Chapter 20 – Halloween Town Part 1

The new World they arrived in was the most bizarre so far. In front of them was a massive smiling pumpkin. Behind that was a tall building that was classified as the town hall. Near them was a movie theater that stated that it was closed forever. Around them was a dentist office, ice cream parlor, and many other businesses. They were amazed by it all, but the inhabitants were not as impressive.

Walking around were a family with pumpkin heads, goblins, undead people, vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of old stories. The trio still had their normal clothes, but felt out of place.

"Guys, why does it feel like its Halloween?" asked Alex.

"Maybe this place has Halloween 24/7?" wondered Sarah.

"That or we stumbled upon the only World to worship the holiday every single day." said Ken.

"Why, hello there strangers." said a voice from behind the pumpkin. A man with curly black hair, fancy clothes, a top hat, and a walking stick came and bowed before the trio. "I don't believe we've met and that means I'm in trouble. The mayor is suppose to know everybody."

"Uh, I'm Sarah and these ar-"

"Sarah," said the mayor as he took her hand and kissed it. "Mayor Kalabar."

"This is Ken and Alex, my best friends." she said nervously. Kalabar nodded to them.

"So, you three new here?"

"Umm..." said Ken. "That's kind of a hard question. Do you know if there are any Heartless here?"

"What are these 'Heartless' you speak of son?"

"Dark monsters that feed off the darkness in your heart."

"Sounds like vampires on a bad day." the mayor laughed. When the trio didn't laugh, he cleared his throat. "So, uh, can I help with anything?"

Ken knew that they mayor would know nothing about Heartless, the Keyhole, or even the King. Their only bet was to travel with someone powerful that lived in the town.

"You know any powerful people who live in this town?" Alex asked Kalabar.

"Well, there is Aggie Cromwell, who just so happens to be in town with her grandchildren. You'll notice her instantly. Good day you three." he bowed his hat and walked away toward the ice cream parlor.

"Well, let's find this Aggie woman then." said Sarah. As they stepped off the road, a taxi cab pulled up in front of them. A skeleton was driving it and it was clear the town had just gotten weirder.

"Hey there!" said the skeleton. "Name's Benny, can I drive you three somewhere?"

"No, but do you know where Aggie Cromwell is?" Ken asked Benny.

"Saw her and the kids going after the mayor at the ice cream parlor. Can't eat it myself. No stomach! Hah!" laughed the crazy skeleton.

"Yeah," Ken laughed weakly. "Thanks Benny."

"See ya kids!" he yelled as he drove away.

"Weird," said Alex. "Come on guys, lets look for an old lady with three kids."

For a few minutes, they admired the different shops around Halloween Town. It wasn't until they came upon a curly blonde haired lady with a six year old girl, a ten year old boy, and a 13 year old girl at what appeared to be a broomstick store. They were talking to an undead man who moved and spoke like Elvis. They approached them without hesitation.

"Excuse me, are you Aggie Cromwell?" Ken asked. He noticed that the 13 year old bit her lip, a sign she had interest in him.

"Yes, but who are you? I know everyone in Halloween Town, but I've never seen you three." said Aggie.

"I'm Ken. This is Sarah and Alex. We just arrived and Mayor Kalabar said you were the most powerful person in the town."

"Oh!" she laughed. "Kalabar likes to exaggerate things about me. Pleasure to meet you. The youngest here is Sophie," he looked at the six year old girl. "This is her brother Dillon, and this is my 13 year old granddaughter Marnie." the three shook each of their hands, but when Ken shook Marnie's hand, she showed a high level of red in her face.

"So, what are you guys doing? Buying a broom?" asked Sarah.

"Yeah!" cheered Marnie. "My very first broom! Then it is off with my training!"

"Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves dear." said Aggie. "First I have to run it by your mother."

"Where is she?" Alex asked.

"Not here." said Dillon. "Hope she gets here soon so I can wake up from this dream."

"Well, well, well, little Marnie is buying her first broom!" said a voice. They turned and saw a smooth looking teenage boy. The trio were unsure who or what the boy was since he looked clearly human.

"This a local boy, Luke." Aggie told the trio and kids.

"Hey, don't sell me short there grammy."said Luke. "I'm something of the big cheese around here. Maybe I can show you around sometime."

"You know, I was thinking of getting something to eat at the Parlor, but then I smelled something." said Marnie as she got in his face. "It smelled like the big cheese."

"So, she is basically telling you to get lost, kid." Ken told Luke.

"And what will you do if I don't? Come at me with your fancy clothes?" he laughed. Ken smiled and extended his hand, letting his Keyblade shine brightly. Luke back up and knocked over a few brooms before running away. "You better be nice to me. I got friends in dark places!"

"Yeah, yeah! Get lost, punk!" Sarah yelled at him.

"That was so cool Ken!" Marnie exclaimed. "What was that thing you were holding?"

"Called a Keyblade. Our preferred weapon of choice." he said as the Keyblade vanished.

"Oh, that Luke dude," started the shop keep. "He's turned into such a wiener. Now, you want that broom or something else?"

"I'll take this one. Please grandma?" she pleaded with Aggie. The old witch smiled and nodded, making Marnie very happy.

"Want me to wrap that up for ya?"

"No!" said Aggie. "We'll fly it out!"

It was minutes later that Aggie and Marnie came back down from flying on the yellow broom she had just bought. When Sophie wanted to go next, a shrewd voice objected. They looked and saw a tall human woman with short orange hair looking very mad.

"Mommy!" said Sophie as she ran to the woman.

"Gwen, I was gonna send them back as soon as I-" started Aggie.

"Mother, I can't believe you brought them here in the first place!" shouted the woman.

"Well I didn't. They came to see me."

"And I came to start my training." said Marnie.

"You will not!" said Gwen. "Now get on the bus!"

"But mom, Grandma needs help. And if you won't help her, she needs the only other Cromwell witch there is: me."

"You are not a witch!"

"Oh, yes I am not thanks to you. You want my powers to go away forever."

"Marnie, there is so much about this that you don't understand."

"I understand plenty! I got a broom and I'm gonna learn everything grandma can teach me."

"You will not!"

"It's her birthright!" protested Aggie. Gwen got into her face.

"She was born in the human world and HUMAN is what she'll be!"

"No I won't!" said Marnie. Gwen looked to her daughter.

"You put that broomstick down young lady, you are grounded!"

Marnie began tearing up and knew she had lost the battle with her mother. She handed the broom to Aggie and followed Gwen, Dillon, and Sophie. Aggie was looking terrible and the trio didn't know what to do.

"Aggie?" asked Sarah. "You okay?"

"Just... just some family quarrels, dear." said Aggie.

"Anything we can do for you?" Alex asked.

"No thanks you dears. I'm gonna go off on my own for a bit." she patted Alex's shoulder and left without another word.

*Hope you enjoyed this one! Halloweentown was always a favorite of mine as a kid, so I decided to incorporate it into a KH World. If you never seen it, watch it before proceeding. Please favorite, follow, and review :)