Chapter 5

After being released, they headed to the workshop of the blacksmith who Peter had befriended. This blacksmith, a man of honest and fair character, upon hearing how they were treated, their imprisonment, and how they were released, decided to give them all the support he could and offered them refuge in his workshop. The day before, a maid had come to him, telling him not to believe what he had heard about the heroes, that they were falsehoods and that they would soon be free, only asking him to keep this secret. The blacksmith, seeing that everything she said was true, trusted the people in front of him more than those above.

Inside the workshop, Egon took advantage to set up an improvised laboratory. With the components of his carefully organized equipment, he began to conduct experiments and study how the world's magic interacted with his technology. The proton pack was modified to serve as a provisional power generator, and the P.K.E. meter was now a useful tool for tracking non-human creature signatures. Even his shield, which was previously just a defensive tool, began to discover that when introducing objects, he could gain certain advantages, such as when introducing a spare pair of glasses he had, his critical hits showed signs of increased potential. He informed his companions of this, and they did the same with various objects, making their statistics increase slightly.

Ray, fascinated by Egon's advances, observed and commented while helping with some adjustments. "Do you think magic here can be analyzed and measured the same way we did with energy in our world?" Egon nodded, completely focused while soldering some pieces on the proton gun. "It seems to be the case. If we manage to understand how it works, we could not only improve our weapons but also better protect people."

At that moment, Winston entered with a serious expression.

"Guys, there's something I need to tell you." Upon saying that, they all sat at a provisional table waiting for what Winston was going to say, the serious face was rarely seen on him. "What I suspected was true, this place is rotten. When I went to my team members, none of them accepted, and some told me it would be best to stay close to you since although they can't kill us, they can cause problems for us and those who are with us. And when I was about to leave, one of them told me that if I was looking for loyal people, I could go to the slave market." Upon hearing that, everyone fell silent, angry and sad, to which Egon said in a serious voice: "We need to go there and see what the situation is like, if we can save them, we must do it." To which Peter replied, "Easy there, Rambo, although it sounds strange coming from me, we shouldn't do something hasty just because it's not right for us." And upon saying that, everyone sat thinking and understood that what he said was correct, to change the whole situation, they must change from the root, and the queen is a key piece for that, since by pressuring her, she could make a change, to which Egon responded again, "Fine, let's go there, see the situation, and then we'll act," and at the end of his sentence, everyone agreed and went to that place.

Author's Note: They went wearing clothes bought from the blacksmith, which are the color of "The Real Ghostbusters" series. They don't carry their proton packs but do have the legendary weapons.

End of note *

Being in the slave market, they saw that it was a dark place and apart from what would be considered presentable, and although they knew about slavery from their history, especially Winston, seeing how creatures and demi-humans were being treated, something inside him said, free them, free them all, but that thought was silenced upon hearing the owner of such an unpleasant place: "Welcome heroes to this humble place that is your home, if you require any of my merchandise, I'll gladly give it to you" and upon finishing saying that Winston went after him with only the thought of hitting him, taking his keys and saving everyone, although he knew many would die, he was sure that everyone would prefer to die being free than living as slaves, but before getting to do anything, he was stopped by his friends, since although they shared that same thought, they knew it wasn't the time.

"Excuse our friend," Peter said with a threatening look at the vendor. "It's just that we're not used to reliving our history," and saying that, only he remembered what they told him about school, museums, and movies, and he felt ashamed to be there, surrounded by people they couldn't save. "Well then, tell me Heroes, how can I serve you?" The vendor said this very carefully since he understood that the heroes in front of him were different from many generations he had heard stories about, to which Egon only responded: "We're just looking for now, so please show us what you have" Saying this to see if there was any way to save them. "Alright, I understand that sometimes a sale can't be made the first time, I'll gladly show you, this creature is strong and has a great level and no matter what you order it will do it" This showing a monster from the first Wave being intimidating, but for them, it's nothing more than a simple kitten compared to the creatures they've defeated.

"And if you're wondering why they can't attack, it's simple, they have a spell that doesn't let them rebel against their Masters, and if they do, they'll have a lot of pain until they might even die." At the end of that sentence, Winston remembered a demi-human who was writhing in pain, and when he went to help him, his former team members stopped him, told him that he probably hit himself very hard and not to worry that it would go away, and just remembering it, he felt anger towards himself for not being able to do something. "Surely this is the best you have, right?" Peter was heard after seeing the creature. "Yes, hero of the spear, it's the best I have." "Then you show us the best you have before showing what extra you have, right." "Very shrewd, hero of the spear, and I'll gladly make a good sale, come with me please." They all went with him and although Peter showed a smile, inside he was using all his willpower not to hit him, it was a new situation for them, something they never thought they would be in, they would prefer to fight against a God than be in that place, where there is no God, even Ray who usually has a smile, his face only showed sadness, worry and shame and he told himself, they will be saved but not now.

Walking through the place, Egon saw demi-humans who were in cages waiting to be sold, when in front of one, he stopped as he saw a small girl with raccoon ears, sick, exhausted with a look of sadness, she was curling up in the corner of the cage, fearful of the crowd, the slave trader approached the group with a cunning smile. "Ah, I see you have a good eye. This girl, although not healthy, has great potential. Why don't you take her?" Egon, without hesitation, confronted the trader. "We're not here to buy slaves. We're here to free her." The trader frowned but tried to maintain his composure. This seemed strange to his companions since they were only going to look and if possible at night save everyone they could, but after seeing Egon's face, they saw that it was something they had to do. "We're going to make a deal, we'll pay you triple what she's worth, she'll be freed not sold, and from now on you'll have all of them, be they demi-humans or creatures, with better quality of life." Upon saying this, he said it with a strong, threatening voice that even his companions were surprised he had, the trader became nervous as it was the first time someone had intimidated him, not by their strength but by their gaze, a gaze that could do anything they wanted if they had a reason, and he knew he shouldn't mess with that kind of people, he showed nervousness, but didn't take long to give in. "Alright! If you have the money, the girl is free. I don't want problems with the heroes and about what you've proposed, I'll do it, but only with demi-humans and the beasts will only have something better, I'm not going to use my money so that a mindless beast has the same treatment as someone who can think" To which Egon with the same look only responded. "I SAID EVERYONE" And at the end of his sentence, the trader only had to say yes as he felt like a knife was entering his mind and made him feel fear. "Of... Of course... Hero of the shield, of course, come please to remove what she has and you can leave"

At the end of removing the seal, she took a step forward. "Why are you helping me?" she asked, looking at the group with distrust. Egon knelt to her level and responded firmly. "Because no one should live in chains, come let's go from here, and go to a safe place for you." Raphtalia looked at the group for a moment, evaluating their words. Finally, she nodded. "Yes, please, take me away from here" And upon finishing saying that she grabbed Egon's hand sobbing upon seeing that she would no longer be in that place.

Author's Note: All rights to Ghostbusters belong to Columbia Pictures and Ghost Corps and Tate No Yusha No Naraigari to Aneko Yusagi