“Who are you?” asked Captain Tornado. “Freezey the Snowboy? HA-HA-HA!”

“The name is Peter Powers!” I said proudly. “Remember it. I’m the person who’s putting you on ice.”

“Oh, I’ll try,” said Captain Tornado. “If you can stop me, Snowboy!”

Captain Tornado launched several mini-tornadoes. They were headed right toward me! Thankfully, I was prepared. I moved to the right, then leaped to the left. I avoided each tiny twister with ease. All those years of playing dodgeball in gym class had finally paid off.

But the battle wasn’t over yet. I could feel my superpowers getting stronger and stronger. It was time for my big moment.

“This should take the wind out of your sails!” I said. I let loose with everything I had. My powers trapped Captain Tornado in a big block of ice. I did it! I defeated my very first bad guy! And it wasn’t even that hard!

“This won’t hold me forever,” Captain Tornado sneered. “By the way, your puns are terrible!”

“I’ll have to work on my jokes now that I am the world’s greatest superhero!” I said with confidence. “But jokes or no jokes, protecting the city always comes first!”

“You think you’re so great and powerful, don’t you?” Captain Tornado said. “If you’re so smart, why don’t you tell me what the capital of Nebraska is?”

“Huh?” Why was Captain Tornado asking me that? Was this a trick? Everyone in the bank was staring, waiting for my answer. I couldn’t let them down.

But I had no idea what the capital was. Nebraska City? If I wasn’t the smartest hero, I was still the most powerful! I mustered every bit of energy I had. I raised my hands and shouted, “Ice blast!”

But nothing happened. Nothing except the usual—little ice cubes came out of my fingertips and dropped sadly to the floor.

“You’re not a hero. Heroes have real superpowers. You’re just a little baby who makes ice cubes,” said Captain Tornado. “Ice Cube Baby! Now tell me, what is the capital of Nebraska!”

“Huh?” I said. What was going on?

“Wake up,” Captain Tornado hissed. “I said wake up, young man!”

“Wake up, Peter Powers!” repeated my teacher, Miss Dullworth. She was staring right at me.

“GAH!” I shouted, jumping up from my desk like a spider had bitten my butt. I wasn’t at the bank. I never had been. I was in school with drool on my face. I had fallen asleep in class and dreamed the whole thing. Now everyone was laughing at me. The only thing super about this was how super embarrassed I was.