//------------------------------// // The Gangs of Maretropolis Part 2 – Fire Devils – Mistress Marvelous // Story: The Power Princesses // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// Disturbed-Inside The Fire In the southern outskirts of Maretropolis lies an abandoned junkyard. Well, abandoned wouldn’t be the appropriate word as it serves as the home base of the Fire Devils, one of the most feared gangs in the city and also one of the very few who refuses to kowtow to the Storm King. At the center of the junkyard lies a large dome-like structure where the vicious bikers do races or perform stunts. At the far corner of the junkyard sits a small warehouse where their leader resides. Inside were many FDs having a beer, playing pool, or just having idle chit chat. One of which is about the heroines and their little sidekick. “So I’ve been hearing that those little whores and their boytoy have been cleaning up the streets.” One of the bikers said. “Yeah, I heard too.” Commented another, “I also heard they put Frank and a few of our other guys behind bars. Boss was not happy when he found out. Tooked it out on Sludge as usual, not that the fat, lazy bastard deserved it since he made a snarky little comment about it.” “When will that retard ever learn to keep his damn mouth shut?” A third one exclaimed before taking a sip from his bottle. “Who knows but you gotta admit, it’s always fun seeing the boss beating the shit out of that slob.” Said the first one. “Yeah, it always is.” The third one chuckled before he noticed something, “Oh boy, speaking of blubber ass, look where he’s sitting.” He pointed out.  The other two bikers turn to see what he's talking about and they both cringe when they do. It turns out Sludge is lazily sitting on the boss’s personal seat. Again. In appearance he had grayish persian blue hair and light persian blue eyes. For attire, he wore an FD biker jacket like the rest of them, a light apple green shirt, pale light grayish apple green pants, and moderate apple green shoes. “Hey Sludge!” One of the bikers called out, “You do remember that’s the boss’s chair right?” Sludge just brushes him off, “Ah, who cares. The boss hasn’t been out of his office all day so I don’t think he would mind if someone else was sitting here for once.” However, as soon as he said that, a large shadow began to loom over him. He turned to see and instantly went pale. Standing over Sludge was the leader of the Fire Devils himself, Lavan, who was flanked by two rottweilers. In appearance, he was a large and intimidating man, standing almost 6’8 with fiery orange hair with dark red streaks and dark red eyes. For attire, he wore a red overcoat with the FD logo on the back, black shirt, dark orange pants, and black shoes.  “You're in my chair again, Sludge.” Lavan said in a low growly tone. His glare would make a grizzly tremble in terror. Sludge chuckled nervously, “Heh, heh, I-I was just warming it up for you boss.” He said as he instantly got off the chair and quickly dusted it, “There you go boss, good as new.” Sludge said as he went on his merryway but not even two seconds later, Lavan kicked the lazy biker right in the rear which sent him flying across the room and crashed into a pile of pipes. The others just laughed at his misery. Lavan just shakes his head as he sits on his chair with his dogs laying on each side. One of the bikers approaches him with a paper in his hand, "Here's this month's receipt of protection money boss."  "Thanks." Lavan said as he placed a cigarette in his mouth and lit it. As he read through the paper, he noticed something on the receipt that made him really mad, "Those lousy hillbillies!" Lavan shouted. "What's up boss?" One of the FDs asked. "It's that damn Apple Family that's what!" Lavan growled, "They've been skipping on their payment. Again." He got up from his chair and proclaimed, "Saddle up boys, we're going to Sweet Apple Acres." The bikers cheered and made their way out with Lavan and his dogs following suit. Sludge finally crawled his way out of the pipes and noticed that everyone was gone. "Well, since no one is here right now, I think I'll help myself to the boss's chair." He grinned to himself before he heard Lavan shouting. "SLUDGE, GET YOUR FAT ASS OVER HERE!!!" Sludge sighed, "Coming boss…" He grumbled as he made his way outside. Sweet Apple Acres Meanwhile, over at Sweet Apple Acres, Dallas Queen, Ken Heathespike, and his dog, Delilah, were visiting the said apple orchard to pay a visit to the Apple Family For the past weeks now, since the Harmonus Defenders had arrived and become Maretropolis’s Power Princesses, Dallas Queen a.k.a Mistress Marvelous, had been visiting the Apple Family for quite some time, forming a special bond with the family. The elder woman, Granny Smith, was like the grandmother that Dallas has never had, but always wanted. The young man, at the age of a college student, Big McIntosh, or Big Mac for short, was like an older brother to Dallas. The youngest child of the family, Apple Bloom, was like the perky little sister whom Dallas has formed a close kinship with. And lastly is the mother of Big Mac and Apple Bloom, and the daughter-in-law of Granny Smith, a beautiful woman with a kind heart named Pear Butter.  Pear Butter isn't actually from the Apple Family but from the Pear Family, who were once long-standing rivals of the Apples. Pear Butter is also a longtime friend of Ken's mother, Wysteria Heathspike. It was through her and Ken that Dallas met the Apple Family. “Ken! Lovely to see you!” Pear Butter smiled, hugging the young boy who returned the hug. “And Dallas, so nice of you to come along as well, Sugarcube!” “You know I’m always up for a visit with my favorite family, ma’m,” Dallas smiled. “Oh, enough of that ‘ma’m’ talk,” Pear Butter scoffed. “Just Pear Butter is just fine.” “You’re like one of the family, Dallas!” Apple Bloom squealed. “And I’ve got another sister! I’ve got another sister!” “I’ve never seen Apple Bloom this happy,” Granny Smith chuckled. “She's as hyper as a piglet out of the mud puddle.” “Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed. “I’m always looking forward to visiting one of my favorite families here in Maretropolis,” Dallas smiled, just as the sound of a dog barking was heard. Dallas smiled as she turned her head and was playfully greeted with a friendly lick, by the Apple Family’s dog, Winona. “Hey there, Winona!” Dallas smiled, squatting down to the dog’s level to scratch her behind the ears. “Ha ha! How are ya girl?” In response, Winona gives another happy bark, before she turns to Ken and greets him with another welcoming lick, before wagging her tail and barking even more excitedly, upon seeing Delilah. With another happy bark, Winona and Delilah took off running to play together in the orchards. “Aw, Winona and Delilah are still so happy to see each other again,” Pear Butter smiled. “Well, y’know what they say,” Granny Smith began. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” “Has it really been that long?” Ken asked. Before long, Ken and Dallas were helping the Apple Family with the harvest, in the orchards. While harvesting the apples, Dallas would find herself growing closer and closer with young Apple Bloom. The two girls were becoming sisters with each passing second, to the point it seemed that they were in-sync and were working together, harvesting the apples. Working nearby, Ken was watching this heartwarming development unfolding, with Big Mac and Pear Butter at his sides. “Wow, they’re totally in-sync,” Ken commented. “Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed. “Apple Bloom is glowing,” Pear Butter smiled heartwarmingly. “I’ve never seen her this happy since Bright Mac passed away…” “Nope,” Big Mac shook his head in condolence. “But...with Dallas Queen,” Pear Butter smiled happily. “It’s almost like I’ve got another daughter,” Turning to Ken, Pear Butter asked, “Where did you say she comes from, Ken?” “She’s…” Ken hesitated, struggling to think of an answer, without giving it away that Dallas and her friends are really alien girls from outer space. Even though the revelation may sound far-fetched. Thankfully, Ken dodged the question, when Dallas called out, “Hey, what’s this?” “Phew,” Ken sighed as he and the Apple Family joined Dallas in an area in the orchard. Everyone all gathered around, where a large apple tree intertwined with a large pear tree, forming the shape of a heart. “What kinda tree is this?” Dallas asked. “This is the symbol of my holy matrimony with Bright Mac,” Pear Butter swooned lovingly. “It’s sort of...how we tied the knot.” “Interesting,” Dallas Queen commented. “But wait. Weren’t you a Pear? How’s it that you...and Bright Mac, an Apple...be together?” “Oh! It’s a great story, Dallas!” Apple Bloom exclaimed happily. “Tell her, ma!” “Okay, okay,” Pear Butter giggled, as she composed herself and began to narrate the story. “Once upon a time, the Apple family and the Pear family were rivals to the core. I was a Pear as well. That is, until Bright Mac and I met, we fell in love, despite our families’ feud for one another.” “Like Romeo and Juliet,” Ken commented to Dallas. “We began seeing each other from time to time,” Pear Butter smiled. “We were getting closer and closer, with each passing day. We were about to put an end to the rivalry of our family feud, once and for all. But then, one day, my father, Grand Pear, tried to move our family business to Vancouver, to avoid the Apples.” “Oh my!” Dallas exclaimed. “That wasn’t even the sad part yet,” Apple Bloom said. “It was the wedding night, that’s sad…” “What happened?” Asked the alien girl. With a sad frown, Pear Butter composed herself, as she ended the story, “Bright Mac and I didn’t want to be so far apart from each other. So he did the craziest thing he could ever do. He arranged a secret wedding, with our friends as witnesses, and...an old friend of ours, from the office of mayor, as the officiate. And as part of our wedding vows...we planted seeds that became this tree.” “Sounds like a happy ending,” Dallas commented. “It’s not entirely happy, sweetie,” Pear Butter shook her head, while Dallas looked surprised, both at what Pear Butter had just called her, and the revelation to more of the story. “My father...and my soon to be mother-in-law, Granny Smith, had stumbled upon our wedding night. There was tension, Grand Pear made me choose between the Apple and the Pears. And I chose the Apples. That was the last time I saw my father…” Pear Butter ended the story, with a tear from her eyes, which she wiped away. “Oh, that’s terrible,” Dallas frowned in sympathy. “I’m sorry that happened to ya.” “Oh, don’t be sorry,” Pear Butter shook her head. “I...In a way, I...I...I have a beautiful family now. I have two wonderful children, and a loving mother.” “In law,” Big Mac pointed out. “Yes...in law,” Pear Butter corrected. “But...there were good times. That’s how I’ll always remember it.” “Oh! Tell ‘em about the song you sang for pa, ma!” Apple Bloom smiled excitedly. “Oh boy, here we go again,” Ken sighed, indicating he’s heard it a thousand times already. “I think I need to hear this,” Dallas expressed her interest. “Okay, okay,” Pear Butter chuckled. “But...I’m gonna need my guitar.” “Here it is!” Apple Bloom said, holding up the said instrument. With that, Ken and Dallas all sat down, around Pear Butter, with Apple Bloom and Big Mac, while the mother began to tune-up her guitar, and plays the love song of her and her late husband. You're In My Head Like A Catchy Song [Pear Butter] We're far apart in every way But you're the best part of my day And sure as I breathe the air I know we are the perfect pair On a prickly path that goes on for miles But it's worth it just to see you smile And I cannot be pulled apart From the hold you have on my heart And even if the world tells us it's wrong You're in my head like a catchy song Dallas Queen: Wow. It's just... wow. Pear Butter: Do you like it? Be honest now. Dallas Queen: It's the most beautiful song I've ever heard!" [Pear Butter] The seasons change and leaves may fall But I'll be with you through them all And rain or shine, you'll always be mine On a prickly path that goes on for miles You're the only one who makes it all worthwhile And you should not blame me, too If I can't help fallin' in love with you... Pear Butter ended the song, looking at a loving photo of Bright Mac, hanging on a branch of the tree. “Aw!” Apple Bloom cooed, “I get so teary everytime I hear that song!” “Eeyup!” Big Mac said in agreement. “Wow,” Dallas said in agreement. “It certainly has that magic touch to it…” “Uh, Dallas?” Ken spoke up. “You mind letting me go?” “Hmm?” Dallas looked down and saw she had subconsciously pulled Ken into a hug, and smothered him in her well-endowed bosom. “Oh! Sorry, Ken!” Dallas apologized, letting the boy go for air. Before long, however, the sound of motorcycle roaring was heard in the distance. "Uh, what's that?" Dallas asked. "Ma?" Apple Bloom asked her mother, anxiously. "What's happening?" "Oh no..." Pear Butter muttered, as if knowing what's coming. Meanwhile, back on the front porch of the farmhouse, Delilah was busy playing with Winona, with Granny Smith watching them, sitting on her rocking chair, when the sound of motorcycles was heard in the air. “Wut in tarnation?” Granny Smith exclaimed, looking through a pair of binoculars, with the dogs stopping their roughhousing. “Dang nabbit,” Granny Smith frowned. “Them devil’s can’t take no for an answer, can they?” "Let's ride boys!" Lavan roared as he lead the charge. "We're burnin' this dirt farm down! Every single last traces of it!" With that, the Fire Devils kicked their motors into high gears as they let out maniacal hollers, holding their bats and chains in the air. In the meantime, Pear Butter lead her two children, with Ken, and Dallas in tow, to see what the commotion was all about. And Pear Butter was definitely not liking what she was seeing. "Oh no, Fire Devils are at it again," Pear Butter frowned. "Fire Devils?" Dallas asked. "Wh-Who are they?" "A group of dangerous motorcyclists," Ken explained. "Their leader is Lavan, a ruthless criminal, who is as dangerous and destructive as they come." "Ah see," Dallas noted, already hating the biker gang. "But...what do they all want with y'all?" "For years, we've been paying their protection money," Big Mac explained. "So they would keep off our land and not hurt us, but..." "They just keep wanting more and more!" Apple Bloom hollered. "They won't leave us alone. They don't care if we're ever running low, or not having enough to pay for food!" "So eventually, we just started skipping their protection money," Pear Butter added. "Should've figured they wouldn't take no for answer. But...maybe I can try and appeal to their better nature. In the meantime," Pear Butter turned and ushered her children away, with Ken and Dallas. "Go hide in the barn." "But ma!" Apple Bloom whimpered. "No buts, sweetie," Pear Butter got down and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Go hide. Everything will be okay..." With a sad, but assuring smile, Pear Butter turned to take her leave. "C'mon, Bloom," Big Mac said as he took his little sister by the hand and they ran off into the barn, with Ken and Dallas following. Once inside, Ken and Dallas knew that it's time to get down to business. "Hey, uh Big Mac? Apple Bloom?" Dallas began, struggling to come up with a lie, which is tricky since she's too honest. "Ken and I...uh...gonna..." "Go up!" Ken pointed. "In the..." "The hayloft." "For..." "Lookout!" "Alright you two," Big Mac nodded. "Jus' be careful up there..." Ken gave the older farm boy a thumbs up, as he climbed up the ladder, with Dallas following. "What do we do now, Big Mac?" Apple Bloom asked worryingly. "Hope for a miracle," Big Mac replied solemnly. "That's all we can do..." Little did the two apple siblings know, a miracle is being worked up, courtesy of two superheroes in the barn, answering the call. Dallas was the first to step outside, as Mistress Marvelous, "C'mon, Hum Drum!" Dallas called. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" Hum Drum fumbled, struggling to get his suit on, tripped, falling on his face, into a mud pit, surrounded by pigs. "Oh Ken..." Mistress Marvelous rolled her eyes, shaking her head. Meanwhile, at the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres, Pear Butter and Granny Smith stood face-to-face with the Fire Devils' leader, Lavan. Circling around the two apple women are Lavan's pet rottweilers, while Delilah and Winona both stood defensively, snarling and baring their fangs in response. "You skipped your payments...again," Lavan said gruffly. "This is the last straw." "Please, be reasonable, Lava," Pear Butter began, trying to appeal to the man's better nature. "We barely have any money left to pay for our mortgage. We'll lose the farm..." "Oh, you'll lose more than just the farm," Lavan chuckled, as he turned to his men. "Let's burn 'em down, boys!" One of the bikers complied as he ignited a lighter to burn a piece of cloth, stuck out of a bottle of molotov cocktail. Before the biker had a chance to throw his homemade grenade, a boomerang came flying from somewhere and shattered the glass bottle, drenching him in the flammable liquid. "AAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!" The biker screamed as he fell to the ground, rolling around to snuff out the flames. Caught by surprise, the bikers and Lavan turned their heads in the direction the boomerang came from, to see Mistress Marvelous and Hum Drum, standing defiantly towards the bikers. "Y'all just picked the wrong day to mess the wrong farm, punks!" Mistress Marvelous glowered. "This can go in two ways!" Hum Drum barked. "One: You punks can walk away, or TWO: You walk away, with tire tracks on your face, and butts burned to...no-no-no-no! I mean...with your dogs on the hot. No! I mean...Ugh! Let's just fight..." "Feisty little guy, aren't you?" Lavan scoffed, before he smirked. "But alright. Let's have some fun," With a snap of his fingers, Lavan commanded, "Let 'em have it boys!" War – Sick Puppies With that, the fight begins with the Fire Devils kicking their bikes into high gears, roaring to life, with Mistress Marvelous standing her ground. Hum Drum spring-jumped towards Pear Butter and Granny Smith, "You might want to take cover," Hum Drum advised. "This could get messy." "For once, I reckon we oughta listen to the youngsters, Pear, dear," Granny Smith advised. "Seems we're way in over our heads on this one." Pear Butter nodded in response, as both she and Granny Smith went off for shelter. Back in the battle, Mistress Marvelous stood like the lone ranger, facing down the entire Fire Devils that circled around her, while spinning her lasso at the ready. One of the Fire Devils lunged at Mistress Marvelous, on his motorcycle, but Mistress Marvelous was able to dodge to the side, by jumping through the loop, before she jumped through it again, to dodge a strike from one of the other Fire Devils. Another Fire Devil lunged at Marvelous, who whipped her lasso to ensnare one of the other thugs, by the neck, and used the rope to trip the attacking Fire Devil off his bike. The other Fire Devils lunged in for the attack, slashing their baseball bats and chains at Marvelous. Thinking fast, Mistress Marvelous picked up the downed Fire Devil and used him as a human shield to save herself from the other Fire Devils' attacks. "Sorry man," One of the Fire Devils apologized to his comrade, before he was met with a punch to the nose, by Marvelous. During the fight, the only Fire Devil who isn't participating is none other than Sludge, who was too cowardly to fight, or too lazy to even bother with the fight. The fat man tried to slink away, to escape the fight, only for him to be caught by a couple of Fire Devils, and Lavan's rottwielers. "Where do you think you're going Sludge?" One of the Fire Devils glowered. Before Sludge could make an excuse, he looked up in alarm and pointed his finger at Hum Drum, "Quick! LOOK BEHIND YOU!" He shouted. "You don't think we'd–OOF!" A pair of hands had grabbed the two Fire Devils, forcing them to slam into each other's heads, knocking them out cold. Sludge and the two rottweilers looked up, to see it was courtesy of Hum Drum, hanging upside down, by the leg, on a tree branch. "Hi!" Hum Drum waved. "AAAAAHHHH!!!" Sludge screamed like a pathetic moron, running around in circles like an even bigger pathetic moron, before he smacked face first into a tree, and knocked himself out cold. "Seriously?" Hum Drum asked in a deadpan expression. Turning their attentions back at Hum Drum, the two rottweilers resume barking and snapping their jaws at the superhero-in-training, when they were suddenly pounced on by Delilah and Winona. The two good dogs proceeded to bark and bite in retaliation with Lavan's rottweilers. "Good girl, Delilah–WHOA!" Ken yelped, when he slipped and fell from the tree branch he was hanging off of. "Ow." "Ken! Are you okay?" Delilah barked, checking up on her owner. "I'm fine, Delilah. Thanks," The boy got up to stroke the concern Dalmatian's head, "LOOK OUT!" Hum Drum shoved his dog away, just as one of the rottweilers pounced on the boy. "UGH!" Hum Drum was struggling to hold the snapping jaws of the dog at bay, as he held the angry dog by the collar, while wincing at the canine furiously digging its sharp claws into his arms and chest. Thankfully, Hum Drum didn't have to worry much longer, when Delilah got up and rammed the rottweiler off. Angered, the rottweiler got up to retaliate, but Delilah had already pounced on the big dog, holding him down. At that moment, the other rottweiler lunged in for a bite at the Dalmatian. Luckily, for Delilah, Winona saved her, biting on the rottweiler's tail, to hold him back. "Don't just sit there, Hum Drum!" Delilah barked. "Me and Winona will handle these mongrels. You and Marvelous stop those biker scoundrels!" Though worried for Delilah, Hum Drum understood his dog can take care of herself. Giving her a nod, he got back up on his feet, to aid Mistress Marvelous in the fight. Speaking of whom, the strong alien girl was holding off on her own, against the Fire Devils. With her lasso in hands, she whipped, ensnared, and tripped several of the Fire Devils. To cover more distance, with a long-range approach, Mistress Marvelous hurled several boomerangs at some of the Fire Devils, knocking them off their bikes. “Who wants more?” Marvelous snarled. Stepping off his bike, taking his coat off, eager to accept the girl’s challenge, Lavan smoked a piece of cigarette. “Impressive,” Lavan commented, blowing a puff of smoke from his mouth. “Most impressive. You are an impressive fighter, young one.” “I’m jus’ full of surprises,” Marvelous spatted, cracking her knuckles, staring down at the tall man. “So yer their leader. Ya talk the talk. But can ya walk the walk? And by that, I mean, how good is yet fightin’?” “You don’t know the horrors I have seen,” Lavan said as he assumed a fighting stance. “Horrors that have hardened a man, such as myself.” “Big talk!” Mistress Marvelous kicked her feet, propelling herself towards Lavan, to throw a strong punch. But Lavan quickly caught her punch, before with a twist of his body, he threw Marvelous into a tree. “WHAAAAAA—OOF!!” Marvelous grunted, using crashing onto a tree. “Is that the best you got?” Lavan taunted. “You clearly don’t know who you are dealing with.” “I’m just gettin’ started, mister,” Marvelous grunted, picking herself up, and resumed the fight with the Fire Devils’ leader. Despite her innate super strength and years of combat experience, Marvelous has found herself fighting an assailant who is evenly matched with her strengths and skills. Mistress Marvelous threw several fast punches, chops, front kicks, side kicks, roundhouse kicks, a hook kick, even a Taekwondo tornado kick. Yet despite her quick reflexes and strength, Lavan skillfully blocked all of her attacks, even managing to dodge a few, until he managed to grab one of the girl’s leg, and proceeded to land a series of elbow drops, threatening to shatter Marvelous’s bones. “AUGGGHHH!!!” Mistress Marvelous shrieked in pain, struggling to escape from the man’s grip. “All too easy,” Lavan scoffed. Before the man could completely shatter Mistress Marvelous’s bones, he was hit in the face by a flying pellet, that shattered and covered his face in colorful, foamy, irritating substances. “Argh!” Lavan exclaimed, straining to wipe the burning substance off his face. “What is this?” Next thing he knew, he was hit on the head by a large metal pole, followed by a metallic uppercut that clocked his chin, and a strong jab to his stomach. Stumbling blindly, he tripped over his bike, and landed on his head. After fending off the Fire Devils’ leader, Hum Drum turned his attention towards Mistress Marvelous, who was tending to her sore leg. “Ooh, I’m no doctor,” Ken winced. “But I can tell, that’s gotta hurt. Are you gonna be okay?” “I’ll live,” Mistress Marvelous groaned. “But that Lavan is one tough customer. That’s for sure.” “I can see why these Devils elected him to be their leader,” Hum Drum commented, watching as Lavan got up, recovering from his earlier blindness. “So…your the kid pretending to be the hero huh?” Lavan scoffed. “You want to be a hero? Then your gonna die like one.” “Not today, Lavan!” Hum Drum said defiantly. “Hum Drum!” Marvelous exclaimed in worry. “I got this!” With a spin of his Nerf gun, Hum Drum fired more funny elephant toothpaste bullets at Lavan. But the man wasn’t easily fooled by the same trick again. He managed to swat some off the pellets away, with a few covering his arms in the same foamy substance. Seeing that the man is undeterred, Hum Drum unsheathed the sharp nails in his glove, before he clicked his heels, activating his springs to spring-jump towards Lavan. In retaliation, Lavan whipped his strong arms to block and deflect Hum Drum to the side. Though, not without acquiring several scratches on his arms, from the wonder boy’s attack. “Argh!” Lavan grunted, smartened from the wounds. As for Hum Drum, the boy found himself disoriented from the blow he received to the jaw. “Wow, that’s smart,” He groaned, wincing at the feel of a dislocated joint in his jaws. Mistress Marvelous watched helplessly as the battle raged on between Lavan and Hum Drum. Looking down at her lasso, she strained to focus her mentality into the rope, failing to bring it to life to aid Ken in his hour of need. The pain Lavan had dealt to her was too painful for her to concentrate her mental powers. Before Lavan could resume the fight, one of the Fire Devils came up to Lavan and alerted, “Boss! Sir! We’ve got trouble, on the Eastern part of the city. Niriks are moving in on our turf!” “That’s where we stored all our weaponry and loot!” Lavan noted. “We cannot let them take it! Fire Devils! Move out!” [End of fight song With that, the Fire Devils all rode off on their bikes, though some had trouble doing so, courtesy of the wounds from Mistress Marvelous. Before he left on his bike, Lavan took the moment to flip a bird at Hum Drum and Mistress Marvelous. “You all got lucky today,” Lavan smirked. “But next time not so much.” Putting the pedal to the medal, Lavan rode off, with his Rottweilers following him. “Yeah! You heard the boss man,” Sludge boasted. “You twos ain’t gonna be so lucky the next time!” “HEY LOOK OUT!” Hum Drum pointed, but it was too late. Sludge hit his head, on a sign, while his bike raced away. “Oooh!” Hum Drum groaned, along with Mistress Marvelous, Winona, and Delilah present. Sludge slowly got up, seeing stars and tweety birds circling his head, as he dizzily fumbled for his bike, and clumsily drove away. “Oh, he’s gonna get caught by dad for sure,” Hum Drum commented. Knowing their job is done, Hum Drum and Mistress Marvelous proceeded to make their way back to the barn, secretly. On the way, they happened to see Apple Bloom and Big Mac, running towards Pear Butter and Granny Smith. “Ma! Granny!” Apple Bloom yelled as she came running up to her mother and grandmother. “Is it over?” “Yes, sweetie,” Pear Butter replied. “I think we’re safe now. Thanks to Mistress Marvelous and Hum Drum.” “Say now,” Granny Smith began. “Where are Dallas Queen and Ken Heathspike? Weren’t they supposed to be with you youngsters?” “Uh oh!” Hum Drum and Mistress Marvelous said together. “They were!” Apple Bloom said worryingly. “But when me and Big Mac went to look for them, they were gone!” “Eeyup,” Big Mac confirmed. “Here we are!” Ken said, after he and Dallas were forced to make a quick costume change. “Sorry if we worried y’all,” Dallas grunted, as she limped, with an arm slinging around Ken’s shoulder. “Oh my goodness!” Pear Butter gasped. “What happened to you, sweetie?” After Sweet Apple Acres was saved, and with the Fire Devils driven off, Ken and Dallas both sat in the barn, where Pear Butter and Granny Smith tended to the alien girl’s leg injury. “That should do it,” Pear Butter said, after finishing up the bandages that wrapped around Dallas’s leg. “Okay. That leg of yours will be good as new in the next few days or so. So try not to work it so hard.” “Will do,” Dallas nodded. “Thank you, Mrs. Pear Butter.” “Just Pear Butter is alright,” The kindhearted woman gently stroke Dallas’s cheek, before she and the Apple family left. “Get some rest now, sweetie.” “Let us know if ya need anything,” Granny added, before she closed the doors behind her, leaving Dallas and Ken alone, with Delilah and Winona. Winona whimpered with worry, as she went over to sniff Dallas’s injured leg. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry,” Dallas reassured the dog, reaching out to pet her ears. “Thanks again for helping us, in the fight, with Lavan’s dogs,” Ken thanked Delilah. “You two were incredible today.” “Oh, it was nothing, Ken,” Delilah barked in response. “I suppose some good dogfighting, from great-great-grandfather Pongo and great-great-grandmother Perdita, runs in the blood.” “Fascinating.” “Still, all that fight, and…I was beaten, by a man?” Dallas said in disbelief. “Don’t feel bad about it, Dallas,” Ken tried to comfort. “Hardly anyone ever fought against Lavan and lived. For example, there was this one lady, maybe his ex-girlfriend, who barely escaped with just an arm ripped off…” “That still doesn’t help make me feel better,” Dallas frowned. “I wasn’t strong enough to beat him. And he could’ve killed you, too. The only reason they left was because another of their ‘precious’ turf is threatened.” “C’mon Dallas. A win’s a win,” Ken shrugged. “So stop worrying about it.” “But still…I feel so… pathetic just thinking about it. Like I wasn’t good enough to defend Sweet Apple Acres, and protect you…” Distraught to see his saddened friend, Ken sat down beside her, and puts a comforting arm around her shoulders. “I don’t think you’re pathetic, Dallas,” Ken said. “I think you’re the most strongest girl I’ve ever met. You’re tough, you’re brave, and you were willing to go down fighting. You were a badass, taking all those Fire Devils on your own like that. And I can’t help but feel inspired by you.” “Broken or not, nothing will ever change how I feel about you, and I’ll never stop playing by part of being a hero. Being your hero.” Touched by Ken’s devotion, Dallas reached out and hugged Ken, “Oh Ken.” She smiled, smothering him.