When hinges creak in doorless chambers,
And strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls.
Whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still —
That is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight!
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived the prince of darkness.
He was a kind prince, but one with a cold heart. Some feared him and others believed he had no heart to begin with. He ruled over the land with an iron fist, alongside his female advisors. None could match him in power or might.
One night, he decided to hold a grand ball in honor of conquering a large section of land. It was there where he met a beautiful ghostly woman who had charmed him. Since she was of the undead, she was a perfect candidate to be his bride. Not only was she charming, but she was clever and wise. The prince found himself enamored by her.
However, a jealous suitor watched them get closer with each other. She too wanted the prince to fall for her, not liking the attention he was giving her. For you see, this woman had placed the curse on the prince, preventing him from ever finding love unless it was with her. The ghost bride was slowly melting his heart, the heart that was meant for her.
Before she could interfere, the prince had asked the ghost bride for her hand in marriage. Enraged by this, the jealous woman disguised herself as the ghost bride and locked the true bride away in the dungeon on the day of the wedding. If she could walk down the aisle with the prince and have him declare his love for her, then the prince would be forever hers!
What she failed to notice is that the ghost bride had made friends with the castle staff and the female advisors. Noticing a change to the fake bride, the high vizier searched the castle and found the true bride who had been calling out in the darkness. Freeing her from the bonds, the bride and the vizier raced to the grand hall and put a stop to the ceremony. Before the prince could declare his love for the false bride, the true bride emerged. Furious at her deceit, the prince demanded for her head and went to gather the true bride in his arms.
The two sealed their love with a kiss and the curse upon his heart was broken. The prince of darkness and the ghost bride would forever rule the kingdom with love and harmony. And thus the tale of the ghost bride ends.
"What do you think headmistress? Can we make this play happen?"
Headmistress Shakky smiled at the enthusiastic female jumping up and down in front of her. Taking a long drag from her cigarette, she blew it out the window that Reiju had opened earlier.
"A gothic fairy tale huh? I think this sounds like a great idea Miss Perona. I believe yo'll find that Whole Cake has many able bodies to help set up the stage and get props made for your little story. Camie from the fashion club has volunteered to help make your costumes for the show. Ms. Pudding has also decided to make desserts to serve at the show. You shouldn't even have problems finding who the roles should go to." Shakky said, looking over the play once more. "I must say, this is very well written."
"Horororo! I'm so glad you agree! I can't wait to put this on!" Perona exclaimed, before gesturing towards Reiju who was standing off to the side. "I already found my ghost bride right here."
Reiju blushed slightly, turning away to hide her face. "Me act? I've never participated in one of these plays. How would you know I'm perfect for the lead female role?"
"Miss Reiju, I can see so much potential in you being our ghost bride! You have the look, the feel, and even the attitude I'm looking for!" Perona held her hands, giving a bright smile. "Oh please say you'll consider this. I don't know who would even replace you."
Shakky laughed at the mixed expressions going about Reiju's face. "You heard the director Reiju. If she deems you perfect for the role, you should try it out. Might be fun to spend your final year here doing something fun."
Seeing no other option, Reiju backed down. "Oh alright, as long as I don't have to wear anything frilly or cutesy."
"Amazing! My first participant! I'm so excited to see if I can find others that fit the roles." Perona cheered, grabbing the papers off the headmistress' desk. "I think you said you had some people already requesting to join the show. Do you have the list Headmistress?"
Shakky handed her the paper with signed names. "Here's the ones that signed up. I should probably remind you that we have one male student that might be perfect for the prince role."
"Oh yes! I've heard about him. I'll have to ask him." The bell rung loudly, signalling lunch break. "Perhaps I'll go find him now! Thank you for this opportunity!" Waving once more at Reiju, Perona ran out of the room towards the cafeteria.
Shakky smiled as she watched her run out of the room before turning back to Reiju. "Now what did you have to discuss with me Reiju?"
Reiju cleared her throat before giving a serious look. "There have been rumors going around that a group of individuals will be disrupting the Halloween play. As the head of the disciplinary committee, I think we should strengthen the security to prevent anything from going on."
The woman nodded. "See to it that we have stronger security measures for this play." Smirking, she pointed a pen at her. "Enough to keep your brother off the premise."
Reiju shook her head as her cheeks burned. "I swear he finds a way on this campus to either flirt with women or bother Pudding, whom I'm convinced is getting used to his antics."
"Looks like the school blog got an update on the play auditions. I hope I can get a role this year."
The usual lunch gang watched and smiled at Carrot as her nose twitched like a bunny. Kaya and Camie laughed as even the ears on her headband seemed to move in happiness. Nami sipped her tangerine juice, staring idle at Luffy. Robin looked up from her book in keen interest at the news. Bonney and Luffy both had their cheeks filled to the brim with their lunches.
Carrot stared down at her phone as she read the roles before gasping loudly. "Luffy, it says here that you got the lead role! Apparently, you are playing the dark prince of the play!
Luffy's eyes widen as he choked on his meal before Bonney gave him a whack on the back. "Say what now!? I didn't even audition and I got a role just like that?" He looked over Carrot's shoulder, the post confirming what she had said. "Oh wow, I can't wait to help out then."
"Whoever this director is has a great taste in good quality people." Camie said, patting him on the back. "I guess being the only boy in school has its perks after all. Don't worry, I'll make sure your outfit looks superb!"
"I'm just gonna laugh when Linlin reads this post." Nami snickered, getting a small chuckle from Robin. "Knowing how she always tries to get the lead in every play, she's gonna be livid when she sees Luffy got it instead of her."
"Wonder how long that'll-" Bonney started to say before said pink haired girl screeched from her table across the room. "That was surprisingly fast."
Kalifa sighed as she watched Linlin practically stomp over towards Luffy's table. Ulti was full blown laughing at her atrocious behavior while Black Maria shook her head at the girl's behavior.
Luffy braced himself for the worst as he swallowed the rest of his lunch. Getting prepared for a full blown tantrum from the class president herself, he was shocked when another pink haired girl pushed her to the ground before she could get a word in edgewise. This new pinkette gave him a happy smile before shaking his hands.
"You must be Luffy, I've heard so much about you from my godfather. My name's Perona, I'm staying at this school for the season to help out with the Halloween festival." She gave him a wink. "When I heard you were here, I couldn't help but give you the role of the dark prince. I think you'll be perfect for this!"
Luffy snapped out of his stupor before nodding. "Uhh...sure thing Perona. I'm glad I get to participate in your production." Giving her a genuine smile, he stood up from the table. "I hope I can live up to your expectations."
"Miss Perona, can I be in your play?! Pretty please?" Carrot asked the girl, leaning herself on Luffy's shoulder. "I want to be part of the show!"
Perona gave her a look over before posing dramatically. "I do believe I can assign the role of one of the dark prince's servants to you."
Carrot's eyes sparkled as she squealed loudly and hugged Luffy. Overhearing the conversation, Boa Hancock stood up from the Amazon table to briskly made her way over towards her beloved and the director. Casting a glare at Carrot's snuggling, she pointed at the now surprised Perona.
"Lady director, I demand you put me in the play as well!" Hancock declared, giving her quite the stare. Perona gulped before scanning the various audition papers before giving her a thumbs up.
"Sure thing Miss Hancock, I can let you be the dark prince's royal advisor!" Perona shakily replied, not wanting to anger to towering beauty before her.
Hanock gave her a small nod before walking back to her sit with her sisters. Her face lit red as she cupped her cheeks. "I'm going to be in the show with Luffy-sama! I'm so excited to be his royal advisor!"
"Well if that's all for right now, I have to head over to the auditorium. I have to talk to the builders club about props and other show stuff." Perona turned to leave before feeling a cold hand clamp down on her ankle, making her scream.
Linlin, whose hair was now covered with floor grease and gunk, gave her a sneer so fierce that it frightened the Halloween girl to no end. Her eyes appeared red and flashing, giving her the visage of a demoness.
"You dare push me to the ground and give the lead role to that inferior waste of space?" Her voice came out terrifying and dark, casting shivers down her spine. "I demand you give me the lead role or else I'll make your entire existence suffer-"
"Calm yourself Linlin, you are making a mockery of yourself." Black Maria and Ulti were now standing above the fallen girl, the latter picking her up from the ground. "You have to let others take lead once in awhile. The world doesn't revolve around you constantly."
Ulti slung the pinkette over her shoulder and laughed. "You got to admit it was pretty intimidating and hilarious though!"
Perona took one look at Ulti with her mask and horns and gave her a huge smile. "I think I found my lead antagonist!"
Ulti's face turned blank as she slowly turned to the small girl. "You what?"
Alvida smirked at her tablet as she finished posting the latest gossip on the school's blog. It was such a crisp autumn afternoon, so she decided to do her usual blogging outside on one of the various school benches. With the change of seasons, even she started to button up her blouse and wear her purple jacket more. Her lackey, Porsche, had club during the lunch period so she couldn't enjoy the outside time she had. No matter, she would work her even harder when she came out.
Just as she took a sip of hot apple cider she got from the cafe downtown, the slim figure that was Reiju Vinsmoke walked over to her, giving her a cold glance. Alvida was no fool, she knew whatever the pink haired girl was looking for, she would know where it was. Not even peering up to face her, she waited till she came over to then look up.
"Well, well, well, if it ain't little miss chemistry queen." Alvida drawled sarcastically, taking another sip of her drink. "To what do I owe the privilege of being in your presence today?"
"Cut the crap Alvida and tell me whose coming to ruin the Halloween Festival." Reiju said in her no nonsense business voice. The kind of voice that told you she worked in the Germa 66 Military Base on a daily basis. "You're the school's gossip and know all of what goes on in the background. You must also know the people who would be more likely to cause disturbance at our festival."
"So what if I did? Why would I tell anything to you?" Alvida challenged, giving her an equal glare. "I have to report what's going on around the festival that day. Plus, recording your little play at the same time." Noticing her shocked face, she continued. "Uh huh, I just posted what you were talking about in the headmistress' office. Don't ask how I got the information, it's basically confidential."
"You better not cause any trouble or so help me I will land you in detention so fast." Leaving her threat to linger, Reiju left the smooth talker to herself.
Alvida leaned against her hand with an evil smile on her face. Her tablet suddenly got a notification, causing her to look down with interest. Apparently, more girls were going to be in the play, but she didn't see Linlin anywhere on the list. Now this was a surprise.
Serves her right to try to take Luffy's spotlight. Alvida thought, hugging the tablet to her chest at the thought of the straw hat boy. Once she got rid of the tight competition, he would be all hers to toy with.
For now, she would get her information from her mystery accomplice while informing the ones who will ruin the play on the new stuff.
This Halloween is going to be a scream.