Page 23 of Breathless Recruiter

“What’s the plan?”

“You watch and learn.”

“But I can?—”

“Learn.”

When I first put on the cape, I learned the hard way. I tried to avoid the big fights when I could, but I had been roped into more than my share of scrapes. Each time, I gritted my teeth and prayed it wouldn’t be my last. With an unknown weakness hanging over my head, I worked in terror. With Discord behind me, I was less concerned about my safety. I’d never forgive myself if?—

“What’s that?” He pointed at the doors to the bank.

Something crashed through the wall. The vault door. I didn’t have time to think. Throwing up my arms, I hoped to absorb the brunt of the blow. I grabbed it and flew across the street. The wall crumbled as I barreled into a corner market… well, what was left of a corner market.

One by one, I checked limbs to make sure everything remained intact. Good news—vault doors weren’t my weakness.

A cat, the color of an orange creamsicle, sat atop a toppled shelf, unfazed by the market’s destruction. “Meow.”

I sat upright in a heap of toilet paper and potato chips. If the villain threw the door that hard, it meant the man-lizard had strength. I rolled my head to the right, vertebrae cracking. Strength sat high on the list of things that didn’t scare me. I gave the kitty a quick pat on the head before launching forward.

The man-lizard loomed over Discord. Duffle bags sat behind the bad guy, probably filled with the hard-earned money of Vanguardians. I’d worry about the cash after I got between him and Discord.

Discord jumped backward as the man swung both fists like a club. It missed, obliterating the sidewalk. With a deep breath, a screeching filled the air. I flew above them to see Discord shouting at the villain. Oh, his powers had something to do with his voice. My bad; I should have asked earlier.

With his ear holes covered, the man spun about, tail smashing into Discord’s side. The hero flew across the street, straight into the same corner market. I hope he didn’t land on the kitty.

The man reached for the duffle bags, ready to make his escape. As he ran toward the manhole cover in the street, I fell out of the air, dropping to one knee. The villain didn’t slow his approach, leaning with his shoulder forward.

“You’re not escaping, good sir.”

The man-lizard replied with a roar. I wanted to ask if he was a man turned lizard or a lizard turned man. They’d have to figure that out in prison.

He changed directions, tail leading the way. Leap. Ha, he’d have to try— His fist struck the corner of my jaw. As the next green fist came flying, I caught it, stopping just short of my nose.

“You’re under arrest,” I grunted.

“Not today,” he hissed.

He spun about, and this time, his tail slammed into my side. Before it launched me at the bank, he grabbed my wrist, jerking me back. With an oomph, I landed on my back. My body might be sore tomorrow, but it was my ego that took a real beating.

I tried to push off, and his foot smashed against my chest, pushing me through the concrete. It wasn’t the prettiest tactic, but I could let him keep hitting me until he ran out of energy.

“You’re going to?—”

An ear-piercing scream forced the villain to take a step back. Discord came flying in, the screeching growing louder until I had to cover my ears. While he distracted the reptile, I crawled to my feet. I’d have to thank Discord for the well-timed save. I understood why heroes worked in pairs.

“You’re up, big guy.”

Lunging upward, my knuckles caught the underside of his jaw, launching Lizard-man into the air. He landed on theduffle bags with tufts of money spewing out the sides. Our foe groaned as he lay still. We had done it. A villain stopped before terrorizing Vanguard. Well… if you didn’t include the hole in the bank or the crumbling market.

I glanced up to see Discord with a huge smile on his face. As he performed a victory dance, I couldn’t help but stare at his tongue hanging from the corner of his mouth. He wiggled his butt, strutting around the fallen villain.

“What now?” he asked. “Another villain? Stop a kidnapping? I hear there’s a gang from planet?—”

“Whoa, slow down.” I appreciated his enthusiasm. “Now, for the best part of the job.”

“Television interview?”

“Paperwork!” I cheered. “We get to ensure our foe is given due process.” I loved this part. Giving statements and helping the police maintain a sense of order might very well be my favorite part of being a hero.

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