On a Wednesday afternoon, the clock struck 2:30 at Sally Ride Middle School. Usually, school ends at 3 pm, but anyone whos a backup dancer gets to leave early for the show. Faith, Nadine, Ginger, and Jessie were psyched, because they get to be with their new friends the Backstreet Boys and could do their homework during breaks from rehearsal. As they board the bus to Studio 25, Ginger saw a cute Italian-American boy next to Lewis.

"Lookie here," Lewis laughed. "It's the four freaks of Sally Ride. It's a good thing I transferred to the school during winter break, just so I can get ready to be a star."

"Hello, Lewis," growled Jessie. "Are you being a bigger dork than you were these last two days?"

Before Lewis had a chance to fight back, his best friend calmed him down. "Now, now, Lewis" he said. "We don't disrespect girls."

"Whatever." Lewis growled.

Ginger felt lovestruck towards Lewis's best friend. "Hey," she greeted. "I-I'm...Ginger."

"I'm Vincenzo," greeted Vincenzo. "I'm one of the backup dancers for LADUWS."

"Oh, yeah," recalled Ginger. "You're that mambo fella."

Vincenzo began to blush, much to Lewis's disliking.

XxoxX

Later, they arrived at Studio 25, everyone was laughing at a confused Zarina, whom couldn't understand the concept of a water fountain. To avoid humiliation, Faith, Ginger, Nadine, Jessie, and Dorothy took her to the cafeteria, where they were celebrating A.J.'s 24th birthday.

Inside, they found The Boys by a table. "Hey!" shouted Nadine. "Sorry we're late, he had to get Zarina out of a pickle."

"Couldn't understand the use of a water fountain."

"And I know it's only two days since we met." Jessie said to A. J "All four of us pitched in and made you a card for January 8th.."

A.J. carefully read the handmade card that the Griff Gals made.

To an Alexander James McLean

We love you more than that

Faith, Ginger, Nadine, and Jessie

A.J. recalled this as one of their songs and was touched by it. "I didn't get to perform at the Kids Choice Awards 2001 due to my grandmother's death," he explained, "and the boys did a great job filling in my shoes."

"Didn't you have any other relatives?" asked Jessie.

"I grew up an only child," A.J. explained. "But with the Backstreet Boys, it feels like I had four other brothers."

All four of them thought it was really sweet.

Suddenly, Big G came in feeling completely stressed. One of the dancers named Rebekah had broken her leg while skateboarding to the studio. She claimed that she was distracted by a giant robot and smashed into a giant tree when it happened. Big G thought it was nonsense, but the Backstreet Boys and the Griff Galls knew it was real.

Then Faith just remembered something. "B-Rok, Kevin," she said, "you guys are cousins, right?"

"Of course," Kevin answered. "B-Rok's dad is my mom's kid brother."

"I know someone who can help us," Faith replied, "but we have to go to England for this."

XxoxX

Later, they were flying off to the United Kingdom, and Zanell was on the line. "Are you sure letting your cousin on the show is a good idea?" she asked.

"Zanell," Faith answered, "Cousin Dorothy knows all the moves to the Backstreet Boys' music videos. I know she can do this. Plus we'll keep an eye out for any more robots."

"Be careful," Zanell replied on the other end. "Father might suspect that you guys have the amulets. It's a good thing my husband replaced them with fake ones to avoid suspicion."

After Zanell turned off, the gang arrived at Hart Castle in the United Kingdom. "We're in England, and it only took us five minutes," said Faith.

"It's amazing what alien technology can do," replied B-Rok.

As Faith rang the doorbell, Ginger and Nadine quickly hid the Backstreet Boys in the bushes, because they wanted to surprise Dorothy.

By the door, Faith's maternal aunt, Mckenzie, and her uncle, Winston, were at the door. Mackenzie had long blonde hair and wore white elaborate clothes and Winston looked like a humble gentleman, "Hey, Aunt Mckenzie and Uncle Winston," greeted Faith. "Is Dorothy home?"

Aunt Mckenzie and Uncle Winston were surprised to see their American niece on their front doorsteps. "Well," answered Mckenzie, "she's in her room admiring her Nick Carter magazine pages."

In the bushes, Nick was surprised by this, prooving that Faith wasn't kidding.

Faith told them about Rebekah's accident but didn't tell them about the alien robots for their safety. Aunt Mckenzie and Uncle Winston always admired their eldest daughter's dancing skills and wanted to let her share her dancing on TV, but Uncle Winston was afraid that she wouldn't spend much time him. "Now, Winny" said Mckenzie. "This is Dorothy's chance to see what America is like."

"Your right, Kenzie," Uncle Winston answered.

In her room, Dorothy was adding another Nick Carter picture when her dad called. Dorothy came down to see that her cousin and friends were by the door. Aunt Mckenzie and Uncle Winston decided to celebrate in the kitchen while they catch up. After they left, Faith told Dorothy what really went on. Instead of being horrified, she was annoyed. "Nothing will make me go to America and help you stop some evil robot," she growled, "I already have enough villain troubles."

"Maybe this will change your mind," Faith replied back as she turned to the bushes. "Come on out, boys."

One by one, the Backstreet Boys came out of the bushes, much to the delight of Dorothy. She rushed past her cousin and her friends and hugged Nick. "Forgive me" she smiled. "I'm Dorothy Hart, huge Nick Carter fan."

"You're the girl from England who keeps sending fan mail to Nick," recalled Howie D, "with the sparkly grey hearts around."

"I know you have a major crush on me," replied Nick, "but I think the hearts are kind of cute."

"I know all the Bits and Bobs the Backstreet Boys," Dorothy said. "A.J., you started off playing Dopey in 'Snow White' and you met Howie D through a Mickey Mouse Club audition. Speaking of which, Howie D, you were voted Most Talented in school, Kevin played 'Cowboys and Indians' with his brothers as a kid and had actual horses and ponies, B-Rok likes basketball and football, and dear Nick is the youngest of the group and joined you guys when he's at Lucky 13. Also, A.J., Nick, and Howie D are from Florida and Brian and Kevin are from Kentucky."

Nick laughed nervously a little bit, then he patted Dorothy on the head.

XxoxX

Five minutes later, Dorothy came with two suitcases and a backpack. Luckily for that, while they were waiting for Dorothy, Nadine learned about using the hoverbikes from the holographic manuals. It was also lucky that Uncle Winston and Aunt Mckenzie were too busy celebrating their daughter's debut to notice. After they placed Dorothy's luggage in the glove compartment, which could store up to 12 large suitcases, they were off to Orlando.

But by the time they went back to Orlando five minutes later, their amulets started to glow. "I know this," Dorothy said. "Whenever communicators beep or glow, that means there's danger up ahead."

When they landed by the parking lot, they saw a giant robot attacking the city. "That must be the same robot that caused Rebekah's accident," Jessie suggested.

"We should get started right away," A.J. suggested.

Backstreet's Back Alright!

Nick changed into a knight-like hero, Howie D wore a purple and gold cloak, A.J. changed into a private detective-like hero, Brian changed into a basketball-like hero, and Kevin wore a red power suit.

"Now two of the rules of being a super is," Faith said as she changed into Griffin Girl, "don't use powers on a normal citizen and use them for justice."

"Got it!" shouted The Backstreet Boys as they started attacking the robot.

Ginger, Nadine, and Jessie quickly changed to Rubyhane, Merazul, and Centauremerald and all nine supers started attacking the giant robot. Kevin grabbed a hold of the robot's fist with his super strength, and Nick cut the robot's fist off. A.J. then shot the robot down with his alien guns.

"How about a knuckle sandwich?" asked Kevin as he tossed the fist to the robot.

After the fist hit the giant robot, it was about to land on Nick. With one press of her pin, Dorothy turned into Diamondnix, a white phoenix superheroine. She quickly froze the other hand and Nick.

"Looks like you watch a lot of anime," said Diamondnix.

"That and reading comic books," Nick replied. Diamondnix became more delighted by Nick's charm.

B-Rok did a slam dunk on the robot with an orange energy ball, Howie D distracted him with an illusion of the robot, Merazul did a water beam towards the robot, Centaurazul super kicked the robot, and Griffin Girl blew fire towards the robot.

To finish him off, Nick threw his sword, cut off both halves of the robot, and it fell down. Then A.J. shot the inside of the robot and the robot was destroyed.

XxoxX

Meanwhile, in the Zallegro Galaxy, Zator's main scientist Dr. Zora detected their activity on Earth. Dr. Zora had short blue hair and wore a black and red scientist outfit. After learning that the robot she sent has been destroyed, she had to report this to her master, King Zator.

After King Zator heard the news, he was in rage. "Who is responsible for this?" he asked angrily.

"Some group of superheroes from the planet Earth called the Griff Gals and a bunch of heroes that look like a ninja, a monk, a cowboy, a basketball player, and a knight," answered Zora.

XxoxX

Meanwhile in the treasure room, Zanell's husband Zaid started to get nervous. Word got around about the Backstreet Boys' little performance with the robot. He looked at the fool's jewels with his grey eyes and asked, "How long are we going to keep this up?"

XxoxX

The next day on Earth, the Griff Gals and the Backstreet Boys were arriving at the studio, discussing some rules on being superheroes. Zanell came in and told them that she witness the robot fight through her electronic clipboard. "I'm very proud of you guys." she commented.

"Now listen here," Faith said. "Superheroes don't fight unless the enemy forces you. We don't use powers for personal gain, and we mostly don't want to tell anyone outside these two groups."

"Good idea," Kevin replied. "Big G might think we're making this whole thing about us. Cristian warned us that he doesn't like jokes."

"Now that's taken care of," said Nadine, "you guys need some new names for your super identities."

Everyone thought real hard on what their names should be. Then Dorothy got the perfect name for Nick's superhero identity. "Ninja Man," she suggested Dorothy. "Daddy use to love ninjas as a kid and you look kind of like a ninja knight. A handsome ninja knight."

"I kind of like it," said Nick as he patted Dorothy's head.

"Howie should be Illusioner," suggested Ginger, "since he has those illusion skills."

"I think A.J. should be Ordnance," Jessie suggested. "They're mounted guns used in battle. My dad was a soldier in the Vietnam War."

"Brian should be Top Speed," suggested Faith, "Because you look like a basketball player."

"And Kevin should be Power Lord," finished Nadine, "because all of you have power."

The Backstreet Boys looked at each other and smiled. "Those names are perfect" commented A.J., "Now that you gave us names, we should name our superhero team ourselves."

They started to look at their amulets. Noticing their cybernetic features, they came up with the perfect name - the Cyber Crusaders.

Just then, Big G came in with Vincenzo, who turned out to be Big G's grandson. "Now, Vinny," Big G said to his grandson, "these are the world-famous Backstreet Boys. I hired them so we can get some ratings in."

"I know who they are, Grandpa," Vincenzo laughed. "Plus I already met Ginger and her friends yesterday on the bus, and Zarina when she was having a little trouble with the water fountain."

This touched Ginger's heard, "Oh, Vincenzo." she smiled.

"Enough mushy stuff," Big G said. "You're going to Guidi up my legs."

Hearing that phrase, Howie D suddenly remembered who Big G was. "Gianni Guidi," he recalled. "*The* Gianni Guidi. You were the jive king of the early '60s."

"That was me," answered Big G. "But my dancing days were over after I developed a rare leg condition that prevents me from dancing."

"Grandpa hasn't danced since the late '60s," explained Vincenzo.

Faith and her friends were surprised that Vincenzo was Big G's grandson and wondered why would they keep him. "We had to keep him as one of the backup dancers," explained Kevin, "because Big G would've loved it for his grandson to be on the show."

Faith, Ginger, Nadine, and Jessie may have been annoyed that Lewis was with them for the backup dancing, but they were sure going to get along just fine with Vincenzo.

XxoxX

On Saturday afternoon, the auditions for the contestants for LADUWS were going on. The Backstreet Boys and the Griff Gals were surprised because there were so many constants. "And I thought my audition for 'Nickelodeon Guts' was crazy," A.J. said. "But this is going to be funky!"

During the next two hours, auditioners showed off their dance skills, with the Griff Gals as the backup dancers.

In the bleachers, Lewis and Vincenzo were watching them. "Look at them, Vincenzo," said Lewis with a frown. "Those girls are already in the show."

"But they're just giving the auditioners encouragement," Vincenzo explained. "It's all part of the show."

XxoxX

After the last dancer auditioned, it was time for the judges to make the final decision on who's in the show. They picked six solo dancers and six pair dancers. Everyone cheered for the eighteen contestants for the first season. To make sure that the others don't go away empty-handed, the Backstreet Boys gave them LADUWS t-shirts and autograph pics of them. Zarina was amazed by the dancing, it was almost as good as how the patrons of her galaxy danced.

Big G was amazed by this because he was making some cutbacks this year. He came up to the Backstreet Boys and said, "Hey, fellas. Since the studio is making cutbacks, how about you teach the backup dancers and the contestants how to dance?"

"See," Faith said, "They *are* going to teach us."

"Don't rub it in," Nadine whispered. "Big G could hear us."

The Backstreet Boys agreed to teach them how to dance. "And who knows?" said A.J. "Maybe I could teach them a few tips on playing bass guitar, keyboards, and saxophone."

"That too," replied Big G. "Vinny also plays bass and his instructor has moved to Atlanta to work at an exclusive music school."

XxoxX

Later outside, Nick, Faith, and Howie D could see A.J. talking to some of the female contestants for the show. "Mr. Cool always hung out with girls as a kid," explained Howie D. "He's quite a ladies' man for his appearance."

"And there's going to be quite a few adventures thanks to LADUWS," Faith replied.

The End.