The Challengers are asked by Dr. Bradford to deliver a vial to Washington, but they are forced to land in the desert. The guys split up to look for help, observed by Mr. Tic-Tac-Toe and his helper Herbert. Ace gets caught in an arroyo and is staked by Herbert to a giant Tic-Tac-Toe display. Red falls through a trap door and Rocky ends up behind bars before being added to the grid. Mr. Tic-Tac-Toe reveals his game to Prof and demands the vial he gave him as Dr. Bradford in exchange for his friends. Prof seemingly gives in, but switches the vial with one that knocks out the villains.; The Challengers meet Miklos, a diver who became a human sponge. His neighbor Stacy promises a cure for Miklos' condition, but he will need money to do it. Miklos heads downtown and begins to absorbs all color, sound, and even the Challs' strength, as Stacy robs a bank. Later, the Challs inform Miklos that Stacy is a crook and has no cure for him. Stunned, Miklos wanders in a daze, absorbing water by the ton and growing larger until the Challs dump sleeping pills into a lake to make Miklos sleepy. Miklos uses his abilities to douse a forest fire and save a child, then slinks off into the ocean.