Plan Nuke

Theo: My first hero battle—I'm so excited and nervous at the same time! I finally get to kick butt.

Kira: Ugh… kids.

Sensei Baa: Calm yourself, Theo. I’m going to show this guy how the Mystic Squad took out the Dragon Queen and her minions.

Kira: Mystic Squad?

Theo: Long story—really epic. But for now, just watch my ingenious creation in action. (Sensei Baa hovered toward Radiax and threw a punch, but Radiax dodged, jumped to his blind spot, and landed a powerful kick that sent Sensei Baa crashing into the wall.)

Radiax: Energy Orb Multi-Attack! (He launched a flurry of glowing orbs at Sensei Baa, but Sensei Baa unleashed a deafening sonic scream, shattering the orbs in midair. In one swift motion, he leapt over Radiax and landed beside Theo and Kira.)

Sensei Baa (wiping the sweat off his face): This guy’s good… I’d better start taking this seriously. (He unraveled his robe and tossed it toward Theo, expecting him to catch it—but Theo, with poor hand-eye coordination, fumbled awkwardly before the robe slipped through his fingers and hit the ground.)

Theo: Oops.

Sensei Baa: Kids.

Kira: Exactly what I’ve been saying.

Radiax: Enough of this insolence! (He enclosed himself in a massive spiral energy orb and launched smaller glowing orbs at blinding speed.)

Sensei Baa: You call this fast? I defeated the Dragon of Speed, and his attacks were way faster than yours. (He easily dodged the attacks, then closed his eyes.)

Radiax: Are you… are you underestimating me? (The massive orb dematerialized.)

Theo: Wait, are you doing what I think you’re doing?

Sensei Baa: Solar…

Theo: You can’t use that attack—you’ll destroy us all!

Sensei Baa: Cannon! (He unleashed a super-charged version of his heat vision at Radiax. Radiax tried to dodge, but before he could escape, Sensei Baa raised his head, destroying the walls and roof at once. The blast hit Radiax, causing a huge explosion. Theo braced himself, eyes shut. When he opened them, a wall of glowing boxes was shielding them.)

Theo: Whoa! How did a wall of boxes survive that explosion?

Kira: I used my molecular fusion. As long as two objects are being pushed together by my power, nothing can separate them. (She opened the wall slightly.)

Kira: Looks like you summon used up all its power.

Theo: How can you tell?

Kira: Can’t you see that cloud of yellow smoke being blown away?

Theo: Wow… that attack destroyed the whole warehouse.

Kira: We don’t have time for that. Even though the attack was pretty powerful, I’m sure Radiax is still alive. So, hurry up and summon a new hero—we need to get his crystal object.

Theo: I’m thinking of one… I even forgot to ask what it looks like.

Kira: It’s a ring he wears under his glove.

Theo: So, wh—

Kira (interrupting): Why haven’t you summoned a hero yet?

Theo: I can’t think of anyone who’s charged.

Kira: Then recharge them!

Theo: And what happens if he comes?

Kira: I’ll distract him while you do your weird game… daydream… whatever it is.

Radiax: If you think I’m going to stand here and watch you carry out your plan, you are gravely mistaken. (Radiax leapt to the top of the box wall. Kira sprang after him and tackled him off it, crashing to the other side.)

Kira: Run! I’ll take it from here. (She turned the box wall into a massive hammer and tried to smash him repeatedly, but he kept dodging.)

Theo: I’d better hurry so I can help Kira. (As he was about to leave—)

Radiax: Where do you think you’re going? (He blasted a shelf in front of Theo, blocking his way.)

Radiax: The party’s just getting started—and like the old saying goes, it’s not a party till something breaks. In this case, that “something” is going to be you. Gigantic Spiral Orb! (He created an energy orb that grew larger and unleashed it. Suddenly, in the middle of the explosion, a male superhero appeared, shielding Kira and Theo with a glowing force field. Then he vanished in a cloud of yellow smoke.)

Theo: Another win for the hero summoner… No, that’s lame too.

Kira: What just happened?

Theo: I summoned a hero who could make a force field, but he only had enough power for that.

Radiax: Ugh… let’s try this again. Gigantic—

Subordinate (on comms): Boss, Plan Nuke is almost ready.

Radiax: Looks like we’ll have to postpone the fight—until after I turn the city into a nuclear wasteland.

Theo: What good does that do you?

Radiax: Don’t you know? These energy orbs are just nuclear blasts with the radiation dialed down. But once this city’s flooded with radiation…

Kira: You’ll be unstoppable.

Theo: We won’t let that happen.

Radiax: How will you stop me when you don’t even know where I am? (He vanished in a cloud of black smoke.)

Kira: What do we do now?

Theo: Wait… I remember seeing some masked men carrying nuclear generators to a junkyard. If you’re going to turn a city into a nuclear wasteland, you’re going to need nuclear generators.

Kira: And the only junkyard in this area is…

Theo: Old Man Pete’s Junkyard!

Kira: Let’s go.

Theo: How are we going to get there? None of my heroes have energy.

Kira: Just do what I do—summon Anti-G Hover Disc. (She pressed her galaxom.)

Theo: Summon Anti-G Hover Disc! (Two hover discs materialized—one glowing pink, the other yellow.)

Theo: Alright… let’s go kick some butt! (They mounted the discs.)

Meanwhile — 7:24 PM — Old Man Pete’s Junkyard

Radiax: Move it, you sluggish maggots! We’ve got a deadline. (Suddenly, a dark throne the with three goblins beside it appeared out of a cloud of black smoke. A man in a black robe with deep blue symbols and the V.S. insignia on his forehead stepped down.)

Villain Leader (cold, dark voice): I assume everything is going according to plan?

Radiax: Of course, Your Darkness. We’ll be done in two minutes, max.

Villain Leader: Good. Now to other matters—the goblins told me the last crystal object has been bound to someone and partnered with that girl.

Radiax: Indeed, I encountered them. I’m not sure what his powers are, but he could be a threat. I wouldn’t be surprised if they showed up here.

Theo (making strange noises): PLEW! BLAH! SHAPOW! BRAPOW! BAZZZ! PEW!

Kira: Why do you keep making those noises? I tried to ignore it, but it’s hard when saliva is flying everywhere.

Theo: I’m recharging some of my heroes.

Kira: I will never understand your powers.

Theo: Whoa… what is that? (As they neared the junkyard, Theo saw the throne.)

Kira: Oh no… the Villain Leader is here. We’re probably outnumbered, so we’ll have to be strategic about this. (They stopped and hid behind a fence.)

Theo: I thought you’d say something like that. So here… Camo Cloak! (A beam of light blasted upward, but only a cloud of smoke appeared.)

Kira: What am I supposed to be looking at?

Theo: He’s right there—Camo Cloak makes one of your hands visible. (A floating arm appeared.)

Kira: So… invisibility. Useful, even though the name makes no sense.

Theo (with a big grin): Speaking of names… I finally picked mine. From now on, I’m… (He strikes a pose.)

Theo: The Cartoon Kid!

Kira: Seriously? The Cartoon Kid? I guess that’s what I’d expect from you.

Kira: I’ve had my powers for two and a half years, and it never crossed my mind to get a super name. But enough of that—here’s the plan…