[Scene: A surprise sweet sixteen party for Zoi in an upscale hotel ballroom.]

[Zoi is backing away in terror as his parents force him into the room and his friends and family rush up to greet him.]

Usagi: [Throws her arms around Zoi] Happy birthday, Zoi! [In her exuberance she bumps into Mamoru] Oh, hey.

Mamoru: Hey.

[They turn away from each other. Zoi continues to ignore everyone around him as his parents, drag him, wide-eyed with shock, toward the podium with its microphone.]

Umino: Oh, my god, I went on a date with Eleanor and she kissed me! She actually kissed me! And she's a girl! I don't think my feet have touched the floor since!

Naru: Zoi doesn't want you hear about your date right now. [drags Umino away while a handsome man in an expensive suit rushes in to take his place.]

Giancarlo: Mio Bambino! [Gives Zoi a kiss on each cheek] We came from all over Italy to celebrate your birthday. Come meet your grandparents and all your new cousins!

[Zoi regards the sea of unfamiliar faces behind his stepfather with a look of dread.]

[More people rush up to hug him, but he doesn't maintain his composure until he notices the microphone. He makes a break from his parents and rushed to the podium.]

Zoi: Attention everyone! You all need to leave! Right now!

[The room fills with polite laughter]

Zoi: I mean it! Go away!

[More laughter, only this time it is a bit more strained]

Renee: [grabs the microphone] Isn't he adorable when he's being shy? [Chuckles and holds Zoi at arm's length as he tries to grab the microphone back] It's hard to believe it was sixteen years ago today that I struggled through twelve hours of grueling labor to bring him into the world. [sighs] Yes, I admit it. I'm (barely) old enough to have a sixteen year old child. I admit it because I live in Italy now, and my husband's family hardly knows what I'm saying up here. Giancarlo? Are you at the table? Raise your hand, Giancarlo, so everyone can see what a handsome young studmuffin I married. He's rich, too. In fact his father paid for this party, and flew his entire family over, first class, so that they could come celebrate this special occasion with us. So help yourself to the drinks and the caviar. [levels a look at Zoi] And now I turn the microphone over to the birthday boy. Who I trust will be gracious and humble given that you all took the time to come here on his behalf.

Zoi: WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS!

[The is a bit of nervous laughter, but for the most part the room is silent]

Zoi: I MEAN IT! WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO HERD EVERYONE I MIGHT POSSIBLY CARE ABOUT INTO ONE PLACE!

[People look around, startled by his outburst. They don't seem to notice the room dimming and swirling with a reddish mist as a robed figure rises from a table.]

Death Phantom: Oh, I think you already know the answer to that question.

Renee: [screams and clutches Zoi] Oh, my god! What is that THING!

[people look at where she is pointing and start chatting to each other nervously]

Chief Midori: Renee? What are you talking about?

Renee: [hysterical] You don't see it? That ghostly skull thing? [points at the Death Phantom]

Chief Midori: Renee. There is nothing there.

Zoi: It's ok, Mom. I see him, too. Its the Death Phantom. He's come here to kill everyone in this room, unless I taken oath of obedience and end up doing it for him.

[Now the crowd is really muttering. Any who still think he is joking are a bit puzzled that they don't get the jokes.]

Zoi: EVERYONE RUN FOR THE EXITS! [nobody moves] I MEAN IT! [He summons a fireball and sends it toward the ceiling, where it explodes, raining down flame and bits of plaster]

[The crowd screams as they leave their tables and run for the doors, which magically shrink and vanish before they can reach them.]

[The Death Phantom regards the hysterical mass of people trapped in the now burning chamber as he turns his attention back to Zoi.]

Death Phantom: Swear allegiance to me-or they all die.