The annual San Alvera Food Festival was the city's pride: jerk chicken stalls, churro trucks, and one regrettable booth called "Sushi on a Stick."
The Bandots Merchandising Company had a small booth showcasing their wares.
Ricky and Tim walked around, Ricky sampling food that was kept carefully under fly covers as he swatted the small-fry flies buzzing around.
People laughed, music played, and for a moment the world seemed normal.
Then came the buzz.
A low, apocalyptic drone rolled through the streets like thunder.
Shadows swirled in the sky.
The chatter of the crowd slowly faded, the constant rhythm of electric zaps faded into silence then the music stuttered to a halt.
"It's the mutant flies!" one bystander screamed.
The festival descended into pandemonium.
Flies as big as birds led the vanguard, swooping at people's faces, their wings slapping cheeks left and right!
Then came the fly cavalry, with bodies as big as goats, swooping down to snatch whole meat dishes.
They knocked hats from heads, mowed down screaming festival goers, and perched on the roof of different stalls buzzing menacingly.
People began screaming and running, knocking over kids and tripping over the hems of their full body nets!
Tim hid behind a large banner his camera pointed at the chaos.
He started a live stream immediately, and on his social media channel, viewers were joining and commenting like crazy!
"EVERYONE, REMAIN CALM!" shouted a police officer. "THEY'RE JUST – oh dear God – THEY'RE FORMING WORDS!"
The swarm in the sky twisted into smoky letters:
"FILTHIUS IX REIGNS."
Ricky stood in the middle of the street, The Thundering Destroyer humming with blue electricity.
Tim's camera shook wildly as he screamed, "Bro, this is content GOLD!"
"Who the heck is Filthius IX?!!" screamed the officer as he ducked out of the way of a dive-bombing fly as large as a pig.
"Tim," Ricky called loudly, "keep the camera steady. You're about to witness history."
The full swarm descended.
Chaos erupted.
People screamed and swung napkins and flyswatters uselessly.
Then Ricky leaped into action.
He dove!
He rolled!
He swatted!
Every motion was precise, deadly, graceful.
Each 'ZAP!' echoed through the streets as flies burst into sparks of blue fire.
The Thundering Destroyer crackled.
At first, people were too distracted to notice.
Then there were some that still had enough breath to point and laugh.
"Look at the weirdo with that weird hammer thing!"
"Are they filming a movie? Haha!"
"Why's that idiot over there acting like he's some kind of hero?"
Until they realized… everywhere he passed, the air cleared….
And the flies were dropping – well, like flies!
Cheers erupted.
Tim hollered, "SWAT 'EM, HERO!"
Another yelled, "GIVE 'EM THE DESTROYER!"
Tim screamed into his mic,
"Ladies and gentlemen – the legend is REAL! Behold the power of ZAP DADDY and his Thundering Destroyer!"
The people who had found shelter began cheering after they heard Tim.
"GO ZAP DADDY!!" one man hollered out!
"Woohoo!!! ZAP DADDY to the rescue!"
Amidst screams and cheers the people then took up a chant!
"ZAAAAP DADDY! Go Zap Daddy!!"
And the festival-like atmosphere returned to the city, with girls in full body nets chanting 'Go Zap Daddy' like cheerleaders.
"I told you not to call me that!" Ricky yelled at Tim, as another mutant fly fell smoking at his feet.
"Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to my channel and share it with all your friends! Whoops!"
Tim dodged a falling fly that was still smoking and twitching with electric arcs still sparking off its lifeless body.
***
Emergency Bulletin – Channel 9:
"FLY EMPEROR SIGHTINGS CONFIRMED!
Authorities confirm sightings of a giant humanoid fly in the sewers calling himself 'Emperor Filthius IX.'
City council denies allegations that he was the result of a failed government experiment codenamed Project Wingman!"
***