FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

To think there was a time when the cold made me shiver, when I ate scraps of food that I could glean from generous bystanders in the middle of freezing winters. To think I had a body that needed constant upkeep and care, causing me problems whenever it could. To think life was so much different from what it eventually became.

I lived in an alleyway, staying close to barrels full of burning materials to keep warm. There were others who lived in the same alley over the years, all of which were much older than me. They were kind enough, letting me stay in their little alley, sharing food and offering me places by the fires. This is how it was for almost ten years.

My parents died when I was nine. Rather than let anyone take me in, I ran away. I didn't want to sleep in a warm, comfy bed, recalling all the haunting memories of when my mother and father tucked me in every night. Things had changed, and I saw no reason why they couldn't change further.

A nine year old fox living on the street for a full ten years would seem utterly inconceivable to some, but it happened to me. I would be lying if I said there wasn't any abuse, any individuals looking down on the poor. But I survived. I continued on as best I could, though I was never very social. Living on the street did that to me. Since I was nine, I never really had anyone to talk to, and I never learned to socialise with the other homeless too well.

One particularly cold winter's night, at the age of nineteen, wrapped up in a pile of crushed cardboard boxes in an effort to keep warm, I heard something carried on the cold wins.

"Come to me." came the voice, smooth and soft, yet cold and unemotional.

The wind was howling, but I could tell the voice was genuine. I heard it loud and clear, as if it were coming from somewhere in my own mind. Deciding I wasn't going to be falling asleep that night, I got up and began searching for the origin of this disembodied voice.

"Come to me, my child." I heard it say, coming from the entrance to the alley.

I did as the voice commanded. I headed towards it source, keeping vigilant to whatever could be responsible.

"Come." it continued, now further down the street.

It was so cold. I wanted to head back to the alley and the warmth of the fire in the barrel, but the voice calling me, beckoning me in the direction of the park, was too much to ignore. Wrapping my arms around myself, I tried to shake off the cold and persevere.

In a short while I found myself in the park, my old and dirty shoes walking across soft grass. It was quite a pleasant alternative to the hard concrete I had felt so much more frequently. Lamplights illuminated my surroundings, making me feel slightly warmer, but the sight of my breath in the orange light sent a chill down my spine once again. The park was completely devoid of any life save for me.

"Come to me, fox. Do not be afraid." said the voice again, so soft, soothing and gentle.

"W-where are you?" I asked, peering around as I relaxed, though still shivering.

"Here." said the voice.

A blinding blue light appeared in front of me without warning, bathing the area in its intensity. I immediately raised a paw to shield my eyes, then suddenly finding I was no longer cold.

"Step closer." said the voice.

Content in the new warmth surrounding me, I moved towards the light, slowly lowering my paw as my eyes adjusted to the brightness. As I approached, I could make out a shape: a pair of glowing blue wings, sparkling with radiant energy.

"What... what are you?" I asked.

The shape began to circle me, flying around as if conducting some kind of inspection. I felt warmer still, my muscles relaxing and the numbness in my fingers vanishing.

"Yes, you have potential." said the voice, coming from the being circling me. "I sensed it, your capacity for all things good. With some training, you can become a great hero."

"What do you... what are you talking about?" I questioned, puzzled and confused.

"I have chosen you, boy, to be the conduit for my power in this universe." continued the voice. "Like your predecessor, you have great potential. Bond with me and I shall show you."

I reached out a paw to touch the thing as it came around to my front once again.

"Join with me and embrace your destiny, young fox."

I was blinded once again as my paw came into contact with the being, but I could not sense that I touched anything, as if I had touched a ghost. Then, as the light vanished, making the park go quiet once again, I found myself on my knees. For a moment, I felt that perhaps it was a ghost.

"No, it was real." came the voice again, this time from somewhere else. "I am here with you, within your mind."

I looked down and my eyes widened at the sight of my paws. My fur had turned white and all the grime that had stained them before was gone. I was naked, my clothes now burning embers on the concrete around me, allowing me to marvel at my transformed fur and now muscled yet slender physique.

"How...? What...?" I stuttered, at a loss for words and filled with adrenaline.

"Calm yourself, friend." the voice reassured. "We are together now. Through me, I am channelling to you powers from my world."

Somehow, the freezing Winter air had no effect on me. I didn't even shiver! Instead, I was bursting with energy. I felt strong, powerful muscles beneath my fur, my legs feeling like they could run a million miles. Never before had I ever felt so good, so confident and empowered.

"Who... who are you?" I asked, so many questions going through my head.

"Your predecessor called me 'Falcon'."

"Wait, you're...!" I start, overcome with an incredible realisation.

"Yes, my child." said Falcon. "I am the power behind Streak, the late protector of this city. Now I extend this responsibility to you, if you accept."

A million thoughts went through my head, but stood out. I knew exactly what was going on, what was being asked of me, and what my answer was.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, standing on top of a four-storey building. "It looks... dangerous."

I was looking up, clad now in a variety of rags and old blankets that barely passed for a coat and loincloth. The snow had stopped for now. In front of me was perhaps the tallest luxury apartment building in the city. At the top was the private penthouse of Toby Walls, widely known for designing attire for celebrities, and superheroes. But for those superheroes that couldn't afford one from him, they would have to prove themselves to him. They would have to get to the very top of the building... from the outside. If they triumphed, he would make them a costume for free, but only from simple materials.

"My power will manifest itself as a burst of energy that can propel you forward." said Falcon. "Or in this case, upward."

I took a deep breath, soon followed by another as I tried to muster even more courage. Soon, with lungs full of air and my chest puffed up, I closed my eyes and launched forward and upward. A few seconds later, my footpaws landed on the glass windows and I immediately began running... upward. As I ran, wind blasting past the fur of my face, I felt more like I was running downhill, fired upward by the beam of blue energy emanating from my fur in my wake. I must have looked like... like a blue streak running up the building. A corona comet falling upwards.

Barely a minute later, high above the glistening city skyline, I arrived at the top. Or rather, I kept going, launched into the air above before I came falling down onto the terrace of Toby's penthouse. Instinctively, and with great surprise, I landed with all the finesse and expertise of a professional acrobat. I had to shake my head to convince myself that this was all real, that I had just done that, and that I wasn't dreaming.

"Finally!" came a very Texan-sounding voice. "I thought you tights had just started makin' yer own costumes or somethin'!"

Standing up, blushing slightly after my somewhat over-dramatic landing, I saw a male Dalmatian lying on a lawn chair, looking up at the stars, his paws relaxed behind his head. He was dressed pretty averagely, and not at all what I'd expect from someone who made superhero costumes. I was wondering why he was outside like this on a winter evening.

"Well, what are ya waitin' for?" he asked, setting his drink down on the little table beside him and standing up, heading indoors. "Come on in, tights!"

I followed him inside, now warmed in the light of the very modern room now surrounding me. Everywhere were glass cases of many different kinds of amazing costumes, and what looked like a forge through a door to another room! But there were also more lively elements, such as couches, a television, a kitchen, a bedroom off through one door and a dining table.

"So, what'll it be?" he asked, happily leaning against a table.

"You mean... what kind of costume do I want?" I asked, feeling a sense of exhilaration and excitement at the thought that I could provide my specifications. "Well..."

"I suggest something similar to your predecessor's costume." I heard Falcon say. "Something built for an acrobat with maximum freedom of movement in mind."

I had to think about this hard. I wanted something I could stick with. Something I wouldn't ever want replaced. Then a thought came to me. "I want the same costume the first Streak had!" I said proudly.

"Aha! Tight blue boots and leotard?" he asked, no longer leaning against the pillar.

"Yes. I'd like to honour his memory that way."

"Then let's get right to it!"

He had me strip down, much to my embarrassment, but he assured me it was nothing he hadn't seen before, considering how many other superheroes he's had to tailor. After tearing off my dangerously skimpy rags, I was left nude in front of him, though he seemed more impressed by my appearance rather than amused. For the next ten minutes he quickly took measurements over almost every inch of my fur, including my nether regions, which was admittedly somewhat uncomfortable. As soon as he was done he scurried off to another room, telling me to take a seat and wait, despite still being totally naked. Roughly another ten minutes later he returned, pushing along a mannequin white tailored in what would soon be my only article of clothing for a long time.

"It's... amazing!" I said, awestruck at how shiny and new the leotard looked tightly clad around the mannequin's torso. It glistened with perfection, beckoning me to put it on. I felt tingles and shivers all over.

"The collar is especially elastic, so you can slip in through there." Toby began. "It's mostly just regular lycra, hence why I made it so quickly. It should perfectly show off the main details of your physique though. The boots are basically lycra socks with soles."

He slipped the leotard and the boots off, neatly folded them up, and handed them to me.

"The first Streak wanted something that left him maximum freedom of movement and the biggest sense of freedom I could get out of my designs. A bit revealing for a guy's costume, but it definitely works with the white fur!" he said, a grin that exemplified how proud he was to be handing me my costume. "I'll leave you some time to get suited up, huh, tights?" he gestured to a door with a sign above that read "changing room".

Carrying the soft and smooth blue fabric in my arms, I hurried off. Closing the door behind me, I found myself facing wall-covering mirrors all around me, wooden benches on either side of the room. I couldn't help but admire my new powerfully-built body in the reflection, taking the opportunity to see my glistening new white fur in all its glory.

My heartbeat racing, I laid the two boots on a bench and slipped a leg into the first leghole, then the other. Slowly and sensually, enjoying this moment, I pulled the soft garment up my forelegs, then my thighs, before the thin strip of fabric forming the seat of the leotard was pulled over my nethers, fitting snugly into place and coaxing a soft whimper from me, enjoying how the fabric felt. I then continued to pull it up, feeling the fabric cling to my fur as I stretched it up onto my shoulders, letting the collar close in around the base of my neck. I then sat down on a bench and pulled on the boots.

All done! I stood up and looked myself in the mirror, only to emit a quiet but startled yelp. Was that really me? That strong and athletic white-furred fox clad in shining blue? How could this have been the lonely, poverty-stricken red-furred fox I used to be? I also noticed my eyes had turned a deep blue, almost seeming to glow with their piercing intensity! After a few minutes of simply staring, I soon settled into the fact, and my heartbeat raced even faster. I had been reborn! Better and stronger than I could have ever imagined, I could finally look at myself without pity, but instead with pride and joy.

"This is you now, my friend." said Falcon. "Look at yourself and know that this responsibility and honour now lies in your paws."

A smiled, a lot. It felt good, and I couldn't help but pose, assuming different positions to show off to myself how well I looked.

"Yes, you look very good." interrupted Falcon. "Perhaps you should leave now?"

Almost thirty minutes after entering the changing room, I finally emerged.

"Now, if that isn't a sight for sore eyes!" said Toby as I entered the larger room, walking with my chin up, shoulders back and standing straighter than ever. "If I didn't know better I'd say I'd just seen a ghost! You sure do look like superhero material to me, tights!"

Lifting a paw to rub the back of my neck, I couldn't help but blush at the compliment.

"Thanks!" I said, resisting the urge to look down in shyness.

"Now you tell me. How does it feel?"

"Oh. Well, I like the way the fabric feels against my fur." I said, rubbing a paw down the fabric over my torso. "I don't remember the last time I wore something so soft and smooth. It's comfortable. Although," I started pulling slightly at the fabric on my backside which was threatening to ride up slightly. "I've... never worn so little before..."

"Don't worry, kid." he said with a chuckle, placing a paw on my shoulder. "You'll grow into it. Now raise yer arms!"

I complied. He quickly began circling me as I stood in place, my arms raised. I heard him mutter to himself under his breath, but I couldn't make it out. He would occasionally grab me here and there and move me slightly to see how the costume moved with me and how it looked in different poses. I then felt him straighten out the bands of the high-cut legholes, followed by him briefly patting my backside through the fabric, drawing a slightly startled whimper from me.

"Well?! Go for a run! Jump up and down! See how well it does!" he said, turning up in front of me and gesturing with his arms and paws for me to do something.

I started in a jog in a circular pattern around the room. I quickly got used to the feel of the strong but sturdy soles beneath my feet. I tried jumping slightly, admiring the ease in which I could move. The feeling of my bare arms and legs made me feel exposed, but it also made me feel free! I felt a surge of energy rushing through me, eager to be put to good use as my muscles yearned for action, my new body yelling at me to take it for a spin. Then I hit my head on the ceiling, making a sizeable dent.

"Whoa, don't get too excited, tights!" said Toby, rushing over to help me up.

I was on my backside, my right paw rubbing my head when he took my left and yanked me back onto my footpaws.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Actually, I feel pretty good!" I responded, realising the ache in my head had already gone. "Hah! This is great!"

"Take it easy there, kid! Looks to me like you gotta take this slow!"

"He is correct." said Falcon. "You are still unfamiliar with your newfound strength. If you wish to test your abilities, then I suggest you do so elsewhere."

"I guess I'll get going. Thank you so much for the costume, Toby!" I said.

"Don't mention it, kid! Feel free to come back whenever you need repairs. I'll have some spares waiin'!"

"Will do!"

"Heh, but one way or another, the gals are gonna be hootin' for you!"

"Er... Yeah. See ya!" I said.

I had to admit, I wasn't too fond of the idea of anyone swooning over me, but I guess it just comes with the territory.

Stepping out onto the roof onto the terrace, a cool breeze hit my bare arms and legs, sending tingles of excitement up my spine and making my fur stand on end. Walking around the covered pool towards the parapets, I felt adrenaline surging through me. As the wind howled in my ears, I felt all fear wash away. I felt ready to embrace my new identity, reborn as a shining symbol of goodness in this city. The cool air against the thin material of my leotard made me feel almost naked, but that only made me feel more like I could do anything, like I had been freed from the bonds that had held me my entire life.

I climbed onto the parapet, perching myself on the edge of the roof, suddenly feeling an urge to leap off.

"You are not invulnerable. Such a fall would kill you." said Falcon.

"So... how do I get down?" I thought.

"Let your instincts guide you."

Then I felt even more excited, and I was determined to unleash my full capabilities. With a little grin, I stood up from my crouched perch, put my legs together, stretched my arms wide, then fell forward. My belly filled with ticklish tingles as I began to fall, the roaring wind in my ears once again as the ground rapidly approached. I relaxed every muscle and time seemed to slow down. I felt like I was dreaming, and for a moment I panicked, afraid that none of this was happening. Then I came to my senses and put my tight boots against the glass side of the building. In an instant, I was suddenly running downwards.

After one of the most amazing experiences of my life, I pushed off, sending me flying forwards. Then I hit the side of the building opposite, using it to slow my descent. I then pushed off again, touching the side of Toby's building. Then I leapt off once more to grab onto the opposite building again, this time coming to a complete stop as I latched onto the frame of a window. Inside was a feline child, awe struck as she looked up at me. Giving her a heroic smile and a wave, I leapt upward, propelling myself up each storey off the windowsills, before finally arriving on the roof of the smaller building.

I didn't know what I was feeling, but it felt good. I felt strong, energised, athletic and powerful. Grinning at my own satisfaction, I began to run away from Toby's building, leaping off the rooftop and onto another. With my heightened senses, I could hear people yelling on the streets below, no doubt elicited by the sight of the familiar blue light above.

"Look! Is that Streak?!"

"Look at that!"

"Is he back?!"

"WOOOHOOO!"

"Go get 'em, man!"

"He's back!"

"Yeah!"

"Cool!"

"Look, mommy! A superhero!"

Music to my ears! They all sounded so happy and amazed! I immediately knew I was going to enjoy my new life, the life of a superhero, and there was no way I was going to waste it!

"You will tire yourself out." said Falcon after about two hours of running and jumping across the city's many rooftops. Realising I was finally starting to pant, I decided to come to a stop, landing on top of a warehouse by the dock. Taking a moment to catch my breath, I looked out at the bay.

"This is... incredible!" I said, still soaked in all that adrenaline, yet somehow not a single drop of sweat.

I felt an unusual sensation between my legs then. I didn't know what it meant, but it felt oddly pleasant. Looking down, I saw a tent beginning to protrude from the blue fabric between my legs.

"It seems all of this excitement has managed to arouse you somehow." said Falcon.

"I... er... um... what...?" I stammered, unsure of what exactly this was, but it certainly felt embarrassing, my cheeks flushing red. I realised my member was hardening inside the fabric, which I only ever recall happening in my sleep.

"Allow me to explain..." said Falcon, when suddenly I noticed a van drive up beside the building I stood upon.

Stepping out of the van was a black and white Bull Terrier, wearing only jeans and a sleeveless jacket with a wide open front, revealing the bulking muscles of his torso. He looked like a pretty brutish guy!

"Those dumb cops lost us ages ago. Don't worry." he was saying to his colleague, a male Chilean Fox Terrier in black.

"Let's just get this stuff to the guys and ditch the van." he responded.

"Quit worryin'. There's no one around this neighbourhood at night." responded the brute.

The two carried off the crates into the building.

"Those people down there are acting a lot like a bunch of crooks!" I said, quietly.

"Yes. I suggest you notify the police immediately." said Falcon.

"Why?! I'm a superhero! I can't endanger their lives!"

"Their job is the same as yours, and under the circumstances, despite not having any powers, they are more experienced than you."

"More experienced?!"

"I still need to train you. You have much to learn, including about your own body, it seems."

I sighed, but I knew what I was going to do. People would probably be depending on me, and I needed to act. I immediately ran across the roof to climb into a vent, trying to stay quiet as I descended into the building. Admittedly, it was difficult to slither through the narrow metal passageways without making a lot of noise.

"We were startin' ta get worried!" came another male voice from below as I descended further into the warehouse. "You got the stuff?"

I peered through a grate in the vent. The brute and his colleague were speaking to three others.

"There are too many. You have no combat experience yet." said Falcon, but I ignored him.

Suddenly I heard a loud creak, then the metal grating gave way and I fell from above, crashing through the crate the brute was handing over and hitting the ground with a thud. I was surrounded by large splinters of wood, plastic bags of some purple dust and five very startled and very angry looking gangsters.

"Tsk-tsk. What do we have here?" said the brute, gripping the chest of my leotard, then suddenly throwing a huge punch at my head.

The force of the impact sent me into a daze. All the strength faded from my muscles and my thoughts went hazy. My vision spinning, I was unable to focus on the face of the brutish terrier pulling me to my footpaws, then turning my back against his brutish chest and pulling me close.

"Looks like we got ourselves a little interloper, guys!" said the brute as he held my dazed body firmly, drawing a chuckle from the other gangsters as they surrounded me. "What a sexy little superhero!"

His large right paw began to trail across my chest, stomach, abdomen, then down to where his index finger began rubbing the bulge in my leotard, instantly drawing a soft moan from me.

"I think he likes it, guys!" said the brute loudly, drawing loud laughter from his cohorts.

He brought his left arm up under my right shoulder, keeping my right arm out of reach of my lower body. With his right arm now around my throat, his paw gripped my left bicep, both my arms now restrained. His left paw closed around my lycra-wrapped bulge, drawing whimpers from me as he began to rub rapidly. His arm around my neck began to choke me, slowly tightening as the lack of oxygen darkened my vision, all the while I gently humped my hips instinctively while he masturbated me through my skimpy costume. My restrained arms could barely move in his mammoth grip.

"Shhhhh, don't struggle..." he said softly, somehow arousing me further.

It somehow felt so good! I felt a growing pressure in my nethers, like a volcano building to an eruption. I wanted to release that pressure so much! Some kind of wetness found its way into my leotard, staining the fabric in his large grip. A powerful climax approached me, until finally release came. In a massive surge of pleasure firing up from between my legs, my juices streamed into my costume, soaking the fabric in his large paw with my warm cream as the eruption washed over every nerve in my body, drawing only loud gurgles from me as the brute continued to choke me out.

"Shh-shhhh..." he continued as the pleasure went on and on. "Sweet dreams, superloser..."

Just as I began to feel the first hints of my heavenly afterglow, his arm tightened further around my throat and blackness enveloped my vision, the ocean of pleasure being replaced with sweet sleep.

When I came to, my mind was fuzzy. I didn't remember what had happened, until I tried to move and found my arms and legs were unable to oblige. Opening my lazy eyes, I started to panic as I realised I was restrained to a table on my back by some kind of metallic cables, row upon row of them against my ankles and wrists, keeping me firmly secured with my legs slightly spread and my arms above me. I struggled against them as best I could, writhing around as I let out high-pitched whimpers of fear, not even caring for how undignified I seemed, though fully aware of how vulnerable and exposed I felt. My heart racing, a sense of claustrophobia fell over me when I realised several rows of metallic cables were also tied over my abdomen, eliciting even further struggles as I became desperate for escape.

"Man, you're pathetic!" came a familiar voice. "I mean, you're like a total weakling!"

Turning my head, I saw it was the brute, his arms crossed, now completely shirtless. Moving over to me, he placed his large paw on my abdomen just beneath the cables.

"But hey, that just means more fun for us!" he said, followed by chuckles from around. "Don't worry about tryin' to escape. Those cables are titanium! Thought they might come in handy with nosy superlosers like you!"

"I wanna do him so bad!" came another voice.

"Look at this runt! I bet I could make him blow his load so hard!" came another.

"Oi, save some for the rest of us!"

"I'm gonna make him scream my name..."

"Let's not be TOO rough, okay? After all, we don't wanna break 'em! Or do we...?"

"I gotta give it to ya though, you came buckets! Let's see how much more we can get outta you..."

Tears began to well up in my eyes, but suddenly stopped as the brute caressed my lower abdomen, slowly and softly going lower until his massive paw brushed my now-dry bulge, softly closing his paw around it, drawing a long moan from me.

"Heh, not to worry, kid. We had Davis lick up the mess ya made!" chuckled the brute, squeezing his paw tighter until my next moan turned into a wince of pain. "Don't worry, we won't hurt ya too much. After all, you're a pretty hot little thing, aren't ya? That adorable body, that sexy costume and that cute little butt of yours are ours, now and forever!"

His squeezing weakened, but I was now rock hard in his grip as he stroked my member through the blue fabric of my revealing costume.

"Y'know what?" he said, bringing his face down in front of mine, almost obscuring my vision as he continued to massage my arousal. "You're gonna be our new toy from now on..."

Despite my moaning, my tears only continued to swell. Staring me down as he molested me through my costume, I knew this was simply his way of dominating me, and it was working. My futile struggles coming to a halt, I could do nothing but softly gyrate my hips in his grip, his eyes locked with mine as he continued to grin down at me. Soon I felt a familiar pressure building between my legs once again, and the sensation of something wet beginning to sandwich between the soft blue fabric and my aching member.

"Don't worry. We'll keep you well fed with plenty of daddy juice!"

"F-Falcon, help me!" I thought. "What do I do?!"

"I am afraid I can do nothing." responded Falcon. "You are still far from your full potential. You are not qualified for this situation. All you can do now is hope, my friend."

As he continued staring me down, I closed my eyes, now completely forgetting my excitement at being a superhero. In that moment, I felt like I would have traded everything in my new life just to be free from these thugs. Falcon was definitely right though, I was totally inexperienced. I had no plan in mind and I let my eagerness get the better of me. Now I felt I would be regretting my mistake for the rest of what would likely be my very short life.

"Yeah... yeah..." said the brute, grinning and slowly nodding as he coaxed more and more moans from me, my hips gyrating faster and faster. "Gonna make ya cum, kid!"

And I did. Closing my eyes, my second orgasm was just as intense as the first, building up and exploding like a volcano, my balls emptying my fox cream into my costume and staining the fabric once again as the brute continued to masturbate me. He coaxed more and more of my juices from my churning balls, prolonging the incredible, almost painful experience. As the other thugs around us cheered and goaded us on, I only moaned loudly in blissful ecstasy, almost to the point that I didn't regret any more, but it was not enough to block out the humiliation I was feeling at soiling myself for these thugs like this. I felt so broken, ashamed and defeated. I considered that perhaps I should just submit to them fully, knowing this humiliating would be an irreversible mark on my memory that I might as well embrace.

"That's only the first of thousands, kid!" said the brute, his face still right in front of mine, my mind hazy from the orgasm as I found it difficult to put thoughts together. "We're gonna milk ya like a cow; drain these balls of yours like udders!" he said as he jostled around my bulge, shaking around the vast quantities of cum in the blue fabric and spreading it around, my orgasm finally coming to an end as I softened within my leotard. He chuckled maliciously.

Even in the warm haze of my afterglow, I could suddenly hear the sound of crashing glass. Slowly forcing my weak eyelids open, the brute had moved his face away from mine, and I became aware of an aqua-coloured figure moving rapidly among the thugs. As my eyes adjusted, I realised it was an aqua-scaled female lizard clad in nothing but the skimpiest of gold metal bikinis and matching bra. She held what looked like a katana and was slicing the blade against the thugs, inflicting only small cuts, yet somehow the criminals fell to the ground unconscious.

In a few moments she was done, surrounded by the sleeping gangsters. I started to smile as she approached, then my heart sank as she raised her sword, then rapidly brought it down on each of the cables holding me to the table, neatly cutting them in two. I subsequently bolted upright, rubbing my sore wrists.

"Th-thanks..." I said, blushing as I realised my leotard was still soaked with my fluids.

She didn't say anything, simply turned and casually walked towards the exit, moving with such fluid grace. Then she stopped and turned her head.

"I saw you." she said, her accent sounding South African. "I realised you were new. I knew I would have to save you from your own inexperience."

I was at a loss for words. She was absolutely right, and I knew it full well. A sense of great shame overwhelmed me once again, making me feel like a small child in the body of a great hero. I immediately felt like I didn't belong in this costume, deprived of all the excitement and positivity that had held me so high earlier. Like a child trying on his father's clothes, my costume felt like it was too big.

"I was watching the whole thing." she continued. "You cried like a baby, a weakling with no control over his own emotions, and you wet yourself like an infant as well. I am not impressed. Do yourself good and do not bother trying to do the work of heroes, at least not until you know how."

She continued walking, leaving me alone and surrounded by all the unconscious thugs.

Noticing a phone on a nearby wall, I knew what I had to do. I picked it up and put in "911".

I was off to a bad start.