Yes, it's that time of the year. The Silly Season. And to celebrate, I'm giving you a challenge. The fic doesn't have to be long - in fact, the shorter the better! So - it's not going to be that easy! Your fic should involve: 1. Any team based on Gatchaman (but then you knew that) 2. A Holiday-themed Mecha It should also include any TWO of the following 1. Hippopotamus (because Green will squee. No. You probably don't want to know) 2. An unusual gift 3. A dreidl 4. A turkey or goose 5. A Llama (because I will squee!!) 6. Tinsel in copious quantities 7. Carol singers 8. Any item from "The Twelve Days of Christmas" 9. Any other cliche from any Holiday Season tradition You have until Twelfth Night (6 January)! No limit on the size of the fic.

Originally posted by Madilayn It should also include any TWO of the following 1. Hippopotamus (because Green will squee. No. You probably don't want to know)

They don't need to know... they only have to see... HIPPO!!!

That would be a baby pygmy hippo... seriously, you could keep it in a bath.... If there weren't laws against it *sigh*

That baby hippo is adorable! It's like some kind of mutant hairless guinea pig. That big eye and that pink bottom lip ...

Originally posted by meridianday That baby hippo is adorable! It's like some kind of mutant hairless guinea pig. That big eye and that pink bottom lip ...

Ooooh... You would LOVE this one then, Meridianday! Guinea Pig Hippo

I suppose it is kind of cute, in it's own unique way!!

Need genetically engineered piggy-hippo hybrid NOW!

Don't you just want to pick it up and smish it? So totally cute!

And now it can spread it's cuteness in a fic!!

Do we post the fics here when we're done then?

How short is short? cause mine seems to be growing Oh I'm gonna need a Beta, to proof reading my spelling...volunteers???!

Green ... that baby hippo is totally cute! No wonder all your excitement about it! Pity I didn't know about its existence before, but thanks for letting me know about it now! Maddy ... lovely initiative! Excuse me if I cannot promise you anything because RL is hitting hard lately and I haven't got much time at hand! If I couldn't make it I'd love to read all contributions, though!

Originally posted by littlewolf How short is short? cause mine seems to be growing Oh I'm gonna need a Beta, to proof reading my spelling...volunteers???!

I'll be happy to proofread for you, LW!

Originally posted by Madilayn Yes, it's that time of the year. The Silly Season. And to celebrate, I'm giving you a challenge. The fic doesn't have to be long - in fact, the shorter the better!

Do we send you the fics or post them straight here? Does it have to be anonymous?

Just post them right here - if you want to be anonymous, then you can send it to me (my e-mail address is in my profile - or via PM) and I can post it for you (but it's more fun not to be anonymous!) As for how short is short - well, that's subjective! I don't mind if you post a 100 word drabble or if it grows to be an epic that you post a link to and have posted elsewhere!! The maximum post on this is 10,000 characters - so I'd say a short story for here would be that. Of course, I know some of our talented writers find 10,000 characters just far too short, and so I say - rock it as long or short as you want! I'm working on my offering...

The turkey had been polished off, the pudding flambeed to within an inch of its life and now all the members of the Science Ninja team were lounging around in front of the TV, too stuffed to even bother arguing over what to watch, and the TV played itself happily away with no-one paying it any particular attention. Thier reverie was disturbed suddenly by a loud banging on the snack bar doors, and the team looked at each other in confusion. If they were all present, then who would be calling, today of all days? No-one wanted to move to go and see. Ryu was almost asleep, Jun had managed to catch Ken relaxing and had sneakily cuddled up to him, Ken for once wasn't objecting.Jinpei, unusually for him, had his nose stuck in "The Big Book of Bugs" that Ryu had bought him for Christmas. Joe sighed as the banging reverberated again, louder than before. "Is anyine going to get that?" he asked frustratedly. "Yeah, you are,"Jinpei sniggered to himself. Joe scowled at the lad, but shuriken at the ready, made his way downstairs anyway. ***** The goons stood outside the door, wondering how long it would be before someone came to open it. The dark shadow that appeared through the glass had them trembling in fear, as it was one most of them reconised instantly. Nevertheless, a mission was a mission, and as long as their disguises held, they shouldn't need to worry. Some of them took comfort in the fact that their Christmas Tree mecha was just around the corner if they needed to make a quick getaway. As long as they could reach it before thier illustrious leader of course! "Are you ready?" Katse asked as he heard the sound of the lock being turned, "3,2,1!" "On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me......" (Will this do?)

KT... soooo love this.. a mission is a mission. Snigger good to see the holliday spirit brings the best out in everyone, even Katse. Thank you DT, one epic coming up (mmm 10,000 characters , let see there was ...9 pages of scribbling last night, flesh it out , cut it back, add one womble -... it's doable)

KT - it will certainly will do! *snerk* Love it! And a mission certainly is a mission!!

Hmm. Need to read the requirements over and let them percolate....

Originally posted by littlewolf Thank you DT, one epic coming up (mmm 10,000 characters , let see there was ...9 pages of scribbling last night, flesh it out , cut it back, add one womble -... it's doable)

Send me an email to [EMAIL]daniellat159@gmail.com[/EMAIL] when ready

KT, that was great!

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two for the price of one, fantastic!

And more congratulations from me!

Oh Lee!! Once again you show why you are a master writer!! Two for the price of one! I love you!! I love how you've done this and how you managed to get the tiny nuances between the two shows there! Absolutely adored it!! Ebil ebil wonderful woman!!! : powerglomp:

I am enjoying these fics! KT, I can totally see a Christmas Tree mecha from Katse! Great work! RI Girl- so clever to do both versions of your story! Lots of clever little references in each fic! Wonderful!

What they said.

Great work, RIgirl! I love both versions, with all the differences between them and with all the seasonal references scattered here and there! A Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you too!