by A. J. Ponder
Phew. Everything’s back to normal. The Bugman’s giant ants are small. You and Ms. Xavier are normal size. The class is waving at you, half of them from behind their cellphones. You wave back.
“Oh, dear,” Frankie points at the Bugman. “Did you press the black button? I think he’s turning a mouse.”
The Bugman’s mask has fallen off to make way for growing whiskers and a pink wobbly nose. It’s weird watching him change. Hands turning into paws, he scrubs at the fur growing on his face. Then his legs buckle and he shrinks, leaving his clothes in a puddle on the floor. He washes his whiskers, a knowing look in his eye.
Ms. Xavier scoops up the mouse. “You’re going to pay for this, Bugman, or should I say, Bug-mouse?”
“Mwah ha ha, eek,” the Bugmouse laughs. “Look how cute I am. No one will ever believe you.”
“That’s funny,” Frankie says. “Haven’t you noticed?”
Half a dozen students wave their cellphones. “Best invention ever, Frankie.”
“Still.” Frankie sighs. “I guess, I’d better get you back to proper size. Where’s my transmogrifier?”
You spy it on the floor. It must have dropped it from the Bugman’s pocket when you hit the button. “Here. But shouldn’t we wait before we change him back?”
“Good idea,” says Ms. Xavier. She puts the Bug-mouse in her pocket. “He’ll be safe in here while we wait for the police.” She puts her finger to her ear, like she’s wearing an earpiece. “They’ll be here any second. Three. Two. One—”
The police burst in the door. They look about.
“No need for theatrics,” Ms. Xavier says. “Everything is under control.”
The police look confused. Some of the class start explaining what happened, while others show the officers pictures and videos on their phones. While they’re all distracted, Ms. Xavier pulls you and Frankie aside. “Would you like to be part of the World of Spies? WOS is a great organization. We look after the planet and go on exciting missions, heroically saving people from the World Wide Web of Evil.”
Frankie looks at Ms. Xavier. “I’ve already told you, no. My research is too important to be owned by a secret group. Just like Tesla, my inventions need to be in the public domain.”
“That’s fine,” says Ms. Xavier. “But how about you?” She looks right at you. “Have you thought about all the opportunities WOS can offer?”
Frankie shakes her head at you.
“Um,” you say. “Maybe another day.”
When everything is cleared up, Frankie takes you aside. “How about you join my team? We can be world-famous inventors together.”
“But I haven’t invented anything,” you reply.
“Yes, I know, but you can think on your feet, and besides, I need someone to tell me what not to invent. Like the butterfly reins. I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it.”
And sure enough, you do. Together, you and Frankie become the most famous inventors of all time. You invent a time machine that runs on clean energy and solar airplanes that fly anywhere in the world in under thirty minutes.
WOS is always trying to get you to join them, but inventing things is too exciting. It’s monsters one day and physics the next – besides, you never want to miss out on any of the Mars missions: they’re too much fun. The Martians are hilarious.
Congratulations on your success, this story is over, but there are so many more. You can watch as bugs destroy the world, or you can save the museum from being blown up. A hero or a villain, it’s all the same to some people – but is it the same to you?
For more adventure, click on a link to:
Go back to the museum.
Or
Go to the Adventure Contents and choose any path.
Press the gray button and jump in front of the transmogrifier
Whoosh. You start to fall, the world swirling dizzyingly around you. Everything’s getting smaller – no, you’re getting bigger –
You’re about to hit the ground – you throw out your arms—
Thud.
“Ow.” Your hand explodes in pain, but it doesn’t appear broken. When you look up, everything is back to normal size. No, not everything. The ants are still huge. And Frankie. She’s still tiny, and clinging onto the back of the butterfly for dear life.
Ms. Xavier grabs the Bugman in an arm lock. One of the giant ants bites her leg.
“You’re going to pay for this, Jeremy,” Ms. Xavier says through gritted teeth.
“I’m the Bugman,” he yells, and grabs for Frankie’s transmogrifier with his free hand. But you’re too fast. You snatch the machine from his pocket before he can reach it.
“You think you can stop me?!” he yells. “Ants attack!”
You laugh. He’s too late. Turning, you point the transmogrifier at the closest ant and press the pink button. One ant, two ants, three ants – soon they’re all back to normal size.
“Thank you,” Ms. Xavier says.
There’s no time to celebrate, the butterfly is fluttering away. You need to save Frankie. You reach up, aim the transmogrifier at Frankie and press the gray button again.
Wooosh.
Oops – the butterfly grows to the size of a kitchen table. Frankie’s still holding tight to its back. At least she’s normal size again.
There’s a rush of air as the giant butterfly wings toward you.
You duck, and so does everybody else. Someone is screaming.
Sirens blare over the noise and two cops burst in, guns drawn.
“Don’t shoot,” you yell. “Butterflies only eat nectar or sugar water. Besides, Frankie’s on that butterfly.”
“Oh, yeah. Man, she’s really done it this time.”
“Hey,” Frankie says. She leaps down from the butterfly. “It’s not that bad.” You hand the transmogrifier to her and she points it at the butterfly. “Bye,” she says, pressing the pink button.
The butterfly shrinks and flutters away.
“Frankie, I really wish you wouldn’t,” a policewoman says.
“Wow,” her partner says. “My first day out in the field and I’ve had to face mutant killer butterflies.”
“Hardly killer,” Frankie mutters. “Or mutant.”
“It’s always something, isn’t it, Frankie?” The policewoman folds her arms.
“Hey.” Kennedy appears and throws her arms around the woman. Where had Kennedy gone anyway, and why was she hugging a cop?”
“Stop fussing, Mom,” Kennedy says.
Oh.
“Been busy, Kennedy?” her mom asked.
“Not so much,” Kennedy says. “Looks like Ms. Xavier, and my amazing best friend here, saved the day today.” She nods at you.
“All in a day’s work,” Ms. Xavier says. She takes the transmogrifier off Frankie and puts it in her pocket.
“Hey!” Frankie says.
“That’s enough, Frankie. You know your inventions are too dangerous for the classroom. And far too dangerous for field trips. Still, if you join us at WOS, the World of Spies, you might get it back.”
“No.”
Ms. Xavier taps her ear. “I’m afraid I can’t take no for an answer.”
“Fine,” Frankie harrumphs. “As long as my new friend joins too.”
Ms. Xavier turns to you. “Well done, you’ve saved the day, your class, all Greenville, possibly the world. Who knows how much trouble giant bugs could have been? but now I’m going to offer you the opportunity of a lifetime.”
“Make sure there’s a party,” Kennedy prompts.
You look over at Ms. Xavier.
“Great idea.” Before you know it, you’re whisked off to the WOS headquarters. Half Ms. Xavier’s class is there. They shower you with praise, and give you a certificate that looks like a piece of paper until you wave it under a black light on a night with a full moon. Ms. Xavier makes a big long boring speech, but nobody’s listening, they’ve already started on the cake and lemonade.
“Congratulations,” Ms. Xavier says. “You
are now an honorary member of the World of Spies. It’s now your duty to save the world again and again, until you either die horribly or retire to a tropical island with your favorite book and a two hundred year supply of marmalade.”
Now you’re a WOS member you can press this button and join the WOS mailing list. You never know when or where you might find an adventure. Fabulous locations beckon – like the train, the bus, airplanes and even your favorite chair. Also it’s important to watch out for underground bunkers and discounts on books. But in the meantime, there are many more amazing adventures to be had. You could become a world-famous cheesemaker, an exceptional inventor, or become a minion for the Bugman and be forced to look after his baby army ants.
For more adventure, click on a link to:
Go back to the museum.
Or
Go to the Adventure Contents and choose any path.
Stay on the butterfly’s back to distract the Bugman
Once Frankie and Ms. Xavier drop down onto the Bugman’s head, you coil up the string again and coax the butterfly into the villain’s line of sight.
Your distraction works. The Bugman growls at you, grabs the remote from his pocket, aims it at you.
The beam from the transmogrifier leaves a scorch-mark on the ceiling.
You bring the butterfly around again.
“Mwah ha ha ha,” his laugh booms out, louder than a rock band on full volume. You lean in, low on the butterfly’s back, struggling to hold on. The butterfly whirls crazily, avoiding the flashing light as the Bugman takes multiple shots at you, scorching the ceiling.
Another flash. He’s hit a spider.
It drops, growing to the size of a miniature pony, before it hits the ground and races toward him, fangs raised.
Quick! You have to rescue Frankie and Ms. Xavier. Frankie’s hanging precariously from his shirtsleeve and Ms. Xavier is clinging to the hair on the back of the Bugman’s wrist.
The Bugman notices the spider. He turns. “Nice spider,” he says.
While he’s distracted, you encourage the butterfly to swoop under his hand and Ms. Xavier jumps onto the butterfly’s back.
Frankie’s hanging on to his sleeve with one hand now, her face red. You’re not sure if she can hold on much longer.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it,” Ms. Xavier yells. She takes the string and starts tying the end of the rope into a loop.
“Now where’s that spray?” the Bugman’s voice booms, while you’re wheeling the butterfly around face him. Carelessly, he brushes at the butterfly, scattering wing scales.
The poor butterfly is harder to control than ever, but somehow you convince it to swoop down again.
Frankie screams.
She’s going to fall – she’s falling! Ms. Xavier throws the lasso, catching her around the waist. Together, you pull her up, but before you can get her onto the butterfly’s back, Frankie screams and points.
The butterfly’s heading straight for the spider’s jaws – with you on board. Its fangs are dripping.
You leave Ms. Xavier to drag Frankie to safety, and navigate the butterfly, up, up, and away from danger.
Below you, the enormous spider opens its jaws. It’s going to eat the Bugman!
Maybe not. The Bugman sprays something into its mouth. It smells pepperminty. Peppermint? What is his evil plan now?
The spider hesitates.
“Oh no, that was my breath-mint spray.” The Bugman holds up a hand. “Wait a minute—”
The spider doesn’t wait, it pounces, sinking its fangs into the Bugman’s arm.
The Bugman howls in pain and drops the remote.
You fly the butterfly over to the discarded transmogrifier – you’re probably safe enough while the spider is busy wrapping the Bugman in masses of silk.
You all jump down and rush for the remote. “I guess this is an emergency,” Frankie says. She stomps as hard as she can on the black button.
The world spins. Suddenly, everything doesn’t feel quite so huge. Even the spider is no longer huge – wait, the spider’s gone and a mouse (smelling of peppermint) runs away.
“Blistering beetles, let me go!” the Bugman’s muffled voice can just be heard through his thick cocoon of spider silk.
“I think we’ll just wait a moment,” says Ms. Xavier. “Besides, the paramedics should see you before you move.”
The paramedics come and go, bundling the Bugman, cocoon and all, onto a stretcher.
Ms. Xavier turns to you and Frankie. “Now, I’ve seen what you can two can do, I think I can safely offer you a position in the prestigious WOS, you know, the World of Spies.”
“Ah,” Frankie says. “My answer’s the same as always. It’s no.”
“Frankie, you don’t have a choice,” Ms. Xavier says. “Besides, we have an excellent engineering program with access to the best laboratories in the world. And you’ll have a special dispensation to work on anything, absolutely anything you want to. The only rule is you have to tell us before you try out any new invention.”
“That’s okay, I guess,” Frankie grumbles. “But what’s the other choice?”
“Do I really need to tell you?” Ms. Xavier says sternly.
“I guess not,” Frankie says. “But how about my new friend?” She looks over at you.
“Ah, for you,” Ms. Xavier smiles. “I think you could be a pilot in our new experimental aircraft division. It’s great pay, the best, even while you’re training. Even while you’re still at school. How about you give it a go?”
You agree, because going back to your ordinary life would be dull after today. But before you can ask any questions, half Ms. Xavier’s class gathers around. Kennedy smiles at you and says, “Someone’s about to have a lot of detentions.”
They all cheer. Which is weird. But what better way to hide a secret training scheme?
“Shush, that’s enough,” Ms. Xavier says. “I think it’s time everyone went home.” When everyone else has gone home, you and the rest of Ms. Xavier’s WOS kids are brought to the WOS headquarters. Frankie insists you have a party.
Everyone’s dancing and eating pizza and lemonade. Somehow, by the end of the night there have been over twenty speeches and you’ve been given a strange piece of paper. What the heck, you think, and draw a smiley face on it.
It takes some work, but you become master flyer, taking on several new experimental aircraft as well as a dragon named Cupcake. After discovering Cupcake, you never fly another machine, after all, no aircraft could ever be better than a monstrous lizard that can breathe fire on your enemies from above. Cupcake is brilliant, and will do almost anything for a wheel of specialty cheese
After you retire, you, Cupcake, and the rest of your family move out to a farm in the middle of Nowhere. It’s the most secret farm district in the country, and the best place to raise a young family of dragonlings. (Although they do scare off the unicorns)
It’s a long and eventful life, but at the end, you look back and wonder how different your adventures might have been if you had made different life choices. Yes, being eaten alive is a risk, but how bad can it be? Besides there’s always the chance you’ll become a cheesemaker, how awesome is that? Maybe you could secretly diversify and make specialty cheeses for dragons.
For more adventure, click on a link to:
Go back to the museum.
Or
Go to the Adventure Contents and choose any path.
Attack the ant with the mini screwdriver
Holding the mini screwdriver like a sword, you stride toward the ant and clobber it on its head.
“Watch out, behind you!” Frankie yells.
It’s another ant. You turn to face its spiky jaws. Its feelers writhe toward you.
You lift the screwdriver to attack.
Thud.
The blow you gave the ant reverberates up your arm, but the ant keeps coming.
You raise the screwdriver to attack again.
The first ant rushes to flank you. I
t crunches into your arm, snapping the bone, like it’s a twig.
You howl in pain, dropping the screwdriver.
More ants are coming.
You run.
Frankie drops the sugar packet and runs, too. But that only attracts more ants. Soon they overwhelm you, their jaws tearing the flesh from your bones. As your consciousness leaves your body, you look down to see nothing more than a skeleton, picked clean.
I’m sorry, you’ve been eaten. The world of bugs is a dangerous one. Next time you head out on adventure, you may fly a dragon, or be turned into a mouse. You never know what fun awaits while you’re busy trying to save the world.
For more adventure, click on a link to:
Go back to the museum.
Or
Go to the Adventure Contents and chose any path.
Continue through to the rest of the exhibit
“Bugs, bugs and more bugs,” Mr. Adams says gleefully as he wanders past all the signs and models. “And look at all the lovely spiders. Aren’t they pretty?”
Most of the class don’t even bother to look, but a girl with a pink streak through her hair, and a pink shoulder bag decorated with spider webs, rushes past you.
She stares at the Mexican red-kneed tarantula.
The spider’s trying to hide under a rock, but it’s squished against the glass. If you look closely, you can see its fangs.
“So pretty,” she murmurs.
“Course, you’d think so, Spider Girl,” someone from Ms. Xavier’s class says, and high fives their mates.
The girl grins. “Spider Girl. Awesome. That makes me a super hero.”
She’s grinning, so maybe she won’t mind if you do call her Spider Girl.
A boy in a bug t-shirt turns and points. “Oh look, there’s a butterfly enclosure. Aren’t they gorgeous?”
“Come on, everyone,” Mr. Adams says. “Team up with the person next to you. And start filling out these worksheets.” He holds out a sheaf of papers. “I’ve got some spares here if anyone needs one.”