“All right, I’ll do it.”

“Good, Kim,” Ashley said, “And don’t worry. I’ll clean it up before anyone notices on Monday.”

“All right,” Kim said. ‘I can’t believe she talked me into this,’ she thought.

“Are you there, Tommy?”

“Yeah, Kat,” Tommy said, “I’m here. I just can’t believe it. Why do you want to break up with me?”

“What we once had just isn’t there anymore, Tommy,” Kat said, “I’m sorry. Well, I’ve got to go. Bye.”

“Bye, Kat,” Tommy said. He hung up and started crying.

“Yo, Zack,” Curtis said, running up behind his cousin. “Come on, man. I thought you were going to show me the sights around here.”

Angela sighed. “Go on, Zack,” she said, “If I know him, he’ll keep after you until you do.” She gave him a quick kiss and walked home. Zack and Curtis started their walk around Angel Grove.

“It’s just so hard, master Lee,” Trini said, after messing up again. “It’s so complicated.” She was in the Youth Center.

“Just keep practicing,” master Lee said, “I’ve got to go. Here’s a present for you.” He held up a cage, with a praying mantis inside. “For luck with the mantis kung-fu.”

“Thank you, master,” Trini said, taking the cage. Master Lee walked off and Trini was about to do the same when she felt a pair of eyes on her. She looked around. A young man a few feet away quickly looked away when her eyes met his. ‘Good looking, but looks really shy,’ she thought as she went to the girls locker room to change into some clothes other than her gi.

‘She’s so beautiful,’ Billy thought, watching Trini go into the locker room. ‘I wonder if I could ever ask out a girl as beautiful as that.’

“Hey, geek.” Billy spun around, to find Bulk and Skull right behind him. They took each arm and hauled him up.

“Leave me alone,” Billy said quietly. He was cringing inside. They picked on him every day. “Don’t you have anything else to do, other than picking on me.”

“No,” came the reply.

“Leave him alone.” The three teens looked up, to find a muscular teen in red standing nearby. Bulk and Skull dropped Billy, rather painfully, but didn’t look scared.

“Who’s going to make us?” Bulk said, “Even you can’t take on both of us at the same time.”

“He won’t have to.” Another teen, in green, came to stand with the first one. “We can take you two.” This time, Bulk and Skull beat a hasty retreat.

“Thanks,” Billy said, scared of the two boys, even though they had helped him out.

“No problem,” the first teen said. He extended his hand. “I’m Jason. What’s your name?”

“Billy,” Billy answered, timidly shaking Jason’s hand.

“And I’m Tommy,” the teen in green said, shaking his hand after Billy let go of Jason’s. “Good to meet both of you.”

“You too, Tommy,” Jason said.

A girl came up and grabbed Jason’s attention. “Come on,” she said, tugging on his arm, “I thought we were going to the movies.”

“We are,” Jason said, “I hope to see you around, Tommy and Billy.” He leaves after they nodded.

Tommy was just about to leave, when he spotted Kim. “Whoa,” he said, “Who is that?”

“Her name is Kim,” Billy said quietly, “I don’t know her personally, but I’ve heard about her.”

“She’s beautiful,” Tommy said. Billy nodded, excused himself, and left, while Tommy had his eye on Kim, and barely acknowledged Billy’s leaving.

Kim went to the balance bar and started practicing gymnastics. She felt eyes upon her, but she thought that it was normal. Just about everyone liked to watch her go through her gymnastic routines.

Billy went up to the juice bar. “What would you like, Billy?” a portly man behind the bar said.

“A spinach smoothie, Ernie,” Billy said.

“You’ve got it,” Ernie said. He brought Billy’s drink a few minutes later, and Billy paid him.

“I saw your eye on that girl earlier,” Ernie whispered, with a grin. Billy turned red. “Her name is Trini.”

“Trini,” Billy said, “That’s a pretty name.”

“Yep,” Ernie said, “Look, go and talk to her when she gets out of the locker room. You’ve got nothing to lose.”

“I can’t,” Billy said, “I’m afraid that she’d just haul off and slap me silly.”

Ernie shook his head. “I know Trini, and she wouldn’t do that,” he said, “Just go talk to her.”

“I wouldn’t know what to say to her,” Billy said.

“To whom?” Billy froze when he heard the unfamiliar voice near him. He spun around, and nearly collided with Trini.

“I apologize profusely.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Trini said with a smile, “I wasn’t hurt.”

“It was just a natural reaction to an unfamiliar voice pattern,” Billy said. He mentally kicked himself. ‘I have to calm down,’ he thought, ‘I don’t want to be talking like that. She probably doesn’t even know what I said.’

“It’s no problem that you didn’t recognize my voice,” Trini said, “After all, we’ve never met.” She extended her hand. “I’m Trini Kwan.”

Billy was amazed that she had actually understood him. A gentle nudging by Ernie prompted him to shake her hand. “Billy Cranston,” he said, “Not a lot of people know what I say half of the time.”

“Well, my uncle talks like that all of the time,” Trini said, “I’ve gotten used to having to hear stuff like that every time I go to visit him.” The two talk for a while and go there seperate ways.

A few hours later, a security robot is rolling around the grounds at Angel Grove High School, when it’s hit by lightning. Some repair guy comes out and takes it back into the building. Once there, the robot kills the guy once his back is turned.

Billy’s working in the computer lab at the High School. “It’s working,” he said, “Now, all I have to do is...” All of a sudden, someone put their fingers over his eyes.

“Guess who?” Though he had only heard the voice a few times, Billy recognized it immediately.

“Hi, Trini,” he said.

“Oh, you’re no fun,” Trini teased, as she sat down in a seat next to him. “What are you doing?”

“I’m attempting put this computer into a higher power capacity,” Billy said.

“Oh, you’re updating it,” Trini said, “Anything I can help with?”

“No, I’ve just about got it,” Billy said, “What time is it?”

“Eight,” Trini said, “If you’re worrying about the alarm and locking system, it doesn’t come on until nine.”

“Thanks.”

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Tommy was saying to Jason and Emily. “Breaking into the school? We could get into big trouble.”

“It’s not breaking in when the doors are open, is it?” Emily asked.

“She’s right, Tommy,” Jason said, “I’ve got to get something in my locker. And I’ve always wanted to do this, anyway.”

“I guess you two are right,” Tommy said, “I just hope we aren’t caught by some janitor or something. I especially don’t want to run into the new security robot the school just bought. That thing is bad.”

“I know what you mean.” They went into the school.

“Come on, Angela,” Zack said, “We really need to get out of here. I don’t want to be caught. We could get into trouble.”

“Done,” Angela said, “When Bulk opens his locker Monday morning, he’s going to get such a surprise.” They were walking around a corner, and Zack bumps into Tommy.

“I told you we were going to get caught,” came the response from both startled teens to their friends.

“I’m Zack Taylor,” Zack said after realizing that the person he had ran into was just another student. He extended his hand. “That’s Angela.”

“My name’s Tommy,” Tommy said, shaking Zack’s hand. He nodded to Jason and Emily, in turn. “That’s Jason and Emily.”

“Nice to meet you.” They all exchanged handshakes.

“Did you hear something?” Trini asked Billy. They were leaving the computer room, when Trini thought she had heard something.

“Yes, I did,” Billy said, “The location of the voice seems to be localized in a westerly course.”

“Yeah, the voice does seem to be coming from that corridor on the right,” Trini said, “And it does seem to be just staying there.”

They started walking towards the voices. They were surprised to find the five other teens.

“What are you doing here?” Billy inquired. The others jumped. All of a sudden, they heard a strange noise. “Oh no. It can’t be.” Billy and Trini started running towards the main entrance. Once there, they find the doors locked.

“Great,” Trini said, “Now we’re locked in, for the whole weekend at that.”

“Man,” Tommy said, “This is just great. I don’t get it. The lock up doesn’t happen until nine. What time is it?”

“Eight thirty,” Jason said, “Well, come on. There’s bound to be someone here that can get us out of here early somehow. A janitor, a teacher, something.” They all followed him to the nearest classroom. Once there, they surprised Kim, who was writing some pretty bad profanities on the chalkboard.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

“We’re all locked in,” Zack said, “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”

“I’m Kimberly Hart,” Kim said, “Most people call me Kim. I’m...”

“Never mind,” Trini said, “It’s kind of obvious what you’re doing here. Come on. There’s bound to be someone that can let us out.” Kim nodded and followed them when they stepped out of the room.

“Hey,” a man said, “What are you kids doing here?”

“We were.. working on something in the computer lab,” Billy said, “And got trapped in here after something made the lock up program start thirty minutes early.”

“The lock up program is early?” Billy nodded. “Well, come on. There’s another way out. Follow me.” They followed him to the main janitor office. Just as the man was about to open the door, something shot him. He slumped to the floor, dead.

“Show me your identification.” A robot came out of nowhere.

“Umm, we don’t have any,” Tommy said, “Listen, we...”

“Intruders,” the robot said, as it started shooting at them. They all managed to dodge the laser blasts and started to run.

A little later, they found themselves out of breath, still together, and always looking over their shoulders, keeping an eye out for the insane robot.

“This is crazy,” Emily said, “That’s the new security robot, obviously. It’s only supposed to use the laser weapon as a last ditch effort.”

“Something must be wrong with it,” Billy said, “Let’s get to the computer lab. Maybe I can do something from there.”

“Right,” Jason said, “Tommy, you go with him. Same with Kim, Trini, Emily, and Angela. Zack, you and I have a little hunting to do.”

“Right.” Tommy, Billy, and the girls headed for the computer lab, while Zack and Jason made plans.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Zack said, “We need to get some weapons, just in case we have to fight this thing. Doesn’t the gym have skeet shooting guns?”

“They sure do,” Jason said, grinning. “Live ammo and everything. Let’s go.” They took off for the gym area and got the rifles marked for skeet shooting.

Tommy and the others cautiously made their way to the computer lab. “If only we knew where it was,” Kim said, referring to the robot.

Tommy looked into the room and then waved the others in. “All clear,” he said. They filed into the room. Billy sat down at a computer and started typing.

“All right,” Zack said enthusiastically, “Pipe bombs, cherry bombs, rifles, even a handgun. How did that get in the school, anyway?”

“It didn’t,” Jason said, laughing. “Out of school, I always carry a gun with me. The streets just aren’t safe anymore.” Zack laughed too, and they took their bag of stuff with them to the computer lab.

“All right,” Billy said, “That explains it. According to this, the automaton received a strong electric current, which made the mother board malfunction.”

Kim stared at Billy. “Say that again?” she asked, “In English.”

“He said that the robot got fried by something, like a lightning bolt or something,” Trini said, “That’s what is making it come after us.” She was sitting at another computer, typing just as furiously, though not as fast as Billy. “I’ve been doing some research on my own, and I’m afraid that there isn’t a override code or anything to get us out of here until Monday.”

“Then we’re trapped here?” Kim asked, with tears in her eyes. “With that thing out there, trying to kill us?” Trini nodded, and Kim sank to the floor and really started crying.

Tommy, who was lost in space from staring at her, came over and put an arm around her shoulders. “It’s all right,” he said, “We’ll find a way, I promise.”

Kim looked to feel a little better. ‘Man, he’s gorgeous,’ she thought. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I never did catch your name.”

“I never threw it,” Tommy said. The others laughed a little. “My name’s Tommy Oliver. Most people just call me Tommy.”

“Thank you, Tommy,” Kim said. She gently pushed away from him and stood back up.

“You’re welcome,” Tommy said.

“All right,” Jason said, startling them when he came into the room. “We’ve got weapons, in case we meet that robot again. We’ve got a few skeet shooting rifles, we’ve got a handgun, we’ve got a few pipe bombs, and even a cherry bomb or two. Who wants what?”

“I’ll take one of the rifles,” Tommy said. Zack pulled one out of the bag and handed it to Tommy.

“Same here.” The boys were all surprised to note that Kim had said that, but didn’t have time to argue. Zack took another one out and handed it to her.

“I’m better with handguns,” Angela said. Zack gave her a weird look, but handed her the preferred weapon. “I live on the bad side of town, remember?” Zack nodded a bit sheepishly.

“All right,” Jason said, “I’m sorry, Billy and Trini. Unless you’re especially good with explosives...” Both shook their heads. “Then you don’t have any weapons.”

“That’s all right,” Billy said, “I don’t do the weapons thing anyway.”

“All right, it’s getting pretty late,” Tommy said, “We should find a place to stay the night.”

“How about the gym?” Kim asked, “It’s more than big enough to hold us. We could stay in one of the locker rooms. We could take turns keeping watch.”

“Good idea, Kim,” Tommy said. Kim beamed at the appraisal. Making sure it was clear, they all headed towards the gym. Once there, they flipped a coin to determine which bathroom they would stay in. The boys bathroom won out.

“I’ll take first watch,” Tommy said, “The rest of you get some sleep.” Most of the others, too tired to argue, fell right to sleep. Tommy went to look out the door, keeping an eye on the main door to the gym. He jumped when Kim put a hand on his shoulder. “I thought you were getting some rest?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” Kim said, “Thought I’d help you keep watch.”

“Thanks,” Tommy said, “I know it’s not any of my business, but do you have a boyfriend?”

“No,” Kim said, “Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Had one, until a few hours ago,” Tommy said, “She broke up with me, though.”

“Oh,” Kim said, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right,” Tommy said, “How could you have known.” On impulse, he brought his face down close to hers and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss.

“Wow,” was all Kim could say when they came up for air. “I’ve been kissed before, but never like that.”

“Same here,” Tommy said. They kissed again, but went back to keeping watch immediately afterwards.

A little while later, Jason and Emily relieved them. Kim snuggled up to Tommy and fell asleep.

When they all had gotten a good amount of sleep, they started thinking of some strategy.

“I say we just stay here,” Kim said, “If we’re careful, we should be able to hold out here until Monday.”

“Yeah, but once others come in, the robot will be after them,” Trini said, “I say we try to find a way to destroy it.”

“I’m sorry, Kim,” Tommy said, “But I’m with Trini.”

“Let’s put it to a vote,” Jason said, “All of those in favor of finding a way to destroy that thing, raise your hands.” Tommy, Trini, Zack, Angela, and Jason all put up their hands. “All opposed.” Kim raised her hand, as did Billy and Emily.

“It’s decided,” Tommy said, “Let’s go take care of that thing. Is anyone especially good with explosives? The pipe bombs should be kind of useful.”

“I am,” Angela said, “Along with living on the wrong side of town, my uncle used to be a demolitionist in the army. He taught me everything he knew. About explosives, Zack.” She added that last bit when she saw Zack grinning at her.

“All right,” Tommy said. He handed her the bag. “Plenty of pipe bombs in there to use, when you get the chance.” He cocked his rifle, as did everyone else, including a reluctant Kim. They walked out of the gym, ready to take on anything.

A little while later, they’re still walking around, looking for the robot. “I don’t understand it,” Billy said, “It should be looking for us.” All of a sudden, a laser beam narrowly misses him, hitting a wall.

They all spin around to see the robot coming at them. They open fire, but the bullets just bounce right off it.

“Of course,” Billy said, mentally smacking himself. “I forgot. The robot is bullet proof.”

“Fire in the hole.” Angela threw a lit pipe bomb down near the robot. They all scattered, ducking behind cover. An explosion occurs, but with little damage to the robot. It shoots Angela, who was about to throw another one. She slumps to the floor, dead before she even hit it.

“Angela,” Zack screams, running over to her prone body. The robot shoots the pipe bomb in Angela’s hand. Zack never stood a chance. Jason catches a little of the blast and is thrown into a wall hard. Tommy runs and throws Jason over his shoulder and carries him fireman’s style.

“Come on, Kim,” Emily urged. The robot turned to the two girls, who were making a break for it. A laser beam comes out. “No.” Emily throws herself into it’s path. It kills her instantly.

“I’ll never forget you, Emily,” Kim said, as she took off after Tommy, Jason, Billy, and Trini. They soon found themselves in the infirmary. Trini set to helping Jason, while the others tried thinking of a way to stop the robot.

“Man,” Tommy said, “That thing seems indestructible. Not even a point blank explosion destroyed it. It cut through us so easily.”

“Emily, Zack, Angela,” Kim said, “All dead. I told you that we should have stayed in the gym until Monday.”

Billy shook his head. “The robot would just have found a way in there,” he said. He went over to Trini. “How is he?” Trini shook her head.

“He’s got some pretty bad internal injuries,” she said, “I can’t do anything for him. Unless we find a way to get him to the hospital pretty soon...”

“I’m a goner,” Jason said.

Billy walked over to some cannisters. “Whoa,” he said, picking one up cautiously, “These are filled with pure oxygen. If we fill a room with this, and trick the robot into going into it...”

“We could blow up the room,” Jason said, “And the robot along with it. There’s no way even that thing could survive the blast caused by that.”

“There’s no way we can get all of those cannisters out of this room in time,” Tommy said, “We’ll have to do it in here. There’s just one problem. To make it explode, someone’s going to have to light a lighter or something. In other words...”

“Another one of us will have to die,” Billy finished, “Well, do we draw straws to see who does it?”

“No need,” Jason said weakly, “I’ll do it.” The others started to protest, but he put a hand up. “Trini, is there any way I’d be able to hold up until Monday, with the injuries I’ve got?”

“I’m afraid not,” Trini said.

“I’m dead already,” Jason said, “There’s no need to have my death prolonged. I’ll do it.” The others quit protesting and set to doing everything. They didn’t find a lighter, but a match they found would suffice just as well.

“Go and trick that thing into coming in here,” Jason ordered.

“Jason,” Kim said, “Before we go, I’d just like to say... Thank you.” She gave Jason a hug. Trini did too. Billy and Tommy both shook his hand.

“In the short time I’ve known you,” Tommy said, “You’ve become one of my best friends. You’re like a brother to me, man. Aw, hell.” Tommy pulled Jason into an embrace.

“Just live your lives,” Jason said, “For me, and for Zack, Emily, and Angela.”

“We will, bro,” Tommy said. With that, they went outside. Jason set to opening a few of the pure oxygen canisters.

“May God have mercy on my soul,” he said.

“Hey, you stupid robot boob,” Kim yelled, “Come and get us. We’re waiting for you in the infimary.” They all started taunting and shouting until they heard the unmistakable sound of the robots treads nearing, from around the corner down the hall. They all scattered.

The robot came into the infirmary. Jason was standing proud. “This ends here, you robotic son of a...” With that, he lit the match.

The four teens down the hall were nearly knocked off their feet by the explosion. Kim and Trini burst into tears.

“Come on,” Tommy said, “We’ve got to make sure that the robot’s destroyed.”

They headed back to the infirmary, where they left the girls outside. Inside, the sprinkler systems had already put the fire out.

A few minutes later, they walked back out of the infirmary. “We did it,” Billy said, “We destroyed the robot.” They all cheered. They headed to the gym and got some sleep, without anyone having to take watches.

On Monday, they were at the main entrance. Mister Caplan, the principal came in. He was shocked to find the four, who looked like they had just gotten out of a warzone, which they had. With help of the security cameras, they were able to quickly convince him and the police about what had happened, though the security tapes were doctored by Billy to show the cover story they had planned to explain why all eight teens were accidentally caught in the school.

A few days later, they all gathered at the Youth Center. They had been spending a lot of time together after the incident.

“I just still can’t believe that it’s over,” Kim said.

“I can’t either,” Tommy said, “Kim, would you like to go to the movies with me tonight?”

“I’d love to,” Kim replied.

Billy left them to their privacy and stepped over to Trini, who was practicing.

“Hi, Billy,” Trini said enthusiastically.

“Hi Trini,” Billy said, “I was wondering,,,”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to accompany me to the local teen hangout?”

“I’d love to go out on a date with you,” Trini said. She kissed him.

“I don’t understand.” A computer programmer was hunched over the remains of the robot. “Why would it try to kill people. I just have to...” The red ‘eye’ on the robot’s head came online with a sinister looking red glow. “What in the world?” All of a sudden, a claw shot out of nowhere. All down the halls, his screams were heard, and then a sickening crunching sound was heard, and his screams stopped. A shadow appeared on a wall, along with the sounds of tire treads.

The End?
Don’t bet on it.
To be continued in Innocent Dare Gone Awry.”