Penny followed Talon across the skies, over rooftops, around skyscrapers and towards the park, the place where his evil scheme had begun. She was gaining on him. He would regret teaching her all those tricks...

Talon turned his head, as she drew nearer. His eyes narrowed. He drew the gum gun from his belt and fired two horrible balls of purple gloop. Penny dodged. The gum fell stickily into the street below.

As she came within range, Penny seized her chance. Using her mind to control the boots, she flipped over, so that she was flying on her back. Then she kicked out.

Her new red boots were equally good for kicking. She scored a bull's-eye on the gun, knocking it from Talon's hand. He gave a yell.

"Ow! My fingers!"

He glared, as he saw the weapon disappear into a skip below. Penny turned right way up in time to see it. Best place for it.

She smiled at him. But Talon hadn't finished yet.

He reached into his pocket and produced the remote control. With a malicious smirk, he began to press the keys.

Penny suddenly came to a halt in mid-air. She couldn't control the boots. She found herself spinning round and round like the week's laundry. She heard Talon's high-pitched laugh.

Penny scowled. Telekinesis, yeah? She'd just have to make her mental powers a little stronger...

She focused, concentrating on Talon, her anger at him, the need to bring him down...

In a rush of confidence, she came surging forward again, swooped past him and snatched the remote.

Still in flight, she examined it, fiddled with the controls.

"Does this work both ways...?"

"No...Penny!" Talon gave a yell. "Pennyyyyy..."

The boot was literally on the other foot now. Talon yelped as Penny sent him plummeting towards the ground, then up again, then down, in a zigzag to rival the President's signature.

They had reached the park.

"Penny, can't we talk about this? Aaarghh!"

He didn't miss the lake this time. Penny sent him straight through it, at a 45-degree angle, the lichen-filled water splashing upwards onto his face and hair.

"Aarggh, not my pretty face! Not the hair! Hey, can't you take a joke?"

They were out of the park again, heading back into the city. Penny raised her voice.

"Sorry, Talon. How about I dry you out?"

Talon didn't even have time to speak before Penny directed him across the road, and straight into the car wash. In no time, he was drenched again, covered in soapsuds, then out through the drier. His hair was soon in its weirdest style ever.

They were nearing the main road where Penny had first been arrested. And, once again, Penny could hear police sirens. But this time, the cars were coming direct from HQ.

Penny brought Talon back to earth. Laundered, exhausted, he came to rest.

He saw the cops approaching, laser handcuffs at the ready. He looked genuinely afraid.

"Penny, please. Don't let them do this to me." He paused. "My uncle won't care. He'll cut me off. No one can stop this, except you. Ten years..."

Penny looked him right in the eyes.

"You were gonna do the same to me."

"I wouldn't have left you in jail. I was just angry. I worked hard, to make this plan. I just wanted to be with you..." He looked tearful. "I didn't have to do the bit before the bank. Remember our day?"

Penny hesitated. Maybe he meant it. Maybe he didn't. She had no way of knowing.

She shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Talon."

She turned her back, as the cops led him towards the waiting car. She didn't want to watch this. She had dreamed of bringing Talon to justice, but had never really thought the moment would come.

She realised she didn't want it to.

Uncle Gadget, Chief Quimby and Brain were all beside her, having emerged from another vehicle. She turned to face them.

"Great work, all of you," Chief Quimby said. Penny was pleased to hear him say "all". "And you can return to duty at once, Penny. Maybe it's time we talked about that promotion. This could be a turning point. Talon can tell us a lot about MAD."

Penny nodded. She managed to smile.

Another cop came racing towards them, on foot.

"Chief! HQ just radioed! MAD have stolen a police car!"

"WHAT?"

All of them leapt aside, as the vehicle containing Talon surged towards them, before turning to hit the main road. The cops in control of the vehicle were clearly not cops at all.

Penny had a quick glimpse of Talon, in the back seat. He was smirking.

He blew her a kiss.

Then the car disappeared around the corner.

"We found it," Chief Quimby said, "abandoned. Empty. There was no sign of Talon."

Penny pursed her lips. Free again! She didn't know whether to be pleased or sorry. Were they destined to be frenemies forever?

Everyone was back at the apartment – Uncle Gadget, Brain, Chief Quimby, Kayla, Professor Von Slickstein, Gary and various of her other friends from HQ. She was glad to be back with them.

Uncle Gadget had reconstructed her birthday party, down to the last streamer. She just hoped the food was new. She took a slice of cake.

"Sixteen. I'm getting too old to save the world."

The others laughed.

"By the way," said Uncle Gadget, "this came for you at HQ, the day you disappeared. I think it's another card."

Penny took the envelope. She was slightly worried that it was purple.

She scanned it with her wrist. But the Codex said it was safe.

She opened it. It was indeed a birthday card.

Inside was a photo of Talon, looking at his most handsome and charming. There was a message scrawled in capitals, on the back. Trust him not to want to spoil the picture.

Penny read it.

HEY, PRETTY PENNY!

NEXT TIME...! LOL

ALL MY... RESPECT

TALON

THE END