I Love Azathoth

Jonah retraced his steps through the Mansion, determined to track down every Boo hiding in the rooms he'd already cleared. Each encounter was an exercise in patience and persistence. Unlike the other ghosts, Boos were tricksters—slippery and adept at evasion. Several times, Jonah cornered one only for it to cackle and dart into another room, phasing through walls like a mischievous breeze. But Jonah wasn't one to give up. Gritting his teeth, he pursued each Boo relentlessly, his Poltergust roaring as it sucked the troublesome spirits into its chamber.

By the time Jonah had captured all the Boos in the rooms he'd cleared so far, he was thoroughly winded. The familiar ringtone of his GB Horror startled him, and he fumbled to answer it.

"Jonah, splendid work capturing those Boos!" Professor E. Gadd's voice crackled through the device. "Your determination is admirable, but don't overdo it, my boy. A hunter who's too tired to hunt is no hunter at all!"

"I'll keep that in mind," Jonah replied, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Good! Why not take a moment to catch your breath? Head to the washroom and splash some water on your face. It'll do you good!"

Jonah nodded to himself and made his way back through the first-floor hallway. On his way, a peculiar sight caught his attention—a floating candle bobbing eerily down the corridor. Curious, he scanned it with the GB Horror, but the device informed him he lacked the necessary tools to engage with this ghost yet. He sighed, deciding to ignore it for now.

The washroom was dimly lit, its tiled walls and porcelain fixtures giving off an unsettling chill. Jonah entered, immediately noticing Infetsa standing near the toilet. Her draconic tail swayed lazily behind her, and she greeted him with her usual eerie charm.

"Oh, hello, my King," she said, bowing her head. "I must apologize. I discovered something that may aid your journey, but I... accidentally dropped it into this 'toilet' contraption. Please, punish me as you see fit for my error."

Jonah sighed and shook his head. "It's fine, Infetsa. Everyone makes mistakes."

Her expression brightened. "You are too kind, my King. Would you like to partake of more—"

"Later," Jonah interrupted, already moving toward the toilet.

He reached into the bowl, grimacing as he pulled out a small key. After a moment of thorough scrubbing at the sink, he held the now-clean key up to Infetsa.

"Thanks for finding this, even if it ended up... there."

"It is my honor to serve you," she replied, bowing again. "May your hunt for the spirits in this mansion be fruitful, my King."

After splashing cold water on his face to stay alert, Jonah headed to the next room. The fortune-teller's chamber was dim, its centerpiece a sparkling crystal ball resting on a small table. Jonah approached cautiously, shining his flashlight on the crystal. With a sudden flash of light, a ghostly woman materialized in the chair behind it. She was dressed in flowing robes, her translucent form exuding an air of wisdom.

"Who are you?" Jonah asked, gripping his Poltergust handle instinctively.

"I am Madame Clairvoya," she said, her voice ethereal and calm. "Seer of dropped items. Possessions carry the vibrations of their owners, awakening my spirit. Bring me items that belong to others, and I shall use my vision to aid you."

Jonah nodded, though he wasn't sure how helpful that would be. He moved on, entering the Mirror Room next door.

The room's dominant feature was a massive wall-length mirror that gleamed even in the faint light. Jonah stepped inside cautiously, noting the unusual silence. A sudden chill swept through the air, and he realized the room wasn't empty—several ghosts lurked here, but they were invisible to the naked eye. He glanced at the mirror and saw their reflections floating behind him, their distorted shapes moving closer.

Using the mirror's reflection as his guide, Jonah spun around and shone his flashlight at the ghost nearest him, catching it mid-lunge. The Poltergust roared as it pulled the ghost in, and Jonah braced himself against the vacuum's force. One by one, he wrangled the spirits, relying on the mirror to anticipate their movements. When the last ghost was captured, the room's lights flickered on, and a treasure chest appeared.

Inside the chest, Jonah found a small red medallion etched with a fire symbol. The medallion seemed to glow faintly, its surface warm to the touch. Before he could examine it further, his GB Horror buzzed to life.

"Jonah! What've you got there?" E. Gadd's voice asked excitedly. "Oh, my boy, that's a Fire Element Medal! You've unlocked the ability to wield fire!"

"Fire?" Jonah echoed, examining the medallion.

"Yes, yes! With that medal, you can absorb fire spirits from flames and use their power in all sorts of ways. The Poltergust's handle has a meter to show your remaining element reserves, so use it wisely. And remember, fire can reveal hidden paths and solve certain puzzles—keep that in mind!"

The call ended, and Jonah attached the medal to his Poltergust. Nearby, a flickering fire spirit hovered near a candle. Jonah aimed the Poltergust, capturing the spirit and feeling the warmth of its energy as the meter on his handle lit up.

Returning to the fortune-teller's room, he used his newfound ability to light the candles around the crystal ball. A hidden compartment opened, revealing another key. Jonah pocketed it and moved deeper into the Mansion.

Eventually, he found himself in the Laundry Room, where more ghosts awaited. After dispatching them, he opened a washer and froze. Inside was a black bow—one he recognized immediately.

"This… this is Aza's," he murmured, holding the bow delicately.

The familiar item sparked some confusion, but Jonah shook his head, forcing himself to focus. He pocketed the bow in the GB Horror's hammerspace and continued his search, eventually encountering the ghostly floating candle again. This time, armed with fire, Jonah lit it.

"Ahh! Fire! Fire! Run away!" shrieked the ghost of a nervous butler who appeared in the flame's glow.

Jonah smirked, following the panicked ghost back to its room. He waited as it settled, then struck with his flashlight. The butler struggled fiercely as Jonah wrangled it into the Poltergust, but persistence paid off as it was sucked up with a pop.

"Why are you even scared of fire? You're a ghost, dude," Jonah quipped, dusting himself off as he prepared to move on.

With a newly acquired key in hand, Jonah unlocked the next room and stepped into what appeared to be a Conservatory. The room was filled with musical instruments of all kinds—drums, a harp, a violin, and a grand piano dominating the center. Dust coated everything, but the room still carried an air of elegance.

Curious, Jonah approached one of the instruments—a small xylophone—and tapped it lightly. To his surprise, it began playing a lively tune all by itself. Intrigued, he moved to another instrument, a harp, and plucked its strings. It too began playing on its own. Jonah grinned as he went from instrument to instrument, each one joining the symphony until the entire room was alive with a familiar jingle, harmonizing in a way that made the hair on his arms stand up.

As the final notes echoed through the room, Jonah noticed the grand piano begin to play on its own. He turned toward it, watching as a ghostly figure materialized on the bench. She was a stunningly beautiful woman, with flowing blonde hair and a purplish-red gown that shimmered like velvet. Her fingers danced gracefully over the keys, producing a melody that was hauntingly beautiful.

Jonah hesitated for a moment, caught off guard not only by her ethereal appearance but by the way her music seemed to reach into his very soul. She looked up, her luminous eyes meeting his, and when she spoke, her voice was as captivating as her playing.

"My name is Melody," she said, her lips curving into a soft smile. "I am often called the Spectral Beauty of the Ivory Keys. What a stirring performance you inspired from this room. I haven't felt so enchanted in ages."

Jonah's cheeks flushed, and his heart gave an unexpected flutter.

Melody turned fully toward him, her elegant posture radiating confidence. "You must have a delicate ear for music to have awakened this symphony. Tell me, would you care to hear my piano sonata?"

Jonah coughed, his voice cracking slightly. "S-Sure!" he managed, before clearing his throat and speaking more firmly. "I'd love to."

Melody giggled softly, her laughter like a light chiming of bells. "Very well. Listen closely."

She began to play, her fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys. The tune was something Jonah recognized instantly—Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. He stood rooted in place, mesmerized by her performance, every note pulling him deeper into her spell. For a moment, the worries of the Mansion faded, and all he could do was listen. When she finished, Jonah found himself clapping enthusiastically.

"Thank you," she said, bowing her head gracefully. "You're too kind." She tilted her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Tell me, do you know the name of this piece?"

"That's the Moonlight Sonata," Jonah answered without hesitation.

Her smile widened, and she clasped her hands together. "Yes! Precisely! How wonderful—you truly have an ear for the classics!" She floated a little closer, her expression glowing with approval. "Very impressive indeed. I suppose someone as attuned as you deserves a proper challenge."

Jonah blinked. "Wait, what do you—"

Melody's expression turned mischievous as she waved her hand, summoning a flurry of glowing music sheets from the air. "Prepare yourself, for I will not simply allow myself to be captured without a fight! Let us see how you fare against the force of my music!"

She began playing Flight of the Bumblebee, the frantic tempo driving the sheets to swarm toward Jonah in a chaotic dance.

"Seriously?" Jonah ducked and dodged as the sheets zipped past him. "I thought we were getting along!"

Melody laughed, her fingers never faltering on the keys. "Getting along? My dear, as much as I admire your musical knowledge, I cannot risk being trapped in a painting again. Music must be free to flow!"

Jonah gritted his teeth, using his Poltergust to suck up the swirling sheets one by one. Between dodging and vacuuming, he shouted, "Why does someone so beautiful have to be so dangerous? I'd rather be listening to your music whenever I head to bed than fighting it!"

Melody faltered slightly, her playing hitching for a fraction of a second. Her cheeks took on a faint blush as she glanced at him. "Oh my... no one's ever expressed such genuine appreciation for my music before. Perhaps... I've underestimated you."

The music sheets slowed their assault, but Jonah didn't stop. With a final sweep, he sucked up the last of them, leaving Melody exposed. He shone his flashlight, stunning her.

"I'm sorry," Jonah said softly as he activated the Poltergust.

Melody gave a wistful smile as she was pulled toward the vacuum's nozzle. "You are quite the charmer, Jonah," she said, her voice carrying a surprising warmth. As she was about to disappear, she leaned forward and pressed a ghostly kiss to his cheek. "Perhaps... when all this is over, we'll meet again. I'd like that."

With a final pop, she vanished into the Poltergust.

The room's lights flickered on, signaling his victory, but Jonah stood frozen in place, his face flushed and his mind reeling. Slowly, he raised a hand to touch the spot on his cheek where she'd kissed him.

"...Hope Aza doesn't kill me for this," he muttered, feeling an odd flutter in his chest as he pockets a key that had appeared.

Jonah moved to the next door, unlocking it cautiously before stepping inside. The room turned out to be a dining hall, though "dining" was putting it lightly. Plates were scattered everywhere, and the floor was covered with slippery banana peels. At the head of the table sat a grotesquely large ghost, his translucent form wobbling as he stuffed handfuls of food into his mouth. Grease and bits of half-eaten dishes dripped onto the table and floor, and the smacking noises he made were almost as unbearable as the sight itself.

Jonah cringed. "...Ugh. Almost as gross as Slimer."

As Jonah surveyed the room, he noticed smaller waiter ghosts floating in and out, carrying trays of more food to their ravenous master.

"Okay, time to put you on a diet," Jonah muttered, gripping his Poltergust tightly.

He quickly shone his flashlight on the waiters, stunning them one by one before sucking them into his vacuum. Without their help, the supply of food dwindled, but the fat ghost—aptly resembling a gluttonous king—didn't seem to notice. Jonah then turned his attention to the leftovers piled on the table, using his Poltergust to vacuum up the dishes, scraps, and even the plates until the table was completely barren.

This caught the ghost's attention. He paused mid-bite, his already red face flushing with anger. With a guttural growl, he slammed his fists on the table, shaking the room. Then, to Jonah's shock, he opened his mouth wide and began spitting fireballs in a blind rage.

"Great, now he's a fire-breathing fatso," Jonah said as he dove behind an overturned chair to dodge the incoming blasts.

The gluttonous ghost's tantrum continued, the fireballs leaving scorch marks across the walls and floor. Jonah rolled and ducked, trying to avoid the flames while keeping an eye on the ghost. Eventually, the relentless attacks began to slow as the ghost grew tired, huffing and puffing as his energy drained.

"Finally," Jonah said, emerging from his cover. He aimed his flashlight, catching the ghost off guard, then activated the Poltergust.

The ghost roared and flailed, trying to break free as Jonah held on for dear life, struggling to contain the enormous spirit. After an intense tug-of-war, the ghost was finally sucked into the vacuum with a loud pop.

The room's lights flickered back on, signaling his victory. Jonah leaned on the table, catching his breath.

"Can ghosts even get fat? Or was that how he died? Overeating and combusting?" He shook his head. "Not gonna overthink it."

With the dining room cleared, Jonah proceeded to the next door, entering what appeared to be the kitchen. The room smelled faintly of mildew, and appliances buzzed faintly in the background. As expected, more ghosts materialized, floating out of cabinets and pantries. Jonah dealt with them swiftly, clearing the room until the lights came on.

On the counter, a blue medallion shimmered. Jonah picked it up and examined it, noticing a water droplet symbol etched into its surface. The medal felt cool and damp to the touch.

"Another element medal," Jonah said, attaching it next to the fire one on his Poltergust. Spotting a sink with running water, he sucked in a water ghost, causing a new gauge to light up on the vacuum's handle.

"Water power? Sweet." He tested it out, spraying a a stream from the nozzle. "This'll come in handy. Though I'd hate to see the water bill for this place. The plumbing here must be a nightmare."

He turned to a door on the far side of the room, its edges wreathed in flames. Jonah used the water element to spray the fire, extinguishing it with a satisfying hiss. With the path clear, he stepped outside and found himself in a backyard.

The yard was overgrown and eerie, with a lone doghouse sitting ominously at the edge. As Jonah scanned the area with his Game Boy Horror, he noticed a ghostly dog snoozing inside. A tip flashed on the screen, giving him an idea.

Nearby, a wilted plant sat in a cracked pot. Jonah sprayed it with water, causing it to spring to life with a vibrant bloom. The dog's ears perked up at the sound, and it emerged, barking ferociously as it spotted Jonah.

"Uh-oh," Jonah muttered, backing away as the dog charged at him.

The barking was deafening, and it wasn't long before the commotion roused another ghost—a skeletal figure who burst from the ground nearby.

"For the love of dirt, make that yappy mutt shut up!" the skeleton grumbled.

Jonah wasted no time, stunning the skeleton with his flashlight and sucking him into the Poltergust. The ghost dropped a bone in the process, which immediately captured the dog's attention.

"You fell for it fool!" Jonah said as the dog quieted, gnawing on the bone. He took the opportunity to stun the ghost dog and began wrangling it into the vacuum. The struggle was fierce, but Jonah eventually managed to trap the canine spirit.

Panting, he wiped his brow. "Bad... dog," he muttered, catching his breath.

With the yard now silent, Jonah turned his attention to the doghouse. Crawling through its entrance, he found himself in a hidden area—a graveyard.

"Huh. A graveyard in a backyard. Totally normal," Jonah deadpanned, looking around.

Several skeletal ghosts rose from the graves, but Jonah dealt with them swiftly. As he approached the largest grave at the far end of the yard, a bolt of lightning struck it, splitting the sky and making him jump back in fright.

The ground trembled as a tall, eerie figure emerged from the grave—a purple ghost with a melting, form. Its eyes glowed ominously as it moved like slime, its presence radiating pure malevolence. This was Bogmire, the Cemetery Shadow.

Without warning, Bogmire spread its arms wide, and Jonah found himself transported to a strange arena surrounded by a dark, shadowy fence.

"Okay, so all boss ghosts have domain expansions? Cool, cool. Not terrifying at all," Jonah said, trying to steady his nerves.

Bogmire's shadow extended, forming a doppelgänger that began approaching Jonah menacingly.

"And he's got STANDO POWER?! That's just unfair!" Jonah exclaimed, gripping the Poltergust tightly as he prepared for the battle ahead.

The shadow lunged, forming claws that slashed through the air. Jonah dove to the side, rolling just in time to avoid the attack. He aimed the vacuum and activated it, pulling at the shadow's form. It resisted, tendrils whipping toward him, but Jonah persisted, dodging and maneuvering around the arena.

Finally, the shadow began to shrink, drawn into the Poltergust with the usual pop. Bogmire, unfazed, moved around and unleashed another bolt of lightning. This one struck farther away, summoning two more shadows that immediately closed in on Jonah.

"Oh, come on!" Jonah yelled, sprinting as the shadows pursued him.

He zigzagged through the arena, narrowly avoiding their attacks. One shadow leapt, claws outstretched, but Jonah slid beneath it, spinning on his knees to aim the Poltergust. The vacuum roared to life, pulling the shadow backward as it clawed at the ground in desperation.

Before Jonah could fully capture it, Bogmire teleported with a crackle of static, appearing directly behind him. Jonah barely had time to react as Bogmire swiped with an elongated claw, knocking him off balance.

"Okay, that was cheap!" Jonah groaned, scrambling to his feet.

The remaining shadow advanced, forcing Jonah to leap over a low swipe and retaliate with a burst of water from the Poltergust's nozzle. The ghostly form fizzled and recoiled, giving Jonah just enough time to vacuum it up.

Bogmire growled, its glowing eyes narrowing as it raised both arms this time. Lightning rained down in rapid succession, striking the arena at random. Jonah dashed left and right, the heat of each strike singeing the air around him.

Jonah's eyes lit up as he noticed something odd—when he vacuumed up a shadow, it briefly condensed into a dark, swirling sphere before disappearing entirely. Inspiration struck like a lightning bolt.

"Alright, big guy," Jonah muttered, a grin spreading across his face, "time to see how you like a taste of your own medicine."

He focused on the nearest shadow, activating the Poltergust to suck it in. As soon as the shadow compressed into a sphere, Jonah quickly flipped the vacuum into reverse and fired it back at Bogmire. The ball shot through the air, slamming into the ghost's core with a resounding thud. Bogmire let out a distorted wail as its form flickered and dimmed.

"Gotcha now!" Jonah shouted, seizing the moment.

He turned the Poltergust back to vacuum mode and aimed directly at Bogmire. The ghost thrashed and twisted, fighting against the pull with everything it had. More shadows sprang up around Jonah, clawing and swiping at him as Bogmire summoned reinforcements in desperation.

"YOUR MINE!" Jonah yelled, dodging a shadow's lunge and leaping over another's strike. 

With a renewed burst of energy, Jonah locked onto Bogmire and pulled with all his might. The ghost let out an earsplitting roar as it was dragged toward the Poltergust's swirling vortex. Its form stretched and distorted, but Jonah didn't let up, digging his heels into the ground and yanking the nozzle like a pro fisherman reeling in a prize catch.

Finally, with one last defiant howl, Bogmire's form was compressed into a swirling spiral of dark mist and sucked into the Poltergust with a loud SLURP. Jonah stumbled back, nearly losing his balance, but managed to catch himself.

"HA! Take that, Shadow Houdini!" he shouted triumphantly.

Grinning ear to ear, Jonah couldn't help himself. He broke into an impromptu celebration, spinning around and moonwalking across the graveyard. "'Cause this is THRILLER, thriller night!" he sang, attempting some questionable hip swivels and finger snaps.

The graveyard suddenly shimmered, and Jonah felt a familiar tug as he was transported back to the physical realm. The oppressive darkness lifted, and the graveyard was now lit with an eerie, peaceful glow.

Jonah stood in the quiet clearing, hands on his knees, breathing heavily. Sweat trickled down his brow as the thrill of victory began to settle. He glanced at the Poltergust, which now hummed faintly. 

"What kind of loser has a weakness that's literally his own attack?" Jonah muttered, shaking his head and cracking a tired grin.

As the tension in the air lifted, a soft glow appeared in the center of the graveyard. Jonah looked up to see a chest materializing, ornate and gilded, with a faint shimmer of green light surrounding it. He walked over, flipping the lid open to reveal a large, intricately carved green key.

He pockets it in his Game Boy Horror before hearing the familiar ringtone interrupted his musings. He answers the call, seeing E. Gadd's grinning face on the small screen.

"Jonah, you alright? Good to hear from you!" the professor exclaimed. "I lost your signal when that lightning struck. Must have been quite the battle you had there!"

"Yeah, it was... something else," Jonah replied, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Do you think the lightning could've damaged the Poltergust?"

E. Gadd chuckled heartily. "Don't you worry about that, my boy! Even if that lightning had cooked your goose, the Poltergust 3000 is built to endure all kinds of abuse. Still, bring it back to the lab and I'll give it a once-over, just to be sure."

Jonah nodded. "Got it. Heading back now."

[TIMESKIP]

Back at the lab, Jonah stood before E. Gadd as the eccentric inventor inspected the Poltergust with his usual mix of precision and cheer. Jonah placed the canister containing his latest captures into the machine.

The contraption whirred and clanked as it processed the ghosts. One by one, they were transformed into stunningly detailed portraits, each one seemingly alive, capturing the essence of its spectral subject. Jonah's eyes lingered as Melody's portrait emerged, her serene expression preserved in delicate brushstrokes.

As E. Gadd wrapped up the process, Jonah hesitated before speaking. "…Hey, Professor? Do you think you'd ever consider parting with one of these portraits?"

E. Gadd raised an eyebrow, his curiosity clearly piqued. "Hmmm… Well, you've been a great help so far, Jonah. I don't see why not. Which one are you thinking of, and why?"

Jonah's cheeks flushed slightly as he gestured toward Melody's portrait.

E. Gadd studied him for a moment, his lips twitching into a sly grin. "Oh-ho! So it's her you're interested in, eh?"

Jonah shifted uncomfortably under the professor's knowing gaze. "What? No! It's not—! I mean, she's... talented! Her music was amazing, and—ugh, it's not like that! Just thought it'd be cool to have!"

E. Gadd burst into hearty laughter, slapping his knee. "Relax, my boy! You're not the first person to catch feelings for a ghost, you know. Why back in my day, there was this banshee—uh, never mind that!"

Jonah's face turned crimson as he stammered, "I'm not catching feelings! It's just... appreciation for her art!"

"Uh-huh, sure it is," E. Gadd teased, his laughter echoing through the lab.

Jonah groaned, rubbing his temples. "I'm just going to pretend this conversation never happened."

E. Gadd gave him a friendly pat on the back. "Alright, alright. I'll think about it. Now, rest up. There's still plenty of Mansion left to tackle!"

As Jonah trudged off to get some rest, his gaze drifted back to Melody's portrait one last time, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

(TO BE CONTINUED)