AN: Some spoilers for Owl House Season 3 this chapter!
"Welcome, Foolish Mortals, to the Hocus Pocus Bash!" Poe de Spell called, appearing in a puff of smoke on stage. The duck gave a bow as the crowd clapped for him. "Tonight is the night of ghouls and ghosts, tricks and treats, monsters and mayhem. We have a line of wonderfully devilish performances for you to enjoy, all leading up to the stroke of midnight, when the Sanderson Sisters will grace us with their presence. Until then, enjoy the festivities and have a happy Halloween!"
"It was a good idea for Poe to host the main stage tonight," Jasiri said. The hyena queen was dressed as a witch doctor, even having a staff like Rafiki's.
"He looked like he was having a lot of fun," Kessie giggled, the bluebird wearing a sheet ghost costume.
"Plus with him being here, Rachel doesn't have to worry about keeping an eye on anything," Brooklyn added. The gargoyle grinned and struck a pose. "So, what do you think of the costume we're wearing?"
"A Venomized Gargoyle is an inspired choice," Sisu nodded. The dragon was dressed as her best friend Raya for the night.
"As long as we get us back to Eddie before tomorrow, we shall get all of the candy for ourselves!" Venom said, his head peeking out of Brooklyn's shoulder.
"Yeah, I'll just keep a sound spell ready in case Venom tries anything," Lena said. She was dressed as a Night Sister. "Oh, there is a friend I wanted you guys to meet. Hunter, get over here!"
A boy with blonde hair and scars on his face walked over and waved hello. "Hey there. The name's Hunter. You guys are friends with Lena?"
"Yeah, and all of us are the Dream Keepers when together," Jasiri nodded, shaking Hunter's hand. "I'm Jasiri, the gargoyle is Brooklyn, and the dragon is Sisu."
"Woah, nice cape, dude," Sisu complimented. "You look like someone out of a fantasy novel."
"I didn't have a costume ready, so Lena suggested I wear my Golden Guard robes," Hunter explained. "She said it would help me 'face my trauma' or something like that?"
"Yeah, Hunter is part of the PDC squad," Lena said.
"The PDC squad?" Brooklyn questioned.
"Possessed Disney Kids. It's a group Dipper and I started to help our fellow teens that were possessed by the villains of their series," Lena explained. "Currently it's me, Dipper, Marcy, and now Hunter. We made the group so we can all support each other to help overcome our traumatic experiences."
"I think there's a weird pattern there if possession keeps happening," Sisu said. "Hey, I just noticed that Gabriel hasn't shown up. Where is he?"
As if on cue, a flash of red magic appeared before the group, revealing a tall figure in white robes with a golden horned mask, eyes glowing blue underneath it. "Hello everyone," said the figure.
"BELOS!?" Hunter screamed, attempting to run off before being grabbed by the hood by Lena.
"Relax, Hunter, it's just Gabriel," the duck said.
"Oh, sorry about that," Gabriel said, taking off the mask to reveal the raven underneath. "I did not expect Hunter to be here. I would have picked a different costume if that was the case." He smiled a placed a hand on Hunter's shoulder, wincing as the kid flinched at the touch. "Hey there. I'm Gabriel the Dream Keeper, and as long as I'm around, you don't have to worry about your uncle."
"Yeah, if the real Belos does show up, we'll kick his butt for you," Brooklyn said, wrapping an arm around Hunter.
"Yes, we will eat him if he shows up," Venom said, drooling.
"No eating people, Venom," Lena said, flicking some magic at the symbiote.
Gabriel then snapped his fingers, remembering something. "Oh yeah! I think there's something you need to see tonight, Hunter. Come with me!"
Gabriel led his friends from Main Street out to New Orleans Square, passing by and saying hello to other characters all dressed up for the holidays as they went. Eventually the Dream Keeper brought them to the Haunted Mansion, which was currently closed from the public as they got ready for the yearly Haunted Mansion Holiday layover.
"And here we are, the pet cemetery," Gabriel said, gesturing to the tombstones.
"Cool, but why are we here?" Lena asked.
"We're here because a certain Grimwalker I know recently lost someone special to him," Gabriel said. He hummed a tone and reached out with Fantasia, a line of red magic flowing out from his staff and hovering over the graveyard. A bird's chirp was heard, and a red cardinal with a scar over one eye flew out from behind one of the tombstones, landing on Gabriel's staff.
"Flapjack!" Hunter exclaimed, grabbing the bird and hugging it close.
"You see, Halloween is the one time of the year that those that have departed from this world can return to life for one night," Gabriel explained.
"How do the villains get to stick around then?" Kessie asked.
"Popularity," Gabriel shrugged.
Hunter looked at the Dream Keeper with a smile. "Thank you. At least this time I can actually say goodbye when the night is over."
"Hey, maybe once your show wraps up, Flapjack will be magically brought back to life," Lena said.
"This is heartwarming for sure," Jasiri said with a smile.
[***]
With Hunter and his Palsman reunited for the night, the group went back to party for some more fun. There they met more of their friends, all of them in costume. Rachel was in dark knight armor, Almyra was dressed as Gazelle, Adam and Melanie wore steampunk outfits, and Logan was dressed as a Shinigami from Bleach. "Disney is distributing the anime internationally, so it counts," Logan shrugged.
"At least you got your outfit correctly," Silver grumbled, adjusting his witch's hat. "Me and Staghart were supposed to have matching Wizard of Oz costumes, but mine got mixed up! Now I'm stuck dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West."
"Then we could say that we're dressed as the characters from Wicked," Staghart said, the deer gargoyle dressed as the Scarecrow. "I remember him and the Wicked Witch being an item."
"I guess that works," Silver mumbled, blushing a bit.
"Looks like you're not the only lovebirds out here," Jasiri said. The hyena pointed to a couple of cats walking there way, one with black, pink, and blue fur while the other was a pure black cat.
"Aline! How are you doing?" Logan asked.
"I'm doing fine," Aline said. "I decided to go as my cat form this Halloween and look who I ran into! Meet Thackery Binx."
"A pleasure to meet you all," Binx said.
"Wait, why are you still a cat?" Toren asked, the Jaquin arriving dressed in a Wilderness Explorer's outfit.
"While I did pass onto the afterlife alongside my sister, I can return here to the Magical World whenever I want, albeit still in this cursed state," Binx explained.
"You're still cute either way," Aline giggled, rubbing her head against his. If Binx wasn't a black cat, his face would be red as a tomato.
"My, oh my, looks like our girl has finally found some love of her own!" Double D said, the crow dressed in the classic Sorcerer Mickey robes.
"And with that, the Dream Students are all here," Gabriel said. "Well, except for Beth. I wonder where she is."
Suddenly the girl in question ran up, dressed in a mad scientist outfit and looking worried. "Guys, we have a problem!" she said.
"What is it, Beth?" Jasiri asked.
"It's about Brian," Beth said. "He's being Day-O!"
The others looked at her weirdly. "Beth, what was that?" Gabriel asked.
"I'm not sure," she said, clearing her throat. "What I was trying to say was Me say day, me say day, me say day, me say day, me say day-o!"
"Wait, that song is familiar," Logan said.
"Beth, do you need to take a moment to calm down?" Rachel asked.
"No, I'm fine," Beth said. "I just need to Daylight come and me wan' go home!"
"Uncontrollable singing? That can only mean one thing on a night like tonight," Gabriel said. A flash of magic happened on stage, with three figures appearing from the smoke. "Speak of the devil…"
"We're back, Magical World!" called Winifred Sanderson, posing dramatically. "And this time, we're going to make sure we stay this way! But first, why don't you all join in on our song?"
Everyone in the crowd watched the show, suddenly compelled to sing and dance to the song.
"Work all night on a drink of rum!" Winifred sang.
Daylight come and me wanna go home
"Stack banana till the morning come, brrah!" Sarah and Mary replied.
"Oh boy…. Not only are they forcing them to sing, but they're also referencing another spooky movie as well," Gabriel sighed.
"Wait, why aren't we affected?" Aline asked.
"Out connection to Fantasia makes us immune to their musical charms, I believe," Gabriel said. He picked up Aline and let Binx jump on his shoulder.
"Let's go! If the Sanderson Sisters have arrived earlier than expected, then it can't be for good," Binx said.
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
"Come mister tally man, tally me banana!" Brooklyn sang, awkwardly dancing with Lena.
Daylight come and me wan' go home
"Come mister tally man, tally me banana!" Rachel called, also being forced to sing and dance with Poe.
Daylight come and me wan' go home
"Beth, were you trying to warn us about this?" Gabriel asked, following the girl around as the crowd danced between them.
"Yeah! They suddenly showed up in Hollywood Studios and kidnapped Brian!" Beth said. "Gah, I wish I could stop dancing and start stopping them from hurting my brother!"
"We're on it," Gabriel said. "I just need to get some of my other friends."
"Sounds like you have a plan," Aline noted.
"It's a dumb one, but sometimes you have to dare to be stupid and hope for the best," Gabriel said.
"A beautiful bunch of ripe banana!" Logan sang, Gabriel taking his hand and pulling him along.
Daylight come and me wan' go home
"Hide the deadly black tarantula!" Silver added, before Gabriel grabbed him and dragged him away from the flash mob.
Daylight come and me wan' go home
"Oh Winnie, this is so much fun!" Sarah Sanderson said, happily jumping around the stage.
"And with everyone distracted, we can make our potion with this handsome young man we found," Mary added, gesturing to Brian, who was currently being held within a magic circle.
"Why do the villains always kidnap me?" Brian sighed.
"Gabriel is going to save you, bro… Somehow!" Beth called, still stuck in the flash mob.
Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch
Daylight come and me wan' go home
The Sanderson sisters laughed as the crowd danced and sang. "How fun it is to bend other people to our will," Winfried laughed.
Their laughter was interrupted by a flash of magic from the other side of the stage, with three figures standing within the mist. "Ladies and gentlemen," said Gabriel's voice. "It's so lovely to have the Sanderson Sisters here tonight, but I think they need a proper introduction." He stepped forward alongside Logan and Silver. "So, sit back and enjoy a special performance by the Magic Number."
"Magic Number?" Logan questioned.
"Yeah. Three is the magic number," Silver said.
"Oh really? And what do you boys have to say?" Winifred questioned.
Gabriel smirked, and with another flash of magic, Almyra and Gazelle appeared, the pop star dressed in a mummy costume. "Oh. My. Goodness! Gazelle!?" Almyra exclaimed.
"Almyra, we need to focus so we can save Brian," Gabriel whispered. "Can you and Gazelle back me up with your dancing?"
"Can do," Almyra said, a big grin coming to her face as she got to dance with her idol.
"Okay boys, let's do this," Gabriel said, posing with Silver and Logan. "Logan, drop a beat!"
"Uh… okay…" the boy said. Logan started beatboxing, with Silver nodding along while Gabriel gathered up Fantasia magic. "Boots and cats, and boots and cats, and boots and cats, and boots and cats and…"
Music suddenly swelled, an early 2000s pop beat as Almyra and Gazelle started dancing along. Gabriel stepped forward with Silver and Logan, the raven smiling as he changed the candles around the stage into green flames before he began to sing.
"Come on, let's go!" Gabriel called.
I've never met nobody like you
Gabriel pointed at Winifred.
Had friends and I've had buddies, it's true
The raven then put his arms around Silver and Logan's shoulders.
But they don't turn my tummy the way you do
Gabriel started to shimmy towards the Sanderson sisters, the three of them unsure of what the Dream Keeper was up to.
I've never met nobody like… you
Oh, yeah...
The music swelled a bit, with Gabriel taking Winifred's hand, Logan taking Sarah's, and Silver taking Mary's.
You're never not on my mind
Oh my, oh my
The boys put a hand to their head as they sang in harmony.
I'm never not by your side
Your side, your side
The three gave the Sanderson sisters a twirl before pulling them close.
I'm never gonna let you cry
Oh cry, don't cry
The trio gestured a crying motion before wiping away the fake tears.
I'll never not be your ride
Or die, alright
The three broke off, letting Almyra and Gazelle dazzle the crowd with their dancing as Aline and Binx appeared, the black cat starting to wrap of all things.
Let's call it what it is, it's a masterpiece
Got a whole lotta love for them city streets (Salem!)
Aline sauntered up and backed up her friend.
Tonight is the place to be
Got a big boombox and a new CD (Come on!)
Gabriel made an old school boombox appear, cranking up the volume which in turn increased the influence of his magic, breaking the crowd out of the Sanderson sister's spell.
Everybody, let's tear it up
If you want mad skills, you can share with us (I want!)
Everybody to stop and stare and you know why it's me (right here!)
Whoo!
The Sanderson Sisters, while still confused about what was going on, were pulled into the performance, dancing with the three boys as Gabriel smiled, his plan actually working. "Let's go!" the raven called.
You're never not on my mind
Oh my, oh my
Silver gave a kiss to Mary's hand, making the witch flustered.
I'm never not by your side
Your side, your side
Logan twirled Sarah around, the youngest sister giggling with delight.
I'm never gonna let you cry
Oh cry, don't cry
Gabriel gave a wink to Winifred before stepping forward with Logan and Silver.
I'll never not be your ride
Or die, alright
The three started dancing with Almyra and Gazelle as Gabriel used Fantasia to remix the bridge of the song, making it a spookier beat to fit the Halloween mood.
Li-Li-Li, Li-Li-Li
Like you
Li-Li-Li, Li-Li-Li
Like you
As that was going on, Aline and Binx snuck over to where Brian was being held. "Don't worry Brian, we'll get you out of this," Aline said. She then looked at her paws and sighed. "Although it's going to be harder to cast as counter spell without fingers, and I made this transformation last until the end of the night."
"My heroes," Brian said, rolling his eyes.
Li-Li-Li, Li-Li-Li
Like you
Like you, like you
"Winnie, I can't stop dancing!" Sarah said.
"That bird has us bewitched!" Mary exclaimed.
Li-Li-Li, Li-Li-Li
Like you
Li-Li-Li, Li-Li-Li
Like you
"We just have to turn the beat around for us!" Winifred said, casting a spell on her own, freezing Gabriel in place.
Li-Li-Li, Li-Li-Li
Like you
Like you, like you-
Now it was the Sanderson Sister's turn at the song, the three of them going up to the boys and posing.
I've never met nobody like you
Had friends and I've had buddies, it's true
Gabriel shifted his fingers, breaking out of the spell as the witches sang but pretending to still be captured.
But they don't turn my tummy the way you do
I've never met nobody like… you
"Almost… got it…" Aline said, paws sparking with magic as she drew glyphs on the floor.
"You've got this, Aline," Binx encouraged.
You're never not on my mind
Oh my, oh my
I'm never not by your side
Your side, your side
The spell was broken, and as Gabriel, Logan, and Silver sang with the Sanderson sisters, Aline and Binx led Brian off-stage to safety.
I'm never gonna let you cry
Oh cry, don't cry
I'll never not be your ride
Or die, alright
"That was lovely, boys, but we still have a ritual to perform!" Winifred said, blasting Gabriel with a spell that he quickly blocked with a shield. "Oh, you broke out of the binding spell."
"Comes with being a Dream Keeper. You pick up on how to break out of traps," Gabriel said. "Oh, and how do you feel about cats?"
"Cats?" Winifred questioned, only to shout in surprise as a giant cat suddenly appeared and landed on top of the witches, trapping them.
"Hah! I knew this giant cat spell would come in handy one day!" Aline giggled, snuggling down on the sisters.
"Foiled by a cat, again!" Winifred grumbled.
"You know, Sanderson sisters, this entire party is all about you," Poe said, coming up to the stage.
"Yeah, and while it wasn't cool for you to mind control everyone, it was pretty fun seeing everyone dance," Almyra said.
"The night is still young as well," Gabriel noted. "So, how about you join us for the party and have fun? You are the guests of honor, after all."
"But please, no more trying to sacrifice people to become immortal, or whatever your plan this time was," Logan sighed.
Winifred looked at her sisters, then back to Gabriel, then sighed. "Fine, we'll play nice. But only for tonight!"
"Good," Aline said, turning back to her normal size. "Now then, let's party so hard that we wake the dead- literally!"
With that Poe took back over hosting duties, and soon the Hocus Pocus Bash was in full swing. Gabriel went back to enjoying the night with his friends, with Brooklyn stopping him when they went to get drinks. "So, how did you know that distraction would work?" the gargoyle asked.
"If there's one thing most girls can't resist, it's boy bands," Gabriel said. "Though there was only a 50% chance of that working. I think they were more confused than anything else."
Jasiri suddenly came up and gave the raven a kiss on the beak. "That is to make it clear to everyone here that you're my boyfriend," the hyena said sternly.
Gabriel laughed. "Yeah, sorry for not telling you the plan. It was really spur of the moment. I'll make it up to you, Jasiri."
"At least you'll be easily forgiven," Logan said. "I'm pretty sure Destiny would kill me if she was here…"
"Oh Logan!" Lena called out, making the boy tense up. The teen sorceress smirked as she held up a photo of him and Sarah Sanderson dancing together. "If you don't want Destiny to find out, you can always do me a favor."
"Lena, no, you can't!" Logan said, panicking.
"Then I suggest you do as I say," Lena giggled. "You're going to help me test out some new magic in the upcoming weeks, and only after that will I get rid of this photo."
"Ugh, fine…" Logan sighed. "I can't believe I let her blackmail me twice now…"
"You know Lena, that's pretty evil," Hunter pointed out.
"Eh, I just like messing with the kid," Lena shrugged.
"I'm not a kid!" Logan shouted.
"But I am technically older than you!" Lena called back. "Plus I have Brooklyn and Gabriel to hold me back if I ever go too far."
"You got that right," the gargoyle nodded.
"Well, I guess all that's left to do is for us to have a Happy Halloween!" Gabriel laughed.
Author's Note
So there were a lot, and I mean a lot, of ideas that went into this chapter, and while some of them got more focus than others, I hope you all enjoyed the fun!
Hunter got introduced here, and the poor kid just deserves a break after all he's been through. Luckily, he's got friends like Lena to help him out, and Gabriel even helped him reunite with Flapjack for the night.
The Sanderson Sisters were up to their old tricks, kidnapping kids and forcing people to dance. Their song was "The Banana Boat Song" most famously used in Beetlejuice, which is what their scene was an homage to here. On the flipside, Gabriel gets some of the boys together to perform "Nobody Like U" from Turning Red. I just got the idea of distracting the Sanderson Sisters with a boyband song, so I hoped you enjoyed that silly scene.
On that note, I'm going to take a break this upcoming week, so you won't be getting a new chapter until November 14th at the time of me writing this. That being said…
Next Time: Lena gets into some magical hijinks with Gabriel and Logan!