"Pete the Magik Dragon'

Chapter the Sixth

By GirlX2

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This is the Finial Chapter, but don't despair! I have two more Magik stories int he works!

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The scientist shielded his eyes against the bright light as he opened the door. He took a tentative step forward. He gasped as the began to fall.

'Shit!' Peter panicked. The light faded, and he saw a cold gray floor rushing up to greet him. He closed his eyes and braced for impact.

It never came.

Peter slowly opened one eye. The ground had stopped rushing at him. He looked around, perplexed as to what hat halted his decent. He looked skyward, and his eyes widened.

Smaller versions of his dragon wings were attached to his now human back, along with a tail.

'Oookay…' Peter shrugged and landed. 'I'm not gonna complain about something that saved my life.'

The psychologist looked around. The entire placed looked like an empty lab. The metallic gray floor extended infinitely in all directions. Here and there, tables and other apparatus were placed. There were no walls, just a gray fog. Peter sighed. Wherever Egon was, it wasn't in his sightline.

"Egon?" He called cautiously. He began to walk forward, his tail hissing over the floor behind him. "Spengs, its me. Where are you?"

His wings flexed uneasily. It was far to quiet. The human mind-even Egon's mind-couldn't be this sterile and devoid of random thought.

Suddenly a choked cry emerged from the fog.

"Egon!" Peter yelled and began to run towards the noise. He stopped abruptly, then took to the air.

'Stupid stupid stupid! You can fly ten times faster than you could ever run! Keep making mistakes like that, and you're as good as dead.'

Peter flew quickly, skimming the medical equipment. A hazy figure appeared in the fog. Peter pulled up short and dropped to the ground.

"Egon?" He cautiously approached the figure. It stumbled and fell.

"No!" Peter hurried forward and bent over the face-down figure. It was dressed in a Ghostbusters's uniform. He turned it over. His own mangled face stared back at him. Peter stood up quickly, struggling not to retch. The face-his face-was beaten to a bloody pulp. Even as he watched, the grim specter disappeared.

'Okay Petey, lets just assume that's part of the torture, and not a preview of things to come.' Peter shivered. He noticed a trail of blood stretching into the mist. He shuddered, but began to follow it. The red streak was vanishing, but more slowly than the 'body' had.

Peter's eyes widened. He'd found Egon.

The blond was strapped into a chair with knobs all over it. They were positioned just far enough apart to dig into flesh and support no weight. If Egon so much as shuddered, it would cause excruciating pain.

In front of the scientist, Peter saw himself, Winston, Ray and Janine. Each specter was being subjected to horrible torture, and begging for Egon's help. Peter had to restrain himself from helping his 'friends'. 'Janine' screamed. Peter shuddered as blood began to gush onto the floor.

Egon sat twisted violently in the chair. Tears flowed steadily down his cheeks from unblinking eyes. Blood was smeared around the straps on his wrists.

'The straps are cutting into him!' Peter thought, alarm flooding his system. He rushed to the taller man's side, even as the figures of his friends fell in death agonies.

"Egon, its me." Peter stood in front of the man, hoping to block the visions. "Its alright buddy. See?"

Egon said nothing, but slowly tipped his head upward. His eyes locked onto Peter's.

"Peter?" The word was a strangled croak.

"I'm getting you outta here." Peter began to un-strap the man.

"You died…You're up there dying-" Egon stammered.

"No, that isn't me." Peter started on the leg restraints. "None of this is real, Spengs."

Egon closed his eyes. "The others?"

"They're fine." Peter stood and helped Egon off the devilish chair. "Those things up there are fake."

Egon shuddered as the images were back in view. Peter quickly turned the man around.

"Don't listen." Peter said quietly. "I know how horrible it is, but its not real."

"What's going on?" Egon finally managed.

"The Wiz put the whammy on you. This is all his doing."

"How do we-" Egon stammered as the screams grew louder. "-How do we stop this?"

"You believe me that this isn't real?" Peter placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes. If this was real, you'd be helping them. Not to mention, you wouldn't have wings." Egon attempted a smile, but couldn't.

"That's all Dena told me to do. You should be waking up." Peter said.

"Waking up?"

"All in your mind, big guy." Peter's arm swept over the landscape.

Egon shook his head. "No. No, that can't be. Why would I do that to Ray and Winston? And Janine is…"

Peter instantly realized his mistake. "Its not-"

Egon sat heavily on the ground. He hid his face in his hands.

"No. God no." The blond moaned. "Please God, make it STOP…"

"Egon, you're not doing this, it's the guy who captured me! His name is Merdaf, he's a wizard." Peter placed his hands on Egon's shoulders. "He did this to you. You're not in control."

"Me. You said." Egon shook his head. He began to rock back and forth, a complete breakdown imminent.

"Egon Spengler, if you truly believe you could do this to us, then you should stay here!" Peter had reached his own breaking point.

Egon stopped moving. Slowly, he lowered his hands.

"I don't want to stay here." Egon said in a childlike whisper.

"Do you believe you could ever do this to us?" Peter said quietly.

"No."

"Damn right, no." Peter said. "Like I keep saying: You're being manipulated magically. This isn't in your control."

"But-"

"No buts Spengs." Peter pulled him to his feet. "Any doubt and both of us are stuck here."

Egon gulped and nodded. "Now what?"

"Now we get the hell outta here." Peter placed an arm around the man's shoulders.

-

Ray paced nervously. "How long does this kind of thing take?"

'Time flows differently within the mind.' Dena replied crypicially.

"Thanks." Winston muttered.

Egon's state hadn't changed in the last twenty minutes. Peter had fallen into a similar trance. Winston sighed.

"I don't suppose you can at least help us get that bracelet of Pete once he wakes up?"

Dena nodded. 'Yes, I have a potion that will remove it. Once Peter awakes the fair-haired one, I'll fetch it.'

Ray nodded. "They'll be okay right?"

'Peter will recover quickly. The trapped one will require time to overcome what he's experienced.'

"But he'll be okay?"

'Many never fully recover from such attacks. I believe the bond you four share may be enough to fully cure him. In time.'

Ray gulped, holding back tears. "None of your magic can help?"

'I'm sorry. This is outside even my power.'

"What about him?" Winston jerked a thumb at the still unconscious Merdaf. "He caused all this."

'No. Merdaf only brings pain and harm. Besides, he will perish soon.'

"What?"

'The young one did much harm.' She indicated Ray. 'For all his skill, Merdaf was unable to fend of such blows.'

Ray paled. "I…"

"You couldn't help it Ray. You were protecting Egon." Winston laid a hand on the redhead's shoulder. "You did the right thing."

Ray nodded, but his expression was clouded.

Dena watched the two carefully. They had their own gifts. She shook her head slightly. Hopefully, their gifts would never come to light. Especially the young one. His gift had surfaced slightly, and with it, he had dealt Merdaf the death blow.

There was a noise. Her attention was drawn back to Peter. He was moving.

'Peter?'

'Ugg…'

Ray and Winston both perked up.

"Pete?"

'Mmm…'

Egon coughed. Ray was instantly kneeling at his side.

"Egon? Are you okay?"

'Ray?' Egon's tone sounded odd in the other's head.

"Yeah, its me." Ray broke into a grin.

Wordlessly, Egon wrapped his arms around the younger man. Ray hugged him back.

"Its okay." He said quietly. Egon's body shook with silent sobs.

Winston watched as Peter slowly opened his eyes.

'Zedd?'

"Yeah Pete?"

'Tell Dena that that sucked.'

Winston grinned. "Welcome back."

'I'll fetch the elixir from the castle.' Dena said in her usual cool tones, then took to the air.

'What elixir?' Peter groaned and got to his feet.

"One that'll get that bracelet off you so we can go home." Winston informed him.

'Oh yeah…In there I looked relatively human.' Peter jerked his head at Egon.

"How you doing Egon?" Winston asked.

Egon just shook his head.

'It was rough. He's gonna need some time.' Peter said.

Winston nodded. "Dena said as much."

Egon slowly rose to his feet.

'Can we go home?'

"Yes, as soon as Dena gets back. She's got something to remove that bracelet, so Peter will be back to normal." Ray told him.

Egon nodded. He looked at Peter.

'Thank you.'

Peter started slightly at the private communication. 'Not at all Spengs. You'd do the same for me.'

'You won't tell them?'

'Not if you don't want me to. Doctor-Patient confidentiality. I am a psychologist, after all.'

The other two Ghostbusters watched the silent conversation.

"You think we'll ever be able to do that?" Winston whispered.

"I don't know." Ray replied. "I kind of hope the situation never comes up."

Winston nodded." Lets just worry about getting Egon well."

-

Egon had said very little (nothing at all verbally) since Peter had awoken him. Ray had peppered the air with chatter in an attempt to simulate normalcy. Dena joined them as they made their way back to the cave.

'I won't cause you anymore trouble. I journeyed to your time to seek brief reprieves Merdaf. Now I won't need to.'

Ray nodded. "Not hard to understand why you wanted to get away."

Dena extracted a small vial from the folds of her wings. 'This will remove the bracelet. I'll keep it here so no more of your kind will use it.'

"Great. We can finally get home. God, Janine must be worried sick." Winston said.

'Thanks Dena.' Peter said, 'How do I…?'

'Pour it onto the bracelet.'

"I've got it." Ray took the vial and uncorked it. He began to pour a greenish oil onto the circlet.

"Um, Pete, maybe you should get behind a bush first…" Winston began to remove his jumpsuit, revealing a sleeveless tee shirt and kaki pants. "There a woman in our midst, after all."

'I've never seen the human anatomy up close.' Dena replied.

'And you're not gonna now.' Peter said, shifting his scaly form behind a cluster of bushes. As he did, the bracelet slid off his arm.

Peter's transformation began almost immediately. The other Ghostbusters watched in amazement as Peter began to shrink. The scales re-formed into soft, pink flesh. Brown hair lifted from his scalp. The fearsome claws receded into normal nails. The tail shrank to nothing. Finally, the bat-like wings vanished. Peter opened his eyes, his pupils remaining cat-like for just a moment. As they became round, he grinned toothily.

"I'm back."

-

After a hasty change into Winston's uniform, the four Ghostbusters stood in front of the portal. Peter had an arm locked firmly around Egon's shoulders. The taller man was slouched over slightly; whether from exhaustion or stress, Peter couldn't tell.

'There is a book that may help your friend recover from Merdaf's attack. It is called 'The Tome of the Unknowable'. Merdaf possessed it once, but it was stolen from him.' Dena told Peter.

'Thanks Dena.' Peter thought. His eyes widened as Dena nodded. 'You heard me? I can still-I'm able to-'

'Yes. You had a telepathic talent long before your transformation, but only after did it come to light. Use it well Peter. It will aid your friend's recovery.'

'Two telepaths. This is gonna make life a lot more interesting around the firehouse.' Peter chuckled aloud.

"You ready Peter?" Ray broke the brunette's concentration.

"Uh, yeah Ray. C'mon Egon, lets get outta here.'

'Alright.' Egon's reply was broadcast to everyone present. Winston and Ray traded uneasy glances.

"I guess this is goodbye Dena."

'Perhaps.' Dena said with a strange smile.

Ray was the first to disappear into the wall. Winston followed. Egon began to tremble slightly.

Peter gave Egon's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. 'It's alright pal. We'll be together again in two seconds.'

Egon gulped and nodded. They stepped forward together, vanishing.

Dena nodded sagely.

'I may yet see them.'

-

The treasure had been removed from their side of the cave. Peter sighed wistfully.

"We'd better get up to the house and call Janine. She's probably worried."

"We were only gone two days. I've been on dates that have lasted longer." Peter replied.

'Two days?' Egon's voice filtered into Peter's mind.

'Uh, yeah Egon.' Peter replied. Ray and Winston walked ahead, unaware of the conversation. 'You were only out for about a half hour.'

'When I was…I was alone for longer than that.' Egon's tone had gone odd.

'Dena said time was different in the mind. How long did it seem to be?' Peter asked gently.

Egon's eyes remained on the floor. 'A very long time.'

'How long Egon?'

Egon didn't reply.

'How long?'

'A year.'

Peter stopped in mid step. 'A year? He made you sit in that chair and watch that for a year?'

Egon shook his head slowly. 'That wasn't all.'

Before Peter could probe deeper, Ray began to yell. Peter grabbed Egon by the wrist and ran toward the sound.

Ray was standing next to a police officer. Winston was telling him something-most likely an abbreviated version of what had happened. In the distance, Peter spotted another red-head, rapidly making her way towards them.

"Janine!"

'Where?' Egon's head snapped up. Janine had caught up to Ray and Winton, and was hugging them. Egon started forward, quickly. Peter ran after the taller man.

'Janine!' Egon's cry caught the secretary's attention. She let go of the others.

"Egon, you're o-" Egon engulfed her in a hug before she could finish.

Peter finally reached the happy muddle. "Don't I get a hug Melnitz?"

"Dr. Venkman!" Janine squealed, breaking free from Egon's grasp. "What the heck happened to you guys?"

'Quite a bit, actually.' Egon's telepathic reply startled her. She turned back to face him.

"Egon?"

Egon replied neither verbally, nor mentally, but tears began to flow down his cheeks. Janine's amazement was quickly tuning to fear.

"Dr. Venkman, what's going on?"

"Later Janine. For now, lets just get outta here. We'll send Mr. Peterson the Bill." Peter replied, anxious to get out of the woods. Janine nodded, and took Egon's hand.

"Lets go home."

-

Something shifted in the dark gloom. A pair of fiery eyes opened.

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The End…of the Beginning.