Lilo roused Stitch from his restful slumber. The extraterrestrial experiment yawned, scratching his side.
"Morning, Lilo."
"You know what day it is, don't you?" the little Hawaiian girl asked.
"Me no remember."
"It's Halloween, silly!"
Stitch drooled upon hearing this revelation. Thoughts of candy and other sugar-filled delights filled his brain.
"Come on," Lilo urged, "We need to get our costumes ready!"
"Okay." Stitch obliged.
Lilo changed into a shirt with fishnet sleeves, black jeans, and combat boots. She slung a cross around her neck, reflecting the light of the restroom back at her and Stitch. For the finishing touch, she applied a heavy dose of eyeliner and shadow. She covered her left eye with her bangs, which she'd grown out specifically for the holiday. Stitch followed suit, fitting himself into a black shirt with a skull graphic.
"Nani, Jumba, and Pleakley should be up soon," Lilo stated, "We need to pick out an album for breakfast. Any requests?"
Stitch thought for a moment. Under their Elvis collection, they had a fairly sizable stash of Swedish metal, metallic hardcore, and nu metal. It was hard to choose. Stitch thought it wise to start with something less heavy, that way Nani wouldn't get a headache so early in the morning.
"Linkin Pok."
"There aren't many records that define our childhood. Elvis is first and foremost. Linkin Park is a close second."
"Yeah."
The pair raced back upstairs, snatching their copies of Hybrid Theory and Meteora. In the kitchen, Nani was already working on breakfast.
"How are my two favorite edgelords doing this morning?"
"Hungry." Lilo responded.
"Breakfast'll be ready soon. Why don't you set up the record player while I finish here?"
Lilo rolled her eyes, sighing with her usua impatience.
"Fine."
Lilo placed the Hybrid Theory vinyl on the player. Just as she predicted, Jumba and Pleakley joined them not long after.
"Morning, all," the green alien greeted, "The time of spook and scare is here once more!"
"And murder," Lilo pointed out, "Don't forget murder."
"That, too!"
Upon realizing what he said, Pleakley grimaced. He would never get used to his surrogate niece's morbid humor. Jumba simply yawned.
"Perhaps I should conduct experiments to make this year a tad more...Eventful."
"Don't even think about it," Nani warned, "Spooky was bad enough. I shudder to think what monstrosity you would unleash this time around."
"Bagh! You always miss out on the greatest opportunities."
Nani glared sternly.
"All right, all right! I get it!"
"You better."
"You are, how Lilo would say, the big meanie pants."
"And that's precisely why we're still alive."
"I suppose you have point."
"Darn right, I do."
Jumba shivered, recalling the events of their first celebration together. Even now, many of his own creations gave him the chills.
"I may have to modify design choices in future."
During breakfast, the family heard a knock at the door. Lilo rushed to the living room, knowing well who was waiting on the other side.
"Aloha, everybody!"
"David!" Lilo exclaimed gleefully, jumping into the surfer's arms.
"Woah! You're heavier than I remember."
"I'm glad you could make it," Nani said, "Lilo's been looking forward to today all year."
"I understand," David replied, "It's one of my favorite holidays, too."
"I made extra since I knew you were coming. Care to join?"
"Of course! Your cooking's first-class."
Nani blushed. A subtle smile crossed her features.
"Thanks."
David noticed the music in the background.
"What band is that?"
"Linkin Pok." Stitch revealed.
"I can so jam to this!"
David placed Lilo back on the floor. In the kitchen, they started headbanging, synchronizing their movements just like Lilo's hula classes. Pleakley helped Nani clean the rest of the dishes.
"You two were all lovey-dovey back there. I'm assuming things are going well?"
"I'll admit, I was hesitant to give him a chance at first. He can be a bit simple at times, but he's got a good heart."
"It was Lilo. She changed your mind, didn't she?"
"Maybe."
"I see a bright future ahead for you two."
"Ya think?"
"Definitely. You were absolutely made for each other."
"Not long ago, I would've said you were crazy, but now..."
"Maybe I'm onto something?"
Nani smirked, betraying her true feelings.
"Maybe."
"They certainly seem to be enjoying themselves."
"Lilo's growing up so fast. I wish time would slow down - just for a little while."
"Is it really so bad? Things have improved drastically since we came along. I'd say that's a good reason to keep going. Progress in the essence of creation, after all."
"I guess that's true."
"Let's finish up so we can head into town."