Robot Girl opens her eyes. She's been dreaming again. She shakes the fading images and the lonely child they contain from her head. There is work to do.
She looks on her bedroom table. The calendar reads July 15, 1952. The clock tells her it is time to get up. She feels stiff all over. It must have been a rough night. But it usually is when you are saving the world.
With a grimace she moves to get up and put on her robotic gear for another day of heroics. Finally in place, these pieces make her feel alive and able to take on any villain, even the likes of Baron Von Tyrranicus.
She walks awkwardly to the window and looks out to the meadow beyond. She knows Underdog Boy waits for her out there. Why couldn't her powers include flight? It would be wonderful to fly to him and arrive safely in his arms. But she doesn't know if he feels the way she does when he thinks of her. His greatest love has always been helping others, as very well it should be.
She sets out with her super hero gear and it helps her step bravely into the day. Others see her heroic apparatus as strange, but she knows that being different isn't always such a bad thing. Into the meadow she goes in search of Underdog Boy, to see what adventures await them today.
She finds him by the creek, his cape billowing out behind him. Though it looks more like a costumed Dracula cape she doesn't say a word, for it may spoil their moment.
"Hi Underdog Boy," she says.
He turns and smiles. "Hi Robot Girl."
She wants to sit down next to him, but if she does she knows she might not want to get back up again. So instead she stands behind him, putting one hand on his shoulder.
"I missed you yesterday," she says.
"I was busy saving a family of four," he calmly replies. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Are they going to be alright?"
He turns to look up at her. "Yes, I guess so. The boy will have a shiner, but the rest will be fine."
She doesn't say anything about the dark circle around his left eye. It would be rude.
"What did you do yesterday?" he asks.
"I chased down a thief."
"Wow! Cool! Did you catch the culprit?"
"Sure did," she beams proudly. She doesn't mention that the thief was her sister and what she stole was her favorite doll. "Justice was served."
"I'm sure it was," he agrees, rapping on her robot gear with his knuckles.
"Stop, that tickles."
He does it again.
"Stop I said," she giggles. "You're going to make me fall."
"Hey, want to fly over there?" he asks pointing across to the other side of the creek.
"Silly, you know I can't fly."
"But I can. Come on, I'll fly you over."
He gets up and goes to pick her up.
"Don't, I'm too heavy for you," she protests.
"No you're not." He picks her up in his arms. The weight of her robotics makes him hesitate for just a minute as he adjusts her in the cradle of his arms. "You ready?"
"Oh no, put me down Underdog Boy!"
"Nope, we’re going flying," he says and he carries her into the creek. "Wheeeee!"
She screams in delight, as he bounds across the creek rocks, with her in his arms. "Yay, we’re flying!"
"Yeah, we’re flying," he agrees, splashing through the water to carry her to the other side.
They reach the bank and he sets her gently down. She stands on unsteady legs for a moment, trying to get used to the ground again. He touches her arm to help her adjust.
"So did you like the flight, miss?" he asks in a courteous voice.
"Why yes I did, kind sir," she replies, trying a half curtsey without losing her balance.
For a moment she thinks of kissing him. How easy it would be just to get on her tiptoes and plant one on his face. But before she can get the courage, a scream breaks the silence.
"What's that?" she cries in alarm.
"Someone's in trouble, come on!"
He helps Robot Girl up the embankment and they head into the surrounding woods, Underdog Boy taking the lead and his companion following behind the best she can. Speed has never been in her powers, but she makes up for it in courage.
The cry sounds around them again, now more like a banshee’s wail than the scream of a human voice.
"Where are you?" Underdog Boy calls out, and a cry comes again in response from a tree branch high above their heads. They both look up. A kitten is on one of the limbs, clutching the branch as if it is afraid to move.
"It's Missus Kitten," Robot Girl whispers.
"What's she doing up there, I wonder."
"I don't know. Maybe she's trying to get away from some old villain."
"Or a new one,” suggests Underdog Boy.
They both look around, but see no one, not even the notorious Mr. Dog who has threatened just about everybody on occasion.
"Well, I guess I better go up there and talk her down."
Underdog Boy starts up the tree. He is about halfway up when Missus Kitten decides to jump. “No!" he screams.
"I got her!" calls out Robot Girl, and sure enough she catches Missus Kitten, her robotic costume providing enough strength to support them both.
“Why thank you," cries Missus Kitten, though it really sounds something like “meow”. She jumps out of Robot Girl’s arms and bounds playfully into the wood.
Underdog Boy climbs out of the tree, smiling. “All’s well that ends well, I suppose.”
“Yes, we did good. We make a pretty good team.”
Underdog Boy looks into the woods where Missus Kitten has run. “But still I wonder why she went up the tree to begin with.”
"Because we were going to eat her!" a voice booms out from the woods. The two heroes spin around, Robot Girl almost losing her balance in the process.
They come out of the woods. Three villains. One of them carries a stick. His name is Boss Kane. Beside him, his burly, some would say fat, right hand man Boulder. And picking up the rear a villain notorious for his weapon of choice, Mr. Stone. They chuckle at the sight of the heroes, as they always do, every time their paths cross.
“What have we got here?” Kane grins quite mischievously. “Little Cassie Deane, and her cry baby boyfriend.”
“Her name is Robot Girl," Underdog Boy corrects him.
“Robot Girl? Ha! And who are you then? Super Runny Snot Nose Whiney Boy?”
For a moment it does look like Underdog Boy might cry, but he swallows it back, trying hard to fight his emotions.
“Leave him alone," commands Robot Girl.
“Leave him alone, leave him alone," mocks Boulder.
“Nobody was talking to you, fatty,” she bravely says.
There is a look of surprise on his face, before it turns to anger. “Fatty? Did you just call me fatty?” Before she can answer he shoves her hard with both his hands. She can’t keep her balance and immediately falls over, her robotic gear making a clambering noise as she meets the hard earth.
“Hey!” yells Underdog Boy stepping forward to defend her.
Boss Kane pokes him in the chest with his stick. “Oh yeah? What are you going to do, cry on me?”
Underdog Boy stops. He has been here before. Many times before actually. These three villains have been a nemesis to them both over the years. And most times he has found himself frozen with fear, unable to act. Robot Girl is always the braver one when it comes to them, and now she's lying helpless on the ground struggling to get back up. Boulder stands over her laughing.
Mr. Stone juggles some rocks back and forth in his hand, as if searching for his target. Underdog Boy feels like it is only a matter of time before he decides to lob one at him. Just like he always does.
“So, what you going to do?” Kane taunts once more, laughing right in Underdog Boy’s face. “I bet you don’t do nothing but cry and run home to mommy!” He makes some exaggerating movements as if he is a baby wiping his eyes. “Mommy, Mommy, I got my diaper wet! Waaaaaa!”
POW! Underdog Boy slugs him. His balled up fist lands right against Boss Kane’s nose. Kane blinks disbelieving, before reaching his hand up to stop the blood that is now leaking from his busted nose.
It has surprised everyone, even Underdog Boy himself. But he has to act fast or Mr. Stone will. He drops to one knee and gathers up the largest rock he can find. He hefts it in Mr. Stone’s direction. The villain is caught off guard and it hits him in the chest.
"Hey! Ow!" he cries out, and readies to throw a rock back in return. But Underdog Boy has already found another and throws it before Mr. Stone can counter attack. This one hits the bad guy in the forehead, and he drops his rocks in a yelp of pain.
Boulder is getting ready to leave his position towering over the fallen Robot Girl. “Oh boy, you have had it now!’ he snarls, right before she uses all her might and robotics to force her leg upwards into his crotch. Her foot and leg surrounded by the metal design makes an awful sound as it meets it target.
“Ooooof," he moans, doubling over, holding himself. She manages to crawl out of the way before he falls to his knees, his eyes welling up with tears.
“Good shot, Robot Girl," Underdog boy exclaims, picking up the stick Boss Kane has dropped in the process of holding his bleeding nose.
“Oh you have had it now," Kane growls somewhat nasally.
He lunges at Underdog Boy, but meets the end of his own stick, grazing right upside his cheek.
“You can’t keep on picking on people, you b-b-bully," Underdog Boy warns.
“Oh yeah, well you aint seen nothing yet, super hero. We will meet again. And you’ll regret that.” He backs off and nudges Mr. Stone’s arm.
Boulder, who still has tears in his eyes and is holding himself, retreats with the other two, back the way they had come.
Underdog Boy steps over to Robot Girl and helps her to her feet.
“That was a good hit," he reaffirms, grinning at her.
“Yeah but it took too much out of me, because I couldn’t get up.”
He puffs his chest out and puts his hands heroically on his hips. “It’s okay, I’ll always protect you.”
She smiles, blushing. “I know.”
And in that moment, the courage comes to her and she kisses him. In her mind, the clouds stop moving across the sky. The world itself halts its rotation, while fireworks and music light the scene. In reality however, none of that happens. The kiss lasts all of a brief moment, and the clouds keep moving, the world keeps turning, and she doesn’t see any fireworks until the next 4th of July. Still it is nice.
“What was that for?” Underdog Boy asks.
“I like you," she confesses.
“Duh, like tell me something I don’t know," he grins, and in one swift, yet innocent manner, kisses her in return. “Hey, you want to see the new crime detection super computer I’m building?”
Her face lights up. “Sure!”
“Well, come on, I’ll show you.”
She hesitates just a minute. “I don’t know if I can make it.”
“What’s wrong?”
“That last adventure must have taken more out of me than I realized. I am quite tired.”
“Well, hey I’ll carry you. It’s not that far to Secret Headquarters.”
At another time she may have argued, but this time she gives in easily. The look on her face tells him she is indeed tired on her feet and willing to be piggy backed to his headquarters, which strangely enough is a house not much different than hers.
The walk over field and street to Secret headquarters doesn’t take long. She likes it when he carries her like this. Though she feels like she is too heavy with all her gear, she has to admit that it is nice for him to always carry her when she is tired or cannot follow.
Still, as they near their destination, she decides it would be best if she walks the rest of the way. To show the world and everyone that she is his equal and will always stand by his side.
“Go ahead and put me down now, okay?”
Underdog Boy sets her down, and after she makes a few adjustments, she is ready to go. She takes hold of his hand, and he looks at her smiling. She smiles back reassuringly as they continue down the street. As they round the last corner however, their smiles vanish. Standing on the front lawn of Secret Headquarters is Baron Von Tyrannicus talking to Underdog Boy’s manservant, Mr. Roberts (whom the young hero also often calls Dad or Sir).
They both turn their heads as the superheroes approach. Robot Girl lets go of Underdog Boy’s hand. “It’s Tyrannicus," she whispers.
“I know," he says. “I wish your mom would come instead.”
“Yeah," she sighs, knowing her step dad probably isn’t none too happy.
“Child, where have you been?” he wants to know. “Get over here! Your mom and I have been worried sick. You know better than to take off like that.” He admonishes her with a look and she doesn’t dare meet Tyrannicus’ gaze.
The man fixes his look on Underdog Boy. “You’re going to get our fragile little girl hurt one day, boy.” He looks at the manservant just as hard. “I hope you will have a long talk to your son about staying away from our Cassie. It’s going to end hard on them both if he keeps it up.” He prods the girl’s shoulder. “Come on, we have to get you home.”
Robot Girl looks up at her friend. “Bye Underdog Boy. Until Tommorow Today.” She looks about to cry.
Underdog Boy bites his lip. “Until tomorrow today, Robot Girl.”
As Tyrannicus ushers her to the waiting car, Mr. Roberts put his hand on his son’s shoulder. They don't speak, only silently watch as Robot Girl is led away.
Tyrannicus closes the car door and they can hear him still fussing at his stepdaughter through the glass. “You’re going to be the death of your mama for sure," he says.
Robot Girl doesn’t say anything. She knows it is best to just let him blow off steam. She sits with her hands folded neatly in her lap, looking out the window as they drive off. The dangerous world goes slowly by her window.
“You need to stay away from that boy, Cassie. He’s trouble.”
“No he’s not," she whispers so quietly that he cannot hear. “He’s a hero.”
Standing on the lawn watching the car drive away, Mr. Roberts looks down at his son. “I know you’re just trying to help her boy, but that girl is different than you are. She can’t run and play like the rest of your friends.”
“Yes she can, dad," the boys whispers quietly, mindful of the last time he backtalked.
Father, in a relatively rare moment, kneels down in front of son. “Listen, I know you both play in this comic book world that you’ve made up, but real life isn’t like that. The girl has to wear those leg braces just to get around, and you dragging her around playing out this fantasy doesn’t help. She’s got Polio, son, and unless they find a cure in ‘53 she could one day die from the disease. Do you understand that?”
“She’s not going to die.”
“Or she could end up spending the rest of her days in an Iron Lung.”
“No she won’t," the boy says hopefully.
His father is caught somewhere between exasperation and anger. “She’s trouble,” he finally sighs.
“No she’s not, she’s a hero.”
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