//------------------------------// // The Path of Hum Drum Part 6 – The Beauty // Story: The Power Princesses // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// "Really?" Green Gardener asked with piqued interest. "He's really all that wonderful?" In response, her fellow Power Princesses all exchanged random agreements. “He’s got potential,” Trot smiled, while shyly twirling one of her hair locks. “He’s got spirit,” Aurora commented. “HE’S ALOT OF FUN!!!” Mary smiled. “And cute!” “And nice,” Spruce added. “His choreography needs a little work, but otherwise, he’s on his way to becoming a splendid Defender!” Dallas stated. “Oh, wow,” Green Gardener smiled. “If he’s really as good as you all say he is, then I’m just brimming with excitement for my rendezvous with the little darling.” “You won’t be disappointed, Green!” Mary beamed excitedly. “I can just see you two together, sitting beneath a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G! And very soon, we’ll all officially become one big happy harem!” Thankfully, the girls were holding their meeting in the Heathspike’s dining room, without Ken, his parents, nor his cousins present. Otherwise, it would’ve been awkward for anyone to hear Mary Allen’s forwarded romantic proclamation. “A harem?” Trot asked. “What makes you say that, pray tell?” “It was in a book!” Mary shrugged. “Well, that and a couple other books, written by this Wildcard25 guy and a few others.” “...Don’t believe everything you read on the books, Mary...” Aurora advised. “Hey. It could happen...” Mary smiled with a shrug. Meanwhile, Ken was hanging out with his friends, Thor and Gwen. He was showing them a text he received from a distant friend. “Check this out!” Ken showed the text. “Mei Ling’s coming to town! She’s currently on her way here, with her dad, and she can’t wait to see us soon!” “Oh wow! That’s great news!” Thor exclaimed. “We haven’t seen her in forever!” “I know how you feel,” Gwen said in sympathy. “But it’s only been...a year? Give or take.” Hearing that last part from Gwen, Ken's excitement turned to sadness, as he looks towards an empty table. "And it's gonna be another three years, or so, without her," Ken frowned sadly. Thor and Gwen immediately caught onto whom Ken was referring to, and they began to sympathize. "You're talking about Kara, aren't you?" Thor asked. "...Can you blame me?" Ken asked. "It's been three years and she's still missing. I wonder what happened to her, or where she's been. And her mom, Kisara won't even talk about it..." "Maybe it's because she's just as clueless as we are to what happened to her," Thor commented. "She could be anywhere..." "...That's what I'm afraid of..." Ken frowned, before he shook his head. "Anyway, sorry I ever brought her up, I..." "Ken, it's okay," Gwen comforted, putting a hand on his. "She was your babysitter. And on top of that, she's our friend. So it's okay for you to miss her from time to time." "Not just sometimes," Ken muttered. "All the time..." Looking for comfort, Ken stroked Gwen's soft hand, and he looked down at his watch. "Yikes, I didn't know that was the time. I gotta go." He picked up his backpack and quickly took his leave. "Where are you going, Ken?" Thor asked, watching as his friend took his leave. "I promised Green Gardener a date at the Maretropolis Mall," Ken explained. "Ooh, a date with Green Gardener~" Thor smirked mischievously. "You sly dog...uh, I mean, sounds nice. Good for you, Ken," The boy stuttered when he noticed Gwen scowling in annoyance. "It's just to give her a tour of the mall, and everything," Ken shrugged. "Besides, she wanted to try out some new clothes and she needed help on them." "What kind of new clothes? OW!" Thor grunted, when Gwen punched his arm. "What? I was just asking..." "Oh, you know...the local kind," Ken replied. "The usual shirts, pants, and trendy kind you see us walking around in?" "Ah." "You seem to have a lot of time with these new girls, Ken..." Gwen frowned. "Any reason why?" "Well, they're new around the city," Ken replied. "And I offered to show them around and they're still getting to know the place. You know? That's all." "Uh huh," Gwen nodded, while sounding unconvinced. "Anyway, I should get going now," Ken turned and leave. "Oh, and tell your brother and sister I said hi!" He said to Thor and Gwen respectively. "See ya around, Ken!" Thor waved, while Gwen sadly watched Ken leave. Meanwhile, at the Maretropolis Mall, Green Gardener was standing outside, atop of the steps of the front entrance, waiting for Ken. It wasn't long, when the sound of running footsteps draw her attention to the boy who had at last arrived. "Oh, Ken! You've made it," Green Gardener smiled. "You know, it's impolite to keep a lady waiting," She chided playfully. "Sorry, Green," Ken panted. "Well, enough chit-chat, let's begin our outing." Ken nodded in agreement as he and Green Gardener walk together into the mall. "So what's the plan?" Ken asked. The first stop was at an ice cream store, where Ken and Green respectively purchased cones of chocolate chip mints and strawberry, vanilla, with caramel syrups. "Mmmm-mmm! Delicious!" Ken smiled as he licks his ice cream. "Indeed!" Green Gardener agreed. "I simply can't get enough of your world's ice cream. Though, I'm afraid I must show some restraints, or I'd be...out of shape?" "Or get a cavity, let alone a brain freeze," Ken chuckled, while he cringed at the memory. "I'll never forget that painful headache-toothache combo. Ouch." Green Gardener simply chuckled at Ken's remark, before she asked, "So, where would you like to go next, Ken?" "Um," Ken looked around, making sure no one was close to hear what he and Green have to say. "Are you sure about this, Green?" He asked, whispering into her ears. "Should we really be going on a date, when we could be on patrol?" "Nonsense, darling, the girls have got that covered," Green reassured. "And besides, if anything happens, we'll handle it," She winked, while holding up her bracelets. "Oh, okay," Ken nodded in acknowledgement. "Well, since you put it that way, then I guess we'll go on with this date of ours." "Excellent! So, where shall we go next?" Ken scratched his chin, as he pondered, before turning to the right and sees a music store next to him and Green. With that, both he and the beautiful alien girl walked into the store to check out the latest albums and CDs they've got on sale. Ken listened and enjoyed a few Pop songs, while Green seemed to be more drawn to some of the more classical music genre. However, she did show an interest in the disco songs. "Oh, I'd say, this Irene Cara has a splendid voice," Green Gardener smiled, while dancing to the beat of 'Flashdance – What a Feeling.' "Such passion! Why, it sings to the heart and soul of the listener!" "Oh yeah, she's great," Ken nodded in agreement. "And if you like the song, you should definitely see the movie that goes with it." "Will do," Green nodded, before she turns to the next pop song available for sample. "Ooh! Here's an album of one Madonna." "Oh man, she's the greatest!" Ken smiled happily. "She's the OG Queen of Pop! And she's still got it, all the way from the 80s! She didn't show up in the 2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show for nothing." "Is that so?" Green asked with piqued fascinations. "So what other singers should I be aware of?" "Oh, where do I begin?" Ken pondered. "Well, I could tell you about today's Queen of Pop, Sapphire Shores, as well as Songbird Serenade, and Countess Coloratura." Later, as Ken explained the said pop stars to Green Gardener's ever growing interest, they continued on with their date, by going to a bookstore, where Ken had another look in the comic section, and gets a quick look at some superhero comics. Green Gardener also takes a look at some comic book herself, while making a few comments on their outwears. "I'd say, couldn't she afford to show less skin for more protection?" Green asked. "And how could he possibly fit all those gadgets in that belt? And–Oh, goodness! That shade of brown should only be used for accents!" "Wow, you seem to know a lot about fashion, Green," Ken commented. "Well, a lady's not without her taste of proper attire and fashion, you know," Green smiled proudly. "And I don't mean to brag, but back on Harmonus, I'm a fashionista of the trades and a rising beauty queen." "Really?" "Oh yes, indeed. For as long as I can remember, I've had an eye for creative beauty and fashion. And I took it upon myself to make a gown that speaks to every Harmonian, showing their beauties from the inside-out." "Fascinating." "For example, dear Ken. Your casual outwears speaks of an average every-day kind of person that most can relate to." "Really?" Ken blushed. "Should I be flattered, or embarrassed?" "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Ken," Green smiled, as she gives a quick kiss on the boy's cheek. "It's who you are, and I like you, just the way you are." Ken held his hand up to where Green had kissed him, while thinking to himself, 'I'm never washing this cheek again.' Later, Ken and Green were passing an instrument shop, when Green Gardener stops to check out a few instruments herself. Ken picked up a trombone and started to play some smooth jazzy tunes with it. “Wow, Ken! That was lovely!” Radiance smiled. “Thanks! My aunt Prickles taught it to me,” The boy smiled. She played a few keys on a piano, before she picks up a guitar, but simply strums the strings. "Here, lemme show you," Ken offered as he took the guitar and played a few notes, expertly. "Oh wow, how marvelous!" Green smiled excitedly. "My cousin, Megan, showed me a few tricks now and then," Ken smiled as he handed it back to Green. "Now you try it," Green gave a few warm-ups on the strings, "C'mon. Like you mean it, Green!" Ken, and just about everyone else, where suddenly caught off-guard, when Green Gardener ended up shredding the guitar like a rockstar. "WHOA!" Ken shouted, as he was literally knocked off his feet, by the sudden blast of music. "Like that?" Green asked. After recovering from the rock n roll shock, their last stop was at a fashion store. "Oh wow, just look at these shoes!" Green marveled. "Oh, and these dresses and hats!" Freak Le Chic In a heartbeat, Green Gardener didn't waste a second as she started trying on some new clothes she's selected, appearing more stunning and glamorous than the last. Ken could only sit back and watch as she stood out from the curtains, dressed as a lovely schoolgirl, an athlete, a teacher, a policewoman, and even a princess in a tight, sparkling dress. "Beauty queen is right," Ken smiled as he finds himself in a pink world, surrounded by sparkles and bubbles as he falls into a lovestruck glance at Green. Later, both boy and girl were checking out at the swimwear section. Ken couldn't help but blush, especially at the females' swimwear. 'Hey! Cut me some slack, I'm a dude!' Ken said mentally to himself. “My word...” Green Gardener exclaimed, as she examined a two-piece swimwear. “Oh. It’s a swimwear. Honestly, sometimes I’m having trouble telling the difference between a swimwear and an undergarment. They looked similar.” “Yeah, I’m no fashion expert,” Ken admitted with a faint blush. “But hey...I've once heard it's all about function, not fashion," The boy then thought to himself, 'Though, mostly fashion, depending how sexy we're talking...' "Is that right?" Green asked, while still looking skeptical. "Then pray tell, what is the exact function of a swimwear like this?" "I...I wouldn't know," Ken blushed a shade of red, which he hides by turning away. "Besides, if you're uncomfortable about bikinis, there are one-pieces over there..." "No, actually, I'm rather intrigued," Green said as she looks at the bikini in her hand. “Oh! What is that?” Once again, Ken was waiting for Green Gardener to change. This time, she began to take things up a notch and started to appear in sexier, exotic costumes. She posed in a catsuit that tightly hugged her curves. She even posed as a cheerleader. And she even posed as a beautiful belly dancer. Ken was blushing bright red, while exerting as much self restraint to keep himself composed and in control. Last thing he wanted was to make a fool of himself and be labeled as a shameless pervert. Finally, Green came to the last of her ensembles for the day. "Well, Ken?" Green Gardener asked, as she steps out of the curtain, posing in the bikini. "How do I look? Be honest, darling..." Ken was at a loss for words. Oh YEAH! – Anime SFX His face was a deep shade of red, as he stared, slack-jawed, gawking at the beautiful alien girl in front of him. In color, the bikini is light purple with large plates of seashell designs and shapes on the fronts of the top and bottom, that leaves little to the imagination. To further her ravishing display, Radiance also wore sparkling white high heels, that compliments her curvaceous figure and brings out the colors of her eyes and hair. To him, she's about as stunning, if not gorgeous, than Dejah Thoris, Starfire, and by extension, Princess Leia's slave garb from Return of the Jedi. "Hmmm, by the expression on your face, I presume you like what you see?" The girl flirted. "Huh? Oh!" Ken shook himself back to his senses. "Y-Y-Yeah! I-I-I-I think you look–" Before Ken could finish his sentence, there was an explosion that shook the whole building. End of Song Ken and Green Gardener were knocked to the floor, and were buried under a clump of clothings, as well as debris from the explosion. Straining to look, Ken could see several criminals, with colorful hairstyles and dressed in flashy attires. The criminals were pointing their guns up in the air as they fired random shots to scare the customers and several of the mall staffs. "Give us your money!" One of the criminals ordered. "And give us the best clothes you've got!" The staffs frighteningly complied as they immediately opened up their cash registers to empty the moneys into the criminals' bags, along with the expensive dresses, scarves, and all sorts of fancy clothings they could get their hands on. "This looks like a job for us, Radiance," Ken said, as he scurried himself out of the rubbles and into the changing room to change into his suit. "Agreed, let's...huh?" Green Gardener reached out for her power bracelets, but was dismayed to find they were gone, along with the dresses she had picked out. "Hey! My bracelets! My outfits! Where are my–” "Hey check this out!" One of the thugs spoke up, showing off a familiar bracelet to match. "This looks expensive. How much do you think it'll fetch us?" "I don't know, but it looks promising," The other thug replied. "Let's take it to High Heels. She'll know what to do." With that, the thugs took their leave, with Radiance's bracelets. "HEY! Stop right–" Remembering that she’s still wearing the bikini, Green Gardener’s face became a shade of red as she wraps her arms over her chest and waist, then hides to preserve her modesty. In the meantime, Ken was done with his costume change and came out, having suit up into Hum Drum. “STOP VILLAINS!” Hum Drum shouted, while he mentally castigated himself, ‘Stop villains? Really? Like any villains would ever stop if you tell them to. And why have I been talking to myself a lot lately? Oh well.’ Regaining his focus, back into the situation, Hum Drum leaps into the chaos, ready to fight the new gang of baddies. “You ready, Radiance?” Hum Drum asked, to which an answer didn’t respond. “Radiance?” Radiance was currently hiding herself, underneath an upturned counter. The fashionable alien girl was too embarrassed to be seen in public, let alone fight. Not to mention she’s completely powerless without her bracelets. "Uh, y-y-yes, H-H-Hum Dr-Drum," Radiance shivered, from under the counter. "I've...I'm already in pursuit of one group. You take care of the ruffians on your end." Thankfully for her, Ken bought it and complied, "You can count on me, Radiance!" Activating his super jump boots, Hum Drum leapt away, into the main hall of the mall, while Radiance looks at herself in a nearby mirror. "Hmph! What function?" She asked, referring to the bikini she's wearing. "It offers no decent amount of protection..." Back with Hum Drum, the young hero-in-training was in pursuit of most of the criminals who continued to raid other fashion stores. The boy hid himself behind a pillar, while scoping the layout, seeing he's on the second floor of the mall. Most of the crimes is taking place, on the first floor. Not including the fashion store he just left, there were an estimate of three other fashion stores being raided by the criminals. "Alright, Hum Drum," The boy said to himself. "Time to give your cousin Danny's invention a field test," Reaching into one of his cape's pockets, Hum Drum pulls out a small pellet of the Funny Elephant Toothpaste, along with a Nerf gun from his belt. "Good thing these can double as bullets." Ken loaded one of the pullets into the Nerf blaster, took aim and fired one of them at the ground floor, watching the pellet explode into a colorful foamy cloud that spreads all over the floor. The impact also caught some of the criminal's attention. "Hey! I heard something over there," One of the thugs went out to investigate the foamy puddle. "What the hell is this stuff?" "I don't know," One of the other thugs answered. "But let's not get it onto the goods. Remember, High Heels wants 'em intact and in good condition." "Hmmm, whoever these goons are working for, they must know what they're stealing," Ken pondered. "But who would...nevermind. I gotta stop these goons until..." Suddenly, Hum Drum's glove rang, signaling in incoming phone call from his dad. "Uh...hello?" Ken answered. "Ken! Where are you?" Kenbroath Heathespike asked frantically over the phone. "I just got a phone call about a–" "Mass explosion, gunfires with criminals flooding into the mall?" Ken asked. "Yeah, I'm in the middle of it, dad." "Oh shit...I'm on my way, Ken. Everything's going to be okay. Just stay where you are, stay out of sight, and don't panic." "I won't dad," Ken replied, as he hung up. "Until dad gets here, I'd better take care of these thugs," Tapping his ring finger, Hum Drum called for Radiance. "Hey, uh Radiance? I could use some help here...Radiance? Hello? Hello?" Little does the boy know, the girl's comm was among her other belongings, which have been stolen by the goons. "...Guess it's up to me then..." Hum Drum shrugged, as he begins his lonesome fight against the criminals. "Alright Ken, remember what the girl's been teaching you. Fight smart. Analysis the situation and the layouts. Think of a strategy." Ken quietly sneaks into a fashion store, where a thug was pressuring a person at a counter to open up a safety box, while his partner was standing next to him, holding an even bigger gun. "Gotta get that gunman away first," Ken said to himself, before he turns to see a mannequin next to him. "Hmmm..." Getting an idea, Ken kicked the mannequin, causing it to fall onto the floor, which caught the thugs' attention. "Hey, who's there?!" The first thug asked, before he tells the gunman. "Go check it out." The gunman walked away, while the thug resumes pressuring the staff to opening up the safe. The gunman was walking over to the downed mannequin, right when he heard a loud bang and he was hit with something that covered his face in a colorful foamy substance. Out of impulse, the gunman pulled the trigger, firing blind shots, before he was hit in the head by something metallic, knocking him out cold. "Huh? What's goin' on?" The thug asked, turning around, right when he gets a kick to the face. Hum Drum had used his line launcher to zip in the air, and kicked the thug to the ground, before he knocks him out with a blow from his bo staff. "Stay down..." Hum Drum ordered the downed thugs, before he was on his way to the next fashion store. Hum Drum was blushing a shade of red, since the next fashion store he went to is Victoria's Secret. The boy had to shake his head, slapping himself several times to keep himself focused on the task at hands. Especially when three of the criminals are holding a man and his girlfriend hostage. "C'mon, Ken. Don't get too turned on...stay focus!" Hum Drum said to himself as he looks back at the situation, while fighting the urge to imagine some of his girl friends wearing the lingeries on display. "I gotta get those guys away from that couple...but how?" Hum Drum looked around the store, seeing a counter with a pyramid of perfume spray, close by on his right, and a puddle of water, with a wet floor sign standing between him and the crooks. Thinking up another idea, Hum Drum quietly took away the wet floor sign, before he crawls towards the counter with the perfumes. Ken unscrews the cap off one of the perfumes and gives it a good whiff of it. "Phew!" He winced. "I don't know if that's pepper spray, or not. But it's close enough." With it, he sprays the perfume onto some of his Funny Elephant Toothpaste bullets and fires it at one of the criminals in the room. The bullet hit the target criminal on the right side of his face, and exploded into a colorful foam, upon impact. But that's not all. "AH! What the...AH! MY EYES! It STINGS!" The thug groaned, as he struggles to keep the foamy substance, with a blinding overpowering aroma that stings his eye. With one of the crooks distracted, the other two tried to help him, which the couple took their chance to escape. Hum Drum continued to fire more of his Funny Elephant Toothpastes, with Victoria Secret perfumes, at the crooks, blinding them even more, until it was safe for him to charge in and bash most of them over the head, with his staff. Because the crooks were blind, it was easy for them to be tricked into punching and attacking each other. "Oh my god!" Hum Drum chortled to himself, watching the funny scene unfold. "Yoo-hoo~ Over here!" Hum Drum whistled to the blinded crooks, who immediately broke into a run, charging after the boy wonder, only to step on the Wet Floor Sign that Ken had strategically placed on the puddle of water, causing them to surf out of the store. "WHOA!" The crooks screamed, until they've crashed into a wall. "Wipe out dudes," Hum Drum joked, before he was on his way to stop the other crooks. The next fashion store sells prom dresses and ball gowns. Hum Drum was rolling across the floor, ducking behind some shelves and hiding behind some clothe racks, when he eavesdrop on what some crooks were saying. "This is what the boss is after," One of the crooks explained. "She wants us to be very careful with it. Not a single tear or a bullet in this dress." Hum Drum poked his head behind the rack, and was aghast to see what the crooks were stealing. The said dress is worn on a mannequin. In appearance, it is a dark purple ball gown with pink wrap-off the shoulders sleeves, with the skirt decorated in three rows of matching pink ribbons. "Hey, that looks like one of my Aunt Spiny's designs!" Hum Drum exclaimed. "Hey guys!" One of the crooks came in and alerted. "We gotta outta here now, the cops are on the way!" "Alright then, but first, we're need to take this dress," The other thug said as he and his comrade proceeded to lift up the mannequin. "The boss was strictly clear that we take this dress, or don't get paid at all..." "There's just one problem for that!" Hum Drum said, as he stood before the crooks, holding his nerf gun at the ready. "You're under arrest!" "Get lost kid," One of the thugs barked. "The playground's that way." "I said freeze!" One of the thug scoffed as he held out a bat with spikes, "So ya want to be a hero, eh?" He said, as he walks up to Ken, with the bat at the ready. "Well, I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" The thug swung his bat at Ken, who pulled the trigger, firing his spicy enhanced Funny Elephant Toothpaste bullet, at the thug. "AAAAAAAHHH!!!" The thug screamed, as he falls to the ground, with his face covered in the foamy substance. "IT BURNS!!!" "What the hell?!" The other thugs exclaimed, finally getting the message that Hum Drum means business. Before the thugs could retaliate, Hum Drum leapt onto them, swinging his metal staff at the thugs, hitting them on the legs, arms, and head, while they did their best to block the rod from hitting their face. One of the thugs grabbed Hum Drum from behind, but Hum Drum activated his retractable nails to scratch the thug's arm. "OW!" The thug screamed, releasing Hum Drum, while he looks at his bleeding arm. "This little brat's armed to the nail!" "...You bet I am," Hum Drum smirked, as whips out his gun and fired another of his bullet, which the other crooks evaded, before they whipped out their guns. "WHOA!" Hum Drum yelped, as he ducks behind a counter for cover. The thugs continued to fire their guns at Hum Drum, until one of their comrades called, "ENOUGH! We have to go, now!" With that, the thugs ceased their fire and took their leave. After a good long five minutes have passed, Hum Drum cautiously poked his head from behind, only to be met with a gun to his head. "Don't move..." The thug ordered. BONG! Hum Drum jumped, as he turns around to see the thug falling over, with a large bump on his head. "Darling, are you alright?" A girl in trench coat, with a gray fedora, and sunglasses asked, while holding a large stone slab she had used to knock the criminal out. "Yeah, I'm okay...wait, Radiance?" Hum Drum asked. "What's with the–" "Shhh!" Radiance shushed the boy, as the sound of police siren was heard. "Let's go up top..." Later, on the rooftop, while the police were busy rounding up the criminals they had captured, Green Gardener relayed her awkward predicament to Ken, who was struggling not to laugh. "Seriously?" He chuckled. "You lost your bracelets, and...those crooks have them? With your suit?" "Oh, I'd like to see you try and fight in one of your undergarments, without getting flustered," Green countered. "Anyway, we have to find them and get back my things. Without my bracelets, I'm powerless. Not to mention I'll never be able to suit up, without my bracelets. And I simply cannot be seen without my suit..." "And how are we going to find them?" Ken asked. "They could be anywhere in the city." Before Radiance could answer, Hum Drum's glove rang, signaling him another phone call from his father. "Hey dad!" "Ken! Thank goodness. Are you alright?" Kenbroath exclaimed. "Where are you? My officers are looking all over the mall for you..." "I'm okay, dad..." Ken replied. "I...uh...I'm on my way to the house. See ya!" With that, Ken hastily hang up on his dad, before he turns to Radiance. "Okay. How do we find your gears and the crooks who snatched them?" "Luckily for me, I've always installed a few tracking devices into my belongings in the event I ever lost them," Radiance explained. "And the only way to pinpoint their location would be...OH! Of course!" Radiance snapped her fingers. "The ship! Darling, we must return to the ship! We can pinpoint my bracelets from there!" "Alright then, let's go!" With a click of his heels, Hum Drum proceed to spring himself away. "Uh, Hum Drum?" Radiance called, to which the boy comes back. "In case, you've forgot, I can't exactly travel far in this state I'm in..." "Oh, right, sorry..." With that, Hum Drum picked up Radiance in his arms, or struggled to do so. With the girl in his arm, bridal style, Hum Drum proceeded to jump away, and together, they leapt across the city, on their way to the park. Once they arrived at the hidden crashed ship of the Harmonus Defenders, Hum Drum collapsed on the floor, out of breath. 'I should've hit the gym more often,' Hum Drum said to himself, mentally. "Thank you, Hum Drum. You wonderful for carrying me," Radiance smiled gratefully as she walks down a hall, with Hum Drum following. "Hey! Any chance you might have a spare set of bracelets for yourself?" Ken asked. "Unfortunately, it's not that possible, Ken," Radiance sadly replied. "For you see, those bracelets are one-of-a-kind. They were given to me by their former wearer and I absolutely cannot let his trust be in vain." Ken's interest was piqued, "Wait, you got your bracelets from someone else? "Indeed," The girl nodded. "Before I even became a Harmonus Defender, I was working on some of my designs, when a...a traveler from another world, I should say, happened to crash land into our world. I was the only one to have noticed, at that time, so I did what I thought any Harmonus would do for a visitor to our world. I went off to investigate, and I found him in critical condition. I took him back to my home, helped nurse him back to health to the best of my abilities, but..." "...But what?" Ken asked. "Did he got better?" "Sadly, no," The girl shook her head, sadly. "And yet, he was grateful. And in his last dying moments, he gave me the bracelets, saying that I deserved them...as a shining example for goodness..." Radiance looked down and sighed, "Now, without them, and for losing them, I feel so...powerless. And that he made a mistake. I don't deserve them..." Seeing how powerless and doubtful she was about herself, Ken shook his head as he walked over to Radiance, taking her by the hand. "I don't know who that guy is, or was," He began. "But he obviously gave those bracelets to you for a reason. He trusted you. And you've been using them to do good. So he wasn't wrong. You lost those bracelets, and I've had to tango with a few criminals on my own, before they got away. So let's find them and get them back, so we can take them down together. What do you say?" Green Gardener was taken by Ken's words. She looked deeply into the young boy's eyes and sees the heroic spirit The monitor screen sprang to life, as Radiance proceeded to type on the keyboard, searching for the whereabouts of her stolen bracelets. The screen proceeded to scan across the city map for the missing bracelets, until the locations have been pinpointed. "There!" Radiance pointed as the map zooms in on a large warehouse. "Industrial warehouses, 614 Hayden Blvd." Ken reads. "It's not too far from here!" Before long, Hum Drum and Radiance were walking down an alley, on their way to the warehouses. It was almost nighttime, so the streets were quiet and less crowded in the day, though Radiance was still keeping her coat secured. Both she and Hum Drum were passing over a grate, when the subway came speeding beneath, sending a gust of wind blowing up. "AAAAHH!!!" Radiance screamed, holding onto both her hat and the hem of her coat down. "What?! What is it?" Hum Drum asked, holding his staff out at the ready. "Oh, nevermind..." Hum Drum puts his staff away, while turning away to hide his blushing face, from the Marilyn Monroe scenario Radiance was in. However, Hum Drum wasn't the only witness. Not too far away, a bicyclist was passing by on his bike, when he saw Radiance nearly disrobed by the wind. "KATY PERRY!!!" He screamed, not looking where he was going and crashed. SFX: *Crash* "MEOW!" The commotion didn't go unheard. "What was that?" Radiance asked, to which Hum Drum simply shrugged. "Well, let's get going," The girl insisted, as they kept on going, while redoing the belt and buttons to secure her coat. It wasn't long until they were both standing in front of the wired fences, surrounding the warehouses. Looking pass the fences, the two heroes looked and saw several trucks, with the criminals unloading their stolen goods. "This is the place alright," Hum Drum confirmed, before he looks around, searching for a way in. "Hmmm. Maybe I could climb up that building. Then from the top, I can glide my way down and into the facility, without drawing unwanted attention. And from there, I could try and find a tool, like a bolt cutter, or something, and use that to cut open a hole in the fence for you to enter." "Or you could just simply use your retractable nails to simply cut through the fences?" Radiance suggested. "...Right. Do it the easy way," With a tap of his middle finger, Hum Drum activated his retractable claws. With a swipe and a slash of the fence, Hum Drum successfully cuts a huge hole, allowing both him and Radiance through. Both heroes quickly ran into the yard, while making sure to stay out of sight. They ducked behind some crates, before Hum Drum took out a pair of binoculars and takes a closer look at the crooks he and Radiance were dealing with. "Hey, I recognize a lot of these goons!" Ken said. "That's Neon Brush! He was kicked out for blatant use of hair dyes," He pointed to a man with green hair and wears a red striped shirt, with gray pants. Ken then turns to a crook, wearing light brown jacket with strings across a V-Shape cut, vanilla pants, with turquoise hair, colored purple at the end, with matching goatee, "That's Quick Trim, he was arrested for kidnapping lots of girls and shaving them bald." Next, the third criminal is a big man with dark purple hair and a thick beard, wearing a black turtleneck sweater, light gray pants, and a yellow shade. The fourth criminal has wavy scarlet hair, rectangular glasses, light green-gray striped vest, light orange ascot, and white pants. And the last criminal has a distinctive white hair with red stripes that is styled like a rock star's, with light purple shirt over a white undershirt, and light gray pants. "And there's Comb Over, the Unconditioner, and Blow Dry. Those last three had lost their cosmetologist license for unhealthy hair conditioning." "My, you seem to know your fashion criminals, Ken," Radiance commented. "My dad's got files on them," Hum Drum replied. "Ever since their careers have ended, the whole fashion world just turned against them, and they've flipped out. Should've known they'd stoop to criminal activities. But what are they up to with all those clothes they've stolen?" "We'll find out soon enough, after we retrieve my bracelets. They're in the building, somewhere. The question is...how do we get in?" Hum Drum pondered as he looks at the exterior of the warehouse, seeing that most, if not all of the windows are closed shut. He turned to look back at the cosmetologists and their goons, unloading the cargo on a loading platform. He turned his attention to a door, on the other side of the building, which seemed to be unguarded. "We could try and unlock that door..." Hum Drum pondered. "But it's too easy, and there could be some guards on the other side...I wonder if there's an entry on the roof?" "Worth a try," Radiance agreed. With that, Hum Drum ran towards the wall, activating his sticky paddings on his gloves to climb like a gecko, until he was able to reach the ledge of a balcony, where a ladder to the rooftop was bolted in place. With his hands on the ledge of the balcony, Hum Drum sticks his foot out for Radiance to grab onto, allowing the powerless alien girl to climb onto him, to reach the balcony, much to his discomfort. "Ow!" Hum Drum winced, from being stepped on by the points of the high heels Radiance was wearing. "Watch your step there, Green..." "Sorry, Ken," Radiance apologized, before she pulled him up. "Under intense circumstances, such as this, these aren't the appropriate footwear..." "If you're so uncomfortable wearing like this, then...couldn't you have just changed into something more...comforting, back at the mall?" Radiance couldn't help but frown, "If there was even a scrap of something more decent, then I wouldn't have to be wearing these pieces of attires, would I?" "...No, I guess not..." Hum Drum berated himself mentally for asking such a dump question. "So they really cleaned out the stores that well?" "Afraid so." Once they're on the rooftop, it didn't take long for Hum Drum and Radiance to find the opening of an air duct, which they used to get in. "All this sneaking and infiltrating stuff, makes me feel like I'm in a spy movie," Hum Drum commented. "Hmmm, reminds me of a spy show I used to watch...Totally Spies!" "Hum Drum, please focus," Radiance said anxiously, from behind the boy. "Now's not the time for any of your 'pop culture' references, you enjoyed making." "Sorry, force of habit." From down below the air ducts, both heroes can hear the chatter and gossips exchanged between the criminals. "We've finished unloading the latest dresses and booties we could find," One thug said to another. "Forget about the dresses," The other thug moaned. "What about the jewels? Those things worth a fortune on the black market. Have you got those?" "Oh yeah, we've got 'em. We've already stashed them with the others in the treasury." "Good. Now you're talkin' my language." "Treasury?" Hum Drum gasped from the air duct. "That could be where your bracelets are." "Yes, I concur," Radiance nodded. "But where is it?" The two heroes continued to eavesdrop, hoping they could find out more. "I don't know about you, but I'm thinkin' of maybe splittin from this gang and...join one of the big leagues," One of the thugs commented. "Like the Fire Devils, or the Niriks." "Shhh! Not so loud!" The other replied. "You want her to hear you're thinkin' of back stabbing? Besides, the Niriks are still new." "Well everyone's been talkin' about 'em. Besides, from what I hear, they don't just loot 'dresses' or 'shoes.' I wanna steal the real loots, like the stuff that the Night Owl steals." The other thug couldn't help but scoff at the last part, "Good luck finding her. Didn't ya hear? She's elusive." Getting the feeling that they're not getting more info from the two chatting thugs, Hum Drum and Radiance were on their way through the air ducts, until they came to a dead end. "Here's where we get in," Hum Drum said. The two proceeded to open up the air vent, before taking a look at the room they've infiltrated. Hum Drum looked to see power generators and boilers lining up along the walls, a large turbine with steam pipes connecting it to the rest of the building. "Looks like we're in a power plant," Hum Drum commented, as he hops down from the air duct, and lands on the floor. Radiance slowly, but carefully grasped a tight hold on the edge of the opening, before she proceeds to lower herself down. Hum Drum looked up, waiting for the girl to jump down. He blushed when he caught a glimpse of her bikini bottom, when her trench coat wasn't covering. Suddenly, Radiance began to lose her grip. "Oh! Ah! Aah!" Radiance yelped, before her fingers slipped and she fell to the floor. "RADIANCE!!!" Hum Drum shouted, literally springing into actions to catch the girl. Ken successfully caught the girl, but ends up getting squashed, with her sitting on his back. "Oh! Nice catch, darling," Radiance panted gratefully. "Thank you!" "You're welcome," Hum Drum groaned. "Hey! What was that?!" A loud voice shouted from outside. Alerted, and reacting fast, Hum Drum and Radiance quickly hid themselves behind some of the machines in the room, determined to stay out of sight. From outside, a thug looked in through the window on the door, before he opens the door to see what the commotion was. That was when he saw the open air duct, with the grate swinging on its hinge. "Looks like the screw got loose, or somethin'," The thug frowned, before he took his leave. "Better get Garry on it..." With that, the thug took his leave and swings the door closed behind him. Reacting fast, Hum Drum quickly wedged his staff between the gap, preventing the door from closing all the way. Hum Drum then takes a cautious peek outside, seeing that the door is in the middle of a hallway. The thug was walking down to the left, which Hum Drum and Radiance immediately followed behind. "Let's see where this guy is going," Hum Drum suggested. "Maybe somewhere close to where your bracelets are." "Worth a try, but let's be careful, darling," Radiance agreed. "Though, I hope it's soon. These heels are hurting my feet, with all these sneaking about." Hum Drum and Radiance kept on tailing the thug from behind. On the way, they happened to pass a shelf, holding up lots of tool chests, boxes, and other supplies. Among them, however, Hum Drum happened to see a unique gun. "Hello?" Hum Drum exclaimed, as he walks over to pick up the gun. "Well, what's a beauty like you doin' in a place like this?" "For the moment?" Radiance began. "Wearing a large coat and hat over a revealing swimwear in high heels and sneaking...Oh, you're talking to a gun?" "Not just any gun, Green," Ken replied. "This is a stun gun. My dad showed me one of these, when I visited his police station. One zap and a bad guy is down and out. This can be very useful for us now," Just then, the sound of footsteps was heard, "Someone's coming!" Reacting, Hum Drum and Radiance quickly hid themselves behind the shelf. The shadow of a large man came walking in, lighting a cigar in his hand. The man turned and was just about to see Radiance, when Hum Drum reacted fast and tased the man with his newly acquired stun gun. ZAP! The man fell to the floor, completely knocked out. "Sweet!" Hum Drum smiled, before he and Radiance were on their way down the hall. They kept on moving down the hallway, until they came into a large workroom, populated with conveyor belts, thugs driving forklift vehicles to move large crates of the stolen dresses, jewels, and lines of makeups. "This is where they unload all of their loots," Hum Drum speculated. "Maybe one of these goons might know where your bracelets are stashed. Though, I doubt they'd answer if I walk up to them and ask...unless..." "I trust you have a plan, darling?" Radiance asked. "I only hope it works..." With that, Hum Drum began to put his plan into action. He got out his Nerf gun and proceeded to fire more of his cousin's handmade Elephant Toothpaste bullets to attract one of the goon's attention. "Hey! What the hell is this stuff?" The thug asked as he got down to investigate. "Hmmm...feels like soap...whatever it is, gotta get this cleaned up..." Before he had the chance to, Hum Drum started firing more Elephant Toothpaste, splattering more of the foamy substance close to the thug. "What?! There's more of them? Where the hell are they comin' from?" The thug kept following the trail Ken had made, until he was within hearing range, in which Hum Drum simply pulled on the triggers of his empty Nerf gun, making a loud clicking noise. "Who's there?" The thug barked, as he pulls out a gun. "Come out! Now!" He cautiously walks closer and closer to the crates Hum Drum and Radiance were hiding behind. The thug was drawing closer and closer, until... BONG! ZAP! Hum Drum whacked the goon hard on the head, with Radiance using the stun gun to tase him, knocking him out cold. With that, both heroes dragged the unconscious guard behind some crates, hiding him out of sight, before Ken proceeded to strip him of his clothes, hat included, and wears them to pass himself off as one of the thugs. "Oh, I see what you're playing at," Radiance said in acknowledgement. Nervous, Ken pulled on his collar until he took a deep breath to calm himself. "I hope this works," Ken grimaced, as he walks over to the other criminal thugs, while working on deepening his voice to play his character. "Yo, boss! Where ya want to load these booties?" He talked in a gruff, stereotypical Brooklyn accent. "No...not good enough," He said in his normal voice. "Yo man! Like where do we unload the goods, man?" He asked, sounding like Shaggy Rogers. "Nah...no way they'd let a hippie join the gang..." "Hey! You!" A tall man, likely the manger, shouted. "What ya doin' lallygagging and dilly-dallying? Boss wants these dresses taken to her office, now!" "Uh, sorry chief!" Ken saluted, stammering as he got into character. "I was just...uh. I wanted to take another look at the jewels we just nabbed today." "You can visit the treasury another time, but High Heels wants these expensive fabrics delivered to her ASAP! Now move your lazy ass!" With a shove, the manager shoved Ken to join the thugs who were busy unloading their loots from the trucks and onto the conveyor belts. Not wanting to raise too much suspicion, Hum Drum walked over to join the other thugs, unloading their latest steals. "Ooh, these mannequins are a lot heavier than they look!" One of the thugs commented. "Watch the hand there," Another thug cautioned. "Here, lemme help you guys," Ken offered as he helped the thugs. "Thanks pal," One of the thug thanked the boy wonder in disguise. "By the way, did any of you guys see the diamonds we've stolen today?" Ken began, once again acting the part. "I've heard they're a girl's best friend, but these must worth a fortune on the black market." "You got that right, pal," One of the thugs answered. "I'd kill to have another look at those beauties..." "Yeah, the treasury. Which is...where again?" "Down the hall and to the left," One of the thugs pointed. "But ya can't go there now. I hear it's under tight guard. And I mean TIGHT guard." "Duly noted," Ken replied as he helps the thugs unload the mannequin onto a forklift. "I need to use the little man's room. See ya," Ken waved the thugs good-bye, before he runs back to rejoin Radiance. "Well, where are my bracelets?" She asked. "The treasure room is in that hall," Ken relayed. "No doubt, your bracelets must be in there." "HEY!" The manager shouted, catching both Hum Drum and Radiance by surprise. "Uh oh," Hum Drum winced. "Hey! Who's there?" The manager barked, walking towards Ken, with some more thugs to back him up. "Who's your friend over there?" "Uh, well, she's m-m-my..." Ken stammered, accidentally talking in his real voice. "Hey! You're not one of us, are you?!" One of the thugs exclaimed. "They're spies! GET 'EM!" With that, the thugs proceeded to advance upon Ken and Radiance. "Oh well, I was hoping it didn't have to come to this, but...POP!" Hum Drum quickly whipped his Nerf gun and shoots a Funny Elephant Toothpaste at the thugs, catching them by surprise. Kick Ass 2 OST – Warehouse Showdown Then, with a spin, Hum Drum threw off his disguise and stood before the thugs in his superhero-in-training suit. "I've always wanted to do that costume change," Hum Drum commented, before he fights the thugs. “It’s that wonder kid, Hum Drum!!” One of the thugs exclaimed, before he got hit on the head. “How kind of you to know me,” Hum Drum smirked, before he pole vaulted and kicked a thug away. Hum Drum nearly wanted to swing his bo staff again, like a gamer on Whack-a-mole. But remembering his mistake from the previous battle, he decided against it. Instead, the boy only used his staff to block, deflect, to protect himself, as well as Radiance. During the fight, he only had to throw punches, kicks, and a whip of his stun gun to fight the goons. “AAAH!!!” Radiance shrieked, when one of the crooks tried to grab her. “Radiance!” Hum Drum called. “Get the girl!” One of the thugs shouted. “Get your meat hooks off of me!” Radiance growled, as she retaliated with a strong slap to a thug’s face. SMACK! Incredibly, even for an alien girl of her physical appearance and structure, Radiance seemed to be incredibly strong. Especially when she managed to not only leave a noticeable red mark on the face, but managed to dislocate the thug’s jaw, and bloodied his nose. “It’s not polite to touch a lady!” Radiance spatted, while making sure her coat was secured. “Girl’s tougher than she looks!” The injured thug exclaimed, with a few of his teeth missing. Another thug grabbed Radiance from behind, wrapping his bulky arms around her in a tight bear hug. However, Radiance was able to break free, after she snaked one of her hands underneath his arms, then pulls on her hand with her other one, to break his grip. Once freed, Radiance thrusted her leg up in a kick, striking the point of her heel, into his bread basket. "OH! High heels..." The thugs squealed in a high-pitched voice, before he keels over in pain. Turning her attention back at the rest of the thugs, Radiance continued to block most of their punches and kicks, while fighting back with her own counterattacks. One thug came up and tried to punch her from the left, but she deflected his arm away. He then tried to recover with a kick, but Radiance caught his leg, before she kicked him in the groin. Another thug came and tried to punch her, But Radiance used the other thug’s leg to block the attack, followed by a hit from the other thug’s foot, Radiance was holding. The powerless, but strong super heroine then kicked the thug away, before she tossed the thug she was holding, into another group, knocking them down. During the fight, Hum Drum watched and admired the way Radiance fought, without her power bracelets and all. He marveled at her agility, her determination, and her flexibility, to make up for the absence of her power bracelets. Hum Drum ducked his head, to avoid a thug being thrown, before the fedora Radiance borrowed landed on his head. “What a woman!” Hum Drum exclaimed. Many of the thugs were beginning to tire out, but Radiance was still eager for another fight. She adjusted the shade she was wearing, before resuming in a fight stance. Suddenly, her trench coat was pulled off, revealing the glamorous seashell bikini she was wearing. Anime SFX — Oh Yeah! The thugs immediately started to ogle and drool, enchanted by the super heroine’s glamorous bikini clad body. In fact, they're practically rendered blind. "MY EYES!!" One of the thugs moaned, with his eyes turned blind. "SO MUCH SKIN!!!" Another moaned. "BEWARE THE MOON!" Another blindly, but accurately, pointed at her bikini bottom. "IT'S LIKE STARING INTO THE SUN!!!" "THEY'RE PORCELAIN BABY FRESH!" Using the distraction to his advantage, Hum Drum quickly knocked the thugs out, with several swings of his staff, and electroshocks from his stun gun. End of fight music Soon, the thugs were all down and out. “Phew, that’s the last of ‘em,” Ken breathed a sigh of relief. “Hey! Great idea on your part, Radiance! Distracting them like that.” He complimented to the flustered alien girl. "Oh, please..." Green scoffed, as she puts her coat back on. “Like I’d ever stoop to that level...” “Still, it was effective...” Picking up her fedora, Hum Drum walked over to Radiance. “I think you dropped this, Green.” With a small smile, and her cheeks blushing, Radiance took her hat back and puts it back on. Without wasting another second, the heroes were on their way. It didn't take them long to find the room they were looking for, on the left. But like the other thug said, it was under tight security, with a guard posted in front of a door, and cameras were lined up along the ceiling. Hum Drum reached into his cape pocket, and scoops up a handful of his cousin's Elephant Toothpaste bombs. "I've still got enough," Hum Drum began. "think I can handle the cameras. All we need is to somehow get that guard out of the way. Hm...how do we get him from there to here?" The boy pondered, with Radiance, before he turns to the alien girl. "I've got an idea...but you're probably not going to like it..." “Hello~” Radiance swooned, showing off her leg, in high heel, before she walks out from behind a corner, and flirted, “Hi there, big man~“ "Huh?" The man grunted, as he walks over to the girl. "What're you doing here? How'd you get in?" "Oh, I was lost and I wound up in this dreadful place," Radiance continued to swoon dramatically, with her hand over her head. "It'd be such a pleasure if a sweet man, like you could help show me the way~" She batted her eyes. "Mmmm...nice try babe, but not happening," With that, the guard whipped out his gun and pointed it at, Radiance. Radiance gasped, with Hum Drum widening his eyes in shock, "THIS just got dire very quickly," He said. Before the thug had the chance to pull the trigger, Hum Drum reacted fast by jumping out from the side and shocked the large man with his stun gun, knocking the guard out. "Huh, an intelligent guard," Hum Drum commented. "Didn't see that one coming. You okay there, Radiance?" He asked the alien girl. "I'm fine, thank you," Radiance breathed a sigh of relief. "But for goodness sake, let's never let that happen again..." "Sorry, slight miscalculation on my part," Ken cringed, before he took out his Nerf gun and proceeds to shoot the cameras, covering their lenses in the colorful foamy substances. Once the cameras were taken cared of, Hum Drum and Radiance went over to check the lock on the door, to find that it was a biometric type, which scans a person's hand in order to open the lock. "Hmmm, I remember seeing this in a spy movie before," Hum Drum pondered. "We need some powder. These goons did smuggled some supplies of makeup. So, you hide and I'll go look for..." Hum Drum's words fell on deaf ears again, when Radiance picked up the thug they had knocked out, and placed his hand on the lock, deactivating the lock. "Uh, did you say something, darling?" Radiance asked. "...Do it the easy way," Hum Drum shrugged. "Do you have to come up with plans so...complicated, darling?" "I can't help it. When you watch action movies and read plenty of action-packed graphic novels as long as I have, descriptive and complex though process are sure to happen." Radiance simply giggled, "Of course. But sometimes, in dire situations, such as this, it's better to not overthink the situation to devise a plan. Sometimes, the best strategy is one that isn't too complex." "I'll make a mental note on that," Ken replied. "Honestly, I can't tell you how many times I've had to remind dear Twilight Nova Star, when she was leading us, back on Harmonus." The two heroes proceeded to walk into the treasure room, to retrieve the superheroine's stolen Power Bracelets. Upon walking in, they were greeted by a room of an entire jewelry store. Many jeweled rings and gold watches are still being held inside their glass containers. Beady necklaces, earrings, and tiaras are still being hung around large bust heads. There was even a shelf of tiny glass sculptured animals, mythical creatures, and people. Stacked along the walls are boxes that contained stashes of precious emerald, sapphire, rubies, and pearls that have yet to be one display. "They've robbed a whole jewelry store!" Hum Drum exclaimed as he and Radiance examined the stolen jewels. "I'd say so!" Radiance marveled as she examined the jewels. "Though, not nearly enough to make a queen look poor, but bedazzling nonetheless. But remember to keep an eye out for a unique set of jeweled bracelets." Hum Drum nodded as he went to work looking for what he and Radiance came for. "Got necklaces here," He said, before he hopped over to investigate another set. "Got rings – be it wedding, or just to look good, the usual. Some expensive watches here. Ah, here we go, bracelets," Hum Drum begins examining the bracelets on display. Unfortunately, their search was cut short when the sound of footsteps and chatters was heard from outside the room. The sounds grew louder and louder the closer they got to the room, alerting the heroes. Reacting fast, Hum Drum activated the sticky paddings on his gloves, and his retractable nails, before he proceeds to climb up the wall and ceiling, with Radiance wrapping her arms around his shoulders to be carried up. Hum Drum blushed a shade of red and practically squeaked, when he felt Radiance pressing herself against his back. Still, the boy composed himself as he and Radiance stayed out of sight. "So you this is everything you've been able to steal, ya say?" A woman's voice inquired. "Yes boss m'am," One of the thugs confirmed. "These are all the goods we've been able to get our hands on today's raid." Curious, Hum Drum and Radiance looked down to see, stepping into the room is a woman in her thirties, with a large high-styled dark purple hair, wearing a baby blue tiara that frames her face, where she sports dark purple eye shadows over her gold-brownish eyes. For attires, she wears a scarlet red leotard, long black leather gloves, black stockings under red fishnets, with a pink ribbon tied around her neck, and blue high heels that matches her tiara. Upon a closer look at the woman's face, Ken pondered, "She must be their leader...but why do I get a feeling like I've seen her before?" Hum Drum didn't have to ponder for long, when Radiance gasped. "What? What is it, Radiance?" "She's wearing my bracelets!" The girl pointed to the pink jeweled bracelets worn around the woman's wrists. "...On a scale of 1 to 10, how worried should we be?" Ken asked. "I should say 2," Radiance confirmed. "I highly doubt she'd figure a way to work with the powers of the bracelets. But we must get my bracelets if we are to get out of this place." Back with the criminal mastermind, she continued to consult with one of her henchman, who explains, "Also, we've got that special new dress that renowned fashion designer, Spindle Heathespike, had made. Nothing's missing, and it's in good condition when we stole it." "Excellent work," The evil woman smirked. "Pretty soon, I'll run my former mentor out of business, just as she did to me." “She was my Aunt Spiny's former pupil?" Ken asked, before it hit him. "Suri Polomare!! WH-Whoa!" In his excitement of the realization, Hum Drum had lost his grip on the ceiling and both he and Radiance fell to the floor. THUD! "Ow..." The two landed onto the floor with a hard thud. Hum Drum landed hard on his back, while Radiance landed on his chest, with her trench coat falling over to the side to reveal the skimpy bikini she was wearing. "AH! Don't look!" Radiance exclaimed, quickly covering herself. "Oh, I'm gonna feel that in the morning..." Hum Drum groaned. "What is this?!" Suri Polomare exclaimed. "Who are these people?" Hum Drum was about to introduce himself, but the henchman beat him to it, "Whoa, uh, boss!" The henchman exclaimed. "It's that kid! The Power Princesses' sidekick and boy wonder, Wonder Boy! Remember, the one we've been telling you about, on the news?" "Actually, I go by the name, Hum Drum nowadays," Hum Drum clarified. "Humdrum?" The henchman immediately broke out laughing. "What kind of superhero would be stuck with a dopey name like that? Don't you even know what it means in the dictionary?" "Uh...there's actually a definition to Hum Drum? And do you spell it with a space between the 'Hum' and 'Drum'?" "HEY!" Suri Polomare shouted, getting everyone back on track. "In case we're all forgetting, I have like no tolerance for any idle chit-chats. We're like on a very tight schedule, m'kay?" "And just what exactly are you in such a hurry for, might I ask?" Hum Drum asked, wanting to stall for times, while he and Radiance figure out a plan. "And why exactly would I tell you?" Suri asked. "I don't know, just to pass the time, I guess. I mean, isn't that how a supervillain does to a superhero they've captured? Brag about their evil plans to show off how brilliant of a criminal mastermind they are?" "Well, I'm a supervillain so...I suppose I can like chat," Suri then snapped her fingers. "Gary. Go and make me a cup of coffee, with room for three bags of brown sugar, and a teaspoon of half-and-half, m'kay?" "Coming right up, High Heels," The henchman saluted as he took his leave, out of the room. "High Heels?" Hum Drum asked. "Is that what everybody calls you nowadays?" "Well, after my career ended as Suri Polomare, if I were to make a big comeback, then I obviously need a new name for when I perpetuate my presence back in the fashion industry. Something that demands recognition and respect..." "So this is your attempt at flipping the script?" Hum Drum scoffed. "Well, too bad for you, you won't get away with this. As soon as me and my friend here get out, then we'll expose you to the public, and everyone will know who you really are. And let me say, you're going to be in the big house for a really long time." High Heels could only laugh in a sinister tone, "Like I'd ever let that happen. And besides, who exactly is your friend here? She doesn't look like a Flower Knight to me, but I can tell, she's got the body for a fashion model." "Oh, why thank you," Radiance blushed, while keeping her shades and fedora fixed, so as to not show too much of her identity. "But as flattering as you sound, I'm here because you villains have something of mine, and I want them back." "Oh my gosh," Suri began sarcastically. "I am so sorry. How rude of me. I had no idea that my men had robbed you of your clothes that you now had to make do in a cheap trench coat, a hat, and a pair of shades to preserve your modesty. And I'm sorry that you didn't realize that seashell swimwears are so last season." "Are you trying to insult me?" Radiance asked. "What would you know about fashion, if I may ask? I've done a lot of research, and I've talked with many who are fashion savvy. And from what I've gathered, you're just another petty plagiarizing, copycat thief..." "It's always trying to make a living. It's every person for themselves out here in the big world. You call stealing, I call creative resourcefulness." "You got yourself fired!" Hum Drum scoffed, while secretly loading his Nerf Gun. "You're the one who went behind Au-Uh, Spindle Heathespike's back, and stole her designs, because you couldn't come up with an original idea of your own!" Nevertheless, High Heels could care less and scoffed, "Believe what you will. But while I may not have 'original' ideas, at least I've got help." It wasn't long, until the room was flooded with an entire squadron of goons, who all pointed their guns at Hum Drum and Radiance. "You're completely surrounded," High Heels boasted. "Surrender fools." "Surrender fools?" Hum Drum scoffed with a laugh. "Has that ever convinced anybody to surrender?" "You talk too much, shut up..." High Heels glowered. "Eh, that's just a matter of opinion, like–HEY! A rat!" "AAAAH!!!" High Heels screamed, as she frantically searched the floor, while standing on a stool for protection. "Where is it?! WHERE?! KILL IT!!" With that, the fashion stealing goons turned their attention to the floor, searching for the said rodent. Hilariously, some of the goons were too scared to look. For instance, the Unconditioner frantically leapt into Blow Dry's arms. "I HATE RATS!" The Unconditioner whimpered. "Don't let it touch me!" "GET OFF OF ME!" Blow Dry grunted. "Well played," Radiance smiled, putting a hand on Hum Drum's shoulder. Hum Drum blushed from the compliment, before he turns his attention on the power bracelets High Heel was wearing, stood in front of a frighten High Heels, whipping out his Nerf gun and pointing it directly at her face. "Now it's your turn to surrender, or else," Hum Drum threatened. High Heels took one glance at his gun, and was rather amused to find it was only a toy gun. With that, she broke out laughing and scoffed off his threat. "Go ahead. Make my day," She grinned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Ok. You asked for it," Hum Drum pulled the trigger and shot his cousin's Funny Elephant Toothpaste bullet, with spicy eye watering perfume, at High Heel's face. "AAAH!!!" The supervillainess screamed, from how painful the shot was to her face. "What the–Hey, what?! WHAT IS THIS?!! IT BURNS!!!" She screamed, trying to wipe off the colorful foamy substance off of her face, while her eyes stung from the sour perfume. In her frantic attempts to clean her face, High Heels tripped and falls off the stool and fell on her back. Using the distraction to his advantage, Hum Drum quickly went in to take the power bracelets off of the villainess's wrists. "Catch Radiance!" He shouted, tossing the bracelets to the powerless superheroine. Reacting fast, Radiance quickly leapt up and caught the bracelets in her hands, just as the goons proceeded to open fire on her. Radiance quickly ducked to avoid some of the shots, before she leapt behind some of the glass containers, to protect herself from the bullets, while she slips on her bracelets. Luckily, many of the goons were still disordered and uncoordinated, after the mouse trick, Ken had gave them. Thus, Hum Drum was able to provide cover for Radiance, as he shot several of the foam bullets at the gunman to blind them. "I'm so glad to have you back, old friend," Radiance said happily to her bracelets. Rarity – Fighting Is Magic Meanwhile, with her bracelets back in her hands, Radiance at last was able to ditch the trench coat, hat, and shades, as the lights from her power bracelets bathe her in a shimmering light. Then, with a dance of elegance and grace, Radiance dons on her suit and mask, with her hairs sparkling in matching jewels. "Ah, so good to be back in action," Radiance smiled. "Now then, first order of business." To protect herself and Hum Drum from the bullets, Radiance's bracelets glow as she projected a purple, solid light-construct wall of shields. Then, when the thugs were busy reloading their guns, Radiance quickly changed her shields into floating swords, which she used to slice and dice most of the goons' guns. One of the thugs had finished reloading his gun, and was about to shoot Radiance, only for Hum Drum to electrocute him with the stun gun. Soon, however, Hum Drum found himself surrounded by several thugs. Putting his stun gun away, Hum Drum pulls out his metal bo staff, clicking it to full size, as he proceeds to spin it, letting out a loud shriek, like Bruce Lee, then he stood his ground, and assumes a fighting stance. "Hmph!" One of the thugs scoffed, as he lunged in to attack, much to his quick regret. Out of impulse, Hum Drum jabbed the thug in the stomach, followed by another jab to the nose, and a spin to the side of the head, smart enough to redden an ear. Another thug tried to grab Hum Drum from behind, but the boy's wild swing had clocked him in the eye, stunning him for a bonk on the head, knocking him out, which Ken didn't notice. In the meantime, Hum Drum saw another thug flying at him, which he responded by vaulting himself up for a flying kick to knock the thug away. During the whole fight, Ken would shout loud kiai for every hits he landed on the goons. During the fray, the Unconditioner, along with his fellow ex-cosmetologists, tried to fight off Hum Drum and Radiance. However, they were met with swift defeats from the heroes, due to petty reasons. For one, Hum Drum had fired one of his Funny Elephant Toothpaste bullets at the Unconditioner, covering his hair with the colorful substance. "MY HAIR!" The Unconditioner wailed. "I broke a nail!" Quick Trim moaned. "OW! He stepped on my foot!" Neon Brush exclaimed. "My nose!" Blow Dry moaned. "She broke my nose!" "My comb is broken!" Comb Over frowned. "Crud! Let's get out of here!" The thugs screamed as they tried to escape, only to find themselves in a light violet cage, courtesy of Radiance. "You're not going anywhere!" Radiance smirked, with Hum Drum standing by her side. Outside the building, the wailing sound of police siren was heard, as Hum Drum and Radiance went to work, arresting and restraint the criminals. "How?! How did it all go wrong?!" High Heels screamed. "Because unlike you, we're always thinking of new plans," Hum Drum replied. "We think one step at a time," Radiance added. "And above all, we worked together!" Hum Drum and Radiance were both standing outside, atop of a rooftop, watching as Suri Polomare and her goons were taken away into police custody. “Phew! Another bad guy’s scheme foiled,” Hum Drum breathed a sigh of relief. “Not a bad way to end off on our date, huh Green?” “I can concur,” Radiance agreed, while flustering a shade of pink. “Though, I wished it wasn’t at such an...ahem, inconvenience at my expense...” “Well, if it’s any consolation. You look good...” Radiance turned to look at Ken, with an embarrassed look. “...at fighting!” Her embarrassed blush softened to a smile. “Well, ladies do not start fights, but we can finish them,” Radiance boasted. “Yeah, but I had to do most of the work,” Hum Drum countered. “Ha! You would’ve gotten your head blown if I hadn’t saved you, back at the mall!” “Yeah, but I still went alone in the fight because you sent me, in the first place.” “Well, forgive me for being so underdressed in the first place...” “You’re forgiven.” “...But I wanted to make a good first impression.” “Well, consider it—“ Before Hum Drum could continue, with his and Radiance’s battle of wits, his wrist rang. “Oh no! I forgot about dad...” He awkwardly answered the call. “Uh, hey dad...” “Ken! Where are you?” Kenbroath Heathspike said sternly over the phone. “I thought you said you would be home! But your mother said you never came home!” “Sorry dad, I meant to say I was... I was...” “Oh, hello Mr. Heathspike!” Radiance answered the call on Ken’s glove. “I’m sorry for keeping your son away for so long.” “Huh? Who is this?” The man asked. “Why, it’s me, Green Gardener! I was one of Ken’s classmates. We met awhile back, remember.” “Oh! Yes. I remember now. So what are you doing with my son?” “Well, I was just on my way through town, when I found your son...hyperventilating. The poor dear was in such a shock, I took him home to recover.” “Is that so?” “Yeah dad,” Ken added as he played along. “I think I’m okay now. I’ll be home soon.” “And I shall walk him home,” Radiance added. From the other side of the call, Kenbroath can be heard sighing, “Well, okay. I’ll be home soon, right after I finish filing some reports. But be careful! The streets are really riled up right now...” “No worries, dad!” With a tap of his ring finger, Hum Drum hung up on the call. “Well, time to call it a night. Let’s go home, Radiance.” “Agreed,” Radiance nodded, as she surrounded herself and Hum Drum in a pink aura and flew across town to the Heathspike residence. On the way, Radiance gave Hun Drum another kiss. Meanwhile, in the armored truck that’s taking her and her goons to prison, High Heels was silently fuming and cursing to herself. “One of these days, when I get out of here, I’ll get that boy and that super heroine friend of his, if it’s the last I’ll ever do!” She swore. Suddenly, there was a crash, and a large garbage dump came falling from the sky and landed in front of the truck. “AAAAHH!!!” The driver screamed, swerving to avoid the object, but ended up crashing into a lamppost and a fire hydrant. The driver and his passenger were both knocked unconscious, while High Heels and her occupants were dazed and disoriented from the crash. “What the hell was that?!” High Heels asked. Then, as if answering her questions, the back doors of the armored truck were suddenly pried open, before they were ripped off their hinges. There, standing before the criminals, cackling like a lunatic, with flaming red eyes, and a wild hair that slithered like living serpents, is none other than the Mane-Iac. “Suri Polomare!” Mane-Iac grinned. “My old friend. Long time no see.” High Heels took a closer look, before she exclaimed, “Fiona?!”