A long time ago, in a galaxy far away…
The young princess, Adora, had returned to Etheria, after a brief reunion with her parents, and long-lost twin brother, Prince Adam. However, upon returning, both she and Adam found Etheria in utter chaos. Knowing what to do, the two siblings immediately unsheathed their swords.
"By the power of Grayskull!" Adam hollered, followed by a chorus singing.
He-Man!
Following her brother's example, Adora unsheathed her sword and announced in a booming voice, “For the Honor of Grayskull!”
With that, Adora was bathed in a shower of sparkles, as her transformation took effect, accompanied by a chorus, singing:
She-Ra, She-Ra! She-Ra~
“I am She-RAAAAAAAAAAA!!!” She-Ra announced loudly, from a TV.
"I have the POWEEEEEEEEEER!!!" He-Man too announced boomingly, alongside his twin sister.
On a Friday night, watching the TV, next to a sleeping Ken Heathspike, is Trots Summers. The alien heroine leader has been binge watching the movie He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword for the umpteenth time, and it was past midnight, when Ken, Delilah, and the rest of the Power Princesses have all fallen asleep in the boy’s room.
Trot Summers hardly noticed how weary and sore her eyes were becoming, after long hours of watching the TV, at night.
‘Wow,' Trot Summers thought in admiration. 'This entertainment show teaches so many valued morals to the young viewers!’
“Trot…go to sleep,” Ken pleaded, drowsily picking up a remote controller and turning the TV off.
"Aw, Ken!" Trots whined. "It was just about to get to the good part!"
"You've seen it like about a hundred times already! You've already seen the good part," Ken yawned. "It's 2:05 AM! Go to sleep..."
"2:05?"
When Trot turned to look at the clock on Ken's nightstand, she realized the boy was right. It was 2 hours past midnight.
"Oops. Hehe," Trot blushed as she got under the cover with Ken. "Sorry Ken. I was really into that show. Etheria reminded me of Harmonus, and She-ra reminded me of...of...Queen Celestia..." Depressed, Trots sighed upon remembering her late queen, and mentor.
It has been what must've been a month or so, since the Power Princesses have crash landed on Earth. But for Trot, she still remembered it like it was days ago, when the evil galactic warlord, Sombra, launched an attack on Harmonia, with the intent of enslaving the Harmonians and capture Trot Summer and her fellow Harmonia Defenders, to use their powers for the purpose of conquering one galaxy to the next.
The young alien heroines barely escaped. The evil warlord would've captured them, had it not been the heroic sacrifice of Queen Celestia. Trot Summers couldn't help but cry herself to sleep, as she recalls the last remaining moments she had of her beloved queen, before she died.
"Go, my little warriors!" Queen Celestia's words echoed. "Keep going! Don't look back!"
"But...Queen Celestia!" Young Twilight Nova cried.
"Twilight! Be brave...make me proud."
With that, the brave and wise Queen Celestia thrusted herself between Warlord Sombra's fleet, and her escaping pupil and friends.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
Back in present time, Trot Summers's eyes were flooded with waterfalls of tears. The young former princess-to-be and leader of the Defenders struggled to fight the urge to cry out loud. Instead, she clenched her teeth hard, swallowing the heavy lump in her throat, all to keep her crying contained. But her tears did leave their eyes. In her depressing sleep, she wrapped her arms around something warm and soft, holding it close to her body. Hugging it with all her might.
The next morning, Ken woke up to find himself smothered into Trot Summer's chest. Ken blushed a crimson shade of red, as he wriggled his head free from the girl's grip, allowing him to breathe.
‘Wow!’ Ken gasped. ‘I was this close to being suffocated to death, and blood loss…' Of course, for a boy his age, his hormone took over, and he thought, 'Then again, she’s got a nice pair of-NO!’ Ken shook his head, rationally clearing his head of any perverted thoughts. ‘Mom taught you better than that, Ken! Don’t think like that!’
Trot let out a yawn, before she woke up and saw the position both she and Ken were in.
“Oh! Good morning, Ken,” Trot greeted. “Sleep well?”
“Yeah,” Ken yawned. “Only after you stopped watching She-Ra.”
“Well, what can I say?” Trot giggled. “For a TV series of motion pictures, by your earthling standard, it was like looking at a fellow Harmonus Defender...”
“Speaking of which,” Ken began as he got out of bed, and looks down to see empty sleeping bags. “Looks like your fellow defenders are already off on their patrols."
Ken looked back up at Trot Summers and noticed her eyes have been brighten to shades of pinks.
"Are you okay?" Ken asked.
"Huh? I'm fine," Trot replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, your eyes looked like...have you been crying?"
"Uh...no, not at all," Trot shook her head, as she stammered. "The TV...watching it...in the dark, hurts my eyes. Silly me," She smiled sheepishly.
Ken wasn't buying Trot's smiling facade. He cold tell by her uncharacteristic stammer and the way she brushed off his question, clearly shows she's trying to hide something. Still, he decided to let it slide as both he and Trot got out of the bed.
"Let’s get ourselves cleaned up and meet up at the Bucking Bronco Diner for breakfast,” Ken suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” Trot said, as she opened up the window and took her leave.
But not before she gave Ken a quick parting gift, “See you there, Ken!” Leaning close, Trot gave Ken a quick kiss on the cheek, before she took her leave.
Ken was rendered in another loving daze, putting his hand on the spot where Trot had kissed him.
Delilah, the Heathspike’s family dog, happened to walk in, and she had seen the whole romantic scene unfold, between Ken and Trot.
“Hmmm,” Delilah smirked. “Quite the smooth operator, aren’t you?”
Ken was too lovestruck to respond. Instead, he just nodded, with the goofy expression frozen on his face.
Later
After cleaning himself up and changing into a new set of clothes for the day, Ken took Delilah out for a walk, in the big city, before they arrived at his cousin's Bucking Bronco Diner. Once inside, it didn't take long for Ken to find Trot Summers, sitting at a table, waving for him.
"Hey Trot!" Ken greeted. "Sorry if I was late. Hope you weren't waiting too long."
"Not at all, Ken," Trot smiled. "You're just in time to order for breakfast."
"Hey cousin!" Megan Williams greeted, when she came over. "Oh! You didn't tell me you were dating someone," The girl smirked towards her cousin.
"What?" Following his cousin's teasing gaze, Ken realized what she was getting at and blushed, "We're not on a date! We’re just friends, who are…getting breakfast…together.”
“Which essentially means you are dating,” Megan teased her cousin. “And besides, you didn't even deny she was your girlfriend~”
“Just take our orders,” Ken moaned, while Trot giggled at the exchange between the two cousins. “I’d like to have some large fries, extra crispy.”
“Got it,” Megan smiled, taking note of Ken’s order. “And you?” She asked Trot.
“This beyond burger sounds delicious,” Trot pointed to the said sandwich, on the menu.
“Coming right up,” With that, Megan took her leave for the kitchen.
"Oh! And some doggy treats for Delilah too," Ken reminded, which Megan flashed a wink his way.
While waiting on their orders, Trot took the time to hum a catchy tune of She-Ra’s song, from the 80’s, to herself.
“You know, Trot,” Ken began. “If you like She-Ra from the 80’s, then you’ll definitely like her in today’s adaptation.”
"In today's adaption?" Trot asked.
"Yeah. A lot of people who have watched the show have said a lot of good reviews about it," Ken confirmed.
"Really? Have you seen it then?"
"Yeah, lots of times with Megan, Danny, and Molly, whenever they came to visit me," Ken then leaned in closer to whisper into Trot's ear, "But between you and me, I think Danny's got a schoolboy crush on Catra."
"Catra?" Trot asked with piqued interest. "But...isn't she one of the villains working for Hordak?"
"Well, yeah, that's one defining trait about her, in both adaptions," Ken lectured. "But in the 2018 reboot, Catra was written as a more complex character, and a 'friendly' history with Adora."
"How so?" Trot asked.
"I can't tell you," Ken smirked, crossing his arms.
"Why not?"
"Because, that'd be spoiling. And I'm no Tom Holland."
"Fine."
"If you ask me," Delilah grumbled. "They should've make a dog-themed heroine. That'd be a lot better than a cat," The Dalmatian huffed, blowing a raspberry in disgust about cats.
"Oh Delilah," Ken and Trot both chuckled at the Dalmatian.
It wasn't long, when Megan came and brought the two heroes their meal. By then, Ken and Trot continued with their discussion.
"Still, I'm rather fascinated to the story of She-Ra and her brother, He-Man," Trots said wholeheartedly. "Their mother was from Earth, when she came to Eternia. She fell in love and married King Randor, and gave birth to Prince Adam and Princess Adora."
"Unfortunately, both Adam and Adora were separated at birth, when Hordak and the Horde invaded Eternia," Ken added. "Hordak kidnapped Adora and trained her to be a Force-Captain in the Horde, alongside Catra, and some other villains."
"But despite everything, and with help from the Sorceress of Grayskull, Prince Adam was able to find his long-lost sister, and together, they became two of the greatest heroes in the universe, He-Man and She-Ra!" Trot Summers concluded enthusiastically.
Ken couldn't help but chuckle at the Harmons Defender's admiration. It was then, that he remembered the comment Trot once made, last night.
"...and She-ra reminded me of...of...Queen Celestia..."
"So, Trot," Ken began. "I hope it's not a hard topic to ask, but...about Queen Celestia."
"Huh?" Trot asked, with all good feelings of relief and enthusiasm drained. "What about her?" She asked, uneasily.
"Well...last night, you mentioned that She-Ra reminded you a lot of...your queen," Ken began. "So, just asking, how so?"
Before Trot Summers could answer, both she and Ken were interrupted when a breaking new was loudly announced on the TV.
"Breaking news from Maretropolis's central plaza," A news reporter announced. "Several civilians have been found sick and in critical conditions, the result of a contaminated water fountain. The police are currently investigating the cause of the contaminations. Medical experts are advising the civilians to stay clear of the area."
The breaking news ended on that note, leaving Ken and Trot to exchange looks and nods, knowing that they've got a job to do. Ken quickly reached into his pocket, pulls out his wallet and hurriedly puts some dollar bills and coins on the table, as both he and Trot made a hasty dash towards the front door. At the same time, both Ken and Trot picked up their breakfasts and continued to eat them, on the way out.
"Keep the change Meg!" Ken called out, as he and Trot raced past a baffled Megan.
"Hey, where's the fire?" Megan asked.
Delilah was about to follow Ken and Trot, when she stopped and noticed a suspicious, but familiar, person across the street. Maretropolis High's former science teacher, Hoofenshmirtz, carrying a box of equipment, while checking to make sure he wasn't being followed.
"What the devil is that man up to?" Delilah asked, deciding to follow the mad scientist.
Once again, Ken and Trot suited up to become Hum Drum and Masked Matter-Horn, and were on their way towards Maretropolis's Central Plaza, eating breakfast on the way.
"Ugh, I hate to just eat and run," Hum Drum moaned, as he munches on his fries, while spring-jumping and gliding on the way.
"Just try not to overdue it, Ken," Masked Matter-Horn lectured, while eating her beyond burger. "But we better hurry. Also, I really like your cousin's cookings! A meal this delicious should be against the law!"
In response, Ken laughed, "If it is, then you wouldn't be eating right now. And my cousin would be in jail for that. You want that to happen?"
Masked Matter-Horn laughed in response, until both she and Hum Drum arrived at the scene. Upon arrival, the scene they found disturbed them greatly. Nothing but black tar has been spewing out of the fountain and people surrounding it seem to be sick of some sorts.
The area was surrounded with yellow tapes as the police officers were keeping the civilians clear of the contamination, while doctors were checking up on the afflicted. Leading the investigation stood a familiar police officer, from the other day, when Ken was investigating the museum with Fili-Second, Shining Armor.
"Officer Shining Armor!" Ken greeted the officer.
"Ah, if it isn't the city's newest superheroes," Shining Armor greeted, focusing on Masked Matter-Horn. "Masked Matter-Horn, was it?"
"At your service, officer," Masked bowed politely, before she asked, "So, what's the situation?"
"Well, as you can see, a lot of people are sick from drinking the waters from that fountain, over there," Shining explained, pointing to the said fountain.
"What kind of symptoms are they experiencing?"
"So far, strokes, seizures, dehydration, and I'm no doctor, rabies? Add them all up together, and what've you got?"
"Rabies?" Ken asked.
"Well, foaming mouth has become the latest symptoms from the victims," Shining Armor pointed, to a patient, covered in blankets, on a flatbed, frothing with white foam from his mouth.
"Hmmm," Turning her attention to the water fountain, Masked Matter-Horn turned to Shining and asked, "You say the contamination came from that fountain?"
"Yes, I did," Shining nodded.
"Mind if we investigate?" The leading alien heroine asked. "I think we can pinpoint the source, if we can identify the substance of the contamination."
"Do what you must," Shining granted. "I mean, you're both superheroes for a reason, right?"
Masked Matter-Horn couldn't help but chuckle at Shining Armor's comment, before she and Ken proceeded to investigate.
"He's quite the decent kind of officer, isn't he?" Trot asked.
"Yeah, my dad always says Shining Armor's an upright kind of guy," Ken replied. "He's really focused at his work, and he's very knowledgeable about all the organized crimes in the city. And like my dad, he wants to make the world a better place."
Smiling to herself, Masked Matter-Horn turned to give Shining Armor one last look of admiration, before she and Ken resumed their attention on the investigation at hand.
First, Ken turned on the fountain's faucet, which squirted up – not water – but a strange black liquid from the pipe.
"Stand back, Hum Drum," Masked Matter-Horn cautioned, as she reaches for her belt and pulls out a small glass tube to take a sample of the liquid.
With the sample in hand, Matter-Horn proceeded to take a device from her belt, which she uses to upload the sample, to run an analysis. Before long, the machine finished analysis. Both Ken and Trot were shocked to find what the result was.
"I should've known," Masked Matter-Horn exclaimed. "It's the same black tar from before! From the docks and..."
"The Reapers!" Ken exclaimed, catching on.
"Reapers?" Shining Armor asked, having overheard the heroes' discovery. "As in the same group of anarchists? Red hood? Skull motifs, and guns?"
"That's the one," Hum Drum confirmed. "And it looks like they're up to their old tricks again."
"What makes you say that?" Shining Armor asked. "I've known many criminal organizations in this city, and the Reapers are supposed to be as mysterious than the looks on their faces."
"Let's just say a few nights ago, we've had the unpleasantry of seeing their handiworks up close and personal, down at the docks," Masked Matter-Horn explained.
"And if this water fountain is contaminated with their black tar, then they must be poisoning more water sources all over the city, elsewhere!" Hum Drum added. "We have to track them down and stop them!"
"But first thing's first," Masked Matter-Horn quickly tapped a button on the wrists of her suits, activating the comm to call one of the other Power Princesses. "Saddle Rager! Do you hear me? This is Masked Matter-Horn. The Reapers are at it again. Me and Hum Drum are going to track them down and stop them. But first, we need you to work on another batch of the antidote to their black tar. And hurry!"
"Of course, Matter-Horn," Spruce replied. "I'll get right on it, as soon as I return to the ship," With that, Spruce ended the call.
"That'll take care of the black tar and everyone who are sick," Ken began. "Which leaves us the problem of the Reapers. Where do we even begin to look for them?"
Both Ken and Trot began to ponder, before Shining Armor shared his thoughts, "If I may," The police officer began. "But if I were part of a clan of deranged anarchist, poisoning waters, to poison an entire city, then the first place I would go would be a large supply of water."
Hum Drum's eyes immediately lit up, when he realized where the officer was getting at.
"The water district!" Hum Drum exclaimed. "Maretropolis's Water District! It's close to the coastal shores of East Maretropolis."
"East Maretropolis does have a prominent fishing grounds," Shining Armor added. "I'll notify some officers in the area to keep a look out for any other contaminations, in the sewer, or at the dock. We can't let anymore of it spread into the ocean, if it hasn't already."
"Then that's where we're going to stop the Reapers!" Masked Matter-Horn stated. "C'mon, Hum Drum."
Before the two heroes could leave, Officer Shining Armor asked, "Hey, would it be alright for you superheroes that I tag along? I know the city well, like the back of my hand. And if you're going up against these Reapers, you're going to need some backup."
"Hmm, what do you say, Matter-Horn?" Hum Drum asked.
Masked Matter-Horn didn't waste another second to think, "We'll need all the help we can get. Let's go and stop those Reapers!"
The heroes were about to leave, when Hum Drum looked around and noticed someone was missing, "Hey! Where's Delilah?" He asked.
Meanwhile, with Delilah
Doofenshmirtz's Evil Inc. Jingle
After a long walk, Hoofenshmirtz arrived at, what appeared to be, an ordinary office building. Once there, he entered the elevator and rode up to the top floor, where he walked into a fully stocked laboratory.
"OK," Hoofenshmirtz grunted, putting down the heavy box of supplies he had been carrying. "Now, it's time for me to finish my latest, evil invention: the Water Evaporator-inator! With this device, I shall evaporate any bodies of water I choose, convert them into air, then suck them out of the air, and collect them into this tank, where they are condensed into liquid water, which I will then sell to all the thirsty customers in Maretropolis!"
"What a farfetched and ludicrous plan you have concocted, Hoofenshmirtz," A female British accent scoffed.
"Huh? Says who?" Hoofenshmirtz turned around and looked to see Delilah standing by the doorway of the elevator. "Hey. Who let a dog in?"
"I let myself in, you crazy wild-eyed scientist," Delilah barked, shocking the man.
"WHA-!" Hoofenshmirtz screamed, falling back and knocking some of his tools off his table. "Y-Y-You talked!"
"Well, the doc's become a detective."
"I knew it. I knew I heard you talk!" Hoofenshmirtz frowned. "The police thought I was crazy. They thought I was deranged and I got sacked by the school!"
"Well, can you blame them?" Delilah rolled her eyes. "I mean, you were fished out of the sea. Some might say you've been drinking the sea waters."
"It was CRABS!" Hoofenshmirtz shuddered, experiencing the willies. "The cursed crustaceans and their diabolical pincers! I'll never forget how hard they pinched!" Getting back on topic, Hoofenshmirtz sneered, putting his hands to his sides and gloated, "Well, now that you are here, dog. I–"
"It's Delilah."
"What?"
"My name is Delilah."
"Pleasure to make your acquaint–No!" Hoofenshmirtz shook his head as he resumed his angry stare. "It's time for my revenge! Time to die, Delilah the Dalmatian!"
"Bring it, Hoofenshmirtz!"
With a bark and a sprint of her legs, Delilah leapt at the madman, who narrowly avoided the dog's attack, before he stepped on a red button, on the floor, causing a cage to fall on Delilah.
"Hahaha! Now look who's in the dog house!" Hoofenshmirtz mocked as he lets out an evil laugh.
Meanwhile, back with the heroes
Hum Drum and Masked Matter-Horn soon arrived at Maretropolis's Water District, with Officer Shining Armor tagging along. The alien super heroine, and the young hero-in-training, were scaling the walls, looking for a vent to sneak their way in, which they eventually found.
"Okay Officer Shining Armor! We're in," Masked Matter-Horn called the police officer. "In just a few minutes, Hum Drum and I should rendezvous with you at the front entrance to let you in."
"Just be careful in there," Officer Shining Armor advised. "I'd go myself, but y'know...not a superhero. Just your average kind of police officer..."
"Don't talk yourself down like that, Officer!" Masked Matter-Horn replied. "I understand your sense of feeling inferiority. And I'm sorry if my fellow defenders and I made you feel that way. But the city needs you. You're all an important and integral part of law enforcement to keep the peace in the community you serve."
"Ha!" Shining Armor scoffed. "Tell that to the mayor. I tell you, we're dangerously understaffed. Ever since we've had to let go some of our officers who were in cahoots with some criminal masterminds, who had them on their paychecks."
"It's true," Hum Drum confirmed to Masked Matter-Horn. "Ever since dad-I mean, Captain Heathespike took over, he was disgusted to find so many corrupt officers, more than I could count on my fingers."
"And the only officers left are the ones who are the diligent enough to doing their jobs, correctly," Shining Armor added. "Anyway, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but I'm really glad the city could have fine outstanding individuals, like you two."
"We're all just doing our part to make this world a better place, officer," Hum Drum replied.
"And hopefully, we can extend that to the entire galaxy," Masked Matter-Horn added.
From the other side of the comm, Shining Armor simply laughed heartedly, before he replied, "The sky's the limits. Now let's focus on stopping some criminals."
After the heart-to-heart talk was out of the way, the heroes resumed their focus on the mission at hand. Once inside, both Masked Matter-Horn and Hum Drum navigated their way to the front doors, unlocking the doors to let Shining Armor in.
Afterwards, Shining Armor lead the heroes throughout the water district. True to his words, the officer knew his way around the facility, as if he has a map drawn in his head.
"You sure seemed to know your way around here, officer," Masked Matter-Horn commented.
"I once worked here as a security guard," Shining Armor explained. "That was before Verko came to the city and weaseled his way to the top of the political ladder and became mayor."
Before the conversation could continue, they heard commotions, coming from another room, at the end of a hallway, around the corner. The heroes and police officer hurried into the room, and sure enough, found the hooded masked anarchists, at the controls, with several more on patrols, guarding the perimeter, carrying guns.
"The Reapers!" Hum Drum alerted quietly.
Masked Matter-Horn turned to Officer Shining Armor and advised him, "Wait here."
"Hell no," Shining Armor denied. "It's gonna take all of us to get past them."
Looking around at his surrounding, analyzing the situation, Officer Shining Armor was able to formulate a plan as he explain to the two heroes.
"Hey kid," He said to Hum Drum. "You're small. You can fit into this vent," He pointed to the vent on the floor. "It will take you into the control room, past those guards. Once inside, you knock out the Reapers at the controls, while Masked Matter-Horn and I will keep the guards distracted."
"Sounds like a plan."
With that, Hum Drum proceeded to follow through Shining Armor's plan of attacks. In the meantime, Masked Matter-Horn and Shining Armor both exchanged nods before the alien super heroine made her first move.
Masked Matter-Horn conjured a blast of ice beam, from her mentally projected horn. Masked Matter-Horn caught both Reapers by surprise, who were so startled that they fumbled with their guns, just as they were frozen into blocks of ice by Masked Matter-Horn.
"Now that's how you freeze," Shining Armor joked, chuckling at his bad joke. "Get it? Because us police officers always say freeze, but..." One unamused look from Masked Matter-Horn was enough to shut the officer up. "Well, I thought it was clever," He sighed.
In the meantime, the Reapers from inside the control room were startled by the commotion outside. Before they could reach for their guns, a blur of purple and red came bursting from a vent, on the floor, swinging a metal staff that hits the surprised Reapers on the back of their heads, knocking them unconscious.
Masked Matter-Horn and Shining Armor soon entered the control room, to which Hum Drum confirmed, "They're down and out, and out cold!"
Officer Shining Armor chuckled in response to Hum Drum's last part, "I'd say the same for the ones outside."
Masked Matter-Horn rolled her eyes at the two young men, before she approach one of the unconscious Reapers.
"Let's see what you look like under there." She said as she grabs the hood and removes it. What she saw shocks her and the boys.
The Reaper hardly resembles a human at all. The... thing was practically skin and bone, it had long Elf-like ears, and dark grey skin. Long story short, it was hideously ugly.
Needless to say, everyone were shocked at this development.
"Oh..." Shining Armor exclaimed.
"My..." Hum Drum followed.
"Goddess!" Masked Matter-Horn finished.
However, as they were processing this, the Reaper instantly jumped up and grabbed Hum Drum. Hum Drum was horrified as he stared right into the Reaper's red glowing eyes. Fortunately, Masked Matter Horn blasted the Reaper off of him.
The Reaper got right back up and looked at the two young heroes with hate in its eyes. Just as it was about to pounce them again, Shining Armor quickly reacted and fired a gun at the Reaper, killing it on the spot. He looked at the dead Reaper with a shocked expression.
"These things ain't human!" He exclaimed.
Masked Matter-Horn and Hum Drum shook their heads, before they followed Shining Armor, who got to work on the control panels. They watched as the former security guard-turned-police officer opened up a screen, showing a map of the district on one screen, and a security footage on another screen.
"There!" Shining Armor pointed. "More of them are tampering with the machine that cleans the water from the ocean and pumping them into the city!"
"And they're pouring more of their black tars!" Masked Matter-Horn exclaimed in alarm.
"We gotta stop them!" Hum Drum said.
With a nod of their heads, Masked Matter-Horn and Hum Drum headed off for the main body of the Water District, to put an end to the Reapers' plan to pollute the entire city, once and for all.
Meanwhile, back with Delilah
Delilah sat in the cage, watching as Hoofenshmirtz put the finishing touches to his machine.
"You are too late, Delilah the Dalmatian!" Hoofenshmirtz gloated. "Now watch as I drain the city of its entire water resources with my Water Evaporator-Inator!"
Delilah had to think fast, to figure out her way out of the problem. That was when she noticed a stray bolt, on the floor. Getting an idea, Delilah looked at her surroundings, calculating the equations and schematics in her head, before she grins with confidence. Picking up the bolt, in her mouth, she spits and fires it at Hoofenshmirtz, hitting him on the butt.
"OW!" Hoofenshmirtz screamed, jumping up in the air, with his hands to rub his sore backside, landing on the red switch from before, inadvertently deactivating the cage, freeing Delilah.
"Now who let the dog out?" Delilah asked. "You did!"
With a bark, Delilah lunged after Hoofenshmirtz, who took off running, before he picked up a wrench.
"Go fetch!" Hoofenshmirtz grunted, tossing the wrench at Delilah, who avoided the projectile. "You're a bad dog!"
"And you're a scoundrel!" Delilah barked in response. "And I'm going to stop you!"
"Bring it!"
And with that, both Delilah and Hoofenshmirtz began an epic fight.
Meanwhile, back with Hum Drum and Masked Matter-Horn
The two heroes have arrived at the main room, where the rest of the Reapers were hard at work, pumping more of their precious black tars, into the city's water. Among them stood an even bigger Reaper, carrying a grenade launcher. The large Reaper was walking around the room, swinging his free fist, hitting and intimidating any of the smaller Reapers. There can be no doubt it must be the leader.
"Okay, what's the plan, Masked Matter?" Hum Drum asked.
Unfortunately, before Masked Matter-Horn could answer, the sound of a gunshot rang the air. Fortunately, Masked Matter-Horn quickly reacted in time and saved herself and Hum Drum, by freezing the bullet, mid-air, along with the shooter. Unfortunately still, the gunshot had alerted the other Reapers of the heroes' presence.
The leading Reaper let's out an inhuman shriek, pointing at the heroes, directing all of his men to open fire. Without a plan of attack, Hum Drum and Masked Matter-Horn retaliated to save themselves and the people of the city.
The Reapers surrounded the heroes, but were repelled and scared off into random directions, when Masked Matter-Horn fired a stream of fire, like a flamethrower. The Reapers quickly ducked behind some boxes and other machineries for cover, and continued to open fire on the heroes.
Masked Matter-Horn then concentrated and fired blasts of freezing mists to create layers of ice to save herself and Hum Drum from the bullets. This also served to provide a cover for their escape, as both she and Hum Drum leapt out of the crossfires, before they found a place to hide, up on some railings, out of the Reapers' sights.
"There's too many of them!" Hum Drum hyperventilated. "We can't fight them off at once!"
"We need to divide and conquer," Masked Matter-Horn panted.
"And how do we do that?" Hum Drum asked.
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking."
Hum Drum looked from behind their hiding spot to see the Reapers were closing in on them, with their guns at the ready.
"Well, better think fast, because here they come!" Hum Drum whimpered, frightfully, while searching through his utility belt and cape pockets. "Danny. Why couldn't you have invented a ninja smoke bomb?"
Epiphany struck Hum Drum, like a lightning bolt, practically lighting up the light bulb in the young hero-in-training's brain.
"Hey! That gives me an idea!" He exclaimed.
"What is it, Ken?" Masked Matter-Horn asked.
"Remember in science class?" Ken asked, "When dry ice mixes with hot water?"
"Of course, they turn into a thick–" It wasn't long before Masked Matter-Horn catches onto what Hum Drum was getting at. "Ken! You're a genius!"
"I have my moments," Hum Drum smirked, before he and Masked Matter-Horn put their plan into action.
First off, Masked Matter-Horn froze the stalking Reapers in their tracks. After that was done, she called Officer Shining Armor, on her comm.
"Officer Shining Armor! This is Masked Matter-Horn. Do you read me?"
"I hear you, Masked Matter-Horn," The police officer responded. "What's the problem?"
"Me and Hum Drum are currently fighting some Reapers here," The Power Princess confirmed. "They're more than determine to stop us from shutting down their operation. Any chance your controls can heat up the waters pumping into this room?"
"Uh...I'll see what I can do. But the highest they can go without blowing a fuse would be 101° F. Why?"
"Don't worry, we'll make it work. We've got a plan."
Resuming the fight at hand, Masked Matter-Horn and Hum Drum proceeded to fight off some of the Reapers, while trying their best to avoid their bullets. Masked Matter-Horn fired roaring streams of fire at the Reapers, scaring them off. Furthermore, she concentrated and fired electric currents throughout the room, electrocuting some of the Reapers who were standing on metal railings and puddles of water.
Their sudden turn of the tide didn't last long, unfortunately, when the leading Reaper leapt into the fray, firing his grenade launcher at the two heroes.
"Hum Drum! Get back!" Masked Matter-Horn screamed, grabbing the teenage boy, pulling him away, and putting herself between him and the explosive projectile.
Concentrating hard, Masked Matter-Horn used her telekinesis to catch the missile. Unfortunately, the leader quickly fired another missile, exploding the first one, knocking her and Hum Drum back.
"AAAHH!!!" The heroes screamed.
Hum Drum landed above some grates, and felt the boiling waters at the seat of his pants.
"YOWCH!" Hum Drum exclaimed from the heat of the water. "That's hot!"
"Perfect!" Masked Matter-Horn said, as she fired a beam of ice onto the burning waters.
With that, the entire room was coated in a thick fog of smoke. Blinded, the Reapers struggled to find their adversaries, who proceeded to evade and elude them, under the cover of the smoke.
"It's working, Hum Drum!" Masked Matter-Horn exclaimed excitedly. "The fog is blinding them! They can't see us!"
"Maybe a little too well for me," Hum Drum replied. "I can't even see them through my lens."
"Switch it to heat vision!" Masked Matter-Horn advised. "Tap the right side of your mask for options and select heat vision!"
Hum Drum did just that and was able to read the heat signatures of the Reapers, who fumbled blindly in the fog.
"Peekaboo!" Hum Drum smirked. "I see you!"
Hum Drum pulled out his Nerf gun and loaded his cousin Danny's Funny Elephant Toothpaste pellets, which he then fired at some of the Reapers, to distract them, tricking them into firing at each other. Remembering he still carried the Stun Gun from High Heel's hideout, Hum Drum snuck up behind some Reapers and shocked them into unconsciousness.
Masked Matter-Horn was able to see through the fog as she pounced on several unsuspecting and blind Reapers. Focusing her powers, she froze them into blocks of ice, blasted explosive fireballs that destroyed their guns and firearms, and followed Ken's example, conducting electricity to subdue several more unconscious.
One of the last remaining Reapers was the leader, who struggled to search for her and Hum Drum.
"Hum Drum!" Masked Matter-Horn called on her comm. "Time to bring down the big guy!"
"Ready when you are," Hum Drum responded, holding out his metal staff.
Masked Matter-Horn made the first attack, by firing a burst of flare, startling the leader, who fired his grenade launcher in the direction of the flare. Before the leader could reload, Hum Drum lunged in and swung his staff, behind the leader's knee, causing him to bend and lower himself to the floor. Before the leader could get up, Masked Matter-Horn secretly frozen the opening of his grenade launcher's barrel. Hum Drum ran up to the leader and socked him in the nose, beneath his hood. Provoked, the leader tried to fire his launcher at the boy wonder, without realizing Masked Matter-Horn's frozen trick.
By the time he realized what she had done to his precious firearm, it was too late. The grenade launcher exploded, sending the leader flying into a wall. He stood up, dazed and disoriented from the explosion. Seizing their chance, Hum Drum and Masked Matter-Horn both launched themselves at the leader, landing a flying kick, knocking him to the ground, out cold and defeated.
End of Fight Music
By the time the fog has cleared up, the Reapers were all spread out, unconscious and defeated, including their leader.
Masked Matter-Horn then called Officer Shining Armor, "Officer Shining Armor! The Reapers are all subdued," She reported. "But I think you're gonna have to call for back ups."
"Why?"
"You're gonna need a bigger truck, or two, to take them all to jail."
"I'm on it," Shining Armor chuckled. "I'm on my way to the room, right now."
With that, Shining Armor ended the call, leaving Masked Matter-Horn to contemplate the new conflict, with her and Hum Drum.
"Now that the Reapers have been take cared of," Masked Matter-Horn began. "What do we do about the water? How are we going to clean it?"
"Ugh, it's gonna take a long time to clean up this big mess," Hum Drum sighed. "I wish the Reapers' black tar could just disappear."
Then, somehow, without warning, Hum Drum's wish came true. The black tar suddenly disappeared, leaving behind nothing but a clean body of water in the facility.
"Oh my Goddess!" Masked Matter-Horn exclaimed. "Ken! Your wish came true!"
"It did?" Ken asked. "But...how?"
During the battle with Delilah...
The Dalmatian with British-accent had the evil mad scientist, Dr. Hoofenshmirtz, by the leg.
"Ow! Let got of my leg!" Hoofenshmirtz protested, frantically kicking his free foot at the dog, in the face. But to no avail.
Reaching for one of his tools, he grabbed his wrench and swung it at Delilah, hitting her on the side of her head, forcing her jaws open.
"Ow!" Delilah rubbed her smartened cheek. "That was uncalled for!"
"Whatever," Hoofenshmirtz rolled his eyes, as he arrogantly pulled on his lever, opening up the window of his laboratory, with his machine, aiming towards the Eastern section of Maretropolis.
"Ha! It's no use!" Hoofenshmirtz bragged. "Now, behold as my ingenious evil Water Evaporator-Inator evaporates every masses of waters in the city, collecting them in the air, which I shall then collect into this large tank, and then sell them back to all the thirsty people in the city! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
With a flip of the switch, Hoofenshmirtz activates his machine. Delilah watched helplessly as the machine's ray was blasted onto the Eastern section of Maretropolis. However, her helpless expression turned to bewilderment, when she watched and noticed the ray was collecting something dark and liquid, into the air, and into the machine.
Both she and Hoofenshmirtz watched as the black liquid emptied itself into the tank. Needless to say, Hoofenshmirtz was confused.
"What's this?" Hoofenshmirtz exclaimed. "This...this wasn't supposed to happen! It was suppose to be collecting water! This doesn't look like water at all! It looks almost like...like...oil. Hmmm, I could still make a profit, I mean, when there's oil, there's a–What the devil?!"
Delilah followed Hoofenshmirtz's gaze to see the Water Evaporator-Inator acting up.
"What's happening?" Delilah asked.
"This is terrible!" Hoofenshmirtz exclaimed in horror. "Obviously, the Water Evaporator-Inator can't take oil! It's gumming up my machine! It's about to explode!"
With that, both Delilah and Hoofenshmirtz made a beeline for the elevator. Delilah was the first one in, and the elevator closed its doors between her and Hoofenshmirtz, locking the mad scientist, inside his laboratory.
"Hey! Open the doors! Open up!" Hoofensmirtz protested, banging on the doors. "You can’t do this to me! This is my evil laboratory, you hear me? This is my office building! I rented this place! I–I'M TRAPPED!!!"
From inside her elevator, Delilah felt and heard the explosion above her. It was so strong and powerful that she fell to the floor. She wondered if Hoofenshmirtz is okay, which her question was answered, when she heard the madman screaming.
"CURSE YOU DELILAH THE DALMATIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!"
Delilah could only grin to herself in amusement.
After another heroic day, both Hum Drum and Masked Matter-Horn resumed their identities as Ken and Trot. They returned to the Bronco Diner, for a well-deserved dinner.
"What we did today has saved millions of lives," Trot Summers noted.
"Yeah, I...I can hardly believe it," Ken said, wholeheartedly. "Phew! What a rush that was! The way we used science to like make that fog, and then it gave us the perfect cover to take out the Reapers."
"Well, it was a perfect plan," Trot smiled. "But I couldn't have thought of it, without you pointing out the resources, Ken."
"Yeah, well, we wouldn't have stopped the Reapers without Officer Shining Armor for pointing out the water district and then some," Ken smiled. "We definitely need more officers like him."
"I concur. I wished he was here with us right now. That way, I feel as though we can properly toast him for the hard works of him and his fellow officers."
"I'll be sure to give him your thanks when he comes here for his morning donuts," A voice said, revealing herself to be Ken's cousin, Megan Williams. "Hey Ken. Hey Trot. Enjoying your dinner?" She smiled.
"Huh, oh yeah! Definitely," Ken stammered, whilst a little bit startled from Megan's sudden intrusion. "Right, Trot?"
Trot nodded and smiled, "I have to agree with Ken. It's delicious!"
Megan smiled, "Well, it's the least I can do for two of Maretropolis's superheroes, on their date," She teased.
"Megan, we're not date–What?!" Ken shrieked in a high-pitch voice at the last part.
Thankfully, the only customers in the diner are just him and Trot.
The young hero-in-training turned to look at his cousin, nervously trying to keep up his facade, "W-W-What are you talking about? What do you mean?"
"Well, you two looked cute together, obviously," Megan continued to tease her cousin. "It was like seeing my little Ken growing up, out on a special date with his special some–"
"I don't mean that," Ken replied, with his face blushing a shade of red, which Trot finds amusing. "I mean–"
"Oh, relax, Ken, I was only teasing," Megan chuckled. "Though, I kinda suspected, after watching the recent news. Watching the Power Princess's 'Wonder Boy', or as everyone now call him 'Hum Drum,' the way he moves, how he talks, and the way he tries to act all tough and witty. It was like playing Cops and Robbers with you and Kara. Though, I remembered how you prefer to be Batman, back when."
Ken was silent as he turned to look at Trot Summers, hoping for some back up, or help. He couldn't think up an excuse or a lie to dissuade Megan's deduction. But he also can't deny the fact that his cousin has him and his friends figured out.
"Don't worry," Megan spoke up. "I won't tell your parents on you. Neither will Danny or Molly. It's our little secret."
"Do you Pinkie Promise?" Ken asked.
"I Pinkie Promise," Megan smiled, as she and Ken wrapped their pinkies around each other, to seal the deal.
"Thanks," Ken sighed in relief. "I mean, no offense, but...the thing about superheroes and their loved ones is...well, the loved ones are the supervillain's favorite targets."
"I understand," Megan nodded. "Well, enjoy your dinner, lovebirds."
"I still say we're not lovebirds!" Ken shouted after his cousin, before he took his seat. "Ugh! Cousin Megan playing matchmaker."
Trot Summers simply giggled, "I think it's adorable with how she recognized our chemistry together."
At that moment, Delilah the Dalmatian returned to the diner.
"Oh, there you are, Delilah!" Ken smiled. "Where've you been?"
"I...It's a long story," Delilah smiled in response.
“Today, Hum Drum and I have thwarted the latest diabolical scheme of the Reapers, all thanks to Hum Drum’s resourcefulness, my strategy, and Shining Armor’s resolve and ingenuity. That’s the power of teamwork. Remember, when you want to accomplish something big, and important, don’t try and do it alone. Help each other. Learn from one other. So remember, when you work together, you’ll win together!”
“Hey Trot!” Ken greeted, upon arriving onboard the Harmonus Defenders’ crashed ship. “Who were you talking to?”
“No one,” Trot replied. “I’m just making a video recording of our latest adventure. That way, we could maybe leave it behind to inspire a new generation of heroes, or people, who are willing to play their part in making the world a better place, like in She-Ra!”
“And He-Man,” Ken pointed out. “She-Ra’s twin brother. He and his friends also have lots of morals to share at the end of every episode.”
“Right,” Troy nodded. “Including He-Man.”
“Anyway, this has been Hum Drum!” Hum Drum said to the monitor screen.
“Move over, Ken!” Trot playfully shoved Ken to the side. “And this has been Masked Matter-Horn!”