Ch 3: Halloween in the City
Radley stirred come morning and sleepily looked around. Kalin, on the other hand was still sleeping soundly and didn't hear anything. Radley didn't want to disturb him, so he relaxed and dozed. Half an hour later, Kalin woke up and decided to get out of bed.
Radley roused up again. "Good morning."
"Oh, good morning, Radley," said Kalin in a half-awake tone.
Radley yawned and sat up. "We've got a big day ahead of us."
"Yes, you're right. We should get ready."
Radley got up and went to get breakfast. Kalin went to fetch the newspaper. After about 10 minutes, Radley soon had breakfast ready.
"Mmm, smells good," smiled Kalin.
"Thanks," Radley smiled. He brought it to the table.
"What's for breakfast?"
"Breakfast sandwiches and eggs," Radley said.
Kalin put a forkful of it in his mouth. "It tastes good."
"Thanks," Radley smiled. "It does."
"I wonder if I should text Yusei?"
"Maybe after we eat? Or maybe he's already texted you," Radley said.
"Hmm, perhaps. Let me check." He took out his cell phone and checked for any new messages.
Yusei was looking forward to their celebrations in both towns today.
"I'm wearing a cowboy outfit for today," Kalin texted.
"Great," Yusei said.
Radley had his Spanish costume ready.
"I'm ready whenever you are, Radley."
"Well, we're done eating, so let's get dressed and head out," Radley smiled.
"Right," nodded Kalin. He went the restroom and changed into him cowboy attire.
Radley changed in the bedroom and came out.
"Nice costume you have," smiled Kalin.
"Thanks," Radley smiled. "You too." His costume was a black bolero jacket and matching pants, trimmed with gold, a white ruffled shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Kalin tilted his cowboy hat in salute. "Shall we be off?"
"Let's," Radley smiled.
The Bunch arrived, with most in costume. Scotch was a zombie with complex makeup. It was so well done, Kalin almost didn't recognize him.
"Uh, Scotch? Is that you?"
"Yes!" Scotch cackled.
"You're very talented," Radley said. It was grotesque, but impressively so.
"The others are looking pretty good too," said Kalin.
"Yes, all of you are," Radley smiled.
The Bunch looked pleased.
"You guys look great too!" Scotch said.
"Are we all ready to celebrate Halloween?"
"Let's do it," Billy said.
"To the City!" exclaimed Kalin
Radley led them there. Yusei and the others had gone on ahead to prepare.
"I wonder what the others will think of our costumes?"
"I'm sure they'll be impressed," Radley smiled.
"We're almost there."
Radley drove up and parked near them. "Hola!"
Yusei came over and smiled. "Hey! You all look great."
"Howdy, Yusei. Are you and others ready to celebrate Halloween?"
"We are," Yusei smiled.
"Let's be off then."
Yusei led them to the city center for some of the fun. Team 5ds waved to the Bunch when they arrived.
"Hey guys!" greeted Leo.
"Hey!" Scotch grinned.
Luna had her Wonder Woman costume.
"My sister and I are looking out for bad guys!" said Leo, his cape fluttering in the wind.
"Found any yet?" Radley played along in amusement.
"Not yet. But we're still looking!" said Leo.
Crow came up dressed up as a giant crow. "Wanna get some candy?"
"Well, good luck," Radley smiled.
"Yes!" many chorused.
"Where should we go first?" asked Kalin.
"Let's check out the events here at the City Center!" Scotch said.
"Good idea," nodded Kalin.
"Follow us," gestured Akiza. She led them to the City Center.
Scotch looked at the decorations and activities in awe. What's first?!"
"There's a giant pumpkin contest," said Akiza. "As well as our own haunted house."
"The house!" Scotch immediately said.
"Of course you would choose the house," muttered Jack.
"Alright, let's go there!" giggled Akiza.
Radley chuckled, not surprised. Yusei led them over. It was big and spooky, just how Scotch liked it.
"What do you think?" asked Crow.
"It looks amazing!" Scotch gushed.
"The whole city worked hard on it!" grinned Carly.
When they entered the front door, where they were met with a witch's cackling. Biff hid behind Scotch in fright.
"It's okay, Biff. You don't have to come," Scotch said.
"No, I don't wanna be a spoilsport," Biff mumbled.
Some of the others ventured farther in.
"If you insist, Biff," shrugged Kalin.
They entered the main hallway, which had creepy sounds, moving paintings, and fog.
"I love these kinds of paintings!" Scotch gushed.
Leo looked creeped out.
"Come on Leo! You've seen scarier things before!" scolded Luna.
"I'm not scared!" Leo insisted.
Multiple pathways were available. One was a staircase with spiderwebs. Another was a dark path on the main floor with creepy mad scientist laughter.
Luna giggled. "Ok, let's continue!"
"Which direction should we go first?" asked Crow.
"Upstairs!" Scotch said. But he hoped to do both.
"Sure!" grinned Crow.
Everyone headed upstairs. It looked like it hadn't been used in years. Then came moaning and a mummy stumbling towards them.
"Mu-mummy!" cried Carly.
Leo freaked and ran into another room, but it was a creepy study.
"Leo!" sighed Luna.
"Is he serious?" scoffed Jack.
"I don't blame him!" Biff exclaimed.
Leo ran back out when he saw they weren't following him. He had to protect Luna, after all!
Kalin looked confused. "So, should we continue on through the house then?"
"Yeah," Leo said. "I don't wanna spoil it."
"Alright. Let us proceed," nodded Kalin.
The next room they entered appeared to be a lab. A mad scientist was working on a creature.
Leo tried to be brave, although he was shaking. Scotch loved the special effects!
"A mad scientist? Could it be...?" gasped Akiza as she was trying hard to hide her amusement.
"Is Leo ok?" asked Nico.
"He's fine," Luna said.
"Epic! Dr. Frankenstein!" Scotch said.
The scientist looked up. "Oh, you've heard of me!?"
"Wait, he spoke to us?" asked Carly in surprise. "Quick! Yusei, Bruno, talk to him some more!"
"Yeah, he's an actor," Bruno whispered. Louder he said, "Uh, yeah! You're very famous!"
"Because of my monster, no doubt!" Dr. Frankenstein said.
"Right!" Bruno agreed.
"Wow! That's awesome!" exclaimed West.
"Hiring actors must have been very expensive," said Kalin quietly.
"The City pulled out all the stops," Yusei said.
"Will you help me complete my monster by finding a few little items for me?" the doctor asked.
"Seems like it paid off," smiled Kalin.
"What do you need us to find, sir?" asked West to the doctor.
"Oh, just a few little things. Bolts, nuts, a wig... They should be here in the house. Find them and I will reward you most handsomely!"
"Ok! Let's find those nuts and bolts, guys!" said West.
"Epic! Yes, we'll look everywhere!" Scotch declared.
West and Nico began searching the tables. Some of the items weren't in the lab, so Scotch went into the hall to look more. He found the wig.
"Oh, you found the wig!" said Nico.
"Yes!" Scotch grinned.
"Here's some bolts!" West said.
"Anyone find the nuts yet?" asked Crow.
"Here they are!" Nico called.
"Splendid! And here is your reward!" The scientist gave out much candy.
"Yes!" Scotch exclaimed.
"Thank you so much!" smiled Nico.
"Always glad to help!" said Akiza.
"Come back again!" the scientist said.
Radley chuckled and led them down the hall.
"That was cool!" smiled West.
"I wonder who we'll meet next?" wondered Nico.
"Maybe the monster!" Scotch smirked. "Or Dracula!"
"Only one way to find out!" said Carly. They then went into the next room.
It looked like a funeral home, with closed and open coffins and eerie organ music.
"A graveyard?" asked Nico.
"Um, maybe I got too excited," added Carly.
"The stop before the graveyard." Billy looked in an open coffin. It looked like a realistic dummy lying there.
"Ew! That's nasty!" scoffed Leo.
"At least they're not decaying zombies," Radley said.
A body started to rise from a coffin.
"Seems like they're coming to life," said Kalin bluntly.
Leo started to shake. "I'm not scared! I'm not!"
Biff was, even though he knew it was fake. He didn't want to see how realistic it would get.
"Okay, I think it's time to move on," Radley said.
"Where to next?" asked West.
Jack scoffed at both Leo and Biff. "And I thought the two of you had manned up."
"I didn't run!" Leo frowned.
Scotch patted his hand. "Let's try this hall!"
"I wonder who or what we'll see next?" asked Akiza.
Giant spiders were crawling through enormous webs. One hung down on a strand near them.
"Ahh! Spiders!" cried Carly.
"Cool! They look real!" Scotch exclaimed.
"Let's hope they're not," Radley said. He was sure they were animatronics.
"Maybe if we're quiet, they won't jump at us," suggested Crow.
"Eek!" screamed Carly.
"Let's walk closer to the walls," Radley suggested.
"Oh ok," nodded Carly.
Everyone did what Radley said. They avoided the spiders and got to the next area, an eerie hallway with ghosts.
"Anyone hear someone go 'boo'?" asked Luna.
"A lot of boos," Radley said as a ghost flew overhead.
"There's so many ghosts!" cried Leo.
"Run for the exit!" Scotch called, hurrying down the hall while enjoying the attack.
Everyone followed behind Scotch as the ghosts continued to moan. Scotch led them down the back stairs back to the ground floor. Now he wanted to try the other path.
"I wonder what lies beyond that path?" asked Kalin.
"Let's see!" Scotch went ahead and found the scene of a robbery, with ghosts enacting it again and again.
"A robbery?" asked Nico.
"Something that happened long ago, and the ghosts are still acting it out," Scotch said eerily.
"How do you know that," asked Jack.
"It's a haunted house! It wouldn't be a regular robbery!" Scotch said.
"The designers really went into fine detail!" smiled Luna.
"Yeah! It looks like the Old West!" Scotch said.
The next room was filled with ghosts rocking back and forth in chairs.
"Was this a nod to Satisfaction Town?" asked Kalin.
"What are those ghosts doing?" asked West.
"Maybe," Yusei smiled.
"Being creepy!" Biff moaned.
"Maybe they're listening to something?" suggested Akiza.
"It's something we can't hear," Biff said.
"I agree with Biff on that," nodded Kalin.
They creeped past the ghosts, who never looked up. The hallway beyond was dark and creepy.
"Wow, it's really dark in here," said Leo.
"Maybe I should have brought a flashlight," added Carly nervously."
"It's meant to be dark," Scotch said spookily.
Finally, they came into a large kitchen. Silverware flew at them and stuck in the door.
"W-What was that?!" cried Leo.
"Are they trying to kill us?" yelled Jack.
"It must just look scary," Radley said. He went to look. "It's a hologram!"
"Of course it is! The people who built the props don't actually want to kill the citizens!" grumbled Crow.
"Exactly," Radley smirked. "Think of the lawsuits!"
"I must say, the technology got really advanced," said Kalin.
"It's probably from KaibaCorp," Radley said.
Outside on an old patio, zombies were dancing to Zombie Jamboree.
When they saw the zombies dancing, Kalin couldn't help but chuckle.
"Are they dancing?" asked Nico.
"Yeah! Like the song!" Scotch said.
"Someone on the design team must have too," said Akiza.
Scotch went out to dance with them. Laughing, Radley took some pictures.
"Can I join?" asked West.
"Yeah!" Scotch said.
West went to dance alongside Scotch and the zombies. Radley recorded the silly video. At the end of the dance, candy was presented.
"Thanks zombies! That was a great dance!" grinned West.
They waved. Scotch was gleeful. What a fun time! This seemed to be the end of the mansion.
"Well, I believe that's all there is to see in this place," said Akiza. "Did everyone have fun?"
There were many choruses of 'Yes'.
Biff sighed. Well, he was happy Scotch had enjoyed it, at least.
"Ooh, it's almost time for the concert!" said Carly.
"Epic!" Scotch grinned. "Let's get there!"
The team headed towards the City Center. A large crowd had already formed and the MCs were talking. Scotch hoped there would be audience participation.
"Ladies, gentlemen, living and dead, thank you all for coming to New Domino City Halloween festival!" announced the MC.
Radley was amused by that announcement.
Scotch cheered.
"Without further ado, let the show begin!" shouted the MC. Various actors in costumes came onto the stage.
Scotch whooped and took video. They started playing 'Thriller'. Scotch and others started dancing to it.
"Tonight's the biggest Halloween ever!" smiled Leo.
"This is pretty cool, alright," Radley smiled, clapping in time to the beat.
"I agree," smiled Kalin.
The concert was very interactive and featured many fun songs and chances for audience participation.
Kalin was amazed at how much the City had changed since he was a kid.
"What's your favorite Halloween song, Radley?" asked Crow.
"Hmm. Probably Thriller," Radley mused.
"Yeah, they play it a ton in stores and restaurants," said Crow.
"It's a classic. The dance is a lot of fun," Radley smiled.
"How did it get so famous?" asked West.
"Probably because Michael Jackson was so famous. And because Vincent Price did the monologue," Radley said.
"Wow, that's cool!" said West.
"Funny how this song popularized dancing zombies," laughed Crow.
"I think Zombie Jamboree did that years earlier," Radley smirked.
"I don't think a lot of jackals know about that song," said Crow.
"Yeah, it's an oldie," Radley said. "The most recent version is probably Rockapell's from the late 80s."
"Wow, Radley. You really know your music history," said Akiza."
Radley smiled. "Well, it's not a comprehensive history, but I do know some things here and there."
"But you did teach me how to appreciate music," smiled Kalin.
"And I am happy about that," Radley smiled.
The concert continued with various actors and spooky songs. Scotch was really into the whole thing. Radley enjoyed it too. Kalin was also amazed by the show.
"This was really good," Yusei said.
"Yes, it is. And it's even better than ever before after the unification of the City and Satellite," nodded Akiza.
Yusei nodded. "I'm glad everyone can enjoy celebrations together now."
"Same here! It's more exciting!" smiled Luna.
"And fun!" Leo grinned.
"Yeah!" exclaimed Luna.
"And there's more stories to read and write!" added Carly.
"Will you write about us being here?!" Scotch chirped.
"Sure, I can do that!" grinned Carly.
"Yes! And take pictures of us!" Scotch exclaimed.
"Ok!" said Carly. "Would you like me to take some now?"
"Yeah! Pictures of us enjoying the party!" Scotch grinned.
"Ok! Group together, everyone!" called Carly.
Everyone came together.
"You need to be in the photo too, Carly!" Jack said.
"Ok, Jackie, just a moment!" Carly set the timer on her camera and ran beside Jack.
Jack put an arm around her. The camera took a picture.
"Perfect!" Scotch grinned.
The concert was wrapping up and it was time for the costume contest.
"Did anyone here sign up for the costume contest?" asked Nico.
"Me!" Scotch said, and hopped onstage with the other contestants.
"I suspected as much," chuckled Kalin.
"Does Scotch do this every year?" asked Luna.
"He sure does," Radley said. "Honestly, he might win."
"It's starting!" exclaimed West.
All the contestants went onstage and did a little catwalk thing. Lots of pictures and videos were taken of them.
"I wonder how they'll judge the best?" Nico said.
"There's only one way to find out," said Akiza.
The contest had many contestants and they were all creative.
Radley supposed they would be judged on multiple factors. The judges began to give their feedback.
Scotch ended up winning. He was ecstatic. "Yes!"
And the prize was both money and candy.
Radley grinned. "Congratulations!"
"Way to go, Scotch!" cheered West.
"I suspected you would win," smirked Kalin.
"Thanks!" Scotch grinned, starting in on the candy.
"What do you plan on doing with the prize money?" asked Crow.
"Shopping spree!" Scotch said.
"Ooh, nice!" smiled Carly.
"And where are we shopping?" asked Jack.
"GameStop!" Scotch said.
"GameStop? Why there?" asked Leo.
"Video games and merch!" Scotch said. That was where he wanted to spend the prize money.
"That sounds like a great idea!" said Leo.
"When do you want to go?" asked Kalin.
"Today! I can show off my costume!" Scotch said.
"Sure," smiled Kalin.
"Let's go!" said West.
They started to head out of the center. As they did, a man Kalin had hoped to never see again stumbled over to them.
