(Halloween special! Written 10.31.13 and inspired by RvB artist jspx's Halloween sketches.)

"No."

"Come on, Ells!"

"Absolutely not."

"But I made it just for you!"

"Don't you guilt trip me, Donut. This is not happening."

"You have to! You said you would!"

"And you said you were giving me a costume! Not a strip of pink fabric! What is this, part of a Red base curtain?"

"It's not pink. It's lightish red."

Donut looked into Eleven's eyes pleadingly. She glared, arms crossed, only faltering when Donut brought out his own costume to match— his bow tie and top hat were of the same fabric. Finally, Eleven sighed and slipped into the tiny little pink dress. She would never hear the end of this one.

Donut broke into a delighted smile and changed quickly into his own costume, complete with a full tuxedo. God knew where he had gotten that. He adjusted the sparkly pink bow tie and hat and grabbed the matching magic wand.

"The final touch for you—" And he gave Eleven a pair of fluffy rabbit ears.

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

As they entered the kitchen, they were met with the other eclectically-costumed Blood Gulchers. Two military drill sergeants stood side-by-side— one a rather grumpy-looking Sarge and the other an adoring Simmons. Grif, looking slightly disgusted, hadn't changed at all but had added a salsa stain to his orange t-shirt.

Church donned a bed sheet. Eleven raised an eyebrow at him, and he glided over.

"A ghost? Really?"

"Boo, motherfucker."

"That's lame."

"Says the Energizer Bunny."

"Hey! Donut said I was going to be a magician's assistant, not a pet. I was forced into this."

"Well thank God for that." Tucker sidled up next to her, grinning and showing off horrible fake vampire teeth and a plastic cape. "So I get a treat from you tonight, right? Your neck is looking nice and bite-free. I can help fix that…"

"Maybe Donut should make you disappear," came an irritated snap from behind them. Tucker turned and laughed at the zombified ex-Freelancer standing in the doorway. "That would do us all a favor."

"Oh, cheer up, dude. It's Halloween." Tucker glanced at Eleven. "Have something sweet. I know I've had my fill of eye candy for the night."

Wash's irritated snarl was drowned out by the sudden smash from the doorway. Everyone jumped and Sarge grabbed his shotgun.

"What the hell was that!?" Church yelped.

"It's Halloween!" Grif said nervously. "What if it's bats?"

"Better than snakes," Simmons retorted.

Feeling quite exposed, Eleven grabbed one of Wash's guns from his undead apocalypse survival utility belt and crept toward the front door of the base. "Come on, guys."

As they tiptoed forward, the banging happened again. The door trembled under the weight of… whatever had decided to attack Red base.

As the Reds, Blues, Wash and Eleven reached the door, she looked at the others, who hesitated. With a large swallow, Eleven grabbed the door and swung it open. An enormous figure stood in the doorway, swinging its limbs menacingly, a pumpkin as its head.

"The headless horseman!" Donut shrieked, stumbling backward.

"Oh no! Where?" The figure spun around frantically. "I cannot see anything! It is too dark out here!"

"Caboose!?" Simmons cried. "What the hell—"

"Oh, for the love of God!" Tucker stepped forward, reached up and grabbed the pumpkin, plucking it off Caboose's head. "There. That better?"

"Oh!" Caboose broke into a huge smile, looking around. "I can see you now, Mr. Vampire! Here is my Jill-o-Lantern to add to the party. Can you tell me where my friends are? I need to wish them a happy Halloween!"