14. The Big Bang

CHAPTER 14 THE BIG BANG After their quick escape, George, Harold, and Captain Underpants stopped on a deserted street corner to catch their breath. "OK," said George. "Let's de-hypnotize him quick, before something else... ...happens!"

A huge explosion came from the Rare Crystal Shop across the street. Heavy smoke poured out of the building. Suddenly, two robots with one stolen crystal emerged from the smoke and jumped into an old truck. "Did I just see two ROBOTS get into a truck?" asked Harold. "You know," said George, "up until now this story was almost believable!"

"Well, believable or not," said Harold, "we're not getting involved. I repeat: We are NOT getting involved!" Just then, Captain Underpants leaped from the street corner and dashed in front of the truck. "Stop, in the name of underwear!" he cried. "Uh-oh," said George. "I think we're involved." The two robots started up the truck and swerved around Captain Underpants. Unfortunately, the truck brushed up against his red cape, and it got caught. With a mighty jerk, Captain Underpants flipped backward, and the truck pulled him along as it drove away.

"GRAB HIM!" cried George. The two boys skateboarded with all their might toward the speeding truck and grabbed Captain Underpants by the ankles. "HEEEEEEELLLLLLLP!" they cried as the truck pulled them through the city streets.

"Mommy," said a little boy sitting on a bench, "I just saw two robots driving a truck with a guy in his underwear hanging off the back by a red cape, pulling two boys on skateboards behind him with his feet." "How do you expect me to believe such a ridiculous story?" asked his mother.

Finally, the truck came to a screeching halt in front of an old abandoned warehouse. The sudden stop made Captain Underpants flip over the roof of the truck and crash through the front door of the building. "Well, well, well," said a strange voice from inside the warehouse. "It looks as if we have a visitor."