Wheeler always got excited about holidays. He usually went overboard decorating the Planeteer's shared quarters on Hope Island. Halloween was no exception. Their living room was covered in fake spider webs, bubbling cauldrons, and phony tombstones- not to mention a large variety of electronic gadgets that made spooky noises when a person got too close.
As Wheeler was hanging yet another fake ghost from the ceiling, the other Planeteers walked into the room. Gi and Linka were walking close, whispering and giggling with one another, but they stopped abruptly and looked up at Wheeler who was still standing on the ladder.
The sheer amount of decorations was rather overwhelming to the others. An electronic cackling witch sent Suchi into a frenzy, much to the amusement of the Planeteers.
"It's okay," Ma-ti said soothingly. "It's just a decoration." The monkey stared angrily at the statue for another moment before resuming his usual spot on Ma-ti's shoulder.
"Don't you think you have enough decorations yet?" Gi asked.
"I just want to set the right mood for our big Halloween party." Wheeler answered. "So, Linka, did you think of a costume yet?" Wheeler grinned flirtatiously.
"Nyet," she replied. "I don't suppose you have any suggestions?" She grinned back at him. Gi and Kwame both exchanged a knowing glance, though neither Wheeler nor Linka seemed to notice.
Wheeler stepped down from the ladder and put his arm around Linka's shoulders. "Well I was thinking… cheerleader. Maybe nurse. Or belly dancer." He raised his eyebrow suggestively.
"What if I wanted to be something scary for Halloween?" Linka teased.
"In that case you should dress up like Dr. Blight," Gi said.
"Gi!" Linka exclaimed, giving her friend a playful shove.
Wheeler, Ma-ti and Kwame were all laughing. "Hey that was pretty funny, Gi," Kwame said.
"Yeah," Wheeler added. "Looks like my American sense of humor is rubbing off on you."
Gi flopped down on the couch. "Oh no," she said seriously.
Linka sat down next to her, grabbing a bag of chips off of the coffee table. "Does anybody want to watch the TV?"
Suddenly Wheeler turned and ran to the couch, grabbing the remote control out of Linka's hand. "What time is it?" he asked, turning on the TV and flipping through the channels frantically.
"7:15." Kwame said. "What's the matter, Wheeler?"
"I'm missing Entertainment News Tonight!" he exclaimed.
"You mean that sleazy celebrity show that tells you all the rumors about movie stars?" Gi asked sounding somewhat disgusted.
"Do you really like to watch those celebrity news shows? They're so…" Linka struggled for the word.
"Trashy?" Ma-ti suggested.
Wheeler ignored the others' comments, continuing to flip through the channels until he found the show, hosted by a pretty but rather ditzy blonde reporter. "And now on Entertainment News Tonight, we go behind the scenes with Bambi Blight for a sneak peak of her new movie, Night of the Mummy." The overzealous reporter chirped.
"Hey look, it's Bambi!" Wheeler said, sounding a little too excited.
Linka rolled her eyes. "No wonder you like to watch these shows," she said, trying not to sound jealous. Gi gave her an "I told you so" sort of look, and Linka just glared back icily.
The television cut to a scene of another ditzy blonde reporter standing with Bambi Blight in front of the ruins of an Egyptian temple. Bambi was dressed in rather revealing ancient Egyptian costume, complete with heavy make up and lots of jewelry.
Wheeler's eyes were glued to the screen now, which prevented him from noticing the angry look Linka was directing towards him. Gi and Kwame were both snickering, which only added to Linka's frustration. Ma-ti was simply trying to keep to himself. He did not need his Heart power to sense what was going on.
"So how does it feel to be filming on location in Egypt?" the reporter asked.
"It's just great," Bambi gushed, being her normal cheerful self. "This is really going to make the movie feel so realistic."
"So what do you think about the stories of mummy sightings in the area where you have been filming? Is this another publicity stunt by producer Robin Plunder?" The reporter asked eagerly.
Bambi frowned, looking rather angry. "No it's not. It's just stupid rumors…"
"But everybody knows about Robin's history of cheap publicity stunts. Remember the bat attacks during last year's filming of Revenge of the Killer Bat Zombies?"
"That was a mistake. I'm sure he wouldn't do the same thing again." Bambi seemed very defensive.
"You do have to admit it is an eerie coincidence…"
"A coincidence!" Bambi said firmly. "I have to get back to the set now." She turned and walked away from the reporter.
"Just one more question!" The reporter asked. "Miss Blight?" It was too late though, she had already stormed off and was out of the camera's view.
The TV screen flashed back to the reporter at the news desk. "So there you have it. The inside scoop on The Night of the Mummy, real mummy sightings or publicity stunt? You can be certain Entertainment News Tonight will get to the bottom of it."
"More like we'll get to the bottom of it," Wheeler groaned as he clicked off the TV.
"Da. Can you believe it? Robin Plunder is at it again!" Linka said angrily.
"But what would he have to gain by staging mummy attacks?" Ma-ti asked.
"Publicity for his movie, for one thing," Gi answered.
"Publicity for Bambi Blight's movie," Linka added, folding her arms across her chest.
"Aw, come on Babe," Wheeler said. "We all know Bambi is alright. Besides, even if Robin Plunder is staging a publicity stunt, it's not like it's hurting anybody."
"If a Plunder is involved, you can bet it's hurting somebody," Kwame said sagaciously.
Wheeler sighed and sank back into the couch, shoving a handful of chips into his mouth. Why did he get that feeling that his party plans were about to be ruined?
As if on cue, Gaia's translucent form appeared before them. "Planeteers, I need you in the Crystal Chamber immediately. We have an eco-emergency."
"Of course," Wheeler muttered, as he pulled himself up off of the couch. "So much for my party…"
Author's note: For anyone who hasn't seen the episodes- Bambi Blight Dr. Blight's sister/Hollywood movie star, Robin Plunder Looten Plunder's nephew/Hollywood movie producer. I always wanted to write a story with the two of them in it, I figured it was inevitable that their paths would cross eventually.
Also, I have another story I've been trying to work on, but I'm sort of stuck. I think it's because its kinda dark. This one is gonna be a lot more lighthearted.