How's everyone doing? I know I have "closed up shop" on doing requests, but I've made an exception for a friend of mine here on FanFiction, Data Seeker (who's also my co-writer). Today (or at least at the time of writing), I've got another Total Drama related parody, inspired by the Archie's Weird Mysteries episode "Attack of the 50-Foot Veronica." I've also brought together a few characters that appeared in both the first season and the fourth season, respectively. Also, Total Drama and all characters mentioned are respectfully owned by their original creators. Hope you enjoy the story!

It was a late at night. In a laboratory, two young geniuses, Cameron and Noah were finishing the final touches on their device. On a table was a pile of fruit and vegetables.

"There," Cameron said, closing the top of the device's casing, "that should do it."

'Thunk, thunk, thunk' came a knock from the lab door.

"Who could that be?" Cameron asked, frowning.

"I'll get it." Noah went over to the door and opened it.

"Hey guys!" Sam said, smiling.

The two geniuses stared at their visitor. Sam was a very nice guy and a gamer, and a friend of theirs.

"Sam, what brings you here?" Cameron asked.

"Well," Sam smiled, "there is a rumor you two geniuses are working on a kind of growth ray or something."

"Yeah, so?" Noah asked in his usual bland way.

"Well as you know I write stories for the Muskoka High School's newspaper," Sam explained, "and I thought I'd write a story on your latest project."

"Well that's great Sam," Cameron said uneasily, "but it's still in the development stage. We haven't even done a test run."

Sam frowned. "I see. So when will you do your first trial?"

"Right now actually."

"Can I stay and watch?" Sam asked.

Noah shrugged his shoulders, his hands in his pockets. "Fine with me." He then looked to his friend.

"Fine with me too," Cameron said, his tone gloomy, "but just don't expect it to work."

Sam frowned. "Understood." He conceded as he got his pen and notepad ready. "So what can you tell me about your device?"

"Well as you probably guessed, our invention is a growth ray that can grow things. It basically designs and reconfigures the molecular structure of an object using various radioactive waves in certain frequency."

Sam frowned, still holding his pen and notepad. "OK, the only thing I understood you say is that the device grows things."

"Sorry, Sam," Noah apologized with half-closed eyes and a raised eyebrow, "but I don't think we can dumb it down any more than that."

"Err, right then." Sam wrote down a single sentence on his notepad. "So if it works, what do you plan to do with it?"

"Well we figure we could grow vegetables like broccoli to giant size."

"Uh, giant broccoli?" Sam asked, his expression skeptical. "Who would eat it?"

"Oh, not just broccoli Sam," Cameron assured his friend, "but other vegetables as well. And fruit."

Noah shrugged in a casual way. "Name the produce, and you'd still be right."

"Oh I get it!" Sam exclaimed in total understanding and smiled. "It sounds like you have solved world hunger."

"Exactly." Cameron picked up an orange. "Imagine if you will, how much juice and vitamin C you'll get from an orange—if its size was increased tenfold."

"Of course we still need to test it." Noah had a doubtful tone in his voice.

Sam eyed the produce on the table and the strange device that looked like some kind of ray gun from a sci-fi movie. "So is that it?"

"Sure is." Cameron went over and put his finger on the switch. "Are you ready?"

Sam put down his notepad and pulled out his camera from his pouch. "Ready when you are, dudes!"

"Then step back a little," Noah motioned before tossing to Sam a pair of safety goggles. "and shield your eyes."

After Sam and Noah put on their goggles, Cameron manned the growth ray. "Here goes nothing!"

Having the growth ray powered up, the device blasted a beam onto the pile of produce. During the process, Sam took a few pictures until the growth ray had stopped. Everyone waited, wondering.

"So . . . when do they start growing?" Sam asked.

"Oh . . . fudge to the tenth power!" Cameron grumbled unhappily. "They were supposed to grow at a phenomenal rate." He sighed. "I guess it didn't work."

Noah muttered in disappointment. "Well back to the old drawing board."

Sam felt bad for his friends. "Sorry guys. Your invention sounded really great, too."

Cameron looked down in great disappointment. "Thanks."

"Yeah," Noah concurred in equal disappointment, "thanks."

Sam eyed his friends sympathetically, and then got an idea and looked hopeful. "Hey, how about we go out tomorrow and I buy you guys a burger. Sound good to you?"

Noah and Cameron looked at each other and then at Sam.

"Sure," Cameron said in a slightly better mood, "I like that."

Noah smiled slightly. "Thanks, Sam."

Sam smiled. "Awesome! See you guys at DJ's Diner at 12:00."

Cameron eyed Sam. "I take it your girlfriend will be there?"

"Well, yeah?" Sam confirmed awkwardly.

Noah being Noah, he commented a dry remark. "Figures."

". . . Well, good night. See you tomorrow."

"Bye!" Noah and Cameron said, as their friend exited the lab to head home.

Noah and Cameron looked at each other. Cameron looked at their machine and then at Noah. "Well good night, Noah."

"Yeah," Noah replied, "same to you, Cameron."

The two young geniuses left the lab after turning out the lights and locking the door behind them. However, unbeknownst to any of them, a Beetle climbed out of the pile of produce. It crawled to the table's edge and fell down. It then began to scurry away.

Dakota's Home

The sun was rising over the fancy house. In a bedroom a young woman had just finished dressing in her favorite attire. Standing before a mirror, she did a pose.

"Oh Dakota, looking good!" She held out her right hand, examining her fingers.

She then exited her room, walked down the staircase, and entered the kitchen. A man was at the stove, cooking.

"Oh, Miss Dakota!" The man said in surprise.

"Hey Jim!" Dakota said happily. "Is my breakfast ready?"

"Almost."

Dakota sighed. "Well, don't take too long."

"Will do."

Dakota went over to the table and sat down. The table had enough chairs to sit nine people in the event Dakota had guests. She was a fame monger who had money, clothes, popularity, and occasionally invited important people over.

The manservant Jim came to the table with a plate of pancakes and a cup of orange juice.

"Milady?"

"Thanks Jim." Dakota looked pleased with the food she was about to eat.

As Dakota began to eat her meal, Jim eyed his boss thoughtfully. "When will you be home, milady?"

Dakota swallowed her bite before looking at Jim. "Some time around afternoon. I'll be spending time with Sam."

"Oh, well I hope things go well with you."

"Thank you." Dakota resumed eating.

Outside the mansion, a Rabbit was munching some grass, its nose twitching non-stop. Suddenly it stopped, its ears twitching. Turning sideways, it saw a Beetle the size of a dinner plate coming toward it. The Rabbit took off rapidly and was soon gone.

The Beetle clicked its pincers nastily and headed in another direction.

…..

It was midday. Dakota walked down the street and turned before reaching the local diner. Many patrons had arrived for lunch. Some were already served while a few others were still waiting. She then spotted Sam at a table, playing his Gameboy.

"Hey, Sam!" She called out as she approached the table.

"Oh, hey, Dakota!" Sam exclaimed, putting his game on pause and getting up from his chair. The two embraced and gave each other a light kiss before sitting down together. "It may be a bit before the waiter comes back." He then went back to his GameBoy.

Dakota sniffed. She glanced around and glowered. At one table was a large hefty young man with very pale skin, blond hair, and simple-looking black eyes. He wore green shorts, shoes, and white T-shirt with a blue maple leaf decal that covered his huge frame. The other was a girl with a very attractive figure, tannish skin, long frizzy orange hair, and lovely green eyes.

The teen boy Owen was slow and simple, but had a friendly disposition. The girl Izzy was madder than a hatter, finding joy and humor in many things (even things most people would not). Though very different, they had a surprisingly healthy relationship.

Just then DJ, a giant of a teen with a heart of gold, exited the diner's kitchen, carrying a tray with a plate laden with burgers piled into a pyramid shape—an order fit for at least a dozen people.

"Hey Owen, Izzy," DJ called out as he approached the table with the plate, "here's your lunch."

"All right, our appetizer!" Owen cheered, shaking his fist excitedly. "Thanks a bunch, DJ." He grabbed one of the burgers and began to munch on it in as little as three bites, much to DJ's surprise as he stared at the odd couple.

Izzy also grabbed a burger and began to eat it rapidly. "Come back in five," She said happily between bites, "and we'll be ready for the main course."

DJ muttered to himself as he left. "And I thought it was the main course."

Dakota glowered at Owen and Izzy. "Those two are total animals!" she grumbled as she watched them munching away.

"Nah," Sam smirked cordially as he played on his handheld video game, "that's just Owen and Izzy for you, huh-huh-huh." He chuckled as he pressed buttons, his game beeping rapidly. "So, how's the guest list coming along for your pool party?"

Dakota smiled as she pulled the list from her purse. "I am so glad you asked. I just finished it up last night."

"Awesome!" Sam replied as he moved he pressed jump and fire on his game. "So who did you invite?"

"Well not Owen and Izzy—that's for sure."

Hearing his girlfriend's crass statement, Sam nearly dropped his video game before pausing it. "What are you saying?! Izzy and Owen are our friends."

Dakota looked away from Own and Izzy, her lovely face full of scorn. "I'm not sure they're even human to start with. Seriously, just look at them: They're usually alone together."

Still keeping his game on pause, Sam frowned. "I'm sure that's just their version of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship."

"Well," Dakota added, "they dress funny."

"I guess they kinda do," Sam conceded unhappily, "but there's nothing wrong with that."

"And they eat too much!" Dakota continued. She glowered at the oddball couple eating ravenously. "I can plainly see Owen eats too much. As for Izzy," she frowned, now looking more uncertain if anything, "I don't know whether to be jealous that she still stays so trim or to be scared of her appetite."

"Well yeah, but—" Sam started to say.

"My point is that they're different." Dakota's tone sounded slightly impatient.

"But . . ." Sam stammered, trying to find the right words to defend Owen and Izzy, "what's wrong with being different, Dakota?"

"Trust me, Sam: people don't like difference." Dakota's lovely face twisted in a scowl again. "I don't want those two scaring away my guests."

Sam put his GameBoy down in front of him and glowered at his girlfriend. "You know that I love you, Dakota," he said as he crossed his arms disapprovingly, "but that's a crummy attitude. Don't take it the wrong way, but how would you like it if people thought you were different?"

Dakota didn't seem to pay attention as she inspected her nails, smirking to herself. "But I'm not. That's why everyone adores me."

Sam sighed as he shook his head. He liked Dakota, but her vanity was sometimes insufferable.

Just then, DJ came to them with his notepad and pen ready. "Hey, guys. What can I get you today?"

"Burger and fries," Sam stated, "and a cola."

"Burger and fries too," Dakota said. "but I'd like a diet cola."

DJ wrote down the orders. "Chef and I will be right on it." He turned and left.

Dakota sat in her chair, bored. She looked at Sam, still playing his game and she smiled. Yes, he was quirky and easily distracted by silly things like video games, but he somehow made her feel special, and that made all their fights worth a relationship.

Outside the diner, a commotion was happening across the street. Some people were running from all directions. A few bystanders paused in confusion at the sight. Just then, a Beetle the size of a Dog came running forward. All the bystanders froze in horror. The Beetle then turned and headed across a parking lot and between two buildings.

The bystanders stared in stunned disbelief.

Later that day, Owen and Izzy were walking down a street together hand-in-hand.

To most observers, Owen and Izzy looked like an incompatible couple. One was an attractive young lady with a slender body, orange hair, and pretty hyper. The other was an overweight behemoth with a pudgy face and blond hair and was slow and ponderous and not really handsome.

But if anyone strived to be open minded, they would remember that beauty was in the eye of the beholder. Owen and Izzy had to see something in each other that others did not.

"Hey Owen, what time is it?" Izzy smiled.

Checking his cell phone, Owen smiled back. "It's 3:16. Time for a snack." He then pulled out a wrapped-up burger from his pocket, still in good shape.

Izzy giggled in amusement as Owen tore the burger in half and shared it his girlfriend. "Thanks Owen." She then took a bite.

Owen smiled back. "You're welcome, Izzy." He then took a bite out of his.

The two oddballs continued walking. Soon they reached the house of the nature-loving moonchild Dawn just as they finished the burger between them.

Izzy then rang the doorbell. The door opened, revealing Dawn, wearing a baking apron.

"Owen, Izzy! Hello!" Dawn smiled kindly. "What brings you here?"

"Just passing by," Izzy shrugged cheerfully, "and thought we'd drop in."

"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Dawn said joyfully. "I'm busy in the kitchen, but I always welcome some company. And seeing as how the tea leaves didn't predict any guests today, it's a pleasant surprise."

Owen gave a thumbs-up. "Hey thanks—maybe we could help you out."

"Would you?" Dawn asked relieved. "I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm currently baking a cake for Dakota's pool party and . . ." Dawn then realized something, feeling awkward and guilty. "Oh, dear I forgot. You two didn't get invited, did you? I am terribly sorry."

Izzy motioned a hand in a care-free manner. "Eh, don't sweat it."

"Yeah," Owen chuckled, "no biggie. I guess Dakota reached the coolness capacity."

The oddball couple had themselves a laugh. Dawn attempted a half-hearted giggle. "I guess that's one way to look at it. Follow me into the kitchen, guys."

"So what kind of cake is it?" Owen inquired as the three teens entered the kitchen.

"It's a chocolate cake," Dawn answered, looking at the stove, "and it's just rising."

"Ooh, delicious!" Izzy grinned, clutching her fists excitedly.

Dawn went over and was about to open the oven. "Wait!" Izzy shouted as she ran in front of the oven, startling Dawn. "Don't open it yet! It's still delicate."

"That's right—" Owen agreed as he and the two girls looked through the oven window—"cold air will make the cake fall. Thank goodness for oven windows."

Dawn cleared her throat as she processed what her two friends said, looking grateful. "Thank you for the warning guys." She then looked curious. "How did you know that?"

Izzy smirked. "Cooking shows."

Owen scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "And also firsthand experience, heh-heh."

Dawn then remembered something. "Oops, I left the frosting in the car. I'll be right back."

Izzy grinned. "Okey-dokey, artichokey."

Dawn went out the front door, stepped outside, and headed to her car. Opening the door, she looked inside and then saw the container of frosting. She grabbed the frosting, closed the car door, and then turned and froze. There in the front yard staring at her was a Beetle, the size of a Horse! The Beetle turned and elicited a screeching sound that echoed in all directions. In the kitchen, Izzy and Own froze, startled by the horrible noise.

"The cake!" Izzy exclaimed with realization.

Owen and Izzy ran to the oven door and looked inside, watching the cake start to deflate.

"Oh no!" Owen exclaimed in shock and sadness.

Izzy clutched her fists, her teeth bared, her left eye twitched. "You will be avenged cake!" she screamed and grabbed Owen's hand, pulling him after her.

Owen and Izzy ran outside the house and froze, staring wide-eyed and opened-mouthed. Dawn was on one side of the car while a humongous Beetle was on the other side. The Beetle tried to circle the car to reach Dawn, but s just moved in a circle, staying out of its reach.

"What in King Tut's tomb is that!?" Owen exclaimed in horror.

"That is one big bug!" Izzy murmured, her face and voice dazed.

Dawn continued circling the car to stay out of the giant Beetle's reach, but was clearly not out of harm's way.

Owen and Izzy watched helplessly. Suddenly something snapped inside Izzy. "AAAH!" She screamed and ran at the Beetle, grabbing one of its legs. "Leave my friend alone!" she shouted as the Beetle hissed and tried to pull itself free from her grip.

"Izzy!" Owen called out, fearfully.

"Owen, help me!" Izzy screamed, still pulling against the Beetle's leg.

Owen then blinked and began lumbering toward his girlfriend and grabbed the Beetle's other leg.

The Beetle screeched and struggled, unable to get free.

Dawn was standing on one side of the car, watching dazedly.

"Dawn, get help!" Izzy screamed as she continued holding

Dawn blinked and then ran to the house, reached the kitchen, and picked up her phone and dialed Sam's cell number. She waited several anxious moments.

….

Over at Dakota's house, she and Sam were preparing balloons for the fame monger's pool party. Sam was on a chair, arranging some balloons when suddenly….

'R-i-i-i-n-n-g' the cellphone in Sam's pocket rang. "Oh nuts!" Sam murmured, arranging the balloon strings in one hand, and he took out his cell phone and held it to his ear. "Hello."

"Sam, I need your help!" A voice shouted.

"O.K. . . . whoever I'm talking to?" Sam asked, confused.

"It's me, Dawn! And I need you over here Sam!"

"I'm sorry Dawn," Sam said apologetically, "but I'm kinda busy helping Dakota with her party."

"You don't understand!" Dawn said desperately over the phone. "There's a giant Beetle over here! It's really big, and really upset!"

"For real?" Sam asked, his tone stiff in disbelief.

"Yes!" Dawn answered desperately. "We need you!"

"OK, I'll be right over!" Sam replied as he hung up his cell phone.

Getting off the chair, Sam hesitated as he wondered what to do with the balloons, but got an idea and tied them to the chair leg. He then grabbed his notepad from a table and looked over at Dakota, who was blowing up a balloon.

"Dakota," said Sam, "there's a giant Beetle over at Dawn's house."

Letting go of the balloon she was in the middle of blowing up (which was then sent flying around the room as the air drained out), Dakota looked at her boyfriend, a hopeful and excited twinkle in her eye. "You mean like Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr?"

"Cool, but no. I mean a Beetle like the bug. Sounds like something to put in the school paper." Sam ran out.

"Wait, I'm coming with you!" Dakota called out as she followed after him.

Rushing to the mansion driveway, Sam got into his car and waited for Dakota to get in the passenger seat and then began to drive.

"So what's so special about a Beetle, Sam?" Dakota asked.

"It's a giant Beetle," Sam answered as he made a turn, "as in very big."

Dakota scowled. "Are you serious?"

"Look, I know it sounds crazy, but Dawn was serious."

"Are you sure it wasn't a prank call?"

"Do you really think Dawn would make a prank call?" Sam countered.

Dakota hesitated. "Maybe."

"Seriously?" Sam asked.

Dakota sighed. "Whatever."

Sam groaned and focused on the road. Neither he nor Dakota spoke. Before long, they reached Dawn's house. Except for a car, there was no sign of anyone or anything outside the house.

"Well, what do you know?" Dakota gave Sam a smug look. "No giant Beetle."

Sam glowered in annoyance. "Let's just check in on Dawn." He parked the car before they got out. Sam stopped and noticed that there were slash marks on the grass. He then headed to the front door and knocked.

Moments later, the door opened and Dawn gasped and hugged Sam, much to his startle. "Oh, thank you for coming!" she said, her voice shaking.

Dakota glared jealously but didn't say anything.

Dawn then withdrew from the embrace. "Please come in."

Sam and Dakota went inside and they noticed Izzy and Owen sitting on a sofa in the room, each holding a cup and looking very depressed.

"Are you guys all right?" Sam asked, his tone concerned.

Izzy sighed. "Just give us a minute." She took another sip from her cup.

Sam looked at Dawn. "OK, Dawn, what can you tell me about the giant Beetle you mentioned over the phone?"

Dawn sighed. "Well, it started when I was baking a cake for Dakota's pool party. I was going to the car to get frosting I accidentally left behind, and that's when it attacked me. Judging from its aura, it must've thought I was a threat."

"You seem all right to me." Dakota commented suspiciously.

"Oh, that's because Izzy and Owen saved me."

"So that's why they're here, but what happened to that Beetle?" Sam asked.

Dawn grimaced. "Well, it was chasing me around the car before Owen and Izzy grabbed its legs. The Beetle struggled for a while and then got free and took off."

"Took off?" Sam asked, frowning skeptically.

Dawn looked thoughtful. "I guess the Beetle had enough."

"Hey, we showed him!" Izzy interjected with a halfhearted smile. She put her cup to her mouth, and then realized she had emptied it and scowled.

Dakota sighed. "We're friends and all, Dawn, but all that is very hard to believe."

"I know that Dakota," Dawn conceded, "but I'm telling you we saw it. Believe me, it was real."

Dakota frowned silently, disbelief written on her face.

"Yeah," Owen interjected, "believe us, Dakota—you could've entered it in a rodeo.

"That Beetle was huge!" Izzy finished, stretching out her arms in an attempt to show the Beetle's size.

"You two were so brave." Dawn smiled gratefully at the oddball couple. "I'm glad you two weren't hurt when you guys grabbed that Beetle."

Izzy sighed. "Only our pride is."

"How come?" Dakota asked, wondering what they had to be proud of.

Owen pointed at the door to the kitchen. "The cake got ruined."

"I beg your pardon?" Sam asked, puzzled.

"When the Beetle showed up," Izzy explained, looking into her empty cup, "it screeched so loud that the cake in the oven went flat."

"It was tragic!" Owen added, his body heaved with a choked sob.

Scowling at Izzy and Owen, Dakota rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath, "Weirdos."

Sam rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I need to see Noah and Cameron. Dawn will you, Owen, and Izzy be all right?"

"I guess," Dawn replied, "but why are you going to see them?"

"They . . . it's hard to explain."

"You think they made that Beetle big?" Owen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That's crazy!" Izzy added, motioning either hand. "And that's coming from me of all people."

"Long story short," Sam explained, "they built a machine that was supposed to make food bigger to solve world hunger. It didn't work, but it's our only lead."

"Well," Dawn said gently, "good luck, Sam."

Owen gave a thumbs-up. "Yeah, good luck Sam."

"Yeah, good luck with those eggheads." Izzy gave two thumbs up in encouragement.

Dakota rolled her eyes. "OK, let's go, Sam."

Sam and Dakota turned and left. Owen got up and headed to the kitchen and poured his cup from the sink. He then drank it, giving the oven a sad look.

Izzy entered, looking grim. She looked at the oven and then wrapped her arms around Owen's left arm. "It will be OK, Owen." She assured him, though her voice, face, and body language showed deep sadness.

Owen smiled slightly. Dawn eyed them sympathetically. And then sighed. "I guess I'll have to make another cake."

Owen and Izzy snapped out of their funk. "Really?" they both asked hopefully.

Dawn looked at them, uncertain how to properly break the bad news. "I appreciate you two helping, but you do realize you can't eat it, right?"

Owen and Izzy grimaced at that. Izzy then shrugged. "Well, what are friends for, right?"

Knowing they couldn't eat the cake, Owen unhappily concurred. "Yeah."

"Thank you." Dawn looked at them happily.

….

Cameron and Noah were in the high school lab, playing cards.

"Got any sixes?" Noah asked.

Cameron frowned and gave two of his cards over to his friend. Suddenly there was a knock coming from the front door.

"I'll get it." Cameron set his cards down and headed to the door. Opening the door, he was surprised to see Sam and Dakota. "Oh. Hello."

"Hey, Cameron. Is Noah here?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, but what do you want with him?"

"Actually I need to talk to both of you. Hopefully you guys could lend a hand."

"OK. Come on in." Cameron gestured the couple inside.

Sam and Dakota followed Cameron through the door, walking through a room to the lab.

"Hey Sam, Dakota, what's going on?" Noah asked.

Sam chuckled. "Well it is a bit hard to explain, but do either of you know anything of a giant Beetle rampaging through down?"

"What?" Noah asked flatly, frowning.

"Sam, what are you talking about?" Cameron asked confusedly.

Sam grimaced. "Well according to Dawn, Izzy, and Owen, a giant Beetle attacked them."

Noah furrowed his eyebrows in disbelief. "You're kidding."

"I wish."

Cameron straightened out his glasses. "Sam, with all due respect, but the biggest Beetle on

record is the Titanus Giganteus, the Titan Beetle, and it's only six inches or just over fifteen centimeters long."

"I'll take your word for it," Sam countered, "but I don't think they would make something like that up. It has to be real." He then thought to himself in realization, Oh man, I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the slash marks in Dawn's yard.

Noah threw a glance at Cameron (and vice versa), not sure what to make of it. "Well, it's certainly perplexing."

Dakota groaned impatiently. "Sam, how much longer will it take? We still have balloons to prepare for my pool party."

"Don't worry, Dakota," Sam assured his girlfriend, "it won't be long."

Dakota sighed, looking around the lab. She then noticed a table with an apple and strange device resembling a ray gun.

"So I was wondering. Do you think your growth ray has something to do with that Beetle?" asked Sam.

Noah shook his head. "Not likely. You saw for yourself that it didn't work. If it had no effect on that produce, then it shouldn't have an effect on anything else."

Sam sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But what else could make the Beetle so big?"

Noah and Cameron looked at each other, having no answer or theory.

Meanwhile, Dakota touched the button on the ray gun, causing it to generate a beam onto the apple. Frowning, she eyed the beam and then reached her hand out under the beam. There was a slight tingle. She withdrew her hand with a gasp, causing the boys to turn.

"Dakota, what do you think are you doing?" Cameron frantically demanded.

Noah went over and turned the device off. "Do you have any idea what you could have done?"

"Hey, take a chill pill, what's wrong?" Dakota exclaimed.

"That device could have been dangerous!" Noah retorted.

"Wait, didn't you guys say it didn't work?" Sam asked, worried.

"It doesn't," Cameron explained, "but that's not the point. Touching a device without knowing what it does is stupid and dangerous."

"Okay, okay, sorry!" Dakota said irritably with a sassy tone, before looking at Sam. "Are we done yet, Sam?"

Sam sighed and looked back at the two teen geniuses. "Well, if you find out anything, give me a call, OK?"

Cameron gave a thumbs-up "No problem."

"Hopefully," Noah added, "we can figure things out."

Sam turned his attention to his girlfriend. "Let's go, Dakota."

"Finally!" Dakota grumbled and looked at the two geniuses. "See you guys at the pool party."

"Bye, Dakota!" Cameron waved goodbye to them.

"See you then." Noah pointed at them in a relaxed manner.

As Sam and Dakota left, both boys watched them go through the door, their faces squinted in concentration. Noah then glanced at their ray gun, frowning. "It couldn't be. Could it?"

Cameron frowned. "Maybe something will turn up."

"I guess."

….

At Dakota's mansion, she and Sam finished the final touches to the party. Around the pool were several awnings and tables. Sam stood by his girlfriend, both examining their handiwork.

Dakota sighed wearily. "Finally." She took out her cell phone and check it.

Sam sighed. "So want to go to a movie or something? My treat."

Dakota liked the idea. "Yeah, that'd be great. What movie did you have in mind?"

"Well the theaters have having a horror revival festival all week. I thought we could watch maybe Attack of the Thirty Foot Mantis.

Dakota crinkled her nose in disgust at the idea of an old black and white movie. "I guess." But for her boyfriend, she smiled genuinely. "Let me dress into something fashionable."

"Uh . . . shall I wait here or should I come back later?"

"Oh, you don't need to go—just wait here play your game. A lady can't rush things."

Sam smiled. "Okay, I'll wait." He took his game out and sat in a chair, playing while Dakota went up to her room.

Cameron's house

In the living room, Noah was sitting in a chair, reading a book. In the kitchen, Cameron finished making himself a sandwich. He then went to his laptop on the counter. He took a bite of his sandwich while typing something with his free hand.

Cameron swallowed his food and what he typed came on display from the screen. His eyes widened in surprise. He put the sandwich down and typed some more stuff on the computer's search engine. He checked a few things.

"I got to find Noah." Cameron picked up his laptop and headed out of the kitchen and into the living room. "Noah, you got to see what I found."

"What did you find, Cameron?" Noah frowned, looking up from his novel.

Cameron set up his laptop on a table and gestured to some subjects. "That giant Beetle Sam told us about is real."

"What?" Noah got up and headed toward the computer, eying the computer screen.

"There are YouTube videos, and a few news reports of people claiming that they saw it. Fortunately the authorities captured the Beetle."

"Well, that's good." Noah looked deep in thought. "I wonder."

"Yeah . . ." Cameron agreed and then frowned. "Wonder what exactly?"

"It doesn't fit that our growth ray would cause it because it didn't work. But . . ."

"But maybe we're missing something. That's really something to think about."

"Agreed." Noah then felt his stomach growl. "Ugh, I can't think on an empty stomach."

"Well," said Cameron, "I need to finish my sandwich, anyway."

Cameron picked up his computer and headed back to the kitchen with Noah not far behind him.

Cameron put the computer down and resumed eating his sandwich while Noah opened the fridge and took out some leftover pizza.

Cameron swallowed his bite. "If it was our growth ray, how did the Beetle grow but the fruits and veggies stayed the same?"

"Not sure," Noah replied as he put the pizza on a plate and put it in the microwave, starting the heating process, "but. . ." He trailed off, contemplating.

Cameron frowned, waiting for his friend to finish his sentence.

"Maybe the growth ray only affects certain materials?" Noah finally said.

Cameron conceded. "Yeah. Maybe some things like vegetables are immune. And if there was a Beetle in the produce we used, it may have been affected."

The microwave beeped.

"Sounds logical," Noah agreed, taking his dinner out of the microwave and headed to the counter, "but it's only a theory. We don't have any proof."

"And it's not like we can do another test—" Cameron added— "at least not unless we want another giant bug on a rampage."

Noah groaned. "Yeah. Last thing we need is to be labeled mad scientists."

"I think that ship had already sailed when that Beetle got loose."

Noah groaned. "Touché." He began to eat his pizza.

Cameron eyed his friend and finished his sandwich. He looked grimly at his laptop screen, contemplating the reports on the Beetle.

….

A group of people were exiting the movie theater, with Dakota and Sam among them. Heading to the car, they climbed inside and Sam began to drive. He glanced at his girlfriend. Dakota was scowling as she stared at her phone, looking at the latest fashions.

Sam cleared his throat. "Thanks for coming to the movie, Dakota."

Dakota looked up from her phone and smiled at Sam. "You're welcome, sweetie." She then frowned. "But I still think that movie was a tad cheesy. I mean a bug turning into a giant and tearing up the place. Please."

"Well it's old-fashion," Sam replied as he made a turn, "but the classics have things that modern movies don't."

"Less boring plotlines?" Dakota asked sarcastically.

"Less violence. Don't get me wrong, I like some modern movies, but seriously. Violence and gore are nauseating, not entertaining."

Dakota gagged. "Yuck, no kidding."

Before long, Sam reached Dakota's mansion. "Well, goodnight Dakota."

"Goodnight Sam." Dakota smiled and winked at her boyfriend. "I'll see you at the party tomorrow."

"Sure thing."

The couple kissed and then Dakota got out of the car.

Sam watched her go, smiling. Then he pulled the care out of the driveway and headed home.

Next Day

The sun was rising. Dakota yawned and sat up.

RIIIP!

"What?" Dakota exclaimed. Her nightgown had torn in several places. "What happened? Did it shrink?"

She got up, examining her attire. The gown's hem was almost to her knees, and tears were in a few places, threatening to be reduced to shreds. "Are you kidding me?" She complained. "What is going on?"

She then looked toward her closet. She went over and began looking through her stuff, wondering what to do.

She pulled out a dress and held it in front of her as she looked at a six foot mirror before her.

"Did I have a growth spurt or something?" She pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number. "Come on, pick up for goodness sake. Yes, hello—O'Halloran's? It's Dakota Milton. You know—my father is one of your major buyers? Correct. Listen, something is wrong with all the clothes I bought from you not too long ago—none of them fit me. . . . What do you mean I gained weight?! We're through!" She then pitched her cell phone and it hit her bed. "Great, now I'll have to get a new wardrobe, and some place else." She threw the dress on the floor, pouting. She then looked thoughtful.

…..

Owen was eating breakfast, consisting of bacon, eggs, and toast. Just then the doorbell rang. He got up and answered it.

"Hey Owen. Ready for our daily walk?" Izzy asked cheerfully.

"Hey Izzy. Almost ready. Can I finish breakfast first?" Owen asked.

"Sure. Then we can go on our daily walk."

Owen winked suavely. "Sure thing, beautiful."

Izzy grinned. "Oh, be sure to bring your umbrella with you."

Owen frowned. "How come?"

"The voices in my head say we should and they are never wrong." Izzy then looked thoughtful.

"Well, half the time, anyway."

"Good enough for me." Owen shrugged before going back to the table to finish eating.

Izzy grinned and picked up a piece of toast and munched on it.

A bunch of cars were parked outside Dakota's yard, including Sam. Getting out of his car, he headed to the side yard. The pool was some distance ahead along with awnings and some of the guests.

"Hey, Sam!"

Hearing his name, Sam turned and saw Noah and Cameron running up to him.

"Hey guys!" Sam said.

"Sam," Cameron said, "we think you might be right."

"Right about what?"

"About that Beetle you told us about," Noah explained, "and finally came to the conclusion that yes, our growth ray did play a role in that. Albeit unintentional, mind you."

"Really? Why do you think that?" shrugged Sam.

"Well, we have a theory."

"Yeah," Cameron continued, "we think some things like vegetables and fruits may be immune while other things like a Beetle can be transformed."

"Oh," nodded Sam, sounding thoughtful, "that's interesting."

"Of course," Noah interjected, "it's only a theory. It's not like we can test the ray on another bug."

"Why not?" Sam asked.

"Because if it did," Cameron answered, "it'll cause problems like the last one, if not worse."

"Right, of course!" Sam grumbled, slapping his forehead in annoyance that he asked such a stupid question.

"However, we'll have to consider safety protocols if we're to experiment again."

"Yeah," Noah whispered aside to them, "assuming we can find someone who will fund two teenagers."

"Well, I wish I could help out on that end," Sam said, "but I got to go find Dakota." He walked off. He looked among the crowd, passing the food tables where people were serving themselves.

"HEY EVERYBODY, YOUR HOST WITH THE MOST DAKOTA IS HERE TO PARTY!" A voice boomed out.

Sam and everyone else turned toward the direction of the loud voice. Standing near the edge of the pool was Dakota, wearing a sliver one-piece swimsuit and holding a microphone.

Everyone present clapped. "Thank you, thank you. You're all too kind!" Dakota said, putting the microphone on a table and began to mingle.

"Hey Dakota!" Sam called out as he approached his girlfriend.

"Sammy!" Dakota happily embraced Sam.

Sam withdrew from the embrace and frowned. Dakota was always a looker and her swimsuit boosted her appeal, but she seemed to tower before him.

"Sam, you all right?" Dakota asked.

"Yeah, you just seem . . ." Sam was hesitant . . . "different."

"Different? Like I gained weight?" Dakota asked coldly.

"No, that's . . . that's not what I meant!" Sam stammered.

Dakota giggled. "I'm just messing with you, Sam. But I seem to have had a growth spurt. My clothes didn't really fit when I started my day."

"Really?" Sam asked.

"Luckily, my swimsuit is very elastic." It was clear that her swimsuit was being stretched across her alluring body.

Sam eyed his girlfriend, becoming paled.

"Sam, what's bothering you?" Dakota asked.

"Dakota I . . ." Sam paused, trying to find the words. "I don't want to jump to conclusions, but you may be in trouble."

"What are you talking about?"

"We need to find to find Noah and Cameron." Sam said uneasily. "Dakota, try to stay calm."

Dakota clutched her hands, her face pale. "Sam, you're scaring me."

"Just try to stay calm and follow me." Sam instructed, taking her hand.

"OK." Dakota said, though she was scared.

Sam headed to one of the canopies, passing various guests, his hand pulling Dakota behind him. And then he saw them.

"Cameron, Noah!" Sam called.

"Sam? Dakota?" Noah asked in surprise.

Cameron noticed her obvious height difference. "Uh, hi Dakota. Great party."

"Forget the party." Sam's voice went low. "Can we talk somewhere private?"

"OK. How about over there?" They all headed near the outskirts of the crowds. "OK, what's going on, Sam?"

Sam glanced at the crowd to make sure no one was eavesdropping, his voice still low. "I think whatever made that Beetle so big might have affected Dakota."

"What?" Dakota shouted.

"Dakota, not so loud!" Sam warned, his voice low but tense.

"Sam, are you serious?" Noah asked, his voice quiet but impatient considering everything going on (since the last thing he wanted to deal with was a giant fame monger, let alone a giant Beetle).

"Look at her."

Cameron and Noah eyed Dakota intensely and then both boys became pale.

"Guys, why are you looking me like that?" Dakota asked, her own fear great.

"Well I don't want to jump to conclusions," Noah said carefully, "but I think Sam might be right."

"OK, that's crazy." Dakota seemed to be more in denial than disbelief.

"Well Dakota, you seem taller," Cameron said uneasily, "but Noah's right, we mustn't jump to conclusions."

Dakota suddenly groaned loudly, and began to sway.

"Dakota, what's the matter?" Sam asked, concerned.

Suddenly Dakota began to glow with a purple light. Conversations amongst the dozens of guests came to a halt before they turned to stare at the purple glowing woman in surprise.

Dakota groaned, clutching herself and she began to grow. Her swimsuit seemed to grow with her, though it seemed to get tighter on her.

"G-g-g-guys, sh-sh-she's . . . gigantic!" Cameron whispered in a trembling voice.

"So what was your first clue?" whispered Noah back sarcastically in a deadpan tone.

Cameron gave his unfazed friend a dirty look. Dakota then stopped growing and the purple glow surrounding her vanished. She stood about twenty feet tall. The crowd stared in shock and stunned disbelief.

Dakota groaned, rubbing her forehead. She seemed disorientated. Suddenly she smiled. "What a trip!" She exclaimed in a surprisingly cheerful voice.

"Hey, uh, Dakota?" called Sam. "Are you, err, all right?"

Dakota blinked and looked down at Sam and grinned. "Of course Sammy!" She giggled.

"Sammy?" Noah asked, not believing what he heard.

Dakota noticed everyone staring at her. "Oh, don't be so gloomy. Let's party!" She then walked over to the pool, each step causing the ground to shake and the teens below her to panic. But she didn't notice. "Now who's up for a swim?" She then jumped in the air.

"Oh, man!" mumbled Sam in concern before ducking.

SPLASH!

A near-tidal wave erupted after Dakota jumped in. Everyone tried to turn and escape but still got soaked and washed up.

Dakota looked around at the pool, now hardly filled with any water. "Gee, they really need to put more water in these pools."

Sam ran toward the pool's edge, looking at his now-giant girlfriend. "Dakota, you do realize you're a literal giant, right?"

"Don't be silly, Sammy, everyone else is just too small!" Dakota countered, a pout came on her face.

Sam stared at Dakota, troubled. Dakota's eyes seemed unfocused, like she was hit with a tranquilizer dart or something.

Just then, she felt her body going through a tremor as it glowed with the same purple. "Oh no, not again!"

"Guys," whispered Noah, now genuinely concerned, "she's experiencing another explosion of growth!"

Just as Dakota started growing again, her swimsuit began to tear in a few areas. She panicked and grabbed the shade canopy covering up the buffet table just in the nick of time.

Dakota was now wrapped up in the shade canopy, almost as if she were wearing a toga. She looked about herself, now standing about fifty feet tall.

"Why is it happening to me?" She asked in distress then noticed everyone looking at her. "What are you staring at!? Stop staring at me! Nothing's different about me. I'm still the same."

"B-b-b-but you're not, Dakota!" Sam called out. "Can't you see? You've become a giant."

Dakota angrily picked up her boyfriend and people turned and ran in terror. "I'm not!" She snapped as everyone ran in different directions. "You're all a bunch of puny weaklings!" She then glared at Sam. "And I don't date weaklings!"

Before Sam knew it, Dakota threw him and he went flying into a nearby tree. Fortunately, he wasn't majorly hurt—other than a hit to the back of his head and hanging up in the branches.

"Oh, my party's not good enough for you, huh!?" Dakota shouted before looking toward the street. "Well no one snubs Dakota Milton!" She stomped off.

Noah, Cameron, and Dawn ran up to the tree. "Sam, are you okay?" Dawn called up.

"I think so!" Sam answered back while he just laid there in the tree.

"Need any help?" Cameron called out.

"Just give me a few minutes." Sam was sore from his ordeal and just wanted to wait a bit before he tried moving again.

Dawn looked at the two geniuses next to her. "Guys, what happened to Dakota? And why is she . . . out of her mind? Her aura's current colors concern me greatly."

"Well," Cameron said, "we have a theory to why she's growing."

Then Noah then added, "As for her crazy behavior, I think her growth caused some kind of hormonal imbalance. . . . Hopefully it's temporary."

Dawn grimaced. "You said you have a theory to her . . . becoming a giant?"

"Well . . . we . . . we built a growth ray—" Cameron started to say.

"What?" Dawn exclaimed in shock. "You . . . you did that? And you're the reason that Beetle had—?"

"NO!" Noah interjected impatiently. "Will you let us explain?"

"Sorry. Please continue."

"Anyway," Cameron resumed, "we were working on a growth ray that can make fruits and vegetables grow bigger. We thought we could solve food problems but it didn't work, or at least not as intended."

"We think it can only affect certain types of matter," Noah interjected, "and that Beetle was among the produce we experimented on and it grew. And then Dakota was somehow exposed to the ray."

Dawn rubbed her head. "It is a lot to take in."

"No kidding."

Just then Sam climbed down the tree. He exhaled and looked at his friends. "OK, I'm fine. We got to find Dakota before something bad happens."

The four friends headed in the direction Dakota went.

…..

Meanwhile, Owen and Izzy were sporting an umbrella big enough for two, strolling on by with their arms linked together. A few passersby stopped and stared at them.

"Excuse me."

Izzy and Owen turned and saw a punkish man with long hair and earrings staring at them.

"Oh, hello!" Izzy said cheerfully.

"What's up?" Owen asked, trying to sound cool.

"Uh why are you carrying an umbrella when it's sunny?" asked the man.

"Because my girlfriend thinks we should."

The man eyed Izzy. "And why do you think you should?"

Izzy placed her hands to both sides of her head. "The voices in my head said we should."

"OK," The man said slowly, not understanding the logic, "well have a nice day." He then departed.

Owen and Izzy resumed walking when suddenly there was screaming up ahead, startling them. Just then dozens of people came in view, screaming as they ran past Izzy and Owen, who were startled and confused.

Storming down a street was Dakota, crushing an empty parked car. She growled and grabbed a street lamp and threw it.

"Leave my party, will they?" she shouted angrily. "Think they can they can put me at the bottom of the social food chain, huh? Well I'll show them!"

She stomped off, yelling.

All other Muskoka citizens present ran or drove in panic as Dakota continued her rampage. Her target now . . .

"Aha! O'Halloran's Fashions!" exclaimed Dakota, her mouth turned up into a devious smirk. "Here's my chance to get even with those hacks!"

She stomped over and peeled the roof of the clothing store open like a sardine can, before pulling out a roll-away clothes rack loaded with various dresses and tearing them off. "If I can't wear dresses my size, then nobody can! Besides, who cares about these stupid fashions anyway?"

She then stopped to look at a dress she thought looked cute, her anger now turning to sorrow. She began sobbing. "I do! Look at that lovely fabric, and that little belt! What have I done!?"

Dakota's tears fell and hit the ground like water balloons. It was at that moment Owen and Izzy stood nearby, observing her.

"Is that Dakota?" Owen said in stunned disbelief.

Izzy said frowning, her green eyes narrowed. "She's looking down. We should help her."

"OK." Owen looked uneasy. The odd couple strolled toward the sobbing Dakota with their arms linked together, their umbrella spread over their heads.

Giant teardrops began to hit the umbrella as the odd couple reached Dakota's feet. Owen looked to his girlfriend. "Gosh, Izzy, you were right about us needing an umbrella today."

Izzy smirked. "I may be loopy, but I'm not always wrong."

Hearing the oddball couple, Dakota stopped crying and looked down. "Izzy? Owen?"

"Hey! Dakota!" happily exclaimed the crazy girl giving a thumbs-up. "How's it going?"

"Terrible!" sobbed Dakota, crying again in her hands. "Everything's terrible! I lost my friends, I destroyed public property, and the Canadian government will probably arrest me!" She then sat down, with a large thud, on the sidewalk as if she still believed she were normal-sized. "I feel like that monster in that cheesy movie! Nobody will come near me."

Feeling bad for her, the oddball couple approached Dakota

"Aww c'mon, Dakota," Izzy reassured her, "we're near you."

Dakota stopped crying. "Huh? That's right! But why are you two here?"

Owen shook off the umbrella before putting it away. "Well, we were just strolling along, enjoying each other's company, and doing our daily thinking."

"Yep," nodded Izzy, "and we weren't about to let some giantess, no offense, spoil our time together and ruin our little routine."

Dakota raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Daily thinking?"

"Sure," shrugged Owen matter-of-factly, "we walk around town thinking different things—weird and, uh, not-so weird."

Dakota tilted her head, in curiosity and interest, a soft smile forming on her lips.. "What kind of things do you think about?"

"Oh, you know," Izzy shrugged, her hands behind her back, "things like why spoons have an upside-down reflection on one side, and a right-side-up reflection on the other."

"Or," Owen chimed in, "what flavor plain old ice cream would have if you didn't put chocolate and stuff like that in it."

Dakota leaned down, as if she were looking at a couple of Ants, now more interested—considering these were things she never gave a second thought to before. "You two do that every day?"

The oddball couple shrugged in unison. "Pretty much."

"What were you thinking about today?"

"Well," Izzy said as she swayed a little back and forth, "we were thinking how you being an oddball made us look normal—and boy is that saying something."

"Honestly," Owen said as he shuffled his feet a little, "we're not sure if that's a good thing for us."

"Me? An oddball?" Dakota asked, dread in her voice and face.

"Being a giant means you could probably eat a whole lot more burgers than us, doesn't it?" Owen inquired.

Dakota figured out loud. "I guess it does."

Izzy tilted her head to one side in inspection. "You dress funnier than us."

"You have a point."

Owen looked around a moment as he spoke. "And here you are all by yourself, right?"

Dakota then looked away in shame. "I suppose you're right." She paused a moment when something occurred to her. "Does that mean . . . I'm the oddball now?"

"That's the idea."

"Oh no! I'm different!"

"C'mon," Owen reassured, "it's not so bad being different."

"Sure, we might be alone," Izzy conceded, "but at least we get to be ourselves."

"But I'm not myself, guys!" Dakota sobbed. "I'm a freak!"

"No you're not!" Izzy protested. "You're Dakota Milton . . . just in a giant form."

Owen added, "And we're gonna help you figure out your . . . problem."

Dakota managed a weak smile. "Thank you, guys. Thank you so much."

Just then sirens came out somewhere.

Dakota, Izzy, and Owen froze.

"What is that?" Dakota asked fearfully.

"It's the RCMP!" Izzy gasped. "I know that siren noise anywhere!"

"Oh no!" Dakota panicked. "Do you think they're after me?"

Owen gulped. "I should be glad they're not after my girl for once, but now . . . I'm not sure what to think."

Dakota suddenly became terrified. "They must be after me because I destroyed public property and scared people."

"Dakota calm down!" Owen called out.

"I got to get out of here!" Dakota exclaimed fearfully and grabbed Owen and Izzy in her two giant hands.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Owen exclaimed as he got lifted up.

"WEEE!" Izzy cheered as she got lifted up.

Dakota then got to her feet and ran down a street. A few streets away Sam, Cameron, Noah, and Dawn were walking down a street with some slammed cars and an occasional building with a smashed window or a dent in its wall.

"Uh guys, what's with the sirens?" Dawn asked as she ran behind the boys.

Suddenly there was a thumping sound up ahead, causing the four teens to stop in their tracks. Suddenly Dakota came from a corner and made a turn.

"Dakota!" Sam called out, but his giant girlfriend didn't stop running.

"Uh, was it just me or was she holding two people?" Noah asked.

Cameron gulped. "I hope not."

"Where did she go?" Dawn asked.

The others started to run toward the road when there was a rumbling sound.

"Oh great! Now what?" Noah asked irritably.

Just then some armed men in military uniforms came up. One of the soldiers stopped and looked at the teens. "Did either of you see anything like a giant something or other?"

"Uh, why do you ask?" Dawn asked.

"We got an alert of giant running through the town. And judging by the property damage, it's not a hoax."

"It's not her fault!" Sam interjected. "She's unwell."

The soldier eyed them. "Wait a minute." He turned and called out. "Sir, you should come over here."

A man wearing an insignia on his uniform came forward. "What is it?"

"These kids seem to know something about the giant woman we were called for."

"Her name's Dakota and she's my girlfriend," Sam explained, "but please, don't hurt her. She isn't well."

The military leader frowned but looked thoughtful. "OK, say I believe you, how did your girlfriend happened to turn gigantic exactly?"

"It's a long story." Cameron looked uneasy.

"Give me the short version."

"Well Noah and I were working on a growth ray with the expressed purpose to solve world hunger."

"But it didn't work like it was supposed to," Noah added, "and then Dakota was exposed to it."

"And it made her a giant and a bit insane."

Noah tugged at his shirt collar nervously. "But hopefully it's temporary."

Sam clasped his hands. "Please don't hurt her."

The military leader looked at Sam coldly, but then the coldness was replaced with sympathy. "I'll do what I can."

….

Dakota reached the outskirts of town and kept running. Owen and Izzy were rocking back and forth in Dakota's huge hands, finding the ride terrifying and exhilarating.

Dakota then reached a forest and moved among the trees. She stopped and panted a bit. Owen groaned, laying on her hand.

Izzy giggled. "Let's go on that ride again!"

"Not again!" Owen rasped pleadingly.

Dakota then remembered her two passengers. "Oh, sorry, I forgot about you two." She put them down.

Owen laid down on the ground, looking dizzy and disoriented. Izzy knelt before her boyfriend, concerned. "Sorry Owen. I forget some people don't like lots of excitement like me."

Owen smiled weakly at his lovely girlfriend. Dakota smiled, happy that the two oddballs were all right. She then felt a touch of jealousy and sadness.

Owen sat up, and noticed Dakota's miserable expression. "Dakota, what's wrong?

Dakota blinked. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"You seem sad. What's bothering you?"

"You're so lucky." Dakota sniffed sadly. "You have someone who cares about you and is there for you when you need them."

"Wait," Izzy interjected, "maybe my memory is failing me, but aren't you dating Sam? Isn't he there for you?"

"No!" Dakota said, choking on a sob. "I threw him in a tree. He hates me."

"Oh dear!" Owen exclaimed.

Izzy frowned. "Yep, that's pretty bad. Are you sorry?"

"Yes." Dakota sobbed, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Well if you're sorry and Sam loves you," Izzy said kindly, "I'm sure he'll forgive you."

Dakota then had a horrible thought. "What if Sam isn't all right?"

"Trust me, he's all right." Izzy looked confident and determined.

"How do you know that?"

"Just a hunch." Izzy sounded confident and smiled just as confidently.

"Trust me," Owen interjects encouragingly, "Izzy is usually right about her hunches."

Dakota frowned. In hindsight, it was crazy. But maybe Izzy's hunches were right. It was no more freaky than a girl becoming a giantess. "I hope so."

Suddenly there was a sound some distance away.

"What is that?" Owen asked.

Dakota looked out through the trees she was among. Far off, she saw tanks and cars and soldiers. "Oh no! They're coming for me."

Owen and Izzy ran past Dakota's large form and looked toward the horizon at the army.

"Izzy, what do we do?" Owen asked, flexing his pudgy fingers nervously.

Izzy held her held her fists to her face, panicking. "What do we do, what do we do?!"

"I need to get out of here!" Dakota screamed fearfully.

Izzy's panic was instantly replaced with resolve. "We won't let them hurt you, right Owen?" She looked toward her boyfriend.

"Uh . . . right?" Owen agreed uneasily.

Izzy grabbed Owen's large hand. "Dakota, wait here. Owen, follow me."

The two oddballs exited the forest and headed toward the army. They walked and continued walking. Before long, they were close to the front of the troops.

"Hey, who's in charge here?" Izzy called out.

One soldier came up to them. "Please get out of our way!" He ordered.

"Wait, why are you here?" Owen interjected.

"We are looking for a giant something."

"You mean, Dakota?" Owen asked awkwardly.

Suddenly every trooper in range of hearing paid serious attention.

"You've seen the giant thing?" A second soldier asked.

Izzy glared. "First, her name is Dakota, not a thing. Second, she may be big, but she's just a scared little girl."

"Metaphorically little," Owen added in a husky voice, "but please don't hurt her. She needs help."

The first soldier motioned his head. "Come with me."

Owen and Izzy complied. They were soon brought before a military man of some rank they didn't recognize.

"Owen, Izzy!" A male voice shouted.

The oddballs turned and saw Sam approaching them.

"Sam, thank goodness, you're here!" Izzy exclaimed joyfully.

Just then Dawn, Noah, and Cameron came in view. "It's good to see you guys as well," Owen said, "but, Dakota needs help."

"Yes, she's a giant, but she's scared like a little girl!" Izzy added loudly. She looked at Sam. "Sam, she needs you. Can you still love her even though she's an oddball?"

"Of course. Where is she?" Sam asked.

Owen motioned either thumb behind him "She's among the trees."

Sam looked at the commander. "Sir, can your men wait here?"

"You think that's a good idea?" the Commander asked, frowning.

"Yes," Sam answered, "she's scared. She may react badly to an army but I think I can convince her to cooperate."

"Are you sure, Sam?" Dawn asked. "You remember how—"

"I am sure!" Sam cut her off quickly, looking back at the commander. "Please, sir."

Pausing to think it over, the Commander complied. "Very well."

Sam looked at Owen and Izzy. "Take me to her."

"No problem!" Izzy saluted, her eyes glassy and her grin slightly maniacal.

Owen motioned with his arm. "Follow us."

"Lead the way." And with that, Sam followed the oddball couple to the forest.

Before long, they reached the trees. Sam squinted his eyes, looking for any sign of his giant girlfriend. He then saw her amongst the trees. He paused, recalling how she threw him in a tree and how painful it was.

Owen and Izzy stopped and looked back. "C'mon, Sam, what are you waiting for?" Izzy called out.

"She's waiting for you, man!" Owen added.

"OK." Sam swallowed, trying to be brave and resumed walking toward Dakota.

Dakota was on her hands and knees, her huge face etched in fear and sadness. "Sam." Her voice was no more than a tearful whisper.

Sam froze, startled by the sadness in Dakota's face, voice, and body language. "Dakota, are you okay?"

"NO!" She cried out, beginning to sob. "I'm a freak, I hurt you, I terrorized the town, wreck public property, my clothes don't fit me anymore, and I threw you into a tree and you hate me!" She sobbed loudly.

Sam paused awkwardly.

Owen took the umbrella and opened it and went over to Dakota's hand as tears fell on the umbrella, trying his best to pat it. "It's OK, Dakota."

Izzy crossed her arms, eying Sam. "Sam, do you hate her?"

"What?! No, of course not!" Sam assured her.

"Then tell her that!" Izzy ordered sternly.

"Right." Sam moved closer to Dakota, just out of the range of the tears. "Dakota, I don't hate you!"

"You don't?" Dakota asked, eying her tiny boyfriend with tear-filled eyes. "But I hurt you."

"Yes I was hurt," Sam admitted, "but I see you are sorry Dakota, and I forgive you."

Dakota paused and then smiled as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. "Oh Sam, you're the best." She reached a hand and then stopped. "Um…may I…"

"Just hold still." Sam was a bit nervous and went over and hugged her hand. "It's OK, Dakota, we'll figure things out."

"Uh," Izzy began, "I hate to break up the touching reunion, but we got to assure the army back there that Dakota isn't a threat."

Sam stopped hugging Dakota's hand, but kept touching it and looked up at Dakota. "Dakota, can you trust me?"

Dakota looked uneasy. "Uh yes?"

"OK, well here is the thing. The Army thinks you're a threat. I spoke to their leader and convinced them that you aren't evil, you're only upset. But you need to prove that you're not a threat. Can you do it?"

"OK." Dakota was still uneasy.

"Don't worry, D," Izzy called out encouragingly, "'cause we oddballs must stick together."

"Yeah," Owen added with encouragement in his voice, "we'll be right by you."

"Thanks. OK, I'll do it." Dakota began to crawling toward the forest edge and then got to her feet. She saw the army a considerable distance. "Uh hi?" she asked, waving her hand sheepishly.

The army hesitated, drawing their weapons. "Hold your fire!" the Commander ordered his men. He then walked forward.

Dakota stood up, clutching her hands nervously. Sam, Owen, and Izzy stood nearby.

"Miss Dakota, is it?" the Commander called out.

"Yes," Dakota responded, looking down at him, "that's me."

"We need you to come with us."

She became agitated. "What do you want with me?"

"Dakota, calm down!" Sam called out. Hopefully things didn't blow up.

The Commander explained. "You have caused much destruction, Miss Dakota. We need assurance that you won't cause any more damage while we figure out your . . . condition."

"You got to trust him, Dakota!" Izzy called out earnestly. "I got a good feeling about him!"

Dawn then spoke. "We're here for you, Dakota."

"And we'll figure out how to restore you!" Cameron added loudly.

"Right—what he said!" Noah also added.

Dakota looked nervously at the army before her, thinking about the giant monster from that cheesy movie she and Sam watched last night. But she then noticed her friends down below, promising to be there for her.

"Okay," Dakota conceded nervously, "what do you want me to do?"

"Come with us to the military base," the Commander said, "and I'll make preparations for you."

Dakota swallowed, trying to be brave. "OK, lead the way."

"In just a few minutes." The Commander instructed glanced at a soldier. "See that the roads to the base are clear."

"Yes, sir!" The soldier saluted and went to obey.

Dakota stood, towering tall, looking so nervous which clashed with her size. Sam, Dawn, Cameron, and Noah looked at Dakota and at each other, their expressions each a mingle of concern, fear, and loss. Izzy stood by Owen, her slender hand in his pudgier hands, both looking at Dakota with pure sympathy.

….

Three jeeps drove down an empty road. Each was driven by a soldier, but Noah, Cameron, and Dawn were in the front one, while the Commander was in the middle jeep and Sam, Izzy, and Owen rode in the back jeep. Behind them, Dakota was jogging. Her steps covered considerable distances, allowing her to keep up with the three vehicles.

Sam was in the backseat of the back jeep, eying his giant girlfriend sympathetically. Though she was gigantic and real eye candy too boot, the sadness on her face was fathomless. He hoped that Cameron and Noah could reverse Dakota's condition, but he suspected it wouldn't be nearly that simple.

Before long, they reached an open area with a farmhouse and a barn. There were several jeeps and soldiers in the area, forming a parameter.

The two jeeps with Sam and company stopped and behind them, Dakota stopped and looked around.

"So what happens now?" Dakota asked.

The Commander looked up at her. "You'll be staying here till we figure it out. We'll try to make you as comfortable as possible."

Dakota sighed sadly. She then got to her knees and crawled toward Sam. "Sam, will you stay with me?"

"Uh…" Sam hesitated. He looked at the Commander. "Sir, I think it would be best if some of us keep her company."

The Commander rubbed his chin in consideration, thinking ahead. "We'll set up some tents for you and your friends."

"Uh sir," Owen interjected in his lumbering voice, "can we get something to eat?"

Izzy wrapped her arms around her skinny stomach that just growled. "Yeah, we're hungry." Then she motioned up with a concerned look toward Dakota. "What about D? What will she eat?"

Everyone stopped and looked at Dakota and each other uneasily.

"Could it be another problem?" Noah commented grimly.

"Man," Cameron added, equally grim, "I hadn't considered it."

"We can't let her go hungry!" Owen exclaimed anxiously, clutching his hands nervously.

Dakota assured everyone and frowned. "Actually, I'm fine. Strange, I don't feel hungry though I haven't eaten anything all day."

The Commander muttered to himself. "Well that's good news." He then looked up. "Well Miss Dakota, please stay within the parameters while we figure out how to treat your . . . condition."

"OK." Dakota looked at Sam. "Sam, please hold me."

"Hold you?" Sam asked in stunned disbelief.

"Oh, right." She began to tear up. "I wish you could hold me." She put her head into her hands and began to sob.

Izzy frowned, her eyes half-closed in exhaustion. "Here we go again."

Owen complained after narrowly dodging a large teardrop. "I wish I didn't leave the umbrella in the jeep."

"Dakota, wait!" Sam called out as tears began to fall around him. "Hold out your hands!"

Dakota sniffed as she looked down at Sam puzzled. "My hands?"

"Yeah, hold them out." He watched as his girlfriend swallowed and held out her hands toward him. "Good, now lower them toward me." As she complied, her face cringing sadly, he then went over and sat on Dakota's hands. "OK, lift me up so I can kiss you."

Dakota sniffed and gently lifted up Sam up to her face. Sam touched her cheek and tried to give the biggest kiss he was able to give. Dakota could barely feel it, but she sighed joyfully.

"Aww!" Izzy exclaimed, admiring the lovely scene.

Owen sniffed, wiping a tear of joy from his eyes. Dawn, Cameron, Noah, and the various soldiers watched the thing, feelings ranging from surprise, discomfort, amazement, and amusement.

The Commander then cleared his throat. "Sam, will you and your . . . friend be all right?"

"No problem, sir!" Sam called down from Dakota's hands. "I'll keep her company." He then looked down at his friends. "Cameron, Noah, see if you can figure out how to fix her!"

"On it!" Cameron called back.

Noah pointed casually. "Right."

The Commander looked at the young men. "So you're the ones who caused the whole thing?"

Noah and Cameron froze, sensing they were in big trouble. "Uh…we…uh…you see…we didn't mean…" They stammered.

The Commander groaned. "Look, if you cooperate, it should go a lot easier on you two."

The two geniuses stopped and looked tense.

"Really?" Cameron asked meekly.

"Yes!" the Commander said, his voice calm but a little impatient. "Now just tell me the story from the beginning. No wait, let's go to a tent and then tell me the story from the beginning."

"Yes, sir!" Noah replied.

"You lead," Cameron concurred, "we'll follow."

The teenage geniuses followed the Commander toward a tent.

Dawn, Izzy, and Owen watched them go and then looked at each other.

"Um, I did say I was hungry, right?" Owen asked, trying to stop his growling stomach.

"You did and we forgot," Izzy reminded him, "due to . . . things."

Dawn looked at some soldiers keeping an eye on them. "So what do we do?"

"We'll take you to a tent," one soldier answered, "so you three could rest."

"And food?" Izzy asked, clutching her hands, her face maniacal.

Another soldier thumbed in the direction of the tent. "We got some protein bars."

Owen and Izzy grimaced at the offer.

However, Owen shrugged. "Well beggars can't be choosers."

Izzy conceded, though pouted. "I guess."

Dawn, Izzy, and Owen followed the soldiers.

Meanwhile, Dakota had sat down, holding Sam atop her palms. She had calmed down considerably.

Sam eyed his girlfriend. "Feel better?"

Dakota answered softly, "I am now. Do you think I'll be small again?"

Sam hesitated. "I hope so."

"What if I'm stuck as a giant?"

Sam chuckled awkwardly. "Well I guess I'll go down in history having the biggest girlfriend." Seeing her choke on an oncoming sob, he realized his mistake and quickly added. "Not to mention the prettiest girlfriend."

Dakota swallowed the sob and calmed down again. "Thank you, Sam."

Sam smiled. "You're welcome."

Dakota hesitated. "Can I hug you, Sam?"

"Sure, just be careful how you hold me."

Dakota carefully angled Sam in one hand and another gently touched his back with her other hand. She slowly moved Sam toward her left shoulder. Sam put one arm over the shoulder and the around her neck, which was almost like hugging a hill. Dakota was very careful not to crush Sam. She wished she could feel his embrace better, but was still grateful for what little she could get.

Meanwhile, Cameron finished explaining the story to the Commander. "And that's the story. Sir."

The Commander eyed the two teens in amazement. "And you built your growth ray with what? Spare parts?"

Noah blinked uneasily. "Yes."

"Are we in trouble?" Cameron asked apprehensively.

The Commander hesitated. "Normally yes, but I see you had initial good intentions with your invention, and there may be a way for you to make up for what's happened."

The two young geniuses looked nervous, hoping they could avoid charges.

"Turn your research over to a science staff under my command," instructed the Commander, "and be a part of said staff so you can help us find a way to restore Miss Dakota."

Cameron saluted. "On it, sir."

After saluting as well, Noah remembered something. "Our stuff is at the lab in our high school."

The Commander nodded in understanding. "I'll see to it that you're escorted to your lab to pick up your research. In the meantime, I need to make some calls."

Meanwhile in another tent Owen, Izzy, and Dawn sat in chairs before a small table. Two guards were on duty. Owen and Izzy were munching on some protein bars the army provided, but clearly not enjoying it. Dawn sat across them, not hungry but slightly uneasy.

Izzy finished hers and groaned. "I have to say, it is very tasteless, despite being healthy."

Owen swallowed and eyed his remaining bar. "Agreed. Man, I could go for a burger."

"Me too," Izzy agreed, "but I guess it's one of those 'beggars can't be choosers' deals."

Dawn sighed. "Guys, I get it. We're frustrated. I mean earlier, Dakota was going to have a party."

"A party we weren't invited to."

"Right, sorry. Anyway, Dakota turning into a giant and going on a rampage and the army showing up was certainly not planned."

Owen took another reluctant bite out of his protein bar. "No kidding. You should have seen her when we found her. She was crying her eyes out."

"Luckily," Izzy added, "we were able to cheer her up, as best as we could. I mean yes, she's big but she's still the same Dakota." She paused. "Okay, that didn't come out right. I mean yes, she's not very nice, but she's still . . ." She trailed off, her eyes twitching before screaming. "OK, I'm trying to find something nice to say about her, but I have nothing!"

Dawn offered kindly, "I you think you mean she's a person with feelings like all of us."

"Yes!" She then relaxed in her seat, nearly slipping out.

Owen wrapped one of his large arms around his girlfriend affectionately. "Yeah, even though she really wasn't our friend before, we'll help her through it."

"Yeah." Izzy looked intense. "I wonder how she's doing."

Owen and Izzy each grabbed another protein bar, and got to their feet and headed toward the tent exit and the two guards stood in the way.

"We want to check on Dakota," Owen explained, "to make sure she's okay."

"Pretty, please!" Izzy begged, her hands folded before her.

The two guards glanced at each other as they considered it. "All three of you?"

Dawn saluted. "Yes, sir."

The trio left the tent and the guards followed. They walked toward Dakota who was lying on her side, looking toward Sam who was a few feet from her head. It seemed he was speaking to her.

"Sam, Dakota!" Dawn called out.

Dakota sat up, looking toward the approaching trio and Sam turned. "Dawn? Izzy? Owen?"

"Guys, what's up?" Sam asked.

"Dakota, how are you feeling now?" Owen asked, looking up at her.

"I'm better." Dakota's voice was soft.

"You're not hungry, are you?" Izzy asked, her face etched in concern.

"No."

"Strange." Owen frowned. "How could you not be hungry?"

Dakota frowned thoughtfully. "I don't know. I haven't eaten or drank anything since morning, yet I haven't wanted anything."

"Strange," Sam commented, "I wonder what scientific explanation there is."

Dawn wiped her brow in relief. "Well at least we won't have to worry about feeding her."

"Don't say that!" Owen interjected, looking skittish.

"Yeah, don't!" Izzy exclaimed, looking like she saw something awful.

"Gee, what's wrong?" Dawn asked, startled by the outburst.

"I . . ." Owen stammered, "I just don't like the thought of not needing to eat."

"Yeah," Izzy concurred, "me neither."

"Oh dear!" Dakota said, reaching a hand toward the two oddballs. "Guys, are you all right?"

"No problem, fellow oddball!" Izzy announced with a maniacal grin, as if her distress had never existed.

Owen awkwardly assured her. "Uh . . . sure."

Dakota suddenly yawned. "I'm tired."

Izzy went over and touched one of Dakota's enormous hands. "Go to sleep Dakota. You need your rest, little girl."

"Little?" Dawn asked, stunned.

Dakota chuckled. "Little girl. Yes, that'd be nice." She laid down, using her arms like a pillow. "It'd be nice to be a little girl again." She closed her eyes, and began to doze.

Sam, Izzy, Owen, and Dawn stared awestruck at what had transpired. Izzy went over and touched Dakota's hands again. "Goodnight, D."

Dakota started to snore, a thin smile on her huge face.