A Gentlemanly Ghost

"Next." The receptionist droned for the umpteenth time this day; her shift wasn't even moderately close to the midway point, and she was already prepared to clock out for the day. Rent was tight, and expenses in Jump City weren't cheap (that being the understatement of the century.) She had to take up a new job just to be able to make ends meet; that left her behind the counter of a jewelry store that was having a pre mother's day sale. And apparently, all these people have the money to spare on these ''amazing'' deals. In truth, the prices were hardly cut, but the word discount in itself was enough to get people through the door.

Was it admirable that so many guys and girls cared enough about their mothers/significant others enough to buy this jewelry in the first place? Or did this all come off as a faux show of affection since people only bothered to show up when this store put their items on a fake sale?

Whatever.

She rolled her eyes.

This is all for a paycheck.

Nothing else.

"Pardon me, M'Lady."

"Uhh..." The young woman blinked; she glanced up from her phone with a genuinely perplexed look. "Yes?" She raised an eyebrow.

This man before her was burly and appeared like a buff jock with the shades that adorned the bridge of his nose. His head was shaved bald, and he adorned a finely trimmed black beard across the details of his scruffy face. Yet, despite the general look of a punkish thug, the man held a wholly content and polite expression, one that appeared somewhat unnatural on his features.

"I do not wish to be a nuisance or a bother, but would you kindly find it in your heart to... Achem." The man cleared his throat. "Present me all that jewelry behind the counter?"

"Um.." The woman blinked again. "No?" She tilted her head? "Do you have money or... are you- Am I being robbed? You have a weapon?"

"A weapon? Goodness no!" The burly man touched his chest in a pleasant manner as if the idea itself was insulting for him to hear. "I do believe I am much more sophisticated to-"

"Next!" The woman called out. "Sir, can you leave? I don't get paid enough to deal with this shit."

"Oh my. You seem quite proficient in the art of vulgarity."

With a mouth open in annoyed shock, the woman couldn't help but ask. "What?"

"Allow me to introduce myself." With one hand behind his back, the man took off his shades, gently folded them, and placed it onto the counter. "I am.." He blinked and revealed his eyes to be glowing with a powerful white aura.

The man's body suddenly flashed white, and he collapsed onto the floor as if he were an **** sack of meat. Just then, above the fallen man, appeared a transparent-looking person with a cleanly pressed suit and tophat. A single molecule floated in the place his head should be; where everyone would expect to see a face, there was absolutely nothing; in fact, the top had appeared to be floating in thin hair just as the entire person in front of her clearly was.

"The Gentleman Ghost!"

"What the f- Holy shit!!" Rather abruptly, the woman felt much more alive and awake than she had previously. Maybe it was the literal criminal ghost in front of her; either way, she staggered back from surprise and fear and tripped on her own chair in the process. The entire room went from zero to a solid hundred as chaotic screaming filled the air.

"No need to fret, my dear." The ghost said, "This is all but a test in the art of compliance. Now please," He snapped his fingers, and a glowing transparent bag appeared on his gloved grasp. "Fill up this sack so we may keep this transaction civil."

"Uhhh ye- yes- sure um- Of course.." The woman staggered up to her feet and began to fumble with the jewelry behind the counter.

"Splendid! I-"

"What the fuck!?" From the entrance of the store, where a number of patrons were struggling to evacuate the premises, a single guard pushed his way into the shop. He was clearly taken aback but was quick to unholster the gun at his waist and begin shooting.

"Oh my!" The bullets passed harmlessly through the ghost, nearly nailing the woman behind the counter. "Hahaha!" The ghost cackled and, without warning, bolted towards the guard.

"Hey! No-" The guard exclaimed right as the ghost collided with him, and he went oddly quiet for a brief second. "Now now." He suddenly spoke with a much different tune. His eyes were glowing white, and he flashed a smile. "These weapons are so incredibly barbaric. But if you are going to grow physical..." The guard shifted the nozzle of the gun towards his own head as he said, "At least do it right."

His finger pulled on the trigger right as a yellow streak of light zoomed through the room in a flash. The man blinked in shock and was left staring at his empty hand, void of the weapon he just had.

"Tsk, tsk tsk." The yellow blur skidded to a stop revealing Kid Flash in his classic yellow costume. "Do you have a license for this?"

"I'm not sure.." The man shrugged; he looked down to his belt and idly patted the sides of his pants before adding. "Presumably, it is here somewhere... But no matter." His body shuttered for a brief second and glowed white; the man collapsed onto the ground in an **** heap as The Gentleman Ghost floated upwards from his fallen figure. "While I do enjoy the company, I must unfortunately depart." Without seeming to care, the ghost casually floated back towards the counter and took hold of the fully stuffed sack he had left with the woman. "I have much business to attend to. And a true gentleman does not know the meaning of tardy!"

*FLASH*

"What. Leaving already?" Kid Flash zoomed back into the store after he evacuated everyone in less than a few seconds.

"Yes, I- Were you not listening to me?"

"Nope, I was clearing the area. You know how it is."

"Children these days." The ghost muttered under his breath. "Exceedingly annoying."

"Oh, if you think I am annoying? Just wait till everyone else shows up."

"Everyone-"

*CRASH*

Directly above Kid Flash, there was a green explosion from the ceiling, and five more figures lept down into the store through the mask of dust and debris.

"Oh my." The Gentleman Ghost adjusted his monocle. "The Teen Titans."

"Hell yeah!" Beast Boy said, in the guise of a green bird, before he transformed back into his human-like form

"Your crime spree ends here, Gentleman Ghost," Robin said as he stepped forward.

"Yes!" Starfire floated down. "This polite performance of yours will not cause us to turn a blind eye to villainous crime."

"And like-" Bumblebee, the dark-skinned teen wearing a yellow and black bee-themed outfit, said with a cocked hip. "What does a ghost even need to steal jewelry for?"

"Well, you see." The Gentleman Ghost cleared his throat. "It's a common misconception, but these gems aren't just-"

"Oh my god! No one asked!!!!" Beast Boy cut him off mid sentence.

"What? I- Your friend just as-" The ghost pointed towards Bumblebee with an excusing finger.

"Wow wow wow." Kid Flash crossed his arms and shook his head in mock disappointment. "Is this guy supposed to be a gentleman? I mean, he's pointing fingers now, so I don't know."

Starfire nodded. "That was the very rude."

"Mhm." Raven hummed under her breath.

"OOoohhh you-" The Gentleman Ghost's voice trimmed ever so slightly, but after a faint exhale, his British accent returned to its passive state. "Your childish antics are no use against an honorable man such as myself. Now scurry along before your parents catch wind you snuck out of daycare."

Bumblebee furrowed her brow and leaned to her side to whisper to Raven. "How old does this guy think we are?"

Raven shrugged.

"Yeah, it doesn't matter." Said Robin blankly. "Also, that's not happening. Titans, go!"

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven chanted. The ceiling above the ghost became wrapped in a black aura; it cracked and shook from an inner **** and abruptly collapsed downwards.

Glowing green energy crackled around Starfires fists as she blasted a pulsating beam towards the pile of the collapsed ceiling. Robin retrieved three disk-like explosives from his belt and sent them flying, while Bumblebee unhooked her stingers from below her wings and sent a stream of electricity flying forward. The attacks all hit their marks nearly simultaneously; it created a noticeably large explosion that shrouded the entirety of the shop in dark smoke that could vent out only through the holes in the ceiling.

"Yo," Beast Boy said with an arm covering his mouth and nose. "Did it work?"

Everyone took a few moments to gather their bearings while coughing with their mouths covered. Eventually, Bumblebee muttered, "Uh..."

"I believe so." Kid Flash said.

"I'm not sure if-" Robin started to speak, but he stopped himself and glanced over to the young speedster.

"You believe so?" Raven mimicked what he said with a raised eyebrow.

"Indeed I..." Taking a few steps back while the Titans looked on with suspicion adamant in their gazes, Kid Flash sighed. "Ballocks."

*FLASH*

In a bolt of light, Kid Flash was gone. At least, from the position he had just been standing. But after the clear sound of an audible thump and crash, everyone shifted their gazes to the side and found that he had slammed into the wall beside the stores' entrance.

"Oh my..." He uttered while stumbling back, "This vessel is quite the runner. Ah, well... Farewell children."

*FLASH*

"That, uh..." Beast Boy said while the rest of the Titans just stared at the open door. "That's not good, right?"

---

"Star, do you have visual?"

"Yes." Starfire tapped her ear as she rocketed through the sky to the very limit her natural speed would allow. "He doesn't appear to be that good at avoiding- Oooooooohhhh! Mm.. Fffffff.... Eeeehhhhh, he ran right into another car..."

"Hehehaha." Beast Boy chuckled. "That's going to hurt in the morning."

"That's not funny." Robin said, "Star, do you think you can pin him down before he recovers?"

"I could give it the shot." Starfire tucked her shoulders and rocketed down towards the street the possessed speedster had collapsed onto. Kid Flash was holding his head while he wavered back onto his feet; by the time he noticed the alien, it was too late. One hand hooked around his leg while the other gripped his back; Starfire forcefully pinned him onto the ground.

"Gaaahhhhck!" Kid Flash winced. "This paltry body has too much youthful vigor."

"He is restrained," Starfire confirmed to her coms.

"Great job, star. We're almost there." Robin responded; both he and Bumblebee, who was carrying him through the air, made out Starfire from a few blocks away. A miniature traffic jam was created by the alien and speedster as they both struggled.

"Nnngh- Nnnnnn!" The possessed Flash struggled, to no avail, to **** his way out of Starfire's hold. "Hmm.." He sighed and gave up in his attempts. "You are quite the strong lass, aren't you?"

Before Starfire could respond, she felt a sudden warmth pass into her, and everything went dark. "Now, this might do me the very well," She said and gently floated into the air. "Strong..." She flexed her arms in a bodybuilder pose, "Fast and gifted with the ability of flight? Could be much more beneficial, hehehehe..."

"HEY!" Bumblebee shouted and sent a bolt of electricity flying towards the street. It landed right beside Starfire and grabbed her attention. "Get out of her!"

Starfire grinned. "I'm quite sorry, but I do doubt you'll see your pal anytime soon." She crouched and bolted into the air fast enough to create a sonic boom. "Ta ta!"

Raven and Beast Boy wrapped onto the roof of a building right as Starfire soared past it.

"Hey, Ray..." Beast Boy said. "I think the polite British guy is getting away with Starfire's body."

Raven took a sudden stance that caused her robe to drift apart as her hands rose into the open air, "Not happening." She said coldly, and her hands began to glow in a dark aura. In the distance, Starfire went from speeding through the sky to being teleported back onto the roof where she had passed by Raven and Beast Boy.

"Accccccck!" Starfire gasped right before colliding face first onto the roof.

"I got her!" Beast Boy sprang forward and transformed his body into that of a giant squid, one that was large enough to engulf the entirety of the roof and have its massive tentacles drape down the sides of the building. The green sea monster quickly wrapped its tentacles around Starfire to pin her in place effectively.

"Nngghhhhh..." Starfire moaned. "My my. Impressive." She gave Beast Boy a coy, somewhat suggestive grin. "This troubling mess has me irritated and impressed."

"Uh..." The squid said nervously.

Raven's brow lowered.

Starfire's body flashed white for a second, and the Gentleman ghost appeared above her, "Allow me to try you out for a spell."

"Oh shit!" The squid was abruptly gone, and back was Beast Boy in his human form as he frantically fumbled to get away. The Gentleman Ghost was ungentlemanly-like in the way he didn't give Beast Boy enough of a head start. Instead, the ghost flew with haste directly towards the teen. "No! Nonononono! Don't-"

Beast Boy shut his eyes and expected to lose consciousness at any second. But Raven flew in front of him at an incredible speed and put her arms out in a protective motion. The ghost instead flew directly into her chest between her breasts, right as Bumblebee and Robin flew up to the roof.

"Oh no," Robin said to himself.

Raven's arms slumped down against her side as her eyes stared forward with a white glow. Her plush lips parted open, and she gradually floated down onto the roof.

"Raven?" Starfire rose to her feet and called out to her friend hesitantly.

*FLASH*

"DID HE POSSESS RAVEN?" Kid Flash shouted in a less careful way as he suddenly appeared with the rest of the group.

"I think so?" Beast Boy said. He was the only one brave enough to approach Raven, and he casually poked the side of her cheek.

She didn't move and continued to stare ahead.

Beast Boy poked her cheek a few more times. He then lowered his gaze to her breasts and carelessly pushed the tip of his finger into her right boob. "Woah.." He said and then poked her left boob. "Dudes, she's out of it."

"Stop that." Bumblebee crossed her arms below her chest.

"Okay, okay, okay." Kid Flash waved his hands in the air. "What are we supposed to do now?"

Everyone instantly looked towards Robin, who did a double-take. "W- What? Why are you looking at me like that? I have no idea what's going on."

Just then, Raven blinked and licked her lips. Her eyes were no longer glowing white, and she looked around to her teammates, who were all staring back at her with concerned faces. "What did I miss?" She said blandly.

"Uh..." Robin said. "What.. happened? Are you."

"I ate him." Raven licked her lips again.

"WHAT!?" They all exclaimed in unison.

Bumblebee stepped forward, her arms still crossed. "How do we know you're not tricking us here?"

As if on cue, Raven suddenly burped in a surprisingly cute manner, and out of her mouth, plopped the ghost's transparent monocle. It trickled onto the ground while everyone stared at it in silence.

"You- Actually ate him?" Kid Flash said. "That- That's- I-"

"Calm down." Raven picked up the monocle. "Demons do it to the dead all the time. You guys know I'm half demon, right?"

"But you- You didn't have to kill him," Robin interjected.

"I didn't?" Raven raised an eyebrow. "What were we going to do? Send him to ghost prison?"

"Yea!"

"That's not a thing." She responded flatly. "I'd know." Without care, Raven flicked the monocle off the roof with her fingers. "Besides, he was already dead."

"I think she's freaking awesome!" Beast Boy exclaimed as he pressed forward towards Raven and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

Raven stayed in place and looked back at him with a bland expression.

Bumblebee narrowed her eyes. "You know he was touching your boobs while you were ****."

"Pfffff." Beast Boy scoffed. "Show's how much you know about her; she loves it when I- AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh....." A black portal appeared from underneath Beast Boy's feet and completely sucked him into its lightless void.

The portal then disappeared, and before anyone else could say anything, Raven spoke up with a dry and bland voice, "Great. Mission complete. Anyone up for pie? I'm hungry." Her stomach grumbled faintly while she stared back at her team with a face void of any emotion.

---

Down below the building at the street-level floor, the Gentleman Ghost's monocle idly clattered onto the sidewalk. While it was void of any pedestrians as a giant green squid atop a building would likely cause most and any onlookers to evacuate the general vicinity, the monocle itself lay in patients as it waited for someone, anyone, to find it.

As many may know, a ghost can never be fully forgotten, as long as there is something to keep it tethered to the mortal realm. In this case, even something as minute as an easily forgotten monocle can prevent a spirit from moving onto the afterlife. Unfortunately, with Raven only being a half-demon, she has a lot to learn when it comes to effectively erasing a ghost from the mortal realm. Though, considering the circumstances, she did a decent job in destroying ninety-eight percent of this particular ghost's essence.

But as long as there is even as little as two percent of the spirit left. It can still seek out vengeance.

So it lay there, on the street, in wait for someone who it may use to help its cause.

The question is, who did it find?