After the pumpkin pie and tea, with their things gathered in Ashley's magic fanny pack, Ashley and the others headed out the cottage.
"Alright let's go." Ashley announced. She, Fangula and Wolfie were about to take off but stopped, they turned to see Jill standing in the doorway
"Come on Jill, let's go." Ashley told Jill.
Jill took a step back. "Ashley, I cannot go with you."
"Why? How hard is it to see a fortune teller?"
"Well that's what I've been trying to tell you. The way to find her is extremely dangerous. And even if you do reach her, I don't think she can even help."
"What?!" Fangula shouted. "Why?! What makes her so special anyway?!"
"You see, the fortune teller was one of the actual founders of Halloween Hollow. She helped create this land as well as be one of its soul protectors. Someone as powerful as her makes her an easy target for monster hunters and other threats to our way of life. So she has hidden herself beyond the most dangerous places of the Hollow. Which is why I don't think I should help. I fear my assistance will not be enough..."
Fangula and Wolfie looked worried, but not Ashley. However, she couldn't help but feel a little worried, if the way to see this fortune teller is so dangerous even a local is too scared to go with them, chances are it's not going to be fun. "Come on Jill, like it or not we're going to see her." she looked at the monsters. "Right guys?"
"Uh, right..." they said a little shaky.
Ashley went over to Jill and took her by the hand. "So are you in?"
Jill sighed, no matter what she said, Ashley will not be fazed. "I-I cannot go with you, but I can help you." she took out a folded piece of paper from her overall pocket. "Take this map with you. It'll show you where you need to go."
Ashley took the paper, opening it. It was a map of the entire hollow. It showed where Ashley and the others were. "This map is written in magic ink. it'll lead you to the quickest way to the fortune teller." And she was right, a trail of little dots appeared on the map that started at the pumpkin patch. Ashley watched the trail lead to their first stop.
"According to this, our first stop is, the-" she saw what looked like a picture of a forest on the map, words started to form as Ashley read them, "Wrath Woods."
Jill approached Ashley and smiled, she offered her hand. "Good luck to you."
Ashley returned the smile and shook the scarecrow's hand. "Thanks for everything Jill. If there's anything we can do for you, just ask. I'm sure we'll meet again somehow."
"Oh I'm sure too."
Now the gang was off. they all waved goodbye to Jill. She watched them go off into the distance, once they were gone from view. Jill's smile became a worried frown.
Ashley led the way while Fangula was right by her side and Wolfie was on the other. As they walked, Ashley took a break looking at the map and enjoyed the path they were taking. They walked down an Autumn forest path filled with bright orange, red and yellow trees. The swirling leaves was truly a breathtaking sight. Ashley never knew what was so dangerous about this at all.
"Okay, we're almost th-" Ashley suddenly gasped.
"What?" Fangula asked, then gasped as Wolfie repeated.
The path they had to take was a complete opposite of the path they were already on. The gorgeous Autumn trees were instead replaced with dead, barely living trees with a few dead leaves on their weak branches. A thick fog filled the path and dark clouds took over the sight.
Just outside of the forest's entrance was a sign saying: 'Wrath Woods. Keep out. Haunted Hollow limits.' Ashley was in total disbelief. It was two different forests. Maybe this was going to be harder than she thought.
Ashley took a deep breath. "Okay, let's go." But Ashley wasn't moving. Then, she felt something cold in her hand, Ashley looked to see Count Fangula's hand in hers. She looked up to the vampire. "Don't worry Ash, it'll be fine." Feeling much better, they all went into the dark forest together.
Walking down the thick, foggy woods. Ashley struggled to keep herself together, and closer to Fangula, clinging to his side and not letting go while the count was enjoying every second of it. He saw Ashley very worried, he brought her closer by wrapping his arm around her. When he did, Ashley's heart began to race, feeling like she was on fire.
"You feel warm all of a sudden." Fangula remarked.
"I-I'm just a little...anxious." Ashley replied.
Fangula whispered in her ear, "Your heart is pounding and your veins are throbbing so fast, I love it." He gave her a little peck on the cheek.
Now Ashley's heart and veins were pumping tenfold. She let out a giggle, she couldn't help it. She cuddled closer, the two weren't even feeling scared now. Its as if they're company alone melted their fear and doubts and replaced them with warmth and comfort.
Suddenly, there was a loud crack.
"YIIIIIIIPE!" a pained yowl followed.
The couple turned, It was coming from Wolfgang! One of the trees was alive! The middle of its trunk morphed into a terrifying face. The tree grabbed Wolfie and held him into the air as the werewolf struggled to break free.
"Wolfie!" Fangula shouted.
"I got him!" Ashley said, she held her palms out and shouted, "Acorus Morus Eruptus!"
The tree started to shake, it dropped Wolfie who scrambled away from the demonic tree.
"Everyone get back!" Ashley yelled. They all took cover behind a tree and watched the living tree's empty face glow green then explode in a loud, green firework.
Once the dust cleared, they all stared.
"I...I did it. It worked..." Ashley said to herself amazed.
Fangula embraced the witch. "You did do it Ashley! You saved Wolfie!" The werewolf licked Ashley's face, giving her a big sloppy kiss. Giggling, Ashley wiped off the excess drool of her face. "No problem guys." Now that she knew that spell actually worked, Ashley felt more confident now, something she hasn't felt for a long time.
But then, the tree they were hiding behind, turned with a scary empty face as well! They all jumped back scared. They watched in horror as more of the trees around them began moving. Pulling themselves from out the ground and reach for the trio with their twisted, branchy fingers.
"We're surrounded!" Fangula cried out.
But Ashley had an idea. "Maybe not! Fang, see if you can fly me and Wolfie so we can get an advantage in the sky!"
"What?! Are you crazy?! I can't lift the two of you!"
"You have to try! Take a bite out of me to give you enough strength to do it!"
Surprised by this sudden brilliant idea, Fangula nodded in agreement. He bit into Ashley's neck and sucked some blood, Ashley had to bear with the pain. Once the bite felt deep enough, Fangula pulled away and took a step back. Ashley watched as his eyes became red and slitted. The sight gave her a small chill up the spine. Last time Fang's eyes were like that he had powers that she never knew a vampire had. Like psychic abilities and calling a horde of bats that do his bidding.
The vampire licked the stained blood from his fangs. "Hang on. We're leaving." He morphed into his bat form, grabbed the two by their shirt collars and began flying them above the army of trees, with little strain or effort.
Now high in the sky, Ashley aimed her palms above the trees. "Okay! Now that we've got the advantage..."
With her key necklace glowing brightly, magic gathered in Ashley's palms, Once they all swirled into bright lights, Ashley shouted with all her might,
"ACORUS MORUS ERUPTUS!"
All of the pursuing trees below them all exploded in a fireworks display like on the 4th of July, an amazing show that lit up the whole forest with brilliant shades of green.
"Alright! We did it!" Ashley cheered. "But we're not out of the woods yet." Ashley took out the map. "Our next stop is...Deadbeat Cemetery!"
"Which way Ashley?" Fangula asked.
Ashley pointed him in the right direction. "That way! The cemetery is right down there! Let's go!"
The black bat nodded and they flew off to the next destination.
