Date: 3/3/08

"Hi Dad. You called?"
"Yes, Trevor. Come in."
Trevor sat down, trying to stay cool. It wasn't every day he got called to his dad's office. In fact, this was the first time.
"You okay?" asked the dad, sitting leisurely behind his desk.
"Yeah."
"Then why are your fingers shaking?"
Trevor put his hands behind his neck and attempted to relax. "Just occupied."
"With what?"
"With nothing."
The dad snorted. His incredibly huge figure donned a shiny black suit, accompanied with a pair of sunglasses. Trevor sometimes forgot that this menacing gang leader was his father.
"Cowards don't last long here, Trevor. I won't make an exception for my son either."
"Yeah. Thanks."
"I have an assignment for you."
Trevor's heart leapt. With excitement or fear, he didn't know but he listened anyways.
"The senator wants several persons in his possession.   A man and his wife and daughter. You are to retrieve them and bring them here. Mainly the man and his wife. The daughter is just a safeguard."
Pause.
"Are you ready?"
"No." Trevor could barely contain his anxiety. "Where are they and what do they look like?"
His dad's expression did not change as he told him. "They  are currently living at the Ultrakids Headquarters at 97 Madison Street-"
"Wait. Did you say Ultrakids?" Trevor interrupted.
"Yes." Before Trevor could open his mouth, his dad continued. "The couple's name is Roger and Amanda Lin." The dad produced a photo of the man and wife. "And their daughter's name is Sonica. They have a son, but he's not in New York right now."
"Okay..."
"You go tonight. Jason will have a van parked next to the building. Take this," the dad handed Trevor a tranquilizer gun, "and put all three persons in the back of the van. That's it."
"You mean I gotta carry them into the van? All three?"
"You'll have Jason and RJ to help you. But you lead the operation." His dad stared at Trevor, almost as if he could see through his soul. "Trevor, if you fail, you will be killed."
"By who?" Trevor asked, trying not to show the fear in his voice.
"Either by the government or by us before the government can get anything out of you."
"Great. Got it." A bead of sweat dripped down Trevor's forehead.
"Now go. Prepare. I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself to the others, Trevor, that you truly are my heir."
Trevor exited quickly.

"Yo Trev."
"Hey Jeff." Jeff was 19, a little more than two years older than Trevor.
"Heard you got an assignment," he said, saying it as if it were a curse.
"Yeah. So what?" asked Trevor.
"You don't deserve one, that's what. Boss shoulda picked me for the kidnapping. But just because you're his son," Jeff stepped aggressively towards Trevor, "doesn't mean you're a better thug than I am."
"Geez, chill out son," snapped Trevor. "I ain't done nothing to you."
"You're alive. That's the first thing."
Jeff glared at him and stalked away.

Time: 3:00 A.M.
Place: Ultrakids HQ, 97 Madison Street
Trevor was climbing up the side of the building using a rope and grapple hooked to the roof. Rule number one: never use the front entrance.
The gang leader's son quietly snuck into the building from the top. Fourth floor, bedrooms. This was where his victims were.
The door was locked. Trevor breathed deeply. Rule number two: locked doors are bad. And doors in general are noisy.
Out of his pocket Trevor took a bump key. Let's hope they don't hear this, he prayed. He stuck the key into the lock and quickly bumped it, turning the door open. It creaked. Wonderful.
It was very dark in the bedrooms. Several other doors were in the room. Trevor pulled out his map (drawn on a napkin) and shone his pocket flashlight at it.
Third door on the right.
He bumped key that door as well, cursing every creaking step he took. There they were. The couple. He opened the window and let Jason and RJ in (they had climbed up the fire escape).
"Okay, you got the parents, I'll get the girl." Trevor left them with a bunch of rope and gags and went looking for Sonica.
He bumped open another door. A boy in red pajamas was stirring. Trevor held his breath. The boy stopped moving. Had gone back to sleep.
Trevor breathed a sigh in relief and closed the door.
He bumped to more doors until he found his...victim.
Sonica. That was her name.
He slowly approached her. Tie her up, Trevor. Tie her up.
His mind froze. She was resting so...peacefully. Maybe he shouldn't. The van is waiting outside, Trev. Hurry. You don't have much time.
There were several pictures hanging in Sonica's room. Sonica and her brother. Sonica and the Ultrakids. Sonica, Sonica, Sonica. This was a girl the senator wanted to kill...
The excitement of an assignment drained out of Trevor. Then he remembered his dad's words. Fail equals die.
He exited the building and went into the van with Jason and RJ. "Where's the girl?" asked RJ.
"I couldn't find her," said Trevor. "Looked all over. Maybe she's with her brother. Besides, the other people were starting to wake up."
"Yo dad's not gonna like that, Trev," said Jason.
"It don't matter. He said the girl wasn't as important as the two people in the back."
"Alright, if you say so."
Then they drove away into the night.

To be continued...

The orphans lived in a small abandoned building, or at least that was what it appeared to be on the outside. A small entrance from the back of the building led to a cozy if not dirty shelter.
"Wow..." murmured Veggie boy, admiring the orphans' work. "How did you guys make this place?"
"Well," began Tommy, "we usually make a couple trips to the junkyard a week, trying to find new stuff to put in here."
"So that's where the refrigerator and the high definition television came from?"
"Yep. We're lucky that there's still working electricity in this place."
"How long have you guys been living here?" Veggie boy asked.
"About two weeks," replied Tommy. "That's longer than any other place we've stayed in. Except for the orphanage."
A question mark blanked across Veggie boy's face. Tommy continued.
"All ten of us used to live in an orphanage south of town. They treated us like dirt there. Hardly fed us. Sometimes even beat us when we disobeyed. Then I led the group out of there. And we've been on the run ever since."
Veggie boy nodded in admiration. "You're really a hero then."
Tommy shrugged. "You gotta do what you gotta do, y'know?"
The orphan leader turned to the cardboard beds. "We've got a spare bed for you right over there. You can be part of our group now...that is, if you don't have a home already."
Veggie boy looked at the floor sadly. "I had. I was part of a superhero group called the Ultrakids and-"
"A superhero group?"
"Yeah."
"So you're a superhero?"
"Well, kinda."
Tommy peeked into the room next door. "Hey guys! Come over here!" Immediately all the orphans came in and surrounded Veggie boy.
"Our friend here..." began Tommy. His voice trailed away. "I'm sorry, I never got your name," he said to Vege.
"Veggie boy," the carrot king replied.
"Our friend here Veggie boy is actually a superhero!" Tommy told the orphans. They all cheered. Veggie boy grinned and started cheering with them.
"What are your powers?" asked a boy about Veggie boy's own age.
Time to make a good impression, thought Veggie boy. "Well, I can throw onions pretty well."
...
An awkward silence filled the air.
"Cool..." said Tommy slowly. "Anything else?"
"Um...I can shoot carrots out of my carrot gun." Veggie boy held it up for all of them to see.
"Oo-kay..." Tommy said. "Guys, Veggie boy will be joining our group. So I want all of you to make him feel welcome, okay?"
A smile started to reform on the orphan's faces.
"Will Veggie boy help us fight the CBD?" asked Claire, her eyes sparkling.
"Claire, I don't think Veggie boy will be able to take down the entire CBD," said Tommy.
"Uh, what's CBD?" asked Vege.
All the orphans turned to him like he had asked if the sky was blue.
"Cold-Blooded Dragons," said a boy whose name Veggie boy did not know. "They're the gang you met yesterday. Conrad, he's the second-in-command next to Big Man."
"Jared, I don't think Veggie boy is up to fighting the CBD. He can probably help defend us with his carrot gun, but that's probably it," said Tommy.
Veggie boy suddenly felt offended. He was an crimefighter, not a chef! (well, he was a chef too, but primarily a crimefighter)
"Wait a second..." Veggie boy interruped Tommy. "Who seez I can't fight this CBD?"
Tommy looked at him, confused.
"Why, I've fought bigger bad guys than this little gang!" said Veggie boy, trying to sound as confident as possible. "I've fought Mr. Bad Teeth, the Porkmiester, even the Ice Cream Man!"
"You fought an ice cream man?" asked Jared.
"Well, an evil ice cream man. He sold drugged ice cream to one of my friends and kidnapped him. The Ultrakids and I had to rescue him."
"So you can fight off the CBD?" asked Tommy.
"Sure! Kinda. Well, I've never fought a bad guy by myself before. I've always had the help of the my friends in the Ultrakids."
"Well don't worry," Tommy said. "We'll help you now."
"You will?"
"If you really believe you can take down the CBD."
Veggie boy thought for a second. He had walked right up to the CBD and messed up their graffiti. He had even went face to face with their second in command.
The Ultrakids flashed across his mind. Maybe this was his new future. Maybe the Ultrakids was just a stepping stone in his stream of life.
He looked at Tommy.
"Let's do it."

To be continued...

Copyright © 2009 Joshua Jackson

Date: 10/10/10

This is Sonicboy, member of the Ultrakids. I don't have a lot of time, so I'll talk fast.
My sister has been captured by some new villain. I don't know his name yet, but Invisigirl and Laserboy have been doing a lot of research on him. Why he wants my sister is beyond me. Probably for a ransom. But when we find him, I'm going to kill him. Without hesitation.
I've never been more worried in my entire life. I didn't really have anything big to worry about. Until now.
The five of us are riding in the Ultra-Van (I think Veggie boy thought of that dumb name) with Heather circling above us in electricity form. She probably wants to kill Sonica's kidnapper as much as I do. She'd probably be faster as well. I don't mind. She's my sister's best friend.
For the past five minutes we've been chasing this black Lexus in which my sister is tied up in. Odor boy is a pretty good driver, despite the fact that we need to change the seat afterwards. Invisigirl is controlling this weapon she invented that's sitting on the top of the van - some sort of machine-laser gun. Really cool! Unfortunately, there are several other black Lexus cars behind us that are giving us trouble. Veggie boy shot a couple carrots at them, but they're gaining on us.
That's it. Invisigirl has given us the thumbs up. Laserboy, Veggie boy, and I grab our airborads and open the back of the van. Then we jump out.
Airboards. Invisigirl invented these a couple weeks ago and they are insanely cool. I didn't really understand how it works (I rarely understand Invisigirl at all) but she told us that the way it floats is by some sort of air cushion underneath the board, created by an invisible bubble mechanism, propelled by a mini-rocket attached on its sides. I have no idea what I'm talking about; just saying what Viz said. In my own words, it's basically like snowboarding on a highway.
We starting boarding. Laserboy is pretty good but I'm the best at this stuff. We slow down a bit, letting the other black Lexus cars get closer to us. That's when Laserboy shoots holes in the tires. I emit a sonicscream, blasting one car into the air and over the railings. Veggie boy is throwing more carrots. I need to teach that kid one day how to fight for real.
Good, we took out most of the cars. Invisigirl's laser machine gun can take care of the rest. Now to get my sister.
Heather is already ahead of us. She standing on top of the car, trying to retrieve Sonica, who I think is unconscious. This villain is smart. He knows we can't destroy the car without hurting Sonica, and taking advantage of that.
Oh snap. His accomplice in the back seat has a gun...and he's pointing it at Sonica! Maybe if I do a sonicscream, Heather can catch Sonica in mid-air. No way, too risky. What should I do?
The accomplice rolls open his windows and fires two shots at us, smacking the ground. "Malcolm says that I may kill the girl if I see that you are not backing off! Back off NOW!"
We have no choice. We start to back off. But I'm not completely done.
In my pocket is a magnetic tracking device Invisigirl made just for me. I toss it lightly onto the back of the Lexus. Then I back off, watching the car drive away into the distance.
The three of us climb back into the Ultra-Van. Invisigirl has the position of the car displayed on her laptop computer. Heather also climbs in the van with us.
"What's the plan?" she asks.
"We're going to follow it at a far distance," says Viz. "Then when the car stops moving, we'll resume the chase. Heather, prepare to do some shocking."
"Should I kill them?" asks Heather.
"I want to do that," I put in.
"If you don't have any other choice," says Viz. "But be careful. Sonica's life is at stake here. The slightest pause can give Malcolm or his assistant enough time to pull the gun's trigger."
"His name is Malcolm?" I ask.
"Malcolm Hills," Invisigirl replies.

Click here to continue...

Copyright © 2009 Joshua Jackson

Veggie boy munched on a carrot as he walked through the dark alleyways of New York City. Not the best place to be at night, he thought. But unless he found somewhere to sleep quick, it looked like it was going to be benchbeds today.
He turned the corner. Several thugs were standing by a wall with a couple cans of spray paint, writing obscene words on the walls. Veggie boy walked towards them.
“Excuse me,” he said.
The thugs turned around startled. But when they saw that it was just a kid, most of them went back to their graffiti.
“It’s not very nice to draw on other people’s things,” said Veggie boy. “How would you like it if someone drew on your stuff?”
One of the bigger thugs turned to Veggie boy. “Whatcha gonna do, kid? Tell on us to the police?”
Silence.
“Huh. Thought so. Now get lost.”
“Conrad, maybe you should take this kid in. He could be like a witness or something if we ever got caught,” said another thug.
“Ah, stop being a wimp,” growled Conrad. “This little guy ain’t gonna say nothing. That is, unless he has a death wish or something.”
Veggie boy walked past the thugs.
“See? He ain’t gonna do nothing. Now finish up and let’s get outta here.”
Quickly, Veggie boy grabbed a can of orange spray paint. While the thugs were finishing their graffiti on another part of the wall, Veggie boy drew a giant carrot over their work. Conrad noticed.
“HEY! What are you doing? STOP! You’re messing up my drawing! I worked hard on that!”
Veggie boy had just enough time to make a quick smiley face before he ran. He sprinted down one alleyway and stood on a trash can to reach a fire escape ladder.  Smiling, he watched the thugs look around in confusion as they passed by.
Then Veggie boy noticed a couple of kids walking in his direction. Toward the thugs. Were the thugs going to…
“Hey, look who’s here,” Conrad snarled with a smug grin on his face. “It’s my good friend Tommy.”
Tommy, the oldest of the group of kids, tried to turn around and leave. Conrad grabbed his shoulder. “What you got for us tonight, Tommy?” The thugs grinned and started jumping up and down excitedly like little beavers with a log.
When Tommy didn’t reply, Conrad tapped his foot impatiently. “C’mon Tommy, I know you got something for us.”
“I don’t got nothing, Conrad,” Tommy muttered.
“Uh-huh. Weren’t you at the supermarket this morning with a load of change?”
“I spent it all.”
“I’m sure. Claire, did he spend it all?”
Claire, a little girl probably no older than six, hid behind Tommy. “Is he going to hurt us Tommy?”
“I might,” said Conrad threateningly. “If Tommy don’t give me nothing.”
Right then Veggie boy dropped from above, landing in between Tommy and Conrad. “Then you better leave,” he said. “Cause Tommy did give you nothing.”
Conrad growled in irritation. “Don’t get smart with me, carrot kid.”
“I promise, I will never get smart with you.”
There was a pause as Conrad tried to figure out Veggie boy’s words. Then he realized. A menacing glare came over his face.
“That’s it,” Conrad growled and reached for Veggie boy.
Right as Veggie boy pulled out his carrot gun. Conrad blinked and put his hands up.
“Whoa, whoa, c-calm down. Aren’t guns illegal?” the thug stammered.
“Whatcha gonna do, Conrad? Tell on me to the police?” snapped Veggie boy.
Conrad said nothing.
“Huh. Thought so. Now get lost.”
Conrad and the other thugs fled.
Veggie boy turned to the group of kids. “’Sup.”
Tommy nodded. “Thanks for jumping in.”
“No problemo.”
“Nice gun.”
“It only shoots carrots.” Veggie boy shot one into the sky and caught it, popping it into his mouth. “What are you guys doing out here anyway? Shouldn’t you be at home?”
“We have no home,” Tommy replied.
“Oh.”
“Can I have a carrot?” asked Claire.
“Sure,” said Veggie boy. Claire munched on it happily, her eyes beaming with joy.
“She likes carrots,” Veggie boy noted.
“Nah, she just hasn’t had anything to…eat.” Tommy’s voice faded into the distance.
“You guys don’t have any money,” Veggie boy noted.
“Yeah.”
“Well that makes two of us.”
“At least you got carrots.”
“Can I have a carrot too?” asked another boy behind Tommy.
Veggie boy handed carrots to all the orphans. They all looked very grateful.
“That two times we owe you,” said Tommy. “Are…you going somewhere now?”
“Nah, just looking for a place to sleep.”
“You want to come with us?” Tommy asked. “We have some shelter in an old building.”
Claire’s eyes lit up. “You’re staying with us?” she asked Veggie boy excitedly.
Veggie boy smiled back at her. “I guess I am.”

Click here to continue...

Copyright © 2009 Joshua Jackson

Date: Monday, November 10, 2008

Veggie boy gazed sadly at the Ultrakids HQ.  There was still time to stop this, he thought to himself. Maybe if I could just convince the others that this is all a bad idea...
But what was there to prove? Over-the-Hill-Good-Guy was dead. Laserboy was in shock. Invisigirl had officially announced it to the other kids that lived in the Ultrakids building.
Laserboy. He could stop this. OTHGG had named him leader of the Ultrakids. Veggie boy knew that people might not listen to him, but surely they would listen to their leader.
Suddenly Sonicboy walked out the door. He was wearing a big backpack and water bottle. He glanced at Veggie boy. "Seeya Vege."
Then he walked away.
Veggie boy looked at his friend leave in despair. It couldn't end this way.
He ran into the HQ with no time to lose. "LASERBOY!" No response. The second floor was empty. So was the third.
Veggie boy ran through the stairway up to OTHGG's office.
"Laserboy!"
"Vege?"
There was Laserboy, sitting in OTHGG's chair.
"Lase, you have to do something."
Pause. "I don't understand."
"Sonicboy just left. You have to stop this before anyone else leaves!"
"Well what should I be doing?" Laserboy asked nervously.
"You're the leader of the Ultrakids! Just say the word and get everyone back together!" Veggie boy said, waving his arms around frantically.
Laserboy sighed. "Invisigirl already made the announcement. It would be...y'know, awkward to just come out of nowhere and contradict her."
Gulp. Veggie boy looked at his best friend helplessly. "So you're not going to do anything?"
"Invisigirl is a lot older and smarter than I am. Whatever she decides is probably for the best," Laserboy said.
"How can you say that? What good will come out of splitting up? We have to get through this together!"
"Vege, I think we all just need some time apart. To sort things through. I can't give a speech bringing us back together right now since OTHGG's...he's...."
Laserboy bit his lip and stared at the wall. Veggie boy felt a pit form in his stomach.
"...gone."
Veggie boy took a deep breath. "Listen Lase, I'm feeling the same things you are. OTHGG was my adopted dad too, remember? I'll miss him too...but he's in a better place. You know that." Veggie boy gave a weak smile. Laserboy kept staring at the wall.
"I just need time, Vege."
Veggie boy turned to leave. Laserboy had made his point. There was no use arguing any more. "I'll see you later, Laserboy."
Laserboy nodded. Veggie boy left the office.
He went to the fifth floor, entering a door titled "Elite Six." There were two bunk beds were he, Laserboy, Odor boy, and Sonicboy used to sleep in, with Invisigirl's and Sonica's beds in a room next to them. Veggie boy walked over to a closet and took out some of his clothes, stuffing them into a knapsack. He also put in his Carrot gun, some toiletries, and his Bible. He sighed.
"It's time to get serious, Veggie man."
Then he exited the Ultrakids Headquarters and walked towards nowhere.

Click here to continue...

Copyright © 2009 Joshua Jackson

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2007

Laserboy staggered to the side, collapsing against a wall. "Just leave me alone," he muttered but was barely audible. His attacker moved closer to him, growling like a dog with a bone.
"So this is all the famous Laserboy has to offer me," the gang leader snarled. "What a great ransom I'm gonna get for you..." He started tying Laserboy with thick ropes.
"I dunno," Laserboy said, coughing. "With a brain like yours, a great ransom is probably equal to five bucks."
The gang leader glared at Laserboy. "Shut your little trap." He finished the knots, and took out his cell phone and dialed. "Mickey, I've got the kid."
"Your partner's name is Mickey?"
"Quiet kid!"
"Like in as the mouse?"
"Don't make me gag you," the gang leader snapped. "Yeah, you know, Laserboy. From the Ultrakids. The one that killed Big Man....yeah, yeah just get over here quick. I don't want him escaping. Yeah I tied him up! How dumb do you think I am?...wuh...oh yeah, same to you!"
"Excuse me?"
"What is it, kid? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Sorry." The gang leader failed to see that Laserboy was standing up, unbound. "It's just that the next time you try something like this, it might be a good idea to use blindfolds."
Then before the gang leader could react, Laserboy shot three solid heat beams at his groin area. He emitted a sound that resembled a pig with a tent pole driven into its body. Then he collapsed.
Laserboy dragged the gang leader to the edge of the street, where Invisigirl was waiting with a van. With some effort, they shoved the man into a box inside the van and locked it. Veggie boy came around the corner, holding a camera.
"You got all that?" asked Laserboy.
"Yeah," Veggie boy said, grinning. "This is going to bring so many hits to our YouTube channel..."
"Nice."
They got into the van.
"Good job Laserboy," said Invisigirl.
"Thanks."
"I have donuts. You want?"
"Boston Cream?"
"Yep."
"Nice!" Laserboy flipped open the donut box and feasted. He glanced at Veggie boy.
"You're making me sick," his best friend muttered.
"You're just upset they haven't made vegeterian donuts yet," said Laserboy.
"What are you talking about?" Veggie boy said carelessly. Veggie boy took out a carrot sword from his back pocket and munched on it.
"I don't see how you can be so prepared for a fight if you keep eating your weapons."
Invisigirl tried not to laugh as she drove to the police station.

Copyright © 2009 Joshua Jackson