19: Thunderman vs Thunderman.

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sounds like a lot of walking."

Billy gasped. "Castles are just giant staircases pretending to be buildings!"

Melanie nodded. "Exactly my point. I am all for sightseeing, but not if it means walking up, like, a million steps just to see an old throne that no one even sits on anymore."

Max smirked at her response, nudging her slightly. "See? This is why I like you. You have sense."

Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Come on, it's not that bad. It's not like we're hiking up a mountain."

Melanie gave her a look. "Aren't some castles literally on mountains?"

Phoebe hesitated. "Okay, some of them. But we don't have to go to those ones."

Melanie still wasn't convinced. "Yeah, I think I'll just sit this one out. Besides, if I'm going on a vacation, I want to relax, not train for a marathon."

Barb chuckled. "Honestly, I kind of see her point."

Hank gasped dramatically. "Barbara, we won! Don't start switching sides now."

Melanie smirked, looking at Max. "But hey, if you find a way to get to a tropical island instead, then count me in."

Max sighed, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Ugh, finally, someone who understands me."

Nora crossed her arms. "Yeah, yeah, we get it. You two are too lazy to walk around a cool historic site. Shocking."

Billy tapped his chin. "Wait, if Melanie's not coming with us, does that mean I can have her plane snacks?"

Melanie narrowed her eyes playfully. "Excuse me? My snacks stay with me."

Billy pouted. "But you're not even coming."

Melanie smirked. "Exactly. Which means I'll be enjoying my snacks at home, while you guys are off doing whatever it is people do in castles."

Max groaned dramatically. "I'm just gonna say itβ€”this whole thing is rigged."

Phoebe grinned. "No, Max, it's called winning."

Max huffed. "Well, enjoy your medieval workout while Melanie and I actually get some rest."

Phoebe laughed, shaking her head. "You two have fun with that."

As the family started talking about what they needed to pack, Max leaned toward Melanie. "Okay, but seriously, I am not giving up on the beach. There's gotta be another way."

Melanie smirked. "Oh, I have no doubt you'll find a way to scheme yourself onto an island."

Max grinned. "Exactly. Just wait."

Melanie laughed, shaking her head. She wasn't sure what Max was planning, but knowing him, it would probably be just chaotic enough to be entertaining.

β˜†

As the castle debate continued, the Thundermans sat gathered around the kitchen table, their voices overlapping in an energetic mix of excitement and frustration. Melanie, sitting comfortably next to Max, quietly watched the chaos unfold, amused by just how seriously everyone was taking this imaginary trip.

Phoebe eagerly pointed at the tablet screen. "Ooh, check out this castle in Germany! It's got a working drawbridge and an actual moat."

Nora's eyes lit up. "Ooh! And they let you eat with your hands and sleep on a stone slab!"

Billy wrinkled his nose. "That sounds like jail."

Max raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, and European jail is not fun. Or, uh... so I hear."

Melanie smirked. "That's oddly specific."

Max gave her a casual shrug, while Phoebe ignored them, scrolling further. "Fine. Maybe we'll go to this castle insteadβ€”ooh! This one lets you dress as peasants and pick your own potatoes!"

Max's jaw dropped in exaggerated disbelief. "Okay, this just keeps getting worse. First, we're sleeping on rocks, now we're farming? Do we get to pay taxes, too?"

Melanie snorted. "Honestly, it's starting to sound like a really bad summer job."

Billy tilted his head. "Wait... why are you guys even planning a trip we haven't won yet?"

Hank leaned forward, folding his arms. "Excuse me? We haven't won for you yet?"

Max smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah, you guys need us to win. I think we already proved that."

Phoebe scoffed. "Yeah, you proved you can cheat." She mimicked an over-the-top whimper. "Oh, Daddy, help me!"

Hank frowned. "So now, because I love my daughter, I get to see where the Duke of I Don't Care took a bath?"

Nora smirked. "If you're just gonna whine the whole time, then don't come on our vacation."

Billy nodded. "Yeah! Or better yet, don't even be on our team."

Max exchanged a glance with Melanie before dramatically placing a hand on his chest. "Oh no. You're throwing us off Team Potato?"

Melanie gasped playfully. "Tragic. How ever will we go on?"

Hank shook his head, standing tall. "Good luck winning without us."

Barb sighed. "Hank, don't be immature."

Hank smirked. "I know you are, but what am I?"

Max grinned, nudging him. "Oh, good one, Hank-o."

Melanie chuckled as the boys stood up in mock outrage. "Well, guess that settles it. We'll just have to find our own way to paradise."

Phoebe rolled her eyes as Max, Hank, and Melanie strutted toward the door. "Let's get out of here before they think of a comeback."

The rest of the family groaned as the trio exited, leaving them to plan their "peasant vacation" while Max and Melanie started scheming their own way to win the trip they actually wanted.

Later that evening, Max and Melanie lay sprawled out on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. The soft hum of music played from her speaker, the glow of fairy lights casting a cozy warmth over the room. They had spent the last hour talking about everything and nothingβ€”mostly about how absurd the whole "castle vacation" idea was.

Melanie turned her head toward Max, resting her cheek against her arm. "Okay, but seriously," she started, her voice laced with amusement, "why did you sound so sure that European jail is no fun? That was weirdly specific."

Max smirked, keeping his gaze fixed on the ceiling. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Melanie raised an eyebrow. "Max."

He exhaled, turning onto his side to face her. "Look, let's just say... some mildly questionable science experiments may have led to an international incident."

Melanie's eyes widened. "Oh myβ€”wait, you actually got arrested?"

Max waved a dismissive hand. "No, noβ€”detained is a strong word. I like to think of it as temporarily encouraged to stay in one place while some 'misunderstandings' were cleared up."

Melanie just stared at him before shaking her head with a laugh. "You are unbelievable."

Max grinned, nudging her playfully. "Look, don't worry about it, Mel. You already stress enough as it is."

She huffed, rolling onto her back again. "Fine. But if you ever end up in European jail again, I want details."

Max chuckled. "Noted."

For a moment, they just lay there in comfortable silence before Melanie smirked to herself.

"You know, I have a plan."

Max turned his head toward her, intrigued. "Oh?"

She shifted onto her elbow, looking down at him. "All we need to do is make sure the girls don't get there on time to sign in."

Max raised an eyebrow. "You're suggesting sabotage? Mel, I love where your head's at."

She grinned. "Think about it. If they miss the sign-in, they're automatically behind, which means we'll have a massive advantage."

Max tapped his chin, considering it. "Alright, I'm listening. What's the game plan?"

Melanie smirked. "Oh, don't you worryβ€”I've got everything figured out."

Max's grin widened. "Melanie, I think this might be the start of something beautiful."

The morning sun beamed down on the bustling event grounds, where families in matching T-shirts and ridiculous costumes were stretching, strategizing, and warming up for the Family Faux-lympics. A giant banner flapped in the breeze above the registration table, announcing the grand prize: A Dream Vacation Anywhere in the World!

Phoebe stood with her arms crossed, watching as the boys disappeared into the crowd. A small pang of guilt crept up on her. "I kind of feel bad."

Nora, standing beside her, scoffed. "For what? Cheating their way onto a team of their own?"

Phoebe sighed. "The guys are gonna miss such a fun day."

Nora smirked. "Yeah, you're right." She pulled out her phone. "We should send them a picture to rub it in."

Barb clapped her hands together. "Ooh, great idea! Everybody say, 'Drawbridge!'"

"Drawbridge!" The girls grinned, striking their best castle-worthy poses as Nora snapped the photo.

As they finished, they turned to sign in at the registration table. "Hi! Team Thunderman reporting."

The woman behind the desk glanced at her clipboard and raised an eyebrow. "The Thundermans? Already checked in."

Phoebe frowned. "Wait, what? We just got here."

The woman gestured behind them. "Then who's that over there taking a family selfie?"

The girls spun around just in time to see Max, Billy, Hank, and Melanie grinning as they threw up peace signs for the camera.

"Say 'Coconut!'" Max called out.

"Coconut!" the boys and Melanie cheered in unison, looking way too smug for Phoebe's liking.

Phoebe stormed over. "What are you guys doing here?"

Max smirked. "Winning a trip to the beach." He tossed a glance at Melanie, who grinned and nodded. "Don't worry, we signed you in too."

Hank chuckled. "Check under 'S' for 'Secondplacemans.'"

Phoebe's hands balled into fists. "Very funny, Max."

A man at the table glanced down. "Oh! There you are! Secondplacemans. Let's see... Nora, Barb, and... Epic Fail?"

Max snorted. "Guess which one you are."

Nora narrowed her eyes. "You're playing against us?"

Billy nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! We're totally gonna win the beach vacation!"

Phoebe shook her head in disbelief. "You can't do that!"

Melanie leaned against Max, smirking. "Why do you care? You guys didn't want us on your team anyway."

Max folded his arms smugly. "Yeah. But don't worryβ€”when we win, you're more than welcome to join us in the Caribbean, mon!" He added a terrible island accent just to rub it in.

Billy gasped. "Wait, I thought we were going to Hawaii?"

Hank patted his shoulder. "We'll Thunder Ball that later."

Phoebe groaned. "Ugh, you guys are impossible." She crossed her arms. "Fine. When we win, you can join us at the castles. I'll even buy you a little jester outfit, Max."

Max scoffed. "Yeah, right. You are not getting me in some flashy costume."

Barb smirked. "You're a superhero."

Max opened his mouth to argue, then paused. "... Point, Barb."

Phoebe rubbed her temples. "How are we even supposed to have a family vacation if we're on separate teams?"

Melanie shrugged. "I don't know. But the real question isβ€”" She turned to Billy. "Why aren't you wearing your puppy suit?"

Billy's eyes widened. "Wait... we were supposed to wear puppy suits?" His shoulders sagged in disappointment. "Aw, man."

Max laughed, slinging an arm around Melanie. "Good luck today, ladies. 'Cause we're gonna be on fire!"

Billy and Hank cheered. "Fire!"

Max smirked, miming flames in his hands. "Yeah, that's right. It's back."

Phoebe sighed as she watched them walk off. "This is gonna be a day."

The sun was shining down on the school field, a perfect day for a chaotic, family-oriented competition. Colorful banners waved in the breeze, and families bustled around, stretching, preparing, and trash-talking each other in good spirits. The Thundermansβ€”well, both Thunderman teamsβ€”stood in the middle of it all, sizing up their competition.

Melanie stood beside Max, arms crossed, watching as their opponents milled about. She wasn't sure how she'd ended up dragged into this, but Max had convinced her by promising chaos, and that was something she was always up for.

"How are we supposed to have a family vacation if we're separated?" Phoebe asked, exasperated.

Max smirked, shrugging. "Easy. We just win this way, and the better half of the family gets to pick the vacation spot."

"Oh, please," Nora scoffed. "We all know we're going to those castles."

Max turned to Melanie. "Back me up here. The beach is clearly the better option."

Melanie smirked. "I mean, I have to agree. A vacation should be relaxing, not an educational field trip."

Billy, who had somehow already managed to get a snack, nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And castles have so many stairs!"

"Thank you!" Melanie said, pointing at him.

Hank, stretching out his arms with a grunt, chimed in. "I say we just see who wins before anyone gets too confident."

As they talked, Principal Bradford stepped up to a microphone, clearing his throat. "Welcome, families! Thanks to your entry fees, my office can finally get the upgrades it sorely needsβ€”ah, I mean, the library can finally get the upgrades it sorely needs."

A few parents in the crowd raised eyebrows, but Bradford quickly moved on. "Now, let's get started! First upβ€”wrestling!"

The Thundermans exchanged glances, smirking. This was about to get interesting.

As the competition heated up, the Thundermans stood in two separate huddles, each side eyeing the other with playful intensity. Melanie stood next to Max, arms crossed, smirking as she took in the scene.

"But the real question is," Max said, raising a brow at Phoebe and Nora, "why aren't you wearing your puppy suit?"

Phoebe narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Before Max could answer, Billy gasped dramatically. "Waitβ€”we were supposed to wear puppy suits?" He groaned in frustration, stomping a foot. "Nobody tells me anything!"

Melanie chuckled, nudging Max. "I can't tell if he's actually upset or if he just really wanted to wear a puppy suit."

Max smirked. "Knowing Billy? Probably both."

Before the conversation could continue, Principal Bradford stepped up to the microphone, clearing his throat. "Welcome, families! I'm Principal Bradford, and thanks to your generous entry fees, my office can finally get the upgrades it sorely needs." He chuckled, then quickly corrected himself. "Did I say my office? I meant, uhβ€”the library."

Max whispered to Melanie. "Yeah, sure you did."

Melanie snickered. "At least he's honest about being shady."

As Bradford continued to explain the rules, Hank stretched his arms behind his back, grinning smugly. "You might want to stretch out before we get started, honey."

Barb raised a brow. "I'm good, Hank. You might want to stretch."

Hank scoffed. "I already did. Bent down to pick up a nickel in the parking lot. I'm ready."

Just then, another family approached them, led by a tall man with a toothy grin. "Oops-a-doodle! Looks like we got in the middle of a family circle here. Apologies, friends."

Barb shook her head politely. "Oh, no, you didn't have to move. We're actually split into two teams."

The man's grin widened. "Double the teams, double the family fun!" He laughed heartily, slapping his own knee. "Paul Peterson. This is my better half, Polly."

"Paul and Polly." Max deadpanned. "Adorable."

Paul beamed, completely missing the sarcasm. "And this is our son, Petey. I guess you could say we're three Ps... in a pod."

Petey, a thin, nervous-looking kid, wheezed loudly before taking a puff from his inhaler. "Hi," he said, blinking.

Melanie leaned over to Max. "I like him. He seems like a survivor."

Max smirked. "Yeah, he's seen some things."

The competition kicked off, and soon, the two Thunderman teams found themselves in a fierce battle for the lead.

"We are so gonna see castles," Nora declared confidently, adjusting her stance.

"We are so going to the beach," Max shot back, arms crossed.

The scoreboard was starting to fill up as Principal Bradford continued announcing the events. "There are a total ofβ€”wait, what? 15 events today?! That can't be right." He sighed. "Okay, well... good luck."

Max turned to Phoebe with a smirk. "You know, there's no shame in giving up now."

Phoebe smirked back. "There's also no shame in spinning around like a dog trying to get a 'kick me' sign off your back."

Max frowned. "What are you talking about?" He turned his head, muttering to himself as he tried to check his back.

Melanie laughed, shaking her head. "That's just embarrassing, dude."

Max spun in circles, still trying to catch a glimpse of his back.

"I take it back," Phoebe teased. "There's a little bit of shame."

Melanie patted Max on the shoulder. "It's okay, babe. Happens to the best of us."

Before Max could respond, Principal Bradford spoke up again. "And so, the three families with the most points at the end of the day will come back for an obstacle course... tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow?!" the Thundermans all echoed at once.

Max groaned, throwing his head back. "Ugh, this is never going to end."

Melanie smirked. "Don't worry, Max. If we don't win the beach, I'm sure you'll find some way to get us there."

Max grinned. "Oh, you know it."

The crowd roared with excitement as the next event of the Family Faux-lympics was about to begin. The Thundermans stood together, their competitive spirits high, though some were more eager than others.

"Come on!" Max called out, bouncing on his heels, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

The announcer stepped forward, microphone in hand. "The rules to this one are simple: The last wrestler in the ring wins. Any questions?"

Billy, already wearing a puffy sumo suit, pumped his fists. "Nope! Let's do this!"

Melanie, standing between Max and Phoebe, crossed her arms and smirked. "Okay, this I gotta see."

"Fantastic," the announcer continued. "Let's begin!"

With the blast of an air horn, the match was on.

Billy launched himself into the ring with surprising speed, his oversized suit bouncing as he landed. "Hey, I'm Billy, the Fighting Marshmallow! Attack!" he declared before charging at his opponent.

Across from him, Nora, equally determined, narrowed her eyes. "Big Mama's coming for you!" she roared, running at him full force.

Their sumo suits collided with a loud smack! Both kids wobbled, their arms flailing as they struggled to stay upright.

"Finish him!" Barb called out excitedly, clearly getting into the moment.

Hank turned to her with an incredulous look. "Barb, those are our children."

Hank didn't even hesitate. "You win this, Billy, or don't come home."

Melanie let out a snort of laughter. "Remind me to never challenge your mom to anything."

Max grinned. "Smart move. She takes competitions way too seriously."

Billy and Nora gave one last mighty push against each other before both lost their balance, toppling out of the ring with a synchronized thud!

The air horn blasted. "It's a tie!" the announcer declared. Then, noticing how both kids were struggling to get up in their suits, he chuckled. "Wait! Don't help them up. Look at theβ€”"

He broke into laughter, watching them flail helplessly like overturned turtles.

"Stop it," Nora grumbled, though she couldn't help but giggle at the ridiculousness of it all.

"All right, get 'em out of here," the announcer said, waving them along as the next event was prepared.

Max clapped Billy on the back as he waddled over. "Nice try, Marshmallow Man."

Billy huffed. "I demand a rematch."

Melanie smirked. "How about you win the next event first?"

Billy gasped. "Oh, I will."

The next challenge was announced, and Barb cracked her knuckles in anticipation. "Good luck beating me in an eating contest, Hank."

Hank scoffed. "You forget who you're talking to. Remember that all-you-can-eat shrimp place back in

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