"Watzon! Watzon, we need you in the garage!" The doctor followed Twigg down the hall to the room where Splitvan, the "big piece" of Twigg, and various other vehicles were kept.

All the BOYZZs from the mission were gathered there, having just returned in Splitvan. They were clustered around VAS, which was parked in its usual spot.

"What'zz wrong? Where're ZZ and Blitzy?" Watson asked.

"In VAS," Ace said.

Watson climbed onto the wing of VAS and peered inside. Blitzy sat at the controls, crying and cradling one arm in the other. ZZ was asleep in the passenger seat.

"Open up, Blitzy!" the doctor yelled, pounding on the cowling. Blitzy pressed a button and the cowling opened.

"What'zz wrong?" Watson asked Blitzy.

"It was ZZ," she whimpered. "He was hurting me. He just came after me like he was crazy. I threw your sleeper device at him."

"Ninjzz," Watson ordered, "take her to my clinic. Twigg, come help me with ZZ." Ninjzz helped Blitzy out of VAS and carried her down the hall as Twigg did the same with ZZ. It was an odd procession that made its way to Watson's clinic that night: a ninja and a Transformer carrying a young man and a little girl, accompanied by a no-nonsense doctor and followed by seven frantic robots. By the time they reached the clinic, ZZ was awake and struggling.

"Let me go!" he cried, trying to twist free from Twigg's powerful arms. "Let go of me, you stupid bot!"

"See?" Blitzy said. "He doesn't even know us."

"I can zee juzt fine," Watson replied. "The boy haz a zeriouz problem. But then, you don't look too hot yourzelf, young lady."

Ninjzz set Blitzy on a table as Twigg held on to the writhing ZZ. "I'd really appreciate it if zomeone juzt happenzz to have picked up the zleeper devize," Twigg said.

"You're in luck, Twigg," All-Ball replied, holding up the small device he had found on the floor of VAS.

"Zap him for me, won't you?" Twigg requested. All-Ball quickly complied and Twigg laid the once-again sleeping ZZ on the unoccupied table.

"Get over here, Ninj," Watson called as he laid out various pieces of equipment. "You zay the problem iz with hiz mind?"

Ninjzz nodded.

"We think zome zort of brainwazhing device waz uzed on him," Genesix piped up as he hurried into the room. Nearly everyone else was already gathered in the clinic.

"Wonderful," Watson said sarcastically. "Brainwazhing juzt happenzz to be my zpecialty. I don't even know how to diagnoze the extent of the damage."

"Maybe you could uze my old mind-reading helmet," Genesix suggested.

"Exzellent idea, Genezix," the doctor said. "Go get it."

Genesix left the room again. Watson went to Blitzy, who had stopped crying and was swinging her legs impatiently over the edge of the examining table.

"My arm hurts," she announced loudly.

"It ought to," Watson commented, examining the arm in question. "You have a broken wrizt, young lady. How'd you manage that?"

"I'm afraid I waz rezponzible," Ninjzz said.

Before Watson could investigate that any further, Blitzy said, "No, it wasn't your fault, Ninj. ZZ did it."

"How?" Watson asked. "Did he fall on you or zomething?"

"Not exactly," Blitzy replied. "He sort of grabbed my arm in both hands and twisted it."

It was hard to tell which was lower - the floor or Watson's jaw - after Blitzy made that statement.

"He did what?!" the doctor screeched.

"Hey, iz there zome zort of delayed echo in thiz houze?" Toolzz commented.

Ignoring the Street BOYZZ's statement, Watson kept right on raving. "He twizted it? You mean he broke it on purpoze? ZZ wouldn't do that!"

"Exactly right, doc, he wouldn't dream of it," Jammerzz said. "Zomething's wrong with his mind and that is he's out of it."

"Jammerzz iz ezzentially right," Ninjzz said. "The perzonality we know az ZZ haz been zhoved azide to make room for a new perzonality."

"A dezidedly negative one, I might add," Watson commented as he took some equipment out of a drawer. By the time the doctor had assembled everything necessary to treat Blitzy's wrist, Genesix had returned with his mind-reading helmet.

"It waz a little duzty," Genesix said, "but I'm zure it'll ztill work properly."

"Good," Watson replied. "You and Ninj ztart on that while I take care of Blitzy here."

As the doctor set Blitzy's wrist and put a cast on it, Genesix made various connections between the helmet and Watson's computer. He put the helmet on ZZ's head, turned on a speaker, and waited. Just as Blitzy was jumping down from the table, her wrist encased in a cast, the speaker crackled to life.

"BLITZY!"

Blitzy slipped in surprise and fell off the table, barely saving her injured arm from hitting the floor. In an instant she was up again, racing to ZZ's side.

"I'm here, ZZ," she said excitedly.

"Let me out of here!" the computer screamed in ZZ's voice. His voice was not at all suited to the raw, hateful tone. "Blitzy! I won't let you do this! Let me go!"

"It's okay, ZZ," Blitzy said, leaning close to her brother but being careful not to touch him ("Physical contact will break the effect of the zleeper device," Watson was fond of saying). "You're home now."

"Get away from me," ZZ snarled.

"Wh - why?" Blitzy had not expected this at all.

"You betrayed me," came the reply. "You stole my bots, you ran away, you wage war on the Corp and try to blame it all on me. You make me sick."

"I give up," Blitzy said in anger, shock, and frustration. "ZZ doesn't remember anything. We might as well send him back to the Corp where he wants to be," she added bitterly, on the verge of tears.

"No, Blitz, please," came the faraway whisper, almost inaudible compared to the previous thoughts verbalized through the computer. "Don't give up on me."

"But I don't know what to do, ZZ," Blitzy answered, knowing it was her brother by the familiar nickname he used for her. "Nobody knows what to do."

"Just help me. Please, you have to help me; you can't leave me here all alone. Please, help me, Blitz . . . You shut up! I'm in charge here!"

Blitzy stepped back at the harsh order, then shot Ninjzz a questioning look.

"Yez," the BOYZZ said. "I believe I underztand now." He motioned for Blitzy, Watson, and Genesix to move out of ZZ's earshot while shooing the other BOYZZs out of the clinic.

"Okay, Ninj, don't keep it a big secret," Blitzy prompted. "What do you know?"

"I believe I have figured out how ZZ waz 'brainwazhed,' az you put it," Ninjzz replied.

"We're on the edgezz of our zeatzz, Ninjzz," Watson complained. "Zpit it out already!"

"It'zz really rather zimple," Ninjzz said. "ZZ waz azzaulted with falze information about hiz life."

"You mean, like about working for the Corp and stuff?" Blitzy asked.

Ninjzz nodded. "ZZ'zz perzonality retreated into a zmall area to protect itzelf, and eventually zealed itzelf off. That left room for a new perzonality which formed out of the falze information. The 'real' ZZ couldn't interfere becauze he waz already zealed off."

"You mean ZZ's just been watching himself do these things and there's nothing he can do to stop it?" Blitzy asked.

"That'zz right. When we played Zwang'zz recording back in Frenzy'zz apartment, it dizpelled the liezz juzt enough for ZZ to temporarily take control."

"Zo to cure him," Genesix deduced, "all we have to do iz uze the recording again and find a way to make it ztick."

"It won't be that zimple," Ninjzz said.

"Why did I know he waz gonna zay that?" Watson asked the ceiling.

"The recording iz a ztart," Ninjzz continued, "but for real rezultzz we'll have to appeal to zomething deeper. Thiz izn't a job for juzt anyone."

As if choreographed, all heads in the room turned to face Blitzy.

"Run that by me again, Ninj," Blitzy said. "In English this time."

"Genesix haz modified the mind-reading helmet to permit direct mind-to-mind contact," Ninjzz told her. "All you have to do iz talk to ZZ."

"Ah, the wonderzz of modern medizine," Watson said. "I'll be lucky if I get even a tiny part to play in thiz amazing procedure."

"Oh, joy." The doctor was not exactly thrilled. "If I zee zmoke coming out of your earzz, Blitzy, I'll be zure to unplug the computer."

"Everything'zz ready on the technical end," Genesix piped up. "Blitzy zhould be able to talk to ZZ directly with her mind while Ninjzz keepzz track of her progrezz."

"Good," Ninjzz said. "Let'zz get ztarted." Blitzy took one of the new-and-improved mind-reading helmets that Genesix had linked to the computer and put it on her head. Ninjzz did the same. ZZ, of course, was already wearing one.

"Remember, you can tell him anything az long az it'zz completely true," Ninjzz told her. "I'll keep an eye on thingzz, but ZZ won't know I'm there."

Blitzy nodded. "I'm ready, Genesix."

The real ZZ's best friend threw a switch. "Good luck, Blitzzzzy . . ."

Blitzy looked around, surprised. Ninjzz and Genesix's psychological and technical explanations hadn't prepared her for this. She was in a cold, black ocean that extended as far as she could see. It was strange and frightening.

Ninjzz! she called. Where are you? I'm scared.

I'm right here, Ninjzz's voice answered out of the blackness. Blitzy tried to follow the voice, but it came from everywhere at once and Ninjzz himself was nowhere to be seen.

I can't see you, she said. Where are you?

I'm in your mind, Ninjzz said, and in ZZ's. We don't have bodiezz here.

This must be ZZ's mind, Blitzy thought. at least, the messed-up part. What are we supposed to do?

He doesn't know I'm here, Ninj reminded her. It'zz up to you, Blitzy. Juzt talk to him.

Blitzy took a deep breath. ZZ? she called. Are you here? I want to talk to you.

I have nothing to say to you, said a voice that seemed to coagulate out of the inky black. It sent chills through every inch of Blitzy's being to hear that terrible voice.

There's nothing to talk about, "ZZ" replied. I'm loyal to the Corp and Sir Louis. Why can't you accept that?

Because you can't, Blitzy told him. You quit working for the Corp because you found out about Paradim's plan to take over the world. You said you would fight until they were stopped. I know you remember this!

No, I don't believe you, the non-ZZ said, but far away Blitzy could see a tiny pinpoint of light beginning to peek through the blackness.

You came to the boarding school that night to get me, Blitzy continued. I knew you were coming and I told the other girls to hide. I called the Street BOYZZs "bozo-bots." It's true! You have to remember!

No! Stop! As the false ZZ protested, the faraway light grew stronger, gleaming like a diamond.

You aren't married, either, Blitzy pressed on. That's another lie. You have a girlfriend named Alisha. She's a model. Cook and Watson set you up with her. Remember Cook and Watson? Remember Alisha?

Nooooo! It's all a trick! Stop lying to me, Blitzy!

It'zz working, Blitzy, Ninjzz said. Juzt a little more, you're almozt there.

Remember the BOYZZs?! she shouted. They're your family; you created them! Genesix was the first one; remember Genesix? Jammerzz, Toolzz, Ninjzz! Bats, Bogey, Ace, All-Ball! Twigg! Kiddie, Swang! THE TALKING HEADS! Remember T-2, he laughs at everything! There are others, too; DeNerd, Cook, Watson, Freehand, Birden! Remember the BOYZZs? REMEMBER ME?!

The light grew brighter and brighter.

Yez, Blitzy! Ninjzz said excitedly. It'zz working! You've done it!

I think you spoke too soon, Ninj, Blitzy said. The blackness twisted around them, writhing; shrieking.

Noooooo! the horrible voice screamed.

I . . . won't . . . let . . . him . . . get . . . back . . . out! As Blitzy and Ninjzz watched in horror, the very space around them seemed to fold over on itself, intensifying. Fighting back. When its very existence was threatened, the personality called Doctor Ziv Zulander definitely knew how to put up a fight.

The things you're saying are all lies, Blitzy, it said. Who told you those things?

It's not true, Blitzy. I am working for the Corp. I am married to Lady Frenzy. You still go to the Corp boarding school. Your best friend is Paula, remember, Blitzy? I don't know where you got all those weird ideas about fighting the Corp.

It's true! Blitzy screamed. The blackness was getting thicker, moving in. Blitzy could feel it trying to smother her.

No, it's not true, the voice persisted firmly. You don't know what you're talking about. Listen to me.

Blitzy was swirling down a black whirlpool of uncertainty, drowning. The Corp is good . . . No, they're trying to take over the world! Of course they aren't taking over the world, that's ridiculous.

"Ninjzz, what'zz going on in there?" a faraway voice demanded. "Her EEG readingzz are going nutzz! You've got to do zomething!"

Blitzy! Ninjzz shouted desperately. Blitzy, lizten to me!

I'm trying, she wanted to say, but couldn't. The horrible blackness was closing in, crushing everything Blitzy knew.

It's just like what happened to ZZ, she thought. I can't let it happen to me, too! But it was happening, and the dark lies were filling her mind, overpowering her.

Lies? Are they really lies? some horrible non-Blitzy asked herself.

Hang on, Blitzy! Ninjzz pleaded. Think about the truth! The Corp iz evil! You're fighting againzt them!

I . . . know . . . that, the tiny speck of Blitzy said, but it's so hard . . . to hold on . . . and it's so much easier to just . . . give in . . .

The blackness grew blacker, and Blitzy was sucked down . . . down . . . down . . .

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! DON'T YOU DARE HURT MY SISTER!!!

The furious voice was instantly recognizable, but before Blitzy and Ninjzz had a chance to comprehend its significance, a beam of rainbow light sliced through the darkness, knocking them both backward. In the next instant, they were falling . . . falling . . . falling . . .

"Whoa, Blitzy! Watch out!"

Blitzy opened her eyes and found herself back in Watson's clinic, about to fall off the table. Quickly righting herself, she looked around the room. Watson was watching her with concern while Genesix frantically checked equipment. Blitzy and Ninjzz removed their helmets, glad to be back in the solid reality of the clinic.

"What happened?" Ninjzz asked.

"You tell me," Genesix said, obviously stumped. "Blitzy'zz vitalzz got zo out of control that we were about to break the connection, but before I even touched the computer, there waz an enormouz energy zurge and you were thrown out."

"ZZ!" Blitzy exclaimed. "ZZ pushed us out!"

"I don't think zo, Blitzy," Genesix said. "The energy zurge waz far too powerful to be produced by a human brain - even one like ZZ'zz."

"It was him!" Blitzy asserted. "Can't you just check?"

Doubtfully, Watson went to a nearby computer terminal and entered a few codes.

"There waz a jump in ZZ'zz EEG reading at the time Blitzy and Ninjzz were puzhed out!" the doctor said, amazed.

Genesix's neck extended to its full length, like E.T.'s, as he whirled to examine the readout. "No way!" he exclaimed. "That'zz not pozzible!"

"Zee?" Watson told the Science BOYZZ, pointing to a jagged line on the monitor. "There waz a jump in electrical activity."

"But that'zz not even cloze to the amount of energy needed to overload the computer connectionzz!" Genesix protested. "Where did the rezt of the power come from?"

"Perhapzz from zomething no zcientizt ever conzidered," Ninjzz said, looking from Blitzy to ZZ and back again. "It'zz called brotherly love."

"What could be taking so long?" Blitzy demanded as she paced back and forth in the living room, one of ZZ's habits. "Watson said he thought ZZ was okay!"

"Do you call being brainwazhed by Doctor Hizz okay?" T-1 said from the shelf, eliciting an instant round of laughter from T-2.

"Of courze it'zz not okay," the Talking Head choked out between cackles. "It'zz terrible! Poor ZZ will never be the zame!"

"Gozh, T-2, that'zz not very funny," T-5 said softly. "What if ZZ really doezn't get better?"

"Yeah," T-1 added ominously. "What if he haz permanent emotional zcarzz, like Lindzay on Dayzz of Our Databaze?"

"Maybe he won't remember how to fix uz when we need maintenance," T-4 piped up. "We'll fall apart!"

"Genezix can fix uz," T-2 said, still laughing.

"What if Genezix getzz zo deprezzed about ZZ that he goez and committzz zuicide?" T-1 pressed. "Then nobody'll know how to fix uz! We'll end up on a junk heap!"

T-2 laughed maniacally. "That'zz terrible," it said. "That'zz horrible. It'zz not funny at all. But I can't ztop laughing!"

"Pleaze ztop it, everyone," T-3 said. "Can't you zee that Blitzy iz trying to cope with a tragedy? You'll upzet her!

The Talking Heads promptly shut up, though it wasn't necessary. Blitzy, absorbed in her own impatience, hadn't paid attention to a single word from the shelf. The BOYZZs, who had gathered in the living room, ignored the conversation as well. They were spread around the room, waiting in small groups, talking anxiously in low voices. The atmosphere in the room was so tense that, like the cliche, it could have been cut with a knife.

Suddenly Birden began squawking excitedly. Blitzy and the BOYZZs soon saw why; Genesix and Watson were standing in the hallway, accompanied by . . .

"ZZ!" Blitzy exclaimed, running into her brother's arms with complete abandon. ZZ picked her up and hugged her tightly, careful to avoid her plaster-encased right wrist.

"Are you okay?" she asked as her tears dampened ZZ's shirt. "I was so afraid. It was terrible - "

"I know, Blitz," ZZ said consolingly. "I was scared too."

"How much do you remember about what happened?" Blitzy asked, wiping her tears with her jacket sleeve.

"Enough." ZZ was obviously uncomfortable with the subject. "I'm really sorry for what I did to your arm, Blitz, and for hurting the BOYZZs. I tried to stop, but - "

"That's okay, ZZ," Blitzy said. "After all, you saved me back in the clinic."

"Just returning the favor," ZZ said, smiling. "Thanks for everything, Blitz. You're the greatest."

"No, she's not," DeNerd said. "Greatezt is an adjective meaning 'of the most outstanding significance or importance!' 'Superior in quality or character!' 'Noble!'"

"Exactly," ZZ said.

"Awww!" Cook exclaimed. "Thiz iz zo zweet. Come on, BOYZZs, we've got to welcome ZZ back properly. GROUP HUG!!!"

The BOYZZs stampeded to ZZ and Blitzy ("Hey, watch the arm," she complained) as ZZ laughed merrily.

"You know, there's zomething we forgot to zay after the battle the other day," Jammerzz said after ZZ had been hugged (crushed?) by all the BOYZZs in turn.

"What?" Blitzy asked.

"I bet I know," Toolzz said.

"We know it!" the Sports BOYZZs chorused.

"Don't bother to azk the 'ninja mazter,'" DeNerd said. "We know he knowzz." Ninjzz gave him a Look.

"I know!" Kiddie squealed happily. "Can I zay it? Can I can I can I, please, please, please?"

"I think we'll let ZZ zay it," Twigg said.

Blitzy and the BOYZZs looked expectantly at ZZ, waiting for the magic words. It was clear from the look in ZZ's glittering green eyes that he knew exactly what he was supposed to say and was just looking for the right way to say it. In the end, the traditional way won out.

"Game over!"