"Kal?" Marnie asked in disbelief. She couldn't believe that the warlock who tried to take over the mortal world and turn all the humans into creatures was standing before her. During her junior year of high school, her family had thrown a halloween party. During that party, she had met Kal and his 'father'. Kal had laid the charm on thick and had Marnie believe he was into her, and with his handsome good looks, she of course was attracted to him. Little did she know that Kal was actually the son of Kalabar, the warlock who tried to take over Halloweentown during her first visit there. Kal had convinced Marnie to give her a tour of the house and while showing him her Grandma Aggie's room, he had stolen Aggie's spellbook so the Cromwell clan couldn't mess with his plans. It wasn't until Aggie's magic bag stopped working that Marnie and Aggie went to Halloweentown to investigate. When they had gotten there, they realized that Kal had used the Grey Spell on all of Halloweentown, taking away its magic and charm. Marnie eventually stopped him after the Cromwells came together and opened the portal for good, not just on halloween.
"How are you here?" Marnie asked, getting defensive ready to fight if need be. She looked around. Witches, ghosts, goblins and all sorts of Halloweentown residents passed by them without even casting a second glance. "Better question, why are you here?"
Kal held up his hands, trying to show Marnie that he came in peace and meant no harm. "I'm just here picking up a few gifts for Halloween. I'm not here to cause trouble or cause a fight." He paused when he saw the suspicious look on Marnie's face. "Look, can I explain?" Kal studied Marnie for a moment, trying to see if he could continue or if he needed to back off. Marnie relaxed a little, but still on guard in case she this was a trick. Kal sighed. Marnie was going to listen.
"After our last encounter and with how everything went down, I disappeared for a while and layed low. I was so angry with how things went. My dad raised me to believe that the Cromwells were oppressing the residents of Halloweentown. That it was your family's fault that we had to leave the mortal world and hide away in this dimension. After what had happened that halloween, to me, that was further proof of that. Part of my anger also stemmed from the fact that from the moment I was able to learn, I was trained in all things magical. I had learned spells, potions, amulets, charms, all of it. I had grown up knowing I was a warlock. I also come from a powerful line of witches and warlocks, where as you didn't know that you were a witch until you were thirteen. Sure, you come from a powerful line of witches and warlocks as well but you didn't train and learn as long as I have. But yet you and your family were able to open the portal AND you were able to get through my magic to get back those books. I was jealous because clearly you were an exceptionally powerful witch who it seemed like didn't have to try. That it just came easy to you because you were a Cromwell."
Kal paused as he and Marnie had made their way over the a bench in front of the Abominable Snowman I-Scream Parlor. After taking a seat and getting settled, Kal continued. "Anyway. I was so angry and decided to use the time laying low to plot my revenge. See, my goal was always to liberate the residents of Halloweentown. It was never about me wanting to rule, like my dad. I wanted to set us free. For us to be able to leave what I thought was our prison. To be able to live among the mortal world without persecution. It wasn't until I tried to recruit others to my cause that I realized that the Cromwells weren't oppressing anyone. I was informed that the decision to move to this dimension was made as a community and not by one person. That was when I realized that my father had lied to me all my life. That he wasn't trying to liberate Halloweentown when your family destroyed him, that he was trying to take it over. During all of this, I was still keeping tabs on you and your family. You were able to accomplish what I was trying to do but in a less extreme way. That was when it finally hit me that your family were the good guys after all. I dropped my plans for revenge and admitted myself to Witches Rehab" Marnie raised an eyebrow and Kal laughed. "Yeah, that's a real thing. There's a place here in Halloweentown for wayward witches and warlocks. For those who realize that they have harmed others or are remorseful about past actions. I've been working hard to be a better warlock. A better individual. Now I only use my powers for good, to help the community." Marnie raised another eyebrow. Kal laughed again. "Don't get me wrong, I still use my magic for fun but I'm done with the plotting, the revenge, the wickedness."
Marnie took a deep breath once Kal was finished with his story. "That sounds almost too good to be true." Kal just hung his head. It wasn't that Marnie didn't want to believe him. The Cromwells were always trying to see the best in people. Marnie had forgiven her goblin friend Luke after he had tried to help her banish Kalabar. Grandma Aggie gave Principal Flannigan a chance after he had shown remorse for his wrong doings. Marnie gave Ethan a chance after he turned against his father and tried to do the right thing. Maybe Kal was telling the truth. Marnie was hesitant because while Luke, Principal Flannigan and Ethan had all plotted against the Cromwells, they didn't go as far as Kal had. They were more like accessories to the crimes rather than being the ring leader. Marnie was afraid of it being a fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me kind of situation.
Suddenly a voice interrupted Marnie's thought. "He's telling you the truth." Marnie jumped a little and turned to the direction that the voice came from - which was right behind her. Her friend Luke was there. Marnie didn't know how long he was there or how much of her and Kal's conversation he had heard. "He volunteers at the headless shelter, he tutors young witches and warlocks, he's even on the town council, always trying to make things better for all of Halloweentown." Luke continued, completely unaware that he had startled Marnie. He sat down beside them. "How's it going, Kal?" Kal replied that he was doing good.
"Wait, you've known this whole time? How long have you known?" Marnie asked. She couldn't believe that one of her best friends had kept something so big from her. Someone who knew of her history with Kal.
Luke shrugged. "I've known since the summer before your freshman year. I had bumped into Kal at the beauty parlor. One of the technicians was unable to make it to work that day so Kal had filled in for the day. Basically doing clean up and fetching whatever was needed for the other technicians. Trust me, I had the same reaction you did. When he explained everything to me, I honestly didn't believe him. I thought he was up to no good but just like you gave me a chance to redeem myself, I decided to see if what he said was true. I checked with the witches at the Witch Rehab Center. They have corroborated his story. I went to Astrid to see if she could help me investigate and everything we turned up just further backed Kal's story. As for why I didn't tell you, I thought it was better coming from him. Once he knew you had moved to Halloweentown to attend University, he did his best to stay out of your way. I remember this one time, Kal was picking up some groceries for an elderly witch when he saw you and Aneesa walking his way so he made a made dash the other way. I figured you would freak if you knew Kal was back before knowing the whole story."
Marnie was at a loss for words. Maybe Kal really had changed and was not fooling everyone. Maybe he sincerely regretted his actions and has been atoning for them ever since.
Before Marnie could further get lost in thought again, Kal stood up. "I really have to get going. I need to get these toys to the school before they close." He paused and looked at Marnie. "It was really nice seeing you."
As Kal started to walk away, Marnie stood. "Hey, Kal." Kal stopped and turned to her. "What are you doing on Halloween?" After informing Marnie that he was going to be volunteering at annual Halloweentown feast in the afternoon but was free later that night, Marnie asked him something that surprised him. "Would you like to come to my Halloween party?" Kal just smiled and nodded.
Unbeknownst to them, their entire encounter was being watched by someone in the shadows of a nearby alley. Someone who had heard every word and was already formulating a plan to get revenge on Marnie Piper and the rest of the Cromwell clan. "This is perfect." The stranger commented with glee. Since Marnie had invited all of Halloweentown to her party, they would be able to slip in unnoticed and be able to exact their revenge. The figure cackled. This was going to be a halloween the Cromwells would never forget.
