The Moon illuminated the night sky as people arrived in the Museum in an array of colorful costumes. Some were either indulging themselves at the buffet table, dancing, socializing with one another or admiring either Juan's artworks or Miguel's display of strength.
"Sasha!" Joao cried.
The little blond girl made her way towards him and Goth Kid, dragging along her favorite doll and making sure not to trip on her costume.
"Hey nice costume. You look just like Maria, except for the hair." Goth Kid complemented.
"Thanks. You look like a little Joaquin." Sasha complemented him back on his costume.
"Gracias senora." Goth Kid replied as he unsheathes his wooden sword.
"Don't forget your Knight in Shining Armor." Joao, who was dressed just like Manolo and was trying to sound like him, began playing his make-shift guitar.
His other two friends laughed in amusement, until their eyes widened in horror. This confused Joao, until he felt someone breathing on his back. He slowly but nervously turned his head around...
"RAAAAAR!" A shadowed creature with black wings appeared out of nowhere, causing the poor boy to scream and fall on his back, "Gotcha!"
The three kids took a closer look at the creature who was laughing his head off. They glared, realizing it was actually Sanjay wearing a costume that resembles The Lord of The Land of The Forgotten, complete with a staff.
"Not cool, Man." Goth Kid crossed his arms.
"You guys should've seen the looks in your fa..." Sanjay turned around. Once he did, his jaw dropped at the sight before him.
"Oh Xibalba, when will you ever learn?" Jane teased. She was wearing a red dress along with a red sombrero, making her look like a certain goddess, especially in Sanjay's eyes.
"Aw! Isn't that adorable?" La Muerte stood on top the Museum's roof and gushed at the sight before her.
"Cute." Her husband agreed but then scowled, "But I don't talk like that."
"Please, my love! Trade realms with me! I'm begging you!" Sanjay got to his knees, trying to sound just like Xibalba.
"Oh please. You actually sound desperate on that night." La Muerte teased.
"Oh aren't just the cutest little bundle of cuteness you." Jane baby-talked back, trying to sound like the goddess, not noticing the real goddess scowling a bit.
"Now that you mention it, I almost mistook you for my mother on that very same night." Xibalba chuckled.
"We got churros!" Chalchi suddenly appeared alongside the Candlemaker on top of the roof, her mouth full of churros.
Ehecatl took a churro from Chalchi and sullenly bit on it, probably because he was bored from watching the humans. Mixco and Yoti were busy fighting over Xochi who was busy spraying herself with rose pollen. Malina was commanding a bunch of fireflies to put on a show for the human's amusement.
"I see everyone is having a good time." Quetzalcoatl in his human disguise said.
"Oh you haven't seen anything yet." The Mayor said, "We have a big show coming soon. Magic show, Pet Contest, Best Costume Award and even a Bullfight Exhibition."
"Splendid! Now if you'll excuse me..." Quetzalcoatl turned to take his leave. He teleported to the roof of the museum via nest of snakes before turning back into his godly form, the Book of Life hovering beside him. He chuckled as he watched the children reenact Manolo's story, "Well that looks familiar."
"Will you ever forgive me?" "Little Xibalba" cried in front of "Little La Muerte", tears trickling down his face.
"For the record, I wasn't crying." Xibalba complained, "I mean I was crying in the inside, but never in the outside. I never ever cry in the outside."
"Just like last year?" La Muerte asked as she turned to face him.
"I was being sentimental." Xibalba corrected.
"And on that very special day?" La Muerte caressed his face, "Our very special day?"
"Well, maybe a little bit." Xibalba began melting to her touch.
"A little?" La Muerte batted her eyes, her face inches away from his.
"Well," Xibalba suddenly felt the urge to lean in closer, "I wouldn't say a little..."
"Ugh! Get a cave!" The two suddenly broke apart at the sound of Ehecatl's voice.
"Must you ruin everything?" Xochi slapped him from behind.
"Ugh! You and your romance." The eagle god argued, "No wonder you were sent to this dump for setting up a war."
"At least one simple sway of my hands didn't send hundreds of lives flying!" The rose goddess argued back.
"I'll tell you one thing; being stuck here with you isn't making this dump any more bear..." Ehecatl's glare suddenly turned to shock. The other gods turned to his gaze, eyes widening at the sight before them.
The Sanchez family arrived at the party. Ricardo held an arm to Theresa. Clavel struggles with an excited Cocoa in a leash. However, all eyes were at Adela. Her long brown hair was flying slowly but freely in the breeze as if time slowed down. As she took off her mask, her eyes sparkle brighter than the fireflies in the night. At the sight before them, the Ortiz brothers Juan and Miguel could only gawk.
"Is that Miss Adela?" Jane asked.
"She looks like a princess." Sasha complemented.
Their three friends could only stare with nothing to say... until the girls kicked them on the knee, pinched their ears and slap them on the back. Of course, they weren't the only ones who were all ogled up at their teacher...
"Ay Caramba." The Candlemaker uttered.
Yoti blew on a slide whistle as his neck was still held by Mixco, as if he was planning to strangle him but then changed his mind. Malina's fireflies formed a heart. Even Quetzalcoatl's cobra's jaw dropped as he prevented his master's own jaw from dropping.
"Okay this looks too familiar." La Muerte finally broke the silence as she glared at an ogled up Xibalba. She tightly pulled his beard, snapping him out of his trance. The death god could only chuckle nervously in response.
"Adela! We almost didn't recognize you without the glasses and all." Gina exclaimed.
"It would be nice to wear them to the Ball." Adela squinted, "I can barely tell which twin is which."
"Oh don't worry about that." Tina said, "People nowadays with or without glasses can't tell a twin from a twin anyway."
"If you say so, Gina." Adela shrugged.
"It's Tina." Tina corrected. She then knelt down and petted Cocoa, "Aw Cocoa! Aren't you just the cutest little bull ever seen?"
"You can have him." Clavel handed the leash to Tina before hearing her name called, "Gotta go. Duty calls."
As she left, the other three girls and one pig headed for the buffet table.
"There they go again." Xibalba said as he watched the Ortiz brothers arguing yet again.
Each brother slapped one another until each was handed a sword (plastic swords to be exact). Both brothers clashed, glaring at each other.
"Ah yes! Swords." La Muerte exclaimed half-heartedly.
"She is mine!" Juan cried.
"Oh please." Miguel scoffed, "She'll be in my big manly arms by the end of the night, once I'm done with you."
"Atleast we know who's the Joaquin in this story." La Muerte said. Xibalba nodded in agreement.
"I don't know." Ehecatl watched as Miguel lifted Juan high up, preventing him from hitting him with his plastic sword, "With skills like that, she'll be in his big manly arms in no time."
"Oh please." Xochi scoffed, "Everyone knows that the only way to a girl's heart is through your own heart. One must have passion, sympathy, emotions,"
"Blah blabbity blah!" Ehecatl cut her off gesturing at Miguel, "Girls fall for that stuff all the time."
"I can vouch for that." Malina agreed.
"You said it." Mixco agreed as well, "Just look at the beef on that guy. His brother doesn't even stand a chance." He chuckled, until Xochi glared at him.
Yoti suddenly blew a romantic tune on his trumpet.
"Exactly." Xochi said, "Now that's what I'm talking about."
Yoti flashed a smug look at Mixco who scowled in return.
"They say nice guys finish last, but good things always happen to good people." Chalchi spoke, "Your guy is being mean, lifting up others by their clothes."
Miguel dropped Juan, much to Malina's amusement.
"If a guy can make a girl laugh like that then he's alright." Malina laughed.
The gods continue to argue except for the 3 death gods and one Ruler of the Gods. Quetzalcoatl chuckled as he turned his gaze at Adela who was chatting with her friends. He couldn't help but stare at her eyes. For a moment they almost look like...
Gold and silver snake-like eyes...
The Book of Life being opened...
A clawed hand...
A slash...
A maniacal laugh...
A striking snake...
Quetzalcoatl gasped after witnessing the vision. The last thing he wanted to do at this night, at this particular night was to remember... that.
"You okay?" The Candlemaker asked.
"I, think I'll go for a walk." Quetzalcoatl vanished in a nest of snakes. The Book of Life followed him.
"You know, it is a perfect night to take a walk." Ehecatl stretched his wings and vanish in a flurry of feathers. Malina and Mixco agreed and followed suit.
"I do hate wasting a beautiful night like this sitting around." Xochi said and vanish in a flurry of rose petals. Yoti and Chalchi agreed and followed suit, leaving the three death gods alone.
"Aw man! I gotta get me more of these churros!" The Candlemaker exclaimed, leaving in a puddle of wax.
"Oh well." La Muerte grabbed Xibalba by the arm, "Guess that leaves us."
Xibalba smiled. Suddenly, his eyes caught glimpse of some familiar group of children.
"You know," An idea suddenly popped in his head, "With the all the excitement going on and with the perfect background to blend in..."
"Is that all you can think about?" La Muerte caught up to his plan. Yet she managed to suppress a smile, drawing his attention back to her.
"Well..." Just as their faces were inches from each other, Xibalba turned into a puddle of tar and reappeared a few feet behind her, "Yes." He once again turned into a puddle of tar and sped off.
"That's what I get for marrying a god who's entirely made out of tar." La Muerte sighed, turned into a flurry of marigold petals and took after her husband.
Quetzalcoatl materialized near a secluded area, far away from the event. He took deep breathes as if trying to calm himself down after seeing a ghost. The Book of Life appeared before him and flipped its pages. It landed on his page. On the opposite page was a woman who almost looks identical to him but her robe was in the shades of black, white and grey.
"I know, Bookie. I know." Quetzalcoatl touched the page; a small smile appeared in his face.
Ehecatl materialized back in a corner followed by Mixco and Malina. Xochi materialized as well in the exact same spot followed by Chalchi and Yoti.
"So it's settled." Ehecatl turned to face Xochi, "If our guy gets the girl by the end of Dia de los Muertos, you three have to cover for us while we enjoy our 'off-duty' until the next Day of the Dead."
"And if our guy gets the girl by the end of Dia de los Muertos, you three have to cover for us while we enjoy our 'off-duty' until the next Day of the Dead." Xochi pointed her fan at him.
"So be it." Ehecatl glared at her.
"No matter what it takes." Xochi glared back.
"By the Ancient Rules," He extended his wing to her.
"The Wage is set." Xochi took his wing and shook it, sealing the wager. She then gestures with her fan, "By the way, I think your guy has his hands all 'tied up'."
To Ehecatl's shock, Miguel's hands weren't the only part of him 'tied up'. Juan stood in triumph before his brother who was, to his humiliation, all wrapped up in ribbons. Xochi giggles before disappearing in a flurry of rose petals. Yoti blew a note in his trumpet as if to say "too bad, so sad" before following Xochi.
"Good luck you guys. You're gonna need it." Chalchi said before Yoti returned and grabbed her by the arm. The two gods then took off in pursuit of their leader while Ehecatl slapped himself in the face.
"Ha ha!" Juan cried triumptly before speeding off, "I am coming for you, Adela Sanchez!"
Miguel struggles to escape his multi-colored prison. The Mayor and Clavel just happen to pass-by him until they saw the state he was in. Sighing, Clavel pulled one ribbon, completely untangling him from his prison.
"Well done, Ms. Clavel." The Mayor remarked, "Wouldn't want you to miss your little exhibition now, do we? Bullfighters don't just grow in trees, you know."
"Bullfighter?" This caught Ehecatl's attention. As if on cue, he heard a loud "moo". He turned his head towards a group of humans struggling to heave a bull out of a truck. A wicked smile appeared in his face. His signaled his two cohorts and they gave matching smiles upon seeing the bull.
Miguel gave Clavel and the Mayor his thanks before rushing off, leaving the two alone.
"Now that everything's settled, I guess I'll be..." Just before Clavel could take another step, the Mayor lays an arm on her shoulder.
"Before you go," He leads her to the side of the Museum before holding up an amulet in the shape of a snake, "there's something I've been meaning to give you."
"Wow. I, don't know what to say." Clavel gave him an unsure response, as if crept out by the way the silver snake was staring at her.
"Just think of it as a reward for all your hard work." The Mayor handed her the amulet before gesturing her towards the Museum, "Go try it on." Clavel just scowled a bit but finally gave in.
She went inside the Museum personal bathroom and took a good look at the amulet, still crept out by it. Still, she managed to put it on. Once she did, the amulet started to glow to her surprise, enveloping the entire room in its light.
Outside the Museum, the Mayor stood in waiting until he heard footsteps.
"Wow. It's either the moonlight, or you're really glowing." He complemented.
"I really appreciate it. Gracias." Clavel fidgeted with the amulet before taking hold of the Mayor's arm, "Shall we? We wouldn't want to miss the rest if the show."
"Oh. Si." The Mayor flashed her a sly smile before leading the way.
For a moment there, Clavel's eyes almost looked...snaky.