Tiki-Z Pov:
"When it comes to strangeness. There isn't anyone who knows it better than myself who lived on an island and owned a small lounge that welcomed all manners of weirdos and people who brought trouble to my establishment. When it got dull, I decided to visit this town since it welcomed all kinds of people who weren't just human. Then suddenly a bunch of weirdness starts, and I'm not the one to start it! Which is a relief since the town's residents cause it, all I can do is watch the show and offer the people drinks as well as sell 'merchandise' that'll protect them from the strangeness happening. The one thing I don't have is something to help teenagers survive another year of high school since the Z-gang are now seniors again. Still, money is money! And I've got a bunch of junk ready to give away."
Seabrook-Tiki Zombie's Nick Knacks Lounge
It was a busy morning with returning graduates of Seabrook High returning to school after becoming seniors again. Half of the supply stores were either out of supplies or trending clothes, Tiki Zombie's store seemed to be the only one that wasn't busy since word got out about half of his items were cursed or possessed by ancient spirits.
"Come on now kids! I have all you need for a Re-Senior year. I got books, pencils, pens, and most importantly. Phone covers!"
The owner announced trying to get any customers to stop in and buy his items. Though to no avail as they steered clear from his shop since they didn't want to be possessed or have a demonic figurine messing with their homework and projects that needed handling at school.
"It's half off! I'll even offer my famous coconut shakes, not like Mr. Mitchell's! Who makes almond milkshakes! Who the hell drinks an almond milkshake?!"
Announcing a deal to offer them as it seemed he was out of luck and decided to retreat into his store to clean up the place since it could use a cleaning. Just as the owner grabbed his broom and was about to start sweeping, he heard the door opening and got excited about it being a possible customer for his shop. His smile went away as it showed Addison who seemed to have bought her supplies from the other stores.
"Hey TZ. I got you some almond milkshakes from down the block, I hear they're healthy and keep the skin nice and smooth."
Addison greeted him and offered him something to drink since his wooden skin would need something to keep itself from drying out. He grumbles at the cheerleader as he walks over to his stand where he puts on a smile to try and make the cheerleader feel welcome in his empty store.
"Addison. Be honest with me, what does my store don't have that the others do? It's got lots of colors and unnusual stuff that will draw in anyone. And a set of shrunken heads that whistle your favorite songs."
The shop owner listed various things that he would be willing to sell for the people of Seabrook and showed off three small shrunken heads who were whistling a popular song in front of Addison. The cheerleader smiled at him trying to convince her to buy his products, but she was already content with the supplies she had with her.
"I'm sure that other customers will stop by to buy your items. Especially since the school will have its own fireworks event to welcome back the graduates. Maybe you should check it out."
She offered him advice on how he could make several sales at Seabrook High with an event to welcome everyone back despite what A-Spen had done. The tiki head owner smirked at the idea of getting out a concession stand and selling his products, though his face showed an expression of sadness that caught Addison's attention.
"While it would be good to get out and continue with my business. I have my hands full with watching my friend's niece, she's been having trouble adjusting to school life. So when her aunt heard about Seabrook, she wanted her to attend. Lately, it's been difficult to have her go."
Informing her about Tiki's responsibility in looking after someone's niece and preparing her to attend Seabrook High. Hearing that alone made Addison grow a smile at her fact of meeting someone new and them attending Seabrook High, meaning it was a chance to welcome the girl properly since she was back in her status of cheerleader captain.
"That's fantastic news! It's the perfect time to welcome her to the school and see how open we are to new people or monsters."
Responding with excitement in her tone that it be exciting to see what type of girl she'd be meeting and helping fit in at the high school. While it sounded helpful and proactive to have someone help with the new girl fit in, Tiki looked unsure of the assistance since there were several details that she needed to know about his friend's niece.
"Now before you jump the welcome wagon and get the pom poms out. You have to understand that she's not like everyone, I mean she's nice and respectful to everyone. But she's a witch. And that's not an insult, she's an actual witch."
He told Addison what type of girl she was as it only made the cheerleader excited to meet her even more since witches were unique and mystical. Tiki Zombie saw how excited she got and stopped her from doing cartwheels in the shop since there was more to the new girl's side.
"Now when I say witch. I don't mean like the ones who cackle, fly a broomstick and curse people. She practices in potions and is extremely nervous around people, the only connection she has with anyone is with her familiar. Bartleby."
Tiki listed the differences in what type of witch she was since there were numerous witches in the world who used their magic differently. While continuing his talk with Addison, TZ didn't notice on his shelves was an animal spying on them with curiosity as it looked at Addison's white and blue hair which made her stand out. Just as it tried to get closer to get a better look, the animal let out a sneeze and fell off the shelf. Addison heard the sneeze from behind and was about to catch the falling animal on time but was now holding a violet-shaped ball in her hands.
"Speak of the shamans. That's Bartleby, meaning that our 'friend' has been spying on us. Dae! Come down here and meet a friend of mine! She's friendly!"
Shouting at the ceiling as she was staying on the second floor and introducing the familiar to Addison as the animal was a small armadillo. Opening up to reveal his soft interior, its violet eyes stared at her before jumping out of Addison's arms and rolling to the back door where his owner was standing in front of them. She had light red eyes along her hair, and her clothing seemed autumn with it having orange and purple along not being stylish like everyone else's in town. Dae appeared rather skittish and nervous at seeing Addison since this was the first person she had met face to face when her aunt sent her to spend time with Tiki Zombie.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Dae. My name is Addison, head cheerleader of Seabrook High and founder of the Monster Society who helps nonhumans learn to adapt to the school and learn about the history of the town."
She gave Dae a proper introduction and told her about the club she started at school when their werewolves came into town. The girl was nervous at how close Addison was to Dae as Tiki gestured for her to not be excitable since she wasn't used to the town's optimistic personality.
"Nice to meet you. Tiki? Is it possible that I can help with the shop? I know several potions that could get more customers."
Dae responded to Addison and questioned the shop if she could work here during the time of her duration in Seabrook. With that being said, Tiki decided to speak with her in the back since this was an alternate way to avoid going to high school and socializing with the students.
"Dae. As much as I would enjoy having someone used to the weird and freaky, it's important you socialize with kids your age. And Addison, who looks like someone who came out of an old cheerleader movie is the only girl to help out. Especially since she's half-human and half-alien."
He told her in a sincere tone that Dae would fit in with the gang since most of them would be willing to help her out. The witch was unsure about it and didn't know if she'd be ready to attend high school. Looking over to see Addison wave at her and seeming ready to befriend her, Dae took a deep breath of how he could be right and that the school would see her as a weirdo who practices magic.
"Okay. But Bartleby comes too. I don't want him eating or drinking anything at your lounge, especially after last night with the pineapple incident."
Dae stated if she'd attended the school then her familiar would accompany her at all time while she was attending Seabrook High. He shrugged his head at that it didn't seem like an issue for Addison since she had just saved Bartleby from hitting the ground, so no one would have a problem with the familiar hanging out with Dae. Walking out to show a hand in wanting to attend high school with her, Addison responds to Dae with a hug as the witch is unfamiliar with this type of affection. Looking at Tiki if this was how Addison acted every day, the shop owner nodded and chuckled that the cheerleader along with her friends would be ready to help Dae fit in with Seabrook.
Later-Seabrook High
For most school openings it is always a crazy morning with new and returning students coming through the front doors preparing for the next chapter in their lives. Not for the graduates who were coming back after the incident with A-Spen's alien powers affecting the school's systems and making them come back to complete another year of school. While everyone seemed excited to come back to attend school to meet the new students, there were several who weren't fond of it. Including an unusual transfer such as Cassie Hack, a slayer from outside of Seabrook who incidentally didn't finish her senior year. Despite only coming to visit the town for several days, she was now required to attend one year if she was to become a fully graduate student.
"Revenant is lucky that he isn't here. Because he seems like the only one I can take out my aggression."
The girl spoke to her best friend and partner Vlad, who despite his size had also the same situation in not attending any schools due to his appearance and size. However, it didn't stop Brit who had connections with Sentinel giving the man special education to help graduate with Cassie at the same time.
"He said he's busy with firework show tonight. A lot of people will be attending, it should be exciting."
He responded to Cassie that despite the position they were in and unable to leave town without getting arrested by the local authorities. While they were lucky enough to have people to help them out, the rest of the town wasn't fond of them due to how aggressive Cassie was around the people.
"Exciting would be flipping this entire town than spending an hour learning about how fascinated they are with a damn shrimp."
Cassie told him that the town was obsessed with cheerleading, shrimp, and having big events that got everyone together to celebrate it. While Vlad didn't mind it since he wanted to make friends when he was little, Cassie wasn't the type since they weren't like her nor could handle someone with a traumatic history. They were right now lucky that they had handled several of their classes and attending the new Monster Society club that Zed and Addison were hosting.
"It's either meet up with frantic teenagers or police. it doesn't sound like much of a choice now does it, right? "
She jokes with Vlad about thinking her best choice was being arrested since Cassie wasn't the type to 'socialize' with ordinary people. With the help of Vlad in entering the room together, they both didn't expect to see an unusual moment that involved seeing three zombies that were unique to most of the zombies they had seen around the school. The two were looking at the enhanced zombies that came from the same lab that Revenant had come from and were soon adopted by his human parents, the Jones. They were looking at Mist, the living gas zombie who was out of a custom-made suit that allowed her to socialize with everyone. Sal, the zombie fish hybrid who was holding a guitar in his hands stood by Cortex, the brain-headed zombie who had telepathic abilities and was behind a drum set. The two slayers could tell from the trio and the other students in the room they were staring out what looked like a performance, meaning they were a zombie band.
"Revolution, teenage brain. Underwater aeroplane, chimichanga, and acid rain. Underwater aeroplane!"
Mist singing the lyrics which made zero sense to Cassie as she couldn't understand what they meant, but it didn't stop Vlad from vibing to the rhythm that Mist's suit was making along with the instruments the zombie boys were playing. Sighing at her friend's interest in liking this type of music, the band stopped as they were applauded by the performance as the club involved Jelly. The purple blob that Brit had discovered and brought the living mass to school, A-Spen and Aerial along with Brit and Willa who were leaders of their unique groups.
"Thanks, guys for our first demonstration of the 'Meta Zombies'. Who will be attending the fireworks event that'll happen in the next several hours."
Zed spoke who was behind a podium and chalkboard as he was hosting the first meeting along had several things written behind him to help with tonight's event. The others noticed Cassie and Vlad standing by the front entrance along showed interest in seeing them join the club, Cassie wanted to walk away but was stopped by Addison who along with Bree came in doing cartwheels along with the school's mascot Shrimpy to give the club a proper welcome. Where Dae followed from behind and retreated to the back of the room since she was new to socializing with others that were like her.
"Welcome back to Seabrook High! We pride ourselves with open arms to meet everyone who wants to say 'Hi'! Go Seabrook!"
The two cheerleaders doing a short routine for them and Shrimpy moving about to get the club involved in the moment as they applaud to the cheer greeting. Except for Cassie who didn't seem eager to participate in the activity, the only one who share the same feeling was Brit and Willa who had seem to been through this experience.
"It's great to see new and old faces here at the Monster Society club. When we first started during sophomore year, we didn't except that many people to join since everyone was used to humans and zombies had finally work together in a community. Now? It's become bigger than anything that we can imagine."
Addison spoke out how the Monster Society club was open to everyone to join who felt different from the school. Though neither she nor Zed would imagine seeing the new members in the group, especially those that were from outer space.
"What is the purpose of the society? You along with your friends have already established a connection with the school as well as the town. Why continue further?"
Aerial spoke out of the explanation behind have the club continue due to its objective being already completed. Especially how the mayor had given the two and Willa a statue to honor their collaboration amongst one another while people were unsure if the town could be open to other species of monsters.
"True. I mean we are universally liked by the town and its people, but there still various individuals who don't see that way. Which means as long as there people like that, the club won't stop until we show everyone we can work together."
Zed responded to her that while they had made Seabrook show how they had come from working amongst one another. The real challenge was showing the outside world how anyone could work together despite them being either human or monster. While it sounded cheesy coming from a zombie to think humans could befriend monsters and aliens, Cassie didn't say anything due to how there were several moments where it was true.
"For right now. Principal Lee wants us to help set up for the firework event in the afternoon, other than that. Talk amongst yourselves and learn something from one another. Because the one thing the club represents, its making friends."
Shrimpy spoke as the mascot removed his mask to show his face as Nightwing, the fruitpire who had trained Revenant along numerous others at Sentinel to learn that not all monsters were terrible and evil. With that being handled, each of the new members started to socialize with one another. Vlad himself offered to participate as he was curious about the zombie band that did the small song just when he and Cassie came into the room. The only ones that didn't seem to want in was Cassie and Dae, who went to the back where they observed everything things going.
"Cute armadillo."
Cassie responded to Bartleby who was being held in the witch's arms since she wasn't excitable like everyone in the room. While it was new to be around people weren't trying to kill her nor make threats about tearing her apart, it felt peaceful being around nonhumans. Dae had a long way to go if she was going attend Seabrook High, especially attending the firework event behind held in the afternoon.
Later-Seabrook High's Track field
With the school day ended and half of the building leaving to enjoy the evening, the club along half of the town had set up the firework even to celebrate the returning of its seniors. Having set up the local stands and stage where the fireworks would be set off, Revenant was checking out the preparations to make sure nothing went wrong. Continuing with the hard work, he didn't notice a kebab floating above him as it was being held by Wynter in a teasing manner.
"Come on. Take a bite. Take it. Takie it, take it."
She teases him about the snack in front of him since the wolf girl wanted him to take time to enjoy the event. Which included numerous food and game stands that everyone was enjoying, the zombie boy sighs before grabbing the stick and taking a bite from it.
"I already said I'd go and win you some prizes, but I just want to double check with the rockets, so it doesn't burn the grass."
Revenant explaining that with his history in being involved in stuff blowing up and surviving the impacts. It would be helpful for Rev to help get things ready since the mayor and principal put a lot of money in getting rockets that would make the sky light up in color.
"That'll happen either way with the luck this place has. I want us to enjoy the games before the Meta-Zombies performance, they've been practicing all week for the event. Or is it you don't want to see Cassie again after she ranted at this 'Re-Senior' year was your fault?"
Wynter spoke about how the same zombies who aided him during the alien invasion and had managed to have a normal life in Seabrook decided to show off their talents to the town. To then bring up that the slayer girl who seemed decent to hang around with came back to hit Rev upside his head with her bat and question about having to attend school despite her history with educational institutions.
"Well. After letting her have several hits upside my head and having durable skin. She understood that it wasn't entirely on purpose, just altering the laws of time and space because someone wanted to spend more time with us."
Responding how meeting Cassie Hack wasn't pleasant since she needed to let out her anger on returning to school. He was fortunate to have a body that can withstand her aggressive attacks to that of convincing her to not go after A-Spen. With that being said, he decides to join Wynter to enjoy the festivities as they saw it slowly starting. With everyone going over to stands getting already started with earning prizes and meeting up with friends and families, they noticed the Jones arriving to check up on everything.
"Rev. Nice to see you here and about, especially seeing the band first performance. You know they decided to follow your lead after that show Wynter did on the beach."
Mathew Jones told him which made Wynter feel embarrassed that while it was incredible moment for her along the rest of her friends to show off their musical talent, it was also the same night where the Ceto rose from the beach and attempted her to become their muse for an ancient terror.
"Now let's not bring up memories. Because while things may have already happen, we get to see our boy go through senior year."
Susan sounding optimistic about being here since they were busy training the zombie trio in mastering their powers. It left the boy to feel embarrassed at that since they'd be able to keep a better on his antics. Just as it was a pleasant moment to be around them, they heard laughter coming from a water dunking stand where the crowd were dunking none other than Bucky. Who was elected to be the dunked to help raise money for new school machines and supplies.
"I'm doing this for the attention. I'm doing this for the attention, oh why was I born with a face that belonged in the spotlight."
Bucky repeated himself before getting another ball thrown at the target which sent him falling into the water. The crowd cheered for the person who threw the ball at it as it came from Cassie Hack, who was hanging out with Vlad and Dae who were holding several stuffed animals to that of snacks during their time at the event. Walking over to see her, Cassie merely smirked at the zombie of how the hits she gave him had healed up.
"Looks like somebody is enjoying what Seabrook is offering."
"Don't bet on it. Consider it compensation of how instead of me helping people, I'm helping others who aren't fond of smiling boy toys."
Responded back toward Rev that Cassie and Vlad belonged on the road chasing after Slashers. Though now it was impossible to do so, which left her to take out any type of aggression on things such as dunking Bucky into water. With that being said, he pays for the next ball and hurls it at the target sign sending the popular boy into the water again.
"Give it a day or two. The town brings in all types of people who aren't fans of this type of positivity. If not, Brit can tell you about the Big House's 'guests' who've been wanting to cause trouble."
He told Cassie and having the same feeling in wanting to handle trouble whenever it comes into town. Having said that and earned a small smile for him, Wynter growled at the slayer girl as she still wasn't fond of being closed to her boyfriend. Suddenly without notice, they heard several people walking over to the stage where they saw Principal Lee standing in front of the microphone where she was getting everyone's attention.
"Hello new and returning students of Seabrook High. While I'm sure that this is unregular to have an event since everyone's coming back, but. I believe it's needed with how many students are here who are more than what they seem to appear."
Starting off with introductions of the arrival of the school's students since with the return of seniors and attend another year. It would be best to have something to celebrate a new start, along having something special in mind to welcome any new students or people who began to live in Seabrook.
"Now. On with the firework event with the first show of the Meta-Zombies!"
She announced as the crowd cheered on for the zombie band that had been making news around the school since unlike most bands that performed for Seabrook High. This would be the first that would use their powers to help make the performance special than anything they'd seen before. Coming up first was Mist who was in her suit which was designed to be look like an living instrument. Coming up from behind was Sal with his guitar and Cortex who had his drum set ready for the show. Pressing the side of her wrist, Mist flew out of her suit which soon changed into a keyboard set that she'd be able to use.
"Peanut butter jellyfish, television abacus. Ready for a catalyst oh yeah."
Mist starting her song with a set of confusing lyrics that people tried to get by since they'd never heard anything like it. Yet the beat coming from her suit to that of Sal and Cortex's instrument playing made it easy to listen to her song. Everyone watched the three play to that of Cortex using his mental abilities to align the rockets in to prepare them to take off.
"Sailing into outer space. Techno crypto with a face. Lighting in the database, oh yeah."
She continued with the beat as Mist flew across the crowd having them watch the gaseous zombie passing by and high fiving them as Mist float up in the air enjoying the attention she was receiving. Looking over at her band mates, she saw everything ready and flew back to the pair preparing to set off the rockets.
"Turn it around, make a new sound. Shake up the ground cause."
Stopping in the middle of the song and pointing over to the rockets. There was an issue with the rockets as the fuses weren't setting off, slowly a commotion was about to start at how the fireworks weren't working. In the middle of the crowd was Dae who saw the difficulty in getting them to launch, it left her to pull out a small potion as she threw it near the fuses which were able to help launch the fireworks up into the air.
"When worlds collide. When worlds collide, it's something you've never heard before. When worlds collide, we're leaving the planet wanting more. When worlds collide."
The band singing as they saw how each of the rockets exploded in a colorful manner. Zed and Addison noticed how Dae had helped out and cheered for the witch's aid in participating. While it was loud around her to that of being applauded for, Dae felt happy in helping out with the shows as well watching the light show above them.
"When worlds collide. When worlds collide, it's something you've never heard before. When worlds collide, we're leaving the planet wanting more. When worlds collide."
Finishing the song and having all of the fireworks set off. The audience cheered for the zombie's performances as well the show they had played for them, amongst the crowd was Revenant and his parents applauding for how they had a chance to get the same type of fame that he and Zed got when they on the same football team together. There was another set of applauding coming from Vlad as the giant man enjoyed the music, Cassie merely smiled that the playing wasn't that bad and enjoyable to listen to. Noticing how Rev was smirking at her enjoying the event, it didn't make the situation change since she wanted to be back on the road. Though for the mean time, she would adjust to the town and wait for something excited to come her way while attending Seabrook High.
Happy fourth of July! Comment down below for any characters you want to appear from either Dark Horse Comics and Chaos! Comics. Until then, be good to one another and see you soon.