//------------------------------// // Sightseeing the City // Story: The Power Princesses // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// After cleaning up the mess that Mary and Spruce had made in the cooking class, Ken and his six alien friends left the school and into the city. “Phew, I thought we’d never leave,” Ken sighed. “Again, sorry about the Pizza Ball there, Ken,” Mary apologized. "Though, on the bright side, you do smell really good, I could just eat you up!" Ken instantly froze up as he turns around to see the hungry eyes on Mary's face, as she leans closer to Ken, with Trots, Dallas, and Aurora holding her back, "Oh no, no, no, no!" Ken protested, holding his hands up in defense. "Please don't eat me! No need for that!" Mary giggled, "Oh Ken. I was only teasing you!" She smiled. "Harmonians don't eat earthlings. But I do love the smell of dairies in cheese, cakes, cupcakes, yogurts, and ice cream!" She licked her lips and rubbed her stomach, "Mmmm, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it." Ken smiled in relief, before he did a double take, "You girls like ice creams?" "Sure do!" Mary confirmed. "Back on Harmonus, we have the best ice cream shops in the entire universe!" "You mean had," Trots frowned miserably, which quickly got the rest of the girls to sympathize with their team leader's grievance. Thinking fast, Ken snapped his fingers as he thought of a way to cheer his new friends up, "Well, if you girls think your home planet's ice creams are good, then you haven't tried some ours on Earth yet! C'mon! My treat!" He said as he lead the girls on. "Mmmmm! This is so good!" Mary moaned in delight as she eats a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Trots was having a vanilla-strawberry swirl, with Aurora having a Superman ice cream, Dallas a caramel pecan flavor, Green Gardener a mousse chocolate flavored, Spruce a mango flavored variety, and Ken himself was enjoying a Spiderman ice cream. "Wow, these are sure dang tasty!" Dallas commented as she continues to wolf down her ice cream. "They're no Harmonian ice cream," Aurora said, while licking her Superman ice cream. "But they're delicious." "Didn't I tell you, or didn't I tell you?" Ken smiled. "Thanks again for treating us to this sweet delicacy, Ken," Trots thanked the boy as she walked up to look at the ice cream flavors they have on display, "I also couldn't help but notice that most of your ice creams are named after your superheroes. You've got Superman, Spiderman, Batman, even an Iron Man ice cream." "And don't forget some of the ladies too!" Mary pointed. "Look! Wonder Woman's here, with Scarlet Witch, Supergirl, and Batgirl! Every flavor to match the colors of every superheroes!" "And bad guys," Ken pointed to one of the ice cream buckets, labeled the Joker. "But who knows, maybe one of these days, you girls might end up having your names on these ice creams too!" The Power Princesses couldn't help but laugh at Ken's joke, "Won't that be the day," Dallas chuckled. "But if we're gonna be staying here," Trots began. "Protecting your city and help with your local law enforcements, then first thing's first. We need to familiarize ourselves with the place. That way, we can determine where we can set up our patrol routes and stakeouts, in case there is trouble." "And we'll also need to learn more about your world's culture," Mary added. "Not to mention your lifestyle, your technologies, and your pop cultures." Ken nodded in understanding, before he snapped his finger, "I know just the place to begin!" Their first step was at the library, "There's nothing like a library to go find the informations you need," Ken said. "And there's no other library like Maretropolis's Public Library. This place's got everything, from fictions to non-fictions, even a few comics and picture books in the kids' section." "It sounds wonderful," Trots Summers smiled happily, as Ken guided the Power Princesses to find a table, where they could read some books. Aurora was reading a book titled Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone and finds herself drawn into the book with every page from Chapter 1, Trots Summers was reading a book of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone, Spruce Spanner was reading books on Earth's wildlife and was very much enchanted with the animals. "Mmmm, these sound tasty already," Dallas Queen commented, when she happened to check out a cookbook. "Ooh, these look marvelous," Green Gardener marveled, while looking through a magazine on fashions. "These look so much fun!" Mary Allen squealed in delight, while reading a Dr. Seuss book. "Oh, I'd love to try out these green eggs and ham, if Guy-Am-I doesn't want them." Meanwhile, Ken was looking through some books in the romance section when he happened on one that catches his attention. “The Girls of My Life by Wildcard25,” Ken read. “Sounds interesting.” With that, Ken took the book out from the shelf and he finds himself a chair to sit in to read. After what felt like thirty minutes, Ken finds himself lost into the book, captivated by the romance, enjoying the joys and laughters the story provided, while moved to tear by the inner struggles. “Hello Ken!” Trots greeted. “What were you reading?” “This amazing romance novel called The Girls of my Life, written by this Wildcard guy,” Ken replied. “So it’s about this boy named Spike Drake who moved into a city called Canterlot, with his parents and he immediately befriended six girls and they became best friends. And ten years later, when they all grew up into teenagers, their friendship blossomed into love. And that’s how the trouble got started. The girls are madly in love with Spike and each of them wanted him all to themselves. So whenever they’re hanging out together, they always get into petty arguments that needed to be settled quickly, or else it will ruin their friendship.” “Wow, for real?” Trots asked in amazement albeit skeptical. “I’ve seen lots of friendship problems before, but I’ve never seen anything like this.” “Well, like they say. People do crazy things when they’re in love.” Trots couldn’t help but giggle in agreement, before she asked, "Mind if I read it with you?" "Sure," He said as Trots took a seat next to him and they both read the story together. After 30 minutes of reading and checking some books, Ken and the girls walked up to the librarian desk to check out the books they wanted to take home. The friends were about to leave the library, when they ran into troubles. “Well, well, well,” A gruff voice grumble, revealing himself to be Brick. “What have we here? Aw, it’s Ken hanging out with his girlfriend, Barbie!” “And not just Barbie,” Boomer added. “There’s six of them!” “Huh, I never knew you guys liked to play with Barbie dolls,” Ken said in a snappy comeback. "No we don't," Brick grumbled. "Really?" Boomer asked. "Because your mom said you'd talk to your sister's Barbie doll as if she was a real girl–" In response, Boomer was bonked on the head by Brick. "Quiet, Boomer!" “Wait a minute," Ken began, after he did a double take. "What'd you mean by ‘girlfriend?’ You guys think there’s something going between all six of us or something? I mean granted, they are girls, and they are my friends. But we’re just friends, y’know? Except that only goes to show what you guys know, because we just met.” Annoyed, Brick frowned as he talked down to Ken, “You talk too much. Shut up!” Next thing the two bullies knew, something grabbed them from behind and forced them to hit their heads together, knocking them out cold. Slithering from underneath the downed bullies is Dallas’s lasso. Ken turned to Dallas to see she was smiling and winking with a thumbs up, "Alright Dallas!" Ken smiled, giving the girl a thumb's up. Next stop was at an arcade, where Ken got the Princesses the tokens to play the games there. "I LOVE GAMES AND THESE LOOK SO MUCH FUN!" Mary Allen squealed, before she was a blur of pink, cheering, "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YESSSSSSS!!!!" "That girl's on a whole new level of crazy," Dallas sighed, and gave chase to restrain her hyperactive friend. "I'd better go and get her under control before she wrecks something." "Well I'm game!" Aurora smiled eagerly, turning her eyes to a basketball hoop. "Ooh!! Basketballs!" With that, she zipped off to play the game. "Well, I think I'll just go and find a seat to catch some readings on Earth's culture," Trots said as she went off to a table. "I'll join you, darling," Green said, joining her fellow defender. Spruce turned her attention to see a Whack-a-mole stand, "Aw! Look at those cute little moles!" Spruce cooed as she went over to pet the little critters that pop their heads from the hole. Seeing he was all by his lonesome, Ken got onto a dance game, selecting a song, and the game begins. Roses are Red — Aqua At the song started off with a slow steady rhythm, so Ken simply bopped himself up and down on his feet, while tapping his hand on his hip to following the song. Then, when the song started to turn more upbeat with the increasing tempos, the boy felt himself moving and grooving with the music as its mesmerizing spell took over him. On the game screen, dancing arrows pointing to the left, the right, up, and down were all scrolling across an outline of a virtual dancer who was moving in-sync with Ken. Ken was doing some classic dance moves, which includes the famous Pop and Lock, the Moonwalk, and the Spongebob. While Ken was dancing, Mary Allen, Aurora, Spruce, and Dallas all couldn't help but watch with love in their eyes. "Wow, look at him go!" Aurora marveled in admiration of their earthling friend. "Go Ken go!" Spruce cheered quietly. "I didn't know he could dance like that," Dallas smirked. "What's going on?" Trots asked when she and Green joined the group, seeing why they were crowding around Ken so much. Once the two princesses looked up and saw Ken dancing, they immediately find themselves captivated by Ken's dance moves as he ranks up some scores. At the end of the game, Ken did an impressive front split and was met with a loud round of applause from the girls. Startled, Ken turned his head to see the Power Princesses smiling and clapping their hands at his performance, "Oh, hey girls," Ken blushed. "So...did you all have fun?" "Sure did!" Mary smiled. "But it was more fun to see you having fun!" "Great...now can someone please help me get up?" The boy groaned, clutching to his smartened thighs. "I'm kinda stuck." After playing the games, and Ken recovering from his sore legs, the gang took their leave, while taking with them the souvenirs they had won for the day. Mary was snuggling up against a small plush alligator, "This is the cutest little alligator I've ever met!" Mary cooed. "He's so cute! Thank you for buying him for me, Ken!" Out of impulse, Mary gave Ken a quick kiss on the cheek. "Aw, hehehe," Ken blushed sheepishly, as he brushed Mary off, while the rest of the girls looked rather surprised at Mary's bold move in public. Ken was later showing the girls a skatepark, which got Aurora interested. While there, Green Gardener’s attentions wandered elsewhere to a fashion store, where she sees the latest fashions on display. "Oh my goodness!" Green Gardener said in awe. This didn't go unnoticed for Ken, when he turned around to see what had enchanted Green Gardener and captured her fancy. "Do you like them?" Ken asked. "Like them? I absolutely adore them!" Green Gardener swooned. "Back on Harmonus, believe it or not, but I was the reigning fashionista of the whole galaxy. Why I was crowned Miss Galaxy for five years straight." Ken couldn't help but smile, lovingly and in agreement, "I can see it to believe it," He sighed. "And of course, I'm always open to all sorts of fashion trends from other planets, including Earth's. So while I'm here, I might as well," With that, Green Gardener proceeded to walk into the story, but stopped just momentarily as she turned to look at Ken, "Would you care to join me, Ken Heathspike? It'd be rude to leave a lady unescorted, you know." Ken blushed a shade of pink as he stammered, "Uh, o-o-of course! I mean, no! I-I-I-I mean...I'd be happy to escort you...m'lady," He said as he followed Green into the store and they looked at all the clothings and accessories that were in store. "Ooh, this is marvelous!" Green swooned, when she checked a sparkling jacket, before moving onto a leather jacket with sparkling jewelries sown onto it in the most intricate manner. "My, this does bring out the shines to it! Oh!" The girl then went to inspect a pair of sapphire earrings, "Oh, these jewels simply speak to me!" Later, after picking out some clothes to try on, both Ken and Green went in the back for the girl to get changed, while Ken sat outside, waiting and anticipating for when she comes out. "Oh Ken~" Green Gardener sing-songed, walking out to show she was dressed in a flowing yellow cream summer dress, decorated with ribbons of flowers at the hem of her skirt, and a matching straw hat. "Whoa!" Ken gasped, enamored at her appearance. Seeing his reaction, Green Gardener giggled, "What do you think, Ken?" She asked, while shooting a flirting gaze at him. "Do you like it?" "Oh yeah~" Ken said, captivated by her beauty. Soon, Green went back behind the curtains, before she came back out, singing, "Ta-da~" She revealed herself to be wearing a dark blue sparkling tight that hugged her curvaceous figure, decorated with sapphire jewels at the bottom of her pants, matching gloves and high heels. Later, Green Gardener came out, dressed in purple sailor suit with pink highlights, an indigo checkered skirt, with a lavender necktie, white knee socks and black Mary Jane shoes, giving herself the appearance of a Japanese school girl. "Wow~" Meanwhile, the rest of the Power Princesses were perplexed to find that both Ken and Green Gardener were nowhere to be seen. Though it didn't took long for them to find their fashionable friend, with their earthling guide, inside the fashion store. To further their surprise, they watched as Green Gardener gave a private fashion show to Ken, as she presented herself to him in multitude of colorful clothes. At one point, Green Gardener was wearing a multi-shade-of-blue dress consisting of a powder-blue blouse with long sleeves, a midnight-blue bodice, and a cobalt-blue foot-length skirt, along with black heels. She was also wearing a big royal blue bow in her hair. Another time, she wore a timber wolf wrist-length blouse with light blue vertical linings, a pinafore dress consisting of both a light gray bodice with green linings, vertical gray hairlines, and four green buttons placed vertically on the bodice with black hairline laces attached, a dark gray skirt with a light gray lining, crimson, green, and lavender flower prints all around on it, and lavender, green, and olive drab bush-like prints between each flower prints. She also dons a white petticoat, a pair of matching heeled leather boots with gold linings and brown soles. She even wore a maid's outfit which consisted of a dark brown bodice with light aquamarine long sleeves, a brown knee-length skirt, with black ballet flats. Finally, she came to the last dress, “How do I look?” Green Gardener asked, when she stepped out from the curtain, wearing a sparkling purple dress with an open back that hugs her voluptuous figure. Ken was too lovestruck for words as he finds himself captivated by her spell. “You look beautiful,” A voice spoke up, startling both Ken and Green to look and see it was their friends. "And you two are certainly enjoying this much, aren't you?" Trots grinned, crossing her arms as she and her fellow defenders smirked mischievously, while Ken and Green could only blush in embarrassment. Then, in the corner of her eyes, Green Gardener noticed one of the store's staff members hauling away a rack of beautiful clothes. "Oh my? What are those?" Green Gardener asked, walking up to the staff who was hauling the accessories and clothes away. "Where are they going?" "To storage," The staff grumbled. "Deep deep storage." "But these fabrics are simply divine! They cannot be locked away!" "Oh yes they are ma'm. These are the works of Suri Polomare, and I wouldn't be caught dead wearing one of her wardrobes if I were you." He replied as he left with the stuff. Green raised an eyebrow, "Who?" "I can answer that," Ken said as he approached her, "Suri Polomare was once a famous fashion designer who fell from grace and has since then turn to a life of crime." Green's eyes widen, "My goodness, what happened?" "Well from what my dad told me, she had a really bad habit of plagiarizing other people's hard work and pass it off as her own. Some of the higher ups from the fashion industry had began to connect the dots and after investigating, she was kicked out of the fashion business and got pretty much blacklisted across the entire west coast." Ken explained. "How scandalous." Green said, appalled by Suri's actions. "There's more," Ken continued, "Shortly after that, she began to call herself High Heel and formed the Fashionistas gang, people who either had a similar background to hers or takes style way too seriously. When they aren't trying to steal the latest fashion trends, they would go into violent turf wars with either the Fire Devils or the Reapers." Their last stop of the day was an animal shelter, which got Spruce’s attention and she insisted on checking the place out. “Oh my!” Spruce squealed in delight. “Look at all these cute little earth creatures!” She cooed, admiring and playing with all the cute bunnies and hamsters in their cages, to stroking and tickling some of the kittens' tummies, and barking along with the puppies. Ken couldn't help but smile at the cute sight of the girl bonding with almost all of the animals in the shelter, "You must really love animals, don't you, Spruce?" He asked. "Oh yes, of course!" Spruce smiled. "Back on Harmonus, I was the leading scientist on medics. I made it my life goal to find the perfect miracle drug that can cure the diseases in all living creatures!" "Whoa, really?" Ken asked in fascination. "That sounds ambitious and a tall order." "It is, it is," Spruce nodded in agreement. "But for the good of all living creatures, I just have to do it! Especially for all these cute little animals," With that, Spruce continued to cuddle some more with the puppies, who all barked and wagged their tails happily, showing their returned affections for the girl. The cute sight between Spruce and the animals made Ken smile to see her happy and affectionate. The seven friends were heading back to the Heathspike residence, when they happened to pass a statue of a horse-like creature staring intensively at a vast ocean of large trees. In appearance, the horse has a unicorn-like horn on its head and also has pegasus-like wings. "Whoa, hey take a gander at this!" Dallas said as she and the girls all marveled at the statue. "Fascinating!" Trots said in agreement. "That's the statue of Maretropolis's Guardian Spirit, the Alicorn," Ken lectured. "Long ago, when the first settlers came to this land to build a town, there were numerous stories about strange phenomenons of Blackwater Woods," He pointed to the forest before them. "What kind of strange phenomenons?" Trots asked. "I'm not big on telling ghost stories, or anything," The boy replied, scratching his head, "But there were a lot of stories saying that hikers going missing in the woods, disappearing without a trace, or a disembodied voice calling out to you, even though there's no one there, mysterious lights that roam the forest like that of a living creature, those sort of things." "Fascinating," The lead Power Princess said in astonishment. "But what do they have to do with the statue?" "Well, the founders of Maretropolis were approached by an old man, who claimed that the strange happenings were the cause of an unholy evil that lurks within the forest. So he carved this alicorn statue to keep whatever's lurking there at bay, and as long as the statue keeps standing, then the evils of Blackwater Woods will never set foot in this city." "Wow!" Mary Allen said in amazement. "That sounds like quite the story!" "Yeah, the alicorn statue can keep the evil spirits of the wood at bay," Ken said, before he muttered, "Too bad it can't stop crimes in our city."