The looming shadow that bumps in the night

PART V

Summary:

You arrive at Almoral's mansion after receiving an invitation for a Halloween party he is hosting. While you go to visit, another Halloween party is simultaneously being hosted by the famed Count Anastasius. In the meantime, the DPF moves along with their own missions as a peculiar forecast casts a shadow on the dream world…

NOTE: This event takes place on October 31, 2024.

[Back at the Club dimension, Count Anastasius’ Halloween bash is seemingly going well…]

PORTER: This is some party, huh?

ARIAL: It’s just as lively as the other ones we’ve reported on! Everything’s going well!

PORTER: Though, we’ve been here for a while and we have another party to get to! Should we get going?

ARIAL: Hang on! I think Count Anastasius is going to speak!

[Count Anastasius gets on stage]

ANASTASIUS: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you all for coming out! I know the circumstances this year are a little different, but I am glad to see everyone back for another Halloween bash!

[Crowd applause and cheers]

ANASTASIUS: Now, I know a lot of you have been feeling anxious and nervous about the state of Halloween this year, but so far, everything has been going quite well. I wanted to throw this party in the Club dimension to show everyone that there is no danger out here in the dream world!

HAZEL: [whispering] See? Halloween’s going great! Don’t be so anxious!

BETH: [whispering] I guess so…

JIANGSHI: Shh, the Count is still speaking.

ANASTASIUS: We may have had some rough Halloweens in the recent past, but look alive everyone! We’ve finally had a tranquil Halloween worth celebrating. A toast to what is the grand Halloween spirit!

[Crowd applause and cheers]

PORTER: [to Arial] It’s hard to believe that this Halloween might be a good one!

ARIAL: [to Porter] I was starting to forget what Halloween really felt like!

ANASTASIUS: I look forward to bringing this bash back to my mansion next year where all of you are invited to join once more! I only hope that you all come back next year to celebrate it because-

[The lights in the Club dimension suddenly go out. There are some gasps in the crowd]

ANASTASIUS: …you need light to actually throw a party, haha.

ANASTASIUS: [whispering to Jiangshi] What is going on?

JIANGSHI: [to Anastasius] I don’t know…

BETH: Is this part of the party? It scared me for a second…

HAZEL: Yeah this has to be a part of the show! This party’s living up to its spooky nature!

ANASTASIUS: Hahaha, yes, that’s it! It’s part of the show… I think…

[Porter attempts to flick a nearby light switch but it does not respond after multiple flicks]

PORTER: [to Arial] Oh no, the power’s out!

ARIAL: [to Porter] Really? That’s odd! Could it just be this dimension? Is someone sabotaging the Count’s party?

PORTER: [to Arial] I don’t know… But we could use this chance to get a scoop!

ARIAL: [to Porter] True, but what are they going to do? Everyone’s going to be leaving if the lights don’t come back on!

ANASTASIUS: Now now, I think I have a solution to this… Uh… We can simply just…

PORTER: Take this party elsewhere!

HAZEL: Huh? Move this party elsewhere?

BETH: Could we really do that?

PORTER: Yes! I know of a bigger place we can go to continue our Halloween party! I promise!

ARIAL: Yeah… we do?

ANASTASIUS: Dear human, may I ask where we could move this party to?

PORTER: Hehe, well it might be a little walk, but it’ll be the same type of vibe! I’m sure they’ll love to have more people show up!

JIANGSHI: I don’t think the power’s coming back soon and the power company might take a while to come out here. Okay, where can we go?

PORTER: Hehe, trust me! Let’s go!