The Star of my Heart

Story by: Phoenix710&Merigirl

Summary: In this chapter, Vi sends Al Dente out on another set of errands, and he again ends up at the Pizza Cats' Restaurant, where he informs Speedy and Francine of Vi's latest round of Star Festival preparations. Speedy, meanwhile, remains determined to celebrate ONLY Polly's birthday. Let's see what happens.

Disclaimer: Neither Merigirl nor myself claim any rights to Samurai Pizza Cats, or any of the characters associated with the series. Samurai Pizza Cats, and all related characters, are trademarks of Saban.

Chapter Four: Plans for Two Parties

Princess Vi had just finished handing a big box filled with streamers to one of her servants. She said, "Now, remember, I want these hung up in bright arches all over the streets."
"Yes, your Highness. Also, the Royal Musicians wanted me to tell you that they've finished composing a rough draft of the original song about you, and they would like you to go down and take a listen to it.", the servant replied, as he headed out of the room.
"All right, oh wait..AL DENTE!!! AL, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Al Dente came rushing in. "Yes, your Highness?"
"Al, where is the rest of the decorating committee?"
"They're meeting up with the caterers you ordered, your Highness."
"Well, then you'll have to help me, Al. The boys at the decorating committee have the balloons ready and I'd like you to pass them out to everyone! Wait up here," she went into the other room and came out with a huge bulging box, that was filled to the brim with green and blue balloons. Each one had a bright white picture of the star blown up until it almost covered the entire balloon. Underneath the picture in fancy cursive letters was written 'THE STAR OF VIOLET'. Violet smiled, "Aren't they beautiful?"
"Oh, yes, lovely," Al Dente was quick to agree.
"Yeah, they do beautiful work!" Violet smiled.
"So, what do you want me to do with these?"
"Pass them out of course! One to everyone…hell, give them two! Let everyone know! Oh, and the decorating committee also was working on another thing..hold on, let me get it!" She went back into the room and came out with another box. THIS box contained what looked like brightly colored cloth triangles. Vi lifted up one of them- it was a pendant. A large pendant on a stick, made of brightly colored cloth that had glittery streamers. A picture of the star was woven into the cloth along with the same fancy cursive- THE STAR OF VIOLET.
"Lovely, your Highness…but what shall I do with THOSE?!"
"Pass them out along with the balloons! On, and I have one more thing for you!"
"Oh…what?" Vi went back into the room and came out with a long, pointy hat. The hat had stars and moons woven into it and long streamers hanging down from the top. It was a silver color.
"Oh, that's lovely..what is it?"
"It's a clown hat. I think it might be festive to have a happy clown deliver the presents!"
"Oh…so what do I do with this.."
"Wear it on your head of course!" Al Dente looked at her a bit shocked and embarrassed. "Uh..Princess.."
"NO BUTS!!! NOW IF I SAY YOU WEAR IT, YOU WEAR IT!" Al Dente quickly took off his helmet and put on the clown hat. "Oh, it looks lovely. Now one more thins.."
"What?"
"Smile!"
"Smile?
"Yes, clowns should be happy!" Al Dente reluctantly smiled. "Now, that's better. Now remember, everyone must celebrate, everyone must be happy!! I've already hired So Diko to play with the Royal Musicians, and I have to go down to see what original song they've composed. You go as those out. And remember, everyone must celebrate, everyone must be happy! "
A little while later, Al Dente had made his way to the Pizza Restaurant. He knew he had been getting stares all day. He had managed to grin and bear it, but he was so looking forward to taking this stupid hat OFF! He could hear people laughing and giggling at him after he had given them their balloons and streamers. He made his way to the Parlor and opened the door. Francine was sitting at the counter making origami cranes. She barely looked up, as she said, "Oh, Hi, Al. Hey, what do you think of these cranes for the birthday party? We can put them on the middle of the tables on the center of the tables for the…" she finally looked up. "Uh…what's on your head?"
"It's a "gift" from Princess Violet. It's part of my job today. I'm supposed to hand out these balloons and pendants telling everyone of the Star Party. Ya want one?"
"Oh sure, why not, I'll play along." Al placed a balloon and pendant on the counter.
"God, look at all of this! Balloons, streamers, I'm surprised she hasn't hired a blimp!"
"Oh, she's done that too!"
"She HAS?!"
Al beckoned for Francine to follow him outside, where he pointed. There was a huge blimp floating just above the restaurant. It was silver with blinking lights in the shape of a star with the words "THE STAR OF VIOLET' underneath it.
"Oh, brother, I don't believe this!" A familiar voice said. Francine and Al turned to see it came from Speedy, who was obviously back from his deliveries and was standing, shielding his eyes, staring at the blimp. "THIS time Vi's definitely gone too far! This is too much!" Al came over to him. Speedy turned and stared at him, and for a while Al forgot why. Finally he remembered what he was wearing, Speedy bit his lip to keep from laughing. "Soooooo, Al…you trying to start a new fashion statement?" Francine snickered at that.
"Cut the comedy, there, I've had a rough day!" He reached into the basket. "Care for a balloon and a pendant?"
"For The Star Of Violet?"
"Yep."
"FORGET it!"
"But the Princess said that we HAVE to celebrate."
The ONLY thing I'm celebrating is my wife's birthday! Francine, how are those cranes coming along?" Speedy and Francine went into the restaurant. Al Dente shrugged and went on his way, nearly bumping into Spritz, who was watching the blimp.
'Oh hey, Al. Nice hat."
AL bristled. "Yeah, thanks."
"Uh…what's The Star Of Violet?"
"Oh, that's a brand new star that was found in the sky. Princess Vi..she's named it after herself- wants to throw a big party for it, where she'll claim ownership. Here, have a balloon and a pendant."
"Oh thanks. So everyone's gotta come to this shindig?"
Everyone is supposed to, but Speedy won't have anything to do with it. He says we're to celebrate Polly's birthday…and that's it."
"Can't we do both?"
"I hope we can. Speedy is flat out refusing to go to Vi's party!"
"That ain't gonna make her happy."

Next Chapter: Al returns to the Palace, to let Princess Vi know that he's finished up with his errands, and she dismisses him for the day. Meanwhile, Speedy takes Polly out to dinner, while the others go out and buy some more supplies. With seven days remaining until Polly's birthday, will Speedy be able to keep her from finding out? Join us next time, for Chapter Five: A Romantic Night on the town.