As Niko cautiously prepares to eat some of the junk food that Mr. Gummbo forces on him, he becomes aware of a chickpea talking softly to him from a nearby desk. Ms. Chickpea, a chickpea with a round face, bangs and sunglasses, whispers to Niko, "Too many children have fallen under the spell of junk food. You don't have to be another one." She then hands Niko a map to find the forest-dwelling superhero, "Veggieman" who is the only one who can save the school from junk food annihilation.
Soon Niko is in the forest seeking the elusive Veggieman near a designated lake, calling out his name. Suddenly, the ground trembles and a "humongous green stalk unfold[s] its leaves with a loud Pluuufff!" After Niko explains his mission and that Ms. Chickpea sent him the superhero tells him:
"My job is to fight the evil forces of junk food wherever I find them: In schools, in supermarkets and in vending machines. My troops and I will bring order to your school and restore your classmates to health and vitality."
So begins a colorful war of the food worlds. Berries jump from bushes, fruits fall from trees and broccoli, carrots, asparagus, cabbages and kale rise from the ground to form a botanical army ready to storm the school. When they arrive, they find the school is guarded by two gigantic hot dogs striped with ketchup and mustard--but one breath from Veggieman knocks them backwards and renders them harmless.
The battle continues inside the school when blueberries join hands to form a net and surround gummies which turn into a "squishy lump of messy sugar." Then Veggieman's forces brave the cafeteria where they encounter and defeat cheese balls, corn chips and aggressive pieces of pizza. Cans of soda are dispatched to the recycling bin as their final resting place.
When the troops get to the principal's office (where Ms. Chickpea has been holding the fort) they confront the worst junk food villain of all--Mr. Gummbo. In a futile attempt to defend his junk food mongering he says he is just giving children "what they want" to which Veggieman replies, "that's because they don't know the consequences." Mr. Gummbo then slams into a wall and melts into a "pool of thick slimy sugar."
The school's junk food regime is over but how quickly can the students heal? As they feast on crisp healthful salads, pots of lentil soup and an array of plump fruits, the students' "bloated bodies began to deflate and color came back to their faces. They felt calm and happy," says The Adventures of Veggieman.
Niko's discovery of Ms. Chickpea and then Veggieman helps him free his new school from evil forces but how can the students maintain their new allegiance to healthful eating when Veggieman leaves? By using the power of choice says Veggieman. "Choice is a superpower--so choose to say no to harmful junk food, and say yes to healthy foods that nourish your bodies and your minds," he says before returning to his secret forest location.
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