Super Hunk.
The newcomer approached the crowd. He was a medium-sized young man, with dark brown eyes, black medium-length hairdo, tanned skin, and, despite using a dark blue mask covering part of his face, he showed some well defined and handsome features. He was wearing a sky blue superhero's outfit (that showed a well built body, similar to an Olympic runner), with a wide white line from his neck to the lowest part of the abdomen, and a black "SH" stylized symbol on the middle of his chest; his pants were the same color, and the outfit was complete by a yellow cape and red gloves and boots. His two female companions (a long-haired blonde and a short-haired brunette) were using white masks, red tops, pink skirts, and baby blue boots, gloves, and short capes, as well as stylish blue B's on the middle of their chests. They stopped a few feet away from the crowd, and the girls introduced him.
"More handsome than Brad Pitt!" The brunette assistant said.
"Stronger than Arnold Shwarzenneger!" The blonde continued.
"Cooler than Samuel Jackson!" Both girls chorused.
"And more egotistical than Daffy Duck." Chuck said to himself.
"HE IS... SUPER HUNK!" The girls ended the introduction, while Super Hunk made a pose in front of the people.
"The one you were crying for." SH said in a cool tone, while flashing a smile at the crowd. Immediately, all the women started doing fangirls' sounds while the press people started taking pictures and trying to have a close up of the newcomer.
Chuckie sighed. Super Hunk was one of the few heroes not affiliated to the Union of Heroes, Paladins, and Similar (or HUPS, for short). He was famous for appearing here and there, showing off his skills on various towns and small cities. What worried Chuck the most was the influence he had on people, especially among women... and, more precisely, his wife, who was staring at SH like everyone else.
"Ehem! Mrs Pickles-Finster... do you remember the little chat we had inside the bank concerning your HUSBAND?" Chuck said to her while waving his hand in front of the blonde. This made Angelica to shake her head and react; she blushed and laughed nervously when noticing what she just had done in front of Chuckie.
"Oh, yes... about how nice, sweet, and FORGIVING he is." Angelica said while giving him a cheesy grin. Chuckie sighed, and directed all his attention to SH, who started talking to the crowd.
"Sorry I'm late, but I was washing my hair to look good when catching the villain. So, if you tell me where the criminal is, I'll handle him." Super Hunk said in his cool tone while looking at his fist and keeping a smug face. Lil reacted, and moved in front of him to talk.
"Oh, sorry, Mister Super Hunk, but The ColoRed Chuck already caught Bumble Man." Lil said, blushing. Super Hunk looked at her with an unamused expression, and then lifted his face, searching for the local hero. When noticing him, he motioned Lil to move aside, and walked through the crowd, directing his march to The ColoRed Chuck.
"Oh, yeah, The ColoRed Chuck... can I call you just "CH"? It's cooler that way." Super Hunk asked, standing in front of Chuck. Even if SH wasn't affiliated to the Union, Chuck still had to fulfill his duties as the resident defender, and welcome him.
"Sure, no problem, SH;" Chuck extended his left hand. Super Hunk shook it, but tightened his grip, causing Chuck to make a hurtful expression, but recovered quickly, not wanting to look like a weakling in front of everyone, especially Angie. SH released him, and his blond assistant quickly replaced his glove with a new one, while Chuck placed his hand behind his back, shaking it in pain.
"Sorry about the handshake, CH. I forgot you have no super strength... or any other power. Oh, and who is this lovely lady?" SH said, finally paying attention to Angelica. Angie gulped.
"Oh... I... am... I am... Angelica. Angelica Pickles." Angie said, nervously.
"Pickles-Finster." Chuck added, whispering to her. Angie regained her composure, but lost it again when SH leaned to kiss her hand.
"Is a pleasure... for you, I mean, but I like it too." Super Hunk said while looking at Angelica's eyes. Angelica couldn't move; she was like hypnotized by those deep brown eyes.
"AND WHAT, I WONDER, IS THE REASON OF YOUR VISIT?" Chuck said in a more than slightly upset tone. SH turned his back to him and Angelica, and directed to everyone.
"Good people of Everwood, I know that The ColoRed Chuck had been this city's hero for almost seven years, but he also helps many people through the country, and even beyond our frontiers. Because of this, I'm afraid he can't stay here and protect his city all the time, so, generously, I'm offering my incredibly worthy help to Everwood's citizens and Police Department, since he can't always do it." SH declared, causing cheers and positive comments amongside all the presents, except Chuckie, of course. Super Hunk turned to see him again.
"Unless, of course, you oppose; this is your city, after all." SH said while crossing his arms. Chuck gulped, noticing everyone now was looking at him. Super Hunk really waited for the right moment to make his announcement; Chuck knew his reputation would be terribly damaged if he refused to accept him in the city, and, as The ColoRed Chuck, he depended on the people's trust as much as other heroes rely on their powers and super-weapons.
"No, I don't oppose, SH. I might be the city's resident hero, but I don't own the town, or decide for everyone. If you wanna stay, I'll not be the one kicking you out of here." Chuck said, resigned. SH smiled, and directed to the crowd again.
"You heard it, people. Everwood has a new defender... Super Hunk, Number One Super Guy!" SH said in his coolest tone, and immediately got surrounded by people asking for an interview, an autograph, or (in the case of some very decided ladies) a date. The ColoRed Chuck started walking away, looking down.
"He takes advantage of my nobleness... wait… he said he was the Number One Super Guy? Please, at least he should use his own phrases." Chuck talked to himself.
Angelica was about to ask for an autograph too, but then she noticed Chuckie walking away. At that moment, a little voice inside her head snapped at her.
"What are you doing, you fool? That dork in red suit is the love of your life. He would die a million times for you, and what are you doing? Drooling for the same guy that made him feel like dirt!" The voice said to Angelica. Angie shook her head, realizing about the truth of that statement. She knew she just couldn't run aside him, so she took her cell phone out from her suit, and dialed his number.
"Chuckie? It's me... look, I'm sorry! I don't know what happened! He just looked at me, and I couldn't contain myself!" Angelica said at the phone, being careful nobody could hear her. There was silence from the other side of the line, and, after a minute or so, the reply came.
"I know, Angie. I can't blame you... I mean, he is Super Hunk. Men want to be him, and women want to be with him. It's just that... look, I'm going home. See you there, okay?" Chuck said in an obviously sad tone. Angelica agreed, and hung off the phone. Super Hunk suddenly became less attractive for her.
X-X-X-X
About an hour later, once she gave her declaration at the Police Station, Angelica returned home. She and Chuck lived in a little house located at the city's outsides, in the suburbia area. The house wasn't the fancy residence Angelica always dreamed with when she was younger, but it was perfect for a young married couple. However, this time, she was, for once, nervous to face Chuck instead the other way. Chuckie, at times, had to apologize for being absent in special occasions, or for a kiss from a grateful girl he had just saved, but that was part of his job, unlike Angelica, who almost ignored him completely because of Super Hunk. Angie sighed, and entered the house at quietly as possible.
She started looking for Chuckie, and when couldn't find him in the kitchen, living room, or gym (despite not being as muscular as other heroes, Chuckie trained at least an hour everyday to keep himself in top shape), she walked upstairs, and then heard Chuck talking to someone on their bedroom. Angelica opened the door slightly to see who was with him; she couldn't help but smile a little when noticing Chuck on his civilian clothes talking with Fluffy, her Persian cat, while brushing her fur.
"I tell you, Fluffy, if that guy wasn't a superhero, and one with super-strength, no less, I would have done something really drastic... but there are several reasons that stopped me. Wanna hear them?" Chuck asked the feline. Fluffy yawned in boredom.
"I'm taking that as a "Yes". Okay, first of all, UHPS isn't a monopoly, or the mob, so I don't really have any authority over a non-affiliated hero. Second, he is right about me not being here all the time, so I guess having another hero around isn't a bad idea... I mean, sure, Tommy is a hero too, but Okey Dokey Jones does most of his missions on other countries, and I'm always summoned to help people outside the city's limits. Third, despite his attitude, SH really does a good job; I had seen tapes of him fighting criminals and saving people, and he is pretty competent as a crime fighter. the only reason we didn't accept him at the Union was because he wanted to be the leader from day one, and, come on, he is good, but he's a rookie compared with half of the members. Even all the world's charisma wasn't enough to give him that job." Chuck said to the cat, smiling a little at the last part. Fluffy looked at him with bored eyes, but decided to lie on his lap and purr a little.
"Oh, you're supporting me? Thanks. Now, if only I can convince you to stop using my mallet as a scratching pole... no, I don't do miracles." Chuck said to the cat while rubbing her belly. Outside the room, Angelica was doing her best to avoid laughing. Sometimes Fluffy enjoyed doing some of her feline stunts on Chuck or his stuff, but most of the time they could, at least, stand each other.
"Anyway, I suppose I can't be angry with him for flirting with Angelica. I mean, he doesn't know she is my wife, and, honestly, can I really blame him for finding her attractive? Angie is one of the most beautiful women I had ever met, and, certainly, at least to me, she is the most amazing ever. And believe me, Fluffy, that's saying a lot when it comes from a guy who sits next to Wonder Woman in the UHPS' meetings." Chuck said to the cat, smiling. Angelica took a deep breath, and entered the room, making Chuck and Fluffy to lift their heads.
"Well, thank you for the comparison... but, even if you have no reason to be angry with him, you have to be with me. He doesn't know we are married, but I do, and the way I acted isn't proper of a wife, especially one that loves her husband as much as I do." Angelica said, looking down. Chuck stood up, an, after placing Fluffy in the bed, he put his hands on Angelica's shoulders.
"Hey, relax, Angelica. I admit that wasn't exactly the best experience of my life, and I was really hurt for watching that scene, but I understand you. When I first met Diana, I hardly could talk because of the emotion... and I still feel a little intimidated when I'm next to her. Is obvious you might feel something similar when meeting a superhero, especially one like Super Hunk." Chuck said in a kind tone but rolling his eyes at the last part.
"Yes... but I shouldn't be so excited when meeting a superhero. I mean, my cousin is a hero, you had introduced me to your closest friends in the Union, and I'm married to you! By now, I should be able to control myself." Angelica commented.
"Well, I'm not exactly the kind of hero that makes you say "Oh my, look at that marvelous human specimen", or something like that." Chuck said, chuckling slightly but with a little sad look on his eyes. Angelica shook her head, and smiled at him.
"No. But you're something Super Hunk isn't; The ColoRed Chuck, the hero who faces danger despite being scared most of the time." Angelica told him, making Chuck to laugh a little.
"Let's keep the "being scared" part between us, okay? I have to be a little intimidating for villains... and that's already hard considering my disguise." Chuck replied, making Angelica to laugh as well.
"So, you're not angry with me?" Angelica asked.
"You're not angry with me for sitting next to Wonder Woman on the meetings?" Chuck asked in reply.
"Of course I'm not! I trust you entirely!" Angelica answered, totally smiled widely, and rubbed her cheeks slightly.
"Same here, so no damage done; hey, when was the last time I remained angry with you? We are humans and therefore, we can make mistakes. Remember all the times I had tripped or broken something by accident when I make my entrance, and I have to cover it with a lame excuse and say "I did that on purpose", or "All my moves are coldly calculated"? Not to mention that time you put your clothing in my closet." Chuckie replied.
FLASHBACK.
Chuck, on his civilian clothes, dashed inside his closet to put on his ColoRed Chuck's outfit, emerging a moment later fully dressed.
"See you later, Angie. I'm in a hurry!" Chuck said while giving her a fast kiss. Angelica then noticed something, and whistled at him to make Chuck to stop.
"What?" Chuck asked. Angelica, blushing, pointed at the low part of Chuck's body. When looking down, he gasped; instead of his trademark yellow shorts, he was using a purple skirt with yellow dots.
"Uh... maybe I should put a light inside the closet." Chuck said, blushing and smiling nervously.
END FLASHBACK.
"Hey, it could have been worse. I had a bra placed next to the skirt." Angelica said while placing her hands on her hips. Both she and Chuck laughed at the memory; from the last eight months, they have had dozens of incidents like that one because of Chuck's clumsiness and Angelica's messy and bratty nature, but they liked their new life despite those details, or maybe because of them. Every day was a surprise, always expecting one of them to do something that might drive the other crazy for a few moments, and then laugh at themselves.
Chuck and Angelica kissed tenderly for a few minutes, and then walked downstairs to have dinner. Once they were done, they sat on the living room's largest couch to see the news, something every superhero must check on a regular basis, especially the news concerning crimes and special events on the community. Chuck turned on the TV while placing his arm on Angelica's shoulders, and she leaned her head on Chuck's chest while petting Fluffy, who was resting on her lap. After the commercial break, Doddie appeared on screen.
"Good afternoon, and welcome to Everwood Evening Newscast, with Doddie Bishop. Today's main note is the arrival of one of the nation's greatest heroes, and certainly the most handsome, Super Hunk, who officially announced he would be one of the city's protectors, just like Thomas Pickles, better known as Okey Dokey Jones, and The ColoRed Chuck. This announcement was done right outside the same bank where the red outfitted hero had caught Bumble Man just a few minutes before." Dodie informed while several images of SH talking to the press appeared on the screen. Then, she started listing several of Super Hunk's stunts on various cities.
"Hey, wait a minute. Super Hunk just made an improvised press conference, and has the whole program for him, and you stopped a villain, and only got a mention? They aren't even giving details about the robbery!" Angelica commented, slightly upset. Chuck sighed.
"I'm not surprised. Super Hunk is the center of attention wherever he appears. Hey, look at that." Chuck commented, pointing at the screen, where Super Hunk was shown bending a steel bar, and then lifting a taxi without any effort.
"Once he finished his announcement, Super Hunk gave a demonstration of his amazing powers to the press' members. A few minutes later, Mayor Courtney Gripling appeared on scene to meet the famous hero." Doddie said, and then an image of Courtney, wearing a pink business suit, appeared on screen.
"To make our new hero feel welcome, the city will pay for his stay at the penthouse of The Grand Bucks Hotel during all the time he decides to honor our town with his presence. He'll also have access to the Police's communication lines so he'll always be available when needed." Courtney said, blushing when SH moved next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder and smiling at the cameras.
"It's a pleasure to serve the citizens of a city that has such a smart and beautiful woman as your mayor. You can rest peacefully at your homes knowing Super Hunk, The Living Legend, will be protecting you against any danger." SH said to the press, getting a close up.
"A penthouse? Hey, that's not fair! And besides, I might not be an expert, but Captain America is The Living Legend, not him. What's next? Calling himself "The Man of Steel"?" Angelica said, upset, making the cat to jump down.
"I don't think he'll dare... but I might be wrong. He once called himself "The Man without Fear". Honestly, just because we can't copyright the phrases it doesn't mean any hero can use them." Chuck replied. A moment later, he got a serious expression while a beeping sound was heard.
"This guy's mouth is even bigger than... well, mine! How can...?" Angelica turned to see Chuck's reaction, but he was gone, and his civilian clothes were on the couch. Angelica sighed.
"I think I'll never get used to that." Angie said to Fluffy, who opened her feline eyes in surprise, looking for her master. Angelica knew exactly where he was... well, not exactly, but knew what had just happened. Someone, somewhere, had summoned The ColoRed Chuck.
X-X-X-X
"Don't worry, my wild brothers and sisters! I'll release you from your prison in a moment!" A thin guy with nerdy glasses and a bowl hairdo, wearing black shirt, pants, and boots, with his face painted to mimic a tiger's fur, talked to the birds inside a cage in Hillwood Zoo, while trying to open the cage's lock, as he had done with several others that night.
"Curly, stop! This is dangerous!" A brunette woman, apparently on her forties, wearing a blue dress, appeared behind the guy, trying to make him reason.
"Nonsense, Doctor Bliss! I'm releasing my wild siblings so they can enjoy the sweet gift of freedom!" Curly replied, turning to face the woman. A moment later, a blond young man, with an oddly shaped head (similar to a football), wearing a blue sweater and black jeans, and a little blue cap hanging from a necklace, appeared next to the doctor.
"Curly, please, think about what you are doing. You just can't release all the animals." The man said in a very kind tone. Curly shook his head.
"Of course I can, Arnold! And don't be so hypocrite! You are the one who released a giant turtle when you were nine, remember?" Curly snapped at him. Doctor Bliss turned to see the reaction of Arnold, her pupil; he always had a special talent to help people in need, and was one of the few persons who could reason with Thaddeus Gammelthorpe, best known as Curly, one of her most difficult patients. Arnold sighed.
"Yes, Curly, I did it, but just because that turtle was mistreated, and I released it in the ocean, the animal's natural habitat. But you are releasing wild animals in the middle of the city. They can get hurt, or hurt someone." Arnold said to the crazed guy, trying to make him reason. Curly got a thoughtful expression.
"But... these animals are used to people. They'll surely not attack anyone." Curly replied.
"They are used to the keepers, Curly, but not to regular persons. The most aggressive animals might attack someone, and I'm sure there will be people trying to shoot at them to defend their families. And even if that doesn't happen, what will they eat, and where will they go? Do you think a gorilla or an elephant can sleep in the middle of the street, or get fresh fruit from the park's trees? And those birds aren't used to pollution, homeless cats, or electric lines." Arnold told him.
"These animals aren't prisoners, Curly. I know you hate closed spaces, and the idea of being caught, but they aren't locked to prevent them to enjoy their freedom. They're here to be attended and protected." Doctor Bliss entered the conversation. Curly sighed, and dropped the skeleton keys he had been using to unlock the cages.
"The other animals I already released..." Curly mumbled, looking down, while Arnold and the doctor moved next to him.
"They're fine, Curly. Monkeyman caught the gorilla and the rest of the apes, and then helped the zoo's crew with the other animals. I think they already caught them all." Arnold commented.
RROOAARR!
A terrifying roaring made the trio to turn around, spotting a black panther approaching them.
"As Helga would say... Think again, football head." Arnold said to himself while gulping in fear. Curly and the doctor gasped while Arnold moved in front of them, using his body as a shield between them and the feline.
"The birds... it's looking for the birds... and we're in the middle!" Doctor Bliss said, deducing the reason the panther wasn't trying to avoid them. Curly sweated cold, while Arnold, slowly, started walking in the beast's direction, trying to distract it.
"You two try to go... slowly... and call for help. I'm staying here to cover you." Arnold said without losing sight of the feline. The panther got into position to pounce on him.
"Call for help... call for help... I got it!" Curly suddenly said, having an idea. He cleared his throat, and talked out loud.
"Oh, and now, who will save him!"
A moment later, in a perfect cue, a famous hooded head popped from the inside of a nearby trash can.
"I!" Chuck said in his usual heroic tone, getting the panther's attention.
"ColoRed Chuck... LOOK OUT!" Arnold yelled to alert the hero, since now the panther seemed more interested in the person wearing the most colorful outfit and making the most noise. The panther dashed against Chuckie.
"Chanfle! Nice kitty, nice kitty...!" Chuck said in fear while moving his mallet in front of him for protection. The panther pounced on him, trying to bite his neck, but Chuck could keep the fangs away from him by using the mallet's handler, placing it on the feline's throat while pushing away with both hands. The attack and the struggling made the trash can to fall, stunning both Chuck and the beast.
Chuck shook his head to recover his senses, and noticed the three persons in front of him and the place he was. Then, he noticed the panther was shaking its head as well, and realized he had no time to lose.
"Try to find the keeper! I'll keep Bagheera busy!" Chuck yelled at them while rolling on the ground to move away from the feline. Chuck stood up, and started teasingthe cat.
"Hey, you, alley cat! Come and get me!" Chuck yelled at the panther. The beast dashed against him, and Chuck used one of his few fully-tested abilities that could be considered an almost-power; enhanced speed secondary to full terror.
"I'm following them. Alert Monkeyman, or the keepers, or someone, just do it, please!" Arnold instructed Bliss and Curly, and started chasing the hero and the panther.
Chuck ran at his top speed with the panther closely behind him while trying to find somewhere to hide. He spotted an open cage that seemed to have no animals inside (unknown to him, that was exactly the panther's cage), and got an idea. He ran inside the cage, but, instead of closing the gate, he allowed the panther to enter. Chuck moved as far as possible from the panther, but taking care that the animal was also far away from the gate.
There were a few rocks and sticks inside the cage, used to give it a more natural look, so Chuck started throwing them to thefeline to keep it apart from him. Arnold appeared about a minute later, and ran next to the cage.
"The gate! Close it!" Chuck yelled to the football-headed guy.
"Not with you inside!" Arnold replied while placing a foot inside the cage.
"Trust me! I have a plan! Get out of here, and close the gate!" Chuck snapped at him while throwing his last stick to the panther. Arnold hesitated for a moment, but finally reacted and closed the gate, locking it, with Chuck and the predator inside the cage..
The sound of the closing gate distracted the panther for a few seconds. Then, Chuck took a little jar out from his shorts, opened it, and took out a pill. Right when the panther returned its attention to the hero, and pounced on him, Chuck swallowed the pill, shrinking himself to the size of a mouse, avoiding the attack. While the confused beast started searching for its prey, Chuck run through the cage's bars, escaping.
"Wow! Now, that was impressive!" Arnold said, amazed, while moving to the side of the cage where Chuck's escaped, and leaned to take a better look at the hero.
"Shrinktolin's pills. Never go out of home without them." Chuckie said, panting, while Arnold moved his hands in front of him, allowing Chuck to climb on them.
"Thanks for the rescue, ColoRed Chuck. Nice to see you again," Arnold told him. Chuck had appeared in Hillwood more than once, and many times it was to help one of Arnold's friends.
"Same here. That panther escaped by its own, or someone released it?" Chuck asked. Arnold sighed.
"Curly." Arnold replied. Chuck slapped his forehead.
"Again? Seriously, that guy never learns? Last year he thought he was a vampire, and tried to kidnap your friend Rhonda and make her his "Nocturnal Queen"; two months before that, he tried to fly by using fire extinguishers; and three years ago he thought he was Paul Revere, and ran in the traffic saying the British were coming! What's next? Locking himself inside a room, and attack people with balls, or using a bride dress in a cemetery at night?" Chuck said, more than slightly upset.
"He already did those on Elementary." Arnold said, rolling his eyes.
"Oh." Chuck said, surprised. A moment later, a tall guy with curly brown hair, a yellow shirt with a large "M" in the middle, green cape, brown pants, and white sneakers appeared behind them.
"Monkeeeeymaaan!" The guy yelled. Arnold and Chuck shook their heads.
"Monkeyman, it's me. I already know who you are." Chuck said to Monkeyman; they knew each other from the times Chuck had appeared in Hillwood, and the UHPS' meetings. Chuck actually considered him a friend, but he had an speech impediment even worse than Bumble Man's.
"Oh, that's monkeyman right. Thanks a lot for saving my monkeyman friend, ColoRed Chuck. I was monkeyman helping the keepers with the elephants when Curly and Doctor Bliss told me about the monkeyman panther's problem." The local hero said to Chuck.
"Hey, just keep me in a place where nobody can step on me while I recover my natural size, and we'll be even, okay, buddy?" Chuck commented. Arnold and Monkeyman chuckled, and Monkeyman placed Chuck on his shoulder, while they walked away.
"By the way, thanks for the assistance, Arnold. One moment after, and I would had needed to start throwing poop to the panther. Yuk!" Chuck told Arnold while making a nauseating face.
"Well, that cage seemed to be clean. Actually, I couldn't smell poop at all." Arnold commented.
"Believe me, a few more seconds, and there would be... and not exactly animal one." Chuck said, blushing in embarrasement. Monkeyman and Arnold understood what he meant, and laughed loudly.