The manor was bustling with activity as various attendants and members of the Paranormal Deliverance Force scurried about, spreading the word for everyone to gather at the meeting room.

Hastur walks into the meeting room, a stoic look on his face. He looks around, then decides to stay by the doorway, his arms crossed. "I can't wait to get my hands on that creature that's been abducting the spirits," he mutters to himself.

Gizmo makes sure she has her essentials on hand (Booze, whiskey, and wine) before taking a seat in the meeting hall. Today was to be an important mission. A life-saving mission. She couldn't afford to do this sober.

Lenai huffs and crosses her arms, pacing around the room. "We should be out there, now, every moment waiting is dangerous!" she says, looking around at the rest of the force, "We should be out rescuing those ghosts! And, beside that, getting the ghost capturing device."

After doing her part to gather assistance out in Viorar per Oboyo's instructions, Twilight Sparkle glides down to a landing on the manor's front lawn, before tucking her wings closed as she trots into the manor proper. Her horn isn't 'active', however, reflecting her intent to rely less on her inherent magic, as she heads into the meeting room behind Hastur.

Trixie trots in with a small grumble "What sort of creature actually eats ghosts, sounds like a rather insubstantial meal to Trixie... probably tasteless as well." she gives a small yawn before taking her usual spot by the wall.

Mekis entered the meeting room, a hint of anticipation within his movements, for they would be heading out to (hopefully) fight some great foe. It would prove to be most wondrous, he was certain. Esteban followed, unaware of the danger they would be soon seeking out. Which was best, as he often worried too much anyhow.

"Take a seat, Lenai. That's why we're all gathering here." said Elenor, standing just ahead of the podium while waiting for Oboyo and any last minute arrivals. It was then that Oboyo finally entered the room and took the podium, giving a nod towards everyone in the room.

"Alright everyone, thanks for coming. According to Lionel, Carmichael found the monster's hideout just before sunrise. It's one of the many ruined buildings on the highway, a good ways away from Fort Walla Walla and Viorar. Kind of a lucky find, but I'll take what we can get. This is a delicate operation, so I'll only need a handful of you to do this. Everyone else will stay here and help direct the flow of communication."

"Mekis, Lenai, Hastur, Trixie, Gizmo. You guys are going to go with Twilight to the monster's hideout. Egon's already waiting for you guys there. I'll go part of the way with you, but I'll be stopping at the boo's mansion to catch Lady Bow up on what we need of her. Twilight's in charge this time, so listen to her and stick together. Do whatever you have to do to solve this and try to acquire that device. Any questions?" asked Oboyo, pausing to gaze over the crowd.

With a nod of acknowledgement to Oboyo, Twilight Sparkle once again extends her wings, preparing to take flight and lowering her gaze for a moment before sighing and turning to her group with a determined expression. "I'm going to end up breaking my own declaration of not using my magic, but... I can't worry about that. You can count on me, Oboyo. Let's go, everyone!"

Giving a quick bit of a glare at Elenor, Lenai turns herself away, looking over at the rest of the people coming with her. She almost opens her mouth, but thinking it best to not question the choice of leadership, she begins to step off toward the door. "No questions, I'm going to go wait in the Gitmidur, nya," she says, stepping out the door.

Gizmo throws a salute "Not a problem sure. We'll have that monster beaten and bagged before sunset."

Trixie stood with a small yawn "Right, time for Trixie to get down and get my hooves dirty." she stretches and shakes out her mane before making her way after the rest "Just give Trixie a target and stay out of the way... always a good strategy."

Oboyo nodded as the others began to excuse themselves. "I'll be right behind you." He then waved towards Elenor and Graham, leaving matters at the manor up to them. After finalizing his preparations, Oboyo boarded the Gitmidur along with the others. Launchpad started up the helicopter and ascended into the air, beginning the long trip south-southwest.

"I'm sure you don't like it, Trixie. But I can't be with you guys every time we go out, and just between us all here..I don't trust Graham Cray. Hell neither does Elenor, yet she thinks he'll be helpful somehow. She wanted one of you guys to take charge for this and she chose Twilight this time. Doesn't mean it'll always be her, but just try to stick with it, okay?" said Oboyo at some point during the trip.

Hastur sits in his seat, not saying anything as he listens to drum and bass music through one headphone. He looks out the window, doing his best to keep an eye on his ward.

As she takes flight, Twilight Sparkle does her best to keep up with the Gitmidur, horn pulsating briefly as she fixes her gaze straight ahead, remaining silent.

Gizmo examined her weapons, which involved just cracking her knuckles and stretching. She always felt better procuring weapons on site, and using her blessing in a pinch. Barring either of those, nothing felt so good as jumping on a foe and pummeling their lights out.

Lenai shrugs, looking out the window as she thinks for a while. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out some form of screw-driver, opening up her left arm as she pokes, prods, and adjusts various little bits. She closes her arm back up, allowing it to shift, exposing a large metal crossbow, which she tests and tweaks. Before a good fight it is important to perform calibrations.

Trixie rests back against the seat, drawing glass beads one by one from her cloak and beginning to form something, a half foot long diamond-shaped object taking shape, strung tightly together by one of her metal wires with a core made of a few small explosives, the mare smiling as she brings the whole object together over the flight.

Mekis unsheathed his shortsword and began to resharpen its edge. The process was simple, but a bit time consuming. It helped keep his mind off of the fact that he was in the helicopter. Again. Esteban just sat in the corner, worried, as no one had answered his question.

Eventually, the Gitmidur arrived at the mansion. Oboyo departed and nodded Launchpad off, proceeding into the mansion while the Gitmidur began to travel towards its destination. Time passed and the sun was getting close to setting when the Gitmidur arrived near a two-story run down building. It began to make its descent some ways away from the building, where Egon waited.

Hastur quickly got up from his seat and stowed his music player. Rather than waiting for everyone else to get off first, he quickly was the first to hop out of the Gitmidur, making sure the immediate area was safe for his allies.

Once she, also, nears the dilapidated building alongside the Gitmidur, Twilight Sparkle slows down and flares her wings wide for a light descent, horn lighting up after sparking at the same time she touches down and folds her wings snugly against her back. "Well... Time to get serious, and start using my magic again..."

Gizmo hops out of the Gitmidur, taking a swig from her flask after landing "Alright, what's the plan? Run in guns blazing, or something a bit more subtle?"

Trixie stepped from the Gitmidur after stowing away her project, grinning at Gizmo "You say that as if we need to run in before shooting anything."

Lenai steps out of the Gitmidur, retracting all of her weapons as she steps closer to the building, sniffing the air. "Yeah, how are we going to go about this, 'glorious leader'? Because whatever it is, it may be best not to just kill it, if that was in your agenda," she says, cracking her knuckles as she holds out her right arm, transforming it into a gatling gun.

Mekis put his blade away and rose from his seat upon the ground. He noticed how worried Esteban appeared when he hadn't risen. "Esteban, come now. No need to be fearful. We'll be fine, I assure you." This only comforted Esteban a bit. Still, he soon rose, only to run into Mekis who had frozen at Lenai turning her arm into a gun. He had forgotten about it and was surprised. Sadly, he was standing on the edge of the exit and lost his balance, falling to the earth below. "Esteban! Why did you do that?!

"Glad you guys made it in time. It's holed up just ahead and hasn't left all day. Lionel, Moit's guys, and some others are in positions nearby in case things go wrong. I'm ready whenever you are." said Egon, gripping his proton gun tightly and glancing off towards the west, where the building lied past a some ruined totems.

"Going in like that without thinking of a good strategy in advance would be something Rainbow Dash would want to do... Unfortunately, it's not our best option." Thoughtfully, Twilight Sparkle raises one forehoof to her chin in thought, studying the decrepit structure in front of them. "It might be better for us to go in two groups of three, so we can keep an eye out for trouble on our respective end..."

However, Twilight Sparkle turns to look along with Egon, horn crackling as she readies her first spell since making the choice not to use her magic.

Hastur cracked his knuckles. "Good. Maybe we can catch it by surprise. Might make beating it into submission a bit easier." He looked at Twilight. "If we go in groups, I suggest that you, Trixie, and I all stay together. I think we work a bit better as a group."

Gizmo nods "So that leaves Mekis, Lenai, and myself. Suits me just fine."

Mekis rose to his feet and glared at Esteban, who tentatively exited the heli. This only lasted a moment, as he soon remembered why they were here again. He retrieved his bow, an arrow being removed from its quiver. "Right then. Let's go, shall we? Esteban, you watch the rear." Esteban looked at the building, barely registering Mekis' instruction.

Trixie scoffs and shakes her head, walking past Hastur with a chuckle "You're incorrigible. Besides, that leaves most of the magic in one place. I know you want to protect 'the princess', but there is more than just us here."

Lenai shrugs, looking over at Gizmo and Mekis. She giggles a bit, and reaches over to pat Gizmo on the head gently. "Hehe, I end up with the fuzzy, adorable moogles, of course, nya!" she says, before turning back toward the building, getting a stern look on her face.

Trixie scoffs and shakes her head, walking past Hastur with a chuckle "You're incorrigible. Besides, that leaves most of the magic in one place. Trixie understands, you want to protect 'the princess', but there is more than just us here." she glances over at Lenai, giving a small chuckle at her antics "Of course, if everyone else is fine with that sort of set up, Trixie has no further issues."

Egon scratched his head as Hastur, Gizmo, and Twilight made their suggestions. "Right, then..I'll just wait outside in case it has any ghostly tricks. A thing that eats ghosts is bound to have such traits. I doubt you'll be split up long, but..good luck in there." said Egon as began to approach the building, taking up a position nearby.

"Well, sorry for wanting to do my damn job, Trixie. I want to protect everyone, but if we're going to be split up, I want to stick with my best friends. Now, if you're okay with that, let's go." With a stern look, Hastur heads toward the mansion.

With her magic now fully active, Twilight Sparkle nods to Trixie and Hastur, extending her wings and taking flight as she enters the decrepit house, while being careful not to run into anything as she slowly flies ahead of her teammates. "We can worry about that later, you two... For now, just focus on what we came here to do, and stay alert for anything even remotely suspicious..."

Gizmo circles around the building to the other side, looking for a side entrance. Not having much like, she runs a paw over the building, tapping every so often, before rearing back and punching a hole through a weak section of wall. Bits of plywood and spiderweb go everywhere. "Well then, shall we invite ourselves in?"

Trixie draws her little project back out, tying some wire to the metal framework as she encases it in ice "Pfft, alright mr touchy, we'll stick close. Trixie was simply voicing concern that our teammates might be imperiled by not having us."

Mekis sighed at Lenai's comment. Whether it was out of infatuation or mild irritation could not be told. Then, surprisingly, he thought about what would be done when they met the beast. Unsurprisingly, the thought quickly died. "Why, we fire arrows at it, of course." Mekis mutterred to himself. He followed his fellow moogle, surprised at the wall punching. "Well done. Let's go."

Lenai nods at Mekis, and waits for Gizmo to step in. Once Gizmo is in, Lenai crawls down, inspecting the hole, before attempting to wiggle her way through. She almost gets stuck on her pudgey belly, but manages to squeeze her way through, before feeling her hips get stuck. She pushes forward, then pulls back, pouting as she says, "Nyaa, I... I'm stuck!"

Within a large room in the manor, the groups would find a large blue figure not much larger than Hastur. It had a spiky purple shell on its back and wavy orange hair on its head. Two fangs protruded upwards from its enormous lips, its orange eyes focused on a book in front of it. The creature sat on the floor on its rump, its purple tail extended behind it as continued its reading. E. Gadd's device was no where to be seen.

Gizmo tugs and pulls on Lenai "Ergh... you're not that much bigger than me, how in the world did you get stuck?"

Quietly, Twilight Sparkle chants to herself, horn continuing to spark as a fire-orb materializes on the tip of it, while trying not to catch the armored phantasm's attention as she prepares her first attack.

Hastur grins wickedly and tries move forward quietly. He turns and puts his finger to his lips, hoping to tell the ponies to remain quiet. He tries to sneak up behind it, stepping on a creaky floorboard, and then just yells "Screw it!" and lunges in to grab it's tail, hoping to spin it around and throw it around the room.

Mekis sighed again, this time out of the simple comedy of this. He put his bow away, considering what to do. Then a thought struck. Much like he would. He took several steps back, then ran forward, ramming his his shoulder into her buttock in an attempt to knock her loose.

Lenai squeaks and suddenly pops forward as the wall crumbles from around her waist, falling forward, her torso covering Gizmo from head to toe. She looks up from her position, noticing the other group, before shouting, "DON'T ATTACK HIM YOU IDIOTS, WHAT IF HE'S INNOCENT?!"

"Hmm?" muttered the creature as the sound of a damsel in distress echoed across the hall, as well as the unpaid architect finished her work on his unrequested side door, as well as the creaking wood and stomping of a gigantos approaching his tail. Being rather heavy, the creature had enough time to scramble to its feet and to turn and attempt to grip the giganto, glaring at him. "Sheesh, can't even read to myself out here. Who are you guys and why are you assaulting me?!"

Even as she concentrates on holding the spell ready, Twilight Sparkle turns to look back at Lenai and her half of the group, raising an eyebrow before dispelling the attack and lifting one forehoof to her head. "Just because I was preparing a magical attack doesn't mean I was actually going to use it, you know. And, uh... Maybe I should he-oh, WONDERFUL..."

Hastur threw his arms up to prevent the creature from closing it's grip. "Hrk... we're here because we were told a creature was here that was causing trouble with the nearby boos. We were tasked with stopping it." He works to force its grip outwards. "We weren't told that someone else would be here, so I assumed....I apologize for that. Now, if you'll stop trying to grab me, maybe we can calm down and not have to knock each other out."

Gizmo pops her head out from undernearth Lenai's breasts, looking over the scene of carnage. The wall had taken quite some damage from the ordeal... as well as Lenai's shorts lying torn on the ground. Gizmo blushes and starts to say something about it before Lenai yells to the other group. Saving the day first, modesty later.

Trixie sighs as she lowers her created weapon down a couple feet to look less imposing "Trixie would like to apologize for our error. If you could, would you mind telling us if you've seen any shady, or unshady, characters about devouring the spirits of the dead? It would certainly get us out of your hair and back to your reading."

Mekis had little knowledge with the concept of physics. As such, he didn't realize that he would keep moving forward if his plan worked. Needless to say, he couldn't plan. Moments later, he found himself in darkness. It took him a moment to realize where he landed, at which point, he slowly rolled over, removing himself and landing on his back. "I...I...I...nevermind." A moment later, his embarrassment increased when he noticed that her shorts had somehow come off. He slowly stood, calmly collecting his thoughts. Seeing the odd creature, he thought about killing it, but it wouldn't stick. Nothing really would except the event.

"I would like that, yes." said the creature towards Hastur as it ceased its attempts to grip the giganto, taking a few steps away from him for good measure. "'Creature' is a little rude but I guess it can't be helped. But hearing it dozens of times does get old. I've even been called 'Tubba Blubba' before by some punk Chobin Hoods. But really, my name is Steve and I'm just a guy trying to get by with a bad hand in life."

Steve then dropped his gaze to the floor for a second. "Unfortunately..I'm the one you're looking for. I guess I should have been expecting you, but I didn't think that boos would get..living individuals like yourselves to help them. Yes, I asked the little professor about his invention and found out his plan to test it. And then I took it from him after his test run. He clearly had no intention to share the ghosts with me, so what choice did I have? I couldn't let that chance slip."

"Speaking of Rainbow Dash... Why am I acting like her right now? This really isn't the time - or place - to be so impulsive..." After muttering to herself, Twilight Sparkle returns her gaze to the creature sitting between her, Hastur, and Trixie, folding both ears flat against the top of her head and giving Steve an apologetic gaze. "I'm terribly sorry about that, and my own aggression..."

Lenai wiggles and stands up, looking back at her ruined shorts, before sighing. She begins to walk closer to 'Steve', scowling, nearly stomping. "And what gives you the right to eat those ghosts, huh? How would you feel if I ate you? Because I could! I could eat you, you know!" she says, huffing, "So just give us the device now and stop eating ghosts and there doesn't need to be aaany trouble! Nya!"

Hastur crosses his arms, listening intently to "Steve." "I see... why would you do that? Are you really eating them? What would you think would happen with you essentially kidnapping them?" He sighs, then shakes his head. "Look, Steve, you don't seem like a bad guy. But, you can't just go around kidnapping ghosts and then eating them! That's just not right. If you don't want us to have to act with a ggression, just give us the ghosts and let us take them back to the boos."

Gizmo is quite distracted for a moment as Lenai gets up, before getting up and joining her. With everyone talking at once, she stays quiet for the time being, but sticks close to Lenai.

Trixie blinks as she tilts her head, walking a little closer "So, steve, tell Trixie... how do ghosts taste? It's been somewhat on Trixie's mind since hearing of a 'ghost devouring brute', if you'll forgive that bit of paraphrasing. I certainly hope an intelligent being such as yourself doesn't eat only ghosts... Trixie cannot imagine not being able to eat chocolate cake." she closes her eyes with a shudder and a smile.

Mekis was finally able to return to the current state of affairs, after many moments. He grabbed his bow and an arrow, less out of thought and more from muscle memory. He looked about and saw the torn shorts on the ground. "Esteban. Grab those. We'll need to fix them for her later." Esteban complied, flicking them onto his back. He knew their purpose and had similar ideas on decency with Mekis. Mekis stepped next to Lenai, Esteban keeping a wary distance behind them.

Steve lifted his gaze up towards Twilight, then Lenai, then Hastur. "You think I don't realize that? Of course they don't like it. And neither do I! They're tasteless and they scream the entire way down and continue to scream from inside of me. But what else should I do? Curl up and die?!" shouted Steve after stopping to take a deep breath, slowly shuffling over to a nearby partially boarded up window.

"You're right, big guy. I am a reasonable guy. I actually used to be human once before some psychopath with a notepad destroyed my village and used us in some sick 'soul transfering' experiment. I'm the only one left, and look at me. Trapped in the body of a grotesque..thing..and forced to feed on spirits so that I can keep mine going."

Steve then turned back towards the growing group, a hint of passion now in his voice. "Does that really make me a 'monster'? Don't you guys have to eat to survive too? Do I really deserve to be put down and left to rot like a wild animal just because of the way I am?! Boos are already dead! Why should I, one of the living, have to cater to a bunch of mischevious souls? Would you be willing to die just so some nameless spirits can potentially torment the living?!"

Suddenly a massive glare forms on Lenai's face as she begins stomping toward Steve, pushing a finger against his chest with a surprising amount of force. "That is NOT the same, in ANY sense of the word! Sure, you're alive and they're the remnants of life from dead bodies- But do we eat their spirits? NO, WE EAT THEIR BODIES AND LET THEIR SPIRITS FREE. Have you ever felt your soul RIPPED TO SHREDS? HAVE YOU?" she shouts, forcing a few more thrusts of her finger onto his chest.
"You aren't just killing them, you are DESTROYING every bit that's left of them! If you died your soul would be here, but oh no, if your soul was eaten you would be gone forever. Not dead, GONE!" Lenai shouts at him, glaring right up at his eyes, "If you want to survive without eating the ghosts, then why don't you try asking someone for help escaping this body, huh? No, you just decided to take the easy way out, and shred people's life force to bits just to try and stay alive! And look where it got you!"

Gizmo scowls "Speaking as someone who's died, there is a big difference between death, and the eradication of the soul. So, yes. I do think you should curl up and die. Besides, you may have a body... but it's not your own. How can you claim that you aren't dead yourself?"

The explanation is enough to make Twilight Sparkle cringe, before touching down on the floor and lifting her gaze to Steve, keeping both wings extended. However, she doesn't really get to say much before Lenai's tirade, prompting the pegacorn mare to just shake her head and give her teammate a dirty look. "That isn't what he needs. Yes, he did do some bad things, but he needs compassion, not anger."

Twilight says 'And yes, I'm aware I didn't make that good of an impression, with my initial impulsive reaction. So I know I'm not one to talk about not getting angry.'

Hastur steps forward, a calm expression on his face. "He's doing a lot of damage with this. It's not right, but... it's what he needs to survive. Now..." He turns to Steve. "If you're willing, give us the ghosts and come with us. We might be able to figure something out about how to make it so you don't need to eat them anymore. If you aren't willing, well... let's just say I hope you are. For your sake."

Trixie winces some from the description of Steve's 'food' "Well, that doesn't sound pleasant at all! Why haven't you seen about looking for a cure? Surely someone can make you something you -can- eat. Trixie is most certain you miss actual solid food. Come with us, and we'll try to help you "

Mekis listened to Lenai and her anger. It was interesting, to say the least. The man, or, creature had a point though. But something nagged at him. Then, a profound thought burst through the surface of his mind like a flower in a battlefield. He approached Steve and said "Why do you strive on? As far as I can see, would it not be better to end this torment for yourself and the beings you eat?"

"Are you even listening?! Material food isn't enough! That experiment failed, and my soul can't be sustained without consuming other spirits! Do you really want me to describe to you what that felt like? The look in that man's eyes as he tormented us all?! You speak as if I'm out murdering people when I haven't used my strength to kill -anyone-! And your talk of souls living on doesn't apply to everyone! What fear would there be of death if that were true?"

He then turned to Gizmo. "Do I -look- dead? -I'm- the victim here! Can you say with complete certainty that this is what I deserve?"

He then turned towards Hastur. "Why do you think I made my home so close to the Etansel Library? I've been trying to find a way for a long time, and I haven't made a lick of progress. On top of that, I heard the guy who did this to me was captured and killed by a group now known as the Paranormal Deliverance Force. What hope is there if finding a cure with him dead? And what could you..strangers possibly do to help? I don't want this to get any uglier than it is either, but.."

For some strange reason, Trixie's comments cause Steve to stop and to drop his gaze to the ground again. Something about the often renegade mare struck a nerve in him. "It's true that I haven't..asked anyone for help. Why should anyone help me? This is my own problem to deal with..or it was, anyway..until those boos got you guys involved. I just want it to end..but I don't want to die. I have to live on, for those in my village who can't."

Gizmo has only one word to say in reply. "Yes."

"I used to think the same, that I could handle life's problems on my own without help fron anyone else... But I was quickly proven wrong." Twilight Sparkle sits down in front of Steve, keeping her gaze fixed up at him calmly, despite her earlier approach. "And, even if I'm not the best to talk about this... I'll do everything in my power to help others, no matter the cost."
"However, just like I fought against Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, and King Sombra with my friends by my side..." Twilight Sparkle narrows her eyes, horn lighting up. "If you pose a threat to anyone, rest assured that I will join my friends and do whatever's necessary to see that you're stopped!"

Lenai gets a cracked grin, looking right at this 'Steve'. "Have I ever felt what you felt? No. I felt my soul cracked and shattered in a man's hand, though. Try and imagine how THAT feels," she says, before laughing in a rather manic manner.

Hastur just stands there, glaring at Steve. "Steve, if you want help, then we'll help you. If you think you have to keep doing this, I'll have to do everything in my power to stop you. I don't want to, but I will."

Mekis looked toward Lenai with concern after the manic laughter. 'She needs help.' he thought simply. "Esteban. Come here." Esteban complied, which allowed Mekis to stand a bit taller on his back. He reached out a small paw to take Lenai's hand, though fearful, due to her greater strengths. "Lenai, please calm yourself. You're worrying me. Lenai?" He looked at her face, his mind no longer on the man before them.

Trixie nods slowly as she steps in closer "We are all members of the Paranormal Deliverance Force, and if the only person Trixie can remember any of our group killing caused this, then that kirby probably deserved what he got." she stops a few feet away and sits down "Trixie can almost guarantee, with all the support Trixie has recieved, then we will do all we can to help you return to normal if you join us."

Steve didn't bother to answer Lenai. It seemed both of their soul gripping experiences, while both traumatizing, couldn't see eye to eye. Instead he listened to Twilight's words and said soft, "No matter the cost, huh?..that's a lot to say." Something about the pegacorn's previous experiences had an impact in the way Steve had received it. Hastur's words left a similar mark as he turned towards Trixie.

"You guys are with them?..huh. I thought you hunted ghosts, but now you're helping them? Well..I don't know anything about a kirby, but.." he sighed deeply, falling back on his rump and slamming his fist into the ground, grabbing the ghost vacuum with its storage bag intact. He held it tightly for a bit before handing the device over to Hastur. "..if you guys really think that there can be some middle line to this..I'm willing to give it a try."

Again, as her expression softens, Twilight Sparkle extinguishes the glow of magic around her horn, tail twitching as she rises back to her hooves and flies up to rest on Hastur's shoulder. "We'll find a way, won't we, by working together?"

Gizmo growls, her fur bristling "Ok, for the record? Just want to state that I am not cool with this. At all."

Hastur smiles and takes the device, looking to his friend on his shoulder. "We will, indeed." He extends a hand to Steve. "Come on, Steve. Let's go and see if we can't help you out." He then looks to Gizmo. "Noted."

Lenai continues to cackle, before looking down at Mekis, smiling wide and broken. "I'm fiiiine little fuzzy," she says, reaching out to ruffle the hair atop his head. She then steps over to Gizmo, her smile still cracked, reaching out to try and ruffle her hair too. "Don't worry, everything will be okay, hahahahanyahaha!" she says, her eye twitching a little, before she flops herself onto her back, staring up at the ceiling.

Trixie nods and stands, walking out the door "Hey, Doctor, we've got a new body for potential help against 'the storm of souls' or whatever the hell the boss is calling it now."

Mekis quickly jumped down from atop Esteban and ran to Lenai's side. He kneeled, looking down upon her. A fear that he rarely knew began to grow throughout him as she appeared to become worse. "Don't worry Lenai. It's alright. I'm going to stay right here. Everything will be fine." All of this was intended to help Lenai. What it did was help Mekis keep his slight calm.


----------------------After returning to the mansion..-----------------------

Steve held the vacuum tightly as he accompanied the others to the boo's mansion. Egon stood outside the door and opened it, beckoning for everyone else to enter. He waited for the right opportunity to whisper towards them, "There's a lot of ways this can go down. Just be cautious and have no regrets for the choices you've made."

Gizmo is silent, simply glaring Steve's way as they enter. It's clear she's not happy, but for the time being she's not rocking the boat.

Up until she's at the front door of the Boos' mansion, Twilight Sparkle has her wings extended, forelegs bent slightly as she touches down to follow Steve in. She isn't saying much, or smiling, however

Lenai steps forward into the building, following closely after. Hearing Egon's words, she begins to consider possibilities of what may happen- but decides to give Steve the benefit of the doubt.

Hastur simply follows his ward, not saying anything, his usual smile gone from his face.

Mekis had stayed by Lenai's side on the trip back and continued this when he entered the mansion. Her strange behaviour had led him to think of the worst possibilities. He had come to the conclusion early on that, whatever happened, he would be there to assist. Esteban held a similar idea for Mekis. Only he had held it up for many years. He hoped his master would do the same.

Lynette Bishop lands near Twilight, astanding protectively near the pegacorn, the tension confusing her a little.

Trixie trots slowly along beside Steve, her cloak and fur slightly raised but she seems calm, arranging a few seemingly random objects beside her into cubes as she escorts him through the manor "And for bucks sake, make sure you don't say or -do- anything stupid... Luna above knows what would happen then."

Helios looks up hrom his hand of cards as the front door opens and the rest of the group begins filing in. "My, you all look grim." He sets the cards down on the table next to the window near the M85 and flies over to the group. "We take it that this is the culprit?" Helios preforms a quick scan of Steve and the vacum. "He dosen't look too threatening, though he is... unusual."

As the group made their way in, Bootler floated towards them in a hasty manner. "Oh, pardon me! I was on my way to open the door when--by jove! It's the monster! What..what is going on here?!" asked the butler boo, flailing his stubby arms about. "Just take us to the Chief and Lady Bow. We'll explain everything there."

Bootler began to compose himself and nodded, as any gentleman boo should in the face of uncertainty. He led the group towards the large room they sat in before, where Oboyo could be seen talking to Bow. The cyan colored boo rose up from her chair and held her stubby arm out, "Why is this brute in my home?! What is the meaning of this?"

Hastur crosses his arms, not saying anything and just looking ahead with a stern look on his face. He occasionally glances at Steve, but says nothing.

Lenai begins to open her mouth, but can't really manage to get much out. Just a, "We have the device, but..." before her body tightens up for a moment. She lowers her shoulders and allows herself to fall down in a sitting position on the floor, hands holding her head.

Gizmo shrugs "Because I got outvoted on whether or not we should beat his face in."

"Is she ok?" Helios whispers to Mekis as Lenai slumps down. "Because that dosen't look ok."

While she makes her way to the room, behind Bootler, Twilight Sparkle turns to give her guard detail a nod, before bowing respectfully to Lady Bow. "Good evening, Your Majesty... We'd found out, earlier, that he was doing it to survive... But, thanks to Trixie's efforts, we were able to get some results."

Trixie stepped forward infront of Steve as her cloak rose up from her back "This 'brute' happens to be under Trixie's personal guard, for and against attacks. Think of me like a referee, if -anyone- gets out of line or out of hand, Trixie will take care of it. As for what he's doing here, he came to apologize and return your friends." looked sternly up at the blue creature "Isn't that right, Steve?"

When Lenai fell into a new position, Mekis placed a hand upon her shoulder, finally able to reach. Hearing Helios, he responded, "You are correct, machine. She is not fine. What vexes her, I cannot say. I wish I could." Esteban nodded solemnly, unable toadd any further detail.

Bowing in kind with her charge, Lynette Bishop takes up an observatory role, running through a list of defensive spells she knows as well as working on a new spell without casting it to pass the time.

"To survive?..makes sense, we all have to eat I suppose. But ghosts?" asked Oboyo, eyeing the creature and the device it was holding. "I take it you guys got him to surrender? Pretty civilized for a monster."

Steve finally spoke up, "Hmph! A 'monster', you say. Says the man who killed the guy who did this to me! Says the dead, who think I deserve to curl up and die! Your people convinced me to come here and talk to you. That you might be able to cure me! But is it really possible for the boos and I to talk in peace?" Oboyo seemed confused. "What are you talking about? I've never killed anyone!" replied Oboyo, biting his lip as he thought of his once possessed butler.

By this point, Twilight Sparkle is sitting down and opting to just listen to the conversation, ears turned forward.

Hastur stands by his ward, his arms crossed and his expression stern.

Gizmo rolls her eyes "Oh quit your self righteous bitching, kupo. All I ever hear out of you is excuses for why you shouldn't have to listen to one person or another, and I'm itching for a reason to clean your clock."

Watching in curiosity and twitching her tail, Lynette Bishop places a hand on Twilight's shoulder, a bit confused though otherwise following the conversation.

Lenai looks up at Steve, then Gizmo, and frowns at them both. She speaks up, her voice trembling slightly, "Nobody thinks you deserve to die- Just that you shouldn't be eating the ghosts..."

Trixie glared back at Gizmo, a cold fog falling from her cloak "I'm planning to keep this neutral ground by any means necessary, so chill before I have to frost your fur." she turns her gaze up at Steve "You keel it cool too big guy, that's Jinsaka, the leader of our group... who did you say did this to you? Trixie didn't quite catch it...'

Mekis slowly turns his attention to the beast and their leader, hesitant to turn his line of sight away from Lenai. Hearing her statement, he adds, "Indeed." Esteban settles himself upon the floor, concerned over the anger existent in the air.

"Well, that's unfortunate." Helios peers at Lenai. "She should be fine, just give her some time." Helios looks at Steve for a moment, wondering about the created part of what he said. He shakes his core, remembering that biology isn't one of his strong suits, and goes back to his hand of cards at the window to avoid all the tension for the moment. Studying the hand for a moment, Helios sighs and folds.

"Liar!" shouted Steve as he stamped a foot into the creaky wood floor, causing it to fall through. "A human wearing glasses and a cyan colored gem around his neck, last seen near the Moonlight Forest!" Oboyo's eyes widened as he paused for a second. "You don't mean..Sir Dusk?" Steve glared hatefully towards Oboyo. "So you -do- know what I'm talking about!"
Oboyo winced, "But that's.." he started before Bow cut him off. "Enough! Surrendering was foolish. You are right; there can be no coexisting between us. Mr. Jinsaka, if you really want our help, then you'll strike this one down. Now." Oboyo seemed torn for a moment. He felt like he should explain, yet more important matters were in the way.

Hastur just stood, watching the scene unfold, waiting for some decision to be made.

Trixie stepped forward a few feet, her fur and cloak raising higher as wires arch out from beneath it, electricity crackling in the air around her "Anyone tries striking anyone else down, and they become the first major candidate. If you can't think of a way to resolve this without violence, then Trixie make sure you get plenty of it."

Gizmo frowns "As much as I would love to beat the snot out of him, he's kept the device. He'd probably attack you ghosts before we can subdue him. That all said... does anyone who wants to protect him have an actual solution?

Lenai's eyes widen. Her pupils dialate, and she stands up, glaring at Oboyo for a moment. "You... You killed who?" she asks, beginning to step toward Oboyo, her pace quickening as she steps closer, "WHO DID YOU KILL?!" Lenai begins to run at Oboyo, before grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, pushing him into a door as she screams the words. She shoves him against the door again, pushing it open, forcing herself and Oboyo out of the room.

Steve's outburst is enough to make Twilight Sparkle's eyes widen in alarm, as she glances between you, Steve, and Bow before rising to her hooves and backing away slowly. "Wh-but how...? Oh, please don't tell me..."

Lynette Bishop swings her gun off her back, aiming it at the monster, charging the bullet, though she keeps her hand away from the trigger, merely preparing to protect her Mistress.

Helios looks back at the group as he shuffles the thin, metallic cards. "Sounds like things are coming to a head over there." He deals he cards to himself and the M85. "A pity you can't fit in here to play the role of threatening everyone to stay calm, but it looks like Trixie has that under control nicely." Helios looks at his cards and deals himself another one, only to wind up throwing the cards onto the table when he busts. "AGAIN!?"

The tension began to grab hold of Mekis, causing him to lose attention of Lenai. His urge to speak rose ever further until he couldn't hold it. "Now wait just a minute! What gives you the right to kill this...man?" Mekis stepped forward, Esteban behind him. "This man means no harm to you. It's merely something he is driven to do. It is a nature placed upon him. It is our duty to help him, despite his past actions and...appearence. To be honest, I considered killing him myself, but his afflictiction led to a different conclusion. What we do for him, I know not, but he still deserves a chance to prove himself."

Steve took a step back, gritting his enormous teeth. "Wait! I can help you! I've heard about your group's real intentions, about preparing for war. I'm stronger than all of these boos, and I can give you the professor's device! What's to stop them from joining with the phantoms once we're invaded? What do they have to worry about?!" He seemed hopeful that others were standing up for him, yet still felt threatened by Bow's glare. He held the vacuum tightly, waiting to see what would unfold.

Trixie keeps her fur and wires raised as she closes her eyes "And if we simply attack them now, any that are left will surely join the phantoms." she raises her red tinted glare at Bow "And as much as I'd love a battle right about now, Trixie trusts, with you at their helm, the boo would never make such a foolish lapse of judgement."

Gizmo shakes her head "One also has to question what gives us the right to allow other men to die by this man's hand. Sure, one needs to eat to survive, but society typically frowns upon eating other sapient creatures. What he's doing is no different than cannibalism. If we can fix him so he no longer has to kill others again, then so be it. But unless such a solution presents itself, I will not allow him to destroy any more afterlives."

Helios looks back again as Steve mentions his vacuum. "That would be useful... If we could get a good scan of that, we could replicate it." he seems to shrug and turns back to deal another hand.

Hastur steps forward. "I agree with Gizmo. I want to cure Steve's... condition. If we, can't though... I'm not going to let him just keep eating ghosts. I alos agree with Trixie. I'm not going to fight the boos."

Mekis thought of the choices presented and Lenai came to mind. 'She wouldn't want anyone being harmed.' he thought. "Is there no third option? Beast man, could you not refrain from eating these ghosts, perhaps eating some of a more evil variety. And ghost woman! I reiterate, he isn't your enemy. If we we're to keep him from eating Boos specifically, would you be pleased? What he does is bad in some ways, and that other moogle makes a point, but he can be useful. I'm certain that there are evil spirits that would be better gone. He can remove them, making life, and afterlife, better for everyone."

Bow and Steve both remained silent for a bit as they listened to the cases presented. "I..have considered hunting down only malicious ghosts in the past, but.." started Steve until Bow cut him off. "You people make a compelling point..but.." Again, Bow is cut off by another voice. Stretch flew through a door from the back wall, carrying an enormous axe. "Quit your jib-jabberin'! If you guys won't axe him, -I- will!"

In the heat of the moment, the storage bag seemed to vibrate a little.

Gizmo ponders this "True, he could be useful. And it would allow us to delay a decision, and hopefully find some other solution in the meantime. That all said... I'm still not a fan of what he does, but I could possibly ignore it for a time if--" she steps out of the way as Stretch through.

Hastur rolls his eyes as Stretch came into the room. "Still not intimidating, sir." He felt the bag rumble in his hands, so he decided to open up the storage bage of the device.

Mekis was surprised by the sudden attack, but his instinct kicked in. "Esteban! Up!" Esteban swooped and grabbed his outstretched arms, carrying him toward Stretch. "Drop!" Esteban let Mekis go. He fell toward the ghost, hoping to grab the axe and disarm this foe.

Trixie twitched forward with one of her wires, but stops as Mekis went for the axe, holding back as she glares at the scene before her.

Impatient, Stretch raised the axe and prepared to drop it down on Steve. "This is for my nephew, you son of a--!" But as Hastur opened the bag and ghosts began to swarm out of it. "WAIT!" one cried out, lunging in front of Stretch. "Don't do it, Uncle Stretch! He's a good guy, honest! We've been trapped in there ever since we were sucked in." Stretch widened his eyes and dropped the axe. "..Casper?..ya damn twerp! What'd I tell ya about being too friendly, huh?! Getting sucked up like that!"
The other boos began to file in formation above Bow. "Lady Bow! Everyone is accounted for! The doofus went through all the trouble to capture us, but in the end he stared at the bag wondering how to fish us out without us escaping. It's quite silly, really." commented an officer boo. Steve seemed to mutter something about he could have figured it out eventually. Bow sighed in relief. "..Listen, you guys. Since your boss seems to have his own share of problems..I'll pass the word to you."
"You each have made moving points..and you have fulfilled your boss's promise to me by returning my friends. I, Bow, hereby promise to assist the Paranormal Deliverance Force once the day comes. And I'm entrusting this..man to your care. See to it that he behaves himself, will you?" Steve finally cracked a smile. "This is good..I..am glad to see them floating around up there. And you guys beat up a lot of bad ghosts. Maybe I can get by long enough to find a cure after all."

With a relieved sigh, Twilight Sparkle looks around at the rest of the room, before turning and flapping her wings to take flight. She catches sight, though, of the red hue in Trixie's eyes, and watching her teammate worriedly as she returns to the manor.

Hastur smiles as the ghosts are released, then looks at Trixie, as well. He keeps an eye on her, as he knows firsthand what the tint in her eyes leads to.

Lynette Bishop unchambers the bullet, allowing the magical energy to diffuse before shouldering her weapon, surprised by this turn of events.

Gizmo marches up to Steve "Well, if you're going to be working with us, I'd like you to swear an oath to ensure you stay loyal to us. Simply repeat after me. I, Steve, do solemnly swear to kill only truly evil ghosts."

As Mekis is about to grab the axe, it is dropped. "Oh dear." He continues down and as he is about to hit the ground...Esteban swoops in and catches him by the legs. He sighed, "Thank you, Esteban. Now put me down please." Esteban thought this an odd command, but followed through by dropping Mekis on his head. "Owww! Esteban, that isn't what I meant!"

Suddenly a fist punches through the wall, near the doorway Lenai left through. She pulls her arm back and runs out the doorway, away from Oboyo and out the front door, jetting off and flying to who-knows-where. Her sobbing can be heard all the while.

Steve nodded and held a beefy hand towards his heart, handing the device to Gizmo. "I, Steve, do solemnly swear to kill only truly evil ghosts." He then glanced towards the side wall, where Professor E. Gadd seemed to be playing with some boos. "And if I get out of line..I'll stop myself before you have to."

Gizmo nods "That's only the first half of the oath. The rest is, 'or Gizmo will smash my face in. With an anchor. AND SHE'S DEFINITELY NOT KIDDING!"

Before she gets too far from the manor, however, Twilight Sparkle touches down on the ground to rest, deciding it's better to wait for her teammates.

Mekis rubs the back of his head as Esteban approaches from behind. "Cursed fool, why did yo-" A bash interrupts him and he looks up. Lenai! He watches as she runs off, the sound of her crying like nails on achalkboard in his ears. He quickly climbed atop Esteban, "Esteban! Take flight after her! And be quick!" Soon, they were airborne, following Lenai's distant sobs.

Following her mistress, Lynette Bishop turns on her flight unit, heading outside the manor. "Sorry for being jumpy, Twilight. It was about to get violent."

Hastur gives a respectful bow to Lady Bow, then heads out of the manor, heading for the Gitmidur.