16 FULL POWER

CHAPTER 16 FULL POWER Rip and Nikki lay sprawled on the rooftop like dropped action figures. The thunderbug stepped over them, moving closer to Alexancler. "Run, Salamander!" cried Nikki. "Don't let it zap you!" shouted Rip.

But Alexander didn't run. He reached for the wrench. The thunderbug grinned. "Go ahead—grab it!" said the monster, "You'd be giving me an easy target! I'll zap that wrench, and BLAIVIMO!" Zap the wrench?! thought Alexander. That's it! I know just what to do! "Since you're the last pest standing," said the thunderbug, opening its wings, "I'm going to give you a supercharge!" "READY?" The monster rubbed its antennae together.

Alexander yanked Dr. Tallow's rubber gloves from his backpack. "AIM!" The thunderbugyelled, Its tail sizzled. Alexander snapped the gloves on and picked up the wrench. "FIRE!" The thunderbug blasted a super-boll of lightning at the wrench.

The bolt hit one end of the wrench, just as Alexander jammed the other end into the Power Level box. KKRRZZZZ

The Power Level dial cracked as it shot up to 20,000%. The wrench had become a lightning rod, drawing the electricity into the box.

"I'VE BEEN OVERPOWERED!" screamed the thunderbug. The monster vibrated in place. Then it burst into a million sparks. The sparks fizzled away like tiny fireworks. "Way to go, Salamander!" said Rip, sitting up. "Hey— I can feel my legs again!" Nikki flopped over onto her elbows. "Wowee! Look at the power level!" she said. "Our school will have enough electricity for 500 years!" "Yeah," said Rip. "I just wish my new shoes still lit up."