The next morning Liz woke up with a slight headache. She was lying prone on her bed, still in her dirty, bloodstained clothes. The sun was already high in the sky warmed her back. What time was it anyway? Had she slumbered away the whole Sunday? The door to her room was open, she heard voices from outside. The TV had to be running.
Whacked, Liz got up and found that her muscles were all tensed. Every movement was painful. She also had a strange, very penetrating metallic taste in her mouth, as if she had sucked her house keys all night, so that she felt the need to brush her teeth before eating. She shuffled into the bathroom wearily and paid no attention to the breathtaking view from one of the tallest buildings in the city. The air on this cold autumn day was clear, you could easily see the horizon in the distance. Buildings and vehicles of various kinds were shining in the sunlight.
While she brushed her teeth, the memories of the previous evening returned slowly. She paused – did this really happen? In retrospect, it seemed like one terrible nightmare. A huge police operation outside the Eden Palace? Criminals, who kidnapped her? A fatal crash into a supermagnet and numerous metal objects that followed her? Just the fact that she had talked with Wilbur Robinson, was already enough material for a dream. Maybe it had all been a dream and none of this had happened for real.
With the toothbrush in her mouth she looked down at herself. Her dress was absolutely filthy and torn and smelled like garbage and blood. In addition, it was covered with brown spots, which were remarkably similar to dried blood. This supported the assumption that the events of last night were indeed real.
Only when she looked in the mirror again, she noticed it – in disbelief, she leaned closer to the mirror and touched her forehead at the place where she had been slammed into the railing...

Nothing, not even a bruise. But this guy had smashed her hard against the railing...! Then she examined her hands... and then her knees and the rest of her body
Not a single scratch! Her hands and knees were completely intact! So it was a dream, there had never been any criminals and the brown stains were no blood. But what happened then?
Her own confused face returned her gaze when she looked into the mirror again. When she was done with brushing teeth, her stomach started growling suddenly. Since Liz had no idea what had actually happened yesterday, she didn't even try to remember when she had eaten the last time. But regarding how her stomach rumbled, it had to be an eternity ago.
A little more awake, she marched through the arch-like hall, through the living room towards the kitchen. The living room was huge and bright, not surprising - after all the windows stretched from the floor almost 30 feet up to ceiling. Above it was a loft with the her parents' bedroom and their offices. A futuristic staircase whose steps were floating freely in the air, let up to the top floor. Liz never went up there, why should she? Her parents were never home anyway. Below this gallery were more large windows. They, however, didn't allow a view outside but down in another, very large room. In it was all kinds of sports equipment, such as balance beams, rings and a large trampoline. It was Liz's private training room. When she passed it on the way to the kitchen, she couldn't help thinking that she still had to train for the tournament on Wednesday.
And her mother would come home soon, maybe today already... what would she say if she saw Liz's clothes? What should Liz tell her? Should she tell her mom, what she remembered? If it had even happened at all! Her mother would never believe this hair-raising story. Liz didn't even believe the story's herself...! But why were her clothes so shredded then?
Her thoughts were distracted. The TV was indeed turned on. Apparently, there were news that reported what had happened yesterday before the cinema. Liz went into the center of the large living room and raised her head to look at the giant screen, which had the size of the entire wall. The news anchorman talked about the serious incidents in the bank. Liz frowned.
A bank robbery? Somehow she had an uneasy feeling about that. But before there could form a certain thought, suddenly N.I.L.E.S. , short for Networked Intelligent Lifeform Engineered for Service, her RobButler, came from the kitchen. He was wearing a cooking apron, holding a bowl under his arm, which was apparently filled with dough. His other hand was formed into a mixer. He was preparing waffles for breakfast obviouly. This pleasant thought made Liz' stomach growl impatiently.

"Oh, miss Beckett! How nice to see you!" N.I.L.E.S. joyfully greeted her, "You were so sound asleep, I hadn't been able to wake you up. You almost seemed like unconscious. What did you do yesterday, Miss? You were hurt and completely scratched when you arrived here ..." he ended uncertain and examined her with his round googly eyes. Liz winced inwardly. So she actually had injuries when she arrived here - but how had they healed so quickly? The robot noticed her shabby clothes and also that she had not a single scratch anymore. Surprised, he put down the bowl and scratched his huge, round metal head.

"Well ... maybe it was just an illusion, excuse me, Miss" the robot said thoughtfully, took the bowl again and rolled back into the kitchen, "I had a malfunction yesterday night. I really regret this deeply, Miss. I already made a level 4 diagnosis of my program and my hardware, but without a proper result. When your mother arrives, I'll ask her to release me for a few days so that I can get a complete check-up. But we'll worry about that later. Now take a seat, breakfast will be ready in a few seconds." N.I.L.E.S. rattled without a pause.

Liz stopped short, are a little overwhelmed with the flood of information from the robot on one hand and from the television on the other hand. Suddenly N.I.L.E.S. approached again, pushed a a plate of hot waffles into her hands and pushed her on the huge, white leather couch. In no time he had an orange, a bowl, cereals, milk and two boiled eggs taken out of his belly compartment and draped all this on the futuristic, floating coffee table.

"I know how much you like watching TV while eating, Miss," explained the robot sympathetically, because Liz was still staring at him with big eyes, looking slightly confused. As the RoButler had finished speaking, Liz looked at the enormus television screen.

"Very disturbing." N.I.L.E.S. begain, pulling out a feather duster from his belly compartment, and began to dust the living room, "A few Supers have robbed a bank." He added, shaking his head.

"Supers ...?" Liz asked, puzzled. Her voice was still a little scratchy. She unconsciously stuffed a waffle into her mouth.

But before the N.I.L.E.S. could explain something, the anchorman began to explain the situation.

"The bandits vanished with the diamond without a trace. Although the building was surrounded from all sides, they managed to escape. It is still not entirely clear how this could happen. There are speculations about an escape tunnel, which were, however, not confirmed from police circles. It's also not confirmed, that the bank robbers were supers, though there is a lot of material, that shows clearly, that supers were involved into this crime. The police is asking for help from the public. If you made suspicious observations, please contact the police headquarters of Todayland. Now to other news. Last night at 3:14, the Robinson Inc magnetic power plants had a broke down. Todayland and large sections of the surrounding area were without energy until the early morning, when the supply could be restored. The reason for this power blackout are still unknown."

Liz stopped in the middle of the movement. She din't know why, but her mind suddenly put the different elements together. Only now she realized that the two gangsters were the bank robbers! That would explain how they could disappear without a trace from the bank, at least they had a portal! But ... it hadn't been supers, but just ordinary guys ...
When she thought about what these guys had done to her, she became furious. They had tried to kill her! It was a mere coincidence that she hadn't died and was hardly hurt. She didn't know what had happened exactly, but she should be dead actually, after all she had fallen into a super magnet!

She suddenly felt a bestial rage, and hatred for the robbers, hatred for what happened, hatred against herself because she couldn't undo it, hartred even for Violet and Wilbur, who had left her alone – they were the reason why she got into this situation after all!

She was so angry that she was unaware of the things that happened around her – suddenly the TV began to flicker, metal objects started trembling. Only when N.I.L.E.S. stammered wildly behind her, she became aware of her environment again.

"There! A-a-a-another malfuntionssss" the robot stammered frantically. Apparently he had no control over his body anymore; his head swirled around in circles, sparks flashed and then he suddenly raced with full speed against a wall, where he collapsed with a crash. Screws flew across the room and a small, black cloud, with the smell of hydraulic fluid. Liz winced from this bang. But her anger wasn't gone yet. On the contrary - what was that stupid robot thinking, to have a malfunction right now?! She was annoyed and stalked towards the battered wreck when she saw, or rather felt how the picture framse turned to her, following her movement. The loose screws of the robot rolled across the floor right towards her.

Liz looked around at the large, brightly lit apartment, wondering about this strange phenomenon. Without fear, rather with a annoyed resignation she found that yesterday's return had been no hallucination or a dream, but true. She had really been chased through the streets of Todayland by two tons of metal debris.
Then she suddenly a violent vibration filled her skull, like when she lay on the magnet. She put her hands to her temples to bring her head to a halt, but it was useless. There was no real vibration, at least she felt nothing with her hands. This hum in her head, became louder and louder, drowning out the noise of the television. Now the anger was gone, she only felt a good deal of uncertainty and anxiety. She pulled herself together and forced herself to open her eyes. Her vision was blurry. She took one hand off her head and stretched it out to catch herself, in case she stumbled, because she had the unpleasant feeling that she would lose balance at any moment. Then she staggered into the kitchen to get an aspirin. She didn't know if that would help, but currently she didn't have a better idea...
It was a stupid idea, as it would turn out...
She leaned on the counter, faltering. The roar in her head was so loud that she couldn't hear the impatient rattle of drawers and cupboard doors. Only when she felt the vibration of the counter, she raised her head and saw that the drawers and doors were trembling wildly. She was just about to be surprised, when suddenly all drawers and cabinet doors and shot open and forks, knives, spoons, pots, pans and a cleaver shot right towards her!

Of course, she was terribly frightened! Within a split second, however, this unspeakable shock turned into this amazing clarity. At the same moment the huge roar in her head was gone all of a sudden - only quietness and order filled her mind now. Liz had, for reasons she did not understand and that were not important to her at the moment, the absolute power. She could feel the speed of the kitchen bullets, their texture, their temperature, the magnetic orientation of the molecules within them - the time seemed to stand still for a moment. Liz reached out a hand and could feel all these items, although she wasn't touching. And when you could feel something, you could control it. And that's what she did.
The crockery and cutlery then landed on the white marble tiles in front of her with a crash.


Wilbur and Vi sat in Wil's room on this nice Sunday afternoon, doing their homework together. They tried it at least. Neither of them had slept particularly well, the mood was still depressed because of last night's events. Vi was secretive and taciturn than ever. She seemed upset about something. Gloomily she switched the pages in her history book, while taking notes.
Wilbur sighed. When Vi was angry, she usually let him feel that. Not that he would rather liked her shouting at him, but this silence was unbearable. Finally he forced himself to ask her what's going on.

"Something's wrong?"

Vi was so into thinking that she was a little startled when she heard Wilbur's voice. Surprised, she looked at him, until she understood the content of the question.

"It's stupid how we left Liz there all alone..." she said casually, and turned back to her homework. Vi was sure that Liz was pissed off at her. Vi had tried the entire day to call her, but Liz didn't answer her phone. Not even her robot N.I.L.E.S. had answered, probably because Liz had told him not to accept calls from Violet ...

Vi was angry because she couldn't explain the situation to Liz. If Liz had known that Vi had superpowers and that she had only left her because she had to stop a couple of bank robbers, Liz would surely understand... Violet bit her tongue. Was that really the only reason? Did she leave the cinema with Wilbur to serve law and order? Hadn't she been happy that she ruined the Liz' date?
Vi felt miserable. And it made her angry that she felt this way at all. And if this wasn't enough, the bank robbers had escaped too! She had every reason to be in a bad mood, but she tried her best not to dissemble.

"We had no choice" Wilbur replied just as casually and also started writing again.

A while only the scratchy sound of the pens on the paper filled the room. Violet's thoughts raced. Liz was certainly suspecting something! She certainly believed Vi only wanted her to ruin her chance to hang out with Wilbur. But that wasn't the case! If she could only tell her that she had left to catch some robbers. That was the only reason! Or wasn't it? Or was it? What did Violet want with Wilbur as a boyfriend anyway?! He was her best friend. That didn't mean she was in love with him!
She looked up carefully and watched Wilbur's face. He had his lips pursed, looking highly concentrated into the history book, while he tapped his chin with his pen. It looked incredibly stupid and Vi had to suppress a grin. But on the other hand, he was just so cute...!
Vi gave herself a kick inside and tried to imagine that kissing him would be like kissing her brother. Without much success...
She sighed droopily, trying not to blush heavily. Wilbur turned to her, wondering.

"I think I'mm bake a cake for Liz for school tomorrow, as a little exchange for yesterday ..." Vi said, to distract from her state of mind, without looking at him.

"Cake?" Wilbur asked, suddenly very attentive.

"Although, if you drive me to school, it's probably a bad idea to have a cake with me"

"But I love cake!" Wilbur protested. Vi smiled wearily.

"I whished you all problems could be solved with a cake!" she thought bitterly. Then she scowled again.

"I know exactly what cheers you up!" Wilbur suddenly began and patted her on the shoulder, "We're going to Earl's and eat some ice cream. After the fiasco yesterday we deserve that!" he continued, got up and patted his thighs. Vi couldn't resist a smile. Wilbur always found a reason to pay Earl a visit. Vi packed her things and together they went to the famous ice cream parlor. They talked about trivial stuff, about school and the story with Liz and Pete. Vi's mind, however, drifted off again and again. She didn't know how to say it or if it matteres at all. Then, just before they arrived at Earl's ice cream shop, Vi couldn't hold back this unpleasant thought, that made her feel deeply uneasy.

"There's one thing I'm worried about ..." she began and stopped. She didn't know exactly how Wilbur would respond, so she hesitated to say what she was thinking, "These guys had nothing to do with Cobra." she said instead.

"Yepp, that was pretty obvious." Wilbur replied, and shrugged.

"And this ... this machine that they had ... the portal generator" Vi continued hesitantly. Now came the unpleasant part. She looked at Wilbur, whose expression changed at once. He gave her an annoyed gaze. He knew what she was getting at, but he appearantly didn't want to hear it.

"The portal generator, one of my father's inventions, right!" he began, and was actually in a rage, "Do you think he has something to do with that?!"

Violet jerked, startled by this outburst. She hadn't thought that Wilbur would be thatupset.

"No ..." she tried to calm him, but he just snorted, turned around and walked away. She ran after him and touched him gently on the shoulder, but he shrugged off. At least he stopped.

"Let me finish." she continued in a calm voice, "It is an invention that has never left the prototype stage. There is only this one prototype ... right? "

"Then someone must have built a second one, so what?!" Wilbur replied irritably, then he hesitated, "How do you know all this anyway?"

"I haven't slept a lot" Vi said in explanation. Wilbur looked at her questioningly.

"I spent the night doing some research" she went on and shrugged, "I mean, all the prototypes are stored in the main building of Robinson Industries, under the strictest security precautions?"

"Right..." Wilbur said annoyed, but before Violet could continue, he exclaimed, "What are you trying to say?! Do you seriously think someone of Robinson Industries would steal a prototype to rob a bank - "

"Cool it!" Violet interrupted strictly and grabbed his arm, "That's not what I wanted to say. I don't think these guys from yesterday work for your father."

"Good." Wilbur said satisfied, but he was still irritated.

"Yet they have this machine for some reason." Vi added dryly. Wilbur crossed his arms offended, but he remained silent.

"I concerned Wilbur ..." Violet continued with a lower voice, "What if there is someone who sells the plans for inventions, or the forgotten inventions of your father to criminals?"

Wilbur refused to look at her. He took a deep breath.

"That's merely speculations ..." he said softly.

"Yepp..."

"You have not the slightest hint or evidence ..." Wilbur continued, and relaxed a little and finally turned back to her.

"It's a pure, hypothetical thought experiment," Violet said and boldly lifted an eyebrow. They watched in silence for a while, while Wilbur thought. Everything matched. If it was true, if someone actually sold prototypes or plans to criminals, then they really had a problem. He lost the appetitt on the ice at the thought ...

"Well ..." he finally gave in, "I'll take a look at the storerooms in the main building ..."


It was already evening when Vi tried to call Liz again. She was convinced that the annoying answering machine would start babbling at any moment, so she was a bit surprised when Liz answered after the second ring already.

"Hey," said Violet surprised, "Everything all right?"

"Yapp, yapp," Liz said quickly. Vi didn't give her a chance to talk further. She just started reeling.

"I just wanted to apologize again for yesterday, but I was outside and wanted to see what's going on, and then the road was blocked off and then I couldn't get back, and then -"

"Vi, it's all right," Liz interrupted with a motherly tone, "I've heard the twenty messages that you left on my answering machine," She added, and Vi meant to identify a bit sarcasm in her voice.

"Oh, okay ..." Vi said, now a little soothed but at the same time somewhat embarrassed. Maybe it were not twenty messages, but certainly five or six Perhaps Vi overreacted because this entire Wilbur-problam made her feel she guilty...

"I'm still sorry that your evening was ruined. I didn't mean to -... "she apologized once more.

"All right," Liz interrupted casually, as if she wasn't listening properly. There was a brief pause, that made Vi feel extremely uncomfortable.

"I hope you haven't waited too long for us ..." Vi finally said to break the silence.

"No, no ..." Liz replied indifferently. She was very reticent. That was a badsign. She had to be incredibly angry... or distracted ...

"Am I disturbing you right now?" asked Vi, to be sure.

"Uh, I, erm ..." Liz began, as if she had been caught red handed, "Well, I'm making... Physics ... homework ... we should hand that in tomorrow, shouldn't we?" she stammered. So Liz wasn't angry, but busy. Good. And suddenly Vi's thoughts were elsewhere. Physics! She had completely forgot about that!

"Thank you for reminding me!" Vi said and glanced at the clock. It was nine already, but when she worked fast, she could be done with the physics tasks at 12 o'clock.

"Well, then you still got something to do too," Liz said, with a tone that suggested that she was elsewhere with her mind.

"Okay, see you tomorrow!" Violet said goodbye.

"See you tomorrow," Liz said and hung up. Violet groaned annoyed. She had no desire to make even more homework now. It was already dark and she was tired. For an instant a strange thought occurred to her: it was rather unusual for Liz to do her homework last minute. Otherwise, she was always very conscientious about her homeworks and worked efficiently... But Vi had her own problems right now, so she pushed that thought aside and had forgotten it a few minutes later.


After she had said goodbye to Violet, Liz put down the phone and put it on the floor. In the other hand she was holding a spoon. She was still wearing the same clothes as the night before. For hours already she was sitting cross-legged on the marble kitchen floor, which was littered with cutlery and crockery, and experimented with her new ability. At a closer look you could see that all metal objects that were scattered on the ground – no matter if pans, spoons, sieves, forks, pots - were bent in completely insane forms.
Well, the moment she had put the phone away, the spoon in her hand began to bend around and deformed - it looked like magic. Uri Geller was nothing against that.
What ever had happened to her yesterday... it was cool!

References: The Nanny, Uri Geller and Star Trek (who ever finds the Star Trek ref gets a cookie!)