Disclaimer: I am not Butch Hartman, or Stan Lee. I am also not a part of their immediate, or extended families.

Quacked Lurker proudly presents

Chapter 37: XXXVII

Of A Phantom Spider!

Tucker Foley sighed as he followed his best female friend, since the sixth grade, around town. Honestly, he could hear the screams coming from the Manson mansion right after the television broadcast aired. He'd been across the street, listening to music as he walked to the park. Sam had run out, slamming the French doubled doors open and she immediately pulled him out of sight of her home and range of her parent's voices.

"So, why are we going to find Danny? He already knows this stuff." Tucker argued once they reached the untrimmed, bare thorny bushes that lined the outskirts of town.

Samantha Manson huffed. "No. There is no way he or his family heard that Captain America is alive. Besides, if Jack Fenton knew ghosts were in New York City, we'd know it because Danny's dad has an obsession with ghosts."

Tucker's arms crossed and he stepped back, refusing to wade through the living barrier. "True, I'll grant you that. But how do you know Danny doesn't know or hasn't heard yet?"

Sam turned and glared, not caring that her brightly colored jacket was catching on thorns and tearing as it brushed the branches. "Because the Fentons took the day 'off' to celebrate being alive, and survive a non-ghost attack." She gave the African kid a grin that held traces of a smirk. She changed tactics. "Valerie flew off this way not too long ago—as Red."

Tucker's brown eyes lit up and he removed the red beret to smooth out his curly, hat hair. He charged forward. "Well, then. Let's go."

Sam stepped aside and let him lead. Before both stepped into the living maze, a soft twang came from behind them and something small, grey and taunt latched onto Tucker's back. She stumbled forward slightly as something hit her in the back. Both young teenagers were yanked back.

"Hey!" "What?" Sam and Tucker found themselves dangling in the air, hanging from the Spectra Speeder. They looked up and saw Parker wave at them. Mouths dropped in astonishment.

Peter Parker was barefoot—not so unusual. He was upside down. Different. Walking along the bottom of the Fenton Ghost Assault Vehicle, as if this were normal for him. Seeing the Science teacher unaffected by Gravity's pull, nor blood rushing to his head, making him dizzy, was the shocker.

Tucker slapped his forehead, barely missing his black, wire glasses. "Duh, Parker is Spider-Man."

From above them, Peter started pulling them in. His voice was cheery. "I thought you said you had proof. How come this is so astonishing for you?"

From behind him, Red poked her helmeted head out the open door, looking down at the live catch. She remained silent, wanting to hear this. Phantom phased his head through the floor from the Driver's cockpit. He'd not been told the specifics of the images either.

Sam glared at Tucker. She made a move to grab the ever-present PDA from the tech-geek, but that only caused the two of them to twist in the air. Tucker fumbled with the pocked that contained the Personal Digital Assistance. He pulled it out and pressed keys too rapidly for others to follow. He grinned when he got the image he wanted.

Tucker waved his most important possession. "I do. Actually, I don't." He shook his head, confused. "Anyway, it's the photos taken by Peter Parker and posted by the Daily Bugle. All of the images are about Spider-Man. Not all of the angles are humanly possible, and some of the close-ups were from places barricaded off, or impossible for a normal to get too in time. Everyone knows Spider-Man vanishes when he can, and the battles move around too rapidly for most people to follow—unless they are in a helicopter or relay." He shrugged, reached his hand up to touch the cold metal.

Parker scrambled up into the 'main hanger', laid down, grasped Sam's outstretched arm and pulled her inside, then reached down to release Tucker from the perilous position of being beneath the Fenton vehicle as Jack turned the Speeder around and flew it towards the mall. He nodded after standing up and closing the side door. "Hadn't thought about that. I never thought my own pictures would give me away, but . . ." He too shrugged before facing the door in the wall that separated cabin and storage in the Speeder. "Back to the Fenton armory?"

Maddie shook her head. "No, we need to pick up a few more people." She spoke into the helicopter headset she and her husband wore. Nodded in conformation of the information relayed. "The eight of us aren't enough to protect even a fraction of the City. Unfortunetly, we can't pick up just anybody."

Jazz stepped through and sat next to Red. Valerie scooted over to make room as Sam and Tucker joined them in the back seat. "Any ideas, Val?"

Red glared, but mentally ordered her suit to retract. She folded her arms. "No—other than my dad, but he's got commitments here. She glanced at Parker who didn't seem surprised at her identity, then put more power behind her glare as she stared at Danny Fenton's friends. "My secret. . . ? How!" Valerie demanded.

Peter Parker raised his shoulders, dropped them. "I just knew. Keeping my secret hidden—trying to, actually—has allowed me to make educated guesses to others in similar situations."

Phantom chose then to phase through the ceiling. "The ghosts knew almost immediately. There are quite a few gossipers among those that don't visit the human world." He stepped back, hands raised in a defensive move, trying to protect his head. "I swear, I didn't say anything to anyone!"

Another shock. Valarie didn't immediately go for an ecto gun and start shooting at the halfa (though, Sam thought, only three people in this flying truck knew about that). She just made a move to finger swear, but the disproving frown from the teacher put an end to that motion. She snorted, leaned back in her seat, as the vehicle dropped down with a stomach-wrenching lurch.

"We're here!" bellowed Jack as he jumped out of the driver's seat and ran towards the side door. "Time for recruits." His massive hands rubbed together with glee and his sudden appetence startled the crowd of people who stepped outside to see the flying monstrosity. Hands cupped to his mouth, similar to a director's cone, Jack shouted: "Who wants to kick some ghost butt?"

Stunned silence, then approximately half the teenagers ran back inside, trying to escape from the crazed man, while young adults slowly stepped backwards as they circled to their cars or headed home, not daring to turn their back on Jack Fenton.

Mars Leyland, was one of the few that stepped forward, intent on meeting the challenge, while Scott and Dash Baxter remained frozen. Fenton was a big man, and if they fought him, it would not turn out well for them. The football fanatic family knew that, so did their best to remain out of thought.

Damon Grey approached the Fenton parent too, but for a slightly different reason. "Is my daughter with you?" He asked, concern evident in his tone.

Valerie unbuckled her seat and stepped around the orange mountain-like man. "Yes, I'm here. I'm offering my services to help protect others." She refused to back down and made her stand, even if it put here on opposite sides with her only surviving family member.

Damon grinned. "Then I'll join." He stepped up and shook Jack's hand. "So, what needs to be done?"

Jack grinned. "That's the spirit!" He thumped the African American, accidentally shoving the man into the back of the Speeder. Mr. Leyland scooted in before he could be hurt by Jack's enthusiasm.

Parker shook his head. This was starting to feel surreal. "Does anyone else feel this is going too smoothly?"

Phantom paled slightly before trading quick glances with Jazz Fenton then the two strays that had been picked up earlier. "I hadn't. If Nocturne has caused us to fall in a deep sleep again, the only thing that will wake us up, is if something shocking happens." His features hardened. "Then again, when the black sheep/shadow ghost attacks, my experience shows it tends to be a pleasant dream and your strongest desires/hopes coming true."

Jazz spoke up. "The dream for each of us was different, and no one was able to interact, so I'd say this is really happening."

Tucker scowled. "Unless it's a nightmare come true—but I know my nightmare, and this isn't it." His face brightened for a second, as he smiled. "No idea what powers Pariah Dark has, but Fright Knight won't attack without reason." He made a face and frowned after he spoke his piece, obviously unsettled by the images brought on by those names.

Damon Grey shook his head. "I won't ask." He promised. Mr. Grey almost stumbled and hit his head on the hard, metallic wall as Jack took off without warning, but Parker's steady grip held up upright for the duration of the take-off. He turned and faced the science teacher. "What's your story? You shouldn't have been able to hold me up while fighting inertia yourself."

Valerie groaned. "Dad, meet Spider-Man. Parker, don't scare him off."

Damon sat down abruptly, amazement written all over his face. "You're S.M.?" he asked when he could speak again. "That explains a lot. Have you met the Cap?"

Parker chuckled, and sat down to enjoy the fellowship with the others. "Yes I did. In fact, I've spoken with him several times and fought along side him once or twice. He's the embodiment of American Patriotic Power."

Easy laugher filled the unique flying vehicle as it circled the Fenton place, with Jack trying to find the entrance to the lab. Maddie glanced in to make sure no one was hurting, before speaking to her husband. "Well, this week's been full of surprises."

Jack grunted. "Yep." He faced his wife of twenty-odd years. "I told you our son was different! I knew the instruments were working correctly."

Madeline blushed. "Okay, this is no time to get into the 'Ha I'm right' game. It is odd, though, that off the three with known super-powers, they are all with us going to help save out Country."

The engine was shut off again, and the machine settled on the floor. Jazz noticed the landing almost instantly (despite this stop being so much more stable than the previous one), and she tugged the Ghost Boy out, with Sam and Tucker following. The four children quickly made their way to the Fenton Ghost Armory and stocked up with everything they could carry or haul away.

Valerie joined them. Not out of duty, but due to curiosity. At least, the second time they left, after depositing the weapons and spare 'ghost bullets' on the floor. She too was recruited in the drive to empty this weapons vault. Miss Grey, save for a loud, exaggerated huff, remained silent in the trip.

Phantom was easily hidden behind the bulky, heavy guns and less transport friendly items. He just phased through the walls, barriers and the floor when obstacles became too much—then again, he couldn't see where he was going, so how did he navigate the rooms, Valerie had to wonder. Oh, and her earlier question as to how the Casper High students realized she was the newest huntress, was answered. The lack of shock was because the outcasts weren't stupid or as assuming as everyone else was. They saw clues and put it together like a jigsaw puzzle. Embarrassing, but a relief actually.

While the kids cleaned out one or two rooms full of 'untested, untried' ghost fighting material, Jack and the other adults stocked up on fresh food and water; first aid too. To be more accurate, Jack ran to the store and pulled all the Fudge cookies off the shelves, and added a several cooked hams to the shopping cart. He was thankful Thanksgiving was soon—otherwise his favorite meat wouldn't have been available.

Maddie ordered Parker to grab nonperishable food, led Damon into the kitchen where he proceeded to make a mound of sandwiches. She, herself, grabbed all the first aid kits she could find. That included the standard house kits from under the bathroom sinks, and the more heavily stocked one from under the Master Bed. Maddie also checked Daniel's room, careful not to disturb much, but she did find one that saw a lot of action. Mrs. Fenton sighed heavily. How many of her son's injuries resulted from her and her husband trying to slow Phantom down? Not all of them, but still enough to make her feel sick and guilty when she was given the chance to think about it.

Maddie shook her head clean of those thoughts and memories, before walking back to the Speeder and arranging a set beneath every seat, and in cupboards too—at least, she would have, if there were more kits, but one per person was enough. Any wounds they couldn't bandage should go to a nearby hospital for treatment anyway.

Soon, the group of nine was ready to go. Jack hit the Fenton genetic-thumbprint guard and hurried into his seat. The Fenton Portal opened up and the Speeder launched into the Ghost Zone, clearing the transitional state just moments before the lock slammed close once again. No one noticed the extra passenger hanging from an exposed wire. No one could have, since it was just an extra think layer of black wire, preventing an electric shock in case of accidental contact.

Next Scene

#2N#0E#0X#0T #2#0N#2E#0X#2T

Next Timeframe

The Fright Knight grinned when he found his target. Phantom was leading a group of humans to portal central.

Urging Nightwing, his Thestral steed, to turn around and speed up, the warrior pondered what to say.

It was true, that he and Phantom weren't on the best of terms. However, this change of events meant something had to be done soon, or it was the Ghost War all over again—this time among the humans, not just hidden in their little realm.

The Fright Knight was unprepared when Phantom zoomed in from 'underneath' and pulled him from his steed. He wasn't unable to protect himself, and put up a shield without delay to prevent a ghost ray from damaging his suit of armor. "Phantom! I need to talk to you." He called out as the Ghost Boy circled for another clean shot. Fright Knight had to fight his instincts; to keep his sword next to his side, not drawing it out.

Purple flames danced with his changing emotions. "Stop this!" he demanded, refusing to retaliate. He dodged several more attacks from Phantom.

The lack of fighting spirit from his opponent caused the Ghost boy to respond more than a simple exchange of ecto blows or threats would. He stopped circling the adversary he saw—making sure the Speeder was behind him--and released the energy stored in his fists. Phantom gave every indication of willingness to listen.

The Fright Knight addressed the young child. "Plasmius is planning on attacking NYC. He's entrusted me with his most recent plans. You are the only one powerful enough to slow him down."

Phantom sneered. Attempted to anyway. All that was express was a sour face. "Why should I listen to you?" He demanded.

The Fright Knight sighed. "You are headed to the Natural Portals, are you not? I can lead you to the one that will drop you and the humans you are guiding through this realm, into the City Proper." He paused, to see the halfa's response. When the only motion was an exaggerated rolling of the eyes, he added: "The Box Ghost relayed that you didn't want his death on your consciousness. If my master isn't stopped, then there will be more casualties than just us ghosts."

Phantom rocked back on his heals. Once, recovered, he bowed, and said, "Lead the way." After the ancient warrior mounted his war-horse, Phantom hit the green Fenton Phone. "Change of leaders—Mr. Fenton, follow that black, winged horse and purple flamed ghost. I'll guard the back."

He almost said 'Dad' but remembered, before addressing the others, that everyone was linked to the Fenton Phones—including Valerie, and two other adults who may, or may not know his secret. Best to keep the link between Fenton and Phantom inactive, regardless of the questions already arising over the absence of Danny.

Phantom took off, behind the Speeder, watchful for anymore interruptions that might possibly catch up, while the Fright Knight dodged obstacles Phantom would have flown straight through—simply because this area was relatively new to him.

Far off, in the distance, Skulker watched the exchange. The mechanical ghost lowered his binoculars and stepped over to his colleagues. "I fear the Fright Knight has changed sides again."

Desiree filed her fingernails. "Not surprising." The ghost genie said as she examined the painted red nails. "He did follow Pariah due to greed. It is only logical that he align himself with the younger halfa."

Spectra snorted in discust. "Phantom's not that powerful. He's too reactive, can't play a good game of chess. No, Plasmius is going to win this exchange, hands down."

Skulker banged his fist on a near-by rock, causing cracks to run through the stone. "That's not the point! We don't have much of a chance against Phantom alone, and even if The Fright Knight stays neutral, my prey has brought his family along with him."

At this, Perplexer looked up. He sneezed, and was therefore unable comment before someone else did. Ember McLain swung her guitar around, and played a few notes. "That's a problem, but I still don't see how or why this event distresses you so much."

Shulker began massaging his forehead. "Never mind. I'll alert Vlad that there might be a few complications ahead." He pulled out his jet engines and flew off to the Wisconsin Ghost's lair.

Perplexer turned towards Spectra, his ghost guardian. "Is Phantom that powerful?"

The energy-sucking ghost turned her red eyes towards him, the outcast. "I don't think so, and I don't really care!" she snapped. Pointed to the others. "If you have any more questions ask someone else—or I will feed off you!"

Perplexter turned towards her green shape-shifting assistant, and repeated the question. Bertrand shrugged. "We only fought him once, and that was two years ago. The boy has certainly grown as a human, but ghosts tend to take much longer to show any change in status."

Nicolai Technus glanced up from the real-world item someone had smuggled into the Ghost Zone. "Not in Phantom's case. He's not all-powerful and there are still many abilities he can't access. I, for one, am glad there is only one ghost who can move between seconds or see the future. Perhaps, it is best that Clockwork stays out of everything."

The vultures remained silent. They had no allegiance to anyone, or anything. It was for the best that they were seen as idiotic, dumb birds. For now, there was nothing they could do—aside from mess up some appearances with presents, but Kempler was roaming near-by.

Perplexer joined them, after no other ghosts were able to answer his questions to his satisfaction. A small cloud caught his attention, and the eyes of other ghosts. Most of them looked up, to see if they could identify the incoming travelers, stopping their arguments.

Johnny 13, roared up shortly after the conversation paused. Kitty jumped off his motorcycle, after hitting him with her purse. "Keep your hands off Johnny, or there will be no next time!"

Perplexer jogged up to the newcomers. "Hey, do you know anything about Phantom's power?"

Johnny whistled. Shadow pulled up from underneath the motorcycle. Kitty wandered away to chat with Ember and Spectra. "It's pretty easy to get Phantom angry."

Shadow growled, then whimpered. Johnny winced. "Yeah, sorry Shadow." He turned back to Perplexer, shrugged nonchalantly. "Not really. Amity Park we can't visit too often." He coughed. "Why do you ask?"

Perplexer swayed, sprawled on the ground. "Not sure. Skulker seems upset that Phantom's made a brief appearance. Spectra's mad, really mad, and the others don't seem to have opinions. So, what's yours?" Before Johnny could answer, he passed out.

NEXTNEXTNEXT

Logan grunted as he watched the kids play outside. He didn't care for 'baby-sitting' duty, but he could still keep an eye on things. Logan was careful to mind the more creative of the young mutants. There were some who were prone to take after Bobby Drake, the Iceman. Logan really didn't like being the victim of pranks.

Harry Osborn sat on the bench. It was a prime seat, but for one tiny problem—it was fully exposed. Which made it all the more welcoming in these colder times, because the bench really soaked up the sunlight and heat.

Logan shook his head, turned most of his attention elsewhere. Those weren't the shrieks of fun or joy, but screams of anger, possibly pain. Logan grunted and stood up. If one of the little miscreants had hurt someone, then the two fighters would be separated if necessary. More likely, it was a minor wound and meant nothing.

He stopped to sniff the air. No blood, which was good, but the noise had stopped. Worried, he slipped closer to the last known location of the playing preteens and junior highers.

Something green growled from the bushes ahead. The sudden appearance of Logan in the small clearing caused the creature to step back, leaving a path for the scared kids to run along, back towards safety. They did so, screaming their relief and letting the world know of their fright. Logan released his claws, ready to fight if this intruder was going to attack. It spoke in an odd language—Logan didn't speak Esperanto, so he didn't grasp the words, moreover the intent didn't translate.

The Wolverine was on autopilot. When the green, furry intruder suddenly broke to the left, Logan followed, intent on pursuing. The dripping branches didn't seem to bother the bigger creature, but they sure did attempt to slice Logan as he ran after it, making sure to keep the thing in sight.

The two runners broke out of the miniature forest and while the wolf-like creature stumbled to a halt, Logan continued running. In fact, he found himself going through the creature.

Logan rolled, and turned. When the green, furry thing stood on his hind legs and relaxed its own claws, again speaking with its odd pronunciation, Logan stood up and relaxed his hands, letting his claws retreat back into his arms.

Jean "Marvel Girl" Gray, and Scott "Cyclops" Summers stood in front of the School, protecting the retreating students. "Logan! What are you doing?!" Cyclops shouted. He really was aggravated. Logan found it easy to rile him and a few others up.

Wolverine called over his shoulder. "That's a ghost! I can't harm it." He turned back to face the nonthreatening monster, muttered to himself. "Though he seems to be waiting for something, or someone. But what?"

The answer to that question was quickly answered. Still on his hind legs, long silvery claws extended, the wolf growled, and sliced the air, leaving behind green, oozing wounds in the air. By this time, Harry Osborn had left his bench and, ignoring the barricade, stood next to Logan. His jaw dropped.

A black helmeted figure poked his head out of the green hole, took a swift look around and pulled his head back inside. A white headed boy, with pale skin, in a black jumpsuit flew out of the same hole and landed next to the wolf. He took longer to examine his surroundings. "Hey, wulf. Thank's for opening a portal." The wolf-creature bent down to all four legs and allowed the familiar ghost boy to scratch his head.

Logan laughed. It is a deep, loud belly laugh that shook the air and scared the other members of the X-Men. "Phantom! What brings you to Xavier Institute?"

Phantom grinned. "I'm here to help stop the invading ghosts." He cocked his head, the green eyes glowing eerily in the afternoon light. "Though, I'm not the only reinforcement." He looked up at the slowly closing ghost portal then back to Wulf. "Wulf, how come the others haven't gone through yet?"

Growls and yips came from the four-legged animal. The ghost kid was able to understand, for he was nodding in responce. "Okay, so, what do I need to do, to make the entrance bigger?" Phantom flew up and floated above the top rip. He carefully placed his hand on the cut and concentrated, allowing semi-visible energy to extrude from his body and into the wound.

The hole rapidly expanded, then spat out a human construct. Rather than landing on the ground and bouncing, it extended wings and hovered just a foot above the ground, away from the hole—which sealed itself shut after the Speeder forced itself through.

Harry gapped. "He brought the Fentons? Jack's a lunitic!" A side door opened and Spider-Man shout out of the opening. "Whoo! New York I'm home." Yelled the arachnid as he flew through the air.

Cyclops face palmed. Jean giggled, while the untrained youngsters slowly stepped around the protectors and approached the odd machine.

Phantom shook his head and landed in front of Logan. He saluted the mutant. "Private Phantom reporting for duty, sir! Recruits are getting ready."

Indeed, the ship/airplane, slowly settled on the ground. The first man out was an African American, who fumbled with the two items he reluctantly taken. Next out was a lady-figure on a red-hoverboard. She shot past the others and flew up. "Spider-Man! If you don't calm down I will tranquilize you."

Next out were four teens. One tall, thin redhead, one petite black haired—both females: and one African American male plus a black-haired Caucasian kid who moved aside, not joining the other three. The redhead shook her head. "I doubt that threat is going to work." Just as she finished speaking, Spider-man landed and stood stock-still. "Then again, I could be wrong."

The boy snorted. In response, both young ladies shot death treats at him, and he let go of his chocked laughter.

Last out, but certainly not least, were two more adults. Both in jumpsuits, the man in a bright orange color, while the thinner female wore a teal-based one. She pulled the goggles off her eyes and looked at the humans. Her eyes lit up when she spied Harry. "Mr. Osborn What a surprise. How is your father doing?"

Harry gritted his teeth. "He's fine, except when the Goblin takes control and tries using me as Spider-bait." At that S.M. winced. Harry didn't notice, but Logan did. "Actually, I'm liking it here at the Institute, despite not having any mutant powers."

The black hairdo kid perked up. "You're a normal? Wait, you said without, which means. . " He trailed off and grinned, then promptly disappeared. Before Cyclops could raise an alarm, Jean grabbed his hand. "He's just camoflaughed."

Phantom shook his head. "Now that we're all here, I recommend splitting up and seeing if anyone can reproduce the anti-ghost inventions. We don't have enough to protect the whole city, as you commented, Mr. Fenton." He phased through the Speeder and began to through out piles of Bazookas, Thermos aplenty, plus Ghost-Gloves—huge, gold metal things, and lots of other things, like a few lipstick tubes that the African boy caught. "Yes! I've got the miniature ray gun! What did you guys bag?"

The red head grabbed the electric can opener as it flew through the air. "Alright, the Ghost Peeler." The short teen snagged several belts and bracelets. "Good. You did manage to shrink the Spectra Deflectors down." After the Jack-of-Nine tails barely missed striking Jack he hollered, "Be careful with the Exto-skeleton suit, Phantom—or I might be inclined to use the Ghost-Catcher."

Cyclops, Iceman, Marvel Girl, and the others watched, shocked as things continued flying out of the Spectra Speeder. Osborn spoke up, "Um, how did you manage to fit everything inside?"

The growing piles stopped expanding, as Phantom poked his head out of the metal wall. "The Fenton Ghost Crammer. It can also be called the "Spectra Shrinker—and all these items really work. For most of them, the name matches the usage, but for some, the description is a better way to tell." The ghost retreated and continued throwing items out.

The Red flyer had had enough, for she swooped down and headed inside. A quick struggle ensured, which left the Spectra Speeder bouncing. Red then pulled Phantom out by the ear. "We can do the hard stuff, it's your job to alert the others." She looked around. "Earlier, you said you needed to contact some of your associates—the only ones I see are living humans." She crossed her arms.

Phantom sighed and rubbed his ear. "None of them are willing to stand against Plasmius—at least not without a guarantee or promise. One wanted a free run of Amity Park. I can't allow that, even if it was just the Box Ghost. The others desired more." He reached over and grabbed one of practically everything, and tried piled the various items in his arms.

Spider-Man stopped trying to organize the mess, and webbed the items in a big ball. Phantom grinned and pulled the grey-metal mass up, trying to orient himself. Spider-Man waived his arm, then pointed in a semi-North, northeast direction. "Take that pile either to the Baxter Building, or S.H.I.E.L.D—just land on a flying bathtub. Or, you can take that stuff to the Avenger's mansion, but the response time might be slower. Phantom nodded his understanding and shot off, leaving a ring of dust behind.

The Black-haired boy reappeared—he'd been motionless until now, but even the kids could see him in despite the application of his power. The camouflage was dropped. "Guess, I'll apply for school here—more opportunities to learn."

The daughter of the Fentons snorted. "Anyplace that doesn't have Dash Baxter threatening someone is an improvement."

Logan shook his head in disbelief. A quick glance at his colleges revealed they weren't doing much better. In fact, Charles Xavier had come out to see what was causing the commotion. "Ah," announced the wheelchair bound man. "Visitors." He beamed, and let his blue eyes smile, along with his face. "Thank you for volunteering to capture the ghosts. Doctor Strange seems a bit put off, trying to take care of the minor problem. Jean?"

Jean Gray concentrated, and piles of stuff suddenly began floating. Charles turned his seat around and made his way to the entrance hall. "Please join us. We can discuss everything, if you want, or just be a place to freshen up and recover."

The teenagers promptly followed, while the three adults (not counting Spider-Man) took their time to decide. The X-men opened ranks so the normals could walk among them, protected slightly. Spider-Man lept ahead of the strange procession and turned the corner before the others made it halfway down the lawn.

THANK YOU FOR READING AND REVIEWING. Muchos Gracias, SpartanCommander, JC, and Hordak's Pupil! I appreciate knowing what you think [anybody have flames they wish to share?