Chapter 23: The First Halloween Part 5

In the Fenton living room, Maddie and Jack worked on their latest ghost-hunting gadget prototypes.

Jack held up a clunky device in his hands with a triumphant grin. "Haha! One step closer to completion,"

Before Maddie could comment, the doorbell rang. "Looks like we've got another trick-or-treater, Jack. Can you get it?"

Jack grabbed the Ghost Gabber and a nearby candy bowl. "On it, Maddie!"

Next to the candy bowl was the Fenton Anti-Creep Stick—just in case. He swung the door open and found a peculiar figure: a small child in orange pajamas, a burlap sack mask, and a sack stretched open expectantly.

Jack's Ghost Gabber beeped, and to his surprise, a robotic voice translated the figure's eerie silence. "Trick or treat. Fear me!"

Jack blinked at the device and then at the child. Noticing the child staring at the device. "Hey, kid, check out the latest prototype in ghost-hunting technology: the Ghost Gabber. It takes the mysterious sounds a ghost makes and translates them into words you and I use every day. Here, try it!"

Samhain tilted his head curiously. The device intrigued him, so he let out a faint, almost imperceptible sound.

The Ghost Gabber translated: "Happy Halloween. Fear me."

"I can understand your silence, kid! Even I'm speechless at how amazing this is—well, almost amazing. Needs some work. Not sure why it's making up words." He frowned, giving the device a shake.

Samhain's focus shifted back to the task at hand. He raised his sack higher, signaling his request for candy.

"Oh, right, the candy! Sorry about that. I just get so excited about ghosts!" Jack grabbed a handful of candy from the bowl and dropped it into Samhain's bag. "There you go. Have a good Halloween, kid!"

Samhain bowed his head slightly in thanks before walking down the driveway.

Jack watched the child waddle off.

Just as Samhain reached the street, he paused, returning to look at the house for a long moment. This home could hold potential interest in the future.

With Danny

Soon, the night came to a close. The group made their way to a nearby playground. They found an empty bench near the swings.

Tucker dramatically dumped his haul onto the bench. "Behold, the fruits of my labor!" He puffed out his chest. "A perfectly executed, scientifically proven method of candy collection!"

Danny snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure running up to every door screaming, 'Trick or treat!' was totally scientific."

"It's all about speed, man," Tucker shot back. "I've optimized the process. That's why my bag's bursting."

Octavia sat quietly beside them. "I've never had this much candy before,"

Danny encouraged her, "First Halloween, and you're already a pro. Nice work, Via."

Octavia looked up at him, her smile widening just a bit. "Thanks."

Stolas approached the group with his own bag in hand, noticeably fuller than any of theirs. He sat down gracefully on the bench's armrest, peering into his bag as though appraising fine jewelry. "It seems I've managed to acquire quite the collection myself," he remarked, his voice rich with humor.

Danny grinned. "Yeah, I wonder how that happened. Couldn't be you charming all the homeowners for more, right?"

Stolas chuckled. "Perhaps. One must ensure their child has the best experience, even if it means taking on the burden of more candy."

Tucker burst out laughing. "Yeah, some sacrifice, Stolas."

Octavia glanced at her father. "He's not wrong, though. Thanks for coming with us, Dad."

Stolas ruffled her hair affectionately. "Anything for you, my dear."

Soon, Stolas glanced at his watch. "It's getting rather late. Perhaps we should start heading back."

Danny nodded. "Yeah, probably a good idea. My parents are gonna start wondering where I am."

Tucker groaned in mock disappointment. "Fine, but this has been the best Halloween haul yet. Totally worth it."

#

The group strolled up to Tucker's house. Tucker adjusted his candy bag over his shoulder and turned to face the group. "Thanks for letting me tag along, guys. Best Halloween ever."

Danny chuckled. "Told you it'd be fun."

Tucker extended a hand to Stolas, looking up at the tall, disguised demon with a hint of respect in his eyes. "You're pretty cool—for an adult."

Stolas knelt slightly to meet Tucker's height, taking the boy's hand in his own with a gracious smile. "Why, thank you, Tucker. You're quite the remarkable young man yourself."

Tucker flushed slightly at the compliment, mumbling, "Yeah, well… thanks." He turned to Octavia, holding out a fist. "And you, first-timer—you're alright."

Octavia smiled, her usual reserved demeanor softening as she returned the fist bump. "You're alright, too, for someone obsessed with gadgets and candy."

Tucker laughed. "Next year, Danny, we're making this a tradition."

Danny grinned. "You got it."

The front door opened, revealing Tucker's parents, who had clearly been waiting for their son.

"Tucker, there you are," his mom said. We were starting to get worried."

"Sorry, Mom, I lost track of time," Tucker replied sheepishly. He gestured toward Stolas and Octavia. "But these guys were awesome. They kept an eye on us all night."

Tucker's dad shook Stolas's hand. "Thank you for watching over them. Tucker can be… energetic."

Stolas gave a polite nod. "It was my pleasure."

Tucker's mom smiled at Octavia. "And you must be a new friend. Tucker mentioned meeting someone new today."

Octavia nodded. "Yes, ma'am. It was… a lot of fun."

"Well, we're glad you had a good time. And thank you again for keeping an eye on the kids," Tucker's dad added.

"Of course," Stolas replied with a gracious bow of his head. "It was a night to remember."

With a final wave, Tucker headed inside, his parents following after him. "See you at school, Danny!" Tucker called over his shoulder before the door closed.

As they turned to leave, Danny let out a small laugh. "Tucker's already planning next year."

Stolas smiled knowingly. "It seems you've made a lasting impression on him, Octavia."

Octavia gave a small shrug with amusement. "I guess he's not so bad."

#

Stolas, Octavia, and Danny approached the Fenton household. Danny knocked on the door.

Moments later, Maddie opened it. Seeing her son, she immediately pulled him into a hug. "Welcome back home, Danny."

"Hi, Mom." Danny returned the hug.

Maddie's eyes shifted to Octavia, who gave a small, shy wave.

Maddie smiled kindly at her. "Did you all have a fun Halloween?"

Danny beamed and held up his bulging bag of candy. "Yup! Look at all the candy I got."

Maddie chuckled, eyeing the impressive haul. "That's quite the haul! I'll try to hide some of it from your father. He needs to watch his sugar."

Danny snickered. "Good luck with that."

Maddie turned to Stolas, her expression grateful. "Thank you for taking the kids out tonight. Jack and I have been swamped with some new developments in our work."

Stolas waved a hand dismissively, his demeanor warm. "Think nothing of it. It was an enjoyable night for all of us."

Octavia looked up at her father, her eyes bright. "Can we do it again next year?"

Stolas smiled down at her, his expression soft. "Of course, my dear." Maddie expressed the same.

Danny chimed in. "Thank you, Mr. Stolas. This was the best Halloween ever."

Stolas inclined his head. "It was our pleasure, Danny."

Maddie sniffed the air as the conversation paused, her brow furrowing slightly. She leaned closer to Danny, sniffing again before pulling back with a hint of concern. "Danny, is that... vanilla? And... egg? Did something happen tonight?"

Danny froze, avoiding her gaze. Stolas stepped in, his tone measured but firm. "Some ne'er-do-wells thought it amusing to throw eggs at passersby," he explained, tactfully omitting the water incident and his magical clean-up efforts.

Maddie's expression softened as she knelt at Danny's level, pulling him into another hug. "Are you okay, baby? Were you hurt?"

Danny shook his head quickly. "I'm fine. Stolas helped clean me up and scared them off."

Maddie glanced at Stolas, who gave a subtle nod. She sighed. "Did you know who they were?"

Danny hesitated, then shook his head. "They were in costume and ran away," he lied smoothly.

Maddie frowned but seemed to accept his explanation. "Alright, but we'll be more careful next year, okay?"

Danny rolled his eyes. "Okay, Mom."

Maddie smiled and patted his head. "Good. Now, go upstairs and wash up before bed."

"Okay," Danny ran up the stairs.

Stolas and Octavia watched him go. Maddie turned back to them. "Thank you again for everything tonight. I'm sorry you had to deal with pranksters."

"It was no trouble at all," Stolas assured her.

Maddie smiled. "In any case, good night, you two. Happy Halloween."

Stolas and Octavia nodded before stepping off the porch. With a subtle wave of his hand, Stolas opened a portal, and they disappeared back to Hell.

Later that night, when Jazz returned from her Halloween party, she was a bit jealous of Danny's massive candy haul. "Seriously? That's bigger than anything we ever got as kids!"

Danny just grinned.

Overall, tonight was the first of many memorable holidays with the Goetias.

#

The Ghost Zone

Pariah's Keep

As the final hours of Hallows Eve ticked away in the material world, the Soul Shredder pulsed, absorbing the last surge of emotional energy from humanity.

The Fright Knight would continue biding his time and energy until the day he was freed. A being like him never truly dies. According to the sealing of the Ancients, no ghost could free him. The Fright Knight was also prideful enough not to coerce a living to willingly assist him. Only the Embodiment of Time knew how long it would be until his return.

Soon, a portal appeared and out-stepped Samhain. Samhain approached the massive sarcophagus. From its sack, Samhain withdrew several small offerings. With quiet reverence, it placed them at the base of the sarcophagus. May you return soon, my king.

Turning, Samhain fixated on the Soul Shredder. Samhain approached, placing a small hand on the weapon's hilt. The ghost's body dissipated and was absorbed back into the blade.

Within the Sword, the Fright Knight's consciousness huffed in amusement. It would seem that his avatar made a friend. It was uncommon in this era, but he digressed. He would ponder the implications another time.

Here, he shall continue to remain by his master's side. He fed on the world's fear and wielded it as a weapon. There could be no other choice. And what was sapient life's first fear, but the Dark?

#

AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Mecha Destroyer98, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Dragon lord, Shooter1344, Alexander, Ajax Roranson, trey, Asaf, DJC, $hane-08, Daniel, nighnight, decimator, Roswell, SpeX, Smoking_ash12, Giorgie Baramidze, Kyan Christian, Professor Xivass, AF360!

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