Chapter Four: Dimming Hope

To say that SheZow (aka Guy Hamdon) was shocked to find his father, Boxter Hamdon, was the sole resident of the city of Megadale seemingly unaffected by La Bruja's spell would be the biggest understatement ever!However, given the situation that they were all currently in (being hunted down by nearly the entire population of Megadale) SheZow was willing to wait on looking a gift horse in the mouth, as the saying goes! Unfastening his seatbelt, which had previously been giving him trouble, SheZow leapt out of the wrecked She-C-10 and rushed to Officer Hamdon's Bloodhound police cruiser! They rushed away just in time, because the three previous Bloodhounds had finally tracked the Sheicle to the junkyard…only to find the empty wrecked She-C-10 and no SheZow!

Awkward silence reign in Officer Hamdon's police cruiser as the two drove aimlessly through the city. Officer Hamdon was waiting for an idea from SheZow on where to go, as he had extremely limited experience with supernatural problems. He only encountered it whenever SheZow fought a super villain. Usually, Boxter's thoughts on SheZow were more…mocking then they were right now, but even so, Hamdon knew that SheZow was coming up with some solution to this mess! SheZow's silence, however, came from a more…personal reason.

Out of all the people in the city, my dad is the only one not affected by the spell?! thought SheZow frantically, I don't get it! La Bruja would have wanted everyone in my family gunning for my head, so why is dad sparred! He's got no immunity to magic as far as I know! Unless…

SheZow looked at Boxter Hamdon…no at his father…with a sense of dread. Looking back on La Bruja's gloat, the word 'turned their love into hate' began to take on a whole new meaning for SheZow! What if…the only reason that Boxter was not hunting SheZow right now…was because…he truly was filled with hate for SheZow?! Guy already knew that his father disliked SheZow for 'her' vigilante actions, reckless behavior, and for showing up the police force so many times! But what he couldn't really handle, in truth, was his father hating him for what he was!

"SheZow?" asked Officer Hamdon, shocking SheZow out of his dark thoughts and causing him to flinch! Boxter moved his hand away from SheZow with a worried look on his face and asked, "Are you okay?"

Sighing, SheZow relaxed and replied, in his falsetto voice, "Today hasn't exactly been the day I was hoping for."

Giving an unenthusiastic laugh, Officer Hamdon said, "Yeah, I can imagine. Any idea as to who or what is causing all of this?"

"La Bruja." Said SheZow simply, noting Officer Hamdon's surprised expression. The officer was there at the last battle and at the time it looked like La Bruja had met her end. Unfortunately, SheZow and her friends, knowing La Bruja's secret identity of Sartana Suarez, saw her on TV a few days later, donating equipment to the police force! We've already seen how that equipment was put to use!

"Look, I know it's hard to believe! I barely believed it when I saw her! But she's the one behind this whole…mess!" exclaimed SheZow, frustrated both at her arch nemesis's survival and her ability to come up with such a diabolic plan! Seething with frustration, SheZow barely noticed the look of concern on Boxter Hamdon's face, though given the situation that was hardly a comfort! For all he knew, his dad was being subtly force to be concerned!

"Look I don't much about mystical hoodoo or whatever! That's more my wife's area of expertise! But what I do know is two things: spells can be broken and heroes never give up! So, little lady, why don't you wipe those tears out of your eyes, and let's find us a witch to punch in the face!" exclaimed Boxter Hamdon, before handing SheZow a tissue.

After wiping the tears of frustration forming in his eyes, SheZow could not help but smile! He's right, I can't give up! thought SheZow, I'm gonna beat that old hag just like I did last time, because I got my dad with me! Inspired by Boxter's little speech, SheZow felt like nothing in the world could bring him down! Unfortunately, it's those types of moments that Fate, and/or a super villain, just love to ruin…

"Oh, what a touching moment! It's almost a shame to ruin it! Almost. MUWHAHAHAHA!" exclaimed La Bruja from a screen which appeared on the console of the Bloodhound! Shock quickly turned into fury for both SheZow and Boxter Hamdon, however!

"How did you get on this network?! Only members of the Megadale Police Force are supposed to have access to communication protocols!" exclaimed Officer Hamdon, furious at La Bruja's effortless violation of a high security network.

"That's for me to know, and for you to never find out mi fuente delicioso!" mocked La Bruja while licking her lips in a perverted manner. The truth was, both SheZow and La Bruja knew that La Bruja (as Sartana Suarez) had created the network! Therefore La Bruja could access the police frequencies at anytime she wanted, either to send a message…or to listen in!

"What do you want, La Bruja?!" demanded SheZow, fed up with Sartana's mercurial nature.

"Oh, I just wanted to say that…you have an official appointment with the Judicial Court of Megadale!" exclaimed La Bruja excitedly, "Normally, I would have let mob rule last just a bit longer, but it seems the Mayor wants this whole thing over with before more damage to the city occurs! I usually don't do well with authority figures…but I'm on something of a tight schedule!"

"What do ya mean 'tight schedule'?" asked Officer Hamdon mockingly, hoping this was a sign of La Bruja weakening, "I bet you can't keep this whole magic mojo up anymore, that's why you so desperate to get this over with!"

La Bruja's face had a deadpan expression as she stated, "Wow, all those good looks and not an ounce of common sense. My spell is self perpetuating: that means that I don't need to hold anything! The only reason I am allowing this little…courtroom proceeding, is because if SheZow doesn't die soon, the fine citizens of this city will tear it apart!

"However, if the impending destruction of Megadale doesn't bother, let's not forget that I have all your friends and loved ones in my grasp! So to put it simply, if SheZow does not get her bright pink behind down to the Megadale Courthouse within one hour, I will start executing random citizens every five minutes until she does get here!" declared La Bruja with a menacing expression.

Silence fell over the vehicle as Boxter and SheZow considered La Bruja's ultimatum. There was no question of whether she could or would carry it out the threat! Of course, doing as she said would mean that both SheZow and Officer Hamdon would be walking right into a trap! Unfortunately, it looked like there was no other choice!

"All right La Bruja. I'll be there!" said SheZow, before cheekily adding, "I just gotta get some work done. You know…look good on my court date!"

La Bruja adopted a mildly amused expression when she replied, "Always one for the cheap laugh, eh! Just remember…one hour! Any later, and the bodies start hitting the floor!" The connection was cut after that final chilling warning, leaving a tense atmosphere in the police cruiser. Then both occupants adopted stern expressions. There was no way they were going to be intimidated by that evil old hag!

"Well looks like you got a court date!" exclaimed Officer Hamdon, trying to hide his tensions.

SheZow smiled before replying, "Your right, but first I gotta pick-up a few things!" Contacting Sheila with his ring, he explained his plan for La Bruja's trap to the both of them and the police cruiser speed over to the vehicle entrance of the She-Lair to pick up some gear, with the promise from SheZow that "it's going to be an emotionally moment for everybody!"

Disclaimer: I do not own SheZow, no matter how much I want to. As I said before, the next few updates will be slow. Going door to door in this weather is a pain! Not to mention the phone bank, so dull! But I've got to work my way up to a steady paying job. I'll still write fanfiction, it's my source of stress relief, and I love the response I get. Speaking of which, I have a little challenge for your: guess how SheZow will break La Bruja's spell! Here's a hint: she made a pun at the end! Keep reading and reviewing people!