Episode 4: BLAZING RABBIT SPEED!

LAST EPISODE: Harutora Daisuke went to talk to his neighbor and aided in a medical situation, then the local government officials came by for some face-to-face time. Forms were completed and threats were made. Then the Ghostbusters went out to eat, where their meal was interrupted by a Seto Taisho. It was a numerous problem, but solved in traditional Ghostbuster style.

On an unrelated note, the money that came in from the Karaoke Parlor, and the Okiku Job has been all but spent.

On the plus side, the diner 'Miyagi's' is getting some much needed renovation and improvement!

* * *
"I do not see how it is such a large thing that you have done." Dr. Kylie Griffin says to you, as you carefully walk down the maintenance tunnel.

"Well, it's a cultural thing." You say. "Plus, it turned out to be a Big Lie that supported a bunch of little lies and it was like a chain of dominoes. Hang on, have to check in, Team Three to YOMI, no change, anything with the others?"

"Akira and Sato just checked in before you." Kawasagi Sakura AKA 'Star' says. "All clear, you are free to continue forward to the next room."

"This place does smell very peculiar." Dr. Griffin says. You have to admit, her Japanese has been getting better. You're going to be sorry to see her go in a few days.

But yes, she is right, it DOES smell weird here. Not bad, just weird. But you really don't want to know exactly WHAT that smell is after all, you're under a Love Hotel. A Love Hotel that's not even that nice of one. And the basement/maintenance tunnels of 'Champagne Dreams,' is even less nice. The floor is slightly sticky and there are leaky pipes over head. You don't want to know a large number of things.

You'd rather not be here in the first place, but you need the money, and beggars can't be too choosy. Also, only places like this, and the very desperate, seem to be willing to call you. So you're beggars with limited options.

Alright, you've got a few doors. The PKE Meter is still just hovering above zero. You have to find whatever it is that's been soaping the mirrored ceilings, and causing the beds to rotate a foot off the air.

You carefully open the door to Janitorial, Dr. Griffin has her custom proton pistol ready.

Nothing jumps out at you, and all you see are clears, mops, wheeled mop buckets, lots of sanitizer, and those 'sanitized and seal for your protection' paper strips they put around toilets here.

"So, Dr. Griffin, I'm a virtual untouchable to the standard University system in Japan; do you think it would be worth it to finish my degrees by correspondence courses abroad. Does GBI have any tuition assistance/incentive programs?" You ask.

Dr. Griffin nods. "Of a sort, how many credits do you have completed here, as a person in college studying?"

"Not exactly sure if it's the same as in America, but enough...I think." You say.

"Well, if you have enough and after enough time of being in the Ghostbuster employment, you can transfer and use those credits and get a full doctorate like myself." She says.

"A full doctorate? Seriously?"

"Yes, in Parapsycology, or Ectoplasmic Theory, or general Paranormal Studies." She says. "Ghostbusters are the only formally recognized group that can list those studies as being our doctorates, and have them be supported by both New York University and Miskatonic University."

"Oh." You say. The fleeting ghost of regaining your old life has once again been blasted into smithereens by a boson dart.

"It is an honor. We have in our organization many individuals who have doctorates. Renaldo has three...though I think it is so the idiot can enjoy forcing people to actually call him 'Dr. Dr. Dr. Renaldo.' Ugh, he is very..." She sighs. "But normally the only other place to gain such a title is Miskatonic, and they almost NEVER let anyone take classes there. Very very exclusive school."

"Huh." You say as you look at the PKE meter.

"Team Three to Team One." You say. "Scanned Janitorial, nary a blip."

"Roger, Team Three...waiting for Team One." Star says. "Maybe we'll get lucky and this'll just be a Scan Job."

"Are you and Yurei listening to Rush's 2112?" You ask. "Again?!"

"You guys said I couldn't listen to it any more when YOU were in the van. Now it's just a gal and a ghoul with good taste!" She snaps. "And anyway, I caved and let you all listen to 'Sports' on the way here, right? Let me have some CULTURE! And for the last time, we are NOT listening to Guns and Ro-hold on..."

"She should talk." Dr. Griffin says. "Appetite For Destruction is VERY cultured!"

"All's well in laundry. You may proceed." She says. "And I will ONLY acknowledge the ability of Slash and the opening to Sweet Child of Mine. The rest is screechy trash!"

"Don't insult my native culture you foreign devil!" Dr. Griffin snaps.

"I don't have to, it does it FOR me." She snaps.

"Ugh." Dr. Griffin turns off the walkie with an exaggerated groan, but she's smiling. "Why does Yurei like that 80s music too?"

"She said that it's something about the Factory." You say. "Her Chyme works better when she plays that stuff."

"The Dumpling Factory was owned by Star's Uncle, yes?" She asks. "He was a man of the 80s, yes? Hmm...could be a residual morphogenic field memory that's allowing Yurei greater PKE control. I'll consult Dr. Spengler on it."

The whole gimmick of this place is how you can get Champagne to your room in an instant. In any amount.

Glass, bottle, bathtub, a 10-minute shower of it, whatever. All it takes is the right surplus of money and the right lack of taste.

So naturally, they have a large refrigerated room with bottles upon bottles of the stuff.

"This is cheap sparkling wine." Dr. Griffin says as she examines a bottle. "This is one step away from being served within a box."

"I think I see boxes of the stuff too." You say. "The bottles may be for show."

You can see your breath. Normally a give-away sign, but this is a refrigerated room.

"So you think you or anyone else from Central will come back here, or are we on our own?" You ask.

"I know Miss Melnitz has been eager to come here and claim that it is a working holiday. Also, I would not mind coming back myself." Dr. Griffin says. "But, I plan on going to Ghostbusters: London first, they have their hands full already."

"So do we." You say.

She laughs. "Yes, oh, you'll probably have to deal with PAGAN soon, once they get an internet foothold here."

"PAGAN? People Against Good And Niceness?" You ask. (Damn Star and her movie nights!)

She laughs. "No, People Against Ghost Assault Nationwide...they may have to change it, now that we're outside the US."

"What are they?"

She laughs. "A ghost right's group. Think Anti-P-COC...but JUST as annoying."

"Team Three to Team One. All clean in the Champagne Storage room."

"Damn, lost the bet." Star says. "Alright, the others are in the Kitchen, waiting to hear from them."

"So any other place you'd like to see before you leave?" You ask. Dr. Griffin's done a few of the tourist things, but mostly it's been work.

"Well...I'm interested in the Tokyo Tower, but I think that'd be tempting fate. A Ghostbuster AND the Tokyo Tower together? Last thing I need is ANOTHER apocalypse."

You roll your eyes. "You know, that's not the tallest place in Tokyo anymore, right?"

"Guys!" Star's back on. "Daisuke won the bet. The spook's in the kitchen."

"Yes! Told you those places were death traps!" You say.

"We're on our way!" Dr. Griffin says.

The two of you hurry through the halls into the other wing, and head to the kitchen. Drawing wands and charging up.

Akira and Sato are pointing their wands at the doors of a large full-size freezer. You check, three full red bars. Okay, nothing serious. You can handle this.

The door flings open and the ghost lunges out. It's got a 'skeleton' of champagne bottles and various kitchen junk, and caked on top of that frame is...cake.

Cakes, mousse, marzipan sheets, ice cream, and candied fruit all cover the thing. There's champagne and black slime oozing from it, along with dripping confectionary. Two kiwi halves make the thing's eyes, and a mouth of champagne cork teeth opens up to spew a spray that's a mix of champagne, melted dessert, and black slime at you all.

You've all been slimed.

The Dessert Ghost flings a champagne bottle at your head.

It misses.

You hit it with the slime blower.

Sadly, it seems that all the slime does is cover some of the ghost's 'flesh.'

Sato follows suit with the slime blower, and Akira and Dr. Griffin go with a proton beam. They're all the same, effective but nothing amazing.

Dr. Griffin's experience is showing. Her beam from her proton gun nails the creep. It lunges across the floor away from the attack, and spits a machine gun stream of corks at her.

You try to slime it again.

HSSSSST! A sizzling sound as green slime and black slime make contact. You see the thermic reaction burn that tasty fucker.

"Let's send this 'ombre home in a doggy bag!" Akira says.

"Eh, six out of ten." Sato says.

"Eat me, oh keeper of 'Ancient Wisdom.' Just shoot!" He snaps back.

The other three open fire.

Again, the other two men miss but Kylie's a dead shot. Well...near dead-shot but close enough.

The Dessert Ghost hurls a champagne bottle at your head.

Again, no problem dodging that.

Dessert ghost isn't looking too hot. Still strong, but it's firm bottle skeleton isn't so firm. The thing's starting to melt into a giant mass of sugar, carbohydrates, and cheap sparkling wine that was, most likely, NOT made in a specific region of France.

You continue to slime the thing as Dr. Griffin keeps her beam steady

Eh, it's not having the same kind of impact as it did from before.

The other two open fire and Dr. Griffin attempts to hold her beam steady.

She Misses and the thing breaks free again.

It shoots another bottle at Kylie's head.

PANG!

OW. That look like it hurt.

She waves it off, but half of her face is going to be one giant bruise after this.

Nail that fucker with a Boson Dart.

SPLORCH! Half of the room is now covered in a mess of slime, champagne, and dessert mash.

There's a pulsing light within the center of the remaining mass.

"Trap out!" Dr. Griffin says as she tosses a trap and the others all switch to capture stream.

The ghost tries to break free, but it's been blasted to high hell and back. It'll take a lucky break for it to get free.

It almost gets a little bit free but, no. The light sphere/humanoid-esque figure is sucked within the trap and it snaps shut.

The rest of the dessert ghost collapses into a mass of sweet, sudsy, sludge; covering the kitchen floor.

"Do they have an ice pack?" Kylie asks.

A reluctantly given check later, you're all driving back to the Dumpling Factory. Still covered in champagne/dessert goop. (The black slime has sizzled away) Dr. Griffin is lying down in the back with an ice pack on her face, and several more of the things in the van.

"We didn't have to take them all." Sato says.

"They offered." Akira says.

"You know...we should look into getting some better protective gear." You say. "Like helmets, or shoulder pads like Dr. Griffin has."

"Helmets can be a risky thing." Dr. Griffin groans. "Renaldo once went in wearing a helmet, and it almost deafened him. Vibrations and resonance. Also my armor took months of adjustment. I suggest starting small, and build up until you can't handle the side-effects."

"Okay, thanks." Akira said. "We'll work on that."

Huey Lewis and the News play on as Akira continues to drive like a lunatic. "So, Star." You ask. "Is there a reason you're so into the 80s? I mean, when were you born? 84, 85?"

"84." She says. "Mother and Father both worked. A lot. My Uncle had already been hit bad by the burst of the bubble, so he offered to watch me. My folks couldn't afford much or send me to a day care or one of the better cram schools that give care for young kids. So, Uncle Ryoji raised me." She smiles. "And he showed me everything about his glory days. Music, tv, video games, everything. He actually had an old Atari system." She shakes her head. "I'm not an idiot, I know that there were plenty of bad things about those days. My Uncle was an example of a lot of them...but...there was a lot of fun things present. Especially for a little girl who couldn't afford many toys, so Uncle's VCR tapes of subtitled Isis episodes, and the old spider-man knockoff show with the mecha, they became important to me." She sighs. "Things were good for a while, and Uncle got back on his feet...almost." She looks down. "Then Father got a promotion and moved out to the sticks. Uncle couldn't come with, and then..." She makes a gesture with her hands. "I miss him a lot."

YOMI-1 pulls into the Dumpling Factory, and you all pile out, sticky and still slightly dripping.

"First dibs on the shower!" Star says as she walks through the factory floor, heading to the 'bathroom' that has the emergency chemical shower. (with eye rinse)

"Right behind you." Dr. Griffin says.

"Hey, Akira!" Sana, your secre-Operations Manager shouts. "Your damn horse is on the roof again!"

"So?" Akira asks.

"So get it down, or else it's going to get us in trouble!"

"Well, did you ASK her if she WANTED to come down?" He snaps.

"Yes, and if you don't get Musashi right now, you're going to find the answer she gave me in your bed! The whole steaming response!" She says.

"Alright, alright." He grumbles and heads for the roof.

"Umm, Sana?" Sato asks. "Who are these people?"

There's three schoolgirls sitting in the chairs at the 'waiting area.' (Sana has put a few chairs around a giant industrial mixing bowl you flipped over, and put some magazines on top of the bowl's flat bottom.) They're idly leafing through the fashion magazines, and one of them is looking up at you.

"I dunno." Sana says. "I look, there's nothing there. I look again, they're sitting there. I asked them if they wanted anything. They asked for Fiji Water, I said we only had tap. They said they were 'Fine, then.' Other than that, I assumed they were YOUR problem." She says, handing Sato some paperwork. "Now, you're back, and I have to go see if I'm a suitable face to sell dental floss. Later!" She walks out.

"Uhh..." Sato looks at you for help, a glob of whipped cream falls off from the side of his face and onto the ground.

"Sato, stow the packs and go get cleaned up. You look like a walking sundae. I'll say hello." You say.

"I think with the cake lumps I qualify more as a parfait." He says.

"Unless you want a blueberry topping the same kind that Dr. Griffin got, you'll stop being a smart ass and go." You say.

"Jerk." Sato says with a smile and heads off.

You wipe marzipan glaze out of your hair and walk up to the girls.

They're ko-gals, dressed in designer clothes, at-least fifty-dollar haircuts, make-up that probably cost more than your entire wardrobe, and one of them is texting on the very latest kind of smartphones. Apparently, these are very successful ko-gals, and it's not hard to see why.

These girls are pretty much a showcase of the 'ideal' of young, Japanese, female companions. One of them's in a modified school girl uniform, with the skirt too high and the shirt too tight, floppy socks and designer shoes. A Gucci bag hanging from one shoulder, pigtails, and an honest to God lollipop in her mouth.

The next one is all bad-girl. Spiky dyed hair, a leather jacket, bikini top, and no shirt. Tight, very tight, jeans, designer sunglasses, and top of the line running shoes. Piercings, and she's crewing a piece of gum.

The third one, is a queen bee type. Bracelets and earrings. A designer pair of shorts, high heeled sandals that lace up to her knees, a blouse that probably cost more than YOMI-1 did. Perfectly applied make-up, and her nails are very very red.

All three girls also have a single streak of white in their hair, in the same place.

Also, you can hear your PKE meter going off at your side. A glance down sees a full five bar reaction, solid green.

"Ladies." You say as you wipe off some more of the gunk off your face. "So...what brings you to our establishment?"

The queen bee kogal walks up to you. "This is Ghostbusters, yes? Where can we sign up for patronage?"

"We're actually doing this?" The bad girl puts down her phone and scowls. "Yumi," The Bad Girl says to the Queen Bee. "I thought you said that these people were powerful. They're mortals, they're covered in," She sniffs and makes a face. "Cheap champagne, and this place is a dump!"

You hear squishing behind you and you see Akira, still covered in syrup, walk past. "The girls are out, right? Okay, I'm going to get hosed off...and I don't care if Sato's in there. This stuff is starting to harden and it's seeping into personal spaces! He can share the damn shower!" He rants as he walks past the four of you without pausing.

The three kogals just stare for a moment. The schoolgirl giggles a little. Then they turn back to you.

"So, there's a form or something?" Yumi asks.

"Akira, where's the horse?" You ask.

"Musashi's fine. She's out back." Akira says.

"You have a female horse named Musashi?" The school Girl asks.

"No, we don't!" Akira snaps. "And if anyone ASKS about it, you HAVEN'T seen one! Ugh...this is chafing."

"Yumi?" The school Girl asks the Queen Bee. "You're SURE this is okay?"

"Okay, so what ARE you?" You ask. "I mean other than Ko-gals and NOT hookers."

"Cute." Yumi says. "Well, as you heard. I'm Yumi, "That's Rini, and that's Chi-chi." She points to the schoolgirl and bad-girl in turn. Yumi sighs. "Can we skip to business? I mean Patron, Supplicant, Acolyte. Whatever word you want to use. I just need to get me and my girls under a name." She sighs. "Plus, we all have dates later."

"You sure this is what's best for the warren?" Chi-chi says. "Chitika says that her gals are-"

"Those foxes only say things between sucking cocks." Yumi snaps. "This is us getting out in front of the herd."

"What herd?" You ask. "And what exactly ARE you?"

"Kemono rabbit spirits." Chi-chi says. "Wasn't it obvious? Tch, mortals..."

"We're grouped with Kitsune and Tanuki." Rini says. "Although we're FAR better than those losers."

"Kyuubi?" Chi-chi says.

"Sociopath sluts." Rini says. You get the feeling that you're listening to a known routine.

"Tanuki?" Chi-chi asks.

"Redneck gluttons." Rini says.

"So what does that make your kind?" You ask.

"Stylish...didn't you notice the Gucci Bag?" Yumi says.

"I thought it was weird that a Yokai wore Chanel No. 5." You say.

"Well, I know it can't compare with Eau de Marzipan that YOU have...but seriously can we sign or do we need to draw blood?"

"We have know just what prospective clients are after. Company policy." You say. "So, what kind of pact are you talking about?"

A pause. "You seriously don't know?"

"Apparently yes."

"You're a part of a global organization of shamans that have destroyed Gods, Magi, Forgotten Ones, Elder Gods, a rouge part of the Bermuda triangle, and Legion Class demons. You have created one of the most feared Penal Realms, and all of you have the ability to end the world, strapped to your backs. All of that, and You. Don't. Know." She pauses. "Wow. Umm...yeah. Okay..." She laughs a little to herself. "Alright, umm...where to begin..."

"The Hyaku Monogatari is beginning." Rini says. "Most yurei and yokai are either going to ground or asking shamans for protection."

"We saw the news story about how you Ghostbusters were here, and we'd figured we get in now, and skip the later rush."

"The Hyaku Monogatari?" You ask. "The game with the scary stories and the candles?"

They all shake their head. "No. It's...well yes, we called it that, but that's because it's One Hundred nights long before..." Chi-chi shivers.

"Before what?" You ask.

"Before there's an Event, and we would really REALLY prefer it if you didn't ask us about the Event, because Yokai who talk about it, usually end up very VERY dead." Yumi says.

"So, has it begun?" You ask.

"No." Chi-chi laughs. "Not by a LONG shot. These little ghosts are the...what do you call them? The little fish that swim along big fish and pick off bits of their kills? Yeah. The One Hundred Moons isn't until next month."

"So, before every Fox, Raccoon, and Umbrella is knocking down your door begging for protection, can we get in early? Maybe even with a discount? It's easier to survive the One Hundred Moons if it's known that you have a Shaman backing you."

"Daisuke?" Star asks as she comes out, dressed in her usual casual 80s garb.

The rabbits all choke back laughter at the sight of her.

You narrow your eyes. Okay, and there went your good will.

"Let's talk rates. Star? Could you go get Dr. Griffin for me? She should probably be here."

"Okay."

It takes a bit, and you have to repeat to yourself that this is a form of insurance, NOT 'protection.' But these girls have NO lack of money from their 'dates.' So you've been pulling out everything from the handbook.

"So...does Sentient Fire get covered by Fire Insurance or Creature Insurance?" You ask Akira.

"Right now...I'm more worried about Life Insurance." Akira says. "I asked around, Sachiko wasn't lying. She's been giving payouts to the cops, some gangs, and a politician. If the money dries up, everyone in the Reject Zone is going to be in a lot of trouble."

"So, we're extorting protection money from Yokai, so that humans can extort protection money from us?" You ask.

"Well...if we want to take up Sachiko's role." Akira says. "Nothing saying we can't just let the rest of the Zone go."

"So, if you want our FULL Water protection package, you'll have to sign here to cover not just Japan, but International Waters as well." You say. "This is for legal purposes, of course."

"Remember the Shaman who only was asking for your first born child?" Rini asks Yumi. "Is it too late to go back to him?"

"YOU are my first born child!" Yumi snaps. (They look the same damn age.)

"I know! That fucker just wanted my flesh and soul. And you KNOW we could have out ran him." She points at the large stack of paperwork. "No out running THIS legal nightmare!"

"Found it!" Dr. Griffin says from her research station. "The Hyaku Monogatari Tsukimi. Known as the Nights of Blood, The Dark Times, Shadow Moons. It's a period that ties into a lunar conjunction. Apparently, starting next month, after a hundred days, Luna, Phobos, Deimos, Callisto, Io, Titan, Iapetus, Oberon, Umbriel, and Triton will all be in alignment...oh Pluto too."

"Does Pluto still count?" Sato asks.

"Well no one told the moons that Pluto was downgraded. Or maybe Pluto told the moons and they are upset with us about it." Dr. Griffin says. "Anyway, this conjunction is apparently going to cause wild PKE fluctuations on a massive level." She nods. "Twinkies for everyone." She mutters under her breath. "And for once, New York is NOT the focus of this Conjunction. Because it'll be Midnight HERE when the moons are in alignment." She nods. "This has happened before, most other times it was over the ocean so no big deal, but the last time this occurred..." She pauses.

"Who is Oiwa?"

The Rabbit Girls all pause. They're frozen, eyes wide with terror. Rini isn't breathing.

"It's..." Yumi swallows. "It's okay. It's okay. She's a mortal. She's a shaman. She can say...names." She looks up at you. "But PLEASE, do NOT say that name again around us. PLEASE!"

"Wait...her? The chick with the face?" You ask.

The Rabbits all nod.

"So...Dr. Griffin." You ask. "On a scale of Slimer to Gozer, how big of a Twinkie are we talking about?"

Dr. Griffin frowns, as she consults Tobin's, Spengler's, and a few old Japanese tomes that the others took with them from the farm. She looks up.

"Not...quite...Gozer." She says. "There will still be a landmass here. And buildings too, maybe some plant life and single-cell creatures, but anything with the capacity to think, or feel fear, or pain...will have a very bad night." She frowns. "But this isn't just you guys, these Hundred Nights are going to be unpleasant for everyone. But I don't see how this...named individual is involved?"

"Can I mama?" Rini asks.

Yumi nods.

"Alright, say there was a legend that was very familiar. About how a samurai poisoned his wife, and is disfigured her face. She came back and possessed his new wife, and caused the samurai to kill her."

"Yeah, we're familiar enough with the story of...that person." Star says. "Dressed up as her for Halloween once. I went to Tamiya Shrine first!"

"You really DO spit into the face of..." Rini shakes her head. "Alright, well...the story keeps going. Lady Ume, or Une, or Una...whatever the second wife's name was...her father was this powerful Lord. He grew terrified of the idea that the dead would have any influence over the living. He saw yurei everywhere he looked and he was filled with fear. So he summoned, and called out for all shamans, mikos, mystics, hunters, soldiers, and so forth...and he had them seal his land away."

"What do you mean?" You ask.

"I mean, all magic, all yurei, all yokai that didn't flee...they were hunted and captured, or just destroyed. It was a systematic collection of all the things that went bump in the night. They forced it all together in one mass of power. He didn't care that he was sitting upon a ticking bomb, he just wanted to feel safe, and paid his exorcists a lot for it."

All the Ghostbusters in the room instantly look back at the Containment Grid.

"Go on." You all say.

"Well, the Lord...he was petty and spiteful."

"The bitch had killed and tormented his daughter before making her husband kill her." Chi-chi says. "I would call that as being 'justifiably seeking revenge' personally."

"Well, whatever you call it. This Dark Mass of power, and spirits, and Shadow...he had his priests rip...The Ghost In Questions' Spirit...out from the peace of the afterlife, and he sealed that Dark Mass within her. To show that he was mightier than a spirit, and to cause her suffering and pain for the suffering he caused her."

"Wait. Wait. Wait." Seto says. "Someone took a vengeful spirit...that had JUST been appeased...and turned her into a Containment Unit?!"

Dr. Griffin goes pale. "That's a Legion Class Entity! No...that's a Legion Class Entity that was artificially created...that would cause a recursing cadence and...result in an ecto-plasmic manifold that rebound upon itself, as well as was a vortex to others!"

"Easier words or do you need a better translation?" Sato asks.

Dr. Griffin sighs. "Are you aware of what a 'Nanite Grey-Goo' nightmare scenario is?"

"Yeah."

"Think THAT but with ghosts on the spiritual world." She shakes her head. "Tell me they sealed her away!"

"They did, locked her away tight with several shrines, and they say even the Kami themselves sealed her." Rini shudders. "But Hyaku Monogatari Tsukimi approaches."

"Don't tell me she's breaking out!" Akira says.

"No! Oh, if that was happening, we'd kill ourselves now and skip the rush." Yumi says. "But a part of her will...and it'll seek out yokai and yurei. To feed. To fuel her rage. Just because she can. Humans will probably die too, but not many."

"These projections are worst case scenario." Dr. Griffin says. "If they're saying is that a Fragment of the Entity emerges...and...oh yeah, human death goes WAY down, but don't get attached to many dogs."

"Fragments of...Her...already exist in this world. Unstoppable killers." Rini says. "So, when the Last Night comes and Her Shadow walks across the Land of the Rising Sun by the Light of the Hundred Bloody Moons..."

"You guys really have names for everything, don't you?" Star asks.

"When that happens...we want to hide somewhere where we know we'll be safe...well safe-ER." Rini says. "I don't know why you, most of the other Yokai think you're a joke, and say you're nothing but con-art-"

"Enough, Rini!" Yumi says. She pats the pile of paper. "Mortals are safer from the Girl than others, and we have an agreement that you'll keep me and my warren safe when the time comes, correct?"

"We will provide our services." Akira says.

"Good. Now...I think that's the last form. Are we done? Like I said, we've all got some dates tonight, and we need to get our mind to happier things.".

"Well..." You say. "We're happy to provide protection, and by all means send your friends to us...they'll have to sign up with their own plans too, of course."

"Of course." Yumi rolls her eyes. "You guys are almost as good as we are at this."

Everyone holds up the handbook. "Chapter Seven, written by Miss Melnitz, herself." You say. "Anyway, when we DO offer you, your anti-entity shelter...well, we can only build it as strong as our resources can provide."

Yumi rolls her eyes. "Yeah, no. Sorry, sweetie. The gravy train stops here. You want more money, you get it from somewhere else."

"Fair enough." Akria says. "Have a good evening ladies."

"One last thing," You say. "What...what was that about Fragments being here already?"

The girls shift uncomfortably. "Look, they've been...reduced in threat. They barely kill anyone and just the stupid, too curious, or really really unlucky."

"That's three reasons for us to look into it then." Sato says.

"You die, I get a refund, right?" Yumi says.

"A partial one, but yes." Star says.

"Kayako, Sadako, Mitsuko." She says quickly. "Haunted house, haunted tape, haunted apartment building. That's ALL I'm saying, and that's all I CAN say. Are we done?"

You nod.

"Alright, Biba Jibun, Ghostbusters. Girls! Let's go."

Chi-chi and Rini wave goodbye and the Rabbit Girls leave the Factory.

"I've heard of the Tape." Akira says.

"I know what house they're talking about." Sato says.

"And I think I know which apartment building." Star says.

"I'm going to look more into the Lunar event." Dr. Griffin says. "It sounds like the other branches will need help too...but...well...I'm sure it's important that we take them out. They harvest power and life for Oiwa. Removing them would be helpful on Night 100."

"So...are we really taking one of these ghosts on?"

"Maybe..." You drum your fingers. "Maybe it isn't such a great idea to go out hunting for these things right away."

The room relaxes. "Right, I mean we have to get that armor ready." Akira says.

"Not to mention see what stuff we can research." Star says. "No sense in going into this blind."

"Plus we have until the end of the month before the Nights start." Sato says. "No rush to take out one of them before then."

"Right," you say. "Why tip our hand? Let's just alert P-COC and the others, get our Anti-Entity shelter ready, and keep taking the regular jobs. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Great."

"Alright Oiwa," you say. "We know you're coming, bring it bitch."