Author's note: Happy Labor Day! In total hindsight, I have been working through mental burn out from school, and I'm only a few weeks in.
Oh well, it's life.
Suspicion
LarryManor
10:12 PM
"Good night!" Larry shouted back at the cab driver as the cab sped away. Taking out his key, he unlocked the highly detailed front door, and went inside, locking it behind him. Larry sighed in joyous relief; he was finally home, and he was very tired.
"Alfred!" Larry called out to his asparagus butler as he took off his tuxedo jacket.
No answer.
"Alfred?" Larry repeated and started to look around for him.
He wasn't in the elegant hallway, or the fancy kitchen, nor the grand dining room. Larry wondered why he had so many expensive furniture and high lifestyle materials as he went about his manor, but then remembered that it came with the place when he bought it.
"He might be in the LarryCave." Larry mumbled to himself. Sure enough, right when Larry entered the living room, the secret passage to the LarryCave slid open.
Alfred came out carrying a platter with a teapot and a tea cup.
"Master Larry, welcome home." Alfred greeted in a joyful manner.
"There you are Alfred," Larry yawned, "I was wondering where ya ran off to."
"If you don't mind me asking…how was your date tonight?" Alfred inquired. The secret passageway behind Alfred slid shut.
"It was great Alfred," Larry described happily, "we ate dinner and we had a great time."
"That's good to hear Master Larry," Alfred said, "you two make a wonderful couple."
"Thanks Alfred." Larry replied sheepishly. Despite being his butler and highly sophisticated, Alfred had always been a loyal friend throughout the years. Alfred simply smiled and nodded before he started to head to the kitchen.
"By the way," Alfred added and turned around, "you never told me Phosphate Knight was visiting."
Larry had to process the information from Alfred's comment.
He, too, apparently had no idea.
"He's here?" Larry asked in surprise.
"Oh yes, he's down in the LarryCave," Alfred explained and motioned towards the secret passage, "He arrived an hour after you left for your date; he's been waiting for you."
"Oh," Larry said, "well, I better not keep him waiting."
"I gave him some tea, but I didn't stay long to see how exactly he is supposed to drink it," Alfred explained, "I still wonder if he ever takes off that helmet of his at all."
Alfred resumed heading back towards the kitchen with the platter holding the teapot and teacup. Larry pressed the secret button, and the wall passage slid open smoothly. Quickly, Larry made his way down the lighted spiral staircase that tunneled down towards the LarryCave. He could smell the dampen air of the cave down below.
Larry came to the end of the staircase, the metal doors slid apart, and he entered the dim LarryCave.
He took into account of how many changes the LarryCave has been through over the years. In the early days of his career, the LarryCave only took up a section of the cavern, and the LarryComputer was only a high tech computer attached to pipes. Fortunately, technology and his career advanced. In no time, the LarryCave had expanded throughout the entire cave.
Then, just around the time the League of Incredible Vegetables was formed, Larry's business invented a new eco-friendly resource, and Larry's profit skyrocketed. After giving 50 percent of the profits to charities around Bumblyburg, Larry used just about all of his remaining profits to upgrade the LarryCave. The cave now had a new highly advanced computer system, not attached to pipes, a conference room with a touch screen table, hover chairs, platforms and catwalks, and a number of other cool features.
Larry walked onto the central platform and saw a familiar vegetable standing silently in front of the main computer screen.
The taller cucumber wore an armored chest plate and Spartan-like helmet with only two eye slits, both pieces of armor colored white, and had a huge dull-looking sword equipped on his back. However, Larry knew that in a flash that the dull-looking sword could turn into a potassium-charged blade.
The computer screens' lights casted an eerie glow over the figure's white armor. In front of him stood the 'Fighter against Temptation'; aka the Phosphate Knight.
"Hey Phosphate Knight," Larry greeted the figure as he approached up to him, "you didn't tell me that you were visiting."
The Phosphate Knight silently turned around to face Larry. Larry noticed that Phosphate Knight was holding an empty tea cup, most likely the one Alfred gave him.
Phosphate Knight just stood there looking down at Larry, not saying anything.
Larry then remembered that Phosphate Knight preferred to be quiet.
"What brings you to Bumblyburg?" Larry decided to ask, trying to start up a conversation. On occasions, Phosphate Knight would visit the LarryCave to help LarryBoy.
"I've tracked the Bad Apple to Bumblyburg." Phosphate Knight spoke stern but softly. Larry's tired expression was replaced with shock and concern. The Bad Apple had already attempted to takeover Bumblyburg twice, and the last attempted almost succeeded.
"Are you sure?" Larry questioned, even though he already knew the answer. Phosphate Knight went over to the touch screen conference table and turned it on. A map of the entire Bumblyburg metropolis was displayed on the screen, and the southern area of was highlighted.
"She entered Bumblyburg through the South," Phosphate Knight explained, "and she is hiding somewhere in the city."
"How do you know she didn't leave the city?"
"You updated the LarryComputer to track all signs of temptation webbings, remember?"
"Oh, right." Larry yawned. Phosphate Knight turned to Larry and stared at him through the darkened eye slits in his helmet. Larry smacked his lips, and then realized that Phosphate Knight was staring at him.
"What?"
"Out late with Petunia?" Phosphate Knight asked.
"How'd you know?" Larry asked timidly.
"Alfred told me."
"Oh."
"Get some rest," Phosphate Knight instructed, "you need it." Larry took notice of the slight change of Phosphate Knight's personality opening up. Larry and Alfred were about the only ones who Phosphate Knight opened up to. He was all quiet and serious with all the other superheroes, including Ricochet!
"I can't go to sleep now," Larry tried to argue, "I gotta be on the lookout for any danger."
"The computer is monitoring the town for any distress signals or calls." Phosphate Knight countered.
Larry was about to say something again, but Phosphate Knight interjected.
"I'll let you know if anything happens."
Larry was about to say something else, but another yawn interrupted him. His eyes felt heavy and his mind felt dreary.
At that point, Larry took in Phosphate Knight's advice and insistence.
"Alright," Larry tiredly conceded, "I'm trusting you to wake me up if anything happens."
"Of course." Phosphate Knight stated and handed Larry the empty tea cup, "Can you take this back up to Alfred?"
"Sure." Larry mumbled and turned to head back up, "Good night Phosphate Knight."
Phosphate Knight said nothing as he watched Larry make his way through the automatic metal door and up the stairs. When the passage shut, Phosphate Knight returned his eyes to the LarryComputer monitoring Bumblyburg on screen.
THE NEXT DAY…
LarryManor
6:21 AM
The sun was barely peeping out over the horizon, bringing the morning to Bumblyburg. In the western skies loomed a clutter of grey rain clouds, far distanced and not expected to pass over Bumblyburg today. Larry was snug in his bed, peacefully sleeping on the Saturday morning.
"Master Larry!" Alfred's hurried voice exclaimed from the hallway. Larry just rolled over onto his side.
"Master Larry!" Alfred called out again, except this time closer to Larry's bedroom. In his deep sleep, Larry could barely hear his butler. Suddenly, the bedroom door flung open with a slam, awaking Larry from his slumber. Unbeknownst to Larry, Alfred had assumed that he was still asleep and had already pushed the button on the side of the bed.
"What is it Al-FRED!" Larry cried as he was rolled onto the floor by the tilting mattress. He stood up and glared at his butler.
"I was awake Alfred!" Larry pointed out as he threw the pillows and sheets back onto the bed.
"I'm terribly sorry, but this is an emergency!" Alfred explained. This caught Larry's attention and partially snapped him out of his drowsiness.
"What is it Alfred?" Larry demanded, "Did Phosphate Knight pick up any readings?"
"No, he just called." Alfred hurriedly explained.
"Where is he?" Larry questioned.
"He's at the Bumblyburg Prison," informed Alfred, "he left sometime last night, but I couldn't believe what he just told me."
"What did he tell you?"
"Master Larry, last night there was an attack on Bumblyburg Prison!"
Before Alfred elaborate, Larry had already bolted out of the master bedroom, heading down towards the LarryCave.
(…,,,…,,,)
Bumblyburg Prison
7:15 AM
The Prison had yellow tape surrounding the place, keeping everyone at bay from rushing into the place to find out what happen. Paramedics and Firemen were rushing around, carrying out the injured officers from the Prison. Any policeman that wasn't on duty last night was now securing the perimeter.
"This is Vicki Cucumber reporting live from Bumblyburg Prison. As you can see behind me, a massive paintball shooting took place here, and many stationed officers were shot with paintballs. Causalities are unknown at the moment, and we have had no word of Commissioner Scooter's condition yet. We do have confirmation that LarryBoy, the League of Incredible Vegetables, and other superheroes are inside investigating as we speak. Stay tuned for more information on this developing crisis."
INSIDE THE PRISON…
The entire prison was like an angry beehive. Paramedics and nurses were running around everywhere, trying to attend and carry out the unconscious, paint covered police officers. The superheroes present in the facility were starting to assemble in the Cell Level now unoccupied by criminals.
"I informed Alfred as soon as I found out." Phosphate Knight told LarryBoy as they made their way down the hallway towards the Cell Level.
"Thank you Phosphate Knight." Larry said right before they entered.
The two of them made their way into the Cell Level and saw the superheroes lingering around on the lower floor. As they made their way down the stairs, LarryBoy spotted one superhero he assumed he wouldn't be here.
"Junio-" LarryBoy started to speak, but caught himself on the last syllable, "I mean…Ricochet, what are you doing here?"
Ricochet turned around to the call of his identity and spotted LarryBoy approaching. Quickly, the young asparagus jumped and bounced over to LarryBoy with his super suit.
"LarryBoy! It's great to see you again." Ricochet greeted excitedly as he stood in front of LarryBoy. Although he admired his enthusiasm, LarryBoy wasn't sure if it was suitable for the young superhero to be here with all of the wounded and multicolored carnage. After all, he was only a kid.
"Ricochet, whadya' you here?" LarryBoy asked, trying to make it sound as friendly as possible.
"Isn't it obvious? The bad guys escaped, and now Bumblyburg is in danger! We need every superhero we can get, and I'm a superhero!" Ricochet replied as if it was obvious, "Plus this counts for my superhero hours."
"We don't have 'superhero hours'." LarryBoy pointed out. Ricochet's jaw dropped, and his eagerness faded, but LarryBoy saw the determination in his eyes.
"I know what happen here is a kinda big deal, and I'm still a little new at this…and that I'm still a kid," Ricochet confessed with courage, "but I thought this would be a good opportunity to gain some experience. Right LarryBoy?"
LarryBoy had to give the young asparagus credit for having the heart to be here. Deciding on his verdict, LarryBoy faintly smiled at Ricochet.
"Ok then," LarryBoy agreed as and Ricochet joined the other superheroes, "for 'the experience'."
(…,,,…,,,)
"I would like to thank you all for coming on such short notice," Thingamabob announced as he, LarryBoy, and Phosphate Knight stood in front of the gathered superheroes, "but as you can see, this is a major crisis."
"Last night, Bumblyburg Prison was attacked and all of the prisoners escaped," LarryBoy informed, looking around at the empty jail cells, "we don't know how they were able to bypass all the security, but we are checking it out today. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any criminals to question, so we have to search for clues."
"Don't you think this is a kinda large group for an investigation?" the Masked Zucchini identified.
"Which is exactly why we are splitting into two teams," Thingamabob explained thoroughly, "while some of us stay here to help out, the other team goes out to round up any escaped prisoners on the streets and makes sure the city doesn't fall into anarchy."
While the superheroes were organizing themselves into two teams, LarryBoy casted a glance over at Phosphate Knight. He had assumed that the tall armored cucumber would tell them anything else, since he was the first one here, but he had remained silent. By the time LarryBoy had focused on what was happening, most of the assembled superheroes were heading out to sweep the streets Bumblyburg. Along with them, LarryBoy saw Vogue leaving. A small part in him wanted to go out and join the rest to help patrol with Vogue and the others, but he knew in his mind that he had to stay and help out in the prison.
Examining who remained, LarryBoy found only a few superheroes had stayed behind to help out.
"Alright then," Thingamabob spoke up, assessing who was left, "S-Cape, you and Ricochet deal with the media outside."
"We're on it." S-Cape declared as he jet-packed past LarryBoy and Ricochet zooming right beside him.
"Electro Melon, you and Phosphate Knight check out the power room and find out how the power went off." Thingamabob instructed. Electro Melon idly glanced around the Cell Level with a perplexed expression.
"Where is cucumber knight?" Electro Melon rumbled confused. Everyone else glanced around the Cell Level and noticed that Phosphate Knight had vanished.
"Okay…LB, can you go with Electro Melon to check out the power room?" Thingamabob requested.
"Sure!" LarryBoy answered.
While Bob finished up with assigning tasks for the other superheroes, Electro Melon and LarryBoy headed off to the power room.
MEANWHILE…
Ricochet skidded to a halt in the lobby, slowly seeing the wall of news coverage awaiting outside past the glass doors. The young superhero suddenly felt a knot in his gut and his voice dry up all of a sudden. S-Cape noticed this right before he opened the door and turned around to the nervous asparagus.
"Somethin' the matter Ricochet?" S-Cape asked as he went over and stood in front of Ricochet.
"It's just…" Ricochet tensely spoke, "I've never really had an interview before…and I don't wanna mess anything up."
"Ohhh." S-Cape softly realized. Ricochet shifted uneasily at the thought of him being on live television and having questions and flashes coming at him from everywhere at once. It was quite an unnerving feeling.
"Don't worry kid," S-Cape assured as he and Ricochet went over to the doors, "just let me do the talking."
(…,,,…,,,)
"Let me back in there!" a Scottish voice demanded.
"Sorry Commissioner, you're in no shape right now." a paramedic explained.
"I'm breathin' and talkin' aren't I?" Commissioner Scooter shot back.
Thingamabob glanced over at where the commotion was coming from. Then he saw the protesting Police Commissioner being wheeled out on a gurney by two medics. Before they got away, Thingamabob caught up with them.
"Thingamabob!" Commissioner Scooter exclaimed as he saw the tomato approach. The two paramedics stopped for the approaching superhero.
"How are you Commissioner Scooter?" Thingamabob asked sincerely.
"From what I been told, they found me in a cell!" Commissioner Scooter said while sitting up on the gurney, "Now, could ya tell these fellas that I don't need to be goin' to the nearest hospital?"
Thingamabob examined the wounded carrot on the gurney.
He had a swollen eye, bruises, and smudges of paint everywhere on his uniform and hair, including his moustache.
"I'm sorry, Commissioner, but you're in critical condition." Thingamabob told him.
"Critical? But I'm still up!"
"I think it would be best if you get to a hospital as soon as possible," Thingamabob reasoned, "you could be seriously hurt."
The wide eyed Scottish carrot took in the advice and slumped in defeat. He had to admit though, he was a bit tired.
"Fine," Commissioner Scooter agreed, "but could ya check my office? I left some very important paperwork on my desk. I hope they didn't steal them."
"I will, Commissioner." Thingamabob assured.
"Alright boys," Commissioner Scooter ordered and laid back in the gurney, "to the nearest hospital."
In an instant, the paramedics were rushing the Police Commissioner out, and Thingamabob was making his way over to the Commissioner's office.
IN THE POWER ROOM…
"How's it look down there Electro Melon?" LarryBoy called down from above on a catwalk.
"It's looking bad." the Electro Melon rumbled.
Electro Melon was observing looking over the wires, circuits, and generators to figure out how the power was shut off, while LarryBoy was searching where the criminals entered from. LarryBoy glanced over the catwalk and peered down at Electro Melon.
"Whadya mean?" LarryBoy asked.
"This place runs on two primary generators and two auxiliary generators," Electro Melon growled, "but somehow enemies manage to shut off all at once."
LarryBoy had to hand it to Electro Melon. Despite his bulk and one-track mind, Electro Melon knew all about anything dealing with electricity and machines that ran on electricity. LarryBoy was about to head down there to check it out, but he suddenly stepped on something with a metallic clank.
He looked down and saw himself standing on a metal air duct filter. Glancing upward, LarryBoy saw the open ventilation shaft which the metal air duct belonged to. Although he didn't know much about power rooms, LarryBoy knew that ventilation shafts were suppose to be covered, and this one was open.
"Hmm." LarryBoy mumbled to himself and took aim. He fired one of his suction ears up into the shaft and it attached to the inside.
"I think I mighta found how they got in," LarryBoy called down to Electro Melon as he reeled himself up through the open duct, "I'll be right back."
"If LarryBoy says so." Electro Melon grunted as he continued to examine the generators.
(…,,,…,,,)
"I can't believe this…" Commissioner Scooter groaned as he was wheeled out of the prison and over to an ambulance. Right before he was loaded up, a police deputy ran up to him.
"Commissioner, sir," the officer spoke, "we have confirmation on who escaped."
"Tell me, deputy, did they all escape?" Commissioner Scooter asked wearily, even though he already knew the answer.
"All but one, sir." the deputy reported. This news made Commissioner Scooter go wide-eyed.
"And whom might that 'one' be?" the Commissioner asked in alarm.
"Prisoner 600," the deputy explained, "he's still in his containment."
"That's a relief," Commissioner Scooter sighed, "be sure to let the superheroes know."
"Yes, sir." the deputy said as the ambulance doors closed and the emergency vehicle sped to the nearest hospital with the Police Commissioner.
(…,,,…,,,)
"Hey Thingamabob, did we find out anything yet?" S-Cape asked over the com channel, "My charm can't hold off the media forever."
"I'm in the Commissioner's office right now," Thingamabob reported with a groan, "everything is covered in paint."
"Should I tell the media that?"
"No no no, don't tell them that."
"Supper Hero, Dark Crow, and I have evacuated most of the causalities."
"Thanks Lemon Twist." S-Cape said.
"I think they got into the power room through the ventilation system." LarryBoy reported.
"Why do you say that?" Thingamabob wondered.
"Well…I'm standing on the roof right now, and I just got outta the ventilation duct that leads to the power room."
"Thanks for the info, LarryBoy." S-Cape replied.
"Any luck with the generators, Electro Melon?" Thingamabob asked.
"Electro Melon thinks that someone knew how to shut down generators."
"Whadya mean by that?" Ricochet piped up on the channel.
"Electro Melon thinks that this was an inside job," Electro Melon explained, "only mechanics and engineers know how to shut down all these generators."
"I'll be right down there to check it out, Electro Melon." LarryBoy declared.
"Should I tell the media that?" S-Cape asked.
"S-Cape, we don't want to cause any more panic than there already is." Thingamabob instructed and sighed, "The media is so jumpy sometimes."
There was a moment of silence on the channel.
"You want me to tell them that?" S-Cape asked in confusion.
"No!" all the other superheroes declared at once.
(…,,,…,,,)
Thingamabob groaned as his clicked his comlink off. The whiff of stale paint brought his attention back to the situation at hand. He was in the Commissioner's office, trying to find any sort of clue. The fact that all the furniture and walls were layered with a soggy coat of paint made the normal task extremely difficult. Not to mention the paint splattered on the ceiling and leisurely dripping paint drops onto the ground.
"Well…the Commissioner doesn't have to worry about stolen paperwork." Thingamabob said as his robotic hand carefully plucked up a sheet of soggy paper covered with paint off the Commissioner's desk. The tomato grimaced at the sight of all the other paperwork ruined by the paint. Whatever importance the paperwork held, it was now lost to the paint.
Putting back the paper and retracting his robotic hand back into his utility belt, Thingamabob extended his magnifying glass arm from his belt to get a closer look at things. He maneuvered carefully around the area of the floor that didn't have paint.
'Who could such damage on this magnitude?' Thingamabob wondered as he searched.
Suddenly, a painted lump next to the desk on the floor caught his attention. Shifting his magnifying glass over to the lump, Thingamabob could make out the outline of an oval shaped object covered in paint. With patient curiosity, Thingamabob activated his other robotic arm and cautiously picked up the object covered in paint. Using his other robotic arm to wipe away the paint, Thingamabob observed the object more closely.
"A paint grenade?"
(…,,,…,,,)
Whunk! Clank! Bump! Thunk!
Electro Melon slowly stared up at the open air duct as he heard the noises getting louder and accompanied by screams.
"Ow! Oof! That hurts! Ouch! Aaaah!"
Electro Melon watched as LarryBoy fell out of the air duct and landed face first on the catwalk above.
"Is LarryBoy ok?" Electro Melon idly asked as he watched the cucumber get back up.
"Sure…just slipped." LarryBoy said woozily before he shook his head and fixed his senses. Seeing Electro Melon down below, LarryBoy vaulted off the catwalk and down to the floor, which was only a few feet below the catwalk.
"So," LarryBoy started to say as he came over to the generators, "whatcha find?"
"Electro Melon thinks that someone knew how to shut off the generators," the big electrical melon explained in his profound, angry voice, "no regular criminal knows how to work these things."
LarryBoy examined the heavy machinery and circuits that produced power for the entire prison.
"Who installed these generators?" LarryBoy asked. Electro Melon quickly searched the room for an answer.
"Uh…" Electro Melon groaned before his eyes drifted over to the label on the generators, "Label says...Land-Air Security Incorporated."
"What?" LarryBoy asked in surprise as he turned to Electro Melon. He followed Electro Melon's stare and found the Land-Air Security Incorporated logo label on the generators. This puzzled LarryBoy. Land-Air Security Inc. was a well-trusted company that ensured security and safety to the buyers. With a company as effective and trustworthy, how could one easily shut down a generator made by a security industry, let alone a bunch of them at once?
That question sprung several other questions into LarryBoy's head: who smart enough to shut down the highly functional generators? How did they shut them down? And how exactly did they know where the generators were?
"They must'a had a map or something to get in here." LarryBoy stated as he contemplated over the questions in his head.
"GPS?" Electro Melon suggested.
"Maybe," LarryBoy agreed, "and if they managed to raid the entire place, they must'a known the entire layout for the prison." Realizing the possibility and probability, LarryBoy quickly activated his comlink.
"Thingamabob, I think I know how they managed to pull this off so quickly." LarryBoy announced.
"How?" Thingamabob's voice asked over the channel.
"We think they knew the layout of the prison. That's how they managed to cut the power and overthrow the police so quickly." LarryBoy explained.
"Speaking of which, I found a paint grenade in the Commissioner's office, whoever attacked must have had a lot of superior firepower and weapons." Thingamabob explained.
The mention of the word 'weapons' made LarryBoy think of what company produced weapons; maybe they could trace the weapons shipments to the buyers.
Almost immediately, his eyes lingered over to the Land-Air Security Inc. labels on the generators.
"Thingamabob, does that paint grenade have a label on it?" LarryBoy wondered as he eyed the logo label.
"It's covered in too much paint, I can't tell."
"The LarryComputer could probably tell." LarryBoy mentioned.
"I'll take it there as soon as I can." Thingamabob confirmed.
"Alright then, LarryBoy and Electro Melon out." LarryBoy said and deactivated the comlink. The fact that Land-Air Security Incorporated was a weapons company, as well as the rival sponsoring company in the debate, made LarryBoy have some suspicions. Deciding to think about it later, LarryBoy focused on the present and turned to Electro Melon, who was getting grumpy from waiting.
"Electro Melon." LarryBoy stated to get his attention. Electro Melon grunted in response and glanced at LarryBoy. "Can you get the generators back online?"
"Ok." Electro Melon said and turned to the generators. LarryBoy watched as Electro Melon's grump expression formed into a scowl, and electricity started to radiate and spark out from his body.
Unfortunately, LarryBoy forgot to stand back.
OUTSIDE…
"…and Commissioner Scooter is currently on his way to the hospital."
"Why didn't any superhero come to the rescue?" asked another reporter.
"The power was cut; they couldn't send any sort of distress signal because there was no power."
Ricochet just stood silently next to S-Cape, trying his best to look serious and ignore all the flashing camera lights taking photos of him and S-Cape. He had only answered one or two questions, but he had mostly remained quiet.
"Bumblyburg Prison has the most highly advanced power system. How exactly did they cut the power?" asked a female cucumber with blond hair.
Ricochet recognized her face, since he saw her most of the time on the news. It was Vicki Cucumber!
Sure enough, Ricochet saw her cameraman, Jerry Gourd, holding the big camera and recording them.
"A highly technical guy must've knew how to cut the power." S-Cape explained as best he could.
"Now that the bad guys are out, will there be enough superheroes and policemen to protect us?"
"If you saw earlier, we sent a team of superheroes out earlier to patrol around to make sure everyone is safe for now."
"And how do you explain all the casualties during the prison?" Vick Cucumber continued to question.
"Apparently they were armed better than the police." S-Cape simply said.
"Are you suggesting that if the police were armed better, then they could've stopped this prison break?" a different reporter asked.
"Possibly, but don't get me started on the debate between Councilman Peach and Mayor Blueberry." S-Cape snapped.
"Who are you voting for?" a reporter shouted somewhere in the back.
"I said don't get me started!" S-Cape called back.
"Ricochet, what are your thoughts on the debate?" another reporter asked. Ricochet's eyes went big.
"I'm too young to vote." Ricochet answered before he was immediately bombarded with questions. All the questions were being asked at once, and he wasn't able to understand or hear all of them.
"Ricochet, how are old are you?...Is the League turning children into superheroes?...Do you like being a superhero?...Do your parents know about this?...Are you saying that the League is putting children at risk by being superheroes?...Who do you want to be mayor?"
Ricochet turned to S-Cape for help, but the gourd was pretending to listen on the comlink.
Fearing that he had to answer all these questions and fend for himself, Ricochet gulped.
"Ricochet, I think you're needed inside," S-Cape declared, "why don't you go help out Thingamabob?"
It took a moment for Ricochet to realize that S-Cape was helping him out of the grasp of the media.
"Sure!" Ricochet said, and started to head back into the prison to go find Thingamabob.
"Y'all should really lay off the kid," Ricochet heard S-Cape tell the covering media, "how do you think it makes you look if you ask a bunch of questions to a kid who doesn't know you?"
The reporters and covering media fell silent for a few seconds.
"Who's faster, you or Ricochet?" a reporter finally asked.
Ricochet stopped to hear the answer.
"At the moment, it's undecided." S-Cape declared. Smiling at his friend's compassion, Ricochet hurried inside the prison.
"Will the power be back on?" a reporter asked. Before S-Cape could answer, the entire Prison lit up.
"Does that answer your question?" S-Cape asked.
(…,,,…,,,)
Electro Melon inhaled and exhaled to calm himself down. The bolts of electricity withdrew from the powered generators and returned back in him. Slowly, his electrical glow started to fade, but kept enough anger to be his superhero self. The generators hummed and buzzed with power as they started to function once again.
"Ouch…" Electro Melon heard LarryBoy whimper. Glancing over to LarryBoy, he saw the singed cucumber twitching from being shocked.
Electro Melon realized what he accidently did.
"Sorry." Electro Melon apologized with a nervous look.
"No…problem." LarryBoy stated as he trembled from getting shocked.
(…,,,…,,,)
Phosphate Knight watched silently as the remaining police casualities were carried out on gurneys. Supper Hero, Lemon Twist, and the Dark Crow were busy helping out inside. He had already swept through the place and found no sign of temptation webbing. Despite the criminals breaking free, the Bad Apple wasn't one of them.
The sound of rambling caught his attention, and Phosphate Knight glanced over to where it came from. He found eight police officers being carried out. Unlike the other officers, these victims, except for one the one covered in paint, they had bruises and scars. One of them was babbling words and was in shock, the other were out cold. Phosphate Knight approached the babbling officer on the gurney.
"What happen?" Phosphate Knight asked. His crisp cold voice was able to get the officer talking.
"W-we held out…" the officer started to collectively ramble, "we were s-safe…h-he dr-ropped from above."
"Who?"
"The m-masked creature took us out in seconds…we shot at him…I SHOT at HIM!...h-he was too f-fast…he took us out in seconds…I was the only one left…I shot at him…I SHOT at HIM!...I HIT him…h-he took us out in seconds."
"What was he?" was the last thing Phosphate Knight asked. The officer stared at him with haunted eyes and a gawking mouth.
"Fish." policeman wheezed before he started to babble and ramble on again. Phosphate Knight nodded at the paramedics, who swiftly loaded the poor officer onto the ambulance. Within a few seconds, the ambulance was speeding off to the hospital, leaving Phosphate Knight to process the information that the officer gave him.
ELSEWHERE DEEP IN THE SEWERS…
Throughout all the oversized sewers, the escaped criminals were lounging around while the mercenaries were busy getting ready. The sewers of Bumblyburg was an ideal subterranean base to hold a personal army, but the horrible stench of sewage, the lack of necessary elbow room, and additional number of criminals made it rather unpleasant to dwell in such conditions. Deep at the heart of the labyrinth of tunnels, an assembled group of super villains were discussing with the mercenaries' boss: Fish Taco. Despite all their threats and concerns, the boss was calmly answering them, and even though none of them said it, it was his calmness that made them weary.
All of them stood around a table, a map of Bumblyburg laid out before them. Fish Taco stood at one end of the table with his arms crossed, while the assembled super villains were standing around the table. Behind him, his second-in-command Hector Scallion stood and waited in silence.
"We can head up there right now and take over," Awful Alvin stated, "there are hardly any policemen to stop us."
"As much as I loathe zhe babbling onion, I agree." Greta Von Gruesome added, "now iz da time to strike!" She slammed her metal gauntlets down on the map of Bumblyburg for emphasis, and her 'arms' buzzed with energy. Seeing that their words were getting nowhere, the Emperor tried to reason with Fish Taco.
"Fish Taco, I don't know what you are planning, but they do have a point," Emperor pointed out, "why not waste a good opportunity to-"
Fish Taco turned his wrathful gaze at the Cherry Tomato, who stopped in midsentence out of fear. Saying nothing, Fish Taco turned his attention back to the map.
"Even Lampy agrees!" Alvin added, and pulled his 'sidekick' closer to him.
"Mention that sidekick of yours one more time and I will personally snap him into six pieces and shatter the light bulb." Fish Taco warned, not even looking up at Awful Alvin or Lampy. His rebreather made his voice sound even more menacing. With a horrified expression, the villainous onion quickly pushed Lampy aside.
"If we are bringing up questions, I would like to know why you are using paintballs instead of lasers." L-Ray demanded. Fish Taco slowly fixed his stare upon the gunslinger jalapeño, who anxiously awaited his answer.
"Draw." Fish Taco ordered and carelessly reached for something under the table. In an instant, L-Ray aimed his infamous laser pistol at Fish Taco, and the tip of the pistol charged with red energy. Before he could fire, however, Fish Taco had casually pulled out a paintball pistol and fired. The paintball hit the jalapeño in the face, knocking him both back and out.
"Much faster." Fish Taco decreed and tossed the pistol aside. All the other criminals shifted uncomfortably at Fish Taco's sudden actions.
"Aside from zhe points already made, vhat are ve vaiting for?" asked Dr. Flurry.
"Yeah, what gives...Taco Fish?" Glitch demanded. Fish Taco shot a deadly glare at the holographic grape.
"Taco Fish is an entirely different fish." Fish Taco growled and pointed a fin at the hologram of the grape.
The other villains were afraid that the fish was going to lash out at any second and smash the robotic crab that contained Glitch, not that any of them would mind. Glitch just rolled his eyes as his robotic crab projector curled up.
"To answer your question, doctor," Fish Taco resumed, regaining his composure, "all of you are forgetting that there are superheroes up above."
All the assembled villains laughed at Fish Taco's remark, except for Dr. Flurry who still held the League of Incredible Vegetables to a degree of respect.
Fish Taco patiently waited for all of them to come to their senses.
"That's what you're afraid of?" laughed Emperor.
"In case you have forgotten," Fish Taco spoke up above the laughter, "all of you were imprisoned by a superhero."
"There was only by ourselves, and now we are many!" Greta Von Gruesome exclaimed.
"And there are many other superheroes in Bumblyburg." Fish Taco countered. This remark managed to cease all the laughter.
"But I am sure most of you know the legendary superhero, LarryBoy, am I correct?" Fish Taco asked. He was answered with silence. Seeing that he wasn't going to be interrupted again he continued, "All of you have underestimated him, and that's what caused your downfall. He was the first superhero that inspired others to take up the mantle of superheroes."
"What are you getting at?" asked Magneta as she checked herself in her pocket mirror.
"We need to eradicate the inspiration." Fish Taco answered. All the villains exchanged confused expressions.
"Eradicate the...inspiration?" Emperor repeated.
"Cut the head of the serpent." Fish Taco rephrased flatly.
"I'm pretty sure nobody understands what you are saying." Alvin stated.
"Take out the leader." Hector Scallion finally spoke up, who was standing near the door and watching the whole meeting. Even though the assembled villains understood the scallion's words, the assembled villains didn't quite get the idea.
"But superheroes have no leader…" Glitch brought up. In minor frustration, Fish Taco raised his fin curled into a fist and brought it down on the map, the table almost breaking from the impact.
"We need to take out LarryBoy." Fish Taco growled.
"Ohhh." all the villains realized. Fish Taco groaned and rubbed the front of his rebreather.
"And we can't do that if we can't find him." Fish Taco explained and folded his fins once again.
"I think I can help you there." a smooth female voice stated from across the table. Everyone looked up at the figure who stood in the doorway of the damp room. There, they saw the tempting eyes of a well-known super villain. She walked in with her green trench coat and spider legs which quietly made a tapping noise on every tread. Hector didn't bother on taking aim and stopping her On top of her head, they could see her sidekick coiled up around her stem.
Everyone heard a saxophone play a trilling note as she came over, but no one knew where it came from, or cared. Everyone knew who she was though: the mistress of temptation, the web spinner of wants, The Bad Apple.
"This is just like the last time I was in Bumblyburg…" Bad Apple remarked as she stood at the other end of the table opposite to Fish Taco. Glancing around, she saw the too familiar faces of her previous 'allies' and the eyes of her rival.
"Hello Magenta, you look well." Bad Apple greeted sarcastically.
"You as well." Magenta scoffed and did her best to ignore the apple.
"Ah, the Bad Apple herself." Fish Taco stated the obvious as he unfolded his fins.
"And Curly!" the worm stated as he uncoiled around Bad Apple's stem. Bad Apple shot him a glare, and he quickly coiled back up, adjusting his fedora along the way.
"Yes…of course." Fish Taco mumbled aloud.
"I heard there was a prison break, right?" Bad Apple asked, pretending not to know of what happen the previous night.
"What do you want?" Fish Taco cut to the chase. Bad Apple had a devilish smile on her face.
"Only what you want dear." Bad Apple answered innocently.
"My intentions are very different than yours, I assure." Fish Taco declared grimly.
"Really now? Gathering a bunch of villains? Plotting? Sounds awfully like something I did when I tried to take over Bumblyburg a second time." Bad Apple explained, a hint of anger in her voice.
"And ultimately failed." interrupted Glitch. Bad Apple twitched an eye and did her best to ignore the holographic grape.
"What are you really planning?" Bad Apple questioned suspiciously.
"Something that will benefit us all," Fish Taco answered, "but first, we must get rid of LarryBoy."
"If it helps, I know where he lives." Bad Apple enlightened. Everyone turned and glared at Bad Apple. Fish Taco's eyes widened, but then returned to normal.
"Perhaps you could tell us?" Fish Taco inquired.
"Mmm…I promised not to tell," Bad Apple sighed, but her expression was replaced with an evil one, "but I said nothing about showing."
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note: Phosphate Knight is my own OC, I have his character bio on my profile page if you are remotely interested. Magneta and Glitch are OCs...and there will be plenty of other minor OC villains in the future chapters. Usually, I would just stick to the canon characters, but I don't think that would be enough villainy.