Underdog 2

Chapter 4

"And that's how I became a superhero, stopped a supervillain, and saved the town from being turned into zombies."

Elizabeth sat starry-eyed on the floor, her mouth agape.

"Wow", she said. "Now that's quite a story, like something out of a comic book, or a TV show nowadays, or even a movie!"

"Yeah, and just like all of those, you can't tell anyone who I am", said Shoeshine.

Elizabeth laughed.

"Me, tell anyone that I know a dog who can talk? They'd lock me up."

"Good point."

"Anyway, you don't need to worry."

Elizabeth got up, scratching Shoeshine behind the ears.

"You're secret's safe with me, pretty doggy."

"Okay, I'm gonna let that slide since you're new here and you're a girl."

Elizabeth giggled and went back to her room to get dressed.

…

Conrad Conger smiled as he pulled into Capital City.

"I'm here, baby", he said, "and I'm coming for you."

He suddenly spotted a bank and got an eager look of his face.

"I'll even bring you something nice as a gift."

Slipping on a black mask, he went inside.

"There you are, sir", said a teller at the bank. "Have yourself a nice day, the Capital City way!"

Conrad shot a stream of electricity into the air, hitting the overhead lights and shorting them out. As sparks flew, the bank patrons screamed and ran for cover.

"Alright, everybody get down!" Conrad demanded. "Anybody moves, I'll fry 'em!"

To make his point, he shot out another blast of electricity, this time hitting a lamp to the right of the teller's stand. As he surveyed his hostages, making sure they got down on the floor, he failed to see the teller hit the silent Alarm button.

…..

Elizabeth poured some dog food into Shoeshine's bowl. A few mere seconds later, the dog was in the doorway.

"Wow", said Elizabeth. "I guess dogs really do have excellent hearing."

Suddenly, Shoeshine heard cries for help from across town.

"Better than you think", said Shoeshine. "Sorry, Lizzie, duty calls!"

"Wait, what?"

Elizabeth followed Shoeshine out the back door as he dug into his doghouse for his Underdog costume.

"Where are you going?!"

"When Capital City's in trouble, I'm not slow", said Underdog. "It's hip, hip, hip and away I go!"

Elizabeth shielded her eyes as he took off, releasing a cloud of dirt into the air.

"Oh, this I gotta see."

Elizabeth grabbed her purse and ran out the front door.

"Taxi!" she called.

Underdog flew through the clouds of Capital City and landed right outside the bank.

"I said, get down!" he overheard a man in a mask yell at the teller. Underdog watched as electricity danced on his fingertips.

"Whoa!" he said. "Looks like this guy means business. I'd better be careful."

Conrad turned and released another bolt as he saw one of the bank patrons flinch out of the corner of his eye.

"You people just can't seem to comprehend what "Don't move" means, don't you?" he said.

"Sorry."

Underdog suddenly came through the revolving doors.

"But I don't take orders from criminals."

"And just who do you think you are?"

"There's no need to fear. Underdog is here."

"Underdog, huh? I've never heard of you."

"Nor I of you."

"You can call me...Eel. Electric Eel."

"Noted. Now let these people go."

"You don't take orders from criminals, so why should I take orders from you?"

Underdog flew out of the way as lightning flew at him.

"Criminal who can shoot lightning. Shocking."

"Wow. Original, aren't ya?"

"Well, it was right there."

The masked man aimed another bolt at him. Underdog ducked out of the way, pulling away a small child in its path.

"You okay, kid?" he said.

"Yeah", said the boy. "Thanks, Underdog!"

"So, you care about the innocent, huh?" said the masked man. "Noted."

He grabbed a woman, who screamed, and held his bolted hand to her neck.

"Here's how this is gonna go, Underdolt", he said. "You're gonna collect all of the cash in this bank and let me walk out of here, or this girl's gonna be another shrimp on the barbie."

Elizabeth paid the cab driver as he dropped her off a few blocks down.

"Be careful miss", he said to her, collecting the cash. "I heard there's a fight goin' on not too far from here."

"Really? Well, thanks for the tip."

With that, Elizabeth slung her purse over her shoulder and jogged down the sidewalk.

"What do you say, Underdog?" said the masked man, still holding the woman. "You gonna let some poor girl fry, or do as I say and we can all walk away happy?"

"Fine", said Underdog. "I'll do what you want, just let her go."

The man in the mask chuckled as Underdog used his super speed to collect all of the money. He failed to notice Elizabeth creeping up to the revolving doors. She covered her mouth with her hand and stood in shock when she saw Underdog and the man in the mask.

"He really is a superhero", she said to herself. "Cool!"

Underdog finally landed, a large bag in front of him.

"Thanks, canine crime-fighter!"

The man in the mask reached down to pick up the money, keeping a firm hold on the girl.

"You've got what you want", said Underdog. "Let her go."

"Not just yet", said the man in the mask. "First, I wanna make sure I get out of here with my money."

"You will", said Underdog. "Just let her go first."

"I don't think so."

The man started walking towards the door, still holding the girl and the stolen cash. "I'm still calling the shots here, Under-"

He stopped, noticing Elizabeth in the bank window's reflection.

"Lizzie", he whispered. "I've found you."

Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Underdog sprang forward, plowing into them and knocking them to the floor.

"Now's my chance to help", said Elizabeth, sneaking inside. She reached over to the wall and pulled the fire alarm, causing panic. In the ensuing chaos, the man in the mask lost his hostage. Enraged, he turned to see Elizabeth ushering people out the door. In spite of himself, he chuckled.

"Smart girl."

Grabbing the bag of money, he slipped out the door with the crowd, turning to see his daughter one last time.

"Not a good time, sugar cube", he said, "but I'll see you soon enough."

Elizabeth could have sworn she heard someone call her her childhood nickname, but turned to find no one behind her.

…..

Dan Unger raced into the bank, where police were trying to calm the forming crowd and news crews outside. He sighed with relief when he saw Elizabeth being questioned by another officer.

"Lizzie!" he said, coming up to her. "Thank goodness-are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Uncle Dan", she said. "Say, you didn't tell me there was a superhero in this city."

"I didn't?"

Elizabeth shook her head.

"Strange, I-could've sworn I mentioned Underdog."

"No, you didn't."

"Oh, well, let's get you home. I'm sure Shoeshine misses you."

Elizabeth glanced up at the sky, watching Underdog.

"Yeah", said Elizabeth, smiling to herself. "I'm sure he does."

-Imagigirl20