A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 10: Gotta Earn My Spot

Soon the Halloween Management committee arrived at the Coliseum-Temporary Stage. The place is decorated like it's on an island at the high sea. There is an abandoned shipwrecked with multiple different gold, silver, and treasures covered around the opening of the ship and around the sandy beach. Along with many jack-o'-lanterns on the ship, and on the beach and treasures as well. Seeing this has come as a surprise to everyone in the committee.

"A ship," Jade replies.

"That sure is a ship," India points out, looking rather surprised.

"There's... no trace of the coliseum!" Crowley says, shocked.

Ruggie and Leona arrive to see the flabbergasted looks on the committee's faces.

Ruggie snickers, "Sheyheehee! Threw you all for a loop, huh?"

"Hah, of course it did. No other dorm would build decorations this huge," Leona says.

"Right? I think it does Savanaclaw justice!" Jack speaks out. "With a ship as the backdrop, our costume theme is, of course..."

And there's Jack, dressed like a pirate from the high sea, with a pirate hat and his gray jacket decorated with sea shells and sea stars, and coral. As well as a belt around his waist and over his right shoulder. He's also wearing gold medallions around his neck.

"Pirate," Jack confirms."

Then says, "I read a book back in elementary school about pirates who sailed seas and battled giant alligators. I thought the lead captain character was the best." Then gets excited, "I played pirates a lot back in those days. I'd put on a hat, wield a stick-saber, and go out with my friends in search of hidden treasures."

Kalim feels the same, "Ooh, I know that book! I used to play pirates all the time too."

"Sam, actually. That was a world-famous children's story, huh?" Deuce replies.

"'The Adventure of Captain Mustache,' right? Ortho read all volumes of that series, plus the two spinoffs," Ida adds.

Then Jack says, "so, yeah. Looking back on my childhood memories inspired me to suggest pirates.

"A swashbuckler sailing the ocean blue, free and unbound, relying only on his strength and wit..." Leona says.

He calmly smiles and says, "What better theme is there for a dorm that embodies the law of the jungle? It was a solid idea for the freshman."

"Thank you, sir!" Jack replies.

Then says, "And we figured that if we were to dress up as pirates, we need a ship. So we made one. It's supposed to look like a sunken ship, actually. You can even step inside! We're supposed to be ghosts of pirates who doggedly cling to this world, protecting their treasure for all eternity. Because you've gotta have treasure, right? We got help from Ruggie and put together some convincing replicas. I was really impressed with the fake gold coins he made. He's good at this."

"Normally I make it a policy not to perform free labor... But hey, Halloween only comes once a year, and I've gotta earn my spot at that fancy feast on the 31st somehow!" Ruggie says with a grin on his face.

"Huh..." Idia says, walking towards the ship and treasures, "Yeah, I have to hand it to you guys. Even the interior's got some real attention to detail here. Everything's exactly like it's described in the books, even the ship's exterior. From the page straight to real life. How'd you build this thing? It's not a cutout - it's, like, a legit ship. Did Leona use his magic for it?"

"What makes you think that?" Jack questions.

And says, "This was a group effort. All of Savanaclaw pitched in with hauling in lumber and building it."

"Wait, LUMBER?" Idia asks, surprised, "You build all of this by hand?!"

"Um yes?" Jack questions, "Is there something wrong with that?"

Ida mutters to himself in disbelief, "No, no! This is nuts! It's way beyond decorations, it's a full-on building. And you guys made it the old-fashioned way... Savanaclaw doesn't have all that muscle for nothing, I guess. I wouldn't touch that dorm with a ten-foot pole."

"You got a problem, radish sprouts?" Leona questions, irritated, and glares at Idia, "Go on, say it to my face. I'm waiting."

"N-n-nope. We're cool! No problem here!" India quickly says, nervously and frightened by Leona's glare.

"The whole thing was no biggie for us, really. We get in a good workout every morning with Spelldrive practice," Ruggie says.

Then Savanaclaw evaluates, "Savanaclaw has capitalized on their fore: the stamina they've built through a strict exercise regimen... And in doing so, they've turned a magical scene from childhood fantasy into reality. Such splendid Halloween decorations," And smiles.

Then says, "Next up: the library. Let's see what Ignihyde has conjured up this year!"