Mr. Kobritz, a old older gentleman of roughly eighty years sat around a roaring campfire, with the attention of several pre-teens fixed upon him. One of them was his grandson Aaron, who had just turned thirteen. The other kids were Nate, who was a bit older at fifteen and his neighbor. There was also Chris and Tricia, two others of his neighborhood friends.
Mr. Kobritz had moved in with Aaron and his mother after his wife passed when all three decided it was a good idea. That night, October 30th, 2012, he was telling scary stories to Aaron and his friends around the backyard firepit.
"Five Minutes to Eleven, time enough for one more story," intoned Mr. Kobritz. "This story takes place here, in our own town some 300 years ago. During this time superstition and magic were a part of everyone's life, two things that have long since been lost, if you ask me. On the night of All Hallow's eve, four children not unlike yourselves did something quite foolish. Taking a pumpkin, they fooled around with a spell they had no idea what it would truly do. The spell unleashed the Pumpkin King, a powerful demonic being who took possession of the pumpkin. It carved out a face for itself and had an unnatural green glow. He grew huge brown vines and took the form of a strong man.
To thank the children, named James, Edmund, Luke and Janet, he gave them immortality and great power. James transformed into a werewolf. Edmund became a vampire, Luke a demon, and Janet an evil witch. He told them to change others and build an army. With this army, he tried to take over the colony, and from there the country and one would imagine the world. But, there was a man in the colony who was quite powerful in his own right. A practicing witch himself, he destroyed the armies and entombed the four generals and the Pumpkin King in stone. They can still be seen in the park, just on the edge of town. They say every passing year, the magic holding them captive has grown weaker and that this year, 300 years later, they will be able to break through at midnight tonight."
"Great Dad," said Maggie, Aaron's Mother and Mr. Kobritz's daughter. "Com'n guys, let's break it up. It's getting late."
The kids moaned and complained as each went their separate ways. Nate thanked everyone for a lovely evening and was walking back to his house when he suddenly had a crazy thought of going out to the park and see if maybe the story was true, even though he knew the idea was absurd. Still, it was better than going back to his house.
A short time later, Nate walked into the park. He heard the leaves rustle across the ground as he walked towards the well known statues. As he approached, cracks started to appear on each of the five statues, with an eerie green glow spilling out until the stone shells broke away, harkening the return of the Pumpkin King and his four generals.
Nate slowly started to back away as the five creatures got their bearings.
"How long have we been entombed?" asked the witch, Janet.
"Centuries," replied the Pumpkin King. "This new world will not be prepared for us. And nothing will stop us."
It was Edmund, the vampire, that first noticed Nate. He walked over to him.
"Have you come to join us?" asked Edmund.
"I...I'm not sure. I thought you all were legends..." replied Nate.
"Hah. Legends. They believe not in magic and monsters. This will be easy pickings," replied Edmund.
The Pumpkin King walked over to Nate and looked him over. "You would make a fine addition to our ranks."
"Umm, thanks." replied Nate. He looked over the four generals: The werewolf, the vampire, the demon and witch.
"Can he be with me? I'll teach him magic and turn him into things...he seems like he would like that," said Janet.
"He should be with me. He'd make a good, strong demon, a good second in command to me," said Luke, in a deep, booming voice.
"I want him! He'd make a great vampire. I can tell these things," said Edmund.
The werewolf let out a howl and grabbed Nate, pulling him closer.
"Since they all want you, you will have to choose your ranks," replied the Pumpkin King.
Nate looked over the different options and finally decided...