Shirley Hudson lounged at the edge of Maple Park, the sunlight shimmering across the lake, laughter drifting from the playground, and the gentle breeze carrying the scent of cotton candy. For once, her friends were all out of town, and Shirley wished only for a carefree afternoon—no puzzles, no mysteries, just a chance to relax. But the peace lasted only moments.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the playground. Out of nowhere, Shirley's past rivals—Kyle, Brad, Scarlet, Scott, and Connor—charged toward her, armed with squirt guns, water balloons, silly string launchers, and oversized foam hammers. Their faces gleamed with excitement as they shouted, "You can run, but you can't hide, Shirley!" The Campaign Prank Squad led the charge, their tactics more outrageous than ever.
Behind them, Mr. Fletch, Sherry, and Rex appeared, wielding real weapons that sparkled menacingly in the sunlight. Shirley's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the serious intent behind their approach.
Shirley sprang up, her heart pounding, just as Rex hurled a heavy object her way. She ducked behind a park bench, the weapon thudding against the wood. Scarlet swung a pool noodle, but Shirley rolled out of reach, zigzagging between picnic tables as Kyle lobbed a water balloon. Mr. Fletch tried to corner her near the gazebo, brandishing a metal baton, but Shirley leapt over a shrub, escaping his intimidating trap.
Sherry blocked her path, twirling a steel hammer with determined intent. Shirley feinted left, then darted right, outsmarting her old rival and weaving through the crowd. Brad and Connor tried to snare her with a jump rope, but Shirley vaulted over it, landing lightly on the grass. The chase grew wilder; water balloons flew, silly string fizzed, and the pranksters closed in from all sides while the real weapons kept Shirley on alert.
Scarlet doubled back, tossing a bucket of glitter in Shirley's direction. Shirley ducked, showered in sparkles, but undeterred, sprinted toward the playground's swings. Kyle, determined not to let her escape, leaped atop the slide and tried to cut her off, but Shirley swung herself up, clambered over the monkey bars, and dropped down behind the merry-go-round. Scott and Rex advanced—Scott firing foam darts, while Rex aimed a stun gun—forcing Shirley to crawl beneath the spinning ride and emerge out the other side.
Mr. Fletch rallied the pranksters and his fellow weapon-wielders, barking out fake commands like a coach at halftime. The squad formed a loose circle: the Campaign Prank Squad with their silly gear, and Mr. Fletch, Sherry, and Rex with their more formidable arsenal. Shirley, refusing to be surrounded, grabbed a nearby frisbee and used it as a shield, sending silly string splattering harmlessly away and deflecting a blow from Sherry's hammer. Lila, Jasper, and Max—her loyal friends—watched from a safe distance, cheering Shirley on and tossing words of encouragement her way.
Shirley darted between the swings and the sandbox, narrowly avoiding a bombardment of water balloons from Kyle and Brad. Scarlet, not giving up, swung a giant pool noodle in a sweeping arc, forcing Shirley to somersault beneath it. Connor tried a sneak attack from behind a trash can, aiming a spray of whipped cream, but Shirley sidestepped, and the foam landed on Scott instead, triggering a burst of laughter from the watching crowd. Sherry, meanwhile, attempted to corner Shirley with her hammer, but Shirley knocked over a stack of plastic buckets to block her path.
Then, as Sherry and Rex were about to corner Shirley, she tossed a bucket into the fray, creating a barricade that sent the pranksters tumbling over themselves. Brad and Connor attempted another jump rope snare, but Shirley performed a speedy double-hop, leaving their trap dangling uselessly in her wake. Scott tried a surprise attack with a confetti popper, but Shirley twirled away, trailing rainbow streamers behind her. Rex, undeterred, tried to aim another real weapon, but Shirley ducked for cover just in time.
Suddenly, a shadow swooped overhead. Batman dropped down beside Shirley, his cape billowing dramatically. "Need a hand?" he asked, voice deep and calm. Behind him, Wonder Woman's lasso whipped the squirt guns out of Kyle's hands, while The Flash darted through the crowd, snatching away water balloons before anyone could throw them. Green Lantern conjured a glowing barrier that sent foam hammers flying harmlessly into the air, while Superman soared through the sky, scattering the pranksters and sending the Campaign Prank Squad tumbling. With their weapons defeated, the rivals retreated, wide-eyed.
"Thanks!" Shirley grinned, breathless and amazed. The superheroes flashed encouraging smiles, then vanished as quickly as they'd appeared, leaving Shirley standing victorious amid the chaos. Shirley drove to Gotham City amusement park after seeing a sign and deciding it would be fun.
Once Shirley arrived at the Gotham City amusement park, chaos reigned due to a sudden roller coaster malfunction. The cars careen wildly along the tracks, filling the air with terrified screams and the screech of metal. Emergency vehicles weave through the crowds, their lights strobing urgently as paramedics prepare for any possible injuries. Spectators cluster near the roller coaster's entrance, exchanging anxious glances and desperate whispers. The scene is tense and frantic, everyone's eyes glued to the twisting rails, hoping for a miracle rescue.
Suddenly, Gotham's Dynamic Trio leaps into action. Batman, calm and composed, rappels down from the observation tower, expertly dodging swinging beams and sparks as he disarms the ride's faulty mechanisms. He deftly uses his grappling hook to anchor the runaway coaster, slowing its wild lurches and guiding the cars toward an emergency stop. Robin hustles along the tracks, weaving between metal beams, and reassures the passengers. He gently frees each frightened rider, offering encouraging words and steady hands as he helps them climb down, one by one. Ace the Bat-Hound, never missing a beat, darts between the clusters of people, barking precise commands to direct panicked families away from the danger zone. He leads children clutching stuffed animals and anxious adults to the designated emergency area, all the while keeping watch for stragglers.
But the rescue is far from over. Krypto the Superdog arrives on the scene in a blur of white fur, barking with heroic determination. He bounds alongside the still-moving coaster, his super strength allowing him to catch an errant car just inches from derailment. The crowd gasps in awe as Krypto nudges the heavy car gently back onto the tracks, preventing disaster. Meanwhile, Superman swoops overhead, scanning for anyone still trapped. He spots Shirley and a group of children in one of the precariously perched cars. With swift precision, Superman hovers beside them, lifting Shirley and her fellow riders out of danger and carrying them slowly to the ground. His cape billows, and the air fills with cheers as he deposits each rescued rider on solid ground.
Emergency crews rush forward to assist, checking passengers for injuries and offering water and blankets. The crowd erupts in applause as Batman and Robin finish their final sweep of the coaster, ensuring no one is left behind. Ace and Krypto rally at the edge of the crowd, wagging their tails and accepting grateful pats from relieved families. Superman lands gracefully beside Shirley, who, though shaken, is filled with gratitude and wonder.
As she catches her breath, Shirley can't help but marvel that mystery and adventure always seem to follow her. With a determined smile, she shakes off the lingering roller coaster jitters and looks ahead. "Looks like I'm back on the case," Shirley declares, ready to solve the biggest mystery of her summer—one she never saw coming, but couldn't wait to unravel.