Chapter #9 What's the True Meaning of Halloween?

And so our villain has arrived at the scene

Proud to see his version of Halloween

Our hero stood and wondered if there's more

For he has a feeling there's something else in store...

The mist cleared to reveal a cloaked figure standing near the Sphinx's head. Tall, thin and face hid behind a skull mask. Mickey stood his ground. He knew this is no one to try with mess with. At least, not without a plan. He used up his smoke bombs and other tricks he had with him so what can he do? There has to be a way to fight this dark magician and break the curse on the mansion.

But nothing came to mind.

What is our hero going to do now? How can he fight against this evil sorcerer empty-handed?

"Who are you?" Mickey asked trying to stay calm.

"I'm Nexus." The cloaked villain said. "And I welcome you to my version of Halloween."

"Your version of Halloween?"

"Yes and you non-believers are pathetic with your parties, weak costumes and children going door to door begging for sweets."

Nexus spat on the ground after saying that.

"That's not Halloween. That's a joke. So, I've spent my adult life searching for the right ritual to invite real ghosts, demons and other monsters from the Otherworld."

Nexus lowered himself to ground level as he talked.

"But some couldn't cross over even on this special night on their own. So, human hosts were needed to make my plan a reality."

Real monsters, demons, ghosts possessing people. Mickey counted in his head. What else has this madman done tonight?

"And that Shiriki Utundu statue?"

"A puppet to lure people from that silly tour."

"But what you're doing is dangerous plus nothing good will come from this."

"Halloween is not about fun and games, Mouse." Nexus said "It's about supernatural creatures walking the Earth for one night. It's natural to be afraid. Fear is a part of this night."

"Not anymore it isn't!" Mickey said. "Stop this right now!"

Nexus chuckled. "I don't think so. True the ghosts and some demons need hosts to walk the land of the living again but my guests are here to stay until sunrise."

Nexus snapped his fingers and two shadow demons appeared. Mickey yelped when they grabbed his arms.

"Now, it's time for you to join your friends and the others on this night of darkness."

Mickey struggled as the demons dragged him out of the room as Nexus led the way.

Meanwhile, in the ballroom. A young woman who went by the party name StarGazer stood near the refreshment table as she watched another group of party guests disappeared behind the door leading to the Haunted Artifacts tour. She didn't care to go on the tour just yet because she felt something was wrong. She was different from everyone else. Believing she had psychic powers or strong intuition which she had no control over since childhood. Since her abilities scared her a little, she never looked into what she's capable of doing and never told anyone about it.

She pulled the skirt of her black Renaissance gown up a little and walked into the bathroom to check her makeup. She was dressed as a half-vampire, half-sorceress that night and was surprised she got the right wings for her costume in time for the party and getting the invite in the mail in the first place. She looked in the mirror and saw her black eyeshadow needs a touch-up, so she placed her staff aside and pulled her makeup kit out of her purse and applied one coat of fresh eyeshadow. She just finished when she heard screaming outside. Stowing her makeup kit and grabbing her staff, StarGazer ran out of the bathroom to see the ballroom was in chaos. Guests were running or being held hostage by strangely dressed people with glowing red eyes. StarGazer knew it's Halloween but it's about harmless tricks and treats not this. She was about to run to the nearest exit when someone grabbed her arm.

"You're not going anywhere."

StarGazer turned to see Goofy dressed in a pirate's outfit with glowing red eyes. What's going on? Is this a sick joke?

"Let go of me!" StarGazer snarled, bearing her fake fangs.

"You're feisty. But the master will fix you."

Goofy dragged the poor woman to the Cursed Artifact room.

'Something tells me I'm going to find out what's going on behind that door.' StarGazer thought as she followed her cursed captor.