Escaping the labyrinth, I mean building
"Popcorn's ready," Viceroy hummed happily holding up a bowl of freshly popped popcorn.
"And I've got the sodas," McFist grinned. The two made themselves comfortable on the sofa as they prepared to watch the Ninja's demise. "Well where is he?" Mcfist complained after not seeing the Ninja on the monitors.
"Just give me a minute, I just need to find the channel," Viceroy said fiddling with the remote until he found the Ninja with Shezow. "There we go. He's at the Shezow panel. Good news is that most of the people in the room already evacuated."
"Great! Don't need to worry about any lawsuits. Now we can sit back, relax, and watch all the fun," McFist laughed. But he joy was short lived after seeing Shezow upper cutting one of the robo-apes right to the ceiling. Then round house kicking another across the room. "Eh, how did she do that?" McFist asked.
"Either your two-bit look-a-like stand-in has been taking her vitamins, or that's the real Shezow!" Viceroy stated.
"That's the real Shezow! Who's bright idea was it to invite HER!" McFist ranted.
"I wonder," Viceroy said with both him and the brain inside McFist's arm rolling their eyes.
"Do something!" McFist demanded.
"Chillax, have some popcorn," Viceroy said offering him some popcorn. "Everything is under control." As soon as he said that a dozen more robots exploded.
"Under control," McFist said unconvinced.
"Yes, my special adaptoid computer is already analyzing their fighting style." Viceroy pointed to the computer which was busy doing some calculations. "It won't be long until it comes up with a strategy to beat them!" True to his word, the robots soon began performing more effectively! Dodging Shezow's and the Ninja's attacks and launching a counterattack which knock them both on the ground!
"Man these things are good," they heard Shezow say over the monitors. "It's weird because usually they're usually not this good," The Ninja said afterwards.
"Now, finish them off!" McFist cheered. "Don't worry I've got your backs!" they heard a new voice say. "Uh, who is that clown?" McFist asked. "I am the Comic Chimera!" they heard him say.
"That answers that," Viceroy joked. "He must be some new superhero." The two watched as the Comic Chimera attacked one of the robo-gorillas with a spring loaded fist. "Nope, you were right. He is a clown."
"Yeah like what are the chances that there would be any more superheroes here," McFist laughed. Once again his laughter would be short lived with the appearance of a floating ghost boy, two flying dragons, and a little cat boy! "What is going on here!" Mcfist demanded. "What are all these superfreaks going in my Mega Ultra Super Hero Comic Con!"
"Surprisingly, I'm just as surprised as you," Viceroy said without a hint of sarcasm. The two continued to watch as this group of superheroes quickly made short work of the robots in the room. Then moving on to clear the rest of the convention center.
"Viceroy, why isn't your precious adaptoid not ADAPTING TO THEIR ATTACKS!" McFist yelled.
"The adaptoid was only made to handle one type of hero. Two maybe, but right now it's dealing with 2 dragons, 1 ghost boy, and 4 superheroes!" Just then they heard Comic Chimera squealing in pain as a robo-ape gave him a wedgie. "Okay 3 superheroes. All with different abilities and powers. I'm afraid it's too much for one computer too handle." Viceroy explained.
"What are we going to do?" McFist cried. "Hey what is you computer doing over there?" he asked seeing a bunch of random things going on in the computer monitor.
"It's analyzing the situation and calculating the best course of action," Viceroy explained as he typed in a few things on the keyboard. "It calculates a direct confrontation with the heroes has a 0.03% chance of success. Divide and conquer has a 13.7% of success. There's a 37% if we use human hostages."
"Hostages! That never works against heroes!" McFist complained.
"That's why it's only 37%," Viceroy reminded him.
"Are all the scenarios losers!" McFist griped.
"Well there is this one that has a 55% chance of getting out alive," Viceroy reported. "But I don't think we should..."
"Let's go with that one!" McFist decided.
"Command acknowledge. Initiating." The computer announced before shutting down.
"Viceroy, what is going on?" McFist asked impatiently as all the lights turned off.
"I believe the computer is, oh what's the term, playing possum." Viceroy reported after seeing the whole convention center blacking out.
"I guess that's it then," Danny Phantom said feeling a little confused since every last robot just suddenly stopped dead in it's tracks. Even stranger is that all the lights went out as well. Leaving only the emergency lights on.
"Thank goodness," Shezow breathing a sigh of relief. "You know just once I'd like to go to a convention where some super villain isn't trying to kill me!"
"Actually I think this trap was set for me, sorry." the Ninja apologized.
"And you are?" Shezow asked. "In fact who are all you guys?
"I am the Ninja of Norrisville High," Randy introduced himself.
"The name's Danny Phantom, ghost boy of Amity Park." Danny said.
"Yo I'm the American Dragon. Protector of the Magical world. You can call me AmDrag for short. And this is my gramps, the Hong Kong Dragon." Jake introducing Lao Shi.
"And I'm El Tigre of Miracle City." Manny pointing his thumbs to himself.
"Miracle City? I thought that was White Pantera's turf." Maz asked. It always amazed Guy to see how knowledgeable his best friend is when it came to other superheroes.
"Yeah, he's my dad," El Tigre said pulling out his wallet and showing them a line up of pictures. "Here's me and my dad stopping a robbery at the 1st national bank. Here's us chasing after some escaped criminals. Here's us fighting an army of skeleton banditos. And finally this is us saving the city from a giant guacamole monster."
"Impressive," Shezow nodding. "Sheila, what's the 411 on this White Pantera guy?"
A holographic computer screen with a pair of lips projected out of Shezow's ring. "White Pantera, a legacy hero of Miracle City. Comic Strip level."
"That's weird. Normally legacy heroes are usually Title Comic level," Kelly pondered.
"Legacy heroes?" Sam asked.
"Heroes who inherit superpowers from their families," Kelly explained.
"It is on record that he has a son, but he is not registered as a sidekick or protégée." Sheila finished.
"I don't do the sidekick thing," El Tigre said proudly. "By the way, what is that thing?"
"Oh, this is Sheila. My supercomputer." Shezow introduced to everyone.
"She has her own interactive supercomputer," Tucker drooled. "And it's a girl computer! I've waited my whole life for someone like you!" Tucker tried to hug the holographic screen, only to pass right through it.
"Yes, that's not creepy at all," Sheila cringed. "Anyway, you all might want to check out what's happening in the main entrance."
"Why, what's happening there?" Shezow asked.
"A large crowd has gathered there and because of the blackout they can't get the doors open. If something isn't done soon, they may start to riot."
"Riots are always fun," Manny chuckled evilly.
At the main entrance, they found a group of people protesting around McFist. "What kind of bum deal are you pushing on us!" one person demanded. "Let us out!" another begged. "Think about the children!" someone randomly yelled.
"MCFIST!" Shezow yelled as she jumped over the crowd landing in front of him. "What is the meaning of this?"
"I...uh...well you see," McFist mumbled.
"Our automatic security system went haywire. Luckily we were able to pull the plug in time." Viceroy made up.
"Yes that's it! That's what happened! I pulled the plug!" McFist jumped in trying to take the credit for saving everyone.
"So why don't you let everybody out?" Shezow asked.
"There in lay the problem. All the doors are electronically sealed. Without power we can't open the doors, but if we try to reboot the system it could cause the security system to attack us again." Viceroy explained.
"Fine, I'll open the door!" Shezow said as she walked up to this giant steel plate. Shezow then punched the steel doors with all her might causing it to dent and bulge but not break. "Ow," Shezow cried massaging her fist. "What is this door made of?"
"Three foot thick solid titanium," Viceroy answered.
"Why would you make a door out of three foot thick solid titanium?" Shezow asked.
"You never know with all these weirdos about," Viceroy laughed.
"Just give me a second and I'll knock this door down," Shezow promised shaking the pain from her hand.
"I got this," Danny said as he placed both his hands on the wall. To everyone's astonishment, except to Sam and Tucker of course, a large portion of the wall became invisible.
"How are you doing that?"
"I can extend my ghost powers to anything I touch," Danny explained. "And I just made the wall intangible, so now everyone can exit."
"Really well then," McFist stood before the crowd. "I just want to let you know that we at McFist Industries apologize for any inconvenience and promise that the convention will continue after we clean up this mess. And since the convention is continuing, NO REFUNDS!" McFist and Viceroy quickly ran though the opening Danny made and jumped into their limo and drove off. Leaving behind the disgruntled mob before they could protest.
"We really should have seen that coming," the Ninja commented.
"So Phantom, how long can you keep this opening going?" the AmDrag asked.
"It doesn't take much effort. I can do this all day." Danny laughed as the people began walking through the wall.
"Good. You keep the door open while the rest of us look around for any stragglers," AmDrag ordered. The other heroes and sidekicks all nodded in agreement before splitting up.
"Um, Sam don't you think we should have stayed with Danny?" Tucker asked nervously as they searched the convention hall. "You know just in case those robots should start up again."
"Fear not good citizens! For I the Comic Chimera will protect you!" Maz declared punching the air.
"How did we get stuck with this guy," Sam grumbled.
"Because you wanted to come with me to check out that new X-station 720!" Maz chuckled hi-fiving Tucker.
"Oh right, but answer me this. How do you idiots plan to play with it when there's no power in the building?" Sam pointed out causing both boys to stop in their tracks.
"Eh, I'm sure we'll work something out." Maz shrugged.
"Yeah, and by the way. Why are you wearing that ridiculous outfit?" Tucker asked.
"Because I'm the Comic Chimera, Shezow new sidekick!" Maz announced proudly. "He's I mean she's my best friend!"
"But don't you find it degrading that she treat you like a sidekick?" Sam asked.
"Not really," Maz shook his head. "I just want to help out in any way I can." A feeling that both Sam and Tucker could relate to, so long as they didn't have to clean up after Danny.
In another part of the convention the food court to be exact. "Well there's no one in the hot dog machine!" Frida reported cramming two hot dogs into her mouth.
"And the cheese machine is all clean," El Tigre said after drinking all the melted cheese.
"Man you two are sick," Trixie gagged. Feeling sick just by looking at those two eating.
"Yeah man, that's so shnasty! You could at least save some for me!" Howard complained.
"Oops sorry," the two kids apologized offering some of the food they scavenged.
"Thanks," Howard said scarfing down the food.
"That's not what I meant!" Trixie yelled. "We should be out looking for more stragglers and directing them to the exit that ghost kid is making!"
"Yeah dudes and dudette. Who knows how long he can keep that opening going. If we wait here too long they might forget about us and trap us in here. Along with anyone we fail to rescue." Spud pointed out.
"You're right," Manny said with remorse. "But it would be a crime to let all this ice cream melt!" Soon El Tigre, Frida, Howard, and Spud began eating all the ice cream in the broken freezers.
"Are you sure you're really a superhero?" Trixie asked feeling a headache.
"Ninja leap. Ninja leap. Ninja leap. Ninja search." Randy narrated as he scouted across the room.
"You know you don't always have to say Ninja 'something' every time you're going to do something!" Kelly said getting annoyed.
"Say's the girl who does 'she' puns with every other word out of her mouth," Randy shot back.
"Ouch, well do you see anyone?" Kelly asked.
"Nope all clear," the Ninja reported.
"I guess that's it for this area," Kelly figured. "Let's go back and check in with the others."
"You got it," the Ninja agreed. "By the way. Uh, you and Shezow are pretty tight right? So I was wondering..."
"No, she doesn't have a boyfriend and you definitely are not her type," Kelly assumed he was going to be asking.
"That's not it!" the Ninja yelled. "I was wondering if maybe she could get me to appear in her comic? I mean I did save her graphic novels, so it's the least she could do."
"I see, trying to increase your ranking to guest appearances." Kelly realized. "I'm sorry but neither me nor Shezow actually have any say about the comics. Shezow only does the heroics, the comic stories are done by a separate independent group. Sorry." Kelly apologized.
"Man!" the Ninja cried seeing his dreams crushed.
"But I don't get it. The Ninja has been around for 800 years. So why don't you have your own comic?" Kelly asked.
"That's because my archenemy is McFist!" the Ninja spat. "And in this town; he either owns you or he owns the stuff you use. So he's not going to allow a Ninja comic any soon."
"I see," Kelly feeling a little sympathetic for his situation. "Well I do know how to get in contact with the people who do the comics. I'll can give them a good word for you, if you like?"
"Really!" the Ninja hugged her excitingly. "That would be so Bruce!"
"Ahem, yeah, uh can you let go of me now?" Kelly asked feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Wow, you two did all that," Shezow laughed as she and Lao Shi searched the dealer's room.
"Yes, we had quite a few adventures when we were working together," Lao Shi sighed being lost in his memories. "I still can't believe she is gone."
"I can't believe Aunt Agnes dated a dragon," Shezow said.
"I can't believe Shezow's a boy," Fu Dog laughed. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."
"What I'm not a boy!" Shezow denied along with a pathetic attempt to disguise his voice.
"Kid, I'm a 600 year old magic dog. I've been around the block a couple of times. In fact I even wore a dress to at one time. So I can tell when someone's a guy in a dress. No matter how cute they look." Fu Dog shivered remembering all the mistakes he made in the past. "Don't worry, we'll keep your secret." Fu Dog promised.
"Thanks," Guy said relaxing his throat talking with his natural voice.
"WHAT! You really are a dude!" Fu Dog exclaimed. "Dude, I was just pulling your leash!"
"Yo, gramps, Fu Dog!" Jake called out flying towards them.
"What is it, young dragon?" Lao Shi asked.
"I just finished checking out the theaters. Found a couple of people there waiting for the movie to start up again. It took awhile but I managed to convince them to leave." Jake reported.
"Then we should hurry and regroup with the others," Lao Shi suggested. As they started back, Shezow paused and staring at some displays. "Is something wrong?" Lao Shi asked.
"You guys go on ahead I need to check something out," Shezow said. The two dragons and magic dog glanced at each other quizzically before following her.
"What is all this?" Shezow wondered out loud.
"These are the items that are to be auction off at the end of the convention," Jake explained. "So what are you doing here?"
"Ever since I arrived, I've been having these weird feelings." Shezow explained. "Now they seem to be directing me here." Shezow pointed to this one displays covered with a sheet. Removing the sheet the elder dragon and magic dog gasped at what was revealed. A golden book with a large H on the front cover.
"Heroes Chronicles the worlds first RPG game. Starting price $1,000,000! Are they kidding? You'd really have to have no life to want to buy something like that!" Jake laughed.
"This is no laughing matter Jake!" Lao Shi scolded.
"I don't believe it, man. None of my sources said that THIS was going to be here!" Fu Dog panicked.
"Why, what is this?" Shezow asked.
"This is the legendary Hero's Tome!" Lao Shi said dramatically. "According to legend, written inside is the instructions on how to create superheroes!"
"Say what?" Shezow not believing or understanding what they are saying.
"I'm afraid I can't get into many details right now. Only that unless we secure this book, the whole world could be in danger." Lao Shi insisted.
"Then we can't leave it here like this!" Jake decided as he reached out to take it.
"Hold it!" Shezow blocking the dragon's way. "I'm sorry but as an official superhero I can't just let you steal this book! Even if I do agree with you."
"I understand, so please don't take this the wrong way!" Lao Shi said as he swung his tail knocking Shezow back. "Jake!" Jake nodded as he used his claws to cut the book out of it's display case.
Back in the Central Computer Room. While the computer was playing possum, it kept its eyes and ears on all the heroes and sidekicks looking for any advantage that could give it victory. And this Heroes Tome sounds like it could do just that. Carefully monitoring the situation, the adaptoid waited until the red dragon to free the book to strike!
Shezow felt conflicted on what to do. As a hero he can't let the dragons steal, on the other hand he can't just leave something like the Hero's Tome here where McFist or that Antihero guy could just grab it. While still contemplating what to do his SheSP began tingling. "Look out!" he screamed, but his warning came too late as the robo-apes came back online and ambushed them. One of the cyborg werewolf grabbed the book and made a mad dash out.
"Don't let him get away! We must get that book back!" Lao Shi ordered. After knocking the robots back Shezow and the dragons gave chase. After leaving the dealer's room they quickly noticed that more robots heading towards the main entrance where Danny and the civilians were.
"Oh no, we've got to protect those people!" Shezow exclaimed.
"No we've got to get that book back! Nothing else matters!" Lao Shi ordered as he chased after the book.
Guy knew that the old dragon might be right but he couldn't just abandon all those people and ran as fast as his super speed would take him to the main entrance! On his way back he instructed the Ninja and El Tigre to chase after the book as well. While they didn't know what was going on, they decided to follow her orders. At the entrance Shezow saw that there were only a small crowd left inside, but there's no way all of them could evacuate in time before the robo-gorillas reach them. Activating the Shezow's heavy handed she slap, Shezow began scooping up the people and literary forced them out of the opening in one swoop.
"Do I need to ask why you did that?" Danny asked cynically.
"Look out!" Shezow warned as a group of robo-gorillas were about to attack Danny from behind. Seeing that he wasn't going to react in time, Shezow yelled her sonic scream destroying the apes!
"Wow that was cool," Danny complimented.
"Yeah it's my Sonic Scream," Shezow bragged. Just then Danny spotted more robots and let loose his own scream as well. "You too!" Shezow said in amazement.
"I call it my Ghostly Wail," Danny said proudly.
"Nice," Shezow giving him the thumbs up. "Care to do a duet?" Shezow suggested after seeing more robots heading towards them.
"Let's," Danny agreed. The two stood side by side as they unleashed their massive sound attack. The combine powers of the Ghostly Wail and the Sonic Scream resonated across the convention hall. Smashing every robot in its path, and causing all the electronic equipment to shorten out. Blowing up the adaptoid security computer in the process. Unfortunately they were not the only ones to feel the sting of the combine Screaming Wail. The other heroes and sidekicks were also being knocked about by it like a tornado.
"GUY/DANNY, YOU IDIOT!" Kelly and Sam screamed at the same time.
"Oops our bad," Shezow and Danny apologized.
"Never mind that we have to find the book!" Lao Shi insisted.
"Chillax gramps, it has to be here." Jake assured him looking through all the robotic junk. "I mean it's not like he could have left the building."
"Unless he went through that open door," Frida pointed to a single open door.
"What open door? Aw man." Jake sulked after seeing fresh tracks leading outside.
"So what's the deal with that book anyway?" Sam asked.
"Not here, this is enemy territory. We must find someplace private to talk." Lao Shi insisted.
"We can use the Specter Speeder," Danny suggested. "It has plenty of room for all of us. Right this way." Danny led the group, which has grown larger because of the sidekicks but he didn't question it, to the Speeder. Only to find themselves in an embarrassing situation. "Tucker, you locked the keys inside again!"
"Sorry my bad," Tucker apologized.
"Can't you just go through the walls?" Trixie asked. "I mean you are a ghost right?"
"Normally yes, but the Specter Speeder is an anti-ghost machine. It's design to prevent ghost from phasing in." Danny explained.
"I got this," El Tigre said. Extending one of his claws, he proceeded to pick the lock.
"You know what you are doing?" Sam asked.
"Oh sure, my Grandpa taught me how to break into cars long before I even learned how to ride a bike," Tigre bragged as he unlocked the door.
"Hold up, why did you need to learn how to break into cars?" Sam asked. "I thought your father was a superhero."
"He is, but my Grandfather is the supervillain Puma Loco!" El Tigre brought out his wallet again showing them a different line up of pictures. "This is me and my grandpapi robbing the 1st National Bank. Here's us holding the mayor hostage. Us blowing up police headquarters. And this is my dad throwing us in jail for blowing up police headquarters. Heh." Tigre felt a little embarrassed by that last one.
"So your dad is a superhero and your grandfather is a supervillain? So what's that make you?"
"Haven't decided yet," Tigre admitted. Everyone just looked at him with concern. "But you guys are a lot of fun, so I'm just going to hang out with you for awhile."
"Can we trust this guy?" they all asked themselves.
Inside the Specter Speeder they all gathered round as Lao Shi explained the situation.
"So this Hero's Tome has every information on every hero in the world?" Kelly gasped at the idea of something like that in the wrong hands.
"Indeed," Lao Shi nodded. "Not only that. It also has, according to legend, the instructions to create the items of power; such as Shezow's ring, El Tigre's belt, and the Ninja's mask." Lao Shi added.
"Create items of power," Maz gasped. "But that means, what exactly?"
"It means that whoever has the book could make more Shezows, or Ninjas, or Tigres, or any other superhero they want!" Sam clarified pointing to the heroes present.
"Is this true Sheila?" Shezow asked.
"Fraid so," Sheila confirmed. "It is recorded on my data banks that the Hero's Tome was used to forge the ring, but that's not the bad news."
"Great, just what we need, more bad news!" Sam said sarcastically.
"In addition to making the items of power, the Tome also has instructions to unmake them as well." Sheila said ignoring Sam's comment.
"But that means," Howard gasped. "What exactly?"
"It means that McFist or anyone else who has that book could strip all the superheroes of their powers!"
Right outside the Specter Speed, the Antihero grinned as he carefully eavesdropped on their conversation using a stethoscope. "I knew it, I knew there was a book that can destroy heroes!" Hearing all that he needed to hear, Antihero ran off laughing manically.
"We need to get that book back!" Shezow said with determination.
"We're with you Shezow!" they all agreed.
"Yeah so we just storm McFist's evil lair and then we give him a left and a right..." Frida went on.
"No! For this operation, you will need stealth and guile." Lao Shi advised. "Go in, grab the book, and get out. Avoid any unnecessary confrontation!"
"Awwww," Manny and Frida whined.
"But most importantly you all we need to work together as a team, and that requires a leader. I will let you decide who's it going to be." Lao Shi told the heroes and undecided.
Jake got up. "I say it should be you Shezow." Jake pointing to Shezow.
"Me? Why me?" Shezow asked.
"You are a graphic novel level, so technically that makes you the highest ranking hero here." Jake explained.
"I'm flattered, but I never actually led anyone," Shezow admitted. "If anyone here should lead, it should be the Ninja!"
"Huh?" the Ninja gasped.
"This is his turf, and hero's code states that during team ups the local hero takes charge." Shezow explained.
"Sorry, but I've only been the Ninja for a few weeks now. So not sure if I'm right for the job," the Ninja said shaking his head. "How about you Phantom? Didn't you lead an army against the Ghost King?"
"That story was greatly exaggerated. Besides every time I've tried taking the leadership role and it always ended up badly for me." Danny admitted. "What about you, AmDrag?" Danny asked. "Aren't you dragons suppose to be natural born leaders?" Danny recalled Sam saying something to that effect.
"Maybe," Jake recalled the time he rallied the magical world to combat the Dark Dragon.
"I think I should be the leader!" El Tigre boasted.
"Why?" Everyone eyed him suspiciously.
"No reason, I just think it would be cool!" he laughed.
"So who do you think the leader should be?"