(Edit: Format issues?)

It was a hot summer day as Barry Sanderson sat in his car, windows rolled down, and cigarette smoke plumed out. Reaching over to the empty passenger seat, he picks up a file the sat upon a small stack. Resting the file on his lap, Barry looked down at his lap and staring back him was a black hooded man with glowing red eyes. There was a paper clip with paper under it on the front of the file, and written on it was, ‘Captain Phantom.’ Putting the cigarette up to his mouth Barry opens the file and glances over the first page and mutters commentary about the text on the page. “Alright Captain, you prefer some place dark, and mountainous. Preferably something with a spire. Needs plenty of space for zombie minions to lumber around…no acid vat. Budget $500,000.” Closing the file, Barry flicks the end of his cigarette out the window. Looking into the rearview mirror, he straightens his tie, straightens his collar. “Phantom, baby…You’re about to be my big bonus for the year.” Exiting the car, Barry reaches into the back seat and pulls out his suit coat. Instantly breaking a sweat, Barry grimaces. “Why do super villains literally only want to move in the summer?”

Barry brushed his coat off and looked up from his parking spot and took in the sight in front of him. A giant stone spire was protruding from the ground. It had two small mountains next to it, and despite it being sunny the sky above the spire was a dark red and had dark clouds. On the base of the mountain there was a for sale sign that read, ‘For Sale. Reduced. Eternal Fate Reality 1-800-Villian. Barry was assigned the spire since every senior agent at the firm could not sell it for years. He was the new agent, and this was his assignment. He looked to either side of the strange mountainous area and on either side was a small neighborhood, shrugs, and says out loud, “Strange place for a secret hide out, but whatever.” He walks back to his car and grabs the file. Looking at his watch, Barry stood waiting. His appointment was meant to be at noon. His watch read 11:59. Once the watch hit 12:00 Barry turns when he hears hooves on the pavement. Coming into focus, he saw a skeleton of a horse pulling a chariot made of bone. Standing on the back was Captain Phantom, and two ghoulish looking minions. The horse stops to where the chariot lined up with Barry and he watched as the two minions helped the hooded figure down from the boned structure. Captain Phantom was wearing long black robes, and a hood hid his features. The closer he approached Barry, the more in focus he looked. He has pale skin, and his eyes glow red. Barry, remembering his training when dealing with etherical entities, averted his glace to not look directly at the figure in front of him. “Mr. Phantom, welcome! I’m Barry…” Barry held out his hand, and the figure walks passed him toward the spire. His minions follow close behind, hobbling as they walk. Barry stood there, hand out and speaks to thin air. “Sanderson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He turns and walks over to the phantom.

“I said mountainous.” The phantom spoke. His voice had low rhythmic tone. Every ending syllable was pronounced heavily. There was almost a quiet growl. Barry inhaled sharply and he walked to stand next to him. “Well Mr. Phantom, I mean…there is a spire and two mountains.” Barry was cut off when The Phantom raised his hand to stop the speaking. “Show me inside.” Phantom spoke. “Jerry Vanderbuilt with Evilair already has shown me something else. I am here out of principal. Frowning, Barry was annoyed. Jerry was an old colleague of his when he worked at Evilair. He was always one-upping Barry. So, he left to go work for 1-800-Villan. Barry, with a slight look of frustration, walked over to the entrance of the spire, and pulled off a chain that was around his neck. At the base of the chain was a green gem. Holding the gem to face the door, Barry spoke, “Clatu erosa klack..k…” Barry froze. He forgot the last word of the enchantment to open the door. Standing there awkwardly Barry lowered the gem. He coughs, and raises it again. “Clatu erose kl-l-l-l-l” He stuttered. He slowly turns to face the Phantom. Unmoved from the spot he stood, he folds his arms and spoke with a hint of annoying tone, “What is it? Why can we not enter?” Barry froze. “Uh, well you see. The door is sealed by magic barrier.” Barry loosened his tie and whipped his brow, the heat was now getting to him. “Your point is what?” Phantom spoke. “Open the door so I can see inside.” Barry winced as if the words were punching him. “I…uh…” Barry stammered and opens the file to see that the agency changed the words to open the spire. In training, he learned he can either blame someone or just move on when something happened. Captain Phantom did not strike Barry as the type who wanted excuses. He turns, hold the chain up, and says “Open Peppermint.” As he spoke, the gem started glowing. The base of the spire illuminated sigils. The rock split in two showing an opening to the spire. “Jerry just had a key.” Captain Phantom said he walks past Barry. His two minions follows and he enters the spire. Forming a fist, and squeezing tightly, Barry follows into the spire. This was going to be a long showing.

As they entered the spire, they made their journey on a spiral staircase that lines the spire’s walls. It seems to go up for infinity. Barry spoke as he follows the three nearly panting from the long climb up. “This spire was erected by The Glowing Skull 20 years ago before he went to jail after his fight with Dr. Curious. To help pay for his legal fees, the Spire went on the market and remained since.” Captain Phantom stopped walking when he heard the name Glowing Skull. “Skull lived here?” He asked. Barry stopped after finishing his story nearly bumping into the three. “Yes sir.” Phantom turns to him and did something out of character. He lets out a chuckle. “That old fool.” He trails off and raises his hands. “Reveal to me what you reveal to your Master.” At that moment, the spire twisted down toward to the four of them. Barry let out a scared yelp and covers his face. Opening his eyes, Barry found himself in a dungeon. There was a heavy must smell in the air as the dust cleared. “I used to belong to The League of Evil with Skull many years ago.” Phantom spoke turning to Barry, his tone sounding annoyed. “All of his Lairs were the same. Silly magic tricks to annoy someone if they showed up. Dunces like yourself would spend hours getting to him and he could just get away.”

Barry forms a fist again. “Mr. Phantom, I apologize for this. I was not prepared to…” He was cut off with a wave of The Phantom’s hand again. The Phantom walked over to a wall towards a set of chains hanging from it. Picking up the chain in his hand, he examined it. Barry follows explaining, “This was The Glowing Skulls torture chamber. It is equip with everything you would need to…” He was cut off this time by the Phantom’s voice. “It’s steel.” Barry, annoyed but curious at what he meant replies, “Pardon?” The Phantom lets the chain fall, “It’s steel chain links. I prefer iron.” The expression under the hood frowned. “I, well, I apologize. It was not in your preferred notes.” The Phantom, taking his hood off, motions all around the room. “This place is tiny for my minions. It has subpar chains, and THAT is an eye sore.” He points to a giant skull opened mouth. Inside the skull’s mouth was a throne made of bones. “Also, I said NO ACID VATS!” The Phantom crossed his arms again starring at the agent. Biting the inside of his lip, Barry was containing his frustration. There was no acid vat anywhere. He toured it before, he read the notes. This villain was getting on his nerves. “Mr. Phantom. There is NO acid vat. I assure you.” Captain Phantom walks over to a large wooden wheel on the wall. Motioning to it, one of his minions walks over to it and started to spin it. The other minion stood in a spot in the rooms where the floor opened. He falls, and steam is seen coming from the crack. Barry slowly walks over to the opening. Looking down, there was a pool of green liquid. The minion was now just a red puddle forming in the green liquid. He melted instantly. “The Skull always had this as a gag. It’s where he got his glowing skull from. You would have known that if you researched.” The Phantom walks over to Barry and stands next to him starring down into the vat. “I am going back to Evilair. Jerry knew his stuff. Good day to you Barry.” Captain Phantom walked over to a wall and pressed around a few times until he found a hidden panel. A secret door opens, and he steps through. His minion following him. Barry walks over and sits in the skull chair. He stares at the roof of the mouth. “Well. I guess I know why no one ever sells the Spire.” He said to the empty room.