"Alan's in Springfield?" said Francine in astonishment.

"What's he doing, hanging out with the Simpsons?" Arthur wondered.

"How do you know, Greta?" asked D.W.

"I have my sources," replied Greta as her golden horn slowly became visible.

"What kind of danger are we talking about?" Francine asked her. "Mortal danger?"

Greta shook her head. "The Brainchildren want him alive, so they can subvert him to their cause."

"Brainchildren?" said Arthur. "Who are they?"

"Fugitives from the law," Greta answered. "Or rather, from a world that fears and hates them."

"Whoa, hold it!" Francine blurted out. "You're starting to scare me. If you want our help, you'll have to tell us exactly what we're getting ourselves into."

Greta sighed impatiently.

"I agree with Francine," said Arthur.

"I don't," said D.W. "With Greta around, nothing scares me—not even Dr. Fugue."

"All right," said Greta calmly. "The Brainchildren are a group of young people with superhuman mental powers. You've already met one of them—Alan's sister, Tegan. They were institutionalized in special schools, until a master thief named Raymond Mansch broke them out."

"What do they want with Alan?" asked Arthur.

"It turns out that Alan has powers too," Greta went on. "That's why he ran away. He doesn't want to be locked up, and he doesn't want to join the Brainchildren. The problem is, the Brainchildren want him to join them, and they can be very persuasive."

"How are we supposed to fight them if they have super powers?" asked Francine.

"I don't intend to fight them," Greta answered. "I intend to reason with them. Your assistance, and the fact that I have a friend on the inside, will make that task easier."

Lisa's hand trembled as she lifted the phone receiver.

"Ng'hey, Professor Frink speaking."

"Professor?" said Lisa. "It's me. I know about your connection with the Brainchildren, and I know what you have planned for Alan. I want you to leave him alone."

There was a brief silence on the line, punctuated by a few faint hoyvens.

"I'll make you a deal, Lisa," Frink spoke up. "You stay out of this, and I'll treat you to dinner at the nicest vegetarian buffet in town."

The prospect was tempting, but Lisa had to say, "No."

"A full-ride scholarship to the women's college of your choice," Frink offered.

"I'll get that anyway," said Lisa.

"Immortality," said Frink. "That's my final offer."

"You can't buy me out, Professor," said Lisa indignantly. "And if Alan suffers because of you, I'll quit my job as your assistant."

"Fine," said Frink. "I'll throw in eternal beauty."

Lisa slammed the receiver down.

Her voice quivered as she reported her findings to Alan. "I can't believe the professor would condone what the Brainchildren are doing."

"Neither can I," said Alan dolefully.

"They'll stop coming after you if you tell them your powers are gone," said Lisa, rubbing the bear boy's shoulders.

"No," said Alan, shaking his head. "I don't want them to suspect anything when I show up with a squad of Elwood City police officers hiding in the bushes."

"Let me come with you," Lisa pleaded. "At least to watch what happens."

Alan turned and faced the girl, concern in his eyes. "There could be trouble. If the Brainchildren are backed into a corner, they'll come out fighting. Claire's a telekinetic—she can send you flying into a wall. But the most dangerous of all is C.V. He can make you experience fear so intense that your brain shuts right down. The officers will have to wear special headgear to protect themselves from him."

"I'm not afraid," said Lisa confidently. "But just in case, do your friends in the ECPD have an extra set of anti-Brainchild headgear?"

to be continued