15 AMPED UP

CHAPTER 15 AMPED UP Rip Bonkowski was quick, strong, and good at shoving people to the ground. So without thinking, he shoved Alexander and Nikki aside. The charge of lightning exploded onto his chest. "Ub-ub-ub-ub-ub!" Rip shook in place as green sparks traveled up and down his legs. "RIP!!!" shouted Alexander. "You're glowing green!" said Nikki.

"Ha!" buzzed the thunderbug. "One pest down, two to go!" Rip took a wobbly step. "I'm okay, My arms and legs just feel numb— like they fell asleep! WHOAA!" His knees buckled and he fell onto a toolbox. Wrenches and hammers spilled out. BWA-NANA! The thunderbug's laugh sounded like a chainsaw. The monster leaned over Rip, poking him in the arm. "My zap has totally numbed you. Now lie still, while I zap your little friends. Then I will swat all three of you with my THUNDERCLAP WINGS!"

The monster looked up. "Who's next?!" Alexander and Nikki stood on either side of the thunderbug. Alexander saw Nikki reach down to pick up one of the spilled wrenches. It was huge— the size of a baseball bat. She smiled. "I'm next!" said Alexander. "If you can catch me!" He jumped over some cables and crouched behind the Power Level box.

"Oh, please!" said the thunderbug. "You can't outrun me! I'm lightning-fast!" The monster fired another lightning bolt at Alexander. He docked. The bolt hit the Power Level box, showering the roof with sparks. Alexander watched the Power Level dial move up from 0% to 5%. Alexander gasped. That blast gape power back to the school!

"Drat, I missed!" said the thunderbug. "Next time I'll—" WNONK! Nikki had jumped out from behind an air duct, She swung the wrench at the thunderbug's sparkling tail. "Nice swing, Nikki!" Rip shouted from down on the ground.

But Nikki was shaking in place, saying, "Uh- ub-ub-ub-ub!" Green sparks surged from the monster's tail, traveled up the wrench, and danced all over her glowing, green body. Rip gasped. Nikki fell over. Her wrench clattered to the ground near Alexander's feet. "sceee-rike two!" said the thunderbug. "Silly humans! Lightning flows through metal!" The creature turned to face Alexander. It rubbed its wings together, making tiny crackles of electricity. Alexander felt the hairs prickle on the back of his neck.