[K T Ong]

...Everybody ignored the fat, black guy, that is, except for one.

Wolverine was going to explain to Gandalf who sent him and the rest of it when this fat, black guy caught hold of his attention with his hollering. Somehow he felt attracted to this stranger and just had to talk to him. "I'll be with ya in a minute, bub," said Wolverine to Gandalf as he stood up and prepared to leave. "Wanna talk to someone around here. Thanks for the booze."

Wolverine then wound his way through the crowds and made his way to Barracus. "Hey, chum," he growled, "I like yer attitude. Who're you and what's that ya said earlier about whopping this monster butt?"

**************************************************

Frodo wiped his face and grinned as everyone laughed and applauded him. He did not get upset because he knew it was a good-natured joke played on him by fellow Hobbits. As he blew out the candles, the crowd cheered so loudly one would have imagined it could be heard all over Middle-Earth.

A long line of strange creatures suddenly came out from the crowds towards Frodo, each bearing a large present. But for the fact that they were bipedal and obviously intelligent, they would actually have been thought of merely as common animals.

"Happy birthday, doc," said the one leading the line. "I'm Bugs Bunny and these are my friends. We would like to give you some birthday presents and say thank you for the party!"

"Thank you, thank you very much for the presents!" replied Frodo, grinning broadly. "Plase enjoy yourselves all you want tonight!" And he and Bugs Bunny hugged each other as he took the present.

At length Bugs Bunny's friends all exchanged hugs with Frodo and gave him their respective presents. "Come, Frodo, cut the cake!" said Aragorn excitedly as he handed the knife to Frodo. "I'll get all the dishes ready so we can serve it to your guests!"

But as Frodo took the knife and was about to cut the cake, there was suddenly a flurry of cherry blossoms and yet another strange creature appeared, except it was all in black armor.

"Haaaaiiii-yeeeeeeee!!" cried the stranger as he drew out a long, red katana that had purple lightning bolts shooting all over it and swung it around a few times as if performing a sword dance. The crowd was momentarily shocked by this unexpected intruder.

Then the intruder sheathed his katana and strode towards Frodo. "Hi-ya, Frodo!" shouted the stranger, slapping Frodo in the back. "I'm Death-killa, the android ranger! Lots of gals like me! Can I join your birthday party, too? Huh?"

Seeing that he was to all appearances but another guest, everyone resumed his/her/its own business of eating, drinking and chatting.

Frodo's initially apprehensive face quickly turned into a broad grin again. "Surrrre," he said, "You're most welcome, friend!" Then he discreetly pulled Deathkiller towards him. "But do you have... Uhhh... Any nice birthday present for me?"

"Uhhh... Gee, sorry," apologised Deathkiller, "ain't got no presents for you..."

Frodo's normally round face sagged so much upon hearing the disappointing words, it nearly turned as long as a cucumber. Deathkiller could see that his host was very disappointed and just kept quiet.

"Look, Frodo," comforted Aragorn, "you already have enough presents! How many more would you want? Aren't three cartfuls already enough? Come, let's cut the cake."

Deathkiller suddenly perked up with excitement. "Cut the cake?" he cried. "Look, I can help you do it very easily!Come! Let me show you what the immaculate swordsmanship of the ancient samurai can do! Haaaaiiii-yeeeeeeee..." And he drew his katana and whirled about in a blur. In a moment the cake vanished and amidst the sounds of 'swish, swish, swish' one plate of ready-sliced cake after another swiftly flew towards every single guest in the party and landed neatly before him/her/it, ready to be served.

"Show off!" muttered Aragorn.