Hey look, guys! I'm aliiiive! Good heavens, it's been fartoo long since I've updated this story. I haven't had any requests for any particular stories, so I guess the Elder will tell one from my inventory. Points for anyone who guesses the tale! (Extra points if you catch the line from Bram Stoker's "Dracula")

Also, the Elder will be at the Archives, not at home, tonight should anyone wish to go trick-or-treating in the Eden colony. And yes, he does have a rather large supply of sweets for anyone who stops by. Just don't tell Jazz, or he'll scarf them all.

Well hello there! Ah, it would seem there is a very small Optimus Prime at my door. And what are you dressed as? Oh, Princess Buttercup. I ought to have guessed. And I see a few Bumblebees tonight and—oh! Hello there, Little One! This is quite a group! Last stop of the night, eh? Well, why don't you come in? Yes, you may eat those in here, just mind you don't get the books sticky. Oh, you want me to tell a story? Well, alright. What kind of story would you like to hear this Halloween night, my young friends? A scary one? By the Allspark, Little One, didn't you learn from last time? Oh indeed? Well if you're all quite certain... If you get frightened, I will stop...please, do not climb under anyone's armor if you are nervous. We had to make that a rule in here recently, didn't we? Are you all settled then? Should we wait for your Sires and Carriers to sit down? No? Very well. Let us begin!

Redrust

Long, long ago in a faraway colony, there lived a femme named...What shall we call her? Pumpkin. Well...that's an...interesting name, Elita. Why Pumpkin? Oh, because of Halloween. I see. Very well, shall we call her Pumpkin, sparklings? Then Pumpkin she shall be. Pumpkin was kind and pretty, and she lived with her Carrier, her Sire, her sister and four brothers in a large house. They had a very mysterious neighbor. No one could remember his name, but he always looked as though he needed a decontamination bath, so everyone called him Redrust. Redrust never let anyone into his home, but he was wealthy and charming and often sent presents to Pumpkin. Pumpkin was a little unnerved by the mech, but she tried very hard to see past his outward appearance. "Who knows," she thought to herself, "He may be the kindest of sparks under the rust."

Time passed, and it became more and more obvious that Redrust was interested in Pumpkin. Still, he made her nervous. Then one day, he came to her and said, "Beautiful femme, I must travel far away this week. Will you do me the honor of watching over my home while I am gone? You may enter any room save those that are locked where, of course, you will not wish to go." And he gave her a bright key, warning her not to let anything happen to it. Pumpkin agreed out of both kindness and curiosity, for she had always wondered what lay hidden behind the walls of Redrust's estate. It was a lavish house filled with every luxury and convenience imaginable. The first day, Pumpkin found a maintenance room that left her sparkling and shimmering. Afterwards, she passed a small, rusty, locked door. She was curious, but told herself not to enter it. The second day, she discovered a beautiful crystal garden and watched the sunlight play through the stones for hours. On her way back inside, she passed the rusted door again, and her longing to see what was inside grew stronger.

Once again, she controlled herself and moved on. By the fourth day, she had explored almost every inch of the marvelous house save for the locked door. At last, she could contain her curiosity no more, and unlocked the door. The room inside was dark and cold, unlike anything else in the house. Pumpkin walked inside nervously and looked around, but could not see anything. Suddenly, something dripped from the ceiling onto her helm. She jumped and looked up, and soon wished she hadn't! Hanging from the ceiling were seven husks of mechs and femmes, dripping their energon onto the floor. In horror, Pumpkin dropped the key and fled. It wasn't until she had washed the energon from her armor that she realized she'd forgotten the key. Pumpkin forced herself to go back into the terrible chamber to retrieve it, but the once bright key was now stained bright blue with energon.

She took it to the maintenance room and tried to scrub the stains away, but they only spread further. Pumpkin began to panic and raced to the upstairs guest chamber, which faced her sister's window. "My sister, o my sister!" she cried out. Her sister, whose name was you want her to be called Windblade? Oh, alright, but only if she agrees to it! Windblade called, "What is it Pumpkin? You sound terrified!" The femme explained what she had just discovered and how Redrust was due home at any time. "I am certain he will kill me!" she sobbed. Windblade did not panic. "Get ahold of yourself, my sister," she scolded, "We have time yet! Can you leave the house?" Pumpkin shook her helm. "The gates are coded to Redrust's spark signature." He had said he was locking the gates for her safety, but Pumpkin no longer believed that. "Well then," Pumpkin's sister mused, "Lock yourself in that chamber and do not open the door for anyone. I will bring our brothers back from the hunt and we will storm the mansion together."

As Windblade flew to find their brothers, Redrust returned. "Where are you?" he called to Pumpkin, but she dared not answer. He wandered the house until he came to the maintenance chamber where she had left the stained key. Enraged, he hurried up the stairs to the guest room. "Pumpkin, are you there?" he called in a falsely peaceful voice. "I do not feel well," she lied, "Please, let me rest." "No, I do not imagine you feel well after looking into the locked room," said Redrust sternly. He pushed the key under the door, energon stains visible. "Now you will join the seven already there!" And he began to hack the doorlock. "Wait!" Pumpkin cried, spying her sister and brothers over the top of the hill, "Give me an hour to make my peace with my Maker!" Reluctantly, Redrust agreed and stepped back. In the room, Pumpkin leaned out the window and waved her arms frantically. Windblade hovered outside the balcony and lifted her sister over the wall, and the four mechs broke down the gate with one swing of a mighty wrecking ball.

Redrust screeched in dismay as the outraged brothers came upon him trying to break into Pumpkin's room. The evil mech was quickly disposed of, and the seven unfortunates laid to rest properly in the crystal garden. All of Redrust's wealth was given to Pumpkin and her family by the authorities, for he had no relatives. The house was torn down, and a cottage built on its ruins where Pumpkin lived quite happily for a long time. The end.

Is everyone alright? I'm not sure why the power went out near the middle, but it was no plan of mine. I—oh, Little One, not again! How did you get up there? Come on, I'll catch you. There we are, that's better. It had a happy ending, dear ones! Don't fret! Well, does this mean I can't tell you scary stories anymore? No? I am not certain I understand why you seem to like being frightened. Well, I suspect it is bedtime for many of you. Goodnight, my little ones, and fear no nightly noises!

From the Elder, and all Aspen's other characters, we wish everyone a Happy Halloween!