A Halloween Story
(or The Golden Coins)
By KittyCaro
Disclaimer: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.
Author's Notes: My nephews’ experiences and my own memories about Halloween, and Tamysan’s fic ‘Little Royals’, inspired this story. I hope you like it. C&C are welcomed.
Rating: PG for mild language.
Originally Published 10/14/2001 - Revised 2014
Author's Notes: My nephews’ experiences and my own memories about Halloween, and Tamysan’s fic ‘Little Royals’, inspired this story. I hope you like it. C&C are welcomed.
Rating: PG for mild language.
Originally Published 10/14/2001 - Revised 2014
Click on the following links to move along to that chapter.
It was a delightful October day on Planet Arus. Hunk and Allura were in Yellow Lion, on their way to the Castle of Lions, after spending the morning in the capital. The Princess feasted her eyes on the country spread below, thinking how magnificent everything looked today. Autumn had covered the foliage with its beautiful kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and browns. And the sky was a perfect blue, without a single cloud.
Off in the distance, Hunk observed the imposing Castle of Lions and its lake that lay nestled in a small valley between the rolling hills, surrounded by long-branched trees whose thick copper and gold leaves cast oddly shaped shadows over its calm blue surface.
When they broke thorough the thick line of trees that bordered its perimeter, he said, "We’re home."
Allura reached for her handbag and a white paper bag from a chocolate store. They landed a few minutes later near the castle’s doors. They came out of the ship together, blinking in the sunlight. It was a mild day, mild enough for them to go without jackets, which they had shed earlier when they were in the market. They slowly walked toward the old barn near Black Lion’s pedestal. An old stonewall bordered a smaller lawn where Lance and Pidge sat in the shade of an ancient maple.
Lance stood up. "How’s it going?" he greeted them. "Did you find you everything we need for the Halloween party?"
"Oh yes!" Allura said enthusiastically. "Hunk and I went to the party supply store, the import stores and the local market."
"Then we went to Mrs. Thoresen’s shop, to pick up our costumes." Hunk added. "She brought a new lot of vintage costumes from Terra. She has Superman, Batman, Spider Man, Wonder Woman, Cat Woman, Casper, Barney and many, many more."
"I’ll stick to my original selection," Pidge replied. "Shopping for costumes is a bear."
"I agree," Lance said. "That reminds me, where you able to find out with Bandor what costumes Princess Romelle and Sven will be wearing?"
"No," Pidge replied. "She’s handling this like it’s a secret of state, not even Sven knows."
"I bet he isn’t too happy to be left on the dark," Hunk said.
Allura looked around, and frowned slightly. "I must tell Keith that his costume will be ready by tomorrow afternoon. Where is he?"
"He’s inside," Lance answered nonchalantly, pointing at the barn. "Checking the load center."
"Thanks." Then she strode down the path to the old building. But before she reached for the door, Keith opened it. The minute he saw her, his chest tightened and he felt himself grow hot around the collar. To cover his nervousness, his sudden confusion, he coughed a few times, and then murmured, "You’re back. Did you have a good time?"
She nodded slowly and offered the shopping bag to him, feeling suddenly rather shy and girlish. "This is for you, Keith."
Flustered, he took the gift from her and stared at it for a moment. "What is it?" He asked finally.
"Open it and see," she replied, gazing up at him.
He did so, and pulled out a package of golden coins with a chocolate center. "You remembered," he whispered.
"Of course. You told me that it was your favorite Halloween treat."
"I haven’t had golden coins since I was a kid. Thank you Princess…for thinking of me when you are away…"
She gave a heartfelt sigh. "I never stopped, Keith."
The adoration reflected on her eyes told him what he wanted and needed to know. And he wanted to tell her exactly how he felt about her, but he didn’t dare. It took all of his self-restraint to remain in his place.
Keith took out his palmtop from his side-pocket and discovered to his dismay that his hand shook slightly. Whenever he was near her, she had the most extraordinary effect on him.
Allura touched his shoulder. Taken by surprise, he gaped at her.
"Are you all right, Keith?"
"Yes, why?"
"You seemed a little pale. Maybe you have been working too hard."
He shook his head. "I’m fine. Thanks. I would like to go over the final lighting designs for the barn with you."
"Okay," she said. They went into the barn together. Even though the lights were on, the place was dark and Allura blinked, adjusting her eyes to the murkiness of the interior.
"This place is very old," he said. "When I tried to open the load center, the lock just fell off."
"Yes, it is. It was built around 2050 or 2060, somewhere thereabouts," she told him.
"Think about it, princess, this barn was built more than two hundred years ago. What these walls could tell us if they could talk!"
She laughed. "I know exactly what you mean. I’ve often thought that myself."
He glanced at her and nodded, gave her half a smile and then placed the shopping bag on a dusty, old table. "Shall we go through the list?"
"Yes," she replied, placing her handbag next to his present. She took out a notebook and made a few notations.
He looked up and at the ceiling and then walked around the room, a thoughtful expression setting on his face. "The guys and I think that we could use several large-sized ceiling fixtures, such as old lanterns, something like that, plus wall sconces, in order to introduce proper artificial light. Lance drew up a sketch for the exterior lighting for the grounds. As you can see, we already replaced the main doors and broken windows."
"And then we’ll paint the barn in cranberry red, to keep its rustic charm and antiquity," she added. "Hunk and I bought the paint today."
Keith gave her a long look and was silent for a few seconds. Then he said, "That’s good, keeping the period look of the place. But what worries me the most it’s the electrical part. The whole barn needs rewiring. It obviously hasn’t been touched in years. And there’s so much else to do."
"I know." She threw him a worried glance. "You’re not saying the barn won’t be ready for Halloween, are you? The children would be so disappointed."
He stood directly before her. "No. It will be ready by then," he said in firm voice. Suddenly, he reached out, cupped her face between his two hands and look directly into those marvelous eyes of hers. His heart was hammering, and he felt almost weak in his love for her.
"Keith," she said in a soft voice, convinced that her face had turned scarlet. She was extremely conscious of her presence in the barn. He seemed to fill it with his masculinity and strength. And she loved him. She had fallen for him the first time they met.
He bent his dark head, and touched her lips with his. It was a slow kiss, delicate and filled with longing. When he finally removed his lips from hers, Allura’s hand went instinctively to her mouth. She had never been kissed, so she hadn’t known what to expect. But she couldn’t say she was displeased with the way events were evolving, quite the contrary.
"I hate to interrupt this long overdue touching spectacle, but…"
At the sound of Lance’s voice, Keith and Allura jumped away from each other and turning toward the doors, saw their teammates, wearing huge smiles.
"Pidge is desperate to see what you bought," he finished.
"What the…" Keith began.
Lance grinned mischievously at him. "He wanted to come earlier, but I stopped him."
"Capitán, you finally decided to follow your heart," Hunk said happily. "I’m so proud of you."
"I was beginning to worry about your mental health," Pidge said teasingly. "I’m sure glad everything is working all right up there."
Keith laughed nervously and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don’t know how you-"
"We would do anything to see our favorite Princess and Commander together," Lance broke in. "But please, don’t wait another two years to make it official, all right?" He waggled his thin brows suggestively. "Sven and Romelle didn’t wait that long to get engaged."
Keith laughed and squeezed Allura’s hand and planted a swift kiss upon her lips to solemnize their impending union. "I love you, Allura."
"And I love you too," she whispered, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.
And shouts of approval nearly raised the roof.
Off in the distance, Hunk observed the imposing Castle of Lions and its lake that lay nestled in a small valley between the rolling hills, surrounded by long-branched trees whose thick copper and gold leaves cast oddly shaped shadows over its calm blue surface.
When they broke thorough the thick line of trees that bordered its perimeter, he said, "We’re home."
Allura reached for her handbag and a white paper bag from a chocolate store. They landed a few minutes later near the castle’s doors. They came out of the ship together, blinking in the sunlight. It was a mild day, mild enough for them to go without jackets, which they had shed earlier when they were in the market. They slowly walked toward the old barn near Black Lion’s pedestal. An old stonewall bordered a smaller lawn where Lance and Pidge sat in the shade of an ancient maple.
Lance stood up. "How’s it going?" he greeted them. "Did you find you everything we need for the Halloween party?"
"Oh yes!" Allura said enthusiastically. "Hunk and I went to the party supply store, the import stores and the local market."
"Then we went to Mrs. Thoresen’s shop, to pick up our costumes." Hunk added. "She brought a new lot of vintage costumes from Terra. She has Superman, Batman, Spider Man, Wonder Woman, Cat Woman, Casper, Barney and many, many more."
"I’ll stick to my original selection," Pidge replied. "Shopping for costumes is a bear."
"I agree," Lance said. "That reminds me, where you able to find out with Bandor what costumes Princess Romelle and Sven will be wearing?"
"No," Pidge replied. "She’s handling this like it’s a secret of state, not even Sven knows."
"I bet he isn’t too happy to be left on the dark," Hunk said.
Allura looked around, and frowned slightly. "I must tell Keith that his costume will be ready by tomorrow afternoon. Where is he?"
"He’s inside," Lance answered nonchalantly, pointing at the barn. "Checking the load center."
"Thanks." Then she strode down the path to the old building. But before she reached for the door, Keith opened it. The minute he saw her, his chest tightened and he felt himself grow hot around the collar. To cover his nervousness, his sudden confusion, he coughed a few times, and then murmured, "You’re back. Did you have a good time?"
She nodded slowly and offered the shopping bag to him, feeling suddenly rather shy and girlish. "This is for you, Keith."
Flustered, he took the gift from her and stared at it for a moment. "What is it?" He asked finally.
"Open it and see," she replied, gazing up at him.
He did so, and pulled out a package of golden coins with a chocolate center. "You remembered," he whispered.
"Of course. You told me that it was your favorite Halloween treat."
"I haven’t had golden coins since I was a kid. Thank you Princess…for thinking of me when you are away…"
She gave a heartfelt sigh. "I never stopped, Keith."
The adoration reflected on her eyes told him what he wanted and needed to know. And he wanted to tell her exactly how he felt about her, but he didn’t dare. It took all of his self-restraint to remain in his place.
Keith took out his palmtop from his side-pocket and discovered to his dismay that his hand shook slightly. Whenever he was near her, she had the most extraordinary effect on him.
Allura touched his shoulder. Taken by surprise, he gaped at her.
"Are you all right, Keith?"
"Yes, why?"
"You seemed a little pale. Maybe you have been working too hard."
He shook his head. "I’m fine. Thanks. I would like to go over the final lighting designs for the barn with you."
"Okay," she said. They went into the barn together. Even though the lights were on, the place was dark and Allura blinked, adjusting her eyes to the murkiness of the interior.
"This place is very old," he said. "When I tried to open the load center, the lock just fell off."
"Yes, it is. It was built around 2050 or 2060, somewhere thereabouts," she told him.
"Think about it, princess, this barn was built more than two hundred years ago. What these walls could tell us if they could talk!"
She laughed. "I know exactly what you mean. I’ve often thought that myself."
He glanced at her and nodded, gave her half a smile and then placed the shopping bag on a dusty, old table. "Shall we go through the list?"
"Yes," she replied, placing her handbag next to his present. She took out a notebook and made a few notations.
He looked up and at the ceiling and then walked around the room, a thoughtful expression setting on his face. "The guys and I think that we could use several large-sized ceiling fixtures, such as old lanterns, something like that, plus wall sconces, in order to introduce proper artificial light. Lance drew up a sketch for the exterior lighting for the grounds. As you can see, we already replaced the main doors and broken windows."
"And then we’ll paint the barn in cranberry red, to keep its rustic charm and antiquity," she added. "Hunk and I bought the paint today."
Keith gave her a long look and was silent for a few seconds. Then he said, "That’s good, keeping the period look of the place. But what worries me the most it’s the electrical part. The whole barn needs rewiring. It obviously hasn’t been touched in years. And there’s so much else to do."
"I know." She threw him a worried glance. "You’re not saying the barn won’t be ready for Halloween, are you? The children would be so disappointed."
He stood directly before her. "No. It will be ready by then," he said in firm voice. Suddenly, he reached out, cupped her face between his two hands and look directly into those marvelous eyes of hers. His heart was hammering, and he felt almost weak in his love for her.
"Keith," she said in a soft voice, convinced that her face had turned scarlet. She was extremely conscious of her presence in the barn. He seemed to fill it with his masculinity and strength. And she loved him. She had fallen for him the first time they met.
He bent his dark head, and touched her lips with his. It was a slow kiss, delicate and filled with longing. When he finally removed his lips from hers, Allura’s hand went instinctively to her mouth. She had never been kissed, so she hadn’t known what to expect. But she couldn’t say she was displeased with the way events were evolving, quite the contrary.
"I hate to interrupt this long overdue touching spectacle, but…"
At the sound of Lance’s voice, Keith and Allura jumped away from each other and turning toward the doors, saw their teammates, wearing huge smiles.
"Pidge is desperate to see what you bought," he finished.
"What the…" Keith began.
Lance grinned mischievously at him. "He wanted to come earlier, but I stopped him."
"Capitán, you finally decided to follow your heart," Hunk said happily. "I’m so proud of you."
"I was beginning to worry about your mental health," Pidge said teasingly. "I’m sure glad everything is working all right up there."
Keith laughed nervously and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don’t know how you-"
"We would do anything to see our favorite Princess and Commander together," Lance broke in. "But please, don’t wait another two years to make it official, all right?" He waggled his thin brows suggestively. "Sven and Romelle didn’t wait that long to get engaged."
Keith laughed and squeezed Allura’s hand and planted a swift kiss upon her lips to solemnize their impending union. "I love you, Allura."
"And I love you too," she whispered, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.
And shouts of approval nearly raised the roof.
When the happy quintet emerged from the barn, they found piles of boxes, with bite size chocolates, bags of buttered popcorn, candy corn, lollipops, bubble gum, gum drops, party favors and wooden carts of red apples. Also, paper plates, knives, forks, spoons and napkins with funny pictures of black cats, pumpkins and witches.
"We even bought lighting extensions with cute little pumpkins," Allura said.
Lance nodded. "We’ll have those lights ready in no time."
"Hey you guys, get a load of this!" Hunk said through the P.A. system, and suddenly, Yellow Lion opened its massive maw, and dozens of pumpkins in a variety of colors and sizes rolled onto the ground.
"Careful!" Keith chided. "We don’t want smashed pumpkins."
"Hmm…think of all pies Nanny could bake for us," Pidge sighed. "We wouldn’t have to wait for Thanksgiving."
Lance picked up a medium-sized pumpkin. "And roasted pumpkin seeds," he said, "with just the right touch of salt."
Hunk climbed out from the ship. "Forget it, these pumpkins will be Jack-o-lanterns."
"Don’t worry, Hunk," Allura said, "We’ll save some for the kitchen."
"I hope you didn’t forget the carving knives," Lance noted. "We promised the kids to teach them how to carve their own Jack-o-lanterns."
Hunk removed the sweat of his brow with the back of his hand. "No, I didn’t forget," he replied, a bit annoyed. "There’s a box with kiddy-safe knives back in Yellow Lion."
"And to make them safer, we’ll be using battery-operated Christmas tree lights instead of candles," Allura mentioned.
"That’s a great idea," Pidge noted. "I always had trouble inserting the candle and keeping it in place." There was a small pause and then he finished. "Princess, I think this is going to be the best Halloween ever."
Allura exchanged an amused look with the others and then said, "I agree."
"We even bought lighting extensions with cute little pumpkins," Allura said.
Lance nodded. "We’ll have those lights ready in no time."
"Hey you guys, get a load of this!" Hunk said through the P.A. system, and suddenly, Yellow Lion opened its massive maw, and dozens of pumpkins in a variety of colors and sizes rolled onto the ground.
"Careful!" Keith chided. "We don’t want smashed pumpkins."
"Hmm…think of all pies Nanny could bake for us," Pidge sighed. "We wouldn’t have to wait for Thanksgiving."
Lance picked up a medium-sized pumpkin. "And roasted pumpkin seeds," he said, "with just the right touch of salt."
Hunk climbed out from the ship. "Forget it, these pumpkins will be Jack-o-lanterns."
"Don’t worry, Hunk," Allura said, "We’ll save some for the kitchen."
"I hope you didn’t forget the carving knives," Lance noted. "We promised the kids to teach them how to carve their own Jack-o-lanterns."
Hunk removed the sweat of his brow with the back of his hand. "No, I didn’t forget," he replied, a bit annoyed. "There’s a box with kiddy-safe knives back in Yellow Lion."
"And to make them safer, we’ll be using battery-operated Christmas tree lights instead of candles," Allura mentioned.
"That’s a great idea," Pidge noted. "I always had trouble inserting the candle and keeping it in place." There was a small pause and then he finished. "Princess, I think this is going to be the best Halloween ever."
Allura exchanged an amused look with the others and then said, "I agree."
Meanwhile, on Planet Doom…
"Enough! I can’t take it anymore!"
Witch Hagar removed her gnarly hands from her crystal ball. "But sire, you wanted to see what they were doing. How was I supposed to know that Captain Kidd would finally showed his true feelings toward the Princess?"
"That fool," Lotor sneered. "He had the audacity to kiss my Allura!"
"And not once, but twice," she said pertly.
"Hagar, I want you to create a robeast to disrupt their Halloween celebration."
"Like we did in their Space Olympics?"
"But this time I want results!" he snapped. "You have twelve hours to come up with the perfect robeast."
"Twelve hours?" She asked. "You’re so generous."
Lotor snarled, giving the witch a glare for good measure before departing. He could be heard in the hallway shouting at Morgill to bring him something to drink.
Hagar sat on her table and a sigh escaped her lips. She thought that Lotor could be very annoying at times. Still, she had to admit to herself that she gained more satisfaction from working for him that from his father. Creating robeasts for Lotor to conquer Arus and then losing them Voltron was becoming boring. But using magic to bring him some happiness was another matter.
She smiled a feline smile. It was Halloween after all.
She rose from her seat and strode toward her ample collection of magic books. The bookshelves were covered with dust and cobwebs. "Where’s that book?"
She looked at the lower shelf and smiled. "Ah! There it is." She reached for a book with a black leather cover, with the title ‘Bat Soup for the Soul’ by Dee Count, written in blood red letters. "Let’s see if you still want to ruin Princess Allura’s Halloween party after this."
Then turning to her cat Coba, which was standing by the door cleaning its face, she said, "Bring Morgill to me, and I’ll give you a delicious Halloween treat."
"Meow!" The blue feline replied, and ran away.
"Enough! I can’t take it anymore!"
Witch Hagar removed her gnarly hands from her crystal ball. "But sire, you wanted to see what they were doing. How was I supposed to know that Captain Kidd would finally showed his true feelings toward the Princess?"
"That fool," Lotor sneered. "He had the audacity to kiss my Allura!"
"And not once, but twice," she said pertly.
"Hagar, I want you to create a robeast to disrupt their Halloween celebration."
"Like we did in their Space Olympics?"
"But this time I want results!" he snapped. "You have twelve hours to come up with the perfect robeast."
"Twelve hours?" She asked. "You’re so generous."
Lotor snarled, giving the witch a glare for good measure before departing. He could be heard in the hallway shouting at Morgill to bring him something to drink.
Hagar sat on her table and a sigh escaped her lips. She thought that Lotor could be very annoying at times. Still, she had to admit to herself that she gained more satisfaction from working for him that from his father. Creating robeasts for Lotor to conquer Arus and then losing them Voltron was becoming boring. But using magic to bring him some happiness was another matter.
She smiled a feline smile. It was Halloween after all.
She rose from her seat and strode toward her ample collection of magic books. The bookshelves were covered with dust and cobwebs. "Where’s that book?"
She looked at the lower shelf and smiled. "Ah! There it is." She reached for a book with a black leather cover, with the title ‘Bat Soup for the Soul’ by Dee Count, written in blood red letters. "Let’s see if you still want to ruin Princess Allura’s Halloween party after this."
Then turning to her cat Coba, which was standing by the door cleaning its face, she said, "Bring Morgill to me, and I’ll give you a delicious Halloween treat."
"Meow!" The blue feline replied, and ran away.
Lotor returned to his chambers and lay down on his bed, talking to himself. "I will ruin their little Halloween feast. If I can’t have a good time, then no one else can."
He frowned deeply. "Allura always looks so happy when she’s in the company of those simpletons, especially Keith," he said, his voice tinged with jealousy. "I wish she could be that way with me. But I only inspire fear on her."
Moments later, there was a knock on the door, and Morgill stepped inside with a carafe and a silver goblet, decorated with black onyx.
Lotor sat up. "Why did you take so long?" he snapped. "Were you pressing the grapes?"
He swallowed nervously. "Forgive me, sire, but on my way back the wine cellar, I took a bad step and fell on my face. I brought you special spiced wine. I know you must be sorely tired from all your efforts today. This will help you sleep." Without pausing, he poured the contents in the goblet and handed it to Lotor.
"I can certainly use this." Indeed, he did need the soothing effects the wine offered if he planned to carry out his revenge. With that in mind, he downed the contents and held it out for refilling.
"Sire, I won’t let anyone bother you. If your father asks for you, I’ll tell him that you left on a recognizance mission."
"Well done, Morgill," he said, wiping a stray drop off his lips. "You’re finally using that peanut-sized brain of yours."
The officer grimaced. "I only want you to be content, Your Highness." He lifted the carafe a little. "More?"
"No, I’m nodding off even now." Lotor glanced at the clock and saw that it was only eight o’clock. A faint smile touched his lips. He used to go to bed at that hour when he was only nine years old. His mother would then come into his room and kissed him goodnight. Sometimes he missed her so much.
Then he closed his eyes and tucked his chin to his chest, and his hair fell over his face like a white cascade. "Leave now. We’ll discuss my attack on Arus tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sire," Morgill said and made a quick exit. Once outside the chamber door, he turned and saw Hagar stepping out of the shadows, with her flea-infested cat in her arms.
"Well?" she asked.
"He drank two goblets of wine," he replied. "And became drowsy."
"Excellent!" She cackled. "Everything is coming along nicely."
The Drule gave her a quizzical look. "Do you mind telling me what this is all about? Why did you switch the wines?"
She chuckled softly, and then lifted her index finger at him. "The less you know, the better, my little simp," she murmured. "I bid you good night then, and be on my way." The parting smile on the witch’s face made Morgill shivered. Maybe she had poisoned the Prince and he would be blamed for it. So he decided to scurry out of reach.
After turning out the lights, Prince Lotor did a shoulder roll onto the soft bed and lay there, sighing with intense relief, arms and legs spread out to the edges.
His white brows puckered into a frown as he suddenly remembered the amusement in Hagar’s voice earlier. In truth, everything about Allura and the Voltron Force made him angry. They were so good that it made him sick. He and his father were the villains, their subjects didn’t love them or respect them; they feared them. The only person who had loved him was his mother, but he had lost her so long ago.
He groaned softly. The wine Morgill had brought him had not helped as he thought it might; it only muddled his thoughts. His insides fluttered with a feeling Lotor could not identify. Moreover, he did not want to know what it was, for he feared it might be the need to be loved, to hear a kind word.
He turned on his left side, cradling his head on one arm. ~There’s nothing I can do to change things,~ he thought as he drifted off into sleep.
Back in her laboratory, Hagar stood before the cauldron where she had prepared the elixir that accompanied the Prince’s wine. She took a quick glance at the opened book, and then, raising her arms into the heavens, said:
He frowned deeply. "Allura always looks so happy when she’s in the company of those simpletons, especially Keith," he said, his voice tinged with jealousy. "I wish she could be that way with me. But I only inspire fear on her."
Moments later, there was a knock on the door, and Morgill stepped inside with a carafe and a silver goblet, decorated with black onyx.
Lotor sat up. "Why did you take so long?" he snapped. "Were you pressing the grapes?"
He swallowed nervously. "Forgive me, sire, but on my way back the wine cellar, I took a bad step and fell on my face. I brought you special spiced wine. I know you must be sorely tired from all your efforts today. This will help you sleep." Without pausing, he poured the contents in the goblet and handed it to Lotor.
"I can certainly use this." Indeed, he did need the soothing effects the wine offered if he planned to carry out his revenge. With that in mind, he downed the contents and held it out for refilling.
"Sire, I won’t let anyone bother you. If your father asks for you, I’ll tell him that you left on a recognizance mission."
"Well done, Morgill," he said, wiping a stray drop off his lips. "You’re finally using that peanut-sized brain of yours."
The officer grimaced. "I only want you to be content, Your Highness." He lifted the carafe a little. "More?"
"No, I’m nodding off even now." Lotor glanced at the clock and saw that it was only eight o’clock. A faint smile touched his lips. He used to go to bed at that hour when he was only nine years old. His mother would then come into his room and kissed him goodnight. Sometimes he missed her so much.
Then he closed his eyes and tucked his chin to his chest, and his hair fell over his face like a white cascade. "Leave now. We’ll discuss my attack on Arus tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sire," Morgill said and made a quick exit. Once outside the chamber door, he turned and saw Hagar stepping out of the shadows, with her flea-infested cat in her arms.
"Well?" she asked.
"He drank two goblets of wine," he replied. "And became drowsy."
"Excellent!" She cackled. "Everything is coming along nicely."
The Drule gave her a quizzical look. "Do you mind telling me what this is all about? Why did you switch the wines?"
She chuckled softly, and then lifted her index finger at him. "The less you know, the better, my little simp," she murmured. "I bid you good night then, and be on my way." The parting smile on the witch’s face made Morgill shivered. Maybe she had poisoned the Prince and he would be blamed for it. So he decided to scurry out of reach.
After turning out the lights, Prince Lotor did a shoulder roll onto the soft bed and lay there, sighing with intense relief, arms and legs spread out to the edges.
His white brows puckered into a frown as he suddenly remembered the amusement in Hagar’s voice earlier. In truth, everything about Allura and the Voltron Force made him angry. They were so good that it made him sick. He and his father were the villains, their subjects didn’t love them or respect them; they feared them. The only person who had loved him was his mother, but he had lost her so long ago.
He groaned softly. The wine Morgill had brought him had not helped as he thought it might; it only muddled his thoughts. His insides fluttered with a feeling Lotor could not identify. Moreover, he did not want to know what it was, for he feared it might be the need to be loved, to hear a kind word.
He turned on his left side, cradling his head on one arm. ~There’s nothing I can do to change things,~ he thought as he drifted off into sleep.
Back in her laboratory, Hagar stood before the cauldron where she had prepared the elixir that accompanied the Prince’s wine. She took a quick glance at the opened book, and then, raising her arms into the heavens, said:
"Bubble, cauldron, boil in glee,
Please, do this for me,
Let the Prince travel in time,
So he can be again, a child of nine."
Please, do this for me,
Let the Prince travel in time,
So he can be again, a child of nine."
On the last day of October, Prince Lotor was startled out of sleep in the wee hours of the morning by the sound of a great clamoring at the door.
He shot awake in an instant. "Who is it?" he asked in a scratchy voice.
"Please, open up!"
He rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn. "Coming," he muttered, pushing the covers. He was dressed in light gray pajamas, with pictures of little green one-eyed monsters. His little blue toes curled against the cold marble floor as he stalked across the room. Whoever was pounding had now added a high-pitched shriek, a kind of keening sound that cut off abruptly when Lotor punched in his secret code on the control panel and the door opened.
A skinny Drule boy with torn brown clothes stared back at him. He was about to demand what the matter was when the youth rushed around him and charged the room, screaming, "He’s coming! He’s coming!"
The Prince raised an eyebrow at him. "Morgill, what are you talking about?"
"I was feeding Hagar’s blue robeast and I accidentantly stepped on its tail. He became sooo mad, that he wants to eat me!"
Lotor smiled, revealing cute little fangs, for he had lost his front teeth a few days ago. "You better stay here then, we don’t want a robeast with diarrhea running around the castle, do we?" he asked mockingly.
The other boy became pale, and gasped, "No."
Then Lotor strode across the room, until he reached the window. He stepped on a stool so he could look down at the gardens. He saw his parents walking toward the hangar, followed by their court, and he sighed. "Mommy and Daddy are leaving for planet Nemon," he muttered, "our newest planet. I wanted to go with them, but they told me that I was too young."
He came down and sat, crossing his arms. Morgill noticed that his golden eyes shone with tears, but none had yet escaped to track down his cheeks. And they never will, he thought, because Drules never cry; that’s what King Zarkon always says.
"Prince, do you know what day is this?"
"October 31st."
"And what do we celebrate on this day?"
"I don’t care," he bit back.
"Halloween!" Morgill added enthusiastically.
Lotor’s blue lips tightened a bit before he parted them to answer him. "Halloween in Doom sucks! I’m tired of always getting blue oranges and robeast-shaped cookies when I go trick-or-treating. I won’t go this year!"
His page merely shook his head and released a weary sigh. What could he do to lift the Prince’s spirits? But he was right; the loot was always too insipid. He caught his bottom lip in concentration. He didn’t like to think, because he always got a headache.
Then a great idea crossed his mind. "I got it!" he chirped. "Why don’t we go trick or treating to Arus? I’ve heard they give out caramel apples, hard candy, chocolates, lollipops, toys, and gold coins."
The little Prince rolled his eyes at him. "They’re not gold coins, dummy. They’re chocolates covered in golden foil. I had some on my last visit to Bully Bonkha’s candy factory with Mommy."
"Oh yeah, the factory King Zarkon stole a few weeks ago," Morgill said dryly.
"He didn’t steal it…he said it was a ‘hostile takeover’," Lotor replied matter-of-factly.
"Anyway, Yurak could take us to Arus in his cruiser," his page volunteered.
"Hah! Are you crazy? The last time he tried to invade Arus, Voltron kicked his ass."
Morgill scratched his head. "Uh, maybe we could ask witch Hagar then. She just got these spiffy-looking coffins…"
Lotor’s face lit up. "That’s a great idea! She could even help us with the costumes too," he exclaimed. "We don’t have much time, you best get to it then. I’ll get dress and then I’ll meet you in her lab."
"Yes, Milord Prince." With that, Morgill marched away toward the door.
He shot awake in an instant. "Who is it?" he asked in a scratchy voice.
"Please, open up!"
He rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn. "Coming," he muttered, pushing the covers. He was dressed in light gray pajamas, with pictures of little green one-eyed monsters. His little blue toes curled against the cold marble floor as he stalked across the room. Whoever was pounding had now added a high-pitched shriek, a kind of keening sound that cut off abruptly when Lotor punched in his secret code on the control panel and the door opened.
A skinny Drule boy with torn brown clothes stared back at him. He was about to demand what the matter was when the youth rushed around him and charged the room, screaming, "He’s coming! He’s coming!"
The Prince raised an eyebrow at him. "Morgill, what are you talking about?"
"I was feeding Hagar’s blue robeast and I accidentantly stepped on its tail. He became sooo mad, that he wants to eat me!"
Lotor smiled, revealing cute little fangs, for he had lost his front teeth a few days ago. "You better stay here then, we don’t want a robeast with diarrhea running around the castle, do we?" he asked mockingly.
The other boy became pale, and gasped, "No."
Then Lotor strode across the room, until he reached the window. He stepped on a stool so he could look down at the gardens. He saw his parents walking toward the hangar, followed by their court, and he sighed. "Mommy and Daddy are leaving for planet Nemon," he muttered, "our newest planet. I wanted to go with them, but they told me that I was too young."
He came down and sat, crossing his arms. Morgill noticed that his golden eyes shone with tears, but none had yet escaped to track down his cheeks. And they never will, he thought, because Drules never cry; that’s what King Zarkon always says.
"Prince, do you know what day is this?"
"October 31st."
"And what do we celebrate on this day?"
"I don’t care," he bit back.
"Halloween!" Morgill added enthusiastically.
Lotor’s blue lips tightened a bit before he parted them to answer him. "Halloween in Doom sucks! I’m tired of always getting blue oranges and robeast-shaped cookies when I go trick-or-treating. I won’t go this year!"
His page merely shook his head and released a weary sigh. What could he do to lift the Prince’s spirits? But he was right; the loot was always too insipid. He caught his bottom lip in concentration. He didn’t like to think, because he always got a headache.
Then a great idea crossed his mind. "I got it!" he chirped. "Why don’t we go trick or treating to Arus? I’ve heard they give out caramel apples, hard candy, chocolates, lollipops, toys, and gold coins."
The little Prince rolled his eyes at him. "They’re not gold coins, dummy. They’re chocolates covered in golden foil. I had some on my last visit to Bully Bonkha’s candy factory with Mommy."
"Oh yeah, the factory King Zarkon stole a few weeks ago," Morgill said dryly.
"He didn’t steal it…he said it was a ‘hostile takeover’," Lotor replied matter-of-factly.
"Anyway, Yurak could take us to Arus in his cruiser," his page volunteered.
"Hah! Are you crazy? The last time he tried to invade Arus, Voltron kicked his ass."
Morgill scratched his head. "Uh, maybe we could ask witch Hagar then. She just got these spiffy-looking coffins…"
Lotor’s face lit up. "That’s a great idea! She could even help us with the costumes too," he exclaimed. "We don’t have much time, you best get to it then. I’ll get dress and then I’ll meet you in her lab."
"Yes, Milord Prince." With that, Morgill marched away toward the door.
Later that evening…
Coran left the control room, after overlooking the security detail for the Halloween Ball that King Alfor and Queen would be hosting.
The Royal Governess was in the hallway giving last-minute instructions to one of the maids. When she saw the King’s Advisor her heart turned over. He looked magnificent, caught in a glimmer of sunlight that angled in from the small high window. Dressed in a brown tunic and fawn-colored trousers, his lean body was set off to attractive advantage. His wavy chestnut hair glowed with the soft yellow lights of the sun and the most pleasant smile played on his mouth. He was only thirty-eight, and a fine specimen of a gentleman.
"Good evening, Master Coran," she said, giving him a small curtsy.
He bowed slightly. "Good evening, Miss Margaret. Are the children ready?"
"Yes, they’re expecting you in the rec room," she replied happily. "You should see the little goblins. They still can’t believe that you would miss the Halloween Ball to take them trick-or-treating."
"I just can’t say no to those kids." Then he looked at her with his serious, hazel eyes. He found the young woman very beautiful, with her mahogany eyes and long, dark brown hair, her small straight nose, her full lips and the sweetness in her expression. "Miss Margaret, could I convince you to accompany me in this endeavor?"
She blushed, but was pleased. "Why?"
He widened his eyes slightly. "Because you have a brought a new ray of sunshine into my life," he declared.
She lifted her gaze slowly. What she saw made her heart beat like the rapid movement of a bird’s wings and filled her with a strange thrill such as she had never felt before. She remembered her conversation with one of the maids. ‘Master Coran likes you, Maggie. More than that, I would say, but then I am only a silly old woman.’ She chuckled softly, then said, ‘Never doubt his honor, child, he’s a good man. He will always deal with you honestly.’
"Margaret?"
She came out of her reverie. "Even if that ray of sunshine comes from the servant’s quarters?"
He grasped her hand between both of his. "It’s the nineties, Margaret."
"I guess you’re right, Master Coran."
"Please, call me Balthazar."
"Balthazar."
"Shall we go?" he asked offering his arm to her.
"Yes."
"Coran! Nanny!" The little Princess and the children of the Voltron Force rushed forth to surround them, demanding their attention as they welcomed them.
"Coran," Allura said as she kissed him on the cheek. "Where are mommy and daddy?"
"They’re with your Uncle Cova and your Aunt Onivei attending their guests," he replied, "but they asked me to tell you to save some candy for them." How cute she looked in that costume, he thought warmly. Margaret had tried to convince her to be a storybook princess, a fairy or even a pink space mouse. But the she wouldn’t hear of it, she wanted to be a mean little witch tonight. She was dressed in a black satin gown, black boots, black cape, and a black hat. She was wearing green makeup, red lipstick, and a fake wart in her little chin.
He acknowledged the other children, greeting each by name.
Keith- the serious one of the group, was dressed as the devil, with a red jumpsuit with a tail, hooded cowl with little yellow horns, red boots and gloves. The nine-year-old boy was carrying a plastic pitchfork in his right hand. Nanny had painted his face red, with a thin black moustache and a goatee. He was the most amusing sight he had ever seen.
Next to him was Hunk, the future engineer who was always full of questions about Voltron, and other marvelous inventions. He was dressed as a firefighter, with black overalls, black jacket with yellow fluorescent stripes, a yellow shiny helmet with the insignia of the Arus Fire Department, and bright yellow boots.
"I thought you were going as Superman," Coran noted.
"I was," he replied, a thoughtful expression on his face. "But he’s only a comic book hero. A fireman is a real super hero, because he risks his life to save people, their pets, their homes, their buildings and the forests."
Coran smiled to himself. This boy was wise beyond his years. He will grow up to be a fine, honorable man. "You’re quite right. They deserve our respect and admiration."
Then a child dodged around his friends. "Sir, what do you think of my costume?"
He strode to meet the gap-toothed boy. He was the trickster of the group and thus a frequent visitor to the corner. He was dressed as a pirate, with black fringed breeches, a blue silk shirt with a red sash about his waist. There was a curved plastic sword hanging from his sash. His boots were of black leather, and upon his head was a red bandana. He had an eye patch and black face paint for a beard. Coran smiled at him, and the eight-year-old boy smiled back.
"That’s a very nice costume, Black Beard," he replied.
The pirate turned to Hunk with a smug look on his face. "See, I told ya he would like it."
"Show off," Hunk muttered under his breath.
Then looking across the room, the royal advisor saw Nanny seated in the corner holding Pidge, whose face was screwed up in frustration as he wrestled against the confining arms of the governess; he gave them a smile as a signal that all was well.
"You have done a wonderful with these children," he said admiringly.
Nanny hoisted Pidge onto her shoulder and stood. "It’s the least I can do." There was no evidence of discomfort or tiredness on her face. The love she showed these children was no less than a true mother’s. It gave Coran great comfort to know his beloved Princess and her young companions were in such fine care.
"Let me hold him." Taking the boy, Coran smiled into his chubby face. He was the littlest of the bunch, at just three years old. He was dressed as Dexter, a character from a cartoon show, with a white lab coat, black pants, black shoes, purple gloves and an old pair of reading glasses.
"Young man, are you giving sweet Nanny a hard time?"
"Yeah…’cause she won’t gimme a cookie," he replied, rubbing his little button nose with the back of his hand.
"If you promise to behave, she will give you one," he offered.
The boy’s cinnamon eyes lit up. "’Kay!" he said enthusiastically. Coran placed him on the floor while Nanny reached for the cookie bag. She handed the boy a chocolate chip cookie, and he shoved it into his mouth.
"He has been terribly fussy ever since he stopped taking afternoon naps," she stated.
In the meantime, the pirate had climbed onto a chair. "I’m Black Beard and you’re my prisoner!" He laughed menacingly, leaping off and landing next to Allura. She emitted a shriek and ran to Keith, who instinctively placed his arms around her. But they drew apart quickly, staring at each other self-consciously.
Allura turned away. She straightened her cape to cover her sudden confusion, and then reached for her plastic pumpkin and her little broom that were lying on the couch. "Sorry," she whispered.
After she had moved away, Keith, swallowing hard, swung around, and glanced at the culprit with a heated gaze. Raising his pitchfork at him, he said, "Lance! Stop clowning around!"
The boy’s triumphant smile suddenly disappeared. "Hmph! You’re no fun," he replied, turning his face away.
"I think someone in this room wants to the visit the corner," Nanny said ominously.
Lance flinched. "Geez, Nanny. You don’t have to go batty. I was only giving Kit an excuse to hug Ally."
Nanny covered her eyes in chagrin, but Coran rumbled with merriment. "By the way, where are Princess Romelle and Sven?" he asked.
"She’s probably helping him with his costume," Allura replied, a secret smile touching her lips.
"He’s going as a black ninja," Keith volunteered.
"That’s what he thinks," the little witch murmured.
At that precise moment, her cousin Romelle entered the room. She was dressed as Raggedy Ann, with a blue dress with red floral accents and a white collar with a white apron. The apron was embroidered with her name in red. She was dressed in red and white stockings with black leather shoes. Her golden hair was covered with a wig made of red yarn. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue. Her thick dark lashes grazed her painted-red cheeks. Her red lips were like a pair of unfurled petals. She smiled at them and curtsied prettily.
"Good evening, Coran," she said in a husky voice.
"Good evening, Princess. We were just talking about you. Have you seen Sven?"
"He’s right outside."
"Come over here," he called to him, "I want to see your costume."
"Sven," she prodded gently. "Come on."
"No Princess, I’m not vearing this costume in front of my friends! They’ll laugh at me!"
She stepped out and reached for his hand. "No they won’t," she sing sang.
"Come on, Sven," Lance chided. "Don’t be chicken."
"Svenny," Romelle whispered, squeezing his hand. "You don’t want me to be sad, do you?"
The little Scandinavian sighed rather melodramatically and grudgingly stepped forward. And everyone was struck mute. He was wearing a Raggedy Andy outfit, which included a plaid shirt; blue buttoned trousers, red and white stockings and black shoes. He also wore a red wig and a sailor’s cap. His cheeks were a deep shade of red and his mouth was set in a thin line.
Pidge pointed a finger at him. "Look, Nanny. Sven’s a doll."
And the pirate and the fireman burst out laughing like little trolls.
"Don’t laugh!" Raggedy Andy snapped, glaring at them. "Or I’ll kick your heads."
And knowing that he was taking judo lessons in the afternoons, they immediately stopped.
"Oh Sven," Allura cried. "You look so cute!"
Romelle wrung her hands close to her chest and her blue eyes shone with adoration for him. "Yes, he does. And he’s my boyfriend."
He gapped his mouth. "I’m not!" he cried horrified.
She smiled teasingly. "Yes, you are!"
"Not!"
"Yes!"
"Children, children," Coran said, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Cease your argument. You’re too young for that sort of thing. All right, this is the plan, two hours of trick-or-treating and then we’re going to the Halloween Bash."
And detonation of gladness shattered the room. "Yay! Hurray!"
"Okay, gather your pumpkins and we’ll be on our way."
Coran left the control room, after overlooking the security detail for the Halloween Ball that King Alfor and Queen would be hosting.
The Royal Governess was in the hallway giving last-minute instructions to one of the maids. When she saw the King’s Advisor her heart turned over. He looked magnificent, caught in a glimmer of sunlight that angled in from the small high window. Dressed in a brown tunic and fawn-colored trousers, his lean body was set off to attractive advantage. His wavy chestnut hair glowed with the soft yellow lights of the sun and the most pleasant smile played on his mouth. He was only thirty-eight, and a fine specimen of a gentleman.
"Good evening, Master Coran," she said, giving him a small curtsy.
He bowed slightly. "Good evening, Miss Margaret. Are the children ready?"
"Yes, they’re expecting you in the rec room," she replied happily. "You should see the little goblins. They still can’t believe that you would miss the Halloween Ball to take them trick-or-treating."
"I just can’t say no to those kids." Then he looked at her with his serious, hazel eyes. He found the young woman very beautiful, with her mahogany eyes and long, dark brown hair, her small straight nose, her full lips and the sweetness in her expression. "Miss Margaret, could I convince you to accompany me in this endeavor?"
She blushed, but was pleased. "Why?"
He widened his eyes slightly. "Because you have a brought a new ray of sunshine into my life," he declared.
She lifted her gaze slowly. What she saw made her heart beat like the rapid movement of a bird’s wings and filled her with a strange thrill such as she had never felt before. She remembered her conversation with one of the maids. ‘Master Coran likes you, Maggie. More than that, I would say, but then I am only a silly old woman.’ She chuckled softly, then said, ‘Never doubt his honor, child, he’s a good man. He will always deal with you honestly.’
"Margaret?"
She came out of her reverie. "Even if that ray of sunshine comes from the servant’s quarters?"
He grasped her hand between both of his. "It’s the nineties, Margaret."
"I guess you’re right, Master Coran."
"Please, call me Balthazar."
"Balthazar."
"Shall we go?" he asked offering his arm to her.
"Yes."
"Coran! Nanny!" The little Princess and the children of the Voltron Force rushed forth to surround them, demanding their attention as they welcomed them.
"Coran," Allura said as she kissed him on the cheek. "Where are mommy and daddy?"
"They’re with your Uncle Cova and your Aunt Onivei attending their guests," he replied, "but they asked me to tell you to save some candy for them." How cute she looked in that costume, he thought warmly. Margaret had tried to convince her to be a storybook princess, a fairy or even a pink space mouse. But the she wouldn’t hear of it, she wanted to be a mean little witch tonight. She was dressed in a black satin gown, black boots, black cape, and a black hat. She was wearing green makeup, red lipstick, and a fake wart in her little chin.
He acknowledged the other children, greeting each by name.
Keith- the serious one of the group, was dressed as the devil, with a red jumpsuit with a tail, hooded cowl with little yellow horns, red boots and gloves. The nine-year-old boy was carrying a plastic pitchfork in his right hand. Nanny had painted his face red, with a thin black moustache and a goatee. He was the most amusing sight he had ever seen.
Next to him was Hunk, the future engineer who was always full of questions about Voltron, and other marvelous inventions. He was dressed as a firefighter, with black overalls, black jacket with yellow fluorescent stripes, a yellow shiny helmet with the insignia of the Arus Fire Department, and bright yellow boots.
"I thought you were going as Superman," Coran noted.
"I was," he replied, a thoughtful expression on his face. "But he’s only a comic book hero. A fireman is a real super hero, because he risks his life to save people, their pets, their homes, their buildings and the forests."
Coran smiled to himself. This boy was wise beyond his years. He will grow up to be a fine, honorable man. "You’re quite right. They deserve our respect and admiration."
Then a child dodged around his friends. "Sir, what do you think of my costume?"
He strode to meet the gap-toothed boy. He was the trickster of the group and thus a frequent visitor to the corner. He was dressed as a pirate, with black fringed breeches, a blue silk shirt with a red sash about his waist. There was a curved plastic sword hanging from his sash. His boots were of black leather, and upon his head was a red bandana. He had an eye patch and black face paint for a beard. Coran smiled at him, and the eight-year-old boy smiled back.
"That’s a very nice costume, Black Beard," he replied.
The pirate turned to Hunk with a smug look on his face. "See, I told ya he would like it."
"Show off," Hunk muttered under his breath.
Then looking across the room, the royal advisor saw Nanny seated in the corner holding Pidge, whose face was screwed up in frustration as he wrestled against the confining arms of the governess; he gave them a smile as a signal that all was well.
"You have done a wonderful with these children," he said admiringly.
Nanny hoisted Pidge onto her shoulder and stood. "It’s the least I can do." There was no evidence of discomfort or tiredness on her face. The love she showed these children was no less than a true mother’s. It gave Coran great comfort to know his beloved Princess and her young companions were in such fine care.
"Let me hold him." Taking the boy, Coran smiled into his chubby face. He was the littlest of the bunch, at just three years old. He was dressed as Dexter, a character from a cartoon show, with a white lab coat, black pants, black shoes, purple gloves and an old pair of reading glasses.
"Young man, are you giving sweet Nanny a hard time?"
"Yeah…’cause she won’t gimme a cookie," he replied, rubbing his little button nose with the back of his hand.
"If you promise to behave, she will give you one," he offered.
The boy’s cinnamon eyes lit up. "’Kay!" he said enthusiastically. Coran placed him on the floor while Nanny reached for the cookie bag. She handed the boy a chocolate chip cookie, and he shoved it into his mouth.
"He has been terribly fussy ever since he stopped taking afternoon naps," she stated.
In the meantime, the pirate had climbed onto a chair. "I’m Black Beard and you’re my prisoner!" He laughed menacingly, leaping off and landing next to Allura. She emitted a shriek and ran to Keith, who instinctively placed his arms around her. But they drew apart quickly, staring at each other self-consciously.
Allura turned away. She straightened her cape to cover her sudden confusion, and then reached for her plastic pumpkin and her little broom that were lying on the couch. "Sorry," she whispered.
After she had moved away, Keith, swallowing hard, swung around, and glanced at the culprit with a heated gaze. Raising his pitchfork at him, he said, "Lance! Stop clowning around!"
The boy’s triumphant smile suddenly disappeared. "Hmph! You’re no fun," he replied, turning his face away.
"I think someone in this room wants to the visit the corner," Nanny said ominously.
Lance flinched. "Geez, Nanny. You don’t have to go batty. I was only giving Kit an excuse to hug Ally."
Nanny covered her eyes in chagrin, but Coran rumbled with merriment. "By the way, where are Princess Romelle and Sven?" he asked.
"She’s probably helping him with his costume," Allura replied, a secret smile touching her lips.
"He’s going as a black ninja," Keith volunteered.
"That’s what he thinks," the little witch murmured.
At that precise moment, her cousin Romelle entered the room. She was dressed as Raggedy Ann, with a blue dress with red floral accents and a white collar with a white apron. The apron was embroidered with her name in red. She was dressed in red and white stockings with black leather shoes. Her golden hair was covered with a wig made of red yarn. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue. Her thick dark lashes grazed her painted-red cheeks. Her red lips were like a pair of unfurled petals. She smiled at them and curtsied prettily.
"Good evening, Coran," she said in a husky voice.
"Good evening, Princess. We were just talking about you. Have you seen Sven?"
"He’s right outside."
"Come over here," he called to him, "I want to see your costume."
"Sven," she prodded gently. "Come on."
"No Princess, I’m not vearing this costume in front of my friends! They’ll laugh at me!"
She stepped out and reached for his hand. "No they won’t," she sing sang.
"Come on, Sven," Lance chided. "Don’t be chicken."
"Svenny," Romelle whispered, squeezing his hand. "You don’t want me to be sad, do you?"
The little Scandinavian sighed rather melodramatically and grudgingly stepped forward. And everyone was struck mute. He was wearing a Raggedy Andy outfit, which included a plaid shirt; blue buttoned trousers, red and white stockings and black shoes. He also wore a red wig and a sailor’s cap. His cheeks were a deep shade of red and his mouth was set in a thin line.
Pidge pointed a finger at him. "Look, Nanny. Sven’s a doll."
And the pirate and the fireman burst out laughing like little trolls.
"Don’t laugh!" Raggedy Andy snapped, glaring at them. "Or I’ll kick your heads."
And knowing that he was taking judo lessons in the afternoons, they immediately stopped.
"Oh Sven," Allura cried. "You look so cute!"
Romelle wrung her hands close to her chest and her blue eyes shone with adoration for him. "Yes, he does. And he’s my boyfriend."
He gapped his mouth. "I’m not!" he cried horrified.
She smiled teasingly. "Yes, you are!"
"Not!"
"Yes!"
"Children, children," Coran said, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Cease your argument. You’re too young for that sort of thing. All right, this is the plan, two hours of trick-or-treating and then we’re going to the Halloween Bash."
And detonation of gladness shattered the room. "Yay! Hurray!"
"Okay, gather your pumpkins and we’ll be on our way."
On the edge of a forest bordering the Castle of Lions, two small dark figures lurked. One of them looked up the hill and saw kids and grown ups dressed in Halloween costumes going to the celebration.
"We got here just in time," he whispered.
"I’m hot," his companion said wearily.
"Morgill, you said you wanted to be a dinosaur."
"Yeah, but I didn’t say I wanted to be a big purple dinosaur with a silly grin on its face."
"You should have been more specific," he replied. "Hagar said Terran kids love this character. His name is Barney and he has a TV show."
"She got back at me for hurting her blue robeast," he whined.
"Stop complaining, dimwit," he hissed.
Morgill heaved a heavy sigh and glanced at the boy. He was dressed in a black jumpsuit with attached wings and a black mask. The addition of shoulder pads and muscled chest gave him the appearance of a steely superhero. "And who are you supposed to be, Your Highness?"
"I’m Batman, from Batman Beyond."
"Can we switch costumes?"
"No!"
"Doh!"
"Come on. We must hurry. We need to get our hands on those delicious Halloween treats."
"We got here just in time," he whispered.
"I’m hot," his companion said wearily.
"Morgill, you said you wanted to be a dinosaur."
"Yeah, but I didn’t say I wanted to be a big purple dinosaur with a silly grin on its face."
"You should have been more specific," he replied. "Hagar said Terran kids love this character. His name is Barney and he has a TV show."
"She got back at me for hurting her blue robeast," he whined.
"Stop complaining, dimwit," he hissed.
Morgill heaved a heavy sigh and glanced at the boy. He was dressed in a black jumpsuit with attached wings and a black mask. The addition of shoulder pads and muscled chest gave him the appearance of a steely superhero. "And who are you supposed to be, Your Highness?"
"I’m Batman, from Batman Beyond."
"Can we switch costumes?"
"No!"
"Doh!"
"Come on. We must hurry. We need to get our hands on those delicious Halloween treats."
A villager dressed as a tramp greeted Coran, Nanny and the children at the entrance. "Welcome to Arus’s Halloween Bash! Where kids can visit the haunted house, learn how Halloween is celebrated around the universe, listen the hair-raising tales from the Headless Horseman, make masks and other crafts, participate in the costume and pumpkin pie contest, and enjoy dancing and delicious snacks!"
"Children," Coran said, looking down at them. "Nanny and I will meet you at the pumpkin pie booth in two hours. Please, stay together."
"Yes, Coran," they replied in unison.
Romelle caught Pidgey yawning. "Is Dexter coming with us? He looks tired."
"He’ll stay with us," Nanny replied.
"No, I want go with them," he said, rubbing his left eye with his fist.
Hunk removed his helmet and gave it to Sven. Then he hoisted Pidge off his feet and onto a stone. "Stay here." He leaped over and presented his back. "Climb on."
Without a moment’s hesitation, he slid his arms around his neck and hooked his legs around his waist, and they were off.
"Pidge, why don’t leave your candy in the carriage like the rest?" Nanny asked.
"No."
Allura patted his little head. "We’re going to get more candy here."
He gazed at her. "But I don’t wanna leave my new toys."
"Let him keep his bag," Lance said impatiently. "We’re wasting time."
"He’s right. The show is about to begin," Keith added.
Coran smiled warmly. "Don’t worry, Margaret. They will make sure he doesn’t lose his bag."
She glanced at him and smiled back. "If you say so, Balthazar."
The older kids smiled among themselves and then went on their way.
"Be careful," Nanny called out.
"We will, Nanny!"
"Okay, everyone, are you ready for the Trail of Terror?" the pirate asked, rubbing his hands together in glee.
Their faces lit up. "Yes!"
"Let’s go then!"
"Lance, wait!" Keith cried. "Pidgey, can’t go. He’s only three years old."
"Fine, you stay with him," he replied. "And I’ll accompany Ally."
Keith glared at him. ~No, you won’t. She’s mine~ he whispered to himself.
Allura bit her lower lip. She didn’t like to see her Kit angry. Sven and Romelle turned to Hunk and gave him a look of concern. He shook his head slowly and said, "I’ll take Pidge to the food section."
"But Coran told us to stay together," Keith countered.
"Come on, Kit. He won’t know unless you tell him, right guys?" Lance said.
"Right," they replied.
Keith’s mouth twisted in defeat. "Okay, okay. You win."
"Yes!" Lance exclaimed and ran to the haunted house.
"We’ll meet you outside," Romelle said, smiling at them as she firmly took Sven’s hand, and they followed him. An adult dressed as the main character of the movie Scream with a white mask and black robe greeted them at door. He offered each of them a clammy hand, a leather glove filled with wet sand to shake. He led them into the dark interior of the room. When he opened the door, a skeleton, painted in luminous white, danced on a string before their startled eyes.
Their host then placed their hands on a cord and told them with signs to hold onto it as they followed it through the house of horror. The cord was strung just above head level in such a way that it led through the darkened house without being in danger of tripping, falling or getting hurt. As Romelle and Sven followed their trail of the cord, cold, damp washcloths brushed their little faces and cobwebby strands of thread and crawly spiders made of cotton balls with pipe-cleaner legs touched their clothes. Moans, witches’ laughter, the clanking of chains across the cellar floor, and other weird songs added to the terror or the night.
Suddenly, Romelle felt something icky touching her feet, and she emitted a little shriek. Sven whipped around and said, "Rommy, are you okay?"
She swallowed hard. "I t-think there’s a snake..."
Sven dropped to his knees, and felt around him. He caught something and released an audible sigh of relief. It was only a piece of hose being pulled by a string.
"Don’t be afraid, It’s only a piece of hose," he declared.
"Oh, I feel so foolish," she said.
He rose to his feet. "You’re not foolish, it was an honest mistake."
She giggled softly. "You called me Rommy."
Sven blinked. It was the first time he had called her by that nickname. He felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. Thank goodness she couldn’t see him. "Yes I did," he said hastily. "Let’s continue with this trip."
"Okay, Svenny," she whispered.
Lance couldn’t hide his disappointment. He thought the Trail of Horror would be a total torment. He was about to release the string, when a lady dressed as a mummy took his hand and started him carefully down a staircase, holding on to the railing.
"Watch out for the robeast waiting at the foot of stairs. He hates little children."
He rolled his eyes at her. "Yeah, right."
When he reached the last step, he saw a robeast that looked like a giant purple fur ball, with three yellow beady eyes and a big mouth filled with crooked teeth. He decided to move closer and studied that ugly thing.
And then, a sudden mischievous streak invaded him. "You don’t look so mean to me."
Oh, he shouldn’t have said that! Because the robeast became mad and…
GROWL!
Green slime came out from his mouth, covering the foolish boy from head to toe.
"YUCK!" he cried and then ran out.
"Children," Coran said, looking down at them. "Nanny and I will meet you at the pumpkin pie booth in two hours. Please, stay together."
"Yes, Coran," they replied in unison.
Romelle caught Pidgey yawning. "Is Dexter coming with us? He looks tired."
"He’ll stay with us," Nanny replied.
"No, I want go with them," he said, rubbing his left eye with his fist.
Hunk removed his helmet and gave it to Sven. Then he hoisted Pidge off his feet and onto a stone. "Stay here." He leaped over and presented his back. "Climb on."
Without a moment’s hesitation, he slid his arms around his neck and hooked his legs around his waist, and they were off.
"Pidge, why don’t leave your candy in the carriage like the rest?" Nanny asked.
"No."
Allura patted his little head. "We’re going to get more candy here."
He gazed at her. "But I don’t wanna leave my new toys."
"Let him keep his bag," Lance said impatiently. "We’re wasting time."
"He’s right. The show is about to begin," Keith added.
Coran smiled warmly. "Don’t worry, Margaret. They will make sure he doesn’t lose his bag."
She glanced at him and smiled back. "If you say so, Balthazar."
The older kids smiled among themselves and then went on their way.
"Be careful," Nanny called out.
"We will, Nanny!"
"Okay, everyone, are you ready for the Trail of Terror?" the pirate asked, rubbing his hands together in glee.
Their faces lit up. "Yes!"
"Let’s go then!"
"Lance, wait!" Keith cried. "Pidgey, can’t go. He’s only three years old."
"Fine, you stay with him," he replied. "And I’ll accompany Ally."
Keith glared at him. ~No, you won’t. She’s mine~ he whispered to himself.
Allura bit her lower lip. She didn’t like to see her Kit angry. Sven and Romelle turned to Hunk and gave him a look of concern. He shook his head slowly and said, "I’ll take Pidge to the food section."
"But Coran told us to stay together," Keith countered.
"Come on, Kit. He won’t know unless you tell him, right guys?" Lance said.
"Right," they replied.
Keith’s mouth twisted in defeat. "Okay, okay. You win."
"Yes!" Lance exclaimed and ran to the haunted house.
"We’ll meet you outside," Romelle said, smiling at them as she firmly took Sven’s hand, and they followed him. An adult dressed as the main character of the movie Scream with a white mask and black robe greeted them at door. He offered each of them a clammy hand, a leather glove filled with wet sand to shake. He led them into the dark interior of the room. When he opened the door, a skeleton, painted in luminous white, danced on a string before their startled eyes.
Their host then placed their hands on a cord and told them with signs to hold onto it as they followed it through the house of horror. The cord was strung just above head level in such a way that it led through the darkened house without being in danger of tripping, falling or getting hurt. As Romelle and Sven followed their trail of the cord, cold, damp washcloths brushed their little faces and cobwebby strands of thread and crawly spiders made of cotton balls with pipe-cleaner legs touched their clothes. Moans, witches’ laughter, the clanking of chains across the cellar floor, and other weird songs added to the terror or the night.
Suddenly, Romelle felt something icky touching her feet, and she emitted a little shriek. Sven whipped around and said, "Rommy, are you okay?"
She swallowed hard. "I t-think there’s a snake..."
Sven dropped to his knees, and felt around him. He caught something and released an audible sigh of relief. It was only a piece of hose being pulled by a string.
"Don’t be afraid, It’s only a piece of hose," he declared.
"Oh, I feel so foolish," she said.
He rose to his feet. "You’re not foolish, it was an honest mistake."
She giggled softly. "You called me Rommy."
Sven blinked. It was the first time he had called her by that nickname. He felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. Thank goodness she couldn’t see him. "Yes I did," he said hastily. "Let’s continue with this trip."
"Okay, Svenny," she whispered.
Lance couldn’t hide his disappointment. He thought the Trail of Horror would be a total torment. He was about to release the string, when a lady dressed as a mummy took his hand and started him carefully down a staircase, holding on to the railing.
"Watch out for the robeast waiting at the foot of stairs. He hates little children."
He rolled his eyes at her. "Yeah, right."
When he reached the last step, he saw a robeast that looked like a giant purple fur ball, with three yellow beady eyes and a big mouth filled with crooked teeth. He decided to move closer and studied that ugly thing.
And then, a sudden mischievous streak invaded him. "You don’t look so mean to me."
Oh, he shouldn’t have said that! Because the robeast became mad and…
GROWL!
Green slime came out from his mouth, covering the foolish boy from head to toe.
"YUCK!" he cried and then ran out.
Minutes later, Keith and Allura came out of the haunted house, all safe and sound. They looked in all directions and they realized that their friends had disappeared.
"What are we going to do?" she asked worriedly. "We can’t go back without them."
Keith raised his chin, and a neon sign caught his attention. "We could go to the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit," he offered. "It’s right over there."
She looked up and smiled. "Okay."
They entered the exhibit and saw a beautiful woman dressed in a black flowing gown, with a wide rimmed hat and dark veil, standing by the door. She had a black parasol, even though it was dark. She gave them a slow, enigmatic smile, which made Allura’s body shiver a little.
"Who is she?" she whispered to Keith, from the safety of his red cape.
"She’s ‘La Catrina’," he whispered back. "That’s slang for a lady who dresses elegantly. In México she represents Death."
"I always thought dead was a skeleton in a black robe, holding a scythe," she noted. "I prefer this version."
"Me too," he said.
When the young woman saw a larger group of adults and their children entering the site, she closed her parasol and said in a musical voice, "Buenas noches, amigos. Welcome to our ‘Día de Muertos’ exhibit, where you can experience this Mexican celebration. I’m La Catrina and I’ll be your host tonight. Please, follow me."
The group stopped in front of a dais that was covered with paper skeletons, white candles, Mexican candies made of coconut and milk, skull mugs filled with red, orange and yellow flowers like daisies, calendulas, dahlias and mums. Next to them was plate with a chicken leg covered in mole and red rice.
"What’s that on top of the chicken?" Allura asked, making a face. "It looks like chocolate syrup."
"It’s mole. It’s chicken broth with spices, peanuts and chocolate," Keith answered. "My mom makes it sometimes."
"And what’s that blue bottle with a long neck?" A woman inquired.
"That’s tequila," a young man replied. "It’s called ‘Mata Penas’ (Killer of Sorrows) I had some on my last visit to México."
"In my country," Lady Death began, "we celebrate the ‘Day de los Fieles Difuntos’ or ‘Day of the Dead’ by paying respects to our dead relatives by creating an ofrenda, that’s an altar. An ofrenda can include flowers, photos of the deceased, sample plates of his or her favorite dishes, liquor, candy, jewelry and other personal items. Altars can be set up in cemeteries, government buildings, schools, and museums."
Allura turned to Keith and smiled. "Kit, what do you celebrate back home, Halloween or Day of the Dead?"
He gazed at her. "We celebrate both. My cousins and I go trick-or-treating in San Diego. And then, on November 2nd, all the family meets in Tijuana and we go to mass and then visit our grandparent’s graves. My cousins and I make traditional paper skeletons and my female cousins create paper flowers and bake sweet bread. My aunts and my mom prepare their favorite dishes and drinks. My dad brings my grandpa’s favorite liquor and my uncles the music. We spend the whole morning there, talking about our grandparents, while enjoying their food and drink."
"Now, we’ll talk about the Pan de Muertos (Soul Cakes)," La Catrina announced. "Early Christians used to walk from village to village begging for soul cakes made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. Because they believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time and those prayers- even those of strangers- could expedite a soul’s passage into heaven."
Then they saw a baker in his kitchen, working with a piece of dough. He took three quarters of the dough and rolled it into a smooth ball. He pressed it out to a circle. Then he pressed around the edges to form a narrow ridge like the brim of a hat, and placed it on a greased baking sheet, covering it with plastic wrap and setting it aside.
Taking the rest of the dough, he divided it into four equal parts. He rolled one of the parts into a smooth ball. Then rolled the other three strips into strips, forming knobs as you do for the ‘bones.’ He transferred the four pieces on a sheet, covered it and put it aside.
"It will take about an hour for the dough to rise. So we prepared another batch earlier," the hostess said.
The baker carefully placed the strips of dough forming the ‘bones’ across the main part of the bread. He placed the round ball in the middle to form the ‘skull’ and pressed his finger in hard to form the eye sockets. He brushed the surface of the dough with beaten yolks and then baked it at the top of the oven.
"He will bake it about 15 to 20 minutes, until is well browned and springy. Then he will turn off the oven, open the door, and let the bread sit there for about 5 minutes. Then you brush with melted butter and sprinkle it with sugar."
At the end of the exhibit, La Catrina gave Keith and Allura a piece of Pan de Muerto in a white paper bag. "Thank you for coming, Diablito y Brujita. Enjoy the bread," she said, smiling down at them.
"Thank you," they replied.
"What did she call us?" Allura asked, when the lady was between earshot.
He chuckled softly. "Little devil and little witch."
She nodded in understanding. "You know what?"
"What?"
"I’m not afraid of her anymore."
He smiled at her. "Good." Then opening the bag, he said, "Would you like some bread, Brujita?"
"Of course, Diablito," she laughed.
Author's Note: Diablito (Dee-ah-ble-tou) Brujita (Brew-he-taah) Catrina (Cah-tree-nah)
"What are we going to do?" she asked worriedly. "We can’t go back without them."
Keith raised his chin, and a neon sign caught his attention. "We could go to the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit," he offered. "It’s right over there."
She looked up and smiled. "Okay."
They entered the exhibit and saw a beautiful woman dressed in a black flowing gown, with a wide rimmed hat and dark veil, standing by the door. She had a black parasol, even though it was dark. She gave them a slow, enigmatic smile, which made Allura’s body shiver a little.
"Who is she?" she whispered to Keith, from the safety of his red cape.
"She’s ‘La Catrina’," he whispered back. "That’s slang for a lady who dresses elegantly. In México she represents Death."
"I always thought dead was a skeleton in a black robe, holding a scythe," she noted. "I prefer this version."
"Me too," he said.
When the young woman saw a larger group of adults and their children entering the site, she closed her parasol and said in a musical voice, "Buenas noches, amigos. Welcome to our ‘Día de Muertos’ exhibit, where you can experience this Mexican celebration. I’m La Catrina and I’ll be your host tonight. Please, follow me."
The group stopped in front of a dais that was covered with paper skeletons, white candles, Mexican candies made of coconut and milk, skull mugs filled with red, orange and yellow flowers like daisies, calendulas, dahlias and mums. Next to them was plate with a chicken leg covered in mole and red rice.
"What’s that on top of the chicken?" Allura asked, making a face. "It looks like chocolate syrup."
"It’s mole. It’s chicken broth with spices, peanuts and chocolate," Keith answered. "My mom makes it sometimes."
"And what’s that blue bottle with a long neck?" A woman inquired.
"That’s tequila," a young man replied. "It’s called ‘Mata Penas’ (Killer of Sorrows) I had some on my last visit to México."
"In my country," Lady Death began, "we celebrate the ‘Day de los Fieles Difuntos’ or ‘Day of the Dead’ by paying respects to our dead relatives by creating an ofrenda, that’s an altar. An ofrenda can include flowers, photos of the deceased, sample plates of his or her favorite dishes, liquor, candy, jewelry and other personal items. Altars can be set up in cemeteries, government buildings, schools, and museums."
Allura turned to Keith and smiled. "Kit, what do you celebrate back home, Halloween or Day of the Dead?"
He gazed at her. "We celebrate both. My cousins and I go trick-or-treating in San Diego. And then, on November 2nd, all the family meets in Tijuana and we go to mass and then visit our grandparent’s graves. My cousins and I make traditional paper skeletons and my female cousins create paper flowers and bake sweet bread. My aunts and my mom prepare their favorite dishes and drinks. My dad brings my grandpa’s favorite liquor and my uncles the music. We spend the whole morning there, talking about our grandparents, while enjoying their food and drink."
"Now, we’ll talk about the Pan de Muertos (Soul Cakes)," La Catrina announced. "Early Christians used to walk from village to village begging for soul cakes made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. Because they believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time and those prayers- even those of strangers- could expedite a soul’s passage into heaven."
Then they saw a baker in his kitchen, working with a piece of dough. He took three quarters of the dough and rolled it into a smooth ball. He pressed it out to a circle. Then he pressed around the edges to form a narrow ridge like the brim of a hat, and placed it on a greased baking sheet, covering it with plastic wrap and setting it aside.
Taking the rest of the dough, he divided it into four equal parts. He rolled one of the parts into a smooth ball. Then rolled the other three strips into strips, forming knobs as you do for the ‘bones.’ He transferred the four pieces on a sheet, covered it and put it aside.
"It will take about an hour for the dough to rise. So we prepared another batch earlier," the hostess said.
The baker carefully placed the strips of dough forming the ‘bones’ across the main part of the bread. He placed the round ball in the middle to form the ‘skull’ and pressed his finger in hard to form the eye sockets. He brushed the surface of the dough with beaten yolks and then baked it at the top of the oven.
"He will bake it about 15 to 20 minutes, until is well browned and springy. Then he will turn off the oven, open the door, and let the bread sit there for about 5 minutes. Then you brush with melted butter and sprinkle it with sugar."
At the end of the exhibit, La Catrina gave Keith and Allura a piece of Pan de Muerto in a white paper bag. "Thank you for coming, Diablito y Brujita. Enjoy the bread," she said, smiling down at them.
"Thank you," they replied.
"What did she call us?" Allura asked, when the lady was between earshot.
He chuckled softly. "Little devil and little witch."
She nodded in understanding. "You know what?"
"What?"
"I’m not afraid of her anymore."
He smiled at her. "Good." Then opening the bag, he said, "Would you like some bread, Brujita?"
"Of course, Diablito," she laughed.
Author's Note: Diablito (Dee-ah-ble-tou) Brujita (Brew-he-taah) Catrina (Cah-tree-nah)
Hunk entered the food section, carrying Pidge on his back. The booths were adorned with orange and black crepe paper. The villagers had setup tables with orange tablecloths with colorful cutout figures that had lots of goodies, like caramel apples, candy, cupcakes and cookies.
A huge grin erupted in Hunk’s face. "We’re in heaven," he said.
"Yeah," Pidge replied, all wide-eyed. "Please, put me down." Hunk knelt down, and his friend put his little feet on the ground.
"Don’t let go of your bag," Hunk reminded him.
"No, I won’t."
A dark-haired lady, dressed as a gypsy with a flowery orange skirt, blue peasant blouse and red scarves approached them. "Hello, little ones. We have cupcakes, doughnuts and cookies."
There were plates with spiders- made of chocolate cupcakes, with chocolate frosting, yellow jellybeans for eyes, and pieces of black string licorice for legs. Pumpkins- made of vanilla cupcakes, with orange frosting, green gumdrops for leaves and pretzel nuggets for stems. Witches- with purple frosting, chocolate chips for eyes and warts, and slices of red apple for mouths. And glazed doughnuts topped with orange and black sprinkles.
"The cookies look pretty tasty too, Ma’am," Hunk politely said.
She had batches of sugar cookies in different shapes and sizes; witches, goblins, pumpkins, spiders, owls and bats, decorated with gummy worms, candy buttons, sprinkles and colorful icing.
Hunk frowned slightly. "Everything looks so yummy, that I don’t know what to pick. What about you, Pidge?"
"I want a spider and a witch, please," he said, pointing at the treats.
The gypsy reached for a little paper plate and put the cupcakes. "Here you are."
Hunk then made a decision. "Ma’am, can I have a pumpkin cupcake, and six cookies?"
She nodded. "Of course," she replied, with a smile.
After thanking the nice lady, they left the stand. "Come on, Pidgey. Let’s find a place to sit."
"Okay," he replied, giving his chocolate spider a little lick.
A huge grin erupted in Hunk’s face. "We’re in heaven," he said.
"Yeah," Pidge replied, all wide-eyed. "Please, put me down." Hunk knelt down, and his friend put his little feet on the ground.
"Don’t let go of your bag," Hunk reminded him.
"No, I won’t."
A dark-haired lady, dressed as a gypsy with a flowery orange skirt, blue peasant blouse and red scarves approached them. "Hello, little ones. We have cupcakes, doughnuts and cookies."
There were plates with spiders- made of chocolate cupcakes, with chocolate frosting, yellow jellybeans for eyes, and pieces of black string licorice for legs. Pumpkins- made of vanilla cupcakes, with orange frosting, green gumdrops for leaves and pretzel nuggets for stems. Witches- with purple frosting, chocolate chips for eyes and warts, and slices of red apple for mouths. And glazed doughnuts topped with orange and black sprinkles.
"The cookies look pretty tasty too, Ma’am," Hunk politely said.
She had batches of sugar cookies in different shapes and sizes; witches, goblins, pumpkins, spiders, owls and bats, decorated with gummy worms, candy buttons, sprinkles and colorful icing.
Hunk frowned slightly. "Everything looks so yummy, that I don’t know what to pick. What about you, Pidge?"
"I want a spider and a witch, please," he said, pointing at the treats.
The gypsy reached for a little paper plate and put the cupcakes. "Here you are."
Hunk then made a decision. "Ma’am, can I have a pumpkin cupcake, and six cookies?"
She nodded. "Of course," she replied, with a smile.
After thanking the nice lady, they left the stand. "Come on, Pidgey. Let’s find a place to sit."
"Okay," he replied, giving his chocolate spider a little lick.
Lancey had left the Trail of Horror in haste. Several people looked at him with keen interest. The little pirate was now a wet and spitting kitten. Some kids with clean costumes laughed at him, making gestures with their hands. Lance’s hazel eyes glared back at them. ~Okay, I’m covered in green slime, so what?~ he thought hotly. ~At least I’m not afraid of facing a robeast like those ninnies!~
He decided to get something to cool off, and turning on his heel strode toward the food section. He saw a stand selling ice cream, gelatins and puddings.
A teenage boy dressed as a skeleton was in charge of the operation. He had a fridge filled with plastic glasses of lime gelatin that looked like slime, cups of ghostly chocolate pudding- with whipped topping and decorated with two pieces of candy for eyes. Behind him was a freezer with tubs of orange, chocolate and vanilla ice cream.
The skeleton noticed slime boy looking at the refrigerator and a smirk touched his face. "Would you like a slime goblet?" he asked.
Lance made a face. "No thanks," he replied tightly. "I want two scoops of orange ice cream, with spider sprinkles, gummy worms and whipped cream."
"A rotten pumpkin special, coming up!" the skeleton laughed.
He decided to get something to cool off, and turning on his heel strode toward the food section. He saw a stand selling ice cream, gelatins and puddings.
A teenage boy dressed as a skeleton was in charge of the operation. He had a fridge filled with plastic glasses of lime gelatin that looked like slime, cups of ghostly chocolate pudding- with whipped topping and decorated with two pieces of candy for eyes. Behind him was a freezer with tubs of orange, chocolate and vanilla ice cream.
The skeleton noticed slime boy looking at the refrigerator and a smirk touched his face. "Would you like a slime goblet?" he asked.
Lance made a face. "No thanks," he replied tightly. "I want two scoops of orange ice cream, with spider sprinkles, gummy worms and whipped cream."
"A rotten pumpkin special, coming up!" the skeleton laughed.
In the meantime, two booths away, Batman and Barney were planning on buying rotten apple punch.
"How much money do you got?" Lotor asked.
Morgill searched his pockets and came out with a wrinkled five-credit bill a Doom guard had given him. "Five Arussian credits, Your Highness. And you?"
He groaned softly. "Nothing, because royalty never carries money."
"What are we going to do then? We won’t be able to buy lots of goodies with this."
Lotor thought for a moment, and then said, "We’ll get the loot with hostile takeovers, like my daddy. Be on the look out for any Halloween bags or pumpkins."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"How much money do you got?" Lotor asked.
Morgill searched his pockets and came out with a wrinkled five-credit bill a Doom guard had given him. "Five Arussian credits, Your Highness. And you?"
He groaned softly. "Nothing, because royalty never carries money."
"What are we going to do then? We won’t be able to buy lots of goodies with this."
Lotor thought for a moment, and then said, "We’ll get the loot with hostile takeovers, like my daddy. Be on the look out for any Halloween bags or pumpkins."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Keith and Allura went to the game section, and found Sven and Romelle waiting in line with other kids, holding hands.
"Romelle, Sven!" Keith shouted, waving his arm at them.
They glanced back, and Sven immediately let go of her little hand. "Uh, hi Princess, Kit," he said nervously, his face red like a tomato.
"We have been looking for you everywhere," Allura said. "We were so worried about you."
Romelle smiled at her. "After leaving the Trail of Horror, Svenny bought me a ghost pudding. And then I convinced him to bring me here. What about you Ally, did Kit took you somewhere special or bought you a treat?"
Allura smiled back. "Yes. We went to the Day of the Dead exhibit and we shared a soul cake. It was delicious." Then turning to Keith, she said, "Isn’t that right, Kit?"
His brown eyes widened like saucers. "Uh, yes. By the way, what’s this line for?" he asked nervously, trying to change the subject.
Romelle giggled at the expression on his red face. He acted just like her Sven. "The Broom Dance," she replied.
"Come with us," Sven blurted out. "Please?"
And they nodded silently.
"Look!" Allura noted. "Here comes Lancey."
"What’s up?" he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Lance, what happened to you?" Romelle asked horrified.
"I faced the robeast in the Trial of Horror, and got slimed."
"Oh, when Nanny sees you, you’re gonna be in big trouble," Allura said worriedly.
He shrugged. "Don’t worry. I’m used to it."
Sven and Keith shared knowing smiles. "Find a partner, or your will end up dancing with the broom," Keith said amusedly.
"That’s gonna be tough. Girls don’t like to dance with slimy boys," Sven added, trying to keep a straight face.
Lance pointed his index finger at him. "You’re gonna pay for that insult, Raggedy Andy," he declared.
"Romelle, Sven!" Keith shouted, waving his arm at them.
They glanced back, and Sven immediately let go of her little hand. "Uh, hi Princess, Kit," he said nervously, his face red like a tomato.
"We have been looking for you everywhere," Allura said. "We were so worried about you."
Romelle smiled at her. "After leaving the Trail of Horror, Svenny bought me a ghost pudding. And then I convinced him to bring me here. What about you Ally, did Kit took you somewhere special or bought you a treat?"
Allura smiled back. "Yes. We went to the Day of the Dead exhibit and we shared a soul cake. It was delicious." Then turning to Keith, she said, "Isn’t that right, Kit?"
His brown eyes widened like saucers. "Uh, yes. By the way, what’s this line for?" he asked nervously, trying to change the subject.
Romelle giggled at the expression on his red face. He acted just like her Sven. "The Broom Dance," she replied.
"Come with us," Sven blurted out. "Please?"
And they nodded silently.
"Look!" Allura noted. "Here comes Lancey."
"What’s up?" he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Lance, what happened to you?" Romelle asked horrified.
"I faced the robeast in the Trial of Horror, and got slimed."
"Oh, when Nanny sees you, you’re gonna be in big trouble," Allura said worriedly.
He shrugged. "Don’t worry. I’m used to it."
Sven and Keith shared knowing smiles. "Find a partner, or your will end up dancing with the broom," Keith said amusedly.
"That’s gonna be tough. Girls don’t like to dance with slimy boys," Sven added, trying to keep a straight face.
Lance pointed his index finger at him. "You’re gonna pay for that insult, Raggedy Andy," he declared.
"Morgill, you go that way and I’ll go this way," Lotor said.
"Yes, Prince," he replied and hurried off.
Lotor saw a group of kids entering the Broom Dance. ~Maybe I’ll find something in there that I’ll like~ he thought deviously.
Unfortunately, all the attendants had been paired off except for him. The lady in charge of the game walked over to him, and said, "This is your dancing partner."
Lotor forced a smile and grudgingly took the broom with his right hand.
"Okay everyone," the woman said, "whenever the music stops, each boy must get a new partner with whom he has not danced before. The boy with the broom will drop his ‘partner’ and try to find a live one. The odd boy left over after everyone else is paired off must dance with the broom."
The music started. Sven danced with Romelle, Keith with Ally, and Lance with a blond girl dressed as a pink fairy. When the music suddenly stopped, they exchanged partners. Lotor was able to get rid of the broom and dance with a red-haired girl dressed as a Persian Princess, with light green clothes and a veil.
The music stopped once again, and Lance asked Romelle to dance. Sven felt jealous but realized that it was all part of the game.
Allura noticed Sven and Keith choosing different partners, but no boy had chosen her. She lowered her gaze and fidgeted with the laces of her black cape. And then saw a pair of black boots appeared in front of hers. Her eyes widened and her gaze flew up.
It was tall boy dressed as Batman…from Batman Beyond. She knew because she watched that cartoon show with her friends on Saturday mornings. But this one had bright yellow eyes like a kitty. He must be wearing magic glasses, she thought wearily.
"Hi, little witch," Lotor said, his mouth tilting in a wicked, curling smile. "Do you care to dance?"
"Hello," she said quickly, looking down at her gloved hands. "No, thank you." She suddenly wished he would go away. There was something icky about him.
"I won’t dance with the broom again," he said evenly, reaching for her hand. "Come on, the music is about to begin."
Batman slid a hand around her waist. She shivered and moved away, using a step of the dance to break the hold. He grasped her hands then, interlacing their fingers before she could resist. Stretching her arms wide, he drew them together until their lips almost met. She turned her head sharply and saw a frowning Keith dancing with a girl dressed as Pocahontas.
When the music stopped, Allura all but jumped away from him and gave a curious wee bob supposed to serve as a curtsy. Batman bowed low and grinned up at her. He ushered her back to the dais then. Just before they reached the seats, she tried to veer away from him. "Excuse me, I must go with my friends."
He smirked. "You don’t have to, they’re coming this way."
She glanced back and saw Kit, Lance, Romelle and Sven.
"Princess, are you okay," Keith asked, trying to keep his temper in check.
"I’m fine, Kit," she said, relieved.
"Who’s your friend?" Lance asked, eyeing Batman suspiciously.
"I don’t know his name," she replied. "It’s the first time that I see him."
Keith narrowed his eyes into slits. "I don’t remember seeing you around. Where are you from?"
"Bloom," Batman said matter-of-factly. "I’m from the village of Bloom."
"Funny, I didn’t know there was a village on Arus with that name," Lance noted.
Batman smirked. "It’s not my fault that you don’t know geography, slime boy."
"Hey-"
But Lotor cut him off, and turning to Allura, met her, almost nose to nose and grinned. "I’ll see you later, little witch."
The Princess drew back and glared at him, covering her embarrassment as best she could. She turned and regarded Keith who looked at Batman like he was about to pounce.
"I don’t trust that guy," Lance whispered to Keith. "He gives me the creeps."
"We better keep an eye on him," Keith said evenly.
Lotor met Morgill at the exit. "Did you find anything interesting?"
"Yes, Prince," he replied. "I saw a little kid dressed as a doctor with a bag filled with candy and toys. He was sitting on a bench with a boy dressed as a fireman."
Lotor smiled wickedly at him. "Let’s get his bag."
"Yes, Prince," he replied and hurried off.
Lotor saw a group of kids entering the Broom Dance. ~Maybe I’ll find something in there that I’ll like~ he thought deviously.
Unfortunately, all the attendants had been paired off except for him. The lady in charge of the game walked over to him, and said, "This is your dancing partner."
Lotor forced a smile and grudgingly took the broom with his right hand.
"Okay everyone," the woman said, "whenever the music stops, each boy must get a new partner with whom he has not danced before. The boy with the broom will drop his ‘partner’ and try to find a live one. The odd boy left over after everyone else is paired off must dance with the broom."
The music started. Sven danced with Romelle, Keith with Ally, and Lance with a blond girl dressed as a pink fairy. When the music suddenly stopped, they exchanged partners. Lotor was able to get rid of the broom and dance with a red-haired girl dressed as a Persian Princess, with light green clothes and a veil.
The music stopped once again, and Lance asked Romelle to dance. Sven felt jealous but realized that it was all part of the game.
Allura noticed Sven and Keith choosing different partners, but no boy had chosen her. She lowered her gaze and fidgeted with the laces of her black cape. And then saw a pair of black boots appeared in front of hers. Her eyes widened and her gaze flew up.
It was tall boy dressed as Batman…from Batman Beyond. She knew because she watched that cartoon show with her friends on Saturday mornings. But this one had bright yellow eyes like a kitty. He must be wearing magic glasses, she thought wearily.
"Hi, little witch," Lotor said, his mouth tilting in a wicked, curling smile. "Do you care to dance?"
"Hello," she said quickly, looking down at her gloved hands. "No, thank you." She suddenly wished he would go away. There was something icky about him.
"I won’t dance with the broom again," he said evenly, reaching for her hand. "Come on, the music is about to begin."
Batman slid a hand around her waist. She shivered and moved away, using a step of the dance to break the hold. He grasped her hands then, interlacing their fingers before she could resist. Stretching her arms wide, he drew them together until their lips almost met. She turned her head sharply and saw a frowning Keith dancing with a girl dressed as Pocahontas.
When the music stopped, Allura all but jumped away from him and gave a curious wee bob supposed to serve as a curtsy. Batman bowed low and grinned up at her. He ushered her back to the dais then. Just before they reached the seats, she tried to veer away from him. "Excuse me, I must go with my friends."
He smirked. "You don’t have to, they’re coming this way."
She glanced back and saw Kit, Lance, Romelle and Sven.
"Princess, are you okay," Keith asked, trying to keep his temper in check.
"I’m fine, Kit," she said, relieved.
"Who’s your friend?" Lance asked, eyeing Batman suspiciously.
"I don’t know his name," she replied. "It’s the first time that I see him."
Keith narrowed his eyes into slits. "I don’t remember seeing you around. Where are you from?"
"Bloom," Batman said matter-of-factly. "I’m from the village of Bloom."
"Funny, I didn’t know there was a village on Arus with that name," Lance noted.
Batman smirked. "It’s not my fault that you don’t know geography, slime boy."
"Hey-"
But Lotor cut him off, and turning to Allura, met her, almost nose to nose and grinned. "I’ll see you later, little witch."
The Princess drew back and glared at him, covering her embarrassment as best she could. She turned and regarded Keith who looked at Batman like he was about to pounce.
"I don’t trust that guy," Lance whispered to Keith. "He gives me the creeps."
"We better keep an eye on him," Keith said evenly.
Lotor met Morgill at the exit. "Did you find anything interesting?"
"Yes, Prince," he replied. "I saw a little kid dressed as a doctor with a bag filled with candy and toys. He was sitting on a bench with a boy dressed as a fireman."
Lotor smiled wickedly at him. "Let’s get his bag."
Pidge balanced his plate on his knees as took his first bite and his second of his spider cupcake, his features smooth and serene with enjoyment. Hunk thought that in his hunger he hadn’t heard him. He took the last sip of his rotten apple punch. "Hmm…delicious." He then took a gummy worm and put it in his mouth. "Pidge, I’m gonna buy more punch. Want some?"
"No," he replied, wrinkling his little nose. "It looks yucky!"
He laughed. "Okay, I’ll be back in a minute. Stay here."
"Uh huh," he said, licking the chocolate frosting off his lips.
From their hiding place behind a line of bushes, Batman and Barney saw the fireman walked to the rotten punch stand, leaving the little doctor. A bag of goodies was close to him.
"The fat kid is gone, Your Majesty. Let’s attack," he said excitedly.
Lotor widened his eyes slightly. "Wait, I don’t want the brat to make a scene," he murmured back so softly, he could barely hear him.
Pidge ate the last bite of his spider. He was going to continue with the witch cupcake when a tiny movement in the grass caught his eye. He placed his plate on the bench, next to his Halloween bag. Then he dropped on his knees and went under the bench. "Cheddar, is that you?" he asked. "Did you follow us?"
"It’s now, or never," Lotor said, jumping out from the bushes. He grabbed the bag and made a quick escape.
Pidge stood up, scratching his head. "I taut it was Cheddar," he said. "I was gonna give him some of my cupcake." He shrugged and reached for his plate, when he noticed that his bag wasn’t there. He whirled around and saw Batman flying away with it.
"My bag! Batman stole my bag!" he cried, his eyes filling with tears. Hunk heard his screams and went to him.
"What’s wrong Pidge?!"
"Batman took my bag!"
The older boy widened his eyes in shock. ~I’m in big trouble now! I must find our friends before Nanny and Coran find out.~
He reached for Pidge’s hand. "Come on."
"Hunk," the boy said piteously. "I want my bag!" His round face was woebegone. His eyes brimmed over with tears that rolled down her rosy cheeks. Hunk felt his heart twist within his chest, but swallowing back his own emotions he said sternly to his younger friend, "We’ll find your bag, I promise."
"No," he replied, wrinkling his little nose. "It looks yucky!"
He laughed. "Okay, I’ll be back in a minute. Stay here."
"Uh huh," he said, licking the chocolate frosting off his lips.
From their hiding place behind a line of bushes, Batman and Barney saw the fireman walked to the rotten punch stand, leaving the little doctor. A bag of goodies was close to him.
"The fat kid is gone, Your Majesty. Let’s attack," he said excitedly.
Lotor widened his eyes slightly. "Wait, I don’t want the brat to make a scene," he murmured back so softly, he could barely hear him.
Pidge ate the last bite of his spider. He was going to continue with the witch cupcake when a tiny movement in the grass caught his eye. He placed his plate on the bench, next to his Halloween bag. Then he dropped on his knees and went under the bench. "Cheddar, is that you?" he asked. "Did you follow us?"
"It’s now, or never," Lotor said, jumping out from the bushes. He grabbed the bag and made a quick escape.
Pidge stood up, scratching his head. "I taut it was Cheddar," he said. "I was gonna give him some of my cupcake." He shrugged and reached for his plate, when he noticed that his bag wasn’t there. He whirled around and saw Batman flying away with it.
"My bag! Batman stole my bag!" he cried, his eyes filling with tears. Hunk heard his screams and went to him.
"What’s wrong Pidge?!"
"Batman took my bag!"
The older boy widened his eyes in shock. ~I’m in big trouble now! I must find our friends before Nanny and Coran find out.~
He reached for Pidge’s hand. "Come on."
"Hunk," the boy said piteously. "I want my bag!" His round face was woebegone. His eyes brimmed over with tears that rolled down her rosy cheeks. Hunk felt his heart twist within his chest, but swallowing back his own emotions he said sternly to his younger friend, "We’ll find your bag, I promise."
After participating in the Broom Dance and pinning the Tail on the Black Cat, Keith, Allura and the rest went bobbing for apples, one of the oldest and most popular Halloween games.
"I’ll go first," Lance said. "So I can wipe off some of the slime from the costume."
The tub of floating apples was set on an old basketball court, where some spilled water didn’t matter. He got on his knees, with his hands behind his back, and with his teeth, tried to pick up a floating, bobbing red apple, so he could win a prize. Allura and Romelle looked on, giggling.
After fighting with the apples for a few minutes, he managed to bit one. He rose soaking wet, his clean face with a huge smile; he presented the token to the man in charge, who he gave him a package of Digimon trading cards.
"My turn," Sven said. He caught an apple in less time, and for his efforts won a little black bear. "This is for you, Rommy," he said breathlessly, water dripping from his face. She took the bear in her arms, and looked at her champion with warm eyes. She stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Svenny," she murmured.
"Y-you’re velcome," he stammered, blushing with his Princess’ praise.
Turning to Keith, Lance said, "You can’t stay behind. You must win something for Ally."
"I will," he replied, glowering at him.
Keith began ducking for apples in the tub of cold water, but they eluded them. Desperate, he looked up and locked gazes with Allura. He wanted so badly to win something for her. He shut his eyes in prayer. ~Oh please, I must bite one~
Allura noticed that the red makeup on his face was gone. She bit her lower lip nervously. ~Oh please, let him bite one~
He bent his dark head and continued fighting with the apples. And minutes later he won the battle.
"Yay! He caught one!" Lance shouted.
"You have won the pirate’s treasure," the man announced happily, and placed a cardboard chest in Keith’s hands. He turned to Allura and said, "This is for you."
She took the gift and held it close to her heart. He drew slightly away, and folded his hands behind his head; his cheeks were a deep shade of red. She opened the chest and found golden coins with a chocolate center nestled in golden tissue paper. Her blue eyes went wide with excitement. "Thank you, Kit. We’ll share this treasure, okay?"
"Uh- okay," he replied, as tongue-tied as ever.
"Let’s get some ice cream!" Lance said. "My treat."
"We better go," Sven noted, grinning conspiratorially at his friends. "Before he changes his mind."
"Just for that, you’re paying for your ice cream," Lance snapped.
Keith felt a bit better now that he wasn’t the center of attention. He turned around and started for the doors, when he saw Hunk and Pidge entering the section.
"What’s going on? Why is he crying?" he asked.
"I just left him for a minute to buy a cup of punch. When I was ready to order, I heard him screaming his head off. He says someone dressed as Batman stole his Halloween bag."
"Did you say, Batman?" Allura asked, stepping forward.
"Y-yes."
Sven bent down to Pidge’s level. "Was he dressed in a black jumpsuit with attached wings and a black mask, like the one on TV?"
"Uh huh," he answered tearfully.
"I knew that dingy bat would cause trouble," Lance said sharply.
Keith’s dark eyes narrowed in thought. "There’s no doubt, he’s the same one we saw at the Broom Dance."
Romelle knelt next to Sven, and taking a handkerchief from her white apron, wiped off the tears from Pidge’s face. "He can’t be too far. He must be hiding somewhere."
Allura could tell that he was only inches from a super tantrum. Her instinctive movement to comfort him was checked by Keith’s disapproving look.
"We’ll get you another bag," he told Pidge. "And we’ll give some of our candy."
"NO!" he cried, stomping his foot. "I want the bag Batman stole from me. He has my Lego Voltron!"
"Mr. Anders from the import shop gave each one of us Lego Voltrons," Hunk volunteered.
"And you know how much he loves to play with Lego blocks," Lance noted.
"We must act quickly," Sven said, gazing at his watch. "Our meeting with Coran and Nanny will be in thirty minutes."
Pidge stared at Allura for several seconds, his lower lip quivering slightly. "Don’t worry, Pidgey. I’ll find Batman," she said, and hurried off.
"Princess, wait!" Keith called out. "Come back!"
"I’ll go first," Lance said. "So I can wipe off some of the slime from the costume."
The tub of floating apples was set on an old basketball court, where some spilled water didn’t matter. He got on his knees, with his hands behind his back, and with his teeth, tried to pick up a floating, bobbing red apple, so he could win a prize. Allura and Romelle looked on, giggling.
After fighting with the apples for a few minutes, he managed to bit one. He rose soaking wet, his clean face with a huge smile; he presented the token to the man in charge, who he gave him a package of Digimon trading cards.
"My turn," Sven said. He caught an apple in less time, and for his efforts won a little black bear. "This is for you, Rommy," he said breathlessly, water dripping from his face. She took the bear in her arms, and looked at her champion with warm eyes. She stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Svenny," she murmured.
"Y-you’re velcome," he stammered, blushing with his Princess’ praise.
Turning to Keith, Lance said, "You can’t stay behind. You must win something for Ally."
"I will," he replied, glowering at him.
Keith began ducking for apples in the tub of cold water, but they eluded them. Desperate, he looked up and locked gazes with Allura. He wanted so badly to win something for her. He shut his eyes in prayer. ~Oh please, I must bite one~
Allura noticed that the red makeup on his face was gone. She bit her lower lip nervously. ~Oh please, let him bite one~
He bent his dark head and continued fighting with the apples. And minutes later he won the battle.
"Yay! He caught one!" Lance shouted.
"You have won the pirate’s treasure," the man announced happily, and placed a cardboard chest in Keith’s hands. He turned to Allura and said, "This is for you."
She took the gift and held it close to her heart. He drew slightly away, and folded his hands behind his head; his cheeks were a deep shade of red. She opened the chest and found golden coins with a chocolate center nestled in golden tissue paper. Her blue eyes went wide with excitement. "Thank you, Kit. We’ll share this treasure, okay?"
"Uh- okay," he replied, as tongue-tied as ever.
"Let’s get some ice cream!" Lance said. "My treat."
"We better go," Sven noted, grinning conspiratorially at his friends. "Before he changes his mind."
"Just for that, you’re paying for your ice cream," Lance snapped.
Keith felt a bit better now that he wasn’t the center of attention. He turned around and started for the doors, when he saw Hunk and Pidge entering the section.
"What’s going on? Why is he crying?" he asked.
"I just left him for a minute to buy a cup of punch. When I was ready to order, I heard him screaming his head off. He says someone dressed as Batman stole his Halloween bag."
"Did you say, Batman?" Allura asked, stepping forward.
"Y-yes."
Sven bent down to Pidge’s level. "Was he dressed in a black jumpsuit with attached wings and a black mask, like the one on TV?"
"Uh huh," he answered tearfully.
"I knew that dingy bat would cause trouble," Lance said sharply.
Keith’s dark eyes narrowed in thought. "There’s no doubt, he’s the same one we saw at the Broom Dance."
Romelle knelt next to Sven, and taking a handkerchief from her white apron, wiped off the tears from Pidge’s face. "He can’t be too far. He must be hiding somewhere."
Allura could tell that he was only inches from a super tantrum. Her instinctive movement to comfort him was checked by Keith’s disapproving look.
"We’ll get you another bag," he told Pidge. "And we’ll give some of our candy."
"NO!" he cried, stomping his foot. "I want the bag Batman stole from me. He has my Lego Voltron!"
"Mr. Anders from the import shop gave each one of us Lego Voltrons," Hunk volunteered.
"And you know how much he loves to play with Lego blocks," Lance noted.
"We must act quickly," Sven said, gazing at his watch. "Our meeting with Coran and Nanny will be in thirty minutes."
Pidge stared at Allura for several seconds, his lower lip quivering slightly. "Don’t worry, Pidgey. I’ll find Batman," she said, and hurried off.
"Princess, wait!" Keith called out. "Come back!"
Allura was angry and tired. She had looked about the encampment for Batman. He probably had eaten half of Pidge’s bounty by now, she thought warily. She was sure Nanny would ground her and her friends for at least a month.
She spotted him talking to someone dressed as Barney the Dinosaur. Then she saw him entering the Headless Horseman Theater. She lifted her skirts and went after him.
A sheet stretched across an archway between two rooms providing the storyteller the perfect setting for his hair-raising tales. The audience sat in the darkened room on one side, while he and the actors stood on the other side where a spotlight threw their shadows on the sheet.
Her eyes adjusted to the dim light, and she discovered Batman sitting on the last row eating Pidge’s candy. She couldn’t contain her anger any longer and marched toward he sat.
Lotor smirked. He was really enjoying the tales of horror, they were funnier than the ones Hagar told. He reached into the bag, when he heard someone clearing her throat. He glanced up and saw his dancing partner.
"Hello again, witch."
The blue eyes glared back at him. "What do you think you’re doing?"
"Listening to the Headless Horseman while eating chocolates," he replied. "Do you want some? The ones with almonds are the best."
She shook her head. "That bag isn’t yours."
He smiled. "And how do you know? Did you see it in your little crystal ball?"
"That bag belongs to a friend of mine. You must give it back."
He laughed softly. "You’re crazy."
"You’re a thief," she hissed.
"Hush," he said, taking her hand and forcing her to take a seat. "I’m not a thief. It was only a…hostile takeover."
She gave him a questioning look. "A hostile-"
"Yes," he said, unwrapping a piece of bubble gum. "His owner was more interested in something else, so I took the bag from him."
"I don’t care what you call it, you must return it."
He dropped the wrapper on the floor. "I don’t have to do anything, silly witch."
She stared at him. "What you’re doing is wrong, and you know it. You can be good, if you really try."
He rolled his eyes at her. "Go away."
"I’m not leaving until you give me the bag," she said defiantly.
"Then I’ll leave," he said, rising from his seat.
"Wait!"
Lotor marched into the stable, and stopped near a group of empty stalls filled with fresh straw. Who does she think she is? He thought furiously. No one can tell Prince Lotor what to do! The Halloween bag was his and he was going to keep it!
He turned to the doors. "Where’s Morgill? He was supposed to be here by now. Hagar told us that she would be picking us in half an hour."
He had never met a girl like that little witch. She could have gone to her parents and tell him what he had done. But instead she had looked for him to convince him to return the bag. He felt a bit guilty for stealing it, but not so guilty that he would returned it.
He opened the bag and looked inside. He didn’t feel like eating candy anymore. For the first time in his life he wanted to something good for a stranger, even if she was a silly girl dressed as witch.
She spotted him talking to someone dressed as Barney the Dinosaur. Then she saw him entering the Headless Horseman Theater. She lifted her skirts and went after him.
A sheet stretched across an archway between two rooms providing the storyteller the perfect setting for his hair-raising tales. The audience sat in the darkened room on one side, while he and the actors stood on the other side where a spotlight threw their shadows on the sheet.
Her eyes adjusted to the dim light, and she discovered Batman sitting on the last row eating Pidge’s candy. She couldn’t contain her anger any longer and marched toward he sat.
Lotor smirked. He was really enjoying the tales of horror, they were funnier than the ones Hagar told. He reached into the bag, when he heard someone clearing her throat. He glanced up and saw his dancing partner.
"Hello again, witch."
The blue eyes glared back at him. "What do you think you’re doing?"
"Listening to the Headless Horseman while eating chocolates," he replied. "Do you want some? The ones with almonds are the best."
She shook her head. "That bag isn’t yours."
He smiled. "And how do you know? Did you see it in your little crystal ball?"
"That bag belongs to a friend of mine. You must give it back."
He laughed softly. "You’re crazy."
"You’re a thief," she hissed.
"Hush," he said, taking her hand and forcing her to take a seat. "I’m not a thief. It was only a…hostile takeover."
She gave him a questioning look. "A hostile-"
"Yes," he said, unwrapping a piece of bubble gum. "His owner was more interested in something else, so I took the bag from him."
"I don’t care what you call it, you must return it."
He dropped the wrapper on the floor. "I don’t have to do anything, silly witch."
She stared at him. "What you’re doing is wrong, and you know it. You can be good, if you really try."
He rolled his eyes at her. "Go away."
"I’m not leaving until you give me the bag," she said defiantly.
"Then I’ll leave," he said, rising from his seat.
"Wait!"
Lotor marched into the stable, and stopped near a group of empty stalls filled with fresh straw. Who does she think she is? He thought furiously. No one can tell Prince Lotor what to do! The Halloween bag was his and he was going to keep it!
He turned to the doors. "Where’s Morgill? He was supposed to be here by now. Hagar told us that she would be picking us in half an hour."
He had never met a girl like that little witch. She could have gone to her parents and tell him what he had done. But instead she had looked for him to convince him to return the bag. He felt a bit guilty for stealing it, but not so guilty that he would returned it.
He opened the bag and looked inside. He didn’t feel like eating candy anymore. For the first time in his life he wanted to something good for a stranger, even if she was a silly girl dressed as witch.
The Princess glanced around at the neat Halloween crafts the ladies of the village have created. But she wasn’t really interested on their work…she just didn’t have the courage to tell Pidge that she had failed. She sat on a bench, and placed the treasure chest on her lap. Kit and her friends must be looking for her, she thought sadly.
At one point in her silent perusal her eyes accidentally met Batman’s. He still held the bag of goodies in his hand. He no longer seemed annoyed with her, but his yellow eyes were glinting in a very weird manner. He strode toward her and dropped the bag with a dramatic thud. "Here’s the bag, you silly witch."
She felt her face reddened with embarrassment. "Don’t you dare call me a witch," she said. "I’m a princess, not a witch."
He smirked. "You sure don’t look like one, with that green makeup."
Allura checked the impulse to run her palms down the sides of her black dress. She refused to let Batman see how nervous he made her. "You shouldn’t have taken my friend’s bag. He wouldn’t stop crying until my friends promised to give him part of their loot."
He suddenly turned serious. "It’s just that…I didn’t have enough money to buy candy."
"Why didn’t you ask your parents to give you some?"
"They’re not here. I came with my," he caught himself before it was too late. "Friend."
"You mean Barney the Dinosaur?"
"Yes."
"You’re not from this planet, are you?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Because I always get A’s in Geography. And I’m sure there isn’t a village called Bloom on Arus."
"You’re right, I made that up."
"And another thing- you have yellow eyes, like a cat."
He turned to her and smiled. "You’re pretty smart…for a girl."
She made a face at him. "That’s not funny, Batman!"
"It is for me," he laughed.
"Tell you what," she said. "I will tell my friends that I found the bag here and you were gone, on one condition."
"What?"
She smiled. "That you tell me your name."
"Oh no, Batman never reveals his truth identity."
"But you’re not Batman."
"Yes, I am."
"You’re not."
"I am!"
"Not!"
Allura giggled. She couldn’t help it. Lotor smiled, for he had not heard the sound of laughter from her throat. She wasn't like the boring princesses he had to sit down with when he accompanies his parents to royal functions. ~When I grow up, I’ll come back and marry her~
"Okay, I’ll tell you my name if you tell me yours."
She nodded. "It’s a deal!"
"You go first," he said.
"My name is-"
At that precise moment, Barney burst into the tent. "We must go! They’re looking for us!"
Lotor rose from his seat. "Are you sure?!"
"Yes! Please, hurry!"
Allura looked up, her lovely green face serious. "Why do you have to leave so soon?"
"I can’t explain," he said. "I must go home. Here, take the bag."
She arose to face him. "I can’t let you go empty-handed. Take my treasure chest. It has golden coins with a chocolate center. They’re delicious."
"But…" he was speechless. Only his mommy had ever done anything nice for him. He was a thief. Yet this girl was parting with what obviously was a special treat.
"I think I shall go out through the main entrance, while you and Barney escape through the back door." She had recognized his surprise, and sought to cover it over and make him comfortable again.
"Okay," he said, "you do that." He cast a sidewise glance at her. Gods! If she was lovely with that green makeup, she must be super beautiful underneath. With a terrible sinking feeling Lotor realized that the impossible had happened. For the first time in his life he liked a girl. He liked this witch. How had it happened? Perhaps he should have done what Morgill had suggested, take the loot and run into the forest to meet Hagar, where he wouldn’t have been exposed to her beauty, intelligence and kindness. But it was too late now. He liked this girl and he didn’t know her name. And he was going to be certain that she didn’t know his.
"Thank you, for the chocolate," he said softly.
She offered him a smile. "You’re welcome. Now go!"
"Goodbye, little witch."
"Goodbye, Batman."
At one point in her silent perusal her eyes accidentally met Batman’s. He still held the bag of goodies in his hand. He no longer seemed annoyed with her, but his yellow eyes were glinting in a very weird manner. He strode toward her and dropped the bag with a dramatic thud. "Here’s the bag, you silly witch."
She felt her face reddened with embarrassment. "Don’t you dare call me a witch," she said. "I’m a princess, not a witch."
He smirked. "You sure don’t look like one, with that green makeup."
Allura checked the impulse to run her palms down the sides of her black dress. She refused to let Batman see how nervous he made her. "You shouldn’t have taken my friend’s bag. He wouldn’t stop crying until my friends promised to give him part of their loot."
He suddenly turned serious. "It’s just that…I didn’t have enough money to buy candy."
"Why didn’t you ask your parents to give you some?"
"They’re not here. I came with my," he caught himself before it was too late. "Friend."
"You mean Barney the Dinosaur?"
"Yes."
"You’re not from this planet, are you?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Because I always get A’s in Geography. And I’m sure there isn’t a village called Bloom on Arus."
"You’re right, I made that up."
"And another thing- you have yellow eyes, like a cat."
He turned to her and smiled. "You’re pretty smart…for a girl."
She made a face at him. "That’s not funny, Batman!"
"It is for me," he laughed.
"Tell you what," she said. "I will tell my friends that I found the bag here and you were gone, on one condition."
"What?"
She smiled. "That you tell me your name."
"Oh no, Batman never reveals his truth identity."
"But you’re not Batman."
"Yes, I am."
"You’re not."
"I am!"
"Not!"
Allura giggled. She couldn’t help it. Lotor smiled, for he had not heard the sound of laughter from her throat. She wasn't like the boring princesses he had to sit down with when he accompanies his parents to royal functions. ~When I grow up, I’ll come back and marry her~
"Okay, I’ll tell you my name if you tell me yours."
She nodded. "It’s a deal!"
"You go first," he said.
"My name is-"
At that precise moment, Barney burst into the tent. "We must go! They’re looking for us!"
Lotor rose from his seat. "Are you sure?!"
"Yes! Please, hurry!"
Allura looked up, her lovely green face serious. "Why do you have to leave so soon?"
"I can’t explain," he said. "I must go home. Here, take the bag."
She arose to face him. "I can’t let you go empty-handed. Take my treasure chest. It has golden coins with a chocolate center. They’re delicious."
"But…" he was speechless. Only his mommy had ever done anything nice for him. He was a thief. Yet this girl was parting with what obviously was a special treat.
"I think I shall go out through the main entrance, while you and Barney escape through the back door." She had recognized his surprise, and sought to cover it over and make him comfortable again.
"Okay," he said, "you do that." He cast a sidewise glance at her. Gods! If she was lovely with that green makeup, she must be super beautiful underneath. With a terrible sinking feeling Lotor realized that the impossible had happened. For the first time in his life he liked a girl. He liked this witch. How had it happened? Perhaps he should have done what Morgill had suggested, take the loot and run into the forest to meet Hagar, where he wouldn’t have been exposed to her beauty, intelligence and kindness. But it was too late now. He liked this girl and he didn’t know her name. And he was going to be certain that she didn’t know his.
"Thank you, for the chocolate," he said softly.
She offered him a smile. "You’re welcome. Now go!"
"Goodbye, little witch."
"Goodbye, Batman."
When she made sure that Batman and Barney had left, she reached for the elusive bag and walked outside, and met with her friends. By now, Keith’s face matched the color of his costume. He ran to Allura and said, "Ally, are you all right?"
"I’m fine," she replied nervously.
He released a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."
"My bag!" Pidge cried. "You found it! Thank you, Princess!"
"Yes, I went to see the horses and found it underneath some straw. All your toys are in there. I think Batman only ate two chocolate bars with almonds and bag of gummy bears."
"Oh cousin," Romelle sighed. "I’m glad you’re okay. Come on, let’s go and meet Coran and Nanny at the pumpkin pie contest."
"Uh huh."
Keith noticed that she didn’t have the treasure chest. "Where’s the box of chocolates that I gave you?"
Allura bit her lower lip. "I gave it away."
"What?!" he cried.
She swallowed hard. "Don’t be angry, Kit. I had to do it."
"Who has it?" he demanded.
"B-batman." She just couldn’t lie to him.
"Ally," Romelle gasped, her hands flying to her face.
"Princess, what’s wrong with you?" Lance asked. "Have you gone crazy?!"
Sven frowned deeply. "He probably forced her to give him the chocolates," he volunteered.
"No, he didn’t," Allura stated.
"He’s an evil guy!" Keith shouted. "He stole Pidge’s bag and didn’t care about his feelings. How could you do that?"
"Come on, you guys," Hunk broke in. "Leave her alone."
"It’s all right, Hunk," she said. "I shouldn’t have given him the chocolates. But I felt bad for him. He had traveled from a far away planet and didn’t have any money to buy treats."
"He could have gone trick-or-treating," Lance noted. "Like we did."
"But trick-or-treating in this part of the kingdom is from 5 to 7. And he got here very late."
"The perfect excuse," he replied.
She looked up at Keith and said, "Do you forgive me?"
He swallowed hard. She couldn’t help being so nice. She had a heart the size of a castle. "I forgive you, Princess, if you forgive me for shouting at you."
"I do," feeling the heat in her cheeks.
"They’re gonna get married someday," Lance whispered to Hunk. "I just know it."
"Kit likes Ally," Romelle said softly. "Svenny told me so."
"What?!" Keith squeaked. "Is that true, Sven?"
"I did not! I swear!"
She narrowed her eyes into little slits. "Yes, you did, Svenny. On your last visit to my castle. We were eating watermelon in the garden-"
"It was cantaloupe, not watermelons."
"Ha! I got you!" she said triumphantly.
He winced. "Dang!"
Hunk glanced at Lance. "Here we go again," he said amusedly
"Just imagine what’s gonna be like when they’re really old, like twenty-five," he replied.
"Worse, I suppose."
"I want a witch cupcake," a little voice said behind them.
Hunk chuckled softly. "Okay, Pidgey. Let’s see if there are any left."
"I’m fine," she replied nervously.
He released a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."
"My bag!" Pidge cried. "You found it! Thank you, Princess!"
"Yes, I went to see the horses and found it underneath some straw. All your toys are in there. I think Batman only ate two chocolate bars with almonds and bag of gummy bears."
"Oh cousin," Romelle sighed. "I’m glad you’re okay. Come on, let’s go and meet Coran and Nanny at the pumpkin pie contest."
"Uh huh."
Keith noticed that she didn’t have the treasure chest. "Where’s the box of chocolates that I gave you?"
Allura bit her lower lip. "I gave it away."
"What?!" he cried.
She swallowed hard. "Don’t be angry, Kit. I had to do it."
"Who has it?" he demanded.
"B-batman." She just couldn’t lie to him.
"Ally," Romelle gasped, her hands flying to her face.
"Princess, what’s wrong with you?" Lance asked. "Have you gone crazy?!"
Sven frowned deeply. "He probably forced her to give him the chocolates," he volunteered.
"No, he didn’t," Allura stated.
"He’s an evil guy!" Keith shouted. "He stole Pidge’s bag and didn’t care about his feelings. How could you do that?"
"Come on, you guys," Hunk broke in. "Leave her alone."
"It’s all right, Hunk," she said. "I shouldn’t have given him the chocolates. But I felt bad for him. He had traveled from a far away planet and didn’t have any money to buy treats."
"He could have gone trick-or-treating," Lance noted. "Like we did."
"But trick-or-treating in this part of the kingdom is from 5 to 7. And he got here very late."
"The perfect excuse," he replied.
She looked up at Keith and said, "Do you forgive me?"
He swallowed hard. She couldn’t help being so nice. She had a heart the size of a castle. "I forgive you, Princess, if you forgive me for shouting at you."
"I do," feeling the heat in her cheeks.
"They’re gonna get married someday," Lance whispered to Hunk. "I just know it."
"Kit likes Ally," Romelle said softly. "Svenny told me so."
"What?!" Keith squeaked. "Is that true, Sven?"
"I did not! I swear!"
She narrowed her eyes into little slits. "Yes, you did, Svenny. On your last visit to my castle. We were eating watermelon in the garden-"
"It was cantaloupe, not watermelons."
"Ha! I got you!" she said triumphantly.
He winced. "Dang!"
Hunk glanced at Lance. "Here we go again," he said amusedly
"Just imagine what’s gonna be like when they’re really old, like twenty-five," he replied.
"Worse, I suppose."
"I want a witch cupcake," a little voice said behind them.
Hunk chuckled softly. "Okay, Pidgey. Let’s see if there are any left."
For an instant, Lotor was flying among the stars, the aroma of chocolate overwhelming his senses.
His bed seemed to lurch wildly, and he awoke with a start. He grabbed at the headboard as the clock on the table gave a loud buzzing sound. He sat up and gazed dumbly about the bedchamber, and thunder sounded like muted laser overhead.
"What a strange dream," he whispered. He smoothed back his hair, then kneaded his bloodshot eyes. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stared down at himself. He was still wearing his blue uniform. He rose slowly, aware of a dull hammering in his head. He drew a deep breath to steady himself and made his way carefully to the bathroom. He leaned over the sink for a few minutes, splashing warm water over his face. He eventually looked to the mirror, but his white hair and cerulean skin remained blurred by condensation. After drying off, he left for Hagar’s laboratory.
The door automatically, opened, and Lotor entered to find the witch reading a black book on her desk.
"Good morning, sire," she said, her raspy voice obnoxiously cheerful. "How delightful to see you this early."
He gazed at her, not speaking.
She glanced up at him. "You must have been partying till the wee hours of the morning that you didn’t have time to change into a clean uniform," she said, seemingly blind to his discomfort.
"Where’s the robeast that I ordered?"
She returned to her book. "It’s ready, Milord. Do you still want to use it?"
"Of course!" he snapped, shoving instinctively his hand into his pocket. "I wouldn’t be here if-"
"If what?" she asked, turning the pages.
He took out his hand, and saw a golden coin. ~Where did this come from?~ he thought wildly, as his face went pale.
Hagar regarded him with deep interest. "Are you all right, Lotor?"
The Prince gazed down at her a moment, a confused expression in his eyes. "I thought it was a dream," he said softly.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice filled with pride as well as amusement.
He swallowed convulsively, and for a moment could not trust himself to speak. He clasped the coin in his hand. "Nothing."
"Have you changed your campaign plans, sire?"
Hagar’s question hung unanswered for a few minutes. "Yes, no," he whispered, his face draining of color. The witch had played a cruel jest upon him, but he couldn’t let her know how much it affected him.
"We’ll wait," he said firmly. "I want to be sure all conditions are right."
She merely smiled at him and leaned against the table. "Then off with you, timid prince, I have much to do."
There was a suddenly silence, broken only by the sound of his retreating footsteps, amazingly crisp and controlled despite his great weight. The moment the door closed behind him, he released a sigh of relief. "Allura gave me the golden coins, even though I have done something wrong. You can be good if you want to, she said. Well, I’m going to try."
And with a smile on his face, Prince Lotor went to the throne room to face his father, and into a new and better life.
THE END
His bed seemed to lurch wildly, and he awoke with a start. He grabbed at the headboard as the clock on the table gave a loud buzzing sound. He sat up and gazed dumbly about the bedchamber, and thunder sounded like muted laser overhead.
"What a strange dream," he whispered. He smoothed back his hair, then kneaded his bloodshot eyes. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stared down at himself. He was still wearing his blue uniform. He rose slowly, aware of a dull hammering in his head. He drew a deep breath to steady himself and made his way carefully to the bathroom. He leaned over the sink for a few minutes, splashing warm water over his face. He eventually looked to the mirror, but his white hair and cerulean skin remained blurred by condensation. After drying off, he left for Hagar’s laboratory.
The door automatically, opened, and Lotor entered to find the witch reading a black book on her desk.
"Good morning, sire," she said, her raspy voice obnoxiously cheerful. "How delightful to see you this early."
He gazed at her, not speaking.
She glanced up at him. "You must have been partying till the wee hours of the morning that you didn’t have time to change into a clean uniform," she said, seemingly blind to his discomfort.
"Where’s the robeast that I ordered?"
She returned to her book. "It’s ready, Milord. Do you still want to use it?"
"Of course!" he snapped, shoving instinctively his hand into his pocket. "I wouldn’t be here if-"
"If what?" she asked, turning the pages.
He took out his hand, and saw a golden coin. ~Where did this come from?~ he thought wildly, as his face went pale.
Hagar regarded him with deep interest. "Are you all right, Lotor?"
The Prince gazed down at her a moment, a confused expression in his eyes. "I thought it was a dream," he said softly.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice filled with pride as well as amusement.
He swallowed convulsively, and for a moment could not trust himself to speak. He clasped the coin in his hand. "Nothing."
"Have you changed your campaign plans, sire?"
Hagar’s question hung unanswered for a few minutes. "Yes, no," he whispered, his face draining of color. The witch had played a cruel jest upon him, but he couldn’t let her know how much it affected him.
"We’ll wait," he said firmly. "I want to be sure all conditions are right."
She merely smiled at him and leaned against the table. "Then off with you, timid prince, I have much to do."
There was a suddenly silence, broken only by the sound of his retreating footsteps, amazingly crisp and controlled despite his great weight. The moment the door closed behind him, he released a sigh of relief. "Allura gave me the golden coins, even though I have done something wrong. You can be good if you want to, she said. Well, I’m going to try."
And with a smile on his face, Prince Lotor went to the throne room to face his father, and into a new and better life.
THE END
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