DISCLAIMER: I don't own Penn Zero Part Time Hero nor Walter Melon Hero for Hire.
Somewhere deep in an unknown sector of space floated a massive space station, the secret headquarters of the Space Patrol! Inside Admiral Nailbitter was frantically trying to evade his greatest adversary, his robotic desk constantly reminding him to do his paperwork. Sadly it was a losing battle since the desk is equipped with a tracking device that lets it know exactly where Nailbitter is. Nailbitter tried to get his removed but it's required for all Space Patrollers to have them in case they are ever in danger and someone need to track them down. (He himself is normally abducted at least three times a month, though he can easily rescue himself, he lets the other Patrollers try to rescue him as part of their training.) Nailbitter grumbled and complained, absentmindedly signing whatever document came his way, so that he can get it over with. That's when he received an urgent call from his best Patroller!
"This is Buck Lightfold of Space Patrol! Do you read me?" The message began.
"This is Admiral Nailbitter, we read you Buck. What's your status?" Nailbitter responded.
"Me and my team were on route when we got caught in an ion storm," Buck reported.
"Do you need assistance?" Nailbitter asked. Merely as a formality since he already knows the answer.
"No we've got this, but I'm afraid that we won't be able to make to the peace delegations," Buck apologized. He really hates failing a mission. Even one as boring as this one promised to be.
"Darn it Buck, don't you realize how important this signing could be? It can bring peace to the most dangerous regions of space!" Nail Bitter lectured.
"I realize that and I apologize. You're going to have to send another team. Oops got to go, we just lost our rear engine!" Buck cutting off the transmission.
"Great I don't have any Patrols that can get there in time," Nailbitter grumbled. Looking at the papers on his desk, Nailbitter found an ad for Walter Melon's heroes for hire. Whose office just happens to be near where the delegations are taking place. "Desperate times calls for desperate measures," Nailbitter sighed. "Plus his prices are surprisingly reasonable."
Over at the Walter Melon's office. Walter and his employees, Bitterbug and Penn Zero were watching a marathon of cheesy old Sci-Fi movies when Boone came barging in! "Would you like a burger? From Pepe's Burgers." Boone sang presenting bags with Pepe's Burgers logo on it.
"What are you doing here? I thought I threw you out!" Walter yelled.
"You did, but then I got a new job Pepe's as the delivery boy," Boone said rather nonchalantly.
"That's great Boone," Penn congratulated his friend.
"Yup and I just got an order here for five Pepe specials to this address," Boone checking the order form.
"Oh that's my order," Bitterbug confirmed. Walter threw his partner the stink eye. "What? You told me to order some food, how's I suppose to know he'd be working there?" Bitterbug questioned.
"Fine," Walter conceded paying the bill. After all he did tell Bitterbug to get some food and he does love Pepe's burgers.
"Ooh you guys are watching the Dash Jordon marathon; count me in!" Boone jumping on the sofa and eating one of the burgers.
"Uh Boone, should you get back to work?" Penn asked. Worried about his friend's job and the fact that Boone is eating his food.
"Eh, don't worry about it. I got fired this morning." Boone shrugged as he continued to munch on Penn's fires. As they watched the movie, the TV screen suddenly glitched and Admiral Nailbitter appeared. "Hey don't remember this guy in the movie," Boone booed.
"I'm not!" Admiral Nailbitter yelled. "They cut my scenes out for time," Nailbitter sobbed.
"Aren't you Admiral Nailbitter head of the Space Patrol?" Walter recognizing the man.
"Affirmative, and I have a job for you!" Nailbitter offered.
Later in a Patroller spaceship, Walter Melon was sitting in the captain's chair dressed as Buck Lightfold with Bitterbug as the robot RX, and surprisingly Boone as alien Boomer. (They needed a fourth so Walter reluctantly allowed him to join) That only left Penn who was struggling with his uniform.
"Man this suit is tight in all the wrong places," Penn complained trying to stretch out the waist to make it more comfortable. That's when he noticed that his costume was slightly different from the others. "This is a girls uniform isn't it," Penn sulked. It just seems that every other mission he has to be the girl sidekick.
"Look on the bright side, that outfit looks slimming on you." Boone/Boomer complimented.
"Really, because I personally think it's a bit revealing..." Penn joked as he still fidgeting with the tight areas.
"No time for that now cadet Millia, we have to get to the peace accords in the Most Dangerous World Imaginable!" Walter/Buck ordered.
"Hey isn't that..." Boone started say.
"The dimension Rippen moved to yeah!" Penn/Millia interrupted him. While he knew it is rude to interrupt, he was excited of the prospects of seeing his old adversary again.
"I was going to say where we can get the best hoagies but I guess you're right too," Boone agreed.
"We're approaching the Most Dangerous World Imaginable," Bitterbug/RX reported. The crew all looked at the forward screen and saw world filled with volcanoes, wild storms, and all kinds of turmoil. In other words, a good day.
"Very Good RX. Set her down at the prearrange coordinates." Walter ordered. The ship slowly descended in to one of the cities. After disembarking, they were greeted by Larry and his escorts.
"HI there. Welcome to Cake City!" Larry greeted the part time heroes cosplaying as Space Patrollers.
"Hello I am Captain Buck Lightfold and this is my crew, RX the robot, Cadet Boomer, and Princess Millia Nota." Walter introduced.
"Oh princess, it's a pleasure to meet you." Larry kissing Penn's hand. "I wished someone would have told me we'd have a royal guest. I would have prepared something more appropriate."
"Cut it Larry," Penn pulling his hand in disgust.
"I'm sorry did I offend?" Larry apologized.
"Larry it's me, Penn. Penn Zero." Penn tried to tell him.
Larry studied Millia/Penn's face very carefully. "You do kind of look like Penn," Larry had to admit. "But naw, Penn is no where near as pretty as you," Larry complimented.
"Uh thanks, I think." Penn said uncomfortably. Not sure if he should flattered or creeped out by that statement.
Larry gave the team a quick tour of the facilities. Finishing at the main hall where the signing is to take place. "Wow, I have to say this place is amazing. Hard to believe that this is the Most Dangerous World Imaginable." Penn admired.
"I try to impress," Larry blushed.
"So how did you managed this peace treaty?" Penn wondered.
"It was easy as cake," Larry winked.
"Speaking of which," Boone rubbing his stomach and pointing to the food at the buffet table.
"Of course, help yourself." Larry smiled.
Boone didn't hesitate and began chowing down, gulping an entire cake in one bite. "Man this is some cake. I'd sign whatever for more."
"That's what they all said, and now we are all friends." Larry chuckled as he offered another slice to Boone. Which he happily ate.
"And it is our job to make sure that this signing goes off without a hitch," Walter reminded his team. He then took charge of the security, assigning watch rotations, and designating seating arrangements for all the VIPs. As Team Walter/Lightfold conducted their security measures, a several figures was making their way around the city making preparing their own plans.
Later that evening, all the delegates arrived for the conference. After brief moment of mingling, they all gathered conference hall. As per the plan, the Part-time heroes began their security checks. Walter having small talk with the delegates trying to ascertain whether or not they might be an assassin in disguise. Bitterbug was stationed in the security office, monitoring the security cameras. Boone, who was suppose to be undercover as a waiter keeping an eye out for anything suspicious, was instead just goofing off and eating all the hor d'oeuvres. Penn since they think he's a real princess got the honor of being Larry's date for the proceedings. (Much to Penn's dismay, and not just because he has to wear a dress for the occasion.)
"Alright, we all know why we are here, CAKE!" Larry joked as several caterers came in carting several trays with dozens of different kinds of cakes. With the exception of one cart that had Boone laying on it as he finished off a strawberry shortcake.
"Don't judge me," Boone scoffed. Ignoring the dirty looks everyone was giving him. Never the less the delegation proceeded as planned.
"And now a toast," Larry raising his glass. Everyone raised their glasses as well. "To our new alliance. May it last as long as possible." Larry toasted. All cheered in agreement as they drank their drinks. Without warning, there was a huge explosion at the city's main gate. Alerted, Team Lightfold rushes to see what's going on only to find Rippen and his allies storming the city!
"Boomer, RX you're with me!" Walter ordered. The two immediately jumped to his side. Ready for action.
"I'm right behind you sir!" Penn ripping off his dress to reveal his Space Patrol uniform underneath. Which is still very uncomfortable.
"No Millia! You stay here and protect delegates especially Larry!" Walter commanded.
"But sir!" Penn objected but it was too late. The rest of the team were already on their way flying towards Rippen's forces. Walter/Lightfold engaged Professor Evil Professor in an aerial dogfight, Bitterbug/RX faced off against Lady Starblaster, and Boone/Boomer found himself running away from the winged sharks wanting to eat him. (talk about irony) While observing the battle with his scanners, Penn can't help but wonder where Rippen is in all of this.
He didn't have to wait long for an answer as a doors to the conference hall explodes. As the dust clears Rippen, leading an army of Conifer Tree monsters, made his grand entrance. "I am here to put an end to this pathetic excuse for an alliance," Rippen decreed threateningly.
"PROTECT THE DELEGATES!" the security guards yelled circled around Larry and the other ambassadors.
"Looks like I'll be getting some action after all," Penn gleamed with excitement. Activating his rocket packs, Penn flew towards his old nemesis, firing his laser at the enemy soldiers, determine to take Rippen down! "So we meet again Rippen!" Penn yelled.
"Who are you? Have we met before?" Rippen confused at why this female Space Patroller that he's never seen before is acting all chummy with him.
"Seriously it's me Penn Zero," Penn getting really annoyed that no one seems to recognize him when he's in costume.
"Penn Zero? My old enemy? I thought I'd never see you again. But I must say, you really pull that uniform off. What did you lose a bet with your girlfriend?" Rippen mocked.
"Leave Sashi out of this!" Penn exploded. It still bothers him that he hasn't seen her since Walter fired her. "What are you doing here anyway?" Penn had to ask. After all why would Rippen attack when it is Larry who is creating this alliance. If anything this would strengthen Rippen's position here.
"I'm here to make sure that this alliance never happens! If my enemies start banding together, it threatens my plans to conquer this and every other world!" Rippen decreed.
"So you didn't send Larry to do this?" Penn getting even more confused. Last time he checked Larry is devoted to Rippen to a fault. So it didn't make sense that they would be at odds with each other. Unless they've had a huge falling out.
"I haven't seen Larry for several days now. Why what does he have to do with this?" Rippen asked. Only to see Larry standing with the other delegates as well as Larry's face on the banners decorating the main hall. "So it's true. You have betrayed me." Rippen lowering his head in disappointment.
"Rippen I..." Larry trying to hold back his tears. He hates seeing Rippen like this and really wants to explain that he's doing all of this for him. But before he could say anything else. They heard a scream in terror as a mysterious cloaked figure took out one of the guards. He made a mad dash towards Larry, easily taking out the security guards along the way.
Not sure of what's going on but knowing that he has a job to do Penn activates his rocket packs and flies as quickly as he can to this new intruder. Tackling the unknown assassin! Unfortunately Penn didn't take into account the sheer power of his rocket packs and ended up flying both of them through a wall, a couple walls actually. Leaving Larry and the delegates with Rippen. "Oh you'll pay for that!" the assassin hissed in a rather familiar voice.
"Wait Sashi?" Penn recognize.
"Penn?" Sashi removing her disguise.
"You can recognize me?" Penn smiled.
"Of course I can recognize you. You're make up is atrocious." Sashi teased. After sharing a friendly giggle, the two drew closer for a warm loving kiss. Celebrating their reunion.
Back in the main hall another less friendly reunion was taking place. "Larry how could you?" Rippen demanded. "You know how much I wanted to conquer this world and now I find you doing it behind my back!"
"But Rippen...I...I" Larry too choked up with tears to say anything coherent.
"An alliance such as this is a threat to everything I have worked for. So it must be destroyed, including you my old minion." Rippen actually shed a tear as he gave the order to execute everyone in the room.
Over with Penn and Sashi. "Sashi what are you doing here? Is this where you've been the whole time?" Penn asked.
"Me? What about you? Why are you dressed as a girl again? Don't tell me you swing that way now." Sashi teased/threatened. It's really hard to tell with this girl.
"Actually I'm here on a job to make sure that this alliance thing goes off without incident. They say it's the first step to creating ever lasting peace here." Penn explained.
"No we can't let that happen!" Sashi objected.
"What? Why?" Penn asked.
"Don't you see. Larry is the one behind this alliance. That means that Rippen is the one pulling the strings. If he gets control, he'll have an army that could take over the universe!" Sashi warned.
Speaking of Rippen and Larry. "Please Rippen, don't do this!" Larry pleaded as Rippen mercilessly destroyed all of the cakes in the room!
"I never liked cake," Rippen scoffed as he stepped on the last cake. Before he was about to execute the delegates, Rippen asked them if they have one last request. One of them asked if they could have some cake before they died. So in the act of ultimate cruelty, Rippen trashed every single cake right in front of them.
"You monster!" the delegates cried seeing all that delicious cake being smashed, blown up, or thrown at the walls. Everything but eaten.
"Now that desert is taken care of, time for the main course." Rippen smiled sinisterly.
"Who eats desert before the main course?" one of the delegates asked.
"Oh Rippen does that all the time. He's just evil that way." Larry verified.
"Enough of this! Execute them!" Rippen ordered, but before his army can carry out his orders, reinforcements led by Walter came storming into the room!
Outside with Penn and Sashi. "Sashi please don't do this. I know we've had some crazy assignments before. Many of them I still don't understand, but murder?" Penn pleaded.
"Penn you just have to trust the Plaster Man," Sashi preached.
"I do but this doesn't make any sense! I mean how can Rippen be behind this alliance when he's attacking it." Penn argued.
"This must be part of their plan," Sashi trying to justify it. Even though she had to admit that complex planning really isn't Rippen or Larry's style.
"Even so, who's to say that this alliance won't be a good thing?" Penn recalling how all the monsters and aliens were being all friendly like to each other. While he has questioned his assignments in the past when he was a part time hero, he always learned that they were for the greater good; but in this case, he can't see anything negative about the alliance. Even Larry seems to be a positive influence on everyone.
"I'm sorry you feel that way Penn," Sashi looking really disappointed. "But I have a job to do and I can't let you or anyone else stand in my way!"
Fearful for his life, Penn began backing away from his girlfriend, when he tripped on a rock and fell. After hitting the ground, his arm laser accidentally discharged, firing a deadly beam of light right at Sashi's face!
Inside the Hall, Rippen found himself completely surrounded with Walter aiming his arm laser right at him. "Your allies have been defeated and are in full retreat! Surrender now!" Walter ordered.
Rippen looked around the room, then turned his sights on Larry who was still crying uncontrollably. "It seems old friend that you have made your choice," Rippen sighed sadly.
Penn looked in horror as Sashi stood there in front of him. Fortunately the laser only grazed her. Leaving a small scratch on her cheek. Sashi slowly wiped the blood with her thumb before turning an angry gaze at her boyfriend. "So Penn it looks like you made your choice," Sashi said softly. Which sounded far more frightening than death itself.
"This alliance means more to you than me!" Rippen accused pointing at Larry. Larry shaking his head in denial.
"You're paycheck means more to you than our purpose!" Sashi accused. Penn shaking his head, trying to tell her that's not true!
"From now on we are enemies!" Rippen and Sashi said at the same time before making their escape! Sashi simply running off and disappearing into the crowd. Rippen threw several mini bombs causing a distraction so that he can get away. Leaving behind a distraught Penn and Larry who can't believe what just happened.
Off at some distance, Phyllis and Phil observed the events as they transpired. Seemingly satisfied with the results.