Chapter 41: Tom Swift:
Gomber's POV:
I was sitting in my chair when another ghost came.
"Persephone Maguire," I said.
"What do you want," she asks.
"It's time you finally get your revenge on the one that caused your death," I said, "the Aglaeca!"
"And how can I kill that sea hag," asks Persephone.
"By killing her new host," I said, "George Fan!"
Nancy's POV:
My crew and I were at Pop's as it was getting attacked by ghosts.
"Seriously, isn't there anyone else who can deal with this," asks George.
Then there was a weird sonic sound and the ghosts left. We all look, and it was a fancy looking guy with some high-tech stuff. "The name's Swift, Tom Swift."
"Oh, hey Tom," says Kevin.
"S'up, Kevin," says Tom.
"My ex," says Kevin.
"AND WHERE WERE YOU," asks George.
"I was... hiding like a coward," says Kevin, "sorry."
. . .
"I'm here for a big reason," says Tom, "I'm looking for my Dad!"
"And you think he might be in Riverdale," asks George.
"I got this weird message that implies it," says Tom, "and I'm going to need your... wait, which is Nancy Drew again?"
"Me," I said.
"And I'm going to need your help!"
"I'll see what I can do," I said.
. . .
Tom showed me the message. "I'm not even sure it's even words," I said.
"That's the weird thing," says Tom, "I can read it!"
"What," I asked.
"I know. When I showed it to this guy, I was dating... and then dumped when I found out he was cheating on me with the guy I dated before him... anyway, he couldn't make heads or tails with it, but it's so clear to me and it says to meet them here if I want to see my Dad!"
"Maybe we should talk to Dilton," I said.
. . .
Dilton was trying to translate it. "I'm sorry, but I can't make heads or tails of it either," says Dilton.
"Great," says Tom.
"Maybe there's someone else I can talk to... but I need to talk to him alone," I said.
"Why? Is it because I'm black or gay," asks Tom.
"Neither," I said, "in fact... he's kind of black too..."
. . .
I then showed it to Salem. "Nope," says Salem, "I haven't been this lost since Lodge Manor."
"What could it mean," I asked.
"It is strange," says Salem, "I'm not sure this language exists on Earth..."
Then a ghost in a fancy dress came and choked Salem. "WHERE IS SHE?"
"Get away from that cat," I said.
The ghost then grabs me. "TELL ME, OR SHE WILL JOIN ME!"
"She's... in... the... library!" The ghost then disappears.
"What was that," I asked.
"That was Persephone Maguire," says Salem, "she was the biggest snob I have ever seen! One day, her parents decided to arrange her to marry this young man. She was going to go with it... because he was rich, but he had one little flaw... he was black."
"I think I know where this was going," I said.
"So, she asked the Aglaeca to do something about it," says Salem, "and the Aglaeca helped her alright... out of her misery."
"She's looking for Odette," I said, "George could be in danger!"
. . .
"Tom, we're going to have to put your father on hold," I said, "George's life is in danger!"
"Okay, well, how can I help," asks Tom.
"What," I asked.
"I don't know where my Father is, but you know where your friend is," says Tom, "I am in!"
. . .
We were at Pop's and Tom bursts out laughing. "You mean you guys think you're the Ghostbusters?" Tom continues to laugh.
"I saw this coming," says Shaun.
"Look, Tom," I said, "an old nemesis of mine broke a statue and it unleashed an army of ghosts onto Riverdale, and I can use this magic book to capture them."
"Okay, I believe you," says Tom, "so... where's the Headless Horseman?"
"We do naht hahve to leesten to ziss eediot who's crying fahr hees dahddy! By ze way, eet ees good to see you ahgain, my sweet."
"Did you just call me an idiot and a baby," asks Tom.
"Oh no," says George, "did I really?"
"And I think 'you' were also hitting on Bess," says Shaun.
George then looks at Bess. "Why was I hitting on you," I asked.
"I'm not sure," says Bess, "I can assure you; I have not been seeing you behind your back."
"Okay, now I'm getting freaked out," says Tom.
Ned then sighs. "George is possessed by a ghost and I guess that ghost has developed a relationship with Bess."
"You guys are starting to scare me," says Tom.
. . .
We then arrived at the library.
"You guys are taking this too far," says Tom, "if there is a ghost in there, then I'm Hamlet!"
"Why don't you take a look inside," George suggests.
Tom then enters and then comes out.
"What do you have to say now," asks Shaun.
"To be, or not to be," says Tom, "that is the question."
"George, since the voice in your head is her target, you stay out here," I said.
"No arguments here," says George.
"Maybe I should stay to keep her company," says Tom. We all look at him. "Oh, right, I don't have a reason to be scared. None of my tech can take a ghost down and unless we all get magic ghost eating books... wait, can that book really eat ghosts?"
"Maybe it is best if the less experienced guy stays out here," says Ned, "especially since that way, George has someone to talk to besides the voice in her head."
"Good point," I said.
. . .
Bess, Shaun, Ned, and I were in the library searching for the ghost.
"So, you and Odette," says Shaun, "isn't that kind of awkward since I'm pretty sure George is straight..."
"I'm not proud of it," says Bess.
"Well, what if George wakes up..." Ned begins.
"Please don't," I said.
"WHERE IS SHE?" We saw the ghost. "I want the Aglaeca!"
"Look, did you ever think of other ways to get out of an arranged marriage," I asked.
"What would someone like you know," asks the ghost, "now bring me the Aglaeca, OR ELSE!"
Books were then flying everywhere.
George's POV:
I told Tom everything we have seen.
"So, this town has dealt with murders and supernatural stuff," says Tom, "and you guys got to meet members of the Justice League? What's Nightwing really like?"
"Which version," I asked. Tom was confused. "Don't ask." Then Nancy came crashing out and the book fell out of her bag. The ghost sees me and approaches me. Tom then picks up the book and opens it and the book absorbs the ghost.
"I have got to get me one of these," says Tom.
Nancy's POV:
With the ghost gone, Tom and I got back to the message. Tom wrote the translation on a black board. "Come where it's always green".
"Unless there's a place that isn't being polluted, that's going to be tough," says Tom.
"Wait," I said, "the Evergreen Forest! Come on!"
. . .
Tom and I arrived at the Evergreen Forest, but so far, nothing!
"I guess this was a waste of time," says Tom.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Where are you going?" We looked and there was a man.
"Dad," asks Tom, "Dad!" He then hugs his dad. "What happened?"
"It's time you know the truth, Tom. My name is not Barton Swift. My real name is Chular! I am from the planet Srom!"
"You... you're an alien," asks Tom.
"Wait, does this mean..."
"Yes, Nancy Drew. Tom is half alien. I originally came to this planet to invade it, Tom, but then I met your mother and we fell in love, and you were born."
"My Dad is an Ex-invader," says Tom, "do I get any alien superpowers?"
"You do have some," says Chular, "why do you think you're so good with machines?"
"Oh, well, it's not as cool as being more powerful than a locomotive, but that works too," says Tom, "so, why did you disappear?"
"Because my people are coming to invade the Earth and I must stop them," says Chular, "I came to say goodbye."
"You can say goodbye to Nancy here," says Tom, "because I wanna help!"
"Tom, you don't know..."
"Dad, I think the best way to know about your side of the family is to help fight them," says Tom.
"Very well," says Chular.
"Thanks Nancy," says Tom, "looks like I'm going to space."
"Come back anytime," I said.
Tom then stands next to his dad. "Is this why I never met Grandma and Grandpa," Tom asks.
"Don't worry," says Chular, "you're going to meet them and all 26 of your uncles and all 26 of your aunts."
"You have 52 siblings?"
With that, they beam out. "Good luck, Tom." Wait 'til I tell the guys this. I wonder what it's like on Srom.
In the next chapter, a mannequin seems to be committing murders.