TWENTY-THREE

Things sure had gotten crazy in a few days, Invulnergirl thought. Just a few days ago she was your average high school cheerleader. Her days used to consist of trying to keep her mind focused on boring classes, cheerleader practice and Netflix. Now she was pushing around an unconscious cop on a desk chair in a police station under siege by supervillains. A large part of her longed for those simpler days, another part of her loved the excitement. She’d been amazed how natural some of this superhero thing had felt to her.

“I think we’re almost outside,” Mom told the teens.

“Yeah, I can see the door!” Hank agreed.

“Good, we need to get the sergeant to a hospital,” Invulnergirl said.

When they got outside they could see a dozen police cars in front of the building. They were full of people. They didn’t look like cops though.

Invulnergirl made eye contact with one of the drivers. He stared at her through the windshield. He wore a skull mask. The Red Raider! Hank had seen him as well.

“There’s that bastard! I’m going to kill him!” Hank said, his hand going to Epp’s holster.

Mom slapped his hand away. “Haven’t you gotten yourself into enough trouble?”

The Red Raider pointed his index finger at Invulnergirl, thumb up. Then he lowered the thumb, like the hammer of a revolver. Then the engine of the car started and he drove off, followed by the other cars.

“Did I just witness The Red Raider and a bunch of escaped prisoners drive off in stolen police cars?” Invulnergirl said.

“I’m afraid you did,” Mom said. “With the police station pretty much wrecked and lord knows how many cops badly hurt that’s going to be a huge problem for the city.”

Suddenly a gust of wind made Mom’s hair dance and leaves blow up. The reason for this sudden very local breeze stood in front of them. An athletic looking man in pink spandex, with a white domino mask and blond hair. He wore white boots and his pink spandex had white trims at his cuffs. Invulnergirl, and pretty much everyone in the city knew who he was of course. Johnny Bubblegum, Moulton City’s most popular defender.

“Hi all,” Johnny said.

It was exciting to see him in person. He just exuded confidence. It was hard not to get somewhat starstruck for Invulnergirl. Hank didn’t have this issue.

“Hey. Bad timing, dude! The bad guys are already gone!” Hank said.

“Sorry about that. I got an alert from the police station when I was just getting back from outer space with The Heroic Alliance. I got here as quickly as I could. What went on here exactly?”

That sounded so amazing to Invulnergirl. An outer space adventure. It must be so incredible to be part of The Heroic Alliance, visiting other worlds, planets and dimensions.

Mom explained what had happened to Johnny. After that, he looked pretty worried.

“That sounds bad. But sounds you did a good job, young lady,” he told Invulnergirl.

She felt her cheeks color. “Thanks.”

“What’s your name?”

“Invulnergirl. Because I’m kind of indestructible.”

“Sounds like an awesome power.”

“I’m not sure. I think your own superspeed and enhanced strength is more useful in a fight.”

“It’s all about how you use the power, not the power itself.”

It was great how inspiring Johnny Bubblegum sounded. “I will remember that. So, what do we do now?”

Johnny smiled. “I guess we team up.”