Spooky Buddies Junior Novel by Disney Book Group Page A

Hound let out a loud howl. Magical energy poured out of his mouth. It swirled around one of the puppies.…
    Outside, Sheriff Jim had broken through the gate. Now he tried the front door. It was locked.
    â€œGrab that tree trunk,” he told the others. “We’ll have to knock down the door.”
    â€œPip, where are you?” Joseph cried.
    High above in the turret, Pip was now the only puppy left. The others had been turned to stone by the Howlloween Hound. He had taken their souls!
    â€œMr. Hoot, I changed my mind,” Pip said. “I don’t want to go with the Howlloween Hound. I just want to be with my boy!”
    â€œMaster,” the owl said, “the puppy doesn’t want to go now.”
    Warwick ignored the owl. He reached for Pip.
    But Pip didn’t trust him. He bit Warwick’s finger, then took off.
    â€œOw!” Warwick yelped. “Why you little—”
    He chased the puppy down the manor’s grand staircase.
    Just then, the door burst open. Townspeople poured in, including Joseph.
    â€œPip!” the little boy cried.
    He reached for his puppy. But Warwick swooped in and grabbed Pip first.
    â€œStay back!” the warlock warned, pulling out a potion bottle. “Or I’ll turn you all into toads!”
    Two men ignored him and stepped forward. Warwick splashed the potion on them.
    POOF!
    The men vanished. Their clothes fell to the floor. A second later, two toads hopped out! Everyone gasped as Warwick flew up the stairs with Pip.
    Joseph pulled away from his father and ran after the warlock. He had to save his puppy!
    Warwick raced upstairs. “Quickly, Hound, take that last puppy!” he urged when he reached the turret. “Complete the spell—now!”
    The Hound howled. Pip couldn’t get away this time. He slowly turned to stone as his spirit floated up out of his body toward the mirror.
    â€œPip!” Joseph cried, bursting through the door.
    The sheriff’s dog, Deputy Tracker, raced in. Leaping at Warwick, he grabbed the magic staff in his teeth.
    â€œHey!” Warwick yelled. “Let go!”
    At that moment, the first rays of sunlight poured in through the window. A beam hit the jewel on Warwick’s staff. The jewel’s glow faded away.
    Warwick gasped. No! His spell had to be completed by dawn, or the Hound would remain in the mirror and Warwick wouldn’t be able to take over the town.
    â€œHound! Wait!” he cried. “Open the portal!”
    But the Hound’s image was fading. Even though he’d already turned Pip to stone, he hadn’t had time to finish taking the puppy’s soul before dawn broke. It was too late.
    â€œI need all five puppy souls….” The Hound’s growl trailed off. A moment later, his image faded away.
    By then, Sheriff Jim and Joseph’s dad had arrived. “It’s over, Warwick!” Sheriff Jim said. “Enough of your black magic—this town will not stand for it!”
    Warwick backed away. “I’ll take over this town one day!” he declared. “Mark my words, I will return!”
    Then he dove into the mirror, disappearing as the glow faded completely.
    Joseph ran to the stone statue of Pip. “Dad,” he cried, “look what they did to Pip! We need to turn Pip back!”
    â€œHe’s gone, Joseph,” his father said sadly. “Pip’s gone. Let’s go home, son.”
    Joseph couldn’t believe he had lost his puppy. He walked sadly out of the room.
    But Pip wasn’t gone. Not entirely. His spirit was still hovering overhead, watching everything.
    â€œJoseph?” Pip said. “Wait! I’m right here!”
    But the humans and Deputy Tracker were already leaving. They hurried downstairs and out the front door. When Pip tried to follow them outside, he found himself blocked by some invisible force.
    â€œNo!” the puppy cried.
    Outside, Joseph hugged the stone puppy his dad