Hey, guys. This is another episode in the Delfino Keys story arc and this episode is an inspiration from a short called #LETTHEMEATPIE from DCSG Super Shorts but this would be like a full episode instead of a short due to a new villain to be part of Captain Hurricane's rogues gallery. I must warn you that this villain is kind of subtle with his prejudices with the main protagonist and some of his friends but not too much. Thanks for the reviews, favs and follows so far. It means a lot. Also, we have a mystery DC hero appear in this chapter so be on the lookout.
Anyway, DCSG belongs to DC and Lauren Faust. Let's get it.
====Chapter 26: Burrito Brawl====
It is the day of Dolphin Keys' annual eating competition dubbed the Burrito Bash and the competitors that signed up were Babs, Billy, Lobo, Hunter, Diana, Doris, Kurt and Dirk. The heroes were finished with spending time with the Superhero Models as Hunter had an anime grin on his face as the group including those wearing their contest numbers gaze at the Plaza with crates of burritos and sauces all in view.
"Dude! This is gonna be sweet! Who knew that the winner scores a year of Burrito Bucket and some money? Oh yeah! I'm gonna win them all!", Hunter boasted as Lobo shook his head.
"Says who, bub? I'm gonna get the dub at this pig-out contest and the cash to boot. If anyone's gonna do it, it's the Main Bro."
"Oh hold the hell up, dude! Free fully loaded burritos have my name on them! Hopefully Babs here can provide me some for the whole year!", Hunter protested. Babs and Billy frowned joining the argument.
"Who said you or Lobo would win free food? Bro, I'm gonna get some free food for a year!"
"None of you will get free food for a year! I'm gonna outgorge all of you and keep all the free burritos to myself! Bahahahaha!", Billy and Babs respectively told Hunter and lobo. However, Zee raised an eyebrow at Babs' decision to compete despite her working there.
"Um, Babs? You do realize that you'll get disqualified if the officials find out you work at Burrito Bucket. And this whole argument is silly. You guys get burritos at a discounted price thanks to Babs anyway.", the magician pointed out as Babs and the boys groaned.
"You had to bring that up did you, Zee? Waaaaaah!", Babs cried anime tears while the boys except for Freddie argued over petty things regarding the contest in comical fashion. The girls and Freddie deadpanned at them arguing and Babs wailing.
"Ugh. Those three are acting like real bakas sometimes.", Tatsu said as Karen and Jessica nodded.
"Ditto."
"Damn it! I could've entered the contest and crush all of you wimps!", Kara boasted as the boys and Babs stopped what they were doing and had angry anime expressions as their heads grew big to emphasize their point.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?! Is that a challenge?!", they all chorused. Kara smirked not unfazed as she remarked.
"Hello? I'm the Girl of Steel with a super stomach. Therefore, I can outright win this in seconds.", the Kryptonian said as Diana shook her head at the five fellow contestants.
"I appreciate the warrior spirit from each of you but I will be the one victorious with Hera as my witness. And it's a glorious feast to behold.", Diana said.
"Feast full of burritos. Let's hope you and your fellow competitors don't fumigate the hotel rooms afterwards. I won't let each of you live it down if we get kicked out because of that. YECCH!", Zee groaned in disgust as the group heard the announcement.
"Attention all eaters! Attention all eaters! Report to your stations in 5 minutes! Repeat, report to your stations in 5 minutes!", the heroes heard the announcement as the competitors smirked to each other. However, a competitor approached the group catching their attention. The man is Caucasian with brown hair in his 30s with brown eyes with a somewhat pudgy build and a rude personality to boot as the locals and other competitors glared harshly at him.
"Hey! Watch it, pal!"
"Yeah! Say excuse me, you moron!", they all said as the man scoffs flipping the bird and shoving one person to the ground. The teens didn't like the first impression already as Dirk and Kurt were irritated nearby with Doris cracking her knuckles with the other SRS members pulling her back.
"Who pissed in his cereal?", Hunter said rolling his eyes in irritation. Jessica piggybacked on that question as she voiced her concerns.
"Not sure but he's downright rude.", the Lantern said. Soon, the man approached the group with an arrogant look to him but he glared harshly specifically to Hunter, Jessica, Karen, Tatsu and Diana. Hunter approached first to the guy holding his composure as he greeted his fellow competitor.
"Well aren't you a ray of sunshine? You must be a reigning champion, right?", Hunter wondered Looking at the champion's belt shaped like a burrito on the buckle as Lobo blurted out something.
"Who the hell are you, bub? Ya makin' our pals uncomfortable lookin' like that!", Lobo glared with Billy, Freddie and the girls nodding in agreement. The man scoffed again and pointed his finger at Hunter.
"Yeah. I'm the reigning champion of this eating contest. 6 times to be exact.", the pudgy man said not taking off his glare on Hunter. Zee and the others looked uneasy at this as the magician recognized something.
"You must be Ian Brokowski! I saw you on TV before in a hotdog eating competition.", Zee said as Ian smiled at Zee.
"Yeah, little lady. You must be the daughter of the famous magician John Zatara. Glad somebody recognizes my talent.", he boasted. Kara, Babs and the others had glares on Ian disliking him as the man frowned.
"Why the hell are you brats looking like that? It's not Like you have plenty of opportunities with a celebrity.", he said as Hunter frowned.
"Well the people over there you were rude to just then aren't too happy, bub!", Hunter said as Ian growled grabbing him by the collar as Zee and the teens begged for Ian to put their friend down. Hunter squirmed but glared back at Ian.
"Look, you little bastard! Who do you think you're talkin' to? People like you make me sick! The fact you're competing makes me sick!"
"Well looks Like me and other competitors are gonna have to break your ego. Won't we?", Hunter smirked as Ian growled but an official quickly stopped the altercation.
"Brokowski! Put yhim down right now or you'll be disqualified! You already caused trouble with the locals lately. So put the boy down right now!", the official glared commanding Ian as the pudgy man places the air hero down with a thud. Karen, Diana and Billy Helped Hunter to his feet as Ian huffed but gave out a warning.
"Fine. But you and your friends better watch yourselves.", Ian threatened as Hunter and the group glared at Ian. The official turned his attention to Hunter, Babs, Billy, Diana, Doris, Kurt, Lobo and Dirk.
"I take it you all in the contest are ready, yes?", the official asked the group. Diana stepped forward with a passionate demeanor when it comes to competition.
"Yes, sir. A warrior is always ready for battle especially when it comes to feasting for honor. Hera gave us—"
"Don't mind her, sir. She's excited when it comes to competing. Gets her blood pumping, ya know.", Zee said with a sheepish chuckle as the official shrugged.
"I see. In that case, all competitors in this group report to your eating stations. The event will start in 5 minutes.", the official reminded as he guided the competitors to the said area. The other teens were escorted by the other officials to their seating area. The remaining teens had concerns regarding Ian as Zee gulped.
"I have a bad feeling about that Ian guy. We better keep an eye out on him.", the magician said as Karen agreed with a frown.
"Yeah. Especially when he gave me, Hunter, Diana, Tatsu and Jessica a dirty look. Not to mention at Selina and Doris. Come on.", Karen commanded as the teens were almost to their seats. The seating area was at a great spot at the corner but close enough to watch Ian and the other competitors. The heroes not competing were being vigilant as did Pam's group.
Selina frowned at Ian as she had a bad feeling about the guy. Leslie, Harleen and the other girls were feeling the same.
"That Ian guy that was roughing up Hunter rubs us the wrong way and at Karen and Doris too. I say we watch this guy before he does something crazy.", Selina suggested as Harleen pulled out a mallet from out of nowhere pointing it at Ian.
"I'll be the one to unleash crazy! Lemme at him! Lemme at him!", the blonde jester yelled with some of the fans raising their eyebrows. Pam noticing this snatches the mallet away from her and glared plopping her hyperactive friend back to her seat.
"Harls, you nitwit! Don't cause a scene! We're keeping an eye out for that Ian jerk. Not fight him head on."
"But I wanna maul."
"Not yet. Now sit the frick down and behave yourself.", Pam gritted her teeth as Harleen sighed doing as she was told. Soon, the opening starting lineup is ready to be introduced.
/
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our 50th running of the Burrito Bowl at the Delfino Keys! Is everyone ready to get caliente?!", the announcer said with gusto as the crowd cheered. Ian mean mugs Hunter as the videogame enthusiast huffed.
"What's the matter? Scared?", Hunter said as Ian growled.
"No but I'm pissed that a kid like you waltzes up here thinking he's hot stuff!", Ian spat as Hunter crossed his arms.
"Seriously? The fragile ego knows no bounds.", the air hero smirked as the announcer continues.
"That's good because we have so many familiar faces and some fresh new ones as well. They're all here for one thing and that's a year worth of free burritos at the Bucket plus some 50K in cash! But will any of our competitors defeat the REIGNING, DEFENDING UNDISPUTED BURRITO CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, IAAANN BROOOKOWSKIIIII!", the announcer shouted as most of the locals and fans booed harshly at the champion. Ian huffed and smirked flipping the bird with many of the spectators grow anime veins in anger. Doris and Diana frowned at the pudgy man while Lobo, Billy and Hunter growls. Babs, Dirk and Kurt were puzzled but shrugged it off as the competition heats up. Some of the other competitors didn't like Ian as one turned to Hunter with a warning.
"Hey, kid. There's something you must know about Ian.", the dark skinned man said beside him as Hunter raised an eyebrow while the announcer talks about the competition.
"Okay. What's the matter? Ian's been getting aggro on me for no reason. What gives?", Hunter wondered as the man explained.
"This is alleged but Ian cheats by tainting the good tiered competitors' food making them sick. No proof's been available yet but also he dislikes minorities with a passion. He mean mugged me as well. So be very careful. All right?", he said as Hunter nodded. The air hero eyed Ian taking heed to the warning. The announcer then gets everybody ready as the piles of burritos were in front of the competitors.
"Okay, everyone. Take your marks!", the announcer said as the competitors did as they were told.
"Go, Hunter!"
"Go, Di! You all got this!"
"Knock that Ian slob dead!", the teens said aloud as Ian growled at everyone not giving him any attention. Diana closed her eyes in anticipation.
"Hera, give me strength for battle.", the Amazon said praying to Hera. Babs smiled with a determined demeanor, Kurt chomped the air, Dirk gulped nervously looking at his food, Billy and Lobo flexed, Hunter licked his lips in excitement and Doris puts on her game face.
"Get set. GOOOO!", the competition started off with a fiery passion. The competitors chomped ferociously on their burritos with Ian stuffing his face, Doris hustling with her set, Babs, Lobo, Billy and Hunter went aggressive while Diana with glee ate fast but neatly.
Everyone was at a steady pace but the first ones to give up was none other than Dirk as the goat boy's stomach was full from the burritos.
"UUUGGH! I'm full already! I need to rest! BAAA!", the goat teen plopped his face onto his burrito pile forfeiting the match as the disqualification bell rang. Leslie hoped Dirk was feeling better as the officials escorted him off the stage along with other local competitors.
"Oh man! Dirk's out of the competition already! That sucks! I was hoping he'd beat Sharky!", Carol said as Leslie nodded.
"Yeah but at least he did his best. I hope he's okay.", the electric girl said in concern as the others pressed on. Out of nowhere, Harleen blew an air horn erratically while yelling for Babs.
"Go, Babsy! You can do it! WOOOOOO!", the jester blew the air horn so Loud near Pam and Selina's ears that the plant girl growled snatching the device away and threw it out of sight hitting Kara in the head.
"Damn it, Harley! You're trying to make me deaf!"
"Yeah. Do you mind not doing that? Mrrow.", Pam and Selina respectively voiced their annoyance with the jester grinning sheepishly. Barbie yawned out of boredom watching Doris and the others eating but perked up seeing Hunter scarfing down aggressively.
"Go, Hunter-poo! Keep going! YAAAY!", the were-cheetah squealed but was near Pam's ear irritating the plant girl.
Barb, not you too! Harley is enough as is!", Pam growled as Carol bit her lip in sheepish fashion. Carol then warned Barbie for the sake of Pam's sanity.
"Um, let's not make Pam angry, Barb. Harls' already filling that job.", the Sapphire girl said as the group watched the action.
/
The gorgefest continued until some of the competitors clutched their stomachs in pain running out of the area to a bathroom disqualifying them in the process. Ian chuckled mischievously as Hunter still scarfing glanced for a second with a glare but kept eating. In the stands, Jessica and Karen frowned seeing Ian smirking after the competitors clutched their stomachs off sstage.
"Something's fishy going on and I don't like it!", Karen said as the girls and Freddie agreed.
"Yeah. Dirk didn't clutch his stomach in pain like the recent eaters. Not saying Ian did something with the burritos but he's innocent until we can find proof that he really did that.", Zee said as Kara pounded her fists.
"I say he's guilty. Just look at that dillweed. Besides, he only mean mugged Karen, Tatsu, Diana, Hunter and Jess. He didn't do much to anyone else in the group.", Kara pointed Out as Freddie nodded.
"Kara's right about one thing. That Ian sure did had more than a dislike towards them but to also Selina and Doris. Plus he was rude to the locals before the competition. Something's not up with that guy.", the wiz hero said narrowing his eyes at Ian still smirking while eating glancing at Hunter and Doris.
""Oh no. More competitors are clutching their stomachs. Look!", Tatsu said in alarm as she pointed to more competitors clutching their stomachs. Jessica and the others were now concerned for their friends possibly next to suffer.
"We gotta do something! And fast! Otherwise innocent people will get sick!", Tatsu noted as Zee used a communicator to page in Babs.
/
Babs was on a roll due to her greedy eating habits as she happily munched on her next set after another. Suddenly, a ring on her wrist communicator caught her attention. She quickly pushed the button and answered it while eating.
"Hello? Can't talk right now, Zee. I'm on a roll! That prize money is mine! Om nom-nom-nom!", Babs said with mouthfuls of food.
"I can see that. But you do realize that many of the competitors are getting sick clutching their stomachs."
"Really? How's that possible? They must be full."
"No. The body language between the competitors and Dirk were different. Dirk's normally full but the others clutched their bellies in pain. And Ian is possibly the suspect.", Zee explained through the wrist communicator as Babs raised an eyebrow. She then saw Hunter, Doris and the others still surviving.
"But the others aren't affected yet. But I did see Ian smile creepily at our friends."
"Exactly. Babs, I hate to say this to you but you must act like you're sick.", the magician said causing Babs' eyes to bug out anime style.
"What?! Are you crazy? I got a competition to win!"
"Babs! This is more important than your chance at a year worth of burritos! Besides, you already mooch burritos for free as is! Now drop out of it and hunt down for clues! I have a feeling that our reigning champion is behind this.", Zee commanded as Babs sighed. Once the wristcom is offline, Babs forfeited her competition acting like she's full. The disqualification bell indicated her resignation as the ginger left the stage on her own as Ian raised an eyebrow confused. Hunter and the teens were suspicious of the champion as a couple minutes remain.
/
Babs groaned as she tried to sniff out clues. She sighed staring at the burrito shaped sign and wailed.
"Ahhh! I was so close to winning the event. That prize was gonna be mine! Zee owes me big time after this.", the ginger whined as she explores the plaza to find proof that Ian was responsible for cheating. However, she heard two men talking as the video camera recorded the convo.
"Hey, Gary!"
"What is it, Dingus? Can't you see I'm relaxing over here?", the guy with the mullet asked Dingus with annoyance as he smoked a cigarette.
"Remind me why Ian wanted us to lace some of the burritos with laxative pills?", Dingus asked Gary. Babs frowned but listened in while being unseen.
"Dingus, you idiot! If you had paid attention instead of being a dillweed, you'll learn something. We lace his opponents' food with laxative pills eliminating the threat and our dude would score free food and cash. Giving us the lion's share. It's perfect. Now do you get it?", Gary said rolling his eyes as Dingus nodded.
"Yep. We also do it because Ian's a bigot right?", Dingus talked loud only for Gary to smack him silly.
"Damn it, Dingus! Don't reveal his true intentions to the world. We'll kiss everything goodbye because of your screwup! Now shut the hell up and smoke a cigarette.", Gary hissed stuffing a just lit up cigarette into Dingus's mouth. Babs appalled of why Ian's doing this stops the recording.
"That Ian's really a cheating low down bigot! I need to warn Zee about this. Hunter and the others are in deep trouble.", the ginger said in worry.
"Correct you are."
"EEEK! Who said that?!", Babs yelped at the male teen voice as the shadowy figure who listened in on the convo. The figure showed up being a teenager with a detective's hat with noire style sleuth outfit. The unique piece of the outfit was the faceless mask as if he lacked a natural face. Babs gasped in shock as she stammered.
"-Who are you? You spooked the life out of me!", Babs asked in alarm.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you. I overheard Ian Brokowski's allegations coming to light. By the way, I am known as The Question, an expert of finding the truths that no one wants you to know about.", Question said as Babs nodded.
"Well, I'm Babs. Nice to meet you, Question. But what is it that you know about Ian Brokowski other than him being a jerk?", the ginger asked the conspiracy theorist.
"The fact he covers his tracks after the same offense in other competitions. He cheated his way in Hub City, Star City, Jump City, Coney Island and Central City over the years. And yes, the truth is that he dislikes many people different than himself if you know what I mean."
"Yeah. My friends out there are unfortunately on his list of those he does not like.", Babs sighed.
"I figured. I have unknown sources of him and his accomplices' handiwork that I've found on the internet on my tablet. The mainstream media won't ever show this due to the Love for publicity Ian gives out. Many think he's the greatest competitor in the eating world but proof I've dug up is otherwise.", the conspiracy theorist said as Babs nodded. Question showed all of the videos he downloaded featuring the footage of many of the security cameras catching Ian's cronies lacing the food items including the recent Delfino Keys competition and also images of possible laxative pills. Babs was shocked at the sight as Question understood her worry.
"This is our only chance to put an end to Ian's career and save your friends. There's a videoboard control room at the Plaza. All we gottta do is connect my HDMI cable from my tablet to the control deck exposing Ian's crimes once and for all.", Question said as Babs nodded.
"I'm coming with you. Just let me warn my other friends not competing. They'll be of some help.", Babs suggested as Question agreed with Dingus frowning at the latter.
"Gary, look! That masked sleuth freak is at it again and he's got that redhead with him!"
"Dingus, don't start with me—What the hell? It is that masked freak! C'mon, man! Let's go after them!", Gary yelled to Dingus as they gave chase. Babs yelped seeing the duo and turned to Question.
"Question, those men are after us! What are we gonna do?"
"It's Gary and Dingus, Ian's henchmen. They've been on to me since I've been nosing around in their business."
"Are you crazy? They're gonna kill us for sure!"
"Yes I know. It's part of the territory. Just keep going! The control deck isn't too far in the Plaza.", Question ordered as the teens ran further ahead with Gary and Dingus trying to get them with the loud foghorn signaling the end of the competition.
/
"And your winner is, Ian Brokowski reigning once again!", the announcer said as the crowd booed. Ian smirked and grinned evilly at Hunter and the competitors who glared at him. Ian marches up to Hunter and smirked.
"I won once again, you loser. Whatcha gonna say to that?!"
"Dude, I'm fine with taking an L. You don't need to rub it in.", Hunter said as Billy nodded.
"Yeah. Leave my bud alone. You won and proved your point at being the best. What's your problem with my friends?", Billy asked pointing the finger at Ian. The officials came in with the trophy, cash check and a certificate to Burrito Bucket for a year.
"See this? This is all mine, dude. And you think you're hot stuff. Just like.."
"Just like what?", Hunter narrowed his eyes wanting an answer. Before Ian can say something insulting, his phone rang with the teens listening in. Ian answered it being Gary.
"What the hell do you want now, Gary? Can't you see I'm gloating as the champ?"
"Yeah. But that masked freak and that redheaded girl are running to the control room! The masked kid with the hat has a tablet with him! I think he's going to expose us!"
"Gary! Those other dweebs are after us too! Led by that blonde chick!", Gary and Dingus said respectively as Ian growled not caring who was around shouted.
"Well hurry up and get them! My plans to rig this damn competition will not go to waste!", Ian said as all in attendance glared in shock. Diana gasped at Ian while Lobo got angry.
"Say that line again, chump?!", Lobo demanded as Ian smiled nervously as sweat poured down. Officials raised eyebrows in confusion while locals and competitors glared dangerously.
"What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about!"
"You know what you said. Now spit it out!", Hunter hissed as Ian gritted his teeth.
"I rigged this competition.", he said low for Hunter to hear.
"So they can hear you.", the air hero hissed as Ian pushes Hunter down to the ground making his friends angry at the sore cheating Ian and the crowd yelled in anger of Ian's outburst.
"You all are gonna listen to the words of a stupid kid? You're nuts! Many competitors cheat their way and even dope on things to get to where they are! What makes me any different?!", Ian sneered as the videoboard displayed all of Ian's treachery courtesy of Babs, Question and the rest of the Super Team. Ian's face grew pale at the videoboard as officials grew disgusted as did everyone else. Diana angrily shouted at the cheating bigot.
"So it was you who rigged and made everyone sick for your own personal gain! It is dishonorable!", Diana yelled.
"Oh shut it! Dishonorable my ass! I fake it til I made it and it always works! And I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling brats especially YOU!", Ian snarled losing his mind glaring menacingly at Hunter as the officials came in and took away the prizes with a disappointed scowl on their faces. This made Ian more angry and crazy with a smile.
"So that's the way it is, hmm? Me? Exposed by a bunch of brats? Never! NW+EVER!", Ian yelled as he turned into a raging monster.
Ian's rage consumed him as he morphed into an ape-like creature with pointed ears, retained shaggy brown hair, red eyes, long muzzle with razor sharp teeth wearing out the torn out clothes due to a painful transformation. The crowd screamed for their lives as Doris paled at the sight of the monstrous Ian.
"That's right, fools! RUN! RUN! Run like the pitiful excuses you really are! ROOOOARR!", the giant ape roared as Billy gulped.
"Damn! That's an—"
"Oozaru!", Hunter finished as Diana was confused while Kurt wanted to fight the monstrous primate.
"What's an Oozaru? I don't recall them on Themyscira.", Diana said puzzled.
"It's a giant monkey with a berserker mindset! It's going to make us it's lunch!", Billy said terrified as Hunter watched the big ape destroy the stage and displayed aggression.
"The hell he will! He's not gonna make a monkey out of us! C'mon! Let's turn this guy into a throw rug!", Lobo yelled as Diana and Hunter pulled him back.
"No! We gotta get that big ape away from the Plaza before innocent people get hurt. Diana, you phone Babs in and tell her and the rest of the team to rally the crowd out of here. Lobo and Billy will stay with us as we lure Monkey Boy out of here!", Hunter ordered as Diana nodded as the plan went into motion with Ian stomping around trying to eat the innocent citizens.
/
In a secluded area away from the plaza, Wonder Woman, Shazam, Lobo and Captain Hurricane were fighting off Ian as the big ape swings his giant fists at the quartet. Ian calling himself Mandrill due to his long tail and baboon-like appearance did a punch at Hurricane misses frustrating him.
"Hold still, you little bastard! So I can kill you! RAAAAWR!", Mandrill roared beating his chest showing his long canines. Lobo tried shooting his blaster at the simian but the shots bounced Off the creature.
"Damn! That bites! My shots isn't bringing this walking carpet with a butt to the ground!", Lobo said as he puts away his blaster. Diana glared at the beast while Hunter had an idea.
"Shazam, shoot your magic bolts at Banana Brain to stun him! Di, you use your lasso to wrangle him up!", Hunter said as Shazam gave the salute.
"Aye-aye, Cap'n! He won't see this coming!", Shazam said with a smirk firing his magic bolts at Mandrill stunning him for a moment. This gave Diana an opportunity to follow the plan.
"Okay. Now to bring down the foul beast! The Lasso compels you, vile creature!", Diana shouted as she tries to lasso Mandrill only to miss. To make matters worse, Mandrill became agitated and charged up a ball of light from his mouth as it grew large ready to shoot at both Wonder Woman and Shazam.
"Hey! Both of you get out of the way! He's gonna fire his laser!", Hurricane shouted at Diana and Billy as they saw the energy ball.
"Great Zeus! Billy, get out of dodge!", Diana warned with Billy's eyes wide as saucers.
"Wow! He's using Hyper Beam! Awesome!"
"Don't just stand there unless you want to get blasted to the moon!", Lobo yelled as the blast was released from Mandrill heading straight for Diana and Billy as the latter yelped in shock. The two then dodged out of the way as the blast hit the sand leaving a large hole in the process. Diana and Billy regrouped with Hunter and Lobo as they try to plan out a strategy.
"This is going to be tougher than we realized, warriors! We need to overwhelm the enemy as a group.", Diana suggested to her team.
"Good thinking. Four of us at once oughta whip that big ape to shape!", Hurricane said as the four heroes did an all-out attack on the simian.
"So you insolent pests refuse to give up? So be it! I'm gonna rip all of you in half especially you, blue bastard!", Mandrill growled charging at the four aiming his fists at Captain Hurricane only for the blue clad hero to lead the attack with a spin attack blowing the simian man in the air where Wonder Woman did a one-two punch to Mandrill's face followed by Lobo's charging tackle launching him towards Shazam where the wiz hero shot a magic thunderbolt sending Mandrill roaring to the ground creating a crater.
"Yes! We knocked the bananas out of his butt! Now to celebrate!", Shazam cheered as the four teens suddenly gets blindsided by a pissed off Mandrill sending the four to the ground. The big ape aggressively walks towards them baring his sharp fangs.
"Damn it! That big ape won't stay down for one second! He's as mean-tempered as Gorilla Grodd but far worse!", Captain Hurricane said grunting trying to stand up as Lobo nodded.
"Well that's something you and Flash have in common. Having evil monkeys as enemies.", the Zarnian said nonchalantly as Mandrill roared in their faces as Hunter coughed.
"Damn, dude! You need a breath mint!"
"Silence, you stupid pest! This is as far as all of you will go! Once I mark all of your graves, that stupid Hunter kid will die as well! Here it comes!", Mandrill roared ready to charge up another hyper beam hoping to kill them point blank. Before he could get a good shot, Vixen leapt at the brute from the side and knocked Mandrill to the ground with the ability of a rhino. Following suit was Fire, Ice and Supernova who all checked on the four teens trying to get up.
"Are you all okay? That monkey man nearly blew you all to bits!", Vixen said in worry.
"Thank the gods you and your fellow warriors came to our aid! We would've been slain for sure.", Diana said in gratitude.
"More like vaporized than slain. So how are we gonna beat that big ape?", Shazam wondered as Vixen thought of a good idea.
"We'll pair up in tag teams and overwhelm the enemy. Diana and Captain Hurricane, Fire and Shazam, Lobo and Ice and myself and Supernova. Now let's get going!", Vixen commanded as Mandrill growled.
"You all aren't going anywhere! This is the last breaths you all will ever get!", Mandrill roared as Captain Hurricane smirked.
"Bring it, monkey boy!", he said as the heroes went after Mandrill overwhelming him. Billy and Beatrice used their bolts and fire respectively to keep the brute at bay. This pissed Mandrill off as barrages of blasts hits him square on the mark.
"ROOOAR! I'm not goona lose to a bunch of freaks!"
"Says you, Banana Boy Eat this!", Shazam taunted as he fired another bolt at the brute. Fire flew in and shot her flames point blank knocking Mandrill to the ground. Mandrill was about to charge at Fire and Shazam only for Lobo to punch the simian square in the face.
"Hey, buttface! Wanna piece of me?! Lobo said throwing a boulder into another causing both of them to collide into Mandrill piling on him. Ice gasped at Lobo as the Zarnian smirked.
"Heh! Wuss!", Lobo boasted as Mandrill bellowed throwing all the bouldders off him glaring menacingly at the duo.
"RRROAR! I'm gonna grind both of you into a bloody paste!"
"KEH! Awful brave talk for a dead man!"
"Lobo, may we shouldn't try anything reckless.", Ice said in worry as Lobo smirks.
"Relax, bIcy. It's all In the bag.", Lobo said confidently as Mandrill's red eyes glared at the two.
"I'm not dead yet but you will be!"
"You're Partially right. I'm about 10 seconds fast!", Lobo said before he came at the brute with a fistfight between the rtwo. Ice pointed her hands to get a clean shot onto Mandrill. It took a while for Ice to get a clean shot but she had an idea. She shot the ground conjuring a slab of ice underneath Lobo and Mandrill causing the latter to slip onto the ice. This prompted Ice to surf on her ice scooping the Zarnian up carrying him away from the angry simian.
"Get back here, cowards!ds! This isn't over!", Mandrill bellowed only for Supernova to shoot her solar flares onto the simian leaving a crater. Before Mandrill can jump up to attack her, Vixen came in with the power of a lioness and jumped onto Mandrill swiping at his face damaging him.
"Not so tough are you, Mandrill?", Vixen said swiping at his face only for the simian to punch her into the crater as Supernova gasped.
"Vixen!"
"Diana! Supernova and Vixen need our help! Let's teach this beast the hard knock life!", Hurricane said as Diana nodded.
"I don't know what it means but I'll follow in on it anyway!", Diana said adorkable as Mandrill glared at the Amazon and air hero.
"So this leaves the blue bastard and that wench of his! How about the both Of you share a grave together! ROAR!", Mandrill said pissed off beating his chest as Hurricane glared at his new enemy.
"Dream on, Monkey Butt! Let's end this battle real quick!", Hunter shouted as both teens charged at Mandrill as they dodged shockwaves from the ape's hands slamming the ground.
"YAH! WAH! WAHOOO!", Hunter cried with each jump getting higher until the third one got higher for him to somersault in the air. Diana who was flying by was impressed.
"I take it you got the jumping ability from Super Mario?"
"Yep. You know it, princess! This is only the beginning!", Hurricane smirked as he told the Amazon something.
"Di, lift me up into the air will ya?!", he asked as Diana was puzzled.
"Why?"
"You'll see. Just lift me up and line up with Mandrill.", Hunter said as the duo followed up with the plan. Once in the air, Hunter gave the signal to release him. The air hero rolled into a ball as he performed a Homing Attack hitting the simian square in the face. He then spins laps around Mandrill creating a tornado launching the big ape into the air as Wonder Woman spikes him to the ground into the same crater.
Some time passed as Mandrill wasn't going out that easily. The heroes were at a loss for words until Fire spoke up.
"This guy is impossible! No matter how much we throw at him, he won't go down at all!"
"I agree! We're gonna be ape chow if we don't do something!", Shazam shuddered as Hunter thought of a plan. The group raised their eyebrows in confusion.
"Uh, Hunter? Now's not the time to be in a trance here. We got a homicidal monkey man wanting to kill you the most.", Vixen reminded him.
"I know. While you guys were in worry, I have an idea that hit me."
"Ja? What is it?", Ice asked in curiosity as Hunter explained.
"That power is coming from that brute's tail.", Hunter said pointing to Mandrill's tail as Shazam beamed.
"Oh I remember, bro! It's like on Dragon Ball Z where Saiyans turn into powerful big apes as long as they have their tails!"
"Exactly, Billy! And I'm gonna cut it clean off that oozaru! Once his tail's gone, he's back to plain old Ian. Simple as that.", Hunter said confidently as Supernova cleared her throat.
"I hate to break it to you but you don't have anything to cut the tail off. And that's kind of gory don't you think?", she said confused but Hunter smirked.
"That's what you think.", he said as he pulled out a Beam Sword and a Smash Ball out of the utility ring dubbed the Smash Ring.
"Di, break open the Smash Ball. Quickly while Mandrill's down!"
"W-What? I thought it only works On you.", Diana said puzzled as Hunter shook his head.
"Not really. I can give it to my allies like yourself. Now break it open with your fist.", Hunter said as Diana did as she was told. Once the ball was broken, an aura glowed around the Amazon and her eyes glowed as well with everybody shocked.
"Whoa! This is amazing!"
"Ja! You really are the embodiment of videogames!", Vixen and Ice said respectively with everybody else speechless. Diana looked at Hunter in amazement and awe.
"Great Zeus! All of this power flowing within me! Is this what the Smash Ball's purpose is?"
"Yes. It's the key to your Final Smash or your ultimate attack. Each attack is different from person to person who breaks it. Just unleash your full power at Mandrill and the Final Smash will do the rest. But remember, the Smash Ball is a cooldown item meaning after the ball is used, it takes a couple minutes for a new one to pop up. Just attack him and then I'll get a clean swing at his ass.", Hunter said as Diana nodded.
"I got It, Hunter. Hera, give me strength.", Diana prayed before she engaged Mandrill in a fight along with Hunter for assistance. Once Mandrill was dazed, Diana unleashed her Final Smash where she unleashed a barrage of attacks sending the simian to the sky. The Amazon zoomed up there with her bracelets glowing dangerously blue with her arms spread out as she floats in front of him.
"What the hell kind of power is that?! This cannot be! I, Mandrill cannot be defeated!", Mandrill yelled before Diana clapped Her bracelets with a thunderous blast wave sending a screaming Mandrill flying straight into the crater with Hunter powering the Beam Sword.
"This is it! Now's my chance!", Hunter said running at the struggling Mandrill.
"GRRR! What the hell are you doing with that thing?! I'll be powerless!"
"Shut it, Mandrill! Time to make you human again! YAAAH!", Hunter slashed ferociously as the tail was sliced clean off flying in front of Fire. Mandrill's red eyes widened in horror noticing a smirking Hurricane holding the weapon that stopped the monstrous ape's rampage.
"This can't be happening! I don't believe it!"
"Oh I insist! Believe it!", Hunter taunted as Mandrill howled in pain and defeat as he reverted back to his human self being Ian as he wore the torn up clothes beaten and Humiliated. Ian glared exhausted at his new blue nemesis.
"You're just like that stupid kid and his friends! Ruining everything!"
"Typical of you villains to say that. Always blaming everybody but yourself. And that's pretty low of you to want to harm Hunter like that. Now you must pay the price.", Hunter said crossing his arms as the group stared at the defeated Ian. Soon, the rest of the Super Team and Question came to the scene with Kara looking at Ian's crumpled self on the ground.
"I can't believe I wasn't invited to a good old ass kicking on that jerk! All because of crowd control!", Kara yelled as Zee flew over to Diana's group.
"Thank goodness you all are okay! Everyone is safe away from the Plaza and I take it that Ian's defeated but where's the big ape?", Zatanna wondered as Hunter explained.
"Ian is the big ape or rather an Oozaru he dubs himself as Mandrill. He wanted to kill me the most but thanks to Di and the others that we made good work on him.", Hunter said as Babs screamed at the chopped tail wiggling around on the ground near a shuddering Fire.
"AAAH! Why is there a tail wiggling around?! I think I'm gonna be sick!", Babs gagged as Tatsu assured the ginger.
"Not to worry, Babs. Oozarus revert back to their normal forms after their tails get removed. Now how are we going to get Ian to the authorities?", the swordswoman wondered as Zee smiled.
"No need to worry. I called the authorities to pick Ian up. They already got the goons of his. They should be here in a moment.", the magician said as the DK authorities appeared to take the unconscious Ian into custody. Question who was with Babs felt relieved as the latter introduced him to the team.
"OI would like to introduce you guys to Question. He's the reason Ian got exposed.", Babs beamed as Hunter shook his hand.
"Nice to meet ya, dude. The name's Hunter and this is all of my team."
"Fascinating. I figured there's more superheroes than the legendary Superman and Batman. Anyway, I find truths that the mainstream doesn't want you to know.", Question said as Billy raised an eyebrow.
"So you're like a conspiracy nutjob. Terrific.", the wiz hero groaned rightfully so as Question did just that.
"Did you know that cell phones track your every move and invade your privacy by businesses without your knowledge? We're not really in Privacy.", Question said as Kara rolled her eyes.
"Oh really? That's a laugh. Billy's right about conspiracy nutjobs.", the Kryptonian said as Jessica elbows her with a glare to shut her up. Question smirked as he continued.
"It's true. You just don't know it. And also, there are 42 flavors of ice cream instead of 56 flavors.", he said as Billy's eyes bug out anime style as did Babs.
"WHAT?! 42 flavors? That's impossible!", Billy and Babs said shocked as Kara groaned.
"Now that we defeated Monkey Boy, let's go back and chillax."
"Kara's right. Let's head back to the hotel. Seems everybody assumed we're hiding. C'mon, fellow warriors! Let's celebrate our victory!", Diana said triumphantly as Question looks at Babs confused.
"Don't worry, Vic. She always does this but you'll get use to it.", the ginger said as everybody got out of the desolate beach area to the Hotel.
/
"WAAAAAAAAAH! WHYYYYY?!", Babs wailed anime tears as Doris smiled evilly holding the trophy that Ian could've gotten since she was in the second position but due to Ian's cheating did the ginger take the top spot.
"Face it, Babsy-Wabsy! For a year, you'll be serving me and my pals some free meals at the Bucket! I beat all Of you dweebs and I got $50,000!", Doris laughed as Babs kept wailing. Harley beamed at free food while Kurt grew disappointed. Mrs. Zel smiled as her words derailed Doris's teasing.
"Perfect, Sweetums! The prize money's going to your college fund.", the scientist said as Doris's face grew pale while Babs stopped her wailing and smirked.
"W-What? Mom! I was gonna use it for something awesome!"
"Don't worry, honey. This is pretty awesome by giving you a head start in college.", Mrs. Zel smiled as Doris now did anime tears as Barbie huffed.
"Sheesh. Who knew Doris is a crybaby.", the catgirl teased with a sly smirk. Hunter sighed in relief with Karen and Diana noticing this.
"What's wrong, Hunter? Why's your warrior spirit down?"
"Di's right. Are you okay?", Diana and Karen wondered as Hunter opened up.
"That Ian's really a bigot for sure. I won't state the obvious of why he did that but I noticed his microaggression towards not just me but also to you two, Jessica, Tatsu, Doris and Selina. After what the competitor warned me about him, it kind of gets to me since it's not the first nor the last of something like this.", Hunter confessed as Karen nodded in empathy and sympathy while Diana felt bad for the air hero.
"I see what you mean. But people like Ian shouldn't get us down. It's his loss. Not yours or ours."
"Karen's right, Hunter. That Ian is like a horse. You can guide it to water but it's up to the horse whether it wants to drink it or not. It's on the horse if it gets more thirsty.", Diana explained as Karen and Hunter nodded understanding what the Amazon meant. Hunter felt better after the girls helped him out of his worrying.
"You know, girls. That Mandrill is now added to my rogues gallery and that's something I can tell Barry at Sweet Justice that we both have evil simians as villains.", Hunter chuckled as the girls giggled. Suddenly, Carol approached the three heroes with her arcade card.
"Hey, guys. I was wondering if you all want to head to the arcade with me. The rest are busy and Doris had to go to the bathroom.", Carol asked as the trio nodded.
"Sure. I'm itching to play that Mario Kart Arcade game again.", Hunter said as Karen raised her eyebrow.
"You played that game a lot of times. Don't you get tired of playing it too long?", Karen wondered as Hunter smirked.
"NO but It's fun. Say, I spotted a Dance Dance Revolution machine fit for 4 Players. Let's try it out.", Hunter said only for Doris to yell out.
"Oh no you four don't! Not without me!", the ginger giant bellowed as the rest of the group in the lobby chuckled. The four teens invited Doris in as the five headed to the arcade. The rest decided to head to the poolside area to relax after a chaotic day.
"Hey, Vic. Wanna hang out with us at the poolside? The rest of us are going there. We can get to know each other.", Billy asked as Question agreed.
"Sure. I guess relaxing can recharge me a bit.", the conspiracy teen said as the group head to the poolside.
The camera showed the tail of Mandrill floating at the desolate beach area as it glowed. It wiggled and searched for Ian recognizing his energy signature leaving the area. It signaled the beginning of a rivalry of Mandrill and his new archenemy Captain Hurricane.
A/N: And that's Chapter 26, folks. There's now only two more parts of the Delfino Keys story arc and we're back to regular episodes. The new villain Ian Brokowski aka Mandrill makes his debut as Captain Hurricane's new rogue. The guest DC hero appeared in the story is none other than the conspiracy theorist Vic Sage also known as The Question. I seen this character from Justice League Unlimited but he debuted decades ago. Also, it's pretty neat that I've put references to Dragon Ball Z with the big ape monster.
Also, what Final Smash should I call Wonder Woman's attack when she hit the Smash Ball? Better yet, what Final Smash names can you think of for other characters in this story? Feel free to review or PM me. Thanks for reading and supporting the story and as always, LilMancub out and I'll see y'all in the next one.