Author's Note: Happy day before All Hallow's eve! I hope you all are ready. I most certainly am not. I have a party tomorrow night, and no ready costume! Wish me luck as you enjoy the final chapter of our tale. And if you enjoy, or even if you don't, please leave a review that says so in polite terms!

Of Tricks and Treats

Part 3

The Visit

Obi-Wan stepped off the transport and took a deep breath of the fresh Dar Valin air. There was a rush of noise as the younglings clambered down the ramp behind him, forcing him to leap off it to avoid being pushed off. He landed next to Siri.

"Isn't this just great?" she asked, looking round the landing port. "All of us here for Halloween."

"I suppose," Obi-Wan relented. "But you know it's going to be crazy?"

"Of course!" Siri answered, giving him an odd look. "What fun would it be if it wasn't crazy?" Obi-Wan did not answer, and simply shook his head at her.

Siri noticed a group headed across the platform, and Mace Windu motioning Obi-Wan over to join the council.

"Father and the welcoming committee are here," she told Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan looked over, and began to head for the rest of the council. Siri followed behind him. Master Windu noted her presence but said nothing of, which Obi-Wan figured was wise. The group went up to meet the second group. This group was lead by an older man, who held himself tall, and proud. He wore a uniform, and cape that lay across his shoulders. His eyes noticeably brightened when he saw Siri.

"Masters," he greeted, and he bowed. Master Windu, and the others returned it.

"We were most pleased to hear you had accepted our invitation."

"We really could hardly refuse," Windu replied, and his eyes flitted in Siri's direction. The minister noted the movement, and frowned at her. She shrugged in response.

"We have several transports at the ready for your disposal," the minister continued. "The drivers are under orders to take you where you wish. I assume of course you'd like to stop at the hotel and leave the luggage and younglings there before proceeding to the palace?"

"Of course," Windu answered. He nodded to Obi-Wan.

"Come along Siri," he sighed. "We have younglings, and even worse, padawans, to round up."

"Master Kenobi, Master Tachi," the minister said, with a nod of his head. "Wonderful to see you again."

"And you as well, Minister Tachi," Obi-Wan replied. "if you'd excuse us."

"Minister Tachi," Siri said with a smile, before turning to follow Obi-Wan.

The visit to the palace was short, as the King had his own children to help prepare for Halloween. The jedi hurried back to the hotel to prepare their own costumes. It took quite a few hours I can tell you that. The entire after noon as a matter of fact. Younglings were seen to race through the halls wearing only a pair of brown pants with a white puffball tail behind them, and being chased by either Mareya, or a helpful padawan holding the rest of their costume. Most of the girls locked themselves in their rooms to get ready, refusing to come out and reveal their costume until it was time for the party. Oh, did I forget to tell you? The jedi (and the senate, yes, they did come) were invited to a party at the Tachi residence. After which, the younglings would get a chance to trick or treat.

It took quite a lot of work, but everyone was ready for the party in time. The jedi loaded up into the buses and drove off for the palace. Obi-Wan, look though he may, saw no sign of Siri what-so ever. Nor the padawans for that matter. Even Ben had fled from his side some time in the afternoon. Obi-Wan knew for a fact he'd see them at the party. They'd probably be one of the first to greet him.

At last, they reached the palace. Obi-Wan entered the Tachi's barn which was to be used as the party room. It was completely decked out in orange and black, purple and green, and red decorations. Obi-Wan glanced around. He saw Mace in his naval commander costume. Obi-Wan was sure their be at least a few drops of punch on the bleach white uniform before the end of the night. And there was Padme and Bail, dressed as King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. And Palpatine, in some sort of costume he assumed was from some yucky movie or series, or something. He saw no sign of Siri, or Anakin, or the padawans as of yet. He began to make his way through the crowd, headed for the punch. He nearly ran right into someone when he was distracted by the sight of Yoda in a Gandalf costume. He finally made it, and was about to serve himself some punch, when a presence appeared at his shoulder.

"Have you seen Siri yet?" Anakin asked.

"No," Obi-Wan answered, filling his cup. "How crazy is her costume?"

"Oh, I don't think even you've seen her do something like this before," Anakin told him with a grin. "What about the padawans?"

"Nope," Obi-Wan said. "Are they all matching?"

"All of them are matching with someone, even if they aren't ALL matching with each other," Anakin answered cryptically. "Now who are you? A beggar?"

"No," Obi-Wan answered. "I'm Tom Canty."

Anakin's expression was blank. "From The Prince and The Pauper," Obi-Wan prompted.

"Oh of course! But with no Prince?"

"That would be Basil, who is floating around here somewhere. Now who are you?"

Anakin looked disappointed, as if he'd assumed Obi-Wan would guess it right away.

"I'm Rex," Anakin answered a little sulkily. In truth Obi-Wan had recognized the armor.

"And does he know you're dressed in his armor?"

"Ummm, not exactly," Anakin answered.

"Hello Tom Canty," came a cheery voice at his shoulder. Obi-Wan turned around slowly, expecting the worst, and wasn't to disappointed by what he found.

"Siri Tachi," he said. "What have you done with your hair?"

Siri beamed at him. "Oh, I just did it up to fit my character," she said.

Siri stood there in an Edwardian style dress, her now red and curly hair pinned up.

"Beatrix Potter?" Obi-Wan guessed, as a little Peter rabbit raced across the room.

"Yep," Siri answered proudly. "My own idea. Mareya had a costume already, otherwise she probably would have volunteered as soon as I suggested it."

"You certainly look different," Obi-Wan said.

"So do you," Siri said. "I've never seen you wear something so drab, even as Tevye! So I'm assuming Basil is Prince Edward right?"

No answer was needed, so Siri continued. "Have you seen the padawans yet?"

"I'm not sure anyone has."

The padawans were all still gathered outside, discussing the balloon drop.

"Thank goodness we managed to sneak away while everyone was dressing up!" Amelia Earhart declared, playing with the end of her aviator scarf.

"Yes, Ahsoka," Jackie Cochran said. "so why are we still out here?"

"Yeah," Agreed Ilse Burnley, "It's cold!"

"If you hadn't decided to wear Ilse's golden summer dress, you wouldn't be!" Perry said.

"Dinda, Tristan, would you stop it!" Emily declared. "We're here, because we need to make sure everyone knows the plan, to the letter!"

"We all know it Shaniel," Teddy said.

"Okay Ben, enlighten us."

"First," Ben began. "When the ending of the party is announced, we all make sure we are near an exit, or at least have a tarp close by to duck under. Then Shaniel and Zaina activate the balloon drop at the key words, 'thank you all for attending'. Then the balloons drop, and we can all come out of cover."

"And Pikkle," Zaina said, "you might want to make sure you pick a big hiding place."

Teniko roared in response.

"Alright everyone," Shaniel said. "let's go. We've been hiding long enough."

Amelia Earhart and Jackie Cochran lead the way in, followed close behind by Ilse Burnley, Emily Bryd Starr, Teddy Kent, and Perry Miller. Last came Mara and Pikkle.

"Look," Siri said, and she pointed to the barn door. "There're the padawans. Ahsoka and Barriss decided to go historical I see. And Zaina and Teniko are obviously from Redwall, and everyone else is from Emily of New Moon. I can tell."

Obi-Wan glanced over the padawans costumes.

"They did well this year, as usual," he remarked. Siri looked the other way, and snickered.

"Oh Tom," she said. "I believe Edward is looking for you."

At that moment, Basil came bouncing up. "Come along Tom," he said. "People keep guessing who I am wrong, even after I tell them. They're all like 'don't you mean King Edmund from Narnia'. Now come on, we've got to stick together now."

"I'll see you later I suppose," Obi-wan said to Siri as Basil dragged him off.

"Of course silly," she replied.

"Boo!" someone shouted behind her. Not at all startled, she turned to face...

"John boy Walton," she said. "It's not exactly in your character to sneak up on someone."

"It's quite in my character to sneak up on my sister," Tray informed her.

"Ah, but I'm not your sister," Siri replied with a grin, and she wagged her finger under his nose. "I'm Beatrix Potter."

"Then I apologize," Tray said with a smile. "You should have come as Mary Ellen though, we had to ask you-know-who and she's nothing like Mary Ellen."

"Oh, you're to hard on her," Siri remarked. "Just because she's not as adventurous as us doesn't mean we must be hard on our poor sister."

"True," Tray said. "But it's still fun to tease her, sometimes."

"Oh, Tray."

The rest of the party was of course filled with laughs and fun, and dancing. Then at last Minister Tachi stepped up on the stage, dismissing the padawans who had been performing. "Well, I don't know about you all, but I had to loosen my belt hours ago," he said. The room was filled with laughter and muttered agreements. "It was wonderful to have you all here," Mr. Tachi continued. Obi-Wan's eyes were looking across the room. He caught sight of two red-heads standing next to a rope on the opposite side. He nudged Siri.

"Look over there," He whispered to her. "Your padawan and Padawan Deames are up to something." Siri looked over at them, then followed the rope up into the rafters.

"Obi-Wan," she said softly. "We need to get out now."

"What? why..."

"No time, just hurry!"

She rushed him to the nearest door and pushed outside. She only cracked the door, so she could see what happened. Just as her father said the words "and lastly, thank you all for attending..." as he said those words, a shout rang out, "Balloon drop!"

There was a raining of balloons, a thunderous splash, and Siri opened the door all the way and stuck her head in. Everyone who had been in the room and not under cover or outside was now soaked in something red. Mace Windu's uniform was absolutely ruined, and the brim of Yoda's hat was flattened by the weight of the falling liquid which had filled the balloons. Siri bent over and swiped a finger off the floor.

"Cool aid," she pronounced. "Red cherry cool aid."

"Padawans!" Windu roared.

"Happy Halloween!" came an echoing shout. Then there was a loud slamming of doors proclaiming the padawans' retreat. Siri glanced around the room. Padme was smiling good humouredly, Palpatine she caught sight of trying to sneak out before they could notice his ruined looks, and Tray. Tray was standing in the middle of the floor laughing. He caught sight of the un-sticky Siri, and waved to her, calling, "managed to avoid this mess did you? I'll have to make you pay for that." He headed for the punch bowls which had been recently refilled from above. Siri quickly darted back outside, and closed and bolted the door from the outside.

"Want to go on a gondola ride?" She asked. "There's a launch site about fifteen minutes from here."

"Sounds fun," Obi-Wan said. And the two raced off into the Halloween night, hoping to escape before Tray caught them with a punch bowl.

The End