The Badboy Baboon’s eyes gleamed with wicked delight as it adjusted the settings on the remote. “Looks like the little man here needs an upgrade,” the Baboon sneered, turning its gaze to Kenny, who was still cowering behind the couch. “Time to make him a bad boy.”
Kenny’s eyes widened, but before he could react, the remote blasted him with a beam of crackling energy. His small frame was enveloped in a strange, pulsing light, and he stumbled forward, clutching his head as the transformation began.
“Kenny! No!” Alex shouted, rushing toward his dad, but it was too late.
Kenny’s entire body jerked violently, and he let out a low groan as his posture shifted. His slouched shoulders straightened, his small stature suddenly more confident, more rebellious. His plain, oversized t-shirt and jeans morphed into a sleek black leather jacket, tight jeans, and scuffed-up boots. His once-short, messy hair was now slicked back with a greasy shine, and a cocky grin spread across his face.
Alex stopped in his tracks, eyes wide with disbelief. “Dad…?”
But Kenny wasn’t looking at Alex anymore. He turned toward the Badboy Baboon with a swagger that was entirely new, crossing his arms and smirking. “What’s up, bro? You didn’t tell me we were going to have some fun!” His voice had an edge now, dripping with bad-boy confidence.
The Badboy Baboon let out a deep laugh, patting Kenny on the back. “That’s the spirit, little brother! I knew you had it in you.”
Kenny grinned wider, puffing out his chest. “Man, I’ve been waiting to break loose like this. You and me, we’re gonna cause some serious trouble!” He shot Alex a sneering glance, as if he were nothing more than an annoying bystander. “This little wimp? He’s not gonna stop us.”
Alex blinked in shock, the words stinging. “Dad, what are you talking about? That’s not you!”
Kenny rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. “You think you can boss me around, Alex? You’ve always been such a goody-two-shoes. Well, guess what? Not anymore.” He cracked his knuckles and stepped up beside the Badboy Baboon, who was now grinning from ear to ear.
Alex’s heart sank as he watched his dad—no, this version of his dad—fall in with the monster. He could see it in Kenny’s eyes: the rebellious energy, the twisted sense of fun. It wasn’t just a costume change. His dad really believed he was this “bad boy” now, a delinquent with no respect for rules, and worse, he thought the Baboon was his cool older brother.
“C’mon, big bro,” Kenny said to the Baboon, bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitement. “Let’s ditch this loser and get outta here.”
The Badboy Baboon chuckled darkly, holding up the remote triumphantly. “Couldn’t have said it better myself, little bro. We’ve got work to do!”
“No! Dad, you’re not like this!” Alex cried out, stepping forward, hoping to reach whatever part of his father was still in there. “You’re Kenny! You’re my dad, not some… some punk! Don’t let him control you!”
But Kenny just scoffed, tossing a disdainful glance over his shoulder. “Dad? Don’t make me laugh. I’m no one’s dad, least of all yours. You better watch out, Alex, ‘cause now I’m running the show. And I’ve got bigger plans than taking out the garbage.”
Alex’s heart clenched, but there was no reasoning with this version of his dad. Kenny’s rebellious streak had completely taken over, and every plea only seemed to strengthen his new persona.
“Let’s blow this joint,” Kenny said, his voice dripping with arrogance as he gave the Baboon a nod.
Before Alex could react, the Badboy Baboon grabbed Kenny’s arm, and with a flick of the remote, they vanished in a burst of light, leaving Alex alone in the wrecked living room. The remote was gone, along with any hope of immediately reversing the transformation.
“Dad…” Alex whispered to the empty room, his heart pounding in his chest. He dropped to his knees, his mind racing. His dad was out there, completely transformed and teamed up with one of Lord Skullface’s monsters. Worse, Kenny thought the Baboon was his brother, and who knew what kind of havoc the two of them could wreak with that remote in their hands?
Alex clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He had to stop them. He had to find a way to bring his dad back.
But first, he needed a plan—and fast.