Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.


29. The charm of Dulcinea Milligan

– PS 118- 6th Classroom —

- So students, this weekend, Hillwood will be celebrating a very important day, our bicentennial! is pretty exciting, huh?

Like always, the deadpans pre teens looked at Mr Simmons without any intention to really listen to him.

- Anyway… to value our story and the legacy of our founders, let's learn something about them…

A series of generalized moans and sighs were heard throughout the classroom, any of the students would like to be anywhere but there... The last two months of classes feel very slow to their perception... except for a secret young couple shooting glances and notes at each other.

- We have General Edwin Milligan, a famous general that helped to liberate the territory of the English soldiers, was very brave and intelligent. He prepared a secret group of women soldiers that helped him to win the war.

- Edwin Milligan? - Gerald's eyes opened with a sudden interest. - Was he a relative of Dulcinea Milligan?

- Who was Dulcinea Milligan? - Sid asked, now calling the attention of almost everyone present, except for Arnold and Helga.

- Did you never hear about her? She was the worst traitor in Hillwood's story…

Was around almost 200 years ago… in Colonial Hillwood, in those days called Elkville… The Milligan family was very important and rich, the siblings Dulcinea and Edwin created a secret battalion to defeat the British… But, unlike the other failed attempts at independence, Dulcinea went further, she convinced her brother to create an army of women only... She prepared them as skillful warriors in secret, and they managed to defeat the English.

- Incredible! I would never have imagined it! - Harold said, totally surprised.

- But Harold, I just said it…

- Please Mr Simmons, we're trying to learn here.

The fat teen silenced him. The teacher rolled his eyes, annoyed, took his learning sheets and decided to take a seat. With all eyes on him, Gerald continued his tale.

But the winning wasn't enough to Dulcinea, she fell in love with power, and wished more and more… She increased her army, and she was winning more and more battles, even if it meant sacrificing many of her warriors. Her brother was worried about her, she was hungry for power… The Hill warriors, as they called themselves, talked with Erwin, they decided not to help her more. Erwin talked with her, trying to make her see reason, and she "promised" to stop their plans…

But she had another intentions… She reunited her brother and the soldiers that he trusted more, in a special dinner. In secret, she was planning to kill them with a bomb… but during the dinner, it never happened, surprising her a lot.

Once the guests had left, the lady began to review why her plan had failed.

Without anyone expecting it... the bomb detonated, killing her instantly and destroying the southern part of the mansion that was her base of operations.

Clara Vine, one of her warriors, was the one who thwarted her plans and murdered her.

Later, she would marry Erwin and they would found the Hillwood city.

They both lived on the street we now call Vine, in the large haunted abandoned house, for they say Dulcinea's spirit never left the house and promises revenge on anyone who dares to enter it... The end…

The students erupted in applause at another brilliant performance by the brunette.

- Cool Gerald! Without any doubt, you are still the keeper of the urban legends.

-Thank you Stinky, it is my pleasure.

- Students, just remember, Dulcinea wasn't real, no historian has been able to find records about her, she is just an urban legend, now let's learn about the real story of…

The exit bell interrupted the teacher, a second later the young people had left the classroom.

- I have to ask Gerald to help me in history classes. - The teacher sighed. Resigned, he began to put away his things.


– Scholar Bus–

- I think that Simmons is lying. I believe that Dulcinea is real, but adults hate funny stories. - The fat teen opened his bag and smiled after finding a sandwich on it.

- I agree with you this time. - The cleverest girl added.- Some unofficial records talk about an unnamed girl that helped in those battles.

Harold and Sid looked back at Gerald and Phoebe, who were sitting together.

- Well, I think the only way to check is by entering the house.

- Are you crazy Sid?. - Gerald almost choked on his juice. - That place is falling apart. I don't think it's a good idea, do you Arnold?

Phoebe, Gerald, Sid and Harold turned to their right where the blondes were sitting, tapping their feet and flirting with each other... When they both felt all eyes on them, Helga pushed him against the window and frowned.

- Criminy football head! Leave me alone! I'm trying to hear the story, but you don't leave me!

- Me? You were crossing to my space Helga!

The football head boy stood up, still with red cheeks. He dusted himself off his clothes and sat down.

- But as I said, I agree with the boys.

- What? - Said Phoebe and Gerald with surprise.

- Perfect! So Arnold accepts the challenge!- Harold yelled happily. - See you tonight guys! Let's go Sid, we need some lanterns and food.

- Ehm… Pheebs, please explain to me… what just happened here?

- Well Helga, Arnold accepted to go inside the old Mansion Milligan… tonight…

- Arnoldo… are you crazy? - Helga was totally shocked.

- Gee… I didn't know what you were talking about…

- Because you were very busy, huh my man?

- Geraldo, are you not helping… You can't do that, it would be dangerous.

- Yes Arnold, Helga is right, you don't have to prove anything.

- If I don't go Phoebe, it would be worse… the people could suspect about us… I've to do it...

- Oh no, I said no, you can't do that… I prefer… broke with you…

- What? forget it Helga… I've done things more dangerous than this before, don't worry.

- Yes but you survived just because I was there helping you.

- No, I've done things on my own… without you and I survived!

- Oh no Arnold, trust her, she was there!... auch! - After the not subtle intervention of the brunette, Helga stopped him with an unfriendly fist on his shoulder.

- Sorry guys, but now I'm decided… I'll do it…


– Mansion Milligan - 11:50 pm

Despite it was a spring night, the clouds invaded the sky, and a cold wind moved Arnold's and friend's hairs. The enormous mansion was in perfect condition, so elegant and with architecture of that epoch.

- So… when we were talking about the legend in the classroom, all the last period, and then on the bus… you never paid attention to us, really?

- To be honest with you… no one word… - Arnold looked down at his surprised best friend.

- What's wrong with you man! Now you have to go inside.

- Oh no, Arnold won't do it… this dump is falling apart, even when I hated him, I would never have made him do something as dangerous as this stupid thing.

- Yes sis, but his honor is in danger…

- Also… if I don't go, the others will suspect us about… don't worry Helga… I know what I'm doing, trust me…

- Hey Arnold, you're here, amazing! - Sid said and Harold continued with laughter.

- So are you ready to meet the challenge?

- Actually Harold... I...

- Do not tell me, hair boy, that you are backing down... coward! - Helga got into her bully role.

- I am not a coward and I will do it! Give me the flashlight!

Arnold grabbed his backpack and snatched the flashlight from Harold's hands.

- I thought the idea was to convince them to give up, not to inspire them, Helga, what are you doing?

- Honestly, Pheebs, I let myself go...

- I'll accompany you bro, wait! - Gerald ran to his friend.

- We'll wait here to make sure they don't get scared! - The boy with the unibrow yelled as Gerald and Arnold were finally inside.


– Mansion Milligan - Reception room

The sound of creaking wood was heard with every step the blond took. Darkness reigned around him. His skin broke out in goosebumps at the strange cold that was felt in the old place.

-Arnold! Wait for me!

-Gerald? What are you doing here?

- Did you think I was going to leave you alone in the haunted house? Not even in dreams, if we die, it's together!

They both made their classic greeting and began to slowly walk around the room.

For such an old, abandoned house, it was in as good a shape as the exterior.

The walls were filled with landscape portraits, which seemed to be the city back then.

Fine tea sets were displayed in the dining room cabinets.

- It's strange. - The brunette spoke, breaking the sepulchral silence. - Everything is just as the former owners left it, only covered in dust and cobwebs.

- I know and it is strange that no thief has looted it.

- It's because of the legend bro, no one is stupid enough to bother the spirits...

- Except for you, of course.

The two boys screamed as loud as their lungs would allow at the intrusion of the mysterious female voice.

After dropping their flashlights, Arnold raised his and pointed fearfully at the huge shadow in front of them.

-Helga? Phoebe? What are you doing?

- Did you think we would leave them alone? We know that they would not be able to survive without us. - Declared the girl with the pink bow, adjusting one of her pigtails.

- Of course not, we are men, strong, brave and we know how... ah!...

It was what the brunette managed to say before the floor opened up and he fell through the hole.

-Gerald! - His girlfriend screamed worriedly.

- See? Let's go for the adventures boy!

They went down stairs, carefully, trying to not make the same mistake as Gerald.

While Arnold and Phoebe went a little ahead, Helga felt a heavy gaze on her, she stopped her walk and looked towards an old painting, for a second, her eyes were mesmerized by the amber eyes of the lady in that painting. The blue-eyed girl walked towards her and touched her and without her realizing it, the wall turned, taking her to a secret room.

Arriving downstairs, they found the brunette upside down on what looked like an old sofa.

- Gerald, babe, are you okay? - Phoebe knelt down to be at his level and hugged him.

- Yes babe, I think so... but it will hurt in the morning...

- I think that's enough guys... we'd better go back, right Helga?...

But silence was his answer.

-Helga? It's not funny, let's go.

- Arnold, I think Helga is missing.

- Do you think she is joking?

- I don't think so Gerald, look at the floor. - The blond pointed and his friends turned. - Here you can see my footprints and Phoebe's, but there is no trace of her.

- But she was coming after us, and we didn't hear any noise of falling... where could she be?

- I don't know, it's best that we go looking for her, before something happens to her.

Unnoticed by the guys, a red and viscous liquid began to come out under the chair, slowly approaching behind them.


– Mansion Milligan - Secret basement

- Hello? Guys? Are you here? Someone can hear me? - The girl screamed, but she was totally alone. - Perfect! Just perfect! And I'm here, again, in trouble, courtesy of Arnold Shortman…

She tapped the flashlight a little to turn it on, and began to inspect her surroundings.

Suddenly, a strange melody began to play in the room, which seemed to be an underground bedroom with a small library on the left side.

Helga began to walk looking for the source of the sound. Although something inside her told her not to do it, something else extern to her urged her to go.

She got to the bookcase and found an old music box.

- So that was... I have to stop watching those stupid movies because...

But a thick scent of stale perfume filled the room. She was getting closer and closer to her.

- Ok, I don't like this and I don't want to be the first stupid to die, I better go back the way I came.

The preteen touched the wall again, but this time she didn't turn.

- Perfect! I'm stuck here... I'll kill those two idiots when I see them! I'm going to make the other arm worse for that pink boy!


– Mansion Milligan - Kitchen 2:50 am

- Arnold, this is wrong! We have walked for all parts and Helga is still missing… I tried to call her but her cellphone is out of service…

- Yeah my man, this is so strange… more than the other times when we had to prove the veracity of urban legends.

- I know guys and I agree with you… I'm so worried, she went inside just to help me… just for me…

- Don't feel bad Arnie, knowing Helga, she is ok, maybe she is outside, quiet, just waiting for us.

– Mansion Milligan - Basement

- I hate this place! I hate this place! I want to go home! I don't know how to get free and… -

Helga's claustrophobia was beginning to take over her, when once again, she fell to the ground. - Here on the ground, it's my end... Oh Arnold, my beloved, my prince... our destiny will not be to be together, life separates us and... what is that?

A silver locket caught the girl's attention and interrupted her soliloquy.

"My dear sister Dulcinea, happy birthday, thanks for all your help in this battle,

always yours, your brother Edwin".

- It seems that for once, these idiots were right… She was real… Maybe... if I move some other book I can find another clue...

Helga began to move each one of the books from the cabinet that was next to the wall where she entered, they all seemed to be from the same era of the house and its furniture.

Suddenly, a rather large one fell to the ground, and several old maps came out of it.

- This seems to be... blueprints and war plans...

She took them in her hands and looked at the initials on all the sheets: "DM".

- Yep… it's official… She was real and the historians cleaned up the image of the Milligans, what a disaster! A potential dictatorship woman and a murderous sister-in-law... interesting. But the question is… how will I leave this room!?

The locket fell from her hands and a small key appeared from it along with a note:

General Milligan:

I hope you find this note in time, your sister has gone crazy, and plans to blow up the south wing of the mansion, avoid going to this dinner at all costs, I am confined and I will not be able to help you, but I have sent my best soldier, the cadet Vine will came to help you, be careful. In case you want to go out, the basement, our secret base, you can find a door behind the bed ..."

- Well, this is quite useful... I'd better get out of...

Helga looked up and felt her sky blue eyes widen, the reflection of an old lady in the mirror, and it was right behind her.

She wasn't even able to scream, before her legs became paralyzed, she took the key and found the small door, her hand was getting closer and the room felt colder.

- Criminal! come on, come on!

Her hand shaking with fear made the task even more difficult, until she finally saw the door swing open the second something icy touched her shoulder.

She quickly went out and slammed the door shut and sighed a little easier.

- I heard something in the room. - Gerald said from afar, and the voices of his friends began to get closer.

- Helga! Here you are! - Arnold shortened the distance between them and, relieved, gave her a big hug. - You're freezing! What happened?

- I'll tell you when we are out of here, we'd better get out of here... now!

With no intention of wanting to find out, the three of them followed her to the front door, went outside and breathed a sigh of relief. Harold and Sid snapped awake and came over to them.

- Well, little crybabies, Did you find something? Or their fraid did not let them even open their eyes! - Harold scoffed, until Helga rubbed the old locket she had found on his forehead.

- Here is your test, pink boy! She was real! Now if you'll excuse me, it's the cursed hour and I'd rather be at my dad's store than one more second here. Helga Out!

The boys stared in astonishment at the old photograph in the locket as she hurried away, still her face as pale as a cloud.

- Helga! Wait! - Her boyfriend ran a few steps, to leave the others behind. - Are you ok? You look… bad…

- Arnold, I'm just gonna say… I'll never challenge you again to pretend anything… Can you walk home with me?

- Sure… don't worry, I'm here and everything it's ok. - He took her hand and smiled at her, ignoring the creepy shadow inside the mansion that was following with her eyes.

THE END


I was wishing to write a new urban legend of the city, and I've to confess that was a little difficult, I mean, in the show we watched a lot of perfect ones and I had to do something similar but no worse and this is the result, was a very funny adventure to write and genre that I don't usually work with it. What do you think?