Chapter 21: Wrath of the Prom Scream

In the gymnasium, Liam and some of his fellow officers were there. Aaron and Smolder had to miss work that day because they were witnesses of what happened.

"And that costumed freak tore up the entire gymnasium," Aaron finished explaining.

"I would've whooped that thing's ass if it hadn't blocked the door," Smolder said.

"I have no doubt about that," Liam said. "Thanks for letting me know."

Then Principal Sanders came towards them and asked, "Any sign of the Prom Scream?"

"No, she disappeared when she finished trashing the gym," Aaron said. "Was the Prom Scream supposed to come before the dance?"

"No, she was supposed to come during the dance," Principal Sanders said. "It's a tradition every ten years here in Orlando."

"Yeah, even I had heard the legend of the Prom Scream when I first became a police officer when I moved here from Salt Lake City," Liam said. "I almost went out on a lot of false alarms during Prom Night ten years ago."

"Well, guess we're gonna have to get the gym set up again," Principal Sanders said. "It's a good thing we're insured."

"Well, Aaron, you and Smolder go home," Liam said. "I hope your boss understood why you two didn't go into work today."

"Staying after school for being witnesses of vandalism is serious," Aaron said. "Alright, Smolder. Let's head on home."

"Did you hear about Kyle and Megan?" Smolder asked.

"Oh, yeah," Aaron said. "Kyle and Megan started dating last month. I thought that they were becoming more than just friends."

"I heard that they're gonna be going to Prom together," Smolder said. "Perhaps we can give them a ride to the dance that night."

"We talked about that," Aaron said. "It's too bad Paul won't be here for Prom."

"Oh, right," Smolder said. "His grandma got sick and he and his parents went over to Detroit to take care of her."

"Well, at least we still have friends going to Prom," Aaron said, making Smolder nod. Aaron then noticed something on the ground. "Hey, what's this?" Aaron then grabbed what was on the ground and there was a piece of some kind of rope on the ground.

"What kind of rope is this?" Smolder asked.

"I think it's some kind of rope for rigging," Aaron said. "Made for sending someone up or down. Looks like we're dealing with a professional."

Aaron and Smolder arrived at home. Kyle and Megan walked in with them.

"Ah still can't believe someone actually trashed the gym posin' as that... Prom Scream ghost," Megan said.

"I know, right?" Aaron asked. "At least the Prom Committee is getting it repaired. It might not be as nice as it was when they had it, but it might be good enough."

"I just hope that we'll be able to have a good time there," Kyle said. Just then, the door that led to Smolder's part of the house opened up and coming out of the door was Spike. And he was taller.

"Oh, hey Aaron," Spike said. His voice was now deeper. "Hey, Smolder."

"Spike?!" Aaron and Smolder asked.

"Whoa, Spike," Aaron said. "You've got a growth spurt. And your voice is changing."

"Yeah," Spike said. "It happened last year. I'm thirteen now. And... I'm starting to pump some iron."

"You're lifting weights now?" Smolder asked. "Hey-hey, congrats!" She then slapped Spike's back. "You're now as big as Aaron and I were when we first met."

"So, what brings you here?" Aaron asked.

"I was just making a delivery," Spike said.

"They came in?" Smolder asked.

"They sure did," Spike said. "I put them in your bedroom closet."

"Thanks, Spike," Smolder said. "I'm ready for the Prom now."

"Well, hopefully we won't have any trouble with that Prom Scream," Kyle said.

"Prom what?" Spike asked.

"Earlier today, someone dressed up in the Prom Scream ghost trashed the gym and almost ruined Prom," Aaron said. "Whoever is the Prom Scream is really determined to get the crown."

"Well, perhaps I can help sniff it out," Spike said, putting on a spiked collar with a medallion as the tag. He then tapped it and he became an older version of his dog form.

"You're going dog form?" Aaron asked. "Why?"

"Meh, you said that one day I'll be a quadruped dragon in the future," Spike said. "And my dog form is a quadruped, so I might as well prepare myself for that."

"Good point," Aaron said. "How about we head back to the school and help with the clean up. And maybe find clues about who the Prom Scream is."

"Wait a minute," Smolder said. "Two guys, two girls, talking dog... Are we repeating Scooby-Doo?" That made both Kyle and Megan laugh.

"At least we got the talking dog that's completely understandable," Aaron said, making Spike nod. Then they all headed out of there.

At the school, Aaron, Smolder, Kyle and Megan were helping with the clean up of the gym so they could get the Prom Dance prepared again. Aaron and Smolder were helping with getting the decorative ribbons all over the support beams on the roof.

"Boy, I wonder how they got these things up there without us," Smolder said.

"They probably bring lifts in," Aaron said. "But those things are expensive to rent."

Then Principal Sanders came into the gym. She then saw the extra hands helping and said, "Looks like our school mascots are helping out."

"Well, there's another dragon helping out," Kyle said. "Even though he's a dog right now." He then tilted his head and saw Spike holding a dustpan for another student to sweep in some garbage into it. Then the sound of a woman sneezing came in. Then a woman came in. She had her light brown hair tied into a bun, a pair of black glasses over her green eyes, she was wearing a white button up shirt, a black skirt, and black heels.

"I am so sorry," the woman said. "My allergies are acting up." She then saw Spike. "Oh, dear. A dog. I'm allergic to dogs."

"Spike, you might want to..." the student who was sweeping said, making Spike nod and head out of there.

Aaron and Smolder came down. Smolder then asked, "Who is this?"

"This is our new substitute teacher, Miss Butcherson," Principal Sanders said. "She's watching over the Sophomore Geometry class when our current teacher is out for the week."

"Well, I should go back to grading the homework," Miss Butcherson said. "I'll see you later." Then she headed off down the hall.

"Substitute teacher, huh?" Smolder asked.

"Well, we should get back ta cleaning," Megan said.

"And if that ghost is after the crowns, perhaps they should be moved to another location until the time comes," Aaron said.

"Good idea," Principal Sanders said. "Follow me, dragons."

"Yo, Spike," Aaron said. "Let's go." Then Aaron, Smolder and Spike followed Principal Sanders to the Principal's Office.

In the Principal's Office, Principal Sanders opened the safe behind the picture and pulled out the crowns and showed them to Aaron, Smolder and Spike.

"Whoa," Smolder said.

"Those are the crowns for Prom King and Queen?" Aaron asked.

"That's right, Aaron," Principal Sanders said.

"Those diamonds, they look so real," Spike said.

"I know," Principal Sanders said. "Whoever sent these crowns here went all out with the design. Well, we should..." Just then, the door was slammed open and in came the Prom Scream Ghost.

"My crowns!" the Prom Scream shouted. "Give me my crowns!" She then jumped towards the Principal to tackle her. Principal Sanders got out of the way.

Principal Sanders then handed Aaron and Smolder the crowns and said, "Get the crowns somewhere safe."

"I know just the guy who can get the crowns away from the Prom Scream," Aaron said.

"I don't think so!" the Prom Scream said, standing up, recovering from her crash. She then started sniffling. She then sneezed. When she sneezed, Aaron, Smolder and Spike ran out of the room. The Prom Scream growled and gave chase. "I want my crowns!"

Aaron, Smolder and Spike were running down the halls of the school as the Prom Scream chased after them. Then they stopped in front of the door that was marked "Basement". They waited for the Prom Scream to come closer. As soon as she jumped towards them, Smolder opened the door and the Prom Scream went through the door way, and was groaning in pain as she was falling down the stairs.

"Ouch!" Smolder said. "That's gotta hurt!" Aaron then closed the door.

"Dang!" Aaron said.

"You called?!" Dang said, instantly appearing beside the three dragons, making them scream.

"Dang, lock this door to keep the Prom Scream contained," Aaron said.

"No problem," Dang said, pulling out his master key to lock the basement door. After doing so, he then looked at Aaron. "Anything else I can do?"

"Yes," Aaron said, holding up one of the crowns. "Principal Sanders wants these crowns put in a safer location in case the Prom Scream comes after them again."

"Okay," Dang said. "I'll have these back here in time for the dance." Dang then took both the crowns and walked away.

"Where did that guy come from?" Spike asked.

"He's really fast," Aaron said. "I don't know how he does it, but he's incredibly fast. Now, let's get out of here before the Prom Scream attempts to break out." Just then, there was pounding coming from the door. Then Aaron, Smolder and Spike walked away from the door.

During Free Period on Thursday, Aaron, Smolder, Kyle, Megan and Spike were all on the roof above the gym talking about the Prom Scream.

"So, the Prom Scream went after you three and wanted the crowns?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah," Aaron said. "That's right."

"But that can't be," Kyle said. "The legend of the Prom Scream was supposed to be that the Prom Scream would only go after the Queen's crown. Why would she want both?"

"Something doesn't make any sense," Spike said. "Especially since that ghost sneezed when she came in."

"Sneezed?" Smolder asked.

"Guys, I think we might be closer to solving this mystery," Aaron said. "Which means, we have to trap the ghost."

"How are we gonna do that?" Megan asked.

"We're gonna need to set up a trap," Aaron said. "So, let's Scooby-Doo this crap."

In the gym, Aaron, Smolder, Kyle, Megan and Spike were setting up a trap for the Prom Scream for when she comes to attack. There was an altar at one end of the gym made for the crowning of Prom King and Queen. Aaron and Kyle were covering the back with ribbons and metal wiring while Smolder and Megan were setting up the back of it with a spring loaded launcher.

Then Aaron and Smolder flew up to the support beams at the roof to replace the disco ball with one that had a hole in the middle of it that was big enough to trap the Prom Scream. Smolder then saw an aero rig system set up by the skylight. Smolder then tapped Aaron shoulder to show him it. Aaron then got another idea.

Aaron, Smolder, Kyle, Megan and Spike were setting up the outer layer of the gym with netting tied to the wire where the hanging decorations will to let the Prom Scream fall to the ground in the middle of the gym. Then Aaron set up the disco ball trap to fall when the Prom Scream comes in the middle of the gym.

"Okay, guys," Aaron said. "The Prom is tonight. Let's review the plan once again."

"When the crowns come to this year's voted Prom King and Queen in front of the altar, the Prom Scream will come after them," Kyle said. "They'll have to get out of the way and I'll spring the first part of the trap which will send her to the middle of the gym."

"But if she makes a run for it when taking off with that aero rig system, I'll fly up and cut off the ropes so she won't escape," Aaron said.

"Then Spike and I will activate the netting that will send her down to the middle of the gym so she'll be in position for our trap," Smolder said.

"Then Ah'll use mah lasso ta keep 'er in place as the disco ball trap comes down after Aaron drops it on 'er," Megan said.

"Then, boom!" Spike said. "Ghosty's trapped!"

"And obviously, the Prom King and Queen are both gonna be bait for the trap," Aaron said. "We'll ask the Prom Committee who the King and Queen are."

"Ah don't think that's gonna be much help," Megan said. "Everyone's already home ta prepare for Prom."

"Well, we better get ready as well," Aaron said. "Let's go." Then they all headed out of there.

At Aaron's house, Aaron was putting on his rental tuxes. Yes. I said tuxes. He had one for both of his forms. One tux for his human form, and one for his dragon form. Both tuxedos had the white button up shirt, a black blazer; which one had wing holes in both the shirt and blazer, a green bow tie and a matching cummerbund. Aaron's human tuxedo also had black pants that matched the blazer, black socks and black dress shoes. Liam helped Aaron tie both bow ties. Once they were securely tightened, Aaron was ready for Prom.

Smolder was getting ready as well. She had two dresses for both of her forms. They were ice blue dresses that shimmer in both forms from the lighting of the dance. Both dresses included one golden shoulder strap on the left shoulder with rubies going down the middle of the straps. Smolder's human dress had some room in her chest for her breasts. After zipping up the dresses, she tightened the waistbands that were over the middle of the dresses. In her human form, she also had ice blue heels to put on under the dress. She then put make up on both her forms. Blue eye shadow, stick on diamonds by her eyes, and red lipstick.

Spike was in the living room of Smolder's part of the house, putting on a bow tie over his collar. He then looked around to make sure no one was looking. He held up two fake mustaches to put over his mouth. One bushy, and one a handlebar.

At Megan's house, Megan was putting on a white button up shirt with a green vest, a green skirt that reached down to her knees, a brown cowgirl hat, and brown cowgirl boots. There was also a red flower on the left side of her vest. She also had pink lipstick and light blue eye shadow.

Outside of Aaron's house, Kyle came up to the sidewalk. He had a similar tuxedo to Aaron's. Except his tie and cummerbund was blue. Then Aaron, Smolder and Spike came out of the house while Megan walked across the street from her house. Spike didn't have a fake mustache on. Liam and Mr. Williams came up in front of Aaron and Smolder's house to take pictures. Aaron and Smolder were also in human form.

"It's too bad Marissa isn't here to experience this in person," Liam said. "She'd be so proud of Aaron."

"Mah late wife as well," Mr. Williams said. Just then, the sound of a car horn came. Then everyone looked towards the horn and saw a limo coming up.

"That's our limo," Aaron said.

"Alright, kids," Liam said. "Get in front of the Limo for one last picture." Then Aaron, Smolder, Kyle, Megan and Spike got in front of the Limo. Then Liam and Mr. Williams took one last picture. "Alright. You all go on and have fun." Then Aaron, Smolder, Kyle, Megan and Spike got into the limo. After getting in, the limo started driving away.

In the front of the Limo, the Driver looked back at his passengers. He then put a hand on his earpiece communicator and said, "Mr. President, this is Agent McCloud. The dragons have been picked up to take to Prom."

At the Summer Valley High School Prom, Aaron, Smolder, Kyle, Megan and Spike arrived at the gym. Prom was back up and running. And nothing has gone wrong yet. Aaron and Smolder were still in human form.

"Wow," Spike said. "These humans sure know how to set up a school dance. Especially that DJ." The five of them saw the DJ on stage playing the music. "Not as good as I was."

"Sure... DJ Scales and Tail," Aaron said. "You need a new stage name."

Spike sighed and said, "I know."

Smolder laughed at that. She then looked around. "So, what are we gonna do?"

"Let's just enjoy ourselves," Aaron said. "Then, when the time for the Prom King and Queen gets announced, prepare to spring the trap." Then they all nodded and headed off in different directions. Aaron, Smolder and Spike went over to the snack table while Kyle and Megan went to the dance floor.

Aaron and Smolder grabbed some snacks. Smolder saw Spike on the ground, his tongue sticking out and his tail wagging. Smolder rolled her eyes with a smile. She then tossed a piece of salami to Spike, who caught it in his mouth. He then swallowed it. Just then, there came some beating from the speakers. On stage, there was Principal Sanders tapping on the microphone. The music dimmed down and everyone looked at the stage.

"Welcome, students, to Prom," Principal Sanders said. "Now, thanks to our Prom Committee and some other students helping out with the repairs to our greatest school dance, we must now announce the Prom King and Queen. Dang, bring out the crowns." Then Dang walked up on stage with the crowns on a small tray with velvet fabric underneath the crowns. "Now, let me have the tally score." Then a student came up to Principal Sanders with a note and read it. "Our Prom King and Queen are..." She then smirked. "Would you believe it?! It's our two school mascots, Aaron Blazer and Samantha Drake!" The students all applauded. Aaron and Smolder looked at each other in shock.

Spike laughed and said, "What a surprise!" Aaron and Smolder then went up to the stage. When they got on stage, Principal Sanders put the two crowns on Aaron and Smolder's heads. The students in the room kept applauding. But all that stopped when a shriek came from above. Everyone looked up and saw the Prom Scream coming down.

"My crowns!" the Prom Scream shouted. She then flew towards the stage and went after Aaron and Smolder. Aaron and Smolder stood back towards the first part of the trap.

"Hey, DJ," Aaron said. "Why not play something appropriate for this situation." The DJ nodded and played a song on the speakers, which confused the Prom Scream.

"Huh?" the Prom Scream asked.

"Now!" Aaron said as he and Smolder jumped out of the way of the altar as Kyle pulled a lever. The altar sprung towards the Prom Scream and sent her flying. She recovered in mid-air and tried going after Aaron and Smolder. Aaron took off his crown and transformed into his dragon form. "Hold this, Smolder." Aaron then flew up and met the Prom Scream in mid air. Smolder transformed into her dragon form as well after taking off her crown.

Aaron went above the Prom Scream, and he used his magical fire to create a sword and cut the lines that was connected to the Prom Scream's costume and she fell. Luckily, Smolder and Spike pulled the levers that release the angled netting and redirected the Prom Scream to the middle of the gym floor.

The Prom Scream landed on the floor with a thud. She then got up and saw Smolder with the crowns and tried going after her. But a lasso came in and surrounded her upper waist.

"Ah don't think so," Megan said, pulling the Prom Scream back to the middle of the gym. The Prom Scream tried pulling away from Megan, but the Prom Scream was in the perfect spot for Aaron to release the disco ball trap. Aaron then released the disco ball trap and it landed on the Prom Scream, trapping her with her head going through the top as the song ended.

"Let me go!" the Prom Scream shouted. Then Aaron, Smolder, Kyle, Megan and Spike ran up to the disco ball and surrounded her. The rest of the students and Principal Sanders circled them. Then the Prom Scream sneezed.

Aaron noticed Smolder's outfit in her dragon form. He then said, "I don't know which version of your dress is better. Your human form, or your dragon form." Smolder blushed at that. "Anyway, let's see who this vandal posing as the Prom Scream really is." Aaron then removed the mask and wig of the Prom Scream and it showed Miss Butcherson underneath.

"Miss Butcherson?!" Principal Sanders asked. "Why?!"

"I can tell you why," came a voice. The students looked towards the voice and saw the limo driver that escorted Aaron, Smolder, Kyle, Megan and Spike to the dance coming through.

"Our limo driver?" Aaron asked.

"That was just a cover," the driver said. "I am Agent McCloud, Federal Agent of the US Government."

"You work for the President?" Aaron asked.

"This woman here, her name is not Butcherson," Agent McCloud said. "Her real name is Eleanore von Butch. She's a world renowned jewel thief from Belgium."

"That is right, you foolish children!" Miss Butcherson, now known as von Butch, said in a Belgium Accent. "You have ruined everything!"

"But why did you want the Prom King and Queen crowns?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, that don't make any sense," Megan said. "Why would ya want fake crowns?"

"Because, those crowns aren't fake," Agent McCloud said. "They're valuable crowns from Russia for display in the Smithsonian for only a couple of months. They were stolen last month."

Aaron and Smolder looked at each other in shock. Aaron and Smolder grabbed their respected crowns and licked them. Smolder then said, "Oh, yeah, they're real gems." She then thought of something. "Huh. Must be really rare because they are the best tasted gems I have ever tasted."

"Well, gems are incredibly rare here on Earth," Aaron said.

"And valuable!" von Butch said. "I was going to sell those crowns on the black market in Cuba for a lot of money!"

"But how did the crowns end up here in our school?" Kyle asked.

"The Air Marshal of that plane I was on recognized my face!" von Butch shouted. "So, I had no choice but to jump from the plane! But as I was getting my parachute on, I knocked the crowns off of the crate I had them on and accidentally opened up the door! The crowns fell from the plane and landed on your school grounds! So I posed as an American substitute teacher to find the crowns!"

"So you found out about the legend of the Prom Scream and used the official dress, mask and wig to scare off the students and faculty to find the crowns," Aaron said.

"And you added some personal touches to the costume," Smolder said. "You used the aero rig system to give off the illusion that you were flying."

"That is right," von Butch said.

"By the way, I knew it was you," Smolder said. "Ever since our second encounter with the Prom Scream."

"How could you have known?" von Butch asked.

"Your dog allergy," Smolder answered.

Von Butch sighed angrily as Aaron and Smolder flew up and pulled the thief out of the disco ball and carried her to Agent McCloud. Then a bunch of other Federal Agents came in. Agent McCloud put handcuffs on von Butch's wrists.

"And I would've gotten away with it too if it hadn't been for you meddling kids and your..." von Butch said before sneezing. She was also being dragged away by the other Federal Agents. "...you meddling kids and your..." She then sneezed again. "Damn dog allergy!" Everyone started laughing at that.

"The President will be happy to know that the crowns have been recovered," Agent McCloud said as a couple of Federal Agents with a glass case came in. He then grabbed the jeweled crowns and put them into the glass case. "But... that doesn't mean you two are impeached." The agents then brought out plastic replicas of the crowns and put them on Aaron and Smolder's heads. "I'll escort you all home after the dance."

"Thank you, Agent McCloud," Aaron said. "Now, let's continue this party!" Then everyone celebrated and the music started up again. Then everyone started dancing together. Aaron and Smolder remained in their dragon forms the rest of the night. Even during the drive home.

Author's Note

Well, the thief has been caught and the jeweled crowns returned. And Aaron and Smolder became that year's Prom King and Queen. That was a big surprise for the two. Hopefully, their senior year of High School will go great. Thanks for voting. See you all next time.