Chapter 8
Later, in Dr. Notrub's basement lab, Dr. Notrub was typing something on his computer while the others watched. They were all back in their normal clothes. In front of them was a glass dome that contained the petrified Doomie.
"Any luck, finding anything that could be the cause of Dr. Grim's brainwashing?" asked Beetlejuice. "I'm running scans now, Beetlejuice. If there's something in Doomie that shouldn't be there, my computer will detect it," said Dr. Notrub. "I do hope that whatever it is, you can undo, Dr. Notrub," said Lydia.
Then a beeping came from the computer and the words 'Foreign object detected' flashed on the screen. "Bingo! We've got something!" exclaimed the doctor. An x-ray of Doomie appeared on the screen and it zoomed in on something in his head. The screen focused on a silhouette of the Mind Infester. "There's something definitely in Doomie's head. Hopefully, removing this will bring Doomie back to his normal self," said Dr. Notrub.
"How are you going to do that?" asked Lydia. Dr. Notrub pressed a button and a mechanical arm rose up from the bottom of the floor under the dome. Perched on it was some kind of laser gun. "I based this on Dr. Grim's ghost containment system. That laser will temporarily turn Doomie into that blue ooze we saw leak out of the U.G.C.V. Then we can remove that brain leech from him," said Dr. Notrub as another mechanical arm popped up from the floor. This one had a claw on the end of it. "I hope this works. Doomie will only remain ooze for a short time before reforming and there's also a possibility that the paralysis will end. Well, here goes nothing " said Dr. Notrub as he pressed a button on his keyboard.
The laser gun fired and the moment the beam hit Doomie, he transformed into a blob of blue ooze. Beetlejuice and Lydia gasped. "Don't worry, guys. He'll be okay," said Dr. Notrub. The claw reached into the ooze and grabbed onto the Mind Infester. It pulled it out and the Mind Infester squirmed tried to get free.
The blue ooze started to take shape and reform into Doomie. He looked unconscious and he was now in his untransformed state. Beetlejuice and Lydia walked up the dome. "Doomie?" asked Lydia staring at the car.
Slowly, Doomie's eyes opened. They were no longer black. The monster car turned around to look at Beetlejuice and Lydia. His grill mouth smiled and he let out a happy honk. "He's back to normal!" exclaimed Beetlejuice. "Lift the dome up, Dr. Notrub," said Lydia. Dr. Notrub pressed another button and the glass dome slowly lifted up.
Beetlejuice and Lydia rushed over to Doomie. Lydia started to stroke him on the hood. "It's good to have you back, Doomie," said Lydia. "Great to see you, you old hunk of junk," said Beetlejuice in a joking tone. Doomie honked happily as he was glad to be reunited with his creators.
Dr. Notrub approached the claw that held the Mind Infester. He pressed a button on the side of the claw while holding a glass jar under the leech creature. The claw let go and the Mind Infester fell into the jar. Dr. Notrub immediately capped it.
"What do you think that creature is, Dr. Notrub?" asked Jack. "I don't know, Jack. Beetlejuice, is this some sort of Neitherworld creature?" asked Dr. Notrub. "No, doc. This doesn't look like any kind of creature from the Neitherworld that I've ever seen," replied Beetlejuice.
"I'm going to run this creature through my scanner. Maybe I can figure out what this thing is exactly," said Dr. Notrub as he placed the jar within a metal box. He flicked a small lever on the side and the machine started to hum. The doctor looked at his computer screen.
"Hmm. It seems to be composed of the DNA of a common leech. Oh yuck! It's also composed of human brain cells. Probably cells of Dr. Grim's brain which would explain the Grim-like voice. Oh my gosh!" he exclaimed. "What is it, doc?" asked Beetlejuice.
"This bizarre leech contains a small bit of your power, Beetlejuice. So that's how Doomie was being controlled. Dr. Grim must've manipulated Beetlejuice's powers into a mind-controlling force and transplanted it into this creature. This also explains how Dr. Grim transformed Doomie into an even more dangerous monster. The beams from that Dread-Drone of his must've stimulated some sort of transforming factor," said Dr. Notrub.
"So how do we extract the powers out of this creature?" asked Lydia. "I think I know how. If I touch it, maybe I can draw the powers into me like I did with Dr. Grim's generator, know what I mean?" asked Beetlejuice. "It's worth a shot. But I do suggest that you grab it by the tail," said Dr. Notrub as he uncapped the jar.
The ghost reached in and picked up the Mind Infester by its tail. He held at arm's length. "Well, here goes nothing," said Beetlejuice as he concentrated. A white glow surrounded the Mind Infester and it started to thrash and flail as it dangled from Beetlejuice's hand. Then, after a few moments had passed, the Mind Infester fell limp and crumbled into dust.
"How do you feel, Beej?" asked Lydia. Beetlejuice grinned with his rotten teeth and suddenly, his head spun around while he let out a scream. When it stopped, Beetlejuice said, "I feel happy as a clam, Lyds!" In flash, Beetlejuice transformed into a smiling black and white striped clam. Lydia giggled and Dr. Notrub chuckled. Jack just stared in amazement. "How did you do that, Beetlejuice?" he asked.
The clam turned back into Beetlejuice. "Simple, Jack. Being the ghost with the most, I have powers that no other ghost has. Every time I do a little word play, it comes true on the spot. I know it's unusual. But it makes Lydia laugh. I feel great now that a bit of my powers are back and I know just what to do with them. Everybody follow me to the outside of the mansion. Stay here, Doomie," said Beetlejuice as he floated up the stairs. Lydia, Dr. Notrub and Jack followed Beetlejuice up the stairs not knowing what he was planning to do.
Outside, Beetlejuice was crouched down on the ground. The others were watching from behind him. Beetlejuice touched the ground and a ripple of black and white light burst from the point of touch. It spread out in all directions and traveled over Dr. Notrub's mansion and across the hill. "There. It's done," said Beetlejuice rising up.
"What did you do, Beetlejuice?" asked Lydia. "I've placed a spell over the mansion and the hill in order to keep Dr. Grim, Mecha-Reaper and all their evil minions out. Nothing evil can set foot on this hill unless they are invited," said Beetlejuice. "An excellent idea, Beetlejuice. This is sort of like the old rule that says vampires can't enter a house without being invited," said Dr. Notrub. "Exactly," said Beetlejuice.
"What are we going to do about Jack?" asked Lydia. "He can stay with us until we can figure a way to get him back to Halloweentown," said Dr. Notrub. "Thank you, Dr. Notrub. I appreciate that. In the meantime, I have a special request for you," said Jack. "What would that be, Jack?" asked Dr. Notrub.
"I want you to make me one of those suits and a weapon. I want to join you guys in defeating this horrible Dr. Grim," said Jack. Beetlejuice, Lydia, and Dr. Notrub gasped. "Jack, are you sure? You saw what happened today when Doomie attacked," said Beetlejuice. "Listen, I am the Pumpkin King. It pains me to see fellow ghosts, ghouls and monsters enslaved and forced to attack humans. Despite coming from different worlds, I feel it is my duty to help these poor creatures. Besides, when I was fighting those robot zombies, I never felt so alive since I died. So will you do it?" asked Jack. "You got it, Jack. We need all the help we can get to stop Dr. Grim," said Dr. Notrub.
"What about Doomie? We can't send him back to the Neitherworld. Since the Roadhouse was destroyed, he has nowhere to go," said Lydia. "He too can stay here with us. All superheroes have some sort of vehicle to get around in. And Doomie would be perfect. I mean, Dr. Notrub's hearse is okay. But it isn't a monster car that can fight alongside us. No offense, doc," said Beetlejuice. "None taken. I think it's a great idea. I just have one question, Beetlejuice. Exactly what does happen when something evil does set foot on my hill?" asked Dr. Notrub.
Then they heard yelling from up above them. Suddenly, Mecha-Reaper fell out of the sky in front of them. "Looks like we'll find out soon enough," said Lydia.
Mecha-Reaper groaned as he got up. "Jetpack run out of fuel, eh Reaper?" asked Beetlejuice with a chuckle. "Beetlejuice? I though I left you fighting that car creature known as Doomie?" asked the mechanical ghost hunter. "We have stopped Doomie and removed that creature your master implanted in his head. I've also got some of my powers back by draining that little creature," said Beetlejuice.
"You discovered the Mind Infester and extracted it?" asked Mecha- Reaper in a surprised tone. "So that's what it's called: Mind Infester. Well, we know exactly how to deal with them now. So you can just tell your boss that we're ready for him the next time he unleashes something into Sleepy Hollow," stated Dr. Notrub.
"I'll fix all of you. Master will be pleased that I finish all of you and bring Beetlejuice to him. Prepare to fight!" roared Mecha-Reaper as he charged at Beetlejuice and his posse with his scythe.
But before he could attack, something rather peculiar happened. One of the trees had turned into a gnarled hand, grabbed Mecha-Reaper and lifted him off the ground. "Hey! What's going on?" asked Mecha-Reaper in a panicked voice.
The tree proceeded to smash Mecha-Reaper against the ground and then started to pass it along the other trees that had undergone a similar transformation. "Those trees will carry him along until they toss him over the wall. I expect the gargoyles will pull a similar reaction when an evil being even tries to enter the gates," said Beetlejuice with a laugh. "Amazing. The behavior of those trees was reminiscent of Sam Raimi's movie The Evil Dead," said Dr. Notrub. "We'll definitely be safer here now that we have attacking trees and gargoyles," said Lydia.
"Today's been a good day. Our Spooky Hero equipment worked out great and we achieved our first victory. Let's go in and have a celebratory dinner in honor of the start of the Spooky Heroes," said Dr. Notrub. The four friends walked toward the door of the mansion.
Lydia started to giggle. "What's so funny, Lydia?" asked Beetlejuice. "I'm just thinking of what's going to happen to Mecha-Reaper when he goes back to Dr. Grim's hideout. He's going to be pretty testy," said Lydia.
In the meantime, a battered and damaged Mecha-Reaper had hobbled back to the building where Dr. Grim's lair was. The wall slid to the side in front of him and he stepped in. Dr. Grim was standing in front of him with an angry expression on his face.
"Please, Master. I can understand you're a little testy with me about what happened today," said Mecha-Reaper. "Testy? Why would I be testy, Mecha-Reaper? Because you let me down in the battle today and accidentally shocked that Jaguar that was doing such a good job? Besides the fact that I've lost a valuable ally in my quest for world conquest. Surprisingly, Mecha-Reaper, I'm not testy," said Dr. Grim. "You're not?" asked Mecha-Reaper sounding relieved.
"No. I'm furious!" yelled Dr. Grim as he picked up a length of metal pipe and ran at Mecha-Reaper. Mecha-Reaper ran away from his crazed master. "We'll get them next time, Master! I'm sure," said Mecha-Reaper as he ran. "You better hope that we do or the beating I'm going to give to you will be twice as much as what I am going to give you now!" yelled Mecha- Reaper. The evil doctor continued to chase his robotic servant all around his lair. Dr. Grim had a good reason to be angry knowing that he had been defeated by the new protectors of Sleepy Hollow and the world: the Spooky Heroes!
The End.for now
Note: Not quite what you expected, eh? But I like superhero stories and I just decided to make Beetlejuice into one. I just want to say a few words. Thanks for reading my stories and I'm sure to have the next one up soon. Anyway, how many of you want to see Beetlejuice on TV again? I want to start up a writing campaign. Canadian viewers write to Teletoon and U.S. viewers writers write to Cartoon Network. It might not work. But we can try until our favorite ghoul is back. Also, are any of you good readers good fanart artists? I'm not much of a drawer. But if any of you would like to make illustrations for my stories, feel free to do so and e-mail me a copy. Thanks and stay tuned for the next Spooky Heroes story, Ghoul in the School.
Later, in Dr. Notrub's basement lab, Dr. Notrub was typing something on his computer while the others watched. They were all back in their normal clothes. In front of them was a glass dome that contained the petrified Doomie.
"Any luck, finding anything that could be the cause of Dr. Grim's brainwashing?" asked Beetlejuice. "I'm running scans now, Beetlejuice. If there's something in Doomie that shouldn't be there, my computer will detect it," said Dr. Notrub. "I do hope that whatever it is, you can undo, Dr. Notrub," said Lydia.
Then a beeping came from the computer and the words 'Foreign object detected' flashed on the screen. "Bingo! We've got something!" exclaimed the doctor. An x-ray of Doomie appeared on the screen and it zoomed in on something in his head. The screen focused on a silhouette of the Mind Infester. "There's something definitely in Doomie's head. Hopefully, removing this will bring Doomie back to his normal self," said Dr. Notrub.
"How are you going to do that?" asked Lydia. Dr. Notrub pressed a button and a mechanical arm rose up from the bottom of the floor under the dome. Perched on it was some kind of laser gun. "I based this on Dr. Grim's ghost containment system. That laser will temporarily turn Doomie into that blue ooze we saw leak out of the U.G.C.V. Then we can remove that brain leech from him," said Dr. Notrub as another mechanical arm popped up from the floor. This one had a claw on the end of it. "I hope this works. Doomie will only remain ooze for a short time before reforming and there's also a possibility that the paralysis will end. Well, here goes nothing " said Dr. Notrub as he pressed a button on his keyboard.
The laser gun fired and the moment the beam hit Doomie, he transformed into a blob of blue ooze. Beetlejuice and Lydia gasped. "Don't worry, guys. He'll be okay," said Dr. Notrub. The claw reached into the ooze and grabbed onto the Mind Infester. It pulled it out and the Mind Infester squirmed tried to get free.
The blue ooze started to take shape and reform into Doomie. He looked unconscious and he was now in his untransformed state. Beetlejuice and Lydia walked up the dome. "Doomie?" asked Lydia staring at the car.
Slowly, Doomie's eyes opened. They were no longer black. The monster car turned around to look at Beetlejuice and Lydia. His grill mouth smiled and he let out a happy honk. "He's back to normal!" exclaimed Beetlejuice. "Lift the dome up, Dr. Notrub," said Lydia. Dr. Notrub pressed another button and the glass dome slowly lifted up.
Beetlejuice and Lydia rushed over to Doomie. Lydia started to stroke him on the hood. "It's good to have you back, Doomie," said Lydia. "Great to see you, you old hunk of junk," said Beetlejuice in a joking tone. Doomie honked happily as he was glad to be reunited with his creators.
Dr. Notrub approached the claw that held the Mind Infester. He pressed a button on the side of the claw while holding a glass jar under the leech creature. The claw let go and the Mind Infester fell into the jar. Dr. Notrub immediately capped it.
"What do you think that creature is, Dr. Notrub?" asked Jack. "I don't know, Jack. Beetlejuice, is this some sort of Neitherworld creature?" asked Dr. Notrub. "No, doc. This doesn't look like any kind of creature from the Neitherworld that I've ever seen," replied Beetlejuice.
"I'm going to run this creature through my scanner. Maybe I can figure out what this thing is exactly," said Dr. Notrub as he placed the jar within a metal box. He flicked a small lever on the side and the machine started to hum. The doctor looked at his computer screen.
"Hmm. It seems to be composed of the DNA of a common leech. Oh yuck! It's also composed of human brain cells. Probably cells of Dr. Grim's brain which would explain the Grim-like voice. Oh my gosh!" he exclaimed. "What is it, doc?" asked Beetlejuice.
"This bizarre leech contains a small bit of your power, Beetlejuice. So that's how Doomie was being controlled. Dr. Grim must've manipulated Beetlejuice's powers into a mind-controlling force and transplanted it into this creature. This also explains how Dr. Grim transformed Doomie into an even more dangerous monster. The beams from that Dread-Drone of his must've stimulated some sort of transforming factor," said Dr. Notrub.
"So how do we extract the powers out of this creature?" asked Lydia. "I think I know how. If I touch it, maybe I can draw the powers into me like I did with Dr. Grim's generator, know what I mean?" asked Beetlejuice. "It's worth a shot. But I do suggest that you grab it by the tail," said Dr. Notrub as he uncapped the jar.
The ghost reached in and picked up the Mind Infester by its tail. He held at arm's length. "Well, here goes nothing," said Beetlejuice as he concentrated. A white glow surrounded the Mind Infester and it started to thrash and flail as it dangled from Beetlejuice's hand. Then, after a few moments had passed, the Mind Infester fell limp and crumbled into dust.
"How do you feel, Beej?" asked Lydia. Beetlejuice grinned with his rotten teeth and suddenly, his head spun around while he let out a scream. When it stopped, Beetlejuice said, "I feel happy as a clam, Lyds!" In flash, Beetlejuice transformed into a smiling black and white striped clam. Lydia giggled and Dr. Notrub chuckled. Jack just stared in amazement. "How did you do that, Beetlejuice?" he asked.
The clam turned back into Beetlejuice. "Simple, Jack. Being the ghost with the most, I have powers that no other ghost has. Every time I do a little word play, it comes true on the spot. I know it's unusual. But it makes Lydia laugh. I feel great now that a bit of my powers are back and I know just what to do with them. Everybody follow me to the outside of the mansion. Stay here, Doomie," said Beetlejuice as he floated up the stairs. Lydia, Dr. Notrub and Jack followed Beetlejuice up the stairs not knowing what he was planning to do.
Outside, Beetlejuice was crouched down on the ground. The others were watching from behind him. Beetlejuice touched the ground and a ripple of black and white light burst from the point of touch. It spread out in all directions and traveled over Dr. Notrub's mansion and across the hill. "There. It's done," said Beetlejuice rising up.
"What did you do, Beetlejuice?" asked Lydia. "I've placed a spell over the mansion and the hill in order to keep Dr. Grim, Mecha-Reaper and all their evil minions out. Nothing evil can set foot on this hill unless they are invited," said Beetlejuice. "An excellent idea, Beetlejuice. This is sort of like the old rule that says vampires can't enter a house without being invited," said Dr. Notrub. "Exactly," said Beetlejuice.
"What are we going to do about Jack?" asked Lydia. "He can stay with us until we can figure a way to get him back to Halloweentown," said Dr. Notrub. "Thank you, Dr. Notrub. I appreciate that. In the meantime, I have a special request for you," said Jack. "What would that be, Jack?" asked Dr. Notrub.
"I want you to make me one of those suits and a weapon. I want to join you guys in defeating this horrible Dr. Grim," said Jack. Beetlejuice, Lydia, and Dr. Notrub gasped. "Jack, are you sure? You saw what happened today when Doomie attacked," said Beetlejuice. "Listen, I am the Pumpkin King. It pains me to see fellow ghosts, ghouls and monsters enslaved and forced to attack humans. Despite coming from different worlds, I feel it is my duty to help these poor creatures. Besides, when I was fighting those robot zombies, I never felt so alive since I died. So will you do it?" asked Jack. "You got it, Jack. We need all the help we can get to stop Dr. Grim," said Dr. Notrub.
"What about Doomie? We can't send him back to the Neitherworld. Since the Roadhouse was destroyed, he has nowhere to go," said Lydia. "He too can stay here with us. All superheroes have some sort of vehicle to get around in. And Doomie would be perfect. I mean, Dr. Notrub's hearse is okay. But it isn't a monster car that can fight alongside us. No offense, doc," said Beetlejuice. "None taken. I think it's a great idea. I just have one question, Beetlejuice. Exactly what does happen when something evil does set foot on my hill?" asked Dr. Notrub.
Then they heard yelling from up above them. Suddenly, Mecha-Reaper fell out of the sky in front of them. "Looks like we'll find out soon enough," said Lydia.
Mecha-Reaper groaned as he got up. "Jetpack run out of fuel, eh Reaper?" asked Beetlejuice with a chuckle. "Beetlejuice? I though I left you fighting that car creature known as Doomie?" asked the mechanical ghost hunter. "We have stopped Doomie and removed that creature your master implanted in his head. I've also got some of my powers back by draining that little creature," said Beetlejuice.
"You discovered the Mind Infester and extracted it?" asked Mecha- Reaper in a surprised tone. "So that's what it's called: Mind Infester. Well, we know exactly how to deal with them now. So you can just tell your boss that we're ready for him the next time he unleashes something into Sleepy Hollow," stated Dr. Notrub.
"I'll fix all of you. Master will be pleased that I finish all of you and bring Beetlejuice to him. Prepare to fight!" roared Mecha-Reaper as he charged at Beetlejuice and his posse with his scythe.
But before he could attack, something rather peculiar happened. One of the trees had turned into a gnarled hand, grabbed Mecha-Reaper and lifted him off the ground. "Hey! What's going on?" asked Mecha-Reaper in a panicked voice.
The tree proceeded to smash Mecha-Reaper against the ground and then started to pass it along the other trees that had undergone a similar transformation. "Those trees will carry him along until they toss him over the wall. I expect the gargoyles will pull a similar reaction when an evil being even tries to enter the gates," said Beetlejuice with a laugh. "Amazing. The behavior of those trees was reminiscent of Sam Raimi's movie The Evil Dead," said Dr. Notrub. "We'll definitely be safer here now that we have attacking trees and gargoyles," said Lydia.
"Today's been a good day. Our Spooky Hero equipment worked out great and we achieved our first victory. Let's go in and have a celebratory dinner in honor of the start of the Spooky Heroes," said Dr. Notrub. The four friends walked toward the door of the mansion.
Lydia started to giggle. "What's so funny, Lydia?" asked Beetlejuice. "I'm just thinking of what's going to happen to Mecha-Reaper when he goes back to Dr. Grim's hideout. He's going to be pretty testy," said Lydia.
In the meantime, a battered and damaged Mecha-Reaper had hobbled back to the building where Dr. Grim's lair was. The wall slid to the side in front of him and he stepped in. Dr. Grim was standing in front of him with an angry expression on his face.
"Please, Master. I can understand you're a little testy with me about what happened today," said Mecha-Reaper. "Testy? Why would I be testy, Mecha-Reaper? Because you let me down in the battle today and accidentally shocked that Jaguar that was doing such a good job? Besides the fact that I've lost a valuable ally in my quest for world conquest. Surprisingly, Mecha-Reaper, I'm not testy," said Dr. Grim. "You're not?" asked Mecha-Reaper sounding relieved.
"No. I'm furious!" yelled Dr. Grim as he picked up a length of metal pipe and ran at Mecha-Reaper. Mecha-Reaper ran away from his crazed master. "We'll get them next time, Master! I'm sure," said Mecha-Reaper as he ran. "You better hope that we do or the beating I'm going to give to you will be twice as much as what I am going to give you now!" yelled Mecha- Reaper. The evil doctor continued to chase his robotic servant all around his lair. Dr. Grim had a good reason to be angry knowing that he had been defeated by the new protectors of Sleepy Hollow and the world: the Spooky Heroes!
The End.for now
Note: Not quite what you expected, eh? But I like superhero stories and I just decided to make Beetlejuice into one. I just want to say a few words. Thanks for reading my stories and I'm sure to have the next one up soon. Anyway, how many of you want to see Beetlejuice on TV again? I want to start up a writing campaign. Canadian viewers write to Teletoon and U.S. viewers writers write to Cartoon Network. It might not work. But we can try until our favorite ghoul is back. Also, are any of you good readers good fanart artists? I'm not much of a drawer. But if any of you would like to make illustrations for my stories, feel free to do so and e-mail me a copy. Thanks and stay tuned for the next Spooky Heroes story, Ghoul in the School.