Reformed thug Linus Santiago wows the crowd at the X Middle School Talent Show with his magic act. Unfortunately, his disappearing trick with Dewey Hubble's robotic dog Barcode goes horribly wrong and it won't reappear. Santiago refuses to tell the Safety Patrol how he did the trick due to the Magician's Code, but by doing so, he makes himself the prime suspect. Dewey is anxious to get his robotic dog back as it's a stepping stone to getting a real dog. However, when Barcode's collar is found in the lake, all hope could be lost—for both Dewey and Santiago.