Dateline: Sunday, April 26, 1981, 12:45 PM, Pacific Daylight Time.

As soon as the three members of Alpha Force got home from church, Violet remembered something. "Hey, guys," she said, "we need to swing back by Mirage's place, she said there was something she needed to show us."

"Ugh!" groaned Ashley, who had just succeeded in getting both Dash and his wheelchair out of the car. She proceeded to undo all the work she had just done. And when Dash was finally back in the car…

"Well, we're not going right away, silly!" said Violet. "We have to eat lunch first."

Ashley slapped herself in the face and shook her head. "You know what? Why don't you get him out of the car?"

"Because he weighs a ton and a half, and I can't afford to throw out my back. You carry him in!"

"Forget it! I'm not taking him out after I spent so much time getting him in!"

"Hey!" interjected Dash. "Here's a crazy idea: why don't I carry me in?"

Violet cast him a suspicious look. "Uh, your leg's still broken, remember?"

"I still have one good leg, and one good leg is plenty!" He climbed out of the automobile and stood on his good leg. Then he started to hop, fast, about as fast as a normal man could run.

"Hmm, guess we won't be needing that wheelchair anymore," noted Ashley.

"That's my brother, never gives up, never says die," Violet beamed.

Later, back up in apartment 31A, Violet was busy making grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch. "Remind me that we need to go to the supermarket this week, okay guys?" Suddenly, the phone rang. "Parr residence, Violet speaking…Yeah, he's here, one minute." She placed the phone on the counter. "DASH! TELEPHONE!"

Dash hobbled into the kitchen. "Could you say that a little louder, please Violet? I don't think they heard you in SWITZERLAND!" He picked up the phone. "Dash here."

"Hello, my big, strong honey bear!"

Dash nearly blushed from embarrassment, until he remembered that Violet couldn't hear Kim on the other end. "It's nice to hear from you, pumpkin."

"How's your leg feeling?"

"Much better, actually, I just found out I don't need the wheelchair anymore."

"Oh, Dash, that's great news! Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner with me tonight. My treat!"

"You can count on me, Kim!"

"Okay, I'll pick you up at six."

"Six, got it. I love you, Kimmy. Bye-bye."
Violet stared at her brother, having heard enough of the conversation to know what was going on. "Dash, you know you can't keep up this charade forever!"

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean, if you two are going to get serious, you're going to have to tell her you're a super."

"I plan to do so, Vi!"

"When?"

"Someday."

"Dash, you can't enter a marriage while keeping a secret from your partner. If you do marry Kim, you're going to spend every waking moment together, and if she spends that much time around you, she's going to find out for herself. And then, who knows if she'll want to stay with you or not, you know what I mean?"

"I know, I know!"

"So, when are you going to tell her?"

"Not today, and not necessarily tomorrow, but definitely someday."

She is going to dump him like yesterday's trash, Violet thought.

After lunch, the super team climbed back into Violet's 1980 Toyota Camry and drove to Mirage's house to see this new super gadget that would change the way Alpha Force would battle evil forever.

"So, where's this new super gadget that's going to change the way we fight evil forever?" asked Dash.

"Well," Mirage began, "I've heard from Edna that one of the villains you guys frequently battle is a wizard."

"Actually, he calls himself a 'Wichard', but keep talking."

"Although magic is a relatively new weapon against the forces of good, I happen to have a friend who has dabbled in it for some time. She has provided me with this!" Mirage produced an aerosol can and held it aloft like a model for an infomercial. "Behold, the magic-proof spray shield!"

Clearly, Alpha Force was not impressed.

"That's it?" inquired Ashley. "Magic-proofing? What good is that going to do us?"

"ASHLEY!" exclaimed a stunned Violet. "Where are your manners?"

"I'm sorry, but I just don't see the use of this…whatever it is."

"I do," said Dash. "We have no idea what this guy is capable of. What if he has the power to usurp our powers with the point of his finger? I'm not willing to take that chance."

Ashley was impressed with Dash's argument. "Well, now that you put it that way, Dash," she said, "I don't see how we could do without it!"

"Bueno, I have enough magic-proofer to last you guys for about a month, so when you run out, just call me, and I can get more from my friend."

"Okay, we'll do that," said Violet. "Hey, do you mind helping me to the car with this stuff, Mirage?"

"Happy to oblige," she responded. She lifted her end of the box easily, but when they got outside and Mirage saw Violet's car, she nearly fainted.

"There's a band of superheroes driving around in THAT hunk of junk?"

"Yeah," Dash said in an inquisitive tone, "why? What's wrong with it?"

"Only EVERYTHING!" Carmen bellowed. "There's no bullet-proof armor, no rocket engine, not even a super logo! No, no, no, you guys can't be seen in this vehicle! I won't allow it!"

"What?" blurted a surprised Violet. "But, Carmen, it's the only car we have, and we can't afford a new one!"

"So, we shall make a new car out of the old one," said Mirage very matter-of-factly. "Do not worry, when I finish with this thing, it will make even Batman jealous!"

"But, then how are we supposed to get around until you do finish?"

"You can borrow my car, naturally," she said as she tossed Violet the keys to her rattletrap sedan. "Just don't shove any villains against the hood of the car, I just had it detailed, okay?"

"Okay, I guess," said a very confused Violet. Alpha Force climbed into their loaner car and drove back home.

"Are you sure Mirage knows what she's doing?" asked Ashley.

"Don't worry," said Dash, "Mirage's father owned a body shop before he died. Her brother runs it now. I'm pretty sure that Mirage will return our car to us in one piece."

"Oh, damn!" screamed Violet.

"What is it?"

"I left the magic-proofer at her place!"

"I guess we have to go back and get it, then?"

(A/N: Was that corny enough for y'all? Oh, I'm probably going to spoil it just by saying so, but I have another big secret bombshell in the works. I know I've dropped some hints already, so tell me your guesses, okay? Okay, I'll see you again with Chapter 23 sometime in the near future. See ya!)