Arcade Catastrophe
Page 36

“What about you, Trevor?” Nate asked.
“I can be normal, like now, or I can go into an altered state where everything around me slows down. I call it race mode. I can slip in and out of it whenever I want. It’s really weird. It feels like I’m moving at normal speed, but everything else is three or four times slower. I’m sure that to you guys, it must look like I’m pretty fast.”
“That’s an understatement,” Lindy said.
“Any other benefits?” Pigeon asked.
Trevor shook his head. “I have an extra gear, a second altered state, where things get three or four times slower again. I still feel like I’m moving at normal speed, but it wears me out quickly. I can only stay in it for around thirty seconds.”
“Which would feel like three seconds or so to everybody else,” Pigeon calculated.
Trevor nodded. “Jonas told me that my body is reinforced to handle the stresses of high speeds. I guess that’s an extra perk.”
“Does the first altered state wear you out?” Summer asked.
“A little,” Trevor replied. “I can handle race mode for much longer than the fastest state before needing a rest, though.”
“We’ve all got impressive powers,” Nate said. “It could come in handy when we need to turn on Jonas.”
“The only downside is we can’t use any candy without risking side effects,” Pigeon said.
“I know,” Nate replied. “I wish I could use Peak Performance while flying. The result would be amazing.”
“Can you imagine?” Lindy gushed. “That would be so cool.”
“Even without other enhancements,” Pigeon said, “we have a good mix of powers. And they seem to be really stable.”
Trevor picked up a pebble and started tossing it from one hand to the other. “What do you guys think about Jonas asking us to bring him something we treasure?”
“I’m not sure,” Summer said.
“Must be for some kind of magic,” Pigeon guessed.
“Are you guys going to do it?” Trevor wondered.
“Looks like we have to if we want to stay undercover,” Lindy said.
“I don’t love the idea,” Pigeon said. “Especially since I don’t know what he’s going to do with my jacket.”
“You’re bringing your leather jacket?” Summer asked. There was no doubting what jacket he meant. The studded leather jacket looked like something a tough biker would wear.
Pigeon shrugged. “I really like it, even though I never wear it anymore. I could tell most kids at school thought I looked like a poser.”
“You shouldn’t let other kids get to you like that,” Summer said. “They’d get used to it.”
“It just wasn’t worth it to me,” Pigeon said. “Besides, it’s summer now. I wouldn’t be using it anyways.”
“I wish we knew what Jonas plans to do with our stuff,” Trevor grumbled.
“I wish I knew what he did with John and Mozag,” Lindy said. “Unless we hand over something, we might never find out.”
“It’s true,” Nate said. “Our main goal is to find where they’re holding John and Mozag and to bust them out. We’ll probably have to take some risks to do it. You guys can decide for yourselves, but I’m planning to bring something to Jonas. Everyone keep alert. We need to start making more progress.” He stretched. “I’m getting tired. I’m about ready to call it a night.”
“Wait,” Trevor said, chucking his pebble into the bushes. “I need some help. It’s my mom’s birthday tomorrow. I’ve been so busy with all of this that I haven’t gotten her a present. What should I do? I’m going to get the look if I don’t have anything for her!”
“Coupon book,” Nate said without hesitation. “Works every time. They’re easy to make, and they cost practically nothing. Make coupons for a free hug, a free kiss—stuff she’ll like. Make some to sweep the floor, wash the dishes, walk the dog, whatever makes sense. Your mom will be really happy, and the best part is she’ll probably lose the coupons and forget about them. My mom has never actually used more than one or two.”
“Good call,” Trevor said.
“Beware, though,” Pigeon inserted. “I tried it and my mom kept the coupons in a special place. She used every single one. I began to suspect she made photocopies or something. They just kept coming.”
Summer giggled. “Counterfeit coupons.”
“It wasn’t the worst, but it added up to lots of chores,” Pigeon said. “Make sure you put down stuff that you’re willing to do.”
Trevor looked thoughtful. “My mom is definitely the type who would love them but lose track of them. I’m going to try it.”
“Good luck,” Summer said. “We better get home.”
*****
Later that night, Pigeon and Diego crept into their front yard through the side gate. Pigeon winced when it clattered shut. After a few tense moments, the house remained dark and quiet.
“Do you smell anyone spying on us?” Pigeon asked.
“No,” Diego replied. “But I can smell that you’re nervous.”
“I don’t want my aunt to catch me,” he replied. “And I don’t want Jonas White to notice me sneaking info to his enemies.”
“Far as I can tell, we’re all clear.”
Pigeon saw the white van parked down the street, lights off. He trotted there with Diego at his side. The door opened and Pigeon climbed in. Diego entered as well.
“No lights came on when you opened the door,” Pigeon noticed.
“We made a few modifications,” Ziggy replied.
“Thanks for coming,” Victor said. “Learn anything new?”
Pigeon explained about their new powers and how they worked. He told how Jonas White wanted each of them to hand over a special item in order to continue in their respective clubs.
“That will come to no good,” Ziggy said. “A magician would use such an item to establish some form of connection with you.”
“If the item is handed over voluntarily, the potency would increase,” Victor noted.
“Did you learn why he’s here?” Ziggy asked. “What he’s after?”
“He wants a treasure made by a guy called Iwa Iza.”
“Iwa Iza?” Ziggy exclaimed.
“Do you know much about him?”