The Ones You Call When Everyone Else is Busy (16)

They heard Maniac Mike Mullins’ voice before they saw him. “You two bumbling brainless boors left the door open. I am awesomely aware of your atrocious abilities to commit crimes correctly.” A few of The Ones You Call When Everyone Else is Busy snickered. Matt looked at them and shrugged, “Yeah, yeah we know. He isn’t the brightest crayon in the flower garden.” Captain Pancake just looked at him. “That’s kind of the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?” “I don’t know. Is the kettle a black flower?” Captain Pancake just shook his head. It took Maniac Mike a second to assess the situation and he started to run as fast as he could back to his car. “I’ve got this,” said Captain Pancake. He took careful aim and shot some butter right in front of Maniac Mike’s feet. Mike slipped and slid. With his other wrist, Captain Pancake shot syrup which Mike promptly landed in. He was stuck and quickly tied up. “Thank you, Rube Goldberg,” Ian said breathing a sigh of relief.  

The police and Bob finally arrived on the scene. Officer Kelly looked around in amazement. “Crime and superheroes in Middleville?” he asked, clearly not believing his own eyes. Nick shook his head in agreement. Officer Kelly noticed Nick for the first time, “Looks like you were right kid, and we had a bunch of dognapers on our hands.” Matt and Malcolm were about to correct the officer, but Maniac Mike was frantically shaking his head no. Nick was trying to stand still but Chewy kept nudging him to the room where the dogs had been held. He took off with Chewy at his side. Officer Kelly wanted all the details of how the team had caught the villains, but Captain Pancake and his friends weren’t exactly used to talking. Bob stepped in. He flashed his brilliant smile at Officer Kelly. “I can help, I am the spokesperson for Middleville’s Incredibly Gifted Heroes,” Bob said, happy that he finally found his place amongst his superhero friends, “And Talented Youth,” Torch reminded Bob. Captain Pancake, Ian and Kate looked at each other and said, “MIGHTY!” all at the same time. They had finally found the perfect acronym for their team.  Bob was finished filling Officer Kelly in on the details. “So let me get this straight, we are locking these guys up for dognapping?” “That’s not all, “said Nick returning to the room. “You have to arrest them for attempted bank robbery too.”  “Bank robbery?” asked Officer Kelly. “Don’t listen to that crazy kid. He doesn’t have a clue what tall tales he is telling.” Maniac Mike pleaded. “They were digging a tunnel underground and using the puppies to do it. The map they left shows that they were supposed to go under the street and come up under the vault where they would steal the money from the bank.” Nick handed the map to Officer Kelly. Maniac Mike looked at Matt and Malcolm, “You two bumbling birdbrains left evidence in the open? And you used dumb dogs to do the deed I demanded you to do?” Matt and Malcolm just shrugged their shoulders. They were too worried about facing their mom to care about Maniac Mike and his alliterate insults.  Maniac Mike was panicking and tried to fall back on his old get away trick, “So much for taking thousands from the town’s trusted treasury.” He smiled weakly but no one laughed. Officer Kelly shook his head. “Boys, take these villains down to the station and book them for dognapping, trespassing, attempted bank robbery, criminal dog negligence and anything else you can think of. I’ll take these kids home.”  Captain Pancake looked at Nick, Ian and Kate. “We’ll take them home, Officer Kelly. If you could just make sure these dogs get back to their rightful owners and the rest find a good home, we would appreciate it.”  Officer Kelly nodded his assent and he and the rest of his officers grabbed the leashes of the remaining dogs.

“So, you know you’re going to have to come in and meet my parents when we explain all this. They won’t believe it otherwise. I kind of told them you would come to dinner tonight anyway. My mom is making pancakes.” Captain Pancake sighed. “Well, I guess everyone is going to know about team ‘MIGHTY” soon anyway. Let’s all go celebrate at Nick’s house!” The team cheered and they went on their way.

At Nick’s house, his parents came out when they saw the bus pull up out front. Nick got off first accompanied by Chewy and then came Ian and Kate. After a joyful reunion, Jen asked, “Nick how did you find Chewy and what are you three doing on an old yellow school bus?” Captain Pancake stepped off. “Mom and Dad, I’d like you to meet my friend CP. He’s the head of team MIGHTY, Middleville’s Incredibly Gifted Superheroes and Talented Youth. That’s us!” he whispered pointing to himself, Kate, and Ian.  John and Jen looked at Captain Pancake and the rest of the superheroes that were now getting off the cheese bus. John said, “I have the feeling this is going to be a long story Jen. How about we meet all of Nick’s new friends over dinner and hear their adventure?” “Okay,” said Jen, still unsure about everything that was going on.  “But I don’t think I have enough butter and syrup for this whole crowd.”  “That’s okay,” said Nick and CP together, “We’ve already got that covered.” Everyone laughed and followed Nick into the house. Chewy settled down on his dog bed as though he had never left. The celebration continued long into the night. Nick, Ian, and Kate couldn’t wait to get back to school on Monday, where everything was sure to change.