I just want to take a quick second to thank all of you who decided to read this far. When I started writing this fic I was unsure if I should keep going but you guys have been great motivators!
You ready for spooky scary skeletons? You ready for spooks! Readers beware, you're in for a scare...
Chapter XXXIII- Halloween Town (Part 1)
"Remember, the magic is to make us not stand out!" Donald reminded them.
"I'm not complaining, I look awesome!" Koga said."
When they reached this new world called Halloween Town they all had a change of attire. Donald was covered in dirty mummy wrappings but his stomach was exposed revealing an empty void inside. Goofy was dressed like a mix between a scarecrow and a Frankenstein monster. Sora wore a black jacket over a grey shirt with little bat wings on the back, shorts that matched the jacket, black and white striped socks, and white gloves. On his head was a jack o'lantern mask covering his right eye and he had little sharp fangs sticking out of his mouth. Koga wore a tattered ragged sleeveless shirt over a black vest and torn trousers with suspenders. He had little devil horns, devil tail, and spiked boots. His vest had a little cape on the back and he had two red circles painted on his cheeks like a blush.
"But why are we dressed creepy?" Sora asked poking his fangs.
"Well this place is pretty creepy so we might fit in." Goofy said.
The group looked around. They were passing by a forest of dead trees. The air was foggy and the sky was orange with twilight. The moon shined brightly in the night sky but it just added to the spooky aesthetic this place was going with. Up ahead was the gate to a spooky gothic looking town covered in Jack o'lanterns and cobwebs. There was a sign that said 'Halloween Town'.
Sora crossed his arm looking confused. "Hey Koga, when did we leave the island again?"
Koga rubbed his chin. "Hmm, I think it was around the middle of July."
"How is it Halloween already? We've only been away from home for a couple of weeks at most."
"Well I guess it's just different here." Koga said hiding his terror. Halloween is his brother's second favorite holiday next to Christmas. He remembered all the times he went trick or treating with Sora, Riku, and Kairi, lots and lots of candy...
And then there were all the times Riku tries to scare him. There was one time where he got scared so bad he wouldn't stop crying for half an hour even with Kairi trying to cheer him up. So while he enjoys the candy, it is not worth the scares.
He snapped out of it when he heard singing. They looked ahead and saw a freaky sight. There were werewolves, vampires, witches, zombies, and many other monsters that you would dress up as for the holiday, all of them dancing and singing. Ghosts flew around between the gates and looked at them with a creepy grin.
"Koga?"
"Yeah bro?"
"I see dead people..."
"Me to." The twins huddled slightly closer entered the town and into the town square. There was a fountain that spewed some unknown green liquid, probably best not to touch it.
"Boys and girls of every age
Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
Come with us and you will see
This, our town of Halloween"
The townspeople started getting into the song. They danced around while hissing, snarling, and cackling at each other. The group tried to walk through the celebrating locals.
"This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night
This is Halloween, everybody make a scene
Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright
It's our town, everybody scream
In this town of Halloween"
As they were singing they noticed that they didn't sound very malicious or evil, it sounded more playful and festive despite their dark and creepy appearances.
"In this town, don't we love it now?
Everybody's waiting for the next surprise
'Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can
Something's waiting no to pounce, and how you'll
Scream! This is Halloween
Red 'n' black, and slimy green
Aren't you scared?
Well, that's just fine
Say it once, say it twice
Take a chance and roll the dice
Ride with the moon in the dead of night
Everybody scream, everybody scream
In our town of Halloween!"
Koga bumped into someone and when he saw what it was he almost wet himself. It was a creepy fat clown on a unicycle. He quickly backed away from him grabbing on tight to his brother's hand and not looking to let go.
"I am the clown with the tear-away face
Here in a flash and gone without a trace
I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?"
I am the wind blowing through your hair
I am the shadow on the moon at night
Filling your dreams to the brim with fright
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
Halloween! Halloween!"
"Well, I think I had enough Halloween for one day, let's get going to the next world." Koga said. Sora frowned at his brother.
"Come on, don't we have to look for the Keyhole?" Donald said.
Koga shook his head. "I don't see no Heartless, I'm sure they'll be alright."
And then the Heartless decided to show up. About seven Search Ghosts appeared near the fountain. They all tensed up but stopped themselves from attacking when they noticed the Heartless weren't attacking people, in fact they were dancing alongside them. The group all looked dumbfounded.
They then noticed a short man that, based on his clothing, they guessed was the mayor. He had a very long top hat and he had two faces, one on each side of his head.
"In this town
Don't we love it now?
Everybody's waiting for the next surprise
Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back
And scream like a banshee
Make you jump out of your skin
This is Halloween, everybody scream
Won't ya please make way for a very special guy
Our man Jack is King of the Pumpkin patch
Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King, now!
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song"
Suddenly the liquid of the fountain was bubbling as everyone cheered. A tall skeleton in a black suit rose from it. There was an applause when he did a dramatic pose.
"Bravo Jack, bravo!" The Mayor said clapping happily. "These Heartless are an excellent inclusion to this year's Halloween!"
"Thank you mayor!" the skeleton called Jack said happily. "But their movement still needs work. It's not scary enough. I want to strike bone-chilling terror. Hmm I will consult Dr Finkelstein, he'll know what to do." He gave a dramatic bow before heading off. At this point the crowd started dispersing, save for Sora Koga and the other's.
"What is going on here?" Koga scratched his head. "They're using the Heartless for their celebration?"
"We should follow that Jack feller." Goofy suggested.
"Yeah, he's probably gotta know what's going on here." Sora said.
"I don't understand. Maybe the guidance system was damaged in the explosion." Jack said looking through a bunch of Finkelstein's notes. The doctor listened while looking at his recent project of his. A Search Ghost Heartless that he has hooked up to a bunch of machinery in his laboratory. It was currently in a state of hibernation laying on a work bench.
"Nonsense, my devices are always perfect!" The doctor said slamming his fists on the arms of the wheelchair. "No one puts as much heart and soul into their work as I do!"Suddenly Jack jumped
"Of course it's so obvious, the Heartless need a Heart! Doctor, do you think we can add a heart to the device?"
"Certainly. A Heart's not all that complicated. Let's get to work. Igor, bring the parts!" He shouted.
"To make a heart, first take a container with a lock..." Jack read. The doctor rummaged through his drawers and pulled out a horrid stitched up chunk of flesh with a metal keyhole socket.
"We need a key to this thing first!" Finkelstein scratched his brain trying to remember where he put the key.
"Did someone say they need a Key?"
Jack and the doctor turned and saw Sora pop his head through the door before bringing himself inside, his friends following him.
The doctor didn't look too happy that a bunch of strangers just barged into his personal laboratory but Jack happily waved at them.
"Oh the outsiders! I saw you during my performance." He walked up to them and knelt down. "Who might you be?"
"I'm Sora, this is my brother Koga,"
"Sup."
"And these are our friends Donald and Goofy." The two waved. Jack waved back with his long skeletal hands.
"Well hello, I am Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King! Welcome to Halloween town, if you have any questions feel free to ask yours truly."
"What's this Heartless doing here?" Koga asked pointing at said creature.
"Oh, the Heartless came to town just recently. They were a bit unruly at first but when we caught this one they became more docile. See the doctor discovered that the Heartless work in a hive mind so we hooked this one up to a guidance system he invented to control them. What's frustrating is I can't get them to dance properly with me, their movement is too jerky and without form. So, the doctor and I are trying to improve the guidance system. He's quite a genius but it looks like we reached a roadblock in our work."
"If you need a Key we have one you can use."
Jack's empty eye sockets widened in excitement. "You do?"
"Yep, it can open any lock, I got it right he-"
"Uh, excuse us for a second." Koga said pulling his brother to the side. "Sora, are you sure about this?"
"Yeah, messing with the Heartless is dangerous." Donald whispered.
"Why not? If they succeed, we won't have to fight the Heartless, right? Besides, I want to see the Heartless dance, too. Don't you?"
"Not really. But I trust your judgement bro."
Sora nodded. He summoned his Keyblade and with a simple point the DIY Heart became unlocked.
"My! That was amazing! Well done! Sora was it? I'd like you and your friends to be a part of this year's Halloween."
"Sure, why not?" Sora said putting his hands behind his head smiling. Guess a Halloween party wouldn't be so bad.
Jake gave a toothy grin an nodded. "Ok, Doctor, let's continue. The ingredients for a heart: Pulse, Emotion, Terror, Fear, Hope and despair. Mix them all together. And we have a Heart!"
"Not so fast, something's not right about this Heart..." Finkelstein murmured.
"Maybe you need an extra ingredient?" Koga suggested walking up to the doctor. Then he recoiled when the doctor opened up the top of his head exposing the brain and scratched it.
"Hmm perhaps you're right, let's try adding Memory. Igor, fetch Sally!"
The group watched as a short hunched back man shamble in. "Master, she's not here. She went into the graveyard."
"What, that good for nothing girl! I don't know why I bothered creating her!" He turned to Jack. "Jack, Sally has the Memory I need. See if you can track her down. Also we need some Surprise as the last ingredient so check on the Mayor."
"No problem. Sora, Koga, would you and your friends like to come along?"
"Sure!" Sora said.
"Yeah, nothing like searching a spooky graveyard searching for parts to make a Heart." Koga said reluctantly.
Goofy chuckled. "Aw Koga, if you're scared I promise to hold your hand."
"Goofy you aren't helping..." Koga pinched his nose.
"Alright, to the graveyard!"
No Jack, you need sugar, spice, and everything nice to make a Heart! What do you think about Koga's Halloween design idea, personally I find it cool. Very interesting how the Heartless aren't evil, wonder if it stays that way.
See you guys next time...
HAVE FUN!