Chapter 18: History of phantoms

''WHAT?! NO WAY!''

It was morning. Mayor Brunson woke up and was ready for his usual activities... Only for some generals to come in his office and to deliver him very bad news.

''We keep an eye on that entity from quite some time now. By its latest tracks, we discovered it's hiding somewhere in this town'' The general explained.

''I'm sorry, but this is not happening! I don't want you weird soldiers to scare my citizens!''

''We're not asking, we're telling! Until we don't catch that thing, Brighton is under a surveillance!''

''So what? You guys will just wander around?''

''Yes! Every day, every night! No worries, we won't bother anyone... Maybe'' The general said with an evil smile... And just left the Mayor's office.

Mr. Brunson was both mad and confused. He couldn't believe some idiots with mask will just wander around and scare all the tourists and citizens. He wanted Brighton to be a quiet and peaceful town, not a warzone.

...

Ollie and June were walking to officer John's house to meet Libby. Early in the morning, Scratch told them what happened between Molly and Libby, and how Libby decided to quit the Ghost Friends team. They weren't gonna let that happen, because they needed as much help as possible to hunt that phantom.

''I can't believe it! She and Libby had foreplays behind my back, now she just unfriends her? What's the matter with Molly!'' Ollie asked, frustrated.

''Exactly why I'll never be in a relationship''

''What? Why?''

''Because of that! Too much worries, always wonder if your partner is cheating... Definitely not something I'll want'' June explained.

''Don't say that, June! Everyone has to find their special one eventually!''

''Yeaaaah, no thanks. I'd probably never be ready for love life'' June said.

Even when she made her point, a grin smile appeared on Ollie's face.

''So... What about Darryl?''

''What about him?''

''Come on... You like him!''

''N-No! I... I don't know what you're talking about!'' June said, as she blushed like a tomato.

''Oh, so there's no reason you keep like around 20 photos of him under your bed''

''WHAT? HOW DO YOU KNOW?!'' June asked, shocked.

''Mom was cleaning your room the other day... Gotta say, you don't keep photos of someone you like only as a friend'' Ollie said, as he rubbed his sister's hair.

''H-He's just a friend!''

''Pfff, yeah, right...''

While they were walking and Ollie continued to tease his sister, they reached Brighton's center... And saw 5 soldiers in dark uniforms and masks patrolling.

''What the? Who are those guys?''

The weapons they had didn't look normal. They looked like assault rifles, but they looked so... Odd. They couldn't explain it, they just knew those weren't typical military weapons. Just like Ollie and June, everyone else who was out for a walk was feeling very uncomfortable around those soldiers. They just stared at people...

''Is this the military?'' June asked, confused.

2 of them started to stare at Ollie and his little sister... Not moving an inch, just staring at them.

''Let's keep moving...'' Ollie said, as he grabbed June's hand and started to walk faster.

They continued to just stare at them. Ollie had no idea why, but he started to feel sick just by the thought those guys were watching him.

''Anything suspicious, #24?'' One of the soldiers asked.

''Not for now, #45 ...''

They didn't even use their real names, every soldier from the O.A.S had a special code which they used as their nicknames... Those guys really weren't normal...

...

Molly was laying on the couch, watching her reflection on the mirror. The glow in her eyes became even brighter... To the point where it is noticable. She looked so weird with those glowing eyes.

''Oh sweet baby corn, that's bad...''

So, now what? She can't show herself like that... Especially in the dark. An idea came. Molly went to her parents bedroom and found an old purple sunglasses her mom used to wear... Weird how attached Molly got with purple recently.

It still fit her style. Purple haircut, purple phone, and now purple sunglasses. Because she just had her first curse last night... That got Molly thinking. What else can she do? She had an idea how to test it. She got her pocket money, left the house and started to walk towards the flower shop.

...

Ollie and June were at officer John's house. Both he and Leah already left for work, so Libby was alone. She looked so miserable. Even though the key for the basement was on the table, Libby didn't even have the energy to go see her turtles.

''Libby, you're the best member of the Ghost Friends team! You always have a book or two about every ghost! You know more about ghosts than even me!'' June explained.

''I'm sorry, but I already told you, guys... I quit...''

''But God knows what this phantom is capable of! You can't just quit because Molly refuses to be your friend again!'' June said.

''Yes, I can! W-What's the point of being in a team with someone who hates you in their soul...''

''Libby, we promise we'll find a way to convince Molly to forgive you... But we need you on the team, whether she likes it or not!'' Ollie said.

Libby thought about it. It was nice to hear someone needed her that much, but she still didn't have the shame to look Molly in the eyes... Especially not after what she said to her.

What was Libby thinking? How could she just tell everyone about Molly's ADHD even when she told Libby to not do it... Molly never blabbed about Libby's sexuality...

''I... I'll think about it. You should leave. There are some weirdos outside...''

Ollie looked from the window... 3 of the same soldiers they saw earlier were also there. He couldn't believe they hadn't even noticed them when they arrived.

''Ugh, they're here too? What, are they all over Brighton?''

''I don't know, but they creep me out. I swear, I saw they were looking at me from the other side of the street, even though I'm inside the house! That's why I keep the blinds down'' Libby explained.

Not only her... Ollie was also a little scared by them. Some unknown men with guns just stare at you... Ugh, it was enough to give a person goosebumps.

...

Scratch was at Axel's place. Not only the Ghost Friends team lost a member, but he still couldn't figure out a way to catch that phantom... He didn't even understand what phantoms were supposed to be.

''So, a phantom?''

''Yes! The council said it's somewhere here in Brighton, but we can't find it! I'm telling you, the other day after I was done with work, I flew ALL OVER the town, no tracks or anything to find it!'' Scratch explained.

''If it really is a phantom, I'm not surprised. They're good hiders, even the Reaper can't track them well''

''Really?''

''He can only sense death and living... Phantoms are both in alive and dead form, so it's hard for him to find them. Just like skinwalkers and shadow demons. Because of their poisonous soul, he can't track them'' Axel explained.

''Well, that's bad... What are phantoms anyway?''

Axel got closer to Scratch, like he is preparing to tell him a story.

''Phantoms are like people who manage to cheat the supernatural. They are strong... Very strong... And probably a reason you guys struggle to catch that phantom is because its hiding in its human form'' Axel explained.

''Just great... I mean, why are those guys so dangerous? They're known for being unpredictable, but... Never even wondered why''

''Do you really wanna know?''

''YES! We need as much information as possible to catch this particular one!''

Axel picked up a glass of water and took a big sip.

''Ever heard the legend about Minato Hayashi?''

''Who?''

''What I thought... It's not popular. A long time ago in Japan, there was a samurai, Minato Hayashi. He was the best warrior of the army. Respected, loved, had a beautiful wife. He fought in wars, and battles with only one desire... To come back home to his wife. He was the one shining in battles such as the battle of Sekigahara. But... When he was back home... He caught his wife cheating on him with his brother...'' Axel explained.

''Oh... I don't like where this is going...''

''You sure won't. He was so broken and crushed, that... He gave up on life. He quit the army, he isolated himself... He even left Japan for a better life. But he was never happy. The thought of his love betraying him like that was too crushing... So crushing, he wished for his own death. Until he found a way to turn himself into a phantom. He read books, talked to shamans, traveled around Asia... Until he found all the pieces of the puzzle to turn himself into a phantom''

''He abandoned everything he achieved... Because of one woman?'' Scratch asked, confused.

''Some people can't handle the loss of a loved one... Honestly, I was feeling just like him when my wife wanted to divorce me. Anyway, he managed to do it... He became a phantom. He could fly to every land he wished to, he became an even better warrior... Until the Reaper found him. Minato begged and begged the Reaper to leave him. He promised to never abuse his powers, to never even think about hurting people. Because of how scared and innocent he sounded, the Reaper did spared him... A big mistake. The more and more he turned himself into a phantom, the more he was losing his humanity. He stopped to eat... He became rageful... He started to cause thunderstorms around different towns for no reason... And he started to kill people...'' Axel explained.

''Oh...''

''He started to want more, and more, and more... And at one point, he wanted to rule over the world...''

''Say what now?''

''Yep. He lost his human form, his sanity... And was so powerful, that he almost wiped out humanity. The Reaper was mad that Minato lied... But even he couldn't stop him''

''So, what happened?''

''Well, he couldn't stop him alone. By the help of a few angels and the white wolf, they managed to beat him... Barely. The thing is, the phantom curse is exactly like corruption. It starts feeling powerful... But later the power of it gets in your head, like a venom. Phantoms think they're powerful, but they don't realize the cost for that power'' Axel explained.

''So... They corrupt themselves?''

''There's an even worse scenario. If someone's soul isn't strong enough to handle that power, the curse will kill them. They won't even be a ghost, the curse will burn them out... Ending their existence. If they don't die, they'll just let the power control them. Trust me, Scratch... Phantoms really are dangerous and unpredictable spirits. I'm not kidding... If the Reaper and his wolf didn't stop Minato before it was too late, he probably was really gonna take over...''

Scratch was shocked. He remembers what it feels like to lose yourself. He still had nightmares from the night of his corruption. If phantoms can really become THAT powerful... Oh boy, he sure will have to catch that one fast...

...

Molly back home with a flower in a pot. She saw the soldiers... Something she didn't like at all. Thank God she had sunglasses today. She went to the attic, placed her flower on her desk, and made the room as dark as possible.

''Okay... Let's give it a try...''

Molly drained energy from her laptop, then pointed her hand to the flower... And the plant started to slowly fade.

It was like Molly is draining the life out of it. It was... Confusing. From good looking red flower, now it was dead and grey. She stopped and wanted to try something else.

Molly started to... Give energy to it. Electric waves were coming out of her hand... And the flower had its colour back. Not only that, but it was growing and growing... Until it looked like a beautiful plant from heaven. Molly was shocked. She first drained the life out of it... Then gave it another one.

While she was giving the plant energy, a butterfly formed in Molly's pawm. A bright butterfly which looked so calm. Molly wasn't scared this time, she kept it in her hand.

She remembered how Samantha died, then Molly bringed her back. She wasn't just a hero... Molly realized something. She can give life... And take it back.

''I... I'm God...''