Sheen Rescue Squad...or...Welcome to Planet Sheen

Chapter 7-The Dance

On the night of the ball, Jimmy was finally ready to put his plan into motion. During the day, he had spent time trying to help the others prepare for the ball. Libby had pointed out the shop she had received her dress, after finding out from the shopkeeper that she also sold formal wear for men as well as women.

Jimmy recalled how Nick had fussed when Carl had turned down an immaculate tuxedo and had instead chosen to simply have a bowtie.

"Why didn't you get a tux, like me?" Nick had asked when Libby had closed the deal with the shopkeeper. "You'd at least look like you belong with the crowd."

"I told you," Carl had said, "tuxedos make me feel too confined."

"You could've at least got an actual tie," Nick had persisted before adding as an afterthought, "Bowtie, really?"

"No," Carl had replied stubbornly, "I'm wearing the bowtie, bowties are cool." Nick gave up and had simply said dismissively, "Whatever."

Now Nick was wearing that striking black tuxedo, whereas Carl had simply donned his bowtie as his only formal wear. As for Libby, she had already left to find Sheen, who was seated near the emperor's throne.

"Okay, everybody, you all know the plan," Jimmy said once Doppy and Nesmith had joined them and turning to speak first to Nick, "Nick, you need to find Aseefa and give her a good time." Jimmy said this with hidden uncertainty, since he wasn't sure what Nick was to do with Aseefa. Luckily for Jimmy, Nick just nodded, so he turned his attention to the others. "Carl, Doppy, Nesmith, you have the most important job of all: you need to make sure nothing happens to endanger the plan, understand?" All three of them nodded. "Okay, good luck, everyone. While you're doing that, Goddard and I are going to find Dorkus to see if he truly is up to something, and if he is, then we'll bring him down."

Jimmy began to make his way out of the ballroom with Goddard. When he was sure they were alone, Jimmy ordered Goddard, "Goddard, activate stealth mode." Instantly, Goddard activated stealth and vanished out of sight of the naked eye. He was now detectable only by Jimmy's watch. "Good boy, now to find Dorkus."

And so they began to set out to explore the palace to uncover whatever evil scheme Dorkus was now concocting.

Behind him Jimmy, heard Nick say to the others, "Well, I gotta go."

Jimmy heard Nick walk off and stop in front of Aseefa, who said to him somewhat disgruntledly, "So, Sheen was going with the princess, eh?"

Jimmy stopped dead in his tracks to hear Nick reply, "It was a long day, yesterday. Are you still going to dance with me?"

Jimmy held his breath and listened as Aseefa answered, "I don't have any other offers, just promise me one thing."

"Yes?" Jimmy heard Nick ask.

"Promise me, you'll never lie to me again."

"You got it," replied Nick, "Now, shall we dance?"

"First..." said Aseefa.

"Oh right," said Nick, "the royal advisor first."Jimmy sighed with relief. Everything was going smoothly. It seemed Aseefa would be taken care of after all. With nothing else to distract him, Jimmy set forth to find Dorkus.

Over by the emperor's throne, Sheen was becoming restless. It was five minutes into the ball and there was no sign of Libby. Where could she be? She couldn't have forgotten. If there was anything Sheen could remember about Libby, it was that she would never miss out on a dance, no matter which planet she was on. And yet....

"Where is she?" he finally asked the emperor aloud. "She wouldn't keep me waiting."

The emperor thought this over. He too was equally concerned. "I don't know, but until she arrives, we can't start the ball." Then trying to speak casually, "It's starting to get late; it's too bad Oom couldn't come tonight, I'm sure she'd like to dance with you."