Episode 5: Descent Into Darkness-Great Pumpkin Rising

CHAPTER 1: ORIENTATION

Lucy was at the Serpent Sisters warehouse hideout. Cobra had set up some tests of loyalty. The first test would be on Halloween. The girls were going out but not for trick-or-treating; to "egg" and "T.P." houses. They were placed in charge of different duties. Lucy and Python were to get the eggs; Anaconda and Rattler were to get the toilet paper; while Cobra would scout out some neighborhoods to do their damage. Lucy was trying to earn their trust and a spot in their gang. She hadn't earn her snake handle as of yet.

Meanwhile, Linus was gearing for another night of waiting in a pumpkin patch to wait for the Great Pumpkin. He was determined to meet him at all costs. He packed away some snacks and water, some flashlights, a camera to take a picture of the Great Pumpkin. He pretty much knew no one else besides Snoopy and possibly Sally would join him in the pumpkin patch. Sally, however, flat out refused to make a fool out of herself this year, despite her feelings for him, and Snoopy had other plans this year with Woodstock. Just then the phone rang. Linus went to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Linus, this is Eudora."

"Oh hey, Eudora. How are you doing?"

"I'm good. I was just wondering what you're doing on Halloween."

"The usual," said Linus. "Halloween is upon us. And on Halloween night, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch…"

"And delivers toys to all the good children," Eudora finished.

"That's right," said a happy Linus. "Though I don't expect you to wait with me because I know you don't believe in the Great Pumpkin."

"Actually, I want to spend some time with you," said Eudora. "I don't feel like going out trick-or-treating, or doing any haunted houses or parties. I'll join you in the pumpkin patch."

"Really? That would be great, Eudora. Though we may not see the Great Pumpkin."

"I don't mind. I just like being with you." Linus blushed when she said that. He liked being with her as well.

"Okay, I'll see you Halloween night."

"Okay, bye, Linus." Linus hung up the phone.

The younger Van Pelt sibling, Rerun, went over to Charlie Brown's house and knocked on the door. Charlie Brown answered the door.

"Oh, hey, Rerun," he greeted. "What can I do for you?"

"Hey, Charlie Brown," said Rerun. "I was wondering if I could go trick-or-treating with you. Linus will be sitting in a pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin, and Lucy's been busy with something which I don't know what it is. I need someone to go with."

"Sure, Rerun. You can go with me and Frieda. I'm not sure Sally's going, though. She talked about going to a haunted house with some friends, but I'm not sure. But I don't mind if you come with us."

"Thanks, Charlie Brown. Everything's been a mess at home. Lucy isn't around as much as she used to be, and Linus has been spending a lot of time with Eudora."

"It's no problem, Rerun. We'll have fun on Halloween." And Rerun left to go back home. Charlie Brown went back inside and called Frieda.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Frieda. It's Charlie Brown."

"Hey, sweetie. What's up?"

"I hope you don't mind, but I said it was alright for Rerun to go with us trick-or-treating. According to him Lucy's been M.I.A. and you already know what Linus is going to be up to."

"Sure, Charlie Brown, that's no problem. I don't mind Rerun joining us."

"Okay, cool. I'm actually surprised that Lucy's not taking him this year. She usually is up to bringing Rerun with her on Halloween."

"I wonder if it has to do with what happened during Homecoming."

"I don't know. But I'm not thinking about what Lucy's doing. I am concerned for Rerun and Linus, though. Linus can probably deal with it better, but Rerun is younger and I feel like he could use some company that isn't family."

"I understand. Anyway, wait until you see my costume for this Halloween. It will knock your socks off!"

"I can't wait," said Charlie Brown, smiling. "I got my costume ready as well."

"Well I will see you later, hun. I love you."

"I love you, too, Frieda." Charlie Brown hung up the phone.

NEXT CHAPTER: PUMPKIN DREAMS