"Now, Buddy…"

"Incrediboy…" The high-pitched voice assaults Mr. Incredible's ears yet again. The professional superhero stops to look down at his newfound charge, looking up at his six-foot-tall idol with the eager eyes of a puppy.

"Incrediboy," Mr. Incredible says grudgingly, "I'm gonna give you your very first assignment as a superhero's sidekick, okay?" Buddy gleefully shouts and jumps up in the air before performing a short impromptu dance. He finally stops, looks up at the bemused Mr. Incredible, and asks, "What is it going to be, boss?"

"Just wait," Mr. Incredible allows himself a wry smile as he leads Buddy further into the park. Twenty paces and the duo have reached a sizable oak tree. Mr. Incredible swiftly blocks Buddy's path with his right arm while he points to the uppermost branches of the tree with his left.

The boy has to squint, but he eventually sees it; a cute tabby cat, stuck in the uppermost branches of the tree, loudly meowing in fright. Buddy turns to Mr. Incredible before blurting out, "You could see that cat so high in the tree from such a distance? I knew you were amazing!" His smile quickly fades. "But...I mean, saving a cat...isn't that an unworthy first assignment for an upcoming superhero?"

"The job of a superhero," Mr. Incredible says with sudden sternness, "is to help those in need. Don't forget that." He points down at Buddy's rocket boots. "I know you can do it."

Buddy groans loudly before switching on his boots. The powerful jets of flame push him up the tree's length before he reaches the top.

"Alright, kitty, come on...come on kitty...wait, stop, come here...oh no...ugh...ACK! Stop that! Stop that!" Bob is close to smiling at this point.

Buddy eventually comes down from the treetop, carrying the meowing cat securely in his arms. The tabby is still squirming, and Buddy's face bears both a set of scratches and a scowl. Mr. Incredible reaches out to take the cat away and hold it with his right arm.

"Good work, Buddy." Mr. Incredible says. "You have completed your first task as a sidekick." With a few pets from his free hand, the cat calms down and begins to purr. He looks back at Buddy. "Come on, let's go get something for your face."

With a face of mild display, Buddy points at the cat. "Why is it so good to you?" Mr. Incredible strokes the cat's neck. "Because I know how to treat it. Speaking of which, this one seems to be a stray. No collar. Until I can confirm that or find an actual owner, you'll be taking care of it."

"WHAT!?"

Mr. Incredible is leaning outside the general store door, the cat still in his arms. He had given Buddy some money and had told him to buy some Band-Aids for his scratches, some cat food, and a litter box.

He had been tempted to tell Buddy that if he couldn't deal with a single cat, then he would be unfit to face the likes of Bomb Voyage at any point in the future, but he had decided to relent. No need to pick on the kid.

So Mr. Incredible just stands near the door, occasionally waving at the passerby who gush at him, waiting for Buddy to come out.

And come out he does. The boy bursts past the glass doors, face red and breathing hard. In his hand is the day's newspaper, which he practically tosses at Mr. Incredible.

The superhero takes it and reads the headline. A few seconds pass before he crumples the paper in his hand. Cold sweat is already forming on his back.

Today's headline for the Municiberg Reporter: Mr. Incredible Sued.