After a few hours, the bus pulled into Elwood City. Charlie Brown and friends observed the city, through the windows. Lucy was the first to break the silence with her usual tact:

"What's the deal with this place?" Lucy asked, "why is everybody dressed up like animals? It's not Halloween!"

"I agree it is a bit peculiar" Charlie Brown said, "perhaps it's some sort of cultural custom."

"Well it's the dumbest custom I've ever heard of" Lucy replied.

The bus eventually stopped at the baseball diamond and the kids disembarked. Arthur and his team were present, and eagerly awaiting the new arrivals.

"Hey, the kids are here!" Arthur exclaimed. Everyone dropped what they were doing and ran over to see the newcomers.

"Those are the kids we're playing against?" Francine asked, "look at them, they're so weird!"

"Their heads are shaped like beach balls" Binky added, "talk about your goofy looking heads."

"I told you they were aliens" Buster added, "no kids from Earth could look like that."

"Knock it off Buster" Arthur replied, "they're our guests, so we should make them feel welcome."

Of course, Charlie Brown and his crew were surprised by the kids as well. Okay, mainly Lucy.

"Even the kids wear animal costumes!" she exclaimed "this whole city is loony!"

"I'm beginning to think those might not be costumes" Linus whispered to Charlie Brown.

"You might be right" Charlie Brown replied, "but, we are guests here, so we should be polite."

He extended his hand to Arthur, who shook it.

"Hello, thank you for inviting us. My name is Charlie Brown."

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Arthur Read."

"Nice place you have here."

"Thanks."

There was an awkward silence between both sets of kids. Finally, Mr. Frensky decided to break it.

"Welcome to Elwood City, I'm Oliver Frensky, coach of this little team. As you know, each of you has been assigned a team member to live with while you're here. Why don't we get you paired off right now, okay? Lucy Van Pelt, you'll have the pleasure of coming home with me."

"Fantastic" Lucy replied sarcastically.

"Linus, you'll be with Buster."

"What's with the blanket?" Buster asked, "I only mention it cause somebody might make fun of you."

"Hey baby, why do you have a blanket?" Binky asked, "you got a diaper and a bottle too?" He was so busy laughing at his taunt that he didn't notice the blanket shoot out at him like a whip. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground.

"I'm not worried" Linus replied to the astonished Buster.

"And Charles Brown, says here that you'll be going home with Arthur."

"Can we get my dog first?" Charlie Brown asked.

"You have a dog too?" Arthur asked, "I hope he's not vicious."

"No, he's just a bit, well, different."

As if on cue, Snoopy walked by holding his suitcase. He handed it to Arthur, then strolled off towards the exit.

"Your dog?"

Charlie could only nod in agreement.

Eventually, everyone was set up. Brain got Schroeder, Mr. Frensky volunteered to take Rerun, much to Francine's annoyance, and Binky got Pig-Pen. Soon, everyone headed off to their temporary residences.

---

As they rode home in the Read family car, Arthur turned to his new friend.

"I'm sure you and I will have loads of fun together" he said, "just watch out for D.W., she's my little sister and she's super annoying."

"I know what it's like to have a little sister" Charlie Brown replied, "my sister Sally can be a little troublesome at times too."

"Oh, okay then."

After awhile, they arrived at the Read house. Charlie Brown unloaded his bag from the car and Arthur hurried ahead of him to open the door.

"You can stay in my room" Arthur said, "it'll be like having a brother."

Of course, waiting for him on the inside, was none other than D.W.

"Is the new kid here yet?" she asked excitedly, jumping up and down, "let me see!"

"Go away D.W., Charlie Brown and I are going to my room to play."

"Is that him?" D.W. asked, when she finally laid eyes on the mysterious newcomer.

"Hello, you must be D.W." Charlie Brown said politely, "my name is Charlie Brown."

"How come you're bald?"

"D.W!"

"What? I was just asking a question" D.W. replied, "how do you expect me to learn anything if I don't ask questions?"

Arthur ignored her and stormed up to his room, followed by a confused Charlie Brown. Moments later, Snoopy entered the house, still clutching his tiny suitcase.

Some hotel this is. Doesn't even have any luggage service.

"Hey, a new dog!" D.W. said, running over to examine Snoopy, "are you the new kid's dog?" Snoopy, of course, said nothing.

"I hope you're better than Arthur's dopey dog" D.W. replied "is that one of Charlie's suitcases? I'll take it up to him" she said, grabbing it and rushing off.

That's better, I just hope she wasn't expecting a tip. Hmm, I wonder when suppertime is around here? Soon I hope, I'm famished.

In the next chapter, The other Peanuts gang get to know the supporting Arthur cast. Plus Pal & Kate meet Snoopy.