Beth loved her Pomeranian, Missy, with all her heart. Missy was pretty and smart and Beth’s best friend in all possible ways. Of course, Missy was far more than just a Pomeranian. But then, Beth was far more than just a girl, too. So it all worked out.
Beth lived in the Big City, where crime had been wiped out by the Super Team. Of course, half of the Big City had also been wiped out by the Super Team destroying all the Crime Lords and Mega-Villains of Villainy and all the other Teams of Evil that the Big City seemed to generate on a regular basis. But, as Beth’s grandfather liked to say, those were the risks you took in order to live in the best darned city in the world.
And everyone living—well, still living—in the Big City was used to that, too. Sadly, her father’s parents had been wiped out when Lord Megaboss had done his run through the Big City when Beth was only seven, which was when her parents had said, “The hell with this,” and moved their family in with her mother’s parents.
This meant that when danger appeared, which it regularly did, they all trotted down to the basement and moved the family and whoever might be visiting at the time into an impregnable underground bunker her maternal grandparents had built when the first Minions of Evil team had come to town, threatening nuclear annihilation.
The Bunk, as her family called it, was a spacious four-story affair and quite well-equipped. It also had Impregnable Tunnels connecting to the many other bunkers in and around the Big City—what those who lived there called the Underground. So, whenever the Super Team and their latest group of adversaries were having it out, everyone who had enough sense went, as her grandfather called it, Downstairs. Her grandparents lived in the Bunk 24/7, because they’d decided long before Beth had been born that living Upstairs was for thrill seekers and lunatics.
It was difficult to have pets in the Underground, and most had cats, who seemed reasonably content to stay down and inside and just hunt whatever burrowing creatures tried to get into the Impregnable Tunnels. The count was Burrowing Creatures 13,457, Cats 13,450, and Impregnable Tunnels 0, though those who built the tunnels insisted that the tunnels were keeping far more than thirteen-thousand things out.
Beth, on the other hand, wanted a dog, in part to be different. And in other part because one of the Super Team had a Super Dog and Beth had Aspirations.
Her parents had given her Missy on her twelfth birthday. At first Beth had been disappointed—the Super Dog was a Great Dane, after all—but Missy had been so fluffy and adorable that Beth had fallen in love with her within two minutes.
For the first year or so of her life, Missy just seemed like a normal dog, albeit a really smart one. She learned every command right off the bat, and even used a litter box, just like the family cats did.
But when Beth turned fourteen, everything changed. Well, Missy changed. But that also changed everything.
Beth was sitting in the living room with her parents Upstairs, because the television reception was better Upstairs. The family cats stayed Underground, but Missy went wherever Beth went, and she was asleep on a cushion at Beth’s feet. It wasn’t too late in the evening, but it was the weekend so Beth was allowed to stay up past midnight as long as she wasn’t, as her mother put it, “Sullen and unpleasant the next day.” So far, Beth had a pretty good record on at least faking pleasantness when she hadn’t gotten a full night’s sleep.
They were watching the latest exploits of the Super Team’s sister team across the country and the fight looked like it was going to go on for quite a while, meaning Beth was glad the fight was taking place on Saturday instead of Sunday. It was always fun to see the Amazeballs in action and, despite their name, the League of Losers were doing pretty well against them, so it was a really good match. Well, as long as you didn’t live in Sunshine City. It was harder to go underground there.
While they watched, Beth was also filling in her parents about what her friends were doing, why boys were kind of stupid, and complaining that her teachers never reacted fast enough when the Super Team announced a meet and greet, but acted too fast when the Super Team had to Take the Fight to the Streets.
“It’s as if teachers don’t want us to even get a chance to see the Super Team, let alone meet them,” Beth complained.
Her father opened his mouth, but instead of words, a really weird growl came out. He slammed his mouth shut and looked at Beth’s feet. She and her mother looked down, too, in time to see Missy jerking around and hear Missy make another wailing growl as she woke up.
Beth dropped down next to Missy. “Are you okay, girl?”
“She looks like she’s having a fit,” Beth’s father said. He wasn’t wrong—Missy was jerking all over the place, whining, and growling and acting like she was in pain or sick.
“She looks a little…bigger, too,” Beth’s mother said. “And she’s kind of frothing. Ah, Beth, sweetie, get away from the dog.”
“No, Mom! Missy would never hurt me.”
“If she’s gone rabid she’d hurt you without meaning to.” Beth’s father stood up and came over to them. He reached for Missy, but she growled at him. Missy had never growled at anyone in the family before.
Beth’s mother grabbed the phone and started dialing, but Missy made a new sound. “Nooorw.”
“Mom, she’s calling for help!”
“Nooorw! Rime frine!”
At this everyone froze. “I could be crazy,” Beth’s father said, “but that sounded like Missy was talking. In a way, at least.”
The Super Dog was said to be able to communicate with the rest of the Super Team, so Beth knew this was possible. “Missy, are you okay?”
“Rort rof.”
“Ah, is she saying ‘sort of?’” Beth’s mother asked.
Missy nodded her head. She stopped shaking and the frothing seemed under control, too. Beth picked her up to cuddle her but Missy wrenched out of her arms. “Nooorw.” Missy backed away from all of them.
Missy’s mother still had her phone. “Dad, could you come up here? Yes, up. Yes, I know you don’t like to take the risk. But we need you.” She hung up. “Your grandfather’s coming.”
“How could Grandpa help?” Beth tried not to cry. Missy didn’t look like her normal self. She was still fluffy, but her fur looked thicker somehow. Also, Beth’s mother was right—Missy was a little larger than she’d been before. Her lower jaw was protruding now, the fangs sort of jutting out in front of her nose. Her claws looked longer and sharper as well. Her eyes looked a little bigger and a lot more predatory.
Beth’s grandfather arrived and took a look. “Oh, fabulous.”
“What is it, Dad?” Missy’s mother asked.
“I knew we shouldn’t have bought a dog from a friend of a friend of those Conasons.” He sounded disgusted, but Beth wasn’t sure why. The Conasons lived two doors down both Upstairs and Underground. James was Beth’s age and they went to school together, and the families were friends.
“What’s wrong with them?” Beth asked.
“They know some shifty people,” he said with a dramatic sigh. “And one of those shifty types clearly has Evildoer Leanings.”
“What makes you say so?” Beth’s father asked.
Her grandfather shook his head. “Because apparently what we got Beth wasn’t a Pomeranian. Well, not a full Pomeranian.” They looked at him expectantly. He sighed dramatically again. “Missy’s a Werewolf.”
They all looked at her. “I’m not seeing ‘wolf,’” Beth’s father pointed out. Beth and her mother nodded their agreement.
“Were-dog then,” her grandfather said. “Were-something. It’s the first night of the full moon, and, from what we learned when the Super Team took care of the Doom Squad a couple of years back, they were doing experiments to create a stronger army. Experiments with animals and, I heard, lycanthropy. Clearly those experiments worked. After a fashion.”
“We’ve had her for two years,” Beth’s father pointed out.
He shrugged. “Lycanthropy isn’t an exact science, my boy. Besides, maybe the Were-something has to mature, and two years is about what it takes for most dogs to mature.”
“Does that mean that anyone Missy bites will become a Were-something?” Beth asked. She wasn’t opposed to Were-ness, but if Missy was any example, you didn’t look better as a Were-whatever. But maybe the Super Team would find it useful enough to add on a new Were-something member.
“Maybe,” her grandfather said. “But I don’t recommend it. Becoming a Were-Pomeranian doesn’t sound like an immediate path to fame, fortune, or the Super Team.”
“We don’t want Missy biting anyone,” her mother said sternly, “least of all Beth.”
“Wron’t rite,” Missy said.
Her grandfather perked up. “So, you can talk a little when you’re in Were-something form?”
“Wress.”
“And you understand us?”
“Wress. Retter ris ray.”
“Excellent. That could be useful. She’s still pretty cute, overwhelming underbite or not.”
“Grandpa, that’s not nice. Missy can hear you.” Beth put her hand out. “C’mere, girl. I’m still your person, and you’re still my dog.” Missy whined, but she came to Beth hesitantly. Beth could tell her parents were ready to leap, but Missy didn’t do anything aggressive. Just climbed into Beth’s arms and whimpered. Beth hugged her. “See?” She petted Missy’s head. “It’s okay.”
“Rot rearry.”
“Oh,” Beth’s grandfather said heartily, “not to worry. The full moon cycle only lasts for three nights. Missy, you can do some vermin hunting in the Impregnable Tunnels, but don’t bite or eat one of the other Underground pets—or the people, obviously—and it’ll be fine.”
“Rot rit.”
“You really think she’ll turn back in three nights, Dad?” Beth’s mother asked.
“I do. She’ll be herself in the daytime, too. Figure she’ll want more meat than normal until then. Now, I’m going back to the Bunk where it’s safe, and I suggest the four of you do so, too.”
Beth and her parents looked at each other. A Were-Pomeranian was definitely an exciting development, and a little more exciting than watching the Amazeballs fight, since that seemed to have moved out over the ocean, which was cool and all, but lacked the building collapses that made superhero team fights so interesting.
“I guess we’d better go Underground,” her father said. “Missy seems under control but we don’t want her getting out accidentally.”
“We don’t need a Were outbreak,” her mother agreed.
They shut up the house and headed downstairs. “Ungrrry,” Missy said, sounding rather urgent. She was drooling a lot and Missy didn’t drool normally. Her mother pulled out a whole raw chicken that was supposed to be Sunday’s dinner. Missy scarfed it down, bones and all.
“I’ve never seen her eat so much at one time,” Beth said.
Her grandfather snorted. “Weres are big eaters from the little I know about it. But only during ‘the change’ time.”
Chicken rapidly gone, Beth headed to her room, Missy trotting along behind her just like normal. The family cats weren’t happy as they passed, though, and a lot of hissing ensued. Missy growled at them and the cats shut up. They headed for higher ground and settled onto the top levels of their cat trees.
Beth put Missy onto her bed, then started a search on Werewolves. TV reception wasn’t as good Underground, but the World Wide Web was plenty strong.
Beth found a lot of information about Werewolves, but it wasn’t all that helpful. Almost all the texts indicated that a Were was a human who changed into a wolf or other animal, or vice versa. An animal turning into a Were version of itself wasn’t mentioned.
“You’re extra-special,” Beth told Missy.
“Groody.” Missy didn’t sound thrilled.
“Oh, don’t be like that. It says that some Weres can change any time they want, with or without the full moon. So maybe you can, too. We can experiment tomorrow.” Beth yawned. So did Missy.
Beth got ready for bed and, despite her mother’s worries, snuggled right next to Missy, who heaved a sad little doggy sigh. Beth hugged her. “Don’t feel bad. I have a Were-Pomeranian guarding me. Not even the Super Team can say that.”
“Rue.”
The next morning Beth woke up to see Missy looking normal. Tests proved that Missy couldn’t talk in regular dog form, which Beth found disappointing. However, Missy seemed to be thrilled to not have an ugly underbite anymore and she ate normally, though, at her grandfather’s insistence, Beth’s father went to the store and stocked up on a lot of raw chickens.
As evening came around, the whole family watched Missy and, sure enough, she went through the change again. This time, Beth left her alone until it was over and her mother gave Missy a raw chicken right away.
“Rank roo,” Missy said, once she was done eating.
“She is sooo cute,” Beth’s grandmother cooed. “Isn’t she cute? You’re so fierce! Fierce, scary doggie!”
Missy heaved a sigh. “Rye ress.”
The family all agreed that Missy was still really cute, underbite and drool or no. “What’s the point of it, though?” Beth’s Aunt Cil asked. “I mean, yes, Were-thing, I get it. But why make a Were-Pomeranian? What can Missy possibly do other than bite ankles?”
“Ro rirea.”
“Yeah, we have no idea, either,” Beth’s grandfather said. “But you can’t necessarily understand the Crazed Evil Genius Mind.”
The adults concluded that it was probably a useless trait but one they’d deal with because Missy was Beth’s dog. Beth felt that a Were-Pomeranian was still cooler than just a regular Pomeranian, but she kept those thoughts to herself.
Monday came and with it school. Beth hugged Missy tightly. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”
She headed Upstairs and over to the Conasons to pick up James, who was waiting for her. “Did you see the Amazeballs fight?” he asked as they headed for school, keeping a wary eye out for Enemy Attacks. “They really destroyed the League of Losers. Of course, they’re not a really good evil group. Not like the ones we have here.”
Beth looked at him out of the corner of her eyes and considered how to answer this. Her grandfather was dead set on blaming James’ family for Missy being a Were-Dog, but that didn’t mean James had anything to do with it. Could she trust him? Maybe. Besides, he was probably her best friend, even though he was a boy.
“Part of it, but then something really exciting happened. Missy turned into a Were-Pomeranian.”
James stared at her. “What? Missy, your little girly dog Missy?”
“Yes.”
“She turned into a Werewolf?”
“No. She turned into a Were-Pomeranian.” Beth waited. Maybe James knew about how this had happened.
“She turned into a Werewolf version of what she already is?”
“Um, yes. She did.”
James shook his head. “Girls are weird. My mom warned me that this would happen. She said you’ll get through it, though, in a few years, and I should be nice and understanding when you act crazy because you can’t help it.”
Beth sniffed. “My whole family saw it happen.”
“Well, your family is kind of weird, so...”
“Yeah? Well your family knows shifty people.”
They glared at each other and walked the rest of the way to school in silence. The rest of the day Beth barely paid attention to what her teachers were saying. She was too upset with James and worried about Missy to pay attention to math or social studies, though she did pay attention in science class because they were talking about genetics. She wanted to ask her science teacher what he thought about lycanthropy but, after James’ reaction, she decided to wait a bit.
She debated waiting for James to walk home. Their parents didn’t like them walking alone because an Evil Team could attack at any time and they felt there was safety in numbers. However, she was still mad at James. But, the Super Team didn’t Shirk Their Duties and Beth figured she shouldn’t, either.
She went to where they normally met up to see James with a bunch of other boys and a man she didn’t know. The man wasn’t a teacher at the school, and he looked vaguely familiar, like she’d seen him maybe once before.
As she neared the group, the man gave her a calculating look. “So, this is Beth?” he asked James.
“Yes,” James said, sounding a little uncertain.
“My name is Laurence. I’m James’ cousin’s girlfriend’s brother,” the man said. “I hear you’re liking your dog.”
“Are you who sold us Missy?” Beth asked.
“I am!” Laurence beamed. “James seems to think there’s some trouble with her?”
Beth hadn’t watched the Super Team all her life not to know when to lie. “Oh, no. I was playing around and James took it seriously. Missy’s the best.”
“Ah.” Laurence looked just a little disappointed and a whole lot suspicious. “Well, that’s good then.”
“We need to get home,” Beth said to James. “You know our parents will worry.”
“Ah, I’m going out with Laurence this afternoon,” James said, a little nervously. “I forgot to tell you this morning.”
“Uh huh. Okay then, I’ll see you later.” Beth turned to go.
“Oh, why don’t you come with us?” Laurence asked. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy what we’re going to do as much as the boys will.”
Beth turned but took a step back, so that she was out of reach of any of them. Ms. Super was quite clear on how a young woman should be prepared for an attack at any time, and Beth didn’t trust Laurence at all. “No thanks,” she said nicely. “My parents don’t like it when I change plans on them. Maybe next time.” She nodded to James and the others, then turned again and walked quickly away.
They didn’t follow, for which Beth was quite relieved. She got across the street and then looked back at them. They were all watching her. She gave them a little wave, but kept walking quickly, just in case.
Beth got home without incident. Her parents and Aunt Cil were at work, but her grandparents were home and she told them about what had happened.
“Laurence is definitely the man who sold us Missy,” her grandfather said, eyes narrowed. “Glad you had the sense to come home.”
“I’m glad they didn’t try to grab Beth and force her away,” her grandmother said worriedly. “You need to be careful.”
“I was and I will be. I just wonder what that Laurence is up to.”
“No good,” her grandfather said firmly.
Beth sent James a text, asking him what he was doing with Laurence. Nothing, was the reply. “That’s totally suspicious,” she said to Missy, who was cuddled next to her. “I don’t think that Laurence is a good person.”
Missy gave a quiet bark Beth assumed meant agreement.
Beth considered options. Based on what her grandfather had said, tonight was the last night for a month that Missy would be a Were. And James was her friend, and the other boys with him weren’t bad kids. But they would be if Laurence got his hands on them.
Beth sent another text to James. Got permission to hang out. Where are you?
The reply was slow to come back. You’re sure?
Yeah.
The next reply was even slower, but an address was provided. And don’t bring your stupid dog.
Beth stared at that. “Missy, if someone you suspect is being influenced by a bad guy tells you not to do something, should you do it or not?” Missy looked at her questioningly, and Beth shared the conversation and her thoughts. “I think we need to intervene before James Turns To Evil. Laurence is clearly already there.”
Missy growled and nudged Beth’s watch. “Yeah, I know you won’t change for a while. But I just know in my gut that James and the other boys are in danger of going to the Side of Evil. And we can’t allow that.”
Missy barked what sounded like agreement.
Beth gathered what she thought she might need in a Fight Against Nascent Evil. The Super Team had superpowers, of course, but still they went equipped with the means of communication with the police force and some conventional weapons, too. Beth’s family wasn’t loaded with weapons, but the neighbor between them and the Conasons was totally prepped for an invasion.
“Going to visit Missus Marconi,” Beth said to her grandparents.
They both looked at her suspiciously. “Not going to see James?” her grandmother asked.
“He’s not home. I checked. I want to see if Missus Marconi has noticed that Laurence hanging around.”
“If she can see anything aside from all those cats,” her grandfather said. Mrs. Marconi proudly proclaimed herself to be a Crazy Cat Lady and nothing about her or her home could make anyone offer an argument against this.
“Remember that cats aren’t the only way she’s crazy,” her grandmother added.
Her grandparents couldn’t find a strong reason to object to the visit, however, since they were friendly with Mrs. Marconi, cats in double digits and potentially crazy or not, so Beth put Missy’s leash on, made sure her phone and Swiss Army knife were securely in her jacket pocket, and headed out of the Bunk.
Mrs. Marconi was older than Aunt Cil and Beth’s parents but not as old as her grandparents. She was, as Beth’s father put it, still in fighting shape. And she was prepped to fight a lot of things.
Mrs. Marconi was home and happy to see Beth, who told her the whole story while petting cats and having cookies and milk. Unlike James, Mrs. Marconi didn’t argue about Missy being a Were-Pomeranian.
“He’s at it again,” she muttered as she examined Missy carefully. “You’re planning to try to stop whatever Laurence is up to?”
“I am, but I know I need help. Weapons at the least.”
“As if you know how to use them? Stay here.” Mrs. Marconi shook her head and trotted off and Beth wondered if she was going to tell her grandparents what was going on. But that wasn’t the case. She came back wearing a full bodysuit. It wasn’t leather, but looked a little like it. She handed Beth a suit that looked similar. “Go put this on. It’s a protection suit. Put your clothes back on over it.”
Beth took the suit and went to the bathroom to change. Missy went with her. “No one just has suits like these lying around,” she whispered to Missy. “I wonder if Missus Marconi isn’t really Missus Marconi, but a retired superhero!”
Missy barked softly and nudged around the hamper. Beth looked at it. It looked like a hamper. She dressed as Mrs. Marconi had told her to—the bodysuit wasn’t very thick and her clothes went on over it easily. She left the bathroom to find that Mrs. Marconi had also put her regular clothes back on. She’d also laid out an assortment of weapons, not just guns, but whips, knives, a crossbow, and things Beth wasn’t familiar with.
“Have you ever handled a weapon of any kind?” Mrs. Marconi asked. “Don’t lie. I’ll know.”
Beth resisted the urge to say she had. “I’ve handled knives. In the kitchen,” she added for honesty’s sake.
Mrs. Marconi sighed. “Well, we make do with what we have.” She handed Beth a couple of knives in sheaths. “Secure those about your person and let’s hope they don’t get used against you.”
“Who were you?” Beth asked as she stashed knives in her jacket and back pocket of her jeans.
“Someone who wants to remain anonymous.”
“But I’m working with you now.”
Mrs. Marconi grunted. “True enough. I’m someone who has to right a wrong at this precise time. We’ll leave it at that for now.”
Beth’s mind raced. “You know Laurence, don’t you? I mean, beyond what I’ve told you.”
“I do. And I know that if he’s blatantly recruiting at your school then he’s ready to roll whatever nefarious plan he’s been prepping.” With that, she loaded up on weapons herself, including a whip, a couple of pistols, what looked like a laser gun, and the crossbow. Then she jerked her head and headed off. Beth followed.
They went to the same bathroom Beth had changed in and Mrs. Marconi opened the hamper lid, then moved the hamper ninety degrees. The wall behind the hamper slid open.
“A secret door! That’s so cool!” Beth was impressed with the setup and also with Missy, who’d clearly spotted this door earlier.
“Follow me and stay quiet. These tunnels can echo.”
While following Mrs. Marconi through a very different set of tunnels than the ones she was used to, Beth ran through all the older super teams she could think of. Mrs. Marconi had been living next to her grandparents longer than Beth could remember, which meant that she was probably from one of the teams from the Golden Age of about twenty years ago.
There had always been plenty of female superheroes, so without anything to go on, Beth came up blank—too many options. She focused instead on Laurence. He didn’t look familiar, and he wasn’t old enough to have been part of the Golden Age unless he’d been a child.
Of course, there were usually kids helping out the various Teams of Super Goodness, just like Beth was helping Mrs. Marconi. So she focused on trying to remember all of them. Due to her Aspirations, Beth has memorized every Sidekick on both the Side of Goodness and the Side of Evil. She had most of their trading cards, too. She decided to go through them alphabetically so as to be more accurate.
She was up to Noxious Boy when they reached the exit from the tunnels into the Subway. “Don’t need to pay the fare,” Mrs. Marconi chuckled under her breath. “We’ll always get you there.”
Beth didn’t complain—she hadn’t brought any money, so them not having to pay was a relief. Mrs. Marconi verified the address they were heading for and they got on the train that would get them there fastest.
Missy sat in Beth’s lap for the ride. She seemed extra alert and Beth was pleased. Missy was clearly a Mini Super Dog and Mrs. Marconi was obviously a Retired Superhero Returning To Duty and that made Beth an Official Sidekick. She contemplated what name to choose, but decided that it would be something that should be collaborative with Mrs. Marconi.
Beth put the rhyme that Mrs. Marconi had said into her phone’s search engine, but they reached their stop before the search was done.
They were in a very disreputable part of town, not that this came as a surprise. “Should you go in with me?” Beth asked as they neared their destination, a rickety looking two-story warehouse.
“I’ve been debating that. They’re expecting only you, not me or Missy.” Mrs. Marconi pulled them into an alleyway near the warehouse, presumably so they wouldn’t be spotted. Beth felt that she should’ve been taking notes, but that could slow things down, so she’d just have to remember as much as possible.
“I thought you said they’d expect me to bring Missy.”
“Exactly, but you’re going to play dumb and obedient and not bring her in with you, I think. Missy and I will be the sneak attack.”
Being the Bait was standard Sidekick Duty, so Beth had no objections. “How long before I can graduate to full Superhero status?”
Mrs. Marconi snorted. “Let’s get through this before you make a decision on having to live a double life forever.”
They discussed their Plan of Attack until Beth was clear on her duties. Get inside, engage the enemy, then stall as much as possible. Seemed simple enough. Of course, Beth was also aware that many times Plans Went Awry, but that just meant that she and Mrs. Marconi would have to think on their feet, while Missy thought on her paws.
Beth hugged Missy. “Be good and stay safe. Oh, and find me at the right time.” It never hurt to give exact instructions to a Super Dog.
With that, Beth headed out of the alley while Mrs. Marconi and Missy went out the other side so as to slip into the warehouse from the back. Beth went to the front door and made a show of looking around and verifying the address just in case someone was watching.
The door wasn’t locked so Beth went in. “Hello?” she called out, just as if she didn’t expect a trap. “James?”
The warehouse wasn’t well lit, which wasn’t a surprise. But while it had looked like two stories from the street, there was only one floor with a really high ceiling. There were a lot of tall stacks of metal sheets and pipes and such that blocked most of the building from view. There weren’t any catwalks, which Beth thought was odd, considering the height of the building. This could mean that Laurence could fly, though, so she checked up as much as down and around.
She didn’t spot any traps, so she walked in carefully. She didn’t call out anymore—either they could hear her and were lying in wait, or they couldn’t hear her, so she might as well go the rest of the way in Stealth Mode.
Beth crept around through the maze of metal. It sort of looked like this place was a foundry, only it wasn’t all that warm and there were no noises that one would associate with someplace working with metals. It was, in fact, almost eerily quiet.
It looked creepy, too, presumably on purpose. There was lighting, but it was really high up. Whoever had to change the bulbs would need a fireman’s ladder or flight ability for sure.
Beth missed Missy a lot right now. Having her dog with her to hold and at least seem like protection would have been nice. But one didn’t join a Superhero team by being a scaredy-cat and Beth knew this was her Big Chance. So she forged on, making a note that this was a pun she might want to toss out if, in fact, this place had a forge in it. Sidekicks had pun and riddle requirements, after all.
She finally got into the middle and the stacks of various kinds of metal gave way to an area without a lot of stuff in it. There were still stacks of metal of all kinds ahead of her and to the side, but this area had nothing in it but a dirty concrete floor. Beth figured that the Secret Lair was going to be underground somewhere, though hopefully not connected to Underground. Though if it was, she and Mrs. Marconi could get there easily next time without taking the Subway.
She checked her phone. The rhyme search was a dead end—it had come up with too many options and Beth currently didn’t have time to sort through them. “Maybe later,” she said to herself, mostly to hear some sound. There was still no one around and, since she was exposed here anyway, Beth figured faking it again was the way to go. “Hello? James? Where are you guys?”
She was rewarded with James finally coming to get her. He didn’t come up from beneath, but from the stack of metal to her right. “Hey, Beth.” He sounded underwhelmed that she was here.
“Hey.” She went towards him, but not too fast, just in case. “What’s with all the weirdness?”
“You didn’t bring your dog?” He sounded relieved and disappointed.
“You told me not to.”
“And you listened to me?” Now he sounded shocked.
Beth sniffed at him. “Sometimes. So, what’s going on? Why are you guys at this creepy warehouse?”
“It’s where Laurence lives, uh, works.”
Clearly James was not as good at the Sidekick Business as Beth was. Sadly, though, he appeared to be Sidekicking for the Side of Evil. There was nothing for it—Beth was going to have to Save Him From Himself. And that meant she had to lull James into a False Sense Of Security and Put Him At His Ease.
“Oh. Okay. Why are you guys here? He’s not some weird creeper, is he?”
James laughed weakly. “Not like that, no. Um, you know, you don’t have to come in.” He sounded a little desperate. “You should probably go home. The guys will understand.”
“Understand what?”
“That you’re scared here. I mean, you’re a girl, it’s a creepy building, I’m sure you’re not feeling comfortable.”
Beth resisted saying all the things she wanted to, starting with the fact that she was less scared of a lot more things than James was and ending with the fact that no one on the Side of Right was supposed to feel comfortable in an Evil Lair. Instead, she gave him what she figured was the answer he expected. “Oh, but you’re here to protect me, right?” She managed not to throw up a little in her mouth when she said this, and really hoped Mrs. Marconi had both caught this and was clear that Beth was Faking Out The Evil Sidekick.
“Oh, yeah,” James said weakly. “That’s right. Totally what I’m here for.” With that he jerked his head towards the metal stacks that were opposite from the ones he’d come out of. “Everyone’s over there.”
“They’re awfully quiet,” Beth remarked as they walked across the empty space.
“Yeah, well, Laurence doesn’t like a lot of noise.”
“Huh. And yet he breeds dogs.”
“No, he doesn’t.”
Beth didn’t argue. Just because Laurence had been the one who’d sold Missy to them, that didn’t mean he was a breeder. Beth really hoped Missy and Mrs. Marconi were nearby, because she wasn’t counting on James to back her at all.
They reached the other stacks without the floor falling out from under them and also without a cage dropping on them. Beth was relieved and a little disappointed. Laurence wasn’t really impressing in the Evil Lair department.
But then they rounded one of the stacks of sheet metal to find a huge pipe, easily six feet in diameter. James walked into it. Beth followed. They reached the end of the pipe to find the stairs Beth knew had to be here. This was more like it. Time to head into the Secret Lair and see what was what.
“This is weird,” she said, in case James was thinking that she seemed too calm.
“Yeah, it’s kind of cool, though.”
“Oh yeah. Totally.” Beth hoped she didn’t sound disparaging. It wouldn’t do to let on that she was aware that things weren’t what they seemed to James. At least, not yet.
Down a long flight of stairs and out into a room that was far more like what she’d been expecting. Lots of laboratory equipment, vats of clear blue liquid in which various things floated, stuff that looked like it was out of a Frankenstein movie, what might have been a small reactor, and other, less easily identified items filled most of this big underground room.
Laurence was in a white lab coat and the other boys from school were near him. They all looked kind of slack-jawed. “What’s with them?” she asked James quietly.
“Um, they’re listening to Laurence.”
“He’s not talking.”
“Not right now, no. But they’re waiting for him to play again.”
Beth looked more closely at Laurence. Sure enough, he had what looked like a flute in his hands. She ran through her various Sidekick Cards in her head. There had been one, sure enough, during the Golden Age, who’d played a flute. He’d been called the Petit Pied Piper, Triple P for short. But he’d been a good guy.
She examined Laurence’s face as they got closer. He could indeed have been Triple P grown up, he looked old enough without being too old. So, did that mean he was on the Side of Right? Beth’s gut said there was no way. The Super Team’s headquarters was at the top of a giant skyscraper because Heroes Didn’t Hide. So, Laurence was definitely a bad guy.
The other boys seemed more alert. Laurence notice this, too, and played a fast little tune on his flute. Beth wasn’t impressed, but the boys all looked kind of glazed again. James didn’t, though.
Laurence’s eyes narrowed as they reached him. “Where’s the dog?”
“James told me not to bring her.”
“And you listened to him?” It was official—they’d bet on Beth doing exactly the opposite of what James had said.
“Sometimes.”
“It’s the last night of the full moon,” Laurence said. “If we’re to cure your dog of her lycanthropic tendencies, I need her here.”
For a moment Beth wondered if Laurence was actually a good guy. But if he was, why would James have told her to leave Missy at home, and as nastily as he had? No, Beth knew that a good Superhero or Sidekick Trusted Their Gut, and her gut said that Laurence wanted Missy for Nefarious Purposes.
“I told you I was joking about that.” Now it was time to stall. Beth sincerely hoped that Mrs. Marconi had a plan, because while the rest of the guys looked kind of like zombies, there were a lot more of them than there were of her.
“But I know you were lying about joking about it,” Laurence said smoothly. “So, what did she turn into? An alligator? A wolf? A lion?”
“Um, no.”
Laurence stepped closer to her. “Understand, young lady. If you don’t want to follow in your dog’s footsteps and become a lycan yourself, you’ll tell me what your dog changed into.”
Beth considered lying, but decided there were other ways to stall. “She turned into a Were-Pomeranian.”
Laurence made a sound of disgust and put his flute to his lips. He played another tune. Beth winced. “Did you take lessons?” she asked politely.
Laurence stopped mid-tune. “Yes.” He sounded shocked. “Why do you ask?”
“You’re kind of flat. Or sharp. I’m not sure which, but since I don’t think a flute can be tuned, it’s got to be you.”
“They can, too.” He stared at her. “You weren’t, ah, affected by the music?”
“Only in that it was painful.” Beth looked him right in the eyes. “I know who you are.”
Laurence managed a smirk. “And who is that?”
“You’re the Petit Pied Piper. Though you’ve lost the petit part. You’re a lot taller than I’d have expected.”
“I lost it through my experiments,” he said rather grandly. “Experiments you’ll be a part of.” He grabbed Beth’s arm.
She didn’t look to James for help. Aunt Cil was big on self-defense and she’d spent a lot of time drilling Beth into how to protect herself. Beth slammed her knee into Laurence’s groin, then kicked at his knee while she wrenched herself away from him.
He staggered and Beth backed up. Into James, who grabbed and held her upper arms more tightly than Laurence had. “You have to stay now,” he said quietly. “It’ll be safer and I don’t want you to get hurt. Besides, every team needs a girl in it.”
“Why is that?” Beth asked.
“To make the food and bring the snacks and answer the phone. And, um, you know, maybe…you could be my girlfriend.”
He’d never been stupid like this before. Beth presumed this was Laurence’s influence. “The heck with that.” Beth stomped on his foot and slammed her head back into his face while slamming her elbows back at the same time. James let go, howling. Beth leaped away from him, but Laurence was playing his flute and the other boys had surrounded them. They looked more like zombies than they had before.
“You broke my nose!” James was holding his face and there was definitely blood.
“You’re supposed to be my friend, not someone trying to force me to do things against my will!”
“But it’s going to be so cool,” James said, as he used a handkerchief to sop up the blood. “We’re going to be the New Masters of Doom, taking up the mantle after the demise of the Doom Squad who took over from the original Masters of Doom. We’ll take on the Super Team, and the Amazeballs, maybe both at once. Don’t you want in on that? Don’t you want to be my girlfriend?”
“No, I don’t want to be your girlfriend just so I can get your snacks and act like you’re impressive even when you’re not. Good boyfriends don’t try to make their girlfriends Turn To Evil or force them to do anything they don’t want to. And, to make it even worse, the Doom Squad was even lamer than the Masters of Doom. The Masters of Doom were enemies of your team, too,” she said to Laurence. She pulled out one of the knives Mrs. Marconi had given her.
Laurence shrugged and stopped playing. The boys looked a little less like zombies again. “Alliances shift. Doctor Megadoom had many interesting…ideas.” He went to a metal cylinder that was sort of hanging from the ceiling and flipped one of its many toggles. The knife flew out of Beth’s hand and slammed into the metal cylinder. The other knives she had on her did the same thing, even her Swiss Army knife. Laurence smirked. “Now, for the last time, where’s your dog?”
“Mrime herrrre!” Missy came bounding in from a different direction than from where Beth had entered the Secret Lair.
“Stop her!” Laurence shouted. He played another painful few notes and the boys lurched into action.
Missy was in full Were-Pomeranian form and she dodged the admittedly slow boys and leapt in front of Beth. Missy’s collar wasn’t on, so presumably Mrs. Marconi had noted the giant magnet and had Adapted the Plan accordingly.
Laurence stared at Missy. “You were serious? That’s her entire transformation? Into a slightly larger and less cute Pomeranian? How is that even possible? How could the serum fail so miserably?”
“Rooo ruck,” Missy said. Accurately, as far as Beth could tell.
Still, Missy was her dog. “I think she’s awesome as her regular self and as a Were-Pomeranian. Just because she’s not what you wanted doesn’t make her anything less than Super.”
“Still playing with toys that aren’t yours, Laurence?” Mrs. Marconi came from the same direction Missy had. Only she wasn’t dressed like Mrs. Marconi anymore. She was dressed in her former uniform. She didn’t have any weapons Beth could see other than the whip, which made sense, since all the other weapons they’d brought had metal in them. But then, her whip was all she’d need.
“It’s Wonder Gal,” James said, sounding shocked, as the other boys once again seemed to be coming out of their Zombie-Like Trance. “I thought she disappeared after the Last Battle with Doctor Megadoom.”
Beth was thrilled. Wonder Gal was one of the Originals, one of the members of the very first heroes’ alliance, the Wonder Team. And Beth was her new Sidekick! “This day could be the best ever.”
“Mother, what are you doing here?” Laurence asked. Whined, really.
“Stopping your madness. Again.”
Laurence put his flute to his lips. “Attack!” Then he started playing. The sound was still painful, off-key, unappealing, and still totally non-hypnotic for Beth. But the boys all lumbered towards Wonder Gal. James, however, didn’t.
“So, his awful playing doesn’t work on you?” Beth asked.
James shrugged. “I’m immune, I guess. Like you are.” He looked down. “Your Were-dog isn’t, though.”
Missy was indeed running away from Beth, but not towards Wonder Gal. No, Missy was headed right for Laurence. She grabbed his ankle in her jaws and bit down. And then she flipped him.
One moment Laurence was standing up, the next Missy had him on his side. She shook her head the way dogs do, from side-to-side rapidly, and he went from side-to-side rapidly, too, slamming onto the floor each time. He stopped playing and the boys stopped trying to attack Wonder Gal. She rounded them up with her Whip of Holding and though they struggled, they couldn’t get free.
Beth and James stared at Missy flipping Laurence around from side to side. “She always that strong?” he asked finally.
“I don’t think so. But, you know, she’s a Super Dog, so maybe.”
The flute finally flew out of Laurence’s hands. James and Beth both jumped for it, but he was a little taller than she was and had a slightly better vertical leap. James came down with the flute in his hand.
“Give it to me,” Wonder Gal said. “Let’s get this over with.”
James looked at Beth but he didn’t make a move towards Wonder Gal. “James, give the flute to Wonder Gal. Then we can take Laurence to the police and go home.”
“But we’re the New Masters of Doom.”
“Hardly,” Wonder Gal said.
“Yeah, I have to agree. You guys are mediocre at best. I mean, unless you have hidden troops here or something.”
“I’m not mediocre,” James said angrily.
“Not you,” Beth said. Sure, he’d tried to force her to do things she didn’t want to, but they’d been friends forever, so he deserved the benefit of the doubt. Not a lot of benefit, but some. “But this team is. Who wants to be in the Masters of Mediocre Doom? You could have a Change of Heart and join with me and Wonder Gal.”
He put the flute to his lips and blew into it. Music came out. Far better than the music that Laurence had played. It still wasn’t compelling to Beth, but Wonder Gal gasped. “He’s got the Ability. Dash it all, we thought it had been bred out!”
The boys started to fight against their bonds in earnest, and even though the Whip of Holding was impressive, there were a lot of them and they got free. Then they dogpiled onto Wonder Gal. She fought bravely, tossing boy after boy off and away from her but, again, there were a lot of them, they were kids, and Beth knew she didn’t want to hurt them. Ultimately they got her down.
Meanwhile, Beth was trying to get the flute away from James, but he was running around the room playing, while she ran after him.
She finally got him cornered between a couple of vats of the clear blue liquid. Beth kicked at James, but he dodged it, shoved her into a vat and, as she bounced against the glass, took off.
Beth scrambled to her feet and this time she didn’t try to get fancy—she tackled James from behind. They went down, but he kept a hold of the flute. He was a little bigger than her, though, and also a little stronger, and he managed to kick away from her, and get to his feet. To his credit, James didn’t try to kick her in the head, he just ran away, once more playing the flute.
“To me, my minions!” James shouted, as he reached the hidden door Beth realized Missy and Wonder Gal had come through. “We’ll show these girls who’s the boss!”
The boys ran away from Wonder Gal, and they seemed less like zombies and more like they were really into the whole Masters of Doom thing. At the same time, Missy dropped Laurence, who was unconscious by now anyway, and lunged at James. As a Were-Pomeranian she had a lot more spring. She wasn’t quite able to reach the flute, but she got his arm and held on.
James spun, flinging his arm around. Because Missy wasn’t on the ground she couldn’t bring him down, and he finally managed to shake her off and sent her flying.
Beth didn’t hesitate. Super dog or Were-dog or not, Missy could get hurt. She ran even faster than she had after James. She had to jump to make it, but she caught Missy, pulled her in, and did a tuck and cover. They landed against the vat of clear blue liquid Beth had already slammed into and this time it broke. The water splashed all over them.
“You haven’t heard the last of the Masters of Mediocre Doom, Beth,” James shouted. “You’ll see! I’ll impress you and you’ll stop calling us mediocre and you’ll join our team because I’m the best and you’ll want to be with the best!” With that, he and the boys ran out, carrying Laurence’s unconscious body with them.
Wonder Gal ran over to Beth and Missy. “Anything broken? Any cuts?”
“I don’t think so,” Beth said, as she stood up.
“Rime rokay.”
Wonder Gal looked worried. “I have no idea what was in that and with Laurence and the boys gone, we’re not going to know for a while. It could affect one or both of you. The protection suit is good, but it’s not the best against that much liquid.”
Beth shrugged. “I’m prepared for whatever might happen. Those are the Risks when you’re part of a Super Squad.”
“And the risks when you get bitten by a lycan. We have no idea if Missy’s bite will alter Laurence or James, but I think we need to be prepared for it.”
“I’m ever ready,” Beth said. Missy barked her readiness as well.
Wonder Gal smiled. “I knew you were special, Beth. I’m proud of how you handled things today.”
Beth beamed and hugged Missy. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Wonder Gal, or our Wonder Dog, Missy the Were-Pomeranian! Missy did the hardest stuff, after all.”
Missy licked her face. “Ryyy rerson.”
“Yes, I’m your person and you’re my dog.” Beth cuddled Missy a bit more. “So what’s my Sidekick name?”
Wonder Gal snorted softly. “You weren’t a sidekick today, Beth. You were definitely a superhero. So, I’m thinking that, based on age alone, Wonder Girl might be a good starting name. After all, I won’t live forever and someone should always be ready to take up the whip and become Wonder Gal.”
“Really?” Beth could not believe her luck. “I’m really a full superhero now?”
“You are,” Wonder Gal said solemnly. “You even have a Nemesis. Who you’re going to have to be prepared for. James isn’t going to come back and say he’s sorry. He’s going to try to outdo himself to impress you.”
“Rike fowr roo.”
Wonder Gal nodded. “Yes, Missy, just like for me. Mister Marconi wasn’t on the Wonder Team. He was a mild mannered college professor by day and at night he was…Doctor Megadoom. And Laurence’s father.”
Beth gasped. “You married your Nemesis?” Wonder Gal nodded. “But why?”
Wonder Gal got a funny little smile on her face. “Oh, you know. Chicks dig the bad boys.”
“I don’t.”
Wonder Gal sighed. “Well, we’ll see what happens when the time comes. For now, we have to change into our regular clothes and get back home to our Secret Identities. And I’m going to catch hell from your Aunt Cil, too.”
“Really? Why?”
Wonder Gal grinned and put her arm around Beth’s shoulders. “I’ll tell you all about what your family does on the side on the way home, Wonder Girl.”
Beth sighed happily. “I was right. This has definitely been the best day ever. Oh, can we stop on the way and get Missy a chicken?”
Wonder Gal laughed. “Yes, we can. Whatever Missy our Wonder Were-Pomeranian wants, she gets.”
“Rye wrant a steak!”
“A steak it is then,” Beth said as she patted Missy’s head.
“Wronder-roo! Missy’s ron the case!”