TIME : 11:24 A.M.
PLACE : The XX2
"The Ruler's just activated the bomb!" cried Drae.
X headed into space going as fast as he dared to go inside the atmosphere. He knew he didn't have much time to work with.
"Hold on for just a few more seconds," encouraged X.
One they were out of the atmophere, X headed into deep space. When he felt they were a safe distance away, he jettisoned the bomb and returned to Triax. Greatful for a change to rest, Drae released his mental grip on the bomb and the bomb exploded.
"Are you all right?" asked X.
"I'm fine," Drae replied. "just a little tired."
"Thank you for your help," commended X. "I couldn't have done it without you. You'll have all the time you need to relax when we get back to Triax."
"I can relax right here," Drae assured him. "We still have to deal with Pron when we get back."
TIME : 11:25 A.M.
PLACE : The beach
Even in the daytime, they could see the bright light caused by the bomb exploding. It looked like a bright star shinning to let the residents of Beach Town know it was safe to return to their homes.
Hank arrived still carrying Brenna over his shoulder. He set Brenna's limp body down on the beach and sat down too tired to move.
"Is that the bomb?" he asked pointing to the sky.
The others nodded.
"What happened to the soldiers?" wondered Hank.
"X chased them off," answered Mac. "except for the few he stunned."
"When they come to, I'm sure they'll be more than willing to cooperate," said Peter. "They were almost victims of their own bomb."
The light from the explosion started to fade. A few seconds later, it had completely disappeared. Peter continued to look up at the sky waiting for X and Drae to return. He heard the familiar sound of something passing overhead. Eventually the XX2 came into view. X was trying to land on the beach right next to them.
The others gave him room to land. Before the roar of the engines died, Drae staggered out of the ship and collapsed in the sand.
"I told Shawn the bomb has been destroyed," explained X. "He'll be here in about ninety minutes."
"Looks like we've wrapped things up," stated Detrina.
"Except for Pron," Peter reminded her.
"Since the Ruler only told Vondwin he was going to detonate the bomb, Pron should be where we left him, in the conference room," X began. "I'll do to them what they were doing to me. I'll keep them occupied until you can find evidence to use against them."
"Them?" inquired Linda.
"Pron, Unget, and Hareen were all working for the Ruler," X continued. "They didn't know it, but their job was to keep me in the city to give Vondwin time to escape. The bomb would have been used much sooner if Drae hadn't taken Peter out of the city. You saved us twice."
"Thank you," acknowledged Drae. "but what can I do now that the city is safe."
"How about running for mayor?" suggested Peter. "From what I've seen, I'm sure you can do a better job than Pron did."
"I'm too young to be mayor," Pron replied.
"The king and queen owe you a favor," said Peter. "I'm sure they'll make an exception and let you run for mayor."
"I'll think about it," sighed Drae. something else will turn up."
"Not very many people have powers such as yours," stated Peter. "No matter what you do I'm sure you'll be good at it."
"I'm sure I will too," smiled Drae.
TIME : 12:30 A.M.
PLACE : The mayor's conference room
Pron, Unget, and Hareen hadn't realized people were starting to come back into the city when the M.W.G.D. officers confronted them.
"Brenna has given us a written confession that she and the three of you are in league with the Ruler," declared Peter. "Several of the Ruler's soldiers have confirmed it. By the power given to me by King Jake XXVIII and Queen Lynn I, I place you under arrest."
The three of them surrendered without a struggle.
"You may not realize it, but the Ruler activated the bomb about an hour ago. If it weren't for us, you would have been killed," added Peter.
Drae had joined the Royal Guards of Triax, a group of guards dedicated to protecting the king and queen. He said good bye and left for Capitol City as soon as he heard the news.
"You realize you are key witnesses to their alliance with the Ruler," noted X. "You'll have to stay for the trial."
"Good!" exclaimed Hank. "That will give me enough time to teach them how to play baseball."
Copyright MCMXCII, MCMXCIX
