Panda Delgado Pov:
"Valentine's Day. What a dumb holiday involving people finding their one true love, the one love my dad found instead of my mom is the 'Da Boss'. It's his heavy state-of-the-art, armored-proof, bulletproof, and full-armed prided car. It drives me nuts! Whenever we were on a job as Body Bags going after bounties, my dad would always shine the windows and make me clean out whatever mess was in the back. And whenever Valentine's Day comes around, he doesn't give me any gift cards or candy. He tends to his car as if it were his kid or something, it can make a girl jealous you know? But who cares! We're in a different city and there's a zombie cutie that I have my eyes on. The only way I need to get to him is through Wynter, just have to show her that I can be just as exciting to be around and not after Revenant for any bounty on his head."
Morning-Seabrook High School
There was love in the air and the hallways were brimming with excitement about the upcoming dance for Valentine's Day. Everyone was either talking about who was going to be asked out or how stylish they'd be when they arrived at the event. Across the lockers was the new student that enrolled when he arrived at Seabrook when there was a bounty on Revenant's head, his only name was the Goon. He had no alternate name since his father was called Goon, looking at his locker that was filled with newspaper articles about his dad and Frank handling monsters back in his old town handling zombies that were called 'Slack Jaws'. Here? They weren't mindless creatures; they were ordinary and appeared to act like everyone in Seabrook.
"Hey, Goon!"
A voice startled him which caught the quiet boy by surprise as his reflex took over and punched whoever scared him. Only to not feel a face but someone else's locker, the one responsible was Panda who looked shocked at how fast he was and how strong his fists were when it came to leaving a tent in the locker.
"Easy, I just wanted to see how you were holding up since this place can be too 'chippy'. People like us who chase after creeps and freaks that enjoy eating hearts, right?"
She brought up his dad's history in fighting monsters as Panda pointed out at the photos in his locket. There were recent ones taken that showed him taking up his dad's position and handling whatever trouble came to his town as well as monsters that threatened the people.
"It sucks because that demon chick Mercy gets to hang out at that fancy Sentinel base than attending classes with us. Two certified badass who can handle anything."
Panda brought up how Mercy Sparx was going to be working with Brit and the others since she had already graduated from the high school she'd attended before coming to Seabrook. Goon didn't understand what she was getting at and decided to grab his bag so he wouldn't be late for class, Panda got annoyed at him for leaving since there was something she needed from the silent boy.
"What I'm getting is that it'll be embarrassing if we attended our first event without dates. Especially how I know you have a thing for the ghost girl you got nervous about talking to since you kept to yourself during that Christmas party."
She told him about the unique zombie girl Mist who attended the party at Zed's house and caught Goon's attention since she was fun as well as special despite not having a physical body but being a gaseous person. Just as Panda brought her name up, the two saw Mist who was walking with Bree and A-Spen talking about being a part of setting up the decorations for the party.
"When I first came to Seabrook and learned about the holiday, there were many origins behind the creation of it. But what's important is that I've been able to show my affection to Willa."
The alien leader explained that since they'd started their relationship with Willa and given her numerous gifts to show their affection toward the alpha. Bree smiled since it was the same feeling between her and Bonzo whenever Valentine's Day came, Mist on the other hand didn't have much luck when it came to finding someone who wouldn't mind spending quality time with a walking cloud.
"We should get started on getting the custom chocolate brain snacks that Tiki-Z offered to make for the event. I'd ask where he got the ingredients since they aren't actual brains, but it would best to not think about how he made them."
Suggesting that the tiki owner of a store filled with numerous items and meals that he either acquired or made by himself with ingredients that didn't come from the stores in Seabrook. The trio made their way to where the event would happen leaving Goon to lower his head about how busy the place would be with everyone asking one another out, except him due to being the son of a zombie fighting enforcer that would be paid to handle the undead back home.
"But I know a way you can impress Mist and show how awesome you are. The only way to do that is by having your very own ride to take her to the dance."
Panda offers a solution to getting him popular with the gas zombie and shows Goon a photo of her father as well as the car he was working on. Unsure of what the girl was thinking, Goon gave her a questionable look as if she was talking about taking the car from under his watch.
"We're not going steal. We're going make a car of our own based on 'Da-Boss'. There's a junkyard with tons of scrap metal we can use to make one, going to need muscle to move everything around. Interested?"
She offered the opportunity to make themselves a car that he could take Mist in so everyone knew they were driving in style. Goon wasn't falling for it as he continued to look at Panda to see what was in it for her since Frank told him that Clown-face and his kid did stuff for money, no matter how gruesome the job would be.
"Okay. I want to show Rev and Wynter how good I am at making stuff but I need muscle since it's a lot of moving around with the stuff will need to make the car."
Telling him the truth that this would impress the zombie and werewolf couple in an attempt to get closer to them. The boy looked at how Panda needed his help since it was the first for anyone to ask for assistance since Franky was in charge of what jobs he'd take whenever they were going after monsters. It took Goon a couple of minutes before Goon accepted the proposal to make a vehicle that would impress them, Panda got excited and dragged him outside of the hallways and school as there was no time to lose. Not knowing that someone was listening to the conversation, it was Shrimpy who happened to hear Panda's suggestion, who in actuality was Nightwing who stayed as the school's mascot to keep an eye on everyone.
"It's a new year and I'm already getting headaches."
Responded to what they might be up to as he wanted to inform Revenant and Wynter of what Panda was doing since it was clear the girl was fascinated with them. Unsure of how to handle the matter since it was a first for him, he saw Eliza and Wyatt walking together as they were walking out of the computer labs and noticed the large shrimp waving at them.
"Wyatt. Don't look now but I think we're going be busy, very busy."
Eliza told her boyfriend about how she knew that something might be happening that could involve the Valentine's Day dance happening. Looking around the corners to see if there wasn't anyone around, they followed the school's shrimp mascot to a nearby janitor's closet where they could talk in private.
"So what's happening that needs us? One of those slayers Cassie told us about with a Valentines theme. Tiki Z's chocolate brains made one of the zombies go zombie? Whatever it is, I'm ready for some excitement."
The werewolf listed various things that could be happening at the school as Eliza tapped on Wyatt's shoulder to settle him down since he wanted to be a part of the same action Eliza was experiencing after deciding to be a full-time member of Sentinel. The zombie girl helped remove the mascot head from Nightwing so they'd hear him better as to what the situation was.
"Panda and Goon are making a car from zombie town's junkyard to impress some people they like. Which is none other than Revenant's adoptive sibling Mist as well as him and Wynter."
The fruitpire explained what was going on which made the zombie girl and werewolf look confused at what Nightwing had told them. It wasn't life-threatening, town endangerment, it wasn't even supernatural threatening. It was an attempt by a couple of outsiders who wanted to impress three of their friends as well as show their attraction to them.
"I mean I understand Goon and Mist since she's lately been jealous of everyone having a date as well as Goon which is impossible since he keeps to himself. But Panda with Rev and Wynter?"
Eliza tried to figure out the last part since it wasn't an issue with Mist and Goon as they'd be good for them to get to know each other. Panda was a different story since Revenant and Wynter were already a thing and Wynter wasn't the type to let anyone take her zombie away from her.
"It's not that complicated."
Wyatt spoke out which caused Nightwing and Eliza to give him a puzzled look at what he meant by that since the werewolf had information about what Panda was attempting to do.
"While werewolves are similar to wolves, we share the same rules which include an alpha couple being in charge of the pack and looking after the cubs. However, it's rare in some wolf packs. There can be a wolf couple who could find another partner to be with if their able to show they can support the couple."
He explained about how wolf packs work when it comes to dating. His pack already had Willa and A-Spen as the alpha couple which involves the two looking after their two groups and showing strong affection to one another. There was an exception with Revenant and Wynter since they weren't the alpha couple and could do whatever they wanted, including bringing in another partner in their relationship if they wanted to bring them in.
"It be wise if we tell Panda about this since the vehicle she's making is based on her father's car that Brittney's people have already looked up on the internet. To try and put it in human terms, it's a monster on wheels."
Nightwing brought up that the vehicle they would attempt to make was the same car that Delgado drove in which was modified to withstand any type of damage and it was armed to the teeth with weapons. Having heard that and realizing the weapons that Panda could get from her father, it would be a nightmare for them to drive it on Seabrook's roads. The three rushed out of the janitor's closet and ran out of the school to oversee the building of Panda and Goon's car before they created a mechanical car that could the streets in half.
Later-Zombie Town's Junkyard
It took an hour to make it toward Zombie Town's junkyard where everything that was either broken or could be turned into something else since anyone could walk in and take the broken metal parts for themselves. No one noticed Panda and Goon making their way into the place where they'd managed to find an engine, a car that was mostly out of commission, and enough parts to rebuild it. Having brought tools from the house she and Delgado were staying in; Goon was able to start putting the vehicle together without the need for gasoline.
"Just to keep our car the most fortified and kick-ass out of everyone's in town. I brought some junk my daddy had brought before we arrived here in case there was someone else with a target on their head."
Panda told Goon about the weapons she brought with her as she placed the box near Goon's side as he continued to work on the car. The boy said nothing as he continued his work on the car leaving Panda to keep an eye out if anyone would check in on the junkyard since no one was allowed to roam around freely. The Hispanic girl crossed her arms at the last few hours they'd been working on the vehicle, the boy hadn't said a word when they arrived at the junkyard.
"Not to try and interrupt your concentration. But I think it be good to figure out what you want to say to Mist once you show her this beast when we arrive at the Valentine's Day dance, the whole 'brooding' phase won't score you a smile or a kiss if you don't say anything."
Giving him advice on there being more to impress a girl than just making a car. The striped shirt-wearing boy said nothing since he didn't want to think about how he'd approach Mist once the vehicle was complete. Panda sighed at how Goon didn't reply to her since it was the same predicament for herself since it would be a challenge to face Rev and Wynter in their custom-made car.
"If anything. Will figure it out on the road, I already got my license without my dad noticing. Terminus is the best place to be if you want to get anything either money or broken teeth."
She stated that Panda was capable of driving the car as she presented Goon her driver's license which showed her threatening the owner into giving her a license and smiling in the photo. Just as Panda informed Goon about being capable of driving, he put in the last screw in the vehicle before taking a step back to see their machine complete.
"While I hate my dad's car with how much care he puts into it, he says that a car is unstoppable when it has a name. So, I declare this scrap pile on wheels. 'Da-Princess'."
Giving the car a name as it resembled Delgado's car but small and less bulky. The pair made their way inside to see if they could get it operational as Panda started to turn on the ignition and see if Goon had made it fully operational. They didn't notice coming from the side was Eliza, Wyatt, and Nightwing making their to the junkyard and saw the car built as well as hearing it starting up.
"It looks good; for a car looks like it's going to a science fair. With how much stuff there is here I'm sure it won't turn on. I mean it's the same place where I made my Tombstone suits."
Eliza responded to Panda and Goon's mechanical creation as well as brought up the various suits she'd made in the past and came here to get the supplies. The werewolf and fruitpire's expressions fell since most of the items Eliza used to make her suits could either be unstoppable or unpredictable. Hearing the engine turn on and rumbling coming from the engine Goon put together. The pair looked up to see Eliza and the others in front of the car with a frightened look on their faces as if the car hadn't imploded on them.
"Hi, guys! Might want to move out of the way, Da-Princess is going off to get us some dates tonight!"
She yelled excitedly and hit the horn of their car which set off a set of flashbangs being fired from the side that blinded the three as well as Panda and Goon. Unable to see straight, Panda didn't see herself stepping on the pedal making the car start. Wyatt was able to sense the car coming as he pushed Eliza out of the way and relied on his werewolf instincts to jump over the car and attach himself to the hood. Hearing the car drive out of the junkyard, Eliza and Nightwing got their sight back as they looked at the ground to see what looked like a piece that had fallen out of the car.
"Can you give an estimate on how much time they have before that car falls apart?"
Nightwing asked Eliza how it seemed despite making the car appear like it was capable of driving. The hand-made car was falling apart, meaning that it could crash into anything if Panda and Goon weren't careful on the road. The two made their way out of the junkyard to follow them back to the school and call ahead to see if they couldn't warn them about the runaway car with a werewolf riding on top of its hood.
Later-Seabrook High
The Valentine's Day event had started to go underway with everyone arriving either with friends or dates that had asked out to enjoy the occasion. Zed and Addison walked in to see the place looking lively with various activities happening that included a candy-eating contest, booths where there were prizes to be won, and finally the contest for the best couple of the year.
"I used to remember us winning that contest when we started dating. Is it bad that I want it to be someone else?"
Zed asked Addison how whenever Valentine's Day came and love was in the air around Seabrook, the couple would be in any competition due to how strong their connection was to each other. Addison shook her head at his questions since it was right for someone to take the award since there were many couples here who'd be perfect to win.
"It would be wrong if it was us again. While winning competitions is fun, I think this one should go to someone that wants to show their admiration to their special person."
She responded to his statement about how there were couples who'd win the award than them. Deciding to walk through the event to check out the booths. Revenant and Wynter were together at a booth that was called 'Cupid's Arrow', they were using toy crossbows to shoot at the hearts that were moving across the sides. The zombie was helping his werewolf girlfriend out in shooting them.
"You're getting better. So far I've won about four stuffed hearts from the booths, let's see if you can beat me with getting a couple more."
Commenting on how they've been focused on a contest to see who would get the most stuffed hearts which Wynter could get two more if she takes out all the hearts without missing. She smirked at Revenant leaving her to ignore the excitement that was in the room and concentrate on the hearts moving from side to side. Gripping the crossbow tightly, she fired off the arrows at the hearts but missed one heart as the arrow bounced off and back to Wynter. Moving aside to avoid being shot, the fake arrow landed on someone they didn't think would attend the event. Cassie Hack, who was with her friend Vlad collecting the food that was being offered to everyone for free.
"Look at that. You've been struck by Wynter's arrow, maybe there's a chance for you to start dating again."
Vlad made a joke about getting shot with the fake arrow leaving Cassie to roll her eyes at the comment. Looking at Wynter being responsible and trying to win the plushy hearts, Cassie took the crossbow from her hand and fired at all the hearts without flinching leaving the owner of the booth shocked at how fast Cassie shot them all.
"Dating is for people who want someone who understands the person. I'm just here to see what the excitement was."
Cassie told her friend and got one heart for Vlad while giving the rest to Wynter since it was her game. The two slayer hunters made their way to check out the other booths with prizes to win, it left Rev and Wynter to check out the other activities to do at the event as they noticed at the table where there was free candy and his adoptive siblings talking amongst themselves.
"I give them a couple more weeks before they each find someone that'll see they're more than just zombies with powers. Just have to give it time."
Responding to the trio feeling nervous about wanting to ask anyone out since various people found Sal and Cortex interesting to hang out with. The only one out was Mist who seemed to have no one noticing her due to the condition she had. With the event continuing, they heard Principal Lee asking for everyone's attention. Revenant's phone was going off which didn't catch the zombie's attention due to how many people were around him and focused on what the principal was going to say.
"This is quite the turnout for Seabrook High's Valentine's Day event, with everyone finding their true loves and enjoying what we have to offer. As well as hearing about the contest winner for best couple."
Telling everyone about who was the winner of the best couple since there were various people she saw dating who would fit the description to be picked. Just as Lee was talking out the envelope and building up tension on who was going to be the best couple. Revenant felt the vibration coming off his phone and answered it to see who was trying to call him.
"Nightwing? Yeah, I'm here at the event. What do you mean get everyone clear."
Speaking out in a confused manner before hearing the sound of an engine coming from the hallways. It started to get louder before it caught everyone's attention where they looked behind and into the hallway to see what was left of Da-Princess coming into the room with Panda, Wyatt, and Goon driving in. What was left was their chairs, a set of wheels, and the wheel that Panda used to make their way back to school as everyone saw them in what now looked like a go-cart.
"Hey, guys. Like our car?"
Panda waved at Rev and Wynter before showing the remains of their car before the wheels came off the car and made it useless. Goon looked over through the crowd seeing numerous expressions on each of their faces at what they'd just seen, what he focused on was finding Mist as he couldn't help but laugh at their unique arrival. Standing up from the broken poultry and grabbing the wheel from Panda, he got on his feet to walk over and present the wheel to Mist.
"Happy. Valentine's Day."
Goon told her as he looked tired from the drive here to that of building the car. Mist was speechless toward the wheel he'd given to her and found it affectionate; everyone applauded from the sight and thought it was part of the event. Rev and Wynter looked over at Wyatt as the wolf was shaken up from the wild ride that he was on and shuttering at what he'd experienced.
"Eliza and Nightwing are going be here a bit late. Their cleaning up half the block."
He told the two about he'd been through as Revenant's phone started to buzz again which the zombie looked at to see photos of Panda driving across Seabrook to have the car slowly coming apart. They looked over at Panda for the girl to show a nervous smile at while there wasn't any property damage, Revenant knew that he was going get dragged into the mess because it was for both him and Wynter when the mayor as well as Panda's father would hear about this.
Hope Everyone has an romantic Valentine's Day. Questions are available to be answered if you want to know what'll happen next for the story.
