KK:And, we're on to the next chapter! Thank you all for reviewing!

Murdoc:(cough) Psycho. (cough)

KK:(glares at him) Moron. Oh, and I apologize for all those out there who think this story is a bit boring. It's gonna get better, I promise.

2D:I 'fink it's great!

Murdoc:Suck-up.

Act Three

Time: 9 PM, sharp. The town meeting was to begin in around ten minutes or so. And, for nine out of those ten, the five were still rathre confused about this strange series of events.

"We are so goin' to die," Russel groaned.

"Get a'old of yaself, lards," growled Murdoc. "We jus' 'ave t' get outta 'ere b'fore they kill us."

"Have you guys even seen The Nightmare Before Christmas?" Adra asked. "I've seen it at least fifty times, and everyone's supposed to be really nice. And so far, that's kinda true."

"Love, lemme explain summink t' ya: it's a fuckin' movie! Technically, that means that not everythin' can be explained, so we don' really know if the movie's all it's cracked up t' be." The bassist then turned his attention downward toward his hand, and stared at the knives attached to the glove. "The sooner we get outta 'ere, the sooner we can get back t' livin' our real lives again."

"Amen to that. I wish I knew a spell that could get us out of this mess."

"Love, ya Magick spells ain't gonna 'elp us much," 2D sulked.

"We're going to start now, everyone," Jack said, walking up to the group. "I'll introduce you all, and then you'll come on stage and tell us something about yourselves, if you want. Until then, stage backstage." He then walked over to a pedestal on stage and started to talk to the audience.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," he began. "Our meeting, this time, is based around an event that happened earlier this morning. As I went on my daily walk outside town in the nearby graveyard, I came across five people that are new to these parts. Now, I'd like you all to meet them."

The five looked out and heard the large commotion coming from what sounded like a larger audience than they had intended to be facing. And now, they were all worried about how all of them were going to react.

Jack then turned his head to them. "It's alright now, you five. Come on out."

Nodding, all of them walked out onstage. Several of the townspeople - or creatures - gasped in awe. Another few startd conversations with the person next to them about who these newcomers were. And a few more let out whistles when Adria stepped out, who tried not to blush, and surprisingly succeeded. She, 2D, Noodle, Murdoc, and Russel, on the other hand, only tried to convince themselves that this all could not be real.

"Miss," Jack said, turning to Adria, "would you like to come up and say something?"

Adria, of course, put on her most confident smile and took the Pumpkin King's place up at the pedestal. She then adjusted the microphone and cleared her throat.

"Um, hello. My name is Adria, and me and my friends here are kinda new around here, so if we seem a bit strange to you all, I'm really sorry about that." She laughed. Then a few members of the audience joined in.

"Anyway, I'll just introduce you to everyone myself, so they don't have to be nervous about coming up themselves. The shortest one is Noodle. She's a bit like my little sister and she's really polite. I'm sure you'll all like her.

"The one with the blue hair is 2D He's a really great singer, and one of my best friends." She turned her head back to see 2D expose a cute smile.

Adria continued. "Now, the really big one is Russel. No offense, dude. He plays drums and is a really easy-going guy. You'll all like him, too.

"And last, but not least, is Murdoc. He plays bass guitar, and he's kinda my boyfriend, so guys, I'm sorry, but I'm kinda unavailable." She was about to laugh when she heard a few of the male audience members groan in disappointment. "Oh, and a bit of a warning: try not to get on Murdoc's bad side, 'cuz he has a mighty big one. So, just be warned.

"And as for me, I've got a bad attitude, but I can be really nice once you get to know me. And, I'm a bit different from even the people around where I come from, so I'm sorry if I'm more different than anybody else over here." She pointed behind her. "And well, that's about it, so thanks for listening."

The crowd cheered and whisted loudly as Adria stepped down from the pedestal and. I guess I was right, she thought. People from Halloweentown are really nice.

Jack retook his place on the pedestal and started to talk again. "Thank you for those interesting introductions, miss." He then turned his attention to the crowd. "Now, everyone, what do you all think? Should we let these newcomers stay?"

Each person in the audience turned to the one next to them and started to debate. Finally, after a minute or two, everyone either nodded their heads or shouted out something.

"It's decided then," said Jack. "Now, will you all agree to stay?" He turned his skull to the group standing behind him.

Adria motioned for the others to huddle, and they did as they were instructed. "Can we please stay, you guys?" she whispered. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!"

"You know, it is not that bad," Noodle agreed. "It is kind of cool."

"That's for sure, Noods," said Russel. "We'll be escapin' the interview with one of those teen music mag companies. Muds, whaddya think?"

Murdoc sighed. He knew he had lost any chances of them going back to the normal world with him. However, this opportunity could be interesting for him...

"Well, I guess it's okay," he replied. " 'K, break." Everyone broke the huddle and faced the crowd once again. They had all forgotten to ask 2D for his opinion.

"We'd love to stay for a while," Adria said, she herself not even realizing that they forgot about the singer.

Finally, he spoke up. And, typically, he wasn't thrilled. So, who was he gonna complain to?

Murdoc.

"But, Muds, everybody's dead, it looks like the 'Rock It' vid, an' I really need t'-"

"Shut ya fuckin' trap, Tusspot." Murdoc's voice got louder so now, even Jack could hear him. "So, I guess we'll stay for a while."

"Splendid!" Jack then looked down at his pocket and pulled out a silver pocketwatch. He flipped it open and checked the time. "Oh, no! I must be going, everyone! I'll be back in a half an hour to give you five the grand tour of the town. Until then, you should become acquainted with the townspeople." Jack made sure he spoke quickly but coherently. Then he walked down the stage steps and sped out the front doors.

Within five seconds upon Jack's departure, the townspeople all got up and started grouping into conversation "clouds'. And, three out of our five heroes followed the skeleton's directions and turned into new social butterflies: Murdoc, Russel, and 2D. The singer did need a bit of self support, though, before he could walk off. Adria and Noodle, however, sat on the edge of the stage and watch everyone curiously.

"This is kind of scary, Adria-san," little Noodle confessed, trying hard not to seem like a coward.

"Don't worry, Noodle," Adria said. "We've seen this movie at least a thousand times. What could you possibly be scared of?"

As if completely ironic, a fat clown with sharp teeth and a sinister cackle, riding a unicycle, sped past the two. Noodle covered her head with her hands and shook in fear, whimpering a bit.

Seeing this, Adria placed her arm over the young girl's shoulder. "Guess we shouldn't've seen Stephen King's IT, right?" She laughed slightly. "I don't like clowns either, Noods, but being afraid of one person shouldn't stop you from getting to know others. C'mon, let's go mingle." Taking Noodle's hand, Adria led her off the stage. They then walked over to a group of three children. They did look very familiar, though.

"Just go over and start a conversation," Adria coaxed, giving her friend a little push forward. The three childrenthen turned around to see who was behind them. They were dressed up as a devil, a witch, and a little skeleton, and they looked to be about three, four, or even five years younger than Noodle.

"Um, hello," the young Jap said shyly.

"Hello," all three replied in almost monotone voices.

"I'm Noodle. What are your names?"

To this, the devil replied "Lock". The witch replied "Shock". And the skeleton answered simply by saying "Barrel".

"Nice to meet you, Noodle," Shock said rather politely, her hands behind her back.

"Thank you. I am sorry if I seem a little bit shy."

Lock casually leaned up against the wall. "Don't worry about it. You're a newbie 'round here."

"Good point." Noodle finally remembered something from the movie. "I heard that you three are Halloweentown's best trick-or-treaters."

"The best around," said Barrel, lifting his mask to take a lick of a lollipop he was holding.

" 'Tricking' is the best part of the job," said Lock. All three then broke out in mischievious laughter.

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it, Noods?" asked Adria. "I'm gonna go make some friends of my own. T.T.Y.L, kid!" Adria then disappeared and into the crowd looking for Murdoc. Noodle then turned back to the other three after quickly waving to her friend.

"Have you done any tricking in your time?" asked Shock.

"I do enjoy it, but I am not that good at it."

"We'll all teach you." Barrel then completely removed his mask, Lock and Shock following.

"I like the 'treat' past a little better, though."

"Oh, so you're a candy fiend, like Barrel?" asked Lock and Shock in unison. The small skeleton boy only glared at the other two in response.

"Yes, I will admit it. So, how much do you guys know about tricks?"

"Everything..."