Patching Things Up

*Welcome to the Halloween Arc! This is where I write about some spooky tales for Penny and the bots. The first of this story is told in a Pumpkin Patch!*

"Some say it was an accident gone wrong..."

A lone red van drove down a winding dirt road. Dust kicked up from the tires. The inhabitants of the van were huddled in bunches, fear evident on their faces. A lone flashlight was on the add the atmospheric effect to the eeriness of the story. The red eyes of the narrator glowed, making his face look creepy.

"They say he has the body of a fish..."

The car bumped over some rocky terrain.

"The arms of a bear..."

The woman driving the car concentrated on the road while trying to listen to the story as well. The pink haired girl next to her was leaned over the shotgun seat, a Pumpkin flavored lollipop in her mouth. Her hair was pulled in multiple ponytails with black, orange, and purple.

"And the head...OF A LION!" ​​

Screams were heard from Knockout, Bumblebee, and Smokescreen as they grabbed each other. Arcee shivered, but refused to show her fear. Bulkhead was breathing hard. Dreadwing was shaking in fear. Ratchet was rolling his optics at the ridiculousness of the story. Megatron looked bored. Breakdown was all into the story, his optics full of intrigue. Soundwave had recorded the whole thing. Only Optimus was blissfully unaware of what was happening, reading his book. Izzy cracked up as she leaned backwards in the chair. Penny groaned and tried to concentrate on the road. Starscream laughed at the expressions on his sibling's faces.

"See? I told you I could make scary stories!" He said triumphantly. "I am the best storyteller in the van."

"That was a boring story."Megatron yawned. "I wasn't scared at all."

"I didn't think it was scary either." Breakdown chimed in.

"Of course you didn't." Starscream put the flashlight down to reveal his annoyed face. "You're part of the only group of supernatural dorks in the school."

"I found the story very interesting. The mad doctor was a good character." Optimus said, placing his book down.

"But no doctor would replace that much of the human anatomy!" Ratchet pointed out.

"That w-w-asn't a r-r-real story, wasn't it?" Poor Bumblebee was frightened to the spark.

"Course not Bee!" Izzy patted his head. "Besides, I know one person who could tell you the creepiest story in the world!"

"Who?" Arcee asked, albeit a bit skeptical.

"Me of course!" Izzy pointed at her chest. "I have a story that will scare you. Especially since it has something to do with the place we're heading to."

A sudden chill enveloped the van as all optics were on Izzy now. Penny cracked a smile as the girl took the flashlight and held it to her face.

"Gather round my bots, and listen to the story of Witches Patch!"

"W-W-Witches!" Bee covered his optics. "Like the ones who cast spells on those poor princesses?"

"The ones with warty faces and crooked noses?" Smokescreen's lip quivered.

"Who change handsome princes into frogs and beast?" Knockout squeaked, shaking all over.

"No!" Izzy said, her smile becoming less friendlier now. "I'm talking about the witches who hide themselves with modern clothing and make brews for naughty children! They look like nice women when you meet them, when suddenly-!"

BAM! FSSH!

Now all the boys screamed at that one as the car started to slow up. Penny stopped the car to go check out what was wrong. Izzy grinned, this was her chance.

"Looks like the perfect time to tell about Witches Patch then! Long ago, in a town like the one we live in..."

Witches used to be part of society, helping poor humans and elders with their magic. If you were lucky to catch one lurking your way, you were blessed with many greetings and luck! Witches also were immortal beings so they stayed young and pretty. Men would always be attracted to their charm and grace, but they swore never to marry.

Witches also loved children. They were young and full of spirit like them. If they found a child with a pure soul, they would snatch them up and never bring them back. The child would return one day, but they wouldn't be the same. They would have unusual powers and a mark upon their necks. This was a sign that the child now had witch blood running through them.

​​The kidnappings got worse and worse as many children kept getting captured. Instead of baring a mark, they would be soulless husk! Witches realized that children had potent souls that would grant them immortality. So the more children they collected, the longer they would live.

The townsfolk had enough of the witches taking their kids so they staged a witch hunt to kill them all. In order to protect their lives, they escaped deep within the forest and lived the rest of their days taking traveler's souls. Three witches in particular decided to live out in the open fields, growing strange veggtables with orange bodies and glowing yellow eyes. These were eventually called pumpkins. They would hide the souls of the witches, the glow inside them masking as candles. Only a being with a pure heart could defeat the witches and set the souls free.

If you see a young woman with a beautiful face, sharp nails, and coloring changing eyes, beware! They might be witches in disguise, baiting you in with their kind smiles and hospitality. Once you are in their sights, your soul is as good as gone!

The car was silent as the bots started to register how creepy Izzy's story was. They all shivered at the fact that a witch could look like a normal person and steal people's souls. Bee was even more frightened than ever, shaking his helm and whimpering loudly.

"This pumpkin patch is really where the witches hang out, is it?" Megatron asked, his face a bit scared.

"Yup, at least that's what the urban legend is." Izzy replied, taking out her pumpkin pop. "Thought you might want a little history before we got there."

"I can't have my soul taken! My frame would be ruined without someone to inhabit it!" Knockout said, Breakdown rubbing circles around his back.

"Is it too late to go home now?" Smokescreen looked out the window. "Why isn't the car moving?"

Penny came back into the car and sighed loudly. "Bad news guys, it seems that we can't go to the pumpkin patch today."

A collective sigh was heard from around the car, making Penny raise an eyebrow at their strange behavior. "But we need to get a place to sleep for the night. I saw a sign for an inn a few miles back. I need help pushing the car there."

"I'll help Penny!" Bulkhead unbuckled his seatbelt and got out the car.

"Me too!" Breakdown followed him.

"Anyone else? I have plenty of car to push." Penny gave them all pleading looks.

It was dark by time the bots and humans had reached the inn via pushing. Starscream promptly collapsed on the ground alongside Bee, Knockout, Smokescreen, and Arcee. The others looked a bit winded, but fine nonetheless. Izzy was sweating profusely while Penny was a bit pale. She looked up to see the inn in front of them and cheered silently. The inn was old and creaky, a few windows missing some glass, shutters that creaked with every passing wind, and the unmistakable sound of bats in the belfry. The sign swayed slowly in the wind, making a squeaky noise as it did. The steps had holes in them and the red door had a bony knocker.

"Here we are! Ooh, look at the spooky decor! It even has a creepy name: Three Witches Inn."

All the bots found the adrenaline to open their optics and get back inside the car. Penny was more confused now, turning to Izzy for an explanation. Izzy shrugged and stuck her hands in her pockets.

"I dunno what got into them. They seem to be scared of the name." She said, putting a candy apple pop in her mouth. Penny opened the car door and gave her kids a look.

"Did Izzy have something to do with why you guys aren't coming inside?" She asked them.

"The inn is called the three witches!" Arcee said, her face scared.

"And we are close to a pumpkin patch!" Dreadwing pointed out.

"And some witches offer hospitality to unsuspecting guests!" Starscream shrieked.

"Witches: Bad News." Soundwave said, his face displaying a horrified emoticon.

Penny put a hand on her face and rubbed her nose. "Guys, this is why I told you not to tell scary stories. Witches aren't real, they won't steal your soul, and I can tell you for certain-!"

"Hello, are you staying for the night?"

This time, Penny screamed as a slender beautiful young female, with long black hair appeared behind her. Her hair had red highlights at the roots and ends, along with pale skin and green eyes. She wore a black and red dress with red sleeves draping down her shoulders, the dress had both legs showing, and had a red sash around her waist. She had black ankle strapped high heels with red tints, red and black fingerless gloves that end at the elbow, and a red bat necklace. Her make-up consisted of no eyeshadow with red and black lipstick. She also had red nails and pointed teeth. Her red lips curled into a smile.

"Sorry for giving you a fright. I just noticed that you were waiting outside for awhile and thought you were checking in." She extended a hand. "I'm Ebony, the co-owner of the Three Witches Inn. Are you and your children checking in?"

"Uh..." Penny was at a temporary loss for words. "We were going to check in. Can you help us out?"

"Of course! We hardly ever get guest coming our way. This will be a real treat indeed!" Ebony laughed, showing her fanged teeth. She leaned forward to look at the kids. "Nice to meet you children."

"Are you a witch?" Bumblebee asked timidly.

"You never know, but just in case, watch your back." She winked at him, making him shiver. "You guys are in luck. My little niece has been waiting for some playmates her age. Perhaps you'll do for now at least."

Before any of them could ask the strange lady, she appeared in front of Penny. Izzy leaned on the car and gave them a wary look. They each knew what was going on, but none of them were brave enough to say it.

Ebony was definitely a witch, and she wanted their souls. This would be a long night.

This is part one of the first story! Will the bots be able to survive a night in the witch's domain? Or will they get their souls snatched?

I have some ideas for the next stories! Place in the comments on which one I should write next!

Haunted Mansion Mystery Noir: The bots and their friends venture into a haunted mansion to find ghosts!

Lockdown!: When the adults leave the kids to spend the night at school, can they be able to survive on their own?

Sucks to Be Us: Izzy's new friend is out for blood while Breakdown uncovers a secret about his club's president!

Mother Fearest: Penny gets infected by Dark Energon and becomes a wicked mother!

Are you Afraid of the Dark?: In order to celebrate a friend's birthday, the bots take her trick-or-treating.

IT Happens: Children start disappearing and a circus comes to town the same week! Is this all connected?

Virus Takeover: Soundwave has a few hours to save his friends from a virus that turns them into zombies!

Something Amiss with Maddie: Bee's new friend is hiding a snaky secret.

Friends in High Places: Starscream becomes friends with a lonely banshee.

Bride of the Underworld: The bots must rescue Penny from becoming the Grim Reeper's bride!