Stink_ Solar System Superhero - Megan Mcdonald [6]
“We’ve been skunked!” said Skunk.
Riley took out a tiny plastic ball. “Pluto is officially dead,” she said, dropping the ball into the hole and covering it over with dirt.
“Good-bye, Pluto,” said the KPBs. “Sure, we’ll miss you. But you’re not a planet anymore.”
When they were done, they put up markers in the dirt, like at a pet cemetery.
“Moment of silence, please,” said Riley with a serious face. A hush fell over the second-grade crowd, and the playground was dead silent.
Stink felt like he was in a black hole. He couldn’t help it. He spoke. He broke the spell. “Pluto is SO not dead, Riley Rottenberger!”
Stink walked away at warp speed, leaving a dust tail behind him.
URP!
Stink had to think, think, think. He had to think up a way-smart Pluto plan. A rottener-than-Riley plan. Something that would convince Class 2D and Mrs. Dempster that Pluto wasn’t dead. But what?
Stink fed Toady. Stink talked to Astro. Stink drove and drove and drove. His car bed, that is. All the way to outer space.
Stink’s race-car bed was covered with tons of bumper stickers.
Stink stared at the bumper stickers. Suddenly he saw them in a brand-new way.
Faster than you can say “Ratbert” (the Mars rock, not rat), Stink had an idea. A plan.
Stink took out the Make Your Own Magnetic Bumper Sticker kit that he had gotten from Judy for his birthday. He made a brand-new bumper sticker.
A perfect Pluto bumper sticker.
All he needed now was a bumper. Stink knew just the bumper and just the car for Operation Bumper Sticker.
Now all he needed were the Underdogs. His team. A few good friends to be his lookouts.
The next morning before the bell rang, Captain Pluto and the Underdogs met under the big maple tree by the teachers’ parking lot.
“Listen up,” said Stink. “It’s not just a plan. It’s more like a mission. You know, to help Pluto.”
“Yeah, Mission Impossible,” said Webster. “Impossible that you won’t get caught and get in big trouble.”
“I won’t get caught,” said Stink. “That’s why I have you guys.”
“Okay, we’re in,” said Skunk, starting the secret Pluto handshake.
“I just need you guys to be on the lookout while I sneak up to the car,” said Stink. “Make sure no teachers are coming.”
“We’ll be like spies,” said Webster.
“Outer-space spies,” said Sophie.
“If a teacher comes, yell out the secret code,” said Stink.
“What’s the secret code?” asked Skunk.
“Urp!” said Stink. “Just say ‘Urp’!” He grinned. “Okay, places everybody.” Skunk hid behind the tree. Webster ducked behind a trash can. And Sophie crouched behind a bench.
Stink looked left. Stink looked right. The coast was clear. He scooted across the parking lot. He ducked behind a green car, darted beside a black van, and scooched over to a blue Mini.
He pulled the bumper sticker from his back pocket and, in a split second, stuck it to the blue Mini’s bumper: HONK IF YOU LOVE PLUTO.
“Urp!” Sophie called in a loud whisper, but Stink didn’t hear.
“Urp! Urp! Urp!” yelled the others.
Stink stood up.
Right smack in front of Stink was a teacher. A tall teacher.
Judy’s teacher, Mr. Todd.
“Hello there, Stink,” said Mr. Todd.
“Hi, Mr. Toad — I mean Todd,” Stink croaked.
“Checking out the Mini, huh? Great little car. Roomier than it looks. I’ve been thinking about getting one of these guys myself. Saves on gas.”
“Yeah, gas,” said Stink, backing up to stand in front of the top-secret super-sneaky bumper sticker.
“Well, we’d both better be getting to class, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, class,” said Stink.
Stink and Mr. Todd headed for the front door, followed by three super-sneaky, second-grade outer-space spies.
Mission Impossible had just become Mission Accomplished.
On Thursday, Mrs. D. announced, “Everybody take out your science books. Turn to page sixty-seven.”
Stink lugged the heavy book out of his desk. He opened to page sixty-seven. Stink could not believe his eyes. “Hey,” he said, looking around. “Mrs. D.!