1Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this chapter. I do not own this show. But the plot, yeah, that's mine.
He'd been free for two days now, yet no evil scheme had come to him. That meant that forty-eight whole hours had past and he had managed to obtain zero amounts of cheese.
Dr. Two-Brains stood staring at a blank chalk board while his two henchmen began another rousing game of cards.
"I could try ransoming the city's cheese . . .no I've tried that. Well I could . . .wait. . . I failed at that too. Argh, it's useless."
Dr. Two-Brains took a seat on a nearby crate and watched his henchmen bicker amongst themselves. How was it that no matter what he did, he always ended up cheese-less? His plans were foolproof, yet somehow that WordGirl always found a way to ruin them?
Even his most complex plans could be out done by her. If WordGirl didn't exist things would be better.
"You know what boys," the doctor rose to his feet interrupting the card game. "My plans would be perfect if it wasn't for WordGirl."
The two men stopped their card game to acknowledge the doctor.
"We already know that boss."
Two-Brains sighed at his men's response.
"Yes, of course. But you know what I have been doing wrong?"
"Stealin'."
"Not criminally wrong you dolts, I mean to say that all this time I have just been planning to steal cheese and escape WordGirl."
"So,"
"Well, what would happen if the plan was to get WordGirl to steal the cheese for me?"
"Uh,"
"I would win is what would happen."
Two-Brains rubbed his hands together. This plan might work. Other villains had mastered mind control and whatnot, why couldn't he. If WordGirl was the problem than it was only logical that she should provide the solution. Heck, maybe he wouldn't even need mind control.
"It can't be too hard," he mused returning to his chalk board. "I mean, WordGirl is only some ten year old child who should be easily manipulated, right?"
The henchmen didn't answer. They found it best to just let the doctor talk to himself during times like these. He always seemed to get the best responses from himself anyway.
"Yes mouse brain, we could lure her here on the premise that we have the power to destroy the city. It's so simple! Ha ha!"
Dr. Two-Brains quickly began jotting notes on the board as the tallest of his henchmen pointed the cards out to his co-worker. They returned to playing with the soft tapping of chalk behind them.
o
A rather disappointed Violet had decided to take the long way home. She needed more time to think. Was it possible that Becky didn't want to be friends with her anymore, and even more importantly, was Becky WordGirl?
"Maybe Becky is WordGirl but doesn't know it. She's sleep walking . . . sleep flying around saving the day. Oh yes, that could be it. And every night she forgets who she is and can only remember being Becky."
Gasp!
"I can't let that happen to Becky. What if she forgets who she is all together!? But what can I do, she doesn't know she needs help and I have to leave next week. There has to be a way to stop the WordGirl take over." Violet rounded a corner still lost in her thoughts.
"Yet Becky wouldn't like it if her hero self was discovered and exposed unless she could find a way to get rid of WordGirl and just be Becky. That would be more right. I should try to separate the two so they can be happy people living apart. That is. . . if Becky is WordGirl."
Violet had been so distracted by her muses, she didn't notice the camera tripod in front of her until she had walked right into it.
The girl let out a short yelp as she tried to catch the falling camera. Luckily the camera's owner was fast enough to perceive the situation and save his equipment. Scoops had been setting up his camera across the street from Ye Old Fancy Schmancy Jewelry Store when Violet arrived.
"Hey! watch where you're going."
"Oh, sorry." Violet smiled as the angered photographer reset his camera. "Hey, you're Todd. You work on the school's paper."
"Just call me Scoops. I've told you that before." The boy continued working.
"Right, at Becky's birthday party. Do you remember seeing me there?"
"Well if I remembered that I had talked to you before. .."
"Ha, I'm Violet."
"I already know that . . ."
Violet extended her hand which Scoops reluctantly shook. He had seen Violet many times before. There wasn't anything really interesting about her; save for that one time she dressed up and played hero. That was a fun story to report.
There was another quick gust of wind at which Scoops held his tripod steady.
"Well, it was nice meeting you, again, but I really need to set up for this shoot by tonight. . ."
Violet watched the reporter slowly begin to move his tripod off the sidewalk and into the grass. He seemed busy, but Violet couldn't help but wonder if maybe he could help her with her WordGirl problem.
"Hey, you've spent a lot of time with WordGirl right?"
"What about her; you gotta story?"
Scoops left the camera and reached for his note pad.
"No, I was just wondering if you thought WordGirl was an alien parasite that latched onto people."
. . .?
Maybe Violet was a tad more interesting than he had originally thought.
"Why would you think that?"
"Well, I've known Becky for a long time . . ."
"I thought we were talking about WordGirl?"
"Oh we are." Violet laughed, realizing she was getting ahead of herself. "Well WordGirl is a really nice person, I've worked with her several times, but I was just thinking that maybe WordGirl and Becky were the same person, but when Becky changes into WordGirl, she is unable to remember the experience."
Violet observed a confused expression creep onto Scoop's face. He nodded to show he was following the statement, but was having trouble understanding.
"I think WordGirl is taking over Becky's mind, or maybe Becky's having amnesia when she changes into WordGirl."
Violet bobbed happily at her statement; it sounded so right. Scoops on the other hand only laughed at the girl's reasoning.
"That's ridiculous," Scoops' laughter subsided. "WordGirl maybe an alien, but there's no way she's some kind of bug thing. That stuff only exists in movies."
Violet frowned. Hearing it that way did make it sound foolish to believe.
"Besides," Scoops continued. "I've already investigated Becky. I thought she was WordGirl too, but it turns out she's not very good with words."
The reporter went back to focusing his camera, placing his notebook back in his pocket.
Violet stood and watched him for a moment as she went back over the facts in her head. First, Becky was always running off or really busy, but that could be for any number of reasons. Second, Becky was never seen in the same place with WordGirl, but again that could be a coincidence. Violet decided it wouldn't hurt to ask about Scoop's opinion.
"Why'd you think Becky was WordGirl?"
"Well, I was doing this report on the city Vocab Bee where I thought Becky was pretty good at vocabulary. Between every part of the competition, however, she would suddenly run off, and one time she came back with evidence suggesting she was currently at a crime scene. A place only WordGirl would go. But the real tip off was a cape I had found on her person."
"Wow, that's a lot of proof."
"Well I thought so too since Becky looks a whole lot like WordGirl and has a pet monkey, but get this, Becky failed the contest because she didn't know the definition for the word 'perfect.' I mean, come on; WordGirl would never have missed that easy word."
Violet pondered that for a few seconds.
"Do you think Becky missed that word on purpose?" Violet's question was innocent enough. She only wanted to know so she could help Becky.
Scoops froze. What if Becky threw the competition so he wouldn't figure out her secret? He had told her he knew before she went on stage, maybe she had fooled him.
"You know what kid? You could be right."
"Yeah I could."
"There has to be a way to get more solid evidence." Scoops rubbed his chin as Violet continued to smile aimlessly. "Violet you're her best friend right?"
"Oh well," Violet wasn't certain of that anymore. "I think I might be. . ."
"Great! We could use this to our benefit."
"We?"
"Yeah of course! You're the one pickin' up on Becky's subtle hints. Between the two of us I bet we could crack this case wide open!"
"I don't want to crack anything; I just want to help Becky."
Scoops laughed aloud again before pulling his notebook out. He began writing vigorously as Violet did her best to try and understand what Scoops had meant.
"Here take this," Scoops handed the notebook over to Violet. "If Becky does anything suspicious in the next few days, write it down."
"Oh, okay."
Violet held the little book and gazed at it with oddity.
"And I mean anything suspicious. Sooner or later WordGirl's gonna slip up and say or do something that will revile whether or not she's Becky. And when she does, I'll be the first to know!"
Scoops thrust his fists into the air. This could be the big break he'd been looking for, and it couldn't have come at a better time. With him moving up to middle school there was no better way to get on the news board than to expose WordGirl's secret identity. This could also give him the boost needed to impress the Big City Times.
Violet on the other hand was not as excited about the new assignment she'd been given. The pad in her hand seemed to feel like a sack of silver coins.
"How will this help Becky?"
Scoops stopped his victory dance.
"Oh um, well," Scoops didn't believe Violet's story about Becky's temporary amnesia, but to humor her; "You want to know for sure that Becky is WordGirl don't you?"
"Yeah, but I don't think exposing her as WordGirl would make her very happy."
"That's if she even is WordGirl," Scoops had to play his cards just right or else Violet might be too reluctant to turn Becky in; a good quality for a friend but not for an ace reporter. "It won't hurt her to tell the city who she is. We'd be doing her a favor."
"Really?"
"Of course, she won't have to hide it from us anymore and . . ."
"And that means she wouldn't have to stop being my friend. That's so smart. Thank you." Violet shook Scoops hand again happy she had found a way to help Becky. "I can't wait to help her."
"Just remember to write everything down. I'll be spending some extra time around WordGirl so I'll jot down suspicious activity from her."
"So you'll talk with WordGirl? I understand. Is that why you're setting up this camera?"
Scoop frowned at this.
"This shot is none of your business."
Harsh.
Violet immediately apologized. She hadn't realized the secrecy Scoops was trying to set up around his work. Violet then bid her goodbyes and made her way home. It was surprisingly going on five o'clock and she didn't want to worry her mother.
o
A dreamless sleep.
Becky found herself waking up with a small headache. She groaned as her eyes tried to adjust to the lighting of the room.
Becky slowly sat up and was quickly reminded of the day's events by a dull aching in her wrist. She wished today could have been a bad dream, yet she had really fought a tornado today. And that meant. . .
Weariness vanished as Becky began looking around the room. This wasn't her house; she had fallen asleep in Tobey's bedroom.
Gross.
If she hadn't been in so much pain, Becky would have shivered at the thought.
It was then Becky noticed that she had been, tucked in?
Apparently Tobey had taken the time to remove her shoes and socks, cover her up, draw the drapes and place a glass of water on the night stand. It was then Becky also noted that her face had been bandaged along with the marks on her legs.
Had Tobey really done something, nice?
Becky wasn't certain what to do now. She couldn't just leave, could she? What about the phone call!? Had her plan worked?
Becky pulled the covers off and got out of the bed. She was a bit wobbly at first, but she recovered quickly. She needed to find Tobey and then get out of this place.
She went to the door and opened it slightly. Becky didn't want to gain the attention of Ms. MacCallister if she were home, for that would just create an awkward situation that Becky didn't feel like dealing with.
There was no one in the hall. Becky used her super hearing to try and locate the occupants of the house. It sounded like Tobey and maybe a babysitter were in the dining room. And if her nose was still working properly, it smelt like pizza night.
Becky's stomach let out a growl. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. What time was it?
Becky shook off the idea of food and sneaked out into the hall. Peering into the living room Becky was able to catch Tobey's eye from the dining area. She signaled for him to come and then went back to the bedroom to wait for him.
"It's about time you got up." Tobey entered the room and shut the door behind him.
"What happened with the phone call? What did my mom say?"
"She was okay with you staying at 'Violet's' house."
Becky breathed a sigh of relief until Tobey continued.
"So where are you staying for the next month?"
"It's None of your business."
Tobey laughed a bit.
"I think it is my business as your mother is going to be calling in to check on you, and I'll be receiving every one of those calls."
Becky hadn't thought of that.
"What would you like me to tell her? Oh, Becky is hiding out somewhere and I haven't the slightest where she could be."
"Tobey, you have to let me borrow that machine."
"No, I don't."
"Yes you do."
"No. I don't."
Becky wasn't going to get in a scream off with him over it.
"What if I pay you for the use of the machine?"
"What with? The hundred your mother is sending you to Violet's with?"
"Sure. And you let me have the machine all month long; no questions asked."
Tobey pondered the deal for a moment before speaking again.
"One more thing,"
"What."
"You let me take you out for ice-cream Friday after school."
It was Becky's turn to raise an eyebrow now.
"What did you just say?"
"I want to take you out for ice-cream Friday. What are you deaf too?"
"No. What is it with you and ice-cream?"
"What . . ?"
"Nothing."
"Look either you go or I'm taking the machine back!"
"Fine."
Did she really have a choice?
Becky was finally on her way home with the voice altering device. As she limped up her driveway she couldn't help but feel that today had been more counterproductive than anything else. But it was nice to finally be home and soon in her 'own' bed.
But before that wish could be realized, Mr. Botsford made it a point to greet his daughter when she got home.
"Hey there Sweetie."
"Hi dad."
"So how are you this afternoon?"
" . . . Good."
"Glad to hear it."
Becky was baffled. Did her dad not notice that his daughter looked like she'd been beaten up? Oh well, it was for the best. She could clean up once she got to her bedroom.
Mr. Botsford then began to eye the machine his daughter had brought home.
"What's that you got there?"
"Oh uh, a science project?" Becky smiled.
"That's great. You know I always loved science in school,"
"I'd love to hear about it, but I really need to get back to work on, this project. Love ya dad."
Becky quickly walked past her father and up the stairs.
"Oh, okay Becky. Dinner will be ready in a few."
Mrs. Botsford entered the living room from the kitchen holding several plates. Her husband smiled at her amusingly.
"See, she was probably late because she stayed after to work on her science project. Becky's fine."
Mrs. Botsford began setting the table.
"She didn't seem too excited to talk to you."
"She just got back from school. She's probably tired."
"Maybe." Mrs. Botsford finished the table and headed back into the kitchen. Her husband followed.
"So what are we having?"
"Becky's favorite . . ."
"Wait, I always cook the kids' favorite foods."
Mrs. Sally Botsford rolled her eyes. She had asked to do the cooking tonight because she was hoping to show Becky how much she cared for her.
"It's only for tonight dear."
"Yeah, but it's still my job."
"Why don't you continue setting the table."
Upstairs, Becky was within four feet of her bedroom door when her brother bolted out of his room and jumped out in front of her. He looked really excited about something but then calmed down.
"What happened to you?"
"Nothing T.J."
"That band-aid's big enough to cover your whole face."
"That's an exaggeration."
"No it's not," T.J. crossed his arms. "It might not be all true, but that band-aid is huge."
"That's kind of what an 'exaggeration' is. When you state that something is more than what it really is, you're exaggerating. Like saying this bandage is as big as my face; if it were I wouldn't be able to see."
"Yeah whatever. Did you hear about Dr. Two-Brains?" T.J. was excited to get past that boring conversation and onto one about his hero. "He was on T.V. again warning the city that if they did give him a plethora of cheese, he would destroy the whole city!"
"What?!"
"I don't even know what he would want with Plethora Cheese; it sounds gross."
"Plethora isn't a kind of cheese; plethora means excessive or mass amounts." Becky gritted her teeth. "Dr. Two-Brains wants the city to give him large amounts of cheese. Well not if I . . .I, I mean WordGirl can help it."
"Yeah! WordGirl's gonna kick his butt!"
Suddenly the weight of the voice machine began to put strain on Becky's sprained wrist.
"You know what T.J." Becky was trying not to let her pain slip out in her speech. "Why don't you go downstairs and watch the news. I'm sure there will be more about it on and I would love to hear every detail about it at dinner."
"Yeah, Maybe WordGirl will show up." T.J. trotted off.
Becky managed to open her bedroom door and plop the machine down on the floor. Becky then held her wrist with her good left hand. It didn't look swollen or anything, but it sure was sore.
Becky was greeted by the happy chirps of her dearest friend and life-long companion, Bob. He was greatly concerned when he noticed the state she was in and addressed the issue accordingly, allowing Becky to voice for him.
"I'm fine, Bob."
Becky grimaced in pain as she let go of her wrist. Bob knew better than to believe her.
"I had a little run in with a tornado today . . . I'm fine, really. Besides this is the least of my worries. Where were you when I called?"
Bob shrugged.
"What do you mean you didn't hear me? Where's your supper suit?"
Bob pointed under Becky's bed sheepishly.
"You put it under there because you thought you wouldn't need it? Bob I've told you to be ready at all times! I could have died today!" Becky managed not to yell at her friend, but her tone was still a bitter one.
Bob whimpered and pulled the sheets of his monkey bed over his head.
"I'm sorry Bob. I've just had a really rough day, and thanks to Dr. Two-Brains it's about to get a lot harder."
Bob then spoke up and pointed to the machine.
"That? I'll explain that later, what we need to focus on now is how we're going to track Two-Brains before he hurts the city. . . Don't worry I'm not too hurt to hunt him down. . . I do not look like a train wreck. . . I know I was up all night, but I took a nap so I'll be fine. . . When did I take a nap?"
Becky felt her face become hot. For some reason it was embarrassing to admit.
"I actually fell asleep at Tobey's house, but I don't want to think about him again until Friday; right now we need to . . ."
Bob coughed heavily.
"Why does it matter what's happening Friday? . . . I promised Tobey I'd spend the afternoon with him, but it was in exchange for the machine . . . I do not have a crush on him! What happened that day was him manipulating our search for that remote so he could spend time with WordGirl . . . I did not enjoy it! Now I said focus on Dr. Two-Brains!"
Flustered.
Bob was just teasing, but the funny thing was that if Tobey really did go 'good,' he and Becky would doubtlessly get along swimmingly. Not that he supported them as a couple; it was just interesting to think about. Moving on,
Becky stood in front of the mirror and examined herself quickly. She was beyond basic repair, so she decided a quick shower before dinner would help her hide her injuries better.
Becky washed up and went downstairs to dinner. She could explain that she cut her face while working on her science project; that sounded true enough. She was surprised to see her mother had cooked her favorite meal and dessert. That was nice.
As promised T.J. began filling the family in on the news he had heard about Dr. Two-Brains. Becky listened intently as she practically shoveled food into her mouth. She was starving and hard pressed for time. She needed to find Two-Brains as soon as possible.
Sally watched her two kids; of course Becky more so. Her children were growing up and changing. One day they would both be gone. It was a very sobering moment for her. Sally had never really thought of the things she was forced to think about today. To her, those kids were perfect. She had a perfect family. Today had somehow changed that.
Instead of the happy times she had become so accustom to while living here, distressing moments of reflection seemed to be inching their way through the walls.
T.J.'s sudden excitement startled Sally from her thoughts.
"He said he was going to destroy the whole city. Ka-Boom! Just like that. He wants the city to give up its cheese by the end of the week or else."
Sally frowned at her son.
"Let's not talk about that at the dinner table."
"But mom," Becky paused from her eating. "I really want to hear about it."
"Aren't you curious about our decision?"
Becky had completely forgotten to ask about staying with Violet. She already knew the answer. Becky wasn't certain how she should respond when her mother told her.
"Mrs. Heaslip has agreed to watch you over the summer."
"Great!" Becky faked. It was then she realized that she had forgotten her book-bag and the Daily Rag at the farm. Why did they allow her to stay without the reason of summer activities? Oh well, everything had worked out. She was going to stay with the city; problem solved.
"I want you to be on your best behavior Becky."
"Of course mom."
"And I'm going to give you some money that I want you to give to Mrs. Heaslip, understood."
". . ." She understood, but the fact was that money would probably go toward destroying buildings, not helping pay for Becky's inconvenient stay. "Yes."
"Good."
The rest of dinner went on without a hitch. Mr. Tim Botsford then set up a board game for the family to which Becky was forced to refuse.
"Come on Becky," Mr. Botsford held out a game piece to his daughter. "At least for one game."
"Sorry dad," Becky made her way to the stairs. "I have to get the science project done."
"Okay, but be careful."
"Will do."
Becky closed the door to her bedroom and faced Bob who had made himself comfortable on her bed.
"Well Bob, it's time to patrol the city and find Dr. Two-Brains. . . I know your ankle still hurts; I'll carry you. . . I'll sleep when I get back; the sooner we find him the sooner we can go to bed. Come on Huggy. Word Up!"
This WordGirl transformation was less glamorous then previous ones. Bob had to bite his tongue to stop himself from commenting. The suit looked worse than Becky had when she first came home.
"What are you staring at?"
WordGirl looked down at the costume.
"That's right," WordGirl smacked her head. "That storm tore my suit up. I'll have to switch into one of my spares. Come on Huggy."
WordGirl took Bob in her good hand and was out the window in a second.
At the WordGirl and Captain Huggy Face secret hide out, WordGirl had narrowed her suit selection to either the purple or the yellow costume. It was a difficult decision as WordGirl always wore red. It seemed weird to suddenly switch colors, but what could she do?
She made her decision; purple. It was a good color; kind of mysterious but with a hint of artistic vision. It would complement authoritative red with its subtle ambiguity.
Finally dressed and ready to go, WordGirl and Huggy were off to find Dr. Two-Brains and stop his evil plot . . . now if only they knew where to start. WordGirl had flown over some of the Doctors favorite crime spots, but no sign of him.
Suddenly a scream could be heard from the city streets. WordGirl held Huggy close as she descended.
When the two heroes arrived they were greeted by the usual screamer. WordGirl had never caught the name of this guy, but he had often confused her whereabouts with that of the police station. This helped since he always seemed to know where danger was at.
"Help!" The man screamed waving his arms about in the air. "Dr. Two-Brains has been seen messing with the city bridge!"
"Is he there now?" WordGirl didn't bother landing.
"I think he is," The man smiled with a hint of confusion written on his face. "Is the police station on this block?"
"No, it's about two blocks over."
"Oh. . . You'd think I'd know this by now." The man laughed and then returned to his panicked state. "Heeelp!"
WordGirl and Huggy arrived at the city bridge in time to see the first few stars of the night twinkling through the cloudy evening sky. There were a few cars crossing the bridge as well as one pedestrian, but no Two-Brains.
"That's strange," WordGirl flew the entire length of the bridge. "That guy is always right, so why isn't Two-Brains here?"
Huggy shrugged.
"I don't even understand what Dr. Two-Brains would want with the bridge; he can't get any cheese here."
Huggy scratched his chin to think. He then spoke up with his conclusion which only confused WordGirl more.
"You think he's rigging the bridge with explosives? I guess that would explain how he plans to destroy the city, but he's never done anything like that before. Where did he get the explosives? Our city doesn't sell them."
Huggy folded his arms.
"I didn't say it was a bad supposition, I'm just saying it doesn't hold weight. . . Supposition? It means a guess or assumption."
WordGirl gave the bridge one more look-over before heading back toward the city.
"I guess he's gone now." WordGirl couldn't suppress a yawn. She was beginning to feel tired again and it would probably be best not to pass out in mid-flight. "Maybe we'll have better luck searching in the morning. Let's go home."
With that the superhero duo went home leaving the sleepy city for the night.
(A/N) Thanks for reading. I'm happy to report that the new episodes with the Botsford's on vacation and Scoops reporting for the Big City Times don't really hurt the plot of my story. I always love reviews, please leave them, and have a Happy Mother's Day.