For 39clues-ado's up to something contest!

1. Someone has to be meddling with someone else's life (or it can be a group of people ganging up on someone or someones)

2. Has to be humor (cause we all need some cheering up right now)

3. You can use whatever characters and pairings you want

4. Keep it light-hearted

5. A mess needs to happen

6. Incorporate the line "Well...that didn't go as expected" or "ok look, how was I supposed to know that..."

7. No OC's (can't be an avid part of the story. Let's say the person/people are mentioned, great. Or something like "the people were milling around." Fantastic.)

The operation

I don't own 39 clues.

Natalie hated it here. She couldn't believe it. It was only when her handbags had been threatened to be torched was when she got here. Here at this, this camp. Natalie was going to kill Fiske later. The other part? All the kid clue-hunters were here along with other kids just "having summer fun". Despicable.

She pushed the girl cabin open. Already gathered inside was her horrendous family consisting of Dan, Hamilton, Reagan, Madison, Jonah, Sinead, Ned, Ted, and even that babysitter Nessie.

"What are all of us doing here?" Hamilton asked.

"I, for one, am absolutely sick of my brother's—"

"Sorry, can't help you there," Dan said. Natalie glared at him.

"—acting like a sick puppy. Honestly I'd rather see him with your...sister than act that way."

Dan narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Surely you've noticed it Daniel. That's why I've brought you all here. We are going to plan to get them together. Now, I'm opening it up to ideas." Natalie looked around.

"I have something," Nessie said.

"Continue Nessie."

"It's Nellie. With l's.

"Whatever you need to tell yourself Nina."

"Fine. It's well known that Amy is a bit of a scaredy cat. The camp already has a movie scheduled tonight. I say we switch the movie out for something scary. Amy latches on to people when she's scared."

"I see then. Daniel." Natalie placed a hand out, waiting for the movie.

"Wait, you just assume I carry scary movies around with me? Who does—"

"Here Natalie." Jonah produced a movie. Of course it was one he was in, but that would make it all the more terrifying.

Natalie looked each person in the eye. With a little tweaking this plan could work.


Amy watched as the inflatable screen grew. The small projector was already perched on a box. It was already dark outside and Amy wasn't sure she'd stay up long enough to finish it.

"What are we watching?" Amy whispered to Dan.

"Beats me."

The screen stopped rising and the projector was turned on. Previews rolled down it and the light from the movie shown eerily on the faces of the campers. Amy had a bad feeling in her stomach.

When the actual show came on, Amy froze in her seat. She despised horror films. A couple weeks ago Jonah had asked them all to watch his newest film. Amy hadn't slept that night, and she hadn't even gotten ten minutes in.

Over and over she told herself it wasn't real. She tried to turn away and go back to the cabin, but her eyes were glued to the screen, and the screen only.

Amy's fingernails dig into Dan's arm. She heard some shushed complaint but she didn't care. Dan pried her arm off and she huddled them into herself.

After only a little bit she gripped Dan's arm again. It was a death grip.

By the end of the movie, Amy was shaking and had once again leached onto someone's arm.

"Amy." Amy turned. She was holding Ned's arm. "Could you please let go?"


"Alright. Welcome to the second meeting of the operation," Natalie said.

"What kind of name is that?" Dan asked. Natalie glared at him.

"What would you suggest, Daniel. That's what I thought. Now since Narnie's plan clearly failed and someone failed miserably, we need the next plan."

"How did that even happen?" Dan asked.

"I don't have the foggiest idea," Ned replied.

"I have an idea for—" Hamilton started.

"Oh dear now, we're doing a plan by him?" Sinead asked.

"Well ok, I'm sorry if not all of us are—"

"Just say it already," Dan said.

"Well, why don't we trap them in the equipment closet?"

Everyone huddled in as they discussed details.


Amy was ready for free hour. She had wanted to talk with Dan about why everyone was acting strange. Every time they looked at her they had a goofy expression on their faces. Weird.

She pulled her hair back into a pony tail when Sinead came around the corner. The two were now standing in the shade of their cabin.

"Amy!" Sinead greeted. "Do you want to play frisbee?"

Amy eyed the girl, making sure she was ok. "Alright," She said after some hesitation. "I'll go get it."

Amy walked toward the shack-barn. Out do the corner of her eye, she saw Sinead scamper off. Must be finding something.

She opened the door, walked in, and searched around for a frisbee.

She turned around when she heard someone mutter "dumb Holt" and something about manliness.

"Ian?" She asked. "What are you—"

"Obviously I'm getting supplies as I assume you're doing. If you would kindly move your in front of the," He wrinkled his nose, "footballs."

Amy stepped away as the big door slammed shut. The small space was plunged into darkness and the only light streamed in from a crack in the ceiling.

Ian tried to open the doors but they were locked. Or well, someone was locking them. Two someone's actually. "Open this door immediately."

Ian and Amy heard the distinct click of a locked door. Ian pulled something out of his pocket and tried to pick it.

Amy found a frisbee and rested on a barrel of spike balls.

"Have you opened it?" Amy asked.

"No."

She waited for something more.

"Well, can you get it?"

"No."

"How are we supposed to get out?"

Ian didn't respond. He turned to scanning the walls and searching for a way out.

"Are you going to talk?" Amy asked.

"No."

Amy kept quiet. The awkward tension filled the room.

After two hours, fruitless conversations, and a minor head injury, the doors were opened. Amy leapt forward.

"Why are you two stuck in a closet?" Fiske asked.


"Alright. For my plan we dress up like ninjas and—" Dan started.

"We are not doing that."

"Well I don't see you offering any ideas."

"Alright. As we've already established by testing Ian's pride, he won't back down from a challenge," Natalie said. "I believe a simple game of Truth and Dare should work."

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Dan said. Natalie extended her fingernails.


Duck and Turtle cabin sat in a circle. The two were buddy cabins, since they had all come together and were distantly related. Fiske had set the Cahills up this way of course.

"Does anyone know where Dan is?" Amy asked.

Natalie was examining her fingernails. "I don't have the slightest clue." She stopped looking at them. "I suppose we should start now. I'll go first. Ian, Truth or Dare?"

"Dare," he responded.

"Tell Amy exactly how you feel."

"Well," he turned to Amy, "This camp is positively horrible. It's far too hot and don't get me started on the food…" he continued to blubber on as Natalie tuned him out in silent rage.


"Since Natalie's idea failed. It's my turn to do things. We'll need about three ninja suits to do this."


Amy walked along the grass. It was nice here. She couldn't believe Ian didn't at least enjoy the view. Even if he was a spoiled, rich kid, he had to appreciate something, right?

Crunch.

Someone was following her. Amy didn't stop walking but she picked up the pace and searched her surroundings. She could practically hear her follower. Amy broke out into a sprint. The person behind her had the same idea.

Amy raced along the edge of the camp. Where was everyone? When she finally met someone, it was when she plowed over them. The two people were in a pile on the ground.

Amy stood up and offered a hand. The boy, who she noticed was Ian, took it. His eyes were narrowed in suspicion. "What on Earth are you doing?"

Amy was panting so hard she couldn't speak.

Three figures in complete black surrounded them. They each wore skii masks. Two of them were about the same height, built very strong. If Amy had to guess, the other one, who was much taller and broader, was older then them and probably the leader.

Ian was the first to speak. "Hamilton, why are you wearing ninja clothes?"


"Ok look, how was I supposed to know that they wouldn't be frightened into saving each other by a bunch of thugs in dark clothing?" Dan asked.

"Did you just call us thugs?" Reagan asked. Her question went unheard.

"And you said my idea was terrible. I can't believe we tried that. The blasphemy—"

"Can it princess. Look, does anyone, and I mean anyone, have any ideas?"

Ned raised a hand. He nudged Ted who produced something from his pocket. "These things are listening devices. With the right questions…" he raised his eyebrows up and down dramatically.

No one questioned why the Starlings had brought such tech on a camping trip, it was merely a fact of life.


Docked in pajamas and sitting in a circle, the Cahill girls chatted among themselves.

"Hey, Amy," Sinead said.

"What?"

"well, I've caught wind of a little…someone saying a little something about you."

"Are you, Sinead Starling, gossiping?"

"Oh pshh. Aren't you curious? Don't lie to me, I see it in your eye."

"Who are you?"

"Will you stop making this difficult?"

"Making what—"

"Say It Amy. I'd rather finish this conversation."

"What is going on? Sinead?"

"I…uh made a bet."

"A bet?"

"Yes?"

"Fine. What is it?"

"Someone has a crush. On. You. Do you have a crush Amy?"

"Wait, if this is a bet then—"

"Ahah! Avoiding the question! Natalie we got it! Stop the recorder!"


Dan crossed his arms. "Please. I've done plenty of cooler things than that."

"Oh ya?" Hamilton challenged. "I once repelled of a cliff and saved Amy from being eaten by sharks."

"Speaking of Amy…she's sixteen now. Prime time for a young lady."

Ned choked on his water. It took all his willpower not to spray it all across the cabin floor.

"Ya. She's been kinda lonely recently." Dan's voice was far louder then it needed to be. "It's too bad that Evan fellow asked her out last week. Poor guy, Amy hates him."

Ian didn't twitch.

"I hear she's not into nerds. More of the high-class, posh boys. Gosh, Ian do we know anyone like that?"

"Would you please shut up?" Ian asked.

"Come on. You aren't curios? At all? As in if I were to tell you—" Hamilton clamped a hand over Dan's mouth.

"You can't just tell him!" Hamilton hissed.

"I don't see why not. Hey Ian. Weren't you dating that Samantha girl?"

"No."

"Well what about Susan? Wasn't that one of them?"

"Daniel, I'm not even going to ask why on earth you care or know this, but I do not have a girlfriend."

"You?" Dan said in mock horror. "Oh no, that won't work. I know, we can fix this. See I know this lovely girl and—"

"Would you please stop trying to set me up with your sister? Honestly it's quite frightful."

"But you didn't say you didn't like her! Ham, roll the altro!"


Natalie looked like she was ready to explode. "What do you mean you didn't start the recordings?! Are you all DAFT!? Why, if I had my way—"

"Jonah, say something!" Nellie said.

"Me?"

"You haven't suggested an idea yet!"

"Fine. I've got a plan."

"It's gonna be way over the top," Madison said.

Jonah just smiled.


Amy was excited. She had been looking forward to this day all week. Canoeing. She and her dad had always gone for little boating trips when she was little, and she loved the water.

Fiske announced they would be splitting off into partners. People moved so fast, Amy didn't have time to process. There was only one person left: Ian.

"It's just you two left. You're going to be partners."

Amy sighed and grabbed a life vest. She left before she had to listen to Ian blabber about how awful the color scheme was and how the material was for poor people.

She stepped into the small boat and sat down. Soon enough a huffing Ian arrived and plopped down as well. The boats were launched off.

Ian kept on messing with something on his hand.

"What is it?" Amy asked.

"Arts. And. Crafts."

"Superglue?"

He nodded.

"I know a trick that gets it off. Can I see your hand?" Ian turned around to face her and stuck his hand out. Before Amy had time to do it, the boat was flipped over.

Ian and Amy were plunged into darkness as the boat covered them. The two bobbed in the water. Ian cursed. He lifted up a side of the boat. He was looking unamused into her eyes. They were both really close now. Ian must have realized this too. He cleared his throat.

From the distance, Dan's voice could be heard. "Oh shut up and kiss her!" And Ian did.


* It's late, it's rushed, but I hope it makes you laugh and qualifies as creative enough ;). So I got this kind of general idea from a Fablehaven fanfiction called These idiots need our help, by plant queen on Ao3. I just put my own spin on it. Thanks to 39clued-ado for doing this, it was fun.*