Chapter 1
Making Up
PB&J Otter, Flick Duck, and the rest of the Lake Hoohaw residents had been taking refuge with Don Karnage and his best friend, Megavolt, for 24 days after being evacuated from Captain Hook's biggest attack, yet. But at this point, they were greatly enjoying all their new toys. Case in point, Pinch was having an ultimate tea party with her many new Barbies. The best part, though, was that Don Karnage was on the phone, with Wildwing, planning for an upcoming tree planting contest, the 40-hour Oregon State 7000. "Well, Wildwing type person. Do you and Nosedive have any good tree planting equipment on hand?"
"The good news is, like I said, we have three of those machines," Wildwing answered. "The bad news is Captain Hook has hired a private detective to track you down, so you may have to change direction abruptly. And needless to say, we won't be able to protect you and plant the seeds at the same time. We wish we could, though, because the Snooties were totally generous to give their $3,000 shopping sprees to us. And we're saving those gift cards for a cruise."
"You may have noticed," Karnage continued. "I, too, have something useful at my disposal. As I said before, it's a tandem rotor helicopter. And I can use it to deliver food, fuel, seeds, and cold beverages."
"I have some more good news," added Wildwing. "In the Oregon State 6000, we were only allowed five personnel on our team, but this time, we can have up to 15."
"Good to know, Wildwing," smiled Karnage. "Good to know. I'll round up another copilot and seven more equipment operators. Then, I'll get back to you with everything in order."
"Okay," replied Wildwing. "I'll be seeing you around." And with that, he hung right up.
"This is it, everyone," Don Karnage declared. "Time to team up for the Oregon State 7000 Tree Planting Contest. If we win, you all get a three week Pacific cruise plus $200 to spend as you want on board and on excursions. How many of you have wanted to operate heavy machinery?"
Earnest Otter, Shirley Duck, Betty Lou Beaver, Bootsie Snootie, and Munchy Beaver all raised their hands nervously. Megavolt raised his hand, looking more confident.
Don Karnage moved forward. "Shirley, Earnest, Munchy, good. Now, which of you would like to be my copilot this time?"
Ootsie and Bootsie both raised their hands.
Karnage still had hesitations. "Ootsie, Bootsie, I think you've both done your fair share for a while. Peanut, so have you. Megavolt, I helped you get your pilot's license, so you could fly the Sea Duck in Baloo's place. Maybe, with practice, you can be my copilot."
"Sure, I can," answered Megavolt with a smile. "When do we get started?"
"We get started tomorrow morning," answered Karnage "when the rest of the team has gotten set up with their training. Like I said on the phone, the rest of the equipment operating is for seven of you. Those of you in those remaining positions will be as follows: Munchy, Earnest, Flick, Betty Lou, Walter, Shirley, and finally, Pinch. Wanda, you and Opal will be keeping an eye on the rest of the youngsters."
"But first, Opal," declared Megavolt, "you and Wanda will be responsible for setting up our campsite, which we've already fenced off for safety. Scootch, if Captain Hook or someone under his orders comes after us, you'll be responsible for tackling them to the ground."
Everyone laughed. And Don Karnage carried on. "Now, since Megavolt still needs flying practice for the Oregon State 7000, who wants to come along for base jumping?"
Chapter 2
Flying Lessons
"Do you have any wing suits on hand?" asked Earnest.
"As a matter of fact," answered Megavolt. "We just happen to have some in the chopper." And right there, he and Don Karnage faced a show of hands from Flick, Peanut, Earnest, Mayor Jeff, and all four of the Snooties.
"That's the spirit," Karnage encouraged. "I just refueled the chopper last night, so let's get right to it."
Karnage got right in the pilot seat of the chopper. Megavolt got in the copilot seat. Right into the back came Earnest, Flick, Peanut, The Snooties, and finally, the mayor. On the collective yanked Karnage. Off flew the chopper. And amazed was the mayor. "Wow-wee. Wow-wee. This really is a flying big rig.
"That's right, Mayor Jeff," replied Don Karnage. "And it's totally useful on various adventures. Megavolt, go ahead and give it a whirl."
Megavolt pulled the stick to the right, and everyone in the back tumbled to the right hand side. "Goodness me! I know I'm normally seen as a villain, but I didn't mean to slam you to the wall."
"Gently does it, my friend," instructed Karnage. "Now, ease the stick forward."
Megavolt gave the stick an easy nudge, and forward flew the chopper. "I think I'm liking this more and more."
"That's just what I like to hear," Don Karnage encouraged. "Now, use the foot pedals to steer toward the river."
Megavolt pushed the left pedal forward, and the chopper rotated to the right. He also proceeded to push the stick forward and made the chopper fly steadily out over the water. "I can see just how this chopper has done us so much good!"
"Now for the next part," Karnage instructed further. "To gain altitude, simply pull up on the collective."
Megavolt gave the collective a fair tug, and 150 feet higher went the chopper. "I think I'm really getting the hang of this, my friend. Who's ready to go base jumping?"
"Me! Me! Me! Me!" exclaimed all four of the kids together.
"Ladies first," Don Karnage declared. "Bootsie, go ahead and grab whichever wing suit fits you."
Bootsie did so and found a snug fitting suit promptly. Once she had it on, she asked other Hoohaw residents their opinions. "Hey everyone, how do I look."
Flick broke out in laughs. "You look like Batman's girlfriend."
The laughing continued from everyone else, and Karnage carried out a further instruction. "Remember Bootsie, the cord on your right hand side is to open your parachute, just like you're doing skydiving. Got it?"
"Yes your bravery," smiled Bootsie and as Karnage hit the button, opening the back door, Bootsie made a dive for it. Once in mid-air, she was totally having the time of her life. A better time than she had ever had on Lake Hoohaw. A better time than she had ever had, taking part in Mayor Jeff's many public events, including winning. It was an even better time than she and Ootsie had ever had playing with the very latest toys. It was too good of a time, even to last, because she had forgotten what Don Karnage had told her about how to slow down. So she was having a panic attack. She steered toward the middle of the river to break the fall in her nose and emotionally braced herself for impact with the water. But rather than come to a stop, she skimmed the water's surface and flew further. About 55 feet after the first skim came the second, and she came to a stop on the top deck of a yacht, where four intimidating men were partying hard. Those men just happened to be Trevor Phillips, Ace Deucey, Dr. Reginald Bushroot, and Col. Ivanod Spigot.
Ace Deucey ran over to Bootsie and looked her over. "Oh, look, everyone! It's Batman's little girl!"
"So it is," replied Trevor having a closer look. "Let's get some photos with her." So all four men took turns posing with Bootsie and snapping the photos. All four of them had been photographed with her before she could undo her zippers and take off her wing suit.
Bushroot had the next bright idea. "Okay everyone, I declare tickle time!" So Ace held Bootsie to the deck while Trevor, Bushroot, and Col. Spigot all took turns tickling her. While one man did the tickling another was filming it on his smartphone.
Chapter 3
Base Jumping Blemish
While Bootsie was being tormented just for the fun of it, Don Karnage was delivering further instructions. "Megavolt, go ahead and fly to the middle of the river 120 feet higher. Georgina, you're going next."
Georgina reluctantly put on the first adult size wing suit and quivered as Karnage opened the back door a second time. "I just hope Bootsie didn't hurt herself down there."
"She'll be alright," Karnage assured her. "She just used the water to break her fall."
Georgina was still in panic. "I've just got to get down there safely to make sure she's alright. I just have to!" And she ran right out the back of the chopper into the deep, blue abyss. Mid flight, she spotted Bootsie on the yacht and bent her waist backward for greater distance. She judged her moment and opened her parachute only to hit her nose on the yacht's canopy and fall backwards to the deck. She quickly undid her zippers, got to her feet, and ran over to her daughter. "Bootsie! Bootsie, are you okay?"
No sooner had Georgina seen that Bootsie was still alive and well that Col. Spigot used silly string on her. And before the mother or daughter could fight back, Trevor snapped a photo of the string covered Georgina. "So, are the two of you ready to go viral?"
"Don't you dare do that!" Georgina insisted. "Don't you dare!"
Meanwhile, Don Karnage carried out more instructions. "Megavolt, turn the chopper around and head for the large yacht up ahead. Flick, the third jump is yours."
"Thank you, Mr. Karnage," smiled Flick. "but I don't need a suit for it."
"Oh, that's right!" remembered Megavolt. "You have capable wings, just like Spyro. Maybe not strong enough to lift heavy logs, though. Kids, which of you would like an airlift from Flick?"
"Peanut has been the funnest summertime sled," said Ootsie. "so let's let him have the epic ride."
"Excellent idea, Ootsie," agreed Flick. "Peanut, grab my ankles and hold on tight."
Peanut did so. And as soon as Flick spread his wings, both of the boys blew right out the door. At first, Peanut was nervous, but moments later, he was thrilled. "Goodness me. I can see the lodge from here."
"So can I," agreed Flick. "And all those boats and houses down there look like a big diorama."
"Let's see if we can find Bootsie down there," added Peanut.
Back in the chopper, Don Karnage had his attention on someone else. "Earnest, it's now your turn to jump."
Earnest suited up, and right away, he was just a little anxious. "I just hope I don't smash against a boulder down there." Reluctantly, he spread his wings and made the jump. In one sense, he was still nervous, because he had no flying experience and had never held a pilot's license. In another sense, he was really enjoying the adrenaline. Part way down, he opened his parachute, but he didn't know how to steer it and hit his knee on a canoe with Rodrick Heffley and Heather Hills on board. The canoe capsized, but Rodrick and Heather both had waterproof cases on their smartphones. And Heather posed with the helpless Earnest while Rodrick snapped a hysterical photo. He posted it right to Facebook with the photos that the yacht going villains had snapped and it went viral in a hurry. Needless to say, the whole nation was laughing hard.
Chapter 4
Hide and Seek Act I
The rest of the Hoohaw residents on board went on to make their jumps, and Don Karnage carried out one more instruction of the day, "Megavolt, time for your break." And he took the controls of the chopper to lower the cable and pull everyone up again.
Once everyone was safe and sound, back on board. Earnest was nervous again. "Megavolt, Mr. Karnage, I hope you're not plotting more dangerous activity for us or the kids."
"We're not plotting more danger for you," Karnage assured him and his friends.
"We're plotting our plans for seed spreading," added Megavolt. "It's only fair that we plant new trees before there's a lumber shortage, isn't it?"
"You bet it's only fair," admitted Mayor Jeff. "and we sure are doing the right thing by taking part."
Meanwhile, back on the yacht, Colonel Spigot was reporting back to Captain Hook as ordered to. "Good news, Mr. Hook. I just found out. The cute, little animals you wanted to trophy hunt have been spotted right outside of Corvallis, Oregon. I was on board Trevor Phillips' yacht when I spotted them base jumping from a large helicopter, and one of them landed right on the yacht, itself." And right along with that text, he sent a distant photo of the chopper.
And just a minute later, Captain Hook texted back. "So far, so good. It looks like you're just one step away from your $1,600 paycheck."
Don Karnage landed his chopper back at the lodge, and made another big announcement. "Okay Earnest, it's your turn to make lunch today. After lunch, we'll be having some good, safe fun. We'll be playing another game of Hide and Seek."
"Only this time," added Megavolt "the winner gets to choose a favorite and least favorite among all of us. They and their favorite will both be rewarded, and their least favorite will be punished."
After a totally refreshing lunch, Georgina declared game time. "Okay everyone, I think we're all ready for our high stakes game. I shall now close my eyes and count to precisely 75. Here we go. 1…2…3…"
Megavolt followed Don Karnage to whisper something in his ear. "Quick, let's take off in the chopper."
"Excellent idea, my friend," Karnage said out loud and wasted no time, running to the chopper. Karnage took the controls promptly, fired the chopper up, and yanked on the collective to take off quickly.
Munchy spotted the chopper taking off with the winch still hanging loose, and without so much as a moment's assessment, he grabbed it and hung on tight. But before he knew it, he found himself at a 120 foot altitude, headed mile after mile into Downtown Corvallis. His next course of action was to pray out loud. "Please don't let me fall! Please don't let me fall! Please don't let me fall!"
Up in the chopper, Don Karnage was totally unaware of the stowaway and had the next bright idea. "Well Megavolt, let's hide all the way across town."
"Excellent strategy, my friend," Megavolt agreed.
While Karnage flew on, Peanut hid in a distant tree. Ootsie took cover in a neighboring garage. Bootsie hid in the basement closet. Flick opted to hide under the helipad. Pinch hid on the roof. Earnest hid in camouflage in the creek. Scootch slipped into one of the kitchen cabinets. Jelly took cover under a pile of leaves. Shirley hid in the utility closet. Opal hid under a tarp out back. And Butter hid right across the street.
Meanwhile, Don Karnage and Megavolt were landing all the way across town. And before they touched down in the grass, Munchy tumbled from the winch and hid in a nearby garage. And Megavolt was confiding further in Karnage. "We make an excellent team. Don't we?"
"Without a doubt, my friend," replied Don Karnage with a smile. "Without a doubt."
"This is still an individual game, though," admitted Megavolt. "So let's hide separately now."
Right around that very moment, Georgina was just finishing counting. "73…74…75! Ready or not, here I come!"
Chapter 5
Hide and Seek Act II
Georgina took a good look around, and the only four people not hiding were Watler and Wanda Raccoon, Betty Lou Beaver, and her own husband, Edouard. She saw that the two of them had totally opted out, so she proceeded to look outside. She checked the recycle bin, and no one was in there. She checked the backyard and saw something suspiciously other than water, in motion, in the creek. She tapped on the suspicious thing to see who or what it was, but no response. She tried the tickle test and was splashed with water by none other than Earnest Otter. "So I didn't fool you."
"I had a creepy feeling about it, actually," replied Georgina. "Now, let's see who else we can find."
"Right, you are," said Earnest and immediately started combing through the property's exterior. Earnest checked Megavolt's Tesla to see if someone was hiding there as Peanut had done before, but there was no sign of anyone there. Georgina checked across the street, and that was just where she found Butter.
"Georgina! Georgina!" cheered Butter.
"That's right, Butter," said Georgina. "and you sound like you were getting anxious out here."
Earnest was flipping more stones, and when he lifted a tarp, that was where he found his wife. "Opal, are you okay?"
"I sure am," answered Opal. "I just hope the winner doesn't choose me for the big punishment."
Georgina carried baby Butter across the street, returning her to her parents, and from there, she carried on, seeking out everyone else. She sent inside and checked the bathroom, but there was no one to be found in there. She checked the entire downstairs ceiling, but she didn't see anyone there either.
Earnest looked in the kitchen cabinets and that was where he found Scootch, who ran right out, knocking him down. "Yah! Yah! Yah!" And he didn't stop there. He ran right outside, and jumped right into the pile of leaves.
"Ouch!" cried Jelly as Scootch landed right on top of her.
"Sorry. Sorry. My fault," replied Scootch in sorrow.
"Wait a minute," said Jelly. "If you can sniff me out this quickly, maybe you can sniff out everyone else."
"Let's do it, Jelly!" exclaimed Scootch with a smile and gave it a good, hard sniff. What he smelled made him go bonkers. "Yah! Yah! Yah!"
He headed straight to the basement and flushed out Bootsie, who was shocked quite quickly. "Scootch, who found you?"
"Earnest did," Scootch answered.
"Have you found my twin brother, yet?" Bootsie inquired.
"Not yet, Bootsie," answered Scootch. "My fault."
"There's no need to blame yourself," Bootsie encouraged. "We just have to look further."
Scootch took a good sniff around and was hit with even more familiar odors. "Yah! Yah! Yah!" And he opened the utility closet to find Shirley Duck.
Shirley was impressed. "Scootch, you sure are good at following your nose. Have you found Flick, yet?"
"We haven't, yet," answered Scootch.
"Ant my twin brother's still out there, too," added Bootsie.
"I have to say," added Shirley. "You seem so good at finding people in games of Hide and Seek. Why don't you help us pinpoint the rest?"
"Sure! Sure! Sure!" cried Scootch and promptly took action, flushing everyone else out.
25 minutes later, the rest of the Hide and Seek contestants were gathered in the living room, or were they? "I have a creepy feeling we're still missing someone," said Shirley.
"It's just Don Karnage and Megavolt," comforted Mayor Jeff. "They're the ones who have welcomed us in Lake Hoohaw's darkest time, so they'll come out soon."
"But I still have the creepiest feeling that there'sb one more Hoohaw resident we still haven't found, yet," said Peanut nervously.
Just then, the big matter dawned on everyone simultaneously. "Oh, no! Munchy!"
Chapter 6
Hide and Seek Act III
Munchy was hiding on the other side of town, near the chopper, in a garage. Little did he know, that garage belonged to Ace Deucey, who was pleasantly surprised. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Munchy. Captain Hook has been looking for you for almost a month, and he has a special surprise for you and all your friends.
Munchy knew just what Ace was up to. "Not a chance, Mr. Deucey! My mom told me never to accept an offer from a stranger."
Ace was still adamant of catching Munchy. "If you don't come in, I'm coming out to get you." And he made his move with a taser.
Not only did Ace Deucey miss the mark, but Munchy grabbed the handle of a shovel and rapidly carved it into a razor sharp shank to chase Deucey inside with. As soon as Deucey was back inside with the door locked, Munchy took cover back in the chopper.
Meanwhile, Don Karnage was hiding in an unsecured log cabin, where he had his smartphone out, checking the lodge's security footage to see if everyone else had been found yet. He, of course, remembered that he and Megavolt were not yet found, but he still saw that all from Lake Hoohaw were present and accounted for. All, that was, except for Munchy. He went through the footage again to find out that Munchy had hitched a ride on the chopper's winch. He was just about to look for Munchy when a kid, carrying a backpack, walked in and was hysterical about what he saw. "I know you! You're the famous Don Karnage!" That very kid turned out to be Rowley Jefferson.
Don Karnage was quite surprised. "So, you've been watching my show, haven't you?"
"I sure have," answered Rowley. "Speaking of your show, where's Baloo?"
"Baloo is now on Pirate Island, house sitting for me," Karnage answered. "Happily, he lost his job at Higher for Hire."
"That doesn't sound very happy," Rowley remarked.
Karnage decided to remind Rowley of Baloo's bothersome attribute. "Baloo deserved to get busted, because he just doesn't have the sense to wear pants like I do."
Rowley was now a little dismayed. "Someone's style of dress doesn't seem like a fair reason to pick on them."
"Baloo's style is just not modest," Don Karnage insisted. "but let's address you for a minute. How would you like a selfie and an autograph with me?"
"Sure, I would," said Rowley with a smile, so he pulled out his iPad and smiled side by side with Karnage for the selfie.
Afterwards, Karnage grabbed a marker and signed his name on a sticky note to give to Rowley. "There, you are. Enjoy." And he left without another word.
Karnage went straight back to the chopper where he ran into Munchy and Megavolt simultaneously, and Munchy misunderstood the matter. "Dang. You and Megavolt just found me."
"Munchy?" asked Don Karnage. "How in the world did you manage to follow me and Megavolt out here?"
"Yeah, Munchy," said Megavolt. "Who gave you such a speedy ride out here?"
"Actually, you did," answered Munchy. "I grabbed the winch, which you forgot to retract and held on tight all the way."
"You sure did it well," said Karnage. "but you could have been killed out here."
"And Mayor Jeff would have really turned against us," added Megavolt.
"I also checked the security footage back," added Karnage. "And Georgina has found everyone else by now."
"So we'd better get home before everyone starts worrying," added Megavolt.
"You're right," admitted Munchy. "Let's get going." So the three of them got right on board the chopper. Karnage fired it right up. And they all flew home to the lodge."
Chapter 7
Favorites and Least Favorites
As soon as Don Karnage and Megavolt got Munchy home, he was hugged to death by PB&J Otter, his own mother, and five other adults. But Mayor Jeff still had another question. "Megavolt, Munchy, Mr. Karnage, which of you was found first?"
Karnage was straight with the mayor. "The three of us all found each other simultaneously."
"And I figured Don Karnage had flown away in the chopper." Georgina told Munchy. "but I never would have guessed you or Megavolt would have gone with him."
"To tell you the truth," replied Munchy. "I stowed away with them at the last minute. I figured it would be my best bet."
"And I think it was good enough for a three way tie," remarked Mayor Jeff.
"That's settled then," declared Don Karnage. "Megavolt, who's your favorite, and who's your least favorite?"
"My favorite is Flick," answered Megavolt. "and my least favorite is Pinch. Munchy, what about you?"
"Oh, that's easy," Munchy answered with a smile. "My favorite is Don Karnage, and my least favorite is Bootsie. Mr. Karnage, what about you."
"I have to say," Don Karnage answered. "My favorite is Megavolt, and my least favorite is Earnest."
"So that means you and Megavolt each get two rewards," replied Flick.
"Indeed, it does," replied Megavolt. "Flick, Munchy, go have one on one meetings, in both of the upstairs bedrooms, with PB&J Otter, Opal Otter, Mayor Jeff, both of your mothers, the Raccoons except for Pinch, and finally, the Snooties, except for Bootsie, to determine the rewards for the chosen favorites and the punishments for the chosen least favorites. Off you go."
"You heard Megavolt's orders," said Flick. "Mayor Jeff, I need to see you in the adults' bedroom."
Upstairs went the mayor, and Munchy gave his orders next. "Peanut, I need to see you in the kids' bedroom."
Once Flick was alone with the mayor, he got right down to business. "Mayor Jeff, what would be a good reward for Munchy for doing so well in our ultimate Hide and Seek game?"
The mayor was confident in handling this well. "I think a fabulous reward for Munchy would be breakfast in bed."
On the other side of the wall, Munchy was handling the same task like a boss. "Peanut, what do you believe would be a fabulous reward for Flick as a friend favorite?"
Peanut was a little nervous. "I'd have to say. A villain party would be way cool."
Back in the adults' bedroom, Flick carried right on. "What sort of punishment would Pinch deserve if she set your yacht on fire?"
"It dreads me to think about that," Mayor Jeff answered feebly. "If she ever did, it would probably be punishable with 5,000 hours of community service."
"One more question," said Flick. "What sort of rewards do Don Karnage and Megavolt deserve for being so hospitable to us for a month, so far?"
The mayor gave it just a little thought and soon had an idea. "Since you and your friends have done so many Noodle Dances, maybe you can invent an innovative, new attachment for Karnage's chopper." And with that, the mayor went downstairs.
Meanwhile, in the kids' room, Munchy was hitting the fun part. "Peanut, one more question. What sort of punishment would Bootsie deserve if she dunked you in liquid ice?"
Peanut was still a little nervous. "If Bootsie was that big of a mean girl, she would deserve to be strapped down and tickled for two full hours."
Chapter 8
One on One Time
Peanut and Mayor Jeff went downstairs again, and Flick gave the next order. "Jelly, I need to see you in the adults' bedroom."
Upstairs went Jelly, and Munchy gave the next order. "Walter, I need to see you in the kids' bedroom."
Up to the kids' bedroom went Walter Raccoon, and Munchy got right down to business. "Tell me, Walter. What sort of reward would Megavolt deserve it he found a way for cars to run on salt water?"
Walter was still a little nervous. "I would have to say an exceptional reward would be a national monument in a top tourist destination."
"Now for my second question," Munchy continued. "What sort of punishment would Earnest deserve for ten consecutive noise violations?"
Walter got a little emotional. "Earnest is my friend, but if he woke my up ten days in a row, he would deserve to have to wait on me hand and foot for two weeks."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, Flick was having a nice chat with Jelly. "Tell me, Jelly. If Don Karnage raised $200,000 for autism research, what would be a hefty reward for him?"
Jelly was all smiles. "If Don Karnage raised that much money for autism research, he would deserve a huge award like a Nobel Prize."
"Now for my other question," declared Flick. "What sort of punishment would Bootsie deserve if she stole all your Christmas presents?"
"Considering she already gets plenty," answered Jelly. "She would deserve to be dunked in spiced water, ideally with many strong spices."
"Jelly," said Flick. "you can go on now." And as Jelly and Walter both walked out, Flick gave the next order. "Scootch, I need to see you upstairs, in the adults' bedroom."
Up the steps climbed Scootch, and from Munchy came the next order. "Ootsie, I need to see you up here, in the kids' bedroom."
While Ootsie was on his way up the stairs, Flick got right down to business with Scootch. "Well, Scootch. I'm glad we get some one on one time today. What reward would Megavolt deserve if he saved your life and totally survived the ordeal?"
"Taffy! Taffy!" exclaimed Scootch.
"Clearly we ought to include some babbleberry taffy," added Flick. "Now for my second question. What sort of punishment would Earnest deserve if he poisoned you with laundry detergent?"
"So, so gross!" answered Scootch in disgust.
"That gives me an idea!" exclaimed Flick. "If we don't know what else to do, we can pour the grossest water on him in his sleep."
Meanwhile, Munchy was well engaged in conversation with Ootsie. "Well, Ootsie. What would be an amazing reward for Flick if he developed the ultimate open world video game?"
"That would be an absolute blast," agreed Ootsie. "so a good reward for that would be a top performance speed boat and included water tube."
"And my other question," said Munchy. "What sort of punishment would Pinch deserve if she destroyed your mansion?"
"If Pinch destroyed our mansion," answered Ootsie, "She would have to be our slave until she raised the funds to rebuild it."
Two hours later, after dinner, Flick and Munchy returned to Don Karagne and Megavolt with a verdict. "Okay, Megavolt. Okay, Mr. Karnage," declared Flick. "Munchy and I have met with everyone individually and made our decisions."
"Alright, Flick," Megavolt said with a smile. "Let's hear them."
Chapter 9
Breakfast in Bed
Munchy laid it on the two of them. "Firstly, Earnest has to sit handcuffed, atop the dunk tank, filled with hot sauce, in our daily game of Cat and Mouse. Every time Jelly gets caught or fails to catch the mouse, he gets dunked."
"Secondly," continued Flick. "Pinch has to cook and serve our entire team gourmet meals and snacks in the Oregon State 7000, including daily breakfast in bed, so Wanda will have to operate the machinery instead of her."
"Thirdly," said Munchy. "Bootsie will have to stand guard with some lethal weapons in case Captain Hook or someone under Hook's orders pinpoints us out there and attacks us or attempts to kidnap us."
"Finally," Flick continued. "the second reward for the two of you is what Munchy and I will be saving for tomorrow."
"And what might that reward be?" inquired Don Karnage.
Flick turned cunning. "It's for me to know and the two of you to find out."
"I guess it's time to get ready for bed anyway," Megavolt admitted.
Don Karnage carried out the final order of the day. "Flick, the first shower is yours."
Only three short hours later, everyone was tucked in cozy and sound asleep. The following morning, just as Flick had declared, Don Karnage and Megavolt awoke to the most satisfying site to ever emerge from Lake Hoohaw. Pinch was serving them and everyone else a breakfast in bed of fruit salad and blueberry muffins. And in the adults' bedroom, Mayor Jeff made the first big remark. "This is a luxury that makes me feel twice as powerful as a mayor."
"And Pinch does this just as well as Rebecca Cunningham," added Megavolt.
Opal was bewildered. "How in the world did you get a businesswoman to serve you breakfast in bed?"
"It was The Contract of Total Pampering," explained Don Karnage. "Rebecca lost Wildcat, Kit, and Baloo to distant employers and couldn't pass the flying test like I did. So she was desperate for a new pilot. Megavolt was the best guy available. And not in the slightest did I want him mistreated."
"That kind of hiring shortage sounds like a huge nightmare," remarked Shirley Duck.
"And out in Cape Suzette," replied Megavolt. "it has been. It's all the more reason to take advantage."
Pinch went back downstairs and put together the muffins and fruit salads to serve to the rest of the kids. And when she got upstairs again, the smell of breakfast woke them all up steadily. All that was except for Peanut. Pinch first served Butter. Then, Jelly. Then, Bootsie. Then, Ootsie. Soon, she was down to Peanut. To wake him up, she tickled his feet, and from the land of dreams, he thought he was in Don Karnage's tickle machine for stealing and wrecking his chopper. "No! Please, no! It was a crop duster that ran into me in mid-air! Please, I promise I'll fix it!" Pinch tried waving the blueberry muffin in front of Peanut's nose, and his eyes opened slowly. "Pinch, what are you doing up so early?"
While Peanut took the first few bites, Pinch told the story. "Don Karnage, Munchy, and Megavolt all won our Hide and Seek game. And Megavolt declared me as his least favorite, so Flick decided my consequence would be to serve everyone daily breakfast in bed, especially during the Oregon State 7000. Not only that, but Munchy declared Bootsie his least favorite, and now, she's our bodyguard."
"And Megavolt made her the servant first for losing our Spirit Man game," remarked Peanut.
"Look at it this way," declared Flick. "Don Karnage and Megavolt have shown us the funnest challenges we ever could have sought after."
"Not to mention that $3,000 shopping spree in Portland," added Jelly. "And all my new RC boats have been a blast."
"Speaking of new items," added Flick. "Yo mama's so spoiled, she forced a biologist to make pies grow on trees."
Everyone broke into laughter and continued on their breakfast.
25 minutes later, pretty much everyone was up, and Flick addressed the masters of the house promptly. "Megavolt, Don Karnage, are you both ready for your second reward?"
"Sure, we are!" exclaimed Megavolt.
"Without a doubt," added Don Karnage.
"And it's well and ready," said Flick with a smile. "but you both have to wear these blindfolds while I drive you there."
Karnage and Megavolt both put the blindfolds on and grasped hands. Flick took them both by Megavolt's hand and guided them gently into the back seat of a vehicle. Once they were safely seated, he took the wheel and drove right off.
Chapter 10
A Special Surprise from Flick
Don Karnage had been blindfolded before, but this time, he was somewhat nervous. He took a sniff, and it smelled like Megavolt's Tesla. And even though Flick was driving safely, Karnage could literally smell his excitement. Megavolt had tremendously enjoyed the fruits of the labor, too, but this instance was just as nervous for him.
Flick drove the best friends to the mystery location and put the hazard lights on. "Don Karnage, Megavolt, this is it. Now, I want you to each step out of your side of the car, take four steps forward, and remove your blindfolds." And he rolled down his window.
Don Karnage and Megavolt opened the car's back doors, slowly stepped out, and took four steps forward, running their hands along the car to tell where they were going. Finally, they removed their blindfolds to lay eyes upon a freshly polished monument – eight-foot-tall statues of themselves, on a pedestal, together, holding hands, and polished plaques at the feet of both. "How in the world did you fashion this good of a monument?" remarked Megavolt.
"I coordinated it with Munchy," answered Flick. "He not only enjoys feasting on wood, but he can carve all sorts of amazing things out of it. I'll go park your car while you have a good look." And Flick parked in the nearest space he legally could.
"I quite agree," said Don Karnage with a smile. "Flick and Munchy did an excellent job carving these statues from stone."
"Let's have a closer look at these inscriptions," Megavolt encouraged. "Yours says, 'Don Karnage, hilarious kidnapper, hysterical prankster, wonderful aerobatic pilot, exceptional flight instructor, flying since age 13, and wears pants amid 7 enemies who don't.'"
"Let's have a look at yours," Karnage told Megavolt. "Yours says, 'Megavolt, cute supervillain, electrical engineering genius, experimenting since age 11, and wears pants amid 5 enemies who don't.'"
"Megavolt," said Flick from a short distance. "here are your keys." and right after Flick tossed them, Megavolt made the catch.
Don Karnage made the next big remark. "I have to say, this is better than even the biggest heist I carried out before I swapped looting for aerobatic flying."
"I just have to agree," added Megavolt. "This is better than a Nobel Prize in Science."
"Well, guys," said Karnage. "I think we ought to get back down to business now."
"You're right," Megavolt admitted. "and I can drive us all home."
Don Karnage went ahead and got in the back. "Flick, you get shotgun."
Flick got right into the passenger seat. Megavolt took the wheel. And home to the lodge they all went. But before Megavolt parked, he spotted Earnest handcuffed, atop a dunk tank, with the powerful odor of hot sauce, just as Munchy had declared. Also, as Munchy had declared, Jelly and Bootsie were playing chase out front. And as soon as Bootsie caught Jelly, Earnest was dunked nose deep in hot sauce. Don Karnage, Megavolt, and Flick all got out of the car to reset Earnest on the small seat and saw that he was going bonkers, because his nose was burning. Flick stuck his wings in the dunk tank and undid the handcuffs. But Megavolt knew he couldn't, because that way, Flick and Earnest would both get a terrible electric shock. Moments later, Earnest was astride the seat in handcuffs again. That was when Munchy declared the next round. "Jelly, you have precisely two minutes to catch Flick before your dad gets dunked again. On your mark… Get set… Go!"
Chapter 11
Jelly, you Can't Catch me
Flick sprang right into an early lead, and Jelly gave it all she had to catch up. But it was no use. She ran as if she was running for cover from an enormous tsunami wave, but Flick was capable of something she was powerless to do. He used his wings to actually take flight and made a sharper turn, in mid air, than Jelly could come to grips with. She looked high in the sky, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Flick, you big cheater! It's time I was given a fair advantage for once!"
"The rules don't say anything about flying," Munchy reminded Jelly.
"Right, Munchy," added Don Karnage. "Earnest was the one I chose as my least favorite, and you remember what Megavolt declared about the winner's favorite and least favorite."
Jelly hurriedly climbed to the lodge's roof to see if she could spot Flick, or for that matter, make her way to a tree where he was hiding. But the next obstacle was the sun glare. Flick landed on the edge of the roof to taunt her. "Jelly! You still can't catch me."
Jelly made a run to tag Flick, but he flew away too fast. "Flick! I'll get you for all this!"
Moments later, Flick landed on the lower part of the roof's slant and continued the mockery. "Jelly Jelly has no belly; has a tail totally smelly."
Jelly made a dash for it, but Flick flew away too quickly again. Jelly tried to stop, but she took a tumble and found herself dangling from the gutter.
Don Karnage almost had a panic attack but quickly knew what he had to do. He fired up the chopper, took right to the air, dropped the winch, and using his intercom, made his way directly above Jelly. "Attention Jelly! Attention Jelly! Grab the winch before the gutter comes loose!"
Jelly got the winch in her hands and held on as tight as she possible could, but once she and Karnage were on the way down, the dunk tank went off. And her dad was dunked again, nose deep in hot sauce. Everyone laughed hard, and that caused Jelly to lose some of her grip. The adrenaline kicked right in, however. And she held on tight for dear life until Karnage set her down gently in the front yard and landed right back on the helipad. Moments after the chopper landed Flick, and he was still laughing. "Ha, ha. I kicked your big, silly butt yet again."
Meanwhile, Col. Spigot was still on board the yacht, scheming with Ace Deucey and Bushroot. "I still can't pinpoint a single Lake Hoohaw resident, and Captain Hook won't pay me a penny until five of those Hoohaw heads are mounted on the walls of his ship."
Bushroot was still encouraging. "I just got word from some of my tree friends a couple hours ago. They say that eight Hoohaw residents will be competing in the Oregon State 7000, and they'll be a lot more focused on planting trees than defending each other."
"And what do you believe would be the best weapons against them?" asked Ace.
"Since they're planting many trees," answered Bushroot, "I can make them grow much faster and use them as weapons."
"And another brilliant idea," added Spigot. "Our heavy artillery looks awesome to many youngsters, so we can use some of them to operate it."
While the scheming continued between Ace Deucey, Colonel Spigot, and Bushroot, Bootsie was undergoing weapons training under Megavolt's instructions. "For your first lesson, your objective is to hit that target in the distance. Cock the rifle and do it."
Bootsie cocked the rifle, took aim, and pulled the trigger. But she still had the shakes from being nervous and shot a hole in the neighbors' garden hose, getting Heather Hills drenched. "Goodness gracious!" exclaimed Bootsie. "I am so sorry."
"You will be!" shouted Heather. "Because you are in huge trouble!"
Chapter 12
Weapons Training
Heather grabbed her hose and came after Bootsie at what looked like 35 miles an hour, but Megavolt shocked her in the ankle with his electrical superpower. Heather squirted Megavolt with the hose, making him short circuit. Bootsie fired distress shots high in the air to signal for help, but that made Heather even angrier. To put her at a crossroad, Bootsie threw the gun in one direction and ran in the other, but she quickly got nervous about having done it. To answer the distress signal, Don Karnage fired up the chopper once again, attached the claw, took to the air, and gave the warning over the intercom. "Whoever you are down there, surrender the chase with Bootsie, or face the consequences." But Heather still continued the chase as if she didn't even hear Don Karnage, so Karnage swooped down, grabbed Heather by the arm, and airlifted her directly to the North Pacific Ocean.
While Don Karnage was on his way out to sea, Megavolt continued the weapons training with Bootsie. "Here, Bootsie," said Megavolt. "I found the rifle only half a block away. Let's carry on."
Bootsie was still nervous. "I just hope I don't hit an innocent person out here."
"Don't forget," encouraged Megavolt. "it takes some time to get on target. But here. Put on this bullet proof vest and grip the gun tight, so you can hit the target this time."
Bootsie strapped the vest on tightly and took aim from an angle, clutching the gun as tightly as she could. She pulled the trigger, and this time, she hit the mark. "Bullseye!"
"That was a much better start," Megavolt encouraged. "Now for the next stage – targets in motion. You'll be shooting holes, in boat hulls, on the Willamette River, and you'll also be doing it from the passenger seat of my Tesla with your window down." and he went ahead and unlocked it. "Now, go ahead and get in."
"Yes, your electrotude," shrugged Bootsie and got right into the front seat of Megavolt's Tesla.
Megavolt installed his fake license plate, took the wheel, fired the car up, and took off at 100 miles an hour. Within a minute, he transitioned from the road to a trail, lowered Bootsie's window, and gave it full steam ahead. "This is it, Bootsie. For this exercise, your objective is to sink ten vessels with bullets. Now, get on it."
Bootsie cocked the gun, gripped it with all her might, took strategic aim at the hull of a tug boat, and pulled the trigger. BANG! It was a direct hit, and the boat sank.
"So far, good job," Megavolt encouraged. "Now keep it up." And he continued driving totally wild.
Bootsie sent the next round straight into a raft that two guys were using for fishing, and bubbles came out of the hole rapidly. "Yes! My second bullseye!" The third vessel she hit was an even smaller target – a jet ski.
A few miles westward, Heather Hills was still dangling from Don Karnage's chopper, and she was screaming for help. "Someone! Anyone! I badly need your help out here!"
Karnage used the intercom once again. "Heather, I have to remind you. You tried to harm a ten-year-old girl out here, and a boy or girl as young as ten can't fight back like you can. Now, take it easy while I airlift you to your well deserved fate." And with that, Don Karnage gained 300 more feet of altitude and continued. But Heather had a panic attack, thinking Karnage was going to drop her to her very death. She tried to wiggle her arm loose, so she could climb up the winch and hijack the chopper. But the grip was just too strong. It kept her safe for the time being, but she was badly anxious about where she might end up.
Chapter 13
A Pacific Plunge
After about another hour, Heather smelled the strong odor of salt water and looked down to see the world's biggest body of water – the Pacific Ocean. It reminded her of the most luxurious vacations she had ever embarked on with her upper class family, but she was still anxious about where she was about to end up. She had a bad feeling that Don Karnage was going to drop her off on a prison ship, but he still didn't reduce his altitude. After another few minutes, it began to dawn on her that he was holding her in the air as a target for one of his lackeys to shoot, but she saw no sign of any long range weapons down there. Before long, she could no longer see land, and that was when the claw dropped her into the ocean. She looked up to see Don Karnage do an 180 degree turn and head home while she plummeted deeper and deeper with no parachute.
Without taking so much as one backward glance, Karnage headed straight hack home and made it there at twilight. As soon as he made it to the door, Megavolt came to him with reassuring news. "Don Karnage, thank heavens you made it! We saved you some dinner."
"I'm so glad to hear that, Megavolt," said Karnage. "So good to hear." And once he was seated, he talked further. "Tell me, Megavolt. How's Bootsie doing in your weapons training?"
"She's made some very good progress," Megavolt answered. "I haven't made her kill anyone, yet, but at this point, she can handle drive-by shootings."
Karnage turned his attention to Bootsie. "It sounds like you really have the learning capacity."
"I do, indeed," replied Bootsie. "and it's been a blast."
"Don't forget, though," reminded Megavolt. "The Oregon State 7000 starts tomorrow afternoon at 4:00. If anyone on our team gets hurt, besides you, you get eight hours in the tickle machine. Got it?"
"No one wants that much affection," replied Bootsie with dread.
"It's not so much affection," said Don Karnage. "as much as it is a punishment. I perform with my aerobatic lackeys in front of a lot more spectators than you do."
"Because of that," added Megavolt. "their penalty for not wearing pants is three hours in the tickle machine."
"That's right," said Karnage. "Pinch, you can go back to bed tomorrow after serving everyone breakfast in bed. Everyone else, I urge you to sleep in until at least 10:30 am. Peanut, the first shower is yours tonight."
In good time, everyone was full, and Peanut went directly upstairs for his shower. Once everyone had been through the shower and dried off, no one had any trouble falling asleep.
The next morning, at 9:00, the kids woke up to the smell of blueberry pancakes, syrup, and fruit juice being served to them by Pinch, who was still a little groggy. The previous morning's breakfast in bed had been nothing shy of a VIP experience, but now, it was still just as big of a pleasure. And Peanut carried out the credit. "We not only have Pinch to thank for this, but we also have Flick to thank for deciding on all this."
"I agree," said Munchy. "These pancakes are as tasty as wood."
"And you've been an awesome friend, Munchy," remarked Flick. "All the same, we're going to need you to feast on a lot more food served by Pinch and a lot less wood."
"Maybe I can serve you wood chips," suggested Pinch as she served breakfast to her little brother, Scootch.
"That sounds even better!" exclaimed Munchy.
"Don't get excited just yet," urged Peanut. "We can't be cutting any trees this time."
Pinch carried on to serve breakfast in bed to the adults, and the first of them who was awake was Megavolt. "These sure are some good pancakes."
"I agree," remarked Earnest. "and I'm looking forward to not facing any more hot sauce dunking for a while."
"And I'm looking forward to going back to bed," said Pinch. "Because rising early to serve all this breakfast in bed has been exhausting."
Don Karnage was just waking up, and part of him was already aching for action. "I have to say, this sort of VIP breakfast is just what the doctor ordered for a sizable day of preparation."
"That reminds me, Opal," exclaimed Wanda. "You and I still have to set up that campsite today."
"That's right, Wanda," said Megavolt. "Once we finish our breakfast, I can get both of you over there."
Chapter 14
Setting up Camp
Once Opal and Wanda finished up their breakfast, Megavolt took them outside, and declared his readiness, "Wanda, Opal, the car awaits. Get in." And they both saw that he had a port a-potty on a, trailer, hitched to his Tesla.
Wanda took the front seat, and Opal looked in the trunk to see that Megavolt had already packed a cooler, two instantly folding tents, and nine adult sized sleeping bags for all teammates. Once they made it to the playing field, they were welcomed by Wildwing and Nosedive, who had brought them out that way to protect them. "Opal, Wanda, are you two of Don Karnage's teammates this time?"
"Wanda is," answered Megavolt.
"But I'm just here to help set things up," added Opal.
"We're glad to see you pitching in to help," said Nosedive.
"And I see you already have all three tractors set up," added Wanda and opened the trunk to unload. She first brought out both tents into the fenced in area and took charge just a little. "Opal, please pitch these two tents while I go get the cooler."
Opal got started pitching the tents while Megavolt and Wanda went back to Megavolt's car and brought out the fully loaded cooler. By the time the cooler was safely in place, Opal had successfully pitched both tents. She Wanda and Megavolt had to work together to get the port a-potty in place, and Opal remembered something else that Don Karnage had declared. "Megavolt, can you take me home now to keep an eye on the rest of the youngsters?"
"Oh, yeah," Megavolt remembered. "You still have to help out Mayor Jeff with PB&J, Ootsie Snootie, and especially Scootch."
"I do, indeed," agreed Opal, so she got back in Megavolt's Tesla, and he took her safely home.
Once Megavolt and Opal got home, Don Karnage carried out further directions. "Today is the day, everyone. Those of you on our competitive team this time, into the chopper. We need to fly to our brand new playing field and go over our game plan with our new teammates."
Megavolt, Munchy, Flick, Earnest, Shirley, Betty Lou, Bootsie, and Walter all piled into the chopper with Karnage, but pinch was having a panic attack about it. "No! Please, no!" she sobbed.
Walter came right to his young daughter's side. "Pinch, what's the matter all of the sudden?"
"Remember how I served you breakfast in bed this morning?" asked Pinch.
"Oh, yes," said Walter.
"Well, as one of three hide and seek winners," Pinch answered nervously. "Megavolt chose me as his least favorite. And now, Flick is the one who's been making me serve all that breakfast in bed, especially in the Oregon State 7000, not to mention other meals and snacks."
"Don't forget," said Walter. "winning falls to me and ten other people, including Flick, and you know what happens for you if we win."
"That's right," said Don Karnage. "and you know I kept my promise last time."
"Oh, alright," shrugged Pinch, coming along. "I just hope this is another good triumph."
"All aboard for our playing field," said Karnage, firing up the chopper, and last on board came Pinch and her father. With all teammates on board, except for Wanda Raccoon, already there, Karnage yanked on the collective, and off to the neutral turf, they all flew.
Once airborne, Bootsie put on her goggles, helmet, and bullet proof vest, but she was still nervous about what Col. Spigot or another lackey might have in store for her entire team. She wasted no time, loading three lethal weapons, including a shotgun, an assault rifle, and a grenade launcher. But she still couldn't help but worry about the powerful weapons at Colonel Spigot's disposal. "I just hope I don't die down there."
In record time, Don Karnage landed the chopper steadily and made his disembarking announcement. "All ashore for our final briefing." Everyone hopped out and gathered inside their fenced in campsite with Wildwing and Nosedive. Then, Karnage carried on. "This it it, everyone. Just as we did before, we will be taking turns, operating our equipment to maximize total endurance. Walter, you'll be on the first tractor shift with Wildwing and Nosedive. It'll be a pattern of two hours working and four hours off. Flick, Earnest, Wanda, you'll be on the second tractor shift. Shirley, Munchy, Betty Lou, you'll be on the third shift. Once the third shift is over, we start the process over again with Wilding, Nosedove, and Walter. Megavolt, like I said, you'll be copilot while you and I deliver all seeds, food, fuel, and beverages. Pinch, you'll be cooking all meals and snacks over our campfire and serving them to the rest of the team, right in both of our tents, or in my case and Megavolt's case, I'll be using the winch to lift them up to our chopper. And Bootsie, the zero fail task is yours. You must use all necessary force to fend off Colonel Spigot or Captain Hook, should either of them attack us out here. Any questions?"
Pinch raised her hand nervously.
"Yes, Pinch," said Karnage.
Pinch spoke up. "How much longer do I have to continue serving breakfast in bed to you and the rest of the team?"
"It's only until the Oregon State 7000 is over," Karnage answered. "So if our loss is on Shirley, for example, she has to pamper all of us for a week. If it's on our attacker, we get to handcuff him and drop him in the Willamette River."
"And it'll be a very bust 40 hours," Wanda pointed out. "So now would be a good time for all of us to take a nap."
"You're right," agreed Megavolt. "Let's all snuggle together."
Four hours later, everyone was just waking up and heard the opening announcements. "Half a week ago, we had a contest to see who could be the very most productive team of five lumberjacks or less. And the winning team was none other than Team Karnage, the only team using an aircraft. This time, you're in for a treat, especially for all of you environmentalists. In two more minutes come a 40 hour tree planting contest, known as the Oregon State 7000. Stand by."
Wildwing, Nosedive, and Walter got up quickly and checked all key components of their tractors. The rubber tracks were all tensed up. The fuel tanks were full. The seed tanks were full. There were no signs of leakage. An d all three guys were wide awake and ready. Most of all, though, all three infrared cameras were tightly in place to tally the team's entire score. They started their tractors right up and revved their engines. Finally, they tested out their CB radios. "Contact," said Walter.
"Contact," replied Wildwing.
"Contact," answered Nosedive.
Then, the announcer stepped in again. "Attention all fans. Attention all fans. The Oregon state 7000 is just about to begin. Countdown commencing. 3… 2… 1… Go!"
Chapter 15
Planting Time
Walter, Wildwing, and Nosedive all threw their tractors right into gear and the seed planting immediately began. Needless to say, they had manual seed spreading controls, so they could space every seed out to grow better. Team Karnage's competitors, this time, included Chicken Little and two of his friends, using a power post driver to poke holes in the ground for seeds, Wreck it Ralph punching holes in the ground manually, Lilo & Stitch, using a seed spreader attachment on their dune buggy, and even Percival C. McLeach using a drilling and planting attachment on the front end of a bulldozer instead of a blade.
While Wildwing, Walter, and Nosedive carried on, planting seeds, Don Karnage and Megavolt attached the fuel tank attachment, got in the cockpit of the chopper, and took off to grab the team's first supply of diesel fuel. Karnage had the controls, and Megavolt brought up something odd. "I just can't believe Baloo isn't out here, taking us on."
"Baloo is now my totally humble butler," said Don Karnage with a smile. "As you've seen before, he lost his pilot job at Higher for Hire, which you've been doing since."
"You're right," said Megavolt. "Baloo is the stupidest guy to ever ever hold a pilot's license, and you've been the all-time smartest."
Karnage brought the chopper to a steady hover above Love's Truck Stop, and Megavolt climbed rapidly down the rope ladder. Then, he used the provided gift card and filled up the tank with diesel. Once the nozzle stopped, Don Karnage used the two way radio. "All full now?"
"Yes, Karnage," said Megavolt. "All full." So he climbed up the rope ladder again, and away he flew in the chopper.
Karnage soon made it back to the playing field, hovering steadily with Megavolt reclined on board and promptly used his intercom. "Fuel ahoy. Pinch, time to get up and make the first hardy meal." And he set the fuel tank down gently in his team's fenced off area. Once he unhitched it, he immediately went to get more groceries.
Thanks to Wreck it Ralph's over sized hands, making holes in the ground was easy, but putting the individual seeds in was difficult. On Chicken Little's team, Fish out of Water was using the power post driver to dig very quick holed in the ground while Chicken Little, himself, and his girlfriend, Abby, planted them by hand. But their weak point was a shortage of stamina. Percival C. McLeach, on the other hand, was having quite a time, operating such a powerful machine. But while he was having fun, Walter, Wildwing, and Nosedive all stayed right on point.
Meanwhile, somewhere nearby, Col. Spigot was meeting with Captain Hook to take down the targets they all believed were long overdue. "Here's the lowdown," said Spigot. "You have two cannons and six razor sharp swords at your disposal. At my disposal, I have ten powerful tanks and 19 kids, under 13, plus myself, to operate them all. Our best bet is to combine those resources. That way, you'll have all those heads on your wall in no time."
Hook still thought of something else to take into account. "What weapons might they have at their disposal?"
Spigot got just a little nervous. "My understanding is they have one large helicopter, a single gun lady, and three tractors. But they're using all three for that tree planting contest."
Captain Hook was now confident. "Considering we have ten tanks against one gun lady, we should have no trouble, at all, with the trophy hunting I've been planning."
Chapter 16
Spigot Attack
Back at the fenced in campsite, Pinch was cooking and plating the cheese dogs to serve to Wildwing, Nosedive, and her own father. In they came on all three tractors. Off they hopped. And while they took their seats near the fire and indulged in their cheese dogs, onto the tractors hopped Flick, Earnest, and Wanda. They quickly got their heads in the game and strategically planted seed after seed, after seed. In fact, they took full advantage of their fresh energy and gained further distance between themselves and Chicken Little's team. They were just about to gain distance on Lilo & Stitch when they heard the sound of an assault rifle and knew it was Bootsie, fending off in incoming attack. For that reason, Don Karnage turned to his emergency power over the intercom. "Bootsie, use your chainsaw and chop up a large tree for an improvised wrecking ball. Earnest, use your tractor to shove it into my cargo net. Everyone else, distract the attackers and split up."
Bootsie took her chainsaw to the nearest tree and cut it into six separate pieces. Karnage saw just where she was doing it and let down his cargo net right there. Flick taunted some of the attackers and drove in a zigzag line to make it difficult for them to lock on target. And Earnest showed right up with his tractor to shove five pieces of the tree directly into the net, which Don Karnage airlifted and immediately started using as a weapon of his own. He knew the roof of a tank was the weakest part, so he used his collective to pound at it repeatedly. On the first tank, it bent the turret. For the second tank, he had another bright idea. He let the tank's cannon poke through one of the net's many openings and abruptly gained altitude, breaking the turret loose. Despite that very success, though, all of team Karnage's competitors fled, fearful about the very presence of those tanks.
While Flick, Earnest, and Wanda all went a mile or so apart on their tractors, and the rest of the Hoohaw residents all fled on foot, Don Karnage and Megavolt continued the wrecking. Megavolt used his electrical superpower to ruin the electrical systems in a couple more tanks. And Karnage dropped his wrecking ball on the fifth tank three times. This time, though, it hardly worked, so he dropped the wrecking ball and airlifted the tank, itself. He flew right between the remaining tank's legs and held the fifth tank against a power line. As the desired result, both of the tank's occupants got fried. Karnage flew back to get the wrecking ball, only to see it had been set on fire, so he opted to airlift the next tank instead. He once again used the winch to grab it by the turret and let it down hard on the next tank. This time, the damage to the turret was real. And Megavolt had the next bright idea. "Don Karnage, I know what we have to do next."
"What might that be?" Karnage asked him.
"We have to recharge my battery," answered Megavolt. "so we can electrically fry the rest of the tanks."
"Just how do we do it so quickly?" asked Karnage.
"Easy," answered Megavolt. "All you have to do is lower me on the winch and hold me against the power line for three seconds."
Don Karnage still had hesitations. "Are you sure about that."
"I'm positive," answered Megavolt. "My only weakness is water."
"Alright then," said Karnage. "Grab the winch so I can lower you to the high voltage."
Megavolt grabbed the hook on the end of the winch and deliberately dangled from the winch so Don Karnage could hold him briefly against the power line. Karnage did so, and Megavolt's battery was charged instantly. Karnage lifted him right back into the chopper, and they both took aim at the remaining five tanks. Just as promised, Megavolt used his full electrical superpower on them, and they became totally immobilized. Or so Don Karnage thought.
The first tank he had electrified roared right back to life and began coming after him, so he urgently picked up his CB radio and consulted the residents of Lake Hoohaw. "Don Karnage calling all Hoohaw residents! Don Karnage calling all Hoohaw residents! Our improvised wrecking ball and Megavolt's electrical superpower are having less effect on the remaining tanks than we expected! We need another bright idea, quickly!"
Chapter 17
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Flick came in promptly. "I know what we can do. Meet me a quarter mile downstream and lower the winch for me. Then, fly way out over the water."
"I'm on my way," said Karnage and hung up the radio. Just as promised, he immediately made his way downstream with five remaining tanks chasing and soon saw the oncoming tractor. It came to a stop. Out stepped Flick. He waved Karnage down. Karnage lowered the winch. And on got Flick. Don Karnage noticed the tanks were firing at Flick, so he knew Flick was taunting them. For that reason, he made it extra hard for the tanks to score a hit. Flick's taunting went on, and Don Karnage soon took him out over the river. But the tanks still managed to fire at very long range. And because they still had no luck in scoring a hit, Col. Spigot got out of one of the turrets, rapidly inflated his motorized dingy, and sped after Don Karnage's chopper.
Flick continued the taunting just to cause Spigot more trouble, but this time, Spigot was prepared. He used a grappling hook to anchor Flick's ankle with his right hand and used his left hand to aim a pistol at him. "Got you!" he exclaimed. But Karnage yanked on the collective, lifting Spigot up, up, and away. Spigot held his fire for just one minute while he waited for Don Karnage to stop swerving the chopper, but that proved to be a mistake.
Moments later, Spigot saw his own toes 800 feet above dry land. So he cocked his pistol, took his most pinpoint aim, yet, and slowly pulled the trigger. But Flick had a totally unforetold idea. Just before being shot, he let go of the winch, and away he plummeted with Col. Spigot.
"Colonel Spigot!" cried Captain Hook. "No!"
"Flick!" cried Shirley. "No!"
"No! Not Flick!" cried Peanut. But it was too late. Flick had just made the ultimate sacrifice to defeat Colonel Ivanod Spigot and save the lives of a lot more.
Nine days later, Shirley, Peanut, Megavolt, Nosedive, Wildwing, and Don Karnage were testifying in court, against Captain Hook, and the prosecution first turned to Peanut. "Peanut, is it true that Col. Spigot shot Flick Duck just before falling to his death?"
"That's precisely what I saw on TV," answered Peanut with a heavy heart.
"Objection!" shouted Captain Hook. "That little brat is lying about it!"
Judge 626 a.k.a. Stitch slammed his mallet. "Order in the court. Next witness, please." Next, he turned to Wildwing. "Wildwing, is it true that Col. Spigot was under Captain Hook's orders before he died?"
"Yes, your honor," answered Wildwing. "My brother and I caught him trophy hunting all of Lake Hoohaw's residents, so we evacuated them all the way out here to Corvallis."
Then, Judge Stitch turned to the third and final witness. "Don Karnage, is it true that Col. Spigot attacked your team in the middle of the Oregon State 7000?"
"Yes, your honor," Karnage answered. "I got word from Wildwing that Captain Hook had hired someone to track down Lake Hoohaw's residents for his trophy hunt, so I tasked Bootsie with the warning shots."
That was when Stitch made his decision. "That concludes it, Captain Hook. The court finds you guilty of felony trophy hunting, so you get 150 hours in the tickle machine, and in full restitution, you have to pay Flick's mother and friends double what they could have won in the Oregon State 7000, $67,000 each."
A month later, each and every Lake Hoohaw resident had their $67,000 cut of Captain Hook's treasure. Megavolt was back home in Cape Suzette to continue flying for Higher for Hire. And Don Karnage had one more major event up his sleeve. "Pinch, Munchy, Scootch, Ootsie, Bootsie, PB&J, I still have one more thing to show all of you and your parents."
"Where is it?" asked Munchy.
"Yeah, Mr. Karnage," said Earnest. "Where is this last surprise of yours?"
"I'll show you," said Karnage. "but you must all wear these blindfolds while I fly you there." And he quickly handed them out.
Opal, Pinch, and the rest of the Hoohaw residents reluctantly put their blindfolds on, and Don Karnage guided them steadily into the chopper. Once they were all on board, he started the twin engines, and PB&J all felt it taking off from where they were sitting.
Chapter 18
One More Special Surprise
Moments later, they felt the chopper making a steady turn, but they still couldn't tell what direction they were being carried in. They were still nervous about what they had seen Don Karnage do on TV. And after punishments for being chosen as the Hide and Seek winners' least favorites, Pinch, Earnest, and Bootsie were particularly nervous. But they had to remember that Karnage had not let them down.
In minutes, the chopper touched down gently. Once it was safely on the ground, Don Karnage cut the engines and guided the Hoohaw residents off two by two. But they knew they were all facing in the same direction. They could feel it in their bones. From there, Karnage addressed them all at once. "Well everyone, how are we feeling?"
"Still a little nervous," answered Peanut.
"Now, on the count of three, I want you all to remove your blindfolds," Don Karnage declared and stepped aside. "1… 2… 3!"
Everyone removed their blindfolds to lay eyes upon the Snootie residence, a floating, luxury log cabin, and three gorgeous yachts, all on the Willamette River, east of Corvallis. "Is this all for us?" asked Shirley.
"Yes, Shirley," said Karnage. "One of those yachts is for you. Mayor Jeff, one is for you. PB&J, one is for you and your parents. Munchy, the log cabin is for you and your mother. Snooties, you know which house is yours. I grabbed the money, for it all, from Col. Spigot after he got killed. Here are all your new keys. And Shirley, there's one more thing I want to show you." And Karnage pulled up the image on his smartphone.
Shirley had a look, and it was the very monument that Flick and Munchy had built for Don Karnage and Megavolt, only Flick had been added by their side. "It's beautiful," Shirley remarked emotionally. "If only we could show Flick, himself. We'll never forget him."
"Neither will I," replied Don Karnage, comforting her. "And neither will my best friend, Megavolt."