Chapter 2 – The Attempted Halloween Massacre
Arle's POV
"Wow…this festival's really lively huh, Carby?"
"Guu!"
"I didn't think this "Halloween Festival" would turn out to be this fun! Everyone in costume, games and contests being held…not to mention this huge party. We were truly missing out back home."
"Gu guu!"
"Though, I'm betting you're just happy to have all this candy around, huh?"
"Gu…Gu gu gu guu!"
"*giggle* I know you too well, Carby."
On a night simply known as "Halloween", Carby and I were at Primp Magic School's gymnasium for their (recently made) annual Halloween Festival. Having a good time with our friends and classmates. Everyone came wearing a costume of sorts. Which is something you apparently do on this one night of the year.
Now, I'll be honest…I've NEVER heard of Halloween. And when Amitie and Ringo explained it to Ally and me last week when this party was announced, I still didn't get it. But a chance to hang out with my friends late at night wasn't something I was willing to pass up. So, I played along. Even wore a costume of my own.
My costume is like an angelic knight of sorts. Tanish armor, white dress, blue & white boots with wings on the back, and a pair of blue wings on my back. With Carby matching by having yellow wings.
I didn't make it on my own…in fact, I had Oshare make it. But when I described what I wanted, I've had him and others tell me that it's similar to something called a Valkyrie.
I have no idea what that is…but I kept the costume. Mainly because I don't have any money left to get a new one.
I really gotta stop spending most of my paycheck on curry…
"Mmm…all this candy does look good, though. Maybe we could take a small bunch for now right, Carby?"
"Gugugu…"
*SMACK*
"Ow!"
"Control yourself, you candy-obsessed loon." Ringo said after swiping my hand away when it was so close to the nearest candy bowl.
"*moan* Geez, Ringo…why do you gotta be so cruel?"
"Because both you and Amitie go absolutely crazy when it comes to sweets. You would just snarf them down as if you're Lidelle."
"It's not our fault that candy is delicious…" I pouted.
"Gu gu gu guu…"
"Quit pouting. You're 18." Ringo gained a sweatdrop.
"So, what are you supposed to be?" I asked while noticing Ringo's all-white costume. With her hair tied up differently and her stomach fully exposed. "Kind of a revealing costume, don't you think?"
"Yes, it's a bit revealing…BUT it's worth it because I get to be my longtime favorite idol! Space Reporter Ulala from Space Channel 5!"
"Who?"
"Wh-What?! You don't know who Ulala is?! She's like the best space reporter there is!"
"How can you report in space? And what exactly happens up there?"
"Aliens that force all humans to dance for all eternity. And Ulala stops them all with her stylish 'n groovy dance moves! Up, Right, Left, Down Chu! Chu! Pose! Hey!" Ringo then started doing a little dance while yelling into a toy microphone she had in her hand. Ending it all with a pose.
"You're a freaking weirdo…" I said with a sweatdrop.
"Aw, don't mind her, Arle. Ringo's just having fun." Maguro said as he joined the two of us. Also dressed in costume.
…
Although…I-I'm not sure what he's supposed to be. He's wearing a blue robe of sorts with different patterns of fish (no surprise) that showed off a part of his black pants and brown boots. There was also a weird metal ring with an even weirder turquoise gem on his head.
Whatever he's supposed to be, it looks expensive as hell…
"What are you supposed to be, Maguro?" I asked.
"Oh, this? I'm what's known as a traveling warlock."
"A what? W-Wait, traveling to where?"
"N-No, I'm not literally going anywhere. It's based on one of my favorite tabletop games. Magic: The Gathering."
"Magic: The Gathering? W-Wait, so…you're gathering a bunch of magic for something?"
"N-No, you…"
"Just forget it, Maguro." Ringo said. "Arle's too oblivious to understand this stuff."
"Wow…screw you too, Ringo." I mumbled to myself.
"Either way…you've got a nice-looking costume on, Arle." Maguro said.
"*giggle* Thanks. I worked my butt off trying to afford all of the armor and stuff. And I say it came out good. Even if it wasn't what I originally intended to wear."
"What was your first choice?"
"Well…I wanted to go as a full-out magical girl version of Carby. But…he found it offensive. So, I had to go with something else."
"Carbuncle found it offensive?" Ringo asked in disbelief.
"Gu Gugugu. Gugugu…GU! Gu gugu."
"How is it species profiling?! You're the only one of your kind!" I asked Carby.
"Gugugu…"
"*sigh* You're really just overreacting…"
"Ohhohoho! Arle offending Carbuncle? I guess there's a first for everything."
"Can it, Witch. You do a lot more offending than I do." I said to her once she had also joined our conversation.
Witch's costume was a total shock to me. Based on the grey & white dress, the white & brown heels, and the grey hat to match, I'd say that she was going for a steampunk look. I'm surprised that she knows about such a thing. Considering that she's only 14.
…
Wait a sec…
"Oh, yeah. Happy 15th Birthday, Witch!"
"Gugugu!"
"Happy Birthday, Witch!" Ringo and Maguro cheered.
"Finally! At least, SOME people remembered! I've been hinting it to Draco, Harpy, and Seriri all day but they never figured it out!"
"It's probably because you were hinting Draco, Harpy, and Seriri, of all people…" I said with a sweatdrop.
"*sigh* I guess."
"Wow, Witch. That costume must've taken some time to make, didn't it?" Ringo asked.
"Ohhohoho! You like? Well, it did take a while to make. Even had Ami help me with it a little. Where is she, anyway?"
"Huh? She's not here yet?" I asked.
"I looked all around. Couldn't find her."
"That's weird." Maguro said.
"Definitely." Ringo agreed. "Totally not like Amitie to miss out on a party."
"Huh? Amitie's not here yet?" Sig asked as he "walked" up to us. His costume was some kind of a brown explorer's outfit. But what made it different from a regular one were the bug goggles on his head and giant bug wings on his back.
As in…REAL bug wings.
…
He was currently floating off of the ground.
This boy surprises me every day…
"You've seen her, Sig?" Witch asked.
"Not really."
"Damnit…"
"Happy Birthday, by the way."
"Thanks."
"Why are you guys so worried?" Raffina asked as she walked up to us. Her costume was a simple red & white dress with a purple bow on the front and a silver crown on her head. Probably the most predictable costume yet.
Her clone Raina was also with her. Her costume was a surprisingly flashy cat girl outfit. Really short white mini-skirt, white bikini top with an emerald in the center, white cat ears on her head, big white cat paws on her hands and feet, and a long white tail coming from her…
...
Wait…h-how the hell is that staying up by itself?!
"Well, don't you think it's weird that Amitie's not here, Raffina?" I asked. "I mean, she's usually the first one here to these parties and yet we've all been here for well over 30 minutes already and there's still no sign of her."
"Bah. Knowing her, I'm positive that she's just running late."
"But, Sis, meow. What if something bad happened to her, meow?" Raina asked.
"Why are you meowing after every sentence?" Raffina gained a sweatdrop.
"Heh. I wouldn't be surprised. Knowing someone like her." Klug said as it was his turn to input on this conversation. His costume was a green & dark blue wizard outfit. With grey pants, light-brown shoes, and a book that was completely different from the Record of Sealing book that he's known for carrying all the time.
And next to him was Ciel, who he had invited. Her costume was…well…i-it was basically a reindeer.
Not sure why she chose a Christmas-themed costume for a night that's supposed to be scary (from what the other told me). But I guess it's better than nothing.
"What? Are you saying you WANT something bad to happen to Ami?" Witch asked. "That's low. Even for you, Klug."
"I-I'm not saying that! All I'm saying is that I wouldn't be surprised if she did get into trouble. Completely different from what you came up with."
"So…you don't care?" I asked. "That's actually normal coming from you."
"Q-Quit twisting my words into something heartless!"
"I believe what Klug is trying to say is…this wouldn't be the first time Amitie was late for these kinds of events." Ciel said. "Is it possible that she's just running late?"
"See? Ciel gets it." Raffina said. "It's Amitie, for pete's sake."
"That might be true. But still…"
"BAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA~!"
"*shriek* Wh-What the hell?!" I yelled in fear when Lidelle appeared out of nowhere and started laughing like crazy. Her orange & green dress, hat, and worn-out sneakers reminded me of a pumpkin. Not to mention that she was holding a jack-o-lantern filled with candy and was currently swinging it around like a mad girl.
"Liddy! Knock it off! You're freaking everyone out!" And then came her childhood friend Yamata no Genbu (Genbu, for short). Chasing after her in a panicked fit. "O-Oh…hey, everyone. Happy Halloween! Hehhehheh…"
"Uh…what's with Lidelle?" Ringo asked.
"She's…not supposed to have any candy. It gets her all jittery. Her mom asked me to tag along to make sure doesn't eat any…but I take my eyes off of her for 5 minutes and she snarfs down an entire bowl's worth. And now, I'm trying to calm her down."
"I see…"
"Hard to believe that the Demonic Princess can't handle sugary sweets." Maguro said.
"Yeah…it definitely makes her unique."
On top of the fact that she's the future ruler of Puyo Hell… I gained a mental sweatdrop.
"BAAAAHAHAHAHA~! Happy Birthday, Wicchi~! BAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA~!" Lidelle shoved a fist full of candy from the jack-o-lantern into her mouth. Then ran off to another part of the building to cause more mischief while still on a sugar high.
"Aw, geez! Liddy! Well, gotta go. Have fun, everyone. Liddy, get back here! LIDDY!" We all watched as Genbu began chasing after her.
…
…
…
"R-Right. Happy Birthday." Klug said to Witch.
"Y-Yeah. Happy Birthday, Witch." Raffina and Ciel added.
"Happy Birthday, meow!" Raina cheered. Seemingly unphased by what just happened.
"Th-Thanks." Witch replied with a sweatdrop.
"*clears throat* A-Anyway…" Klug continued. "If you're really worried about Amitie, which you really shouldn't, then go ask Rivitie where she is. She's over there talking with Peruvis and Ally."
"W-Wow, even Rivitie came?" Ringo asked. "Surprised Am managed to get her to show up."
"It only proves that Amitie's ridiculously cheerful personality can even get someone as grumpy as the Dark Soul herself to cave in." Raffina said.
"Well, it's good for us." I said. "If anyone knows where Amitie is, it has to be her. I'll go ask. Come on, Carby."
"Gugugu!"
The two of us went over to where Peruvis, Ally, and Rivitie were. Peruvis was wearing a really elegant dark purple dress with brown boots and a chain of gold hearts on her right arm. Her devil wings were exposed and she had a purple veil on her head. Her horn somehow not tearing it.
Ally's costume was something like a female samurai warrior. Wearing a blue & red kimono with a pink bow in her hair and brown boots. She honestly looked really cute.
Rivitie…wasn't wearing a costume. Just her normal clothes.
I think I've figured out how Amitie got her to come here…
"Okay. Here's a good one." Peruvis said to Rivitie. "What would Dongurigaeru say if he was a total perv?"
"What?"
"Rubbit! Rubbit rubbit! Baahahahaha! That's genius, right?!"
…
…
…
"P…Peruvis…" Rivitie stared at Peruvis with a sweatdrop and a light blush.
"Come on! Don't tell me you didn't get that one, either!"
"I get it. But…*sigh* damn, girl. How does Sig put up with you?"
We ask that every day…
"I ask that every day." Phoenix said as he came out of Peruvis' back.
"Oh, shut it! You damn wisp!" Peruvis yelled.
"W-Wait, I do not get it." Ally said with a confused look on her face. "What exactly are you rubbing on the one known as Dongurigaeru?"
"Oh, that. You see, Ally…there's this special part boys have on their bodies called a pe-"
*POW*
"Seriously! Can't you go ONE day without trying to shatter people's innocence?!" Rivitie yelled after hitting Peruvis in the head.
We ask that every day, too…
"Hey, girls. Happy Halloween!" I cheered to the trio.
"Gugugugu!"
"Happy Halloween!" Peruvis cheered back.
"Happy Day known as Halloween to you as well, Arle." Ally added.
"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Was all Rivitie said.
"So, you came too huh, Rivitie? Kinda surprised that you came on your own and not with Amitie."
"What are you talking about? I did come with her."
"Really? But she hasn't shown up yet."
"Seriously?" Rivitie grew an exasperated look. "*sigh* Is she still helping that hobo in the street?"
"A hobo?"
"She claimed she heard this shrill voice calling for help. So, she went after it. Saying it was "part of her character". I swear, she's getting these 4th wall break jokes from Neptune."
"Huh…" I gained a sweatdrop.
"Amitie has not arrived yet?" Ally asked.
"That's definitely weird as hell." Phoenix said. "Especially with this one being Halloween AND Witch's birthday."
"Wonder what happened to her…" Peruvis added.
"That's what we're trying to figure out. Should we go out and look for her, Carby?"
"Gu…"
"Sorry I am late, everyone~."
And then at the doorway, wearing what looked like to be a moonlight mage or something, was Amitie. Presumably, safe and sound.
"Amitie!" I yelled. Making the others from before join up with us.
"There you are, Amitie. Where were you?" Ringo asked.
"Sorry~. I had gotten caught up with something~. I am sure that my wonderful sister can explain it to you all~."
"Uh…okay?" Ringo didn't look too sure about it. And luckily, she wasn't alone.
"Ami…what's with the shrill voice?" Witch asked.
"Not to worry, my dear friend~. This is all part of the costume I am wearing~."
"You need a creepy voice to be a moon mage?"
"It is…how you say…"a special touch"~. *giggle*"
"Right…" And now Witch finds this odd.
This…is Amitie, right? I mean she looks like her and she sounds like her. But something feels off about this…
"So, what were you doing this whole time?" Raffina asked.
"I was…helping a friend~. Down by the woods, to be precise~. She required my help and it was very imperative that I assisted her in the manner~. So sorry to worry you all~." Amitie said with a bow.
"Uh-huh…" And now Raffina thought this was off.
"What the hell? She's using these big words and sounding all sophisticated." Klug whispered.
"For once, I can agree with you, Klug. She's definitely acting weird."
"Anyway~…I see that you have arrived at the party on your own~. Isn't that right, dear sis…"
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME!" Rivitie snapped when Amitie tried to touch her shoulder.
"Why~?"
"Damn, Rivitie! What's gotten into you?!" Raffina asked her. "That's your sister, isn't it?!"
"S-Sis…th-that's not Amitie, meow." Raina said with a little fear.
"Huh?"
"Raina's right. That's not Amitie." Sig said as he gained a serious angered look on his face.
"In fact…she's not even human." Ciel added with the same look.
"So, you guys sense it too, huh?" Rivitie said with a more calm attitude. "Glad I'm not the only one."
"Wait, sense what? What are you guys talking about?" Klug asked.
"Tch. I don't know who you are, but you're NOT my sister. Damn scum."
"Why~? Why would you say these things to your sister? Why~?"
"Quit with that crappy impression! YOU'RE NOT HER!"
…
…
…
After a moment's silence, Amitie began to giggle to herself. Which turned into laughter that got creepier and creepier the longer she went on.
"A…Amitie?" I asked with some fear inside me.
"Well, now~…I wasn't expecting there to be humans that can detect possession~. It seems that magical power has advanced greatly since my passing~. " Amitie said in a creepy-as-hell voice as she had gained an evil-like smile and her green eyes had turned yellow.
"P…P-Possession?!" Hearing that one word had taken us all back. As it was now clear to us that this was NOT the Amitie that we knew.
"But that will not matter~." Amitie(?) then raised her starry moon staff up in the air. Letting it float on its own while it began to glow a dark aura around it. "Even with my disguise being flawed, it shall not stop me from exacting my revenge~. I WILL kill you, Arle Nadja~! And make you suffer endless torment for what you did to me~! *creepy giggle*"
"K-KILL me?!" I shouted in pure shock. "Th-The hell are you…"
"Flame~!" Before I could finish my sentence, Amitie(?) performed one of her spells using the staff. And fired black fireballs directly and solely at me.
I almost met my sudden demise when…
"Devil's Scream!"
"Refaire Sa Vie!"
*BOOM*
*BOOM* *BOOM*
"Tch~! Damnit~!"
"Phew…thanks, you guys."
"Gu, gugu." Carby and I said to Peruvis and Ciel after they had deflected the attack.
"Heh. No paranormal attack is matched for a tortured soul." Peruvis gloated.
"Neither is it stronger than that of an angel's." Ciel added. "We should be able to hold her off. The rest of you must use this opportunity to flee."
"Flee?! You kidding me?!" Rivitie yelled. "The Dark Soul flees from no damn fight! I'll beat this faker to a pulp for possessing Amitie's soul!"
"R-Rivitie!" I yelled at her.
"So, you wish to challenge me, human~? *creepy giggle* Fine, then~. I'll kill you with your own twin's power~. Ice~!"
"Cr-Crap! It's using Amitie's Light Soul powers!" Ringo shouted.
"Ice Ball~!"
"Tch. You think THAT'S gonna stop me? Blizzard!" Rivitie fired her own attack at the giant ball of ice heading our way. The two attacks pushed against each other forcefully for a good 15 seconds. But the ice ball was definitely more powerful. And it obliterated Rivitie's attack…sending her all the way to the other side of the gym. Slamming against the wall hard.
At this point, the other party guests began fleeing in waves. Trying to escape the same fate that I'm apparently going to face.
"Grr…stupid humans~!" Amitie(?) began yelling at us."You truly wish to protect this damn scumbag~?! She KILLED me~! She's a goddamn MURDERER~! And yet you STILL wish to protect her~?!"
"Wh-What are you talking about?!" I yelled. "I-I didn't kill anyone! Who even are you?!"
"You do not remember~?! You ENDED MY LIFE and yet, you do not remember who I am~?! Such obliviousness INFURIATES me~!"
Just as Amitie(?) was finished raging, the lights in the gym blew out one by one. Shards of glass can be barely seen as each light was destroyed and the entire gym was surrounded by darkness.
"H-Hello? A-Anyone still here?! GUYS?!"
As I stood there in complete darkness…scared out of my FREAKING mind…a pale white hand came out of nowhere and grabbed me by the neck. Choking me so hard that I couldn't breathe. And blood began dripping down from how her sharp nails were digging into my skin.
I was slowly passing out from lack of oxygen. My vision was blurry and my head felt extremely dizzy. But before I went out and possibly never woke again…I saw it.
The thing that was possessing Amitie's soul. A girl with light-blue hair, a liquid-like skirt, and glowing yellow eyes that looked as dead as a rotting corpse.
And with that sight alone…I was able to recognize this girl.
N-No way…th-this girl…sh-she's…she's…
"I'LL MAKE YOU REMEMBER ME~! ARLE NADJA~!"
Author's Note: With her possessed identity quickly revealed, Wraith initiates her plan to kill Arle. Already making her suffer. Can the others rescue Arle and free Amitie from possession before it's too late?
The costumes each character is wearing are all from Puyo Quest. They'll be listed in order throughout the story. So, here are the ones so far.
Amitie – Wishing Star Amitie
Arle & Carbuncle – Valkyries Arle & Carbuncle
Ringo – Ringo ver. Ulala
Maguro – Traveling Warlock Maguro
Witch – Steam City Witch
Sig – Blu Sky Sig
Raffina – Make Up Raffina
Klug – Sparking Klug
Ciel – Ciel ver. Holy Night
Lidelle – Uncanny Lidelle
Peruvis – Spirited Peruvis
Ally – Ally ver. Sakura Amamiya
Feli – Traveling Diviner Feli
Marvett - Carpet Marvett
Satan - Satan ver. PuyoAngel
Lisette - Angelic Healer Lisette
Nina - Angelic Healer Nina
Ecolo - Unusual Ecolo
Thanks for reading. Later.