A small 3rd grade class was getting ready for the morning. Putting their backpacks in their cubbies and sitting patiently in their seats. The teacher walked up to the front of the room with a young girl. She was staring at the floor, too shy to look at everyone. She nervously fidgeted with the hem of her grey shirt with the character Wonder Woman on the front.

"Class, this is Sandra Miller. This is her first day so let's all make her feel welcome." Sandra pushed up her glasses as she looked up and sheepishly smiled at the class. She was then excused to her seat near the back left half of the room. She sat next to a chubby boy wearing black cargo shorts and a star wars tee-shirt. He swooped his messy brown hair to the side and tried to say hello, but Sandra didn't look up. She just kept her head down on her desk, writing notes in her notebook. The boy then ripped out a piece of paper and wrote down a little note. Making sure the teacher wasn't looking, he dropped the folded up paper on his neighbor's desk. When he noticed Sandra glance at the note, he softly smiled to himself. He peered over at the corner of his eye as she opened it.

"Hi Sandra. I'm Gary. Do you want to be friends?"


Sheila walked into the living room of her and the Monarch's new home. She was looking through the paperwork of the new hench she hired. After Tim-Tom and Kevin's passing, she needed some extra help with her Guild work since Monarch and Gary were busy doing their own things. She sat down on the couch with a contented sigh, placing the papers on the coffee table. Her husband entered from the kitchen, midway eating a ham sandwich. He stood behind his wife and started to read over her shoulder.

"How's the henchette search going, Honey Bunch?" he asked with his mouth full of food. Sheila turned around and handed him the head-shot. She seemed almost excited about meeting her.

"I actually think I found the perfect one. She is more than qualified, and she has a pretty extensive background. Her outfit is even butterfly themed already. I gave her a call earlier and she is going to be her in a little while." Monarch took the photo and looked her over. The young woman had short copper colored hair in a pixie style cut. Her slender frame was inside a short tulip style skirt, with a midriff connected at the sides. The color scheme copied the look of an Orange Lacewing Butterfly. A black and white top, merging down to an orange bottom with a chevron style black trim. She wore black heeled boots; similar to Sheila's, but not as long-ending just a little over her knees. Her hands donned forearm length, white lace, fingerless gloves. Lastly, she wore a subtle silver colored masquerade mask in the shape of small butterfly wings, over icy blue eyes. Monarch swallowed his food before he spoke.

"Seems kinda too... girly... to be a villain, isn't she?" he then peered at the top of the photo. "And what's her name?...'Lady Lacewing?' That's not a name of intimidation and villainy... that's the name of a Girl Scout." he groaned, tossing the head shot on the couch. Sheila rolled her eyes as she gathered the papers and straightened them out.

"Well this is her most recent hench identity. She worked for a small team of villians that had an insect theme going on. I talk to her about it, and she is willing to any possible costume changes." she continued, Monarch half listening. "But I don't know, I think it's pretty cute." she added.

Lady's skills mostly consisted of working with city level jewel thieves and cat burglars. Sheila knew she mostly use Lady as an assistant for her while working on Guild matters; but she knew if it came to anything, Lady had various fighting skills at her disposal. She knew she could take care of herself. Sheila's phone started to ring from inside her purse in the kitchen. She went to answer it as Monarch walked around and plopped on the couch, finishing his sandwich.

"Could you grab me a drink while you're in there, Honey Bunch?" he asked with a slight whine in his voice. Sheila ignored him as she answered the call. The front door opened and Gary came in, carrying a few bags of groceries. Him and his boss exchanged small hellos as he made his way the kitchen. Monarch even asked him for a drink, since he figured his wife wasn't going to get it. Gary agreed as he started to put the food stuffs away. Sheila was finishing up her conversation.

"Yes I'm sure that will be fine. Ok. Ok, you too. Goodbye." she slipped her phone back in her bag, and greeted Gary with a half smile. "I swear, it seems like the Guild just falls apart whenever I'm not there. Oh before I forget, we are having my new hench coming here today. Would you mind her sharing your room for now until we get one of the other rooms finished?" she asked. Gary looked over to her as he shut one of the cupboards closed.

"Oh, umm, I-I guess so." he answered a little nervously. He didn't expect to be asked a question like that today. Sheila smiled as she helped him put the remaining items away.

"Yeah. I know it's pretty last minute, but I'm sure you two will get along well. And I expect you to be a gentleman to her." she said a bit sternly. Gary rolled his eyes; she was sounding like his mother.

"Please, I will be the coolest guy ever." he assured his boss lady. The doorbell rang out from the front hallway.

"Oh that must be her now." Sheila perked up, straightened out her black Guild suit-dress, and went to answer the door. Gary grabbed a few sodas from the fridge and met up with Monarch in the living room; they started to quietly discuss any plans they had for the day.

"It's so nice to meet you, please come in." Sheila's voice chimed as she helped their new visitor with her bags. Gary leaned back in his spot on the couch, sipping on the sugary substance, as he listened to his boss. His mind started to wonder; he thought about what kind of henchwoman Mrs. hired. Gary snapped out of his trance when he heard two sets of high heels tapping up the hallway. Monarch stopped mid sentence before Sheila entered the living room.

"Boys, this is Lady Lacewing." Sheila announced. Lady sat one of her bags down at her feet when she entered the room. She wasn't in her costume, but in a white sundress, cut off at the knees, with pink roses for the print and matching peach colored pumps. She pushed up her round framed glasses to keep them from sliding further down her nose. Sheila placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lady, this is my husband The Monarch." the two shook hands and he stood up. Monarch still wasn't sure about her until he was able to see what she could do. "And this is Gary, his henchman." Gary's eyes locked onto hers. A soft pink colored smile danced on Lady's face as she extended her hand out to the Hench. Gary could hear his heartbeat in his ears, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. After all this time...

"It's nice to see you, Gary." she said in a soft voice. Gary's hand slowly reached up and grabbed hers. His heart started to beat faster once they made contact. He could feel his knees start to go weak and felt flutters in his stomach. Lady just gave him a bigger smile as she went in for a hug. Gary blushed a bit, hoping to himself that he wasn't dreaming. He just stood there, his hands out a bit from his sides. He didn't know if he should hug her back.

"It's been so long." Lady whispered. "I'm so happy to see you again."