19. Tra-La-Luuunatics

CHAPTER 19 TRA-LA-LUUUNATICS Several minutes later, Captain Underpants flew out of Mr. Krupp's office window. As the hero zipped across the sky, he let out a triumphant "Tra-La-Laaaaa!" When Robo-George and the Harold 2000 heard the words "Tra-La-Laaaaa!" they immediately stopped playing kickball. Suddenly, their arms began to extend and their legs stretched toward the sky.

Strange secret compartments in their ever-growing torsos opened up, revealing giant rocket boosters and the latest in advanced aviation technology. Steel panels on their faces and bodies expanded wildly as their complex structures swelled to highly improbable proportions. Suddenly, flames shot out of their retro- thrusters as their bodies rose into the air. In no time at all, two gigantic robots were flying in hot pursuit of the Amazing Captain Underpants.

"George and Harold are in BIG trouble now," said Melvin Sneedly, as he read Rule #7,734 of Mr. Krupp's official school rulebook out loud: "It is against the rules for students to transform into giant flying robots during afternoon recess!"

The real George and Harold, however, had more on their minds at that moment than a few broken rules. They watched the action unfold on a big-screen television that Wedgie Woman's horrible hair had built by combining the spare parts of a fish tank and an electric toothbrush. The colossal robots surrounded Captain Underpants, but surprisingly, the Waistband Warrior looked happy to see them. "George! Harold!" said Captain Underpants. "My, how you boys have grown! And I didn't know you could fly. That's great! Now you can help me fight for Truth, Justice, and all that is Pre-Shrunk and Cottony!"

But the gigantic robots didn't respond. Instead, they hovered close to Captain Underpants as their steel chest plates opened up. Suddenly, two extendable robotic arms reached out and began showering Captain Underpants with liquid spray starch. "What—what are you doing?" cried Captain Underpants. "That's SPRAY STARCH! It's the only thing in the world that can take away my super powers!!!"

The Waistband Warrior screamed in horror as he began falling through the sky. Robo-George quickly swooped down, grabbed the helpless hero, and hung him by his waistband on a tall pole high above the city streets.