THE MOMENT
"This is huge!" L.S. could not contain his smile as he walked up to the house. "Your old man's finally back in the spotlight!"
"Give 'em a great show, dad!" Electra replied with an equal amount of enthusiasm. The 10-year-old girl knew how powerful her dad was, even if he hadn't done any villainy since she was born. A week ago he received a request from the Make-A-Wish foundation and he threw himself into his work. He upgraded his suit and took the time to practice with his control over electricity; he wanted everything to be perfect for his comeback. They reached the door of the house and Electra rang the doorbell.
"Don't make too much trouble for John and Majesty," L.S. patted his daughter on the shoulder. "I'll be back to get you after I make this kid's wish come true." She nodded as the door swung open. A young purple-haired girl answered it.
"Hello, Royalty," L.S. said. "You girls have fun," he waved and turned to leave; but, Royalty spoke up.
"Wait," she said. L.S. froze midstep and his daughter burst into a fit of giggles. He heard his daughter whisper something to Royalty, then the girl spoke again.
"Turn around, then wait," she said. L.S. sighed in relief, then did as he was told. He did not have a choice.
"Thank you," he nodded at both girls and they disappeared into the house. Several moments later a tall, tan, purple-haired woman met him at the door.
"Hey, L.S., thanks for waiting," she said. "Could you do me a huge favor and take this to John?" she handed him a small red gift box. He shook his head.
"Sorry, Majesty," he said. "There's somewhere I have to be." She nodded and pushed the gift at him again.
"The Make-A-Wish gig, right?" she asked. "That's where John is too."
"What?" L.S. accepted the box and tilted his head.
"He didn't tell you?" she asked herself more than him. "That's not like him. He's supposed to put on a show with you."
"Oh," L.S. replied. He hoped his disappointment wasn't as apparent as it felt. He thought this was going to be his comeback; but, it looked like he was just stage dressing for someone else. "No, he didn't mention it; but, I'll get this to him," he said.
"Thanks," Majesty smiled at him. But, he lingered on her doorstep instead of leaving.
"You should get going...," Majesty said after a few moments. L.S. nodded at her.
"Royalty told me to wait...," he said.
"Oh, right," Majesty nodded, then turned to look into the house. "ROYALTY! L.S. HAS TO LEAVE!" she shouted.
"YOU CAN LEAVE!" the little girl yelled in return.
"Thank you," he nodded at Majesty, then turned away. He fumed silently on the drive and by the time he reached the hospital he was thoroughly bitter. John was a well-known hero and his nemesis once upon a time. It couldn't have been a coincidence that they were both reached out to. He had been looking forward to a new chapter in his career without having a hero breathing down his neck. But, apparently, some snot-nosed dying kid decided he would still be a punching bag for John.
Despite trying his best to hold on to the anger, it was gone by the time a Make-A-Wish staff member led him to the stage in the courtyard. L.S. felt rejected; but, he was out of practice when it came to harnessing his negative emotions. It didn't help that John was essentially his best friend and someone he wanted to see do well.
"Hey! L.S.!" John met him behind the painted plywood stage with a smile and a handshake. "Surprise!" he added. "Bet you didn't expect to see me here." L.S. nodded, then pushed the red box at John.
"I didn't. Until Majesty asked me to give you this," he said.
"Awww man...," John wined as he accepted the gift. "..well I guess that's one surprise ruined. Oh well." John peeked out from behind the curtain.
"Looks like they're sitting the kids down already," he said. "So, I know it's last-minute; but, we're both professionals. How are we doing this?" he asked. L.S. took a look around the courtyard. It was quite large with plenty of room to maneuver; but, he wanted to stay near the stage for the kids. He expected to have the show planned out for him by the time he got there; but, he was a supervillain used to thinking on his feet.
"Remember when I raided that hospital back in '12?" he asked. John nodded and took a look around the yard for himself.
"Yeah," he grinned. "That'll work. But, this time I'll let you use your ultimate," he punched L.S. in the shoulder casually. "If you do it carefully; there are still kids out there."
"Oh, no," L.S. shook his head. "I don't want to do that; it'll make me look weaker when I lose if I have to use that move." John's smile grew wider and he placed his arm over L.S.'s shoulder.
"I knew I could count on you to not read the details," he said.
"Huh?" L.S. asked as the announcer walked past them and through the curtain. The kids started to clap and cheer.
"Well, you're surprised I'm here, right?" John asked. L.S. nodded. "It was all covered in the email. The coordinator was worried when you didn't reply; but, I told them you'd be here."
"Okay...," L.S. replied. The announcer was talking up the crowd on the other side of the velvet curtain.
"You're winning this one," John said; he patted L.S. on the shoulder. "When you use your ultimate move, I'm going down."
"What?" L.S. asked. "But.. the kids...," John nodded silently as the announcer made the introductions.
"Boys and girls here he is! Lightning Strike!"
"They're here to see you," John whispered in L.S.'s ear, then shoved him through the curtain.