an important conflict…….

It didn't escalate how I wanted.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To Mary's attic, Mary and Navarro sat down on the couch, taking some time to breathe. Willard was standing up and moping around while Harold laid on the bed, the most tired of them all.

''Don't you know it's rude to lay on the owner's bed?'' Will sassed.

''Really now? It bothers me when you act like this: trying to clown away from the subject like it's no big deal.'' Harold expressed with acidity, lifting his head up.

''What do you want me to do? Exorcise the spirit of indiscipline out of you to show what you just did was selfish?'' Willard almost laughed while saying that. ''Clearly you don't seem to care due to your social status with these two here.'' he pursued, nonchalently waving his left arm.

''Willard!'' Navarro named.

Both ignoring him, Harold agressivly jumped out of the bed.

''I'M the selfish one?! Do I need to bring back up your huge CV of solitary actions during all our cases? Anyway, with my teleporation, I was never in danger.'' Harold excused with confidence. ''And my friends were not ready to make this much of a case about it since I made it safe and sound! You're the one taking this personally!'' he pointed.

''You just don't understand how narciss-''

''You're right!'' Harold interrupted Willard, getting closer. ''I don't understand! We all dont! One day you're like this, today you act the opposite, and just when we think that you're apte to improve yourself, you revert back to that mysterious not-telling-anything attitude that gets on my nerves!''

Navarro stood up, as well as Mary.

"You two…'' Mary warned.

She said that, but she was mostly looking at Harold, almost like she was anticipating why he was mad.

''Almost THREE YEARS you joined that club slash PI job, and we have NO IDEA what's going on with you despites what you told us! I really try to understand, to avoid any conflicts between this team, but you're not helping yourself!'' Hal verbally overflowed to his subject of conflict, kneeling and pointing his chest with his ten fingers.

Willard shook his head, crossed his arms and grinned from almost-laughter. Navarro and Mary got more defensive and prepared.

''My childhood was fine, poindexter! And admit it: you're never gonna be satisfied no matter the number of times my powers saved you, right? Especially you!'' Willard accused to Hal with a lot of bitter.

''That's not what I said!'' the accused denied.

''OK, you two, that's starting to be enou-'' Felix started.

''OH COME ON, you both saw it too right?'' Willard waved his arms, turning to the two other PIs. ''Ever since I started getting more open he took every chance to be bitter with me, rejecting harshly all my propositions and ideas.'' he looked at Navarro. ''You, Navarro, you always want to go with the most optimal plans, don't make me believe you didn't see it.''

Navarro hesitated, which left Mary to interject.

''…To be honest..It's kind of true Harold….'' Mary started.

Harold turned to Mary with surprise, almost disappointed not only for Mary thinking like that, but with himself….for deceiving her.

''Look, It's just that….there's something that was on my mind since a while, I didn't want to believe it…'' Hal started.

He gazed at Mary while saying that, quietly, she was shaking her head without speaking, gacing intensly at her friend at the same time.

Stuterring, Harold started getting the sheet he found at the netherrealm out of his pocket.

''If-if you would just list-''

Daemona's future grandfather got his arm suddendly grasped by Willard.

''Whatever crack theory you've got, I've had it! Give me that sheet!'' Plowright struggled with force.

''Gn…let-let me go!'' Mr. Prune pulled to get the sheet out of Willard's other hand.

Navarro shouted as the struggle degenerated into a fight with Will and Harold getting on the ground, both too tired to even use their powers. Mary followed and helped her friend separating the two.

''OK, ENOUGH! You're in MY attic!'' Mary imposed, blocking Willard's road.

"And I won't condone any personnal physical fights between teammates in here! It's the straw that breaks the camel's back!'' Navarro harshly reprimanded, blocking Hal's road.

''Please, like I need to listen to mama's baby boy-''

Willard's spiteful remark was immediately interrupted by a strong stomp on the ground stopping everyone's movements, it coming from Navarro's foot. Turning at Willard slowly, he intensly glared at him, with an anger never seen from his friends before.

This time, he would not accept it!

''Siéntate, ahora!'' Navarro ordered, pointing at Willard and Harold with a lot of contempt.

Harold and Willard both sit on the couch, in silence. Standing in front of them, Navarro shook his head.

''Willard, Harold is right on one thing: you don't get to be arrogant just because of the sympathy we had for your past at Omega Alpha Pi! Standing aside and alone is one thing, completly disrespecting the efforts of teamwork and what we've built? No! And you can't expect us to magically forget all the attitude you had in only one case! Do I make myself clear?!'' Felix seriously asked, never more serious in his life.

Not even speaking and side-eying Harold, Willard just nodded. Navarro turned to Harold, this time more disappointed than angry.

''And you, Hal, I can't say I liked what you risked! You almost didn't make it back in the human world, and for what? Some evidence with 50% chance to have nothing to do with the case?'' Navarro paused, shaking his head from how baffled he was about that whole situation. ''Also, do you really think antagonising Willard at every turn is gonna make things easier? It isn't like you! His powers have been a great addition to the team despites of the way he used them, I need you to respect that and whatever problem you have with him, keep that outside of our cases from now on! Got it?!''

They were not arguing often, so Harold was able to see when his best friend was serious. …….But something on his mind….pushed him to talk back slowly, despites Mary grabbing his arm, begging him by telepathy.

''If….If I can just tell you something I saw-''

''What. did. I. just. said?!'' Felix emphasised without even lifting up his tone.

''….C….Clear!'' Hal stuttered.

Sitting on the couch, rubbing his forehead with his fingers, Navarro sighed.

''Look! This has been a rough day, and we honestly need a good night's sleep. ……Once we get up, we regroup with gadgets to Omega Alpha Pi where the cops will probably be gone and pick up the loose ends with Matzarathulu…..this time, we finish him!'' the dark blue lavender-hair leader proposed.

He then stood up, looking harshly at both Hal and Will.

''If you two really care about this team and why we built it, I expect you to be here tomorrow.'' he finished, getting away, under Mary's worried look, Harold and Willard didn't even dare to look at him.

….It can happen to anyone, tense days like this, but never have I got to assert my leadership like that, specially not at any of your grandparents, Daemona.

…Maybe, in better circumstances….if we were not tired by that whole case…..things would have gone differently!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning, a familiar car drove on the street, a male english-latino accent voice was heard on the inside.

''So, how things are going with your father Frederik? …………………Really? …………..Well….sorry about his head…..but maybe it's best he doesn't remember the argue or what he witnessed at the netherrealm………………………….What? Doesn't remember why he went to the fraternity either? The place will not be closed for hazing scandals? …………………………………….Well, at least he remembers his family and profession.''

The voice continued as the car parked itself to a place not so far from Omega Alpha Pi. On the inside, it was revealed to be Navarro talking on a phone linked close to the clutch of the car.

''Well….hope you two will have a good future together, also, don't lose anymore self-respect to any kind of club, OK? ….Good….adiós!'' Navarro hanged up.

Putting the telephone back in the base in the car, the leader sighed from relief. It's not always an easy activity being a PI. On the front seat, Harold looked at him.

''Hey……we'll get Matzarathulu….alright?'' the aforementioned PI reassured to Felix.

Both male PIs present at the moment looked at each other, with a sly smile.

……Nothing needed to be said, they were friends since the start of middle school, they had other small strains to their friendship. Getting though sadder, Navarro looked through the mirror at the backseat…..where only Mary Beyer was present. His two other friends could only sympathise with him.

…….What needed to be said more? ….A choice was made.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Same parking place at last time, the three PIs made some detour to not be noticed by some members of the fraternity. They peeked at the back of the house, but something surprised awaited them.

''N…How is that possible?'' Hal started.

Compared to last day, no orange cement was there, there wasn't even a trail leading to the forest. The team was really confused.

''It just…magically disappeared?!'' Navarro theorised.

''……Something in my head is bothering me….can we go to where that portal appeared?'' Mary proposed slowly.

-...-

And that's what they did. Getting to the pavement where it all started: where Frederik once argued with his father; where the PIs entered in the netherrealm.

Experts at their job, and following Mary's weird suggestion, they tried everything: mimicking a big fight, insulting each other with generic words! All the negative energy possible to make the nethergate open.

….But to no avail.

''….If it opened so easily last time, why do we have so much difficulty to make it appear now?!'' Navarro seeked, desperate.

''You're losing your time!'' a voice manifested in all their ears.

Everyone looked at each other, some signs of head were told that nobody here talked……they turned behind them, and to their surprise: Willard was here. ……In his same disguise he had to not be noticed by Omega Alpha Pi yesterday, but still here. Harold was impassible, but Mary and Navarro were more than satisfied to see him. Even despites all the name-calling from yesterday.

''Wi…Willard! You came back in the end!'' Navarro got closer to his teammate, smiling.

''Yeah yeah, I took some time to think.'' Will brushed off, avoiding a hug. ''Listen, let me refresh your memory: why are nethergates initially created?''

It's true that in the heat of the moment, some things could not be mentally retained, the three PIs took some time to think.

''They are created by their respective monster, to try to influence our world or to build a passageway for their objective! ….Yeah, for this case: Matzarathulu created it like I said yesterday!'' Mary retold.

''…..But if a portal can be created by a monster, it can be erased by that same one, you're OK with that line of logic so far?!'' the disguised PI informed.

''But wait, usually these gates are erased in two ways: if we neutralise its owner; or if it sees the errors of its ways!'' Hal politely argued.

Navarro turned around the area where the nethergate was not so long ago. Getting more and more worried.

''No….there could be another way!'' he started.

''I see we're thinking the same.'' Will remarked.

''Yeah, what if……Matzarathulu accomplished his objective!'' Navarro walked around. ''He judged he has enough source of energy: humiliation! Then, by some way we don't know, he erased any of his traces before getting back to the portal he created, then, once he entered from the inside, he closed it!''

Mary snickered at the thought of one thing.

''He must have had a good surprise now that he has no home at all!'' she remarked.

''……He would really go back to the netherrealm after getting more power? And without harming anyone like he said he would do? What amount of energy did he need to consider it ''full power'' ? How did he acquire humiliation energy with a swarm of cops invading the fraternity without being seen? That theory seems a little farfetched.'' Harold expressed his opinion.

To the leader, Hal was making very good points. Hand on his chin, he reflected on carefully, walking around.

''Unless…….yeah! Too much public force was present at the fraternity, close where he remained hidden, and Matzarathulu's not dumb! With his energy not at full capacity, he wouldn't DARE to manifest himself in public.'' Felix Navarro interpreted, then resumed. ''In the knowledge we were going back from him, he prefered to return to his own dimension once everything calmed down, erasing his traces….and now, he'll probably wait for another opportunity to attack!''

As he explained, Navarro got more and more discouraged.

''We….we weren't fast enough!'' he then finished, clenching his fist.

Tapping Navarro's shoulder, Mary reassured him.

"Don't worry, we will prepare ourselves for Matzarathulu, we will survey every of his movements….and when he comes back, we'll be ready!'' she said, full of hope.

''Yeah, I don't doubt it….but I honestly think we should inspect the fraternity one last time….to be sure not any members of the fraternity has disappeared.'' Navarro suggested, chest lifted up, walking with determination.

He went side to Willard while passing, hand on his shoulder.

"Bienvenido de nuevo al equipo.'' the latino-heritage leader cheered quietly.

Mary followed Navarro with energy, meanwhile, Will and Harold started at each other from afar, the former full of resentment, head looking away…….

….Lots of things were said between these two….and it was going to take time before even talking to each other normally….specially if Hal could not explain what went on in his mind...in the end, he chose to ignore it, for the benefit of the team.

Chuffing a small noise with his teeth, Will turned his back on his teammate and went away, following the two other ones. Harold dragged his feet while rejoining the team, taking some time to be at peace.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in present times, Daemona, Jericho, Kira and Casey were really shocked by what was told to them….imagining all this time how the things have gone in the argue, like they were here to witness it.

''Wow…my grandfather really didn't like Willard didn't he?!'' Daemona theorised.

''He was able to accept him, but his first impressions of him didn't quite leave his mind unlike me and your grandmother! However, he always was careful to not cross the line when no conflict was present.'' Navarro explained.

The now-mentor then got more bleak, looking aside.

''Back then….I had no idea why he crossed that line during that case….if only I….''

He couldn't even finish his sentence. Raising his hand to have permission to speak like he was at school, Casey started once everyone noticed him.

''So I take it that you didn't manage to capture Matzarathulu? Since we're the ones who got rid of him in the end!'' Casey revealed.

Navarro stood up, while starting to search something inside the collar of his red-brown jacket and blue shirt.

''Exactly, and I think you're already aware of why this case was cut short.'' Navarro then showed something attached around his neck, who was hidden in his clothes all this time.

A weird necklace manifested out, Navarro was always wearing it, and the children were already aware of it. Their breath was almost lacking when they realised what was already known.

''That cursed day…..how could I ever forget it? It happened one month after that case!'' Felix revealed.

All small portions of ''that day'' flashed in their head…..and it was not pretty, specially for Navarro, who knew all the details!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 1958, in Mary's attic. Navarro, Harold and Mary were kneeled at the table, looking at the map trying to see sections of where Matzarathulu could strike.

On the couch, Willard was on his own, fist on his chin, looking away for some time. But as he started to bend his back at a straight stature…..he started smiling………gloomily, menacingly. He then got several spasms in all his body. His growls got everyone's attention.

''Wi…Willard?!'' Navarro interjected.

-…-

The three same PIs threw everything they could at Willard, who was now completly changed. He wasn't even human anymore, instead, he was a big, furry, winged, green vampire with sharp teeth, face like a prune, and ready to attack them!

''He…..How….We must try to resonate with him!'' Navarro said, stopping to throw stuff.

''Do you really think he'll give us that chance?! It's him or us, Felix!'' Mary ansered roughly, keeping throwing stuff.

-…-

''We….we'll try to keep him away for some time, in the hope we find a solution, Mary, think you can do what we did in the netherrealm again?!'' Navarro panically proposed.

Without even answering, Mary took both Navarro and Harold's hands.

-…-

Navarro and Harold were pushing the corrupted Willard together, getting closer and closer to the portal. However, Willard pushed away the two PIs with his elbows, turning himself torwards them.

Without even talking, he took Navarro's arm and dragged him with a great force towards his zone, both persons were now very close to each other. Navarro struggling to get out of Willard's grip.

''N-no!'' Mary rushed towards the vampire.

But she wasn't quick enough, before anyone could do anything about it. Willard bited Navarro's neck. The latter's scream was so loud it froze Hal and Mary's movements, processing what just happened.

''……..You….WRETCHED…..''

Harold couldn't even finish his sentence because of the deep rage he had inside him. Taking another rush towards Willard, he pushed him, all by himself. This time, the fury somehow gave Daemona's grandfather great force, as Willard was completly ejected despites his size, and he let Navarro go under the shock.

While the nethergate got hold of Willard, vacuuming him inside under a piercing scream, Navarro felt on the ground behind Harold. He was shivering, eyes closed, his male best friend was to first to kneel towards him, holding his pulse. Mary rushed in, while looking at the portal closing.

Once she got sure there was not any danger, her gaze shifted towards the two remaining Phantom Investigators, gasping with her two hands covering her mouth.

''He…he didn't do what I think!'' Mary almost hyperventilated.

''C-…..Call an ambulance right now!'' Harold ordered, too distressed to hold his calm

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That day…..the many times it was in Navarro's mind, how the PIs from the present sympathised with their mentor. They knew about what happened in a nutshell, but not what was said, and Felix didn't currently revealed anything to them, why? The story was pratically done….

''Right….that day where right after you stayed the same for 45 years! Still not digging that!'' Kira said.

''But that's the truth isn't it? …….Hal and Mary were so much scared that day! The…the struggle it took to find me when I unfortunately changed into…..that! The great ends they had to reach just to control this new curse! Building a totem of spirit control….searching me, eering in the streets, the week it took.'' the mentor stacked.

There was a long silence, enough for leaving the heavy dust fall over quietly. But something was on Casey's mind….Daemona noticed it too.

''OK, ….that was a pretty good story for what it was worth! We get a lot of situations, like why you know so much tricks, knowing exactly what we need to vanquish the supernatural…'' Casey started.

''….Yeah, but it's weird! …..What you described about your team, it doesn't fit!'' Monie dared to say.

Navarro didn't even interject to that, he was calm and attentive. Hands on his hips, he let Daemona reveal the bottom of her thoughts.

''Last time you revealed your past to us….clearly you had a big desire of vengeance towards Willard!'' Daemona opined.

''I mean yeah, even I think that's weird. Clearly in this case you didn't hold that much of yang towards Willard despites how he acted. In fact, he was helpful when he wanted to! Nothing to do with the Willard who wanted us to perish, made alliances, and how you were determined to sent him back to where he belonged!'' Jericho said.

''And anyway, this has nothing to do with our argue. I fail to see it, why you were so insitent of telling us that story?'' Kira Williams asked, pretty curious.

Navarro nodded, hesitating for some time before speaking.

''I'll just say this to you, Phantom Investigators: Willard was part of our club and became our friend for a good reason.'' he started.

Lifting his gaze towards the ceiling, arms crossed, he then dropped the bomb that made the PIs think a lot.

''……….If I knew about what I know now earlier than that fatidical day, he would have been thrown away from the team without hesitation!'' Felix hinted.

''And serves him right, …………….wait, what?'' Daemona jumped from confusion.

Felix gazed at the ground, taking a deep breath, tremolos in his voice.

''When Willard manifested as a vampire that….day….we all initially thought he was possessed!'' Navarro dropped.

''Wh-….WHAAAAAAT?!'' All the PIs said at the same time, almost having to back away from the shock.

''T-Tell me that's not true, not after what you initially told us about Willard! How he was easy prey from……..no!'' Daemona denied.

''And what I think and know about him now is still true, but I did say that everything happened for a reason, right?!''

While Navarro said that, Kira closed her eyes and used her powers to read the head of Navarro.

What she saw inside her head..…..she was in a room, on a bed…..from her point of view: Daemona's grandparents were standing in front of the bed, looking disgusted and not even daring to look in the direction of Kira.

''I….never wanted to believe it….but…..'' Mary's presence gloomily said.

Gasping, opening her eyes, Kira was so shocked by what she saw that she couldn't finish the mind read. But she had enough experience to know that…..that scene…..why Daemona's grandparents were there…what she saw inside….was Navarro's mind, and she was in her place in the bed, she was sure of it!

Standing herself up, she glanced straight at her mentor.

''Professor Navarro! …..There's something more about that story am I wrong? And it's something that became difficult to accept?!'' Kira theorised.

''I can't fool your telepathy can't I?'' Felix smirked with some bitterness, not directed towards the student. ''….But yes….there was more! Both to that cursed day, and to the past case I told you about!''

Navarro paused, looking at the students who started to exchange quietly between each other.

''Honestly….you seem to already get the big picture, am I wrong? What I expected from sharp investigators….'' he commented.

....And how different would it have been if I wasn't so naive...

The netherrealm

That troubling vision finally manifested itself to the PIs when they went through the other side of the netherrealm….of course, there was not really any time to admire it as an empty ground greeted them, making them fall.

Still holding their gadgets very tight, trying hard to control their scream, everyone looked for a way to get on the ground safely, as they saw a big rocky area filled with orange goop.

''There's no way that's gonna end well!'' Hal commented with panic in his voice.

''Don't forget, we each have our own parachutes!'' Felix said with confidence.

''Yeah, however, small problem: I HAVE TO HOLD THIS BULKY VACUUM WITH MY TWO HANDS.'' Hal talked back.

Mary tried to get closer to her bespectacled friend, thinking of a plan so they both land safety. But as she held Harold's arm with her free hand, he tossed it aside with his elbow.

"Wait, I think I got an idea!'' Harold applied, closing his eyes.

Concentrating very hard, the human teleporter suddendly disappeared along with the vacuum.

''Wh…what is he-''

''Mary! Stop worrying about your boyfriend! For the moment you have to focus on your landing.'' Willard interrupted her, with a rough tone.

She tried very hard to not answer back verbally and not showing her blush, but she answered with a nod at Willard.

The three friends each waited to be very sure they were about to land on the correct path they were targeting. Using their free hand and laying their belly towards the bottom, they each pulled the handle so the parachute would open and they could land safely on the orange and brown surface.

Once that was done and their feet touched the ground, the three companions arranged their hair while putting aside their parchute bags. Felix and Willard's shoes were on the orange surface, both were relieved they could walk normally.

''The same goop we saw in our world….good thing it's now hard like cement!'' Felix commented.

Mary was the first to look around for the missing PI, staring at all the empty green void and rocks scattered everywhere.

"Hal, hal! Where are you?!'' she howled, worried.

Felix attempted to help her looking while Willard was investigating the place. But after 10 seconds of searching….the leader and his girl teammate both finally got to notice Harold………who was falling from all directions several feets in the air: he attempted to use his teleportation to stop his falling, but it was not easy, since each time he appeared he just fell from a different direction, and the weight of the vacuumormal he held didn't help either.

''H-H-He….He…-Hel….HELPME.'' Hal tried to speak between each of his teleportation attempts.

Wincing their faces, Mary and Navarro couldn't imagine the dizzyness Harold was feeling right now, the girl nevetheless tried to reach to him by telepathy.

''Hal, dear, stop trying to break the physics and try to land normally!'' Mary's voice echoed through the glassed PI's head.

The human teleporter got so startled by the voice he dropped the vacuum. Thankfully, it was going to land right on the surface where his teammates were, Mary and Navarro both put their weapon on the ground to catch the vacuum together without breaking it.

While Mary put the vacuum safely on the ground, Harold's stammering reached to her mind.

''N-n-n…no….no-notyet……wa-wa-want t-topreservem-m-m-m-m… my p-p-a-par-par-parachute!'' Hal's voice said, almost in a rhythm.

Then…..as he let himself fall for more seconds….he attempted another teleportation while being in movement…..he ended up appearing in front of Mary, about to project into her diagonally. Both didn't even have the time to scream and the woman didn't put her hands to catch him accordingly: she ended up falling on the ground with Hal on her.

Harold was dizzy for some time so he didn't move from her quite yet, meanwhile, rubbing her head in pain, Mary stood up, holding Harold almost like a groom held his bride.

''Are you OK Hal?!'' Mary said.

Taken by the adrenaline, she took some time before realising what she was doing.

''I…I think an angel catched me!'' Hal blurted out, still recovering from his dizzyness.

He then shook his head while looking at Mary, arms around her neck, as soon as his companion looked back, it was like they were frozen in time….

Slowly blushing, searching each what word to say, embarassed looks. It took a clearing from the throat of Willard to snap them both into reality.

Both lovers turned their head quickly towards the direction of the voice. Willard, impassible, was just staring at them, Navarro held back from giggling, hands on his mouth.

''Hey, lovebirds, you prefer us going away or we let you kiss each other alone?!'' Will listed, with a mocking smile.

Not knowing what to say and still staring at her two other teammates, Mary just dropped Hal on the ground under the latter's scream of surprise.

''Sorry…'' she whispered to him on the way.

''It's alright, I'm not hurt…'' he whispered back.

Mary went on her way to investigate the place, leaving Felix and Willard looking at each other while complicitly shaking their head. It was still baffling to them that despites the obvious flirt between Hal and Mary and despites finishing their 12th grade with the prom dancing together, they still haven't officially became a couple. Even Willard, who normally stood aside from the team's chemistry, could be prompt to tease them about that.

Leaving that aside for now, the four PIs rassembled together, looking at the nasty rocky place with orange cement everywhere, some dirty stairs, pillars and a throne.

''This must be Matzarathulu's home….unfortunately he seems to not be here at the moment.'' Felix attempted to reassure.

''….You think Inspector Kenneth is here?!'' Harold questionned.

''If he's an experienced adult, he probably took cover and waited. Let's look…'' Felix suggested.

Mary taking back her morph box and Felix taking back his soul collector, both went in front first followed by Willard and his own soul collector in hand, Harold went back in another direction to get his Vacuum but his eyes shifted through something standing under a glass box on a lone pillar.

A white post sheet covered by already-hardened orange goop. However, two small words were still visible on it, curious, he put on gloves, took an evidence bag out of his pocket and lifted the transparent box, taking the sheet and reading the only words on it.

Wait for my signal

Harold suddendly got more uneased but it was not clear why…..staying motionless, he looked at his three friends who continued moving forward, though because of the distance, it was not quite clear who he was looking at.

Looking at the sheet a last time and putting it in the bag than the bag in his back pocket, he finally moved forward while rolling the VacuumOrmal, but he was so in his own thoughts that he didn't notice a shadow slowly forming behind him……..

-...-

Meanwhile, Mary, Navarro and Willard continued moving forwards, going through the throne room.

''….Es raro, normally we would've find Detective Kenneth here….I mean…..surely he hasn't……..'' Navarro gulped, looking at the sides where the rocky area were ending, leaving nothing but more small rocks and green emptyness.

''Hal, what do you think?'' Mary asked, only answered with a long silence. ''Harold?!''

Everyone looked behind them: Harold was not here.

''Again? Urrrgh! One day we're gonna have to put a bell and a leash on that loose molecule!'' Willard reprimended.

Navarro squinted and looked in all directions. Gasping, he finally noticed something….Harold's glasses were on the ground not so far away, side to his VacuumOrmal.

''Oh no!'' he exclaimed.

''Looking for sssssssomething?'' An voice unheard before just said!

While Willard was impassible, the two other PIs's breath stopped, eyes wide open, they all slowly turned around the opposite direction they were facing……only to be greeted with a presence they were not expecting.

What was standing in front of them was not Matzarathulu, but 3 strange creatures: a red alive slime twice the height of the humans, who seemed to have donuts inside him; an orange floating ball with eyes on all sides and tentacles underside itself; and finally, a purple smoke with white eyes.

They all didn't need the beeping from the remotes in their pockets to know that these were paranormal entities in front of them.

''Look who it is…..'' the red slime boasted. ''The Phantom Investigatur-''

He was interrupted by the sound of the weapons of Navarro, Willard and Mary, prepared to shoot at them, but an hissing sound came from the purple smoke, getting around them.

''I wouldn't do that if I were you, after all, we have a ccccertain persssssson of interessssssst in the palm of a whole body!'' the purple smoke threatened!

Navarro lowered his weapon as he looked in the direction the purple steam was getting at: the red slime! As he took the time to look through the it, he saw he was a little translucent, and a body who was not moving was shadowed inside it between the donuts…..nevertheless, he figured out the silhouette.

''Harold?!'' Navarro named.

''And he's immobile, he has no chance to teleport away! Drop your weapons NOW!'' the red slime ordered.

''Tsk, we never fought you but you know us and our powers, I think you can understand why we'll not cooperate!'' Willard indicated, lifting his right arm up, ready to use his power reflecting.

''We'll have a ssssssswarm of reinforcements coming soon, don't try to play the mortal hero or you will all learn why we name you like that.'' the purple steam revealed.

Not without a little groan, Willard dropped his weapon on the ground and put his hands in the air, his two other friends followed the gesture. The red jell-o and the purple reek laughed together.

''Looks like judge Psssssyjaak will finally take usssss ssssseriously!'' the purple ''monster'' adressed to his friends.

''Judge Psssssyjaak?'' Mary whispered to her friends with a surprised look, mimicking the purple smoke's pronunciation.

''Indeed: Humans with powers covering the netherrealm with ridicule, how laughable, no proofs; he didn't stop to say! Well our shadowcop job will finally have value, officer SSSSSanchez!'' the red slime replied to his purple friend by its name.

''Wibbly, we've been over thisssss. My name is SSSSSanchez, not SSSSSanchez!'' Officer Sanchez groaned.

''That's what I said, SSSSSanchez!'' Wibbly the red slime said.

''Sssstop that or I-''

While ''Officer Sanchez'' and his red friend talked to each other, not facing the PIs, Navarro and Mary looked at each other.

''Shadowcops? Officers? These things are cops in their own world?!'' Navarro swished.

''Monsters who have human occupations, either a bad appropriation or all the horror novels we rode are lying to us!'' Willard shushed, between his two other friends.

''Either way, it looks like our career became worldwide!'' Mary concluded with a low voice.

''SSSSSSuck it up, you three!'' Officer Sanchez shouted to the PIs, turning back to them.

''Wait how did you notice while not facing-''

Willard interrupted himself by looking at the third amber multiple-eyed floating entity, the only one who hasn't said a single word so far. Awkward silence ensued.

''…..Oh right…eyes.'' the three protagonists said in unison.

''Looks like the Phantom Investigators are about to become victim of the Human Investigators very soon.'' Officer Wibbly mocked.

As they all went for the PIs, mute floating orange demon in front first. A jelly sound was heard behind the red slime which made everyone stop. While not sensing anything, something seemed to itch the red monster jell-o as he was really annoyed by it.

One look from Officer Sanchez revealed behind his shadowcop friend: the mortal mustachioed blond officer Kenneth, wearing a messy detective suit and a Fedora hat, who kept hitting on the red slime with a baton in the hope to bruise some jelly forward and free Harold.

''Cops?! These things? Yeah, and I'm the Lord of Cloud cuckoo land!'' the inspector mocked.

''Who is thisssssss?'' Officer Sanchez asked, then turned to the mute multiple-seeing floating sphere ''Officer Ponauptez, how many timesssss did I tell you to not get in front of ussssss?! You misssssssed this intruder.''

Ponauptez used two of its small ''cables'' under him to shrug, then immediately pointed one of them towards the PI trio who moved their arms very slowly, trying to pick back their weapons.

''Oh no you don't!'' Officer Sanchez exclaimed, propagating its entire smoke everywhere to mess with everyone's view.

While all the shadowcops moved forwards to deal with the investigators, Kenneth finally managed to free Harold due to the ''prison'' moving. Despites squinting due to his lost glasses, the latter took the good chief of police's arm and teleported away with him, ending up behind the throne.

''Detective, we finally found you!'' Harold recognised, due to the colors he didn't see with his friends.

''Wh…who are you?!'' Brandon Kenneth just interrogated, tense.

''Introductions will be for later, for the moment I gotta help my friends…..and find my glasses!'' the short-sighted PI retorted.

''N- No way! Even if all of this is just a nightmare, I've gotta get full control over it, just like I was taught!'' Inspector Kenneth assured.

''Haha…yeah…a nightmare!'' Hal nervously chuckled. ''Look, just stay put, I've heard it's not good for the mental to be too turbulent in the arms of Morpheus!''

''Yeah but-''

The confused cop was interrupted by Mary rolling towards the duo with the VacuumOrmal and Harold's glasses. Kneeling and leading Harold with her soft tone of voice, she then put his glasses on his eyes.

''There's the handsome I know.'' Mary playfully rubbed her good friend's hair.

Picking up each other's hand with a good grip, they then stood up together, Hal repicking the special vacuum. He then sprinted towards the action rolling his weapon.

-...-

Purple smoke was really in all the rocky area of the netherrealm: while Navarro, weaponless, attempted to dodge officer Ponauptez's surprise laser eyes while retreating, Willard was trying to find his soul collector on the ground. It wasn't easy with all the smoke attack he got on his face, not hurting him, but irritating him.

Groaning a few times before getting quite upset, Will formed an X with his arms glowing with purple aura and used his power reflecting to attract all the smoke towards himself. Once that was done, he threw it all in the air with his hand diagonally pointing, but it was no use, since the purple mist was pretty dense and just scattered in all the area again. The power reflector PI clenched his fist, under Officer's Sanchez laugh.

''Tsk! That gas leak is not strong, but he's pretty annoying!'' Will insulted while avoiding a blind laser shot from one of Ponauptez's eyes.

''Don't worry, Hal's here to do some cleaning!'' the mentionned himself ran in, vacuuming some of Sanchez's smoke in front of him.

''Excuse me, eyes are up here!'' Will verbally projected to his teammate, pointing at the white eyes covered with smoke in the air.

But Harold resumed his vacuuming, rolling his weapon forward. Even if it was not Officer Sanchez's core he was targetting, sucking the smoke clearly helped getting a better view of the place as Willard noticed his soul collector appearing a few distances from him on the ground.

Rubbing his hands together, Will Plowright sprinted as fast as he could to get the weapon he was striving for, but the big red slime picked the collector of souls up with his hands and swallowed it.

''Sorry, flesh pile, you're gonna have to get through me first!'' officer Wibbly said, rubbing his slimy ''belly'' out of fill.

''As you wish.'' a girl voice answered, coming from some of the scattered smoke.

Jumping from the throne and out of the smoke, Mary, morph box in hand, targeted officer Wibbly and pressed a button, electricity coming out of her weapon and towards the enemy. He managed to avoid it by splitting his jelly form into two. Meanwhile the electricty pursued his way towards Officer Ponauptez and touched one of its numerous eyes.

Felix Navarro, the one weaponless busy with Ponauptez, witnessed the incident and noticed, after the shock, that one of the eyes changed into a mouth. ………It was then Navarro was taken by surprise.

''What'sthat?! What?! Who?! FinallyIcanspeak, finallyyouhavenoideahowpainfulitistobemuteallyourlifewithnofeelingsoremotions? Gettingignoredandallthedumbworkputintoyoubecause''heyyoucan'tspeaksoyoucan'tcomplain?''Wellnowthatchangestoday, I'llshowthemallthehundredyearsofself-controlallbottledupinsidebyaccomplishingmyshadowcopworkandbringyoualltoJudgePsyjaakohhe'llbesatisfiedandgivemeapromotion. AndIcantellyouthat-''

That flying entity was getting quite too chatty for Navarro's taste, nevertheless, that sudden rant of feelings at supersonic speed was fascinating to him. Almost hypnotised by it, he yet came to his sense and ran away, trying to get back the other soul collector, Ponauptez flew after him, shooting more lasers.

''Heyyouhowdareyounotlisteningtomyspeech?!''

-…-

Back to Mary and Willard's side, the first-named was now on the ground, in front of officer Wibbly.

''I may've missed my first shot, but you can't pull a similar trick on us now!'' Mary tipped.

''You think so? Even if that gadget I have inside me or whatever you have hit me, my flesh will probably redirect it, this jelly is a good prison for my core soul! ……I dare you to try!'' officer Wibbly taunted.

Hesitating to shoot, Mary then looked at the smoke scattered everywhere that didn't stop. Sure Harold did try to vacuum it to get some clear vision but Officer Sanchez, suspended in the air, kept scattering its own matter everywhere, and it was going to be hard to see all the targets…..

….With no other choice to her, she went to Willard, pulled out a cyan extreme dryer hair out of her coat, giving it to her companion.

''Try to win some time with this Will, I need to verify something!'' Mary ordered.

''Sure whatever you say.'' Will answered, nonchalently.

While Mary ran away with her morph box, Wibbly chuckled.

''Leaving you alone?! Humans are curious little creatures.'' the Jell-O monster mocked.

''I like fighting without distractions anyway, thank you for your concern.'' Will sinisterly smiled.

While the two opponents rushed towards each other, Mary pursued her race, using her telepathy.

''Harold, keep your mind still for some moment.'' the girl's voice echoed through her flirt's head.

On Officer Sanchez's side, he laughed, throwing smoke around, when suddendly a woman voice went through his……….core…..with yellow waves around him.

''Hey, purple reek, don't you know smoking is bad for health? If you're a real shadowcop, then come face-to-face with me!'' the mindreader insulted.

''You mortalssss sssssure like to experiment your own name! Fine by me!'' Sanchez menacingly answered by normal voice, going down.

The purple aura went down, following the direction from where he received the communication wave. Expecting Mary, he instead got greeted with Harold and yellow waves around him, cockily waving, other hand on cheek, following elbow leaned into the VacuumOrmal handle.

''Say hello to your new home.'' Hal then threatened, his waving hand getting towards the opening button.

''No, no, NO-''

But instead of getting vacuumed, an electrical shock went to Shadowcop Sanchez, and stunned him for a long time, before changing into a purple big ice cube.

''….Wait….why did you do this?'' Hal asked, turning to Mary walking towards him.

''…I wasn't sure it wasn't going to transfer its own soul to the smoke around us, I had to take an alternative chance.'' Mary excused.

''Well, luckily that telepathy distraction worked this time.'' Harold suddenly said more seriously, getting closer to Mary.

There was a sense of unease in the air. Mary started getting more concerned.

''....But for how much time again?'' Harold started.

Both seemed to know what Harold was talking about, as what he just said made Mary recoil a few steps.

''....Mary, you have no choice, you're gonna have to tell them what you told me....'' Harold started, getting closer.

''Don't.....please don't. All worked out in the end, right? We have to finish our mission.'' Mary warned, getting suddenly more bitter though very polite.

She then pointed at the ice cube still staring at them.

''Anyway, we have this to take care of, before it gets away!'' she warned.

It took some time, but Harold nodded at his dearest friend with a hesitant smile. For now, the priority changed.

Suddenly, the almost-couple both looked at each other, moving eyebrows, smile forming, dropping their weapons.

''Ladies first!'' Harold bowed in a smug tone, not mocking Mary, but anticipating the pleasure of what they were about to do to that entity.

Thanking her best friend, Mary ran towards the frozen Sanchez followed soon by Harold and pushed the ice cube strongly, both in turn, towards the precipice of Matzarathulu's house, where Sanchez could only scream as he kept falling into the unknown.

Brushing their hand from satisfaction, it took no big time for the two PIs to get back at the morph box and VacuumOrmal they left there. While Hal took the vacuum back, he noticed two small red slimes getting away.

''And what do we have here?'' Mr. Prune seeked, teleporting with his weapon in direction of the two slimes.

Mary followed the direction of where the two intruders came from, morph box in hand, because she was curious how it came to this. What she saw was Willard using the dryer on several small versions of Officer Wibbly, but they all came at the same time on him, covering him up and made him fall on the ground, dropping his own weapon, under a bigger version of Wibbly who was standing in front of him, laughing.

''Willard! Hold on, I'm coming!'' Mary screamed.

But as she ran, she saw that Willard fought back: getting his hand out of the swarm which was facing the hot air of the dryer weapon still working, he used his power reflector to take some hot air and making his own body extremely hot, making all the slime around him melt.

''…..Oh my...….at which level his power reflecting can expand?! I envy him….'' Mary remarked.

She then turned around and saw Navarro, still weaponless, avoiding Ponauptez's lasers, judging he needed help instead of Willard, she raised her morph box and ran as fast as she could.

-...-

Meanwhile, all the slime around Willard, lying on his back, was left as condensed liquid. Once again using his power reflectors, the red mixture moved from his whole body to his two hands and then was shooted like a laser very far away from the area.

''There, now try to regain your normal size!'' Will defied, standing up.

Indeed, because of how much it separated itself, Wibbly was smaller then usual….but still big enough to reach a human's height and to contain the soul collector.

In a desperate move, a giant jelly hand stretched out of the monster's body towards the PR PI, but the latter kneeled and put one of his hands on the ground behind him, where the extreme dryer was still shooting hot air, redirecting some of through his other hand facing Wibbly, he shooted as strong as he could, making the slime hand melt in a good few seconds, rendering it useless.

''Im….Impossible!'' Wibbly exclaimed.

''That word doesn't exist in my vocabulary!'' Willard jested, getting closer while still shooting hot air and making him more and more liquid in the process.

As shadowcop Wibbly melted enough to only be a pool of water, he did try to separate himself, but Willard didn't allow it. Picking immediately the soul collector, he pushed the button and a big orange rey came to capture the red water along with the eyes, getting dragged into the gadget.

''Not too jelly of your loss I hope!'' Will mocked.

-…-

All that was left was officer Ponauptez, who was really not making things easy with his multiple visions. Thankfully for Felix Navarro, what he didn't got in powers, was acquired in physical shape and endurance: even though he wasn't able to get back his own soul collector a few distances from him due to his all-seeing opponent detecting all his movements, he was really good at dodging all the lasers from the last officer's eyes and keeping him busy in the meantime help would come, but he didn't know how much time he could continue moving like this.

But help finally came, Harold Prune teleported behind the officer with his vacuum, getting the power on, but unfortunately, several eyes already noticed him. Ponauptez shot a laser on the VacuumOrmal which destroyed it: though the gadget was still built, it didn't work anymore.

''NO!'' Hal shouted.

''Nomattertryingtoattackmeatthesametimeorsneakinguponme,I'llalwaysnoticeyourmovements!'' last officer verbally tumbled.

He then barged through Navarro, who ducked to avoid the charge, but noticed the long tentacles underside the floaty multiple-eyes which took time getting past him….

Catching a chance of element of surprise, the PI leader grasped two of the ''legs'' and whirled around on himself, making Ponauptez spin around with him. With all his might, the powerless investigator took a swing downwards to make his grasp crash on the orange cement.

With that move, Ponauptez was stunned for some time, and Felix had a good view of the underside of the body. Raising an eyebrow, something caught the human's attention, but a warning shout from Mary brought him back to reality.

Felix dodged the zap of Mary's morph box while still keeping his grasp, which went to another one of the demon's eyes, changing it into a mouth.

''If he doesn't have eyes, he can't shoot lasers!'' Mary remarked, keeping targeting the eyes.

But she wasn't quick enough to target them all. After 4 shots, Ponauptez started to move its other extensions. Navarro did try to hold them all under his arms, but the netherrealm officer was stronger and quicker.

With a great force, he threw the human away and before Daemona's future grandparents could do anything about it, Ponauptez lifted up in the air, avoiding another shot from Mary's morphbox in the process, and spinned around himself quickly, shooting lasers from his remaining eyes in the process.

With that effect, there was no marge of manuver from any PI to counterattack, since everyone was busy trying to not get hit by the lasers shot at random places in a desperate move.

''IS HE CRAZY?! HE'LL DESTROY THE WHOLE HOUSE!'' Mary shouted while avoiding.

Ponauptez couldn't answer to that, since all that it was speaking was inaudible due to his multiple mouths working at the same time. The three PIs had no choice but to retreat an hide under Navarro's orders.

''Everyone! Hide! WILLARD, come with us, rápido!'' the leader urged.

Seeing the situation but not impressed in the afraid way, Willard, soul collector in hand, gathered with the gang, all hiding behind the throne. Inspector Kenneth, in hiding since the beginning, was there as well. Looking at the situation, Harold growled.

''This dream is becoming too active to my taste!'' Officer Kenneth remarked.

''Grrr, we MUST act before anybody gets injured but how can you approach someone who can see from all angles?!'' Hal complained.

Navarro was thinking ever since the retreat meeting has developped. Like a lightbulb opening in his head, he stood up.

''No…..he has one blind angle!'' Navarro revealed.

''What?!'' the PI teammates expressed under their leader's revelation, all curious looks expect from Willard.

''…..When I tried to grab him I saw it for a small second: the underside of its body…it has no eyes….sin visión!'' Navarro explained.

Picking Willard's soul collector, Navarro took a small peak at Ponauptez who kept spinning and shooting lasers.

''Harold…I'm gonna ask you to teleport me right under that shadowcop.'' he then suggested, hiding his head out of view.

''Without anyone else? Don't you want some backup?!'' Harold proposed, really worried about his best friend.

''…..I'll be fine, I'm not gonna even give him a moment to breathe!'' Felix reassured, full of confidence while smiling at Harold.

The brave PI leader then laid on his own back, soul collector in hand and let Harold do the rest. The latter went closer to Navarro, put his hands on him and concentrated very hard, visualising the place before using his powers to teleport Navarro away.

Like according to plan, Navarro was directed along with collector in hands right under the loose shadowcop, who didn't even notice him. Without losing any more time, he pressed the button: the orange ray coming out of the machine managed to capture Officer Ponauptez, not before letting out a multiple-surround scream.

''He…he did it!'' Mary relieved from all the stress gone!

The future grandparents cheered with immense joy, running towards their leader. Willard followed slowly, not more glad than that.

''Too bad there was not much action.'' he said, unimpressed.

While they all saw to it that Navarro was OK, officer Kenneth came out of his hideout, rejoining the gang.

''I really don't want to break that reunion…..but when will I finally wake up? Really tried to pinch myself but I always say: I'm an heavy sleeper!'' Kenneth remarked.

''Don't worry…..we have an infaillible way of making people wake up….we'll just prepare ourselves.'' Navarro indicated, with a smirk.

But as he was about to do it, a familiar laugh was heard, which made everyone's heart figuratively stop except from Willard….who was just slightly surprised.

''Wait….isn't that…..Wibbly's laugh?!'' Will revealed.

''No…I thought we……'' Mary paused.

''You shouldn't have left that hot machine on, whatever your name is!'' Wibbly's voice echoed.

Willard's eyes suddenly got wide. Staring everywhere he could, he noticed the extreme hair dryer on the ground, still working.

''I...I forgot that gadget! No!'' Will shouted, then ran to put it off.

After that, all the PIs started to notice something: some areas where orange cement was on the ground started to move at one same place while its hardness began to go away, becoming muskier.

And with all the goop reunited, Wibbly emeged, but his form wasn't the same as before, he was now all orange, with the same consistence he had as a red being, and he was WAY bigger than before, almost the same height as the huge pillars of Matza's ''house'' .

''Wh-…what did he do?!'' Navarro exclaimed.

''Poor fools!'' Wibbly insulted. ''A small part of me was remaining, and a great amount of that melted cement was available…..almost as dense as slime, and all thanks to that strange gadget your friend here!'' he said, pointing at Willard's extreme dryer he had in hand.

Everyone turned around to see what he was talking about, gazing at Willard and the gadget, Mary realised the thing.

"N-…..No, he fusionned with the melted goop, even some of the hard parts!'' she said, out of fear.

''And with the same properties: as we're speaking I'm becoming more and more robust, like cement!'' the ''new'' shadowcop boasted, hitting its own composure.

Getting more determined, Navarro targeted his soul collector in hand and pressed on the button, the ray got on Wibbly but quickly erased itself.

''Impossible!'' Felix looked at the results.

''Told you, my soul is right on the inside, it won't work!'' Wibbly bragged with a laugh. ''Don't think it's going to get so easy this time!''

Morph box still in her hand, Mary was ready to shoot, but as she was about to press the button, a sudden big wave of wind made her drop her gadget.

''Gaaah, and I guess you have wind powers now!'' she groaned. ''……that wasn't me….'' the cement officer suddendly changed expression, from one of confusion.

Navarro noticed since some time that a beeping sound was heard from his pocket, he didn't gave any attention to it but he got more worried as a big wind started to manifest. Everyone was struggling to not be dragged away by the strong wind, even Wibbly. Then suddendly, a voice sounding like an aged woman was heard.

''GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!''

''Oh what NOW?!'' Willard protested.

''MATZARATHULU! I'VE HAD IT WITH YOUR PARTIES DISTURBING ME, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!''

''….Matzarathulu? ….But wait…he's not in this house…'' Hal got interrupted by getting extremely pushed by the wind at the point of falling on the ground.

''I TOLD YOU THE CONSEQUENCES, NOW YOUR WHOLE HOUSE WILL GO AWAY!''

Despites the loud voice, Navarro looked everywhere: no new visitor was here! As the beeping started increasing more and more in sound, the PI chief got more and more distressed.

Realising something, hand trembling, he slowly reached for his pocket.

........

''Esto no está ocurriendo…esto no está ocurriendo…'' he repeated as he got the remote out of his pocket.

Closing his eyes for some time as he lifted the remote, he opened one of them to look at it. Mouth trembling, what he feared most was printed on the screen: An icon of a fire, with the gauge at max.

''….An elemental! And it's here! ….N-…no!'' Navarro stuttered.

Of all the moments, this was not a good time, and judging from everyone's fear, save from Willard who was just looking everywhere, it was NOT a good sight.

Even Wibbly started getting more fearful: he wasn't much aware about Matzarathulu's home and his neighborhood, he was just here to do his job as a shadowcop, and now….

….he was going to get a taste of the results of all the noise he, along with his coworkers and the PIs, have unleashed under that big fight!

Back at Navarro and Harold's scene, the two recoiled from two steps, looking at the creature.

''So, two puny mortals discovered me.'' Matzarathulu insulted, under a voice with echo.

''Wh..what is that thing?!'' Harold exclaimed!

''I don't know but I'm not gonna sit around waiting to find out!'' Felix answered, rising his soul collector.

But before he had a chance to press on the button, the demon used his extensions and holes on the tips to throw orange stuff on both PIs. The leader didn't react in time and got his weapon covered in goop, but Harold got the time to avoid it by jumping left.

''Tsk tsk, my orange melted cheese will stop you from any benevolance!'' the cheese-like demon boasted.

''Gragh, the stuff is covering the visor!'' Navarro complained, trying to press the button of his soul collector anyway, without effect.

But he kept it on himself anyway. Matzarathulu kept throwing cheese goop out of his peculiar members hoping to immobilize them, but they both avoided in time, jumping each in different directions: Felix on the left, Hal on the right!

While Navarro tried to get the cement out of his weapon, Harold teleported himself a few centimeters close to Matza's ''face'' . Kneeling himself immediately, he took some dirt from the ground and threw it in its eye.

While the effect was successful and made the orange demon close its eyes, it didn't take him long to do an alternate attack and pushing Harold a little far with a ''tentacle'' blow. Using its sense of hearing, he then used one of its other tentacles to throw orange cheese at Navarro. The brunt of the blow was so strong it made Navarro recoil while dropping the soul collector and he fell on the ground, arms and thighs immobilized under the mixture.

''Felix!'' Harold shouted, he then prepared to teleport into the action, but Navarro gazed intensely at him.

''No, do like we said!'' his friend ordered.

Right, what they said…..on one side he didn't want to leave Navarro alone, but on the other hand, they both knew it wasn't their first rodeo. Hal instead directed his teleportation in the direction of the fraternity house and out of the forest, going away.

Meanwhile, Navarro moved like a snake to sit himself carefully, watching Matzarathulu closing the special vacuum's power with its extended members.

''So, before I met my demise, can I at least know what I'm up against.'' Felix asked, trying to keep a brave face. ''Oh you will have a demise, but not in the way you think! …..You speak to Matzarathulu, spirit of humiliation, and you're getting in my way!''

Clenching his teeth, Navarro upped his tone.

''Lo sabia! You're the one responsible for the detective's disappearance into your portal!''

The monster laughed for a few seconds, but something among Navarro's lines got to it, it interrupted itself.

''Wait, sure, I did create a nethergate to get into your humiliating world, but I didn't prisonner any humans, I don't see the point of your bluff!'' Matza revealed.

''Don't fool me! You threw that cement cheese at the victim while the nethergate was activated and he went into it!

''Oh please, I'm over one simple mortal, on the contrary, I have one entire fraternity at my source of power!''

The more this conversation went out, the more Navarro was confused. The way he interpreted it: this creature knows and seems deeply interested about the fraternity yet it doesn't hurt anyone when it would have several occasions to do so? That didn't seem logical to him.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, in the main alley of Omega Alpha Pi's fraternity house. Mary walked, still trying to use her telepathic powers, but to no avail. Hands still behind his back, Willard only watched her while following.

''Ergh, if I knew that was going to happen, I would've brought the psychic amplifier.'' Mary complained in low voice. ''If we had that: good luck being subtle with that fashion failure thing on your head then.'' Willard nonchanlently whispered.

Mary was going to answer but suddenly, Harold appeared by teleportation behind them. Mary was the first to turn in a jumpy way.

''WOH! Don't startle us like that Hal!'' she jumped.

Willard then turned away, unshaken by the glassy PI's sudden appearance. Both looked at Harold, he seemed deep in his thoughts because he looked at his friends, eyes wide open and took some time before saying anything, like he was out of it.

''Take your time mate.'' Will mocked.

''Sorry sorry.'' Hal shook his head. ''Quick, let's grab some things in the car, Navarro's in danger!''

''A monster?'' his female friend just said.

The young adult with glasses quickly nodded, then handed both his hands to his friends.

''Grab my hands, it's gonna be quicker.''

Both complied, then Hal used his powers to teleport the three of them away……some OAP crew saw the spectacle and there was a long silence.

"Yo did that nerd just-''

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back to Navarro, the named continued to try to know more, to buy some time.

''I…I'm not sure I'm believing you, demons like you are not honest.'' he argued.

''On the contrary, why would we lie? Nothing screams more humiliation than someone impotent in front of a masterplan discourse! And any form of this gives me more and more power.'' Matzarathulu boasted.

Getting closer and closer, it then threatened under Navarro trying to keep a brave face.

''Give it a few more days of witnessing all this fraternity's humiliation, and then soon, I'll be unstoppable and you'll spend all eternity bowing in shame in front of me!''

Then, without warning, from behind, its only eye got covered by a fabric which seem to came from behind. This was coming from Mary, wearing a belt hiding a weird pistol and a strange small container, who had her foot pressed on the back of the demon and spirit of humiliation. It was quite big, but the girl had enough space to do her pulling move with Frederik's Omega jacket, pulling the sleeves with her hands.

''M-Mary?!'' the tied leader exclaimed.

''Gnh…snake you way out of here, quick!'' Mary struggled.

Meanwhile, Harold, with a backpack, appeared by teleportation behind Felix and retreated him farther from the creature by pulling his back with one hand.

''You came back fast, but wait the soul collector!'' the young Navarro shouted.

''I think the more pressing matters is freeing you from this small prison!'' Hal objected, ransacking his backpack.

And indeed he had the right gadget out of the bag for that: a cyan gadget in the form of a hair dryer he then pressed on. The heat wave was so extreme that the cement orange cheese around Navarro started melting slowly.

Meanwhile, Mary continued to struggle with the monster, pulling the sleeves of the sweater. To test something, she tried using her telepathy, and...to her great surprise...

''What's this…I…I can read minds again? ….What this monster can tell us?'' her voice echoed through her head.

She did try to get small bits of info, but Matzarathulu started to get the upper hand in the struggle despites being blinded by the OAP jacket. Shaking its ''body'' violently, it made Mary jump a few steps behind and almost tripped, but thanks to her quick reflexes, she repositionned herself, one hand on the ground. Her telepathy still working, she anticipated Matzarathulu rushing at her and giving a swing of one its extensions on her.

With quick reflexes, the mindreader PI blocked the hit with her arm, struggling to get the upper hand.

Her other hand free, Mary Beyer was about to reach for the pistol on her belt, but her telepathy made her notice another tentacle pointing at her. Quickly deducing what it meant, the woman rolled herself on the ground, avoiding a goop shot and grabbing her weapon on her belt during the rolling.

Putting herself in a kneeled position, she then grabbed the small bottle full of pepper seeds attached on her belt and emptied some of it in a vertical compartment of her pistol.

Once she pulled the trigger towards her opponent's big eye, brown powder came out of it, making Matzarathulu squinting and backing up under complaints.

''Euuuuwgh! Why is it always on the eye?!'' he shouted.

While Hal finally finished to melt the cheese both on the soul collector and Navarro, Willard was rushing into the scene directly towards Matza without gadgets and taking his sunglasses off, not even paying attention to his team. The monster took some time before noticing him because he was going to immobilise the three other PIs by throwing more orange ''goop'' at them.

''It's OVER!''

Navarro was ready to press the button of his collector before he got covered once more, but something strange made him stop……all the goop Matzarathulu threw at him, his two other friends….was completly staying in the air, not moving at all, and surrounded by a purple aura.

''…..Willard!'' Navarro instantly turned at him, he could recognise that color of power between hundreds.

''Hey, pizza face!'' Will adressed to the demon of humiliation, hands lifted up, surrounded by the same aura. ''Next time you want to inflate your ego, count the number of opponents you have!''

Then, all by himself, the power reflector reflected the goop towards Matzarathulu. Unfortunately for the team, he avoided it in time.

''Y….You! How can a human control my own powers?'' the humiliation monster stared at Willard with full of contempt!

''I guess you'll never know the answer! Say cheese!'' Navarro proceeded, lifting up the soul collector.

Unfortunately, something unexpected interrupted everyone. Big flashs of colorful red and blue lights dragged close to everyone's feet, they turned around and looked towards any tree's opening.

''The cops!'' Navarro exclaimed.

''Thanks for the precision I thought I would never guess!'' Willard taunted.

Then, a demonic laugh was heard from Matzarathulu, the only one who didn't bother to move with the Phantom Investigators. Everyone looked at it retreating.

''Poor fools, humiliated when they least expect it!'' it insulted.

Holding a groan, Navarro pushed the button of the soul collector to catch its prey, but the yellow-orange rey missed the fast target. Soon, Matzarathulu was out of their line of sight deeper into the small forest. Everyone looked at Navarro, not even moving.

''You don't want to catch it?'' Harold seeked.

''….Not right now, I'm not falling for a potential trap.'' Felix explained. ''And thanks to some new infos, it's clear what we must do now: our top priority is getting Fred's father safe and sound!''

Everyone lifted their eyebrows, even Willard was a little taken aback by that new planning.

''Wait, so for once you agree with me? In what grounds?!'' the latter exclaimed.

''Can't explain here! Everyone, gather the gadgets, we'll retreat temporarily to prepare supplies for our netherrealm hunt!'' the PI chief ordered.

That's what everyone did, and once all was gathered. Three of the PIs got very close to Harold, once again using teleportation to make everyone, himself included, disappear.

''Wait, hold the backstory!''

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That voice was coming from Kira. Back in the present, everyone was quite attentive to Navarro's story and quite skeptical about one aspect.

''Matzarathulu was one of your cases?'' Kira asked.

''Not directly, but as I started to think in that time: this demon had some colleration with our initial case. …….You know that ''raisin-ator'' I passed you once?! Well……'' he interrupted himself as he saw Casey and Daemona snapping their fingers as a found idea. ''Well…it seems you figured out the rest.'' he added, smiling.

Daemona moved forward, scratching her head.

''But there's something I quite don't catch, Navarro. Clearly you're more involved than we thought in one of our past cases, so we know it probably didn't end well on your side….so….what is the point you're trying to make? How does that fit our quarrel?'' the leader of the current PIs questionned.

''Yeah, I mean there's a 100% statistic that Matzarathulu was-''

Casey's remark was immediately interrupted by Jericho bumping him with his elbow.

''Shhht, spoilers.'' the latter shushed.

''Don't you ''shhht, spoilers'' me , we were HERE! What do you think this is? A TV series?'' Casey argued.

Not directly paying attention to that little exchange, Navarro started to resonate, the more he moved forward in his small rant, the more serious he got.

''Look kids, I know there's some chance you think that story is long. But everything happens for a reason, some things you don't know yet happened in that case! The known and the unknown that had consequences and that back then it was not the appropriate time to give all the details. If you want to see my point, you need to get el panorama, and it's only when I'll give you all the pieces of this puzzle that it will fit….you're all very shrewd in case-solving so I think you'll get it along the way.''

Approving while smiling slyly, Daemona patted Navarro's shoulder.

''Alright, I'm believing you. To be honest, I quite like hearing stories about how my grandparents and you kicked butt.'' she boasted.

''I don't doubt it.'' Navarro answered, with a complicit smile.

While Daemona went back to her friends, all attentive, Navarro cleared his throat and pursued his story.

''So, my team and I did a temporary retreat. But not to your grandmother's house, Daemona. After all, we all had small hideouts for our gadgets or reunions, thanks to our horror novel fanclub front. Places like…..this very one where you're listening to me right now.''

Everyone gasped.

''Wait, your shop existed in the 50s?'' Kira promptly asked.

''Come on: Navarros repairs, you think I was the only one with Navarro as a last name?'' the named jaded, crossing his arms.

''...Wait....oooooh ''Navarros repairs'' I thought it was Navarro's repairs like YOUR repair, an apostrophe!'' Jericho revealed, like he had an epiphany.

''But wait...that means...'' Daemona started, hesitating.

The mentor stood up to look out in the same closet he was cleaning long moments ago, he took some time, but he took a picture frame, came back to his place, and showed it to the four kids in the room…

….On the center of the frame was Navarro himself…way younger, at 9 years old, wearing striped white shirt. Right to him was a middle-aged man looking a lot like him in face, but with a mustache and similar hairstyle, only it was more black and no lavender; only some grey at the sides of his hair, wearing a chic suit.

Left to the child in the photo was a woman with a middy hairstyle who seemed at the end of her thirties: made up with a lipstick and earrings; wearing a short-sleeved dress with a loop on her collar

It was hard to tell the colors since the frame was completly black and white, however, what lacked in emotion on that side was mirrored by how happy the two adults were holding the dear kid close to them, faces close to each other, looking straight at the camera….

…And though everywhere understood the elephant in the room, it took some time before someone answered.

''Y-Y-You had parents?!'' Jericho just said out of nowhere.

''……Like every newborn human in existence had at one point you mean?'' Navarro asked.

''You know what I meant by that.'' the ginger kid awkwardly answered, blushing a little.

''I know I know, I'm just kidding.'' the adult laughed, scratching his soul patch.

Holding the picture at the palm of his hands and moving his arms across the room, he continued talking.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back to the 50s, in ''Navarro repairs'' , Felix was the first to enter there with his dirty leather jacket in one hand and an horror book on the other, he was followed by his friends who also had one book in hand.

Though the repairs first were established by Papa Rigo, his son, Ulises Navarro, already inherited the shop at that time. He was my father.

Ulises was rightly standing behind the counter, classifying the tools in compartments while peeking small gazes at the small television standing on another counter. Navarro's mother was also there, wearing a squared yellow-orange dress, just putting a plate of snacks right towards the main counter. Adjusting her brown middy hair, she was the first to see her dear son entering.

''Hola, Felixito!'' She waved full of joy. ''Hola, mamà!''

My mother, Tatiana, was mostly a stay-at-home woman but she would occasionally help or give food in the shop, and that day where me and my friends had our retreat meeting there….it was no exception!'

Uli in turn noticed all the greetings and put an hold on what he was doing.

''Oh, hola mijo. Perdón por no haberte visto, la tele me tiene distraído'' the dad excused, pointing at the television.

(Original drawing by @beatleswings)

Yeah...when we were speaking between us, it was in our native language, even with our friends in front.

The dad looked at his three companions with a polite smile.

''……Veo que trajiste a tus amiguitos.'' Ulises Navarro remarked, looking at Willard in last.

''Sí…. ¿Está bien si leemos nuestros libros allí?'' Navarro asked, showing his horror book.

Looking at his mother, he then got rid of his leather jacket, who was still stained by all the goop despites being melted and taken off.

''Oh, mamá, ¿puedes lavar mi chaqueta, por favor?'' Felix kindly demanded, handling his jacket to his mom.

''Claro que puedo, cariño.'' Tatiana approved, she took the jacket but looked at the mess with a concerned look. ''Pero…..¡Dios mío! ¿Qué tipo de juego estabas jugando para ensuciarlo así?"

''Bueno, el mundo está lleno de sorpresas.” Felixito awkwardly excused, scratching his head.

Meanwhile, the mustachioed dad took a long gaze at the television, the news were talking about a man called ''Brandon Kenneth'' , a detective who disappeared near Omega Alpha Pi.

....Seeing some of the fraternity members acting all sympathetic while being interviewed, Ulises wasn't fooled: he was aware of the fraternity's reputation, and the thought of its contents made him grimaced.

"Ergh, y pensar que hay gente que no tienen decencia ni dignidad'' Navarro's father groaned at his source of disgust.

But he then looked proudly at his son.

''¡Pero no eres como ellos! ….Felix, prométeme que cuando tengas la edad de ir a la universidad, en dos semanas, que no sigues el mismo camino y piensas en lo que te enseñamos.'' the mustachioed dad said, hand on Felix's shoulder. “Oh papá, ¡no te preocupes!” his son happily said.

Me? Getting into clubs like that when I'll go to university? My dad didn't even need to worry about that, he taught me good values.

Looking proudly at his three friends, Tatiana Navarro grew a smile, though she hesitated looking at Willard a little.

''Hablando de que, you three are really something else. Mi Felixito is the youngest of yours and you're kindly waiting for him to be your age so you can go to universidad all together. No dos like yours!'' the mom complimented.

Yes, Though my parents were used to speak in their first language when alone or only with me, they always managed some english when my friends were here, even if it was not perfect.

''Oh, it's nothing madam, after all, we have the same interests, we intend to stay together a good amount of time!'' Harold warranted, moving his glasses downwards as a sign of polite salute.

''Yeah, plus your son is really mature and kind-hearted. He'll go far.'' Mary added, hands on Felix's shoulder.

''Mature, but still a child de corazón, that's all that matters.'' Ulises said, patting his dear son's hair.

Willard, the only one who hasn't said anything so far, cleared his throat.

''I'm sure you've got a lot of things to say, but if it's OK we would like to borrow Peter Pan here for a second, after all we have books to read.'' Will Plowright rudely said.

Tatiana wasn't the only one awkward to that question, Harold too. Nobody saw it, but he side-eyed Willard with contempt...was it something he said?

Holding a smile but eyes gazing at Willard with a lot of inner thoughts that probably wouldn't be pretty for Mary to read, Tatiana nodded.

''Sure, avanzar. But I can't say I'm a fan of these types of libros. I'd prefer for you to read them en esa mesa over here" she said, pointing at a table far away from customers.

And they complied, a little far away from the counter, they all sat together on the table and opened their book while Navarro's parents continued to work in the shop. Some customers were entering but didn't really pay attention to the fanclub of four young adults.

….But in fact, the horror novels were not horror novels, but books of documentation about kinds of sprites, ghosts, demons, elementals, kinds of portals: in a nutshell, the kind of things the 50s PI could face on a regular basis and that most of the time they noted themselves. They cleverly attached normal paranormal novels covers on it so they could read it anywhere.

There was complete silence from all four of them a long time, but Felix finally opened with a sentence.

''OK guys, the samples we analysed at Mary's attic matches with Matzarathulu, I guess that nothing about that demon is already noted.'' the leader briefed.

''Unless it's in one of Mustapha's strange books from Lugosi Junior High, highly improbable.'' Harold thought.

Willard raised his index while lowering his book.

''How about we call that whiny little flying potato demon we already met….what was his name again…..Jinxie?! I think he has a chart that can help us!'' Will suggested nonchalently.

''¿Estás loco? Not in this public place! Everyone will see it!'' Felix loudly whispered, tapping his finger on his temple gazing straight at his teammate.

Not paying attention to Willard's sigh, Navarro went to a blank page and started noting things, while drawing a quick sketch of Matzarathulu.

"Besides, when I was alone with this demon, I bought some time by acquiring some infos about him.'' he said, showing the page he filled so far.

The three other PIs looked at the quick sketch, of course it was unfinished, but they found it was quite ressembling so far. Navarro the leader then went back to writing notes by turning his book around.

''Matzarathulu, the spirit of humiliation in a form of a demon of….cheese? Like the name said: humiliation is the source of energy that powers him up. And what better source of infinite energy than a fraternity that pulls disturbing initiation stunts like Omega Alpha Pi. With enough energy, he could be unstoppable.'' the PI chief described.

Putting her own book on the table, Mary joined her fingers, looking directly at her friend Felix Navarro.

''So, let's resume what happened in a nutshell: One week ago, Matzarathulu created a nethergate connected with our world to find energy nourishement; then one week later this very day he comes out of his temporary hideout somewhere in the forest, leaving some dirty trail; he sees the argue with Frederik and his father with an energy so negative that his nethergate opens.'' the girl briefed.

''Then, the demon tries to get rid of the witnesses that saw the portal in question opening and grasp something to not be sucked in it. Matzarathulu throws his melted cheese, AKA goop, at Fred's father, but misses the latter.'' Harold pursued with his friend's line of thought.

Deep in thoughts, Felix pointed at Harold as a signification to his last line of thought.

''No realmente, I don't think that last part happened in the way we think.'' Felix then revealed.

''What?'' the rest of the PIs said.

''I tempted a bluff to make him spill the beans, but Matzarathulu was categorical: he was not aware someone was dragged in his nethergate. I think what really happened is that with the force of a suction, one of his young trails got attracted towards the portal and it hit the unlucky detective.'' the latino-american leader concluded.

Harold was tempted to believe his friend, but he had his own doubts. Head negating, he gazed at Felix.

''And you would believe that reasoning? From the bad guy itself?'' Hal argued.

''For once, I'm tempted to agree with Navarro, Hal.'' Willard added. ''Think about it: even if witnessing humiliation gives probably less energy than causing it yourself, why would he focus on only one person? There's like a really good amount of people and humiliation in the fraternity he worships so much!''

Even if Harold was attentive to what Willard said, he seemed to look at him with some grief, the same look he was side-eyeing earlier.

''I wish you had that energy way sooner than this case you know.'' Hal complained.

''So what, you're going to blame me for being cooperative now?'' Willard supplemented, with a tone of arrogance.

''Don't push your luck with that tone!'' Hal suddendly stood up rudely. ''Just because I sympathised with your past in Omega Alpha Pi doesn't give you the right to be rude.''

''You're the one who started it!'' Willard got up in turn

''Basta, you two!''

That last sentence, Felix said it as quiet as possible to avoid getting any of his parents or customers's attention, but he still got loud enough to get both members's attention. Still sat on his chair, the leader of the gang took a small breath before getting back to the briefing.

''Look, me too I first thought that demon was lying, but it's obvious that right now, he's only focused on that fraternity without directly interacting with it.'' the chief justified.

''Yeah, besides, me and Will did say during our trip to this repair that no OAP member was abducted or went missing during all that one-week period.'' Mary put her grain of salt.

Nodding, Navarro's eyes pupils then moved to Harold. Stern but without raising his voice, he continued to speak.

''So, Harold, as crazy as it might sound to you: Willard was right since the very beginning! I just had to take precautions as anyone would've done. Right now, Matzarathulu is not our priority! I promise we'll neutralise him, however, that detective Kenneth has been in the netherrealm long enough and who knows what he must feel right now!'' Navarro concluded, with empathy.

Hesitant due to his problem with Willard, but still respecting his best friend's choices, Harold stood up.

''All right all right…of course we'll help the poor guy first. After all, it's probably why you've brought us all to your father's repairs in the first place, right?'' the bespectabled young adult brought up with a complicit smile.

''Exactly….been hiding some inventions in the garage nearby, we must be prepared for that small hunt through the netherrealm. Follow me!'' Navarro ordered, standing up.

Everyone followed him going away from the place, though Willard was more close to the leader than his other friends. On the way, said leader waved goodbye to his parents, who were now without customers. His father waved back looking at him, but his mother Tatiana seemed to devert her gaze towards someone else, a gaze that her son followed.

With his usual pouty and frowned look, Willard looked at Navarro's parents for some time, but he ended up smiling, though still keeping his frown, almost never fully-opened eyes, waving at Ulises and Tatiana. With a satisfied look, Navarro put his arm around Willard, going away.

Even if my parents tried hard to hide it, I always knew they had some kind of apprehension towards Willard……..in a way I could say I understand, after all, he wasn't the kind to smile often. I remember me, Mary and Harold being quite intimidated by his look when we first saw him…..Willard Plowright, a new student in Lugosi Junior High since 1955.....

Then, almost to voluntarily connect with Navarro's narration. Ulises and Tatiana started talking between them, in their native language, with worried looks.

"A veces no entiendo a este Willard…no sé qué ve mi Felixito en él" Tatiana began.

"Yo tampoco…pero después de todo…siempre hay una buena razón, confío en el criterio de nuestro hijo". Ulises resonated

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the repairs's basement, Mary was guarding the stairs, using her telepathy in that zone to see if anybody went nearby, meanwhile, Navarro ransacked stocked shelves under Harold and Willard's curious looks.

''Hmmm…I think I put them in a big box if I remember well.'' the ransacker mumbled to himself.

Then, on the bottom shelf, pulling a big box way behind other boxes, he finally got what he was looking for. Harold and Willard moved towards the box while Mary followed them, still in telepath mode.

Into the box were three gadgets: a second soul collector; a strange vacuum; and what seemed to be a brown squared container with a red button on the backside, a lightbulb on top, a pulley on the right side, an antenna and a cannon on the front.

''Hey, I thought we lost that thing!'' Harold said, pointing at the third gadget.

''The morph box? We didn't, I just allowed myself to put some modifications on it.'' Felix informed.

Stopping her telepathy for some time, Mary pointed at the second object: the vacuum in its vibrant colors.

''And what's this? Did you just built it?'' Mary asked.

With a surprising force, Felix Navarro took the vacuum with his two hands, showing it to his friends.

''The VacuumOrmal, damas y caballeros!'' the little inventor introduced. ''A really light vacuum specifically made for capturing ghosts or monsters. You adjust the power according to the type of monster and WOOSH, you contain him in.'' he explained, showing the buttons.

Hand on his chin, with a deceptive tone, Willard cleared his throat.

''And there's no braces to wear it on our back?'' he commented.

''………No.'' Navarro just said avoiding Will's gaze, feeling a little shameful. ''However it's very mobile, watch!''

Showing the wheels and putting it on the ground. A big push from Navarro's foot made the VacuumOrmal move very fast towards the other side of the room.

Crossing his arm, Willard did not seem convinced.

''You take that handy side from your father, admirable! However sometimes I don't get how your mind works….the morph box, seriously?'' Will reviewed.

''Never question my science.'' Felix said, waving his finger, keeping his smile.

Harold moved on the back to take the vacuum by the handle, rolling it with him towards the gang.

''I'll take that vacuum, if I can teleport with it, it'll be very useful!'' Hal proposed.

''Dibs on the morph box!'' Mary said, running to pick the said gadget, excited like a child.

Navarro then took the second soul collector and threw it to Willard, who catched it without hesitation.

''I could manage myself with only my powers you know….but all right, I'll take it!'' Willard scoffed.

''Good, that means we each have one self-defense equipement, I hope you're all ready for the rescue mission, it risks to not be a piece of cake!'' Felix warned, getting serious and putting a light topaz detective coat.

No words were needed for reassuring, everyone nodded.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, all the 50s PI team parked their car very far away from the fraternity so it could not be associated by the perimeter of cops that started investigating on their side.

Hiding behind bushes, the team were all here. Navarro and Willard each had their soul collector, Mary was holding the morph box and Hal had the vacuum. They all had a backpack on them, for what seemed to be parachutes. Also, Mary wore a green coat superimposed on her dress to have more ease hiding things on herself.

Felix Navarro got a map out of his coat, everyone gathered close to each other, looking at it.

''Alright, if Frederik noted it well…..this is where the nethergate appeared.'' Felix Navarro pointed at an x on the left of the map where a fence and a crossroad were drawn. An arrow pointing right on the right on the sheet was written ''Omega Alpha Pi house''.

''People must have been very dimwitted to not see that nethergate appear in that open space.'' Will insulted.

''Tell me how many times you used negativity right at this precise space then we'll talk about it.'' Mary jested, looking at her jaded friend.

Keeping a long distance from the fraternity where all the cops were present, everyone clinged on Harold so he could teleport himself, his teammates and the gadgets to safe hiding spaces, avoiding any trouble with authorities.

This particular parkour continued until they teleported into a small soccer field, not so far away from behind the fence where the nethergate appeared according to Frederik's hand-drawn map. The Phantom Investigators gazed around the area…..two polices car were parked right in front of the messy area, with two cops in their uniforms of that time looking at it, a man and a woman.

''Rats, why are they here?!'' Will complained quietly.

''Probably investigating the mess the nethergate has caused while it opened.'' Harold deducted.

''Anyhow….if we must open it again, it will not help to have more causalties.'' Mary commented.

''Indeed….we have to find a way to make them go away from here…sugerencias?'' Felix then proposed.

Willard stared at the single circular red beacon that each police car had that was flashing.

''I think I have an idea.'' Will then said.

Leaving his soul collector behind, the lone wolf PI got closer to the area of police cars, but not close enough so the two cops would see him. He used his power reflecting to absorb the light of both beacons and rendered them off. Then, he quickly got away while the two cops noticed the problem.

''Wait, our signal doesn't work!'' said the female cop.

''Weird….I'm gonna check the inside.'' the male cop proposed, getting in his own car.

Checking the whole scene with his friends, Harold was a little doubtful.

''I doubt that trick will make them go away.'' the aforementionned confusingly said.

''No wait….there must be a radio transceiver inside this car…..Mary?!'' Felix looked at her.

''I already see what you mean!'' Mary said, approaching in turn.

Closing her eyes, fingertips on her temples, Mary focused strongly to project her telepathy right into one of the transmitters, the very one that was in front of the cop who was checking the inside of her car. Then, after a few short statics, her voice was heard through the transceiver, it spoke to the policeman.

''Code red, code red, all cops must go to Omega Alpha Pi immediately, important clues found.'' Mary's voice alerted.

Without any questions, the cop then started his car, his comrade went to see him.

''Wait, what are you doing?''

''We all must go to that darned fraternity, I think it has something to do with Inspector Kenneth's disappearance!'' the driver cop alerted.

''But what about that mess here?!'' his coworker argued, showing the small traces of goop and small objects scattered around.

''Probably a prank from some troubled lads, now follow me!'' the cop nonchalently ordered.

While the two members of the force went away in their own cars, the four PIs hurried themselves towards the messy area, gadgets in hand, Harold looked at Mary with admiration while running.

''You're cute when you break the law.'' Daemona's future grandfather complimented at her, with a complicit tone.

''Don't think for one second that will become an habit.'' Mary sassed back with flirty eyes and a smile forming, gazing at Harold.

''Alright, we don't have much time before they come back, so we must open this nethergate qui-''

Navarro didn't even have the time to finish his sentence, everyone noticed that the nethergate slowly opened as they got closer, and the wind got stronger, they then stopped their sprint, speechless.

''But….wait….we didn't even do anything yet!'' Hal dreadfully said.

"Th-th-…the negative energy is THAT strong?!'' Mary questionned, shivering with fear in her voice.

As the wind attraction intensified towards the portal, everyone hold clutch to their weapons.

''Whatever opened that thing, BRACE YOURSELVES!'' Navarro shouted.

While Willard was ready to jump with the action with open arms, the rest of the PIs screamed while being vacuumed into the nethergate……oh sure, they were aware of its contents and witnessed a lot of things in their past cases….

….but it was always another story being directly involved in what was told in the books.

To be continued

---------------------------

Bonus

Translation of the spanish dialogues

''Oh, hi son. Sorry I didn't see you yet, the television was capting my attention'' The dad excused, pointing at the television.

He then looked at his three companions with a polite smile.

''……I see that you brought your friends.'' Ulisses Navarro remarked, looking at Willard in last.

''Yeah….I was wondering if we could read our books there if you don't mind?'' Navarro asked, showing his horror book.

Looking at his mother, he then got rid of his leather jacket, who was still stained by all the goop despites being melted and taken off.

''Also, mama, could you bring my jacket to clean?'' Felix kindly demanded, handling his jacket to his mom.

''Sure I can.'' Tatiana approved, she took the jacket but looked at the mess with a concerned look. ''But...my words! What kind of game did you play to get it dirty like that?"

''Well, the world is full of surprises.'' Felixito awkwardly excused, scratching his head.

-...-

(...) Ulises wasn't fooled: he was aware of the fraternity's reputation, and the thought of its contents made him grimaced.

"Ergh, to think some people don't have any limit of dignity or decency.'' Navarro's father groaned at his source of disgust.

But he then looked proudly at his son.

''But you're not like them! ….Felix, promise me that when you'll be of age of going to university in two weeks, that you won't go down that same path and think about what we taught you.'' the mustachioed dad said, hand on Felix's shoulder. “Oh dad, don't worry!” his son happily said.

-...-

''Sometimes I can't read this Willard....I truly wonder what my Felixito sees in him.'' Tatiana began

Under the revelation of the father's disappearance, Felix Navarro and Mary Beyer looked at each other.

''Disappeared? You mean like missing? Pero espera, you could have called the cops. Why calling us?'' Navarro questionned.

''Because…..''

Fred had a lot of difficulty holding back more tears, fighting the quaver in his voice.

''It….it was an accident…I didn't….I didn't ask for him to be dragged into this st- stupid portal, it just appeared out of nowhere!'' he revealed, voice cracking.

The duo of PIs gulped in unison, oh they knew a lot of roots about specific kinds of portals, and even if it was maybe not necessarily what they thought, you can never know until you ask about more details!

''Wh…..What color the p-portal was like?'' Mary nervously stuttered.

''Uuum….some luminous green…'' The little jock reflected on reluctantly, wiping his eyes.

Mary turned towards Navarro, exchanging some thoughts by the first named's telepathic powers, their own voices was heard in their heads.

''If it's what we think, me temo lo peor.'' Navarro's voice transferred to Mary's mind.

''Indeed….if I remember the school janitor's strange books, these kind of vibrant colors are synonym to breach entrances through the netherrealm called nethergates!. …..And one way to open them is when there's a lot of negative emotions in the air!'' Mary's thought described.

''Wait….so you mean that….Frederik could have argued with his father during their time together? But…..I don't think your average parent scolding could've opened a nethergate this quickly!'' Navarro's voice debated.

''…..As much as I don't like squeezing out painful memories….he's gonna have to tell us exactly what happened during this event.'' the girl's voice painfully expressed.

During all this time, Frederik was looking weirdly at the two PIs, which their eyes and mouth was closed during a lot of seconds.

''Um…hello?'' the teenage jock hesitantly launched, which was greeted with two pairs of opening eyes.

''Alright Frederik, if you want us to help, you're gonna have to tell us exactly what happened, what you and your father said, what you did and what you saw!'' Felix ordered.

''…..Oh it's been replaying in my head ever since, you have no idea!'' Fred commented.

-…-

To make it short: my father was victim of something that was not directed on him and……I was the one responsible! He just happened to be on duty and was at the wrong place at the wrong time….but he was so angry at me…I had to follow him to get his attention.

''I don't want to hear another word from this lying mouth of yours.'' the inspector shouted waking, not facing his son.

''Dad wait, it's just….I wanted to experiment, I never thought that club was going to be serious about it!'' Fred desperately justified, walking behind him.

''And over the hundred of different clubs, you had to chose this one?! This place is dangerous! And you're worth better than this circus you call a social club!'' the jock's father pressed.

''P-Please just try to understand, you…you were not even our target!''

I really tried to explain, but he was so disappointed he didn't even want to hear me, and what he said at one moment, when he finally turned back, it…it got to me.

''You, and all your so called ''friends'' , you did this to a representative of the order! If you were not my son, your fate would already be so much worse than it already is, mark my words!''

''But I-''

''….Anyway, no matter who the target was, I was personally assigned to the incidents of your so-called club, with what I was just subjected to you can kiss this club goodbye!''

''So what, you're gonna strip me of the only club I have a chance to get in even if I'm eighteen now? Don't you think I TRIED getting into other clubs?!''

I'll save you the rest of the argument but let's say we each got progressively more angry at each other. And when I shouted something I knew I would regret….that….that portal! It appeared a little far away, behind a fence next to the pavement where we were standing, and a strange force attraced both of us towards it.

''Wh…what's happening?!'' the dad inspector exclaimed, looking everywhere.

My dad, because of the force of the wind, passed over the fence, he managed to grab it. meanwhile I handled myself on a light pole. Then, I tried to analyze the situation.

''Dad?! DAD!''

Then I saw him, struggling against the force of the portal. I tried to get closer and reach to him, but suddendly, I …..so-some strange goop hit him in the face from the right. His grip fell and….he…..

-…-

Fred couldn't even bear to finish the sentence.

''This….it's my fault, my anger got the better of me and…this had to happen! How can I explain that to my little brother?!'' he just put his hands on his face.

''Hey hey….'' Felix started, hand on Fred's shoulder. ''It was just a bad series of circumstances, none of this is your fault, me escuchas? It's not like you pushed him in….I promise we're going to save your dad!''

Deeply shaken by the story inside, Mary nevertheless kept a professional face, she got side to Navarro, face to face to the big brother.

''Tell me Frederik….during these events, did you saw a supernatural creature or a ghost eering around? Something that….could've caused the goop to hit your dad?'' the telepathic girl questionned.

''No…no one was there!''

Mary once again rode the mind of the case-sender, she could tell that something else bothered him: a huge sentiment of shame and spite.

''Tell me…a certain ''club'' was subject of your dispute….which club are you refering to?'' Mary asked.

Fred suddendly got off the bed, moving towards the wall left to him, he took three strange symbols printed on a fabric and matched them on three holes the two PIs saw on the right of his varsity jacket.

Ω

Α π

''These are three symbols of greek alphabet….Omega… Alpha… Pi?!'' Mary recited.

Just dropping the symbols on the ground and taking the uniform off, the jock ranted.

''If you think this will help you find my dad, investigate the place if you want, in fact, take the whole uniform and symbols! I don't want anything to do with this heartless club ever again!'' Fred shouted.

Navarro and Mary looked bitter at the mention of this ''heartless'' club, not necessarily because they knew it, but whatever this club seemed to be, it gave Frederik a lot of psychological after-effects as he was more than agressive throwing the jacket on the ground.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanking him for his collaboration, Felix and Mary went out of the room with the jacket and symbols, then reunited with Harold and Willard in the hallway.

''We told Gus it was preferable to put his own mind elsewhere so he's in his room. So did you find anything? Because negatory in the inspector's room'' Harold seeked, showing the empty pages of his notebook.

Taking a deep breath, Felix and Mary took the time to brief all the information known about the case so far: the portal, the cop who got abducted in it, his argue with Frederik, the goop, and most importantly…..

''Omega Alpha Pi?!'' Willard shouted in a unnaturally rough tone.

''I've heard of this club…..definitely not something I would go in!'' Harold commented.

''There's something strange about this case….according to Frederik, some goop of unnatural color hit his dad, yet he stated that he didn't saw any monsters or ghosts.'' Felix briefed.

''It's possible that this case doesn't involve anything supernatural for a rare time…..'' Mary argued.

Hand on his chin, Felix was thinking carefully….

''There's one detail you forget: most nethergates are build by a monster who wants to connect with our world. That means there's a big chance one could be lurking somewhere. And since Omega Alpha Pi is not far from it, I think it's best to investigate here first!'' the leader explained.

''No!'' Willard just shouted once again.

Everyone turned to Willard, who has been way more on the lookout than usual, Navarro sighed.

''Estaba esperando….'' he muttered between his teeth. ''What is it this time, Willard?''

''We're not going to mop around some useless place, you want to save the cop, right?!'' Willard emphasized.

''Of course, but he's a grown adult and part of the force! If we enter in the portal like cowboys without knowing what is blurry about this case, than maybe a whole club of way younger people; some probably our age; who can't defend themselves, will be in danger while we're gone!'' Felix argued.

''But we're not sure said creature has anything with this club in the first place, you would really risk the danger we're already aware for some dumb letters?!" Willard added, severely.

Immediately, Harold and Mary put a stop to what was going to be the start of an argument….not because they were annoyed, the real reason was enunced by Mary.

''Will, what's going on?! Usually you'd rather be in the action putting the ghosts and creatures in their place than focusing even one bit of energy on helping people, sometimes even us. Now, the only time Felix is suggesting to take care of a possible creature first, suddendly you want to help someone?'' Mary questionned.

Willard Plowright stuttered, never his three teammates saw him like this, he hesitated to speak, so much that Felix's annoyed look changed into one of surprise. But….eyebrows getting sad, Harold somehow got it, he put his hand on Plowright's shoulder. A compassionate attitude, to someone he was not always carrying in his heart.

''……Omega Alpha Pi is not an healthy club. Words got to my ear: this community can do the nastiest things imaginable to make someone get in this club. The initiated can be so desperate to fit in he would be ready to lose his own dignity!'' The PI with glasses revealed.

He then waited a few seconds, but still no reaction from Willard, who just gloomingly looked aside.

''Willard….did something happen between you and this social club which makes you not wanting to go back here?'' Hal then asked.

Not changing any form of emotion, Willard just sighed, moving his shoulder to let Harold go off his grip, he opened his eyes.

''You know I had my own life before I've met you in Lugosi Junior high right?'' Will told.

The three other PIs knew he said this to loose up the tense atmosphere, they couldn't help but grin, to reassure him.

''Look, let's just say before my change of school two years ago, an ex-friend part of Omega Alpha Pi got me here doing some side ''jobs'' despites my teenage years back then. And my memories from it are……far from OK, it was…humiliating.'' the power reflector resumed.

Unexpectedly, the response to Willard's revelation was Mary and Navarro hugging him. It startled him enough to open his eyes wide though his closed mouth remained unchanged, not even hugging back.

''Whoa! What's the big deal?'' the hugged exclaimed.

''Nothing, it's just that it's rare that you open yourself to us like that! After all these times where it felt you were not included with us on all our missions and horror book readings, standing away all the time.'' Mary remarked, punching lightly her coworker's shoulder.

''Yeah whatever, just don't expect me to greet you with flowers at each of our reunions.'' Willard groaned.

''Tsk, of course tough guy, baby steps!'' Harold approved, side to Will.

Defeating the hug, Navarro tapped Will's shoulder, smiling full of complicity.

''Nobody has any right being forced to do what he doesn't like, Willard, however, I can't go in the netherrealm in good conscience knowing that some unknown force can put an entire club in danger. I'll be ready to face the consequences in the hope of my whole team supporting me if I'm ever wrong. I hope you can understand that.'' the chief justified.

And he was right to not doubt about his other teammates's choices. Since Navarro had a deep friendship with Harold and Mary before Willard got in, he was 100% sure Daemona's future grandparents would understand his actions. The only one left was the black sheep of the gang: Willard. Pupils looking everywhere, he expressed a sigh before nodding.

''I still don't like this….but alright! I'll follow you!'' the gloomy PI approved with a little smirk.

Meanwhile, Mary whispered to Harold.

''Good grief, sometimes it's hard even for me to read this guy.''

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our car landed us in front of the large frat house where Omega Alpha Pi was meeting. This place looked even worse than I imagined: pizza boxes thrown everywhere; dirty walls; unsanitary eating... No doubt: people who weren't at college or university were not welcome here.

…Usually, during our almost-three years as PIs, people who called us were either people our age or children. This sudden change of atmosphere was ironic for my friends who became adults.

To not be suspicious, Navarro parked his car a few meters away from the fraternity, then discussed with his team, inside the car.

''Está bien, we have some time before the police squats the area looking for their missing partner, so I suggest we split in two for quicker results!''

Pointing at Mary and himself, he resumed the plan.

''I'll go with Mary at the inside, her telepathy will allow her to analyse quickly who saw something suspect.'' Felix then pointed at Hal and Will. ''Harold, you will teleport Willard with you around the outside area to look for possible traces of goop and pick samples, if a monster attacks you two, teleport together in Omega Alpha Pi and warn us, we'll take care of it all together, got it?!''

Everyone nodded except Willard. The latter quietly objected.

''Wait……Navarro, go with Harold, I'll go with Mary.'' he insisted.

Navarro looked at his comrade with empathy and worry.

''Are you sure Willard? I don't want to force you even further reliving bad memories again.'' Navarro inquired.

Will answered while taking off his dark purple jacket, leaving only the green shirt he wore underneath it.

''….I'm tired of running away now, if we're going there anyway, might as well face this directly.'' Will justified, putting a blue flannel eton cap. ''Besides, I pulled myself some discreet clothes so no club member will recognize me.'' he then put on sunglasses.

Harold gazed weirdly at Willard's attire, not even fitting his demeanor.

''....But you have your shirt, they can recognise you!'' Hal argued.

''....Do you think I was born and grew up with the same clothes or what?'' Will scoffed at Hal. ''Anyway, we can't bring children in here.'' he then teased, looking at Navarro.

''.....We're literally in the same school year and I'm gonna be the last to turn 18 in two weeks!!!'' Navarro shouted while gazing forcefully at his friend.

Nevertheless, he took some seconds to take the joke. Calming himself down, Navarro pointed at the backseat.

''....Pero es un buen pento! OK, we'll do like that. But l I'm taking some self-defense gadgets, after all I'm the only one without powers here.'' Navarro imposed.

Everyone got out of the car and went to open the trunk. Navarro took the soul collector, there was also four different remotes with a big screen on it, each for different types of monsters….

Willard agreed to take two remotes; elemental and ghosts, while Harold took the remotes for sprites and demons, they then splitted each other.

The first half of the team: Mary and Willard, went at the interior of the club. They passed side to two men who were just looking at the disguised PI.

''……This man is strange.'' the OAP member denigrated. ''…..Is it just me or I already saw this guy somewhere?''

Hearing this comment, Will, not even looking at them, used his power to reflect the light of a lamp side to the two spectators, increasing its luminosity, and getting right into the duo's eyes. This kept them busy for some time as they complained.

The more Will and Mary walked, the more they couldn't help staring around: the inside of Omega Alpha Pi was even more depravated than the outside; men and women making tattoos on some initiated's faces with pizza sauce for example.

During the walk, the PI women glanced at a room: two omegas were twisting their socks, sweat pouring in a glass of liquid she couldn't identify. What seemed to be a newcomer then took the glass and chugged it, under chant and cheerings.

Willard's glance just made him see people throwing leftover food on people's mugshots that were not familiar to him. It was hard to tell what he was specifically feeling because of his sunglasses, but Mary was disgusted, face grimacing and shoulders shivering.

''And people say I'm peculiar because my allure doesn't fit that I read horror novels all the time, this is just…concerning!'' Mary commented.

Remembering Navarro's plan, she then closed her eyes, attempting to read people's mind, she concentrated for several seconds, but something seemed wrong, she muttered some exclamations. Her partner, who had hands behind his back, suddendly leaned his glance towards her.

''Something wrong, Beyer?'' he asked, interrogative. ''Urgh, why is it happening now?!'' she opened her eyes, clenching her teeth. ''I'm unable to read anyone's mind, maybe the unknown force is messing with it!''

Keeping one hand behind his back, Willard checked his remote: an icon of ghost with an empty gauge under it printed on the green screen.

''Detector says there's no ghost spiritual energy in here, and I don't see your elemental remote beeping or going up either. I guess this club is sleeping well.'' the gloomy PI indicated.

''….No, I must insist, either a demon or sprite could be here instead. And maybe someone saw something from outside….I guess we'll have no choice but to manually ask about the events…..'' his female friend objected.

Both PIs looked around, resuming their walking, until Mary stopped Willard once they were in the kitchen, it was unknown what she was pointing at, but she did it with a smile.

''Alright, I definitely think this the leader of this forsaken club.''

''And what kind of telepathy did you use if your powers don't work here?'' Will adressed his teammate.

''The kind who is simply logic, my dear Plowright.'' the telepath playfully retorted, pinching his cheek.

And indeed it seemed logic: the guy's light brown pompadour hair was decorated with a crown showing the symbols of Omega Alpha Pi and his sweater seemed more shiny than the rest of the gang...but maybe that was just the light effect.

''Tsk, they changed the leader since last I went here. Guy thinks he's hot stuff.'' Willard cringed.

The two approached the man of the house while the latter turned towards them. He deserted the friends he was talking to and walked as well towards them.

''You two, unless I don't see you with inscriptions, you're not allowed here. I'm gonna ask you to leave.'' the man ordered.

''No worries, we're not here to join your club.'' Mary retorted, hand pointing at her and Willard. ''Phantom Investigators, I'm Mary and this is Willlllllllllllllll-…iamson! We're just here to ask you a few questions, do you mind?''

The man just gazed at Willard's attire, the latter was adjusting his sunglasses, looking aside.

''Why isn't he saying anything?'' the OAP boss remarked.

''Sorry, he's mute, but we're trying him as a recruit.'' Mary excused. ''We just want to ask you a few questions regarding a cop disappearance.''

With a little hesitation because it was not quite clear to him, the boss answered with a little smile, nodding.

''Alright, we'll discuss about it.'' he said, following the two PIs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once they were away from any audience, in the basement, Omega Alpha Pi's chief leaned his back against the wall, looking at Mary's curly orange hair with interest, completly ignoring Willard.

Both PIs were trying to ignore what was in the room: barrels of what seemed to be grape juice judging by the sticker of green grapes on each of them; and posters of the symbols of the fraternity, some of them could read ''π, a frat which never ends''.

''Look, I admit this is quite an inventive pick-up line.'' the boss of the frat house suddendly blurted out.

''……………………..What?'' Mary exclaimed, raising an eyebrow with a concerned look.

''Come on, I know the drill: cute chicks like you want a date but they feel pressured by my position so they devise a trick to charm me, like you and your Spirit Chasers or something.''

He really said that with a confident attitude. Leaning forward handing his hand towards Mary, he pursued his direct line of thought.

''Well I'm not the one to judge people based on their rank, just say when you want a date and I'll manage my agenda.'' the fraternity leader flirted.

Head leaning backwards, disturbed, Mary looked at her PI teammate without saying a word, Will returned the gaze. Even him was pretty concerned about the nerve that OAP leader was having.

Just laughing out loud, the PI woman turned back to the wannabe-winsome guy.

''How cute, you wanna witness another pick-up line?'' she mysteriously said with happily closed eyes.

Then, without warning and with a sudden force, despites Mary's average stature and the boss's height, she clutched the guy by his collar and lifted him up, back still against the wall while still keeping her gentle smile. The charmer panicked and couldn't help letting out a scream, meanwhile, Willard, while still being jaded, tried really hard to not laugh.

''I'll pick YOU up on the line and throw you behind me and I swear you'll get amnesia so intense you won't even remember what a cute chick is! So, Romeo, I kindly suggest you start to take us seriously and give us what you know about strange events and Frederik's father disappearance!''

Mary was saying all of that with a smile, her eyes were not even getting threathening and that was what unsettled the guy the most. Stuttering, he almost forgot his rank and adressed Mary.

''W-wait…Frederik, the new initiated? All right put me down, I'll say whatever you want!''

''Thank you!'' she said, putting the guy down.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Harold and Felix were exploring around the house. Felix furtively sneaked with the soul collector in his hands and the detector of demons in his pocket.

''So far we did the left and right side of the house……still no sign of paranormal activities or any trace of goop!'' Navarro noted.

''Yeah yeah I get it: hold my hand.'' Hal said, leaning his hand towards his teammate who grabbed it.

Hal used his powers to teleport both of them to the backside of the fraternity house. The scene that was greeting them was…..very different…

''Por todos los dioses, which pig went there?!" Felix shouted.

Indeed it was not a pretty mise-en-scène offered in front of the compatriots. A lot of pizza boxes were scattered in front of a window, not even put in trash cans. Its contents were splattered and missing parts, like someone eated them, and most important of all……a strange orange stuff was dragging from the pizza boxes to…..somewhere in a large area of trees.

The two PIs were quite disturbed by the mess, so much that Harold almost didn't pay attention to a strange beeping for a few seconds. Once he got it together, he searched the source of the sound: it came from Navarro's pocket, which the latter took, the demon icon was flashing on the screen along with a gauge rising up at the third of it.

''Well, if it's a pig, it must be pretty peculiar: I think we found our demon!'' Harold commented.

''And it must be coming from that orange mixture….pretty sure it's the goop Fred was talking about!'' Felix Navarro added, eyebrows raising.

Navarro kneeled himself on the ground, put on a glove and tried to rub his finger into it, but something was strange.

''……It's not goop, it's hard! Almost like cement! No way that stuff flew and hit our inspector!'' the PI leader remarked.

Meanwhile, Harold followed the path of that orange matter....while it was by drips, it seemed to form a way leading to the trees far away back. While not venturing himself completly into those, he put a glove as well and rubbed his finger into it.

''I'm pretty sure it IS the substance, the trace farther stays a little on my finger…..but it's becoming muskier. ….Classic situation of matter becoming harder when exposed too much in air.'' Harold argued.

Thinking carefully while staring at the small forest, the PI leader decided what was going to be the next course of action.

''We're taking some samples and after that, we follow the trail….Hal, compañero, be ready to retreat and gather the troop if it gets dangerous!'' Navarro ordered.

Trusting his friend's judgement, Harold obeyed the first indications, after that, the two ventured in the depths of the orange trail.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at Mary and Willard's side, the leader of the OAP fraternity scratched his head.

''All of the club here are young adults, we wanted to show any sign of authority that we weren't afraid of them.'' he awkwardly explained.

''And the solution to that is humiliation towards each other?'' Mary immediately argued.

''Call it how you want, we call this initiation.'' the boss justified with contempt, then sighed. ''….Look, It was nothing personnal: pranking any old man was part of Frederik's initiation. Folk was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.''

''And what was that so-called prank?'' Mary said with even more revulsion she nevertheless tried to hide.

''The good old trick of the bucket suspended on a rope. We put slighty hot melted butter in it and ordered our initiated to let the rope go once the guy entered……however, when it happened….all became coldly silent. Turns out olden was an inspector. Some members thought they were in for good!'' the chief of the organisation verbally blurted out.

He inspired slowly before pursuing his small tale.

''When the old man looked at Frederik, he just became angry and went away, our recruit shouted out ''dad wait'' and he ran away as well, nobody followed him…..that's all we know. And you say…..this guy disappeared?''

Mary crossed her arms while nodding.

''And now just something else: did you and some of your ''friends'' saw anything strange happening around your fraternity house lately? Or something that could have followed Frederik and his dad?'' she asked.

''……..Hmmmm…..not specifically…but since one week, we see strange musky orange stuff in some closed areas around our house….sometimes even behind where we throw our pizza boxes!'' Omega Alpha Pi's current owner revealed.

Mary shook her head from surprise while Willard was getting more interested in the current conversation.

''Wait, but did you report this to someone?'' the out-of-order telepath questionned.

''No, we Omega Alpha Pis are the kind to settle problems by ourselves….It's probably a rival fraternity trying to get at us. Some of our pizza outside can be stolen and whoever the thief is…he makes such a mess…….with his orange nastiness!'' the witness theorised with assurance.

''….One last thing? ….Did some of your members disappeared in that period of time?'' Mary Beyer worried.

''….No, I keep attention to all of them and except for the weak who resign, everyone is still there.'' the boss negated.

Willard put his hand on Mary's shoulder, a simple gaze towards each other, not any words and not any telepathy, convinced them to follow what they judged best.

''I have no other questions, sir.'' Mary affirmed.

''Please, call me Thomas.'' the now-named said, leaning his head forward.

''A name I hope to not remember.'' she muttered between her teeth, taking Willard by the hand and climbed the stairs with him

Waiting to get away from Thomas before talking, Willard then chuckled a little.

''That was some neat reassuring presence you did there with the threats, taking notes.'' the arrogant PI mocked.

''Quiet!'' Mary just said, smirking a little.

Once out of the of the basement, the disguised PI sighed.

''OK, so obviously enough: this fraternity has no direct link to what happened with Frederik's dad and the nethergate, nobody is hurt if there's a monster.'' he then concluded.

''I'm inclined to agree, but what he just said to us, with the orange goop wasted around. I think there's a good chance that the owner of this could've been responsible for the mess and the goop who hit our detective.'' his woman teammate hinted.

''……….Well I guess with that…the case is more straightforward!''

Indeed Willard…Indeed

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The voice of Mary resonated while Harold and Navarro continued to walk, they were getting inwards the forest….and with that…it was even messier with orange…..unknown…than usual.

Now Daemona, Kira, Jericho, Casey… ….You might be already aware of it, but I've been pretty much accurate with all the hints and infos I've given you about monsters, and what kind of gadget was efficient, in most of your cases. It's because sometimes, I was in the training area myself, con mis equipos. Monsters are eternal, they don't age like you. And right now, in this moment……

…You probably saw it coming after all that history with the fraternity, but what we saw at the end of that trail…well…I don't understand how he was not humiliated leaving all this mess.

-...-

Back to the present, the quatuor children sighed from small dread.

''You don't mean that…the monster you fought…..?'' Daemona paused.

''Exactamente!'' -…-

The monster presented in front of Navarro and Harold in the 50s…..was….quite unidentificable in kind, but it was a big orange spheric form….with wrinkles and lumps around the face, and several extensions around him, with holes. One big eye with blue pupil, a human mouth…..almost like…..it was a big head out of grounds wearing a special mask!

The two 50s PIs couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise under that…thing's scream….

-…- ''Matzarathulu!'' Daemona named, speechless….

It seemed a quiet afternoon in Navarros repairs, as the said owner was cleaning his shop and technology he very often passed to pretty regular customers.

It wasn't long until, at some point, he engaged a cleaning in his closets and found an hidden framed picture.

All in black and white, how many years went by judging by all the dust accumulated on it? Still, he managed to recognise the content by wiping his finger at all the corners. The adult almost had a big wave of nostalgia the more he looked at it.

….Was it a party? Was it a club meeting? Anyway, three persons on four on said picture: two guys and one girl; seemed to wear party hats. Looking excited, all looking at a pretty gloomy-looking guy holding a book called ''the raven'' . The only woman of the group, in her dress, hold a banner easily read

My first novel

Full of sentiments, he passed his hand on his cheek as he gazed at the man wearing a leather jacket on the picture. The man who, in face and hairstyle, looked exactly like himself, minus the soul patch. Plus he was wearing his repairs suit in red ribbon.

''Right….it was today…how many years has it been?'' Felix Navarro thought……

His wave of nostalgia was quickly interrupted by the sound of storming. Four children were opening the door agressively, looking quite deceptive while looking at each other.

''Gaaaah, ¡Santo dios! , you startled me!'' the adult exclaimed.

But they were not even listening to him. Daemona Prune, Jericho, Kira Williams and Casey were too busy talking to each other.

''What were you thinking Jericho?! Throwing that thing right at my direction?!'' Kira shouted.

''I'm sorry! It's just…you accidentally got in the way!'' Jericho argued.

''I had to avoid the assault of the pixies! Sorry to value my own life!'' Kira sarcastically replied.

''But but….you have the power to read through people's mind, couldn't you have just-''

Before Casey even had the chance to finish his question, Kira glared right at him.

''Yo, doesn't mean my brain is in full turbo one hundred percent of the time for PsyJaak's sake! So many things were happening at the same time!'' Williams justified

Daemona, the leader, the only person who didn't say anything on view so far, noticed Navarro looking at them all interrogative, crossing his arms.

''Guys, this is not the timing right now, we have to do our report.'' Daemona exclaimed, while making signs to her friends to follow her.

Awkwardly clearing her throat and brushing the dust on her suit, the young redhead leader greeted Navarro followed by the rest of the gang.

''So….I take it you have some difficulties on a case?'' Navarro asked.

''Maybe it would be simple but apparently we have some difficulties communicating.'' Daemona remarked while side-eye her gaze to Jericho.

''This is just a bad moment, we'll surf through it in no big time.''Jericho casually swifted in words.

''Bad moment? This is like the third case we're arguing like that! Why do you have to be so aloof about everything?'' Kira angrily judged.

Frowned eyebrowns, Jericho flailed his arms while talking back.

''Aloof?''

''I mean, Kira's kinda right! To quote Daemona: The plan was to capture defensively, not shooting everywhere! Unquote. And it's a plan I came up with! You didn't respect it!'' Casey added.

''Whatev man, I thought the leader was supposed to be impartial!'' Jericho shrugged off with an annoyed tone.

For a reason unknown to Navarro, who was getting quite uncomfortable with the atmosphere getting increasingly more negative, Daemona became vexed by that remark. Slowly walking towards Jericho, she put the emphasis on each of her oncoming words.

''Jay, we've been over this: a leader must be open to ideas and manage her team in the hope of working together! I was OK with Casey's plan with no alternatives, Kira too! I guess you didn't because you were afraid of missing some random meeting.''

The green-coated leader pointed towards her teammate then added:

''Can't process that? Then I'm afraid you'll have to make a choice: Either you reconsider your place on this team or-''

''Tiempo muerto!'' Navarro interrupted though his voice was not in the angriest tone.

That sudden interpelation took the four children in the room by surprise. Navarro had a stern gaze towards the team, all in silence.

''What am I hearing right now? Nobody needs to reconsider anything here!'' Navarro indicated.

''But Kira started it!'' Jericho whimpered while waving his arm at her, ignoring her ''hey'' as a response.

''Who started it or what was the cause is of no importance.'' The adult put clearly. ''As for you, Daemona, I'm gonna ask you to drop this behavior, now!''

The 13-year old kid was quite shaken by the direct tone of Navarro. Ever since she knew him, while learning eventually about his background and personnal link to her family, she never saw him getting angry like that! And he never used that tone with her. For some time she was speechless, but Casey broke the silence.

''Professor Navarro?!'' he named.

''What's the beef?'' Kira asked.

Taking a deep breath, Navarro sat down on a chair he placed in front of the children.

''…..Sorry if I scared you, I didn't mean to sound like that, ….alright, what is the level of the threat?'' he casually questionned.

''To be honest….we captured them and figuring out what to do with them, they're pixies and are captives in the soul collector waiting in the Ghoul-Mobile so..... it's kinda at Wad's level.'' Casey scratched his head.

''Not important, got it. So I hope you don't mind to sit down a little and tell you a story about one of my cases.'' The mentor suggested in a more calm manner.

''You mean with you….Willard…and my grandparents?'' Daemona revealed, interrogative and raising an eyebrow.

Jericho coughed.

''Hold the Ghoul-phone, you already told us about your team, we have a good resume of what happened. Why hearing that story again?'' the ginger kid then seeked to know.

''I'm not talking about that tragic event, let me tell you a story about one of the cases we landed, and the results of it. Grab a chair.'' Navarro precised.

Jericho used his telekinesia to control four chair by distance, bringing them in line so that the four kids could sit.

''Is it going to be long?'' Kira said.

''It depends of your willingness.'' Felix indicated.

''And...if I'm hungry during the story, am I forced to starve or I can go get a sweet?'' Casey enquired.

''¡Por supuesto you can get something to eat!'' Navarro laughed at that remark. ''Who do you take me for?''

''But....why that sudden change of tone? You're more serious than the last time you told us about your past....'' Daemona remarked

Navarro sighed, clearly what he was about to tell was going to unearth a deep pain….

''Because last time, we were in a hurry, which is not the case now! So I just want you to take the time to understand…what can happen if you start to lack even one bit of teamwork and communication.'' the mentor justified.

As he, Felix, continued to talk and start his story, the scene transitionned in his head….

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 1958, in the same city of San Francisco…..more precisely, your attic, Daemona, which belonged to your grandmother at the time.

It was one of our usual horror novel reading evenings for our ''club'' , and the start of a quite mysterious case. I was the one presenting the book: My three friends were listening and were quite put in the ambience.

-...-

And indeed they were, though Willard wasn't quite as much in the ambience as pretended. Felix Navarro was standing, with his black leather jacket, in front of his friends, gramophone side to him who was playing a mystical, supernatural music to accompany the telling of his readings.

Harold and Mary were clapping hands in unison, happily chanting. In his own jaded way, Willard accompagnied them.

''Fe-lix! Fe-lix, Fe-lix, Fe-lix!'' they all chanted, though Willard's monotone sound of voice was quite low like the lowest musical note.

Navarro pursued with his dramatic postures and tellings.

''The fury of a demon instantly possessed me. I knew myself no longer. My original soul seemed, at once, to take its flight from my body and a more than fiendish malevolence, gin-nurtured, thrilled every fibre of my-''

But his lifeful tale was not going to last longer: the rotary dial telephone sounded towards all the room. Mary Beyer was the first to get up and answer.

''Phantom Investigators, a vampire invades the privacy, he will be sorry!'' she commercialized with enthusiasm.

Felix and Harold rolled their eyes, keeping their smiles. Willard annoyingly sighed.

''Every time…'' he shook his head with almost disgust.

The girl of the group pursued the phone call answered…meanwhile, Harold and Felix were discussing between them.

''I wonder how far away it is this time, we should probably get the map out.'' Harold suggested, adjusting his glasses. ''A care I'll happily manage.'' Navarro indicated, walking towards a door closet.

Without even saying a single word, Willard stood up and signaled Mary to stand a few steps away. He put his hands on the phone and concentrated for ten seconds.

''I know the caller is in this direction.'' Willard assured, pointing in the direction left to him.

''….Thank you Will!'' Mary whispered, slighty smiling.

''Yeah yeah, don't mention it.'' he answered, monotone.

Willard then went back to sit down on the big solid couch, looking around and not even exchanging gazes with his friends.

Meanwhile, the two other boys looked at their friend with a worried look, though Navarro saw that Harold was getting slowly more and more disapproving with the looks.

''Willard's in his best mood today.'' Felix smiled awkwardly.

''Word of advice: sarcasm doesn't suit you.'' Hal said.

Answering playfully with a sound of pain, Navarro then sighed, looking at his other male friend.

''Listen Hal…say what you want about our friend's attitude, but you can't deny he has been a pretty good help on the team with his powers reflecting! Plus he does like our novel club.'' Felix reassured, hand on his friend's shoulder.

''I know…..I just wish he was a little less condescending about everything each time we land a case.'' Harold closed his eyes.

''Leave that to the leader, you know I'll take care of these kinds of problems.'' Felix proudly answered, pointing to himself.

Mary hanged up the phone, turning towards the three young adults.

''450 Harrisson Street, to be more precise, Willard!'' she informed.

''What about the case?'' Harold asked, opening the map on the table.

''Unfortunately, he didn't want to talk about it by phone.'' Mary sadly negated.

''No business too mysterious, too detailled or too ugly, we'll happily see about that when we get here.'' Felix assured.

Under these words, the PI leader turned his gaze towards Willard.

''While talking about happily, Willard, I hope for you to put some effort about being more reassuring in presence.'' Felix advised.

''I'm here, isn't that enough?'' Will said, deadpan.

''Don't you remember what happened with our last client?'' Felix warned.

-...-

A quick cut to three days ago showed a 6-year old young girl throwing her pillows at Willard while screaming. The latter's hair was messy and he was not even flinching under the pillow shots.

''STOP THAT'S NOT THE ZOMBIE, THAT'S OUR TEAMMATE!'' Mary screamed, trying to stop the girl with her two other teammates.

-...-

Back to the PI's attic, Willard crossed his arms.

''In my defense, I had a bad sleep.'' he defended.

''Because of that however, we almost didn't land the case! In other words: sonríe más.'' Navarro explained.

''OK I'll try to smile more sometimes.'' Willard nodded, not even changing his jaded emotion.

Just taking a deep breath, Navarro simply turned towards his two other friends.

''Let's go investigate amigos!''

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The four Phantom Investigators ended their way towards a house, horizontally large, not very high.

''450….that's the place.'' Navarro affirmed, knocking into the door.

The door slowly opened, revealing a shy blonde 9-year old boy half-hiding behind the door, Wearing a light brown tank top right on a long-sleeve white shirt with a zip collar. Looking at all the gang, he nevertheless winced and moved his head away once he got a quick stare at Willard, who was….not smiling.

''Who…who are you?'' he quietly asked.

''You must be the kid who called us right? Investigadores de fantasmas, at your service.'' Navarro introduced, politely leaning forwards.

The child grew some light of hope in his face. Quickly nodding, he opened the door.

''Right right, sorry…it's just that I never saw your faces on the pamphlet where I looked at your number.'' the little lad excused.

''Tsk, what are you expecting, tad? Enemies will recognise us if we expose ourselves like that.'' Willard cockily remarked to the kid, arms crossed.

The said kid hesitated to answer, backing away, hand on the door handle. Harold and Navarro just glanced bitterly at their teammate, but Mary slowly came in front of the gang, towards the child, maternally reassuring him with a quiet voice.

''Please excuse my friend here, he has a tendancy to be too honest while lacking the tact.'' Mary excused, while slowly negating her head. ''Nobody wants harm to you, my little darling, please take the time to explain where is the meanie ghost who scared you so we'll happily take care of the problem.''

Harold admired the calm tone of Mary and how she was able to take things in a soft manner. Glaring at her with a smile, he had no doubt in his mind that she was going to be a great mother one day.

What the children answered quite startled some members of the team.

''To be honest….I don't know!''

''You don't know?!'' Harold repeated.

''I mean…I'm not the one who has a problem, my brother just passed me the pamphlet and told me to call here….he didn't want to say more, so I don't know what happened….follow me….'' the kid ordered.

It was quite some time all the gang was standing outside with the door left open. Perhaps was indeed the time to enter and keep some warm inside the house. All the Phantom Investigators followed the little kid while the latter continued talking.

''I never saw my big brother like this, he's been like that ever since he entered.''

Harold smiled with a little gaze at Mary, he tapped gently her arm with his elbow while adressing the little lad.

''I guess Mary can go talk to him, she's the most gentle soul and always take things with a calm manner. He'll open up in no time'' Hal complimented.

''Oh stop it you flirt!'' Mary happily blushed, throwing her hand on the left, avoiding Harold's gaze.

Willard raised his hand, proposing something.

''I can accompany her I guess.'' he proposed.

''No offense but you'll not really help with the zombie looks.'' Harold jested to his comrade.

''Sure, just never give me the chance and assume the worst.'' Willard sarcastically replied.

Even with the playful tone, Navarro sensed there was some sort of sincerity hidden through Harold's sentence, and as a leader, he felt that it was best to handle that little conflict now. Moving towards Harold and Willard, putting his arms around their shoulders, he expressed a suggestion.

''Mi propuesta: Mary and I are going to take care of that isolated brother while you two search around the house in advance for anything suspiscious, got it?''

Harold nodded under Navarro's proposition, though he wasn't particulary pleased of staying alone with Willard.

Under this approval, the PI chief went along with Mary towards the older brother's room, leaving the two other members alone. The atmosphere was awkward for some time while the little kid was looking at the two PIs.

''….I don't know if it will help you but….our dad's a police inspector.'' the little kid added.

''So you could have used him to clear the problem from the start, big de-''

Willard got immediately interrupted by an elbow hit on the stomach from Harold.

''What he means to say is that we are the specialists of paranormal cases, so….why this information….hum…your name?'' Hal interrogated.

''Gus Tecker! And I don't know…to be honest…I'm sort of worried, daddy didn't come home tonight.'' Gus sadly informed….

''You know what it is….duty calls.''

Harold stopped his mid-line of dialogue, pulling out a book from his backpack, consulting it.

''However: Tenth rule of supernatural: even what seems non-phantom can hide some spooks behind the curtains.'' Harold closed the book looking at Gus. ''Where is your father's room?''

The children just pointed the direction. Hal thanked him by patting him on the back, then traded his gaze at Willard while handing him his backpack.

''Last one in the room eats slime for tomorrow's dinner!'' Harold Prune jested, while using his powers to teleport away.

Unimpressed, Willard crossed his arms while sighing.

''He always does this tomfoolery…..''

Not even putting the backpack on his back, Will dragged his feet toward the hall while holding it with one hand, Gus followed him. ……

One thing the 18-year old PI was able to admit is that he was not quite good with kids! Looking for an opening of innocent conversation while walking, the gloomy phantom investigator searched through the backpack, showing Gus what seemed to be a large scope mixed with handles and a flash like seen on old cameras.

''What's that?'' Gus curiously inquired.

''We call this the soul collector.'' Will introduced with an attempt to smile, cracking his cheek bones under the force. ''…..Wanna see the cursed souls we can collect?''

''......No?!''

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Meanwhile, Mary and Navarro entered the older brother's room after knocking. What they were greeted with was someone pretty physically fit, wearing a varsity jacket. But the duo didn't quite see what brand it was exactly since the poor boy was curled up on his bed.

No sound was heard for him. But one gaze at his puffy eyes from Mary could tell he's been crying for some time, and she didn't need her telepathic powers to know that.

''Holà pobrecito….we're the Phantom Investigators….what's going on?'' Felix Navarro kindly asked.

''Oh….so you finally came….sorry I didn't call you myself, but I was….really not in a good state of mind! …..Name's Frederik.'' the guy introduced himself, sniffling a little.

Mary closed her eyes for a few seconds, approaching slowly the client, yellow waves came out of her forehead, sign that she was using her telepathic powers.

''What do you feel, Mary?'' Felix Navarro curiously interrogated. '

'A lot of grief….sadness…and deep hatred. I have no doubt, he was directly involved in the incident he's deeply keeping inside.'' his friend described.

Frederik was really surprised of that accurate description, stuttering, he just blurted his thoughts out loud.

''How did you know that?''

''Even if someone keeps silent, emotions can not escape the use of my powers. So I would kindly suggest you don't bury your emotions inside and tell us the problem….even if…it might hurt as I hear it now!'' the telepathic young adult explained.

Shyly answering an ''alright'' , Frederik, remaining sitted down on his bed and curled up, and took a deep breath.....

''It's my father, he disappeared!'' Fred then revealed, gloomy.

.....

.....

I'll always remember that moment........

.....What Mary depicted with her telepathy.....what was the case going to be, what caused a guy our age to have this much turmoil inside him.....

.....All these questions, spiraling in my head.....however, one thing I was not aware of at the time....

This case, that appeared so simple at first sight, was going to be the snowball rolling down a hill…that would start to grow more and more, carrying more secrecy and darkness along the way.