A shadow slowly approached Underdog, his vision suddenly covered by weathered metal. Gritting his teeth, Underdog hopped up and flew out from under the monster's foot before it could strike the ground. He took a moment to internalize the beast. Despite being connected to Simon's body, the massive robot still moved slowly. The crowd below screamed, scrambling over eachother like seafoam to get away.

Underdog blinked and furrowed his brow. Within a moment, he could see the inner workings of the machine. It was mostly a great, mismatched tangle of cords. Still, it seemed some points were thinner than others. Most notably, the heart.

Inside the robot, Simon could feel his surroundings slowly getting hotter. He began to puff, the steam fogging up his window. He could feel the burn begin to encroach on his fingertips. Simon whipped his arm up, the robot following suit. He swatted at Underdog, revelling in the way their contact froze his arm in place for a moment.

The meeting of metal and bone rang out with an awful BONK. Underdog shouted as he was struck, feeling the rush of air around him as he began to fall. Luckily, he opened his eyes and managed to stop himself before he hit the ground. Above him, Simon's arm drew closer.

Circling his arms as if he were swimming, Underdog bolted away before Simon could hit him again. He flew in loops within the air, avoiding each of the robot's movements until he was out of reach. Underdog drummed his fingers against his thigh as he thought. Then, he flew directly at the robot's abdomen.

The metal crinkled under the force of the hero's impact. Underdog's hands quivered. He was so hot and angry he thought he might melt the robot by simply laying his hands on it. Regardless, he drew back for a moment. Then, he gathered his hands into fists and pummeled the robot's chest like a pile driver.

Though he managed to carve out a crater, Simon didn't let it last. He reached one steady arm up to Underdog. Rough pincers clamped around Underdog's stomach. Underdog wheezed at the pressure. Simon picked him off like an annoying bug, then swiftly raised his arm upward. He released his grip at its apex. Underdog was flung spaceward faster than he could fly.

He groaned at the feeling, struggling to breathe in the thin air. Underdog ground his teeth and gulped thickly. He soon caught himself on the cushion of the atmosphere, righting himself to look down. Underdog paused for only a moment to conjure up a plan. He cracked his neck as he thought.

Taking in as deep of a breath as he could, Underdog pointed his hands in front of himself and flew back down. Quicker and quicker he went as gravity pulled him. He felt the strain and heat of it press around him like the shell of a bullet. In a few seconds, the city returned to his sight. In a few more, Simon's robot. Underdog squared his jaw and shut his eyes.

Underdog smashed into the monster's head. It immediately buckled, unable to take the sheer amount of force. It exploded in a cloud of sheets and screws and springs and steam. The great machine stumbled under the excitement. Both its step and the shockwave shook the ground below.

Underdog, too, was dazed. The explosion knocked him away from the robot with fresh cuts across his body. The wind whistled around him as he fell. Still, he groggily caught himself midair. He held his bleeding snout and grumbled.

Even without a head, the monster turned to face Underdog. The hero swallowed his tongue back into his mouth and stood. Head pounding, he faced Simon.

"You've done me a great favor, Underdog!" Simon exclaimed through his staticy speaker, "I'll move quicker now without my head!"

Underdog felt his nerves flare in his mouth and snarled. Simon raised the monster's arms, swatting at Underdog like a mosquito. Underdog flew in swirls and circles around the monster. Its rapid movements didn't let him get any closer.

With nothing to do but dodge, Underdog began to feel fatigue setting in. His ears slapped hard and heavy against his shoulders. His fingers went cold from the whipping wind. His saliva was thick in his throat. He felt a growing pressure on his sides as each snap of the pincers got nearer and nearer. Underdog quietly hoped Simon might hit himself in the confusion.

...ah!

Underdog skidded to a stop just above the robot's shoulder. He let out a huff before making a hairpin turn. One of the arms chasing the hero struck itself with a metallic CRUNCH. Immediately, the damaged arm froze midair. Sparks flew out of its shoulder, and a few moments later, its wrist. Then, the massive cord flopped lifelessly to the monster's side. The robot stumbled as its weight shifted.

"Why, you—!" Simon snapped, his voice muffled. Clearly, an utterance the speaker wasn't meant to broadcast.

Underdog took the opportunity to pause and catch his breath. Simon didn't let him rest long. Even with the injury to his exterior, Simon raised his working arm and ambushed Underdog. The hero yelped, and the air cracked with a sickening TRUNCH. He fell out of the air, too tired and winded to catch himself. He landed on the hard earth with another resounding impact, dirt and pebbles spraying around him.

Underdog choked up a mouthful of dirt. Then, he cracked his eyes open. The foot of Simon's monster was quickly drawing in on him. Underdog barely managed to cover his head with an arm and toss his cape over himself before—

KAA- RUNNCH.

Simon lifted his foot slowly. Underdog remained still. Then, he stomped again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Simon raised his foot once more... but something stopped him. Angry and gruff and loud enough that it reverberated off the robot's innards came a shout from below.

"HEY, KING!"

Then Simon heard and felt a heavy thunk against his robot's behind. A few moments later came a torrent of blows. They ranged from soft to heavy, small to big. They did not damage Simon's exterior so much as they annoyed him.

"What's this? Trash? Bricks? Tomatoes?" Simon barked out, his voice laced with a cyanogenic malice. "Who dares disrespect my reign?"

Placing his foot on solid ground, the robot slowly turned toward the source of the attack. Gathered like ants around his feet and peeking around half-finished brick walls were the citizens of Biggers. Simon couldn't make out their details from so high up. It seemed like their arms were stacked high with makeshift weaponry—glass bottles, rotten fruits, bricks from Simon's castle.

Heading the crowd was a woman, one Simon was all too familiar with. Though her cloudlike ears were ruffled, and her jacket was dirtied around her waist, and her tights were torn across her thighs, Simon could recognize her as easily as he could his mother.

Polly held a brick in one hand and a fire axe in the other. "We do," she said with an ugly snarl. She threw her final brick at the robot's back and rushed forward with a cry on her lips. She struck her axe into its cordlike leg. It cut through the metal until sparks flew out. She kept chopping as she yelled.

"You're DONE! In the name of Underdog, I will defeat you!"

Simon growled, the sound like groaning metal through his robotic speaker. "You want to be like Underdog? Beautiful!" His robot started in Polly's direction, leaning down to grab her. In the moment, any lust Simon felt for her was forgotten—now, he had no qualms about ruining her. He reached a steady arm out in her direction, clacking his pincers in preparation. "I'll TREAT you like Underdog!"

Despite her confidence, Polly was not super. Though she raised her axe to meet his attack, she shook on her paws and shut her eyes. Suddenly, the blackness behind her vision shifted into something bright. She blinked.

In front of her was a fuzzy blue cape and a spattering of stardust. The hero groaned, holding back the robotic pincers with his hands. The metal creaked, unstoppable force meeting immovable object. Underdog glanced over his shoulder at Polly, a playful smirk across his bruised face.

"You fought bravely, with both strength and heart!" he announced, his voice booming with newfound strength, "Now allow me to tear this heap of trash apart!"

Polly took a moment to nod at him, then ran back toward the crowd. She waved her arms and shouted for them all to get back with a smile.

Underdog released Simon's pincer. It finally snapped shut, so forcefully that it rattled up its arm. Then, Underdog grabbed the robot's wrist and flew. He pulled Simon away from the crowd, spinning him around all the while. The robot rushed to keep up. Finally, Underdog let the beast go.

Simon kept spinning, tripping over his own feet in his dizziness. Even still, he swatted at the air in a vain attempt to strike the hero. Underdog carefully weaved through his massive arms until he was safely out of reach.

Underdog took a deep breath. The monster finally stopped spinning, Simon's window facing the hero. Inside, Underdog could see that the villain was also exhausted. His small body shivered with the heaviness of his breathing, and his head was hunched in his shoulders. Underdog took Simon's momentary pause as a chance to let out his breath.

It was a great northern wind, strong as an atomic blast, and aimed directly for the glass of the window. Slowly, it began to crack. Underdog could see Simon thrash within the circuitry, but the robot refused to move. When the hero's breath ran out, he instead lifted his muzzle and howled.

This cry was no alert. What it was, instead, was high-pitched. Steadily, Underdog could hear the gentle shriek of broken glass begin to sing around him. First the windows of the surrounding buildings, then the spectacles worn within the crowd below, and finally, Simon's window.

The crack made a sharp, crackling noise as it continued to expand. Still, it did not break. Underdog fell over himself breathlessly. There was only one thing left to do.

"NO!" Simon shouted as he raised the monster's arm. The metal squealed as he forced its movement.

Underdog took a sharp breath through his nose. He flew forward just a moment before the robotic arm could meet his body. He stuck his arms straight out and squared his jaw and shut his eyes. A meteor ready for impact.

Underdog's fists met thin glass. It shattered under the punch, the noise quickly accompanied by a strangled cry. Underdog felt little shards drizzle across his face. Next, Underdog's hands met warmth and rough fabric. His eyes bolted open and he extended his hands. He gripped Simon's shoulders with all his might. He kicked to gain a newton of more force.

Simon was ripped from his robotics with a wet, sweaty sound. He screeched as Underdog grabbed him, then reached up to attack. He dug his claws into Underdog's shoulders.

The two of them crashed through the steel backside of the robot with a resounding squeal. Underdog growled at the villain, changing his flight path quickly skyward. Simon kicked Underdog's stomach with his knees. He scratched at his cheeks with his claws. Slapped his face with his open palm. Underdog began to spin in an attempt to shake him loose. While they fought, they flew higher.

Eventually, Simon's tired and feeble appendages gave out. He released his grip on Underdog with a grumble. At the same time, Underdog slowed his flight to a halt. He raised his arms, pushing Simon a few inches higher.

Then, he let go.

Simon began to scream. Underdog thought, for once in Simon's miserable life, he actually sounded scared.

Underdog rushed back down to the ground, sweeping the clouds away with his hands. He was just in time—the driverless mechanical monster had begun to fall. The excitement and joy within the gathered crowd was quickly cut short as the robot groaned.

Finally, the robot stumbled off of its heels. The battered metal continued to rattle as it neared the ground. When suddenly, it stopped. Underdog wrapped his arms around its working wrist, teeth bared and out of breath. With a groan, he lifted the monster back to his feet. Then, he lifted it higher.

The robot was far heavier than Simon was, and even more of a pain for Underdog's strained body. Regardless, he managed to lift it until they were just high enough to avoid more destruction. He began to spin the massive robot as if it were a discus. The torn muscles in his shoulders strained under the weight. Underdog quickly decided he had enough momentum, and threw the robot in the direction of the ocean.

The massive monster flew quickly over the city buildings. It flew further and further away until it became nothing but a little dot on the horizon. Then, the sky shook. A great THUD sounded across the whole city as the monster struck the barrier. Underdog panted, watching the dot until it slid into the ocean.

At the same moment, a scream drifted past his ears. Not done yet. Underdog turned his gaze downward to see Simon. His coat blew and ruffled around him. The villain had his arms straight out, begging for mercy.

Underdog couldn't help his scoff.

Still, Underdog chased after him. The hard ground only grew closer and closer. Simon shut his eyes.

Finally, only a few feet above the ground, a hot hand wrapped around Simon's bony fingers. The old cat jerked as his freefall was suddenly frozen. He sighed in relief... then, he realized what, exactly, had stopped him. He turned his face upward, eyes wild.

"Let go of me, you mangy mutt!" he began to growl, struggling and swatting at Underdog's hold. Being saved by the hero was almost a worse fate than being killed by him!

Regardless, Underdog did as he was told. Simon landed on his side with a grunt, then began to cough as the dust filled his sinuses. Underdog landed a few feet away, collapsing to his knees and panting. Simon pulled himself up, huffing and puffing. Not only was he, too, exhausted, but a spot of red had begun to blossom across his abdomen. Simon tugged on a chunk of his coat and pressed it into his wound.

For several tense moments, Underdog and Simon merely stared at eachother. The crowd had mostly hidden away, more than willing to give the two their space to fight. All was silent.

Then, the air was split with a wheezy chuckle.

Simon's whole form quivered with his laugh. He shut his eyes tight as he sat up, the action shooting pain through his wound. He coughed, "Oh, that must have taken some real restraint, to save me! I imagine it would be so cathartic." He spat out the word like phlegm in his throat.

Underdog snorted a small laugh. "Cathartic, yes, but not very nice." Though he continued to wheeze, he got back to his feet. "Now it's time you pay the price."

Simon scoffed. Despite his nonchalance, he still scooted back slightly. "You won't kill me."

Underdog nodded. Regardless, he lifted his arm and rolled up his right sleeve.

Then, he leapt at Simon.

Though the cloud of dust that kicked up around them obscured most of the fight, its brutality was obvious. Simon hissed and spat. Underdog barked and snarled. Teeth gnashed. Claws slashed. Fur flew. Blood splattered.

With yowls and yelps and claws and teeth, Underdog and Simon fought as only the two could. They fought like hero and villain. Like good and evil. Like violence and peace.

Like cat and dog.

Underdog landed another blow to Simon's face. Simon clawed at Underdog's neck. Underdog struck the wound in his stomach. Simon hissed and reflexively kicked his knee into Underdog's ribcage. He yelped, then reeled Simon up from the earth by his lapels. Simon dug his claws into the hero's wrists, and recoiled at his hot breath.

Still, Simon took the brief pause to laugh and dive a hand into his coat. Underdog's growl got louder, and he raised his hands to Simon's throat. The old cat choked and slashed at the cut across Underdog's knuckles. He winced and let go. Simon fell back, coughing as he landed.

When he caught his final wheezy breath, he pulled out what he had been looking for. In Simon's hand was a red, plastic-like orb. He clicked something on its underside with his thumb. Underdog pricked his ears, tugging him up by the collar.

The old miser let out another dry laugh. He rolled his shoulder back and threw it behind Underdog's head with all the strength he could summon. "That , my friend, is what controls my dome. In thirty seconds, it's going to disappear—for good. So, Underdog, here is my gambit. You can either defeat me now and leave my dome remaining; or you can destroy the dome and let me free."

Underdog's eyes flickered between the face of the man below him and where the orb had landed. Simon was almost as bloodied as he was. His forehead and snout were blossoming purple, and the blood that spread across his labcoat continued to flow. One of his arms was limp like it was broken, and the tremor in his legs gave away his body's fear.

No soul had dared approach the battlefield—no one could destroy it but him. Underdog's hands quivered in the fabric of Simon's collar.

Not done yet. His decision had already been made.

Growl getting louder, Underdog raised his fist. Simon beamed a wicked smile. He quickly stopped as Underdog slammed his head into the dirt, throwing a powerful punch at the same moment he landed. Simon let out a strangled cry. A moment later, Underdog pressed his hand onto the wound and leapt to his feet. Simon screamed and recoiled.

Underdog rushed to where the laser-orb had landed. A little light inside began to blink faster and faster. The hero grit his teeth as a newfound anger rushed through him. It was far too much like the button Bombay had destroyed.

A snarl rumbled out of him before he could gain control of it. Underdog raised his leg and stomped on the orb with all of the force he could muster. It easily gave way under his sneaker, exploding into a million little plastic shards.

Underdog began to breathe heavily. He felt the ends of his appendages begin to tingle in both excitement and worry. He could hear the blood rushing in his ears and his heart pumping in his throat. He gulped as his throat went dry. What if he had just doomed them all?

A few moments later, Underdog could hear the gentle clamor of the townspeople. Their feet shuffled across the dirt and they whispered about the health of both hero and villain.

Then, Underdog felt a breeze tickle his nose.

Feeling every minor movement he made, Underdog slowly raised his muzzle. High above in the sky, somewhere in the center of the dome, a crack had formed. Quickly, the crack grew bigger, spreading down the sides of the barrier until the air changed from harsh red to gentle blue.

The surrounding crowd slowly became louder, their whispers changing from somber to enthusiastic. Another breeze pulled at Underdog's ears. He could hear birdsong sing around him. He caught the scent of warmth, salt and flowering plants.

Underdog closed his eyes and took in a deep breath of the refreshing summertime air.