Roses:

"So..." Roses began.

"Why am I here?" Roseidous demanded. "I was sleeping!"

"It's noon! It's time to get up!" Ann told him.

"That comes from the one who didn't want to get up for my party?"

"Well, that was for you."

"Hey!"

"What?"

"Why *am* I here?" Tyrael asked. "I wasn't paying attention."

"Shut up and listen." Tails ordered.

"Oh, so you know why we're here?"

"Um....yes...?"

"You do not!"

"Do too!"

"Hey, where's Holli? There are usually two of you fighting with me."

Roses banged her gavel on the desk. "Order!"

"Pepperoni!" Ann yelled.

"No!" Roseidous yelled back.

"She's sleeping?!" Tyrael complained.

"Not fair!" Roseidous added.

"I'll go get her!" Tails stood up.

"NO!" Roses screamed. "Sit down and shut up. Holli can't be here."

"Why not?" Ann asked.

"Because she asked for a surprise party RPG for her birthday. This is it. Or, well, the beginning of it. There will be secret plans and secret missions, and no one is telling Holli. Or Murry either. If he finds out, everyone will find out. In fact, the only people who should know about this are the five of us and Al, because he has to cook and pay for everything. That way, no one else will know. Not even John, Lord of Darkness (dum dum duummm!!!) Got that?"

"You mean....I have to keep all of this a secret from Holli? For a whole month?"

"Yes, Tails. Exactly one month."

"Yay! Fun!"

"So let's decide what stuff we should work on and that will be it for today."

Roseidous raised his hand. "I think we should work on going back to bed."

"You are not helping!" Ann complained.

"I think it's a great idea." Tyrael gave Roseidous a "thumbs up."

Tails glared at him. "You would. You don't want to help with this party for Holli? After all she's done for you?"

"She tied me to a tree yesterday!"

"And you liked it!"

"I did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

Meanwhile, Roseidous and Ann were arguing over who got the most sleep the previous night.

"It's not Sally's fault! She's a plastic doll!" Ann yelled.

"It is her fault!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

Roses banged her gavel on the desk again. "Order, people, order!"

"Anchovies!" Roseidous glared at Ann.

"No!" everyone else protested.

"How about just cheese?" Tyrael suggested.

"That's boring." Tails said.

"I'm not boring!"

"You are too!"

"Am not!"

Roses sighed. 'Maybe we'll make it a whole month' she thought to herself, then went out to find Al. They would have to order their own pizza for lunch.


Ann Chovi

Ann Chovi left the meeting room to order a couple pizzas. They all made a list, and it was around here somewhere...or not. Ann sighed. It didn't matter. They all really wanted pepperoni anyway.

Ann stopped. There was a strange new sculpture decorating the front porch. It looked like three guys, standing there, looking like there weren't doing anything wrong. It was quite lifelike, but not anything like the other sculptures at Camp Milk and Cookies. First of all, most of the other sculptures had "Tri-Leaders are going down" or "Bwahaha!" written on them. And most of the other scupltures weren't breathing. Ann picked up a pointy stick and poked.

"Ow!"

"So, we meet again, John, Lord of Darkness."

The three boys waited expectantly. Ann sighed. "Dum dum duuuuum."

"Snooch!"

"Oh yes, Ian. I didn't recognize you with all your clothes on. Jan left quite a few pictures around her house." Ann shuddered and winked at the other boy.

His face started turning pink. "How do you know about Jan?"

"She's my cousin. Oh, and I remember you, Silent Jim. So, what are you all doing here?"

John, Lord of Darkness (dun dun duuuuun) cleared his throat. "Well, you see, we were looking for a bathroom...I mean, You shall never find out, foul Tri-Leader!"

"Whatever you say." Ann touched a button on her watch. "I have to order pizza right now, but if you stay right here I'm sure you'll find something."

A swarm of squirrels...well...swarmed over John, Ian, and Jim. Ann phoned in the pizza order.


John

"Mmmph!" John, Lord of Darkness (Dum Dum Duuuuuum!) said as a squirrel crawled into his mouth. He spit it out. "Okay, don't worry, this is only a temporary set back. We'll just call one of the other allies and they can help us out."

"Er... they're all busy." Ian said.

"Randall?"

"Torturing the souls of the damned, A.K.A. your waiters."

"Dark Shadow?"

"He wandered off saying something about taking over the world and backstabbing you- I think he got into my... stash... again."

"Ili?"

"At some place called 'Pam's.' Dude, could we hurry up and escape, I really need to pee!"

Silent Jim moved as far away as Ian as was possible without the squirrels biting him.

"I agree. Watch where you point that thing." John said, edging away.

"HEY!" Ian yelled.

"What?"

"One of the squirrels touched me!"

"Well of course, genius, they're SWARMING ALL OVER US!!!"

"No, I mean one touched me on the No-No Spot!"

"What?"

"The mule."

"Huh?"

"My junk."

"..."

"My middle finger? Magic wand? Dork? Bullfrog? Trouser snake?"

John looked over at Silent Jim for an explanation. Silent Jim made an obscene gesture.

"Ooooh! Your pecker!"

"Yep!"

"Your willy!"

"That's right!"

"Your wang!"

"Uh huh... yeah..."

"Your-"

Silent Jim clamped a hand over John's mouth. Just then another squirrel... touched... Ian.

"HEY! I swear, I'm gonna sue every single one of you furry motherf***ers for sexual harassment! I'M NOT THAT KIND OF GIR- GUY!"

Silent Jim looked strangely at him.

"Oh just shut up, loud mouth!" Ian snapped. Silent Jim shrugged. And went back to standing still.

But if Fighter does not liek the robot, but he does not like the ninjas- who does he like/liek more? John pondered.

"By the way, did I mention my birthday's on the 29th? Nudge, nudge, wink wink!" John asked.

"Yeah, about two thousand times." Ian mumbled.

"And have you hired the AHEM *special* entertainment for the party?"

"Yeah, Silent Jim hired the pony rides and magic act this morning."

"Yipee! This party is going to be off the heezy!"

"..."

"Never mind. Speaking of birthdays, why are there balloons on the mail box?"

"Hey! Maybe they're planning a surprise for your birthday!"

"Yeah! It's sort of early... but who else has a birthday around this time?"

Silent Jim was about to tell John that it was Holli's birthday when a squirrel crawled into his open mouth.

"Well, let's act like we don't know, so that they can still have their fun thinking it was a surprise!" John said.

"I swear, you little acorn eating piece of hair, if you touch me one more time, I'm gonna- Ow! Hey!" Ian said, as the squirrels started to gnaw on his eyebrows.


Tyrael

There is, Tyrael wrote, a great deal of emphasis placed on days, in this age. As Oscar Wilde once said, 'the greatest fault of calenders is that they mar the sweet simplicity of life, reminding us that each day is merely the anniversary of some perfectly uninteresting event.' But there are some days, he continued, in his messy scrawl, that do call for some bit of celebration. In the case of birthdays, in particular those of teenage girls who have no need for said birthday because they are already, in fact, 16, as they will quite forcefully tell you, they can even call for a bit of overt sexiness. He thought for a moment. And that, of course is what I'm getting at.


Roses

"It's what?"

"It's his birthday."

"Does that matter?"

"Sort of?"

"What do you suggest?"

"Well..."

***

John peered out from behind a tree. "Darn those squirrels! Ian! Go see if they're gone!"

"I'm not going out there."

"Well someone has to!"

They both looked at Silent Jim. He shook his head. John sighed.

"Things not going so well?"

John turned around. "Holli! Tails! What a surprise to meet you out here!"

"We could say the same thing."

"Yes, well, this is your camp, isn't it? So, um, what are you going to do to me? Tie me to this tree? Call the squirrels back?"

"Actually, that's a good idea." Holli thought aloud.

Tails elbowed her. "But Roses said we had to..."

"I know." Holli interrupted. "So he's safe for now. Come with us, John. And bring those two with you."

John stood up to maximize the effect of his power and authority. "No."

"But you really don't have a choice, you have to."

"You going to make me?"

"No..." Holli looked up.

Tails grinned and pointed at the sky. "They'll make you."

John, Ian, and Silent Jim glanced up at their tree. It was full of squirrels, Billy Jo in front with his video camera. The rest held nuts, pointy sticks, and rocks.

"Okay, okay, we'll go."

"Good!" Tails handcuffed them.

***

Roses, Ann, and Roseidous sat behind a table in the main cabin. Ann and Roses were talking. Roseidous was reaching behind them to steal Roses' gavel. Tyrael sat a table to their right, coloring a picture. Everyone looked up when the door opened. The gavel fell on the floor. Roses glared at Roseidous and punched him in the arm. Tails and Holli entered, followed by John, Ian, and Jim. Ann pushed a button and the door closed and locked itself.

"Hey Ann! Long time no see!"

"Shut up, John!"

"Okay."

Holli and Tails sat down at the table with Tyrael. Tails grabbed the crayons and Holli grabbed his drawing. She showed it to Tails, who laughed. Tyrael glared at them.

"So..." Roses began. "We hear that it's an important day."

Roseidous looked up from trying to take Ann's remote control. "Take the Clones to the Beach Day?"

Roses ignored him. Ann took her remote back and hit him.

Roses continued. "Today is our worst enemy's birthday, isn't it, John?"

"It's your birthday?" Ian asked. "You didn't tell me!"

"How could you not know?" Ann asked. "He's wearing a shirt that says 'Today is my birthday!'"

"I didn't notice."

"Anyway," Roses said. "This is such a special occaison, we're going to give our arch-rival a very special present."

The Tri-Leaders grinned. The Junior Tri-Leaders watched expectantly. John looked nervous.

"There's really no need for that, guys. I'll just be getting back to my house now and have my own party. You're all invited!"

Roses and Ann looked at each other and seemed to reach an agreement. They turned back to John.

Roses smiled at him. "For your birthday, we are going to tell you about Project X."

The room was silent. Then...

"WHAT?!" Rosiedous yelled, and stood up, knocking over his chair. "You are NOT going to do that! You didn't ask me!"

Roses regarded him calmly; Ann whispered something in his ear.

"Oh." he said. "Well then, okay." He sat back down, but landed on the floor because he forgot to pick up his chair.

"Not fair!" Holli yelled. "We should know about this before John does!"

"Yeah! We're Junior Tri-Leaders! He's the enemy!" Tails agreed.

"If you want to hear about it at all, you'd better listen." Roses said. They were silent. "Good. Now then, Ann?"

"Thanks." Ann said. She hit another button on her remote, and a TV screen appeared from behind a wall. She grabbed her pointy stick and walked over to it. "Project X, Version One was Rosey's idea, surprisingly enough. It is a video game. A real one. The three of us worked together....somewhat....on the plot and he is going to program it. Rosey?"

"The goal of the game is to defeat the Tri-Leaders. The player meets different enemies along the way." he said, as Ann pointed at pictures on the screen. "You must start in the woods, find Camp Milk and Cookies, avoid the squirrels, watch out for Vinnie and Vic, find and kill Roses. Watch out for the whip. Then, you must drain the lake, get in the spaceship, go to the moonbase. Don't get caught by the camera, and look out for Murry floating around. Find and kill Ann. Then find the map to the fortress. Go there, defeat the clones, get to my bedroom, pop Sally, and kill me."

"Right." Roses finished. "Then you can rule the world. And that is Project X, Version One."

"A whole game about killing the Tri-Leaders?" John asked.

They nodded.

"I love it! I get the first copy!"

"Good." Ann said. "Now, happy birthday and all that. Get out."

Vinnie came in, and "escorted" John, Ian, and Jim out of camp.

"So, Rosey really thought that up?" Tails asked, once they were gone.

"Yep. Sometimes he'll surprise you." Roses answered, then banged her gavel on the table. "Meeting adjourned! Go have lunch!"

The three Junior Leaders left, Tyrael trying to grab his picture away from the girls.

The Tri-leaders looked at each other and grinned evilly.

"You told them about Project X, Version One, huh?" Roseidous said.

"Yep. You think they liked it?"

"Of course they did. They've been wanting to know forever."

"And now that they know about it, let's keep going with Holli's party....after lunch. Or maybe tomorrow..."


Holli

"You know," Holli began as she tossed tails the box of crayons, "How come they all remembered John's birthday, but no one has mentioned anything about mine?"

Tails shrugged, "I dunno." She held tyrael's picture over her head, and although he is much taller then her, he could not grab it thanks to the magic of 'Holli is writing this is does not feel tyrael should reach it' powers. "You still want to get some fake ID's and go into the city again?"

"Sur--"

"Can I come?" Asked Tyrael, distracted form his coloring items.

Holli and Tails grinned.

"Uh oh..."

"Only if you let us pick out your outfit," said tails.

"And you have to listen to us, as I am older then you..."

"Only by a month!"

"And," tails added in, "we are prettier then you too!"

"Are not!" Cried Tyrael.

"Are too!" returned the girls. The arguemnet continued like this for several more moments until Tyrael reached up and grabbed his picture and crayons and storm from the corridor to his bedroom

"Wanna go pick on Roser?" Tails asked, smiling.

"Sure," Holli shrugged and followed her friend to find roser.


Roses

Roses opened her cabin door and looked around. Then she sighed. And desperately hoped that things were going according to plan. Because, at the moment, they didn’t seem to be. Roseidous was fighting with Ann, trying to take away the pointy stick she kept poking him with. Tails was in the process of returning Tyrael’s crayons. Piece by piece. Al stood in the corner, one head looking at a calculator, the other at a handheld electronic poker game.

Roses slammed the door. Ann looked up guiltily and dropped her end of the stick. Roseidous flew backwards and landed at Roses’ feet.

“I win!” he said triumphantly, then looked up. “Hi Roses!”

Roses reached down and took away the stick. Tails threw some more crayon pieces at Tyrael.

Al smiled brightly and walked over to Roses. “According to my calculations, everything is paid for! And I got the stuff I need from Vic, but I haven’t prepared anything yet.”

“Good.” Roses said. “And everyone else?”

“Don’t worry so much. The party will be just fine.” Ann reassured her.

“Well, considering that I haven’t heard a word from any of you about your ‘assignments’ I hope so. At least I can say that I haven’t heard anything from anyone else about this whole thing, meaning that you kept it a secret.”

“Um…” Roseidous began.

Roses glared at him. “Who’d you tell?”

“You see, Roses, she just gave me this look, and I had to tell her.”

“Who? Not Holli. For your sake, it better not be Holli.”

“No, not her. Sally.”

“Oh. Well, then, that’s okay, I guess. But no one else?”

“No, I promise. But I can’t guarantee the same for Sally.”

Ann gave Roses a look. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. Sally’s not the type to talk very much. Anyway, I have to go to the moonbase to pick up some stuff. Roses? Want to go?”

“Sure. Tails, Tyrael, Rosey? Get out of my cabin so I can lock it. Then finish whatever it is you have left to do. Party is tomorrow at noon, don’t forget. Ann and I will be back later tonight if you need us. And where exactly is Holli, anyway?” Tails grinned. “She went to town. Drove to town, actually. Billy Jo wanted to video tape her first driving experience. Or rather, the people in town’s reaction to it.”

“Poor people. At least she’ll be safe with him. So, carry on! You have your missions…..wait! Drove what?”

“The camp van, I think.”

“That’s mine!” Ann yelled. “It better come back in one piece!”

“Oh, ye of little faith.” Roses grabbed Ann’s arm and led her outside. Everyone else followed and headed off in their separate ways: Rosey towards town, Tyrael towards the woods, Tails to the other cabins, and Ann and Roses to the spaceship.

***

Tails didn’t bother knocking, she let herself into Vinnie’s cabin. He glanced up from the table where he was explaining to Vic how to properly apply eyeliner. Vic looked at Tails gratefully.

“Can I help you?” Vinnie asked, a surprisingly long sentence for him.

“Yeah, can you show me how to do that without poking my eye out? Later?”

He nodded.

“Thanks. But that’s not why I’m here.”

“You’re planning Holli’s surprise party and we need to show up tomorrow.” Vic said.

“Um…yeah, that’s right, actually. How’d you know?”

“Sally told us.”

“How did…never mind. So you’ll be there, then?”

“Of course. And while you’re asking, yes, we’d love to help you go get John, Lord of Darkness (dum dum duummm!!!).”

“Great! And I didn’t even have to ask! He’ll make the party more interesting, and he won’t show up unexpectedly if we bring him. Ann’s idea.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“Not yet.”

“Vinnie does.” Vic swept the eyeliner pencils off the table rather violently. Vinnie glared, then got out his maps and other papers.

***

Tyrael wandered down the sunlit path in the woods, mumbling to himself.

“…can’t see why…stupid assignment…her idea, of course…why it was me…not even evil…”

This was true. Tyrael wasn’t sure how he ended up as an evil Junior Tri-Leader when he was in fact, not evil. He paused to consider, then nodded. Girls. Of course. He’d followed them in, with the promises of all the women he wanted once they ruled the world. Well, not technically followed, as he’d been handcuffed between two girls at the time. But the idea of more girls was certainly appealing. Too bad he didn’t want to take over the world. But now, he was stuck. No way out. If he tried, he’d probably end up tied to a tree, not a pleasant thought.

He stopped and looked around. Then realized he was no longer on the path.

“This is bad.” he said to the nearest tree. The tree didn’t care. A sudden noise made him spin around to face…

“Bubba! Hi! I was looking for you!”

“Quack!”

“Yes, it’s good to see you, too. Could you maybe point me towards the nearest path?”

“Quack! Quack!”

“What about Sally? Never mind, which way is it?….Bubba! Stay there!…No! Bubba, stop!…Don’t come any closer!….”

“QUACK!!!”

Tyrael turned and ran, regretting that he hadn’t thought to bring the tranquilizer gun.

***

The bell chimed to announce a customer.

“Someone get that.” Todd complained. “I’m sleeping.”

“Yahoooo!!!! Top score again!! Wooo!!! Beat that Cait-Dog!!”

“We’re not being superheroes right now, TAS, stop calling me that.”

TAS entered his name as “TAS-man” in the ‘top score’ spot. Cait hit ‘start’ to begin a new game.

“Where’s Yoda?” Nothlit asked. “It’s his turn to go out front.”

“I don’t know, bathroom?” Cait suggested.

“Nah, he went to go get more junk food.” TAS said, his eyes glued to the screen.

“Fine, then I’ll do it.” Nothlit walked to the front of the store. Roseidous and Sally were waiting at the counter.

“Evil Tri-Leader!” Nothlit pointed and yelled. Everyone else rushed out from the back room.

“Pizza Delivery Boys!” Roseidous yelled back.

“What are you doing in town?”

“Why aren’t you out here taking my order? Are you playing games and sleeping when you should be working?”

“Do we even want your order?”

“Do I want to give it to you?”

“Why are we speaking in questions?”

“Why not?”

“Would you stop that?!”

“Stop what?”

Nothlit gave up and turned to Todd. “You do it.”

“Rosey, what can we get for you?”

“We need enough pizzas for Holli’s surprise birthday party. Which you all, for some reason, are invited to.”

“Party time!! Cait-Dog, get the music and the party hats!! We’re gonna have some fun fun fun!!!” TAS danced around.

“Do you remember the previous times we’ve all gotten together? Huh? Do you? It’s going to be a disaster! Whose idea was this?” Nothlit complained.

“Holli’s, I think. Maybe Roses?” Roseidous shrugged.

“Well, don’t act surprised guys.” Yoda came in, carrying bags of potato chips and some Mountain Dew. “I mean, we already knew about the party. We were gonna go crash it, but an invitation is even better. By the way, the object of the party is currently driving around with a squirrel over by the grocery store. Oh, and there was some guy being chased by another guy in a penguin suit at the park.”

“Is she? I thought she wasn’t supposed to ever go near the gro….hey! How did you know about the party?” Roseidous demanded.

“Sally told us.”

***

Ann parked, and she and Roses got out of the spaceship. Ann punched in a complicated security code at the doors and waited. Nothing happened. She tried again. Nothing happened. There was a giggle from behind the doors.

“Stan! Let us in!” Ann yelled. Another giggle.

Roses knocked loudly on the door. “Stan. You can’t get more cheez crackers if you don’t let people in. And when I say people, I mean us.”

Silence. Then the door opened slightly. Ann shoved it the rest of the way open. “You are in trouble Mr. Security System!”

“It was worth it.” Murry floated down the hall. “It was my idea, you know.”

“I’m sure. Come on, help us get this stuff and let’s go.”

“To the party?”

“Yes, Murry, of course to the party. Where else would we be going? And how exactly did you find out?”

Stan giggled. Murry laughed evilly. “Sally told us.”

***

John, Lord of Darkness (dum dum duummm!!!) sat on his throne in his secret hideout, surrounded by pillows and plates with grapes on them (just in case some girls showed up to feed them to him). He was playing a game on his Gameboy when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in!” he called, then “Stupid Pikachu! I shouldn’t have chosen you!”

“What was that?” Ian asked, walking in, followed by Silent Jim. “Is that Pokemon instead of Crapomon?”

“No, no, of course not.” John hid the Gameboy under his pillows. “Did you need something?”

“You have a visitor.”

“Who? If it’s John, Lord of Darkness (dramatic reverb) send him away. Last time he was here, he tried to ask me about color schemes and fabric for my curtains. And if it’s Dark Shadow, tell him I paid him last week. And if it’s Katherine…”

“It’s Tails.” Ian interrupted. Silent Jim nodded.

“Ah, the Junior Tri-Leaders! Show them in!”

“No, not the Junior Tri-Leaders. Just Tails.”

“Well that’s strange, isn’t it? Show her in!”

A few moments later, Tails was standing in front of him.

“Grapes?” John offered.

“No, and no, I won’t feed them to you.”

“Oh. Right then. To what do I owe this visit? Thinking of switching sides and joining me?”

“Of course not. I have a proposition for you. From all the Tri-Leaders.”

“I’m interested. Go on.”

“We’re giving Holli a…”

“Surprise birthday party. I know. I talked to Sally last month at my surprise party.”

“Did you? You have a crush on her, don’t you? I’m gonna tell Rosey!”

“That would not be a good idea.” John looked nervous.

“For you maybe. Anyway, you are invited to this party. Can you come?”

Vinnie and Vic walked in leading Ian and Silent Jim, who were tied up with ropes. “Told you Vinnie knew what secret passages he was talking about.” Vic said.

“I never doubted him.” Tails looked back at John. “So, ready to go?”

***

Billy Jo held on to his camera for dear life as Holli turned a corner. The people standing on it moved out of the way just in time. He managed to point the camera at them.

“I’m getting lots better, aren’t I?” Holli asked, yelling over the noise of the radio and the wind from the open windows of the van.

“Squeak.” He nodded.

“I thought so, too.”

She hit the brakes for a stop sign. Someone ran past the van, then saw the Camp Milk and Cookies logo on the side and turned around. He ran up to Billy Jo’s window. “Help me, please!”

“Hey Mr. Packard! What seems to be the problem?” Holli batted her eyelashes.

“They’re chasing me!” he pointed at a bunch of young women running down the street, waving letters. “They seem to think I’m a movie star or something.”

“Well, get in the van. We’ll be out of here in no time!”

Mr. Packard threw his mailbag in the back and climbed in.

“Squeaker squeak, squeak squeaken.” Billy Jo said.

“I always fasten my seatbelt. Why?” Mr. Packard asked, then flew over to the back seat as Holli hit the gas.

***

Roses and Ann arrived back at camp with their stuff. Enough decorations for an “authentic” Hawaiian luau-type party by the lake.

“You think Katherine will be offended?” Ann asked, unloading the plastic palm trees and artificial flower leis. Stan took the CD’s marked as “Hawaiian Sunset,” “Tropical Breezes,” and “The Ukulele Man” inside for Murry.

“Nah, she knows we don’t know what we’re doing anyway. It’s all in good fun. Is she even coming?”

“I sent an invitation, I hope so.”

“I think the theme party was a good idea. I just hope the cake in the shape of a roasted pig, complete with apple, turns out okay.”

“It was a good idea.” Ann piled some plastic grass skirts in Roses’ arms. “And don’t worry, Al can make a cake like that. No problem.”

“There aren’t any um….hula dancers….are there?”

“I didn’t call any.”

“Good.”

“But the pizza delivery boys are all coming, as far as I know...”

“Hmm. While that has possibilities, I was thinking the clones would do it. Could you program them?”

“Maybe. But not after all that complaining I heard on the way back about how they didn’t get new bikinis for this party. I still can’t believe we had to go to the ‘Fortress of Love’ to pick them up.”

“They just got new ones for Rosey’s party. They’ll be okay.”

“He must provide them with lots of shopping time. I mean, did you see the closets?”

“I was afraid to look in them.”

“Good point.” Ann looked around at all the dark cabins. “Where is everyone anyway? The camp seems awfully deserted for close to midnight.”

“I don’t know. Let’s finish hiding this stuff before Holli gets back. Then we’re going to bed. I’m sure we’re the only ones who will get up early to decorate.”

“Get up early?” Ann followed Roses to the kitchen, complaining.

***

They were watching Al put the finishing touches on the cake when the door to the kitchen flew open. Tyrael ran in, slammed the door, put a chair in front of it, and sat down. Everyone stared at him.

“Ghost? Monster? Roseidous?” Roses asked.

“Worse. Bubba.”

“Oh.” Ann got the tranquilizer gun, moved Tyrael and his chair, opened the door, and shot Bubba. “There. He’ll be fine until morning. Was it a lot of trouble to get him here?”

“No. Not at all. I just ran all over the woods.” Tyrael glared.

“Good, glad you accomplished your part of the mission. Go to bed now. And take a shower, you’re all sweaty.”

Tyrael glared some more, but left and closed the door behind him. The door opened again.

“Back already?” Ann asked.

“It only took me all day.” Tails complained.

“Oh, hey! Thought you were someone else. Where are the prisoners?”

“Staying in the cabin with Vinnie and Murry. Thought that was a good place for them.”

“So it is. No problems?”

“Nope.”

“Is that new eyeliner?” Roses looked at her closely.

“Yeah. From Vinnie.”

“He’s getting very good at that.”

“Yep. Anyway, I’m going to bed now. I’ll see you in the morning!”

“Yeah, we’re going to bed, too. As soon as we help Al put the cake in the refrigerator. Goodnight!”

***

Tyrael walked over to the boys’ cabin from the showers. The cabin was completely dark, except for a strange, glowing, blue light. ‘Rosey left the TV on again.’ Tyrael thought to himself. ‘Probably left Rush My Hour on, too.’

He opened the door, and was greeted by very loud talking and various sound effects from the giant TV screen. He stepped around the bowls of popcorn, candy, and potato chips, tried not to get tangled in the wires, and avoided stepping on people.

“What are you guys doing here?” he demanded, throwing empty Mountain Dew cans out of his bed.

“Video Game Championship of the Year.” TAS announced, watching the progress of Roseidous on the TV.

“In my room?”

“Where else? We have to be here for the party anyway.” Todd pointed out.

Roseidous apparently made a complicated maneuver because everyone cheered. Except TAS, who didn’t want him to beat the high score. However, it seemed to be the wrong move, as his character quickly died. TAS cheered this time.

“My turn!” Nothlit said, and grabbed the controller.

Tyrael covered his head with a pillow and tried to go to sleep. But the pizzas were being stored under his pillow. He sighed and moved down, hanging his feet off the end of the bed. Something on the game exploded. It was going to be a long night.

***

Tails looked at the alarm clock and conveniently “forgot” to set it for the morning. ‘They don’t really need my help until later, anyway’ she told herself.

The door to her cabin flew open; someone dressed in black ran inside, and dove underneath one of the beds.

“Hey Holli! Back now? Have lots of fun? That would be why you’re hiding under the bed?”

“Shh! I’m not here; you don’t see me!”

“Holli?”

“No, not Holli. Now get down!”

Tails dropped to the floor and crawled over to the bed. “Katherine! Hey! You don’t have to sleep on the floor you know, we have that extra bed.”

“Give me five minutes to make sure the MIWC are gone.”

“Um…okay then.”

“Do you hear voices outside?”

“Actually, yes, I do.” She stood up and looked out the window. “Oh, it’s just Holli and some man.”

“No, no trouble at all.” Holli was saying. “You can sleep in the extra bed, Mr. Packard. Those crazy women won’t find you here.”

“Mr. Packard!” Tails and Katherine shouted and ran to open the door.

“Welcome!” Tails said, grabbing his arm and pulling him inside.

“Yes, hi!” Katherine grinned at him, prepared to do the nightgown trick if necessary.

“Oh, um, Katherine. I didn’t expect you to be visiting. It seems that we don’t have our extra bed after all. Not to worry, Mr. Packard can share with me!” Holli decided.

“No, me!” Tails argued.

“Or me!” Katherine said.

“Girls, girls.” Mr. Packard interrupted to stop the fight. “It’s okay. Ann and Roses have an extra bed in their cabin, too. I’ll just go over there.”

“No! You can stay! I’ll sleep on the floor!” Katherine volunteered.

“No, really. I insist. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said, and closed the door behind him.

“Ah well. It was worth a try.” Holli said, staring at the door.

“Yes, and a good effort it was!” Tails told her. “So did you have fun?”

“It was great! I’m getting really good at driving, Billy Jo said so. He even videotaped the whole thing. We’ll have to watch it tomorrow so you can see. That is, if nothing * special * is going on…”

“Nope, nothing at all. We have plenty of time to watch it.” Tails said innocently.

“Oh. Okay then….goodnight…”

“Night Holli! Night Katherine!”

“Goodnight Tails.”

***

The next morning arrived, warm and sunny. The light sparkled on the lake cheerfully. A little too cheerfully for Ann and Roses, who were up at eight, but it was a great day for a party, nonetheless. Ann spread torches along the water’s edge and strung lights between them while Roses put floating flower-shaped candles by the lake to be lit that night.

“We have no help. Those lazy people!” Ann complained.

“Ann, I know it’s early. We didn’t expect help. Stop being grumpy.”

“I wouldn’t be so grumpy if Mr. Packard hadn’t woken me up with his snoring.”

“Nah, you’d still be in a bad mood.”

“True. Let’s go untangle the leis.”

They walked up the path toward the cabins, and were met by a giant screen TV. It was being pushed by the Pizza Delivery Boys.

“You’re up?” Roses asked.

“We never went to sleep. Video Game Championship.” Todd told them.

TAS danced around. “I won! I won! I won!”

“Oh. So what exactly are you doing?”

“Billy Jo and Stan asked for the TV. We brought it with the pizzas.” Yoda explained.

“So where are the pizzas? You can take them to the kitchen and give them to Al.”

“They’re in Tyrael’s bed.”

“Why?”

“What is it with you people asking all the questions?” Nothlit demanded.

“Does that bother you?”

“No. Not at all.” He sighed, giving up.

“Good! Put the TV under the authentic grass hut….shelter…thing…Then you can go see if Al needs help setting up the tables. They go in the sand right there.” Roses pointed.

“You mean, you want us to work?” Todd asked, staring at her. “After we stayed up all night?”

“Yes, now go!” Ann ordered him towards the lake. “And don’t mess up my decorations.”

“And what are you going to do?”

“We have some people to visit and wake up.” Roses said.

“And dress up.” Ann added. “This is a luau. You have to at least put on the grass skirts. They’re in the kitchen. Al will show you.”

“Ooooohhhh!! Costumes! This is great! Come on guys!” TAS said. “Let’s hurry up and go get the best ones!!”

Cait sighed. “You would think it’s a good idea, wouldn’t you?”

The Pizza Delivery Boys continued pushing the TV towards the lake. Ann and Roses left, listening to them complain the whole time.

***

John, Lord of Darkness (dum dum duummm!!!) was not happy. Neither were Ian and Silent Jim. Not only did they have to sleep in the same cabin with that creepy cross-dressing hit man, they were stuck with the demonic skull that never shut up. Morning seemed to take forever to arrive.

There was a knock at the door.

“Go away! I’m sleeping!” John called.

Ann opened the door and sunlight hit his eyes. “I know! But not any more! Get up!”

“I’d rather not.”

“I’ll send Murry back in there. He’s been up for hours. Actually, he doesn’t sleep, but that’s not the point. He can get you up for me.” She started to walk away.

“No! Wait! I’m up, I’m up. Really.”

“Good. Now put these on, and get out to the lake. The squirrels are watching.” She threw the guys some grass skirts and shut the door.

Mr. Packard was waiting outside. “We have a slight problem,” he said, then told her what it was.

“That’s bad.” Ann ran towards the kitchen, yelling behind her. “Find Roses! You know where I’ll be!”

***

“Good morning!” Roses said loudly, walking into the boys’ cabin.

“Shut up.” Tyrael said.

“Ty? Where are you?” She looked around. Rosey was still sleeping in his bed, but Tyrael was nowhere to be seen.

“Down here.”

Roses looked under his bed. “Why are you under there? It’s not healthy to sleep on the floor like that.”

“Sally needed somewhere to sleep. They decided my bed was a good place, so they kicked me out.”

Roses pulled back the covers. Indeed, Sally was in Tyrael’s bed. She picked her up and threw her at Roseidous.

He turned over and mumbled “No, Sally, not now. I’m tired.”

Roses sighed. “I have to go. Get up, get him up, and put on these grass skirts. That’s an order.”

She walked a few cabins over, where the girls were sleeping. Quietly, she let herself in, woke up Tails and Katherine, and gave them their skirts. Katherine looked doubtfully at the plastic grass, but reluctantly agreed to put it on. Roses left them to wake up Holli at the appointed time, and went to get ready.

***

“I don’t understand.” Nothlit said, putting his bright yellow lei around his neck and staring at the water.

Yoda joined them, tying his grass skirt. “Understand what?”

“Why we were invited to attend this party and then forced to work.”

“Well, they’re the Tri-Leaders.” Todd said, lifting his end of a table and turning it around. “They are the only ones who understand what they do.”

There was a sudden shower of sparks as Stan and Billy Jo plugged something in over by the TV. Stan giggled. Billy Jo squeaked.

“Be careful with that! My Mommy bought it!” TAS warned, watching them carefully.

“Where is Al?” Todd wondered, setting the table down. “He said he’d be right back.”

They all glanced up as Roses arrived at the lake, dressed in her bathing suit and grass skirt. She’d even gone to the trouble of putting flowers in her hair. She started to walk over towards them, but Mr. Packard ran up to her, whispered something in her ear, and they both ran off towards the kitchen.

“Must be a problem.” Yoda said.

***

Roses entered the kitchen to find Ann sitting calmly at a table.

“So where is he? It was a joke?”

“No, Al is still frozen.” Ann put down her coffee cup.

“Then why are you just sitting here?!”

“I’m thinking.”

“How did he manage to get stuck like that?”

“He’s a robot monkey. I know people forget sometimes because he doesn’t make the clicking and mechanical sounds, but he is. Robots break down.”

“Can you fix him in the next, oh, twenty minutes?”

“Probably. Let’s go see.”

And she was right. Twenty minutes later, Al, and everyone else gathered by the lake. Except Roseidous, who was helping to keep watch.

Roses went down the guest list and her party checklist. “Me, Ann, Rosey, Holli, Tails, Tyrael, John, Ian, Silent Jim, Todd, Nothlit, Yoda, TAS, Cait, Katherine, Al, Stan, Bubba, Billy Jo, Vic, Vinnie, clones, Mr. Packard, Murry, and Sally. Okay, that’s everyone. Decorations, food, music, video screen, tables and chairs, grass skirts, and leis. Good. Everyone is here, and dressed on time. And doesn’t the cake look wonderful?”

Silence.

“Well, I think it does. Good job Al! You can give yourself a raise!”

Al turned around backwards to find out where the voice was coming from. He tripped over his own feet and fell down. Roses looked at Ann.

“There are still a few bugs to work out.” Ann explained. “He’ll be fine soon enough.”

Roseidous appeared, carrying Sally, who was dressed in some coconut shells and a grass skirt. He waved at the group and announced “Katherine said they’re on their way!”

“It’s time to party!!” TAS yelled.

Katherine ran down the path, holding three grass skirts and some leis. She hid in the bushes by the lake.

“Those aren’t the poison oak bushes, are they?” Roses asked Ann.

“No, I moved those over by the boys’ showers.”

“Ah.”

Tails and Holli appeared on the path. “Why don’t you want to swim before lunch?” Tails was saying. “It could be fun.”

“I can think of other things I’d want to be doing today.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, today happens to be my…”she stopped when she saw all the people and decorations.

“Happy Birthday!” they all shouted. Katherine jumped out of the bushes, handed Tails a grass skirt, and threw a lei around Holli’s neck.

“Guys! I’m speechless!” Holli grinned as Tails tied the skirt around her waist and then put on her own.

“Well, that’s a first.” Tyrael said.

“I’m not speechless!” Roseidous stepped forward.

“And that’s not a first.”

“In honor of this special day, I am going to make a toast. Hand out the punch!”

Everyone looked at Ann.

“Hey! I didn’t make it this time!”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” Nothlit said. Ann glared at him.

As soon as they all had paper cups, Roseidous began. “Today is Holli’s birthday. She is now officially 16, although she has been 16 for a whole year. She can drive if Ann and Roses will let her. She is also not considered a minor anymore! She can have sex legally with anyone else who is at least 16!” He paused for effect. “Sorry, Tyrael. Anyway, we have all gathered today to celebrate this wonderful occasion...”

“It’s not a wedding Rosey, hurry it up.” Tails interrupted.

“Yes, um….Well, Happy Birthday Holli! And now let’s hula!”

Roseidous signaled to Murry, who turned on the music. He then began to dance. His grass skirted moved.

“Ack! My eyes!” Ann turned around, as did most of the other guests.

Holli and Tails giggled. Roses took a picture.

Katherine sighed. “Rosey, dearest….you have to wear something under your grass skirt.”

“Oh. So that’s what felt strange.”

***

Hours later, the party was still in full swing. Al’s pig-shaped cake was a success. Or seemed to be, as it was mostly gone along with the pizza. Holli and Roseidous had both put on their bathing suits. Roses was busy taking pictures.

As soon as it got dark, everyone was allowed to light a candle and send it out onto the lake.

“That’s more than 16 candles.” Holli pointed out.

“True. But come over here, we have another surprise.” Ann led Holli over to the chairs, which were now arranged in front of the TV.

Billy Jo stood up. “Squeaker squeak, squeak, squeaker squeaken.”

“Really?” Holli asked. “You already put all the video from yesterday together?”

He nodded, then hit ‘play.’

The party guests were amused for hours, as they watched the video of Holli’s first driving experience in town.

“Did you fast how fast that kid moved?” Yoda laughed.

“Hey look!” Todd said. “You can see Tyrael in the park. And there’s Bubba, too.”

***

After the movie, Holli opened gifts. She received various things, including a set of thumbscrews from Tails, a new curling iron from Bubba, free pizza coupons from the Pizza Delivery Boys, and some fuzzy dice from Billy Jo. Ann and Roses gave her a special gift.

“Cool! It’s a dagger!” Holli said, pulling it out of the box.

“Yes.” Ann nodded. “An authentic replica of Cleopatra’s.”

Tyrael hid behind Vinnie. Roseidous put Sally behind his back.

Roses laughed. “Don’t worry, it may be made out of real steel, but it’s not sharp. See?” She reached over and grabbed the blade.

“Aww.” Holli said, disappointed.

Tails took it from her to look. “Don’t worry! I’m sure we can sharpen it!”

“Okay!” They went to look for a suitable rock to sharpen it on. Katherine joined them.

The pizza boys began to put away the tables, and Stan unplugged the TV. Ann and Roses produced some trash bags and threw away plates and cups. Everyone took off their leis and grass skirts and put them in a large box.

“Another successful party.” Roses said.

“Yes, it was very good.” Ann agreed.

The three girls came back soon, having no luck finding a rock. “But we’ll find something, don’t worry!” Tails reassured Holli. “And besides, it doesn’t have to be really sharp to pop Sally.”

“True.” She glanced over at the doll.

“Hey, Holli, say goodbye to the guests!” Roses called. “It’s time for them to go.”

“Bye John! Bye Ian! Bye Silent Jim! Have a good trip back!” She waved, even though they couldn’t, as their hands were tied up again. Vinnie and Vic waved for them.

The Pizza Delivery Boys walked by, pushing their TV again. “Thanks for coming guys!” Holli told them. “I’m gonna come over to your store one day and beat TAS’s high score.”

“You’ll never beat me, evil Junior Tri-Leader! Because I am TAS-man!!” He ran by, still wearing his grass skirt.

“Please do. Maybe he’ll shut up about it.” Todd said.

“No, he won’t.” Cait argued. “He’ll just want to play even more and win back his championship.”

“Would he?”

Nothlit sighed. “Oh, stop with the questions! And congratulations, by the way. This party was not a certified disaster like all the other ones. Yet. And come on guys! I can’t move the TV by myself!”

Roses and Ann looked at each other.

Yoda picked up a rope and helped pull the TV down the path. “Bye Holli. Maybe I’ll see you driving around over by the grocery store next time they send me out for snacks. And if I do, maybe I won’t get hit by the van.”

“Shut up, Yoda.”

“Well, I guess I’d better go, too. Before the MIWC find me here. But I had a great time!” Katherine said. “Even if the decorations were fake. No offense.”

Holli gave her a hug. “See you around. Either with us, or with John, right?”

“Yep. See ya!” Katherine ran off into the woods.

The four female Tri-Leaders turned around to look at the lake. Roseidous was fishing all of the candles out of the water. He reached out to grab one and fell out of his canoe. The clones jumped in to save him. Tyrael, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’d he go? How can I try out my new birthday stuff without him?”

“He probably went back to his cabin to go to sleep. He had a bad day yesterday. And a bad night, too.”

“Aww, the poor thing. We should go make it better.” Tails smiled evilly.

Holli considered this. “Okay! Ann? Roses? Can we please? We’ll cheer him up!”

“I don’t see why not.” Ann said.

“Yay!” The two girls started off down the path.

“Hey! Holli!” Roses called after them.

She stopped and turned around. “Yeah?”

“Happy Birthday!”

“Thanks!” She grinned and chased after Tails.

***

Ann and Roses walked back to their cabin.

“Whose birthday is next?” Ann asked.

“I don’t know. You think they’ll want a party, too?”

“I hope not. I’m tired of getting up early.”

“And I’m tired of you being grumpy when you get up early.”

“Then don’t wake me up tomorrow.”

“But you need to finish fixing Al.”

“Al can wait.”

The conversation continued this way until they reached the cabin and went to bed.

Down at the lake, Roseidous finally caught all of the candles. After falling out of the boat and being rescued six times. He threw them all in the box with the grass skirts and went to his cabin, taking Sally with him.

“Ouch!” said a voice from inside the box. “He didn’t have to throw those so hard. But now that everyone’s gone I can get out. A night in this box is not a good idea.”

Tyrael appeared, untangling himself from the strands of grass. He started climbing out, but then heard voices approaching. He quickly dove back inside the box.

“He’s not still down here. We would have seen him.”

“You think he’s in the woods?”

“Maybe. Let’s check.”

Holli and Tails ran by yelling “Hey Ty! We got some extra cake for you!”

He smiled to himself. Well, maybe a night in the box was a good idea after all.

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