For Katie. Sorry it only took 4 years

Operation: TEA

Twins. Enact. Accostment.

"Five!"

"Four!"

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

Cue the explosion.

Followed by the frustrated screaming of five delightful children who were suddenly not feeling so delightful.

The elaborate machine buckled under pressure, then burst; sending the Delightful Children tumbling in their garden. Bits of shrapnel and ash drifted down from the air, the five well-kept children sitting up with a collective groan. Shaking their heads, they awkwardly stood up as they surveyed their surroundings.

Oh joy; they had landed in Father's petunias.

Just another thing on the list of things to blame on the Brats Next Door.

Speaking of brats.

"This isn't over!" the Delightfuls said. Before them, the kids of sector V landed; the deviants looking smug in the aftermath of their victory. "You fools really think you've won?"

"Sure looks that way to me," Nigel said with a smirk. The boy jerked his thumb over to the smoldering pile of rubble that used to be a Spank-a-nator. "Since we just crushed your new toy, I'm feeling rather guilty. Tell you what, hand over the cake and we'll let you dorks keep a slice to split among yourselves."

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" The Delightfuls said. "We cannot wait to wipe that uppity look off your face."

"The only wipin' we're doing is wipin' the floor with you dorks," Wally said as he lifted his bowling-ball-zooka. "You heard him; give us the cake!"

"So rude, making demands of us. There's only one little thing you idiots are forgetting; this is OUR backyard." The Delightfuls chuckled deviously as they pulled out a remote. "Which means we have the home-field advantage!"

Sector V looked down as the ground began to rumble. Before they could react, giant candles sprung out from below, encircling them in a cage. They quickly moved to jump out, but were forced to the ground as the tips erupted into a fiery halo that blocked their escape.

Seeing their arch-enemies trapped, the Delightful Children effectively dusted themselves off as they walked past the team. The kids growled behind the bars, which elicited a mirthful laugh from the Delightfuls.

"Feel free to try and blow out the candles, for we have already gotten our wish," they said as they strolled to the table by the gondola. "Seeing your devastating expressions as we devour our yummtastic cake right in front of you is all we could ever ask for."

The entire platform was garnished with streamers, balloons, and piles of presents befitting of the spoiled children. Yet the thing everyone strove after was the centerpiece of the table; a towering cake veiled by a light cloth. Just thinking about what delicious cake assortment was underneath drove taste-buds across the whole suburb mad.

"We can only imagine what it must feel like; knowing how close you were only to fail as is tradition with you losers," they laughed as they fashioned handkerchiefs around their necks. "Why, we're even feeling a tad guilty. I think we'll let you keep a slice to split among yourselves."

Hoagie looked hopeful. "Really?"

"No." They grinned as they chuckled to themselves. Their joy ebbed, however, as they studied the cage and those inside more closely. "Wait a moment, for it seems we're one loser short of a full set. Where is Kuki?"

There was a tap on Lenny's shoulder.

"Yes?" they asked as they turned-

-to stare down the barrel of a teddy-bear launcher.

"Oh."

"'Oh' is right, suckas," Abby laughed. "Way to go, girl!"

"Thanks!" Kuki waved at her team before focusing on the Delightfuls. "Hi! Give me your yummy cake and let my friends go, pretty please?"

""Ah, ever so naïve Numbuh 3. We shall give you credit for asking politely, but we're afraid it will net the same result: a resounding 'no'." They calmly clasped their hands behind their backs, taking on easy-going smiles as they leaned forward. "Such crass violence is beneath one such as yourself, wouldn't you agree? Put that clunker down and let's be civilized about this, shall we?"

Kuki smiled as she began to lower her blaster-

"Numbuh 3!"

-only to fumble as she brought it back up and frowned. "Heeey, you're trying to trick me, aren't you?"

"Trick? Oh no, there are no tricks here. Only treats." They gently pushed the launcher to the side and carefully strolled past the confused girl. She blinked as she kept her weapon trained on them, wondering what they were doing.

She thought they were about to surrender as they moved closer to the table. Neat!

Only those thoughts were dashed as they ignored the cake altogether and instead went to their stash of presents. Not so neat.

"How about we come to a little arrangement?" they asked as they ventured through the gifts. "The cake is non-negotiable, but if you're a good little girl and drop your weapon, then we shall give you-wha?" They paused, then came up as Bruce inspected a present they did not remember receiving. "Who sent us this red present?"

Back at the cage, Nigel got excited.

"Kids Next Door, Battle-oh." They stopped, looking bored as they tossed the gift away. "We're not falling for that again."

Nigel deflated and let out a depressed sigh while Abby offered him sympathetic back-pats.

"As we were saying," they said while giving the bald boy a rather pointed look. They shook it off, then grabbed the present they were looking for and presented it to Kuki. "If you agree to put your weapon down and let us enjoy our cake in peace, then we'll allow you to keep this."

Wally watched worriedly as Kuki curiously took the gift. She was falling for their trap, hook, line and sinker. And people called him stupid. He began gnawing at the candle to free himself and save her, but he stopped as she opened the present and squealed. "Oh you've gotta be kidding me! It's just a-"

"Delightful Tea-Time Rainbow Monkey!" Kuki was practically vibrating as she hugged the sophisticated the doll, with its soft pale fur, cute button vest, and monocle. All notions of cake and friend-rescuing were put on hold as she sunk to the ground, snuggling the plush.

Seeing their ploy go off without a hitch sent a victorious shiver down the Delightfuls' spines. Ah, the wonderful rush they receive when a plan comes together. They spared a glance at the rest of sector V, having no shame in admitting to enjoying their groans at their teammate's display.

"It should be no surprise that we come prepared for every eventuality," they said, puffing out their chest with smug satisfaction as they nestled into their seats. They then looked to Kuki, raising their brows as the girl carried on. "You are aware we expect that back once this is over, correct?"

Kuki was too deep in the throes of rainbow monkey love to register that comment.

"O-kay." They put her out of their minds as they grasped the cloth, smirking towards the remainder of their enemies. "Don't look so disappointed, Kids Next Dorks, it was predestined to end this way. For every stratagem you concoct in that lousy play-fort, you'll find that we always remain two-steps ahead. And now, for the moment we've all been waiting for."

They pulled back the curtain, Nigel and company holding their breaths as it appeared that the Delightful Children had one-upped them yet again.

"What the heck!?"

All activity slowed to a halt, Kuki even clamping down her affection for the doll as she looked to the Delightfuls before her. The afternoon breeze fluttered through the gondola, and all present were transfixed in stupefied awe as they stared at the Delightful Children's latest birthday cake.

Or rather, where the Delightful Children's latest birthday cake should've been.

"I-It's gone!"

Indeed, for the only thing situated under the cloth was a simple prop stand that gave way the moment the children pulled back the curtain. They stuttered among themselves, their coordination and unified presence forgotten as they looked under the prop, the table, and even off to the side.

As the realization that they had been played for fools sunk in, they began growling as their fists clenched. Angry Delightful Children were never a good thing, and Kuki wisely took a few steps back as they finally snapped and flipped the table over.

"That's impossible!" they yelled to the heavens as they stomped their feet, kicking up dust and dirt as they threw their little tantrum. "No, no, no, no! This was not supposed to happen! We won't stand for our birthday to be ruined again; we won't!"

Nigel looked a bit confused himself before he 'ahh-ed'. Smirking, as he looked over his shoulder to praise Abby. "Excellent work, Numbuh 5. Stealing the cake while they were distracted earlier; brilliant!"

"Thanks, boss. One tiny lil problem," Abby said as she created a small space between her fingers. "Numbuh 5 didn't steal the cake."

"Your little deception will not work on us!" The Delightfuls raged as they stomped over, apparently having overheard the two's conversation. "Give our cake back this instant! We demand it!"

"Do you see a cake in here? Because I sure don't," Hoagie said. His arms swung out, motioning to the cramped confines of the cage. "But hey, demand all you want. That's your business."

"It IS our business because you scoundrels stole OUR cake!"

Kuki suddenly popped up from behind. "Maybe you got excited, ate it earlier, and then forgot about it?"

"Ah, of course. How could've it slipped our minds? We had it for brunch. It was quite-are you nuts!?" They reeled on the girl, looking at her with disbelief. "Are you toying with us, or are you really that stupid?"

Kuki huffed, offended, and turned her nose away. "I was only trying to help, meanies."

"Unless you can magically produce our cake, then you're not helping at all!" They turned their attention back to the other four, leaving Kuki to muse to herself as she chanted 'abracadabra' while they used the remote to turn up the fire. They snarled at their captives as the flames burned down the candles. "Now tell us where our cake is or we'll show you that Father isn't the only one that can make Kids Next Door flambé!"

"Excuse me, sirs and madams?"

"What is it, Jenkins?" they asked as they turned to face their butler whom suddenly appeared. "We're kind of in the middle of something here."

"I'm quite aware, but I must insist you see this," the man stoically rattled off as he passed them and elegant envelope. "It appears to be some sort of invitation."

"Invitation?" They swiped the envelope, tearing it open with delightful precision.

Inside was a red letter, embroiled with a fancy pattern so perfect that they themselves felt oddly put off by it. Shaking off the ridiculous feelings, they unfolded the parchment and began reading it aloud.

"To our most esteemed Delightful friends," they read, "We do so apologize for absconding with your birthday cake, but it makes a most excellent party favor. With that in mind, in order to make up for such a terrible offense to your persons, we cordially invite you to our extravagant…tea party?"

"A tea party!?" Kuki suddenly snatched the letter from their hands, brushing off their protests as her eyes scanned over the invitation. "There shall be goodie-bags, pastries, music, atmosphere, and of course, the most delectable tea you will have ever had the pleasure of drinking. Ahhh, this sounds amazing!"

"Bleh!" Wally gagged from inside the cage. "That sounds like the most lame-o party ever!"

"You mean the greatest party ever!" Kuki corrected before she pranced up to the Delightfuls. "You're going right? Tea parties are the most fabulous types of parties ever! Everyone gets to be fancy, there's cupcakes and tea, and you get to extend your pinky out and-"

"Enough!" The Delightfuls snapped. For a moment, their expressions were unreadable, as if they were contemplating something. For the briefest of seconds, Kuki thought she saw a flash of fear in their gazes, but it was gone as quick as it came and they were back to their scowling selves. "We will not be going to this ridiculous tea party."

"But you have to go! You were invited," Kuki whined. "And it says you can bring a plus one. Can I come too? Pleasepleasepleaseplease?"

"No, because we're not going! End of discussion!"

"Uh, hey!" Hoagie shouted out, the ring of fire getting uncomfortably close. "Aren't you guys forgetting something?"

"Hmm? Oh, right." The Delightfuls rolled their eyes, using the remote to stop the flames, yet never freeing the rest of sector V fully. Looking extremely bored with current events, they chucked the remote as they began a slow trek back to their manor.

"Wait!" Kuki called out after them. She picked up the invitation they dropped and started running after them. "You just gotta go!"

"Numbuh 3 wait! Let us…" Nigel fruitlessly called out, reaching his hand between the bars. Sadly, the Delightfuls and Kuki had fully retreated around the bend before he could finish his sentence. "…out."

"Well ain't that just fantastic," Abby sighed as she watched her leader slump. She kicked back against the candle-bars, idly looking up to the ring of fire that capped their cage. "Now how the heck are we gonna get out of here?"

Hoagie rubbed at his chin as he felt the texture of the bars. "Don't know. Maybe we can try burning it at both ends? Haha, get it, guys? Guys?"

While the other three ignored their friend's bad taste in humor, coming out the back door, humming to himself while wearing a gardening vest and sun-hat, was Father. The walking manifestation of all things adultly and strictful ambled outside and took a deep whiff of the afternoon air.

"Ah, what a most perfect day for gardening," he said to himself. He whistled a little tune, completely oblivious to the caged sector V, whom froze as soon as they saw the man appear. While the man had his back to them, the kids desperately attempted to escape; Nigel and Abby trying to kick the bars down, Hoagie hoping he could spit out the flames, and Wally falling back on his default method as he began chewing through candles.

"Now that the children are preoccupied with their cake, I can finally take an afternoon off to tend to my…" He stopped, dropping his basket and gardening tools in horror as he saw his flower-bed reduced to rubble.

"Noooooo!" he cried, falling to his knees and holding the remains of his precious flowers in his shaking hands. "My petunias! What fiends could have possibly-"

"Yuck! This wax is gross! Uh oh."

Father perked his head up and looked to the side, his gaze locking with four pairs of eyes.

There was an awkward pause.

Then Father's eyes went red. "YOU BRATS!"

Nigel and Abby glared at Wally whom clapped hands over his mouth a second too late. Hoagie's shoulders fell, and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen and notebook. "And to Tommy, I leave all my Yipper cards…"

Inside the manor, the Delightful Children slammed the door shut, grumbling to themselves before ordering Jenkins to prepare their afternoon baths. It was their birthday (Bruce's, at least) and so they might as well get some enjoyment out of it, even if it meant sulking in a bubble bath for the rest of the night.

Because that was just always their luck, wasn't it? As much as they taunted Sector V about never getting their grubby little mitts on their birthday cakes, it seemed that ever since those brats appeared in their lives, their cake-eating quota had dropped to an astonishing zero percent. Why, they couldn't remember the last time in recent memory when they were able to enjoy the baked fruits of their Father's labor.

Well, there was that one time when Nigel and those baby chicks strangely gave up on the cake after putting up so much of a fight. They never did figure out why, but decided not to question the fortunate turn of events. The cake was decent, even if it left a rather repugnant after-taste in their mouths.

It was safe to say that they stayed away from cream-cheese icing ever since.

But of course, even that had came with its annoyances. Every single time, without fail, something always happened to interrupt their special days. What the heck did they ever do to deserve such constant torment? They were perfect little angels and deserved the best cakes in the world-and also deserved to rub it into every snot-nosed kids' face too.

They just wanted one birthday where things went their way. Was that too much to ask for?

Apparently so, because if it wasn't Nigel and his stupid little friends ruining their birthdays, it was some other deviant deciding to use their cake as a party favor at some stupid tea party.

They shuddered at that thought, yet did not know why.

"It matters not," they muttered as they reached the living room. They plopped on the couch, searching in between the cushions for the remote. "We would never subject ourselves to indulge with the common rabble."

"But why not?"

"Ah!" they yelped, holding hands to their heaving chests as they glared at Kuki, whom was kicking her feet on the other end of the couch. "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to get you to go to the tea party, duh," she said as if it were obvious. She then held up the letter. "Just look! It's all fancy and velvet and smells nice too. You have to go to their tea party; they worked really hard on this invitation."

"We don't even know who they is. They only signed the bottom with an address." They snatched the letter from her then balled it up before tossing it behind the couch. "But even if we did have a notion to whom it could be, we still would not attend."

"Why not?"

"Because we don't want to."

"But don't you want your cake back?"

"Let them keep it, it's not like we ever get to actually eat our cakes anyway," they said, giving the girl a rather accusing glare. Kuki sheepishly waved it off, but before she could protest, the Delightfuls hopped off the couch and pointed towards the exit. "Now get out!"

"Don't be like that," Kuki said as she wiggled off the couch herself. "Maybe it's a mystery themed tea party. That sounds super fun!"

"Do you have selective hearing? We told you we're not going." They then spun behind her, taking the girl by surprise as they began pushing her into the foyer. "And we also told you leave!"

"But you don't know what you'll be missing," Kuki said. She turned as they pushed her, facing them with a pout, but they turned away as they neared the front-door. "The chances of being invited to a real live tea party are, like, a buhmillion to one."

"If you're so adamant about it, then why don't you go in our stead and leave us be?"

"Because the invitation was for you," Kuki said as they stopped. The group had halted by a window, and were too engaged in conversation to notice an ashen sector V running away from a furious Father outside. "But if you go, then you can take me as your plus one and then we can have fun, drink tea, mingle, and all sorts of stuff!"

It was a very rare sight to see the Delightful Children from Down the Lane so close to the end of their rope, but Kuki always did have that special touch no other child seemed to have. The five pinched their noses, mumbling under their breath. Kuki was about to continue her argument, but the Delightfuls cut her off with small smiles.

"My dear Sanban, you are absolutely right."

"I am?"

"But of course," they gently said as they swung an arm around her. "You have shown us the folly of our ways. It would be most improper of us to turn down such an invitation."

They continued speaking as Kuki's smile grew wider and wider. So caught up in the moment, the girl did not notice as the Delightfuls led her closer and closer to the door.

"Unless we're mistaken, the festivities will be starting soon," they said as they opened the door. Positive that they had buttered her up, they gently scooted her outside on the porch and clapped their hands together. "We must go and prepare at once."

Kuki was bouncing. "Really?"

SLAM!

"Foolish girl," they said. They gave the door one last withering glare before turning to escape upstairs. Surely Jenkins had finished prepping their baths by now.

"That wasn't nice, you know."

"AH!" they screamed, having a collective heart attack as Kuki stood before them, frowning and tapping her foot. The frantically pointed to her and then to the locked the door. "B-But you…we just…how on Earth did you-"

"Come oooooon," Kuki continued on as if she had not been interrupted. She waved her arms about, practically begging for the five to understand that they were denying themselves the chance to partake in one of the most fabulous events ever. "Tea parties are fantastic and fun, and you stuffy-pants need to loosen up and have more fun in general." She leaned, whispering, "All the fuddy-duddy-ness isn't good for your complexions."

They silently gasped as they all raised hands to their cheeks. They blinked, then shook it off as they went back to glaring. Yes, glaring. Because that had totally worked on her before. "Give us one good reason why we shouldn't have Sir Toasty evict from our property."

"Okay! I'll give you lots of reasons!"

Without warning, Kuki darted off to the side. The Delightfuls watched, lying to themselves if they said they weren't curious as to what she had up her over-sized sleeves. Kuki went off to the side, stopping at Father's old record player. She thumbed through the records, her face the epitome of thought and concentration as she searched for…whatever she was searching for.

"Ah ha!" she said, holding a record up triumphantly. Humming to herself, she wiped the object off with her sleeves before gently placing on the record-player. She nodded, satisfied, and then cranked the handle to the device as she lowered the needle.

The Delightfuls stood there sulking, unfazed even as some waltz ball-room music echoed out from the player. Just when they thought they had seen it all, Kuki took a ballerina pose.

"A tea party is fun, you see, if only for the magic," she said sweetly as she did a light spin, tip-toing closer to the Delightfuls. "Where you pretend to be best friends with high society."

The esteemed children that lived down the lane were beginning to get weirded out. That's when Kuki took their hands and jerked them around the foyer.

"Take a chance. Laugh and dance, if only for a moment," she swooned as they were pulled into an awkward tango. She let go, doing a twirl before extending her arm and looking at them with puppy-dog eyes. "It will be grand! So take my hand, and reconsider please?"

The five growled as the music swelled.

"We shall not go. We've said it, so take a hint and leave." They squeezed her hand, spinning her around into a twirl. They kept going and going until Kuki spun like a top before setting her loose to crash off to the side. "We have no care for this affair. So beat it, and leave us be!"

They dusted off their hands as they walked upstairs, assured that the girl had figured out the obvious by know. They were certain she knew the way out.

The Delightfuls walked until they reached their personal lavatory, sighing in content as the bubbly aroma of strawberry tickled their noses. They looked over to see their bath awaiting, and without further ado, they grabbed a set of towels and made their way over.

Before they could begin to strip themselves of their attire, they were greeted to another fright as Kuki popped up from the bubbles, smiling while holding their rubbery ducky.

She was trying to kill them. They were sure of it.

"A tea party is a chance, you see, to act silly and dramatic," she giggled, holding the squeaky toy to their faces and squeezing. "Don't be stressed. Just put on a dress and come and go with me!"

"We must insist that you desist," they said as they took her by the arm again. They lifted the soggy girl into the air, bringing her close to sneer in her face. "Or we will only get angry."

The door to the bathroom was kicked down, the Delightfuls marching out and dragging Kuki with them. They reached the edge of the second-floor balcony and lifted her higher.

"For you'll find we have the mind to toss you out on your feet!"

Kuki let loose a scream as she flung through the air, the Delightfuls intending for her to go sailing out the window. Ever determined, the girl frowned and reached out to grab hold of the chandelier.

"I don't get why you're upset. There's no need to be mean!"

She used her momentum to swing herself around, flying to land in front of the children. The Delightfuls didn't even bother hiding their fright this time as they fell on their behinds. Kuki only smiled; helping them up as she checked off the list of things they could do.

"Be fashionably, get back your cake," she suggested as she dusted them off. She noted something off to the side, and made a noise of victory as she grabbed a tea cup from one of Father's ceramic displays and passed it to the Delightfuls. "And have a spot of tea!"

The Delightfuls took the cup, and they could almost see their reflections in the glass. Father did keep his collection polished after all.

Though, it was mostly Jenkins who did the polishing.

The longer they stared at the cup, the more they found their anger dimming for some odd reason. They were lost in a trance, seeing their faces, yet slightly altered, in the tea-cup reflection. The whole idea of a tea party set them on edge.

It always set them on edge, yet they didn't have the faintest idea as to why.

They looked up to Kuki, who was still smiling. They groaned as they rolled their eyes.

"A tea party is not for we. This fact you may find tragic," they admitted, ignoring her gasp as they set the cup back on the display. They crossed their arms, flustered as they turned away from the girl. "We admit that it's just not our shtick. There! Are you happy?"

"Aw, don't you fret or be upset. Cause I feel very ecstatic!" Kuki then shot off, expertly sliding around to grasp their hands again, only this time she was bouncing up and down. "I'll teach you what to do! So will you go? Pretty please?"

The five frowned, not believing how persistent the girl was. After a moment, they let loose a loud growl as their resolve crumbled.

"Fine!" they hissed as they jerked their hands back. "We will go!"

Downstairs, Jenkins raised a curious brow as he shut the record player off.

"Hooray!" Kuki squealed as she danced around the group. "Oh, I promise it's going to be the best time you've ever had! We need to get ready, like, now! There's so much to do."

"Yeah, yeah," the Delightfuls grumbled, begrudgingly letting the girl lead them to their room. "Just stop acting like you're doing us a favor; you only forced us to go so you can go too!"

"Huh? No, don't be silly," she said. "Well, okay, maybe I was a little over-excited, but it was only because I think you guys need to go out and have more fun. Friends should always have lots of fun together."

"We'll have you know that we have plenty of-wait, what's that last part?"

"Um, friends should always have lots of-"

"Yes! That! Cease with that nonsense," they demanded. "We are NOT friends."

"Pffft, of course we are," Kuki said. "You guys come over to our treehouse all the time!"

"Because we want to destroy you and your stupid organization!"

"Oh." Well, that certainly explained a lot. But ever so willing to see the positive in everything, Kuki grinned. "We're best frienemies then!"

"We're not best anything," they protested. "Listen here, Sanban. We only caved to do this because we want our cake back. That's it and all there is to this little partnership or whatever you've deluded yourself into calling it. And once we get our cake back, we're going to eat it all and not share any of it. Not even with you!"

"Ugh, fine then! Geez, don't be so fussy," Kuki said. She slumped a bit but shook it off quickly. No time to be feeling down. "I don't get you guys. Why aren't you more excited?"

"Because we don't like tea parties," they said. "We hate tea parties!"

Kuki's eyes widened at that. She would've thought out of all people that the Delightful Children would be all about tea parties. Why, it fit with their image perfectly. But apparently, she assumed too much. Their words sinking in, Kuki looked to the floor, hiding her hands deeper in her sleeves and she shuffled her shoes around. "Well, if you really don't wanna go then we don't have to."

The Delightfuls snapped their mouths shut, never seeing this meeker side to Kuki before.

Kuki was supposed to be cheery, smiling, and annoying.

Not…no cheery, not smiling, and looking so dad.

Curse her for making them feel awkward.

"Uh, no. We…we shall go," they muttered a bit un-collectively. "We said we would and we will. Our reputations would be sullied if we went back on the invitation after accepting."

"Okay!" Kuki said, perking back to her normal self. "Then let's go get ready."

"But we're only doing this to get our cake back," they said, feeling the need to reaffirm their stance. "Got it?"

Kuki only gave a mock salute before diving into their closet, tossing out a numerous assortment of clothes. They exhaled with the weariness of a hundred exhausted children before bed-time and slowly reassigned themselves to whatever they had just agreed to put themselves through.

As with most things involving the Kids Next Door, they were certain this evening would be most un-delightful.

/-/-/-/-/

Sat tucked away in the highest tower of the building, a young woman twiddled away at her nails as she gazed out the massive window, the moon bestowing a slivery overcast upon her form. Her eyes narrowed as she looked down, the numerous guests flashing their invitations and making their way inside.

Nearly time for the events to start and no sign of them.

Perhaps rumors were right. The brats were lost for good.

"Oh, my dear sister, I'm afraid it's hopeless!"

The girl rose a brow as the door opened, in coming her sister with an arm dramatically draped over her head.

"Nearly all the guests have arrived and not a sign of them anywhere," the sister cried, making a show of falling to her knees. "I think we've went through all this effort for nothing!"

The other woman rolled her eyes. "Would you please compose yourself? We knew this may be a fruitless venture, but we will not leave here tonight empty handed."

"I know, but I did so hope they would arrive." Her face then became murderous. "I so long to get even with those brats after what they did to us!"

"It's been so long that they may not even be brats anymore," the other woman sighed. "So much time has passed..."

She blinked, something tickling the edges of her senses.

"D-Did you feel that?"

She stared at her sister, curious to find that she must have felt it as well. Before another word could be uttered, a tiny man in a large hat stumbled in.

"My mistresses!" he exclaimed, taking exaggerated breaths. "The Delightful Children frown Down the Lane have arrived! They've also brought someone I don't know, but she calls herself three something or another."

So the acclaimed Delightfuls did appear after all? She knew not why she was so surprised. They did steal their cake as a lure and went through the trouble of inviting as reparations. Of course they would come to take back what belonged to them.

She twirled her nail-filer, considering just giving them the cake to avoid a needless hassle. All the other guests were game, but she was not sure if she wanted to risk upsetting the infamous Father by involving his coveted children.

Yet that feeling earlier...

"Show them to us on screen."

"At once!" the man nodded. He waddled over to the large television screen, his hands flying across the terminal and showing a live feed of the exterior.

After the snowy static cleared away, the sisters were greeted to a blurry image of five children followed by another girl. The feed became clearer, and while they did not recognize the sixth raven haired child, they shared a gasp as their eyes centered on the five Delightfuls.

"It can't be…"

"But it is!" her sister cheered, bouncing up and pointing to screen wildly. "I would know those nasty little mugs anywhere! Uh, not sure if I'm feeling the new wardrobe, but it's them! It's them, it's them, it's them!"

"But," she hesitated, "they're so young."

"Oh, who cares how old they are," her sister waved off. Her eyes began glowing as she bared her fangs. "May we move along with the party, sister?"

She continued staring at the screen, studying the five children. After a long moment, she smirked.

Father could find new brats to parade around for all she cared.

"Indeed, sister," she said, raising as she studied her sharp nails. "Our guests of honor have arrived, after all. Let's be sure to give Sector Z a reunion they will not be forgetting anytime soon."

transmission interrupted