Chapter One: Arrival of the Arbiters

(We open a man at a workbench, cluttered with various gadgets and pieces of machinery. There he worked, hunched over and focused on something. He hummed to himself "Let's go Crazy" by Prince but was interrupted by a communicator in his ear going off. He pressed the button on the device and continued to work.)

Workbench man: Speak.

(A rough, almost angry voice came from the communicator)

Communicator man: They're getting started.

Workbench man: Good. Everything is going according to schedule. Get the others in place. We will join you shortly.

(The man hung up, leaving the man alone at the bench once more. Well, not really. From the shadows behind him, a woman wearing a red pants suit that had tails hanging down to the back of her knees and a black domino mask, walked out.)

Pantsuit woman: Is it ready, honey?

Workbench man: Yes. Everyone is in place. Just say the word and we'll get started.

Pantsuit woman: Fantastic. Let's show these people what real protection looks like.

(We cut to a mid morning Fiction City, bustling with movement and excitement for the upcoming festivities. It had been three months since the Responders, the self-proclaimed Protectors of Earth, had prevented the erasure of free will at the hands of notorious genius super criminal, Samson Cladsteel. And to show their gratitude, the people of Fiction City decided to throw a parade for the superhero team. The streets were beginning to be cordoned off with parade barricades, several food stands and booths with Responders merchandise were being set up, and sound systems were being put in place for the news interview meant to give the citizens more insight on the heroes themselves. We pan up to a high rooftop overlooking the preparations and see Bamboozle-Man sitting on the edge, dangling his feet in excitement. Sitting next to him was the gelatinous joy and fellow teammate, Taffy.)

BM: Oooh, I'm so excited! I've never had a parade thrown for me before!

Taffy: *gurgles*

BM: Okay not one thrown for me by myself anyway. But still! It's nice to finally get some publicity that doesn't brand me a menace or some cryptid dumpster diver. They even made action figures of us! I wonder how Zip managed to pull that one off. That guy's a marketing genius!

Taffy: *gurgles*

BM: I know that's not why we do this. It's just nice being appreciated, you know? Oh, speaking of which.

(Bamboozle-Man pulled out a small red box with a golden ribbon and handed it to his friend)

Taffy: *gurgle sin surprise*

BM: Tada! I got you a gift! I'd tell you to open it but you suffer from not having hands itus so I'll do it for you.

(Bamboozle-Man opened the box and Taffy peered inside only to see a pill sized white stone)

Taffy: *gurgles in confusion*

BM: It's a translation stone! I bought it off of Annie a few days ago. Apparently once it's absorbed by its user it allows them to understand, speak, and read every language.

Taffy: *gurgles in excitement*

BM: Okay, okay, okay. Hold still.

(Bamboozle-Man pulled out the stone and pushed it into Taffy's gooey body. It floated there for a moment before swiftly dissolving.)

BM: Do you feel anything?

Taffy: *gurgles in shock*

(Taffy's body began to ripple and shift violently)