(10 Hours) Sleepy Superhero Stories

On the outermost edges of the Honeybee Neighborhood, an invisible enemy is on a rampage. The town of Dormere requested our immediate assistance with reports of long-distance vaporization. Things have been disappearing into thin air, and the townspeople are worried it could easily escalate. We must travel to the sleepy Dormere valley to see first-hand what’s been going on. Once suited up and ready, we fly there on your personal transporters provided by Mr. Honeybee, our trusted assistant.

Voices by: Captain EJ and Amanda Fobbos

Transcript

Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will begin our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I am so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Honeybee Hero, And just in time. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. Captain EJ. Here comes our brief from Command Center. On the outermost edges of the Honeybee neighborhood, An invisible enemy is on a rampage. Things are being vaporized into thin air. There's no telling who, Or what, Can do something like this. We have to hurry. The people of Dormir need us. Like I always say, We only fight for what's right. Captain EJ and Hero to the rescue. I hope you don't mind if I call you Hero for short. No time. Let's begin. You are here in the Honeybee neighborhood, In your cozy house next door to Captain EJ. The best part about living next to your best friend is sitting on our rooftops, Talking and laughing late into the night, Sometimes even early in the morning to catch the sunrise. This is one of those sunrise mornings. You climb up to your roof in the soft morning sun. Captain EJ is already there and is so excited to see you up here too. Great minds really do think alike. Without meaning to, We both look toward the majestic mountains at the same time. Let's take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the crisp morning air coming in through your nose. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. A little cloud of warmth forms from your exhale and floats away. The sun's golden light shines down for as far as we can see. If you look closely, Though, It doesn't quite shine on the Dormir Valley, A small, Sleepy town that sits in the shadows of two mountains. Every day, The mountain peaks take turns casting a long shadow over most of the valley. That is, After all, How the town got so sleepy. It's shadier there than anywhere else in the world. The townsfolk are a quiet, Eccentric bunch, But they are good, Old-fashioned people. An alert from Mr. Honeybee turns our attention from the beautiful view. We never travel anywhere without our Battle Buzz helmets for just this reason. It beeps until we put them on and radio into Command Center. Holding your head up tall, Place the Battle Buzz helmet on your head. Adjust your eyes to the same view seen with ultraviolet and infrared vision. The ultimate magnification allows you to zoom into the outline of the last morning star above. There's so much that this little piece of foldable technology can do. Though Mr. Honeybee lives just around the corner and could quickly walk over to join you on the rooftop, But due to the classified nature of your missions, He regularly alerts you through your helmet because it's equipped with 256-bit encryption. You click your radio on and Mr. Honeybee comes in loud and clear. Captain EJ, Hero, Do you copy? Over. We copy, Mr. Honeybee. What's the matter so early this morning? I wish I had better news, But it seems you two are needed immediately in Dormir. I have your gear ready over here. I just finished up the last-minute repairs. Hopefully you won't need it, But just in case. We move to action and quickly climb down from the roof, Right hand, Right foot, Left hand, Left foot. With a jump, We land back on the ground and take off running to the Command Center. When we arrive at the rather plain-looking garage, You do the secret knock so Mr. Honeybee knows it's us. No one would ever suspect what high-tech equipment sits on the other side of this garage door, And that is very much the point. To boast of such a thing would bring more harm than good, And we are in the business of bringing and restoring good. The garage door opens, And Mr. Honeybee hands each of us a brand-new suit. Since your other suit was nearly destroyed on your last mission, This one is made of carbon polymer because you are the best of the best and need the best. As we suit up, Mr. Honeybee briefs us on our assignment for the day as he always does. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose to prepare on all levels. Find your focus. Find your strength. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. Mr. Honeybee explains that over the last week, Things that were there yesterday have been suddenly and instantaneously disappearing. Big, Unmovable things, And they've been disappearing without a trace. One resident reportedly witnessed one of her silversmithing machines be vaporized into thin air. She woke up extra early, Before the sun, To smith her silver. After gathering supplies, She walked out to the two-ton machine in her backyard. She looked down to make sure she had her thermometer, And by the time she looked back up, The entire machine was just gone. Only a puff of smoke was left. Other reports have been filed for vaporized scooters, Sheds, And swing sets. Mr. Honeybee thumbs through a report and pauses. Someone even reported that their horse was almost vaporized. Luckily, He was able to narrowly escape into his stable. You know we cannot let this go on any longer, Hero. They need help, And who better to help than us? With our suits zipped up and electromagnetic shields in our hands, We head to Dormir on our off-road personal transporters. The wheels are big enough to handle the mountain terrain if necessary, And the engine is quiet enough to stealthily move around the town unnoticed. You've never been out this far into the Honeybee neighborhood, And you don't know exactly what to expect. The beautiful scenery soothes your nerves and gives you the confidence you need to protect all the good in the world. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest and your spirits lift with anticipation. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. Enjoy the morning breeze on your cheeks as we curve through the mountain roads. When you and Captain EJ arrive, It seems like a regular day. You're used to feeling the warm sunshine on your skin, But here in Dormir, There is more shade than you're used to. Together, We investigate every nook and cranny of this peaceful place and manage to do it without being seen ourselves. Aside from obvious places where heavy, Vaporized things used to sit, There is no sign of any disturbances. We take off our helmets to take in the beautiful views and the crisp mountain air. We spend the whole day investigating, But by the time the sun starts to set, We are convinced that nothing is much out of the ordinary in this ordinary town. As we kickstart our transporters and turn to leave, We decide to let our helmets dangle from our hands. It's such a beautiful evening. Though you can't really see it in the valley, You feel the spark of joy that the sunset usually brings this time of day. Suddenly, We hear something that we've been waiting to hear all day. Mr. Honeybee shouts out to us from our Battle Buzz helmets as a zap snaps the ground. Something just narrowly missed my helmet. We take off on our transporters at top speeds as another zap snaps the ground just beside your helmet. Someone is pursuing us, And the helmets are their targets. We have to connect with Mr. Honeybee at command. He can help us engage the emergency flight mode on our transporters. We climb the first tall tree we see and hide under the cover of leaves to put our helmets back on without risk of vaporization. We have to figure out what's happening down on the ground. Mr. Honeybee is so happy to hear from us. Looking at his wall of screens back at the garage command center, He sees something strange. He asks us to activate our infrared vision in the helmets and then look east. At the exact same time, We turn our heads and study that general direction through the open spots between the leaves. Our vision blazes red, And we are taken aback. A strangely powerful heat source is coming from the center of town. It's somehow aiming right at us. Mr. Honeybee has never seen anything like it, And neither have we. If there were someone nearby, We would be able to see the heat of their bodies with our tactical sight, But all we are able to see are lightning strikes of streaming red that appear to be coming out of nowhere. Something, And someone, Is able to detect us from long distances with the utmost precision. Mr. Honeybee urges us to flee, But I need to test something further. Abort mission. I repeat, Abort mission. Cover me, Hero. I need to figure out just how much they can see. Since we were going to be investigating Durmir today, I brought along my shiny new fountain pen to take notes. As Captain EJ prepares to swing down to the exposed lower branches of the tree, You send out your radar shield as cover. Captain EJ swings down and tosses the pen in the air, Then quickly tries to swing back up. With another red zap, The pen explodes on impact and vaporizes into thin air. Your shield takes a hit as well, But you made sure I come back safe, And that is why I always trust you to have my back. Something is able to target that tiny pen from over a mile away. It must have some sort of metal detector that helps with precision. This is dangerous. I've never seen anything that fast and accurate. The infrared sensor on our helmets warns us that a dangerously high heat is approaching us. Mr. Honeybee cleared a flight path for our transporters, So we are able to take to the skies and soar back to command. We fly between the trees under the cover of night, But don't get very far before we see someone see us. It's Sally Smith of the Silversmiths. Her family has been in Durmir for generations. She has been out here documenting the attacks, Trying to get a sense and scope of all the damage. Sally was the one who alerted Mr. Honeybee and requested your help. She becomes more and more distraught as she tells of all that she's witnessed. I just, I don't know what to do. I've been out here every night keeping track of all that's gone missing. I'm afraid I'm going to be next. Sally, Please rest assured that we will keep you and your hometown safe. My partner here is Honeybee Hero, Hero for short, And together we can take on any foe, Big or small. We didn't realize it at the time, But Sally saw our maneuvering back there. She feels reassured that we're responding to this threat. Sally knows that we will do everything in our considerable power to figure this out. Our mapping software does not pick up any of the places named Durmir, Because the town is so old. We ask her for a bit of help. There is a heat source coming from that direction. Do you happen to know what's over there? With binoculars and a camera hanging around her neck, Sally Smith looks deest. To get a better look, She peers through the binoculars to study the landscape. She says that the Knuckler compound is in that direction because that's the shadiest part of town, Hardly gets any sunshine. The Knucklers are scientists who have an enormous laboratory built into their house. Doctor and Dr. Knuckler work around the clock on their experiments. Sally pauses to think for a moment as if she's confused. She goes on to say that nothing should be going on over there right now because the doctors have been out of town since last week. Before she can finish her sentence, Her eyes widen with shock. Under her breath, She says, This must be the younger Knucklers, Not the doctors who are doing so much good for the world, But their sons, Pinky and Thumb. Shivers run down our spines as she recounts her earliest memories of two nocturnal brothers who were raised in the moonlight. The only contact they have with the townspeople is through their mean-spirited tricks and pranks. But this? They've outdone themselves with this wicked scheme. Sally, This has been very helpful, Thank you. Just know that we will not rest until each and every one of you can rest easy. We only fight for what's right, And we will do right by Dormir, Whether Pinky and Thumb like it or not. The Knucklers are running amok, Hero, But they are no match for us. We enjoy a peaceful flight back to the command center and think of all we've learned on our first trip. What can be done to defeat the Knucklers and restore peace in Dormir? That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together we can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick captain's recap, Now. The town of Dormir requested our immediate assistance with reports of long-distance vaporization. Things have been disappearing into thin air, And the townspeople are worried that could easily escalate. After conducting a thorough investigation of the peaceful idyllic valley, By the time night fell, We were under threat of being vaporized too. Thanks to our quick action, We narrowly escaped our equipment melting from an unexplained heat source. Sally Smith, A prominent Dormir resident, Explained that the heat was coming from the Knuckler compound, Home to two noxious, Nocturnal brothers, Pinky and Thumb Knuckler. These troublesome brothers are at home without the supervision of their scientist parents. The Knucklers are running amok. We're going to need something a bit more powerful to defeat them, And that's the mission we're on today. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain E. J. Will lead the way. E. J. Let's begin. The peaceful night flight on our personal transporters gives us much-needed time to strategize without distraction. Just who are the Knucklers? Why are they vaporizing Dormir piece by piece? And more importantly, How? The twinkling stars are all that are out so late with us. Mr. Honeybee is eagerly waiting for our return. While we're strategizing, He has been assembling higher-tech equipment that can withstand such heat. We arrive at the unassuming garage and do our special knock to make sure Mr. Honeybee knows it's us. The garage opens and you're here, Safe once again, In the Honeybee neighborhood. Not a second is wasted at such a crucial time, Even in the middle of the night. While the whole neighborhood sleeps, Mr. Honeybee has been at the command center researching what possible technology the Knucklers could have access to. We have not seen anything like this vaporization or this heat source before, Especially with such precision. None of our equipment from the past missions will do. For this particular foe, We will have to push beyond our perceived limits and innovate right alongside their destruction. The command center that is hidden behind two locked doors in the garage has an even more secret room. The Stronghold. Though we don't go in there often, We do when it's necessary. Mr. Honeybee silently hands you a flash drive that shows a new string of numbers every few seconds. Along with facial recognition, This is what will allow you to enter the Stronghold. You enter the current code, 0831, And stand in front of the vaulted steel door with your head held high. As the red laser scans your face, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the safety of this fortified place. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. The numerous locks click open and the vacuum-sealed door releases. With Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee at your back, The motion sensor lights flicker on one by one as we take slow, Careful steps through the threshold. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot. With each step, Another fluorescent light buzzes on. What you think is a small, Dark room hidden behind a wall in the garage reveals itself to be a command center within a command center. It seems you are now underground. The echo from your footsteps fade out the further you go into the Stronghold. When Mr. Honeybee closes the door behind us, You feel the hum of perfect silence in your ears. Then he hands you a pair of heavily padded headphones that are identical to a pair he puts on. Captain EJ doesn't appear to need these like you two do. Here, Put these on, Just in case. They are snug but very comfortable and must have some kind of soundproofing built in. The only thing you can hear now is your own breath and heartbeat. Captain EJ, I know you don't want to ever think it's necessary, But the type of force these Knucklers have may require your full strength. If it comes to that, Then it does. For now, I have to believe there is another way. We can appeal to the Knucklers' human side, Their compassion, Assuming they have any. First and foremost, We need to understand the problem before we go about erasing it off the face of the Earth. That's a short-term solution to a potentially enduring problem. I understand. Who's to say there aren't more Knucklers out there, Ready to appear out of nowhere when we defeat these ones? Exactly. I won't use full strength until I know for certain that there's no other way. That's right. We don't operate from a place of fear. Mr. Honeybee takes your flash drive to keep it with the rest of our keys and hands you a little remote instead. Without thinking, You point it at the first thing you see and click the glowing button. A loud buzz rumbles in the remote. It's so powerful that it shakes your hand uncontrollably. Fearful of what you've just done, You fling the remote from your hand. It spins in the air. Time seems to slow down. The seconds drag on with each spin of the remote. Captain EJ realizes what's happened and jumps to action. The entire stronghold seems to shake violently. Through blurred, Hazy vision, You're able to see Captain EJ open his mouth as if to shout at the spinning remote. Though you cannot hear anything, It looks like he's shouting at the top of his lungs. You can feel an immense pressure closing in around you, Pressing on your inner ears. He strains his eyes closed and balls up his fists, Still shouting silently. A flash zips through the air straight to the remote and it levitates, Held up high and steady with nothing but air beneath it. Captain EJ continues to silent scream and the remote goes on dangling, Frozen in time and space. You are mesmerized, Held in place just like the remote. You wonder how this is happening. This must be Captain EJ's superpower, But what is it? You feel like you've entered another realm where gravity doesn't have much sway. With quick reflexes, Mr. Honeybee reaches up and simply grabs the remote from the air. With that, Captain EJ's silent shout is done. He rests his hands on his knees, Exhausted. You are in shock, Wondering if he's okay. But Mr. Honeybee breaks all the tension with a giggle that he's trying his best to hide. Captain EJ stands back up after a moment of rest and joins Mr. Honeybee with a big smile. Oh, My apologies, Hero. That was totally my fault. Totally my fault. I should have told you what this was before handing it to you. I accidentally press this button all the time. We've had to rebuild that wall over there twice because of my butterfingers. It's true. If possible, We'd like to avoid another construction project. I really like how that wall came out this time. Me too. It really makes it feel like a stronghold, You know? Here you go, Hero. This remote has a special holster that you can wear on your hip. It has a built-in lock so you don't accidentally press the button. No one acknowledges what just happened, So you focus on keeping calm, Keeping cool, And keeping up. With your remote and its holster, You look down to your waist for something to hook it onto. You try to put it in one of your pockets but struggle to find one that fits it comfortably. The sound of yet another door opening brings your attention to what appears to be a mirror in front of you. You look up just as the mirror doors slide open and your reflection splits in half. A robotic arm with a metallic hanger for a hand unfolds and extends all the way to you. It is carrying a silver-plated suit that is almost as shiny as the mirror. But when you look closer, You see that the surface of this tactical gear is not smooth. It's actually made up of individual fibers that look like a fur coat of silver. Mr. Honeybee explains that he had to look across the globe far and wide for a way to combat the type of light and heat that the Knucklers are giving off. That led him to the Sahara Desert, Where the extraordinary Saharan silver ants manage to survive temperatures up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That's, Uh, 70 degrees Celsius, If my math's correct. His math is indeed correct. Armed with a dense array of uniquely shaped hairs on the top and sides of their bodies, Just like the fibers on our suits, These ants scurry across the scalding desert sand unfazed. The fibers on your suit will keep you cool in two ways, Just like the Saharan silver ants. These fibers are highly reflective under the visible and near-infrared light, But they're also highly emissive in the mid-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. That's how they'll keep us cool. They'll create an anti-reflection layer that will help us combat any extreme heat the Knucklers try to wield. If we stand any chance at defeating these nefarious foes, We will need to get closer to them in a couple different ways. For that, We will need to meet them face-to-face on their turf. If all goes according to plan, On our next trip to Dormir, We will go undercover to talk to the townspeople that know them best. Well, Best that anyone can know two anti-social nocturnal brothers. We will know more about our opponent without them knowing we know. That is a strategically strong position for us to be in. They won't know anything about us, But we'll know everything there is to know about them. Then, Armed as we are, With information, Wisdom, And armor, We will confront them from this place of power, Never from fear. Mr. Honeybee, We should use the ENV-Max for this mission. The personal transporters don't offer enough protection. Did you get the retractable wings fixed? Yep. The ENV- The ENV- has been through a thorough inspection and is ready to use. I gave you slightly smaller wings for easier maneuvering. Hummingbirds will certainly be ENVIOUS of your hovering. You get it? Did you get it? Yes, Of course, I get it. ENV, Electric Networked Vehicle. E-N-V-N-V. You and your jokes are just so- Punny? Sure. Let's go with that. Let's also hope that the knucklers are even more ENVIOUS than the hummingbirds. The suit of heat regulating silver fits you like a glove, As does the rest of your armor for this undercover mission. One by one, You put on each component, Then conceal it behind a layer of plain clothes. This way, You and Captain EJ can stay incognito, But also be protected as you get closer to the knucklers. The reflective electromagnetic face shield that fits snugly under your Battle Buzz helmet can turn into sunglasses. The Battle Buzz helmet itself can fold back into a beanie. The chest plate doubles as and flips around into a backpack, And the gloves, Well, Those are just really spiffy gloves. The entire suit can fit under your favorite hoodie and comfy pants, So that you're perfectly aligned with the highest technology, But also still nimble. You now have a place to attach your remote control in its holster, Within the contours of the suit. As you look down to secure it, You wonder what exactly it does. You think that it must be powerful, Despite it being so small. You're certainly not going to press the button to find out. That was mystifying. For now, You look up to once again see yourself standing in front of the wall mirror that closes as the robotic arm retracts. You pull on your favorite hoodie and zip it up. Stand up tall, With your head held high and your shoulders as far from your ears as possible. Looking at your reflection in the mirror, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Tighten each of your muscles to reconnect with your strength. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself relax into that strength. Study what you see in the mirror. It's us, Captain EJ, And his trusted sidekick, Honeybee Hero. The Knucklers don't stand a chance because we fight for what's right. EJ. Now that we're suited up, We leave the stronghold to go back to the command center. The motion sensor lights flicker off behind us as we walk out and the doors seal themselves shut. Once secured, Mr. Honeybee pulls a lever and a wall drops down in front of the vault door to hide it completely. Then, Without saying anything, He grabs the tire of a bike that hangs beside another one on a ceiling rack. He slides the whole bike rack over in front of the wall, Wipes the dust from his hands and walks past us to open the garage door. He has the vehicles waiting for us out in the driveway. Mine is red and gray, My favorite colors, And yours is your favorite color. They look tiny, But like that remote control in your pocket and this whole garage, You now know not to underestimate unassuming things. Not flaunting your power is the surest sign of that deep, Quiet power that helps the best of the best endure. We pull our hoods up for the early morning drive we have ahead of us. Luckily, Our face shields transform into sunglasses because the sun is already coming up. You would never suspect what kind of technology we are wearing. We just look like two best friends enjoying a ride in our compact, Futuristic cars. As Mr. Honeybee sees us off, All of his devices buzz and ding. You two better hurry. The Knucklers have been just as busy as we have. Dormir needs you. You sit down in the single-seat ENV and strap yourself in. The steering wheel looks like it belongs on a spaceship, But feels right in your hands. Now we head back to Dormir. Pinky and Thumb might not be ready, But we are. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick captain's recap. Now. After narrowly escaping Pinky and Thumb Knuckler's long-distance vaporization, Mr. Honeybee was waiting for us back at the command center. He specially developed suits of silver, Modeled after the extraordinary Saharan Silver Ants. Yes, You heard correctly. Ants. Saharan Silver Ants can withstand the blistering desert sun thanks to their silvery hairs. Go ahead, Look it up. Captain EJ does not lie. This intricate suit is presented to us in the top-secret stronghold that's hidden behind the walls of Mr. Honeybee's garage. Only you and I have access to this command center within a command center. Once suited up and properly concealed, We were outfitted further with our electric networked vehicle. The reflective silver fibers on our latest armor will allow us to confront the Knucklers face-to-face on their turf, Which is what we are on our way to do now. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ. Let's begin. You are here, Strapped into your single-seater electric networked vehicle that is the envy of all. You are zooming along beside Captain EJ in a nearly identical ENV. We keep pace with each other as we make our way back to Dormir. There's no rest for the wicked, Nor the heroes that combat them. Their sleepy yawns stand to take over, And you can't help but imagine a warm, Cozy bed right now, Or maybe even a hammock that lightly sways in the breeze. For now, You blink your eyes to keep them on the road. The dashboard in front of you allows you to push a series of buttons to engage the hoverwings that let us hop over anything in our path. Other cars, Bunnies, And even the people out early enough for their morning walks. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Reach your arms up and yawn a big yawn. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. You drift back to that idyllic scene of a hammock blowing in the wind as you stretch out your sore shoulders and stiff neck, Mindlessly letting your hands slip from the wheel. The sensation of a different engine rumbling beneath your feet snaps you back to reality. Before you can react, You realize that the ENV can drive itself. This car knows when your focus diverts, And it engages automated driving for you. Our vehicles just got new wings, So they prefer to fly. You and Captain EJ soar into the sky to see the sunset like never before. Usually, We're staying up late talking and laughing on our rooftops, Watching the orange sun light up the retreating night. But today, We're soaring. From up here, You can see the Valley of Dormir with a mountain shadow laid permanently over it. A plume of smoke wafts into the air, A sure sign of the Knucklers' overnight destruction. We want to conceal ourselves at first, So we don't want to draw too much unwanted attention to our intel-gathering mission. Today, We will meet with the townspeople and learn more about just who we're dealing with. We land our ENVs in a vacant field just outside the town and stow them away in a thicket of bushes for safekeeping. We pull down our hoods and fold the Battle Buzz helmet back into a beanie. Our silver chest plates with strategically placed fibers are turned into backpacks, And our infrared ultraviolet eye scopes into sunglasses. Captain EJ is used to going incognito, But it's new for you. Play it cool, Hero. Play it cool. No one knows us yet here. We can use that to our advantage. As we approach Dormir on the dirt-backed roads, We can hear the commotion of townspeople gathered. You arrive at a scene of devastation and destruction. The grain silo that towers over the town, And has for decades, Has blackened and charred. All the grain that was stored inside has spilled and since blown away in the cool mountain breeze. Only morsels are left from over a year's worth of stock. The silo is smoking and burned to a crisp, But you can still see the old, Withered paint that reads welcome to Dormir in cheerful, Cracked letters. This is how the oldest town around feeds its livestock and its enterprising ways. The knucklers are aiming where it hurts the most. A group of farmers in straw hats look up to the steel silo with worried faces. More people arrive to see what's going on and to console the people whose livelihoods depend on this grain storage. While everyone is focused on them, It's the perfect opportunity for us to blend in and get information. You make eye contact with Captain EJ who walked up to the other side of the group. You nod your heads in agreement, Knowing exactly what the other is thinking. Great minds. At the same time, You and Captain EJ fan out into the crowd, Popping up every so often to ask what's going on. You get a different story from each person you ask. Most suspect that Pinky and Thumb aren't to blame. Some assume their evil intent is revenge for some unknown slight. One person is absolutely convinced aliens have invaded. This has to be aliens. Has to be. Maybe they're even here in this crowd, Trying to blend in. Hey, Who are you? I've never seen you before. You get away from that as fast and politely as you can. We would prefer not to have our cover blown, But we absolutely cannot be suspected aliens. Hey, Where are you going? Wait, What planet did you come from? Hey, Come here! You eventually lose him by weaving through the crowd. When you find your way back to Captain EJ, One voice suddenly lifts above the rest. You look over to see Sally Smith, The resident who you met on your first visit to Dormir. She's climbing up the silo ladder to get the crowd's attention from above. Of Dormir. Sally Smith. Of the silversmiths here. She has climbed up high enough to catch a bit of sunshine that doesn't make it to the soft valley ground. In the sun, She noticeably shimmers in shades of silver. Iridescent sparkles dance all around her in the light. Is it just me, Or does she look. . . Silver? She says she was a. . . Silversmith, Right? Does that mean she's literally. . . Silver? You wonder the same thing as you continue to listen to Silver Sally Smith. Then you try not to listen too closely, So you break up your listening with some looking around, Trying to be as natural as possible. This is the Knucklers doing. They are tormenting the great people of Dormir, And we need to do something. Who has a plan? The uproar of the crowd suggests everyone has a plan, And Sally struggles to maintain control, Even from up high. Okay, That's too many plans. I need a new plan. Hold please, It'll just be one second. Just one second. Sally scans her racing thoughts, Struggling to find a suitable alternative plan. Then she scans the crowd. You and Captain EJ turn your faces so she doesn't see you, On the off chance that she'll recognize you. But, Before you can help it, Sally formulates a plan that includes both of you. Hey, Hey you, You two over there. I saw you the other night. You were the heroes who outsmarted the Knucklers. If you did it once, You can surely do it again. Come up, Come up, We're all ears. At first, You and Captain EJ pretend not to hear, But the crowd is riled up. They must already know about you. Your cover is blown. We have no choice but to accept this change of plans and make our way through the crowd up to the silo. You climb up first. Right hand, Left hand. Right foot, Left foot. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose as you climb. Focus your mind on the sensation of your strong heart beating. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. Together, We climb high enough to see the enormous crowd of townspeople that have now flocked to Main Street. My name is Captain EJ and this is my partner, Honeybee Hero. Hero for short. It's true, We are aware of the situation here in Dormir. Rest assured that we are equipped to handle the threat Pinky and Thumbknuckler pose and we have a plan to do just that. For now, We will just need to chat with everyone to get some information. Very easy. Please form two lines. One over here in front of me and one over there in front of Hero. You climb down and point out where one line can start in front of you. The people of Dormir can sense your leadership ability and quickly fall into line. Everyone has organized themselves into two groups and are waiting eagerly to tell what they know. One by one, We speak to nearly everyone who lives in Dormir. Pinky and Thumbknuckler are longtime residents and have amassed quite the reputation. As Sally mentioned, They live in the Knuckler compound in the most shadowed part of town. The rest of the residents are able to tell us more. Their parents are scientists, Like geniuses. They never let Pinky and Thumb go to school with the rest of us. I think they're around my age, But I never ever see them. I heard that their parents homeschooled them. Only taught them the sciences. They were trying to make the brothers into geniuses, But they're more like vampires, Only coming out at night. Do your powers work against vampires? They're nocturnal from what I can tell. I don't think they're vampires. Their parents are working on a project with the silversmiths, And they're not home right now. Pinky and Thumb, Well, They must have that whole compound to themselves. Their parents are away on sabbatical, Studying the polar nights. I know their research involves nighttime, But I don't know much else. I don't know much about any of them. The doctors kept a very, Very strange schedule. That compound is dark during the day, And the whole family is active at night. Those boys probably don't have too many friends. They are a cruel pair of brothers. I only remember seeing them out in the daytime once. We were selling cookies door to door as a fundraiser. I knocked, And Pinky answered with a big grin. Oh, He's smiling. You think he's going to be nice? No. He listened to our whole explanation about what the charity was for, And who supported it, And said he was interested in a whole box of cookies we had left. He called Thumb over to look at them, And in a blink of an eye, Pinky yanked the entire box of cookies from us. Thumb slammed the door and bolted it shut. They stole all of our cookies. It was horrible. We've learned so much about who the Knucklers are. It's best to know your opponent and to never, Ever underestimate them. As feared and expected, The younger Knucklers have a heartless reputation. More than that, With their parents away, Pinky and Thumb Knuckler are left to their own devices, As well as a lab full of their parents. That is not a good combination, As is evident by all the destruction. We spend all day in Dormir, Talking to the resilient people who make up this town. But the crowd hurriedly dwindles as the sun sets. Before we know it, We are the only ones standing in the middle of a now deserted street. A Honeybee Neighborhood Bulletin blows in the breeze and catches on your leg. You look down to see a big picture of you and Captain EJ on the front page that reads, Hometown Heroes Defend Dormir. It was from the first trip to Dormir when you saw Sally Smith. She must have taken a picture of us in action. She did have a camera around her neck with the binoculars. Now, For better or worse, We're both known in Dormir. The Knucklers have to know we're here. Word has certainly spread and though we got excellent intel, Our cover was thoroughly compromised. Feeling the vulnerability of this wide open space with a desolate wind at our backs, We instinctively cover each other. We stand back to back so we can see all around us. Your eyes are peeled and you know that Captain EJ's are too. He has your back. Night falls all around you. The only functioning streetlight flickers overhead as a howling wind whirls around us and echoes down the empty streets of Dormir. The townspeople are hunkered down in their homes and we are charged with their safety. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and strengthen all your muscles at once. Your high-tech suit hums as it reacts to the wind. It activates. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let your body be soft. Let your mind be clear and feel how ready you are for this challenge. With our hoods down, Our Battle Buzz helmets back on, Mr. Honeybee comes in loud and clear. Captain EJ, Hero, Do you copy? There's a heat source detected just behind you. Can you see it? We see it, Mr. Honeybee. We know exactly what to do. Through our infrared eye scopes, We can see a bright red flash zapping through the sky, Hitting the ground around our feet. The bulletin disintegrates immediately and leaves only a puff of smoke. The Knucklers are back, But they are no match for us and our silver suits that form a barrier under our clothes. We turn around to walk towards them, Unafraid of their long-distance vaporization. Zooming our built-in binoculars to the max, We can see Pinky and Thumb aiming what looks like a giant telescope at us. Pinky's so tiny that he has to stand on a table to aim the machinery. His bulbous bald head tilts back with maniacal laughter that echoes. Thumb, Who is the exact opposite of Pinky, Lumbers his gigantic body around the rooftop lab, Doing whatever Pinky tells him to do. Flash after flash falls on our feet, But we continue toward them undeterred. As we approach, Pinky scurries to her control panel and busily pushes buttons. He seems to be worried and mounting an even more wicked attack as a result. We can hear his angry, Squeaking voice barking orders to Thumb against the backdrop of a completely silent town. With an evil glimmer in his eye, Pinky stands on Thumb's broad shoulders to get a better look through a bigger laser and aims at us once again. We now run straight for the Knuckler compound, Right up to the fortress-like wall, Focused on our target. In one strike, Pinky zaps both of us with an incredible force of heat and light, But it does nothing to our suits. Mr. Honeybee cheers from the command center, Knowing with certainty that the silver in our suits is the key. Pinky and Thumb are now in a panic. Their evil plan has failed for the first time, And now we know where they are. Up until now, They have been mostly invisible, Cowards who targeted innocent people behind their backs. They scramble on the rooftop laboratory and repeatedly run to look over the edge and watch our confident advance. When we get to the exterior wall of the Knuckler compound, We can see them looking down to us. Thumb's eyes are wide with shock, As if he doesn't know how we were able to withstand the vaporization. A sly grin comes across Pinky's face before he shouts down. Lovely silver suit you got there, Captain. It can't just be your impeccable style that brought it together. That has to be made of pure silver. It is, Isn't it? Mr. Honeybee, How can he know that? Our suits are perfectly concealed. There's no way. Why did he say, Has to be made of pure silver? Oh, Captain! Can you hear me down there? Yes, We can hear you just fine, Knuckler. Why don't you and Thumb come down so we can talk this out rationally? No need to vaporize anything else. Your weaponry is no match for us anyways, As you just saw. So sure you are of your silver? Why, Of course. How could I say no to that? But first, A question. Why don't you ask Mr. Honeybee where he got the silver he used to make those lovely suits? How does he even know me? I got the silver, Hmm, Let's see. It was delivered right to me from an associate of a friend of a friend of an associate. Let me check the packaging. It came from. . . Oh no, It came from Dormir. Oh no, Something called. . . Knuckler International. Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock. Want me to give you the answer? It sounds like you know a thing or two, Pinky. Come on down and explain it to us. Make us even stronger. We'll meet you at the door. Be mine. Come on. Captain and his hero friend are waiting for us. Standing before the tall iron door that leads into the Knuckler compound, We wait for Pinky and Thumb to emerge, Not quite knowing what to expect. Weary of what they'll do next, We're on high alert for anything that can come from anywhere. You can hear them on the other side of the door whispering to each other. Every so often Pinky shouts at Thumb and returns to a whisper. Intrigued, We lean in to put our ear up to the door. Footsteps approach, Followed by more whispering. Then, Perfect silence. We step back and look at each other, Wondering where they went. You reach your hand up to knock on the heavy door. Just then, Gears grind and crank overhead. We look up, Just as a massive cage with vertical bars slams to the ground around us, Trapping us inside. You and Captain EJ grab hold of the bars and shake them in a panic, But the cage doesn't budge. The bolts that secure the door unlock one by one, And Pinky slyly sticks his head out. Oh, I forgot to mention that we have a real problem with bears up here. They like to get in the house, And the lab, And everything. Enjoy the bear cage! Aye, Aye, Captain! The door slams and bolts shut. We look at each other, Waiting for our great minds to think alike. Then, With a spark of genius, They do. Your hand instinctively grabs for the remote that's holstered at your hip. You carefully hold it in your hand, Not knowing exactly the power it contains, But only that it's immense. Now's the time to use that remote. Good thinking, Hero. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the power resting at your fingertips. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button. Blue lightning flashes out of the remote, And a small circle of light begins to form just beyond the bars. The blue electricity sizzles as it comes into contact with the cage and fizzles out in a puff. Mr. Honeybee, Have you ever seen the teleportation device fail like this? There must be some kind of radiation present. At the compound that is disabling the portal mechanism. Okay, We have another way out. Hero, Trust me when I say this. Right now, You are much stronger than you ever imagined. I'll explain later. Just do what I do. Trusting Captain EJ with everything you have, You follow his direction and place your hands on the cold, Steely bars. You take another slow, Deep breath in. Feel your chest lift and the Battle Buzz helmet activate. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and pull the solid iron bars apart with all your strength. They pry open, Collapsing under the strength of your incredible grip. You can't believe it even as it's happening right in front of you. Together, We free ourselves with our own strength and jump into action. We secure the perimeter to make sure the Knucklers are still inside. At one of the back windows on the far side of the house that is adjacent to the first floor laboratory, We peek in to see Pinky and Thumb engrossed in a racing game, Completely oblivious to the fact that we're free. We stay up all night to make sure they stay in, Which they do. Using our tracking systems and infrared vision, We watch them play a dancing game, Which, Surprisingly, Thumb won, And meander around the house entertaining themselves with whatever is at their disposal. Perhaps they've had enough wickedness for one day, Or perhaps their wickedness is just another form of entertainment to them. As the sun rises, They both snuggle into their lavish, Princely beds while we monitor them carefully from outside. This was the first night in over a week that Dormir won't wake up to more destruction. We did that much. Come on back, Team. Mrs. Honeybee and Melodybee have a little something special waiting just for you. You have to be exhausted. We sure are, Mr. Honeybee. Okay, We'll teleport back once we get far enough away from this compound and its radiation. Barely functioning on zero sleep, We retrieve our ENVs with a gesture and a snap of our fingers. They appear before us with their return flight plans ready. Now is the time to teleport straight back to the Honeybee house. We hop in and floor it to fly as far away from this compound as possible, At least for a short night's rest. Well, It's more of a day's rest at this point. Without meaning to or realizing it, We are becoming just as nocturnal as the Knucklers in order to defeat them. You cannot underestimate your opponent, As we know, But you also can't become them in the flurry of strategizing for a win. That is for tomorrow. For now, The soft sun rises over the valley and Mr. Honeybee lets us know when we're out of the radiation's range. You again push the button on the remote at your hip. The same blue lightning flashes and creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, We are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. Before we know it, We are back home. Mrs. Honeybee, They're here. The hammocks are ready in the garden. Perfect. I'm pouring the tea now. Do you have any fresh lavender left over from the sleep pouches? Maybe we can set that up for them too. Oh, Good idea. I'll bring them some. Like good neighbors, Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee have tea prepared for us and Melodybee has set up two hammocks in the garden. We take off our suits and helmets after a long day and night and lay them beside us. The soft morning sun shines down on you, Magnifying the warmth of the tea that you sip. We collapse onto our hammocks, Which are side by side facing the sunrise. It's just like we're on our rooftop, But here, Another little fluffy friend joins you. Mrs. Honeybee's little dog, Harold, Jumps into your hammock and curls up beside you. We finish our chamomile tea, Sink into the soft pillow, And pull our brightly colored blankets up to our chins. The warm breeze sways us back and forth, And we enjoy the best day's sleep we've ever had. We'll need to be refreshed to build a bigger, Better strategy to defeat the knucklers. For now, We rest. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick hero, And just in time, In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick captain's recap, Now. We walked straight into a knuckler ambush, And kept walking. Their long-distance vaporization attempts didn't stand a chance against our suits of silver that could handle the heat. But we did hit a bit of a snag. It seems Pinky Knuckler knows more about the silver in our suits than even Mr. Honeybee did. And Mr. Honeybee made them. Pinky somehow knew that the silver came directly from none other than Knuckler International. With that insider information, Pinky drew us in closer, All the way to their front door. They may have disabled our technology and trapped us physically, But their win was only momentary. Using powers you didn't realize you had, We freed ourselves using our own strength and know-how. Together, We secured the perimeter of the Knuckler compound, And made sure they stayed put, Entertaining themselves with the games they play. I fear that the destruction they're unleashing on Dormir is just another form of entertainment to them. But for now, We have to figure out how Pinky, Thumb, Their scientist parents, And Knuckler International Corporation are all connected. And for that, We have to wake up from our much-needed nap in the backyard hammocks. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ, Let's begin. You are here, Slowly waking up in the honeybee garden. A warm afternoon breeze sways your hammock back and forth. You close your heavy eyelids for a little more rest as the sun shines gently on your face. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the fresh air coming in and filling up your lungs. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself be heavy here. Captain EJ is still snoozing in the hammock across from you, And Harold is still curled up beside you snoring. It's so peaceful here, Yet you know that not too far away mayhem is lurking and waiting for the next opportunity to strike. You whisper over to Captain EJ, Trying to politely wake him up and ask about the strength you found yourself to have, Right when you needed it most. But he pulls the blanket up to his chin, Readjusts, And turns to the other side in a deep sleep. You look down at your hands and inspect them front and back. They look like your typical hands, But last night you were able to pry solid metal bars apart like they were made of silly putty. You twist around to look at your elbows, Arms, And shoulders. Do you still have that strength? Without waking Harold, You slink out of the hammock and walk over to a heavy wooden patio table that sits in the middle of Melody B's garden. It has potted plants in the center and there are clay pots stacked on the tabletop waiting to be used. You should be able to lift this easily if you still had that strength, Right? Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose and strengthen each and every one of your muscles. Then slowly breathe out and try to lift the table off the ground. It doesn't budge, So you let your whole body relax. You were able to move the table slightly by pushing it, But not as much as you'd expect after last night. Looking around the garden, You wonder how else you can test this. Harold has his head rested on the Battle Buzz helmet back on the hammock. That could have something to do with it. Walking back over to your helmet, You see its green light flashing. That's how you know it's charged and ready to use. Make sure your neck is straight and tall, With your ears as far away from your shoulders as possible. Place the Battle Buzz helmet back on your head. Click the dial on the side to zoom your scope out. You can see the garden in brilliant shades of reds and purples now. With infrared vision, You can see the heat given off by little creatures in the trees and even underground. A sense of power swells in your mind and you slowly begin to feel what you felt last night. The helmet activates and sends a tingling sensation across your scalp like a microscopic massage. With laser focus, You meet yourself back at the table once again. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and feel how strong you are. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and lift the table off the ground with your own two hands. Not only can you lift it off the ground, But you can lift it over your head with one hand. With the other hand, You catch the pots that slide off the table as you lift it effortlessly. You can hardly believe it. With the table in your hands and possibility in your heart, A rustle brings your attention back to the garden. You look behind you to see Captain EJ and Harold smiling proudly. Seems Hero has discovered what puts the battle in Battle Buzz helmet, Huh Harold? You concentrate on lowering the table back down to the ground slowly, So your grip doesn't break it, And arrange the pots carefully since they are much lighter in your hands than usual. You always knew you had incredible strength, But this is beyond what you ever imagined yourself to be capable of. That is very much the point and the function of the Battle Buzz helmet that you're wearing. Before Captain EJ can explain further, Mr. Honeybee sees that you're awake and excitedly rushes out the back door, Carrying opened packaging from the delivery and the tablet where he stores his volumes of research. Oh good, You're both awake. I looked into this Knuckler International Corporation. I still can't believe I didn't notice the name before. Mr. Honeybee clicks around quickly and swipes his hand up toward the top of the tablet in one swift motion. What was displaying on his screen now projects onto a transparent display that unfurls from the rooftop with one of his clicks and hangs down the side of the house. You take off your helmet and immediately distract yourself with how perfect this setup would be for backyard movie nights, Complete with the fire pit and those cozy hammocks. But Captain EJ's booming voice asking Mr. Honeybee a question brings you back to the moment. Time was of the essence when you got that package, Mr. Honeybee. It's understandable that you didn't study it, But you clearly have now. Are those the Elder Knucklers standing in front of their charities? Are they wonderful people? From what I can tell, Doctor and Dr. Knuckler are doing extremely important work for the world. Just look at this long list of awards their innovative research has won and the charities they support. Mr. Honeybee scrolls down a list of hundreds of names. Besides the names are smiling pictures of them accepting their awards and all the thankful people around the world shaking their hands. That's when a familiar shimmering face pops up in the pictures on the screen. You point out the very silver Sally Smith who helped and completely outed you and Captain EJ in Dormir. She and the rest of her silver smithing family are huddled around the Dr. Knucklers like a team who just won. Hero brings us brilliantly to my next point. Sally Smith's the silver that the Elder Knucklers helped mine out of thin air, Literally. Let me explain. Doctor and Dr. Knuckler developed a fractional distillation technique that mines silver particles from the air. Mr. Honeybee goes on to explain that Dormir is specially situated in a valley that sits in the shadow of surrounding mountains. Since the sunlight shines so minimally on the place, The cooler air retains more of its nighttime properties. At night, When the moon reflects the light of the sun without transmitting as much heat, The minute silver particles that flicker on the moon's surface beam down to earth with the moonlight. Throughout the shady day in Dormir, Silver particles collect in the valley. They are left hanging in the shadow of the night before. Doctor and Dr. Knuckler begin their nocturnal work when the silver in the air is at its densest and ready to harvest. It seems that Pinky, More so than Thumb, Devised an alternative use for the fractional distillator. It can heat the air of Dormir to the perfect temperature that separates out the silver particles without destroying them. That's how Pinky knew your suits were made of silver, Even though they weren't at all visible. Because silver is the only thing their machines cannot disintegrate. Everything else around it can be vaporized with the push of a button. On our trip to Dormir, We did learn that the Elder Knucklers wanted their sons to follow in their footsteps. So Pinky and Thumb must know enough about the science to misuse the technology with devastating precision. But wait, I don't understand what is so important about silver that it needs to be mined from the air. What can it do? Another interesting point, But an easier question to answer, Is what silver can't do. And the answer appears to be nothing. It's used in medicine and hospitals because it naturally fights germs. It's one of the most reflective metals, So it helps us see our own reflection in mirrors. It regulates temperature. It's used in cars, Engines, Electronics, Jewelry, And silverware. It's used to purify water and even to convert sunlight into solar electricity. Silver seems to solve a lot of the most enduring problems, Which is why Dr. And Dr. Knuckler are so renowned. They supply most of the world's silver through Knuckler International. Wow, I had no idea. This is excellent research as always, Mr. Honeybee. That level of technology in the wrong hands puts so much more at risk than just one town and its people. Speaking of, Sally Smith should be calling on the holophone any minute. She confirmed there was no additional damage last night, Which in and of itself is a miracle. Whatever you and Hero did last night worked in the short term. She also mentioned that she might be able to get a hold of the Elder Knucklers. If they know what Pinky and Thumb are doing, They may be able to stop them, Or at the very least, Power down their laboratory in some way. I'm sure they have some kind of failsafe enabled for when they're away. Back in the nondescript garage, The command center is abuzz with blinking indicators, Beeping gadgets, And humming machinery. The alert from Mr. Honeybee's holographic phone is a glowing orb that bubbles out the sleek screen. We can see Sally Smith's face looking at us, Waiting for us to answer her call. Mr. Honeybee places a device on a small pad near the floor and clicks to answer. Suddenly, Sally appears in 3D as if she's standing right in front of you in the garage. She looks much more relieved than the last time we saw her. This was the first morning in over a week that she didn't wake up to more destruction. Her neighbor came by with cookies to celebrate. With a big smile, She reaches out to give you and Captain EJ a hug through her hologram. You try not to seem shocked that it's possible for her to do that and lean in nonchalantly. The buzz of electricity tickles your shoulder where she squeezes you tight with gratitude. Mr. Honeybee updates her on all we've learned about Dr. And Dr. Knuckler. Sally is anxious to fill in the gaps and begins telling us all about her family of silversmiths and the long history of work she's done with the doctors. Sally shimmers even brighter as a three-dimensional hologram than she does in person. The animated way she talks as she lights up makes her look like she's made of magic. The Smith family has been working with silver for so many generations that we sort of shimmer. I like to think of it as a little bit of moon dust sprinkled on our lineage. At this point, It's genetic, I assume. My parents taught me the trade. Their parents taught them. We have smithing tools that are centuries old at our ranch. That's what's so scary about what the younger Knucklers are doing. Just think of all that we stand to lose for no good reason. One of our two-ton furnaces just disappeared into thin air. Poof. Irreplaceable family heirloom vaporized. That was my great-great-great-grandparents' furnace and now it's gone. I'm willing to help in any way I can. Sally's long-standing working relationship with the Dr. Knucklers means that she has many ways to contact them, Even when they're away, In case of business emergencies. She's already tried calling their cell phones, But they do not get service in the Arctic Circle. They are there taking advantage of a months-long polar night to advance their fractal desolation research. Their sabbaticals can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to months at a time. With Mr. Honeybee's satellite phone, Though, We can get a clear signal through to their satellite phones. Captain EJ quickly grabs the phone from the workbench and Mr. Honeybee opens the garage. We'll need to be out in the open air with a clear view of the sky to access the satellite. It can send communications to just about anywhere on the planet, As long as both phones have a clear path to transmit signals back and forth to the satellite. We're also going to need Sally down in the driveway so she can read us the number. You gently pick up the holophone from its spot in the garage and carefully balance Sally's hologram while you walk-run to the driveway. The satellite phone rings and rings over the speaker. Captain EJ paces back and forth while it does. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Hold your breath in for the last ring. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth as the call goes to the Dr. Knuckler's voicemail. They explain that they are doing new cloud experiments that aim to attract more silver to a particular area, But the dense clouds will obstruct their signal. They did mention something helpful. They get mail twice a month at their research facility, So that's something. We need another plan, And Sally, For that we'll need your skills. Of course. Captain EJ and Honeybee Hero, Whatever I can do. Thoughts and possibilities race through your head before a sense of calm washes over you. Captain EJ felt it too, And once again, Your great minds think just alike. You look at each other and smirk, Knowing exactly what to do. Oh, By now I know that look. What are you two thinking? You have to tell me. I cannot read your minds like you can. What is it? We know all the machinery that Pinky and Thumb have access to in their parents' lab cannot destroy silver. And we have someone right here who literally makes silver. We need to put those two things together. Genius. How did I not think of this? With Sally's resources and skills, Mr. Honeybee's technology, And our strategy and strength, We can plate the entire town of Dormir with the protective layer of silver. If it worked for us in our suits, It will work for Dormir in all of the invaluable things they hold dear. Sally can set a cast for any possible shape. She's never silver-plated the side of a house before, But she's willing to try. Since we only have our two arms, Mr. Honeybee can help move things remotely with teleportation. For the big, Heavy silver plates that need to be put in place once they've cooled, Well, We have that handled. Our two arms each will be plenty. Together, You and Captain EJ will be the force of protection that Dormir and its people so desperately need. Before she ends the holocaust, Sally fires up one of her remaining furnaces and gets right to work melting down all the scrap silver that doesn't have a use yet. She mentions that another fresh batch is on its way, But doesn't go into details. Silver is now going to become one of the most precious of all her precious metals. Mr. Honeybee can easily replicate the teleportation remote prototype that you used on the last trip. He rushes off to the workbench to get that started just as Sally's hologram fades back into the ether. You know just what to do, And now it's time to do it. Hero, Our conscientious use of strength is crucial to this mission. It's time for you to know exactly how the Battle Buzz helmet works and all you're actually capable of. Come with me. Captain EJ leads you back into the stronghold where your suits of silver are stored for safekeeping. On the way, You grab your Battle Buzz helmet which is laying on the workbench, Concealed as a beanie, And tuck it under your arm. You reach up to the bike in the rack that is hanging from the ceiling and push it along its track until the wall behind it reveals the door to the stronghold. Captain sorts through a ring of keys until he finds the one that opens the top drawer of a red tool chest in the corner. There he finds the little flash drive with numbers that change every couple minutes. It flashes 555 and you quickly enter that into the keypad. Quiet yourself inside and out as you stand in front of the vaulted steel door with your head held high. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose while the facial recognition laser traces your face. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and step into the stronghold through the open door. You walk up to your reflection in the mirror where the robotic arm will emerge from. Now you look at the mirror knowing something more than you did before. This mirror is made of silver and more than that, Silver's ability to reflect light is one of the few ways you're able to ever see yourself, What you look like from the outside that is, Which is something totally different than how it feels to be you. Standing in your own reflection, You look at yourself as you never have before. You are stronger than you ever thought possible. What you thought were physical limits were just optical illusions of your own limited human perception. The mirror doors separate and the suits of silver are presented to you and Captain EJ on the robotic arm. Layer by layer you suit up and think about the mission ahead of us. So much is at stake, But you can't think about that now. Heroes don't need to think about how heroic they are. Nothing truly heroic is done in vain. Captain EJ again hands you headphones that fit snugly over your ears and secures the inner door. This stronghold is the only place that Captain EJ practices using his powers at full strength. Now you will have to adjust to having yours just like he did. Captain EJ has had his whole life to learn to live with his superpowers, But you are learning in an emergency with no time to spare. The mirror doors close in front of you and you put on your Battle Bus helmet, First as a beanie. Together you and Captain EJ convert your beanies to helmets and he explains how this strange piece of technology works with you, Specifically. You're the only other person in the world that has a Battle Bus helmet. No one else can be trusted to wield such power. Mr. Honeybee spent years perfecting the mechanism within this helmet. It's modeled after the special way that Captain EJ thinks. The functionality in his helmet serves as a reminder that even he sometimes needs. Each thought we think is an electrical current that travels through our squishy folded up brains. That current mixes with chemicals called hormones that help different parts of your body communicate with each other. Every time we think a thought, We create a specific pathway that our physiology responds to with an array of chemicals. That process, And that process alone, Determines the strength you do or do not have in any given moment. These pathways, Although changeable, Become entrenched. The electricity gets comfortable traveling along the same pathway just like we find our favorite ways of doing things over time. That is how our habits, And thus our personalities, Are developed, For better or worse. Whether you think you can or you think you can't, You're right. That is the damage self-defeating thoughts pose to our otherwise creative brain machinery. And it's our brains, Not our muscles, That allow us to use our full strength. What Captain EJ does is sincerely believe that he can. This helmet delivers a sense of reality that is saturated with possibility. A love that already lives in you. The Battle Buzz helmet just allows you to feel it, Unimpeded by any previous habits. It gives your electricity shortcut pathways that get straight to the point. You are hero now. It doesn't matter what you or anyone else called you before. You didn't see this before, But Captain EJ has several stone walls set up deeper in the expanse of Stronghold. This is what he uses for strength practice. Full of enthusiastic inspiration, You leap up to the wall and decide to pull a single stone completely out of the concrete that is holding them together. With one hand, You gently nudge the heavy cinder block. It cracks as it rips away from the rest of the stone wall. You hold it up to really take it in. Captain EJ smiles watching you realize how strong you are. He's been waiting for this moment for a long time, And it's finally here. You know what he has always known about you. How capable you are of doing anything you set your heart and mind to. After a couple tries, You successfully punch right through one of the stone walls. You can lift anything, Including Captain EJ, Much to his surprise. And you are now well-versed in your own power. Captain EJ quiets himself down to practice in his own way. The last you saw of this, He was able to hold the teleportation remote in mid-air. Now, You're able to see just how he does that. He signals for you to put your hands over your headphones to protect your ears as much as possible. The helmet is obstructing the headphones from sitting flat against your ears, So you hurry to adjust them for reasons you don't know yet. Then he looks to the stone walls in the Stronghold, One of which you just punched through. You got one ear tucked away under the headphone, But you're struggling to get the other one to fully cover your ear. As you fumble with it, Captain EJ takes a slow, Deep breath in through his nose. His chest lifts and his hands ball into fists. Then he exhales and shouts in the direction of the stone walls. It's unlike any sound you heard before, And you only hear it for a split second before your one exposed ear starts ringing. You jerk the headphone over your other ear, Clambering for relief just as each of the stone walls explode in quick succession. The sound waves of Captain EJ's voice have such a force that not much on Earth can withstand. His voice is his superpower. But given its ultimate destruction, He has vowed to only use its terrifying strength when absolutely necessary and never, Ever in the direction of a person. He only used it on things like these stone walls or falling buildings, And he's gotten quite precise at doing that. But even Captain EJ does not know the extent of the magic that lives within his voice. He keeps it hidden away for the most part, Exposed only rarely and mostly in this stronghold where the people he cherishes can be protected. Captain EJ sits down on the rubble, All that's left from the stone walls. Hero, It's not the special powers or incredible strength that makes us who we are. It's what we decide to do with those gifts and how we use them. Otherwise, We are no different, No better than Pinky and Thumbknuckler. We take responsibility for our abilities and honor them with healthy self-discipline. But more than that, We always begin and end with love. Let's go save Dormir. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together we can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero. And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap, Now. In The Safety of the Stronghold, You learn the source and the extent of your superhuman strength. You will never look at your own two hands the same, Knowing now the power they contain. You also learn what constitutes full strength for Captain EJ, Which is used sparingly in consideration of the great potential for destruction. It's not the powers we have that make us heroes, But when and how we decide to use them. With the help of Mr. Honeybee and Silver's Sally Smith, We figured out a strategy to contain the Knucklers' rampant misuse of their power that comes in the form of scientific understanding. Since we couldn't get a hold of the Elder Dr. Knucklers under the clouds of the polar night that they're studying, We must stop Pinky and Thumb ourselves. Since we know Silver is their kryptonite, And we have the means to generate as much Silver as we need, We can simply set up a protective Silver barrier to stave off any further attacks until the Elder Knucklers return to reign in their suns. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ… Let's begin. We are suited up, Confident, And ready as we load everything into our ENVs. We are preparing to teleport back to Dormir. Mr. Honeybee meets you at the entrance of the Stronghold, Where you conceal the hidden door with the bike rack that hangs from the ceiling. He has been busy duplicating the teleportation remote you hold on your hip at all times, And explains how these can work from the Command Center as well. This is the most advanced yet simple way to get yourself or anything else where it needs to be, And potentially out of harm's way. These teleportation devices have the ability to affect time and space along multiple channels all at once. This is like being able to watch many TV channels at once, To monitor all of them instantaneously. But, It's also kind of like being able to play multiple video games at once, Because you can move things around at will. Hmm, That's actually a pretty cool idea. Let's write that one down, Roger. Roger that, Mr. Honeybee. A little blue robot rolls on a single wheel from the back of the garage to the workbench, Where he records Mr. Honeybee's thoughts as he thinks them. When he's done, Roger disappears just as quickly as he appeared. Roger assists Mr. Honeybee when he needs more than just the two hands he has, And now is one of those times. In a single afternoon, They were able to build out three of these multi-channel teleportation remotes for you, Captain EJ, And himself since no other human can be trusted with this type of technology. Captain EJ tests out one of the remotes with his ENV, And Mr. Honeybee himself, Without telling Mr. Honeybee beforehand. In the zip of an instant, Both have disappeared from the unassuming garage and have crash-landed on the dusty grounds of Sally Smith's silversmithing ranch. Captain EJ giggles to himself. Mr. Honeybee certainly was not expecting that. With another push of a volume button, Another hologram appears that allows you to see where you've just teleported something. Mr. Honeybee stands up with his arms waving like he needs to be rescued from a desert island. You and Captain EJ laugh knowing that this will be used for some epic pranking when the situation is not so dire. Convinced he's stranded, Mr. Honeybee dusts off his knees and elbows and begins walking the long way back to command center with his head hung. You can't stand to let him think you've abandoned him. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Focus your mind on where you want Mr. Honeybee to land back in the garage. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the single channel button. Mr. Honeybee is scooped up in time and space and returned to his command center. He breathes a big sigh of relief and promises to get you and Captain EJ back as soon as possible. Now that you know how to use it, You and Captain EJ are ready to head out in your ENVs. Sitting in front of the steering wheel with your Battle Buzz helmet and your silver suits activated, Mr. Honeybee teleports you both back to Dormir. In the blink of an eye, We are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color and land on the dusty ground of Sally's Smithing Ranch. The ENV's tires absorb most of the fall, But it still makes an audible sound. Sally comes running out of the house for the second time, Convinced these sounds have to be Pinky and Thumb, Even though it's still daylight. I just heard that same sound a minute ago, But I came out here and saw nothing. Were you just here? Sorry, Sally. That was, Uh, Well, Mr. Honeybee. We were testing out new technology that we'll use today. We're both here now and ready to get to work. And get to work we do. In the short time since we talked to Sally on the holophone, She has busily flattened out and piled up all the spare silver she has. A stack as tall as her house stands behind her rusted furnace. With its size, This furnace can be its own house. It has pipes that cough out gray smoke every so often when the next batch of silver is melted down. While Sally answers the call of her trade, She tells you and Captain EJ that the townspeople are all so thankful for what you're doing that they also want to help. They will begin coming by one by one to plate their houses and stables and barns, Everything that stands to be ruined by Pinky and Thumb. Dormir is the happy home of many, Many farm animals. Horses, Cows, Chickens, And even a few llamas trot around the town when they get out of their pens. The locals know to drive extra slow around town because you never know what kind of creature will be crossing the street. Just then, A small herd of ponies led by a valiant llama escape their stable and take off into their pen for a late afternoon romp. You and Captain EJ take that as your first task and quickly pick up the first sheet of silver to close them into their pen for their own safety. Their hooves screech to a stop in the dirt and kick up clouds behind them. You and Captain EJ carry the wall of silver like it's weightless and inch it toward the stable. It is wide enough and tall enough to protect the whole pen. Sally looks up from her smithing so thankful that her home and all that she loves is being secured. You and Captain EJ begin putting all the silver where it needs to go. Mr. Honeybee helps with his precise remote teleportation assistance. You each take turns sending sheets of silver to different residences, Radiating outward from Sally's ranch. A dusty wind kicks up as silver walls appear out of thin air in front of houses, Businesses, And buildings throughout Dormir. Mr. Honeybee radios into the Battle Buzz helmet somewhat alarmed. Um, Hiro, Do you by chance see a sheet of silver floating anywhere near you? Oh, I think I see it at 39. 9 degrees north, 75. 1 degrees west. How did it get all the way over there? I had a stray thought about my childhood home and accidentally transported some silver there. Um, Calling it back now. Don't mind me. The silver plating strategy goes on without another hitch. You just have a few more houses to do and the last group of residents are here trying to pick up the wall of silver that will be their shelter. A family of six have gathered to grab theirs, Thinking that they can lift it on their own, Trying to spare you and Captain EJ from any further work. You two watch as all six of them try their hardest with all of their collective might to lift it. They manage to get it a couple feet off the ground and move it forward a few steps before they collapse in heaves. You decide to take this one so Captain EJ can head back to Main Street to get to work on the playground that sits right next to the knuckler compound at the center of town. Since you have been keeping the knucklers occupied, A few children have felt safe enough to come out and enjoy the playground after being cooped up for days. With your focus back on the family who needs your strength, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest lift and the sensation of your strong heart beating. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and click the button on your teleportation remote. The massive sheet of silver lifts out of their twelve hands and disappears into thin air. They think this is an act of the knucklers' revenge, But are instantly relieved when you wave your hand from behind them to get their attention. You let them know that you got this one with a polite smile. Together, You all walk back to their house around the corner where the protective wall has been delivered and is waiting for them. You can tell this family has lived in Dormir for a while. They welcome you in for a quick cup of tea, So thankful for your help. As you sip it, You look around the house to see all the pictures on the wall, Documenting their simple, Happy lives in a town they love. You can't stand the idea of all this being at risk, So you get right back to work. Outside, Without hardly lifting a finger, You stand the silver wall up straight and gently prop it against their fence for balance. It's big enough to cover the side of the house that faces the knuckler compound. The family of six give you the biggest hug. They don't know how they could possibly repay you and Captain EJ, But you remind them that you two simply fight for what's right, And that repayment will never be needed. With this, The residences and businesses have all been secured. You teleport back to Main Street to meet Captain EJ and the little kiddos who are getting in the last few minutes of play before the playground is barricaded behind silver walls. At the playground, Captain EJ is deeply focused on the task at hand. This playground is the heart center of Dormir, And all the children love it dearly, Which you can see by how many of them are still out in the late evening playing their hearts out. Mr. Honeybee is stacking sheets of silver one by one along the side of the playground. Sally has just completed the last bit of smithing. This should be plenty for the sprawling playground. She closes up her house for the night and waves goodbye through the teleportation visual that Mr. Honeybee shuts down once she finishes. Sally knows that her and her hometown are under the care of true heroes who will keep a watchful eye over it. Captain EJ is moving quickly, So you decide to get an eagle-eyed view of all that you've accomplished today. Call your ENV back from Sally's ranch with a gesture. Dust clouds kick up where it's zooming through the streets and alleyways of Dormir back to you, Automatically driving itself. Once it arrives, You are happy to plop yourself down and rest your feet for a moment. Engage the hover wings and get ready to hover straight up in the sky. Tiny wings click open and flutter high above even the tallest tree. From here you can see the whole valley shining in silver as the sun sets over Dormir. It's so reflective that you can see yourself in your ENV. You are magically hovering in the sky and the last of the sunset shines behind you. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Gather your strength in and flex every muscle you have. Then slowly breathe all the way back out and let your body relax up here, Hovering in the cool evening air. You roll your shoulders in little circles and stretch your neck on either side. Even though you have such strength, Your muscles still feel a little sore after a long day of hauling and building. But you are ready. You look down at Captain EJ who is still securing the playground. A couple of the kids have convinced him to spin them on the tire swing with his superhero strength. They twist around and around as tight as the chains that hold up the tire can twist. Then he stands back and they whoosh all the way back around until the chains are straightened out. You laugh with Captain EJ as he slowly gets back to the final walls that need to be put up. He takes a moment to stretch just like you did. Today has been a long day but so worth it. Pinky and Thumbknuckler have been completely neutralized by this strategy of yours and you two managed to do it without destroying anything or harming anyone. As you lower your ENV back down to the ground, You see a flicker of movement at the Knuckler compound. They couldn't possibly be awake yet. The sun is still out, Though not for long. You magnify your vision in the Battle Buzz helmet and indeed they have gotten up a little earlier than usual. Unbeknownst to Captain EJ, They are watching him do his heroic work. This cannot be good. You radio in to Mr. Honeybee who alerts Captain EJ. Captain, Hero has eyes on Pinky and Thumb. They're up early and watching you. Move quickly and be careful, Team. You floor it back down to Captain EJ at the playground. The small group of children gather around your ENV, Admiring the futuristic technology they've never seen before. They have no idea the danger they're in and that's a testament to how calm you can stay despite the pressure. In one protective swoop, You pile them all into the single-seat vehicle and quickly click the teleportation remote to send them back to the stable you secured at Sally's Smithing Ranch. Mr. Honeybee lets her know what's happening and she huddles around the children with both arms to get them into her house and back into their homes. The Knucklers are not wasting a moment making up for what they've lost today. The portion of the playground that is not yet barricaded is their target. Laser sounds ring out through the completely silent town just before the first zap strikes the monkey bars. You, Captain EJ, And Mr. Honeybee dutifully teleport and assemble all the remaining silver. It's a race against evil and you're in the crosshairs. You put yourself in harm's way with Captain EJ to protect who you've promised to protect. The last sheet of silver is in place. It just needs to be pushed to stand up as a barricade. The laser zaps in the distance letting you know that a vaporization ray is headed your way. You confirm it with your infrared vision. A heat source is hurtling toward you. With one final push using all your strength, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel confidence in your abilities swell in your chest with each heartbeat. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and straighten the wall of silver up tall. Just then, A gust of wind blows throughout the vacant street and dislodges the wall from the ground, Toppling it with a tremendous force. You and Captain EJ scramble to get it back up. The zapping laser of vaporization is getting closer and closer, Helped by the sudden gusts. Realizing there's not enough time, Captain EJ leaps out in front of you on the playground and unleashes the full strength of his voice directly at the vaporization ray. A now familiar sound, Unlike any you've ever heard before, Swells like an all-consuming vortex around you. You, The knucklers, And Dormir. The grassy earth beneath your feet and the twilight sky all around you shake uncontrollably like a natural disaster. You and Mr. Honeybee watch in amazement as the vaporization ray comes into contact with the sound waves from Captain EJ's booming voice. A flash that emanates strikes on impact. Suddenly, Your ears are overcome with ringing and you fall to your knees covering them with your hands, Grabbing for insulation and relief. Pinky and Thumb do the same. It seems no one can withstand the sound of Captain EJ's full strength but him. Without Pinky's finger on the button, The vaporization ray fizzles out when it comes in contact with the waves of Captain EJ's miraculous voice. Captain EJ collapses to his knees, Momentarily exhausted of his greatest life force. Using every last bit of strength you have, You push the wall of silver back up and secure it in the ground so Captain EJ can take cover behind it. He stands back up, Thankful you have his back like always. Standing shoulder to shoulder, You and Captain EJ rest your backs against the other side of the silver wall to catch your breath. With a high five, Captain EJ says, Once again, Hero, I could not have done this without you. We did it. Mr. Honeybee checks in and administers a sound bath into the Battle Buzz helmet to recalibrate your ears since you don't have your headphones. Your hearing is instantly restored and you're right back in action. You peek out from behind the wall and zoom your scopes in to get a good look at Pinky and Thumb, Who are backed up to a wall of their rooftop lab. They are in awe at what just happened and terrified. This amazement lasts only a moment before Pinky comes back to reality. They can't see you behind this wall of pure silver they know so well, But you can see them. Pinky is furious and Thumb is trying his best not to become the focus of his brother's misguided rage. Pinky thrashes around the lab in a full state of tantrum that his entertainment for this evening has been cancelled. He angrily shoots vaporizing rays at all the silver-plated structures in Dormir, To no effect. With each hit, You hear a zap before the ray fizzles out once it comes into contact with the barricades. You breathe a sigh of relief, Knowing that Pinky and Thumb know that you and Captain EJ were able to handle their threats with ease. The sounds of Pinky being outraged on their rooftop laboratory brings a satisfied smile to your face. You can feel good about what you've managed to do here. They are surrounded by machinery, Their own devious kind of playground that is now useless to them. You hope and hope that they simply give up and try a rematch of the dancing game that Thumb annihilated Pinky at. But you know that no hero survives on hope alone. When you peek back around the wall, Pinky is walking and talking in circles trying to come up with another plan. Night has fallen and Dormir has fallen silent. Pinky whispers the same words to himself over and over. I am a genius. What do I know that they don't? I am a genius. What do I know that they don't? I am a genius. The people of Dormir did say that Doctor and Doctor Knuckler raise their boys on science and science alone. Do they know something we don't? You do know with your experience that you should never underestimate an opponent, So you shift your questioning to what you don't know. Captain EJ, Having done the same thing with his great mind, Gives you a look that suggests there's not really a way to know what you don't know. You and Captain EJ peek around the silver wall again and this time are met with the biggest grin you've ever seen on Pinky's face. That is the same grin he gave before he trapped you two in a bear cage. Now they've seen Captain EJ's full strength, They know the extent of what you two can do, But do you know theirs? You and Captain EJ look at each other, Reading each other's minds. This can't be good. Just as you two have evolved in your defenses, So too can the Knucklers be inspired to become even more evil. That is the kind of smile Pinky is smiling before he disappears into a lower level of the Knuckler compound. Sink back behind the barricade with Captain EJ and take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the air coming in through your nose and revitalizing your lungs. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. Reconnect your feet with the sturdy ground beneath you. Reconnect the outline of your skin with the cool, Crisp nighttime air. When everything seems like too much, You can always come back to these two realities. The ground and the air. Behind the wall, You and Captain EJ conceal your silver suits into hoodies and you fold your Battle Bus helmet back into a beanie. You don't want the silver in your suits to shine and give you away. Now you'll have to be stealthy. Following Captain EJ's lead, You watch each other's backs and sneak from behind the playground barricade, Closer and closer to the compound. You're not going to make the same mistake twice and approach the castle-like wall. No, This time you need the advantage of stealth. You and Captain EJ climb up into a tree that's tall enough and close enough to see their rooftop lab, Where they are now working busily. Pinky is barking orders at Thumb, Who is running back and forth between a storage locker and a soldering station. Pinky stands on a chair hunched over the workbench. Sparks fly from what he's working on, And some of them burn Thumb, But Pinky won't let him stop. They're up to something, But we cannot get close enough to see what it is. We know that no matter what they try to do, As long as we're in this together, We will overcome. Captain EJ and Honeybee Hero only fight for what's ranked. The Knucklers are certainly not right, So we must fight. Captain EJ suggests you separate to check on the townspeople and make sure they're okay after this last standoff. You call back your ENVs with a gesture, And they arrive in the tree in an instant. Pinky and Thumb are still hard at work at whatever they're doing, So you take the opportunity to check on your people. You silently whisk away into the night, Soaring among the twinkling stars. Each house that you check is safe and sound. Many have luckily fallen asleep, Perfectly confident in your ability to neutralize the Knuckler threat. That's both a relief and a reminder of why you do what you do as a hero. You and Captain EJ send your ENVs back to Sally's Ranch and meet back at the Knuckler compound to keep eyes on the brothers. They are no longer on the rooftop, But with a quick click of your BattleBuzz helmet, You can see with infrared vision that they are down in an inner lab, Still soldering away at something. For now, You wait here, Behind the wall at the playground. It's a struggle to not only keep your eyes on them, But also to keep your eyes open. The exhaustion is coming back. You're feeling the toll of becoming nocturnal like the young Knucklers. Over the hours and hours of silent, Pitch-dark night, You eventually find yourself sitting down with your back leaned against a silver wall slumped over. You and Captain EJ take turns peeking around the wall to keep an infrared eye on Pinky and Thumb. They haven't moved in hours. They're both still hunched over the workbench in the inner laboratory. You can also see the sparks flying all around them before Pinky holds something up to a very bright light to examine it. Captain EJ is just as exhausted as you are, But you manage to keep each other awake laughing about past pranks you've played on Mr. Honeybee. All the times you've snuck into the garage to sneak some of his prototypes out. Those are such great memories that are perfect for this moment. When Captain EJ peeks around another time, Something startles him up to his feet, And you react just the same. When you jump from behind the wall, To have Captain's back you are now face-to-face with both Pinky and Thumb. You have never been this close to them before, And it's striking how harmless they seem. Pinky is much, Much smaller than Thumb, But somehow takes up more of the space when they're together. You're on your guard and watching Captain's back just like he's watching yours. Pinky's bulbous head tilts to the side as he eyes the silver barricade that you put up all around the playground. He admires it silently, Before knocking on it like it was a door. It's pure solid silver, Pinky. Your desolator, Oh no, Your parents' desolator won't work on this or anything else in Dormir. We know all about your parents and their work. They're going to be horrified when they finally get our messages about what you're doing to Dormir. For now, Though, The entire town is plated in silver and you two are left with no other option. Oh, Thumb, Did you hear that? We're optionless. Who woes us? But what about the sockets? Pinky jumps up to silence Thumb before he can betray any more of their scheme. It takes both hands for him to cover Thumb's mouth, But Thumb takes the forceful hint. They're definitely up to something. Pinky paces back and forth with his hands behind his back. You can see that he's holding something, But it must be tiny to fit in his hands. You and Captain EJ step away from the wall and towards them because you are not afraid. Pinky and Thumb take a little step back, Caught off guard by your boldness. When they take a step back, You and Captain EJ take another step forward to present a united front that will not back down. Thumb stumbles over Pinky taking another huge step back, And they both trip and fall to the ground. Pinky gets up quickly and struggles to help Thumb back up. Pinky regains composure with a deep breath and focuses back on the silver. You know all about our parents, Fine. But you don't know when they're coming back because no one does, Not even us. They're going to be gone a lot from now on, Captain EJ. That's fine. We have all the time in the world to keep Dormir safe. That's good, That's good. I'm sure everyone is really happy you're here. I'm sure they told you all about us, Huh? Not that they know us at all, But I'd believe what I heard if I were you too. Maybe you've had more visitors if you weren't so reactive, Pinky. Actually, I think that's true. You are pretty reactive. Shut it, Thumb. See? Let's see. What do I see? I see this pure silver wall. And Thumb, What do we know about silver? We know a lot, Remember? Do you want the atomic number, Pinky? You always mix up the atomic numbers. No, I don't want. . . No, Thumb, Thank you. I do not need the atomic number of silver. I know it just like we both know pretty much all there is to know about it. Like, For example, Captain E. J. , Do you know what metal has the highest electrical conductivity of any metal? Do you know what electrical conductivity is? Electrical conductivity is the degree to which a specified material conducts electricity. Thumb, Not you. Captain E. J. Oh no, I don't like where this is going, Team. Do you have an exit strategy? You turn on your rear-view vision to see behind you without looking, Another feature of the Battle Bus helmet. There's a rickety old wooden house just behind the park. It has long been abandoned, So you and Captain E. J. Didn't bother giving it a barrier. Behind you, You can also see the first glimmer of the sunrise. Pinky and Thumb can see it, Too. They've been nocturnal for so long they are conditioned, Much like vampires, To turn in at the first sight of light. You've never been so happy to see the sun before. The sky lights up in dark hues of blackish-purple to make way for the glorious shine of the sun. Well, My lovely brother Thumb just about gave it away, So I'll tell you. Electricity carries a charge with it, A shock. Metal loves a good shock, Especially really reflective metals like. . . Before Pinky could say silver, He points a tiny socket that fits in his tiny hand at the silver-plated wall. A lightning rod of electricity zaps out and shocks the barricade. The entire wall lights up with the electrical shock that travels all the way around the playground without stopping. Silver is the perfect host for electrical charge. Let me guess. You wouldn't leave home without your silver suits. Am I right? Run! You and Captain EJ run as fast as you've ever run to the abandoned wooden shack that's just behind you. Pinky and Thumb laugh and zap their lightning bolts right toward you. As you run, You can feel the hissing electricity at your heels, Waiting to engulf your suit of pure silver hidden under this hoodie. With your focus trained on getting to the shack, You take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and push yourself to go faster. When you slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth, You dive rolling through the door before Captain EJ slams it shut behind you. The electrical current doesn't stand a chance against this old, Dried-out wooden structure. The electrical shock fizzles out when it comes into contact with the door. Pinky and Thumb laugh as they head back to their compound, But not before Pinky yells back to you and Captain EJ. See you tonight, Captain EJ and Hero. Get ready. It's going to be fun. You take refuge in this old house that was used as sort of ranger station for this mountainous region. It was surprisingly kept up for how dilapidated it looks from the outside. It has bunk beds and stocked with warm blankets. Apparently, Forest rangers would take turns monitoring forest fires here. Who knows what kind of trouble the Knucklers have caused this whole time. This shack is full of supplies the team of rangers need for their stays, And you are grateful for their preparations. Your team absolutely needs this now. The Knuckler brothers manage to fabricate an entirely new piece of technology from scraps of what they found around their parents' lab. Some sort of manual electrical shock sockets. The whole town of Dormir is plated in silver and the Knucklers are effectively holding lightning. You watch out the window as Pinky and Thumb walk all the way back to their compound. Captain EJ opens the door and stands in the doorway to watch them too. Suddenly, Pinky spins around and launches another blast from the electrical shock socket in his direction. Captain EJ slams the door shut and the charge fizzes out against the old wooden door. The Knucklers finally make their way inside and tuck themselves in for some wicked rest. Dormir has been spared yet again. For that, You are relieved and proud. You take turns getting a bit of shut eye in the abandoned Forest Ranger Station and making sure that the Knucklers stay put. You hop up into the bunk bed because Captain EJ insists you get some rest. He has your back like always. You fall into a deep sleep and close your eyes to Captain EJ looking out the window. He will keep a watchful eye on the Knucklers and a careful watch over you while you sleep. Dormir stands under greater threat, But it no longer seems to be their target. And that is great news that you can take comfort in. Though now, It seems that you and Captain EJ are the targets in their crosshairs. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to. And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero. And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap. Now. The town of Dormir shimmers as bright as Sally Smith herself thanks to our strategizing. And its residents enjoyed another night of undisturbed sleep. Unlike us. We had to sneak in power naps, Pun intended. Oh, That was a good one, Captain. Thanks. I thought you'd like that one, Mr. Honeybee. Where were we? Once again, We outpaced and outmaneuvered the Knucklers' clever tricks. Cunning is a finite resource, But heroism is not. In a truly heroic feat, We managed to plate the entire town in protective silver. Pinky got wind of our undertaking and unveiled their newest threat. A handheld electrical shock socket that administers a bolt of lightning on command. We didn't expect that our silver, Their kryptonite, Would become a glaring weakness that we were literally wearing on our backs. After coming face to face with the Knucklers and nearly their lightning, We hightailed it into an abandoned wooden shack that somehow stood the test of time. Luckily it did because its dried out lumber was not a good conductor for the electrical current that was used against us. Unlike the silver. If we did nothing else, We distracted the Knucklers enough for the meantime. Though I'm getting the sense that we may have gotten a little too much of their attention. Now Pinky and Thumb aren't focused on destroying Durmir. Instead, It seems, They're set on seeking revenge against us. Mr. Honeybee has uploaded everything you need to ejmissions. Com, Including pictures from my missions and a bonus story about how I met my canine best friend, Cadet. That's ejmissions. Com. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ, Let's begin. You are here, On your second power nap in the top bunk of an all but abandoned wood shack. The town of Durmir gets a single ray of morning sunshine throughout the day. It's shining down on you through the window. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel its brilliance warming your cheeks. And slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and sink deeper into this peaceful moment as if it can last forever. A wisp of fog creeps out from the corners of the wooden window pane, But doesn't obstruct the sunshine. Captain EJ sits at a desk in front of the window. He looks up from writing something to enjoy the sunshine as well. This is the last round of power naps before you two get a head start on the day. We need to figure out what our next move is. Captain EJ mumbles to himself as if he's working that out now. You shift in the bunk and it creaks like old, Tired bones beneath you. Captain EJ looks back to see that you've woken up. He pats the notepad on the desk and doesn't miss a beat filling you in. Hero, We need to get ahead of them. We cannot keep playing catch-up. I know we can get ahead of this, But how? You center yourself in his question as if searching for the missing puzzle piece within it. It's safe to assume that they can think up anything they want in that lab and make it into a destructive reality. Between their parents' extensive technology and their scientific training, They have a veritable playground at their disposal. As if reading your mind, Captain EJ twists around quickly to look out the window, Thinking something has gotten his attention for a reason. You hop down from the bunk and join him at the desk. You can't see anything but the formidable fortress that is the Nuclear Compound. It towers over the otherwise beautiful mountainous landscape. Captain EJ turns back to you, Now standing right behind him. The beginning of a good idea glimmers in his eyes. They have an endless resource of science smarts supplying them. We have absolutely no access to that. How can we shut off their evil thoughts? They're so isolated they don't care about people. They might be scientific geniuses, But we have an entire history of fighting for what's right behind us. What's our next move, Hero? I feel like we know it, But we don't know we know it, You know? Of course you know, Even though that sentence made absolutely no sense. You know it in the special way that your great minds just think alike. You and Captain EJ alternate between mulling over the problem as if you share a brain, And staring out the window at the Nuclear Compound. That's when you get an idea. You run back to your bunk and put your Battle Buzz helmet back on. Captain EJ watches you closely, Almost anticipating what you're going to do next. With the infrared vision, You can see that Pinky and Thumb are both still sleeping in their beds. You look up to the sun that is just approaching high noon and quickly shield your eyes. You definitely shouldn't look at the sun with infrared vision. As if on cue, Mr. Honeybee chimes in from within your helmet. Rookie mistake, Hero. But we all have to make it at least once. Captain's done it, And I can't lie to you. I've done it more than once. Turns out, The sun is made of fire. You and Captain EJ squeeze in a little laugh wherever you can, And rely on the instincts sizzling through your great minds once again. You might not be able to get into their heads and neutralize all their antisocial impulses, But you can access the Nuclear Compound, And that's exactly what we're going to do. Together, You fill in Mr. Honeybee and head out the door into Dormir, Which looks breathtaking in the crisp morning sun. Gather your breath back with another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the sensation of your heart beating as you reconnect with your strength and focus. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and take big steps through the overgrown grass that surrounds the wooden shack. The beloved Dormir playground, Still plated in silver barricades, Shines so bright that you can see your reflection in it. That reminds you that you're still wearing your suits of silver, Which have become more of a liability than anything. As you walk beside Captain EJ, You both duck behind the silver wall to shed your suits. You radio to Mr. Honeybee through your helmet and let him know that the suits should appear in the garage. Now, The suits teleport back to Command Center without disruption, And Mr. Honeybee stores them in stronghold for safekeeping. You don't know when, But you are certain they will be used again. Without the cool silver suit on, You brush the soft fleece of your favorite hoodie gently against your arms. Together we make our way back through the town, Checking to make sure everything is as it should be. Dormir has filled back up with the familiar morning bustle of people resuming their lives without worry. You fold the Battle Buzz helmet back into a beanie so no one thinks there is any trouble at hand. We want to keep everyone that sees us as calm as possible. We let them enjoy their lives, That is. After all, Why we do what we do. Before Sally Smith can walk into the door to a local hardware store, She sees us from afar and skips happily over to us. Besides her usual shimmer, She is wearing a radiant smile, The kind that comes with an abiding sense of peace. Captain EJ! Hero! Hey! Isn't it such a lovely morning? So happy to see you two back in Dormir. What brings you here? You sure ended the Knucklers' reign of terror quickly. We haven't heard anything from them at all since the silver plating. Actually, We did hear something very loud and very strange yesterday, But I don't think it was them though. What Sally heard was Captain EJ's voice stopping the Knucklers' vaporization ray in midair. Changing the subject so he doesn't have to explain that his voice is actually one of the most powerful forces of sound on this planet, Captain EJ points back to the hardware store. It's a beautiful day for a stroll through the mountains, And apparently, A project. You heading off to work on something new? Oh, Yeah. Smile big, And I'll tell you. Not knowing why you need to smile, You and Captain EJ smile a big, Fake smile that shows all your teeth and hope for the best. Sally shades her eyes with her hand and looks around your grin like she's searching for something. Wow, Your smiles look so lovely. Not a cavity in sight. You must be excellent brushers. Can't say as much for the rest of us, Unfortunately. You and Captain EJ look at each other's smiles and confirm their loveliness. You take this as a gentle reminder to brush up on your brushing and look back to Sally. She goes on to explain a new silversmithing project that she's beginning to work on today. Along with her team, She will be fabricating tiny cubes of silver for a group of traveling dentists. These dentists realize just how big of a problem cavities cause worldwide. Silver is the most cost-effective material to make fillings out of, So Sally has the honor of sending millions of teeny silver teeth fillers on their merry way. We're brightening the smiles of the world, Really. And we couldn't possibly do it without you two. No way, No how. My family's entire silversmithing operation was saved. Despite Pinky and Thumb's best attempts to tarnish it, The Knuckler equipment helps so many lives around the world in so many ways. Ugh. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it. Thank you both so, So much. Sally gives you and Captain EJ a big, Squeezing hug. As its most long-standing resident, She speaks for the entire town when she thanks you for your help. Oh, And I almost forgot. Your cool-looking car things are still at my ranch. You're welcome to keep them there, But I can't promise I won't tinker with them. You walk with Sally back to the hardware store and duck into a little alleyway to call your ENVs back with a quick gesture. Nothing good can come from someone who's not Mr. Honeybee tinkering with them. You can hear the townspeople shriek as the car that can drive itself takes sharp turns down their streets. They arrive with a screech at your feet. You and Captain EJ hop into your vehicles and continue on your rather peaceful patrol around Dormir with your windows down. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Let your arm flop out the window and catch the breeze as you drive. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. And put your other arm out the window, Letting the car drive itself some more. You and Captain EJ joyride around the empty edges of town and ensure that everything looks like it usually does. Safe and happy. No one needs to know what we're doing to ensure that it stays that way. It's enough that they feel how protected they are. Mr. Honeybee radios in on your battle bus helmet just as you pull up to an inconspicuous spot outside the Knuckler compound and just out of sight. The fortress-like walls tower high above the landscape and sit like a heavy, Gray cloud of machinery above the natural beauty. Do you have eyes on Pinky and Thumb? If you can get me their coordinates, I can put a geotrack on them that will alert us if they move at all. You fold the battle bus helmet open to look through the walls with infrared scopes. They are both snoozing away in their beds, Completely unaware and unconcerned with what's going on out here. Let's keep it that way. Captain EJ sends the coordinates to Mr. Honeybee who initiates the tracking. He will be our eyes and ears should we need extras. We engage stealth mode on the ENVs and the already quiet electric engine winds down to perfect silence. This will allow us to hover straight up to the rooftop lab, Where Pinky and Thumb so pitilessly carried out their vaporization attacks. With the push of a button, Our ENVs take to the sky and slowly lift us up along one side of the compound that backs up to the forest. The desolator comes into view, Sitting dormant but still pointed down at the town of Dormir like a cannon. You look down to the rooftop lab that you're hovering over. The floor is too far away to jump down to without potentially waking the knucklers up with a heavy landing. Mr. Honeybee instead instructs you to initiate the emergency exit sequence. Captain EJ, Hero, Do you copy? We copy, Mr. Honeybee, Over. This is a relatively new feature that I installed with the hoverwings. You need to follow these steps carefully. Put the ENV in neutral, Then activate the interior fans. Once that's done, You'll know. With your hand gently on the gear shift, You pull it down to the end that indicates neutral and it clicks into place. The already silent ENV now becomes perfectly still. Next, You activate the interior fans by pushing a knobby dial all the way to the right. You can feel a little wobble beneath your feet before the entire bottom of the ENV opens up and the seat transforms into a swinging rope ladder. Where your hands were placed on armrests, They now grip the highest rung of a ladder. Could have used a bit more warning for this one, Mr. Honeybee. But what's the fun in that? Oh, Mr. H. You're just begging for prankbacks, Aren't you? Dangling from the electric vehicle hovering over your sworn enemy's compound isn't exactly your idea of fun. You think of all the possible pranks you and Captain EJ can play on Mr. Honeybee when this is all over. That helps you rein in your worry, Which, Like the knucklers, Wants to get the better of you in this highly stressful situation. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the wind beneath the wings supporting you as you lower yourself down the ladder rung by rung. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and get to the bottom of the rope ladder. Right hand, Right foot. Left hand, Left foot. When you're close enough to the tile of the rooftop lamp, You step down as silently as you can and find your balance. Captain EJ follows suit and you two stand perfectly still for a moment. Mr. Honeybee confirms that neither brother has stirred and that you're still in the clear for this stealth mission. With a flick of your wrist, The ENVs zip away out of sight and park themselves nearby, Awaiting your alert. Mr. Honeybee downloads return flight paths to their hard drives, Taking weather patterns and heightened radiation near the compound into consideration. While he's working on that, You and Captain EJ get a hands-on tour of the now infamous Dr. Knuckler Lab. You walk over to the desolator, Which looks like a centuries-old rusted cannon mixed with the sleek machinery of a high-powered telescope. This is what the elder knucklers used to mine silver from the air. This thing helps so many people in need. Realizing that, You look all around you and see awe-inspiring views of Dormir, Resting in the shadow of two mountain peaks on either side. The very air that you're breathing must be saturated with silver particles that you just can't see. A bulky pair of goggles hang on a hook above the desolator. You fold the Battle Buzz helmet halfway back to put them on. They are a bit tight around your face, But it seems they're meant to be that way. At first, You don't see anything but pure blackness. Thinking you must be missing something, You look all the way up to see the daylight moonrise, Which is barely visible in the sunshine but clear as, Well, Day in Dormir. Then you slowly scan your new vision all the way to one side. Suddenly, You are surrounded by twinkling bursts of microscopic shimmer. The air is chock-full with silver. Your silent reaction gets Captain EJ's attention from the other side of the lab, And he joins you to put on a second pair hanging from the hook. His reaction is just the same. His mouth drops open in awe. You two then look at each other through the goggles. Not only do you look like old-timey pilots with them on, But you're also both covered in silver dust. Simultaneously, You both take off the goggles and look down at your very normal-looking arm. These goggles magnify and attune your vision to see the shimmer that sparkles all around you in this magical place. You and Captain EJ place the goggles back on the hook just as you found them. Mr. Honeybee radios into your helmet with a new finding. This is interesting, Team. I fell into a sort of weather-research rabbit hole while determining your return flight path. Dormir is consistently one of the coldest places in the entire Honeybee neighborhood. You'd think that minimal sunshine would leave people less happy, But the cold air does something else entirely. Long-term exposure to cool temperatures has a positive effect on brain function. It might not be a coincidence that two of the world's leading scientists live there. Let's see. . . Due to something called cold thermogenesis, The brain, Which runs on glucose and does not itself get cold, Has more glucose available to use in colder temperatures. In warmer temperatures, Our brains use more of the glucose brain fuel to keep the body from overheating. Is the weather making the Knucklers into super geniuses? Ugh, How can we fight weather? Let's just focus on this part of the mission, Mr. Honeybee. We can worry about their weather advantages later. Right, Right, Right. Well, Here's some good news. It looks like your foes are still snoozing. I sent a nano-analyzer in through their air vents to remotely measure their heart rate to see where they are in the sleep cycle. The calculations are just finishing up. And. . . They're in stage three, Deep sleep. They're completely shut down. Now it's time to shut them down fully. Using the Knucklers' unconscious brains to our advantage, You and Captain EJ sneak around the rooftop in opposite directions to secure the perimeter. With a thumbs up from both sides, You quickly get to work on disabling all the machines you can get your hands on. You start with the desolator, And Captain EJ takes care of the electrical workbench that powers up an array of contraptions that sit neatly organized in cubbies. Wherever you look behind the desolator, You see a different color wire. You stop for a moment, Wondering if you could possibly do any damage to this important, Though currently misused, Machine. There's no time to think about such things right now. The threat is still too imminent. You instead focus on disconnecting the Knucklers from their assumed sources of power. Captain EJ gets the idea to shut off the electricity to the entire compound, And Mr. Honeybee guides him to a locked electrical panel on the side of the house. Using the key replicator that hangs on the keychain, In case he ever loses a key, Captain EJ mimics the shape of the necessary key with a laser force that opens the panel effortlessly. This will set Pinky and Thumb back a little in figuring out that we've gotten ahead of them in their schemes. That little slice of time can make all the difference for us, And we know to build these momentous advantages into any mission whenever we can, All in an effort to not underestimate your opponent. The Knucklers will think that the power simply went out, And they will come out here to investigate before thinking anything else. They'll be left in the dark, Literally, And that will turn the tables in our favor. Captain EJ returns to you still standing at the desolator, Trying to sort through the tangled mess of wires that connect to a control panel behind the machine. The desolator rumbles and whines when its primary source of power is disrupted, But it immediately starts back up when a secondary source of power kicks in. Mr. Honeybee checks in on Pinky and Thumb who sleep undisturbed by the sounds of their wicked playground being confiscated. You just need to find the wire that controls the power supply, But how? As always, Mr. Honeybee has done some research that will help. Tell me what colors you see, Team. I found an electrician's guide to standard wire colors. Let's hope these extraordinary scientists are just a little bit standard in their setup. Captain EJ helps you get your hands out. Now you can see there is a red wire, Some exposed copper wires, And an orange wire as well. You and Captain EJ untangle them and follow each one back to the desolator, But you still cannot tell which needs to be disabled. Do you see a gray or a white wire back there? Those are typically the grounded wires that deliver power to the system. Parsing through the bright rainbow of colored wires, You come upon the biggest of them all that is tucked away under the base of the machine. Captain EJ uses his super strength to lift the desolator up so you can reach under it. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your own electricity coursing through you, Powering your incredible mind and heart. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and unplug the thick gray wire. The machinery quietly musters its last burst of electrical charge. And hums to stillness. To make sure the Knuckler brothers cannot make something else out of this, Captain EJ snips the end of the wire off with some wire cutters he found on the workbench. Standing up over the machine, You see a pulley system connected to an enclosed box-like compartment that hangs from a braided steel wire. Captain EJ pushes on the clamp that seems to hold it in place, And the box moves along the wire from the rooftop out over Dormir like it's ziplining. You run to the wall of the lab wondering what the wire and pulley are connected to. It's not immediately apparent, So you decide to do the next best thing. You remove the bottom part of the clamp that Captain EJ pushed so no one can push it again. Hopefully whatever is in that box will stay put until the Dr. Knucklers return. The desolator is by far the most dangerous piece of technology in the lab, But luckily you remember one more. When Pinky realized the whole town was plated in silver, He went down to an inner lab on the lower floors to work on a different machine. There is some kind of soldering equipment that needs to be disabled down there. Mr. Honeybee checks in on the brothers as they sleep. Pinky is still in Stage 3, A deep, Restorative sleep, But Thumb has cycled back up to REM sleep, Which is where we all have our dreams. While this is technically a lighter form of sleep, You and Captain EJ are able to continue on with the mission, Just a bit quieter. Captain EJ hopes out loud that the door leading from the roof to the house will simply be left open. You both hold your breath for a moment in anticipation as his hand reaches for the door handle. He pushes it open with ease and you instinctively do a silent high five in the air. The door opens to a pitch black, Winding staircase that looks like it leads into an abyss. You can't see around the first curve. Together, You and Captain EJ hold onto the railing and walk very slowly and very quietly. Right foot, Left foot, Right foot, Left foot. You make it all the way down to another door that opens up to another laboratory. There are glass walls that look down into an atrium in the middle of the knuckler compound. Besides the gigantic tree growing out of their living room floor, It looks like a perfectly typical family home that just happens to have two labs attached to it. Pinky and Thumb's rooms are on either side of the house, As if they each get a wing. You stand in the center of the darkened compound, Able to see it all. From up here, You'll be able to see if anything or anyone stirs in the lower levels of the house. You and Captain EJ scan the perimeter first to make sure there aren't any literal or figurative tripwires. While you're diligently doing that, You hear Mr. Honeybee talking through the battle bus helmet, But he's not coming in loud and clear like usual. It sounds like he's far away or muffling the microphone. You quietly ask him to copy, But he doesn't hear you nor respond. Captain EJ suggests that maybe he's talking to Roger or Mrs. Honeybee and doesn't want to distract us. That makes perfect sense, So you continue on getting the lay of the lab. Again, Mr. Honeybee comes on through your helmet's communication line. You push the headphone closer to your ear to get a better listen. He's definitely talking to someone, But it doesn't seem to be Roger or Mrs. Honeybee because you cannot hear anyone responding. You are a smart person and are capable of great things. Use those gifts for relentless good. There's a hero waiting to be discovered inside you. The world needs your gifts, And we need your best. You are loved. Captain EJ is deep in focus studying a cluster of wires he needs to untangle and doesn't hear Mr. Honeybee like you do. You listen for a little while longer as he repeats those lines over and over. In a loud whisper, You call for him to copy. Oh, Oh, Oh. I'm here, Team. What do you need? We didn't quite copy what you were just saying, Mr. Honeybee. Can you please repeat? Over. Oh, That, Um, That was, Uh, That was, Uh, I'll debrief you later. For now, Are you able to disable that lab like you did the other? Captain EJ carefully snips the end of the gray wire that powers crucial machinery in the inner lab and confirms with Mr. Honeybee. You look all around the lab to make any other snips you can. From what you can tell, The sun is beginning to set. The knucklers will be waking up any minute. Just as you think that, An alarm rings throughout the compound. It sounds like a fire alarm. Captain EJ frees in place like you've been caught, But you haven't. Mr. Honeybee comes in loud and very clear as he urges you to both get out of there immediately. He remotely powers up your ENVs which are stashed outside of the compound, But you need to meet them back up on the roof. There's no time. That was the knuckler brother's nighttime alarm that wakes them up every day. As you silently run out of the inner lab and back up the winding staircase, You think about the effects of such a violent wake-up call. It can't be the reason for their wickedness, But it sure does not create a pleasant experience first thing. Mr. Honeybee clears the house of his nano-analyzers and keeps you updated on Pinky and Thumb's whereabouts. You and Captain EJ quietly shut the rooftop door as the brothers sleepily stumble through their chores. Behind groggy eyes, They walk to the ends of their respective halls in unison and pull two levers down. These levers are how power surges throughout the knuckler compound. At this very moment, The brothers realize the electricity is out. Right on cue, Pinky and Thumb begin their treks down to the locked control panel to reset it. Waiting for your ENVs to arrive, You and Captain EJ peek over the side of the castle-like walls and see the brothers fight over trouble at the control panel. Your plan is working. They realize there's a problem, But so do you. If the ENVs hover above their roof, Even silently, Pinky and Thumb will see them and come to know the stealth they've succumbed to. The vehicles appear off in the distance, And you hold them there, Behind the cover of a treetop. Pinky and Thumb struggle to reestablish power in the compound, As it dawns on them that something much bigger is at hand. They spiral into a panic, Realizing that this is an emergency like none they've experienced in their reign of terror before. You know their next stop will be the rooftop lab to check on the desolator, And just as you thought, The door slams behind them at the bottom level as they run up the roof. You and Captain EJ gesture for your ENVs to rescue you at this perfect moment, Wedged between the time it takes for Pinky and Thumb to run up the stairs. As your trusty ENVs arrive, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose to quiet yourself inside and out. Then hop into your vehicle and slowly breathe all the way out to hover silently away. You turn back to see Pinky fling the door to the rooftop lab open. He dashes over to the desolator and realizes what really happened while they slept. Pinky turns red with rage, And through heavy, Monstrous breathing, He bends down to pick up the cut power cord. Thumb joins with news that the power cords in the lower lab have also been cut. That's when you remember you have the ability to teleport you and Captain EJ back to safety. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose, And imagine landing safely back in the command center with Mr. Honeybee. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button on the remote. The same blue flash creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, We are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. Looking back to Dormir, Pinky and Thumb are cursing the horizon you just disappeared from. Holding the cut wire in his hand, Pinky growls and Thumb pleads. Who's doing the harm now, Captain and Hero, Huh? You've done a lot more than you realize. So much for fighting for only what's right. Are we supposed to use our gifts for relentless good? This is not good. We land safely and soundly back in the command center. Mr. Honeybee has never been more happy to see us and you've never been so relieved in your life. But alongside that feeling of relief, You are consumed with what the Knuckler Brothers said. Wow, You did it. You really did it. Mission well done, Team. Mission well done. Excellent work, Hero, As always. I couldn't have done it without you. Mr. Honeybee and Captain EJ are so excited to debrief that you don't want to dampen their happiness with your concern. Thumb's last words to you ring through your mind. So much for fighting for only what's right. What could he mean by that? Is there something we missed? Right before you disappeared into thin air, Teleporting back to the Honeybee house, You saw Thumb trying to reason with his brother. Pinky, Maybe this has all gotten out of hand. I mean, Look at what you're holding in your hand. Mom and Dad are going to be so upset when they get back. If you asked Thumb, Which you never do, Thumb would say that we need to fix this. Pinky violently swipes the cut cord through the air, Nearly whipping Thumb with it. He jumps back and forth to avoid it and another raging swipe that comes after. Pinky is blind with rage and can see nothing else but his fixation. The only thing we need to fix is Captain EJ. And Hero and Mr. Honeybee while we're at it. They're the only problem here. We were just having a good time. It was all in good fun. Imagine that? Fun for once in Dormir. Now though, It's serious. They need to pay for this. Back in the safety of Mr. Honeybee's command center, We have so much else to talk about that you let this go from your mind for now. Besides, It's true. A little celebration is in order for what you've managed to do so far. Thanks to you and Captain EJ, The Knucklers quite literally have no power. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to. And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero. And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap. Now. While the Knucklers slept, We crept. Right under their noses and right into their fortress. After we landed on their rooftop lab, We took the safety of Dormir into our own hands by cutting their electricity. Not only the electricity, But we cut the very cords that delivered power to their high-powered machines. The desolator has been disabled. The soldering stations are shut down. With their power disabled, We left their wicked ways no choice but to surrender. Or so we suspect. Our emergency exit followed their obnoxiously loud wake-up alarm that rings throughout the compound at sundown, Alerting them to their nocturnal habits. Pinky and Thumb started their night in utter confusion that escalated to blinding rage. Well, At least for Pinky, Who was fixated on us more than ever. Thumb woke up with different words on his heart, Which seemed to have something to do with the ultra-kind words that Mr. Honeybee uttered away from the Battle Buzz helmet mic. Mr. Honeybee promised us a debriefing, And that's what we're settling in for now, Along with a well-earned celebration. A toast of rootbeer floats to our perseverance. The Knuckler brothers are left without devices, Sitting in the darkness that surrounds them and their awful deeds so naturally. We shouldn't have to worry about them anymore. There's nothing left for them to do to disrupt Dormir. They have never once left their hometown. Yet. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ. Let's begin. You are here in the safety of Mr. Honeybee's Garage Command Center, Surrounded by trinkets and gadgets and blinking gizmos. The constant hum of electronics lulls you into a steady, Quiet calm. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Power down your brain by sending all of your focus to your lungs as they fill with fresh air. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself feel heavy. Any strength you have of mind or body will be squandered without adequate, Enthusiastic rest and relaxation. You know that well, So you allow yourself to leave all of your concerns about what thumbs shouted behind you, And you walk out of the garage to the backyard. Mr. Honeybee has set up a bonfire in the fire pit, And just like you imagined before, You plop down in a hammock for an epic movie night. Captain EJ takes the hammock next to yours, And Mr. Honeybee sets up the projector to shine on the side of the house. Together, With your closest friends and confidants, You watch your very favorite movies, Which of course are their favorites too. You start with the scary ones so you and Captain EJ can scare Mr. Honeybee at the really tense parts. Knowing the movie well, You and Captain EJ wait for the scary music to ramp up. Mr. Honeybee is sucked into the movie, Eating his popcorn with his eyes wide, Waiting for the jump scare in anticipation. Before it could come, You and Captain EJ sneak up behind him and scare him silly. Mr. Honeybee flails his arms and legs, Falls out of his chair, And flings popcorn all over the backyard. Harold happily cleans it all up before you can even get to it. He then hops back into your hammock to curl up for your favorite comedy, Which is up next. Lastly, You three watch your favorite superhero movie just to see all your friends in action. You roast marshmallows over the fire and squish them into perfect s'mores that you wash down with root beer floats. The stress and worry physically leave your body as your muscles soften, Your jaw relaxes, And you swing back and forth in the hammock between the trees with Captain EJ. The knucklers might have tried, But they cannot take away the joy that happens when you're with your favorite people. Your smiles light up the nighttime sky as the credits of the last movie roll. Mr. Honeybee yawns a big yawn. Mr. Honeybee yawns a big yawn. Well team, It's about time I turn in. Not so fast, Mr. Honeybee. You owe us a debrief. Harold told me what you said while we were in the knuckler compound. What was that about? Oh yeah, Well, That was a long shot, But I figured, Why not try? Spill it, Mr. H. Okay, Okay. Do you know what I said? Yes, Hero told me. It was something like… let me try to remember. You and Captain EJ repeat what Mr. Honeybee said in unison. You are a smart person and are capable of great things. Use those gifts for relentless good. There's a hero waiting to be discovered inside of you. The world needs your gifts and we need your best. You are loved. That's right, That's right. You got it all. Great memory. So, Remember how I was using those nano-analyzers that I sent into their rooms through the air vents? That was how I was able to track what phase of sleep they were in. The nano-analyzers are these teeny tiny sensors that can lightly touch skin and transmit heart rate data, Body temperature, Etc. All the metrics we use to determine sleep phase. Well, You both know how I love to tinker. I added on a two-way microphone as well. It's a microscopic microphone that can send and receive sound. I moved the nano-analyzer up to Thumb's ear when he entered REM sleep. That's a lighter form of sleep in which our brains don't turn our bodies all the way off like it does when we're in a deeper phase of sleep. Then, Our brain paralyzes us fully so we don't act out our dreams. But anyways, You might notice that if you fall asleep watching or listening to something on TV, It sometimes makes its way into the content of your dream. That's because we can kind of still hear in REM sleep. It's a different form of hearing though because our brains are not consciously making sense of what we hear. It's sent to another part of our brain, A more unconscious area. That's where a lot of our habits and deeply felt truths live. I tried to deliver that truth you just said directly to Thumb's unconscious mind. Wow, That's a great idea. Especially because you can tell Pinky riles Thumb up. It's my sense that if Thumb is left to himself, He wouldn't be nearly as evil as Pinky. Maybe we can use that against the duo and neutralize them further from the inside. That's when you remember what Thumb said as you were teleporting back to the command center. Doing your best Thumb impersonation, You recount exactly what he said for Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee. They both sit stunned, Taking in what you said. Neither Captain EJ nor Mr. Honeybee heard him say that, So your keen observation has brought some assurance to them that the long shot Mr. Honeybee took could be working. The last little bit of worry that was hiding in the back of your mind floats away with the cool breeze, And you swing in the hammock, So proud of what you were able to accomplish. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest and your spirits lift, Opening up to this peaceful night, And slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself feel heavy here. Swinging back and forth, Back and forth. A distant sound gets our attention. What is that? It sounds like it could be the holophone, But that can't be it. Who on earth will be calling at this hour? When it rings again and again, Then a four-fourth time, We are convinced it's a holophone. We peel ourselves out of the hammocks and make our way to the garage. There, You see that the holophone is clearly ringing. A glowing oar bubbles out of the sleek screen, With each ringing it spans and contracts, Then expands even bigger. We again see Sally Smith's face looking at us, Waiting for us to answer her many calls. Captain EJ places the device on a small pad near the floor and clicks to answer. Sally appears in 3D as if she's standing right before you in the garage, And as soon as she does, You can see how upset she is. What happened? Please, Just tell me what happened. What did the knucklers do now? Is something wrong, Sally? As far as we know, The knucklers are sitting in the dark over there. We disable the power of the whole knuckler compound. That'll show them. Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee think that what they said will make Sally feel better, But it makes her much, Much more upset. Through tears, She explains that even though the Dr. Knucklers are out of town, They have a silver delivery system that works on autopilot. Like clockwork, Even during Pinky and Thumb's destruction, Sally will receive her nightly harvest of silver from the knuckler compound that she uses for her ongoing projects. But tonight, The silver harvest didn't come. That's when your mind flashes back to the compartment that hung from the steel wire which you and Captain EJ disabled earlier. You ask Sally if that compartment has anything to do with the silver harvest, And she exclaims that it does. The pulley system leads all the way from the knuckler compound to our ranch, And it deposits the silver harvest directly into our one remaining furnace. But look, It's empty now. The silver wasn't delivered, And I have a group of dentists on their way here now. We have to leave on our trip to brighten the world's smiles soon. All the smiles are ruined now. What am I going to do? Sally climbs up the ladder to the top of the massive furnace. She opens a lid at the top and shows you an empty tray where the silver harvest should be. Then she shows you all that the power for the furnace won't even come on because it's connected to the power at the knuckler compound. You can't help but realize that this must be what Thumb meant. Mr. Honeybee asks her if she has a backup generator, But she's so distraught she doesn't hear him and doesn't answer. The broader realization sets in that what you and Captain EJ did to Sally to stop the knucklers had consequences all its own, Ones that you didn't anticipate. Just then, Sally smiles a polite smile off to the side as someone arrives at her ranch. She looks a little concerned but doesn't say anything to her midnight visitors. Sally stands up on the furnace on her tiptoes to get a better look. We cannot see what or who she's looking at, And she is completely distracted from us. She mumbles something then looks back at us. I gotta go. Anyway, We'll figure this out. We have to. For now, I've made most of the fillers, So I think we're good. I'm just panicking. It'll all work out as it should. We just need to- Sally cuts off before she can finish her sentence. The holophone freezes Sally's 3D image in place. She's still sitting on top of the furnace that will no longer turn on, And it looks as if she's falling in or jerking away really fast. The picture froze. Mr. Honeybee power cycles the holophone a couple of times. Sally's 3D image sits up high like the furnace is in the garage with you too. The lid is open and she's tilted over it, Frozen in midair with her arms out like they're going to catch her fall. Then, The call is lost completely. Sally, Are you there? Mr. Honeybee tries calling back a couple times, But it goes to Sally's voicemail. Which tells her callers that she will be out of town on her own mission to make the world's smiles a little brighter. She sounds so excited on the voicemail that you trust what she said before she froze. Everything will work out as it should. We just need to. . . We just need to let it work out. With that sorta anticlimactic ending to a surprise holophone call, We quietly pack up the garage full of trinkets and think to ourselves. There's a somber tone laid over the command center. Each of us are so in our own heads that it doesn't occur to us to say anything out loud. We stow all the gadgets away in their hiding places and return the high-tech command center to an everyday garage. Mr. Honeybee doesn't know how you and Captain EJ and the rest of your superhero friends sneak in here to play with the prototypes. He assumes this garage is perfectly secure. With that in mind though, Something in you tells you to secure it against yourself. If that's even possible. You take those extra measures without telling anyone and triple-check all the locks. Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee yawn their goodbyes before Mrs. Honeybee brings out root beer float refills and to-go cups. Quote, For the road, As she says. The long road ahead of you is about a hundred steps to the house around the corner, But this root beer float will make it all the better. Mr. Honeybee opens the garage for you and Captain EJ to leave. When you look back to wave goodbye, You see Mr. Honeybee's new robot, Roger, Tuck himself into his charger for his own nightly rest. He rolls into a snuggly little cubby in the corner of the garage where he powers down for sleep. Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee wave goodnight as the garage door closes them in. A suspicious feeling comes over you that you can't ignore. You look through the row of little windows that line the top of the garage door as it slowly closes and leap into action. Before the door lowers all the way down, You run up to put your foot under it to trigger the sensor. The door halts to a stop just above your foot and Captain EJ joins you at the top of the driveway. Is everything okay, Hero? What's up, Team? Did you forget something? Without saying a word or explaining yourself, You search around the garage for foil and a zip tie. You know all too well how to get into this garage with the wire hanger alone. You can't in good conscience feel this way and leave this glaring vulnerability. You rip off sheets of aluminum foil and ask Mr. Honeybee and Captain EJ to line the windows. Then you get a stepladder and place it under the mechanism that physically pulls the garage opened and closed. When you stand up on the highest step, You're able to see a little hole that you fit a wire hanger into perfectly. With a little maneuvering and a gentle tug, You know clever intruders can manually break into this garage in about six seconds. As you thread the zip tie through this hole, Captain EJ realizes what you're doing and you explain it to Mr. Honeybee, Outing yourself for his own good. I had no idea about this. Wait, How do you know, Hero? And you, Captain EJ? Did you two break in here to play with my prototypes before they're ready? Mr. Honeybee, It's for research purposes. We are a team and luckily, We're here for you. To try all your fun, I mean important new trinkets. It's just research. We have found so many glitches this way and when we do, We come back the next day and let you know about these glitches. Trust me, We're doing you a favor. Right, Right. Doing me a favor. Whether or not benevolently breaking into his garage was a favor before, This is definitely a favor now. You lock the mechanism down and plug up the hole that potential thieves could use to manually pull the opener open. With the windows blocked off, This will make it even more difficult for them to get the wire where it needs to be. You wipe your hands clean of the dust and any question of transgression on your part and step down from the ladder. Now you can leave Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee to their evening and continue yours. The garage door closes and the moonlight shimmers against the foil. That's when you realize you're still wearing your battle bus helmet. You meant to leave it in the garage to charge overnight, But you can just as easily do that in the morning. Captain EJ takes a sip of his root beer float for the road and says. . . Hero, Would you say that we. . . Foiled. . . Any intruders' attempts to break into the garage? That was a good one. Mr. Honeybee would have thought that was a good one. You laugh more at Captain EJ than with him before you hear Mr. Honeybee coming loud and clear over the battle bus helmet mic. Writing that one down, Captain. That was a good one. Almost makes up for you two breaking into my garage. You and Captain EJ walk around the corner together back to his house. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot. Even though you both walked as slow as you could, It still feels a bit too early to turn all the way in. Without saying anything, Your great minds think just alike and lead you up to the roof to do what you two do best. Relax on the rooftop under the stars. It's a beautifully clear night. The stars are out in their constellations twinkling bright. They seem so close that it's hard to believe they're more than four light years away. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the nighttime air and the sparkle of joy swelling in your chest. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself rest easy on the roof. Captain EJ points out a constellation that looks like a bull and another that looks like a scorpion with its tail ready to sting. You point out one that looks like an archer with a bow and another that looks like a ram over by the bull. As you scan the sky looking for more star shapes, You hear something over at the honeybee house. You look over nonchalantly expecting to see nothing. A whole lot of nothing is exactly what you see, But the sound echoes against the side of the house in the neighborhood again. You prop yourself up on your elbows and study the chimney of Mr. Honeybee's house. The sound seems to come from there, But you can't see anything. Must be a bird or something nesting in there. You go back to stargazing with Captain EJ who has now moved on to planning out the next prank on Mr. Honeybee. What do you think of that, Hero? That would be hilarious. Without hearing what he said, You laugh and agree. You're too tired to scheme pranks right now and besides, You know it's a good one regardless. That is another one of yours and Captain EJ's superpowers, Thinking up and executing super pranks. You drift off to another power nap while Captain EJ continues planning his prank idea out loud. He eventually puts himself to sleep with his own voice while still somehow talking. When you open your eyes again, Captain EJ is sleeping soundly while trying to make his jacket into a blanket. The sun will rise soon. Before it does, It sends out a single ray of golden light that draws a line across the horizon. It wouldn't be the first time both of you fell asleep up here and it certainly won't be the last. You readjust to get more comfortable and turn on your side, Toward the mountain so you can wake up in a few hours with the sun shining down on your face. From here you can see the mountains that form the Valley of Dormir. Now you know that place so well, Once upon a time it felt so far away. Just then, The buzzing sound you heard last night comes back. This time it's much louder and gets even louder like it's moving closer. Captain EJ hears it now too and wakes up somewhat alarmed. Not only does it sound closer, But you can feel a wind at your back that jolts you up. You look behind you to see a drone hovering at your back, Just above the rooftop you're sleeping on. It's still dark so you cannot really see it very well with your sleepy eyes. Ha, That must be Mr. Honeybee flaunting one of his new prototypes we haven't stolen yet. Good one, Mr. H. Captain EJ leans in to wave at the drone assuming Mr. Honeybee can see him. The drone that looks like a miniature plane hovers higher above you, Inching backwards away from you and Captain EJ. You smile and wave at it too. Suddenly the drone dives right toward you at a high rate of speed. As it hurtles toward you and Captain EJ, Your playful laughing turns into worry. It looks like it's heading right toward both of you. Together, You leap up to your feet and jump out of the way just in time for the drone to buzz right past you. Captain EJ pleads with Mr. Honeybee who he assumes is controlling it remotely. Come on, Mr. Honeybee. We promised we won't sneak into your garage anymore. We never meant any harm by it. Hero even gave away our secret of how to break in. Now we can't do that anymore. With each plea, Captain EJ twists and turns to escape the drone's dive bombs. When it's done with him, It turns to you like a wild animal. You run along the rooftop, Twisting and turning just like he did. This can't be Mr. Honeybee. There's an unspoken line we never cross on our pranking and this certainly crosses it. The drone circles back and heads right toward you again. Thinking fast on your feet, You step backwards a little too much and nearly slip off the roof. In a flash, Captain EJ is at your side. He grabs your hand for you to stabilize yourself on the roof. Captain EJ has had enough of this drone attack and is similarly convinced that this can't be Mr. Honeybee's doing. When the drone comes at you again, Captain EJ launches toward it instead of away from it and grabs it with his incredible grip. The strength of a single hand is enough to immobilize the drone. He reaches up with his other hand to pull it down. It takes considerable strength to do so. You run over to help him and together you pull it down. The engine struggles to pull the machine away from you but it doesn't stand a chance. With the drone in your hand, That's when you see it. Knuckler International is written along both sides of the drone in big silver letters. This is not Mr. Honeybee. This is the Knucklers. You throw on your battle bus helmet hoping there's enough charge in it for an emergency transmission. You ask and ask for Mr. Honeybee to copy but all you hear is humming silence. Still holding the drone in his hands, Captain EJ tries to contact Mr. Honeybee as well. Neither of you can get a hold of him. Instead, You hear a familiar voice through the drone. Oh, I forgot to tell you about our fleet of solar and lunar powered drones, Captain EJ. Aren't these fun? And their fun never ends. Watch your fingers. Oh, And I definitely watch the sky. The propellers of the drone in both of your hands begin spinning faster and faster. They spin at such a high rate of speed that the metal that they were made of, Likely silver, Becomes blade-like and spin wildly, Very close to your face. Two secondary sets of propellers emerge on the sides of the drone and push against your palm, Which is trying to secure it. You and Captain EJ have no choice but to let go and take cover. You ball your fists up and Captain EJ prepares his voice in case he needs to shatter this machinery. Instead, The drone backs up higher and higher into the sky. It stops just above Captain EJ's roof. Two silver lasers flash out from the sides and clouds begin to move in, Faster than you've ever seen clouds move before. They come from all directions and meet just above this roof surrounding the drone. It begins to sprinkle, But as the clouds become more and more dense, A sprinkle of rain turns into a downpour. You push down the shield of the Battle Bus helmet so you can see your way down from this rooftop with Captain EJ. On your way down, You both try to get a hold of Mr. Honeybee again. Now, This is an emergency. Captain EJ pleads. Mr. Honeybee, Do you copy? We are under attack. The Knucklers have a fleet of drones and they can't be more than a few miles away. They have to be nearby. Mr. Honeybee, Do you copy? That's when another familiar voice comes over the mic. This one is much friendlier, But also much more worried. Uh, Mr. Honeybee is not here. Uh, But he has programmed me to know all that he does in real time. Even though technically, Time isn't real. Time is real. No, It's not. Yes, It is. No, It's not. I can't debate this now. Good, Because it's not a debate. It is too a debate because time is a consensus in what is reality but one gigantic agreement between all of us. Not to shatter you or anything, But everyone can agree to be wrong and you're all still wrong. The human mind, Although miraculous, Is quite feeble. Mr. Honeybee and I were just talking about this. Well, Mr. Honeybee was and I was recording his thoughts. The human mind wins though because I'm a perfection of science and even I cannot figure it out. If Mr. Honeybee was here, He would explain it much better for your brain. He doesn't need to explain anything. Roger, What do you mean Mr. Honeybee is not there? Where is he? I tried to locate him but his GPS seems to be disabled. The coordinates haven't moved much from when I powered down. He can't be far though, But he also can't be reachable. Because if he was, I'd be able to reach him. What does that mean? Do you want the definition of reachable? No, I want Mr. Honeybee to copy like he always does. I have his voice downloaded. If you'd like me to say copy in his voice. Hi, Captain Eej. I am Mr. Honeybee and I have copied. This is not helping, Roger. And my name is Captain EJ, Not Eej. Roger that, Captain EJ. How can I help instead of not help? Standing in the pouring rain, You and Captain EJ wonder where Mr. Honeybee is and how Roger can help. The Knucklers have invaded your peaceful slice of the Honeybee neighborhood. Have they taken Mr. Honeybee as revenge? Instinctively, You and Captain EJ are standing back to back, So you can watch in a perfect 360 around you at once. Rain slaps the concrete all around you, Falling harder and harder. You take refuge on Mr. Honeybee's porch and take comfort in the fact that Roger said Mr. Honeybee can't be far. But why would he be unreachable? He's the most connected person you know. Right now, You and Captain EJ focus on what you do know. Together, You can overcome this, Like you can overcome anything. But how? That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap, Now. A celebration was in order when we returned from our stealth mission, And celebrate we did. As Mrs. Honeybee always says, All superheroes need their super rest, So we let our defenses and ourselves do just that. We kicked back, We relaxed, We fell right to sleep up on the roof, Under a blanket of stars. We woke up early in the dark morning to something sinister. What started as one devilish drone antagonizing us, Turned into a full-blown automated drone attack. One that also seemed to influence the weather. Pinky Knuckler was behind the drone attack and warned us to watch the skies above. That proved to be more difficult than expected. Fast-moving clouds poured rain down on us like we've never experienced in the Honeybee neighborhood before. We tried, And tried again, To radio Mr. Honeybee, But he hasn't answered yet. His newest creation, A more than self-aware robot named Roger, Answered instead. Roger that, Captain EJ. Roger Robot said that Mr. Honeybee is near, But unreachable. Near, But unreachable? What could that mean? We have to find Mr. Honeybee and figure out how we can fight for what's right, Against the Knuckler's latest wicked scheme. This one blows the others out of the, Well, Water. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ. Let's begin. You are here, Standing on Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee's porch, Watching the rain pour down from the heavy clouds above. The sun is blurred out in this gray, Dreary day, But you know that it's up there shining, Just beyond the clouds. That always keeps you going no matter the gloom you face. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the cool air coming in through your nose refresh and invigorate you. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. As you lean against the small railing on the porch to see out above the roof tile that shields us from this weather, Drones fly like soldiers above the house, Each going farther than the last and bringing more clouds and rain wherever they stop. One zips through the leaves of a tree in the front yard and hovers in place with its engine rumbling. Lasers flash out of the side and pull even more gray clouds in lower than you've ever seen clouds go. A dense fog begins to threaten visibility. You peek around the corner of the house into the backyard. It's early. The sun is just rising. But it looks like Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee's best friend, Melody Bee, Is already up working on her garden. She's just a little honeybee and is struggling to cover her plants with tarps and netting to protect them from this wind and rain. Mr. Honeybee usually helps her with that. It's now abundantly clear that he's missing. We need to knock on the door, But before we can, We hear a loud rustle and a crash behind us. The rain has ripped one tree branch from the tree and then another. The second tree branch flails from the tree and whips against a light post, Almost knocking it down. You and Captain EJ waste no time and pound on the door, Screaming out to Mrs. Honeybee inside, Who answers quickly. Captain EJ, Hero, I was just going to call you. Do you know where Mr. Honeybee is? Is he out on a mission? We're here wondering the same thing, Mrs. Honeybee. He's not answering from Command Center or any of his devices. Suddenly, Thunder claps in the sky and lightning strikes. Another tree branch flies off from the force of the rain. Mrs. Honeybee pulls you both inside where you can be safe from the rain. Harold is so excited to see you but can tell that it's no time to play. You can tell that something is wrong and he whimpers at your feet. You pet his fluffy ears and that calms you a little. He looks up at you with big brown eyes that trust you to figure this out. Mrs. Honeybee leads you into the house, Rehearsing all the places she's already checked for signs of Mr. Honeybee. You notice that the living room seems to be in disarray and point it out to Mrs. Honeybee. She leads you into the living room where there's a fireplace and a big comfy couch with fuzzy blankets folded up. I noticed that, But I thought it was just the wind and rain getting in through the chimney somehow. The logs are all dislodged. We usually stack them in there and have the little glass doors closed. Do you think it could be something else? We are not discounting any angle at this point. Let me take a look up there. As Captain EJ kneels down to look up the chimney, You remember that you heard a sound coming from around here last night. This is the same area you can see from Captain's rooftop. It woke you up, But you didn't see anything causing the noise. The drone attack started shortly after that. You peek through the blinds out in the backyard to see if the drones are still coming and going. They haven't stopped since they started. Even though it's dark and gray, You can see that it's clearly daytime. These solar-powered drones are just getting started while the lunar-powered ones wait for silvery moonlight to do their bidding. They do not need Pinky at the controls. He effectively has a passive army at his disposal. Captain EJ ducks out of the fireplace and wipes his hands of soot. He cannot see anything. It's much too dark. We'll need to get something smaller to check up there. Just then, Little Melody Bee buzzes in through the back door holding a bundle of blue tarps and netting. Yikes. It's pouring out there. Hi, Hero and Captain. You're up early. Is Mr. Honeybee still sleeping? He was supposed to help me put down netting for the new garden boxes he built this morning. Melody Bee, He's missing. We can't find him anywhere. Oh no! Where could he be? We don't know yet, But we won't stop until he's safely home. Melody Bee, Can you help us with something? Sure. Anything. Melody Bee sets down her traps and netting and agrees to buzz up the chimney to see if anything looks disturbed. She inspects it up and down, Then emerges coughing soot and fluttering her wings to remove a layer of ash. She reports that the entire chimney is scratched up and down with cracks in a few places. Something definitely came down the chimney last night and managed to get into the house. Oh yeah. Now that you mention it, I did notice some smoke coming out of the chimney last night. I figured you had a fire going, Mrs. Honeybee. You spin around to check for any more clues and carefully walk out from the fireplace looking up to the ceiling along the walls, Trying to see something that may be hiding in plain sight. From behind you, Captain EJ exclaims, Hero, Stop walking. Look. You look down to see that you're trailing soot and ash out from the fireplace under your feet. You hurry to take your shoes off so you don't make any more of a mess, But Mrs. Honeybee stops you and points to the tiled kitchen floor in front of you. There is a trail of soot and ash sprinkled from the fireplace and through the kitchen. It leads out into the garage. The only footsteps you see are your own. So you know that feet didn't leave this trail behind. So what did? You follow along the sides of the trail, Careful not to disturb the sprinkled soot that is your only clue so far. When you get to the set of doors that open up to the garage, Mrs. Honeybee gasps. You look over to see one door propped open and a screen door that you can see through still closed. You and Captain EJ quickly look into the garage to see if she sees the intruder, But Mrs. Honeybee has seen something else entirely. She didn't notice this before, But one of the doors is still open from last night when she propped it open with a small owl statue. She picks up the owl statue and explains. I joked with Mr. Honeybee that this wise owl was watching him to make sure he actually gets some sleep tonight. Sometimes he loses track of time and stays up all night tinkering with his prototypes or researching in the office. When he's finally done, Mr. Honeybee closes up the garage every night and locks both doors. The screen door locks, And this heavy door has two locks. If he ever came in from the garage, This door should be closed and locked too. But look, The screen door is not even locked. I don't think he ever came in from the garage. Captain EJ thinks of something and dashes off in response to it. He returns from the office seconds later, Deflated of the little hope he had. He thought maybe Mr. Honeybee fell asleep doing research like he does. There's no sign of him in there. You lead the way into the garage and it looks so empty without Mr. Honeybee here. You would give anything to have him walk out of the stronghold excited about new suit technology. You all look around the silent garage for another sign of disturbance. The trail of soot fades as soon as you get into the garage. From what you can see, Whatever left the soot must have shaken itself clean by the time it got here. As you all look everywhere you can think of, Roger rolls out from his cubby where he recharges. He's holding his head and adjusting the antenna on the top of his head. He rolls right up to you and asks for help. Can you please make sure my antenna is straight, Hero? My signal has been weak all morning. I can't hear what he's thinking anymore. That gets everyone's attention. You all crowd around Roger Robot adjusting his antenna to make sure nothing can visibly obstruct it. Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Everyone. Give the robot some space. Roger rolls out of your grasp and shakes himself off. Then, As if going through a procedure, He points his head all around the garage without saying anything to anyone. We all watch in anticipation before Captain EJ finally speaks up. Roger, What are you doing? Shh, Do not disturb me. You didn't even know time wasn't real. You can't possibly help me with this. Shh, Captain EJ, Over here. Roger can think what Mr. Honeybee is thinking most of the time. He was programmed that way. I think he's trying to get some kind of signal. He's done this once before when Mr. Honeybee accidentally locked himself in the prototype cabinet. Just as Melody B says that, Roger rolls over to the cabinet and checks inside. We all follow him, Hoping against hope that maybe that happened again. But it's empty. Roger has the special ability to download Mr. Honeybee's mind, To read it, And catalog his thoughts alphabetically. But in order to do so, They must have a clear line of sight and signal between them. This technology works with a satellite just like Mr. Honeybee's satellite phone. Roger rolls over to his cubby in the corner of the garage, Under the bikes that hang over the concealed stronghold wall. Roger cups his ears to cancel the noise and finally gets a transmission. Stone wall. Strong. Stone wall. Bare hands. Hold. Silence. That's what Mr. Honeybee is thinking. He usually thinks in complete sentences, So I assume it's choppy due to the signal. I can usually download what he sees too, But all I can see is pitch black. What is it, Roger? Roger rolls up to a pair of goggles hanging off the workbench. He picks them up and hangs his head with sadness. What if he only sees pitch black right now? He doesn't have his night vision goggles. What is he going to do surrounded by darkness without his night vision? Oh no. How did this happen? I powered down too much. Had I not spent the day trying to perfect my wheelie, I wouldn't have to recharge. Mr. Honeybee, Think louder! Where are you? Oh no! What have I done? Roger rolls into his cubby to recharge in hopes that his antenna just needs more battery. From the other side of the garage, You hear a faint tap, Tap, Tap. At first, It sounds like Roger readjusting and plugging himself in, But the sound continues after he powers down. Mrs. Honeybee points to the garage door that opens up to the driveway. All of you tiptoe over there and press your ears up against the metal door. You can hear someone or something shuffling on the other side. The windows are still covered with foil so you can't see out. Melody Bee buzzes out through an air vent then comes back in and whispers that there are two pies out front. She stretches her little arms out to say there's one big one and a not-so-big one next to him. You and Captain EJ jump back away from the garage door. You flick on the infrared scopes on your battle bus helmet and sure enough, You see the outlines of Pinky and Thumb Knuckler pressing their ears up against the garage door from the outside, Listening to you all in here. The Knucklers have done the unthinkable. Not only have they left Dormir for the first time ever to kidnap Mr. Honeybee somehow, But they are also out during the daylight. You quickly gather Mrs. Honeybee and Melody Bee and lead them to the door of the stronghold. You swing open the bike rack as quietly as you can and find the key fob with the number sequence that will let you in. The numbers 0-9-2-8-1-9 flash across the tiny screen. You fold the battle bus helmet back into a beanie so your face shows and you enter that into the keypad. Standing in front of the vaulted steel door with your head held high, A red laser slowly scans your face. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the safety of this fortified place and slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. The numerous locks click open and the vacuum sealed door releases for Mrs. Honeybee and Melody Bee to quickly hop in. Captain EJ runs in carrying a very disgruntled Roger Robot who does not want to be thrown in the closet of a hidden room without his charger. You and Captain EJ tell them to be as quiet as you can and close them all into the suit closet within the stronghold. That is the safest place to be right now because the knucklers themselves are right on the other side of that door. You and Captain EJ fold your battle bus helmets back down to keep a watchful, Infrared eye on the brothers. They are still listening to you with their ears pressed up against the other side of the garage door. Captain EJ gets an idea and you follow along. Hero, It's obvious Mr. Honeybee isn't here. We've looked everywhere. I think I've figured out a plan to defeat the knucklers, But first we have to find Mr. Honeybee. I'll just leave my notebook on the workbench where no one can get it. Remind me where I left it in case I forget like last time. Come on, Let's go gather a search party around the neighborhood. You play along, Pretending to go gather a search party. You watch as the knucklers run along to the other side of the house, Opposite the front door where they assume you'll be coming out. You know exactly where they are going, So you and Captain EJ beat them there and lay in wait for your real plan to catch them once and for all. You follow Captain EJ and the sud trail back to the chimney and wait on either side of the brick hearth. If you two are right about this hunch, Then something should be coming down the chimney to gain access to the house and Captain EJ's notebook any minute now. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Quiet yourself both inside and out. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. And sink into this moment of waiting, Second by second. Until you hear stirring above the chimney. It's happening. You were right, Here they come. You and Captain EJ brace for what could possibly come next and grab whatever you can find in the living room around you to use for whatever you will have to do. Something crashes, Scrapes, And tinks all the way down the chimney until it falls heavy on the coals. It's a drone with a scope on it that points forward. The drone rights itself then slowly proceeds from the fireplace where it crashed. You and Captain EJ are armed with two fuzzy blankets you picked up from the couch. When the drone flies out the chimney, You ambush it and tie it up in a double layer of blankets without saying a word. The knucklers were using this drone to see what's going on in the house, But now they can't see anything. They'll be forced to gain entry some other way. And from the sounds of it, They're both trying to come down the chimney themselves like a pair of evil Santa Clauses. You can hear Pinky and Thumb climb into the chimney and shimmy themselves down. Captain EJ thinks quickly and grabs the pile of blue tarps and netting that Melody left on the table. This combined with your combined strength should be enough to at least immobilize the knucklers. The moment of action is almost here. Pinky yells at Thumb, Screeching that he's squishing Pinky's hand with his foot. They are tangled in a knot of limbs when they both crash down the chimney into the fireplace with sore spines and bruised egos. Before they know what hit them, You and Captain EJ ambush them again, Wrapping them both up with layers of blue tarp and netting. The knuckler brothers lie in a pile on the floor of the living room while you two catch your breath. We did it! You've done nothing! You hear me? Nothing! You make sure the tarps and netting are tied tightly around the knucklers. Then Captain EJ drags the knotted up brothers out like a sack of forgotten toys. You grab the drone, Still swaddled in the blankets tightly, Which prevents the blades from moving much. Pinky and Thumb kick and scream the whole way out to the garage, But you and Captain EJ are immune to them at this point. They've done too much damage for sympathy right now. We need to figure out where Mr. Honeybee is. We have the culprits here before us. What did you do with Mr. Honeybee? Where is he? Tell us right now! Let me go and I'll tell you. I. . . Promise. Not happening, Pinky. Tell us what we want to know. Well, That's not going to happen either, Captain EJ. I'm just fine in this tarp with my wonderful brother. There's enough ventilation for big breaths of nice, Fresh air. Can't really say the same of that room you all have there, Hidden in the wall. Those doors are vaulted, Sealed like a safe. Does that mean that there's limited oxygen in there? That might be a little difficult for your beloved Mr. Honeybee. Captain EJ looks at you with the same shocked, Worried look you have, And you both run over to the stronghold door where you stashed the others. What is Pinky talking about? What does he know about the stronghold? You can't get in here without facial recognition and a code. You both get into the stronghold as quickly as possible, And fling the door open. You run over to the mirrored suit closet to let everyone out. Roger bursts forth from the closet, Desperate for freedom. He waves his hands in the air as he rolls in happy circles. I got a signal! I got a signal! Oh, And I found Mr. Honeybee. He didn't think we could hear him, So he stopped yelling. But he's right here. Roger rolls over to the stone wall that has just been rebuilt after yours and Captain EJ's latest practice. Mr. Honeybee was up late rebuilding it himself with the strongest cement he could mix. Instead of walls in front of each other, Four walls have been made into a stone wall box with a stone wall lid. You and Captain EJ run over after Roger. Mr. Honeybee, Can you hear me now? Yes, I can hear you, Roger. Get me out of here. The Knucklers ambushed me with their drones and walled me in. You are so relieved to have found Mr. Honeybee that you feel like you can hug this stone wall. But instead, You must break them out. Roger rolls out to get some tools, And you follow him to check on the Knucklers. They are still tied up in their netted tarps, But you thump them both to make sure. Roger leads the way back into the stronghold carrying not one, But three sledgehammers. Captain EJ runs to intervene. Roger, No! What are you doing? Hmm. . . Um. . . Keep up, Captain EJ. We have to break this wall. Not with a sledgehammer, You don't. Ask Hero to free me. Fine, Fine. Have it your way. You were technically kidnapped, After all. Well, Were you kidnapped, Really? Let me check that. Legally. Hold on. While Roger busies himself with the minutiae of a legal definition of kidnapping, You leap up to the wall. Full of the same enthusiastic inspiration you felt last time you did this in here. You must have been practicing for this very moment, Without even realizing it. You pull a single stone completely out of the concrete that is holding them together. With one hand, You gently nudge the heavy cinder block and it cracks as it rips away from the rest of the stone wall. One by one, You gently break apart enough of the stone wall box that Mr. Honeybee was trapped within. He is able to stand up and gives you all a big, Squeezing hug once he's free. I knew you had my back. I knew you'd find me. I'm so happy to see you. Please remind me to drone-proof the Honeybee house, Though. Whether or not that counts as kidnapping, It was very unpleasant. Roger rolls back into the stronghold from his stint of legal research so fast that he launches off a little accidental ramp right into the middle of Mr. Honeybee's hug. Oh my goodness, Mr. Honeybee! You were kidnapped! You were totally kidnapped! Legally! Do you need a medical diagnostic test? How are your lungs? Did you get enough oxygen? Humans need to maintain their oxygen levels, You know. I know all about needing oxygen, Roger. Thank you. I feel fine. Just so, So, So happy to see everyone again. Pinky shouts to get everyone's attention and you lead the way back to the garage to make sure they're still secured. Hey everyone, I hate to break it to you, But I think I'm technically kidnapped too right now. Did anyone think of that? Mr. Honeybee, Should I go think about that? No, Roger. That's not worth your electrical charge. He ambushed and built me into a stone wall box. He can stand to be wrapped up in a couple of tarps and some netting for a minute. Oh, That's right, Melody Bee. We were supposed to install the netting this morning. This is a much better use of the materials. My carrots and beets will understand. Wait, Whose voice was that? Me? It's me, Melody Bee. No, The other one. Oh. It's me, Thumb. Mr. Honeybee. I recognize your voice, But I can't place it. Pinky, Is this who you trapped with the drones? Yes, Thumb. What kind of partner in crime are you if you can't even remember who we're kidnapping? You all leave Pinky and Thumb to argue amongst themselves and lock ourselves back up in the stronghold so they can't hear you talk. Mr. Honeybee goes on to explain exactly what the Knucklers did. Last night, He got a sudden burst of energy, And instead of going to sleep, He decided to rebuild the practice walls in the stronghold. Mr. Honeybee thought building the stone walls into a four-sided box shape would make them more challenging to break, So it'd help you and Captain EJ hone your skill of strength. He was coming back and forth between the garage and the stronghold all night. When he had finished all four of the walls that formed the edges of the box, He came out one more time and was ambushed by a fleet of drones with propeller blades that swung wildly on all sides. The drones rushed him, Forcing him deeper into the stronghold and into the stone wall box. There were so many drones and so many swinging blades that he couldn't fight back or fight at all. That's when they all unfolded little robotic arms that were able to finish the lid of the stone wall box with cement that Mr. Honeybee had already mixed. They cemented him in and shut the soundproof door to the stronghold. There was nothing he could do. What are we going to do about those knucklers? That's what we can figure out now that we found you. Finding you was our most important mission. They're doing something with these solar and lunar-powered drones that are somehow affecting the weather. Could they really affect the weather? The clouds seem to gather densely around those drones wherever they appear, And they're popping up everywhere, Systematically. They've automated them somehow, And they run off rechargeable batteries that do not require electricity. What I don't understand is how they even found our command center. It's not like we have a big sign that says, Captain E. J. Command Center outside. The garage is plain for a reason. Hey, The garage is not plain. It's minimal. There's a difference. The Honeybee house is beautiful from the outside, Just like it is from the inside. Of course. Of course, My dear. That's what I meant. You all mull over the question of potential solutions to this growing knuckler problem. Rain slaps against the garage door and rattles it. Puddles are beginning to form where the gutters are flooded. How did they find you here? You open the door to the stronghold and go out into the garage. You don't want to let the knucklers out of your sight even for a moment. Walking out of the door, Mr. Honeybee poses the question you're all wondering still. So how do you think they found us here? And did you ever think to ask the big, Bad kidnappers kidnapped inside the tarp how they found you? I'll gladly tell you. Fine. Kidnapper, How did you find us? Free me and I'll tell you. No, The safest place you can be, For everyone else's sake, Is in that tarp. Fine then. I'll give you a hint. It was one of your dear, Sparkling friends in Dormir. Um, Sally? She'd never tell you where in the Honeybee neighborhood we lived. Sally knows you're up to no good. You could always try calling her. No. She left on a trip with a group of dentists because she does good for the world instead of destroying it town by town. Did she leave on that trip? Yes. We tried calling her, But she was already gone. Her holophone froze just as the dentists arrived at her ranch, I think. You sure it was the dentists? Putting it together piece by piece, Captain EJ furiously shakes the knucklers in the tarp. Through his teeth, He asks a question that sounds like he only wants to ask once. What did you do to Sally? Tell me now. I don't think I like your tone, Captain EJ. And also, I don't know what became of poor Sally. But I do know that she was. . . Otherwise occupied when the dentists arrived. I do know that they went on their merry way with what silver they had. They didn't even really need her. I just hope she's not trapped in something outside in this horrible storm. It could flood. She could. . . Be. . . How should I put this? In. . . Way over her head. With that evil statement, The netted tarp begins to writhe around the garage floor like a wild beast fighting against itself. It's difficult to see what's happening, But you all stand back and watch as years of pent-up rage explodes within the tarp. Thumb has had more than enough with Pinky. He has taken so much torment from his brother that he cannot stand it a moment longer. What did you make me do to Sally? You take things too far, Pinky. Will Sally be okay? We are smart people and are capable of great things. We need to use those gifts for relentless good, Pinky. Mr. Honeybee recognizes those words. They're specific. Familiar, Even. Then, He remembers. Those are the exact words he spoke directly into Thumb's unconscious sleeping mind. They must have sunk in and convinced Thumb, At his core, That they could be true, If Thumb let himself believe they were. Mr. Honeybee steps closer to the tarp for an unimaginable breakthrough with Thumb. His voice is the only thing that seems to calm Thumb down. That's it, Thumb. That's it. Do you remember the rest? Say it with me. There's a hero waiting to be discovered inside me. The world needs my gifts, And… And we need your best. You are loved, Thumb. Your brother, Pinky, Doesn't understand, But you do. What are you talking about, Thumb? What kind of mumbo-jumbo is that? Shut it, Pinky. You don't get it. I get it, Thumb. I always get it. You're the one that doesn't have the time. You really slow us down, You know. Stop being mean to me. You're a bully. That's why no one ever visits us. No. Wrong again, Thumb. No one visits us because we're freaks who only come out at night. Hey, None of that. You're not freaks. You're geniuses. Albeit, You are a bit lazy about it, But you're lazy geniuses nonetheless. If you applied yourself, You could do great things. I know it. And people will desperately want you around. Thumb, They're lying to you. They live boring lives. We live fun lives. Just look at all the fun we're having. Though Sally's probably not having as much fun, That I'll admit. That throws Thumb back into a rage. He wants to squash his brother down to size, To make him feel as small as Thumb has felt all these years. Fueled by that kind of deeply felt betrayal, Thumb did the unthinkable. Pinky clamored to cover Thumb's mouth to stop him from uttering the words, But Thumb overpowered him easily. From within the tarp, Thumb says, I'll tell you where Sally is. And better than that, I'll help you save her. You'll have to trust me. Let me out, And we'll go to her. You have my word. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap, Now. We were left to our own devices without Mr. Honeybee's expert guidance because the Knucklers kidnapped him. But luckily, Our devices, Plus a little help from our robot friend Roger, Were all we needed to rescue him. I knew you had my back. I knew you'd find me. After carefully retracing clues left behind, We were able to catch on to the Knucklers' latest scheme by catching them red-handed in the infrared light of our BattleBuzz helmet scopes. Except, They didn't know we knew. They were attempting to eavesdrop, So we gave them a great show. As if rehearsed, They followed our cues right into our trap. We managed to get one step ahead of them, Which was just enough to ambush the Ambushers and take down the drone they used to burgle the Honeybee house. With Mr. Honeybee back at our side, We now have the gargantuan task of rescuing poor Sally Smith, But we seem to have an unexpected ally wrapped up in this scenario. Thumb Knuckler has come around to see that he is capable of good when not under the thumb of his brother Pinky. But can we trust him? Can Sally afford to wait for us to agonize over this question? That's what we have to decide now. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain E. J. Will lead the way. E. J. Let's begin. You are here, In the Garage Command Center, Confronted with a decision that could determine the course of several lives. You and Captain E. J. Have already cut the power of the Knuckler compound, Which got you here, Standing above the Knuckler brothers who are wrapped up in just enough tarps and netting to keep them contained. There were unintended consequences to what you thought was an unequivocal good. Now you try wherever you can to think twice, Or even three times, If possible. Here at this important juncture, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the sensation of your well-intentioned heart beating once, Twice, Three times. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and be in this moment with Captain E. J. And Mr. Honeybee. You all need to decide if you can trust them. But what you don't get to decide is if Sally has enough time for this momentous decision of yours. Pinky and Thumb already decided that for her, With this cruel action, That they haven't yet explained. Tell us where she is, Thumb, And we'll decide if we can trust you. Of course. She's on her ranch, Locked inside her family's heirloom melting furnace. It's a huge metal thing that's with the rest of her equipment. Why don't you and Hero go, Captain E. J. , And make sure Sally's safe? We don't even need to let them out. No. No, Wait. Don't go. I promise you. I pinky promise you. Oh, Wait, No. Take that back. Just your regular promise. I promise that you won't be able to open the contraption. It has several fail-safes on it for safety measures, And I know exactly how to open it. Why don't you tell them how you know that, Traitor? See if that helps your case. Let me know if you need any legal statutes looked up, Mr. Honeybee. Will do, Roger. Thank you as always. Thumb, How do you know how to open it? I. . . I pushed her in. When we realized you cut the power to our compound, We went over there to tell her that she won't be getting the silver delivery as scheduled. Our parents, Dr. And Dr. Knuckler, Have this pulley system set up that delivers freshly harvested silver from the distillator directly into the Smith's Melting Furnace for processing. She was up on top of the furnace about to open it, Thinking something was stuck inside on her end. And when you were all talking to her on the holophone, She thought the dentist arrived, But it was really us. She was really scared at first, But I promised and lied that I was coming in peace. Then I just wanted to let her know there's been a problem with the silver delivery. Sally was already up there and needed help opening it. I pretended not to know what was wrong. I climbed better than Pinky, So I climbed up there offering to help. She showed me how to open it, Then I pushed her in and locked it back up. She could not get out from the inside. Oh, Ouch. Cold-blooded sum. Cold-blooded. That was nothing compared to this cloud-seating storm you thought up. I knew the power was cut and that she couldn't be hurt at all. I promise. Even though I lied before on a promise, I never thought Sally could be hurt. I didn't know about the drones and the rain. I promise. I thought she'd just be stuck until you two ripped it open with your bare hands or something. How does it feel to be the worst brother in the world? I don't even know if I can call you my brother anymore. The brothers roll and tumble all around the garage floor, Resorting to cheap blows and easy tactics to get the better of each other. You and Captain EJ have no choice but to split them up. They'll be easier to handle separately. Roger, Mrs. Honeybee, And Melody Bee all go back in the stronghold for safety while you three sort this mess out. Mr. Honeybee disentangles the knotted nets and unwraps the tarps. Before Pinky and Thumb can move, You and Captain EJ grab them by the shoulders to hold them still. Thumb is perfectly cooperative, But Pinky tries every maneuver he can. Using some, But not all, Of your strength on the brothers, You and Captain EJ each grab one, But don't squish them in your grip. Holding them there, Mr. Honeybee gets better materials to bundle and back up separately with. Before you and Captain EJ do that, Pinky takes this opportunity to deliver more threats. I hope you get to the furnace before the flood does, Captain EJ. And don't forget, I'm the only one that can disable those drones. I'm the only one with the formulas. See, Thumb, This is why I don't include you on plan planning. You always manage to slow us down somehow. I've gotten used to it over the years, So those drones run automatically until the sun and the moon turn off. So, It'll be raining for a while. I planned for how much you mess things up. We can figure out the drones later, Once Sally's safe. I have time to think about how to take you down, Brother. Because I will. You know I know how. Yeah, Right. You can barely think for yourself. You're going to think for yourself for the first time ever and manage to outthink me? I'd love to see it. Pinky, Doesn't this horrible storm hurt you just as much as it hurts Dormir and the Honeybee neighborhood? Are you so wicked that you insist on hurting yourself too? I don't know about all that, But I do know that if the power at the Nuclear Compound does ever come back on, All that shimmer Sally's got will singe. No, No, No. That won't happen. I promise. Let me help. Please. Let me make this right. You, Captain EJ, And Mr. Honeybee silently think this through before bundling them both back up in separate bundles. Captain EJ looks over to see two free hooks available on the bike rack that conceals the stronghold door. Once bundled up, You'll suspend them from the ceiling to make sure that if they try to escape, They'll have to crash to the floor first. You and Captain EJ lift them up and secure the handles of the bundles to the bike rack hook. For good measure, You give them both a little spin to make sure it's secure. The brothers are dizzy inside the bags and cannot see what's happening to them. Now you three are free to discuss the matter at hand, With careful attention to the minutes passing by. Mr. Honeybee opens the garage door to see how bad the rain is. It pours down the driveway and the streets are covered by a thin stream of water. Can we trust him? I wouldn't if I were you. Do we need to, Though? I don't think we do. Hero and I can try to open the furnace on our own with Thumb's direction, If needed. Sally might also be able to help us open it without totally destroying it. I know how important it is to her. But nothing is more important than this rescue. If needed, Thumb will have the opportunity to make it right without us putting ourselves in harm's way. Did you hear that, Thumb? Roger that, Captain EJ. Hey, You've stolen enough today. Finger, Or whoever you are, Get your own pun. Ugh, Makes me sick, And I don't even have a stomach. Roger rolls out of the stronghold just in time to help with this rescue mission. With his innate technical know-how, He is going to accompany you and Captain EJ to the furnace, Along with Thumb's instruction. Together, You get ready to teleport. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose, And imagine landing into a mirror at Sally's silversmithing ranch. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button on the remote that always seems to be at your hip. A blue flash creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, We are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. We land heavy on the dirt ground of Sally's ranch, Looking up through the pouring rain to the massive furnace before us. Sally's faint screams for help can be heard from all the way down here. There's no time to waste. There is a ladder that leads up to the lid where you can see an intricate lock mechanism. Captain EJ leads the way up. You grab Roger since his wheel will roll right off the individual rungs. With Roger under your arm and Sally's fate in your hands, You follow behind Captain EJ all the way up the tall metal ladder. Right hand, Right foot, Left hand, Left foot. Raindrops tink against the furnace as you make your way up the slippery rungs. You cannot let your grip or your focus slip. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose to focus. Gather all of your strength, Power, And love into your expanded chest. Then, Slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. And visualize pulling Sally out of harm's way as if it's already happened. When Captain EJ gets to the top, He shouts down to Sally to let her know we're here for her. Sally, Can you hear me? It's Captain EJ and Hero. Don't worry, We're going to get you out. Try to relax as much as you can. Even though it feels impossible, It isn't. Focus on my voice, Sally. Thank you, Captain EJ and Hero. Thumbknuckle pushed me in. Sally struggles to talk as she dog paddles inside the furnace. The rain falls right through a few holes in the lid that allow smoke to ventilate. The furnace is more than halfway filled and Sally's body is tired from trying to keep her head above the waterline. Between the rain falling on her and the water rising, She's not going to be able to give detailed instructions. When Captain EJ gets to the top of the ladder and sees this situation, He grabs for Roger who can change his shape on command. Captain EJ will need you to connect with Mr. Honeybee and Thumbback at Command Center and relay the instructions. Hero, Do you copy? I'm ready when you two are. Step by step, Thumb tells you how to unlock not just one, But a series of locks that are put in place for security measures. These locks never imagined that someone would be stuck inside this device. They've been focused on keeping creatures out. Captain EJ struggles to figure out which part is which that Thumb is referring to in his instructions. In a last-ditch effort to help quickly, Roger Robot bursts into a cloud of fireworks then transforms into a bolt cutter. With Captain EJ's help, He bites down on the locks as hard as his now metal teeth can to cut the bolt. But he cannot. The lock is too thick. Amid Sally's cries for help, Captain EJ switches tactics and goes back to trying to follow directions from Thumb, Who describes what each piece looks like. With much needed luck, Captain EJ unlocks the first latch and opens the first lid. The secondary lid has many more teeny tiny holes in it than the other. This allows us to get closer to Sally to see her, But it also allows more rain in quicker. The water level rises faster and faster. Holding on to the slippery ladder, You shield your eyes to look up to the drones overhead. There is one hovering above this part of Sally's ranch as if it's specifically for this purpose. Clouds are pulled in around it, Gray and dense with rain waiting to fill this furnace. In a moment of frustration, Captain EJ pounds his fist against the secondary lock and door. Instead of gaining entry, It causes the whole furnace to sway in the wind and rainstorm. You hold on tight as you can as the furnace leans onto one side, Slamming Sally against the opposite wall. Captain EJ is running out of patience and ideas. Using all of his strength, He decides to pull off the second lock. It can always be fixed later. Holding one side of the thick bolt with one hand and the other side of the lock with his other hand as best he can with all the rain, He pulls them apart like he did the bars on the bear cage before. The lock begins to crack, But it's too slippery to hold on to. This time, His pull pulls the entire furnace to the opposite side. The furnace leans to the other side. Water sloshes and splashes out making it even harder to hold on to the ladder. Still trapped inside, Sally slams against the other wall and winces in pain. This is clearly not working, And Captain EJ knows it too. You decide to take command of the situation and get this entire furnace back to Command Center. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and imagine this furnace landing in the garage. Feel hope swell in your chest, Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button on the teleportation remote. A blue flash creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, All of us, Along with the furnace, Are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. But instead of landing heavily back in the garage, We feel ourselves go fuzzy as if all our limbs are asleep and we are made of static. In an unprecedented turn of events, We land back on Sally's ranch with a crash. You radio to Mr. Honeybee to figure out what's wrong. Hero, The garage cannot fit the furnace, So the teleportation process couldn't complete. Try again, But land it out in the driveway. You click the button once more and imagine all of us landing in the driveway safe and sound. Again, A blue flash creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, All of us, Along with the furnace, Are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. We land successfully in the driveway where Mr. Honeybee meets us, Dragging Thumb along behind him in his bundle. Roger turns back into a robot as you and Captain EJ quickly climb back down the ladder. With all the trust you can muster, You free Thumb from his bundle and watch him closely as he climbs up. Sally screams and shouts when she sees him, Understandably afraid of what he's going to do. She has no idea where she's landed or what's going on. All she can do is keep swimming, Keep paddling, And keep her head above the waterline, Which is now almost to the top. Thumb looks down at the series of locks and focuses on it quietly. You and Captain EJ climb up behind him to make sure there are no sleight of hand tricks going on. Rain is pouring down on you as you watch him with laser focus. As promised, Thumb unlocks everything and flings open the second and third lids. You and Captain EJ are able to pull Sally out and carry her down the ladder and into the garage to take cover. Mrs. Honeybee and Melody Bee are waiting at the door with warm blankets and hot tea. Sally shivers as she walks into the Honeybee house, Not knowing how she got here but thankful that she did. Thumb dutifully walks back to his bundle, Lays down, And waits to be bundled back up. Has he had a change of heart? Can he trust Sally? Trust is earned through deeds, Not just words. So you secure Thumb's hands behind his back, And just before you bundle him back up, Captain EJ stops you. Studying the dense clouds and wet from the pouring rain, He asks Thumb a question to give him another chance to make it right. How is Pinky using the weather as a weapon? Thumb sits up from the driveway and looks up to the sky, Letting the rainfall on his face. He can't even open his eyes in the pouring rain, Since his hands are restrained. Thumb looks up in Captain EJ's general direction and says, He's cloud-seating. Thumb goes on to explain. Through the pouring rain splashing against his face, That silver has yet another use. Silver ions that are stored in the drones attract moisture in the air, Which forms clouds on command. It is a ground-breaking, Or well, As Roger would say, Technically it's sky-breaking. That little robot kinda rolls right into your heart, Doesn't he? Anyways, Cloud-seating is a sky-breaking technology that is used for the ultimate good, To bring much-needed precipitation to drought-stricken areas. Once again, Pinky is abusing the goodness of the Dr. Knuckler lab and his own scientific training. He's taking something overwhelmingly good and wielding it as a weapon for wickedness. Thumb explains that the drones are indeed solar and lunar-powered, And that his parents have an entire lab dedicated to alternatively-powered machinery. It's a passion project of theirs, And as you probably know, They are passionate people. Watching Thumb talk about his parents in such a sweet, Admiring way softens you to him. Taking pity on him and wanting out of the rain yourselves, You and Captain EJ lead Thumb out of the rain and into the garage, Where Pinky still hangs from the bike rack bundled up and suspiciously silent. Captain EJ walks over and gives him a good thump to make sure he hasn't managed to escape. Ow! Kidnapping and abuse! My, My, Captain EJ, Your fighting doesn't seem all that right. Captain EJ pays Pinky no mind, And instead lets Thumb continue explaining the situation without the pestering downpour. This entire fleet of drones works automatically, And is able to continue around the clock as long as the sun or moon is out. They recharge in shifts, While the lunar-powered ones work during the day. The solar-powered ones recharge. They're ready just in time for the lunar-powered batteries to need the recharge at night. This endless storm is bringing an artificial amount of rain to Earth. Nothing like this has ever been done, And the effects are staggering. The most immediate concern is flooding. This army of drones won't stop, But the ground can only saturate itself so much before the water level starts to rise. Thumb pauses to look out into the continual downpour. He's never seen anything like this. At the same time, Like usual, You and Captain EJ call your ENVs with a gesture. Despite the weather, They arrive within seconds. You bundle up Thumb for precautionary measures, Which he fully understands, And hop into your ENV alongside Captain EJ. You two need to see the extent of these clouds. We know they're above the Honeybee House and above Dormir, But have they covered the entire Honeybee neighborhood? The bounds of which are unknown and contain many, Many worlds? Only one way to find out the extent of the damage and the severity of the already very severe problem. Go into the eye of the storm, Through the drones, And see for yourselves. Belted into the ENV, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest and your ENV lift, Then slowly but powerfully breathe all the way out through your mouth. And hover straight up through the torrential rains, Through the dense, Disorienting fog of clouds, Until you emerge above them into the clear blue sky. The sun shines down on your face, And it is such a welcome change. You cannot wait to bring sunshine back to the Honeybee neighborhood, And you know that you and Captain EJ will do just that. High enough to get a panoramic view, You and Captain EJ look out over the seemingly endless neighborhood, Covered by clouds that are just as endless. Looking in all directions for any sign of clear sky, Both you and Captain EJ count several spots out over the forest that have no clouds. You notate the GPS coordinates and send them back to Mr. Honeybee through the BattleBuzz helmet. It feels good to hear Mr. Honeybee say that knowing now, What it's like to not hear it in response. You warmly tell him you copy too, And slowly lower your ENV back down to the garage with Captain EJ. Before you can land on the driveway, Thumb shouts from his bundle and wiggles himself across the garage floor. He wiggles so much against the slick concrete floor that he begins to roll. He rolls wildly down the driveway and right into the flooded street before you and Captain EJ can get him up and back into the garage. You unbundle him, And he's so excited he can hardly breathe, No less speak. Slow down, Thumb. What are you trying to say? I know what to do. I know exactly what to do. I can help. I can fix this. No, You can't, Thumb. Shut it now. This is your last chance, Brother. I will not shut it. I'm done shutting up once and for all, Pinky. You've had your last chance. Hero, Captain EJ, Even though Pinky never explained the cloud seeding mechanisms to me, But I know all on my own that the wind can dry it out. I just remembered that our parents have done tons of these cloud seeding experiments. When they're done, They disperse the clouds with these atmospheric fans. I know where those are. I can help you get them out into the Honey Bee neighborhood to blow the clouds away. Pinky growls his discontent at his brother's betrayal, But you're thankful for it and feel more able to place your trust in Thumb. You and Captain EJ used the multi-channel teleportation remotes that helped you deliver silver all over Dormir to now deliver fans. Captain EJ hesitates at first, But then fully frees Thumb with a stern but fair warning. Thumb, Hero and I are choosing to trust you right now because we want to give you the chance to fight for what's right with us. I understand, And I am so grateful. Captain EJ and Honey Bee Hero, I will do my best to fight for what's right. And? And use my gifts for relentless good. With that enthusiastic chant, You prepare to teleport back to the Knuckler compound under much different circumstances. The last thing you hear from Command Center is Pinky trying to get Mr. Honey Bee's attention. Hey old man, Do you know how to swim? In a blink of an eye, You land on the rooftop lab and escape from the rain through the door that leads down the winding staircase. Thumb leads the way down two flights of winding stairs through a hallway and down into a lower basement level. He comes to white double doors and quickly enters the code onto the beeping keypad. The doors unlock and he flings both open with you and Captain EJ standing eagerly behind him. Automatic lights flicker on, And there are rows and rows and rows of gigantic silver fans lined up in perfect order. Captain EJ follows behind you as you walk down one of the rows, Brushing your fingertips along the huge propellers. You feel a sense of optimism that feels good to feel. This could actually work. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Let the fresh air coming in through your nose act as its own fan that clears your thoughts. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth as Thumb powers one up for you and Captain EJ to see. The massive engine rumbles away and slowly but surely the fan blades begin to turn faster and faster. A vortex of wind pushes you and Captain EJ back and off the ground. You have to use almost all of your strength against the wind created by a single fan. In the process of doing that, You realize you are flying. Thumb slowly powers it down so you and Captain EJ can get your feet back on the ground. These fans are all solar and lunar powered just like the drones. If anything has a chance to defeat Pinky's army of cloud-seating drones, It's the army of drying fans. One by one, You and Captain EJ fan these fans out into the Honeybee neighborhood. You teleport until the entire basement is empty. They all have been sent to strategic spots. Now you just need to power them on. Thumb hands you the remote and explains how to use them. As you run back through the Knuckler compound and up onto the rooftop laboratory into the rain, He explains that you'll need a clear satellite signal to connect to them. Looking out over Dormir and beyond to the greater Honeybee neighborhood, You can barely see anything. The remote doesn't seem to work because it's blocked by the dense clouds. That's when you remember the few spots around the forest where you didn't see any clouds. Oh, Those must be our survival spots. Pinky and I spend a lot of time in the forest. He has favorite places to go. We can go there to pick up a signal. In another blink of an eye, You land in the middle of the forest beside a tall tree with a house built into it. There are no clouds overhead in this specific location, But to either side of you, It's pouring still. This is one of Pinky and Thumb's hideouts that they built. They've spent many nights out in the woods. Thumb somberly recounts that Pinky is a born survivalist. He's accustomed to being alone and it doesn't bother him anymore. Thumb's convinced that Pinky's backup plans have backup plans. Thumb begins to climb up the tree to the treehouse for an even better signal for the satellite. You follow him, Admiring the misty forest that is coming into view. As Captain EJ climbs, He has another question for Thumb. If Pinky is so prepared, What's his endgame here? As far as I can see, He's going to flood his own house along with the whole neighborhood. Oh, That's right. I must admit, Because Pinky didn't either, The Knuckler compound is actually built to be made into a flotation device. My parents are just paranoid about natural disasters and they're giddy about technological innovation. The house was made entirely floatable. They obviously can never leave dorm here, But they were worried about extreme weather. Pinky was probably planning to just float away and initiate that emergency protocol. You and Captain EJ are stunned by the time you get to the treehouse. You would never have guessed a compound that gargantuan would float. But then again, You've never seen clouds created from drones either. From up here in one of the few spots with clear skies and sunshine, You can see exactly where all those fans teleported them. It's a sight to behold. When you get to the roof of the treehouse, You point the fan remote to the sky and hope against hope that it works. Suddenly, You hear the vortex wind kicking up all around you. It swells and the sound of the fans begin to drown out the sound of the pouring rain. You watch on in anticipation, Waiting for the clouds to clear. You watch and watch, Waiting for a great clearing to happen, But it doesn't. More and more drones are gathering, Bringing more and more rain. The fans spin as fast as they can, But the wind created by the rain itself is a formidable rival. Thumbs sighs, Heartbroken that this doesn't seem to be working. The clouds are too dense for the fans. My parents never let their experiments last more than an hour. These seeded clouds had nearly a full day head start. Team, You should head back. It's getting pretty dire here. You look over to where the honeybee house stands in the neighborhood, And it is completely blotted out by clouds. You leave the fans running and teleport back to the garage in a hurry. You, Captain EJ, And Thumb land with a splash. Looking around, You can see why Mr. Honeybee called you. Worried, This part of the neighborhood is flooded and the water level is creeping into the house. Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee are feverishly filling pails with water and throwing it down the driveway, Just to keep it out of the house. Mr. Honeybee has packed up the whole command center full of gadgets into their waterproof cases and stashed them in the waterproof stronghold, But the whole honeybee neighborhood can't fit in there. If everything floods, We don't want to be stuck in there either. Captain EJ is deep in thought and thinking quickly. There's only one thing he can do. Fresh out of options and faced with an unprecedented flood, Captain EJ dashes to the driveway, Pauses for a moment, And balls up his fists. You can hear his booming voice echo even as he takes his biggest possible breath in. The water reacts instantly to the force of his voice's sound waves as he inhales and fully absorbs it so you can hear anything. Like the moon, Captain EJ seems to be pulling a tide of water toward him in the driveway with his breath in like waves gathering in the ocean. You all stand back as a rush of water pushes back into the garage. Thinking quickly, Anticipating Captain EJ's next move, He teleports Sally's heirloom melting furnace back to her ranch to clear the driveway. Pinky laughs from his bundle still hanging up on the bike rack as the water lifts him up. Captain EJ unleashes his full strength on the water and the clouds in the direction of the forest, Trying to push the water and the clouds away from the honeybee neighborhood. The water from the garage swells up around him before launching up and over the clouds themselves. Gobbling them up like an aquatic monster, The tidal wave created by Captain EJ's vocal sound waves produces more and more water. One gigantic, Unimaginably strong wave that is heading toward the outer reaches of the surrounding forest. Exhausted of his life force, Captain EJ rests his hands on his knees to catch his breath. You all run to him to make sure he's okay. I'm okay. I'm okay, Everyone. Did the wave ruin anything in the command center? There was some type of gravitational pull created by the water. I've never used my powers on water before. The command center is secure. No worries, Captain. You just focus on getting your breath. You were able to clear the clouds and the flood water when nothing else could. Captain EJ stands up just as more drones bring more clouds to fill the vacancy left by the tidal wave. We are all exasperated and out of options. But suddenly, A look of absolute horror comes across Captain EJ's face. You follow him to the bike rack where Pinky's bundle used to hang. Thumb already noticed that he's gone and points to the horizon where the tidal wave is just about to crash. You can see that Pinky has wiggled himself free from the bundle and is riding the crest of the tidal wave using the tarp for flotation. He remotes one of his drones to come pick him up with its robotic arm. The drone turns around the opposite direction and heads back in from the forest. As he flies overhead now hanging from his drone, He waves at you all standing in the garage in shock. Pinky managed to escape again. What could he possibly do now? You know exactly what he's going to do. You know his endgame. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together we can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick captain's recap now. The drones kept coming and brought more cloud seeds with them. The storm grew and grew and continues to grow before our eyes, Despite our best laid plans. The Knucklers' wickedness proved relentless, But much to our surprise, Their brotherly bond was not nearly as strong. While we haven't taken down the clouds that hang heavy over the entire Honeybee neighborhood, The force of good that flows through all of us has taken Thumb from Pinky. Mr. Honeybee's mysterious influence over Thumb Knuckler encouraged remorse in him. With that, We were able to get Sally Smith before the flood did, And save her. Meanwhile, Rain formed into a river that raged down every road, And picked up anything it could possibly hold. Captain EJ had no choice but to use his full vocal strength to move the floodwaters that threatened the command center. A tidal wave formed as the flood absorbed the booming sound waves of Captain EJ's voice. It cleared the sky of clouds as it swelled before it crashed all that it collected into the surrounding forest. The relief was only momentary. We realized that Pinky too floated right out from under our noses, Picked up by the very wave that spared us for the moment. As we watch in anticipation, The oceanic wave that washes through the neighborhood rolls back in towards us. All but demanding another miraculous effort. Thumb stands with us in the command center as an ally, Ready to give and do what he can to make this right. It seems that our trust in him was worthwhile. He wasn't willing to cross the line that Pinky so effortlessly floated right over. And floating is going to be key in this final showdown. We mustn't forget, We know Pinky's endgame, And that our breath is what allows us to float no matter how high the tide is. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ, Let's begin. You are here in the command center, Which no longer shields you from the pouring rain. The flooding water has washed all the way up the driveway and splashes around your ankles. Sally begs to be teleported back to her ranch because she needs to prepare everything for the flood protocol, Which Dormir has due to its proximity to mountains and the avalanches they accumulate. Mr. Honeybee picks up his teleportation remote that's sitting on the workbench beside him and sends Sally Smith off through the ether. She disappears like she's been zipped into oblivion. Thumb is astonished. You forget that he hasn't seen any of the technology you and Captain EJ have at your hip. This is not the time to enjoy sharing all of that with them, But maybe that day will come. Mrs. Honeybee and Melody Bee take a cue from Sally and head inside to pack up and protect as much as they can inside. When Mrs. Honeybee opens the screen door to go inside, Harold leaps out and into her arms. Harold, You are part of the family. Of course you're coming with us. Grab your favorite toy, Just one, And meet us back here. What about me? What should I grab? Of course, You too, Roger. Grab your favorite charger and anything from your cubby that's irreplaceable. Roger rolls back into his cubby and comes out with his arms full of buzzing gadgets, Including Mr. Honeybee's night vision goggles, So he's never without them again. You pick up each of your feet to let the standing water drip off your shoes, Then step out onto the stool and then the workbench. Captain EJ, Mr. Honeybee, And Thumbknuckler follow you. From here, You watch the wave gather and slowly rise. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your lungs fill with fresh air. Remember how this breath will keep you buoyant all on its own. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and reconnect with the power that reignites with each inhale and exhale. Standing up on the workbench and looking out over the pouring rain, Thumb breaks the silence with a very strange request. Captain EJ, I know this sounds weird, But can you send me to the forest on another wave like you did with Pinky? If anyone should go head to head with my brother, Or used to be my only brother, It should be me. It's like we share a mind sometimes. I'll be able to stop him. Trust me. Captain EJ looks at you and Mr. Honeybee. You understand what it's like to share a mind with someone you're close to because you know that Captain EJ wants to do it, Not only because he thinks it's true, But another tidal wave would buy us that much more time to spare the Honeybee house. You give him a nod to confirm his choice, And Captain EJ jumps down to the garage floor with a splash. That is a strange request, Thumb, But I think we can work with that. Thumb jumps down after Captain EJ, Positively excited to ride the tidal wave. You and Mr. Honeybee hang back and hold on to whatever you can so you don't get carried away along with Thumb. Captain EJ dashes to the driveway, And Thumb takes his place in the garage, Standing in the flood. Captain EJ pauses for a moment, Then balls up his fists. You can again hear his booming voice echo as he takes his biggest possible breath in. The water reacts instantly to the force of his voice's sound waves and he inhales and fully absorbs it so you can't hear anything. The tide of the water pulls in toward him, Up the driveway with his breath. You and Mr. Honeybee hold on tight and plant your feet steadily on the surface of the workbench to stabilize. Captain EJ again unleashes his full strength on the water and the clouds in the direction of the forest. The water from the garage again swells up around him before launching up and over the clouds themselves. Thumb is pulled from the garage on the crest of the gigantic wave that consumes the clouds and allows the sun to peek through. The tidal wave and Thumb hurdle toward the outer reaches of the surrounding forest before they both crash into a spot with minimal clouds. That's another one of their hideouts that Pinky spared from the torrential rain. Exhausted of his life force, Captain EJ rests his hands on his knees to catch his breath. You and Mr. Honeybee jump down with a splash and run over to him to make sure he's okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. Hero, Say your idea. I have to catch my breath. You smile because your great minds think just alike and sometimes Captain EJ realizes it before you do. While he catches his breath, You explain your idea. We have three teleportation remotes and hundreds if not thousands of drones. You astutely suggest that the drones be contained anywhere that can handle a little rain. Mr. Honeybee thinks for a moment, Then rides this wave of inspiration with you two. Oh, The greenhouse. We have one and I've built many for the people around the neighborhood. Those are the perfect places to store these drones. The plants will love that much more than the very ground we walk on. You can certainly use the greenhouses as well as sheds and it would be just fine for extra clouds to collect over the two water parks. When you think about it, There are a bunch of great places to stow drones that attract moisture. But when they are inside a structure, Their ability to do that will be severely limited and that is what you all can do to fight this for what's right. The tidal wave's clearing fades back to clouds and flooding as you lead the way to the workbenches through slowly rising water. The three teleportation remotes are up on the workbench. Two of them are charging. When you get to the workbench, You see the two that are charging but cannot find the third. Captain, Do you have the third teleportation remote on you? No, I don't. It's not up there? Captain E. J. Splashes over to you at the workbench and you both feverishly check your pockets and everywhere you can think to look. It's nowhere to be found. That's when you realize someone must have taken it. Thumb! Thumb must have secretly taken it to his head-on collision with his brother after seeing what it can do. That's not good. That's absolutely not good. That kind of power in the wrong hands, Well, We know how that goes. There's no time to waste. With your teleportation remotes at your hips where they belong, You and Captain E. J. Call your ENVs with a gesture and hop inside. Take another slow, Deep breath as the engine rumbles. Feel your chest and your vehicle lift. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and fly to the clearings of clouds over the forest hideouts where Pinky and Thumb are facing off. On your way, You begin your plan. With the sunroof of the ENV open, You put it to autopilot and stand up out of the top. You point the remote at as many drones as you can focus on at one time. Captain E. J. Is at your back and his ENV doing the same thing. You both push the button and send those drones to the greenhouse that sits behind the garage. Mr. Honeybee cheers through the BattleBuzz helmet. It worked, Team. It worked. The greenhouse can hold more. Send more along. I'll alert everyone so they know their greenhouses stand to save the Honeybee neighborhood as we know it. You and Captain E. J. Continue to send drones to that greenhouse as well as the others nearby. When you fill those up, You start on the two big water parks, Which can each hold significantly more. When you look back behind you, There are visibly less clouds. It's working. Captain E. J. Looks over to you and your ENV and gives you a thumbs up. Together, You can overcome any challenge and defeat any foe. You smile big, Both inside and out, As you fly up to where Pinky and Thumb are screaming at each other in treehouses that are hundreds of feet apart. They're each occupying a forest hideout. Pinky has spared himself from the overhead clouds but sends several drones to drown out Thumb, While Thumb teleports some of the fans we set into motion in a circle surrounding Pinky. Neither one can do much to the other, But they are both trying their best to get even. Thumb climbs up on the roof of the treehouse to avoid the quickly rising water and sends drones back over to Pinky, Who is now being blown ruthlessly by the atmospheric fans and rained on by a small battalion of drones. Thumb is defeating Pinky just like he said he would, And we watch as he stands there, Giving Pinky a taste of his own medicine. We hover in place over this whole ordeal and watch as the expression on Thumb's face turns from revenge to remorse, A feeling he's now conscientiously pried from his hardened heart. We look back momentarily to check on the floodwater that threatens the command center. The clouds are still sparse and the sun is even trying to peek through. You can see a single sunbeam shine down on the honeybee house, Radiating joy and hopefulness down on an otherwise dire situation. When you look back, You see that Thumb has let up on the vengeful attack on Pinky, And Pinky is taking this sliver of an opportunity to continue his wicked scheme in an even more sinister way. What do you think I mean to you? I wish you didn't think that about me. I wish you thought about me when I think about you. That I am the best brother you have, And that you will ever have in this whole world. Thumb pushes the button on the stolen teleportation remote to move the drones and fans over slightly to relieve his brother's torment. He hangs his head with sadness. Pinky Knuckler is using Thumb's newfound empathy against him. How can we save Thumb from his brother and ultimately himself? You've never used a teleportation remote on a teleportation remote, But Captain EJ agrees that it's worth a try. You bring Thumb into your ENV with the push of a button, And it works. He squirms and wrestles the teleportation remote away from you as you try to grab it from him. He quickly teleports himself back to his treehouse roof and then aims the remote right at you. You and Captain EJ quickly dash up into a dense cloud so the signal is disrupted. You then peek out of the cloud, Trying slyly to teleport Thumb again, This time back to Command Center so Mr. Honeybee can bundle him up again. He might just fold in on this even more vicious brotherly attack. As you peer through the clouds, You can hear Thumb shouting back to his brother. You and Captain EJ cannot hover idly by and let this manipulation continue. Dodging the rays of the stolen teleportation remote, Captain EJ shouts his booming voice down to Thumb to remind him that he is enough just as he is and he doesn't slow anyone down. Thumb, No. You have important things to say and the people who say they love you should listen to them. Pinky didn't even actually apologize. He said he wished you didn't feel that way. Thumb, You are capable of such good. Please don't let Pinky overshadow that with his selfishness. Pinky is trying his best, Captain EJ. He doesn't always say it or ever really say it. But he loves me and thinks I'm the best brother. I'll only ever get one brother. Thumb points the teleportation remote at both of your ENVs again and again. You continually dash the attempts and try to get the remote out of Thumb's hands, But he's holding it too tightly. They both come together. Captain EJ teleports him into his ENV and tries to wrestle the remote away from him, But Thumb is getting better at using the remote and teleports back to the same treehouse where Pinky is and looks back up to us without aiming the remote at us. He's my family, Captain EJ and Hiro. You're my friends, But he's my family. In the blink of an eye, Thumb attempts to teleport him and his brother somewhere, But must have been thinking about the clouds overhead. They both land in the clouds, Huddled together. Midair, Thumb again attempts to teleport them, But they land back on the treehouse. Pinky violently takes the teleportation remote out of Thumb's hands and aims it at us. We duck into a cloud as cover. When we peek out again, Pinky is in the process of teleporting them. Before Pinky figures out how to use the remote, Captain EJ makes one last attempt to convince Thumb Knuckler. Pinky pushes the button and the blue circle sizzles into time and space. Captain EJ shouts from the sunroof of his ENV. But Thumb, Friends are the family you choose. With that, They disappear to who knows where. You look all around from your eagle-eye vantage point and zoom in your scopes. They landed in a clearing of clouds just below in the forest. You can see the Knucklers taking cover in an underground bunker that is camouflaged under a pile of leaves to learn how to use this new-to-him piece of technology. You know where they are, And you know where Pinky will inevitably put them. Back at the Knuckler compound, Which we've learned is actually a flotation device. You give Mr. Honeybee the coordinates of the brothers and turn around to head back to the command center to check on everything there. On the way back, You don't realize you left your scope zoomed in until you see two microscopic green lights flash as they buzz toward you. They both zoom beneath the ENV in a straight line to the GPS coordinates you gave Mr. Honeybee. I'm sending in two nano-analyzers to track them, One for each of them. Neither will see it because it's not visible to the naked eye. This will allow us to keep an eye and an ear on them. You look back to see the two distant lights wiggle through the ground and into their underground bunker. That gives you a rush of confidence that swells further as you and Captain EJ continue to send drones to the empty water parks, Which are handling the extra water splendidly with its many filters and pools and irrigation systems. Despite all the clouds, You and Captain EJ are diverting away from Command Center, Dormir, And other highly populated areas in the Honeybee neighborhood. The sun and the fans are struggling to evaporate the floodwaters, Which are steadily but surely rising. As you approach the Honeybee house, You see your neighbors on their roofs. Mrs. Honeybee is up on the roof holding Harold in her arms. Roger and Melody Bee are with her. They both wave and smile, Reassured by your mere presence here that things will be okay. Mr. Honeybee has sent out a neighborhood-wide alert for everyone to climb up to their roofs and bring whatever boats they have. Kind neighbors who have extra kayaks and canoes lend them to others who do not have any. Some of the kids nearby are out with their inner tube toys, Assuming, In their delightful childlike way, That this is a new game. Since the surrounding forest has begun to flood as well, The entire population of woodpeckers and beavers have arrived along with you and Captain EJ. They have assembled an assembly system that has floating fallen tree logs in through the many rivers and carving them out to be makeshift canoes. Hover above all of this in your ENV. You marvel at how an entire world can come together, Each creature contributing what it can for a greater sense of good. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest and your spirits lift as your heart beats full of love. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and look back to where the knucklers are back above ground, Scheming. It reminds you that even one selfish person can throw the balance of goodness off, But not forever, And not for long with you and Captain EJ ready to fight for what's right and nothing more. While Captain EJ begins teleporting the newly made canoes to those in need, You zoom in your scopes a little more to keep watch over the knucklers. You look away only to continue sending drones to the water parks until they fill up. Pinky is still struggling with the teleportation remote, But he is clutching it firmly in his tiny hands. The clouds around him are too dense for them to teleport far. You watch as the brothers disappear into the center of the sizzling blue circle of light, Then reappear a couple paces ahead of that, Dropped heavily on the forest floor. Thumb reaches out to offer to help, But Pinky slaps his hand away, Demonstrating that everything he said to Thumb before was self-serving lies. Thumb stands beside the brother he chose to defend with his head hung low. The empathy that lives in you tightens your chest as you feel for Thumb's conundrum, But you each have to walk your path and right now, You have the advantage of being adept at using the teleportation remote. Pinky doesn't know that Thumb is also very good at using it, But you are certain that won't happen. Before Pinky can try to teleport himself again, You swoop in with your laser focus and send Pinky to the flooded-out treehouse where Thumb was. Thumb looks over in your direction, But there's no way he can see that far. Pinky panics and fumbles the remote before he finally gets a good grip and teleports himself back down to the ground with a crash. Thumb hears it and runs over to his brother to help, Which Pinky refuses. You continue to stall the brothers knowing that they are trying to get back to their compound. If they cannot manage to get there, They'll quite literally miss the boat and everything they've known until now will float away. With the brothers sufficiently occupied, You turn around to help Captain EJ deliver boats to everyone who needs one. The water is rising steadily and people are preparing themselves to float. Suddenly, A smooth wave of water ripples through the flood and picks up many of the neighbors right off their rooftops. Mr. Honeybee is now on the roof with Mrs. Honeybee, Harold, Roger, And Melody Bee. You look around to see what's caused this sudden shock. It appears Pinky still hasn't quite figured out how to use the remote on himself, But wants to have more space to learn. One by one, He teleports the fans that were working to evaporate the flood onto either side of a straight path between where he is and where the Nuckler compound waits to float away. The fans have displaced some of the water which created a ripple of waves that are rolling in a straight line all the way through the Honeybee neighborhood, Ending around the compound. The sun above is struggling to peek out from behind the clouds and isn't drying out much. Instead, It's beautiful but faint light shines down on the surface of the water creating a shimmer that reminds you of Silver Sally Smith. You radio into Mr. Honeybee to check on Dormir. I just spoke with Sally on the holophone. Everything looks stable in Dormir for now. Some folks in the town needed canoes, But we got it to them in time. They're hunkered down on their roofs, Just like we are. I'm checking in on the Nano Analyzer now. Through the Battle Buzz helmet, You can hear Pinky fighting against Thumblin himself. This remote cannot be that hard to use. It must be poorly made, Or else it'd work better. I can use it really well, Pinky. Let me try. If you can do it, Then it must be done. I can do it. Watch. From your ENV, You can see Pinky try to move himself and his brother, But again only move a few paces ahead. The waves he's created with the fans continue to ripple all the way through town after town. More clouds gather where the fans are now otherwise occupied. With your focus on the struggling Knucklers, You sabotage his plan in every way you can think of in an attempt to prevent him from getting to his easy exit from his mess that he created. You and Captain EJ get in a teleportation war with Pinky as you tug of war over the fans, Then Thumb and back to the fans, Trying to move them around the neighborhood to drive things out. You're careful to dodge out of Pinky's attempts to teleport you to goodness knows where and continue to make his evil life miserable. Out of the side of your eye, You see Captain EJ moving around his ENV before opening the sunroof again and pulling himself up on a self-driving vehicle. He stands up tall and balls his fists to create another tidal wave aimed right at the Knucklers. Since his voice has farther to travel before the sound waves hit the absorbing waves of the flood, You cover your ears in anticipation of the ringing sound. Captain EJ unleashes his full strength at the water. A flash of light emanates from his mouth and the water reacts wildly at first before it swells into another wave that pulls in around his ENV slowly. It then launches out toward the forest where Pinky Knuckler is still trying his tiny hand at the teleportation remote. The wave rushes faster and faster. You can see Thumb warn Pinky who looks up and then at his brother before the wave crashes down on them. Captain EJ falls to his knees. He must have used even more than what he considered his full strength and needs more time to recover. You instinctively cover him with your ENV and look back to see what came of Pinky and Thumb, Except you can't see them at all. The fans are still blowing their path clear, Even of the tidal waters. But they are nowhere to be found. You radio to Mr. Honeybee to find their GPS coordinates. That's when you realize you never told Mr. Honeybee Pinky's endgame. When you do, A worried look comes over his face and he covers his mouth with his hand in shock. You look over to Captain EJ who was taking much, Much longer than usual to recover. You pull him into your ENV and instruct his ENV to follow yours as you go to one of the spots that are cleared of clouds for Captain EJ to regain his strength. As you fly, Captain EJ is sure to tell you how grateful he is to have you by his side. I cannot overstate the fact that I couldn't do any of this without you, Hero. You inspire me to be better every day. You get to the clearing of clouds and slowly lower the ENV down so Captain EJ can stand on solid ground to stabilize. You help Captain EJ out and lead him over to a tree that he can lean against. It's never taken him this long to recover. Usually he's up and within a moment. With your hand on his back, You can feel how hard he's breathing. He follows your lead as you take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the air coming in through your nose as your chest expands full of fresh air. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and send extra strength and love to your best friend. He is able to stand up a little more because of it, But is not hardly able to stand on his own. He's leaning heavily on you and the tree. You hold him up steady for as long as he needs, Knowing that Mr. Honeybee is keeping an eye and an ear on the Knucklers. You radio to Mr. Honeybee, Who is now floating in a new boat with Mrs. Honeybee, Harold, And Melody Bean. No movement from the Knucklers. As far as I can see, They're frantically running around the compound, Talking about some kind of protocol. Pinky won't let some get a word in, And he's mumbling to himself. I'll update you if I get anything else. Oh, And you'll see that we're now floating in style, Team. Don't worry about us. Roger can change his shape, And he decided we were all stressed. Very stressed out. So he morphed into a miniature cruise ship. We've even got a couple of neighbors on board. I think there's a jacuzzi downstairs. Oh, And there's a downstairs. We're sailing to Dormir and making sure everyone is okay along the way. We'll pick up any stragglers we find. Now that you know that the Honeybee neighbors have come together to make the best out of a less-than-stellar situation, You can focus again on Captain EJ, Who is now resting his eyes against a tree trunk. A loud thunderclap above gets your attention and wakes Captain EJ up from his power nap. Captain EJ struggles to his feet on the soggy forest floor, Concerned that Pinky has sent out a new fleet of drones. You radio into Mr. Honeybee again. Hero, From what I can see, That's not Pinky at all. He's gathering clouds around Dormir, Even moving away from the house. I think he's trying to get the water level high enough to sail his knuckler compound away. Uh-oh. That means this is a real storm. Are you two okay over there? You and Captain EJ look up through the trees to the once-clear sky as all-natural rain plummets down on your helmets. You both quickly shield yourselves from the grey clouds, And that sudden movement makes Captain EJ wobble a bit. He grabs your shoulder to help steady himself, And he turns to you with a serious look on his face. For once in your life, You cannot tell what he's thinking. But his worried eyes worry you. Struggling to stand up, He puts both arms on your shoulders to hold himself up. He utters a few words. I cannot do it alone. Instinctively, You and Captain EJ put your heads together to figure this out. At that very moment, A bolt of lightning strikes down on your combined mind. Both of your helmets light up with an electricity that pulses through your whole body. Time slows down. Then speeds back up, And you feel like you can see everything at once, Then nothing at all. When you come back to your senses, All you can hear is Mr. Honeybee shouting through the Battle Bus helmet. Hero, Do you copy? Captain EJ, Do you copy? What was that? Now both of you are stumbling across the flooding forest, Struggling to get your bearings. You both grab hold of the same tree trunk and stand up straight. Quite suddenly, Strength rushes back to both of you. Standing on your own two feet, You ball up your fists and shout all your accumulated frustrations out at the clouds above. Your throat rumbles along with the ground, And Captain EJ's eyes widen. A flash of light emanates from your shout and zaps the clouds above. The natural clouds instantly evaporate into thin air. Captain EJ is taken aback by what he just saw, And when you realize what you just did, Your great minds once again think alike. Hero, Do you know what this means? You have Captain EJ's powers too now. Just as the Battle Bus helmet allows you to think in the uninhibited way that he thinks, Now you have the power of his voice. Just then, Mr. Honeybee radios in again. Hero, The Knucklers are on the move. I repeat, The Knuckler compound is floating away. Roger is moving as fast as he can in this storm, But we're not equipped to stop them. You and Captain EJ run back to the EMVs at full speed with full strength. Now he doesn't have to do this alone. Two voices will be enough to neutralize a force of evil. In your EMV, Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest, Your spirit, And your vehicle lift. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and use the same cleared pathway that the Knucklers used to travel to their floating compound. You zoom right over Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee, Harold and Melody Bee who are in the top deck of the miniature cruise ship Roger has morphed into. His big smile shines from the front of the ship. He's so happy to have helped. They all wave as you two fly by straight to the Knuckler compound, Which is now dislodged from the ground and floating out into an endless flood of their own creation. The real storm isn't helping matters much. You quietly hover up to the Knucklers floating through Dormir on their compound. Pinky catches a glimpse of you and Captain EJ as you maneuver out in front of them to stop them with a tidal wave. Hero, We can create another tidal wave. That'll just float them out further. You look over from Captain EJ just as Pinky aims the teleportation remote right at both of you. In the blink of an eye, He teleports your ENVs right out from under you and together you plunge into the floodwaters that have lifted up this gargantuan compound. Without concern for what the Knucklers are doing, You and Captain EJ swim until you can put your hands on the castle-like walls of this house-turned-lab-turned-flotation device and use all of your physical strength to push it back into place. Neither you nor Captain EJ are sure if you can actually do it, But it's enough for you both to believe you can in this moment. With your feet on the grassy ground of Dormir, You feel like you're walking along the ocean floor. You push the Knuckler compound back into its spot step by step. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot. In what feels like open water, Pinky and Thumb don't even realize they're going backwards. Slowly but surely, You and Captain EJ come up for air and go immediately back under to keep pushing. When you get the compound back to where it sits, You can feel it click into place. Pinky felt it too. He runs up to the wall to look down and growls when he sees what you two have managed to do. Full of rage and an inflated sense of power, Pinky again points the teleportation remote at you and Captain EJ. At once, You duck back under the deep water where the teleportation ray cannot properly move you. You both are able to escape the slowed zap and swim around to the other side of the now stationary house. Pinky runs around the perimeter of the rooftop lab trying to find both of you. Little does he know that wherever he teleported your ENVs to, They will return to both of you with a single gesture. You both stick your hands out of the water to do that. Your ENVs activate submarine mode and plunge into the water to rescue both of you. Using the turbo engines of submarine mode, You and Captain EJ launch out of the water and into the sky. From there, You throw open the sunroofs, Put the ENVs on autopilot and pull yourselves up onto the roof of the vehicles. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and strengthen each and every one of your muscles. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and send your booming voice to the clouds that surround the Nucklar compound before Pinky can even realize what happened. The clouds instantly evaporate and once again the sun peeks through the natural and the manufactured clouds. You duck back into your ENVs and take recovery time in a nearby cloud that's still reigning over another part of Dormir. You'll be protected from Pinky here. You fly into the grey cloud and hover there while you catch your breath and regain your strength. You cannot see Captain EJ through the dense cloud and your connection to the Battle Bus helmet is full of static because the signal is weak. You'll need to come out of it to connect with Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee. You meet Captain EJ around the opposite side of the cloud you're taking cover behind. The Nucklars cannot see you here. You radio into Mr. Honeybee for a nano-analyzer update. The signal is a bit weak. I'm getting some static. But it seems that Pinky is wanting to move something. Move them all? Hero, We have no choice. We're going to have a confrontation. Stick to what we do best. You know exactly what that means. Once you've fully recovered, Captain EJ leads the way out from behind the cloud and up to the Nucklar compound. Pinky doesn't see you as you two approach because he is focused off in the distance. When you look over to see what he's looking at, Every single remaining drone is firing right towards you and Captain EJ. You launch your ENVs higher into the sky and just barely miss the onslaught of drones flying together and meeting over the Nucklar compound. Team, Now I can hear him. Pinky wants to escape Dormir. He's initiated an emergency protocol again and is localizing the storm to the compound to try to float away again. Suddenly, A gust of wind picks up your ENVs unexpectedly and slams them into a nearby cloud, Momentarily obstructing your view. When you regain control and maneuver back out of the cloud cover, You can see that Pinky and Thumb have aimed all the atmospheric fans at the Nucklar compound to carry all the clouds to one spot. Like a slow-moving creature that comes alive in the sky, The clouds inch toward the Nucklar compound. In the distance, You can see the sun shining down on the Honeybee neighborhood. In time, That alone will dry up the floods, But for now, The flood is concentrated around this one spot in Dormir so the Nucklar brothers can get away with their wicked schemes, Literally. You and Captain EJ have one last chance, And you know one thing you haven't tried. You get as close as you can to the Nucklar still standing triumphantly on their rooftop laboratory, Where their reign of terror began. Through the wind and the pouring rain, Pinky sees you and Captain EJ and tries to point the teleportation remote at you, But the wind is so strong his tiny arm cannot fight the force. You then point the teleportation remote at Pinky with one thing in mind. You want him out of this world. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose, And imagine sending Pinky Nucklar straight to outer space. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button on the remote. The same blue flash you've come to expect creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. With a push of a button, You immediately remove Pinky Nucklar from the equation. Thumb cowers, Having none of the evil stamina of Pinky and conflicted between people who he called his friends and his family, The last of which has just disappeared. You breathe a little sigh of relief before Pinky Nucklar reappears on the rooftop. He managed to get himself back and quickly. At this point, Knowing you can now teleport him, He focuses on the clouds, Also knowing that they can block you from removing him at will. He switches remotes to the ones that controls the drones and blankets himself with silver-filled drones that attract an alarming amount of wind, Rain, And flood. The house once again picks up and the rooftop is completely blocked from view. You and Captain EJ have no choice but to use more than your full strength for one last-ditch effort. Mr. Honeybee can sense that you two are planning something big and chimes in supportively. One day, I want to be able to know what you two are thinking. But no matter what I know, You two are going to fight for what's right. That's what we do. That's right, Mr. Honeybee. Turn back to the Honeybee house. Things might get a bit untenable over here. Let's turn this ship around. I like my things tenable. The most tenable. Roger zips himself as a ship around and heads back to your part of the Honeybee neighborhood. Then you and Captain EJ get to work. Hero, You take one side and I'll take the other. You hover your ENV around the opposite side of the now-floating Nuckelar compound as Captain EJ. You two have the compound flanked on either side. Now, When you use your fullest strength, It'll be in opposing directions and will cause conflicting waves that will spin the Nuckelar compound around in circles. You open the sunroof to crawl out into the pouring rain once again for the strongest use of your powers thus far. You and Captain EJ struggle to stand upright on your ENVs, But with focus, You were able to plant your feet into the roof like it's made of solid ground and not floating above a man-made flood. You both ball up your fists and take your slowest, Deepest breath that you can in through your nose. Feel the space you open up within your chest, Then slowly but powerfully breathe all the way out through your mouth. Now that you are imbued with the sonic waves, Your ears have adjusted and they no longer ring. You shout with all your might straight into the Nuckelar compound from the opposite side as Captain EJ. Two brilliant flashes of light shooting in the same direction combine into one fantastic glowing orb that grows as it holds steady over the Nuckelar compound. The last thing your eyes see is this ball of light explode into splashes of water that spin the Nuckelars and their compound into a dizzying whirlpool that stirs the clouds away and sufficiently disrupts the solar and lunar-powered drones somehow. You slump down onto the steering wheel of your ENV which hovers you safely in place. You feel weightless, Like you are floating in outer space. Did Pinky teleport you into outer space? Your whole body feels like it's made of nothing but water. You don't feel like you can move but also don't want to. You sink deeper and deeper into this moment, Whatever and wherever it is. You attempt to radio into Mr. Honeybee and you can hear him responding to you but it feels like he's far away and getting further. A quietness permeates your whole existence. You feel like you can stop thinking for the moment and all the thoughts, All worries and everything will be still. Sunlight pours into the face shield of the Battle Bus helmet. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Reconnect with your body to ground yourself back in this world. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. You are hovering just above the Nuclear Compound. When you come back to your senses you sit up, Hovering directly across from Captain EJ who has sat up at the exact same time. Now you can hear Mr. Honeybee loud and clear. Captain, Hero, Do you copy? What happened? Everything cut out. All I got was static from your devices and the nano-analyzers. You're not exactly sure what happened. You sit up and situate yourself back at the dashboard of your EMV and look out the windshield. Suddenly you see a small plane that has somehow landed on the rooftop lab. Pinky and Thumb Nuclear are standing at what seems like perfect attention in front of two other people who just stepped out of the tiny plane. You look closer and remember their faces from the website that listed all the charities they help. It's Doctor and Dr. Nuclear. They're back in Dormir. Suddenly a great cheer echoes against the few clouds that hang in the sky. You and Captain EJ roll down the window to look out over it. There is a crowd of townspeople gathered around the Nuclear compound cheering for you and Captain EJ. You've saved them not once, Not twice, But three times from the Nuclears. And now, With the Dr. Nuclears back, Order can be restored in Dormir. You look back over to the elder Nuclears who are scolding their sons. Watching Pinky and Thumb get in trouble makes them look like children. It also makes you forget how much harm and destruction they've caused not only in their hometown, But also neighborhood-wide. Pinky and Thumb cower under the wagging finger of their parents, Knowing that life as they knew it is about to change forever. When Doctor and Dr. Nuclear turn around, Their entire demeanor changes. They walk over to the side of the compound that you were hovering over and Captain EJ joins you. They wave you down, Inviting you to land on the rooftop. Together, You slowly hover down onto the tile laboratory and land your EMVs. The doctors circle the vehicles to admire this extremely high-tech piece of machinery. Once you both step out, They clamor to shake your hands, And when that's not good enough, They lean in for a big, Squeezing hug. The town of Dormir says, Ah, In unison, And you laugh, Waiting nervously to see what the elder Nuclears will say to you. You struggle thinking of where to even begin, But they stop you before you say anything. You don't have to explain anything. We finally got all of the transmissions from Sally. We hurried home as soon as we could and changed our plans when our reckless sons initiated our emergency flood protocol. From behind them, Pinky doesn't hesitate to turn on his once-beloved brother. Mom, It was Thumb. I tried to stop him. What? What are you talking about, Pinky? I literally almost defeated you. No, You didn't. That was just dumb luck. Emphasis on dumb. I should have betrayed you more when I had the chance. Boys, That's enough. No one wants to hear anything else from you. I need to know what your names are. Dr. And Dr. Nuclear, My name is Captain EJ, And this is my best friend Honeybee Hero. Hero for short. It is so wonderful to meet you. I have to say, I've never seen what I saw here today. Have you, Hon? No, I haven't. But I want to see more. Do you two know the power that you have? Like, Really know? You and Captain EJ look at each other and realize you don't really know exactly what your powers are, Just what they do. By now, The crowd around Dormir has thinned out. Everyone, Including Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee, Melody Bee, Roger, And Harold are back home drying out their houses with atmospheric fans the Elder Nuclears let everyone borrow. With the multi-channel teleportation remote that has been the center of so much strife, You deliver a fan to each home in the Honeybee neighborhood with the click of a button. The Dr. Nuclears are astonished with all that they've seen. They know that you and Captain EJ are rare and extremely gifted, But they want to run a simple experiment to see the extent of your powers. They politely ask if you're willing to be a part of it, And you both agree. One of them picks up a half-empty drone that fell to the floor when you and Captain EJ used your full strength. Do you know what it takes to disrupt a solar-powered battery drone like this? These are built with so much precision that no solar event recorded on Earth so far can destroy them. You two managed to take down our whole fleet. Please allow us to apologize, Dr. Nuclear. No, No, Please. No apologies necessary. You're about to change the course of human history, Captain EJ and Hero. You did nothing wrong. You and Captain EJ are taken aback by what they're saying and are somewhat confused about your powers. While Pinky and Thumb stand nervously in the corner, The Dr. Nuclears explain that the power contained within your voices is something they've never seen before. That's when the doctors explain that you and Captain EJ contain the first-ever non-solar form of light. The sound waves they issue from your voice are so powerful and so dense that they actually create a form of light that is as powerful as the sun, But not the sun. And all of that lightness, All of that miracle, Is within you. The doctors go on to explain the science of sound creating light and energy, And you completely tune out, Sinking deeper into your heart in awe of what you just heard. When you snap back, The Dr. Nuclears are asking if you will show them what you can do with your voices once more. You agree. They restart a couple of their drones and walk over to Pinky to yank the drone remote out of his hand. When they see he has another remote that he was trying to hide, You let them know that he stole that. They return it to you without question. You sneak it back into your pocket, But really teleport it back to Mr. Honeybee, Who was so happy to have his teleportation remote back. Suddenly, Mr. Honeybee appears on the rooftop with his holophone and a special shimmering guest. Him and Silver Sally Smith arrive just in time to see you participate in the experiment. The Dr. Nuclears are worried that both of these people just appeared on their rooftop lap, But they are in such a state of shock that they decide to ask later. Focusing on the matter at hand, They each create a little rain cloud over you and Captain EJ. At once, Not using your full strength, But something proportional to this little cloud, You and Captain EJ send sound waves up to the clouds. With so much practice, You can now hit your target very well, And you're not even exhausted after. The zap of lightning flashes before it completely evaporates the cloud. The doctors look at each other, Trying to register their shock for the other one. Before they say another word to you, They lead their sons over by the shoulders to stand in front of you, Captain EJ, Mr. Honeybee, And Sally Smith, Who has taken the liberty of completely updating the Dr. Nuclears about what their sons did to everyone. Pinky and Thumb try to look away, Ashamed at all they did. You can begin by apologizing, But that certainly won't be the end of it for you two. Thumb is the first to make eye contact. He has big, Heavy tears of remorse in his eyes. You can see how horrible he feels and how conflicted he still is about you being his only two friends still. I apologize for pushing you into the furnace, Sally, From the bottom of my heart. And to all of you, I'm so, So sorry. I will do whatever I can to make it up to you. I hope one day we can be friends again, Hero and Captain EJ. But I understand if not. Hey. Sorry. What was that? We couldn't hear you give a way better apology than that. I apologize for kidnapping you, Mr. Honeybee and Sally. I apologize for flooding the Honeybee neighborhood. It feels good to get even a forced apology from Pinky, And you can feel how sincere Thumb is, Though. He will need to prove it over and over again before you could ever consider trusting him again. The Dr. Knucklers have an important question for you and Captain EJ, And you don't know if you're ready for it, But you welcome their question with open arms because you're always ready to help. Will you two, And Mr. Honeybee, Of course, Consider working with us? Do you have any idea what a second and third son could offer to our world? Our minds are racing right now, But we know that you two have something truly miraculous to offer the world. Please consider helping us. I would be honored to work with you all. You have been such an incredible team. You all look at each other and nod your heads approvingly, But before you can say anything, The Dr. Knucklers are already going over the long list of experiments they want to do and the ideas they have. Much of what they say mushes together into an alphabet soup of science jargon, But one thing in particular stands out. You will get your own lab space, Should you need it. Your lab comes stocked with two lab assistants. Pinky and Thumb will be at your beck and call, Ready to do whatever you want them to. They have a lot of work ahead of them fixing what they broke while we were gone. Please, Let us promise you that they will never do anything like this to you or Dormir ever again. They have lost our trust, Too. The Dr. Knucklers hurriedly rush around the rooftop lab, Planning out where they will move everything to make room. The process of restoring power to the compound will be long, But that kind of construction project will be the perfect opportunity to build your new lab space right up here on the roof. The Knuckler Brothers are now stripped of any and all trust, Power, Or influence they had over their world. They will need to start from the ground up, But you and Captain EJ? It doesn't even seem like the sky's the limit for you two. As you follow the Dr. Knucklers around the lab, They excitedly tell you all of their plans for how you will help not only them, But the whole world of people in need, Which is bigger than you can ever imagine. As you walk along the machines, You brush your hands along the cool metal, Thinking back on where the mission started and where it ended. You've grown into your power so much on this mission, And this is just the first. Captain EJ looks at you and smiles, Knowing that your great minds are thinking of what kind of pranks this new lab space opens up to you. Mr. Honeybee sees the look you're giving each other and once again feels left out. See? That right there. You two are doing it again. What are you thinking? Tell me. Are you going to prank me? You have to be nice to me for at least a week. I was kidnapped. You and Captain EJ laugh a little laugh to yourself, Just to keep Mr. Honeybee on edge. Then you're brought back to the crux of this mission, Like you are after every mission. What did you learn? How are you a better you now? As the Dr. Knuckler said, Your voice, In and of itself, Contains a miraculous power, An inextinguishable light. You wield this power with each utterance and every word you choose to speak. All that you put out into this world is but a ripple in our hyper-interconnected globe. But as you've seen, A tidal wave starts from a single ripple, For better or worse. You must ease your voice for relentless good, Hero. Until next time, Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will begin our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I am so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Honeybee Hero, And just in time. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. Here comes our brief from Command Center. On the outermost edges of the Honeybee neighborhood, An invisible enemy is on a rampage. Things are being vaporized into thin air. There's no telling who, Or what, Can do something like this. We have to hurry. The people of Dormir need us. Like I always say, We only fight for what's right. Captain EJ and Hero to the rescue. I hope you don't mind if I call you Hero for short. No time. Let's begin. You are here in the Honeybee neighborhood, In your cozy house next door to Captain EJ. The best part about living next to your best friend is sitting on our rooftops, Talking and laughing late into the night, Sometimes even early in the morning to catch the sunrise. This is one of those sunrise mornings. You climb up to your roof in the soft morning sun. Captain EJ is already there and is so excited to see you up here too. Great minds really do think alike. Without meaning to, We both look toward the majestic mountains at the same time. Let's take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the crisp morning air coming in through your nose. And slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. A little cloud of warmth forms from your exhale and floats away. The sun's golden light shines down for as far as we can see. If you look closely though, It doesn't quite shine on the Dormir Valley, A small, Sleepy town that sits in the shadows of two mountains. Every day the mountain peaks take turns casting a long shadow over most of the valley. That is, After all, How the town got so sleepy. It's shadier there than anywhere else in the world. The townsfolk are a quiet, Eccentric bunch, But they are good, Old-fashioned people. An alert from Mr. Honeybee turns our attention from the beautiful view. We never travel anywhere without our Battle Buzz helmets for just this reason. It beeps until we put them on and radio into Command Center. Holding your head up tall, Place the Battle Buzz helmet on your head. Adjust your eyes to the same view seen with ultraviolet and infrared vision. The ultimate magnification allows you to zoom into the outline of the last morning star above. There's so much that this little piece of foldable technology can do. Though Mr. Honeybee lives just around the corner and could quickly walk over to join you on the rooftop, But due to the classified nature of your missions, He regularly alerts you through your helmet because it's equipped with 256-bit encryption. You click your radio on and Mr. Honeybee comes in loud and clear. Captain EJ, Hero, Do you copy? Over. We copy, Mr. Honeybee. What's the matter so early this morning? I wish I had better news, But it seems you two are needed immediately in Dormir. I have your gear ready over here. I just finished up the last minute repairs. Hopefully you won't need it, But just in case. We move to action and quickly climb down from the roof. Right hand, Right foot. Left hand, Left foot. With a jump, We land back on the ground and take off running to the Command Center. When we arrive at the rather plain-looking garage, You do the secret knock so Mr. Honeybee knows it's us. No one would ever suspect what high-tech equipment sits on the other side of this garage door, And that is very much the point. To boast of such a thing would bring more harm than good, And we are in the business of bringing and restoring good. The garage door opens, And Mr. Honeybee hands each of us a brand new suit. Since your other suit was nearly destroyed on your last mission, This one is made of carbon polymer, Because you are the best of the best and need the best. As we suit up, Mr. Honeybee briefs us on our assignment for the day as he always does. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose to prepare on all levels. Find your focus. Find your strength. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. Mr. Honeybee explains that over the last week, Things that were there yesterday have been suddenly and instantaneously disappearing. Big, Unmovable things, And they've been disappearing without a trace. One resident reportedly witnessed one of her silversmithing machines be vaporized into thin air. She woke up extra early, Before the sun, To smith her silver. After gathering supplies, She walked out to the two-ton machine in her backyard. She looked down to make sure she had her thermometer, And by the time she looked back up, The entire machine was just gone. Only a puff of smoke was left. Other reports have been filed for vaporized scooters, Sheds, And swing sets. Mr. Honeybee thumbs through a report and pauses. Someone even reported that their horse was almost vaporized. Luckily, He was able to narrowly escape into his stable. You know we cannot let this go on any longer, Hero. They need help, And who better to help than us? With our suits zipped up and electromagnetic shields in our hands, We head to Dormir on our off-road personal transporters. The wheels are big enough to handle the mountain terrain if necessary, And the engine is quiet enough to stealthily move around the town unnoticed. You've never been out this far into the Honeybee neighborhood, And you don't know exactly what to expect. The beautiful scenery soothes your nerves and gives you the confidence you need to protect all the good in the world. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest and your spirits lift with anticipation. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. Enjoy the morning breeze on your cheeks as we curve through the mountain roads. When you and Captain EJ arrive, It seems like a regular day. You're used to feeling the warm sunshine on your skin, But here in Dormir, There is more shade than you're used to. Together, We investigate every nook and cranny of this peaceful place, And manage to do it without being seen ourselves. Aside from obvious places where heavy, Vaporized things used to sit, There is no sign of any disturbances. We take off our helmets to take in the beautiful views and the crisp mountain air. We spend the whole day investigating, But by the time the sun starts to set, We are convinced that nothing is much out of the ordinary in this ordinary town. As we kickstart our transporters and turn to leave, We decide to let our helmets dangle from our hands. It's such a beautiful evening. Though you can't really see it in the valley, You feel the spark of joy that the sunset usually brings this time of day. Suddenly, We hear something that we've been waiting to hear all day. Mr. Honeybee shouts out to us from our Battle Buzz helmets, As a zap snaps the ground. Something just narrowly missed my helmet. We take off on our transporters at top speeds, As another zap snaps the ground just beside your helmet. Someone is pursuing us, And the helmets are their targets. We have to connect with Mr. Honeybee at command. He can help us engage the emergency flight mode on our transporters. We climb the first tall tree we see and hide under the cover of leaves to put our helmets back on without risk of vaporization. We have to figure out what's happening down on the ground. Mr. Honeybee is so happy to hear from us. Looking at his wall of screens back at the garage command center, He sees something strange. He asks us to activate our infrared vision in the helmets and then look east. At the exact same time, We turn our heads and study that general direction through the open spots between the leaves. Our vision blazes red, And we are taken aback. A strangely powerful heat source is coming from the center of town. It's somehow aiming right at us. Mr. Honeybee has never seen anything like it, And neither have we. If there were someone nearby, We would be able to see the heat of their bodies with our tactical sight. But all we are able to see are lightning strikes of streaming red that appear to be coming out of nowhere. Something, And someone, Is able to detect us from long distances with the utmost precision. Mr. Honeybee urges us to flee, But I need to test something further. Abort mission. I repeat, Abort mission. Cover me, Hero. I need to figure out just how much they can see. Since we were going to be investigating Durmir today, I brought along my shiny new fountain pen to take notes. As Captain EJ prepares to swing down to the exposed lower branches of the tree, You send out your radar shield as cover. Captain EJ swings down and tosses the pen in the air, Then quickly tries to swing back up. With another red zap, The pen explodes on impact and vaporizes into thin air. Your shield takes a hit as well, But you made sure I come back safe, And that is why I always trust you to have my back. Something is able to target that tiny pen from over a mile away. It must have some sort of metal detector that helps with precision. This is dangerous. I've never seen anything that fast and accurate. The infrared sensor on our helmets warns us that a dangerously high heat is approaching us. Mr. Honeybee cleared a flight path for our transporters, So we are able to take to the skies and soar back to command. We fly between the trees under the cover of night, But don't get very far before we see someone see us. It's Sally Smith of the Silversmiths. Her family has been in Durmir for generations. She has been out here documenting the attacks, Trying to get a sense and scope of all the damage. Sally was the one who alerted Mr. Honeybee and requested your help. She becomes more and more distraught as she tells of all that she's witnessed. I just, I don't know what to do. I've been out here every night keeping track of all that's gone missing. I'm afraid I'm going to be next. Sally, Please rest assured that we will keep you and your hometown safe. My partner here is Honeybee Hero, Hero for short, And together we can take on any foe, Big or small. We didn't realize it at the time, But Sally saw our maneuvering back there. She feels reassured that we're responding to this threat. Sally knows that we will do everything in our considerable power to figure this out. Our mapping software does not pick up any of the places named Durmir because the town is so old. We ask her for a bit of help. There is a heat source coming from that direction. Do you happen to know what's over there? With binoculars and a camera hanging around her neck, Sally Smith looks deest. To get a better look, She peers through the binoculars to study the landscape. She says that the Knuckler compound is in that direction because that's the shadiest part of town. Hardly gets any sunshine. The Knucklers are scientists who have an enormous laboratory built into their house. Doctor and Dr. Knuckler work around the clock on their experiments. Sally pauses to think for a moment as if she's confused. She goes on to say that nothing should be going on over there right now because the doctors have been out of town since last week. Before she can finish her sentence, Her eyes widen with shock. Under her breath, She says, This must be the younger Knucklers. Not the doctors who are doing so much good for the world, But their sons, Pinky and Thumb. Shivers run down our spines as she recounts her earliest memories of two nocturnal brothers who were raised in the moonlight. The only contact they have with the townspeople is through their mean-spirited tricks and pranks. But this? They've outdone themselves with this wicked scheme. Sally, This has been very helpful, Thank you. Just know that we will not rest until each and every one of you can rest easy. We only fight for what's right, And we will do right by Dormir, Whether Pinky and Thumb like it or not. The Knucklers are running amok, Hero, But they are no match for us. We enjoy a peaceful flight back to the command center and think of all we've learned on our first trip. What can be done to defeat the Knucklers and restore peace in Dormir? That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together we can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero. And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick captain's recap, Now. The town of Dormir requested our immediate assistance with reports of long-distance vaporization. Things have been disappearing into thin air, And the townspeople are worried that could easily escalate. After conducting a thorough investigation of the peaceful idyllic valley, By the time night fell, We were under threat of being vaporized, Too. Thanks to our quick action, We narrowly escaped our equipment melting from an unexplained heat source. Sally Smith, A prominent Dormir resident, Explained that the heat was coming from the Knuckler compound, Home to two noxious, Nocturnal brothers, Pinky and Thumb-Knuckler. These troublesome brothers are at home without the supervision of their scientist parents. The Knucklers are running amok. We're going to need something a bit more powerful to defeat them, And that's the mission we're on today. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain E. J. Will lead the way. E. J. Let's begin. The peaceful night flight on our personal transporters gives us much-needed time to strategize without distraction. Just who are the Knucklers? Why are they vaporizing Dormir piece by piece? And more importantly, How? The twinkling stars are all that are out so late with us. Mr. Honeybee is eagerly waiting for our return. While we're strategizing, He has been assembling higher-tech equipment that can withstand such heat. We arrive at the unassuming garage and do our special knock to make sure Mr. Honeybee knows it's us. The garage opens and you're here, Safe once again, In the Honeybee neighborhood. Not a second is wasted at such a crucial time, Even in the middle of the night. While the whole neighborhood sleeps, Mr. Honeybee has been at the command center researching what possible technology the Knucklers could have access to. We have not seen anything like this vaporization or this heat source before, Especially with such precision. None of our equipment from the past missions will do. For this particular foe, We will have to push beyond our perceived limits and innovate right alongside their destruction. The command center that is hidden behind two locked doors in the garage has an even more secret room. The Stronghold. Though we don't go in there often, We do when it's necessary. Mr. Honeybee silently hands you a flash drive that shows a new string of numbers every few seconds. Along with facial recognition, This is what will allow you to enter the Stronghold. You enter the current code, 0831, And stand in front of the vaulted steel door with your head held high. As the red laser scans your face, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the safety of this fortified place, Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. The numerous locks click open and the vacuum-sealed door releases. With Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee at your back, The motion sensor lights flicker on one by one as we take slow, Careful steps through the threshold. Right foot, Left foot, Right foot, Left foot. With each step, Another fluorescent light buzzes on. What you think is a small, Dark room hidden behind a wall in the garage reveals itself to be a command center within a command center. It seems you are now underground. The echo from your footsteps fade out the further you go into the Stronghold. When Mr. Honeybee closes the door behind us, You feel the hum of perfect silence in your ears. Then he hands you a pair of heavily padded headphones that are identical to a pair he puts on. Captain EJ doesn't appear to need these like you two do. Here, Put these on, Just in case. They are snug but very comfortable and must have some kind of soundproofing built in. The only thing you can hear now is your own breath and heartbeat. Captain EJ, I know you don't want to ever think it's necessary, But the type of force these knucklers have may require your full strength. If it comes to that, Then it does. For now, I have to believe there is another way. We can appeal to the knucklers' human side, Their compassion, Assuming they have any. First and foremost, We need to understand the problem before we go about erasing it off the face of the Earth. That's a short-term solution to a potentially enduring problem. I understand. Who's to say there aren't more knucklers out there, Ready to appear out of nowhere when we defeat these ones? Exactly. I won't use full strength until I know for certain that there's no other way. That's right. We don't operate from a place of fear. Mr. Honeybee takes your flash drive to keep it with the rest of our keys and hands you a little remote instead. Without thinking, You point it at the first thing you see and click the glowing button. A loud buzz rumbles in the remote. It's so powerful that it shakes your hand uncontrollably. Fearful of what you've just done, You fling the remote from your hand. It spins in the air. Time seems to slow down. The seconds drag on with each spin of the remote. Captain EJ realizes what's happened and jumps to action. The entire stronghold seems to shake violently. Through blurred, Hazy vision, You're able to see Captain EJ open his mouth as if to shout at the spinning remote. Though you cannot hear anything, It looks like he's shouting at the top of his lungs. You can feel an immense pressure closing in around you, Pressing on your inner ears. He strains his eyes closed and balls up his fists, Still shouting silently. A flash zips through the air straight to the remote, And it levitates, Held up high and steady with nothing but air beneath it. Captain EJ continues to silent scream, And the remote goes on dangling, Frozen in time and space. You are mesmerized, Held in place just like the remote. You wonder how this is happening. This must be Captain EJ's superpower, But what is it? You feel like you've entered another realm where gravity doesn't have much sway. With quick reflexes, Mr. Honeybee reaches up and simply grabs the remote from the air. With that, Captain EJ's silent shout is done. He rests his hands on his knees, Exhausted. You are in shock, Wondering if he's okay. But Mr. Honeybee breaks all the tension with a giggle that he's trying his best to hide. Captain EJ stands back up after a moment of rest and joins Mr. Honeybee with a big smile. Oh, My apologies, Hero. That was totally my fault. Totally my fault. I should have told you what this was before handing it to you. I accidentally press this button all the time. We've had to rebuild that wall over there twice because of my butterfingers. It's true. If possible, We'd like to avoid another construction project. I really like how that wall came out this time. Me too. It really makes it feel like a stronghold, You know? Here you go, Hero. This remote has a special holster that you can wear on your hip. It has a built-in lock so you don't accidentally press the button. No one acknowledges what just happened, So you focus on keeping calm, Keeping cool, And keeping up. With your remote and its holster, You look down to your waist for something to hook it onto. You try to put it in one of your pockets but struggle to find one that fits it comfortably. The sound of yet another door opening brings your attention to what appears to be a mirror in front of you. You look up just as the mirror doors slide open and your reflection splits in half. A robotic arm with a metallic hanger for a hand unfolds and extends all the way to you. It is carrying a silver-plated suit that is almost as shiny as the mirror. But when you look closer, You see that the surface of this tactical gear is not smooth. It's actually made up of individual fibers that look like a fur coat of silver. Mr. Honeybee explains that he had to look across the globe far and wide for a way to combat the type of light and heat that the Knucklers are giving off. That led him to the Sahara Desert, Where the extraordinary Saharan silver ants managed to survive temperatures up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That's, Uh, 70 degrees Celsius, If my math's correct. His math is indeed correct. Armed with a dense array of uniquely shaped hairs on the top and sides of their bodies, Just like the fibers on our suits, These ants scurry across the scalding desert sand unfazed. The fibers on your suit will keep you cool in two ways, Just like the Saharan silver ants. These fibers are highly reflective under the visible and near-infrared light, But they're also highly emissive in the mid-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. That's how they'll keep us cool. They'll create an anti-reflection layer that will help us combat any extreme heat the Knucklers try to wield. If we stand any chance at defeating these nefarious foes, We will need to get closer to them in a couple different ways. For that, We will need to meet them face-to-face on their turf. If all goes according to plan, On our next trip to Dormir, We will go undercover to talk to the townspeople that know them best. Well, Best that anyone can know two anti-social nocturnal brothers. We will know more about our opponent without them knowing we know. That is a strategically strong position for us to be in. They won't know anything about us, But we'll know everything there is to know about them. Then, Armed as we are, With information, Wisdom, And armor, We will confront them from this place of power, Never from fear. Mr. Honeybee, We should use the ENV-MAX for this mission. The personal transporters don't offer enough protection. Did you get the retractable wings fixed? Yep. The ENV-MAX has been through a thorough inspection and is ready to use. I gave you slightly smaller wings for easier maneuvering. Hummingbirds will certainly be ENVIOUS of your hovering. You get it? Did you get it? Yes, Of course, I get it. ENV. Electric Networked Vehicle. EN. V. N. V. You and your jokes are just so. . . Punny? Sure. Let's go with that. Let's also hope that the knucklers are even more ENVIOUS than the hummingbirds. The suit of heat regulating silver fits you like a glove, As does the rest of your armor for this undercover mission. One by one, You put on each component then conceal it behind a layer of plain clothes. This way you and Captain EJ can stay incognito, But also be protected as you get closer to the knucklers. The reflective electromagnetic face shield that fits snugly under your Battle Buzz helmet can turn into sunglasses. The Battle Buzz helmet itself can fold back into a beanie. The chest plate doubles as and flips around into a backpack and the gloves, Well, Those are just really spiffy gloves. The entire suit can fit under your favorite hoodie and comfy pants so that you're perfectly aligned with the highest technology, But also still nimble. You now have a place to attach your remote control in its holster, Within the contours of the suit. As you look down to secure it, You wonder what exactly it does. You think that it must be powerful, Despite it being so small. You're certainly not going to press the button to find out. That was mystifying. For now, You look up to once again see yourself standing in front of the wall mirror that closes as the robotic arm retracts. You pull on your favorite hoodie and zip it up. Stand up tall, With your head held high and your shoulders as far from your ears as possible. Looking at your reflection in the mirror, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Tighten each of your muscles to reconnect with your strength, Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself relax into that strength. Study what you see in the mirror. It's us, Captain EJ, And his trusted sidekick, Honeybee Hero. The Knucklers don't stand a chance because we fight for what's right. Now that we're suited up, We leave the stronghold to go back to the command center. The motion sensor lights flicker off behind us as we walk out and the doors seal themselves shut. Once secured, Mr. Honeybee pulls a lever and a wall drops down in front of the vault door to hide it completely. Then, Without saying anything, He grabs the tire of a bike that hangs beside another one on a ceiling rack. He slides the whole bike rack over in front of the wall, Wipes the dust from his hands, And walks past us to open the garage door. He has the vehicles waiting for us out in the driveway. Mine is red and gray, My favorite colors, And yours is your favorite color. They look tidy, But like that remote control in your pocket and this whole garage, You now know not to underestimate unassuming things. Not flaunting your power is the surest sign of that deep, Quiet power that helps the best of the best endure. We pull our hoods up for the early morning drive we have ahead of us. Luckily, Our face shields transform into sunglasses because the sun is already coming up. You would never suspect what kind of technology we are wearing. We just look like two best friends enjoying a ride in our compact, Futuristic cars. As Mr. Honeybee sees us off, All of his devices buzz and ding. You two better hurry. The Knucklers have been just as busy as we have. Dormir needs you. You sit down in the single-seat ENV and strap yourself in. The steering wheel looks like it belongs on a spaceship, But feels right in your hands. Now we head back to Dormir. Pinky and Thumb might not be ready, But we are. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together we can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap, Now. After narrowly escaping Pinky and Thumb Knuckler's long-distance vaporization, Mr. Honeybee was waiting for us back at the command center. He specially developed suits of silver, Modeled after the extraordinary Saharan Silver Ants. Yes, You heard correctly. Ants. Saharan Silver Ants can withstand the blistering desert sun thanks to their silvery hairs. Go ahead, Look it up. Captain EJ does not lie. This intricate suit is presented to us in the top-secret stronghold that's hidden behind the walls of Mr. Honeybee's garage. Only you and I have access to this command center within a command center. Once suited up and properly concealed, We were outfitted further with our electric networked vehicle. The reflective silver fibers on our latest armor will allow us to confront the Knucklers face-to-face on their turf, Which is what we are on our way to do now. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ, Let's begin. You are here, Strapped into your single-seater electric networked vehicle that is the envy of all. You are zooming along beside Captain EJ in a nearly identical ENV. We keep pace with each other as we make our way back to Dormir. There's no rest for the wicked, Nor the heroes that combat them. Your sleepy yawns stand to take over, And you can't help but imagine a warm, Cozy bed right now, Or maybe even a hammock that lightly sways in the breeze. For now, You blink your eyes to keep them on the road. The dashboard in front of you allows you to push a series of buttons to engage the hoverwings that let us hop over anything in our path. Other cars, Bunnies, And even the people out early enough for their morning walks. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Reach your arms up and yawn a big yawn. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. You drift back to that idyllic scene of a hammock blowing in the wind as you stretch out your sore shoulders and stiff neck, Mindlessly letting your hands slip from the wheel. The sensation of a different engine rumbling beneath your feet snaps you back to reality. Before you can react, You realize that the ENV can drive itself. This car knows when your focus diverts, And it engages automated driving for you. Our vehicles just got new wings, So they prefer to fly. You and Captain EJ soar into the sky to see the sunset like never before. Usually, We're staying up late talking and laughing on our rooftops, Watching the orange sun light up the retreating night. Today, We're soaring. From up here, You can see the Valley of Dormir, With a mountain shadow laid permanently over it. A plume of smoke wafts into the air, A sure sign of the Knucklers' overnight destruction. We want to conceal ourselves at first, So we don't want to draw too much unwanted attention to our intel-gathering mission. Today, We will meet with the townspeople and learn more about just who we're dealing with. We land our ENVs in a vacant field just outside the town and stow them away in a thicket of bushes for safekeeping. We pull down our hoods and fold the battle bus helmet back into a beanie. Our silver chest plates with strategically placed fibers are turned into backpacks, And our infrared ultraviolet eye scopes into sunglasses. Captain EJ is used to going incognito, But it's new for you. Play it cool, Kiro. Play it cool. No one knows us yet here. We can use that to our advantage. As we approach Dormir on the dirtback roads, We can hear the commotion of townspeople gathered. You arrive at a scene of devastation and destruction. The grain silo that towers over the town, And has for decades, Has blackened and charred. All the grain that was stored inside has spilled and since blown away in the cool mountain breeze. Only morsels are left from over a year's worth of stock. The silo is smoking and burned to a crisp, But you can still see the old, Withered paint that reads Welcome to Dormir in cheerful, Cracked letters. This is how the oldest town around feeds its livestock, And its enterprising ways. The knucklers are aiming where it hurts the most. A group of farmers in straw hats look up to the steel silo with worried faces. More people arrive to see what's going on, And to console the people whose livelihoods depend on this grain storage. While everyone is focused on them, It's the perfect opportunity for us to blend in and get information. You make eye contact with Captain EJ, Who walked up to the other side of the group. You nod your heads in agreement, Knowing exactly what the other is thinking. Great minds. At the same time, You and Captain EJ fan out into the crowd, Popping up every so often to ask what's going on. You get a different story from each person you ask. Most suspect that Pinky and Thumb aren't to blame. Some assume their evil intent is revenge for some unknown slight. One person is absolutely convinced aliens have invaded. It has to be aliens. It has to be. Maybe they're even here in this crowd, Trying to blend in. Hey, Who are you? I've never seen you before. You get away from that as fast and politely as you can. We would prefer not to have our cover blown, But we absolutely cannot be suspected aliens. Hey, Where are you going? Wait, What planet did you come from? Hey, Come here! You eventually lose him by weaving through the crowd. When you find your way back to Captain EJ, One voice suddenly lifts above the rest. You look over to see Sally Smith, The resident who you met on your first visit to Dormir. She's climbing up the silo ladder to get the crowd's attention from above. Of Dormir, Sally Smith of the silversmiths here. She has climbed up high enough to catch a bit of sunshine that doesn't make it to the soft valley ground. In the sun, She noticeably shimmers in shades of silver. Iridescent sparkles dance all around her in the light. Is it just me, Or does she look silver? She says she was a silversmith, Right? Does that mean she's literally silver? You wonder the same thing as you continue to listen to silver Sally Smith. Then you try not to listen too closely, So you break up your listening with some looking around, Trying to be as natural as possible. This is the Knucklers doing. They are tormenting the great people of Dormir, And we need to do something. Who has a plan? The uproar of the crowd suggests everyone has a plan, And Sally struggles to maintain control even from up high. Okay, That's too many plans. I need a new plan. Hold please, It'll just be one second. Just one second. Sally scans her racing thoughts, Struggling to find a suitable alternative plan. Then she scans the crowd. You and Captain EJ turn your faces so she doesn't see you, On the off chance that she'll recognize you. But, Before you can help it, Sally formulates a plan that includes both of you. Hey, Hey you, You two over there, I saw you the other night. You were the heroes who outsmarted the Knucklers. If you did it once, You can surely do it again. Come up, Come up, We're all ears. At first, You and Captain EJ pretend not to hear, But the crowd is riled up. They must already know about you. Your cover is blown. We have no choice but to accept this change of plans and make our way through the crowd up to the silo. You climb up first, Right hand, Left hand, Right foot, Left foot. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose as you climb. Focus your mind on the sensation of your strong heart beating. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. Together, We climb high enough to see the enormous crowd of townspeople that have now flocked to Main Street. My name is Captain EJ and this is my partner, Honeybee Hero. Hero for short. It's true, We are aware of the situation here in Dormir. Rest assured that we are equipped to handle the threat Pinky and Thumbknuckler pose and we have a plan to do just that. For now, We will just need to chat with everyone to get some information. Very easy, Please form two lines, One over here in front of me and one over there in front of Hero. You climb down and point out where one line can start in front of you. The people of Dormir can sense your leadership ability and quickly fall into line. Everyone has organized themselves into two groups and are waiting eagerly to tell what they know. One by one, We speak to nearly everyone who lives in Dormir. Pinky and Thumbknuckler are longtime residents and have amassed quite the reputation. As Sally mentioned, They live in the Knuckler compound in the most shadowed part of town. The rest of the residents are able to tell us more. Their parents are scientists, Like geniuses. They never let Pinky and Thumb go to school with the rest of us. I think they're around my age, But I never ever see them. I heard that their parents homeschooled them, Only taught them the sciences. They were trying to make the brothers into geniuses, But they're more like vampires, Only coming out at night. Do your powers work against vampires? They're nocturnal from what I can tell. I don't think they're vampires. Their parents are working on a project with the silversmiths and they're not home right now. Pinky and Thumb, Well, They must have that whole compound to themselves. Their parents are away on sabbatical, Studying the polar nights. I know their research involves night time, But I don't know much else. I don't know much about any of them. The doctors kept a very, Very strange schedule. That compound is dark during the day and the whole family is active at night. Those boys probably don't have too many friends. They are a cruel pair of brothers. I only remember seeing them out in the daytime once. We were selling cookies door to door as a fundraiser. I knocked and Pinky answered with a big grin. Oh, He's smiling. You think he's going to be nice? No. He listened to our whole explanation about what the charity was for and who supported it. And said he was interested in a whole box of cookies we had left. He called Thumb over to look at them. And in a blink of an eye, Pinky yanked the entire box of cookies from us. Thumb slammed the door and bolted it shut. They stole all of our cookies. It was horrible. We've learned so much about who the Knucklers are. It's best to know your opponent and to never, Ever underestimate them. As feared and expected, The younger Knucklers have a heartless reputation. More than that, With their parents away, Pinky and Thumb Knuckler are left to their own devices, As well as a lab full of their parents. That is not a good combination, As is evident by all the destruction. We spend all day in Dormir, Talking to the resilient people who make up this town. But the crowd hurriedly dwindles as the sun sets. Before we know it, We're the only ones standing in the middle of a now deserted street. A Honeybee neighborhood bulletin blows in the breeze and catches on your leg. You look down to see a big picture of you and Captain EJ on the front page that reads, Hometown Heroes Defend Dormir. It was from the first trip to Dormir when you saw Sally Smith. She must have taken a picture of us in action. She did have a camera around her neck with the binoculars. Now, For better or worse, We're both known in Dormir. The Knucklers have to know we're here. Word has certainly spread and though we got excellent intel, Our cover was thoroughly compromised. Feeling the vulnerability of this wide open space with a desolate wind at our backs, We instinctively cover each other. We stand back to back so we can see all around us. Your eyes are peeled and you know that Captain EJ's are too. He has your back. Night falls all around you. The only functioning streetlight flickers overhead as a howling wind whirls around us and echoes down the empty streets of Dormir. The townspeople are hunkered down in their homes and we are charged with their safety. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and strengthen all your muscles at once. Your high-tech suit hums as it reactivates. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let your body be soft. Let your mind be clear and feel how ready you are for this challenge. With our hoods down, Our Battle Buzz helmets back on, Mr. Honeybee comes in loud and clear. Captain EJ, Hero, Do you copy? There's a heat source detected just behind you. Can you see it? We see it, Mr. Honeybee. We know exactly what to do. Through our infrared eye scopes, We can see a bright red flash zapping through the sky, Hitting the ground around our feet. The bulletin disintegrates immediately and leaves only a puff of smoke. The Knucklers are back, But they are no match for us and our silver suits that form a barrier under our clothes. We turn around to walk towards them, Unafraid of their long-distance vaporization. Zooming our built-in binoculars to the max, We can see Pinky and Thumb aiming what looks like a giant telescope at us. Pinky's so tiny that he has to stand on a table to aim the machinery. His bulbous bald head tilts back with maniacal laughter that echoes. Thumb, Who is the exact opposite of Pinky, Lumbers his gigantic body around the rooftop lab, Doing whatever Pinky tells him to do. Flash after flash falls on our feet, But we continue toward them undeterred. As we approach, Pinky scurries to her control panel and busily pushes buttons. He seems to be worried and mounting an even more wicked attack as a result. We can hear his angry, Squeaking voice barking orders to Thumb against the backdrop of a completely silent town. With an evil glimmer in his eye, Pinky stands on Thumb's broad shoulders to get a better look through a bigger laser and aims at us once again. We now run straight for the Knuckler compound, Right up to the fortress-like wall, Focused on our target. In one strike, Pinky zaps both of us with an incredible force of heat and light, But it does nothing to our suits. Mr. Honeybee cheers from the command center, Knowing with certainty that the silver in our suits is the key. Pinky and Thumb are now in a panic. Their evil plan has failed for the first time, And now we know where they are. Up until now, They have been mostly invisible, Cowards who targeted innocent people behind their backs. They scramble on the rooftop laboratory and repeatedly run to look over the edge and watch our confident advance. When we get to the exterior wall of the Knuckler compound, We can see them looking down to us. Thumb's eyes are wide with shock, As if he doesn't know how we were able to withstand the vaporization. A sly grin comes across Pinky's face before he shouts down. Lovely silver suit you got there, Captain. It can't just be your impeccable style that brought it together. That has to be made of pure silver. It is, Isn't it? Mr. Honeybee, How can he know that? Our suits are perfectly concealed. There's no way. Why did he say, Has to be, Made of pure silver? Oh, Captain! Can you hear me down there? Yes, We can hear you just fine, Knuckler. Why don't you and Thumb come down so we can talk this out rationally? No need to vaporize anything else. Your weaponry is no match for us anyways, As you just saw. So sure you are of your silver? Why, Of course. How could I say no to that? But first, A question. Why don't you ask Mr. Honeybee where he got the silver he used to make those lovely suits? How does he even know me? I got the silver, Hmm, Let's see. It was delivered right to me from an associate of a friend of a friend of an associate. Let me check the packaging. It came from. . . Oh no, It came from Dormir. Oh no, Something called. . . Want me to give you the answer? It sounds like you know a thing or two, Pinky. Come on down and explain it to us. Make us even stronger. We'll meet you at the door. Be mine. Come on. Captain and his hero friend are waiting for us. Standing before the tall iron door that leads into the Nuckler compound, We wait for Pinky and Thumb to emerge, Not quite knowing what to expect. Weary of what they'll do next, We're on high alert for anything that can come from anywhere. You can hear them on the other side of the door whispering to each other. Every so often, Pinky shouts at Thumb and returns to a whisper. Intrigued, We lean in to put our ear up to the door. Footsteps approach, Followed by more whispering. Then, Perfect silence. We step back and look at each other, Wondering where they went. You reach your hand up to knock on the heavy door. Just then, Gears grind and crank overhead. We look up, Just as a massive cage with vertical bars slams to the ground around us, Trapping us inside. You and Captain EJ grab hold of the bars and shake them in a panic, But the cage doesn't budge. The bolts that secure the door unlock one by one, And Pinky slyly sticks his head out. Oh, I forgot to mention that we have a real problem with bears up here. I like to get in the house, And the lab, And everything. Enjoy the bear cage! Aye aye, Captain. The door slams and bolts shut. We look at each other, Waiting for our great minds to think alike. Then, With a spark of genius, They do. Your hand instinctively grabs for the remote that's holstered at your hip. You carefully hold it in your hand, Not knowing exactly the power it contains, But only that it's immense. Now's the time to use that remote. Good thinking, Hero. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the power resting at your fingertips. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button. Blue lightning flashes out of the remote, And a small circle of light begins to form just beyond the bars. The blue electricity sizzles as it comes into contact with the cage and fizzles out in a puff. Mr. Honeybee, Have you ever seen the teleportation device fail like this? There must be some kind of radiation present. At the compound that is disabling the portal mechanism. Okay, We have another way out. Hero, Trust me when I say this. Right now, You are much stronger than you ever imagined. I'll explain later. Just do what I do. Trusting Captain EJ with everything you have, You follow his direction and place your hands on the cold, Steely bars. You take another slow, Deep breath in. Feel your chest lift and the Battle Buzz helmet activate. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and pull the solid iron bars apart with all your strength. They pry open, Collapsing under the strength of your incredible grip. You can't believe it even as it's happening right in front of you. Together, We free ourselves with our own strength and jump into action. We secure the perimeter to make sure the Knucklers are still inside. At one of the back windows on the far side of the house that is adjacent to the first floor laboratory, We peek in to see Pinky and Thumb engrossed in a racing game, Completely oblivious to the fact that we're free. We stay up all night to make sure they stay in, Which they do. Using our tracking systems and infrared vision, We watch them play a dancing game, Which, Surprisingly, Thumb won, And meander around the house entertaining themselves with whatever is at their disposal. Perhaps they've had enough wickedness for one day, Or perhaps their wickedness is just another form of entertainment to them. As the sun rises, They both snuggle into their lavish, Princely beds while we monitor them carefully from outside. This was the first night in over a week that Dormir won't wake up to more destruction. We did that much. Come on back, Team. Mrs. Honeybee and Melodybee have a little something special waiting just for you. You have to be exhausted. We sure are, Mr. Honeybee. Okay, We'll teleport back once we get far enough away from this compound and its radiation. Barely functioning on zero sleep, We retrieve our ENVs with a gesture and a snap of our fingers. They appear before us with their return flight plans ready. Now is the time to teleport straight back to the Honeybee house. We hop in and floor it to fly as far away from this compound as possible, At least for a short night's rest. Well, It's more of a day's rest at this point. Without meaning to or realizing it, We are becoming just as nocturnal as the Knucklers in order to defeat them. You cannot underestimate your opponent, As we know, But you also can't become them in the flurry of strategizing for a win. That is for tomorrow. For now, The soft sun rises over the valley and Mr. Honeybee lets us know when we're out of the radiation's range. You again push the button on the remote at your hip. The same blue lightning flashes and creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, We are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. Before we know it, We are back home. Mrs. Honeybee, They're here. The hammocks are ready in the garden. Perfect. I'm pouring the tea now. Do you have any fresh lavender left over from the sleep pouches? Maybe we can set that up for them too. Oh, Good idea. I'll bring them some. Like good neighbors, Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee have tea prepared for us and Melodybee has set up two hammocks in the garden. We take off our suits and helmets after a long day and night and lay them beside us. The soft morning sun shines down on you, Magnifying the warmth of the tea that you sip. We collapse onto our hammocks, Which are side by side facing the sunrise. It's just like we're on our rooftop, But here, Another little fluffy friend joins you. Mrs. Honeybee's little dog, Harold, Jumps into your hammock and curls up beside you. We finish our chamomile tea, Sink into the soft pillow, And pull our brightly colored blankets up to our chins. The warm breeze sways us back and forth, And we enjoy the best day's sleep we've ever had. We'll need to be refreshed to build a bigger, Better strategy to defeat the knucklers. For now, We rest. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick hero, And just in time, In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick captain's recap, Now. We walked straight into a knuckler ambush, And kept walking. Their long-distance vaporization attempts didn't stand a chance against our suits of silver that could handle the heat. But we did hit a bit of a snag. It seems Pinky Knuckler knows more about the silver in our suits than even Mr. Honeybee did, And Mr. Honeybee made them. Pinky somehow knew that the silver came directly from none other than Knuckler International. With that insider information, Pinky drew us in closer, All the way to their front door. They may have disabled our technology and trapped us physically, But their win was only momentary. Using powers you didn't realize you had, We freed ourselves using our own strength and know-how. Together, We secured the perimeter of the Knuckler compound, And made sure they stayed put, Entertaining themselves with the games they play. I fear that the destruction they're unleashing on Dormir is just another form of entertainment to them. But for now, We have to figure out how Pinky, Thumb, Their scientist parents, And Knuckler International Corporation are all connected. And for that, We have to wake up from our much-needed nap in the backyard hammocks. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ, Let's begin. You are here, Slowly waking up in the honeybee garden. A warm afternoon breeze sways your hammock back and forth. You close your heavy eyelids for a little more rest as the sun shines gently on your face. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the fresh air coming in and filling up your lungs. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself be heavy here. Captain EJ is still snoozing in the hammock across from you, And Harold is still curled up beside you, Snoring. It's so peaceful here, Yet you know that not too far away mayhem is lurking and waiting for the next opportunity to strike. You whisper over to Captain EJ, Trying to politely wake him up and ask about the strength you've found yourself to have, Right when you needed it most. But he pulls the blanket up to his chin, Readjusts, And turns to the other side in a deep sleep. You look down at your hands and inspect them front and back. They look like your typical hands, But last night you were able to pry solid metal bars apart like they were made of silly putty. You twist around to look at your elbows, Arms, And shoulders. Do you still have that strength? Without waking Harold, You slink out of the hammock and walk over to a heavy wooden patio table that sits in the middle of Melody B's garden. It has potted plants in the center and there are clay pots stacked on the tabletop waiting to be used. You should be able to lift this easily if you still had that strength, Right? Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose and strengthen each and every one of your muscles. Then slowly breathe out and try to lift the table off the ground. It doesn't budge, So you let your whole body relax. You were able to move the table slightly by pushing it, But not as much as you'd expect after last night. Looking around the garden, You wonder how else you can test this. Harold has his head rested on the Battle Buzz helmet back on the hammock. That could have something to do with it. Walking back over to your helmet, You see its green light flashing. That's how you know it's charged and ready to use. Make sure your neck is straight and tall, With your ears as far away from your shoulders as possible. Place the Battle Buzz helmet back on your head. Click the dial on the side to zoom your scope out. You can see the garden in brilliant shades of reds and purples now. With infrared vision, You can see the heat given off by little creatures in the trees and even underground. A sense of power swells in your mind and you slowly begin to feel what you felt last night. The helmet activates and sends a tingling sensation across your scalp like a microscopic massage. With laser focus, You meet yourself back at the table once again. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and feel how strong you are. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and lift the table off the ground with your own two hands. Not only can you lift it off the ground, But you can lift it over your head with one hand. With the other hand, You catch the pots that slide off the table as you lift it effortlessly. You can hardly believe it. With the table in your hands and possibility in your heart, A rustle brings your attention back to the garden. You look behind you to see Captain EJ and Harold smiling proudly. Seems Hero has discovered what puts the battle in Battle Buzz helmet, Huh Harold? You concentrate on lowering the table back down to the ground slowly, So your grip doesn't break it, And arrange the pots carefully since they are much lighter in your hands than usual. You always knew you had incredible strength, But this is beyond what you ever imagined yourself to be capable of. That is very much the point and the function of the Battle Buzz helmet that you're wearing. Before Captain EJ can explain further, Mr. Honeybee sees that you're awake and excitedly rushes out the back door, Carrying opened packaging from the delivery and the tablet where he stores his volumes of research. Oh good, You're both awake. I looked into this Knuckler International Corporation. I still can't believe I didn't notice the name before. Mr. Honeybee clicks around quickly and swipes his hand up toward the top of the tablet in one swift motion. What was displaying on his screen now projects onto a transparent display that unfurls from the rooftop with one of his clicks and hangs down the side of the house. You take off your helmet and immediately distract yourself with how perfect this setup would be for backyard movie nights, Complete with the fire pit and those cozy hammocks. But Captain EJ's booming voice asking Mr. Honeybee a question brings you back to the moment. Time was of the essence when you got that package, Mr. Honeybee. It's understandable that you didn't study it, But you clearly have now. Are those the Elder Knucklers standing in front of their charities? Are they wonderful people? From what I can tell, Doctor and Dr. Knuckler are doing extremely important work for the world. Just look at this long list of awards their innovative research has won and the charities they support. Mr. Honeybee scrolls down a list of hundreds of names. Besides the names are smiling pictures of them accepting their awards and all the thankful people around the world shaking their hands. That's when a familiar shimmering face pops up in the pictures on the screen. You point out the very silver Sally Smith who helped and completely outed you and Captain EJ in Dormir. She and the rest of her silver smithing family are huddled around the Dr. Knucklers like a team who just won. Hero brings us brilliantly to my next point. Sally Smith's the silver that the Elder Knucklers helped mine out of thin air, Literally. Let me explain. Doctor and Dr. Knuckler developed a fractional distillation technique that mines silver particles from the air. Mr. Honeybee goes on to explain that Dormir is specially situated in a valley that sits in the shadow of surrounding mountains. Since the sunlight shines so minimally on the place, The cooler air retains more of its nighttime properties. At night, When the moon reflects the light of the sun without transmitting as much heat, The minute silver particles that flicker on the moon's surface beam down to earth with the moonlight. Throughout the shady day in Dormir, Silver particles collect in the valley. They are left hanging in the shadow of the night before. Doctor and Dr. Knuckler begin their nocturnal work when the silver in the air is at its densest and ready to harvest. It seems that Pinky, More so than Thumb, Devised an alternative use for the fractional distillator. It can heat the air of Dormir to the perfect temperature that separates out the silver particles without destroying them. That's how Pinky knew your suits were made of silver, Even though they weren't at all visible. Because silver is the only thing their machines cannot disintegrate. Everything else around it can be vaporized with the push of a button. On our trip to Dormir, We did learn that the Elder Knucklers wanted their sons to follow in their footsteps. So Pinky and Thumb must know enough about the science to misuse the technology with devastating precision. But wait, I don't understand what is so important about silver that it needs to be mined from the air. What can it do? Another interesting point, But an easier question to answer, Is what silver can't do. And the answer appears to be nothing. It's used in medicine and hospitals because it naturally fights germs. It's one of the most reflective metals, So it helps us see our own reflection in mirrors. It regulates temperature. It's used in cars, Engines, Electronics, Jewelry, And silverware. It's used to purify water and even to convert sunlight into solar electricity. Silver seems to solve a lot of the most enduring problems, Which is why Dr. And Dr. Knuckler are so renowned. They supply most of the world's silver through Knuckler International. Wow, I had no idea. This is excellent research as always, Mr. Honeybee. That level of technology in the wrong hands puts so much more at risk than just one town and its people. Speaking of, Sally Smith should be calling on the holophone any minute. She confirmed there was no additional damage last night, Which in and of itself is a miracle. Whatever you and Hero did last night worked in the short term. She also mentioned that she might be able to get a hold of the elder Knucklers. If they know what Pinky and Thumb are doing, They may be able to stop them, Or at the very least, Power down their laboratory in some way. I'm sure they have some kind of failsafe enabled for when they're away. Back in the nondescript garage, The command center is abuzz with blinking indicators, Beeping gadgets, And humming machinery. The alert from Mr. Honeybee's holographic phone is a glowing orb that bubbles out the sleek screen. We can see Sally Smith's face looking at us, Waiting for us to answer her call. Mr. Honeybee places a device on a small pad near the floor and clicks to answer. Suddenly, Sally appears in 3D as if she's standing right in front of you in the garage. She looks much more relieved than the last time we saw her. This was the first morning in over a week that she didn't wake up to more destruction. Her neighbor came by with cookies to celebrate. With a big smile, She reaches out to give you and Captain EJ a hug through her hologram. You try not to seem shocked that it's possible for her to do that and lean in nonchalantly. The buzz of electricity tickles your shoulder where she squeezes you tight with gratitude. Mr. Honeybee updates her on all we've learned about Dr. And Dr. Knuckler. Sally is anxious to fill in the gaps and begins telling us all about her family of silversmiths and the long history of work she's done with the doctors. Sally shimmers even brighter as a three-dimensional hologram than she does in person. The animated way she talks as she lights up makes her look like she's made of magic. The Smith family has been working with silver for so many generations that we sort of shimmer. I like to think of it as a little bit of moon dust sprinkled on our lineage. At this point, It's genetic, I assume. My parents taught me the trade. Their parents taught them. We have smithing tools that are centuries old at our ranch. That's what's so scary about what the younger Knucklers are doing. Just think of all that we stand to lose for no good reason. One of our two-ton furnaces just disappeared into thin air. Poof. Irreplaceable family heirloom vaporized. That was my great-great-great-grandparents' furnace and now it's gone. I'm willing to help in any way I can. Sally's long-standing working relationship with the Dr. Knucklers means that she has many ways to contact them, Even when they're away, In case of business emergencies. She's already tried calling their cell phones, But they do not get service in the Arctic Circle. They are there taking advantage of a months-long polar night to advance their fractal desolation research. Their sabbaticals can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to months at a time. With Mr. Honeybee's satellite phone, Though, We can get a clear signal through to their satellite phones. Captain E. J. Quickly grabs the phone from the workbench and Mr. Honeybee opens the garage. We'll need to be out in the open air with a clear view of the sky to access the satellite. It can send communications to just about anywhere on the planet, As long as both phones have a clear path to transmit signals back and forth to the satellite. We're also going to need Sally down in the driveway so she can read us the number. You gently pick up the holophone from its spot in the garage and carefully balance Sally's hologram while you walk-run to the driveway. The satellite phone rings and rings over the speaker. Captain E. J. Paces back and forth while it does. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Hold your breath in for the last ring. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth as the call goes to the Dr. Knuckler's voicemail. They explain that they are doing new cloud experiments that aim to attract more silver to a particular area, But the dense clouds will obstruct their signal. They did mention something helpful. They get mail twice a month at their research facility, So that's something. We need another plan, And Sally, For that we'll need your skills. Of course. Captain E. J. And Honeybee Hero, Whatever I can do. Thoughts and possibilities race through your head before a sense of calm washes over you. Captain E. J. Felt it too, And once again, Your great minds think just alike. You look at each other and smirk, Knowing exactly what to do. Oh, By now I know that look. What are you two thinking? You have to tell me. I cannot read your minds like you can. What is it? We know all the machinery that Pinky and Thumb have access to in their parents' lab cannot destroy silver. And we have someone right here who literally makes silver. We need to put those two things together. Genius. How did I not think of this? With Sally's resources and skills, Mr. Honeybee's technology, And our strategy and strength, We can plate the entire town of Dormir with the protective layer of silver. If it worked for us and our suits, It will work for Dormir and all of the invaluable things they hold dear. Sally can set a cast for any possible shape. She's never silver-plated the side of a house before, But she's willing to try. Since we only have our two arms, Mr. Honeybee can help move things remotely with teleportation. For the big, Heavy silver plates that need to be put in place once they've cooled, Well, We have that handled. Our two arms, Each, Will be plenty. Together, You and Captain EJ will be the force of protection that Dormir and its people so desperately need. Before she ends the holocaust, Sally fires up one of her remaining furnaces and gets right to work melting down all the scrap silver that doesn't have a use yet. She mentions that another fresh batch is on its way, But doesn't go into details. Silver is now going to become one of the most precious of all her precious metals. Mr. Honeybee can easily replicate the teleportation remote prototype that you used on the last trip. He rushes off to the workbench to get that started just as Sally's hologram fades back into the ether. You know just what to do, And now it's time to do it. Hero, Our conscientious use of strength is crucial to this mission. It's time for you to know exactly how the Battle Buzz helmet works and all you're actually capable of. Come with me. Captain EJ leads you back into the stronghold where your suits of silver are stored for safekeeping. On the way, You grab your Battle Buzz helmet which is laying on the workbench, Concealed as a beanie, And tuck it under your arm. You reach up to the bike in the rack that is hanging from the ceiling and push it along its track until the wall behind it reveals the door to the stronghold. Captain sorts through a ring of keys until he finds the one that opens the top drawer of a red tool chest in the corner. There he finds the little flash drive with numbers that change every couple minutes. It flashes 555 and you quickly enter that into the keypad. Quiet yourself inside and out as you stand in front of the vaulted steel door with your head held high. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose while the facial recognition laser traces your face. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and step into the stronghold through the open door. You walk up to your reflection in the mirror where the robotic arm will emerge from. Now you look at the mirror knowing something more than you did before. This mirror is made of silver and more than that, Silver's ability to reflect light is one of the few ways you're able to ever see yourself, What you look like from the outside that is, Which is something totally different than how it feels to be you. Standing in your own reflection, You look at yourself as you never have before. You are stronger than you ever thought possible. What you thought were physical limits were just optical illusions of your own limited human perception. The mirror doors separate and the suits of silver are presented to you and Captain EJ on the robotic arm. Layer by layer, You suit up and think about the mission ahead of us. So much is at stake, But you can't think about that now. Heroes don't need to think about how heroic they are. Nothing truly heroic is done in vain. Captain EJ again hands you headphones that fit snugly over your ears and secures the inner door. This stronghold is the only place that Captain EJ practices using his powers at full strength. Now you will have to adjust to having yours just like he did. Captain EJ has had his whole life to learn to live with his superpowers, But you are learning in an emergency with no time to spare. The mirror doors close in front of you and you put on your Battle Bus helmet, First as a beanie. Together you and Captain EJ convert your beanies to helmets and he explains how this strange piece of technology works with you, Specifically. You're the only other person in the world that has a Battle Bus helmet. No one else can be trusted to wield such power. Mr. Honeybee spent years perfecting the mechanism within this helmet. It's modeled after the special way that Captain EJ thinks. The functionality in his helmet serves as a reminder that even he sometimes needs. Each thought we think is an electrical current that travels through our squishy folded up brains. That current mixes with chemicals called hormones that help different parts of your body communicate with each other. Every time we think a thought, We create a specific pathway that our physiology responds to with an array of chemicals. That process, And that process alone, Determines the strength you do or do not have in any given moment. These pathways, Although changeable, Become entrenched. The electricity gets comfortable traveling along the same pathway just like we find our favorite ways of doing things over time. That is how our habits, And thus our personalities, Are developed, For better or worse. Whether you think you can or you think you can't, You're right. That is the damage self-defeating thoughts pose to our otherwise creative brain machinery. And it's our brains, Not our muscles, That allow us to use our full strength. What Captain EJ does is sincerely believe that he can. This helmet delivers a sense of reality that is saturated with possibility. A love that already lives in you. The Battle Buzz helmet just allows you to feel it, Unimpeded by any previous habits. It gives your electricity shortcut pathways that get straight to the point. You are hero now. It doesn't matter what you or anyone else called you before. You didn't see this before, But Captain EJ has several stone walls set up deeper in the expanse of Stronghold. This is what he uses for strength practice. Full of enthusiastic inspiration, You leap up to the wall and decide to pull a single stone completely out of the concrete that is holding them together. With one hand, You gently nudge the heavy cinder block. It cracks as it rips away from the rest of the stone wall. You hold it up to really take it in. Captain EJ smiles watching you realize how strong you are. He's been waiting for this moment for a long time, And it's finally here. You know what he has always known about you. How capable you are of doing anything you set your heart and mind to. After a couple tries, You successfully punch right through one of the stone walls. You can lift anything, Including Captain EJ, Much to his surprise. And you are now well-versed in your own power. Captain EJ quiets himself down to practice in his own way. The last you saw of this, He was able to hold the teleportation remote in mid-air. Now, You're able to see just how he does that. He signals for you to put your hands over your headphones to protect your ears as much as possible. The helmet is obstructing the headphones from sitting flat against your ears, So you hurry to adjust them for reasons you don't know yet. Then he looks to the stone walls in the Stronghold, One of which you just punched through. You got one ear tucked away under the headphone, But you're struggling to get the other one to fully cover your ear. As you fumble with it, Captain EJ takes a slow, Deep breath in through his nose. His chest lifts and his hands ball into fists. Then he exhales and shouts in the direction of the stone walls. It's unlike any sound you heard before, And you only hear it for a split second before your one exposed ear starts ringing. You jerk the headphone over your other ear, Clambering for relief just as each of the stone walls explode in quick succession. The sound waves of Captain EJ's voice have such a force that not much on Earth can withstand. His voice is his superpower. But given its ultimate destruction, He has vowed to only use its terrifying strength when absolutely necessary and never, Ever in the direction of a person. He only used it on things like these stone walls or falling buildings, And he's gotten quite precise at doing that. But even Captain EJ does not know the extent of the magic that lives within his voice. He keeps it hidden away for the most part, Exposed only rarely and mostly in this stronghold where the people he cherishes can be protected. Captain EJ sits down on the rubble, All that's left from the stone walls. Hero, It's not the special powers or incredible strength that makes us who we are. It's what we decide to do with those gifts and how we use them. Otherwise, We are no different, No better than Pinky and Thumbknuckler. We take responsibility for our abilities and honor them with healthy self-discipline. But more than that, We always begin and end with love. Let's go save Dormir. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together we can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero. And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap, Now. In The Safety of the Stronghold, You learn the source and the extent of your superhuman strength. You will never look at your own two hands the same, Knowing now the power they contain. You also learn what constitutes full strength for Captain EJ, Which is used sparingly in consideration of the great potential for destruction. It's not the powers we have that make us heroes, But when and how we decide to use them. With the help of Mr. Honeybee and Silver's Sally Smith, We figured out a strategy to contain the Knucklers' rampant misuse of their power that comes in the form of scientific understanding. Since we couldn't get a hold of the Elder Dr. Knucklers under the clouds of the polar night that they're studying, We must stop Pinky and Thumb ourselves. Since we know Silver is their kryptonite, And we have the means to generate as much Silver as we need, We can simply set up a protective Silver barrier to stave off any further attacks until the Elder Knucklers return to reign in their suns. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ… Let's begin. We are suited up, Confident, And ready as we load everything into our ENVs. We are preparing to teleport back to Dormir. Mr. Honeybee meets you at the entrance of the stronghold, Where you conceal the hidden door with the bike rack that hangs from the ceiling. He has been busy duplicating the teleportation remote you hold on your hip at all times, And explains how these can work from the command center as well. This is the most advanced yet simple way to get yourself or anything else where it needs to be, And potentially out of harm's way. These teleportation devices have the ability to affect time and space along multiple channels all at once. This is like being able to watch many TV channels at once, To monitor all of them instantaneously. But, It's also kind of like being able to play multiple video games at once, Because you can move things around at will. Hmm, That's actually a pretty cool idea. Let's write that one down, Roger. Roger that, Mr. Honeybee. A little blue robot rolls on a single wheel from the back of the garage to the workbench, Where he records Mr. Honeybee's thoughts as he thinks them. When he's done, Roger disappears just as quickly as he appeared. Roger assists Mr. Honeybee when he needs more than just the two hands he has, And now is one of those times. In a single afternoon, They were able to build out three of these multi-channel teleportation remotes for you, Captain EJ, And himself since no other human can be trusted with this type of technology. Captain EJ tests out one of the remotes with his ENV, And Mr. Honeybee himself, Without telling Mr. Honeybee beforehand. In the zip of an instant, Both have disappeared from the unassuming garage and have crash-landed on the dusty grounds of Sally Smith's silversmithing ranch. Captain EJ giggles to himself. Mr. Honeybee certainly was not expecting that. With another push of a volume button, Another hologram appears that allows you to see where you've just teleported something. Mr. Honeybee stands up with his arms waving like he needs to be rescued from a desert island. You and Captain EJ laugh knowing that this will be used for some epic pranking when the situation is not so dire. Convinced he's stranded, Mr. Honeybee dusts off his knees and elbows and begins walking the long way back to command center with his head hung. You can't stand to let him think you've abandoned him. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Focus your mind on where you want Mr. Honeybee to land back in the garage. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the single channel button. Mr. Honeybee is scooped up in time and space and returned to his command center. He breathes a big sigh of relief and promises to get you and Captain EJ back as soon as possible. That was good. That was good. But I'll get you back. Better. Now that you know how to use it, You and Captain EJ are ready to head out in your ENVs. Sitting in front of the steering wheel with your Battle Buzz helmet and your silver suits activated, Mr. Honeybee teleports you both back to Dormir. In the blink of an eye, We are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color and land on the dusty ground of Sally's Smithing Ranch. The ENV's tires absorb most of the fall, But it still makes an audible sound. Sally comes running out of the house for the second time, Convinced these sounds have to be Pinky and Thumb, Even though it's still daylight. I just heard that same sound a minute ago, But I came out here and saw nothing. Were you just here? Sorry, Sally. That was, Uh, Well, Mr. Honeybee. We were testing out new technology that we'll use today. We're both here now and ready to get to work. And get to work we do. In the short time since we talked to Sally on the holophone, She has busily flattened out and piled up all the spare silver she has. A stack as tall as her house stands behind her rusted furnace. With its size, This furnace can be its own house. It has pipes that cough out gray smoke every so often when the next batch of silver is melted down. While Sally answers the call of her trade, She tells you and Captain EJ that the townspeople are all so thankful for what you're doing that they also want to help. They will begin coming by one by one to plate their houses and stables and barns, Everything that stands to be ruined by Pinky and Thumb. Dormir is the happy home of many, Many farm animals. Horses, Cows, Chickens, And even a few llamas trot around the town when they get out of their pens. The locals know to drive extra slow around town because you never know what kind of creature will be crossing the street. Just then, A small herd of ponies led by a valiant llama escape their stable and take off into their pen for a late afternoon romp. You and Captain EJ take that as your first task and quickly pick up the first sheet of silver to close them into their pen for their own safety. Their hooves screech to a stop in the dirt and kick up clouds behind them. You and Captain EJ carry the wall of silver like it's weightless and inch it toward the stable. It is wide enough and tall enough to protect the whole pen. Sally looks up from her smithing so thankful that her home and all that she loves is being secured. You and Captain EJ begin putting all the silver where it needs to go. Mr. Honeybee helps with his precise remote teleportation assistance. You each take turns sending sheets of silver to different residences, Radiating outward from Sally's ranch. A dusty wind kicks up as silver walls appear out of thin air in front of houses, Businesses, And buildings throughout Dormir. Mr. Honeybee radios into the Battle Buzz helmet somewhat alarmed. Um, Hiro, Do you by chance see a sheet of silver floating anywhere near you? Oh, I think I see it at 39. 9°N 75. 1°W. How did it get all the way over there? I had a stray thought about my childhood home and accidentally transported some silver there. Um, Calling it back now. Don't mind me. The silver plating strategy goes on without another hitch. You just have a few more houses to do and the last group of residents are here trying to pick up the wall of silver that will be their shelter. A family of six have gathered to grab theirs, Thinking that they can lift it on their own, Trying to spare you and Captain EJ from any further work. You two watch as all six of them try their hardest with all of their collective might to lift it. They manage to get it a couple feet off the ground and move it forward a few steps before they collapse in heaves. You decide to take this one so Captain EJ can head back to Main Street to get to work on the playground that sits right next to the knuckler compound at the center of town. Since you have been keeping the knucklers occupied, A few children have felt safe enough to come out and enjoy the playground after being cooped up for days. With your focus back on the family who needs your strength, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest lift and the sensation of your strong heart beating. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and click the button on your teleportation remote. The massive sheet of silver lifts out of their twelve hands and disappears into thin air. They think this is an act of the knucklers' revenge, But are instantly relieved when you wave your hand from behind them to get their attention. You let them know that you got this one with a polite smile. Together, You all walk back to their house around the corner where the protective wall has been delivered and is waiting for them. You can tell this family has lived in Dormir for a while. They welcome you in for a quick cup of tea, So thankful for your help. As you sip it, You look around the house to see all the pictures on the wall, Documenting their simple, Happy lives in a town they love. You can't stand the idea of all this being at risk, So you get right back to work. Outside, Without hardly lifting a finger, You stand the silver wall up straight and gently prop it against their fence for balance. It's big enough to cover the side of the house that faces the knuckler compound. The family of six give you the biggest hug. They don't know how they could possibly repay you and Captain EJ, But you remind them that you two simply fight for what's right, And that repayment will never be needed. With this, The residences and businesses have all been secured. You teleport back to Main Street to meet Captain EJ and the little kiddos who are getting in the last few minutes of play before the playground is barricaded behind silver walls. At the playground, Captain EJ is deeply focused on the task at hand. This playground is the heart center of Dormir, And all the children love it dearly, Which you can see by how many of them are still out in the late evening playing their hearts out. Mr. Honeybee is stacking sheets of silver one by one along the side of the playground. Sally has just completed the last bit of smithing. This should be plenty for the sprawling playground. She closes up her house for the night and waves goodbye through the teleportation visual that Mr. Honeybee shuts down once she finishes. Sally knows that her and her hometown are under the care of true heroes who will keep a watchful eye over it. Captain EJ is moving quickly, So you decide to get an eagle-eyed view of all that you've accomplished today. Call your ENV back from Sally's ranch with a gesture. Dust clouds kick up where it's zooming through the streets and alleyways of Dormir back to you, Automatically driving itself. Once it arrives, You are happy to plop yourself down and rest your feet for a moment. Engage the hoverwings and get ready to hover straight up in the sky. Tiny wings click open and flutter high above even the tallest tree. From here you can see the whole valley shining in silver as the sun sets over Dormir. It's so reflective that you can see yourself in your ENV. You are magically hovering in the sky and the last of the sunset shines behind you. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Gather your strength in and flex every muscle you have. Then slowly breathe all the way back out and let your body relax up here, Hovering in the cool evening air. You roll your shoulders in little circles and stretch your neck on either side. Even though you have such strength, Your muscles still feel a little sore after a long day of hauling and building. But you are ready. You look down at Captain EJ who is still securing the playground. A couple of the kids have convinced him to spin them on the tire swing with his superhero strength. They twist around and around as tight as the chains that hold up the tire can twist. Then he stands back and they whoosh all the way back around until the chains are straightened out. You laugh with Captain EJ as he slowly gets back to the final walls that need to be put up. He takes a moment to stretch just like you did. Today has been a long day, But so worth it. Pinky and Thumbknuckler have been completely neutralized by the strategy of yours, And you two manage to do it without destroying anything or harming anyone. As you lower your ENV back down to the ground, You see a flicker of movement at the Knuckler compound. They couldn't possibly be awake yet. The sun is still out, Though not for long. You magnify your vision in the Battle Buzz helmet and indeed, They have gotten up a little earlier than usual. Unbeknownst to Captain EJ, They are watching him do his heroic work. This cannot be good. You radio in to Mr. Honeybee who alerts Captain EJ. Captain, Hero has eyes on Pinky and Thumb. They're up early and watching you. Move quickly and be careful, Team. You floor it back down to Captain EJ at the playground. The small group of children gather around your ENV, Admiring the futuristic technology they've never seen before. They have no idea the danger they're in, And that's a testament to how calm you can stay despite the pressure. In one protective swoop, You pile them all into the single-seat vehicle and quickly click the teleportation remote to send them back to the stable you secured at Sally's Smithing Ranch. Mr. Honeybee lets her know what's happening and she huddles around the children with both arms to get them into her house and back into their homes. The Knucklers are not wasting a moment making up for what they've lost today. The portion of the playground that is not yet barricaded is their target. Laser sounds ring out through the completely silent town just before the first zap strikes the monkey bars. You, Captain EJ, And Mr. Honeybee dutifully teleport and assemble all the remaining silver. It's a race against evil and you're in the crosshairs. You put yourself in harm's way with Captain EJ to protect who you promised to protect. The last sheet of silver is in place. It just needs to be pushed to stand up as a barricade. The laser zaps in the distance letting you know that a vaporization ray is headed your way. You confirm it with your infrared vision. A heat source is hurtling toward you. With one final push using all your strength, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel confidence in your abilities swell in your chest with each heartbeat. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and straighten the wall of silver up tall. Just then, A gust of wind blows throughout the vacant street and dislodges the wall from the ground, Toppling it with a tremendous force. You and Captain EJ scramble to get it back up. The zapping laser of vaporization is getting closer and closer, Helped by the sudden gusts. Realizing there's not enough time, Captain EJ leaps out in front of you on the playground and unleashes the full strength of his voice directly at the vaporization ray. A now familiar sound, Unlike any you've ever heard before, Swells like an all-consuming vortex around you. The knucklers and dormir. The grassy earth beneath your feet and the twilight sky all around you shake uncontrollably like a natural disaster. You and Mr. Honeybee watch in amazement as the vaporization ray comes into contact with the sound waves from Captain EJ's booming voice. A flash that emanates strikes on impact. Suddenly your ears are overcome with ringing and you fall to your knees covering them with your hands, Grabbing for insulation and relief. Pinky and Thumb do the same. It seems no one can withstand the sound of Captain EJ's full strength but him. Without Pinky's finger on the button, The vaporization ray fizzles out when it comes in contact with the waves of Captain EJ's miraculous voice. Captain EJ collapses to his knees, Momentarily exhausted of his greatest life force. Using every last bit of strength you have, You push the wall of silver back up and secure it in the ground so Captain EJ can take cover behind it. He stands back up, Thankful you have his back like always. Standing shoulder to shoulder, You and Captain EJ rest your backs against the other side of the silver wall to catch your breath. With a high five, Captain EJ says, Once again, Hero, I could not have done this without you. We did it. Mr. Honeybee checks in and administers a sound bath into the Battle Buzz helmet to recalibrate your ears since you don't have your headphones. Your hearing is instantly restored and you're right back in action. You peek out from behind the wall and zoom your scopes in to get a good look at Pinky and Thumb, Who are backed up to a wall of their rooftop lab. They are in awe at what just happened and terrified. This amazement lasts only a moment before Pinky comes back to reality. They can't see you behind this wall of pure silver they know so well, But you can see them. Pinky is furious and Thumb is trying his best not to become the focus of his brother's misguided rage. Pinky thrashes around the lab in a full state of tantrum that his entertainment for this evening has been cancelled. He angrily shoots vaporizing rays at all the silver-plated structures in Dormir, To no effect. With each hit, You hear a zap before the ray fizzles out once it comes into contact with the barricades. You breathe a sigh of relief, Knowing that Pinky and Thumb know that you and Captain EJ were able to handle their threats with ease. The sounds of Pinky being outraged on their rooftop laboratory brings a satisfied smile to your face. You can feel good about what you've managed to do here. They are surrounded by machinery, Their own devious kind of playground, That is now useless to them. You hope and hope that they simply give up and try a rematch of the dancing game that Thumb annihilated Pinky at. But you know that no hero survives on hope alone. When you peek back around the wall, Pinky is walking and talking in circles trying to come up with another plan. Night has fallen and Dormir has fallen silent. Pinky whispers the same words to himself over and over. I am a genius. What do I know that they don't? I am a genius. What do I know that they don't? I am a genius. The people of Dormir did say that Doctor and Doctor Knuckler raise their boys on science and science alone. Do they know something we don't? You do know with your experience that you should never underestimate an opponent. So you shift your questioning to what you don't know. Captain EJ, Having done the same thing with his great mind, Gives you a look that suggests there's not really a way to know what you don't know. You and Captain EJ peek around the silver wall again and this time are met with the biggest grin you've ever seen on Pinky's face. That is the same grin he gave before he trapped you two in a bear cage. Now they've seen Captain EJ's full strength, They know the extent of what you two can do. But do you know theirs? You and Captain EJ look at each other, Reading each other's minds. This can't be good. Just as you two have evolved in your defenses, So too can the Knucklers be inspired to become even more evil. That is the kind of smile Pinky is smiling before he disappears into a lower level of the Knuckler compound. Sink back behind the barricade with Captain EJ and take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the air coming in through your nose and revitalizing your lungs. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. Reconnect your feet with the sturdy ground beneath you. Reconnect the outline of your skin with the cool, Crisp nighttime air. When everything seems like too much, You can always come back to these two realities. The ground and the air. Behind the wall, You and Captain EJ conceal your silver suits into hoodies and you fold your Battle Buzz helmet back into a beanie. You don't want the silver in your suits to shine and give you away. Now you'll have to be stealthy. Following Captain EJ's lead, You watch each other's backs and sneak from behind the playground barricade, Closer and closer to the compound. You're not going to make the same mistake twice and approach the castle-like wall. This time, You need the advantage of stealth. You and Captain EJ climb up into a tree that's tall enough and close enough to see their rooftop lab, Where they are now working busily. Pinky is barking orders at Thumb, Who is running back and forth between a storage locker and a soldering station. Pinky stands on a chair hunched over the workbench. Sparks fly from what he's working on, And some of them burn Thumb, But Pinky won't let him stop. They're up to something, But we cannot get close enough to see what it is. We know that no matter what they try to do, As long as we're in this together, We will overcome. Captain EJ and Honeybee Hero only fight for what's ranked. The Knucklers are certainly not right, So we must fight. Captain EJ suggests you separate to check on the townspeople and make sure they're okay after this last standoff. You call back your ENVs with a gesture, And they arrive in the tree in an instant. Pinky and Thumb are still hard at work at whatever they're doing, So you take the opportunity to check on your people. You silently whisk away into the night, Soaring among the twinkling stars. Each house that you check is safe and sound. Many have luckily fallen asleep, Perfectly confident in your ability to neutralize the Knuckler threat. That's both a relief and a reminder of why you do what you do as a hero. You and Captain EJ send your ENVs back to Sally's ranch and meet back at the Knuckler compound to keep eyes on the brothers. They are no longer on the rooftop, But with a quick click of your BattleBuzz helmet, You can see with infrared vision that they are down in an inner lab, Still soldering away at something. For now, You wait here, Behind the wall at the playground. It's a struggle to not only keep your eyes on them, But also to keep your eyes open. The exhaustion is coming back. You're feeling the toll of becoming nocturnal like the young Knucklers. Over the hours and hours of silent, Pitch-dark night, You eventually find yourself sitting down with your back leaned against a silver wall slumped over. You and Captain EJ take turns peeking around the wall to keep an infrared eye on Pinky and Thumb. They haven't moved in hours. They're both still hunched over the workbench in the inner laboratory. You can also see the sparks flying all around them before Pinky holds something up to a very bright light to examine it. Captain EJ is just as exhausted as you are, But you manage to keep each other awake laughing about past pranks you've played on Mr. Honeybee. All the times you've snuck into the garage to sneak some of his prototypes out. Those are such great memories that are perfect for this moment. When Captain EJ peeks around another time, Something startles him up to his feet, And you react just the same. When you jump from behind the wall, To have Captain's back, You are now face to face with both Pinky and Thumb. You have never been this close to them before, And it's striking how harmless they seem. Pinky is much, Much smaller than Thumb, But somehow takes up more of the space when they're together. You're on your guard and watching Captain's back just like he's watching yours. Pinky's bulbous head tilts to the side as he eyes the silver barricade that you put up all around the playground. He admires it silently, Before knocking on it like it was a door. It's pure solid silver, Pinky. Your desolator, Oh no, Your parents' desolator won't work on this or anything else in Dormir. We know all about your parents and their work. They're going to be horrified when they finally get our messages about what you're doing to Dormir. For now though, The entire town is plated in silver and you two are left with no other option. Oh, Thumb, Did you hear that? We're optionless. Woe is us. But what about the sockets? Pinky jumps up to silence Thumb before he can betray any more of their scheme. It takes both hands for him to cover Thumb's mouth, But Thumb takes the forceful hint. They're definitely up to something. Pinky paces back and forth with his hands behind his back. You can see that he's holding something, But it must be tiny to fit in his hands. You and Captain EJ step away from the wall and towards them because you are not afraid. Pinky and Thumb take a little step back, Caught off guard by your boldness. When they take a step back, You and Captain EJ take another step forward to present a united front that will not back down. Thumb stumbles over Pinky taking another huge step back, And they both trip and fall to the ground. Pinky gets up quickly and struggles to help Thumb back up. Pinky regains composure with a deep breath and focuses back on the silver. You know all about our parents, Fine. But you don't know when they're coming back. Because no one does, Not even us. They're going to be gone a lot from now on. Captain EJ. That's fine. We have all the time in the world to keep Dormir safe. That's good, That's good. I'm sure everyone is really happy you're here. I'm sure they told you all about us, Huh? Not that they know us at all, But I'd believe what I heard if I were you too. Maybe you've had more visitors if you weren't so. . . Reactive, Pinky. Actually, I think that's true. You are pretty reactive. Shut it, Thumb. See? Let's see. What do I see? I see this pure silver wall. And Thumb, What do we know about silver? We know a lot, Remember? Do you want the atomic number, Pinky? You always mix up the atomic numbers. No, I don't want. . . No, Thumb. Thank you. I do not need the atomic number of silver. I know it, Just like we both know pretty much all there is to know about it. Like, For example, Captain E. J. , Do you know what metal has the highest electrical conductivity of any metal? Do you know what electrical conductivity is? Electrical conductivity is the degree to which a specified material conducts electricity. Thumb, Not you. Captain E. J. Oh no. I don't like where this is going, Team. Do you have an exit strategy? You turn on your rear-view vision to see behind you without looking, Another feature of the Battle Bus helmet. There's a rickety old wooden house just behind the park. It has long been abandoned, So you and Captain E. J. Didn't bother giving it a barrier. Behind you, You can also see the first glimmer of the sunrise. Pinky and Thumb can see it, Too. They've been nocturnal for so long they are conditioned, Much like vampires, To turn in at the first sight of light. You've never been so happy to see the sun before. The sky lights up in dark hues of blackish-purple to make way for the glorious shine of the sun. Well, My lovely brother Thumb just about gave it away, So I'll tell you. Electricity carries a charge with it, A shock. Metal loves a good shock, Especially really reflective metals like. . . Before Pinky could say silver, He points a tiny socket that fits in his tiny hand at the silver-plated wall. A lightning rod of electricity zaps out and shocks the barricade. The entire wall lights up with the electrical shock that travels all the way around the playground without stopping. Silver is the perfect host for electrical charge. Let me guess. You wouldn't leave home without your silver suits. Am I right? Run! You and Captain EJ run as fast as you've ever run to the abandoned wooden shack that's just behind you. Pinky and Thumb laugh and zap their lightning bolts right toward you. As you run, You can feel the hissing electricity at your heels, Waiting to engulf your suit of pure silver hidden under this hoodie. With your focus trained on getting to the shack, You take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and push yourself to go faster. When you slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth, You dive rolling through the door before Captain EJ slams it shut behind you. The electrical current doesn't stand a chance against this old, Dried-out wooden structure. The electrical shock fizzles out when it comes into contact with the door. Pinky and Thumb laugh as they head back to their compound, But not before Pinky yells back to you and Captain EJ. See you tonight, Captain EJ and Hero. Get ready. It's going to be fun. You take refuge in this old house that was used as sort of ranger station for this mountainous region. It was surprisingly kept up for how dilapidated it looks from the outside. It has bunk beds and stocked with warm blankets. Apparently, Forest rangers would take turns monitoring forest fires here. Who knows what kind of trouble the Knucklers have caused this whole time. This shack is full of supplies the team of rangers need for their stays, And you are grateful for their preparations. Your team absolutely needs this now. The Knuckler brothers manage to fabricate an entirely new piece of technology from scraps of what they found around their parents' lab. Some sort of manual electrical shock sockets. The whole town of Dormir is plated in silver and the Knucklers are effectively holding lightning. You watch out the window as Pinky and Thumb walk all the way back to their compound. Captain EJ opens the door and stands in the doorway to watch them too. Suddenly, Pinky spins around and launches another blast from the electrical shock socket in his direction. Captain EJ slams the door shut and the charge fizzes out against the old wooden door. The Knucklers finally make their way inside and tuck themselves in for some wicked rest. Dormir has been spared yet again. For that, You are relieved and proud. You take turns getting a bit of shut eye in the abandoned Forest Ranger Station and making sure that the Knucklers stay put. You hop up into the bunk bed because Captain EJ insists you get some rest. He has your back like always. You fall into a deep sleep and close your eyes to Captain EJ looking out the window. He will keep a watchful eye on the Knucklers and a careful watch over you while you sleep. Dormir stands under greater threat, But it no longer seems to be their target. And that is great news that you can take comfort in. Though now, It seems that you and Captain EJ are the targets in their crosshairs. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to. And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero. And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap. Now. The town of Dormir shimmers as bright as Sally Smith herself, Thanks to our strategizing. And its residents enjoyed another night of undisturbed sleep, Unlike us. We had to sneak in power naps, Pun intended. Oh, That was a good one, Captain. Thanks. I thought you'd like that one, Mr. Honeybee. Where were we? Once again, We outpaced and outmaneuvered the Knucklers' clever tricks. Cunning is a finite resource, But heroism is not. In a truly heroic feat, We managed to plate the entire town in protective silver. Pinky got wind of our undertaking and unveiled their newest threat. A handheld electrical shock socket that administers a bolt of lightning on command. We didn't expect that our silver, Their kryptonite, Would become a glaring weakness that we were literally wearing on our backs. After coming face-to-face with the Knucklers and nearly their lightning, We hightailed it into an abandoned wooden shack that somehow stood the test of time. Luckily it did because its dried-out lumber was not a good conductor for the electrical current that was used against us, Unlike the silver. If we did nothing else, We distracted the Knucklers enough for the meantime. Though I'm getting the sense that we may have gotten a little too much of their attention. Now Pinky and Thumb aren't focused on destroying Durmir. Instead, It seems, They're set on seeking revenge against us. Mr. Honeybee has uploaded everything you need to ejmissions. Com, Including pictures from my missions and a bonus story about how I met my canine best friend, Cadet. That's ejmissions. Com. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ, Let's begin. You are here, On your second power nap in the top bunk of an all-but-abandoned wood shack. The town of Durmir gets a single ray of morning sunshine throughout the day. It's shining down on you through the window. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel its brilliance warming your cheeks. And slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and sink deeper into this peaceful moment as if it can last forever. A wisp of fog creeps out from the corners of the wooden window pane, But doesn't obstruct the sunshine. Captain EJ sits at a desk in front of the window. He looks up from writing something to enjoy the sunshine as well. This is the last round of power naps before you two get a head start on the day. We need to figure out what our next move is. Captain EJ mumbles to himself as if he's working that out now. You shift in the bunk and it creaks like old, Tired bones beneath you. Captain EJ looks back to see that you've woken up. He pats the notepad on the desk and doesn't miss a beat filling you in. Hero, We need to get ahead of them. We cannot keep playing catch-up. I know we can get ahead of this, But how? You center yourself in his question as if searching for the missing puzzle piece within it. It's safe to assume that they can think up anything they want in that lab and make it into a destructive reality. Between their parents' extensive technology and their scientific training, They have a veritable playground at their disposal. As if reading your mind, Captain EJ twists around quickly to look out the window, Thinking something has gotten his attention for a reason. You hop down from the bunk and join him at the desk. You can't see anything but the formidable fortress that is the Nuclear Compound. It towers over the otherwise beautiful mountainous landscape. Captain EJ turns back to you, Now standing right behind him. The beginning of a good idea glimmers in his eyes. They have an endless resource of science smarts supplying them. We have absolutely no access to that. How can we shut off their evil thoughts? They're so isolated they don't care about people. They might be scientific geniuses, But we have an entire history of fighting for what's right behind us. What's our next move, Hero? I feel like we know it, But we don't. . . No, We know it. You know? Of course you know. Even though that sentence made absolutely no sense. You know it in the special way that your great minds just think alike. You and Captain EJ alternate between mulling over the problem as if you share a brain, And staring out the window at the Nuclear Compound. That's when you get an idea. You run back to your bunk and put your Battle Buzz helmet back on. Captain EJ watches you closely, Almost anticipating what you're going to do next. With the infrared vision, You can see that Pinky and Thumb are both still sleeping in their beds. You look up to the sun that is just approaching high noon and quickly shield your eyes. You definitely shouldn't look at the sun with infrared vision. As if on cue, Mr. Honeybee chimes in from within your helmet. Rookie mistake, Hero. But we all have to make it at least once. Captain's done it, And I can't lie to you. I've done it more than once. Turns out, The sun is made of fire. You and Captain EJ squeeze in a little laugh wherever you can, And rely on the instincts sizzling through your great minds once again. You might not be able to get into their heads and neutralize all their antisocial impulses, But you can access the Nuclear Compound, And that's exactly what we're going to do. Together, You fill in Mr. Honeybee and head out the door into Dormir, Which looks breathtaking in the crisp morning sun. Gather your breath back with another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the sensation of your heart beating as you reconnect with your strength and focus. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and take big steps through the overgrown grass that surrounds the wooden shack. The beloved Dormir playground, Still plated in silver barricades, Shines so bright that you can see your reflection in it. That reminds you that you're still wearing your suits of silver, Which have become more of a liability than anything. As you walk beside Captain EJ, You both duck behind the silver wall to shed your suits. You radio to Mr. Honeybee through your helmet and let him know that the suits should appear in the garage. Now, The suits teleport back to Command Center without disruption, And Mr. Honeybee stores them in stronghold for safekeeping. You don't know when, But you are certain they will be used again. Without the cool silver suit on, You brush the soft fleece of your favorite hoodie gently against your arms. Together we make our way back through the town, Checking to make sure everything is as it should be. Dormir has filled back up with the familiar morning bustle of people resuming their lives without worry. You fold the Battle Buzz helmet back into a beanie so no one thinks there is any trouble at hand. We want to keep everyone that sees us as calm as possible. We let them enjoy their lives, That is. After all, Why we do what we do. Before Sally Smith can walk into the door to a local hardware store, She sees us from afar and skips happily over to us. Besides her usual shimmer, She is wearing a radiant smile, The kind that comes with an abiding sense of peace. Captain EJ! Hero! Hey! Isn't it such a lovely morning? So happy to see you two back in Dormir. What brings you here? You sure ended the Knucklers' reign of terror quickly. We haven't heard anything from them at all since the silver plating. Actually, We did hear something very loud and very strange yesterday, But I don't think it was them though. What Sally heard was Captain EJ's voice stopping the Knucklers' vaporization ray in mid-air. Changing the subject so he doesn't have to explain that his voice is actually one of the most powerful forces of sound on this planet, Captain EJ points back to the hardware store. It's a beautiful day for a stroll through the mountains, And apparently, A project. You heading off to work on something new? Oh, Yeah. Smile big, And I'll tell you. Not knowing why you need to smile, You and Captain EJ smile a big, Fake smile that shows all your teeth and hope for the best. Sally shades her eyes with her hand and looks around your grin like she's searching for something. Wow, Your smiles look so lovely. Not a cavity in sight. You must be excellent brushers. Can't say as much for the rest of us, Unfortunately. You and Captain EJ look at each other's smiles and confirm their loveliness. You take this as a gentle reminder to brush up on your brushing and look back to Sally. She goes on to explain a new silversmithing project that she's beginning to work on today. Along with her team, She will be fabricating tiny cubes of silver for a group of traveling dentists. These dentists realize just how big of a problem cavities cause worldwide. Silver is the most cost-effective material to make fillings out of, So Sally has the honor of sending millions of teeny silver teeth fillers on their merry way. We're brightening the smiles of the world, Really. And we couldn't possibly do it without you two. No way, No how. My family's entire silversmithing operation was saved. Despite Pinky and Thumb's best attempts to tarnish it, The Knuckler equipment helps so many lives around the world in so many ways. Ugh. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it. Thank you both so, So much. Sally gives you and Captain EJ a big, Squeezing hug. As its most long-standing resident, She speaks for the entire town when she thanks you for your help. Oh, And I almost forgot. Your cool-looking car things are still at my ranch. You're welcome to keep them there, But I can't promise I won't tinker with them. You walk with Sally back to the hardware store and duck into a little alleyway to call your ENVs back with a quick gesture. Nothing good can come from someone who's not Mr. Honeybee tinkering with them. You can hear the townspeople shriek as the car that can drive itself takes sharp turns down their streets. They arrive with a screech at your feet. You and Captain EJ hop into your vehicles and continue on your rather peaceful patrol around Dormir with your windows down. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Let your arm flop out the window and catch the breeze as you drive. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. And put your other arm out the window, Letting the car drive itself some more. You and Captain EJ joyride around the empty edges of town and ensure that everything looks like it usually does. Safe and happy. No one needs to know what we're doing to ensure that it stays that way. It's enough that they feel how protected they are. Mr. Honeybee radios in on your Battle Bus helmet just as you pull up to an inconspicuous spot outside the Knuckler compound and just out of sight. The fortress-like walls tower high above the landscape and sit like a heavy, Gray cloud of machinery above the natural beauty. Do you have eyes on Pinky and Thumb? If you can get me their coordinates, I can put a geotrack on them that will alert us if they move at all. You fold the Battle Bus helmet open to look through the walls with infrared scopes. They are both snoozing away in their beds, Completely unaware and unconcerned with what's going on out here. Let's keep it that way. Captain EJ sends the coordinates to Mr. Honeybee who initiates the tracking. He will be our eyes and ears should we need extras. We engage stealth mode on the ENVs and the already quiet electric engine winds down to perfect silence. This will allow us to hover straight up to the rooftop lab, Where Pinky and Thumb so pitilessly carried out their vaporization attacks. With the push of a button, Our ENVs take to the sky and slowly lift us up along one side of the compound that backs up to the forest. The desolator comes into view, Sitting dormant but still pointed down at the town of Dormir like a cannon. You look down to the rooftop lab that you're hovering over. The floor is too far away to jump down to without potentially waking the knucklers up with a heavy landing. Mr. Honeybee instead instructs you to initiate the emergency exit sequence. Captain EJ, Hero, Do you copy? We copy, Mr. Honeybee, Over. This is a relatively new feature that I installed with the hoverwings. You need to follow these steps carefully. Put the ENV in neutral, Then activate the interior fans. Once that's done, You'll know. With your hand gently on the gear shift, You pull it down to the end that indicates neutral and it clicks into place. The already silent ENV now becomes perfectly still. Next, You activate the interior fans by pushing a knobby dial all the way to the right. You can feel a little wobble beneath your feet before the entire bottom of the ENV opens up and the seat transforms into a swinging rope ladder. Where your hands were placed on armrests, They now grip the highest rung of a ladder. Could have used a bit more warning for this one, Mr. Honeybee. But what's the fun in that? Oh, Mr. H. You're just begging for prankbacks, Aren't you? Dangling from the electric vehicle hovering over your sworn enemy's compound isn't exactly your idea of fun. You think of all the possible pranks you and Captain EJ can play on Mr. Honeybee when this is all over. That helps you rein in your worry, Which, Like the knucklers, Wants to get the better of you in this highly stressful situation. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the wind beneath the wings supporting you as you lower yourself down the ladder rung by rung. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and get to the bottom of the rope ladder. Right hand, Right foot. Left hand, Left foot. When you're close enough to the tile of the rooftop lamp, You step down as silently as you can and find your balance. Captain EJ follows suit and you two stand perfectly still for a moment. Mr. Honeybee confirms that neither brother has stirred and that you're still in the clear for this stealth mission. With a flick of your wrist, The ENVs zip away out of sight and park themselves nearby, Awaiting your alert. Mr. Honeybee downloads return flight paths to their hard drives, Taking weather patterns and heightened radiation near the compound into consideration. While he's working on that, You and Captain EJ get a hands-on tour of the now infamous Dr. Knuckler Lab. You walk over to the desolator, Which looks like a centuries-old rusted cannon mixed with the sleek machinery of a high-powered telescope. This is what the elder knucklers used to mine silver from the air. This thing helps so many people in need. Realizing that, You look all around you and see awe-inspiring views of Dormir, Resting in the shadow of two mountain peaks on either side. The very air that you're breathing must be saturated with silver particles that you just can't see. A bulky pair of goggles hang on a hook above the desolator. You fold the battle bus helmet halfway back to put them on. They are a bit tight around your face, But it seems they're meant to be that way. At first, You don't see anything but pure blackness. Thinking you must be missing something, You look all the way up to see the daylight moonrise, Which is barely visible in the sunshine but clear as, Well, Day in Dormir. Then you slowly scan your new vision all the way to one side. Suddenly, You are surrounded by twinkling bursts of microscopic shimmer. The air is chock-full with silver. Your silent reaction gets Captain EJ's attention from the other side of the lab, And he joins you to put on a second pair hanging from the hook. His reaction is just the same. His mouth drops open in awe. You two then look at each other through the goggles. Not only do you look like old-timey pilots with them on, But you're also both covered in silver dust. Simultaneously, You both take off the goggles and look down at your very normal-looking arm. These goggles magnify and attune your vision to see the shimmer that sparkles all around you in this magical place. You and Captain EJ place the goggles back on the hook just as you found them. Mr. Honeybee radios into your helmet with a new finding. This is interesting, Team. I fell into a sort of weather-research rabbit hole while determining your return flight path. Dormir is consistently one of the coldest places in the entire Honeybee neighborhood. You'd think that minimal sunshine would leave people less happy, But the cold air does something else entirely. Long-term exposure to cool temperatures has a positive effect on brain function. It might not be a coincidence that two of the world's leading scientists live there. Let's see. . . Due to something called cold thermogenesis, The brain, Which runs on glucose and does not itself get cold, Has more glucose available to use in colder temperatures. In warmer temperatures, Our brains use more of the glucose brain fuel to keep the body from overheating. Is the weather making the Knucklers into super geniuses? Ugh, How can we fight weather? Let's just focus on this part of the mission, Mr. Honeybee. We can worry about their weather advantages later. Right, Right, Right. Well, Here's some good news. It looks like your foes are still snoozing. I sent a nano-analyzer in through their air vents to remotely measure their heart rate to see where they are in the sleep cycle. The calculations are just finishing up. And. . . They're in stage three, Deep sleep. They're completely shut down. Now it's time to shut them down fully. Using the Knucklers' unconscious brains to our advantage, You and Captain EJ sneak around the rooftop in opposite directions to secure the perimeter. With a thumbs up from both sides, You quickly get to work on disabling all the machines you can get your hands on. You start with the desolator, And Captain EJ takes care of the electrical workbench that powers up an array of contraptions that sit neatly organized in cubbies. Wherever you look behind the desolator, You see a different color wire. You stop for a moment, Wondering if you could possibly do any damage to this important, Though currently misused, Machine. There's no time to think about such things right now. The threat is still too imminent. You instead focus on disconnecting the Knucklers from their assumed sources of power. Captain EJ gets the idea to shut off the electricity to the entire compound, And Mr. Honeybee guides him to a locked electrical panel on the side of the house. Using the key replicator that hangs on the keychain, In case he ever loses a key, Captain EJ mimics the shape of the necessary key with a laser force that opens the panel effortlessly. This will set Pinky and Thumb back a little in figuring out that we've gotten ahead of them in their schemes. That little slice of time can make all the difference for us, And we know to build these momentous advantages into any mission whenever we can, All in an effort to not underestimate your opponent. The Knucklers will think that the power simply went out, And they will come out here to investigate before thinking anything else. They'll be left in the dark, Literally, And that will turn the tables in our favor. Captain EJ returns to you still standing at the desolator, Trying to sort through the tangled mess of wires that connect to a control panel behind the machine. The desolator rumbles and whines when its primary source of power is disrupted, But it immediately starts back up when a secondary source of power kicks in. Mr. Honeybee checks in on Pinky and Thumb who sleep undisturbed by the sounds of their wicked playground being confiscated. You just need to find the wire that controls the power supply, But how? As always, Mr. Honeybee has done some research that will help. Tell me what colors you see, Team. I found an electrician's guide to standard wire colors. Let's hope these extraordinary scientists are just a little bit standard in their setup. Captain EJ helps you get your hands out. Now you can see there is a red wire, Some exposed copper wires, And an orange wire as well. You and Captain EJ untangle them and follow each one back to the desolator, But you still cannot tell which needs to be disabled. Do you see a gray or a white wire back there? Those are typically the grounded wires that deliver power to the system. Parsing through the bright rainbow of colored wires, You come upon the biggest of them all that is tucked away under the base of the machine. Captain EJ uses his super strength to lift the desolator up so you can reach under it. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your own electricity coursing through you, Powering your incredible mind and heart. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and unplug the thick gray wire. The machinery quietly musters its last burst of electrical charge. And hums to stillness. To make sure the Knuckler brothers cannot make something else out of this, Captain EJ snips the end of the wire off with some wire cutters he found on the workbench. Standing up over the machine, You see a pulley system connected to an enclosed box-like compartment that hangs from a braided steel wire. Captain EJ pushes on the clamp that seems to hold it in place, And the box moves along the wire from the rooftop out over Dormir like it's ziplining. You run to the wall of the lab wondering what the wire and pulley are connected to. It's not immediately apparent, So you decide to do the next best thing. You remove the bottom part of the clamp that Captain EJ pushed so no one can push it again. Hopefully whatever is in that box will stay put until the Dr. Knucklers return. The desolator is by far the most dangerous piece of technology in the lab, But luckily you remember one more. When Pinky realized the whole town was plated in silver, He went down to an inner lab on the lower floors to work on a different machine. There is some kind of soldering equipment that needs to be disabled down there. Mr. Honeybee checks in on the brothers as they sleep. Pinky is still in Stage 3, A deep, Restorative sleep, But Thumb has cycled back up to REM sleep, Which is where we all have our dreams. While this is technically a lighter form of sleep, You and Captain EJ are able to continue on with the mission, Just a bit quieter. Captain EJ hopes out loud that the door leading from the roof to the house will simply be left open. You both hold your breath for a moment in anticipation as his hand reaches for the door handle. He pushes it open with ease and you instinctively do a silent high five in the air. The door opens to a pitch black, Winding staircase that looks like it leads into an abyss. You can't see around the first curve. Together, You and Captain EJ hold onto the railing and walk very slowly and very quietly. Right foot, Left foot, Right foot, Left foot. You make it all the way down to another door that opens up to another laboratory. There are glass walls that look down into an atrium in the middle of the knuckler compound. Besides the gigantic tree growing out of their living room floor, It looks like a perfectly typical family home that just happens to have two labs attached to it. Pinky and Thumb's rooms are on either side of the house, As if they each get a wing. You stand in the center of the darkened compound, Able to see it all. From up here, You'll be able to see if anything or anyone stirs in the lower levels of the house. You and Captain EJ scan the perimeter first to make sure there aren't any literal or figurative tripwires. While you're diligently doing that, You hear Mr. Honeybee talking through the battle bus helmet, But he's not coming in loud and clear like usual. It sounds like he's far away or muffling the microphone. You quietly ask him to copy, But he doesn't hear you nor respond. Captain EJ suggests that maybe he's talking to Roger or Mrs. Honeybee and doesn't want to distract us. That makes perfect sense, So you continue on getting the lay of the lab. Again, Mr. Honeybee comes on through your helmet's communication line. You push the headphone closer to your ear to get a better listen. He's definitely talking to someone, But it doesn't seem to be Roger or Mrs. Honeybee because you cannot hear anyone responding. You are a smart person and are capable of great things. Use those gifts for relentless good. There's a hero waiting to be discovered inside you. The world needs your gifts, And we need your best. You are loved. Captain EJ is deep in focus studying a cluster of wires he needs to untangle and doesn't hear Mr. Honeybee like you do. You listen for a little while longer as he repeats those lines over and over. In a loud whisper, You call for him to copy. Oh, Oh, Oh. I'm here, Team. What do you need? We didn't quite copy what you were just saying, Mr. Honeybee. Can you please repeat? Over. Oh, That, Um, That was, Uh, That was, Uh, I'll debrief you later. For now, Are you able to disable that lab like you did the other? Captain EJ carefully snips the end of the gray wire that powers crucial machinery in the inner lab and confirms with Mr. Honeybee. You look all around the lab to make any other snips you can. From what you can tell, The sun is beginning to set. The knucklers will be waking up any minute. Just as you think that, An alarm rings throughout the compound. It sounds like a fire alarm. Captain EJ frees in place like you've been caught, But you haven't. Mr. Honeybee comes in loud and very clear as he urges you to both get out of there immediately. He remotely powers up your ENVs which are stashed outside of the compound, But you need to meet them back up on the roof. There's no time. That was the knuckler brother's nighttime alarm that wakes them up every day. As you silently run out of the inner lab and back up the winding staircase, You think about the effects of such a violent wake-up call. It can't be the reason for their wickedness, But it sure does not create a pleasant experience first thing. Mr. Honeybee clears the house of his nano-analyzers and keeps you updated on Pinky and Thumb's whereabouts. You and Captain EJ quietly shut the rooftop door as the brothers sleepily stumble through their chores. Behind groggy eyes, They walk to the ends of their respective halls in unison and pull two levers down. These levers are how power surges throughout the knuckler compound. At this very moment, The brothers realize the electricity is out. Right on cue, Pinky and Thumb begin their treks down to the locked control panel to reset it. Waiting for your ENVs to arrive, You and Captain EJ peek over the side of the castle-like walls and see the brothers fight over trouble at the control panel. Your plan is working. They realize there's a problem, But so do you. If the ENVs hover above their roof, Even silently, Pinky and Thumb will see them and come to know the stealth they've succumbed to. The vehicles appear off in the distance, And you hold them there, Behind the cover of a treetop. Pinky and Thumb struggle to reestablish power in the compound as it dawns on them that something much bigger is at hand. They spiral into a panic, Realizing that this is an emergency like none they've experienced in their reign of terror before. You know their next stop will be the rooftop lab to check on the desolator, And just as you thought, The door slams behind them at the bottom level as they run up the roof. You and Captain EJ gesture for your ENVs to rescue you at this perfect moment, Wedged between the time it takes for Pinky and Thumb to run up the stairs. As your trusty ENVs arrive, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose to quiet yourself inside and out. Then hop into your vehicle and slowly breathe all the way out to hover silently away. You turn back to see Pinky fling the door to the rooftop lab open. He dashes over to the desolator and realizes what really happened while they slept. Pinky turns red with rage and through heavy, Monstrous breathing, He bends down to pick up the cut power cord. Thumb joins with news that the power cords in the lower lab have also been cut. That's when you remember you have the ability to teleport you and Captain EJ back to safety. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose and imagine landing safely back in the command center with Mr. Honeybee. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button on the remote. The same blue flash creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, We are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. Looking back to Dormir, Pinky and Thumb are cursing the horizon you just disappeared from. Holding the cut wire in his hand, Pinky growls and Thumb pleads. Who's doing the harm now, Captain and Hero, Huh? You've done a lot more than you realize. So much for fighting for only what's right. Aren't we supposed to use our gifts for relentless good? This is not good. We land safely and soundly back in the command center. Mr. Honeybee has never been more happy to see us and you've never been so relieved in your life. But alongside that feeling of relief, You are consumed with what the Knuckler Brothers said. Wow, You did it. You really did it. Mission well done, Team. Mission well done. Excellent work, Hero, As always. I couldn't have done it without you. Mr. Honeybee and Captain EJ are so excited to debrief that you don't want to dampen their happiness with your concern. Thumb's last words to you ring through your mind. So much for fighting for only what's right. What could he mean by that? Is there something we missed? Right before you disappeared into thin air, Teleporting back to the Honeybee house, You saw Thumb trying to reason with his brother. Pinky, Maybe this has all gotten out of hand. I mean, Look at what you're holding in your hand. Mom and Dad are going to be so upset when they get back. If you asked Thumb, Which you never do, Thumb would say that we need to fix this. Pinky violently swipes the cut cord through the air, Nearly whipping Thumb with it. He jumps back and forth to avoid it and another raging swipe that comes after. Pinky is blind with rage and can see nothing else but his fixation. The only thing we need to fix is Captain EJ. And Hero and Mr. Honeybee, While we're at it. They're the only problem here. We were just having a good time. It was all in good fun. Imagine that? Fun for once in Dorm Air. Now though, It's serious. They need to pay for this. Back in the safety of Mr. Honeybee's command center, We have so much else to talk about that you let this go from your mind for now. Besides, It's true. A little celebration is in order for what you've managed to do so far. Thanks to you and Captain EJ, The Knucklers quite literally have no power. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero. And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap, Now. While the Knucklers slept, We crept. Right under their noses and right into their fortress. After we landed on their rooftop lab, We took the safety of Dorm Air into our own hands by cutting their electricity. Not only the electricity, But we cut the very cords that delivered power to their high-powered machines. The desolator has been disabled. The soldering stations are shut down. With their power disabled, We left their wicked ways no choice but to surrender. Or so we suspect. Our emergency exit followed their obnoxiously loud wake-up alarm that rings throughout the compound at sundown, Alerting them to their nocturnal habits. Pinky and Thumb started their night in utter confusion that escalated to blinding rage. Well, At least for Pinky, Who was fixated on us more than ever. Thumb woke up with different words on his heart, Which seemed to have something to do with the ultra-kind words that Mr. Honeybee uttered away from the Battle Buzz helmet mic. Mr. Honeybee promised us a debriefing, And that's what we're settling in for now, Along with a well-earned celebration. A toast of rootbeer floats to our perseverance. The Knuckler brothers are left without devices, Sitting in the darkness that surrounds them and their awful deeds so naturally. We shouldn't have to worry about them anymore. There's nothing left for them to do to disrupt Dormir. They have never once left their hometown. Yet. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain E. J. Will lead the way. E. J. Let's begin. You are here in the safety of Mr. Honeybee's Garage Command Center, Surrounded by trinkets and gadgets and blinking gizmos. The constant hum of electronics lulls you into a steady, Quiet calm. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Power down your brain by sending all of your focus to your lungs as they fill with fresh air. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself feel heavy. Any strength you have of mind or body will be squandered without adequate, Enthusiastic rest and relaxation. You know that well, So you allow yourself to leave all of your concerns about what thumbs shouted behind you, And you walk out of the garage to the backyard. Mr. Honeybee has set up a bonfire in the fire pit, And just like you imagined before, You plop down in a hammock for an epic movie night. Captain E. J. Takes the hammock next to yours, And Mr. Honeybee sets up the projector to shine on the side of the house. Together, With your closest friends and confidants, You watch your very favorite movies, Which of course are their favorites too. You start with the scary ones so you and Captain E. J. Can scare Mr. Honeybee at the really tense parts. Knowing the movie well, You and Captain E. J. Wait for the scary music to ramp up. Mr. Honeybee is sucked into the movie, Eating his popcorn with his eyes wide, Waiting for the jump scare in anticipation. Before it could come, You and Captain E. J. Sneak up behind him and scare him silly. Mr. Honeybee flails his arms and legs, Falls out of his chair, And flings popcorn all over the backyard. Harold happily cleans it all up before you can even get to it. He then hops back into your hammock to curl up for your favorite comedy, Which is up next. Lastly, You three watch your favorite superhero movie just to see all your friends in action. You roast marshmallows over the fire and squish them into perfect s'mores that you wash down with root beer floats. The stress and worry physically leave your body as your muscles soften, Your jaw relaxes, And you swing back and forth in the hammock between the trees with Captain E. J. The knucklers might have tried, But they cannot take away the joy that happens when you're with your favorite people. Your smiles light up the nighttime sky as the credits of the last movie roll. Mr. Honeybee yawns a big yawn. Well, Team, It's about time I turn in. Not so fast, Mr. Honeybee. You owe us a debrief. Harold told me what you said while we were in the knuckler compound. What was that about? Oh, Yeah. Well, That was a long shot, But I figured, Why not try? Spill it, Mr. H. Okay, Okay. Do you know what I said? Yes, Hero told me. It was something like. . . Let me try to remember. You and Captain E. J. Repeat what Mr. Honeybee said in unison. You are a smart person and are capable of great things. Use those gifts for relentless good. There's a hero waiting to be discovered inside of you. The world needs your gifts and we need your best. You are loved. That's right, That's right. You got it all. Great memory. So, Remember how I was using those nano-analyzers that I sent into their rooms through the air vents? That was how I was able to track what phase of sleep they were in. The nano-analyzers are these teeny tiny sensors that can lightly touch skin and transmit heart rate data, Body temperature, Etc. All the metrics we use to determine sleep phase. Well, You both know how I love to tinker. I added on a two-way microphone as well. It's a microscopic microphone that can send and receive sound. I moved the nano-analyzer up to Thumb's ear when he entered REM sleep. That's a lighter form of sleep in which our brains don't turn our bodies all the way off like it does when we're in a deeper phase of sleep. Then, Our brain paralyzes us fully so we don't act out our dreams. But anyways, You might notice that if you fall asleep watching or listening to something on TV, It sometimes makes its way into the content of your dream. That's because we can kinda still hear in REM sleep. It's a different form of hearing, Though, Because our brains are not consciously making sense of what we hear. It's sent to another part of our brain, A more unconscious area. That's where a lot of our habits and deeply felt truths live. I tried to deliver that truth you just said directly to Thumb's unconscious mind. Wow, That's a great idea, Especially because you can tell Pinky riles Thumb up. It's my sense that if Thumb is left to himself, He wouldn't be nearly as evil as Pinky. Maybe we can use that against the duo and neutralize them further, From the inside. That's when you remember what Thumb said as you were teleporting back to the Command Center. Doing your best Thumb impersonation, You recount exactly what he said for Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee. So much for fighting for only what's right. Are we supposed to use our gifts for relentless good? This is not good. They both sit stunned, Taking in what you said. Neither Captain EJ nor Mr. Honeybee heard him say that, So your keen observation has brought some assurance to them that the long shot Mr. Honeybee took could be working. The last little bit of worry that was hiding in the back of your mind floats away with the cool breeze, And you swing in the hammock, So proud of what you were able to accomplish. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest and your spirits lift, Opening up to this peaceful night. And slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself feel heavy here. Swinging back and forth, Back and forth. A distant sound gets our attention. What is that? It sounds like it could be the holophone, But that can't be it. Who on earth will be calling at this hour? When it rings again and again, Then a four-fourth time, We are convinced it's a holophone. We peel ourselves out of the hammocks and make our way to the garage. There you see that the holophone is clearly ringing. A glowing oar bubbles out of the sleek screen, With each ringing it expands and contracts, Then expands even bigger. We again see Sally Smith's face looking at us, Waiting for us to answer her many calls. Captain EJ places the device on a small pad near the floor and clicks to answer. Sally appears in 3D as if she's standing right before you in the garage, And as soon as she does, You can see how upset she is. What happened? Please, Just tell me what happened. What did the Knucklers do now? Is something wrong, Sally? As far as we know, The Knucklers are sitting in the dark over there. We disabled the power of the whole Knuckler compound. That'll show them. Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee think that what they said will make Sally feel better, But it makes her much, Much more upset. Through tears, She explains that even though the Dr. Knucklers are out of town, They have a silver delivery system that works on autopilot. Like clockwork, Even during Pinky and Thumb's destruction, Sally would receive her nightly harvest of silver from the Knuckler compound that she uses for her ongoing projects. But tonight, The silver harvest didn't come. That's when your mind flashes back to the compartment that hung from the steel wire which you and Captain EJ disabled earlier. You ask Sally if that compartment has anything to do with the silver harvest, And she exclaims that it does. The pulley system leads all the way from the Knuckler compound to our ranch, And it deposits the silver harvest directly into our one remaining furnace. But look, It's empty now. The silver wasn't delivered, And I have a group of dentists on their way here now. We have to leave on our trip to brighten the world's smiles soon. All the smiles are ruined now. What am I going to do? Sally climbs up the ladder to the top of the massive furnace. She opens a lid at the top and shows you an empty tray where the silver harvest should be. Then she shows you all that the power for the furnace won't even come on because it's connected to the power at the Knuckler compound. You can't help but realize that this must be what Thumb meant. Mr. Honeybee asks her if she has a backup generator, But she's so distraught she doesn't hear him and doesn't answer. The broader realization sets in that what you and Captain EJ did to stop the Knucklers had consequences all its own, Ones that you didn't anticipate. Just then, Sally smiles a polite smile off to the side as someone arrives at her ranch. She looks a little concerned but doesn't say anything to her midnight visitors. Sally stands up on the furnace on her tiptoes to get a better look, But cannot see what or who she's looking at, And she is completely distracted from us. She mumbles something then looks back at us. Sally cuts off before she can finish her sentence. The Holophone freezes Sally's 3D image in place. She's still sitting on top of the furnace that will no longer turn on, But she looks as if she's falling in or jerking away really fast. The picture froze. Mr. Honeybee power cycles the Holophone a couple of times. Sally's 3D image sits up high like the furnace is in the garage with you two. The lid is open and she's tilted over it, Frozen in midair with her arms out like they're going to catch her fall. Then, The call is lost completely. Sally, Are you there? Mr. Honeybee tries calling back a couple times, But it goes to Sally's voicemail, Which tells her callers that she will be out of town on her own mission to make the world's smiles a little brighter. She sounds so excited on the voicemail that you trust what she said before she froze. Everything will work out as it should. We just need to. . . We just need to let it work out. With that sort of anticlimactic ending to a surprise Holophone call, We quietly pack up the garage full of trinkets and think to ourselves. There's a somber tone laid over the command center. Each of us are so in our own heads that it doesn't occur to us to say anything out loud. We stow all the gadgets away in their hiding places and return the high-tech command center to an everyday garage. Mr. Honeybee doesn't know how you and Captain EJ and the rest of your superhero friends sneak in here to play with the prototypes. He assumes this garage is perfectly secure. With that in mind, Though, Something in you tells you to secure it against yourself, If that's even possible. You take those extra measures without telling anyone and triple-check all the locks. Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee yawn their goodbyes before Mrs. Honeybee brings out root beer float refills and to-go cups. Quote, For the road, As she says. The long road ahead of you is about a hundred steps to the house around the corner, But this root beer float will make it all the better. Mr. Honeybee opens the garage for you and Captain EJ to leave. When you look back to wave goodbye, You see Mr. Honeybee's new robot, Roger, Tuck himself into his charger for his own nightly rest. He rolls into a snuggly little cubby in the corner of the garage where he powers down for sleep. Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee wave goodnight as the garage door closes them in. A suspicious feeling comes over you that you can't ignore. You look through the row of little windows that line the top of the garage door as it slowly closes and leap into action. Before the door lowers all the way down, You run up to put your foot under it to trigger the sensor. The door halts to a stop just above your foot and Captain EJ joins you at the top of the driveway. Is everything okay, Hero? What's up, Team? Did you forget something? Without saying a word or explaining yourself, You search around the garage for foil and a zip tie. You know all too well how to get into this garage with the wire hanger alone. You can't in good conscience feel this way and leave this glaring vulnerability. You rip off sheets of aluminum foil and ask Mr. Honeybee and Captain EJ to line the windows. Then you get a stepladder and place it under the mechanism that physically pulls the garage open and closed. When you stand up on the highest step, You're able to see a little hole that you fit a wire hanger into perfectly. With a little maneuvering and a gentle tug, You know clever intruders can manually break into this garage in about six seconds. As you thread the zip tie through this hole, Captain EJ realizes what you're doing and you explain it to Mr. Honeybee, Outing yourself for his own good. I had no idea about this. Wait, How do you know, Hero? And you, Captain EJ? Did you two break in here to play with my prototypes before they're ready? Mr. Honeybee, It's for research purposes. We are a team and luckily we're here for you. To try all your fun, I mean important new trinkets. It's just research. We have found so many glitches this way and when we do, We come back the next day and let you know about these glitches. Trust me, We're doing you a favor. Right, Right. Doing me a favor. Whether or not benevolently breaking into his garage was a favor before, This is definitely a favor now. You lock the mechanism down and plug up the hole that potential thieves could use to manually pull the opener open. With the windows blocked off, This will make it even more difficult for them to get the wire where it needs to be. You wipe your hands clean of the dust and any question of transgression on your part and step down from the ladder. Now you can leave Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee to their evening and continue yours. The garage door closes and the moonlight shimmers against the foil. That's when you realize you're still wearing your battle bus helmet. You meant to leave it in the garage to charge overnight, But you can just as easily do that in the morning. Captain EJ takes a sip of his root beer float for the road and says, Hero, Would you say that we foiled any intruder's attempts to break into the garage? That was a good one. Mr. Honeybee would have thought that was a good one. You laugh more at Captain EJ than with him before you hear Mr. Honeybee coming loud and clear over the battle bus helmet mic. Writing that one down, Captain. That was a good one. Almost makes up for you two breaking into my garage. You and Captain EJ walk around the corner together back to his house, Right foot, Left foot, Right foot, Left foot. Even though you both walked as slow as you could, It still feels a bit too early to turn all the way in. Without saying anything, Your great minds think just alike and lead you up to the roof to do what you two do best. Relax on the rooftop under the stars. It's a beautifully clear night. The stars are out in their constellations twinkling bright. They seem so close that it's hard to believe they're more than four light years away. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the nighttime air and the sparkle of joy swelling in your chest. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and let yourself rest easy on the roof. Captain EJ points out a constellation that looks like a bull and another that looks like a scorpion with its tail ready to sting. You point out one that looks like an archer with a bow and another that looks like a ram over by the bull. As you scan the sky looking for more star shapes, You hear something over at the honeybee house. You look over nonchalantly expecting to see nothing. A whole lot of nothing is exactly what you see, But the sound echoes against the side of the house in the neighborhood again. You prop yourself up on your elbows and study the chimney of Mr. Honeybee's house. The sound seems to come from there, But you can't see anything. Must be a bird or something nesting in there. You go back to stargazing with Captain EJ who has now moved on to planning out the next prank on Mr. Honeybee. What do you think of that, Hero? That would be hilarious. Without hearing what he said, You laugh and agree. You're too tired to scheme pranks right now and besides, You know it's a good one regardless. That is another one of yours and Captain EJ's superpowers, Thinking up and executing super pranks. You drift off to another power nap while Captain EJ continues planning his prank idea out loud. He eventually puts himself to sleep with his own voice while still somehow talking. When you open your eyes again, Captain EJ is sleeping soundly while trying to make his jacket into a blanket. The sun will rise soon. Before it does, It sends out a single ray of golden light that draws a line across the horizon. It wouldn't be the first time both of you fell asleep up here and it certainly won't be the last. You readjust to get more comfortable and turn on your side, Toward the mountain so you can wake up in a few hours with the sun shining down on your face. From here you can see the mountains that form the Valley of Dormir. Now you know that place so well, Once upon a time it felt so far away. Just then, The buzzing sound you heard last night comes back. This time it's much louder and gets even louder like it's moving closer. Captain EJ hears it now too and wakes up somewhat alarmed. Not only does it sound closer, But you can feel a wind at your back that jolts you up. You look behind you to see a drone hovering at your back, Just above the rooftop you're sleeping on. It's still dark so you cannot really see it very well with your sleepy eyes. Ha! That must be Mr. Honeybee flaunting one of his new prototypes we haven't stolen yet. Good one, Mr. H! Captain EJ leans in to wave at the drone assuming Mr. Honeybee can see him. The drone that looks like a miniature plane hovers higher above you, Inching backwards away from you and Captain EJ. You smile and wave at it too. Suddenly the drone dives right toward you at a high rate of speed. As it hurtles toward you and Captain EJ, Your playful laughing turns into worry. It looks like it's heading right toward both of you. Together, You leap up to your feet and jump out of the way just in time for the drone to buzz right past you. Captain EJ pleads with Mr. Honeybee who he assumes is controlling it remotely. Come on, Mr. Honeybee. We promised we won't sneak into your garage anymore. We never meant any harm by it. Hero even gave away our secret of how to break in. Now we can't do that anymore. With each plea, Captain EJ twists and turns to escape the drone's dive bombs. When it's done with him, It turns to you like a wild animal. You run along the rooftop, Twisting and turning just like he did. This can't be Mr. Honeybee. There's an unspoken line we never cross on our pranking and this certainly crosses it. The drone circles back and heads right toward you again. Thinking fast on your feet, You step backwards a little too much and nearly slip off the roof. In a flash, Captain EJ is at your side. He grabs your hand for you to stabilize yourself on the roof. Captain EJ has had enough of this drone attack and is similarly convinced that this can't be Mr. Honeybee's doing. When the drone comes at you again, Captain EJ launches toward it instead of away from it and grabs it with his incredible grip. The strength of a single hand is enough to immobilize the drone. He reaches up with his other hand to pull it down. It takes considerable strength to do so. You run over to help him and together you pull it down. The engine struggles to pull the machine away from you but it doesn't stand a chance. With the drone in your hand, That's when you see it. Knuckler International is written along both sides of the drone in big silver letters. This is not Mr. Honeybee. This is the Knucklers. You throw on your Battle Buzz helmet hoping there's enough charge in it for an emergency transmission. You ask and ask for Mr. Honeybee to copy but all you hear is humming silence. Still holding the drone in his hands, Captain EJ tries to contact Mr. Honeybee as well. Neither of you can get a hold of him. Instead, You hear a familiar voice through the drone. Oh, I forgot to tell you about our fleet of solar and lunar powered drones, Captain EJ. Aren't these fun? And their fun never ends. Watch your fingers. Oh, And I definitely watch the sky. The propellers of the drone in both of your hands begin spinning faster and faster. They spin at such a high rate of speed that the metal that they were made of, Likely silver, Becomes blade-like and spin wildly, Very close to your face. Two secondary sets of propellers emerge on the sides of the drone and push against your palm, Which is trying to secure it. You and Captain EJ have no choice but to let go and take cover. You ball your fists up and Captain EJ prepares his voice in case he needs to shatter this machinery. Instead, The drone backs up, Higher and higher into the sky. It stops just above Captain EJ's roof. Two silver lasers flash out from the sides and clouds begin to move in, Faster than you've ever seen clouds move before. They come from all directions and meet just above this roof surrounding the drone. It begins to sprinkle, But as the clouds become more and more dense, A sprinkle of rain turns into a downpour. You push down the shield of the Battle Bus helmet so you can see your way down from this rooftop with Captain EJ. On your way down, You both try to get a hold of Mr. Honeybee again. Now, This is an emergency. Captain EJ pleads. Mr. Honeybee, Do you copy? We are under attack. The Knucklers have a fleet of drones and they can't be more than a few miles away. They have to be nearby. Mr. Honeybee, Do you copy? That's when another familiar voice comes over the mic. This one is much friendlier, But also much more worried. Uh, Mr. Honeybee is not here. Uh, But he has programmed me to know all that he does in real time. Even though technically, Time isn't real. Time is real? No, It's not. Yes, It is. No, It's not. I can't debate this now. Good, Because it's not a debate. It is too a debate because time is a consensus in what is reality about one gigantic agreement between all of us. Not to shatter you or anything, But everyone can agree to be wrong and you're all still wrong. The human mind, Although miraculous, Is quite feeble. Mr. Honeybee and I were just talking about this. Well, Mr. Honeybee was and I was recording his thoughts. The human mind wins though because I'm a perfection of science and even I cannot figure it out. If Mr. Honeybee was here, He would explain it much better for your brain. He doesn't need to explain anything. Roger, What do you mean Mr. Honeybee is not there? Where is he? I tried to locate him, But his GPS seems to be disabled. The coordinates haven't moved much from when I powered down. He can't be far though, But he also can't be reachable. Because if he was, I'd be able to reach him. What does that mean? Do you want the definition of reachable? No, I want Mr. Honeybee to copy like he always does. I have his voice downloaded. If you'd like me to say copy in his voice. Hi, Captain Eej. I am Mr. Honeybee and I have copied. This is not helping, Roger. And my name is Captain EJ, Not Eej. Roger that, Captain EJ. How can I help instead of not help? Standing in the pouring rain, You and Captain EJ wonder where Mr. Honeybee is and how Roger can help. The Knucklers have invaded your peaceful slice of the Honeybee neighborhood. Have they taken Mr. Honeybee as revenge? Instinctively, You and Captain EJ are standing back to back, So you can watch in a perfect 360 around you at once. Rain slaps the concrete all around you, Falling harder and harder. You take refuge on Mr. Honeybee's porch and take comfort in the fact that Roger said Mr. Honeybee can't be far. But why would he be unreachable? He's the most connected person you know. Right now, You and Captain EJ focus on what you do know. Together, You can overcome this, Like you can overcome anything. But how? That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap, Now. A celebration was in order when we returned from our stealth mission, And celebrate we did. As Mrs. Honeybee always says, All superheroes need their super rest, So we let our defenses and ourselves do just that. We kicked back, We relaxed, We fell right to sleep up on the roof, Under a blanket of stars. We woke up early in the dark morning to something sinister. What started as one devilish drone antagonizing us, Turned into a full-blown automated drone attack. One that also seemed to influence the weather. Pinky Knuckler was behind the drone attack and warned us to watch the skies above. That proved to be more difficult than expected. Fast-moving clouds poured rain down on us like we've never experienced in the Honeybee neighborhood before. We tried, And tried again, To radio Mr. Honeybee, But he hasn't answered yet. His newest creation, A more than self-aware robot named Roger, Answered instead. Roger that, Captain EJ. Roger Robot said that Mr. Honeybee is near, But unreachable. Near, But unreachable? What could that mean? We have to find Mr. Honeybee and figure out how we can fight for what's right, Against the Knuckler's latest wicked scheme. This one blows the others out of the, Well, Water. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ. Let's begin. You are here, Standing on Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee's porch, Watching the rain pour down from the heavy clouds above. The sun is blurred out in this gray, Dreary day, But you know that it's up there shining, Just beyond the clouds. That always keeps you going no matter the gloom you face. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the cool air coming in through your nose refresh and invigorate you. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. As you lean against the small railing on the porch to see out above the roof tile that shields us from this weather, Drones fly like soldiers above the house, Each going farther than the last and bringing more clouds and rain wherever they stop. One zips through the leaves of a tree in the front yard and hovers in place with its engine rumbling. Lasers flash out of the side and pull even more gray clouds in lower than you've ever seen clouds go. A dense fog begins to threaten visibility. You peek around the corner of the house into the backyard. It's early. The sun is just rising. But it looks like Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee's best friend, Melody Bee, Is already up working on her garden. She's just a little honeybee and is struggling to cover her plants with tarps and netting to protect them from this wind and rain. Mr. Honeybee usually helps her with that. It's now abundantly clear that he's missing. We need to knock on the door, But before we can, We hear a loud rustle and a crash behind us. The rain has ripped one tree branch from the tree and then another. The second tree branch flails from the tree and whips against a light post, Almost knocking it down. You and Captain EJ waste no time and pound on the door, Screaming out to Mrs. Honeybee inside, Who answers quickly. Captain EJ, Hiro, I was just going to call you. Do you know where Mr. Honeybee is? Is he out on a mission? We're here wondering the same thing, Mrs. Honeybee. He's not answering from Command Center or any of his devices. Suddenly, Thunder claps in the sky and lightning strikes. Another tree branch flies off from the force of the rain. Mrs. Honeybee pulls you both inside where you can be safe from the rain. Harold is so excited to see you, But can tell that it's no time to play. You can tell that something is wrong and he whimpers at your feet. You pet his fluffy ears and that calms you a little. He looks up at you with big brown eyes that trust you to figure this out. Mrs. Honeybee leads you into the house, Rehearsing all the places she's already checked for signs of Mr. Honeybee. You notice that the living room seems to be in disarray and point it out to Mrs. Honeybee. She leads you into the living room where there's a fireplace and a big comfy couch with fuzzy blankets folded up. I noticed that, But I thought it was just the wind and rain getting in through the chimney somehow. The logs are all dislodged. We usually stack them in there and have the little glass doors closed. Do you think it could be something else? We are not discounting any angle at this point. Let me take a look up there. As Captain EJ kneels down to look up the chimney, You remember that you heard a sound coming from around here last night. This is the same area you can see from Captain's rooftop. It woke you up, But you didn't see anything causing the noise. The drone attack started shortly after that. You peek through the blinds out in the backyard to see if the drones are still coming and going. They haven't stopped since they started. Even though it's dark and gray, You can see that it's clearly daytime. These solar-powered drones are just getting started while the lunar-powered ones wait for silvery moonlight to do their bidding. They do not need Pinky at the controls. He effectively has a passive army at his disposal. Captain EJ ducks out of the fireplace and wipes his hands of soot. He cannot see anything. It's much too dark. We'll need to get something smaller to check up there. Just then, Little Melody Bee buzzes in through the back door holding a bundle of blue tarps and netting. Yikes! It's pouring out there. Hi, Hero and Captain. You're up early. Is Mr. Honeybee still sleeping? He was supposed to help me put down netting for the new garden boxes he built this morning. Melody Bee, He's missing. We can't find him anywhere. Oh no! Where could he be? We don't know yet, But we won't stop until he's safely home. Melody Bee, Can you help us with something? Sure. Anything. Melody Bee sets down her traps and netting and agrees to buzz up the chimney to see if anything looks disturbed. She inspects it up and down, Then emerges coughing soot and fluttering her wings to remove a layer of ash. She reports that the entire chimney is scratched up and down with cracks in a few places. Something definitely came down the chimney last night and managed to get into the house. Oh yeah. Now that you mention it, I did notice some smoke coming out of the chimney last night. I figured you had a fire going, Mrs. Honeybee. You spin around to check for any more clues and carefully walk out from the fireplace looking up to the ceiling, Along the walls, Trying to see something that may be hiding in plain sight. From behind you, Captain EJ exclaims, Hero, Stop walking. Look. You look down to see that you're trailing soot and ash out from the fireplace under your feet. You hurry to take your shoes off so you don't make any more of a mess, But Mrs. Honeybee stops you and points to the tiled kitchen floor in front of you. There is a trail of soot and ash sprinkled from the fireplace and through the kitchen. It leads out into the garage. The only footsteps you see are your own, So you know that feet didn't leave this trail behind. So what did? You follow along the sides of the trail, Careful not to disturb the sprinkled soot that is your only clue so far. When you get to the set of doors that open up to the garage, Mrs. Honeybee gasps. You look over to see one door propped open and a screen door that you can see through still closed. You and Captain EJ quickly look into the garage to see if she sees the intruder, But Mrs. Honeybee has seen something else entirely. She didn't notice this before, But one of the doors is still open from last night when she propped it open with a small owl statue. She picks up the owl statue and explains, I joked with Mr. Honeybee that this wise owl was watching him to make sure he actually gets some sleep tonight. Sometimes he loses track of time and stays up all night tinkering with his prototypes or researching in the office. When he's finally done, Mr. Honeybee closes up the garage every night and locks both doors. The screen door locks, And this heavy door has two locks. If he ever came in from the garage, This door should be closed and locked too. But look, The screen door is not even locked. I don't think he ever came in from the garage. Captain EJ thinks of something and dashes off in response to it. He returns from the office seconds later, Deflated of the little hope he had. He thought maybe Mr. Honeybee fell asleep doing research like he does. There's no sign of him in there. You lead the way into the garage and it looks so empty without Mr. Honeybee here. You would give anything to have him walk out of the stronghold excited about new suit technology. You all look around the silent garage for another sign of disturbance. The trail of soot fades as soon as you get into the garage. From what you can see, Whatever left the soot must have shaken itself clean by the time it got here. As you all look everywhere you can think of, Roger rolls out from his cubby where he recharges. He's holding his head and adjusting the antenna on the top of his head. He rolls right up to you and asks for help. Can you please make sure my antenna is straight, Hero? My signal has been weak all morning. I can't hear what he's thinking anymore. That gets everyone's attention. You all crowd around Roger Robot adjusting his antenna to make sure nothing can visibly obstruct it. Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Everyone. Give the robot some space. Roger rolls out of your grasp and shakes himself off. Then, As if going through a procedure, He points his head all around the garage without saying anything to anyone. We all watch in anticipation before Captain EJ finally speaks up. Roger, What are you doing? Shh, Do not disturb me. You didn't even know time wasn't real. You can't possibly help me with this. Shh, Captain EJ, Over here. Roger can think what Mr. Honeybee is thinking most of the time. He was programmed that way. I think he's trying to get some kind of signal. He's done this once before when Mr. Honeybee accidentally locked himself in the prototype cabinet. Just as Melody Bee says that, Roger rolls over to the cabinet and checks inside. We all follow him, Hoping against hope that maybe that happened again. But it's empty. Roger has the special ability to download Mr. Honeybee's mind, To read it, And catalog his thoughts alphabetically. But in order to do so, They must have a clear line of sight and signal between them. This technology works with a satellite just like Mr. Honeybee's satellite phone. Roger rolls over to his cubby in the corner of the garage, Under the bikes that hang over the concealed stronghold wall. Roger cups his ears to cancel the noise and finally gets a transmission. Stone wall, Strong, Stone wall, Bare hands, Hold, Silence. That's what Mr. Honeybee is thinking. He usually thinks in complete sentences, So I assume it's choppy due to the signal. I can usually download what he sees too, But all I can see is pitch black. What is it, Roger? Roger rolls up to a pair of goggles hanging off the workbench. He picks them up and hangs his head with sadness. What if he only sees pitch black right now? He doesn't have his night vision goggles. What is he going to do surrounded by darkness without his night vision? Oh no. How did this happen? I powered down too much. Had I not spent the day trying to perfect my wheelie, I wouldn't have to recharge. Mr. Honeybee, Think louder! Where are you? Oh no! What have I done? Roger rolls into his cubby to recharge in hopes that his antenna just needs more battery. From the other side of the garage, You hear a faint tap, Tap, Tap. At first, It sounds like Roger readjusting and plugging himself in, But the sound continues after he powers down. Mrs. Honeybee points to the garage door that opens up to the driveway. All of you tiptoe over there and press your ears up against the metal door. You can hear someone or something shuffling on the other side. The windows are still covered with foil so you can't see out. Melody Bee buzzes out through an air vent then comes back in and whispers that there are two pies out front. She stretches her little arms out to say there's one big one and a not-so-big one next to him. You and Captain EJ jump back away from the garage door. You flick on the infrared scopes on your battle bus helmet and sure enough, You see the outlines of Pinky and Thumb Knuckler pressing their ears up against the garage door from the outside, Listening to you all in here. The Knucklers have done the unthinkable. Not only have they left Dormir for the first time ever to kidnap Mr. Honeybee somehow, But they are also out during the daylight. You quickly gather Mrs. Honeybee and Melody Bee and lead them to the door of the stronghold. You swing open the bike rack as quietly as you can and find the key fob with the number sequence that will let you in. The numbers 0-9-2-8-1-9 flash across the tiny screen. You fold the battle bus helmet back into a beanie so your face shows and you enter that into the keypad. Standing in front of the vaulted steel door with your head held high, A red laser slowly scans your face. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the safety of this fortified place and slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. The numerous locks click open and the vacuum sealed door releases for Mrs. Honeybee and Melody Bee to quickly hop in. Captain EJ runs in carrying a very disgruntled Roger Robot who does not want to be thrown in the closet of a hidden room without his charger. You and Captain EJ tell them to be as quiet as you can and close them all into the suit closet within the stronghold. That is the safest place to be right now because the knucklers themselves are right on the other side of that door. You and Captain EJ fold your battle bus helmets back down to keep a watchful, Infrared eye on the brothers. They are still listening to you with their ears pressed up against the other side of the garage door. Captain EJ gets an idea and you follow along. Hero, It's obvious Mr. Honeybee isn't here. We've looked everywhere. I think I've figured out a plan to defeat the knucklers, But first we have to find Mr. Honeybee. I'll just leave my notebook on the workbench where no one can get it. Remind me where I left it in case I forget like last time. Come on, Let's go gather a search party around the neighborhood. You play along, Pretending to go gather a search party. You watch as the knucklers run along to the other side of the house, Opposite the front door where they assume you'll be coming out. You know exactly where they are going, So you and Captain EJ beat them there and lay in wait for your real plan to catch them once and for all. You follow Captain EJ and the sud trail back to the chimney and wait on either side of the brick hearth. If you two are right about this hunch, Then something should be coming down the chimney to gain access to the house and Captain EJ's notebook any minute now. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Quiet yourself both inside and out. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. And sink into this moment of waiting, Second by second. Until you hear stirring above the chimney. It's happening. You were right, Here they come. You and Captain EJ brace for what could possibly come next and grab whatever you can find in the living room around you to use for whatever you will have to do. Something crashes, Scrapes, And tinks all the way down the chimney until it falls heavy on the coals. It's a drone with a scope on it that points forward. The drone rights itself then slowly proceeds from the fireplace where it crashed. You and Captain EJ are armed with two fuzzy blankets you picked up from the couch. When the drone flies out the chimney, You ambush it and tie it up in a double layer of blankets without saying a word. The knucklers were using this drone to see what's going on in the house, But now they can't see anything. They'll be forced to gain entry some other way. And from the sounds of it, They're both trying to come down the chimney themselves like a pair of evil Santa Clauses. You can hear Pinky and Thumb climb into the chimney and shimmy themselves down. Captain EJ thinks quickly and grabs the pile of blue tarps and netting that Melody left on the table. This combined with your combined strength should be enough to at least immobilize the knucklers. The moment of action is almost here. Pinky yells at Thumb, Screeching that he's squishing Pinky's hand with his foot. They are tangled in a knot of limbs when they both crash down the chimney into the fireplace with sore spines and bruised egos. Before they know what hit them, You and Captain EJ ambush them again, Wrapping them both up with layers of blue tarp and netting. The knuckler brothers lie in a pile on the floor of the living room while you two catch your breath. We did it! You've done nothing! You hear me? Nothing! You make sure the tarps and netting are tied tightly around the knucklers. Then Captain EJ drags the knotted up brothers out like a sack of forgotten toys. You grab the drone, Still swaddled in the blankets tightly, Which prevents the blades from moving much. Pinky and Thumb kick and scream the whole way out to the garage, But you and Captain EJ are immune to them at this point. They've done too much damage for sympathy right now. We need to figure out where Mr. Honeybee is. We have the culprits here before us. What did you do with Mr. Honeybee? Where is he? Tell us right now! Let me go and I'll tell you. I. . . Promise. Not happening, Pinky. Tell us what we want to know. Well, That's not going to happen either, Captain EJ. I'm just fine in this tarp with my wonderful brother. There's enough ventilation for big breaths of nice, Fresh air. Can't really say the same of that room you all have there, Hidden in the wall. Those doors are vaulted, Sealed like a safe. Does that mean that there's limited oxygen in there? That might be a little difficult for your beloved Mr. Honeybee. Captain EJ looks at you with the same shocked, Worried look you have, And you both run over to the stronghold door where you stashed the others. What is Pinky talking about? What does he know about the stronghold? You can't get in here without facial recognition and a code. You both get into the stronghold as quickly as possible, And fling the door open. You run over to the mirrored suit closet to let everyone out. Roger bursts forth from the closet, Desperate for freedom. He waves his hands in the air as he rolls in happy circles. I got a signal! I got a signal! Oh, And I found Mr. Honeybee. He didn't think we could hear him, So he stopped yelling. But he's right here. Roger rolls over to the stone wall that has just been rebuilt after yours and Captain EJ's latest practice. Mr. Honeybee was up late rebuilding it himself with the strongest cement he could mix. Instead of walls in front of each other, Four walls have been made into a stone wall box with a stone wall lid. You and Captain EJ run over after Roger. Mr. Honeybee, Can you hear me now? Yes, I can hear you, Roger. Get me out of here. The Knucklers ambushed me with their drones and walled me in. You are so relieved to have found Mr. Honeybee that you feel like you can hug this stone wall. But instead, You must break them out. Roger rolls out to get some tools and you follow him to check on the Knucklers. They are still tied up in their netted tarps, But you thump them both to make sure. Roger leads the way back into the stronghold carrying not one, But three sledgehammers. Captain EJ runs to intervene. Roger, No! What are you doing? Hmm. . . Um. . . Keep up, Captain EJ. We have to break this wall. Not with a sledgehammer, You don't. Ask Hero to free me. Fine, Fine. Have it your way. You were technically kidnapped, After all. Well, Were you kidnapped, Really? Let me check that. Legally. Hold on. While Roger busies himself with the minutiae of a legal definition of kidnapping, You leap up to the wall. Full of the same enthusiastic inspiration you felt last time you did this in here. You must have been practicing for this very moment, Without even realizing it. You pull a single stone completely out of the concrete that is holding them together. With one hand, You gently nudge the heavy cinder block and it cracks as it rips away from the rest of the stone wall. One by one, You gently break apart enough of the stone wall box that Mr. Honeybee was trapped within. He is able to stand up and gives you all a big, Squeezing hug once he's free. I knew you had my back. I knew you'd find me. I'm so happy to see you. Please remind me to drone-proof the Honeybee house, Though. Whether or not that counts as kidnapping, It was very unpleasant. Roger rolls back into the stronghold from his stint of legal research so fast that he launches off a little accidental ramp right into the middle of Mr. Honeybee's hug. Oh my goodness, Mr. Honeybee! You were kidnapped! You were totally kidnapped! Legally! Do you need a medical diagnostic test? How are your lungs? Did you get enough oxygen? Humans need to maintain their oxygen levels, You know. I know all about needing oxygen, Roger. Thank you. I feel fine. Just so, So, So happy to see everyone again. Pinky shouts to get everyone's attention and you lead the way back to the garage to make sure they're still secured. Hey everyone, I hate to break it to you, But I think I'm technically kidnapped too right now. Did anyone think of that? Mr. Honeybee, Should I go think about that? No, Roger. That's not worth your electrical charge. He ambushed and built me into a stone wall box. He can stand to be wrapped up in a couple of tarps and some netting for a minute. Oh, That's right, Melody Bee. We were supposed to install the netting this morning. This is a much better use of the materials. My carrots and beets will understand. Wait, Whose voice was that? Me? It's me, Melody Bee. No, The other one. Oh. It's me, Thumb. Mr. Honeybee. I recognize your voice, But I can't place it. Pinky, Is this who you trapped with the drones? Yes, Thumb. What kind of partner in crime are you if you can't even remember who we're kidnapping? You all leave Pinky and Thumb to argue amongst themselves and lock ourselves back up in the stronghold so they can't hear you talk. Mr. Honeybee goes on to explain exactly what the Knucklers did. Last night, He got a sudden burst of energy, And instead of going to sleep, He decided to rebuild the practice walls in the stronghold. Mr. Honeybee thought building the stone walls into a four-sided box shape would make them more challenging to break, So it would help you and Captain EJ hone your skill of strength. It was coming back and forth between the garage and the stronghold all night. When he had finished all four of the walls that formed the edges of the box, He came out one more time and was ambushed by a fleet of drones with propeller blades that swung wildly on all sides. The drones rushed him, Forcing him deeper into the stronghold and into the stone wall box. There were so many drones and so many swinging blades that he couldn't fight back or fight at all. That's when they all unfolded little robotic arms that were able to finish the lid of the stone wall box with cement that Mr. Honeybee had already mixed. They cemented him in and shut the soundproof door to the stronghold. There was nothing he could do. What are we going to do about those knucklers? That's what we can figure out now that we found you. Finding you was our most important mission. They're doing something with these solar and lunar-powered drones that are somehow affecting the weather. Could they really affect the weather? The clouds seem to gather densely around those drones wherever they appear, And they're popping up everywhere, Systematically. They've automated them somehow, And they run off rechargeable batteries that do not require electricity. What I don't understand is how they even found our command center. It's not like we have a big sign that says Captain E. J. Command Center outside. The garage is plain for a reason. Hey, The garage is not plain. It's minimal. There's a difference. The Honeybee house is beautiful from the outside, Just like it is from the inside. Of course. Of course, My dear. That's what I meant. You all mull over the question of potential solutions to this growing knuckler problem. Rain slaps against the garage door and rattles it. Puddles are beginning to form where the gutters are flooded. How did they find you here? You open the door to the stronghold and go out into the garage. You don't want to let the knucklers out of your sight even for a moment. Walking out of the door, Mr. Honeybee poses the question you're all wondering still. So how do you think they found us here? And did you ever think to ask the big, Bad kidnappers kidnapped inside the tarp how they found you? I'll gladly tell you. Fine. Kidnapper, How did you find us? Free me and I'll tell you. No, The safest place you can be, For everyone else's sake, Is in that tarp. Fine then. I'll give you a hint. It was one of your dear, Sparkling friends in Dormir. Um, Sally? She'd never tell you where in the Honeybee neighborhood we lived. Sally knows you're up to no good. You could always try calling her. No. She left on a trip with a group of dentists because she does good for the world instead of destroying it town by town. Did she leave on that trip? Yes. We tried calling her, But she was already gone. Her holophone froze just as the dentists arrived at her ranch, I think. You sure it was the dentists? Putting it together piece by piece, Captain EJ furiously shakes the knucklers in the tarp. Through his teeth, He asks a question that sounds like he only wants to ask once. What did you do to Sally? Tell me now. I don't think I like your tone, Captain EJ. And also, I don't know what became of poor Sally. But I do know that she was. . . Otherwise occupied when the dentists arrived. I do know that they went on their merry way with what silver they had. They didn't even really need her. I just hope she's not trapped in something outside in this horrible storm. It could flood. She could. . . Be. . . How should I put this? In. . . Way over her head. With that evil statement, The netted tarp begins to writhe around the garage floor like a wild beast fighting against itself. It's difficult to see what's happening, But you all stand back and watch as years of pent-up rage explodes within the tarp. Thumb has had more than enough with Pinky. He has taken so much torment from his brother that he cannot stand it a moment longer. What did you make me do to Sally? You take things too far, Pinky. Will Sally be okay? We are smart people and are capable of great things. We need to use those gifts for relentless good, Pinky. Mr. Honeybee recognizes those words. They're specific. Familiar, Even. Then, He remembers. Those are the exact words he spoke directly into Thumb's unconscious sleeping mind. They must have sunk in and convinced Thumb, At his core, That they could be true, If Thumb let himself believe they were. Mr. Honeybee steps closer to the tarp for an unimaginable breakthrough with Thumb. His voice is the only thing that seems to calm Thumb down. That's it, Thumb. That's it. Do you remember the rest? Say it with me. There's a hero waiting to be discovered inside me. The world needs my gifts, And. . . And we need your best. You are loved, Thumb. Your brother, Pinky, Doesn't understand, But you do. What are you talking about, Thumb? What kind of mumbo-jumbo is that? Shut it, Pinky. You don't get it. I get it, Thumb. I always get it. You're the one that doesn't have the time. You really slow us down, You know. Stop being mean to me. You're a bully. That's why no one ever visits us. No. Wrong again, Thumb. No one visits us, Because we're freaks who only come out at night. Hey, None of that. You're not freaks. You're geniuses. Albeit, You are a bit lazy about it, But you're lazy geniuses nonetheless. If you applied yourself, You could do great things. I know it. And people will desperately want you around. Thumb, They're lying to you. They live boring lives. We live fun lives. Just look at all the fun we're having. Though Sally's probably not having as much fun. That I'll admit. That throws Thumb back into a rage. He wants to squash his brother down to size, To make him feel as small as Thumb has felt all these years. Fueled by that kind of deeply felt betrayal, Thumb did the unthinkable. Pinky clamored to cover Thumb's mouth to stop him from uttering the words, But Thumb overpowered him easily. From within the tarp, Thumb says, I'll tell you where Sally is. And better than that, I'll help you save her. You'll have to trust me. Let me out, And we'll go to her. You have my word. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together, We can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick Captain's recap, Now. We were left to our own devices without Mr. Honeybee's expert guidance because the Knucklers kidnapped him. But luckily, Our devices, Plus a little help from our robot friend, Roger, Were all we needed to rescue him. I knew you had my back. I knew you'd find me. After carefully retracing clues left behind, We were able to catch on to the Knucklers' latest scheme by catching them right-handed in the infrared light of our BattleBuzz helmet scopes. Except, They didn't know we knew. They were attempting to eavesdrop, So we gave them a great show. As if rehearsed, They followed our cues right into our trap. We managed to get one step ahead of them, Which was just enough to ambush the Ambushers and take down the drone they used to burgle the Honeybee house. With Mr. Honeybee back at our side, We now have the gargantuan task of rescuing poor Sally Smith, But we seem to have an unexpected ally wrapped up in this scenario. Thumb Knuckler has come around to see that he is capable of good when not under the thumb of his brother Pinky. But can we trust him? Can Sally afford to wait for us to agonize over this question? That's what we have to decide now. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain E. J. Will lead the way. E. J. Let's begin. You are here, In the Garage Command Center, Confronted with a decision that could determine the course of several lives. You and Captain E. J. Have already cut the power of the Knuckler compound, Which got you here, Standing above the Knuckler brothers who are wrapped up in just enough tarps and netting to keep them contained. There were unintended consequences to what you thought was an unequivocal good. Now you try wherever you can to think twice, Or even three times, If possible. Here at this important juncture, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the sensation of your well-intentioned heart beating once, Twice, Three times. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and be in this moment with Captain E. J. And Mr. Honeybee. You all need to decide if you can trust them. But what you don't get to decide is if Sally has enough time for this momentous decision of yours. Pinky and Thumb already decided that for her, With this cruel action, That they haven't yet explained. Tell us where she is, Thumb, And we'll decide if we can trust you. Of course. She's on her ranch, Locked inside her family's heirloom melting furnace. It's a huge metal thing that's with the rest of her equipment. Why don't you and Hero go, Captain E. J. , And make sure Sally's safe? We don't even need to let them out. No. No, Wait. Don't go. I promise you. I, Pinky, Promise you. Oh, Wait, No. Take that back. Just your regular promise. I promise that you won't be able to open the contraption. It has several fail-safes on it for safety measures, And I know exactly how to open it. Why don't you tell them how you know that, Traitor? See if that helps your case. Let me know if you need any legal statutes looked up, Mr. Honeybee. Will do, Roger. Thank you as always. Thumb, How do you know how to open it? I. . . I pushed her in. When we realized you cut the power to our compound, We went over there to tell her that she won't be getting the silver delivery as scheduled. Our parents, Dr. And Dr. Knuckler, Have this pulley system set up that delivers freshly harvested silver from the distillator directly into the Smith's Melting Furnace for processing. She was up on top of the furnace about to open it, Thinking something was stuck inside on her end. And when you were all talking to her on the holophone, She thought the dentist arrived, But it was really us. She was really scared at first, But I promised and lied that I was coming in peace, That I just wanted to let her know there's been a problem with the silver delivery. Tally was already up there and needed help opening it. I pretended not to know what was wrong. I climbed better than Pinky, So I climbed up there offering to help. She showed me how to open it, Then I pushed her in and locked it back up. She could not get out from the inside. Oh, Ouch. Cold-blooded sum. Cold-blooded. That was nothing compared to this cloud-seating storm you thought up. I knew the power was cut and that she couldn't be hurt at all. I promise, Even though I lied before on a promise, I never thought Sally could be hurt. I didn't know about the drones and the rain. I promise, I thought she'd just be stuck until you two ripped it open with your bare hands or something. How does it feel to be the worst brother in the world? I don't even know if I can call you my brother anymore. The brothers roll and tumble all around the garage floor, Resorting to cheap blows and easy tactics to get the better of each other. You and Captain EJ have no choice but to split them up. They'll be easier to handle separately. Roger, Mrs. Honeybee, And Melody Bee all go back in the stronghold for safety while you three sort this mess out. Mr. Honeybee disentangles the knotted nets and unwraps the tarps. Before Pinky and Thumb can move, You and Captain EJ grab them by the shoulders to hold them still. Thumb is perfectly cooperative, But Pinky tries every maneuver he can. Using some, But not all, Of your strength on the brothers, You and Captain EJ each grab one, But don't squish them in your grip. Holding them there, Mr. Honeybee gets better materials to bundle them back up separately with. Before you and Captain EJ do that, Pinky takes this opportunity to deliver more threats. I hope you get to the furnace before the flood does, Captain EJ. And don't forget, I'm the only one that can disable those drones. I'm the only one with the formulas. See, Thumb, This is why I don't include you on plan planning. You always manage to slow us down somehow. I've gotten used to it over the years, So those drones run automatically until the sun and the moon turn off. So, It'll be raining for a while. I planned for how much you mess things up. We can figure out the drones later, Once Sally's safe. I have time to think about how to take you down, Brother. Because I will. You know I know how. Yeah, Right. You can barely think for yourself. You're going to think for yourself for the first time ever, And manage to outthink me? I'd love to see it. Pinky, Doesn't this horrible storm hurt you just as much as it hurts Dormir and the Honeybee neighborhood? Are you so wicked that you insist on hurting yourself too? I don't know about all that, But I do know that if the power at the Nuckler compound does ever come back on, All that shimmer Sally's got will singe. No, No, No. That won't happen. I promise. Let me help. Please. Let me make this right. You, Captain EJ, And Mr. Honeybee silently think this through before bundling them both back up in separate bundles. Captain EJ looks over to see two free hooks available on the bike rack that conceals the stronghold door. Once bundled up, You'll suspend them from the ceiling to make sure that if they try to escape, They'll have to crash to the floor first. You and Captain EJ lift them up and secure the handles of the bundles to the bike rack hook. For good measure, You give them both a little spin to make sure it's secure. The brothers are dizzy inside the bags and cannot see what's happening to them. Now you three are free to discuss the matter at hand, With careful attention to the minutes passing by. Mr. Honeybee opens the garage door to see how bad the rain is. It pours down the driveway and the streets are covered by a thin stream of water. Can we trust him? I wouldn't if I were you. Do we need to, Though? I don't think we do. Hero and I can try to open the furnace on our own with Thumb's direction, If needed. Sally might also be able to help us open it without totally destroying it. I know how important it is to her, But nothing is more important than this rescue. If needed, Thumb will have the opportunity to make it right without us putting ourselves in harm's way. Did you hear that, Thumb? Roger that, Captain EJ. Hey, You've stolen enough today. Finger, Or whoever you are, Get your own pun. Ugh, Makes me sick, And I don't even have a stomach. Roger rolls out of the stronghold just in time to help with this rescue mission. With his innate technical know-how, He is going to accompany you and Captain EJ to the furnace, Along with Thumb's instruction. Together, You get ready to teleport. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose, And imagine landing into a mirror at Sally's silversmithing ranch. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button on the remote that always seems to be at your hip. A blue flash creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, We are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. We land heavy on the dirt ground of Sally's ranch, Looking up through the pouring rain to the massive furnace before us. Sally's faint screams for help can be heard from all the way down here. There's no time to waste. There is a ladder that leads up to the lid where you can see an intricate lock mechanism. Captain EJ leads the way up. You grab Roger since his wheel will roll right off the individual rungs. With Roger under your arm and Sally's fate in your hands, You follow behind Captain EJ all the way up the tall metal ladder. Right hand, Right foot, Left hand, Left foot. Raindrops tink against the furnace as you make your way up the slippery rungs. You cannot let your grip or your focus slip. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose to focus. Gather all of your strength, Power, And love into your expanded chest. Then, Slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. And visualize pulling Sally out of harm's way as if it's already happened. When Captain EJ gets to the top, He shouts down to Sally to let her know we're here for her. Sally, Can you hear me? It's Captain EJ and Hero. Don't worry, We're going to get you out. Try to relax as much as you can. Even though it feels impossible, It isn't. Focus on my voice, Sally. Thank you, Captain EJ and Hero, But I'm not going to push me in. Sally struggles to talk as she dog paddles inside the furnace. The rain falls right through a few holes in the lid that allow smoke to ventilate. The furnace is more than halfway filled and Sally's body is tired from trying to keep her head above the water line. Between the rain falling on her and the water rising, She's not going to be able to give detailed instructions. When Captain EJ gets to the top of the ladder and sees this situation, He grabs for Roger who can change his shape on command. Captain EJ will need you to connect with Mr. Honeybee and Thumb back at Command Center and relay the instructions. Hero, Do you copy? I'm ready when you two are. Step by step, Thumb tells you how to unlock not just one, But a series of locks that are put in place for security measures. These locks never imagined that someone would be stuck inside this device. They've been focused on keeping creatures out. Captain EJ struggles to figure out which part is which that Thumb is referring to in his instructions. In a last-ditch effort to help quickly, Roger Robot bursts into a cloud of fireworks then transforms into a bolt cutter. With Captain EJ's help, He bites down on the locks as hard as his now metal teeth can to cut the bolt. But he cannot. The lock is too thick. Amid Sally's cries for help, Captain EJ switches tactics and goes back to trying to follow directions from Thumb, Who describes what each piece looks like. With much needed luck, Captain EJ unlocks the first latch and opens the first lid. The secondary lid has many more teeny tiny holes in it than the other. This allows us to get closer to Sally to see her, But it also allows more rain in quicker. The water level rises faster and faster. Holding onto the slippery ladder, You shield your eyes to look up to the drones overhead. There is one hovering above this part of Sally's ranch as if it's specifically for this purpose. Clouds are pulled in around it, Gray and dense with rain waiting to fill this furnace. In a moment of frustration, Captain EJ pounds his fist against the secondary lock and door. Instead of gaining entry, It causes the whole furnace to sway in the wind and rainstorm. You hold on tight as you can as the furnace leans onto one side, Slamming Sally against the opposite wall. Captain EJ is running out of patience and ideas. Using all of his strength, He decides to pull off the second lock. It can always be fixed later. Holding one side of the thick bolt with one hand and the other side of the lock with his other hand as best he can with all the rain, He pulls them apart like he did the bars on the bear cage before. The lock begins to crack, But it's too slippery to hold onto. This time, His pull pulls the entire furnace to the opposite side. The furnace leans to the other side. Water sloshes and splashes out, Making it even harder to hold onto the ladder. Still trapped inside, Sally slams against the other wall and winces in pain. This is clearly not working, And Captain EJ knows it too. You decide to take command of the situation and get this entire furnace back to Command Center. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose, And imagine this furnace landing in the garage. Feel hope swell in your chest, Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button on the teleportation remote. A blue flash creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, All of us, Along with the furnace, Are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. But instead of landing heavily back in the garage, We feel ourselves go fuzzy, As if all our limbs are asleep and we are made of static. In an unprecedented turn of events, We land back on Sally's ranch with a crash. You radio to Mr. Honeybee to figure out what's wrong. Hero, The garage cannot fit the furnace, So the teleportation process couldn't complete. Try again, But land it out in the driveway. You click the button once more and imagine all of us landing in the driveway, Safe and sound. Again, A blue flash creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. In the blink of an eye, All of us, Along with the furnace, Are pulled into the vortex through a whirling wind of color. We land successfully in the driveway, Where Mr. Honeybee meets us, Dragging Thumb along behind him in his bundle. Roger turns back into a robot, As you and Captain EJ quickly climb back down the ladder. With all the trust you can muster, You free Thumb from his bundle and watch him closely as he climbs up. Sally screams and shouts when she sees him, Understandably afraid of what he's going to do. She has no idea where she's landed or what's going on. All she can do is keep swimming, Keep paddling, And keep her head above the waterline, Which is now almost to the top. Thumb looks down at the series of locks and focuses on it quietly. You and Captain EJ climb up behind him to make sure there are no sleight of hand tricks going on. Rain is pouring down on you as you watch him with laser focus. As promised, Thumb unlocks everything and flings open the second and third lids. You and Captain EJ are able to pull Sally out and carry her down the ladder and into the garage to take cover. Mrs. Honeybee and Melody Bee are waiting at the door with warm blankets and hot tea. Sally shivers as she walks into the Honeybee house, Not knowing how she got here, But thankful that she did. Thumb dutifully walks back to his bundle, Lays down, And waits to be bundled back up. Has he had a change of heart? Can you trust him? Trust is earned through deeds, Not just words. So you secure Thumb's hands behind his back, And just before you bundle him back up, Captain EJ stops you. Studying the dense clouds and wet from the pouring rain, He asks Thumb a question to give him another chance to make it right. How is Pinky using the weather as a weapon? Thumb sits up from the driveway and looks up to the sky, Letting the rainfall on his face. He can't even open his eyes in the pouring rain, Since his hands are restrained. Thumb looks up in Captain EJ's general direction and says, He's cloud-seating. Thumb goes on to explain. Through the pouring rain splashing against his face, That silver has yet another use. Silver ions that are stored in the drones attract moisture in the air, Which forms clouds on command. It is a ground-breaking, Or well, As Roger would say, Technically it's sky-breaking. That little robot kinda rolls right into your heart, Doesn't he? Anyways, Cloud-seating is a sky-breaking technology that is used for the ultimate good, To bring much-needed precipitation to drought-stricken areas. Once again, Pinky is abusing the goodness of the Dr. Knuckler lab and his own scientific training. He's taking something overwhelmingly good and wielding it as a weapon for wickedness. Thumb explains that the drones are indeed solar and lunar-powered, And that his parents have an entire lab dedicated to alternatively-powered machinery. It's a passion project of theirs, And as you probably know, They are passionate people. Watching Thumb talk about his parents in such a sweet, Admiring way softens you to him. Taking pity on him and wanting out of the rain yourselves, You and Captain EJ lead Thumb out of the rain and into the garage, Where Pinky still hangs from the bike rack bundled up and suspiciously silent. Captain EJ walks over and gives him a good thump to make sure he hasn't managed to escape. Ow! Kidnapping and abuse! My, My, Captain EJ, Your fighting doesn't seem all that right. Captain EJ pays Pinky no mind, And instead lets Thumb continue explaining the situation without the pestering downpour. This entire fleet of drones works automatically, And is able to continue around the clock as long as the sun or moon is out. They recharge in shifts, While the lunar-powered ones work during the day. The solar-powered ones recharge. They're ready just in time for the lunar-powered batteries to need the recharge at night. This endless storm is bringing an artificial amount of rain to Earth. Nothing like this has ever been done, And the effects are staggering. The most immediate concern is flooding. This army of drones won't stop, But the ground can only saturate itself so much before the water level starts to rise. Thumb pauses to look out into the continual downpour. He's never seen anything like this. At the same time, Like usual, You and Captain EJ call your ENVs with a gesture. Despite the weather, They arrive within seconds. You bundle up Thumb for precautionary measures, Which he fully understands, And hop into your ENV alongside Captain EJ. You two need to see the extent of these clouds. We know they're above the Honeybee House and above Dormir, But have they covered the entire Honeybee neighborhood? The bounds of which are unknown and contain many, Many worlds? Only one way to find out the extent of the damage and the severity of the already very severe problem. Go into the eye of the storm, Through the drones, And see for yourselves. Belted into the ENV, Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest and your ENV lift, Then slowly but powerfully breathe all the way out through your mouth, And hover straight up through the torrential rains, Through the dense, Disorienting fog of clouds, Until you emerge above them into the clear blue sky. The sun shines down on your face, And it is such a welcome change. You cannot wait to bring sunshine back to the Honeybee neighborhood, And you know that you and Captain EJ will do just that. High enough to get a panoramic view, You and Captain EJ look out over the seemingly endless neighborhood covered by clouds that are just as endless. Looking in all directions for any sign of clear sky, Both you and Captain EJ count several spots out over the forest that have no clouds. You notate the GPS coordinates and send them back to Mr. Honeybee through the BattleBuzz helmet. It feels good to hear Mr. Honeybee say that knowing now, What it's like to not hear it in response. You warmly tell him you copy too, And slowly lower your ENV back down to the garage with Captain EJ. Before you can land on the driveway, Thumb shouts from his bundle and wiggles himself across the garage floor. He wiggles so much against the slick concrete floor that he begins to roll. He rolls wildly down the driveway and right into the flooded street before you and Captain EJ can get him up and back into the garage. You unbundle him, And he's so excited he can hardly breathe, No less speak. Slow down, Thumb. What are you trying to say? I know what to do. I know exactly what to do. I can help. I can fix this. No, You can't, Thumb. Shut it now. This is your last chance, Brother. I will not shut it. I'm done shutting up once and for all, Pinky. You've had your last chance. Hero, Captain EJ, Even though Pinky never explained the cloud seeding mechanisms to me, But I know all on my own that the wind can dry it out. I just remembered that our parents have done tons of these cloud seeding experiments. When they're done, They disperse the clouds with these atmospheric fans. I know where those are. I can help you get them out into the Honey Bee neighborhood to blow the clouds away. Pinky growls his discontent at his brother's betrayal, But you're thankful for it and feel more able to place your trust in Thumb. You and Captain EJ used the multi-channel teleportation remotes that helped you deliver silver all over Dormir to now deliver fans. Captain EJ hesitates at first, But then fully frees Thumb with a stern but fair warning. Thumb, Hero and I are choosing to trust you right now because we want to give you the chance to fight for what's right with us. I understand, And I am so grateful. Captain EJ and Honey Bee Hero, I will do my best to fight for what's right. And? And use my gifts for relentless good. With that enthusiastic chant, You prepare to teleport back to the Knuckler compound under much different circumstances. The last thing you hear from Command Center is Pinky trying to get Mr. Honey Bee's attention. Hey old man, Do you know how to swim? In a blink of an eye, You land on the rooftop lab and escape from the rain through the door that leads down the winding staircase. Thumb leads the way down two flights of winding stairs through a hallway and down into a lower basement level. He comes to white double doors and quickly enters the code onto the beeping keypad. The doors unlock and he flings both open with you and Captain EJ standing eagerly behind him. Automatic lights flicker on, And there are rows and rows and rows of gigantic silver fans lined up in perfect order. Captain EJ follows behind you as you walk down one of the rows, Brushing your fingertips along the huge propellers. You feel a sense of optimism that feels good to feel. This could actually work. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Let the fresh air coming in through your nose act as its own fan that clears your thoughts. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth as Thumb powers one up for you and Captain EJ to see. The massive engine rumbles away and slowly but surely the fan blades begin to turn faster and faster. A vortex of wind pushes you and Captain EJ back and off the ground. You have to use almost all of your strength against the wind created by a single fan in the process of doing that you realize you are flying. Thumb slowly powers it down so you and Captain EJ can get your feet back on the ground. These fans are all solar and lunar powered just like the drones. If anything has a chance to defeat Pinky's army of cloud-seating drones, It's the army of drying fans. One by one you and Captain EJ fan these fans out into the Honeybee neighborhood. You teleport until the entire basement is empty. They all have been sent to strategic spots. Now you just need to power them on. Thumb hands you the remote and explains how to use them. As you run back through the Knuckler compound and up onto the rooftop laboratory into the rain, He explains that you'll need a clear satellite signal to connect to them. Looking out over Dormir and beyond to the greater Honeybee neighborhood, You can barely see anything. The remote doesn't seem to work because it's blocked by the dense clouds. That's when you remember the few spots around the forest where you didn't see any clouds. Oh, Those must be our survival spots. Pinky and I spend a lot of time in the forest. He has favorite places to go. We can go there to pick up a signal. In another blink of an eye you land in the middle of the forest beside a tall tree with a house built into it. There are no clouds overhead in this specific location, But to either side of you it's pouring still. This is one of Pinky and Thumb's hideouts that they built. They've spent many nights out in the woods. Thumb somberly recounts that Pinky is a born survivalist. He's accustomed to being alone and it doesn't bother him anymore. Thumb's convinced that Pinky's backup plans have backup plans. Thumb begins to climb up the tree to the treehouse for an even better signal for the satellite. You follow him, Admiring the misty forest that is coming into view. As Captain EJ climbs, He has another question for Thumb. If Pinky is so prepared, What's his endgame here? As far as I can see, He's going to flood his own house along with the whole neighborhood. Oh, That's right. I must admit, Because Pinky didn't either, The Knuckler compound is actually built to be made into a flotation device. My parents are just paranoid about natural disasters and they're giddy about technological innovation. The house was made entirely floatable. They obviously can never leave Dormir, But they were worried about extreme weather. Pinky was probably planning to just float away and initiate that emergency protocol. You and Captain EJ are stunned by the time you get to the treehouse. You would never have guessed a compound that gargantuan would float. But then again, You've never seen clouds created from drones either. From up here in one of the few spots with clear skies and sunshine, You can see exactly where all those fans teleported them. It's a sight to behold. When you get to the roof of the treehouse, You point the fan remote to the sky and hope against hope that it works. Suddenly, You hear the vortex wind kicking up all around you. It swells and the sound of the fans begin to drown out the sound of the pouring rain. You watch on in anticipation, Waiting for the clouds to clear. You watch and watch, Waiting for a great clearing to happen, But it doesn't. More and more drones are gathering, Bringing more and more rain. The fans spin as fast as they can, But the wind created by the rain itself is a formidable rival. Thumbs sighs, Heartbroken that this doesn't seem to be working. The clouds are too dense for the fans. My parents never let their experiments last more than an hour. And these seeded clouds had nearly a full day head start. Team, You should head back. It's getting pretty dire here. You look over to where the honeybee house stands in the neighborhood, And it is completely blotted out by clouds. You leave the fans running and teleport back to the garage in a hurry. You, Captain EJ, And Thumb land with a splash. Looking around, You can see why Mr. Honeybee called you. Worried, This part of the neighborhood is flooded and the water level is creeping into the house. Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee are feverishly filling pails with water and throwing it down the driveway, Just to keep it out of the house. Mr. Honeybee has packed up all his stuff and is on his way to the garage. He's packed the whole command center full of gadgets into their waterproof cases and stashed them in the waterproof stronghold. But the whole honeybee neighborhood can't fit in there. If everything floods, We don't want to be stuck in there either. Captain EJ is deep in thought and thinking quickly. There's only one thing he can do. Fresh out of options and faced with an unprecedented flood, Captain EJ dashes to the driveway, Pauses for a moment, And balls up his fists. You can hear his booming voice echo even as he takes his biggest possible breath in. The water reacts instantly to the force of his voice's sound waves as he inhales and fully absorbs it so you can hear anything. Like the moon, Captain EJ seems to be pulling a tide of water toward him in the driveway with his breath in like waves gathering in the ocean. You all stand back as a rush of water pushes back into the garage. Thinking quickly, Anticipating Captain EJ's next move, He teleports Sally's heirloom melting furnace back to her ranch to clear the driveway. Pinky laughs from his bundle still hanging up on the bike rack as the water lifts him up. Captain EJ unleashes his full strength on the water and the clouds in the direction of the forest, Trying to push the water and the clouds away from the honeybee neighborhood. The water from the garage swells up around him before launching up and over the clouds themselves. Gobbling them up like an aquatic monster, The tidal wave created by Captain EJ's vocal sound waves produces more and more water. One gigantic, Unimaginably strong wave that is heading toward the outer reaches of the surrounding forest. Exhausted of his life force, Captain EJ rests his hands on his knees to catch his breath. You all run to him to make sure he's okay. I'm okay. I'm okay, Everyone. Did the wave ruin anything in the command center? There was some type of gravitational pull created by the water. I've never used my powers on water before. The command center is secure. No worries, Captain. You just focus on getting your breath. You were able to clear the clouds and the flood water when nothing else could. Captain EJ stands up just as more drones spring more clouds to fill the vacancy left by the tidal wave. We are all exasperated and out of options. But suddenly, A look of absolute horror comes across Captain EJ's face. You follow him to the bike rack where Pinky's bundle used to hang. Thumb already noticed that he's gone and points to the horizon where the tidal wave is just about to crash. You can see that Pinky has wiggled himself free from the bundle and is riding the crest of the tidal wave using the tarp for flotation. He remotes one of his drones to come pick him up with its robotic arm. The drone turns around the opposite direction and heads back in from the forest. As he flies overhead now hanging from his drone, He waves at you all standing in the garage in shock. Pinky managed to escape again. What could he possibly do now? You know exactly what he's going to do. You know his endgame. That concludes our adventure. I can't wait to see you again. Captain EJ, Over and out. Welcome to The Adventures of Captain EJ. Today, We will continue our most important mission yet. You can do anything you set your heart to, And I know that together we can defeat any foe. I'm so grateful to have you as my trusted sidekick, Hero, And just in time. In case you missed the last episode, I'll give you the quick captain's recap now. The drones kept coming and brought more cloud seeds with them. The storm grew and grew and continues to grow before our eyes, Despite our best laid plans. The Knucklers' wickedness proved relentless, But much to our surprise, Their brotherly bond was not nearly as strong. While we haven't taken down the clouds that hang heavy over the entire Honeybee neighborhood, The force of good that flows through all of us has taken Thumb from Pinky. Mr. Honeybee's mysterious influence over Thumb Knuckler encouraged remorse in him. With that, We were able to get Sally Smith before the flood did, And save her. Meanwhile, Rain formed into a river that raged down every road, And picked up anything it could possibly hold. Captain EJ had no choice but to use his full vocal strength to move the floodwaters that threatened the command center. A tidal wave formed as the flood absorbed the booming sound waves of Captain EJ's voice. It cleared the sky of clouds as it swelled before it crashed all that it collected into the surrounding forest. The relief was only momentary. We realized that Pinky too floated right out from under our noses, Picked up by the very wave that spared us for the moment. As we watch in anticipation, The oceanic wave that washes through the neighborhood rolls back in towards us. All but demanding another miraculous effort. Thumb stands with us in the command center as an ally, Ready to give and do what he can to make this right. It seems that our trust in him was worthwhile. He wasn't willing to cross the line that Pinky so effortlessly floated right over. And floating is going to be key in this final showdown. We mustn't forget, We know Pinky's endgame, And that our breath is what allows us to float no matter how high the tide is. All you have to do is close your eyes, Get cozy, And listen to the sound of my voice. Captain EJ will lead the way. EJ, Let's begin. You are here in the command center, Which no longer shields you from the pouring rain. The flooding water has washed all the way up the driveway and splashes around your ankles. Sally begs to be teleported back to her ranch because she needs to prepare everything for the flood protocol, Which Dormir has due to its proximity to mountains and the avalanches they accumulate. Mr. Honeybee picks up his teleportation remote that's sitting on the workbench beside him and sends Sally Smith off through the ether. She disappears like she's been zipped into oblivion. Thumb is astonished. You forget that he hasn't seen any of the technology you and Captain EJ have at your hip. This is not the time to enjoy sharing all of that with them, But maybe that day will come. Mrs. Honeybee and Melody Bee take a cue from Sally and head inside to pack up and protect as much as they can inside. When Mrs. Honeybee opens the screen door to go inside, Harold leaps out and into her arms. Harold, You are part of the family. Of course you're coming with us. Grab your favorite toy, Just one, And meet us back here. What about me? What should I grab? Of course, You too, Roger. Grab your favorite charger and anything from your cubby that's irreplaceable. Roger rolls back into his cubby and comes out with his arms full of buzzing gadgets, Including Mr. Honeybee's night vision goggles, So he's never without them again. You pick up each of your feet to let the standing water drip off your shoes, Then step out onto the stool and then the workbench. Captain EJ, Mr. Honeybee, And Thumbknuckler follow you. From here, You watch the wave gather and slowly rise. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your lungs fill with fresh air. Remember how this breath will keep you buoyant all on its own. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and reconnect with the power that reignites with each inhale and exhale. Standing up on the workbench and looking out over the pouring rain, Thumb breaks the silence with a very strange request. Captain EJ, I know this sounds weird, But can you send me to the forest on another wave like you did with Pinky? If anyone should go head to head with my brother, Or used to be my only brother, It should be me. It's like we share a mind sometimes. I'll be able to stop him. Trust me. Captain EJ looks at you and Mr. Honeybee. You understand what it's like to share a mind with someone you're close to because you know that Captain EJ wants to do it, Not only because he thinks it's true, But another tidal wave would buy us that much more time to spare at the Honeybee house. You give him a nod to confirm his choice, And Captain EJ jumps down to the garage floor with a splash. That is a strange request, Thumb, But I think we can work with that. Thumb jumps down after Captain EJ, Positively excited to ride the tidal wave. You and Mr. Honeybee hang back and hold on to whatever you can so you don't get carried away along with Thumb. Captain EJ dashes to the driveway and Thumb takes his place in the garage, Standing in the flood. Captain EJ pauses for a moment, Then balls up his fists. You can again hear his booming voice echo as he takes his biggest possible breath in. The water reacts instantly to the force of his voice's sound waves as he inhales and fully absorbs it so you can't hear anything. The tide of the water pulls in toward him, Up the driveway with his breath. You and Mr. Honeybee hold on tight and plant your feet steadily on the surface of the workbench to stabilize. Captain EJ again unleashes his full strength on the water and the clouds in the direction of the forest. The water from the garage again swells up around him before launching up and over the clouds themselves. Thumb is pulled from the garage on the crest of the gigantic wave that consumes the clouds and allows the sun to peek through. The tidal wave and Thumb hurtle toward the outer reaches of the surrounding forest before they both crash into a spot with minimal clouds. That's another one of their hideouts that Pinky spared from the torrential rain. Exhausted of his life force, Captain EJ rests his hands on his knees to catch his breath. You and Mr. Honeybee jump down with a splash and run over to him to make sure he's okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. Hero, Say your idea. I have to catch my breath. You smile because your great minds think just alike and sometimes Captain EJ realizes it before you do. While he catches his breath, You explain your idea. We have three teleportation remotes and hundreds if not thousands of drones. You astutely suggest that the drones be contained anywhere that can handle a little rain. Mr. Honeybee thinks for a moment, Then rides this wave of inspiration with you two. Oh, The greenhouse. We have one and I've built many for the people around the neighborhood. Those are the perfect places to store these drones. The plants will love that much more than the very ground we walk on. You can certainly use the greenhouses as well as sheds. And it would be just fine for extra clouds to collect over the two water parks. When you think about it, There are a bunch of great places to stow drones that attract moisture. But when they are inside a structure, Their ability to do that will be severely limited. And that is what you all can do to fight this for what's right. The tidal wave's clearing fades back to clouds and flooding as you lead the way to the workbenches through slowly rising water. The three teleportation remotes are up on the workbench. Two of them are charging. When you get to the workbench, You see the two that are charging but cannot find the third. Captain, Do you have the third teleportation remote on you? No, I don't. It's not up there? Captain EJ splashes over to you at the workbench and you both feverishly check your pockets and everywhere you can think to look. It's nowhere to be found. That's when you realize someone must have taken it. Thumb! Thumb must have secretly taken it to his head-on collision with his brother after seeing what it can do. That's not good. That's absolutely not good. That kind of power in the wrong hands, Well, We know how that goes. There's no time to waste. With your teleportation remotes at your hips where they belong, You and Captain EJ call your ENVs with a gesture and hop inside. Take another slow, Deep breath as the engine rumbles. Feel your chest and your vehicle lift. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and fly to the clearings of clouds over the forest hideouts where Pinky and Thumb are facing off. On your way, You begin your plan. With the sunroof of the ENV open, You put it to autopilot and stand up out of the top. You point the remote at as many drones as you can focus on at one time. Captain EJ is at your back and his ENV doing the same thing. You both push the button and send those drones to the greenhouse that sits behind the garage. Mr. Honeybee cheers through the BattleBuzz helmet. It worked, Team. It worked. The greenhouse can hold more. Send more along. I'll alert everyone so they know their greenhouses stand to save the Honeybee neighborhood as we know it. You and Captain EJ continue to send drones to that greenhouse as well as the others nearby. When you fill those up, You start on the two big water parks, Which can each hold significantly more. When you look back behind you, There are visibly less clouds. It's working. Captain EJ looks over to you and your ENV and gives you a thumbs up. Together, You can overcome any challenge and defeat any foe. You smile big, Both inside and out, As you fly up to where Pinky and Thumb are screaming at each other in treehouses that are hundreds of feet apart. They're each occupying a forest hideout. Pinky has spared himself from the overhead clouds but sends several drones to drown out Thumb, While Thumb teleports some of the fans we set into motion in a circle surrounding Pinky. Neither one can do much to the other, But they are both trying their best to get even. Thumb climbs up on the roof of the treehouse to avoid the quickly rising water and sends drones back over to Pinky, Who is now being blown ruthlessly by the atmospheric fans and rained on by a small battalion of drones. Thumb is defeating Pinky just like he said he would, And we watch as he stands there, Giving Pinky a taste of his own medicine. We hover in place over this whole ordeal and watch as the expression on Thumb's face turns from revenge to remorse, A feeling he's now conscientiously pried from his hardened heart. We look back momentarily to check on the floodwater that threatens the command center. The clouds are still sparse and the sun is even trying to peek through. You can see a single sunbeam shine down on the honeybee house, Radiating joy and hopefulness down on an otherwise dire situation. When you look back, You see that Thumb has let up on the vengeful attack on Pinky, And Pinky is taking this sliver of an opportunity to continue his wicked scheme in an even more sinister way. What do you think I mean to you? I wish you didn't think that about me. I wish you thought about me when I think about you. That I am the best brother you have, And that you will ever have in this whole world. Thumb pushes the button on the stolen teleportation remote to move the drones and fans over slightly to relieve his brother's torment. He hangs his head with sadness. Pinky Knuckler is using Thumb's newfound empathy against him. How can we save Thumb from his brother and ultimately himself? You've never used a teleportation remote on a teleportation remote, But Captain EJ agrees that it's worth a try. You bring Thumb into your ENV with the push of a button, And it works. He squirms and wrestles the teleportation remote away from you as you try to grab it from him. He quickly teleports himself back to his treehouse roof and then aims the remote right at you. You and Captain EJ quickly dash up into a dense cloud so the signal is disrupted. You then peek out of the cloud, Trying slyly to teleport Thumb again, This time back to Command Center so Mr. Honeybee can bundle him up again. You might just fold in on this even more vicious brotherly attack. As you peer through the clouds, You can hear Thumb shouting back to his brother. You and Captain EJ cannot hover idly by and let this manipulation continue. Using the rays of the stolen teleportation remote, Captain EJ shouts his booming voice down to Thumb to remind him that he is enough just as he is and he doesn't slow anyone down. Thumb, No. You have important things to say and the people who say they love you should listen to them. Pinky didn't even actually apologize. He said he wished you didn't feel that way. Thumb, You are capable of such good. Please don't let Pinky overshadow that with his selfishness. Pinky is trying his best, Captain EJ. He doesn't always say it or ever really say it, But he loves me and thinks I'm the best brother. I'll only ever get one brother. Thumb points the teleportation remote at both of your ENVs again and again. You continually dash the attempts and try to get the remote out of Thumb's hands, But he's holding it too tightly. They both come together. Captain EJ teleports him into his ENV and tries to wrestle the remote away from him, But Thumb is getting better at using the remote and teleports back to the same treehouse where Pinky is and looks back up to us without aiming the remote at us. He's my family, Captain EJ and Hiro. You're my friends, But he's my family. In the blink of an eye, Thumb attempts to teleport him and his brother somewhere, But must have been thinking about the clouds overhead. They both land in the clouds, Huddled together. Midair, Thumb again attempts to teleport them, But they land back on the treehouse. Pinky violently takes the teleportation remote out of Thumb's hands and aims it at us. We duck into a cloud as cover. When we peek out again, Pinky is in the process of teleporting them. Before Pinky figures out how to use the remote, Captain EJ makes one last attempt to convince Thumb Knuckler. Pinky pushes the button and the blue circle sizzles into time and space. Captain EJ shouts from the sunroof of his ENV. But Thumb, Friends are the family you choose. With that, They disappear to who knows where. You look all around from your eagle-eye vantage point and zoom in your scopes. They landed in a clearing of clouds just below in the forest. You can see the Knucklers taking cover in an underground bunker that is camouflaged under a pile of leaves to learn how to use this new-to-him piece of technology. You know where they are, And you know where Pinky will inevitably put them. Back at the Knuckler compound, Which we've learned is actually a flotation device. You give Mr. Honeybee the coordinates of the brothers and turn around to head back to the command center to check on everything there. On the way back, You don't realize you left your scope zoomed in until you see two microscopic green lights flash as they buzz toward you. They both zoom beneath the ENV in a straight line to the GPS coordinates you gave Mr. Honeybee. I'm sending in two nano-analyzers to track them, One for each of them. Neither will see it because it's not visible to the naked eye. This will allow us to keep an eye and an ear on them. You look back to see the two distant lights wiggle through the ground and into their underground bunker. That gives you a rush of confidence that swells further as you and Captain EJ continue to send drones to the empty water parks, Which are handling the extra water splendidly with its many filters and pools and irrigation systems. Despite all the clouds, You and Captain EJ are diverting away from Command Center, Dormir, And other highly populated areas in the Honeybee neighborhood. The sun and the fans are struggling to evaporate the floodwaters, Which are steadily but surely rising. As you approach the Honeybee house, You see your neighbors on their roofs. Mrs. Honeybee is up on the roof holding Harold in her arms. Roger and Melody Bee are with her. They both wave and smile, Reassured by your mere presence here that things will be okay. Mr. Honeybee has sent out a neighborhood-wide alert for everyone to climb up to their roofs and bring whatever boats they have. Kind neighbors who have extra kayaks and canoes lend them to others who do not have any. Some of the kids nearby are out with their inner tube toys, Assuming, In their delightful childlike way, That this is a new game. Since the surrounding forest has begun to flood as well, The entire population of woodpeckers and beavers have arrived along with you and Captain EJ. They have assembled an assembly system that is floating fallen tree logs in through the many rivers and carving them out to be makeshift canoes. Hover above all of this in your ENV. You marvel at how an entire world can come together, Each creature contributing what it can for a greater sense of good. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest and your spirits lift as your heart beats full of love. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and look back to where the knucklers are back above ground, Scheming. It reminds you that even one selfish person can throw the balance of goodness off, But not forever, And not for long with you and Captain EJ ready to fight for what's right and nothing more. While Captain EJ begins teleporting the newly made canoes to those in need, You zoom in your scopes a little more to keep watch over the knucklers. You look away only to continue sending drones to the water parks until they fill up. Pinky is still struggling with the teleportation remote, But he is clutching it firmly in his tiny hands. The clouds around him are too dense for them to teleport far. You watch as the brothers disappear into the center of the sizzling blue circle of light, Then reappear a couple paces ahead of that, Dropped heavily on the forest floor. Thumb reaches out to offer to help, But Pinky slaps his hand away, Demonstrating that everything he said to Thumb before was self-serving lies. Thumb stands beside the brother he chose to defend with his head hung low. The empathy that lives in you tightens your chest as you feel for Thumb's conundrum, But you each have to walk your path and right now, You have the advantage of being adept at using the teleportation remote. Pinky doesn't know that Thumb is also very good at using it, But you are certain that won't happen. Before Pinky can try to teleport himself again, You swoop in with your laser focus and send Pinky to the flooded-out treehouse where Thumb was. Thumb looks over in your direction, But there's no way he can see that far. Pinky panics and fumbles the remote before he finally gets a good grip and teleports himself back down to the ground with a crash. Thumb hears it and runs over to his brother to help, Which Pinky refuses. You continue to stall the brothers knowing that they are trying to get back to their compound. If they cannot manage to get there, They'll quite literally miss the boat and everything they've known until now will float away. With the brothers sufficiently occupied, You turn around to help Captain EJ deliver boats to everyone who needs one. The water is rising steadily and people are preparing themselves to float. Suddenly, A smooth wave of water ripples through the flood and picks up many of the neighbors right off their rooftops. Mr. Honeybee is now on the roof with Mrs. Honeybee, Harold, Roger, And Melody Bee. You look around to see what's caused this sudden shock. It appears Pinky still hasn't quite figured out how to use the remote on himself, But wants to have more space to learn. One by one, He teleports the fans that were working to evaporate the flood onto either side of a straight path between where he is and where the Knuckler compound waits to float away. The fans have displaced some of the water which created a ripple of waves that are rolling in a straight line all the way through the Honeybee neighborhood, Ending around the compound. The sun above is struggling to peek out from behind the clouds and isn't drying out much. Instead, It's beautiful but faint light shines down on the surface of the water creating a shimmer that reminds you of Silver Sally Smith. You radio in to Mr. Honeybee to check on Dormir. I just spoke with Sally on the holophone. Everything looks stable in Dormir for now. Some folks in the town needed canoes, But we got it to them in time. They're hunkered down on their roofs, Just like we are. I'm checking in on the Nano Analyzer now. Through the Battle Buzz helmet, You can hear Pinky fighting against Thumb in himself. This remote cannot be that hard to use. It must be poorly made, Or else it'd work better. I can use it really well, Pinky. Let me try. If you can do it, Then it must be done. I can do it. Watch. From your ENV, You can see Pinky try to move himself and his brother, But again only move a few paces ahead. The waves he's created with the fans continue to ripple all the way through town after town. More clouds gather where the fans are now otherwise occupied. With your focus on the struggling Knucklers, You sabotage his plan in every way you can think of in an attempt to prevent him from getting to his easy exit from his mess that he created. You and Captain EJ get in a teleportation war with Pinky as you tug of war over the fans, Then Thumb and back to the fans, Trying to move them around the neighborhood to drive things out. You're careful to dodge out of Pinky's attempts to teleport you to goodness knows where and continue to make his evil life miserable. Out of the side of your eye, You see Captain EJ moving around his ENV before opening the sunroof again and pulling himself up on a self-driving vehicle. He stands up tall and balls his fists to create another tidal wave aimed right at the Knucklers. Since his voice has farther to travel before the sound waves hit the absorbing waves of the flood, You cover your ears in anticipation of the ringing sound. Captain EJ unleashes his full strength at the water. A flash of light emanates from his mouth and the water reacts wildly at first before it swells into another wave that pulls in around his ENV slowly. It then launches out toward the forest where Pinky Knuckler is still trying his tiny hand at the teleportation remote. The wave rushes faster and faster. You can see Thumb warn Pinky who looks up and then at his brother before the wave crashes down on them. Captain EJ falls to his knees. He must have used even more than what he considered his full strength and needs more time to recover. You instinctively cover him with your ENV and look back to see what came of Pinky and Thumb, Except you can't see them at all. The fans are still blowing their path clear, Even of the tidal waters. But they are nowhere to be found. You radio to Mr. Honeybee to find their GPS coordinates. That's when you realize you never told Mr. Honeybee Pinky's endgame. When you do, A worried look comes over his face and he covers his mouth with his hand in shock. You look over to Captain EJ who was taking much, Much longer than usual to recover. You pull him into your ENV and instruct his ENV to follow yours as you go to one of the spots that are cleared of clouds for Captain EJ to regain his strength. As you fly, Captain EJ is sure to tell you how grateful he is to have you by his side. I cannot overstate the fact that I couldn't do any of this without you, Hero. You inspire me to be better every day. You get to the clearing of clouds and slowly lower the ENV down so Captain EJ can stand on solid ground to stabilize. You help Captain EJ out and lead him over to a tree that he can lean against. It's never taken him this long to recover. Usually he's up and within a moment. With your hand on his back, You can feel how hard he's breathing. He follows your lead as you take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel the coolness of the air coming in through your nose as your chest expands full of fresh air. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and send extra strength and love to your best friend. He is able to stand up a little more because of it, But is not hardly able to stand on his own. He's leaning heavily on you and the tree. You hold him up steady for as long as he needs, Knowing that Mr. Honeybee is keeping an eye and an ear on the Knucklers. You radio to Mr. Honeybee, Who is now floating in a new boat with Mrs. Honeybee, Harold and Melody Bee. No movement from the Knucklers. As far as I can see, They're frantically running around the compound, Talking about some kind of protocol. Pinky won't let some get a word in, And he's mumbling to himself. I'll update you if I get anything else. Oh, And you'll see that we're now floating in style, Team. Don't worry about us. Roger can change his shape, And he decided we were all stressed. Very stressed out. So he morphed into a miniature cruise ship. We've even got a couple of neighbors on board. I think there's a jacuzzi downstairs. Oh, And there's a downstairs. We're sailing to Dormir and making sure everyone is okay along the way. We'll pick up any stragglers we find. Now that you know that the Honeybee neighbors have come together to make the best out of a less-than-stellar situation, You can focus again on Captain EJ, Who is now resting his eyes against a tree trunk. A loud thunderclap above gets your attention and wakes Captain EJ up from his power nap. Captain EJ struggles to his feet on the soggy forest floor, Concerned that Pinky has sent out a new fleet of drones. You radio it to Mr. Honeybee again. Hero, From what I can see, That's not Pinky at all. He's gathering clouds around Dormir, Even moving away from the house. I think he's trying to get the water level high enough to sail his knuckler compound away. Uh-oh. That means this is a real storm. Are you two okay over there? You and Captain EJ look up through the trees to the once-clear sky as all-natural rain plummets down on your helmets. You both quickly shield yourselves from the grey clouds, And that sudden movement makes Captain EJ wobble a bit. He grabs your shoulder to help steady himself, And he turns to you with a serious look on his face. For once in your life, You cannot tell what he's thinking, But his worried eyes worry you. Struggling to stand up, He puts both arms on your shoulders to hold himself up. He utters a few words. I cannot do it alone. Instinctively, You and Captain EJ put your heads together to figure this out. At that very moment, A bolt of lightning strikes down on your combined mind. Both of your helmets light up with an electricity that pulses through your whole body. Time slows down, Then speeds back up, And you feel like you can see everything at once, Then nothing at all. When you come back to your senses, All you can hear is Mr. Honeybee shouting through the Battle Bus helmet. Hero, Do you copy? Captain EJ, Do you copy? What was that? Now both of you are stumbling across the flooding forest, Struggling to get your bearings. You both grab hold of the same tree trunk and stand up straight. Quite suddenly, Strength rushes back to both of you. Standing on your own two feet, You ball up your fists and shout all your accumulated frustrations out at the clouds above. Your throat rumbles along with the ground, And Captain EJ's eyes widen. A flash of light emanates from your shout and zaps the clouds above. The natural clouds instantly evaporate into thin air. Captain EJ is taken aback by what he just saw, And when you realize what you just did, Your great minds once again think alike. Hero, Do you know what this means? You have Captain EJ's powers too now. Just as the Battle Bus helmet allows you to think in the uninhibited way that he thinks, Now you have the power of his voice. Just then, Mr. Honeybee radios in again. Hero, The Knucklers are on the move. I repeat, The Knuckler compound is floating away. Roger is moving as fast as he can in this storm, But we're not equipped to stop them. You and Captain EJ run back to the EMVs at full speed with full strength. Now he doesn't have to do this alone. Two voices will be enough to neutralize a force of evil. In your EMV, Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest, Your spirit, And your vehicle lift. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and use the same cleared pathway that the Knucklers used to travel to their floating compound. You zoom right over Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee, Harold and Melody Bee who are in the top deck of the miniature cruise ship Roger has morphed into. His big smile shines from the front of the ship. He's so happy to have helped. They all wave as you two fly by straight to the Knuckler compound, Which is now dislodged from the ground and floating out into an endless flood of their own creation. The real storm isn't helping matters much. You quietly hover up to the Knucklers floating through Dormir on their compound. Pinky catches a glimpse of you and Captain EJ as you maneuver out in front of them to stop them with a tidal wave. Hero, We can create another tidal wave. That'll just float them out further. You look over from Captain EJ just as Pinky aims the teleportation remote right at both of you. In the blink of an eye, He teleports your ENVs right out from under you and together you plunge into the floodwaters that have lifted up this gargantuan compound. Without concern for what the Knucklers are doing, You and Captain EJ swim until you can put your hands on the castle-like walls of this house-turned-lab-turned-flotation device and use all of your physical strength to push it back into place. Neither you nor Captain EJ are sure if you can actually do it, But it's enough for you both to believe you can in this moment. With your feet on the grassy ground of Dormir, You feel like you're walking along the ocean floor. You push the Knuckler compound back into its spot step by step. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot. In what feels like open water, Pinky and Thumb don't even realize they're going backwards. Slowly but surely, You and Captain EJ come up for air and go immediately back under to keep pushing. When you get the compound back to where it sits, You can feel it click into place. Pinky felt it too. He runs up to the wall to look down and growls when he sees what you two have managed to do. Full of rage and an inflated sense of power, Pinky again points the teleportation remote at you and Captain EJ. At once, You duck back under the deep water where the teleportation ray cannot properly move you. You both are able to escape the slowed zap and swim around to the other side of the now stationary house. Pinky runs around the perimeter of the rooftop lab trying to find both of you. Little does he know that wherever he teleported your ENVs to, They will return to both of you with a single gesture. You both stick your hands out of the water to do that. Your ENVs activate submarine mode and plunge into the water to rescue both of you. Using the turbo engines of submarine mode, You and Captain EJ launch out of the water and into the sky. From there, You throw open the sunroofs, Put the ENVs on autopilot and pull yourselves up onto the roof of the vehicles. Take a slow, Deep breath in through your nose and strengthen each and every one of your muscles. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and send your booming voice to the clouds that surround the Nuckler compound before Pinky can even realize what happened. The clouds instantly evaporate and once again the sun peeks through the natural and the manufactured clouds. You duck back into your ENVs and take recovery time in a nearby cloud that's still reigning over another part of Dormir. You'll be protected from Pinky here. You fly into the grey cloud and hover there while you catch your breath and regain your strength. You cannot see Captain EJ through the dense cloud and your connection to the Battle Bus helmet is full of static because the signal is weak. You'll need to come out of it to connect with Captain EJ and Mr. Honeybee. You meet Captain EJ around the opposite side of the cloud you're taking cover behind. The Nucklers cannot see you here. You radio into Mr. Honeybee for a nano-analyzer update. The signal is a bit weak. I'm getting some static. But it seems that Pinky is wanting to move something. Move them all? Hero, We have no choice. We're going to have a confrontation. Stick to what we do best. You know exactly what that means. Once you've fully recovered, Captain EJ leads the way out from behind the cloud and up to the Nuckler compound. Pinky doesn't see you as you two approach because he is focused off in the distance. When you look over to see what he's looking at, Every single remaining drone is firing right towards you and Captain EJ. You launch your ENVs higher into the sky and just barely miss the onslaught of drones flying together and meeting over the Nuckler compound. Team, Now I can hear him. Pinky wants to escape Dormir. He's initiated an emergency protocol again and is localizing the storm to the compound to try to float away again. Suddenly, A gust of wind picks up your ENVs unexpectedly and slams them into a nearby cloud, Momentarily obstructing your view. When you regain control and maneuver back out of the cloud cover, You can see that Pinky and Thumb have aimed all the atmospheric fans at the Nuckler compound to carry all the clouds to one spot. Like a slow-moving creature that comes alive in the sky, The clouds inch toward the Nuckler compound. In the distance, You can see the sun shining down on the Honeybee neighborhood. In time, That alone will dry up the floods, But for now, The flood is concentrated around this one spot in Dormir so the Nuckler brothers can get away with their wicked schemes, Literally. You and Captain EJ have one last chance, And you know one thing you haven't tried. You get as close as you can to the Nucklers still standing triumphantly on their rooftop laboratory, Where their reign of terror began. Through the wind and the pouring rain, Pinky sees you and Captain EJ and tries to point the teleportation remote at you, But the wind is so strong his tiny arm cannot fight the force. You then point the teleportation remote at Pinky with one thing in mind. You want him out of this world. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose and imagine sending Pinky Nuckler straight to outer space. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth and push the button on the remote. The same blue flash you've come to expect creates a sizzling circle of light that cuts into time and space. With a push of a button, You immediately remove Pinky Nuckler from the equation. Thumb cowers, Having none of the evil stamina of Pinky and conflicted between people who he called his friends and his family, The last of which has just disappeared. You breathe a little sigh of relief before Pinky Nuckler reappears on the rooftop. He managed to get himself back and quickly. At this point, Knowing you can now teleport him, He focuses on the clouds, Also knowing that they can block you from removing him at will. He switches remotes to the ones that controls the drones and blankets himself with silver-filled drones that attract an alarming amount of wind, Rain, And flood. The house once again picks up and the rooftop is completely blocked from view. You and Captain EJ have no choice but to use more than your full strength for one last-ditch effort. Mr. Honeybee can sense that you two are planning something big and chimes in supportively. One day, I want to be able to know what you two are thinking. But no matter what I know, You two are going to fight for what's right. That's what we do. That's right, Mr. Honeybee. Turn back to the Honeybee house. Things might get a bit untenable over here. Let's turn this ship around. I like my things tenable. The most tenable. Roger zips himself as a ship around and heads back to your part of the Honeybee neighborhood. Then you and Captain EJ get to work. Hero, You take one side and I'll take the other. You hover your ENV around the opposite side of the now-floating Nuckelar compound as Captain EJ. You two have the compound flanked on either side. Now, When you use your fullest strength, It'll be in opposing directions and will cause conflicting waves that will spin the Nuckelar compound around in circles. You open the sunroof to crawl out into the pouring rain once again for the strongest use of your powers thus far. You and Captain EJ struggle to stand upright on your ENVs, But with focus, You were able to plant your feet into the roof like it's made of solid ground and not floating above a man-made flood. You both ball up your fists and take your slowest, Deepest breath that you can in through your nose. Feel the space you open up within your chest, Then slowly but powerfully breathe all the way out through your mouth. Now that you are imbued with the sonic waves, Your ears have adjusted and they no longer ring. You shout with all your might straight into the Nuckelar compound from the opposite side as Captain EJ. Two brilliant flashes of light shooting in the same direction combine into one fantastic glowing orb that grows as it holds steady over the Nuckelar compound. The last thing your eyes see is this ball of light explode into splashes of water that spin the Nuckelars and their compound into a dizzying whirlpool that stirs the clouds away and sufficiently disrupts the solar and lunar-powered drones somehow. You slump down onto the steering wheel of your ENV which hovers you safely in place. You feel weightless, Like you are floating in outer space. Did Pinky teleport you into outer space? Your whole body feels like it's made of nothing but water. You don't feel like you can move but also don't want to. You sink deeper and deeper into this moment, Whatever and wherever it is. You attempt to radio into Mr. Honeybee and you can hear him responding to you but it feels like he's far away and getting further. A quietness permeates your whole existence. You feel like you can stop thinking for the moment and all the thoughts, All worries and everything will be still. Sunlight pours into the face shield of the Battle Bus helmet. Take another slow, Deep breath in through your nose. Reconnect with your body to ground yourself back in this world. Then slowly breathe all the way out through your mouth. You are hovering just above the Nuclear Compound. When you come back to your senses you sit up, Hovering directly across from Captain EJ who has sat up at the exact same time. Now you can hear Mr. Honeybee loud and clear. Captain, Hero, Do you copy? What happened? Everything cut out. All I got was static from your devices and the nano-analyzers. You're not exactly sure what happened. You sit up and situate yourself back at the dashboard of your EMV and look out the windshield. Suddenly you see a small plane that has somehow landed on the rooftop lab. Pinky and Thumb Nuclear are standing at what seems like perfect attention in front of two other people who just stepped out of the tiny plane. You look closer and remember their faces from the website that listed all the charities they help. It's Doctor and Dr. Nuclear. They're back in Dormir. Suddenly a great cheer echoes against the few clouds that hang in the sky. You and Captain EJ roll down the window to look out over it. There is a crowd of townspeople gathered around the Nuclear compound cheering for you and Captain EJ. You've saved them not once, Not twice, But three times from the Nuclears. And now, With the Dr. Nuclears back, Order can be restored in Dormir. You look back over to the elder Nuclears who are scolding their sons. Watching Pinky and Thumb get in trouble makes them look like children. It also makes you forget how much harm and destruction they've caused not only in their hometown, But also neighborhood-wide. Pinky and Thumb cower under the wagging finger of their parents, Knowing that life as they knew it is about to change forever. When Doctor and Dr. Nuclear turn around, Their entire demeanor changes. They walk over to the side of the compound that you were hovering over and Captain EJ joins you. They wave you down, Inviting you to land on the rooftop. Together, You slowly hover down onto the tile laboratory and land your EMVs. The doctors circle the vehicles to admire this extremely high-tech piece of machinery. Once you both step out, They clamor to shake your hands, And when that's not good enough, They lean in for a big squeezing hug. The town of Dormir says, Awe, In unison, And you laugh, Waiting nervously to see what the elder Nuclears will say to you. You struggle thinking of where to even begin, But they stop you before you say anything. You don't have to explain anything. We finally got all of the transmissions from Sally. We hurried home as soon as we could and changed our plans when our reckless sons initiated our emergency flood protocol. From behind them, Pinky doesn't hesitate to turn on his once-beloved brother. Mom, It was Thumb. I tried to stop him. What? What are you talking about, Pinky? I literally almost defeated you. No, You didn't. That was just dumb luck. Emphasis on dumb. I should have betrayed you more when I had the chance. Boys, That's enough. No one wants to hear anything else from you. I need to know what your names are. Dr. And Dr. Nuclear, My name is Captain EJ, And this is my best friend Honeybee Hero. Hero for short. It is so wonderful to meet you. I have to say, I've never seen what I saw here today. Have you, Hon? No, I haven't. But I want to see more. Do you two know the power that you have? Like, Really know? You and Captain EJ look at each other and realize you don't really know exactly what your powers are, Just what they do. By now, The crowd around Dormir has thinned out. Everyone, Including Mrs. And Mr. Honeybee, Melody Bee, Roger, And Harold are back home drying out their houses with atmospheric fans the Elder Nuclears let everyone borrow. With the multi-channel teleportation remote that has been the center of so much strife, You deliver a fan to each home in the Honeybee neighborhood with the click of a button. The Dr. Nuclears are astonished with all that they've seen. They know that you and Captain EJ are rare and extremely gifted, But they want to run a simple experiment to see the extent of your powers. They politely ask if you're willing to be a part of it, And you both agree. One of them picks up a half-empty drone that fell to the floor when you and Captain EJ used your full strength. Do you know what it takes to disrupt a solar-powered battery drone like this? These are built with so much precision that no solar event recorded on Earth so far can destroy them. You two managed to take down our whole fleet. Please allow us to apologize, Dr. Nuclear. No, No, Please. No apologies necessary. You're about to change the course of human history, Captain EJ and Hero. You did nothing wrong. You and Captain EJ are taken aback by what they're saying and are somewhat confused about your powers. While Pinky and Thumb stand nervously in the corner, The Dr. Nuclears explain that the power contained within your voices is something they've never seen before. That's when the doctors explain that you and Captain EJ contain the first-ever non-solar form of light. The sound waves they issue from your voice are so powerful and so dense that they actually create a form of light that is as powerful as the sun, But not the sun. And all of that lightness, All of that miracle, Is within you. The doctors go on to explain the science of sound creating light and energy, And you completely tune out, Sinking deeper into your heart in awe of what you just heard. When you snap back, The Dr. Nuclears are asking if you will show them what you can do with your voices once more. You agree. They restart a couple of their drones and walk over to Pinky to yank the drone remote out of his hand. When they see he has another remote that he was trying to hide, You let them know that he stole that. They return it to you without question. You sneak it back into your pocket, But really teleport it back to Mr. Honeybee, Who was so happy to have his teleportation remote back. Suddenly, Mr. Honeybee appears on the rooftop with his holophone and a special shimmering guest. Him and Silver Sally Smith arrive just in time to see you participate in the experiment. The Dr. Nuclears are worried that both of these people just appeared on their rooftop lap, But they are in such a state of shock that they decide to ask later. Focusing on the matter at hand, They each create a little rain cloud over you and Captain EJ. At once, Not using your full strength, But something proportional to this little cloud, You and Captain EJ send sound waves up to the clouds. With so much practice, You can now hit your target very well, And you're not even exhausted after. The zap of lightning flashes before it completely evaporates the cloud. The doctors look at each other, Trying to register their shock for the other one. Before they say another word to you, They lead their sons over by the shoulders to stand in front of you, Captain EJ, Mr. Honeybee, And Sally Smith, Who has taken the liberty of completely updating the Dr. Nuclears about what their sons did to everyone. Pinky and Thumb try to look away, Ashamed at all they did. You can begin by apologizing, But that certainly won't be the end of it for you two. Thumb is the first to make eye contact. He has big, Heavy tears of remorse in his eyes. You can see how horrible he feels and how conflicted he still is about you being his only two friends still. I apologize for pushing you into the furnace, Sally, From the bottom of my heart. And to all of you, I'm so, So sorry. I will do whatever I can to make it up to you. I hope one day we can be friends again, Hero and Captain EJ. But I understand if not. Hey. Sorry. What was that? We couldn't hear you give a way better apology than that. I apologize for kidnapping you, Mr. Honeybee and Sally. I apologize for flooding the Honeybee neighborhood. It feels good to get even a forced apology from Pinky, And you can feel how sincere Thumb is, Though. He will need to prove it over and over again before you could ever consider trusting him again. The Dr. Knucklers have an important question for you and Captain EJ, And you don't know if you're ready for it, But you welcome their question with open arms because you're always ready to help. Will you two, And Mr. Honeybee, Of course, Consider working with us? Do you have any idea what a second and third son could offer to our world? Our minds are racing right now, But we know that you two have something truly miraculous to offer the world. Please consider helping us. I would be honored to work with you all. You have been such an incredible team. You all look at each other and nod your heads approvingly, But before you can say anything, The Dr. Knucklers are already going over the long list of experiments they want to do and the ideas they have. Much of what they say mushes together into an alphabet soup of science jargon, But one thing in particular stands out. You will get your own lab space, Should you need it. Your lab comes stocked with two lab assistants. Pinky and Thumb will be at your beck and call, Ready to do whatever you want them to. They have a lot of work ahead of them fixing what they broke while we were gone. Please, Let us promise you that they will never do anything like this to you or Dormir ever again. They have lost our trust, Too. The Dr. Knucklers hurriedly rush around the rooftop lab, Planning out where they will move everything to make room. The process of restoring power to the compound will be long, But that kind of construction project will be the perfect opportunity to build your new lab space right up here on the roof. The Knuckler Brothers are now stripped of any and all trust, Power, Or influence they had over their world. They will need to start from the ground up, But you and Captain EJ? It doesn't even seem like the sky's the limit for you two. As you follow the Dr. Knucklers around the lab, They excitedly tell you all of their plans for how you will help not only them, But the whole world of people in need, Which is bigger than you can ever imagine. As you walk along the machines, You brush your hands along the cool metal, Thinking back on where the mission started and where it ended. You've grown into your power so much on this mission, And this is just the first. Captain EJ looks at you and smiles, Knowing that your great minds are thinking of what kind of pranks this new lab space opens up to you. Mr. Honeybee sees the look you're giving each other and once again feels left out. See? That right there. You two are doing it again. What are you thinking? Tell me. Are you going to prank me? You have to be nice to me for at least a week. I was kidnapped. You and Captain EJ laugh a little laugh to yourself, Just to keep Mr. Honeybee on edge. Then you're brought back to the crux of this mission, Like you are after every mission. What did you learn? How are you a better you now? As the Dr. Knucklers said, Your voice, In and of itself, Contains a miraculous power, An inextinguishable light. You wield this power with each utterance and every word you choose to speak. All that you put out into this world is but a ripple in our hyper-interconnected globe. But as you've seen, A tidal wave starts from a single ripple, For better or worse. You must use your voice for relentless good, Hero. Until next time, Captain EJ, Over and out.

Reviews

I love that everyone is putting together these overnight stories, this one really worked for me! I drifted up a few times lightly but otherwise stayed asleep all night!! Thank you so much✨🙏🏼🌱✨