The English classroom was a chorus of frightened whispers. As best he could tell, Jimmy Neutron was the only silent student, though he shared in their unease. The idea that they were all here, where the Black Atom had last struck, was absurd. The whispers crescendoed into frenzied shouts as Ms. Creek entered the room.

"We can't stay here!"

"Please, cancel class!"

"What if we're next?"

Ms. Creek raised her hand and the room fell silent. Like all the other students, Jimmy Neutron straightened his back and gave Ms. Creek his complete focus. If there was one teacher the students trusted to guide them out of this mess, it was her.

Ms. Creek sucked in a deep breath and gave her flock a reassuring look. "I know that-"

A violent crunch was followed by an ear-splitting bang as the classroom door exploded inwards. Hinges clattered to the floor and a tempest of wood chips showered the students. Jimmy shielded his eyes; when he removed his fingers he was left with the image of Assistant Principal Gonzalez panting for breath. Doubled over, she ripped an EpiPen from her pocket and jammed it into her thigh.

"RRROOAARRRAHHH!" The middle-aged woman screamed with every bit of air in her lungs. Eyes dilating and limbs trembling, she lurched towards Jimmy and picked him up with unsettling ease.

Before anyone could react, Jimmy was slung over her shoulder. The assistant principal dashed into the hallway and sprinted across the main floor.

Jimmy's head bounced again and again off her back. "Ms. Gonzalez! What's going on?"

Between gasps, she shouted, "Principal…Clarke….needs you!"

Jimmy gulped and went slack in her grasp. This can't be good. His mind began conjuring up nightmare after nightmare, from her finding some probation technicality he'd broken to accusing him of being the Black Atom. He said nothing more as Ms. Gonzalez neared the administration wing. She lowered her empty shoulder and plowed through the closed door.

Two eighth-graders waited in front of the reception desk. A startled girl jumped away from her butt-buddy, who was bent down tying his shoe. Ms. Gonzalez leapt onto his back, kicked off her sobbing springboard, and vaulted over the furniture.

Jimmy covered his head as Gonzalez landed in a crouch, tucked into a roll, and somersaulted through Principal Clarke's open door. When she launched to her feet, the assistant principal tossed Jimmy into the empty chair in front of Clarke's desk.

Principal Clarke tossed Ms. Gonzalez a quart of gatorade. "Thank you, Maria."

Assistant Principal Gonzalez twisted the cap and chugged its contents. She offered Clarke a nod dripping with respect and fruit punch. Then she was gone, the door slamming shut behind her.

Jimmy stared after the woman, blinked twice, and finally finished processing all that had just transpired. His gaze swiveled to Principal Clarke, standing behind her desk.

Today's pantsuit was a solemn grey, and her Kate Canvas pumps were equally subdued. Clarke took a seat across from Jimmy and said, "I realize you weren't given much choice in coming here, Mr. Neutron. But I promise you have full power over what happens next." Jimmy opened his mouth to ask the first of many questions, but Clarke cut him off. "I assume that you watched Ms. Folfax's broadcast?"

Jimmy's face fell. So she does think it's me. His gaze dropped to the floor as he answered, "Yes, I did."

Ms. Clarke leaned back in her seat and explained, "You made a horrible mistake last month. But you've been following all of the school's rules and the conditions of your punishment more zealously than I anticipated. Did you know that your parents contacted me?"

Jimmy met her gaze. "They did?"

"You were supposed to tutor the kids in homeroom and detention periods. Not every waking moment. Your mother has noticed you're barely sleeping."

Jimmy squirmed and offered, "I just want to make things right."

"And I appreciate that sentiment. Which is why I'm only going to ask you this once and expect an honest answer." Clarke clasped her palms, leaned towards Jimmy, and asked, "Are you the Black Atom?"

Jimmy's response was immediate and unwavering. "No. What happened to Alex, what the Black Atom did?" Jimmy cringed and explained, "I could never do that to someone."

Clarke peered into Jimmy's eyes, held his gaze, and ultimately leaned back in her chair. She sighed, and her face betrayed a hint of despair. "I believe you. Which means I have no idea who's behind this. I don't suppose that you do?"

"I wish I did. But the only clue is a Striker mask, and there were dozens of those things. Anyone could have gotten one."

The principal's face dropped an iota further as she said, "That is unfortunate." She closed her eyes, steeled her resolve, and locked her pupils on James. "This school is balanced on a razor's edge. I will do all I can to stop the Black Atom, but I fear it won't be enough. There are places that only a child can go, students that will only talk to one of their own. It's why I need the hall monitors. It's why I needed Cynthia last month. It's why I now need you."

"Me?" Jimmy asked. Of all the things he'd expected when Gonzalez carried him here, Clarke asking for his help wasn't on the list. "Why not just ask Cindy again?"

"I considered it," the principal explained. "But last time she was stopping something that only a handful of people knew about. Now, the whole school is frightened. Cynthia is student body president - she must do what her job demands. That is leading and comforting R.M.S.'s denizens. Besides, while I have no doubt that she could ultimately succeed at this mission, we're not dealing with a war. I don't need a soldier - I need a detective. And you are a genius, yes?"

"Well I don't like to brag," Jimmy lied, "but yes."

"So it seems-"

"My IQ is 210."

Ms. Clarke narrowed her eyes. "So it seems that this job is suited for you. But I cannot say it is without danger. If the Black Atom realizes that you're after them…"

Her voice trailed off, and Jimmy understood the message. "I could be their next target."

The principal nodded. "Which is why I shall not order you to help me. But you were given a bevy of punishments last month. If you accept this mission, I am willing to-"

"I'll do it," Jimmy interrupted.

Ms. Clarke pulled back in surprise. "You're certain?"

Jimmy nodded. "I deserved to be expelled, but you gave me another chance. You let me call R.M.S. my home. That means I'll do anything to defend it."

The principal offered a proud smile. "Then if you're going to be my Sherlock Holmes, you should look the part." Ms. Clarke rose from her seat and opened the enormous mahogany armoire behind her. She began pulling out hanger after hanger, each piece adding up to a child-sized version of an iconic outfit. She laid each garment on her desk for Jimmy to inspect.

First was a double breasted gray wool coat. Next came a navy blue long-sleeved dress shirt. After that, a dark gray three-piece suit. Finally the obsidian accouterments were laid out - a muffler scarf, leather gloves, and tuxedo shoes.

Jimmy cocked his head at the mountain of clothing, looked at Clarke, and asked, "Why do you have this?"

Jimmy knotted his scarf and stared into the bathroom mirror. He'd been skeptical of Clarke's garb, but when he failed to recognize the dashing and confident kid staring back, he realized that his principal had been right. The Black Atom is smart and ruthless, Jimmy thought. If I want any chance of stopping them, I need to commit to being the smartest detective there ever was. Jimmy clambered on top of the sink, popped open a ceiling tile, and hid his old clothes out of sight. After the tile was replaced, he hopped down and slipped on his gloves.

Jimmy stared at his completed outfit and clenched his hands into fists. "I'll find you, Black Atom. And given your M.O., there's only one place to start."

The walk to the gymnasium took but a minute. He pushed open one of the heavy double doors and halted in front of the madness before him.

Jimmy couldn't say what he'd expected to find, but it wasn't thirty kids running around with bright red X's painted on their butts. Bolbi and Roderick chased after them, hurling silver handballs onto as many rear ends as they could.

"Roderick!" Jimmy shouted over the terrified shouts and squeaking of sneakers. The enormous eighth-grader faced him, ball clenched tight in his right hand. He arched an eyebrow but said nothing, so Jimmy asked, "What the heck are you doing?"

"Playing Atom Ball," Roderick's typical calm politeness was laced with a hint of annoyance. "Want to join?"

Roderick launched a missile which ricocheted off of his target and bounced off two other butts. Jimmy said, "I'll pass." He scanned the room and noticed three familiar faces were missing from the crowd. He knew Cindy was using her I.O.P day for presidential duties, so he asked Roderick, "Where are Butch and Nick?"

Roderick jerked a thumb towards the locker room. "Butch needed the bathroom. His butt buddy went with him. Where's yours?"

"I'm working on my own," Jimmy answered.

Roderick hmmphed and said, "Better be careful, then. The halls are dangerous today." He launched another ball into a terrified seventh grader, leaving Jimmy to gulp and head towards the locker room.

He headed inside, the only illumination a flickering overhead light. Past the rows of lockers and two long benches stood a closed door being guarded by Nick Dean.

"Neutron?" Nick asked as Jimmy approached. "What are you doing here? And what's with the duds? You look…surprisingly cool."

Jimmy halted before his friend and explained, "I'm doing some work for Principal Clarke. I have to talk to Butch. Is he in there?" When Nick nodded, Jimmy asked, "You mind giving us a few minutes?"

Nick hesitated. "We're butt buddies. I can't just leave him."

"I'm not the Black Atom, Nick. I'm trying to stop them." When Nick didn't budge, Jimmy quietly added, "I wouldn't lie to you."

Nick studied him and finally sighed. "I know. I'll leave you to it." Nick pushed off the door and gave Jimmy a friendly punch on the arm. "Stay safe, dude."

"You too," Jimmy said, and then he was alone. A few seconds later, the bathroom door opened and Butch froze at the threshold.

"Where's Nick?" he asked.

"Back in the gym," Jimmy answered. "I wanted to talk to you alone."

The bully's hands curled into fists as he swallowed hard. Jimmy cocked his head and asked, "Are you…scared?"

"I'm not afraid of nothin'," Butch growled. He sidled past Jimmy towards the exit, careful to keep his butt away from the genius.

"Butch, stop," Jimmy ordered, but the bully just walked backwards across the locker room.

"Leave me alone!" Butch's voice cracked as he moved faster and tripped over a bench. He crashed to the floor and scuttled away as Jimmy chased after him.

He was nearly at the gym door when Jimmy shouted, "I'm not behind this!"

Butch's hand was reaching for the crash bar when he froze. "That's exactly what the Black Atom would say!"

Jimmy knelt down and pulled a golden card from pocket. "But would they have this?"

Butch swiped the hair from his eyes and studied the laminated permit. "A golden hall pass? I thought those were a myth."

"Me too," Jimmy agreed. "But Clarke gave me one. I'm not here to give you a wedgie, Butch. I'm here to get answers." He offered the bully a hand.

Butch swatted it away and pushed himself to his feet. "And you think I'm the Black Atom? I thought you were a genius. Do I look like I could sneak up on anybody?"

"No," Jimmy shook his head, "but you seem like someone with a secret. We're talking about the worst bully R.M.S. has ever seen. My hunch is you've got an idea who it is."

Butch scoffed. "If I knew that, I'd be clobbering them right now."

For a split second, Jimmy succumbed to the doubt in the back of his mind. Then he stared at his gloved hands and remembered who he needed to be. Never doubt your instinct. Even if it doesn't get you the answer you expected, it will lead you down the right path.

Jimmy pivoted and asked, "But the victims?"

"We all know who they are. It was on the news."

Jimmy took a step towards Butch. His hair covered his eyes, but it wasn't hard to tell the boy was still scared of Jimmy. If he knew that James wasn't the Black Atom, that meant Butch was afraid of Jimmy discovering some hidden truth. "But you know something I don't. And if it's not the Black Atom's identity, then I'm guessing you know why they chose their targets."

"I ain't no snitch."

"So the victims did something wrong," Jimmy surmised.

Butch grit his teeth. "We're done here, Neutron."

"Almost," Jimmy promised him. "Alex, David, John - they broke some rule…something horrible enough to merit such vicious attacks. You know about it and are worried you're next. Ergo," Jimmy smiled as the pieces fit together, "they're bullies."

Butch groaned and spun around. His hands were on the door when Jimmy said, "I'm not interested in tattling on them. What they've been through was more than enough punishment. I want to stop the Black Atom. I want to keep you safe."

Butch's knuckles turned white on the door. "I can protect myself. I always have."

"Yet you have a butt buddy." Jimmy sidled next to Butch and met the bully's gaze.

"I don't need him," Butch spat. He clenched his teeth and shakily said, "I don't need anyone."

For the first time, Jimmy saw some of himself in his old tormentor. "Did I ever tell you what happened when we were on that game show? Intergalactic Showdown?"

"I don't want to hear how you fought aliens."

"I nearly got the Earth destroyed," Jimmy said. "Everyone on this planet would have died and it would have been my fault. All because I was too arrogant to understand that I couldn't do everything on my own. It wasn't until I'd put the entire world in danger that I realized how big of a jerk I was."

Butch narrowed his eyes. "But you still saved the day, like you always do."

"It took me realizing I was a villain to become a hero." Butch was quiet as Jimmy admitted, "It's my second biggest regret. But the thing about our darkest moments? If we're strong enough to get through them, they teach us to be better. So you can leave and try to fight the Black Atom on your own," Jimmy shrugged. "It's not like I could stop you. Or, you can realize that if we work together, we're strong enough to beat them."

Seconds passed as Butch stood there, silent and thinking. At last, Butch sighed and let go of the door. He walked over to one of the benches and plopped atop it. "I don't know much else."

Jimmy stood in front of the seat opposite Butch. He whipped out a notepad and began scribbling down his thoughts. "Every detail matters. Tell me everything."

"Alex put on a heck of a performance, but you're right. They ain't saints - they're worse than me!"

"None of them went to Lindbergh," Jimmy noted. "How do you know them?"

"The Juvenile Delinquents Society," Butch explained. "Alex beat me for Bully of the Year two years ago."

"Which schools are they from?"

"They're all from Earhart Elementary."

Jimmy scribbled that down. "If all the targets are from Earheart, why are you nervous?"

"You've heard what the Black Atom did," Butch's voice dropped. "You think they'll stop once they finish with Earhart's bullies?"

Jimmy thought this a fair point. "No, they won't. Someone this demented, they won't give up until every bully in the district is hit."

Butch's shoulders drooped, so Jimmy took a seat across from him. "Any other thoughts? I assume to hold these people down and get the underwear high enough, the suspect would have to be strong?"

"More than strong. There's a reason I've never gone atomic," Butch said with more than a hint of regret. "It's nearly impossible to pull a waistband with just the right amount of tension - the elastic rips too easy. You need a fine touch to get the waistband over the eyes."

"I'm searching for someone with strength, speed, and grace," Jimmy noted. He reviewed the profile that was coming together. An agile vigilante targeting Earhart Elementary bullies. They were almost certainly bullied themselves and are most likely from the same school. It wasn't a complete picture, but worlds better than the empty silhouette he'd had a half hour ago.

"Thanks," Jimmy rose to his feet. "I'll do my best to catch the Black Atom before they strike again. But in case I can't…stick with Nick."

Jimmy walked towards the door and halted when Butch asked, "Neutron?" Jimmy turned around as Butch went on, "Knowing the Black Atom's coming…Is this how you felt at Lindbergh? Because of me?"

Jimmy nodded.

Butch sighed and said the words Jimmy had never expected to hear. "Then I'm sorry, man."

For a brief moment, Jimmy considered knocking Butch down further. Instead, he said, "Accepted." He motioned at the school around them. "This place gives us a second chance, Butch. My advice? Don't waste it."

Butch considered that, then asked, "So what are you doing next?"

Jimmy smiled and pocked his notebook. "The smartest thing anyone can ever do. I'm getting help."

Jimmy walked past Butch and went to find Libby.