Chapter 25: August 30, 2015 - Ghostbusters

Chapter Summary: Buffy doesn't mind living and let dying, but there are limits.

Challenge: for the livejournal 2015 August Fic-a-Day Challenge

Timeline: Just after Christmas break 1982.

Warning: bashing/banishing of an annoying character

A/N: Yes, the summary is a shout-out to a James Bond movie and its title theme song.

Disclaimer: BtVS/AtS characters belong to Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy. Ghostbusters belong to Columbia Pictures. I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.

Buffy's office

McGonagall looked at the headmistress anxiously. Buffy was pissed off!

"That…turd," Buffy censored herself, despite there only being adults in the room, "…endangered the health of my students…for a freaking prank! I don't care what it takes, I'm sending him to the afterlife!"

Flitwick spoke up carefully, "It's been tried before…with terrifying results. No magic can remove him from the school; it's just something that we've had to accept over the centuries."

The glare she shot him caused him to squeak in alarm. Even worse was the smile that replaced it. He seriously needed a bathroom quick.

"If magic doesn't work, then I'll just have to give science a try," Buffy told her subordinates. "Walter, look up a group in New York City. They call themselves the 'Ghostbusters'."

"It's 555-2368," Walter answered immediately. He smiled sheepishly and explained, "They have a very catchy theme song…who ya gonna call?" he couldn't help but sing.

Cole interjected, "I'm not sure they're still in business. After their initial popularity in saving the city, people – mostly politicians – blamed them for the damages caused by the ghosts."

"Then hopefully they'll be looking for work," Buffy said. "I'm not putting up with Peeves for any longer than I have to."

A week later…

After negotiating a fee, which included free airfare for the team, Buffy and Cole went to meet them in London. They waited by the luggage carousel with a sign that had their names on it.

Three rather nerdish looking men were walking near a black guy who looked like he belonged in uniform rather than a suit. The nerd in glasses stepped up to them first. "Miss Summers?" he asked in Buffy's direction. After she nodded, he introduced himself and his team, "I'm Dr. Egon Spengler, this is Drs. Peter Venkman and Ray Stantz, and last but not least, Winston Zeddemore."

She returned the favor, "Buffy Summers and this is my Deputy, Cole Turner."

Once they were in the car and headed towards the muggle office for Hogwarts, Egon asked, "So tell us about this ghost problem of yours."

"Okay, first of all, I need to warn you that the castle has about a dozen ghosts, most of whom you need to leave alone. I'd have a riot on my hands if you got rid of the school mascots," she explained.

"Wait," Ray interrupted, "Your school is okay with that much paranormal activity?"

Buffy shrugged and said, "It is a school that teaches magic. It'd be kind of hypocritical for us to get antsy about a bunch of ghosts that aren't harming anyone."

"So there is one that is harming people," Winston guessed correctly.

"His name is Peeves, and he's a poltergeist that's been around as long as the school. Everyone says you just have to put up with him, but I can't do that after he released some poisonous spiders in the main eating hall. Several students ended up in the hospital either because they were bitten or because they were injured in the stampede to get away. He has to go!" she commanded.

Entryway

Having been warned about Peeves' behavior, the team was geared up before they walked through the school's gates. It was a good thing, too, because he was waiting for them in the entry way.

"No-fun Mistress called somebody to get rid of Peevsie!" he complained from the first landing.

"Is everything prepared?" Buffy asked of Walter, meaning were the other ghosts warned to stay away until the all clear was sounded. He nodded. "Go to it, guys," she said to the Ghostbusters.

"Peevsie is going to make you pay for this, Mistress No-fun!" the nasty poltergeist screamed. "I'll get lots to make up for this!"

Ray threw down a box and said, "Trap is down!"

Peter said, "Heat 'em up." All four turned their proton packs on and pointed their streams at Peeves, one at a time, making sure not to cross them at all.

With his foot, Ray hit the button that opened the trap. They lowered Peeves down and when he was close enough, Ray warned them, "Cut your streams in 3…2…1!" He hit the button on the trap again, sealing Peeves inside.

"That was easy enough," Peter said. Then he turned to leer at Buffy, "Got any other problems I can handle for you?"

She rolled her eyes and shot back with a smile, "We have an overflowing toilet in the boys' bathroom that you can clean up."

A/N: Not what I had planned, but then a story by redbayly made me do this. She reminded me about Peeves' character and that maybe I should do something about him since he was occasionally a hazard to the students and staff.