The Pink Storm Arrives

Felix strummed his guitar on the front steps of his Melbourne home, his blonde hair catching the afternoon sun. The alien and mushroom on his T-shirt seemed to glow as he played a fierce riff. His mushroom ring caught the light with each chord change.

"Did you hear about the new salon?" Vic asked, adjusting his glasses as he approached with his bass guitar. His blue hair was perfectly messy, and his braces glinted when he spoke.

"What salon?" Felix stopped playing.

"Miss Lolly's Hair Paradise. It opened yesterday on Collins Street." Vic made a face. "The Gyarus are going crazy for it. Yasmin posted seventeen selfies already."

Felix's brown eyes widened. "Please tell me she doesn't use—"

"Clippers," Vic whispered dramatically. "Electric ones."

A chill ran down Felix's spine. He'd heard those terrible buzzing sounds before. The very thought made his stomach twist into knots. His fingerless gloves tightened on the guitar neck.

"We need to warn people," Felix said grimly.

The Warning Squad

Nat appeared around the corner, his black hair catching the breeze. He adjusted his fishnet gloves and rolled his eyes at Felix and Vic.

"What's got you two looking like someone stole your last guitar pick?" Nat asked.

"Miss Lolly's salon," Vic explained. "Electric clippers, Nat. The torture machines are back."

Nat's expression darkened. He touched his neck where vitiligo patches showed beneath his collar, then quickly pulled his shirt higher. "Great. Just what we needed."

Adam and the twins Mason and Nathan jogged up, all out of breath. Adam's strawberry blonde hair was messy from running.

"Did you guys see the crowds outside that new salon?" Mason panted.

"The line goes around the block," Nathan added, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Adam shrugged. "I don't get what the big deal is. It's just hair."

"It's not just hair!" Felix stood up, his mushroom ring glinting. "Those clippers are evil. Remember what happened to Jake last year?"

The boys all shuddered. Jake's buzz cut had been a disaster.

"We have to do something," Vic declared. "The Buzz Kills can't let innocent people suffer."

Felix nodded grimly. "Operation Clipper Warning starts now."