Robin's date with Captain Hammer went very well. Even though he did not give Robin any flowers or do any gentleman-like gestures towards her, Robin still liked him.

Little did anyone know, Barney stalked Robin and Captain Hammer on their dates, just like he had done when Captain Hammer had dated Penny. Lately, though, the ghost of Penny kept showing up to Barney and trying to reason with him. He kept trying to shake her out of his mind, but it was hard. He still loved Penny dearly but he didn't want to lose Robin like how he lost Penny to Captain Hammer.

It was not just Robin who liked Captain Hammer. Marshall still had his man-crush on him, following every move, every update on his social networking sites, and even wearing his merchandise. He was also still giddy like a schoolgirl whenever he was around Captain Hammer.

"I love a man who lets me do things myself," Robin commented excitedly one day at MacLaren's. "Ooh, did I tell you guys? Last night, we went to the shooting range and it was SO much fun!"

"I'm glad to see you so happy with him, Robin," said Lily.

Barney scoffed.

"Barney, you're just jealous," Robin said to Barney. "You had your chance with me but you lost it and now that Captain Hammer is my boyfriend, you can't accept it, can you?"

"I'm not jealous!" lied Barney. "Just that a real superhero wouldn't be out dating and they'd be out saving the world."

"Barney, you and GNB are already destroying the world," Marshall joked, wearing the same shirt as Captain Hammer. "You're a villain!"

Barney glared evilly at Marshall. "No, you don't know what a real villain is," he said icily and stormed out. He stopped in front of the bar and lit up a cigarette.

"Tough times?" asked a voice.

Barney looked up and saw Captain Hammer standing there.

"What do you want?" Barney asked with a sneer.

"Just wanted to see how you were doing," said Captain Hammer. He normally never would be concerned for other people's feelings but his own.

"I'm fine," Barney snapped, taking a puff and blowing out smoke. "Just misunderstood, is all."

Captain Hammer nodded. "You know, I used to be like you," he said. "Small, puny little guy, misunderstood. But all that changed the day I decided to become a superhero!" He flexed his biceps.

"Makes no sense," said Barney. "You wanted to save the world so that people could understand you?"

"You earn respect when you save the world," explained Captain Hammer. "Why do you think so many people love me?"

Barney took one last puff and crushed his cigarette with his dress shoe. "I already have respect," he said. "I'm the Barnacle."

"You really think sleeping with women and running out on them earns you respect?" Captain Hammer said in a serious tone that Barney never heard out of him before.

He had a point. Barney was always hiding from the women he slept with. Many of them called him a jerk, a loser, a scumbag...then there was Abby, the one woman who tried to sabotage his love life by telling all the potential women Barney was going after who he was and what he had done. She was a little bit off in the head. And Robin...Barney was lucky he was still even friends with Robin after his relationship with her. Then Lily. How was he even friends with Lily in the first place? She's married to Marshall...

"Think about it," Captain Hammer said, turning around and walking back inside the bar.

"Earning respect?" Barney asked himself. "Puh-lease. The Lord Almighty is the one that gives me all the respect!"

Suddenly, he slipped on a nearby puddle and fell flat on his back, knocking the wind out of him.

"Owww..." he groaned as he got up and rubbed his back. "At least I still have my dignity."

A speeding truck carrying watermelons drove by through a puddle, causing dirty street water to spray onto Barney. A passersby tossed a crumpled up newspaper onto the ground next to Barney, narrowly missing the trash can next to him. Barney picked up the paper and unfurled it.

Captain Hammer to get Key to the City On Friday at Noon! screamed the headline.

Barney pulled out his smartphone and read the date. It was Wednesday, so Friday was two days away. He went into his applications and checked the weather. Perfectly sunny on Friday.

Enjoy your perfect weather, New York, Barney thought to himself with his evil glare on his face. For tomorrow will be your last sunny day...

Back in the bar, Captain Hammer ordered cheeseburgers for everyone in celebration of his announcement. Once Wendy the Waitress dropped off all the orders of burgers and fries, Robin spoke up

"So what's this big announcement?" asked Robin, putting a napkin on her lap.

"I am getting the key to the city on Friday!" announced Captain Hammer, gleaming his big white smile.

Everyone cheered.

"Congratulations, Hammer!" said Ted.

"That's wonderful!" exclaimed Lily.

"This is the happiest moment of my life!" whooped Marshall.

Lily glared at her husband.

"Sorry," said Marshall. "I mean, one of the happiest moments of my life."

"And Hammer's inviting all of us to be on stage with him when he gets the key!" Robin continued.

More cheering ensued.

"A toast!" said Ted, raising his beer glass. "To the greatest superhero in all of New York City!"

"Here here!" said Marshall and everyone else, clinking their glasses...