The Adventures of Miss Methane

By: thebatter1966

PART 1: Origin of a Hero

It was a pleasant morning in the city of Greenfield, the sky was clear, the sun hung over the city and the air was filled with the hustle and bustle of people starting the day. But for residents of one house in a large suburb, the sounds of morning were not what most people expect.

Hnngh!

PPPPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTT!

The sound of a powerful fart roared throughout the house, the butt that blasted this forceful flatulence belonging to a shapely woman in her early 40s with neatly brushed bobbed dark brunette hair, blue eyes wearing a pair of rimless glasses. Her name was Helen Martins, formerly known as the stink themed superhero Skunk Woman. She was dressed in a dark blue pantsuit, the trousers of which perfectly outlining her toned yet plump backside.

The eruption of loud and foul smelling gas that she had let loose wasn’t  just to release some pent up gas but was also an alarm for her 19-year-old daughter Alice, it was time to get up. When this loud rump roar did not get any reaction from her daughter’s room. Helen walked up stairs and knocked on the door to Alice’s room.

Helen: Alice! Get up! It’s time for School!

This again got nothing in response.

Helen: Ok I warned you but you leave me no other choice.

Helen stepped away from the door, turned around and bent over with her powerful posterior bulging out, her trousers staining slightly. She aimed this gas cannon at the bedroom door. 

Meanwhile inside the bedroom, its occupant slept soundly with her cocooned in the duvet. Her room was both messy and organised with the desk next to the bed littered with notebooks containing sketches of a myriad superhero costume designs, a laptop sat next to notebooks. 

Pinned to the wall above the desk were severely newspaper clippings, all of them about Skunk Woman from back in her heyday. One of the articles showcased her costume as she posed with her turned around and bent over slightly as if she was going blast the camera, the sleek black spandex bodysuit made her powerful butt look even more enticing along with her large black tail with two white stripes running along either side. Her elbow-length white adding a touch of elegance and her thigh-high heeled boots giving off a fashionable look. Her mask covered most of her head with nose and mouth exposed, a white stripe ran along the middle of the mask. Along with the clippings were photos of her father, John Carterman, police officer. The reason why Alice had these clippings and photos was because they were her inspiration to want to become a superhero. Her hero mother and cop father.

Alice was in the other world, the peaceful and tranquil world of sleep but unfortunately she had her sleep rudely and quite forcefully interrupted.         

Helen: Hnnngg!

BBFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTT!

A large blast of gas tore through Helen’s plump cheeks and barrelled into the door with the strength of a battering ram, it blew the door wide open and nearly ripped it off its hinges, as  Alice’s room was filled with a thick and foul green gas.

Alice: Mom! I was having such a great dream!

Helen: Get ready, we're leaving in 10 minutes. I'll be in the car.

Helen left the room and Alice crawled out of bed, entered her walk-in wardrobe and quickly slapped on a green turtleneck jumper, light blue jeans and a pair of black trainers. Brushed her long brown hair, grabbed her school bag and her phone then ran out to the car where her mom was sitting waiting for her. Alice hopped in and they drove off.

Helen: You got everything?

Alice: Yes, Mom. Oh, are you busy tonight?

Helen: No, why?

Alice: Well, I’ve been working on something and I want to show it to you tonight. I think you’ll really like it.

Helen: Ok but what is it?

Alice: I’m not telling you anything about it until you see it but I guess I can give you a hint.

Alice then leaned over on her seat slightly, her butt lifted off the seat.

Alice: Hrrrrg

pppPPPPPBBBbbbBVVVvvvbbBBbbBBBRRMMMPPbbbBBBbbBBBHHTTT

A swampy fart blasted out of her butt, it filled the car with a thin green vapour.

Helen: I think I might have an idea of what it is.

Helen herself lifted her butt cheek from her seat.

Helen: Hnnggg

BBBbbBBbbppPPpppPPOOOObbBBbbBBBbBLLLLLPBBBHHTTTT

She let loose a buddy cheek-flapper fart that had a thick green vapour. The acrid stench of beans quickly filled the car. Alice had to admit she was never able to beat her mother in the stink department of their farts.  

Alice: Phew! Mom! Roll down the window before the car starts to rust.

Helen did so, allowing the monstrous mix of methane to dissipate out of the car. They soon arrived at Alice’s school.

Helen: Alright, hope you have a great day at school, honey.

She then gave Alice a tight hug and big goodbye kiss on her cheek.

Alice: Ha ha. Mom!

Alice returned the hug before getting out of the car. She waved her mother off as she drove away. She walked in the building, first stopping at her locker to pick a few books for class. Just as she opened her locker, the voice of her best friend, Hannah Samson, cried out.

Hannah: So how’s my favourite person in the world doing?

Her freckles contrasting light tanned complexion, hazel brown eyes with her dark raven hair tied in a ponytail. She wore a red plaid shirt with a light blue t-shirt underneath and brown cargo pants with brown boots.      

Alice: I’m doing great, Hannah. Oh did you bring the thing I asked for?

Hannah : Yes I did, it took a bit of time but my dad manged it.

Hannah stealthily hands Alice a bag with some clothing inside it, Alice swiftly hid the bag in her locker.

Alice: Thanks, this is the final part I needed.

Hannah: Are you sure you can do this?

Alice: Hannah, this wouldn’t like I haven't prepared. My mom trained me how to use my powers since I was kid, I know what I’m doing.

Hannah: Ok I just wanted to be sure. Just promise me once you're a big shot superhero, you'll give me the exclusive interview.

Alice: Sure, Why?

Hannah: Just imagine the headline "Rookie Reporter Gets Exclusive Interview with Greenfield's Newest Superhero". what do you think?

Alice: Sure

Hannah: Great, oh quick question. Have you had breakfast yet?   

Alice: Not yet, why?

A mischievous grin appeared on Hannah’s face.

Hannah: Good, they’ve serving bean burritos in the cafeteria.

Alice also got a mischievous grin on her face.

Alice: Well, what are we waiting for? I’m starving!

Alice grabbed Hannah’s hand and the pair ran off to the cafeteria, for a little bit of gassy mischief.  

Later on, back at The Martins home. Helen was sitting on Alice’s bed waiting for her daughter's big surprise. Alice was getting ready inside her wardrobe.

Alice: Are you ready? Mom.

Helen: Ready .

Alice: Ok. Villains beware for there’s a new hero in town and she’s going to show you the true smell of justice! And it smells like methane. Or more accurately, Miss Methane!

As soon as she finished her speech, Alice jumped out of the wardrobe wearing her superhero suit. Consisting of a light green tight jumpsuit, gloves, underwear, boots, a short cape and a utility belt all are a slightly darker green. On her chest were the letter MM in the same colour of green and to top off her costume, she wore a pair of green tinted goggles.

She placed her hands on her hips in the classic superhero pose.

Alice: So what do you think? Mom.

Helen was stunned, she stared at her daughter with wide eyes as looked on in amazement. She then got a little teary eyed.

Helen: You look incredible.

She then hugged Alice tightly. 

Alice: Thanks, Mom. That means a lot.

Helen wipes her eyes.

Helen: So, Miss Methane. Have you tested the suit out? In the power department I mean.

Helen gave her a look and Alice immediately knew what she meant. In response, Alice simply got into a squat position and let her ripe.

Alice: Hrrngh!

PRRRRRRRRRRRRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

A behemoth fart erupted out of her, this was an absolute nuclear blast of a fart, rumbling the entire house with its brassy bass. After the fallout of the fart ended and thick green gas cleaned, Alice stood up and checked the rear part of her suit. lo and behold it was perfectly fine.

Alice: Yes! I knew the material could withstand my butt blast.

Helen: Oh look at you, you’ve already got a fully working super suit. I’m so proud of you.

Alice: Thank you, Mom. Ow, it still doesn’t help the wedges.

Alice adjusted underwear that was being swallowed up by her round buttock.

Helen: You’ll get used to it, now go out there and show criminals that justice truly smells like.  

Alice hugged her mum then ran out to the back garden, she put her goggles on and bent her knees a little as she preferred to take off.

Alice: Blast off in 3….2…1 Hnnnng!

BRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTT!!

She fart propelled into the sky leaving behind a trail of green gas.

This was the start of her fart-filled superhero career.


PART 2: Stench of Greed

It had been a long day for Alice and Hannah, after finishing their classes. They went to a local junkyard that the two would go to and hangout at. Alice wanted to show Hannah her new superhero costume. Once they got to a secluded part of the junkyard that was dotted with rusty shells of old cars and several pieces of scrap metal.

Hannah: Come on, I wanna see the costume.

Alice: Not just let, I want to show you some of the alternate costume ideas I came up with.

Alice pulled out a sketchbook for her bag and opened it and show, Hannah. Versus different designs for her superhero costume. Some of these included a dark green leotard with light green tights and green domino mask. Another one was a green ninja style outfit and another one was a full body green suit with a raised collar and gas mask. This final concept design also had a sketch from the back view of the suit, this angle showed the suit had a butt window.

Hannah: Is that a butt window?

Alice: Yeah, I initially thought it was a good idea but I eventually scrapped the idea for being impractical.

Hannah: Ok. Stop holding out on me, I’m giddy with anticipation.

Alice: Ok, ok. You might want to hold your nose, it’s a stinky transformation.

Hannah: Oh please, Alice. I’ve known you long enough to be used to your stinky fart gas.

Alice: Ok it’s time to get gassy, hhrrrggg

Ppprrrrffffffttttt
Alice lets rip and the gas cloud engulfed her, a few seconds after she walked out of the green in her superhero costume.

Hannah: Oh my god! You look so awesome!

Alice then started to strike some poses, most of them to show off how good her butt looked in the tight suit.

Hannah: Damn girl, your butt looks amazing in that costume.

Alice: You can thank the fact I inherited my mom’s powerful backside.

Alice jiggled her pump and round butt cheeks.

Hannah: Show me what that ass can do.

Alice set up three tin cans on a burnt out car, turned her back to it and bent over with her ass pointed at the cans.

Alice: Ok, here I go Hnnrrg
PPPFFFTTT
PFFFFFFT
PFFFFTTTTT

Three short but powerful farts shot out of her butt in quick succession, these short fart blasts, pinged the tin cans off. Hannah clapped at Alice's impressive aim, Alice set up her next demonstration, she put another tin on the car then she positioned herself several metres away from it. And turned around, bent over and licked her glove cover hand and checked the wind direction.

Alice: Ok wind looks good, here we go! Hrrrrggg!

Bbbbfffffrrrbooobbbpppprrrrrttt

The fart blasted out her butt but instead of the usual green gas clouds, the fart took on a beam look and with pinpoint accuracy. It knocked the can clean out the car. Hannah again applauded Alice’s ass aiming skills.

Alice then set up for her final demonstration. She found a sheet of steel and propped it up with some pieces of junk. She addressed Hannah as if she was a magician addressing their audience.

Alice: And now ladies and gentlemen for my final trick, I will blow a hole through this sheet of metal with just one fart.

Alice bent over and took aim at the metal sheet.

Alice: Hrrrnnggg!

BRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTT!

The gas shot out of her rear with such force that it blasted straight through the sheet of metal. After the fart ended, Hannah started to clap and cheer at  Alice’s amazing display of fart power, Alice took a bow.

Hannah: Holy hell! Girl, that butt of yours can really blast and phew! That gas is rough today.

Alice: I’m just glad the materials you got me are strong enough to not blow the rear part of the suit.

Just then a police scanner radio in Alice’s utility belt started to crackle with activity, she pulled it out.

Policeman#1: All units be advised, there is an armed robbery in progress at the West Street branch of Bixer Bank. Suspects seem to be dressed in makeshift metal armour and are armed.
Policeman#2: Metal armour? Oh god! It's not The Junkers is it?
Policeman#1: Affirmative, it's the Junkers.

Policeman#2: Christ! Someone really needs to tell these idiots that it is not the freaking apocalypse.

Alice: I’ve got to go, superhero duties calling. See you at school tomorrow.

Hannah: You go get it girl.

Alice: Blast off in 3….2…1 Hnnrrgg
BRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTT!

She then blasted off leaving behind a trail of green gas, when she arrived at the bank, she ran to police barricades and talked with the lead officer.

Miss Methane: What is the situation?

Lead officer: There are four of them in the bank, we believe they have hostages.

Miss Methane: Ok, I’ll deal with them.

Miss Methane approached the bank and went around the side of the building, she then managed to locate a widow on the second floor that was open. She blasted her way up to the window and climbed through, she quietly made her way down to the lobby of the bank. Where she spotted one of The Junkers, he was wearing brown and tattered leather jacket with some makeshift metal armour on his right arm, he was also wearing an old gas mask. He was guarding the hostages, keeping them at bay with what looked like a shotgun made out of copper piping.

Miss Methane ducked behind a counter, she waited for her opportunity to take him. This came when he was facing away from the hostages. Miss Methane then jumped over the counter and ran at him.

Miss Methane: Hey!

The Junker turned his head and met with Miss Methane’s spandex clad backside speeding towards him, before he could react her buttcheeks slammed into his face. He was knocked to the ground.

Miss Methane: Say goodnight, Hnngg

ssssssssssffffrrssssrrrrrrr

A silent but deadly fart hissed from her rear, it was powerful enough that it knocked him out immediately. After she freed the hostages, she made her way down the vault. The vault door was wide open, peeking into the vault, she was able to see three men all dressed like extras from a Mad Max movie. They were stuffing thousands of dollars into duffle bags, their backs turned away from her.

Junker#1: Ha! What a score, Fella! We'll be rich in no time.
 
Junker#2: Hurry up and put the cash in the bag! We gotta get out here before the cops get here.

Miss Methane: (Oh you boys will have to worry about something much worse than the cops) 

Miss Methane simply just walked in and closed the vault door behind her, ensuring that The Junkers couldn’t escape. The gang quickly turned around at the sound of the vault door slammed shut. 

SLAM

Junker#1: What the?! Who the Hell are you?!         

Miss Methane: The name is Miss Methane and I’ll give you one chance to put the money down and turn yourselves in or you guys are going to have a bad time.

Junker#1: Like hell we’re giving up this money, do you know how many car scrapes it took to make this armour?

Junker#2: Man,shut up. Don’t tell the enemy how we make our armour.

Junker#3: Will you two be quiet!

It was fair to say that The Junkers weren't really much of a threat and they were very long down on the food chain of the criminal world. They couldn’t even afford real firearms, most of their weapons were made from copper piping or bits of scrap metal and junk.   

Miss Methane: sigh Listen, I’ll give you guys till the count of 3, 1….

She turned her back to The Junkers.

Miss Methane: 2….

She then bent forward and placed her hands on the vault door, she made sure her butt was aimed squarely at them.

Miss Methane: Last warning, you guys can give up now and you won’t have to deal with the consequences.

Junker#3: Like hell!

Miss Methane: Ok, don’t say I didn’t warn you, 3. Hrrrrggggg!

PPPPPFFFFFFBBBBRRROOOOOOOORRRRBBBBPPPPPPTTTTTTT!!

An enormous fart exploded from her butt, it lasted approximately 25 seconds. The vault was filled with a thick green gas that had the aroma of rotten eggs, after the fart finished she stood up and turned to see her work. The Junkers were knocked out on the ground. Miss Methane put her hands on her hips and admired her handiwork, she then opened the vault door allowing the gas to escape, she walked back to the lobby where the police were waiting for her.

Miss Methane: I’ve dealt with The Junkers, there in the vault, I’d give it a minute if I were you. There is still some gas in the vault.         


PART 3: Flash Freeze

It was an oddly hot night in Greenfield, a humid air oppressively hung over the city with many people leaving their windows left open and their ACs on full crank. But for a pair of underpaid, inexperienced and lazy security guards at Hanne-Tech’s Cryogenic Labs, they were about to get one hell of a temperature change.

Guard #1: Man, it's hot as hell in there.

Guard #2: Yeah, you would've thought that cryo lab would be nice and cold.

The two guards laughed at their situation as one mopped his foreheads with his shirt sleeve and the other one used a handkerchief but then the once hot and muggy air was now suddenly extremely cold, both men began to shiver and they could see their breath as they talked.

Guard #1: Jeeze, who turned the heating off.

Both men then heard a strange cracking sound, as the wall next to them began to freeze over. It spread until a large section of the wall was completely covered in a thick layer of blue ice, it then started to crack and then collapsed, leaving a giant hole in its place. A cold mist began to pour in from the opening and emerging from it came a man dressed in white body armour with a white balaclava and white ski goggles.

Guard #2: What the hell?

The man said nothing as he started slowly walking towards them.

Guard #1: Hey! Stop!

Before the guards could reach their guns, the man raised his right arm and aimed a wrist-mounted cannon, then fired a beam of frost that encased men in ice. The man dressed in white then walks into the main cryo lab. There, he silently walked past all the high tech and expensive looking equipment, only stopping when he reached a door marked “Chemical Storage”. The man again raised his cannon to the door and blasted it with ice and with a swift kick, the door shattered completely allowing him to walk in and raid it.

The next day, Alice was grabbing a coffee after finishing her classes for the day. Just as she was walking out of the coffee shop, her phone started ringing. She checked the caller ID and It was her mom.

Alice: Hi, Mom, What's up?

Helen: There was a break in at Hanne-Tech Cryo Labs last night and the police have requested your help. They’ve already informed them that Miss Methane is on her way.

Alice: Ok. I’ll be there in 15 minutes.

Alice tossed her coffee cup in a crash can then ran into a nearby secluded alleyway. Once she knew she was alone, she transformed into her superhero alter ego.

Alice: It’s time to get gassy! Hrrgg!

Ppprrrrffffffttttt

The thick green gas she let rip quickly enveloped her, after a few seconds she leapt from the green cloud in her superhero suit.

Alice: Blast off, Hnnnng!

BRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTT!!

She then blasted off into the sky leaving behind a trail of green gas. She arrived at the lab, 10 minutes later, beating her own estimated time of arrival. She was met by Police Chief Elizabeth Janes, she had chestnut skin, she looked to be in her late 40s with an average height and build. She had soft dark green eyes and neatly cut brown shoulder length hair. She wore a pair of tortoise horned rimmed glasses and a grey suit with a dark red overcoat.

Janes: Nice to finally meet you, Miss…?

Janes extended her hand out for a handshake.

Miss Methane: Methane

As they shook hands, Janes noted that despite her young appearance and average build, she had a rather strong grip.

Janes: Police Chief Elizabeth Janes, we’ve got a weird one. Guy breaks into a cryogenic lab with millions of dollars worth of equipment and only steals some chemicals.
Miss Methane: It doesn't sound that strange. What makes it a weird one?

Janes: This

Janes shows her the large hole in the wall, which still had ice surrounding it.

Miss Methane: Yep, this is a weird one.

Janes: That’s not all, take a look at what the guy did to the two security guards.

Janes shows Miss Methane a photo of the guards, both of their bodies were covered with a thick layer of frost. A look of concern flashed across Miss Methane’s face.

Miss Methane: Are they ok?

Janes: They’re currently at Greenfield General Hospital being treated for hypothermia and possible frostbite by their expected to make it. I usually don’t ask for help but we could really need an extra hand on this one and this is a little out of our realm of experience.

Miss Methane: I’ll help in any way I can. I’ll take a sample of the ice and see what I can find.

Miss Methane pulled from her utility belt a small test tube and scraped some ice into it.

Miss Methane: I’ll have a look at this and see if I can find something.

Janes handed her a business card with her number on it.

Janes: Keep me posted and thanks again.

Miss Methane: It’s what superheroes do.

Miss Methane then got a good distance from the police before blasted off. Later that day, at the Martins House, in their secret basement headquarters, Alice was examining the sample of ice she took from the scene when her mother walked in.

Helen: So what do we have?

Alice: Well, I’ve managed to identify several of the key components of it.

Helen: Those being?

Alice: The main part is liquid nitrogen but there are traces of several other chemicals, take a look.

A diagram of the chemical compounds appeared on the computer screen, Helen immediately recognised the chemical mixture.

Helen: I’ve seen this before.

Alice: You have? Where?

Helen: Back when I started out as Skunk Woman, I fought a villain called Frostbite. His real name was Simon Vicer, he was a scientist working at Hanne-Tech conducting research into the possible uses of liquid nitrogen as a weapon for the military. He presented his idea to the head scientists of the company but they shot it down, saying it would be better suited for firefighters than soldiers, Vicer took it very personally and he began to believe that they deliberately regretted his proposal to spite him. So he decided to go after them and prove that his weapon could work.

Alice: So what happened to him?

Helen: Well, I stopped him the first time and he was sent to jail. He broke out and tried to kill them again, same outcome as the first. Rinse and repeat for a few years until…

20 years ago

An old warehouse on the westside of Greenfield. Helen, dressed in her Skunk Woman suit, dodges several blasts of ice fired by Frostbite. He was dressed in a white boiler suit, white boots and gloves, a white hood over his head with goggles on top. The weapon that fired the blasts of ice was shaped like a paint gun but it had a longer barrel and had a hose leading from the gun to a large silver cylinder on his back.

Skunk Women: It's over, Vicer. You know you’ll just end up back in prison again, so why don’t make this easier for everyone and hand yourself in.

Frostbite: Never! I will achieve my goal and take my revenge on those who have tried to ruin me.

Skunk Women: you ruined yourself.

She ducked behind a steel pillar to hide from his icy blasts. She then ran at him and did a somersault over him.

Skunk Women: Hrrrnn!

BBBBBBBBRRRRRPPPPPPTT

And blasted him with a fart that blanketed Frostbite in a haze of thick stinking green gas.

Frostbite: Cough

Being engulfed by a thick and foul smelling cloud, Frostbite was blind. He started randomly firing his ice gun. Luckily for him, one of his random shots paid off and Skunk Woman’s lower body was encased in ice.

Skunk Woman: Hrrngh! Hnnngg!

Frostbite: Push and strain all you what, Skunk Woman. My new cryo formal quickly numbs any body parts that it comes into contact with.

Then Skunk Woman quickly realised couldn’t feel her legs or her butt.

Skunk Woman: You know you won't get away with this, it’ll end the same it always does with you in prison.

Frostbite: Perhaps, but as long as I get to put you on ice, It’ll be worth it.

Frostbite aims his frost gun at her, ready to eliminate his enemy. Suddenly the door to the warehouse was busted in and dozens armed police charged in with guns drawn.

Policewoman: Drop the weapon and put your hands in the air! Now!

Frostbite points his ice gun at the police.

Frostbite: NEVER!

The policewoman that ordered Frostbite to put his gun down fired her weapons, the bullet hit the tank on Frostbite’s back and it let out a hissing sound before exploding. Coving the whole of his body in frost.

Frostbite: AAAAHHH!

With a scream of pain, he collapsed to the floor.

Present Day

Alice: So? What happened to him afterwards?

Helen: He didn’t survive. And it seems whoever this new guy is, they are continuing his work. But it
looks like our wannabe hasn’t perfected the formula. It’s missing a key chemical, Palzeen.

Alice: And according to the recent shipping recorder that chemical is currently being held at a storage warehouse owned by Dumely & Co near the docks.

Helen: Well, at least we know where he's going to strike next.
Alice got up and was about to leave, when her mom stopped her.

Helen: Hold on, before you go.

Helen walked to draw, opened it and pulled out a small packet. She then handed it to Alice.

Helen: If you do encounter him, take one of these beforehand.

Alice opened the packet and inside were small red pills.

Alice: What are these?

Helen: After Vicer died, I had these pills made in case I ever fought a similar villain. They'll superheat your gas enough to melt through ice.

Alice: Thanks mom.

Alice placed the pills into her utility belt and gave her mother a goodbye hug, then left. Later that night, Miss Methane sawed through the dark twilight sky leaving in her wack a trail of green gas, once she arrived at the warehouse. She started investigating the building, looking at it, it was a very unassuming structure. A simple concrete building just like any other in the yard. She tried the front door, locked of course. She then decided to check the roof, with a quick butt blast up to it. She quickly managed to locate a skylight, finding it to be unlocked, Miss Methane jumped down into the warehouse.

Miss Methane: Hrrg

BRRPPPPHHTT

Before she collided with the concrete floor, she let loose a small but rumbly fart that allowed her to hover down onto the ground. It was dark, so she pulled out a small touch from her utility belt. With touch in hand, she began to slowly search. Walking around, she looked at the various large shelving units that made up most of the warehouse. After Searching for a few minutes she suddenly heard a strange noise coming from nearby, it was a loud sort of growling. Following the noise led to a door just to the right of the locked front door. She slowly walked towards the door and opened it quietly, upon opening the door she was met with the source of the noise. A snoozing security guard, he looked to be in his mid-30s with brown curly hair, he wore a standard security guard uniform. Now that the mystery was solved, she decided it was probably best to wake him up.

Miss Methane: Ahem!

Moorson: huh!!? What?! Hey, you're that new super from the papers, hmm? Fart-Woman right?

Miss Methane: Miss Methane.

Moorson: Oh yeah. Oh my, where are manners, Security guard Billy Moorson at your service. Mmh? Why are you here?

Miss Methane: I believe this warehouse will be the target of a robbery.

Moorson: Are you sure? Most if not all the chemicals that are stored here are non explosive, non corrosive or can’t be used in drug making.

Miss Methane: The chemical they plan to steal aren't explosives or corrosives. It’s are supercoolents.

Moorson: Wait, what?

Suddenly the sound of ice cracking filled the air and then came the sound of concrete breaking.

Guard Moorson: What the hell was that?!

Miss Methane: Quick! Where are the new chemical shipments being kept?!

Moorson: Down the hall, second door on the left.

Miss Methane: Stay here!

She ran out of the office and sprinted to where the chemicals were stored, she bursted through the door and was met with the sight of a man wearing white body armour, white gloves, white boots and a white balaclava with goggles. He was shoving several chemical containers into a duffle bag.

Miss Methane: Hey!

She then ran and leaped at him but he quickly fired an ice blast, hitting her lower half whilst mid jump. Encasing her legs in a thick layer of ice causing her to come crashing to the ground with a thud.

Miss Methane: HRN!

Frostbite: So you're the new hero about town, huh? I must admit I was expecting a better performance but oh well, I guess I can just freeze you solid now and be done with it.

He points his ice cannon at her just about to fire, when all of a sudden a gunshot rings out nearly hitting Frostbite. He turned his head to where the shot came from and found Moorson shakily aiming his gun at him.

Frostbite: Well, I wasn't expecting that.

Moorson: Get away from her!

Frostbite: Oh yeah and what are you gonna do?

Moorson again fired several more shots, all missed him. Frostbite quickly grabbed his duffle bag, then ran out through the giant hole he had made in the wall and escaped into the night, the distant sound of ties squealing was heard. After Moorson stopped firing at Frostbite, he quickly ran to Miss Methane and tried to help her.

Moorson: Are you okay?

Miss Methane: I’ll be fine just stand back and cover your nose.

She then reached into her utility belt and pulled out one of the pills that her mother had given her and swallowed it, a few seconds later she felt a warm sensation in her rear.

Miss Methane: Hrrrnn

PPPPFFFFFFTTTT

She released a hot and humid fart that slowly melted the ice from her legs. After the ice melted away, she tried standing up but her legs were still numb from the sudden freezing and she stumbled, thankfully Moorson caught her and supported her with his arms.

Moorson: Woah, easy now.

He helped her into a chair, as she started to massage her legs to try and get them working .

Moorson: I’ll call for backup, are you sure you’re okay

Miss Methane: yeah I’m okay.

This was a lie. She was not okay, she was frustrated. Later back at the Martins home, Alice was resting on the coach. She was out of her costume and was now wearing a pair of grey tracksuit pants and a green t-shirt with a blanket wrapped around her watching the TV. The news was reporting about the robbery at the warehouse. Alice rubbed her temple, Helen walked in from the kitchen holding two mugs of steaming hot chocolate .

Helen: Here you go, sweetheart. This hot chocolate should help warm you up.

Helen handed Alice a mug as she sat down next to her on the coach, they both laid back and got comfortable.

Alice: Thanks, Mom. I needed this.

She took a sip of hot chocolate, it was warm and soothing, the sweet taste of sugar was an added bonus.

Alice: Sign

Alice signed in annoyance as she laid back, this set off Helens motherly instincts.

Helen: You alright, Honey?

Alice: It's nothing just annoyed at myself that I didn't catch Frostbite and let him get away with the final part of the formula and now who knows what he’ll do next.

Helen: Hey, don’t beat yourself up about it, it's your first real supervillain, it’s okay if you stumble and make a mistake. Believe me, I had plenty of those moments when I started out but you take the mistake and you learn from it. You’ll catch him. I know because you're my daughter and I know how great of a superhero you can be.

Alice: Thanks, Mom. I needed that.

Helen: Any time, Sweetie. Hmm? Hey Alice, how about we do our favourite game.

Alice: Really!

Helen: Sure.

They put their mugs on the coffee table, then they snuggled up to each and Alice took her blanket and covered themselves with it

Alice: Ok, ready? Hrrrnn!

Helen: Hnngg!

PPPPPPPPPRRRRRPPPPPPPPTTTTT!

BBBBBBBBBBBBBPPPPPPPPPTTTTT!

Two massively powerful farts blast out of their backside with enough wind gusts to blow the blanket into the air and fill the front room with green gas.

Helen/Alice: Hahaha

Meanwhile on the other side of the city in the industrial district, stood many old and disused warehouses and factories and one of these long abandoned factories that had in a previous point in time had been used in the production and testing of chemicals. Frostbite had set up a makeshift lab within the rusted and worn building. He steadily poured blue coloured chemical into a large container that contained another one of a lighter hue, then closed the lid and pressed a button on a control panel next to it and the chemicals began to mix. He removed his balaclava and goggles, allowing his scraggly dark blonde hair to breathe.

He scratched his goatee beard as he walked to a desk strewn with papers, research notes, diagrams and chemical tests. He rummaged through them until he found an old notebook, he grabbed it and opened it. Flipping through the yellowed pages until he reached the most recent note written. He grabbed a pencil and scribbled some notes, then flipped back through the notebook until he found an older note. At the bottom of the page, amongst a series of names, most of which were scratched out. But at the end of the list stood one name. That was underlined several times, he took his pencil and circled the name.

Frostbite: I just need to finalise the mixture. Then my plan can finally begin and his greatness will be realised.

The next day, Alice was hanging out with Hannah on the roof of Hannah’s apartment building. Hannah had made some cookies and she merrily munched on them, Alice only took small bites as she typed away on her laptop as she regaled Hannah about her run in with Frostbite the previous evening.

Hannah: He froze your legs!?

Alice: Yeah, they still feel a bit weird.

Hannah: How did you get out of it?

Alice: My mom gave me these pills that superheat my gas.

Hannah: Wow, so? How are you gonna catch him?

Alice: I’m not quite sure but if I can find who the scientists that the original Frostbite went after then I might be able to set up a trap.

Hannah: But?

Alice: Well, Vicer crimes were over 20 years ago and the names of the scientists he went after aren’t anywhere online and it seems that they weren’t even published in the press. All I can find is a few newspaper clippings about his various arrests and his death.

Hannah: So what are you going to do?

Alice: Since there’s nothing online I can find, I’m gonna have to find the original police report.

Hannah: You really think they'd let you do that?

Alice: Probably not but I need to know who he’ll go after. That does mean a little bit of trespassing into The Greenfield Police Department but I need to know those names.

After Alice left Hannah’s, she waited for nightfall and donned her costume. With a little push and a booty blast she took flight across the city, until she reached the roof of the police department. She managed to locate a vent which she opened and crawled through, making her way through the cramped labyrinth of metal ventilation shafts. Occasionally having some trouble squeezing her plump bubble butt through the narrow vents, she eventually reached the floor which she knew housed the record office. She stealthy exited the vent and crept through the dimly lit hallway, she silently stalked until she saw a sign that read Record and Case file office with an arrow pointing down a hallway to her left. Miss Methane peering around the corner then spotted a security camera. She quickly ducked her head back behind the corner, she then whispered to herself.

Miss Methane: Looks like this requires a little bit of a smokescreen. Hrrgh!

ssssssssssffffrrssssrrrrrtt

A silent puff of gas hissed from between her plump cheeks that quickly enveloped the hallway with a thick and obscuring green vaper. Using this as a smokescreen she quickly reached the door to the office. She tried the door handle, locked obviously. Having learnt her lesson from the warehouse, she came prepared and pulled a lockpick from her utility belt. With a little bit of luck and patience she unlocked the door and entered. The room was large, filled with dozens of filing cabinets, she pulled out a touch and began scanning through the cabinets until she found the one that contained the file she was looking for. She graded the file, placed it on a nearby desk, opened it and began reading. As she scanned the report she finally got to see what Simon Vicer looked like. In his mugshot, he appeared to be a man in his late 30s with a thin and long face, short curly blonde hair and thin neatly trimmed moustache. His brown eyes looked at the camera with an air of smugly judgement and curled into the slightest hint of smirk.

Reading further into the file, she finally found what she had been looking for. The names. There were three listed, Robert Docker, Shannon Okine and David Roily. This was what she needed but as she read further she found something that shocked her, along with the list of names was also a document of their current status which read “Current Status: Deceased”. All three had died in a plane crash 5 years ago. Miss Methane was confused, if the three people who were the original Frostbite targets were dead, who was the new one going to target? She continued to read the file until she reached the final report.

The report of Vicer’s final fight with Skunk Woman and his subsequent death. She skimmed through it, searching determined to find something that’ll give her a lead on want he’ll do next. Again she found a name but one she was shocked to see. Under the name of the police officer that fired the shot that lead to Simon Vicer death was “Officer Elizabeth Janes''. She read the report that the then rookie officer gave. Filled with a sense of urgency, She closed the file and quickly placed it back in the cabinet and left. She then immediately called Chief Janes and asked if she could meet with her. They met an hour later on a rooftop near the Police Department.

Janes: So you got something on this guy?

Miss Methane: I do, I know who he is going to go after.

Janes: Who?

Miss Methane’s expression turned serious and stern.

Miss Methane: You

Janes: What do you mean?

Miss Methane: I read the police report, I know what happened that night.

Janes was immediately shocked that she knew about the events of that night, she let out sighs. She couldn’t hide it anymore.

Janes: I was barely out of the academy, I had only heard stories of supervillains. Never thought I’d ever be the one to take one down, and yet somehow I knew this would come back to haunt me.

Miss Methane: Listen, since the head scientists are dead. You're the only target he could have, you're in serious danger. Is there anywhere you hideout for a while?

Janes: I’m the chief of police. My officers count on me as a leader, I’m not going to turn tail and run just because some supervillain wannabe is too unoriginal to come with his own gimmick, so steals one from a villain who died two decades ago.

Janes let out a deep sigh of frustration, removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Janes: Listen, I understand your point but I can’t just run and hide.

Miss Methane: Ok, well since you don’t want to hide. I have an idea of how we can catch him but it’s risky.

Janes: What’s the plan?

Miss Methane: I place a tracker on you and once he takes you, I’ll know where he is holding you and I will come and stop him.

Janes: What makes you think that he won’t just freeze me solid on the spot?

Miss Methane: He’s gone through too much planning and preparation to simply just freeze with his as soon as he finds you, he’s going to make this drawn out.

Janes placed her glasses back on and looked at Miss Methane with a look of determination.

Janes: Alright let’s do it.

Miss Methane reaches into her utility belt and pulls out a small circle shaped device no bigger than a penny, she then handed it to Janes and she places it into her jacket pocket. Miss Methane's phone started to buzz inside her utility belt, pulling it out it was her mother.

Miss Methane: I’ve got to take this.

Janes: Sure

She walks some distance away from Janes, once she was far enough away she answered her phone.

Miss Methane: Yeah?

Helen: I think I’ve discovered who Frostbite 2 is.

Miss Methane: Ok, I’ll be back.

She hung up and walked back Janes, who was on her phone texting one of her colleagues.

Miss Methane: I’ve got to go, I’ve just got info that might lead to the identity of this new Frostbite.

Janes: Alright, just got word from one of my detectives, they need me down at the station. Call me as soon as you have the name.

Miss Methane: Will do.

Janes left and Miss Methane quickly blasted off back to her base. She then entered the basement headquarters where Helen was sitting at the computer.

Miss Methane: Ok Mom, what you got?

Helen: Well, I thought I’d look into Vicer's background and see if there's a reason why someone would want to emulate him and I found out that he had a girlfriend whilst he worked at Hanne-Tech, the relationship didn’t last long but they did have a son together.

Miss Methane: Name?

Helen: He was born Charlie Bolton but once he was old enough he changed his surname to Vicer. It seems that he is very much like his father, he studied cryogenics in university and he even worked at Hanna-Tech for a brief time. It looks like he’s been trying to copy his father’s work, which I do find interesting given how much of an ego Vicer had, he’d probably be extremely mad that someone was copying him.

Miss Methane: Alright I’ll call Janes.

She grabbed her phone and quickly dialled Janes. Meanwhile Janes had just left the Police Department building and was heading through the carpark towards her car. The night was muggy so didn’t have her red coat on and simply carried it with her handbag. As she got into her car, her phone started to ring, she pulled it from her handbag and answered it.

Janes: Hello, Miss M

Miss Methane: I know who Frostbite is.

Janes: Ok let me get a pen and paper.

She rummaged around in her bag and found a notepad and pen, quickly flipping through it to a clean page.

Janes: Alright, who is this frost obsessed freak?

Miss Methane: His name is Charlie Vicer, he’s Simon Vicer’s son.

Janes: Christe, someone actually had a kid with that lunatic? Ok I’m about to leave the station but I’ll send out a warrant for him and…

Janes suddenly then noticed something, the temperature within the car had plummeted. Frost appeared on the windscreen, starting at the edges but quickly engulfing it and her deep breaths came out as a puff of mist.

Janes: Ah hell, he's here!

Miss Methane: Wait what!? Stay there, I'm heading to you.

Janes’s ice covered windscreen suddenly shattered, and the full form of Frostbite came into view as he stood a few metres from the car. Reacting quickly she grabbed her gun, aimed and fired several shots at icy assailant. One or two bullets hit their target, his left leg and his chest but thanks to white body armour that covered these body parts, the bullets simply pind off. Miss Methane could hear the gunshot through the phone.

Miss Methane: Janes! What's happening?!

Janes quickly slams her keys into the ignition and gunned the engine, barrelling straight at him. Unfortunately Frostbite in a quick move, pointed his ice cannon at the ground, fired a blast coating it with a thick layer of ice. The car skidded on the ice patch and spun out then hit a lamppost, the force of the impact knocked Janes unconscious, all of this Miss Methane could hear this through the phone.

Miss Methane: Janes?! Janes! Are you there!

Janes doesn’t respond and the phone call abruptly cut out.

Miss Methane: I got to go.

She quickly flew to the police department car park, as soon as she arrived at the scene. She immediately found Janes crashed car, she searched and it was empty and abandoned. She then checked the tracker, thankfully it hadn’t been damaged in the crash and it was still transmitting a signal. With a clenched butt and a firm push.

Miss Methane: Hrg!

PBBBLLUURRTTT!

She ascended into the sky with an eruption of green gas, putting a lot of power into the farts force to give her a speed boost. She was determined to rescue Janes, she followed the signal. Meanwhile at a long abandoned factory, Chief Janes was just regaining consciousness. She found herself suspended above a large metal vat of blue misty liquid by rope.

Frostbite: I hope the rope isn’t uncomfortable, Chief Janes.

Out from the shadowy corner of the room came Frostbite himself, his mask and goggles removed allowing Janes to see his face.

Frostbite: After all, I wouldn’t want you to be in pain. Not yet at least but just long enough for you to witness the brilliants of my fathers work.

Janes: Nice to the ice obsessive apple doesn't fall far from the delusion tree.

Frostbite: Agh! Don’t you dare speak ill of him! He was a genius but the people around him were just too stupid to see it. But once I’m finished with you, I’ll show everyone just how wrong they were.

He then walked to something large covered with a tarp near the vat and pulled the tarp off, revealing several large canisters filled with the same blue misty liquid hooked up to a timer.

Janes: You really think you’ll get away with this?

Frostbite: Who's going to stop me? that flatulent freak? HA! She is nothing but a minor nuisance, I’ll deal with her in good time.

He grabs a steel pole from a small table next to the vat, Janes noticed that her gun was on it too. He then dipped the lower half of the pole into blue misty liquid, waiting only a few seconds before pulling it back out to reveal the part was covered in a thick frost. Then slammed it against the side of the vat causing it to shatter like glass. Meanwhile outside the factory Miss Methane finally arrives, landing next to the building. Her flatulent flight ends with a small poot. Quickly checking the tracker, the signal was going from the other side of the wall. Not wanting to waste precious time looking for the entrance she decided she would make her own one. Quickly faced her back to it and bent forward, aiming her backside to the wall. Before she broke wind she clenched her cheek as if she was priming herself to unleash a partially powerful emission.

Miss Methane: Hrngh!

BBBBBVVVVVVOOOOOORRRRTTT!

A loud bassy blast shot from her rear like a geyser and with the force of a semi truck it crashed through the brick wall and a small cloud of green gas soon entered the room.

Frostbite: What the Hell!!

As the gas cloud cleared Miss Methane rushed in, ready for action.

Miss Methane: I'm here the throe you out, Frostbite!

Frostbite: Well well, look who turned up. I do appreciate that you call me by my fathers name.

She immediately notices the large collections of canisters connected to a timer, she knew she had to take him down quickly.

Miss Methane: I’m taking you down.

Frostbite then grabbed his mask and goggles from the table and put them back on, then readied his ice cannon. Miss Methane quickly reached into her utility belt, pulled out and swallowed one of the heat-fart pills then got into a ready stance. Frostbite fired an ice blast at her, she just managed to dodge the attack, flying up onto a metal catwalk above them. Frostbite fired off several more blasts, but none hit their target. Changing tactics he turned a dial on his cannon then aimed and fired an icicle, it pierced through the metal walkway, nearly hitting her. He shot several more sharp icicles and again she managed to avoid them.

Growing frustrated Frostbite then looked to Janes, who was still dangling above the vat, he aimed his cannon at the rope that held her and fired a icicle, it severed the rope sending Janes falling down to the vat. Miss Methane, seeing this, ran at full speed and jumped from the catwalk, releasing a fart that propelled her through the air. Using her release as a speed boost, she catched Janes in her arms and landed on the other side of the large vat. She quickly untied Janes.

Janes: Thanks for the rescue.

Miss Methane: No problem.

Janes: You need help taking this guy down?

Miss Methane: No, you need to go and call for backup. I’ll stop him.

Before Janes could disagree with her plan Miss Methane blasted off up into another catwalk. Janes peered from around the vat and watched the two continue their fight with Miss Methane ripping a thick fart cloud that obscured his vision, this allowed her to get close and throw a few punches that had a surprising power behind them. But he also got a few hits in himself and a well aimed kick sent her crashing into metal canisters causing them to topple over and pin her left leg. Seeing that her leg was trapped and she couldn’t move, Frostbite aimed his cannon toward the trapped hero. He then removed his mask and goggles, a smug smile plastered across his face.

Frostbite: Any last words, Miss Methane?

Miss Methane: Screw you.

Frostbite: Oh farewell.

He primed his cannon ready to finally get rid of this pest of a hero but suddenly he heard a voice callout his name.

Janes: Hey Vicer!

Frostbite: Huh?

Janes, having retrieved her gun from the table, now had it pointed in his direction.

Janes: Chill out.

She then fired a shot but she wasn’t aiming for him but one of the canisters, which when the bullet hit it caused a spray of blue liquid to shoot out and right into his face.

Frostbite: AAAAHHH! MY FACE!

Using this destruction, Miss Methane mustered up enough strength to move the canister from her leg and quickly seized her opportunity to strike. She spun around aimed her butt at him, then blasted a powerful finale ripper.

PPPPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTT

The force from the fart knocked him out cold. A while later Janes watched as Vicer got places in an ambulance and was driven off. She then turned and looked to Miss Methane, who was being seen to by another medic for her leg injury, she walked over just as the medic finished their assessment and left leaving the pair to talk alone.

Miss Methane: Thanks for the save, I gotta say you're one hell of a shot.

Janes: Yeah well, not the first time I’ve stopped a criminal by getting them sprayed by icy chemicals.

Miss Methane: Haha, yeah. So where are they taking Vicer?

Janes: He’s going to Greenfield General, then he’ll be transferred to Cold Hill Prison. How’s your leg doing?

Miss Methane: It's fine, a little brushed but lucky nothing too serious.

Janes: Damn really, you're stronger than you look. Those canisters weigh a good couple of stone.

Miss Methane: Appearances can be deceiving.

Janes: Brawn as well booty, haha.

A detective signalled for Janes to come over.

Janes: Got to go, great work Miss M. I hope we can rely on your aid in the future?

Miss Methane: Of course.

Hours later Frostbite stood in his cell at Cold Hill Prison, mumbling to himself. His once blonde hair and beard was now bleach white, his face was pale and scarred, his nose, lips and ears were blackened.

Frostbite: They'll pay, both of them. They will pay, they will pay!!


PART 4: Watch and Chain

It was a grey and gloomy day, heavy dark clouds hung over Cold Hill Prison on the outskirts of Greenfield. A man sits in his cell, waiting quietly. He’s in his mid 30s with a slim face and sallow complexion, neatly combed black hair, hazel coloured eye, his left eye covered with an eyepatch. He had a tall and lanky body. As he sat on the bed, the only sound in the room was the mechanical rhythmic ticking of an alarm clock that sat on a small sideboard next to him, as its hands slowly and steadily moved ever so closer to his freedom, the hour was at hand.

As soon as the hands struck 9am, the alarm clock rang out filling the room with an eruption of noise. The door of his cell opened and in walked David Granger, the Warden of Cold Hill. A tall, well built man in his 50's. Dressed in a brown suit with greying brown hair, neatly trimmed beard and piercing blue eyes. He was accompanied by a burly and mean looking guard holding a duffel bag. 

Warden Granger: The time finally came, Edward.

The man stood up and was escorted out of his cell and down the hall, Warden Granger making small talk along the way. 

Warden Granger: How long has it been?

Hairspring: 180 months, 5,478 days, 13,1400 hours, 525,600 minutes and 473,040,000 seconds and counting.

Warden Granger: How long is that?

The edges of Hairspring’s mouth twitched. For a brief moment he was smiling but his expression quickly morphed back to neutral and in a voice tinged with both anger and almost a little excitement.

Hairspring: 15 years and counting.

Warden Granger: Always keeping track of time, aren’t you?

Hairspring: One must always keep track of the forever forward marching of time.

He was led into a small room and charged into his normal clothes, consisting of a black suit with burgundy waistcoat, dark green tie and brown shoes. He was then led into an office where his personal belongings were being stored. He walked to the desk, and the storage officer placed a box in front of him, pulling out a clipboard with a list of items.  

Storage Officer: One gold engraved pocket watch and one pair of horn rimmed glasses.

Hairspring removed his eyepatch and put the glasses on, then opened the pocket watch and checked if it still worked. He warmly smiled at the watch but it quickly faded into a cold emotionless expression. He collected all his things and he was then walked out of the prison. Granger and Hairstring stood  

Warden Granger: Well this is the end, Edward. I hope you enjoy your freedom.

The Warden puts his hand out for a handshake, Hairspring looks at him. His one good eye stared at him with a look of contemplation, the other eye milky white simply looked right through him. Hairspring thought for a moment then accepted the shake.

Warden Granger: So what are you going to do now you're free?

Hairspring checked his pocket watch for the time.

Hairsping: (10:45am. Any second now.)

Hairspring: Well there's a lot I’m going to do but first, I’ve a very important meeting.

Warden Granger: Do you have anyone picking you up?

Hairspring: Yes, an old friend of my father should be arriving right about now.

A car horn suddenly blared, as black fancy car drove up, stopped. The driver then gets out and opens the rear door. Hairspring got in and the car drove away into the city, it had changed a lot since his days. Many of the places he knew and loved were now long gone, replaced with new swanky hotels or fancy restaurants. Time had taken some much from him and now he was going to make up for lost time. They drove into the older part of the city where many places he once knew were decaying and abandoned, the car stopped at its destination.

An old storefront that looked long abandoned, the sign above the door drenched in dust. Standing outside the building was a small man about 5'5, who looked to be in his 60s with a neatly waxed white moustache, thinning white slick back hair. Dressed grey three piece suit with a red bow tie. Hairspring immediately recognised him, and as soon as he got out of the car he walked up to the man and hugged him tightly. He was Vincent Hadlock, the famous lawyer and also Edward’s godfather.

Hadlock: Edward! Good to see you, my dear boy. It’s been too long.

Hairspring: Yes, being locked up for 10 years, you do lose contacts. 

Hadlock: Yes, well shall we go in.

He walked with Hairspring to the front door and he pulled a key from his pocket, he put it in the lock, turned it and the door opened with a loud squeak. The inside was old with a dark brown wood counter with various clocks hanging on the walls and dozens of pocket and wrist watches still in their display cases. There was a small room at the back of the shop, where the workshop was located and access to the flat above. Edward walked in, the bell above the door rang. He took a deep breath. He was finally home. 

Madlock: It’s just as it was left, the power still works, some of the equipment could maybe need some replacing and updating but apart from that, It should be all good.

Hairspring: Thank you for taking care of the place while I was gone, Vincent. 

Madlock: But of course, dear lad. Your father said in his will that, if and when he died the ownership and management of the shop would go to you upon your 20th birthday. And since the death of your mother and you were in incarceration. The ownership fell to me and I’d be damned if I were to let that despicable cad, Samual Hook get his fat greasy hands on the business. 

Hearing that name sparked a deep rage within Hairsping soul, his grip on his suitcase tightened, a flash of anger alighted across his face and his bad eye began to twitch uncontrollably.

Madlock: Are you alright, Edward?

Taking a deep inhale through his nose then out from his mouth, he quickly composed himself, straightening his tie and adjusting his glasses.

Hairspring: I’m fine. Thank you, Vincent.

Madlock: I’ll leave you to set things up. Oh and you can keep the car, consider it a long overdue birthday present. 

Hadlock left, leaving Hairsping alone in the old tattered shop. His mind swirled, he had plans, ones he had spent years devising. When a man has all the nothing but his own thoughts he has but plans. Walking into the workshop he placed his suitcase down on the workbench, opened it and retrieved several small hand tools before he pulled his pocket watch from his waistcoat pocket, flipping it open. Inside of the lid was a small old photo of a couple, a young man and woman. A solitary tear went down Hairspring’s cheek, he quickly wiped it away. 

Hairspring: Don’t worry, his time will come.

Snapping the pocket watch closed, he retrieved one more item from the suitcase. A copy of that morning newspaper The Greenfield Chronicle with the headline “Spintin Clock Tower reopening, Businessman and Mayoral Candidate Samual Hook to give speech.”

Hairspring: And his time is running out.

He finally  begins gathering various parts, sprockets, gears and wires. He has a lot of work to do and so little time. That evening, as the sky over Greenfield is covered by the vale of darkness. The citizens could sleep well knowing that Miss Methane was on her nightly patrol.

BBBBBBBBBBVVVVVVOOOOOORRRRTTT

The silence of the midnight hour was unceremoniously shattered by the bassy loud tuba bellows that erupt from her rear, as it propels her through the cool night air. It had been relatively quiet in regards to crimes, no bank robberies, no jewellery store raids. Not even a simple mugging, she landed on a rooftop overlooking the street and sat on the edge with her leg hanging down.

Miss Methane: Sigh Well, tonight has been a bust. Yawn

She then checks her watch, it was 10pm.

Miss Methane: Jeez, it’s late. I should probably head home if I want to get a wink of sleep.

Just as she stood up, bent her knees a little and aimed her rear downward but just before she blasted off, she noticed a man walking down the street. He was dressed in dark clothes with the collar of his jacket turned up and his cap pulled down to obscure his face. Clearly he wasn’t just out for a late night walk. Her suspicion of the man only grew as he turned down an alley next to a hardware store. 

She dropped down onto the sidewalk and ran into the alley following the figure but making sure she was hidden on the corner, peeking around into the alley. She saw the man walk up a side door of the shop, he then started to pick the lock of the door and unlocked it with surprising speed, he then quickly but quietly entered the shop. She quietly followed, she saw him grab screws and springs from shelves, shoving them into a small holdover bag. With his back towards her, she silently stepped into the store and confronted the late night raider.

Miss Methane: Let me guess, you trying to get ahead of the sales?

Being surprised by her sudden presence, the man quickly grabbed one of the heavy wooden large shelving units he’d just been rummaging through and pulled it over, sending several items crashing down, blocking her path.

Miss Methane: Hey!

Using this as a distraction, the man quickly ran crashing through the front door of the store. Miss Methane ran back through and onto the street, where she saw the man run across the road into another alley on the other side of the street. Chasing him into and through a warren of back alleys, she did lose him but she blasted up  above the buildings and spotted him running down an alley that finished in a dead end. Once he reached this, he tried to turn back but she landed in front of him, blocking his only escape route.

Miss Methane: Ok, dude. Seriously, just give up. It's too late for this-Ah!

The man then suddenly reached into his pocket, retrieving something that glinted gold in the darkness of night and threw it at her feet, as soon as the object hit the ground. 

Bang!

A sudden and tremendous blinding flash erupted from it, stunning her. It took her eyes a few seconds before they cleared. She found herself alone in the alley, she flew back up above the buildings to see if she could find the thief again but he had vanished. She landed back into the alley.

Miss Methane: Damn, lost him. Huh? Now what is this?

She spotted what he had thrown or what remained of it. It appeared to be a heavy damage pocket watch, the glass covering the face shattered with several gears and sprockets hanging loosely from its dented body. She reached down, picking it off the ground giving it a quick once-over.

Miss Methane: Hmm? Interesting. Well it’s getting late, I’ll look at it tomorrow. But before I go, better call GCP to let them know about the break in.

She placed the broken watch into her utility belt, then sent the information to the police about the incident, then flew home where she collapsed into the arms of sleep. Thankfully the next day was Saturday, so no school but this sadly provided no rest bite for Alice. As she lay  sprawled out in her bed, she was rudely woken up by her phone ringing loudly. She groggily reached for her phone, seeing it was Hannah, she answered it. 
    
Alice: Hey, Hannah, what’s up?

Hannah: Hey, Alice. Can I ask for a favour?

Alice: Depends.

Hannah: Billie, my normal photographer has the flu and I need someone to come with me to the reopening of Spintin Clock Tower and get some snaps of the event. 

Alice: The reopening that’s basically a thinly veiled excuse for Samual Hook to drum up more support for his mayoral campaign.

Hannah: Listen, I know he’s not your biggest fan and vice versa but I really need this. It’s my first big event I’ve been allowed to cover. Please, Alice. 

Alice: Sigh Fine but you own me for this.

Hannah: Oh thank you! Ok meet me at the corner of Otto Row and St James Street in half an hour. 

Alice: Ok, see you then.

30 Minutes Later

Alice stood at the designated meeting spot, dressed in her regular attire with a new addition of a dark green denim jacket. A pair of black sunglasses aiding her still slightly aching eyes. She was leaning up against the wall of the building, mindlessly scrolling on her phone. When a voice drew her attention up from the screen.

Hannah: Alice! 

Alice looked up from her phone, spotting Hannah frantically running up the street towards her. Once she reached Alice, she embraced her in a tight hug.

Hannah: Thanks again for helping me out despite what Hook thinks of you

Alice: Hey, it’s nothing. If it helps you out, I can ignore some ill informed comments and petty insults.

Hannah: Alright, you take photos and I’ll take notes of the event. 

She pulled a camera from her pocket and excitedly frustrated it into Alice’s hands.

Hannah: Well, come on.

She grabbed Alice’s hand and the pair hurried off to the reopening. Spintin Clock tower was a gothic-style brick building that stood over 200 feet tall. Although it was surrounded by more sleek modern buildings that easily towered high above the clock tower, it still stood out amongst the various other skyscrapers and office blocks around it. The tower stood over a small square which was now filled with a large crowd. A small stage with a podium was set up in front of the clocktower with a red ribbon placed across the stage. A few police officers were around keeping an eye out for anything suspicious, several high profile guests had been invited including Police Chief Janes. She was talking to some officers near the stage.

The crowd erupted with applause as the man of the hour finale made his appearance at the event and he definitely had a noticeable appearance. The best word to describe the man would be rotunda, his flashy blue pinstripe-blue suit was clearly straining against his heavy-set frame with the jacket buttons looking primed to fire out and hit something if he made any sudden movement, his balding brown hair styled in a painful obvious combover. He sported a walrus-like moustache framing his otherwise round doughy face. 

Shadowing him was his bespeckled and skittish-looking assistant Dobson. who wore a shabby brown suit, his gaze constantly oscillated between his wrist-watch and his clipboard. Hook swaggered up to the podium and addressed the crowd.

Hook: Hello everyone! Thank you all for coming out today to celebrate the grand reopening of this magnificent landmark that stands as a shining symbol of Greenfield’s history. I’d like to personally thank the fine and upstanding officers of the GPD for their outstanding work in protecting this fine city. They do a far more superior job than that spandex clad fool who thinks that her flatulent tomfoolery is protecting the upstanding people of this city. 

A bubble of anger welled up in Alice’s chest, her hands clenched into fist. If only he knew the amount of danger she puts herself on so that the city and its citizens are safe. Hannah noticed how the comments were getting to Alice, placed a comforting hand on her friend’s shoulder.
  
Hannah: Hey, don’t let him get to you. He’s all bark and no bite. 

Alice took a deep breath, she shouldn’t take anything he says with much regard. With that thought in mind, the anger quickly dissipated.   

Alice: Thanks, I’m gonna go get some more photos of the stage and crowds from the back. 

Hannah: Ok

Alice: Back in a sec.

Alice waded through the crowd heading towards the back, where she took some snaps of the clocktower, the stage and parts of the crowd as some showed their support for Hook and some showed their disapproval. She also took photos of the nearby buildings, unknowingly capturing the image of an odd individual.     

Atop a rooftop that overlooked the crowd stood a man, he was dressed like a man from another time. He wore a black Victorian style men's frock coat, a four pocket dark brown waistcoat with two watch chains hanging from two of them, white shirt with black pattern tie. Dark chequered trousers with dark brown shoes. The outfit was topped off with a black tophat with three gears along both sides and a mechanical eyepiece over his left eye. 

The man reached into one of his waistcoat pockets and pulled out a gold pocket watch which he clicked open. Instead of a clock face there was a small series of buttons and switches, his finger hovered over one button waiting for the perfect moment. After giving his speech Hook was handed a large pair of scissors by his assistant, he then made a big show of walking up to the ribbon, posing briefly so the press could get their photos, this included Alice as she managed to get a couple good shots from the back of the crowd.
         
Hook: And so with fewer adieu, I officially declare The Spintin Clock Tower open!

He cut the ribbon as the crowd applauded, Hook posed even more for the press.

Hook: Now that the clock is back working, its first chime should be in a few short minutes. 

As soon as Hook said that, the man on the rooftop pressed the button and over the speaker system for the event came an oddly forbidding message. 

“Hickory dickory dock. The mouse went up the clock 
The clock struck one. The mouse fell down 
Hickory dickory dock”

A wave of confusion overtook everyone, Alice sensing something was wrong, quickly found Hannah, returning her camera. 

Alice: I gotta go, duty calls.

Hannah: Go do your thing, girl.

Alice ran off through the large confused and slightly nervous crowd. Hook was still on the stage looking around with a mix of angrily and confusion, he turned to Dobson grabbing him by the lapels.     

Hook: Dobson, What the hell is going on?!

Dobson: I..I..I don’t know, Sir. 

Then before he could berate his meek assistant anymore suddenly from somewhere at the top of the clock tower a mechanical arm with a pincer claw hand shot down, latching onto Hook, then it shot back up, yanking him along with it. 

Hook: AAAAAHHH!

With speed and determination Alice rushed through the panicked crowd and into a nearby secluded area. Where she underwent an extraordinary transformation.
Alice: It’s time to get gassy! Hrrgg!
Ppprrrrffffffttttt
The thick green gas she released quickly enveloped her after a few seconds she leapt from the green cloud in her superhero suit.
Alice: Blast off! Hnnnng!
BRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTT!
With a bassy fart, she sawed off into the sky meanwhile Chief Janes had mobilised several police units to cordon off the square, Fire and Rescue teams as well as an ambulance had been called to the scene. 

Hook: Help!! HELP!!

Hook dangled high alongside the clock tower as he bellowed and screamed for help. But he wasn’t alone for long as he suddenly heard a voice next to him.

Miss Methane: Enjoying the view, Hook?

Hook: Huh?

He quickly snapped his head to the left and saw a woman floating in the air being held aloft by a perpetual gaseous emission with her hands on her hips, a smug smirk plastered across her face. It was the spandex-clad miscreant herself, Miss Methane. 

Hook: What the hell are you doing here?!

Miss Methane: Uh? I’m here to save you, obviously? 

Hook: I don’t need your help!

Miss Methane: Really? Because from where I’m at, you look like you could need it.

Hook: I’d rather be up for hours before I accept help from you!

She rolled her eyes at him, turning her attention towards the mechanical arm that held Hook. Seeing that it was coming from somewhere near the top of the clock tower. 

Miss Methane: I’ll be back in a minute.
 
PPppppppppppfffffffffffftttt!

Hook: Wait! Don’t leave me here!

She had to admit, she did get a small amount of pleasure from leaving him a cloud of her gas but even though he hated her super-gas brewing guts, she still had duty as a superhero to save him from danger. Once she reached the top of the clocktower she saw that the arm was originating from a large wooden box but before she could get a good look. The clock chimed and the sound of the bell filled the air. 

The claw holding Hook released its grasp on him, sending him plummeting towards the ground, luckily Miss Methane was in hot pursuit as she flew down to save him, just managing to catch him in her arms. Hook was a heavy man which did mean her to have to triple her gaseous output so she could steady herself and gently floated down to ground. As soon they were back on solid ground, Hook rather ungracefully riggled from her arms as Chief Janes along with several officers rushed over.

Hook: Officers! Arrest this hooligan!

Miss Methane looked at Hook with an offended expression.

Miss Methane: Seriously dude? I literally just saved your life.

Hook: I didn’t ask you to save me. And you put your hands upon me without my consent, that's assault!       

Miss Methane glanced at Chief Janes with an unimpressed look, she matched this look and simply nodded for her to just go. She returned the nod, not wanting to deal with Hook’s nonsense anymore then she needed to.    

Miss Methane: No good deed goes unpunished I guess, see you around. Hrrg!

PPPPBBBBBBPTT!

She blasted away. Once the figure on the rooftop saw that Hook was out of danger and  safe, he quickly and silently slipped away. Later that night, Alice was sitting in her underground headquarters, back in her normal clothing examining the pocket watch that she had found at the store break in with a magnifying glass, whilst the evening news played on one of the computer screens in the background. 

News Anchor: Good Evening, I’m Marcus Ponder. Tonight's top story. A shocking scene unfolded today at the reopening of Spintin Clock Tower, as businessman and mayoral candidate Samual Hook, who was there to reopen the clocktower. Had just finished the event when he was suddenly hoisted up by a claw and was left hanging several hundred feet in the air. Until the city’s resident flatulent superhero, Miss Methane rescued him. The GPD have said they are investigating the incident as possibly being politically in nature. Speaking of possibilities, we may be getting some heavy rain this weekend. Here with the details, it’s Grace Sannett with the weather.

As the news continued playing in the background, Alice inspected the remains of the pocket watch, she didn’t have much hope of finding any clues about who the robber was or why he used flash bang pocket watch of all things but she was determined to at least try. Whoever made it clearly had skills with both electronics and small mechanical mechanisms but alas her intense examination of the remains was interrupted by her phone ringing, checking it she found it was Hannah. Putting her on speaker so she could continue her inspection. 

Alice: Hey, Hannah. What's up?

Hannah: Hi, so I was looking through the photos you snapped at the reopening and I found something weird. 

Alice curled an eyebrow in curiosity.

Alice: Weird how?

Hannah: I’ll send through the photos, and you can see for yourself.

Alice pulled up a series of photos on one of the computer monitors. Most of them being of the crowd.

Alice: What am I looking for exactly?

Hannah: Look at the rooftops in the background of the photos.

It took Alice a few seconds to spot the odd figure lurking in the background atop one of the rooftops that overlooked the square.  

Alice: Huh? That is weird.

Hannah: Think there's a connection between what happened to Hook?

Alice: Possibly but I’m still not fully convinced it wasn’t just a political stunt.

Hannah: To harm Hook’s campaign?  

Alice: I wouldn’t be surprised.

Meanwhile across the city in a dimly lit workshop, Hairspring tinkered with a wrist watch whilst the same news report played. As he twisted the spring and slotted the gears into their right places, he couldn’t help the cruel smirk etching itself across his lips, everything was coming together.

Elsewhere later that night, in the large office of Samuel Hook, the man himself uttered a loud yell of annoyance and anger as he stared down at the newspaper on his desk. Splashed across the front page of The Greenfield Gazette was a very large and unflattering picture of himself dangling by the claw, a look of pure fear plastered on his face. He slammed his fist into his desk, giving his already fearful assistant a fright.

Hook: God damn it! That whole thing was a bloody embarrassment! I looked like a fool, which I could maybe deal with but what I can not stand is being saved by that flatulent fool!   

Hook continued to rant on for several minutes until his long diatribe was interrupted by a knock at his office door, Dobson answered and Hook’s secretary Miss Joyce, a short bespectacled woman with bobbed-blonde hair dressed dark red blouse and black pencil skirt entered, holding a small box wrapped in black and brown stripe paper.

Hook: What is it, Miss Joyce?

Miss Joyce: You’ve got a package, Mr Hook. 

Hook: A package? From who?

She placed the box in front of Hook on his desk.

Miss Joyce: No idea. 

Curious, Hook tore the wrapping paper revealing a black box with a note on top. 
Opened the box to find its contents. Inside was a brand new silver wristwatch With a brown leather strap, Hook read the note aloud.

Hook: “Dear Mr Hook. I hope you accept this gift as a show of thanks for all the good you have done for this city. 
Yours Sincerely, an anonymous civilian” Well at least there are some people in this city that sees the good I’m doing.  

Dobson: Hm, Mr Hook, Sir? That’s all well and good but if we don’t leave now we’ll be late for that charity event.

Hook: Sigh Fine. I don’t see the point in giving money to these stupid charities.

Dodson: It’s to help orphaned children for poor families, Sir.

Hook: Whatever, as long as it convinces the people to vote for me.

He quickly stuffed the box into his desk drawer and left for the event.

The next morning Miss Methane called at GPD to see what Chief Janes had managed to find from the box from The Spintin Tower. She met Janes on the roof, Janes stood holding two coffees and once Miss Methane landed, she offered one to her.  

Janes: Morning, I thought you could do with one. 

Miss Methane: Oh thanks. You find anything with the box? 

She took the coffee and leaned against the railing.

Janes: The boys in the lab examined it, the inside is all mechanical.

Janes pulled her phone out, pulling up photos of the box’s insides. It was an intercut mechanism with several small and large gears. She immediately recognised similarities between the box and the pocket watch she found at the hardware store break-in.      

Janes: It’s pretty intricate stuff.  

Miss Methane: Any ideas who’s behind it?

Janes: I’m still not fully ruling out Hook pulling this as a campaign stunt.

Miss Methane: I’m not sure Hook’s ego would allow him to look that much like a fool, and he definitely wouldn’t engineer a situation where I would end up saving him. 

Janes: Maybe. Listen, I know Hook doesn’t have a particularly high opinion of you buut would you mind giving us a little help? We’re stretched pretty thin with the election and the recent turf war between The Junkers and The Blood Bones. Any additional help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Miss Methane: Sure, as much as I don’t like Hook. Whoever is behind this is clearly dangerous. 

Miss Methane blasted off. In the afternoon Alice was back home, sitting on the couch, her laptop on her when her mom came in from work.

Helen: Hey, Sweetie.

Alice: Hi, Mom. How was work?

Helen: Sigh Difficult. 

Alice: Oh? 

Helen removed her suit jacket, tossing it and her bag onto the coach. She quickly joined it and slumped down with an exasperated sigh.  

Helen: I love the job and the people there but today I was so close to going full skunk and fumigating the whole building. 

Alice: Oh jeez, want me to get you something?

Helen: Cup of tea please, Honey.

She headed to the kitchen and a few minutes later she returned with two mugs in her hand, she handed one to Helen as she sat back down and resumed her work on her laptop. 

Helen: What are you working on?

Alice: Just coding an algorithm to see if I find any leads on who left Samuel Hook dangling from Spintin Clock Tower early today. 

Helen: Oh yeah, I saw that on the news during my lunch break. I also saw a pretty amazing young superhero save the unfortunately Mr Hook. Great job with the catch by the way.

Alice: Thanks. It was pretty close, the guy weighs a ton. I had to triple my gas output just to stabilize the landing. 

Helen: Well, you still did a great job out there today, Alice. 

Alice: Thanks Mom.

Helen: Always, right, I was thinking chilli for dinner?

Alice: Extra beans?

Helen: Of course!

Helen gave Alice a tight hug before she headed into the kitchen and started working on dinner for the both of them. Alice joined in to help her a few moments later, the pair always enjoyed cooking meals together. But as they were halfway through preparing the chilli, Alice heard a beeping noise, notifying her that the algorithm was done with its search. She grabbed her laptop and brought it into the kitchen to see what it had found. 

Alice: Alright, let’s see what we’ve got. 

Helen: What sort of stuff are you looking for?

Alice: I set it to look for anything relating to Hook and watches.

Several newspaper old articles pop up on the screen. 

Alice: Ok, looks like I found a possible person of interest.

Helen looked at the articles as finished up the chilli.

Helen: “Hairspring & Hook Clocks and Watches” I remember I bought your father a wristwatch for them as a birthday present. 

Alice: Looks like the business was run 50/50, Donald Hairspring made the clocks and watches and Samuel Hook did the financial and business side of things. 

Alice continued looking through the articles.

Alice: They moved into making digital clocks which were popular. But their business led to several fires that left 7 people dead. Both of them were charged with manslaughter. Hook blamed Hairspinger’s poor craftsmanship but he blamed the materials Hook ordered. Hairsping was found guilty and Hook only got a fine.  

Helen: How was he sentenced?

Alice: 10 years but he barely made it 2 years before dying of a heart attack.

Helen: Well, that rules him out. Did he have any family?

Alice: He had a wife named Chloe but she’d died several years before, they had a son named Edward, who was bounced around the care system before this.

Another article came up about a fire at a warehouse that Hook owned and a security guard barely escaped, another article appeared detailing 17-year-old Edward’s conviction for attempted murder and arson. 

Alice: The police believed he’d had started the fire using one of the digital clocks to start the fire, but in court he claimed Hook had killed his father as well as the other 7 people.  

Helen: How long did he get?

Alice: 15 years and guess when he was released? 

Helen: When?

Alice: 2 days ago.        

Helen: Any addresses?

Alice typed away on her laptop, quickly finding a possible address for him.

Alice: The family had a shop in The Old Green District. Better make that chili to go, Mom.

After having a small bit of chili before changing into her costume and flew across the city to  the shop. She landed at the front door, trying the handle she found unlocked. Entering the shop, she was met with an odd silence despite several clocks dotted around the shop. 

Miss Methane: Hello?!     

Her callout got no response, she continued farther into the shop. Upon reaching the front counter.

Tick, Tick

She heard a noise that seemed to be coming from a room at the back of the shop. Heading through the small door behind the counter, the eerie quiet of the shop contrasted by the mechanical sounds of the backroom workshop. A workbench stood 
The chimes, ticking and clicking of dozens of watches and clocks scattered around the room with a tall grandfather clock stood opposite the workbench. 

Miss Methane: (Jeez! How can anyone work here with all this noise?)

Stepping towards the workbench, she found it strewn with small gears, springs and screws. Amongst silver and leather straps along with big and small hands. She picked one of the many half finished wristwatches, examining the open back and seeing the internal machines. It's definitely similar to both the broken pocket watch and the box at Spintin Clock Tower but her examination was cut short by a voice. 

Clockwork: Please, put that down. It's a delicate piece of equipment. 

She snapped her head towards the door and saw a man dressed in the same attire as the man in the photos. 

Miss Methane: Edward Hairspring, I presume?

Clockwork: Hairspring has been gone for a long time.

Miss Methane: So? What do I call you?

Clockwork: Call me Clockwork.

Miss Methane: Alright, well Mr Clockwork. I’ve got some questions I’d like to ask you about Samuel Hook.

A look of strained rage crossed across his face at hearing the name before calming.

Clockwork: I simply haven’t the time for questions. I have a schedule to keep.

Miss Methane: I’m afraid that wasn’t a request.

Clockwork smirked as he reached into his waistcoat pocket, pulling out pocket, clicking it open, once again a series of buttons and switches were in place for a watch face. 

Clockwork: Again, I don’t have time for you. 

He pressed a button on the watch, and suddenly the large grandfather clock began to chime loudly. Miss Methane covered her ear, trying to muffle the deafening bell toll. Then the pendulum inside extended out with the pendulum's bob split making a claw shape. It fired out catching by the waist and pinned her up against the workbench.

Miss Methane: Listen, I don’t partially like Hook but whatever you have planned it won’t work.

Clockwork: Oh, I’ve been planning this for 15 years and I won’t be denied my revenge.  

Clockwork pulled a timer out of his pocket, wound it up and placed it on the workbench, next to the struggling Miss Methane.

Clockwork: The mechanism in the clock is timed precisely so once I’m done with my work, It’ll release you.

Miss Methane: What’s to say I won’t get out before you get to Hook?

Clockwork: The claw is designed to tighten the more you struggle. 

To prove his point, the claw closed constricting around her waist. 

Miss Methane: Ag!

Clockwork: Now, if you’ll excuse me. I've got a meeting that I’ve been waiting 15 years to attend.
Clockwork turned and walked out of the workshop, closing and locking the door behind himself.

Miss Methane: (Ok, Methane. You’ve got a clock-obsessed mad man heading straight for a sleazy businessman who hates your super-gassy guts. OH! Speaking of guts, this thing has got a pretty good hold of me. Let’s see if I can get any gas going.) Hrrg!

She strained, trying to push out some gas but the claw’s clasp was so tight, it blocked the gas from moving through her bowels.

Miss Methane: (Damn it, now how am I gonna get out of this thing?)   

_________

Samuel Hook was getting ready for another event to bolster his mayoral champion, brushing his thinning hair over, giving his mouth a spray of mouth spray,  adjusting another one of his bright, flashy suits. He was missing one thing to finish off the suit, a good watch. But he then remembered the watch he received as a gift from the “anonymous civilian”. Retrieving the box from his desk drawer, putting it on his wrist. It was quite the nice piece, beautiful details, well-balanced and comfortable strap. 

Dodson: Um, Sir? We really should be going. We’ll be late.     

Hook: Sigh Fine! Let’s get this over and done with. 

The pair took a car to the event, a large charity dinner being held in a posh hotel in Velvet Row, the fancy part of the city. Once they arrived, they were led into a grand hall with a tall four-faced clock standing in the centre, decorated with tables and chairs. A small stage was set up at the head of the hall. Hook swaggered up to stage, and addressed the attendees. 

Hook: Good evening, everyone. And thank you for coming, I truly do appreciate the support for my champagne to be this city’s saviour, and not that farting fool, who thinks her fetid fumes don’t ruin the city’s once clean air. This city needs an honest and trustworthy leader and it-

Bong! Bong!

Before he could finish his speech, the clock in the middle of the room began to chime loudly, but before Hook could continue, a thick gray gas began spurring from the four faces, quickly covering the whole room in an obscuring choking smog.

Hook: Cough! Dodson?! What the hell is happening? Cough! What th-AAAAH!    

BBZZZZZ         

As Hook stumbled around in the thick gas, an incredible electric shock hit him from his wristwatch knocking him out cold.

_________  

Back to Miss Methane, she was still in the grasp of the pendulum claw. With her powers being temporarily blocked, her mind races as she tries to figure out a method of escape.

Miss Methane: (Come on, Alice, think. There has to be something in here I can use to get out of this.)    

Looking down to the workbench she was now pinned to, seeing it covered with random gears, springs and watch mechanisms but amongst all the assortment of parts, she spied a watch chain. The gold link chain snacked under a pile of gears, where she could see the top of a pocket watch peeking out from the assortment. Reaching out, it was just outside of her reach. Thinking quickly, she grabbed a small screwdriver next to her, using it to try to hook the chain.  

Miss Methane: (Come on, almost got it.)

Hooking the point on the chain, she pulled it from under the pile. Finally laying eyes on the watch, she saw its back was missing with its insides exposed. Seeing the mechanisms was the same as the flash bang one from the breakin. 

Miss Methane: (I think this could be useful, I just hope my swing is good enough.)

Pulling it into her hand, she twirled the watch by the chain, swaying it around before throwing it inside the clocks. Thankfully, it had the desired outcome, upon hitting the inside of the clock, the watch exploded, blasting out the internal mechanisms including the part that controlled the pendulum claw, immediately released her.

Miss Methane: Phew! Glad I got out of that, my butt was starting to fall asleep and speaking of. How we feeling, cheeks?          

She gave her backside a light smack, her rear responding in the only way it could.

PPPPRRRTT!

A short fart burst through her cheeks.

Miss Methane: Good to know, now with a backlog of gas, let’s get after that wind-up mad man.

Blasting out of the shop, she flew across the city before stopping on a rooftop and saw a news broadcast on a TV in a storefront. 

News Anchor: Our top story tonight, Police are still searching for businessman and mayoral candidate Samual Hook, who was kidnapped from a charity dinner. The Police are appealing for witnesses.

Miss Methane: Now, If I was a clock-themed villain and I wanted a place to fulfil my revenge, where would I go?  

Miss Methane racked her brain, trying to think of anywhere in the city that Clockwork could’vr have taken Hook.

Bong! Bong!

But her brainstorming was rudely interrupted by tolls of Spinting Clock Tower. 

Miss Methane: I think I have an idea of the place. Let’s see if I can beat my record for how fast I can get across the city with one fart. Blast off, Hrrgh!

PPPPPPPPPPPRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTT!

The powerful fart launched her into the sky and flew through the air at high speed, hoping she can reach Hook before Clockwork rings his death knell.    
_________ 

Consciousness returned to Hook, his head was pounding, his arms and legs felt like lead. Or that what he initially thought, only upon looking towards his arm, they were now pinned down to his side with heavy shackles, the same with his legs. He looked around manically, trying to figure out where he was. Above him saw a catwalk with the main mechanism with several large gears turning along with a dull ticking sound. 

Bong! Bong!

The sudden, deafening tolling bells gave him a good idea of where he was  

Clockwork: You hear that bell ringing, Hook.

Out of the shadows, came Clockwork.

Hook: Listen, whoever the hell you are, I’m sure we can sort all of this out. If it's money you want, I have plenty and I-

Clockwork: What I want is you to pay for what you did to my father! 

Clockwork removed his eyepiece, staring down at Hook with a fury. Hook only then recognised the man before him.

Hook: Oh my god! Eddie Hairspring?! Listen, what happened between me and your father, it was just an unfortunate part of business.

Clockwork: My father was a craftsman, clockmaking was his life. It’s all because of your and those cheap digital clocks. You knew those materials were bad but you lied to my father, saying they were perfectly fine. Those people died because of you! My father was sent to prison because of you! But now your time has run out and I'm going to take my time, savouring every second.

He reached into his waistcoat, retrieving a pocket watch, clicked it open and pressed one of the buttons inside. A pendulum with a curved blade came down from above, it started swaying from side to side, slowly lowering towards Hook.

Miss Methane crashed through the front doors of the clock tower, immediately met with a tall winding staircase that stretched high up the tower.

Miss Methane: As much as I’d like the leg workout. I think I’ll take the direct route, HHrrrnngg!

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPR!         

Still using the backed-up gas to blast up through the central opening of the staircase. Flying up until she reached the top of the stairs, finding a ladder leading to a hatch. 

Hook: OH GOD! PLEASE NO!
    
Hearing Hook’s cry for help she blasted up through the hatch, confronting Clockwork as a blade slowly swung towards Hook.   

Miss Methane: Let him go, Clockwork!

Clockwork: I warned you to keep out of this, It’s between me and Hook.

Miss Methane: Listen, Edward. I get it, I think he’s an asshole and a scumbag.

Hook: Hey!

Miss Methan: You're angry at what he did to your dad, I understand but this isn't the way to do it.

Clockwork: I’ve waited too long for this and I won’t let you ruin this for me.

He pressed a button on his wristwatch and a blade shaped like a clock hand sprung from it, he then charged her, swinging wildly trying to slash her. Managing to avoid the strikes, wanting to lead him away from Hook, she blasted up to the catwalk.

Clockwork quickly followed using a nearby ladder. Meeting either end of the catwalk, the central mechanism in the middle of them. Clockwork continued with his wild slashing and stabbing striking attack, Miss Methane dodge and weaving the attacks as she moved around the large central mechanism. 

BBBBBRRRRPP

She then dropped a thick fart cloud, covering the area in a smothering vapour. Clockwork choked as he thrashed around in the fumes. In his confusion he thrusts the blade into the grinding gears, catching it causing it snap in off. Now disarmed, Miss Methane started to fight. Throwing punches at him, striking him in the face and gut, winding him as he staggered back.

Miss Methane: It’s over, Clockwork.

Clockwork: There’s still time, there’s still time!

In a quick motion, he pulled another pocket watch from his waistcoat, pointed it at her as he clicked it open, a stunning light blinded her.

Miss Methane: Ag!
      
Taking his chance, Clockwork grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her into the central mechanism. As she hit it, her cape got caught in the gears of mechanics. Leaving her to her to get crushed, he headed back down to continue watching Hook’s slower death.

Miss Methane struggled as her cape continued to get devoured by the gears as it pulled her closer and closer into the crushing gears.

Miss Methane: (I hate to do this, just hope Hannah’s dad can repair this)  

Quickly reaching into her utility belt, retrieving a small flip-out knife, reaching behind herself. She cut across her cape, freeing her from the gears. Below her, the blade continued to swing closer to Hook, now being inches away from his face. Luckily, the ripped remains of her cape clogged up the gears of the clock bringing the blade to a halt just barely clipping a small hair on Hook’s moustache. 

Clockwork: What?!

Miss Methane using this as a distraction, she swung down using one of the weight lines. Swinging at Clockwork, kicking him and sending him crashing into a pile of large gears. Seeing his capture was defeated, Hook started straining and wriggling against his restraints. 

Hook: Well?! Aren’t you going to get me out of this!

Miss Methane: I think I’m gonna take my time.
_________ 
  
The police quickly arrived at the clocktower, arresting Clockwork. Miss Methane watched as the two officers pushed him into a cop car. Chief Jane soon came to talk to her.

Miss Methane: How’s Hook?

Janes: Unfortunately still a jackass but the EMTs say he’ll be alright, although something tells me he might ease up on his hatred for you.   

Miss Methane: I highly doubt that.

Janes: Mah, just a hope. Heaven knows he could rag on you a little less.

Miss Methane: Hook’s the kind of man who doesn't waste time with gratitude.  

_________ 
   
Soon after, having been returned to Cold Hill Prison, Clockwork sat in his cell waiting. He turned to look at the alarm clock on his nightstand, watching the hands move around its face.

Clockwork: I can wait, I’ve all the time in the world.