Child’s Play Written by Forte, for Alden This is a short story composed with several literary firsts for me.  One is the first time I’ve written a story about someone I know in real life.  Second is the first time I’ve used one of my stories as a gift, since this is my birthday present to Alden for 2004.  Third, is the first time I’ve ever put a certain fictional character of my creation into a story.  As I said, this story is dedicated to Alden for his birthday, so let’s not forget that.  On with the story... /////////////////////////// Halloween Night.  A time of magic, and superstition in days long past.  Nowadays it’s a time of candy lust in children, and costume parties for the rest.  Alden MacManx could still faintly smell birthday cake and burning candles.  You see, Halloween is also a time of remembrance for him, because it happens his birthday lies on the 31 of October..Halloween.  He was alone in the house tonight though after his birthday party, on account of Roddy was hosting a Halloween party at the Fat Cat tonight with help from the rest of the family, and someone had to stay home to give candy to the trick or treaters.  A myriad of ghosts, goblins, doctors, pirates, and some cartoon characters trotted up to the door begging for sugary treats, and he had greeted all with a smile, though at heart, he also felt a little old.  Chalk it up to the proverbial mid-life crisis.  But it’d change shortly... Ding-dong! “I’m coming!” Alden headed over to the door, picking up the bowl of candy to use, and opened the door, expecting costumed candy consumers.  Instead, he saw a young, human child, with brown hair, blood red eyes, fang-like canine teeth, pointed elf-like ears, and currently wearing little more than a green t-shirt and shorts.  Not even socks on his feet, as he stood there, goofy grin on his face.  His hands were behind his back, but there was no sign of a trick or treat bag.  It was extremely rare to see a human being this close to Big City, even on the holidays.  It was virtually impossible to see a young, maybe 8 or 10 year old one alone going door to door on nights like this, and no bag for candy.   “HELLOOOOOO!!!!!” “Ack!” It wasn’t being afraid that made Alden leap in surprise, but the sheer volume of the kid’s voice.  He had one strong set of lungs.  The child’s expression changed from overwhelming giddiness to curiosity, as he looked to Alden. “Um....do you know which way it is to Big City?  I kinda got lost...” Alden blinked, looking at the child.  Yes, he did seem lost...but there was something about him...a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, yes, but also, a faint, mysterious spark of...well, if Alden knew that, it wouldn’t be mysterious, would it? “Er...you seem a tad young to be traveling by yourself.” He told the child, as he looked outside for a car, van, or any sort of sign the child wasn’t alone. He saw nothing in the yard, except the Halloween decorations, the trees, the flock of rainbow colored geese waddling around the yard looking for food, the... ‘Rainbow colored geese!?!’ Alden thought to himself in shock. “Uh-huh!” the child said, nodding, “I asked them to help me get to Big City, so they led me here.  I made them that color so I could see them better at night.” It was like talking to a child who believed in the Bogey Man, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and that babies come from storks...odds are he did believe in that. “Right...wait...how did you-“ Alden started. “Know what you were thinking?  Magic!” was the enthusiastic response. Magic.  THAT was the spark in his eyes.  The child was a spellcaster, and apparently a powerful one. “May I ask why you’re heading to Big City....er...what is-“ ”V.G.P. is what everyone calls me, and I’m going for FUUUUUUN!!!!!  YAY!!!!” Alden grimaced a bit.  He liked the child, but he also wasn’t fond of going deaf.  He also didn’t like the idea of his thoughts being poked into. “Sorry, I’ll stop!” V.G.P. said, still in a pleasant mood. Alden blinked, realizing once again he had his thoughts read, then sighed in relief a little. “What does V.G.P. mean anyway?” “Vile Game Player.” Alden would have sweatdropped if this were an anime...and in fact, he DID sweatdrop, as V.G.P. chuckled, apparently using his magic to alter the events around him. “Heeheehee.  Well, you gotta wish while I’m here?” He asked, as he did a cartwheel in place....only he stopped half-way, and was floating, in the air, upside down. “I...er...what...how do you do....never-mind, this is confusing...” “Sorry.” V.G.P. said, as he snapped his fingers, making the geese vanish, and himself back on the ground, “Lemme explain.” V.G.P. then proceeded to pull a chalkboard, and a pointing stick out of his pocket, and set them on the pathway to the house door.  Alden blinked, wondering how in the world V.G.P. was so powerful at magic.  V.G.P. flexed the stick a little, and flipped the board over, to a side with a lot of words on it.  On top, it said “Top Twenty Questions about V.G.P.”  For a child, he was pretty intelligent.  Question one was “What is V.G.P.?” “This is...very unusual...” Alden understated, scratching his head in confusion. V.G.P. then took a deep breath, and spoke fast. “Um...k, but you did kinda ask.  Well, older me said I’m a magically and scientifically synthesized being that was created originally for the sole purpose of being a living weapon to conquer the world with, but the meanie who was making me had an accident, which makes me...ME!  So basically, I'm a unique species that has a lot of magic power, see?” Alden just stood there, not sure if he was dreaming or not. “But for now, think of me as a birthday genie!” “But I didn’t tell you today’s my birthday!” Alden replied, “Did you read my mind again?” “Nooooo, this time I took a looksie to see when it was in the past.” “...past?  You mean you can do THAT too?” “Uh-huh, I can do just about anything.  Don’t like over-doing it though, so I stick to certain limits.  So no wishing for immortality, infinite riches, the purpose of life, or anything like that.” V.G.P. answered, as he folded the stick and chalkboard up into a jelly bean, which he made vanish. Alden decided to think.  A birthday genie?  It was a pretty tempting offer... “...could I be younger?” he asked. V.G.P. stopped to think.  Then Alden saw an image of what looked like V.G.P. as an older teenager, except with claws and a dragon-like tail appear, and talk with V.G.P.  The child must have an untold number of tricks. “Older me says okay, but it’s for tonight, since it’d throw your life outta whack if you stay young longer than that.” V.G.P. said, and snapped his fingers. Alden blinked.  All that happened was the image faded, and V.G.P. seemed to be equal height to.... “I’m a 10 year old?” Alden asked, in a child’s voice. “Um....not that young, I take it...?” V.G.P. asked, nervous. “I like it!” V.G.P. immediately vanished from where he was, popping up in one of the trees giggling. “Yaaaay, and I know just where we can go!  I was heading to a party I heard about!” Alden wondered what kind of party V.G.P. meant, but not long, as V.G.P. snapped his fingers, closing up the house, then took Alden by the hand, and ran down the pathway. “Hey, hold on, I can’t keep up!” Alden yelped. “Just hold on silly!” V.G.P. said with a chuckle, as he leapt...and flew for Big City, holding Alden by the hand. Alden panicked a bit, and looked down, seeing a lot of land passing by under them. “You can fly!?” Alden asked, a bit afraid of the heights. “Sure, like Peter Pan!” V.G.P. replied, as he flew, and landed.... Right in front of the Fat Cat.  Alden sweatdropped again, and noticed V.G.P. pointing at him, chuckling.  Yep, he was the one making him able to emote like foreign cartoons... “But this is my son’s restaurant...” “Wow, that’s a coincidence!  Heeheehee, but it’ll be fun.  Good food too I hear, except I don’t eat, so I wouldn’t know...” Before Alden could ask about his lack of eating, V.G.P. ran into the building, holding Alden’s hand.  Even as a 10 year old, Alden was hard pressed to keep up with the magical youth.  Alden looked around.  He saw a sign that said “Halloween Open House”, among numerous decorations, and several large buffet tables, and dozens of guests in costumes, many of who were quite overweight by some standards. “Hey V.G.P., could you slow down a lit-“ ”Wheeee-heeheeheee!!” “....nevermind.” V.G.P. had already gone off to enjoy the party.  Alden looked around, and decided to join him.  He headed over to one of the buffet tables, since he was getting hungry.  He noticed Roddy talking to a few friends nearby, and was about to move on, when of all beings, V.G.P. brought Roddy over. “Roddy, Alden.  Alden, Roddy!  You know each other?  Okay, good!  Heeheehee!  Happy Halloween!” V.G.P. said rapidly, before teleporting across the room. Roddy blinked, and jaw hung open. “Dad!?” “Well...I...long story...” V.G.P. then teleported onto the ceiling over them, and giggled. “You know that younger wish thing?  It was actually just so you’d go out and have some fun!  You needed it!  I messed up on purpose that time!  I’m going to go dance now, kk?  Okay!” V.G.P. again said fast, before teleporting. Roddy and Alden were silent.  They looked at each other for a minute, as the guests around them were enjoying themselves. “Welcome to the party dad!” Roddy said, breaking the silence. “Thanks!” Alden replied, smiling. Alden finished loading his plate, and took a seat, as did Roddy, so they could talk. Alden ate as he spoke though.  He was rather hungry. “So how did you become a kid?” Roddy asked. “V.G.P. changed me into one for the night.” “You mean that odd magical human child?” “The same.” “I wonder where he’s from.” “He said he followed geese to get here.” “...that is one strange kid...fun though.” “Right.” “....you do know that table was the one with the temporary fattening food, right?” Alden nearly choked on the chicken drumstick he was eating.  While he did inflate at times, it was with air.  Fat...well... “And I ate a lot...” “Yep...” “Oh…” Alden said with a child like sigh as he clothes felt a little tight. Soon the viasage of smokey fur popped out as his belly started to move up his shirt. Roddy chuckles a bit as he sees the cub start to inflate faster with flab. His belly soon starting to reach his thighs and his face and features pudging up. His limbs no longer had their lithe appearance as his body expanded even further. Alden gave the belly a little bounce and smiled a bit, as it began to spill over his knees. He knew at that point that he was going to be an awfully chubby cubby. The fattening pressed in as the flab increased further. His ample boy breasts surged outword on to his now monsterous gut. His chins rested heavily on that chest jiggling at Alden’s current giggling and glee.  As soon as the belly reached the floor he sat down, no longer able to move because he was too fat. The flab soon completely incased the happy giggling youth. There was one part of his body not affected. Roddy chuckled a little, as his child father ended up over 1000 pounds. “Sorry dad.  I’ll go get an antidote.  But you had fun coming here, right?” “Right. In fact…maybe you could get me somthing else..” A glint of childish mirth in his eye and Roddy nodded, smiling. Roddly waddled off and came back with a tank of helium, stuffing the hose into the young bloated cub's mouth and turning it on full blast. The mini Alden celebrated, starting to round out, rolls not being so pronounced. As time went on he took a spherical appearance as he started float up. You could feel the happiness radiating off this young fat furry balloon as the hose popped out of him. “This is fun!!!” He giggled getting into the spirit. V.G.P. then teleported over, floating in mid air, looking at Alden. “Now you’re getting it!  Heeheehee, Happy Birthday and Halloween!” V.G.P. cheered, as he snapped his fingers, leaving a present box in front of Alden, before he teleported off, and out of the party... Hours had passed, and Alden had a wonderful time, even when he was immobile.  Roddy and his employees were cleaning up, the guests had gone home, and midnight had passed.  Alden had also returned to being thin, mobile and was uninflated, but still a child. “What a night.  I’m glad that V.G.P. brought me out here...eh?” Alden then saw the present box.  In the excitement, he had forgotten about it.  It was a simple box, with a ribbon.  Alden became curious, and went over to it, and proceeded to open it.  He looked inside.  What he saw was something he recognized as a pajama hat.  However, there was a note inside the box, which he took, and read. “Let’s see... ‘From V.G.P., to Alden MacManx.  Call this a dreamer cap, because it gives sleepers wearing it vivid, life-like dreams they control.  Just wear it while you sleep.  Oh, and it doesn’t work when the sun’s up.’ ...very interesting...what’s this?” Alden turns the note over, and saw a cryptic message.  All it said was... Story’s End.