Dateline: Friday, May 1, 1981, 8:02 AM, Pacific Daylight Time.

Kimberly Lavender was extremely stressed out. She had come to the school library to relax, but it was difficult for her to enjoy reading "The Great Gatsby" with her mind on the new, more powerful Herr Cannon. Hero work was still new to her. She only escaped from the last fiasco by the skin of her teeth. With no confidence in her own abilities, Kim was seriously considering quitting the team, maybe even breaking it off with Dash.

Just then, someone sat down at the table next to her. Kim looked up and saw Ashley "Blind Tracy" Cohen. "What are you so stressed out about?" she asked.

Kim was a little confused. "Why can't you just read my mind and find out?"

"Sometimes, it helps to talk about what's bothering you. Bad news shared is a burden halved, after all."

"Can't argue with that logic," Kim responded. "Okay, I'm nervous about fighting this extra-strong bad guy, because I'm…"

"You're not sure you were cut out to be a super hero," Ashley interrupted.

"Yeah. I'm not like Dash. He knows he's a good super hero…"

"Ah, you're jealous of Dash because of his background. You know he's got what it takes because he came from a family of supers, but you're accidental?"

"Okay, seriously, you have to warn me before you go poking around in my head."

"I know how you feel, Kim," Ashley said with compassion. "I'm accidental too."

"Really? Your parents weren't supers either?"

Ashley sighed. Her parents had just been killed a week ago, and her grief was still fresh. "Mom and Dad were great parents. They never treated me like I was anything less than normal, regardless of my powers and my handicap." And then came the tears.

"I don't know how it feels to have someone close to you die," Kim said, "but I imagine it must hurt." She put a hand on Ashley's shoulder and tried to comfort her.

"It's okay," Ashley said, drying her eyes. "My parents were killed by Herr Cannon. When I joined the team, I did it so I could avenge them. I know they're in a better place now, but I feel it's what my father would have wanted."

"Your dad would have wanted you to avenge his death?"

"No, silly. My dad would want me to make sure no more innocent people were killed by this madman."

"Oh, I see. So, it's the death of your parents that gives you the strength you need to stand up to evil?"

"Yep. We all need some source of confidence to get through even our daily lives."

"I wish I could find some confidence in myself."

"C'mon, Kim. Don't think that just because you're an accidental super, you can't be a great hero! Do you remember Elastigirl?"

"Of course! She's my super idol! I have all her comics!"

"She was accidental too. Violet told me that, so I know it's true."

Kim nodded her head. Suddenly, she didn't feel so scared anymore. "You know, Ashley, I'm glad we had this talk."

"Me too. Now we'd better get to class before the bell rings."

Meanwhile, over in the weight room, Dash was stressing out too. He had been punching the speed bag for about fifteen minutes. Dash was very confident in his power of super-speed; he had been ever since he was five. He wasn't afraid of Herr Cannon, even if he did have the power to turn him into a bug and squash him. Okay, so Dash was a little scared of Herr Cannon, he had to admit that to himself. But he wasn't about to let fear keep him from doing his duty to the general public. Besides, he had been rehearsing a most ingenious move with his sister; he would be able to strike Herr Cannon with total surprise.

José was also a little worried about facing a doubly-strong foe. He had decided to visit his family for a few words of encouragement.

"Dad, have you ever had an enemy you thought you couldn't beat?" he asked in Spanish.

"Of course! Every superhero I know has had a little problem with confidence once in a while, myself included," Eduardo answered.

"What did you do about it?"

"I remind myself of all my past victories, and that good always triumphs over evil."

"Oh, really?" said Juanita as she strolled in from the twins' bedroom, "and the fact that I was always there to cover your butt had nothing to do with it?"

Eduardo had to admit she was right. "No matter what you're up against, son, just do your best and let your teammates do the rest."

"Thanks, Dad," José said as he got up to leave. When he got to the door, however, he ran into his little sister Marisol.

"One quick question before you go," she said, "do you want to be buried or cremated when you die?"

"Marisol!" Juanita scolded. "You know better than to pick on your brother like that!"

"Yeah, I'm having enough trouble with my confidence as it is, and I don't need you causing more." But just before he left, José whispered in Marisol's ear: "Buried."

Meanwhile, downtown, you guessed it, Violet was nervous as well. She wanted to call her parents and talk to them, but personal calling wasn't allowed at the office. She didn't know if any of her co-workers were supers, so she had nobody to talk to. Violet had to do something to ease her nerves, so she did the only thing she could do. She dropped to her knees and prayed.

"Dear God," she prayed silently, "I admit I don't know what's going to happen. I'm not sure I can face Herr Cannon, now that he has the power of Loren Kriznek as well. But I know that your Word says 'I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.' I'm counting on that. I need your help, Lord. I know that you alone are the one who can bring us to victory against our foe. Please, Lord, don't let us be destroyed by Herr Cannon."

Then Violet sighed, and remembered that maybe, just maybe; God would want Herr Cannon to win. Offhand, she couldn't think of a reason why God would want that, but she was sure that God's will was perfect. So, she added, "Nonetheless, not my will, but yours be done. In Jesus' name, this I pray. Amen."

As soon as she finished her prayer, her radio-watch went off. She knew it could only mean one thing.

"Python reporting."

"Rocket reporting."

"Blind Tracy reporting."

"Heartthrob reporting."

"Liquegirl reporting."

"The Wicked Wichard was telling the truth, you guys," said the sheriff. "Herr Cannon is the hotel district, using his magic to demolish everything he sees."

"I'm ready for him," Violet said, "are you guys ready?"

"Oh, yeah!" said Dash.

"I was born ready," said Ashley.

"Ready as I'll ever be," said Kim.

"Let's rock and roll!" said José.

"All right, stay where you are, I'll come and pick you guys up. Python out."

Violet ducked into a women's changing room downstairs and suited up.

"Showtime," she said.

(A/N: This chapter is dedicated to the victims of hurricane Katrina. I wish you all a speedy recovery. Well, with only two chapters left, there's not much else for me to say except review please and see you next time.)