Barb smirked. "That place went out of business."

Hank grinned proudly. "Exactly."

Max turned to Melanie, eyes wide. "This might be the most terrifying thing I've ever witnessed."

Melanie chuckled. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to be on the other side of this."

The announcer's voice rang out. "Moms and dads, you will all have to finish a plate full of... chocolate-covered bugs!"

A collective groan came from the contestants. Even Phoebe shuddered. "Ew, that's so much worse than shrimp."

"Whoa, no one said anything about eating bugs," Hank muttered, eyeing the plate with sudden regret.

"Too late now," Barb teased, picking up a crunchy beetle. "Bottoms up!"

The air horn blasted.

Barb wasted no time, popping a handful of insects into her mouth. "Mmm, stink beetles. Like crunchy rotten cheese."

Hank, meanwhile, hesitated. "Oh, no. I can't do this."

"Oh, come on, Dad," Max teased. "Where's that champion spirit?"

Hank groaned but forced himself to take a bite. Crunch! His eyes widened in horror. "I think I have a leg in my teeth."

Melanie made a face. "Yeah, I'm really glad I sat this one out."

Barb slammed her hand down on the table. "Done!"

The air horn blared again. "Winner!" the announcer declared as the crowd cheered.

Hank slumped in his chair, looking completely defeated. "Not better. Not better!"

Melanie clapped her hands together. "Okay, this is officially the most entertaining thing I've seen all day."

Max smirked. "And this is why we needed a tropical vacation."

Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Max, let it go."

Max crossed his arms. "Never."

Melanie patted his shoulder. "Well, I'm officially on Team 'Let's Never Eat Bugs Again.'"

Billy pointed at her. "You were always on our side."

She laughed. "Fair point. Now, who's ready for the next round?"

The Thundermans might not have agreed on everything, but one thing was clear—this was shaping up to be the most chaotic family competition yet.

As soon as Hank gagged about having a bug leg in his teeth, Melanie's stomach lurched. The crunching sounds, the way Barb casually licked her fingers after swallowing a stink beetle—it was all too much.

"Nope. Nope. I'm out." Melanie clapped a hand over her mouth and bolted away from the scene, ignoring Max's amused shout behind her.

Max, ever the opportunist, smirked and jogged after her. "I knew this would happen. You talk a big game, Mel, but you really don't do gross."

Melanie, now leaning against a tree, groaned. "Max, please."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. No teasing—at least until you're done throwing up."

Melanie let out a dramatic sigh. "Too late."

After a minute of breathing through it, she wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her hoodie and turned back to Max. "Okay, I think I'm good. Just... don't mention bugs. Or crunching." She shuddered.

Max nodded, then nudged her lightly. "Listen, you don't have to go against Phoebe this round. I can take her on for both rounds if you want."

Melanie shook her head. "No, I just need a minute." She inhaled slowly, composing herself. "Can you get me some water?"

Max studied her for a second, then gave a small smirk. "Sure thing, drama queen."

As Max walked off, Phoebe strolled over, arms crossed, looking as smug as ever. "So, you still have time to reconsider joining Team Victory."

Melanie wiped at her mouth and gave her a flat look. "You mean Team Boring?"

Phoebe gasped in mock offense. "How dare you? Castles are majestic, historical wonders."

Melanie wrinkled her nose. "Castles are a lot of walking, old paintings, and way too many stairs."

Phoebe scoffed. "You say that now, but you're gonna hate losing to me next round." She gave a confident grin before sauntering off.

Melanie groaned dramatically. "Why do I love her?"

"Beats me," Max quipped, returning just in time with her water.

She took it from him gratefully, gulping down a few sips before locking eyes with him, determination flickering back into place. "Let's destroy her."

Max grinned, mischief sparking in his eyes. He wrapped an arm around her and pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head. "Now that is what I like to hear."

The next round was intense. Melanie had something to prove—not just to Phoebe, but to herself. She might have thrown up earlier, but that didn't mean she was weak. And if there was one thing Melanie hated, it was losing.

Phoebe was fast, but Melanie was relentless. The two of them clashed in the challenge, each trying to get the upper hand. The crowd was shouting, Max cheering for Melanie while Barb and Hank watched with amused curiosity.

Finally, with a well-timed move, Melanie knocked Phoebe off balance.

"Oh no—" Phoebe gasped as she stumbled.

"Oh yes." Melanie smirked before delivering the final blow—sending Phoebe toppling down with a dramatic crash.

The air horn blasted, signaling the end of the round.

Max pumped his fist in the air. "That's my girl!"

Melanie dusted off her hands and looked down at Phoebe, who was still sprawled out on the ground. She crouched slightly, a mischievous grin curling on her lips.

"You know, Phoebe," she said, mirroring Phoebe's exact tone from earlier, "I enjoyed beating you so much."

Phoebe groaned dramatically, rolling onto her back. "Ugh, I hate you."

"Love you too, bestie." Melanie winked before standing tall and turning to Max, who was grinning like a proud villain sidekick.

"That was beautiful," Max said, wrapping an arm around Melanie's shoulders. "I could cry."

"Please don't." Melanie smirked, taking his hand in hers as they walked back to the team, leaving Phoebe lying on the ground, shaking her head with a reluctant smile.

☆

The final challenge had arrived: Knock Out Ball. The tension was thick as the teams lined up, their competitive spirits burning brighter than ever. Principal Bradford stood tall in the center, holding the ball like it was some kind of sacred artifact.

"The rules are—"

"Boring!" Max interrupted with a dramatic eye roll.

Without warning—

Air horn blows!

The game was on. Balls flew in every direction, smacking into players as chaos erupted in the arena.

Max and Billy worked as a perfect duo, dodging, weaving, and launching balls with pinpoint precision. Hank, despite his size, moved surprisingly fast, using sheer force to knock opponents down. Barb played defense, her sharp reflexes keeping her in the game.

On the other side, Phoebe and Nora were ruthless. Phoebe was determined to win back her dignity after Melanie's last victory, and Nora was as fierce as ever. But Melanie? She was right there with the boys, holding her own with swift, calculated moves.

Smack!

Smack!

Billy cackled as he landed a hit on Phoebe. "Hi!" he greeted before launching another ball.

Nora retaliated, aiming straight for Max, but Melanie stepped in just in time, knocking the ball away.

"Oh no, you don't." She smirked.

Phoebe narrowed her eyes at Melanie and launched a ball straight at her. Melanie caught it effortlessly.

"Pheebs, wait." Melanie took a step forward, lowering the ball slightly. "I shouldn't even be here. You guys won Thunder Ball fair and square, and we're totally being sore losers."

Phoebe hesitated. "Seriously?"

"Yeah." Melanie shrugged, giving her a small smile. "Take my ball."

For a brief second, Phoebe let her guard down. And that's when Melanie made her move.

Smack!

Phoebe barely had time to react before she was hit and sent stumbling back.

"Whoa!"

Air horn blows!

"Winner!" Principal Bradford declared, raising a hand toward the boys' team.

Max immediately burst into laughter, pointing at Phoebe. "Any means necessary!"

Billy and Hank joined in, chanting triumphantly:

"♪ Win by any me-eans! ♪"

"♪ Win by any me-eans! ♪"

Melanie turned to Max with a victorious grin. "Told you we'd destroy her."

Max smirked, wrapping an arm around her. "And I loved every second of it."

As the boys' team cheered and celebrated their victory, Melanie wasted no time. She turned to Max, already looking exhausted from the day's events.

"Alright, I've had my fun. Now, take me home."

Max raised a brow. "Take you home? What am I, your personal chauffeur?"

Melanie smirked before hopping onto his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Yes. Now, onward, my noble steed."

Max rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his grin. "You are so lucky I like you."

With that, he took off running, moving at a speed only he could pull off without using his powers.

"Woo! Faster!" Melanie laughed, tightening her hold as the wind rushed past them.

Billy, still hyped from the win, pumped his fists in the air. "I wanna ride next!"

"Not a chance, marshmallow boy!" Max called back.

As they sped through Hiddenville, Melanie rested her head against Max's shoulder, closing her eyes for a moment. "Thanks for listening to me back there. That whole getting-inside-their-heads strategy? Genius."

Max smirked. "I mean, yeah. But you're the one who thought of it. So, really, thank you for your devious mind."

Melanie chuckled, her voice growing softer. "Well, you know me... always thinking."

Feeling how tired she was, Max adjusted his grip to keep her steady. "Alright, no more talking. Let's get you home so you can lay down before you pass out on me."

Melanie mumbled something in response, but Max could already tell she was too drained to argue. He just shook his head, smirking as he kept running.

"Melanie, you are so dramatic."

The Thunderman household was buzzing with competitive energy as the final day of the Family Faux-lympics approached. The tension from the day's events lingered in the air, but tonight was meant to be a moment of peace—a chance to sit down, eat, and be a family again.

Hank stood proudly at the kitchen counter, his hands on his hips as he announced, "Now, I know we're tied for first, and there's still tomorrow's final, but tonight, we don't compete. We eat... as a family!"

With a dramatic flourish, he lifted a plate of steaming spaghetti into the air. "Who's ready for some of my famous electric spaghetti?"

Sparks crackled from the plate as a small bolt of electricity sizzled through the noodles, causing them to twitch slightly.

Melanie, sitting cross-legged on the counter, eyed the sparking dish warily. "Uh... should our food be moving?"

"That's just how you know it's fresh!" Hank beamed proudly.

Barb stepped forward, presenting a bubbling pot of thick red sauce. "And let's not forget my special thunder sauce!" She grunted as she poured the sauce into a serving bowl, the aroma filling the room.

Meanwhile, Max and Billy were already locked in a fierce standoff, eyes locked, forks twirling.

"I need you two to set the table," Barb ordered.

Billy grinned mischievously. "Table setting race?"

"You're on." Nora smirked.

Before anyone could blink, plates and silverware zoomed through the air at lightning speed, landing perfectly in place.

Billy slammed his hands down. "Done! Winner, winner, spaghetti dinner!"

Hank clapped Max on the back. "Ah, that's my boy!"

But Barb crossed her arms. "Now, Hank, you know Max only won because he used his powers."

"That's the only way he could win," Nora added smugly.

Max leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "Just like the Secondplacemans to have a bunch of excuses."

Billy snorted. "More like Excusemans."

"Ooh!" Max and Billy high-fived, reveling in their cleverness.

Barb and Hank exchanged glances, unimpressed.

"Oh, that's how it's gonna be?" Barb raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Electrify your own spaghetti."

Hank crossed his arms. "And enjoy your dry noodles without thunder sauce."

The room fell silent as the realization hit Max, Billy, and Melanie.

Melanie, who had been twirling a fork idly, finally spoke up. "Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me... no sauce?!"

Max frowned. "This is cruel and unusual punishment."

Nora gulped. "I don't know if I can eat it like that. Dry pasta? What are we, monsters?"

Determined, the three exchanged nods before standing.

"Garage," Max declared. "We take the sauce to the garage."

Billy grabbed the bowl, and Melanie grabbed a handful of garlic bread before following them out.

Phoebe, watching them go, shook her head. "Look at them, drinking their dinner in the garage."

Barb sighed, realizing just how far things had gone. "I think we just got schooled."

Nora nodded solemnly. "This whole competition was supposed to bring us together, not break us apart."

Phoebe crossed her arms, thinking. "Yeah... I don't know when competing became more important than actually going on vacation."

Barb smiled at Hank. "And I wouldn't want to go anywhere without my hunky Hank."

"You're thinking what I'm thinking?" Phoebe asked.

"That I probably shouldn't have told you I call your father 'hunky Hank'?" Barb grimaced.

Phoebe and Nora exchanged another look before nodding.

"We let the boys win tomorrow," Barb declared. "That way, we can all go on a happy family vacation like we were supposed to."

Phoebe sighed, finally relenting. "You know what? You're right. I don't care if it's a beach or a castle, as long as we're together as a family."

Barb beamed. "And I can be back with my cuddly-wuddly thunder bear."

Barb groaned. "You want me to stop, don't you?"

Phoebe gave him a pointed look. "Please."

As Melanie made her way upstairs, still chewing on a piece of garlic bread she smuggled from dinner, she nearly bumped into Phoebe, who had been coming down from her room. They both stopped in their tracks, eyes locking for a brief moment.

Phoebe sighed. "Mel, you don't have to do this whole 'boys versus girls' thing, you know. You can still be on our side. You like castles."

Melanie hesitated for a second, because yeah, she did like castles. But before she could answer, Max suddenly appeared, sliding in between them dramatically.

"Nope, nope, nope—Mel, step away from the enemy," he announced, waving a hand in front of her like he was warding off a curse. "We don't talk to people on the opposite side."

Phoebe groaned. "Max, come on."

Max ignored her and grabbed Melanie's wrist, gently but firmly pulling her toward his room. "Let's go, teammate. We don't need this kind of negativity before the big game."

Melanie let herself be dragged away but glanced over her shoulder at Phoebe, who rolled her eyes before heading downstairs.

Once inside Max's room, he closed the door behind them and flopped onto his bed, looking up at her. "Look, I get it. You miss your friend."

Melanie sighed and sat at the foot of his bed. "Yeah, I do."

Max sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. "But once we win tomorrow, everything will be fine. We'll get a tropical vacation, the competition will be over, and you and Phoebe can go back to braiding each other's hair or whatever it is girls do when they're not trying to destroy each other."

Melanie rolled her eyes but smirked. "We don't just braid hair, you know."

Max grinned. "Oh, my bad. Let me guess—pillow fights?"

Melanie threw a pillow at him. "You're the worst."

He caught the pillow with ease and tossed it back. "I know. But seriously, just hold out for a couple more hours. Then you can talk to Phoebe and whatnot all you want. Just let's win this thing first, yeah?"

Melanie let out a deep breath, then nodded. "Yeah, okay. One more round."

Max smirked, leaning back against the headboard. "That's my girl."

The crowd roared as Principal Bradford stepped onto the stage, his voice echoing through the speakers. "Welcome to the Obstacon—where our three remaining families will battle for a free vacation! Because nothing brings a family together like public humiliation in the name of saving a few bucks!"

The audience laughed while the competing families lined up at the starting line. The Thundermans stood proudly on one side, divided into their two rival teams: the girls—Phoebe, Barb, and Nora—versus the boys—Max, Hank, Billy, and, of course, their newest teammate, Melanie.

Melanie adjusted her ponytail and smirked at Phoebe from across the obstacle course. "Ready to lose, princess?"

Phoebe rolled her eyes. "You could've been on the winning side, you know."

"Yeah, but castles are boring," Melanie teased, shrugging.

Max laughed, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "See? This is why you belong with us."

Before Phoebe could argue, Principal Bradford continued. "Since the top two teams are tied, they'll start at the same time. The Petersons will start seconds later."

The Peterson dad, standing with his arms crossed, sighed. "That's extra time to hug my family."

Bradford ignored him and raised the air horn. "Teams ready?"

"READY!" the Thundermans shouted on both sides, their competitive fire blazing.

"BWWWWWT!"

And just like that, chaos erupted.

The teams bolted forward, leaping, dodging, and crashing through the first set of obstacles. The girls used their agility to their advantage, quickly gaining the lead.

"Slow down, girls! Don't get too far ahead!" Hank shouted, struggling to keep up.

Meanwhile, Billy screamed as he somehow managed to get tangled in a net. "AHH! It's got me!"

Melanie blinked. "How did that even happen?"

Max shook his head. "It's the Obstacon. That's what it does."

As the race continued, tensions built, the rivalry between the boys and girls reaching its peak. But little did they know, everything was about to take an unexpected turn...

As the dust settled and the cheers rang through the air, Melanie let out an exaggerated groan, flopping onto the ground. "Ugh. So much teamwork. It's exhausting."

Max, still catching his breath, smirked down at her. "Yeah, well, at least we won as a family." He dramatically placed a hand over his heart. "So touching."

Melanie rolled onto her back, staring up at the sky. "Yeah, yeah, big happy moment, whatever. But just so we're clear, I still think the beach would've been better."

Phoebe, hands on her hips, grinned. "Too bad, Mel. Castles won."

Melanie groaned again. "Fine. But if I don't get to live out my princess fantasy while I'm there, I'm blaming you."

Billy bounced up and down excitedly. "Do we get swords?! I really want a sword."

Nora shrugged. "I mean, what's a castle without swords?"

Principal Bradford, still standing on the stage, clapped his hands for attention. "Well, folks, what an electrifying competition! A true display of teamwork, dedication, and—" he gave the Thundermans a suspicious glance "—totally non-superpowered effort."

Hank threw an arm around Barb, who was still smiling after his Barbie Boo comment. "So, uh, should we start packing?"

Max nudged Melanie. "You sure you're not mad? I know you were rooting for the beach."

Melanie sighed dramatically, sitting up. "Nah. Castles could be fun. Plus, I'll get to see Phoebe trip over her princess dress."

Phoebe raised a brow. "You wish. I walk gracefully."

Melanie smirked. "We'll see."

Max laughed, slinging an arm around Melanie's shoulder. "Alright, alright. Let's just enjoy the win. Family vacation, here we come."

The Thundermans all gathered