The Bash

Bishop Castle

October 31, 2011

6:15:09 UTD

Kaldur, who is dressed as a pirate for Halloween investigates the disappearances of party goers after years of unsolved mysteries. He was then approached by Raquel Ervin, who joined the team prior to New Year. Dhr is dressed as Trinity from the Matrix series.

"Hey, stranger. Beautiful night, right?" Raquel greeted. Kaldur does not mind the company of friends. "Nice costume by the way."

"Hello, Raquel. Yes, it is." Kaldur'ram greeted back. "Your costume fits you as well."

"Thanks. So, you're taking a break from the missions for a little?" Raquel asked.

"Not exactly, I heard about the cases of disappearances of party guests from the previous gatherings in this castle for every Halloween. It is said to be a caused by a spirit trapped inside. At least that's what they said." Kaldur explains.

Raquel thought this would be interesting to have a look around tbe castle to see if this is true. Nothing makes her feel upbeat than to fignt crime. But based on the events, it can't be let go.

"Whatever it is, count me in." Raquel agrees. As she was also invited to the Halloween Bash. Kaldur must've have tbe invitation as they see approaching college students heading their way. "Wow, it looks like the host did not just invited high school students, but also from college. Kinda feels weird, don't ya think?"

"In some ways, yes." Kaldur replied.

"Ever heard about the Girl in the Mirror?" Behind them are two teenage boys around their late-teens. One is dark-skinned, green-haired, dressed as a mummy for Halloween with gold material like some Egyptian prince, and quite the mysterious one whose mystery can be told another time. The other is a redhead, with hair over his right eye, also dressed as a pirate.

"Oh, hey. I've taken you're also invited to the Bash?" Asked Raquel.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you two. I'm Sage and this is Scarlet. He's a fan of ghost stories." Sage introduced himself.

"A pleasure to meet you both." Kaldur greets.

"It's a bloody pleasure to meet you too. And yes, we are invited to the Bash."

"You said something about the Girl in the Mirror. Is this story related to the disappearances?" Asked Kaldur, wanting some details even if they are unrealistic to see if this is anything related to the case. After all, he's an Atlantean, they are said to be a myth, but they are also capable of magic, so he might seen stuff that is spirited-related.

"The Girl in the Mirror, years ago, a girl who is around the age of middle school. Once she was at the castle enjoying a party with her friends. Until she touched a bloody trap. Then there is a mirror containing a spirit of vengeance. Once she touched the mirror, her soul is bound to the mirror for all eternity. Some say she trapped tourists and guests to not feel any lonely after losing loved ones, others say she is looking for someone to trap in the mirror in her place to set her soul free."

Kaldur and Raquel were not easily frightened by the story. But this is something to keep in mind in case it turned out to be true. For those who just brushed it off as a myth, are ignorant enough to get trapped in the castle.

"That's some story." Raquel replied.

"Perhaps this is something we need to keep in mind of. What are your plans for the Bash?" Kaldur asked.

"Actually. Aside from meeting with our friends, we're keeping an eye on them. You see, our headmaster from Beacon High, said we should investigate, poetic justice." Sage said.

"Isn't that what you said before, Kaldur?" Asked Raquel.

"Something a friend of mine told me." Said Kaldur. "But what if your headmaster? Is he some sort of horror enthusiast?" Asked Kaldur'ram.

"Well, you can say that. Or the fact he he is also into the mysteries around him. In other words, a fan of urban legends." Scarlet replied.

"Come to think of it, I heard the police stopped searching for those missing people long ago cause there was no evidence. Maybe because they thought it was a prank, or rather anyone who did not want to be found at all." Said Raquel.

"Yeah, if the bloody police ain't gonna show up again, I'm doing the searching myself." Scarlet said, slamming his fists into his own palm. Eager to fight the good fight. "No phantasm isn't gonna scare me!"

"You've been saying bloody many times?" Said Raquel.

"It's a whole thing to him." Said Sage, adjusting the bandaged around his arm. Who knows of they were able to survive the experience? Kaldur seemed a bit suspicious about the characteristics of the teen boys before them. How they seemed to have knowledge about the myth. As they went to meet with their schoolmates, while Kaldur and Raquel waited for their friends.

"I can speak for all of us to say those guys are acting strange. It was as if they knew something we don't." Raquel said.

"Needless to say, perhaps these people are who we must keep an eye on. There's more to them than how they appeared. Since they are here for a reason." Said Kaldur.

On the way to Central Colorado, There was an awkward silence when Zatanna saw her friend talking to her ex-boyfriend. Dick also tried to make out for what was happening, but cannot heard a thing for what Alan was trying to say to her. But his expression seems pleadingly.

"What is going on with them? That Alan guys looks like he wants to apologize for dumping her." Dick cannot help but thought about somerhing is off about June. In fact, the argument keeps getting that he, Zatanna and everyone else heard it all.

"No idea. But it kinda sounds like June was the one who dumped him. I think she was lying about something. But I don't know what it was." Zatanna said.

"June. I don't know why we broke up. But you changed since we graduated from Middle School. But whatever I did to you, I'm sorry. I still love you, but if there is a reason why you wanted to break up with me, please tell me the reasson." Alan pleased. June is dismayed, filding her arms while turning away from him.

"Go, away, I don't know you." June demanded. Her eyes burns to his, and it scared Alan when he tried to figure out why June was acting this way.

"You can pretend not to know me all you want. But I am not leaving until you tell me why." Alan pleaded again. Her teeth gritted. But her face turned to Dick again. Zatanna did not like where this was going. "Why is she looking at me for?" Dick asked.

But before anyone can answer, June walked towards the two. Pushed Zatanna out of the way and grabbed Dick's arm and pulled his face towards hers and kissed him on the cheek, and he was taken aback. "Uh, hey!" Dick shouted. June looked at her ex and smirked. Thinking she can get away with whatever she wants.

Alan saw this and froze. Zatanna was easily fed up. And pulled Dick away from June. "June, what the heck!" And glared at her as the fure inside her is about ti explode. Sun, dressed as Kung Lao with Blake dressed as a kunoichi watched. Sun is eating a bag of candy he stole from a couple of delinquents.

"I can't help but feel sorry for those two." Blake said referring to Dick and Zatanna. And Sun nods in agreement. Nora gasped, thinking this is a love war. And cheered on to fight, much tk Ren's dismay.

"Ooh! Are they gonna fight?! I wanna see! FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!" Nora cheered. Neither one of tbe guests agree to it. Ren stepped in and covered her mouth as she kept cheering. "Sorry, about my friend." Ren apologized as he pulled her away. But as he past Zatanna and June, he turned to them, sternly. "I think you two should work things out. Even as former friends." Ren told them off and took Nora inside the ship with him.

"Sorry, Zatanna. It's a shame for what happened to your dad." June teased.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Zatanna replied.

"We've been friends for a very long time and I had always been under your shadow. Now that he's gone, I am the star now." June said, mockingly. Though Zatanna never wanted to show off. This was the last straw. "At least I have a father who had been there for me, when yours had been away on some sort of trip to who knows where. While your mom had been at home with you all alone. Oh, wait, you don't have a mom because she is dead." June said it out loud and there.

The minute she mentioned her mother, Zatanna wasn't having it. She doesn't know where that behavior was coming from, but insults should not stand. She then cast a spell she never though before.

"Llips retwa ta enuj!" Zatanna then manipulated the water to spill on June's head. Causing her to yelp. "Ah!" She stood frozen. Everyone was astonished to see this. Dick then checked to see if she's okay. What June said to her was not okay.

Alan, despite hearing what June said, or what she just did checked up on her and offered her a napkin to dry off. "June, you alright?" Alan asked. But June slapped the napkin off his hand and knocked it to the floor. "Pitiful." June muttered as she walks off.

Zatanna did the same the other way as Dick followed her. The crowd stood astonished, and even the Team sees this too.

Wally looked at June as she passed by. "Dudette, not cool." He said to her, but June ignored him. Alan followed June and even apologized to everyone watching this. "Sorry everybody! She is not herself tonight!" He said. Just as they passed a window, Wally saw June's reflection, and it's looking directly at him instead of her real face. Her eyes are filled with despair and helplessness.

"Help me."

The reflection pleaded. Wally realizes that the girl in tbe mirror was June's soul trapped dormant in her own body. Then Alan and June walked to where they can cool off. Wally needed to warn somebody.

"You saw it too, right?" Ren asked. Happened to sense tbe spirit calling for help. Walky nodded. "The girl in tbe mirror, she's real."

"What's real, Wally?" Artemis asked. Blake then apprached them.

"The Girl in the mirror. She's here." Blake said.

"That argument was very awful." Pyrrha said tsanding next to Jaune.

"I heard the two used to be best friends. But what happened just now. Yikes." Megan agreed.

"As someone who had anger issues. This is just too much to watch." Conner said. Jaune agrees to it too, as his seven sisters even argued.

"Don't feel bad. I have seven sisters who are an earful whenever they argue." Jaune said in his defense.

"Not cool, just not cool." Yang said.

Zatanna and Dick are near the front dock of the boat. Trying to revover from tbe encounter they had with June. "I'm sorry, Zee. I know she's your friend, but I didn't think she was gonna do soemthing like that." Dick apologized, feeling guilty for not pulling away from June after she kissed him on the cheek.

"No, it's not your fault. June took you by surprise. Still, can't believe Alan took her side even after the hurtful things she said to him. What is wrong with her? This is not the June I know. Cause before, she was kind. What did I do to make her chnage like that?" Zatanna asked.

"Can't say I disagree. Felt bad for the guy. But he is beyond help." Dick said.

Dick, as someone who can be disagreeable to his own best friend, can relate. Though he ans Wally are the chaotic duo, they still have differences, but in the end, things can work out.

"Look, what she said about your mom is not okay." Dick assured her. He is also someone who has lost his parents. "I mean, my parents are gone. And if that were me who heard that, I would've punched someone in the face." Zatanna laughed at that comment.

"I guess you're right."

"You're telling me." They were both startled to see Ruby sitting on a handle of the boat. She appeared like a ghost. Dressed as Speedy. "Whoa! Okay, did not see that coming! Also, nice scare by the way."

"Ruby? Where did you come from?" Zatanna asked.

"Oh, I heard the whole thing and thought I could keep you company." Ruby said. Her friendly personality can help those to cope with pain and regrets. Since she, herself lived with the ordeals of life itself. "Also, what that so-called friend of yours just said. It was hurtful, even to me."

"Oh, thanks. But why though?" Asked Zatanna.

"Well, I lost my mom when I was just a tot. My sister, and my dad and uncle had been the ones for my upbringing. But I cannot forget the times she told me stories, baked goods for me and Yang. Those are memories I wanna keep forever."

"Ruby, I'm sorry. I'm pretty sure it's too painful to bring up a memory of a loved one." Zatanna said.

"When I came to your shows, I saw how you and your dad kept smiling despite the outcomes that cost you nothing but pain. Honestly, all I wanted to do is to do what it takes to let people be happy for what they have. I'm sure your mom would want that too if you keep smiling." Ruby explains.

Zatanna understood that her shows can bring people smiles. And Ruby was one of the audiences to use her shows as a way to feel the vibration of joy. It meant to appreciate what she has. She still has a father she might one day set free.

"I'm glad you thought of it that way, Ruby. Maybe your mom will be proud to hear that." Zatanna thanks Ruby.

"Better?" Asked Dick. Zatanna turned to him, she knew it would be a waste of Halloween if they leave now. She'll just enjoy it while it last. And she won't let June ruin it for her. "We can still leave and find some other way to enjoy the night if you want." Dick offered again.

"Actually, it'd be a waste if we leave now. But let's just enjoy the party." Zatanna replied. Dick did not argued for a moment as he nods.

"That's the spirit!" Ruby said as she jumped for joy. Zatanna then examines Dick's costume as Liu Kang from head to toe. "What's up?" He asked. Wondering what his girlfriend was thinking.

"Actually. You just have me an idea. No more twinsies for me and June for tonight." Zatanna replied. She then chanted a spell to change her costume.

"Egnahc ym emutsoc ot anatik!"

Back with the team and their new friends. Megan, Conner, Jaune, Yang, Blake, Weiss, Neptune, Ren, Nora, Artemis, Wally, and Pyrrha gathered to discuss the outcome of the party.

"So that girl, June, is somewhat possessed?" Pyrrha asked worryingly. The others stood frozen at the revelation.

"Of all those disappearances. This is rather unpleasant." Weiss said. She then heard vomiting and looked over Superboy's shoulder to see Neptune puking in the bag to not spill any vomit.

"Neptune, are you okay?!" She called over. Neptune then looked over at the group. "Sorry, guys. Just feeling a bit seasick." He felt that sickness again and turned back to another empty bag.

"Ew." Artemis frowned.

"You don't think the host is behind all of this, isn't he?" Sun asked. Looking at the invitation again. No name, no return address, etc. It became clear to them that the host was somewhat involved.

"Worst of all, something weird is going on with June. Zatanna did say she wasn't like this before. But it wasn't maturity kind of change, it was some kind of spiritual-related kind of change." Wally meant it.

"So that's it, it was all a trap?" Yang asked. "And we're next on the list."

"Still, what does the host want with us? It can't be just to kill us, it has to be some sort of motive." Blake suggested.

Yang then looked at Conner, whom she seemed to recognized from the day of a football game. "Hey, aren't you the guy who caught the football in the last game this year and deflated it?" Yang asked.

"Huh? Wait, how did you-?" He passed the minute Yang showed him a video on her cellphone. And the date shows it was June 15, 2011. Beacon High vs. Happy Harbor High. When one of the Beacon players threw a football, it was flying towards the crowd, Dick and Wally fought over on whoever is getting the ball first.

"I got it!"

"No, I got it!"

Until the video reaches near the end where Conner catches the ball with his own hands. Wally complimented him for fast thinking.

"Dude, nice catch!"

"Thanks."

Unintentionally, Conner accidentally deflated the ball as his hands were too strong for the ball to handle the amount of pressure until it was as flat as a pancake. The crowd gasped. Conner is stunned for what he just done. The crowd started at him. Conner felt embarrassed.

"Sorry."

Yang laughed at the video. "Hahaha! I'm sorry, it was hilarious. You're a Meme star now!"

Nora also laughed as she pulled out a meme of Conner critshing an ice block, only it was just photo plastered from the same event. "Oh, my gosh! I remembered you now!" Nora throws fit into histerics. As her laughter gotten the better of here, Nora fell to the floor clutching her stomach.

"Wait, I'm what?!" Conner yelled at he looked through his phone, and there were lots of memes about him. Wakky and Sun looked through their phones and laughed also.

"Oh, man! And I almost caught it! Then this happened!" Wally continued. Annoyed, Conner snatched Wally's phone and throws it into the ocean.

"Dude!" Walky whined. Calmly, Conner looked back at him. "I'll buy you a new one." He assured. At least he didn't go beserk this time as he sonetimes would.

Then Alan approached the heroes and their new friends. And his face is paled this night. Understandably, something is wrong with the girl, a now former friend of Zatanna's.

"Guys...Look, I don't know any of you...huh...But something is wrong with June, her reflection, it's moving on its own." Alan panted.

"We saw." Artemis groaned.

"Yeah, and it's weird." Sun said. Earning a smack from Blake. "Ow, okay sorry." He said sheepishly

"Yeah, and if that wasn't enough, June went from a shy and innocent girl to a nasty, repulsive witch!" Wally said. Also earning a smack on the back by Artemis. "Ow!"

"Well, I hate to admit he's right." Artemis admits. "Plus, it's all your fault."

"How is it my fault?!" Alan argued.

"Dude, you probably did something to attract the ghost inside your girlfriend's body. Let me guess, you dumped her because you though she was too clingy for you?!" Wally antagonized him for being an awful boyfriend to make June like this.

"What?! I didn't dumped her! She dumped me! Look, I don't know why, but June broke up with me cause she told me that something about her wasn't right. But I think I have some something I don't know what it is. Trying to fix things with her!" Alan reasoned. "Sorry, about June. Like I said, I am not sure why she is so angry all the time. It's like jealousy and hate for someone is getting to her." Alan explains.

The group looked at each other. They seemed to believe Alan. But no completely. As they need to find some new leads. He does seem reasonable after an argument with June.

"Yeah, no sure if we can believe you or not. But maybe we'll take that under consideration, Alan." Megan said. Then Zatanna and Dick walked out with Ruby. "Oh, there you are, Ruby. Where'd you get off to?" Asked Yang.

"Sorry, big sis. But I thought those two could use some company." Ruby said. Yang, proud of this movement, gave her little sister a noogie. "Aww! That's my sister!"

"Dah! Yang!" Ruby cried. The Team then noticed Zatanna's change on her costume.

"Zatanna, you changed your costume already?" Artemis asked.

"Yeah, I decided not to be twinsies with June anymore. It's not whelmed at all." Zatanna sighed, she is now dressed as Princess Kitana from Mortal Kombat.

"Who cares, it looks awesome! I love cosplaying as Princess Kitana! I used to wear a costume like that in Homecoming Pep Rally!" Nora recalled. While making stunts dressed as Princess Kitana, she got into trouble and dragged into the Principal's office by Vice Principal Goodwitch.

"Yes, and then Vice Principal Goodwitch dragged you to Principal Ozpin's office for not wearing your uniform." Ren sighed.

"Anyway, what's all the whispering about? You guys looked like you've seen a ghost." Dick asked.

"Well..." Conner was cut off when the boat landed on Colorado to where Bishop Castle is.

"We're here! There's Kaldur and Raquel!" They spotted their friends on land. Then the students of Beacon High saw their two friends, Scarlet and Sage. "Hey, I see Sage, and Scarlet!" Sun waved at them.

As the group entered the castle, it was a grand hall like a haunted gathering for a murder mystery party. "Oh, wow! Now I'm officially, overwhelmed." Said Dick.

"Look at the size of this grand hall! The host must've done a good job on the decorations." Wally said.

"Hmm. Those paintings were never there before the last time I was there." Weiss said.

"Probably part of the decoration, Weiss." Said Blake.

"Reminds me of the manor in The Mummy Returns." Conner said. "Would be exciting if an army of mummies came out of nowhere." Megan giggled at the joke.

June passed Zatanna, and noticed she changed into another costume, begrudgingly turning away. Jaune tried his best to not act a bit overwhelmed, but excitement beat him to it. Then he saw a knight armor with a battle mace it was holding downward. As he touches it, the whole armor accidently fell. Jaune freaked out and tried to fix it. though he managed to piece it back together, the mace was placed next to it. Cause he cannot planed it back into the gloves.

Wally walked in with Artemis, fearing that the tale might be true. He held onto her arms tightly. Making Artemis very annoyed. "Stop clinging onto me, would ya?" She whispered.

"Sorry, but the story..." He whispered back.

"It's probably the host playing games on us."

"So, where's this host anyway?" Asked Donna.

"Well, Girl. Nobody knows." Raquel replied.

"Just be ready for anything that comes at us." Kaldur reminded the team. They all nodded in response while the rest of the party guests remained in the dark. Then the room goes dark.

"Okay, that came out of nowhere." Yang said.

Blake, with her amber eyes see through the dark. Like the alley cat. And saw a person going up on stage. He was on a hood. Heading towards a mic.

"I saw someone." Said Blake.

"What's up, Blake?"

"It must be the host."

Megan looked around. And noticed June wasn't around. And something wasn't right about the disappearance.

Then the spotlight shone on the mysterious host. "Welcome! Welcome, Guests! To the most Darkest hour of the Bash! Celebrating the darkened sky as the moon lit on red! Enjoy the bash, folks, for it will not last while you lives depend on it! Ahahahaha!" The host laughed and disappeared.

"Guess that host is a no show." Yang said.

"That's was just bloody weird." Said Scarlet.

Then a young man dressed as Axel Rose spotted an MC set meant for the music to start. "Hey, on the bright side, at least there's something to keep up the best with!" The Axel Rose look-alike then plays some slow dance music.

"Oh, my gosh. This is my favorite song! Let's Dance!" Weiss pulled Neptune to the dance floor. "Whoa!"

It was rather the sound of relaxation. Couples gathered on the dance floor and started to feel the movement. Conner and Megan started dancing, feeling the air of the twilight.

Wally and Artemis started dancing, and both laughed of enjoyment.

Alan and June were still not talking to each other. Jaune and Pyrrha wre nervous about dancing with each other, but since no one asked either of them, they decided to go for each other in the night.

"Guess it's just you and me, Jaune."

"Yeah. At least we'll have a great night." Jaune replied as they moved to the beat. But beneath them is something more as the two blushed. Zatanna and Dick looked at each other, they wanted to dance, but cannot bring themselves to.

"Um. Zee, I was wondering..."

"Wanna dance?" She asked first. Unexpected, but much to his delight. "Okay, sure." He replied as they both wrapped their arms around each other and dance.

As they spun around through the crowd, Zatanna glanced at June's unhappy gaze. She kinda felt bad for showing off a bit too much. But after their fight, there was no point talking to her, As June glared at her, Zatanna simply waved.

Then they heard yelling. "Alright, host! You got 10 seconds to confess!" It was Nora telling at a bulky teen boy with a buzz cut under. "What are you talking about?"

"I knew you tried to prank us, Cardin Winchester!" Cardin was standing next to a neon red haired girl with reading glasses, supposedly his date. Ren tried to hold Nora back. "Nora, stop!" Then the lights went out.