Dateline: Sunday, April 26, 1981, 3:30 PM, Pacific Standard Time.

The three able-bodied members of Alpha Force (Dash was still incapacitated) descended the steps to where the car was parked.

"Is that supposed to be our automobile?" asked Heartthrob.

"Actually, our car was shanghaied because our technical advisor thought that a 1980 Toyota Camry was to low class for a team of supers," Python explained as they all climbed in.

"And yet, she lets you drive around in this piece of s---?"

"I know, makes no damn sense, right?"

"Speaking of Mirage," Blind Tracy chimed in, "we're going to need another Alpha Force Radio Watch for Mr. Smooth-Talker here."

"Ashley, be nice!"

"Another Alpha Force what-what?"

"Radio Watch," Python explained. "We use it to keep contact with each other, see?" She showed hers to Heartthrob.

"That's pretty spiffy," he said. Python started up the car. "Now, where is this, uh, Wicked Wichard, was it?"

"He's in the park making a nuisance of himself. He wants us to come and fight him."

"I'll bet I could take him out without even getting my heart up to 100 bpm!"

"Yeah, I'm sure you can, José, but just in case you can't, you need to spray this on yourself," said Blind Tracy as she tossed him a can of aerosol.

"What good is spray paint going to do me?" asked Heartthrob.

"Spray paint? It should be that anti-magic stuff."

"It is that anti-magic stuff," said Python, "Mirage just put it in spray paint cans."

The Alpha Forcers sprayed themselves with anti-magic and were ready for action. And not a moment to soon either; they had just arrived at the park which, thanks to Loren's actions, looked like a Dr. Seuss book gone horribly wrong.

"Well, well, well," taunted the Wicked Wichard, "look who decided to show up. It's the boa constrictor and the mind reader with the perfect vision, with a goofy doofus new super in a goofy foofy outfit!"

"You should talk," retorted Python. "You look like a fruit cake in that witch's hat and robe!"

"So, where's that little firework?"

"A) He's a Rocket," said Blind Tracy, "and B) his location is none of your blankety-blank business! So are we going to fight, or are we just going to stand here and talk?"

"Whoa, okay, you fiery little redhead, if you want to fight so bad, then TAKE THIS!" He gestured toward Blind Tracy in an allegedly magical way. Sincerity covered the bumbling fool's face like butter covers toast. And yet, nothing happened.

"Uh," he stammered in surprise, "like I was saying, TAKE THIS!" He tried it again, and still, nothing.

"Are you finished?" asked Python 15 minutes into this, um, excuse for an attack.

"I guess I am," the Wichard admitted. "Looks like we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way, hand-to-hand. I don't care, I'll take you all on at the same time!"

"I'll take you first," challenged Heartthrob.

"José, no! If you can't get your heart rate up, he'll mop the street with you!"
"Do not fear, my reptilian compatriot, I shall be perfectly safe."

Python wasn't so sure. She disappeared and watched, waiting for her moment to attack. Meanwhile, Heartthrob stepped up to Mr. Kriznek with his fists swinging. He delivered a fast jab to the Wichard's face, but Loren ducked, and Heartthrob punched his witch's hat instead.

CLONG!

"YEOWCH!" screamed Heartthrob. His super strength hadn't kicked in yet.

"It's cool, huh?" he responded as he knocked on his hat so the others could hear the metallic sound. "It's an alloy of platinum and titanium! Not only is it invulnerable, but it also keeps certain nosey telepathics out of my personal thoughts!"

"He's right," said Blind Tracy, "I can't get a signal from his brain. But there is something I can do about that!" She concentrated on the metal hat, and with her telekinesis she lifted it off his head.

"Hey, give that back!" he demanded.

"As you wish!" She dropped the incredibly heavy hat on Loren's toe. He screamed in pain. "Bet you didn't know I could do that too!" Blind Tracy taunted.

"Why I oughtta!"

"Leave her alone, hombre! You're fighting with me, remember?"

"Oh, well, then tell her I said this!" Loren delivered an uppercut to Heartthrob's jaw, or so he thought. The valentine shape on Heartthrob's suit had changed from red to green, meaning that his heart rate was high enough for his powers to work. Knowing this, he punched poor Loren in his fist to intercept his punch.

"YEOWCH! OH, SWEET MOTHER, THAT HURTS!"

"What's he complaining about? I didn't punch him that hard!"
"NOT MY HAND, MY NECK! IT HURTS!"
It was Python, pressure pointing the Wicked Wichard into submission. She reappeared and made her statement. "You will restore the park to its original condition, now!"

"The hell I am!" he retorted. Python tightened her grip on the man-child. "All right! All right! I'll do it!" With a wave of his quasi-magical hand (albeit still in pain), the park returned to normal. Python got off of his neck, and the Wicked Wichard stood and faced his enemies.

"This is not the end!" he screamed. "Someday, somehow, I will acquire all of your…"

"Loren Margaret Kriznek! Where have you been? You were supposed to pick me up after Bingo this afternoon!"

"Not now, Ma! I'm in the middle of a villainous plot here!"

"Don't you give any excuses, young man! Now you get over here right now!"

"Mother! You're embarrassing me in front of my enemies!"

"No she isn't," Python said, "your fighting style embarrassed yourself."

"Loren Margaret?" said Heartthrob. "Dang, man, how do you go on with a girl's name like that?"

"Oh, will you just shut up?" he protested. "Loren can be a man's name too, you know!"

"But Margaret?" asked Blind Tracy. "What is that?"

All three of them enjoyed a good hearty laugh at Loren's humiliation. Like a good son, Loren climbed into the cab his mother was using. "Sorry about Loren," Harriet Kriznek apologized, "he's really a nice boy."

"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm a grown man, Ma?"

"Until the one time you start acting like a grown man!"

And on that humiliating note, the Krizneks rode off in the cab.

"Well," said Python, "it looks like our work here is done!"

"Let's go home," said Heartthrob.

"Good idea," said Blind Tracy.

Just then, out of nowhere, someone spoke. "So that's how it happened? His mother showed up and took him home? And here I was thinking you laid him out like a rug and he was never heard from again. Boy, was I fooled!"
"Who's there?" Python demanded.

"Oh, my, I'm so sorry, how rude of me for scaring you guys like that. Let me introduce myself."

Out of the shrubbery stepped a young man in a tan and green super suit, with the letters F and B made into a decorative logo. He looked almost exactly like Dash, except his hair was black.

"I'm Futureboy," he said. "I'm a super born with the ability to travel through time. I came from the year 2041. Nice to meet you, Aunt Violet."

"Aunt Violet?" Python said stunned. "Are you Dash's future kid?"

"No, I'm Dash's grandson. You're my great-aunt, but aunt is shorter."

"Well," interrupted Heartthrob, "that's very fascinating, and it was very nice to meet you, Futureboy, but we have to go now." He politely shoved the girls toward the car.

"Yeah, I wouldn't believe it either if I were you," Futureboy said. "It was nice to see you in action, Aunt Violet!"

As Alpha Force drove back home, Violet wondered if this Futureboy was the real deal and not some crazed lunatic.

"Don't wonder, Vi," said Ashley. "He is a crazed lunatic, trust me."

(A/N: Oh my gosh! I have been waiting for soooooo long to tell you guys about Futureboy! So, is he a crazed lunatic or is he really Dash's grandson? What do you think? Talk to me! And don't forget to tell me how I'm doing! Whew, I'm swamped, I think I'm going to take a nap before I write Chapter 25. See you guys when I wake up!)