superhero fetish story

[lukecat]

chapter 1

The neon glow of Horizon City flickered in the distance, its sprawling skyline standing as a monument to both progress and corruption. Rain drummed against the rooftops, cascading down the steel and glass structures like a symphony of whispered threats. Aikan Li, better known as the vigilante Topaz Tiger, staggered to one knee atop a dimly lit parking complex. His breathing was ragged, his ribs aching from the repeated blows delivered by the brute known as Black Serpent.

 

Black Serpent stood before him, a smirk playing at his lips. “You put up a fight, I’ll give you that,” he drawled, his voice as smooth as the poison he trafficked through the city’s underbelly. His coiled whip, pulsing with a sickly green energy, crackled as he prepared the finishing strike. “But heroes who don’t know when to quit? They tend to end up dead.”

 

Aikan tried to rise, but his limbs betrayed him, heavy with exhaustion. His mind screamed at him to move, to do anything, but he knew he was moments away from defeat.

Then, a gust of wind. A shadow cutting through the rain. A streak of white descended from the heavens.

White Hawk.

 

A flash of silver talons sliced through the air, intercepting Black Serpent’s whip before it could land. The villain recoiled, cursing, as White Hawk delivered a precise, brutal kick to his chest, sending him skidding backward. The caped figure landed gracefully beside Aikan, his pristine white costume untouched by the storm. Even through his haze of pain, Aikan could see the sharp contours of the white Mexican mask that concealed his rescuer’s identity.

 

“Looks like you could use some help,” White Hawk said, his voice low and composed.

 

Aikan gritted his teeth. “I had him right where I wanted him.”

 

White Hawk chuckled. “Of course you did.”

 

Without waiting for permission, White Hawk grabbed Aikan and took off into the sky, the city blurring beneath them. Aikan felt a pang of humiliation but lacked the strength to resist. The world faded in and out of focus, the only constant sensation being the firm grip of his mysterious saviour.

 

---

When Aikan awoke, he was lying on a plush leather chaise lounge, the warm scent of cedarwood and expensive cologne lingering in the air. The dim lighting accentuated the grandeur of the space—polished marble floors, gold accents, and velvet curtains draped across towering windows. A grand chandelier cast a soft glow over a sprawling fireplace, where embers crackled in the hearth. It was a mansion—one befitting a figure of power and influence.

 

His gaze landed on White Hawk, who stood near an ornate bar, pouring himself a drink. His costume was gone, replaced with an extravagant velvet Dolce & Gabbana robe that draped over his broad frame. The only remnant of his heroic persona was the white Mexican mask, which still concealed his features.

“You’re awake,” White Hawk remarked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “You took quite a beating back there.”

 

Aikan groaned as he tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his side stopped him. White Hawk set his drink down and approached, his movements slow and deliberate. “You’re hurt,” he said. “You should strip out of that costume so I can tend to your wounds.”

 

Aikan hesitated, his pride bristling at the suggestion. “I can handle it myself.”

 

White Hawk arched an eyebrow, though his expression was unreadable beneath the mask. “Really? Because from where I was standing, it looked like you were about to get killed.”

 

Aikan clenched his jaw. He hated feeling weak, especially in front of someone who had just saved his life. But the pain was real, and he wasn’t in any condition to argue. With a reluctant sigh, he reached for the tattered edges of his costume.

 

White Hawk stepped closer, his voice softening. “Let me help you, Aikan.”

 

Aikan met his masked gaze, searching for any sign of ulterior motives. But all he saw was patience—and something else, something unreadable. He exhaled and nodded slightly. Maybe, just this once, he could allow himself to be saved.

 

Aikan let down his guard, allowing White Hawk to unzip his suit, revealing a bruised, lean body. As the suit was peeled off, Aikan shivered slightly, wearing only his army-green briefs. "I'd like to keep the mask on."

 

"You learn fast," the muscular hero replied. "Don't worry, whatever you've been through, I've been there."

 

---

Aikan awoke to the scent of fresh linen and the lingering warmth of the mansion's luxury. His body ached, but he found himself lying on a vast, neatly made bed. The room was silent, save for the faint ticking of an antique clock on the wall.

 

He sat up, blinking groggily. His mask was still on. At least White Hawk had respected his boundaries.

 

Then it hit him—work. He was running late.

 

Aikan cursed under his breath, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. As he stood, a neatly pressed dress shirt, slacks, and polished shoes caught his attention, laid out on a nearby chair. A small note rested atop the clothes:

Thought you might need a fresh start. – W.H.

 

Aikan hesitated for only a moment before grabbing the outfit. The material was high-quality, tailored to perfection. He dressed quickly, appreciating the gesture even as his thoughts lingered on his masked saviour.

 

He grabbed his phone, hurried out of the room, and managed to hail a cab outside the estate. The drive to the office was a blur, his mind racing with the events of the night before. White Hawk had saved him—twice, really. First from Black Serpent, and then from waking up without a plan.

 

As he stepped into his workplace, he winced. Pain flared through his ribs, a sharp reminder of his injuries. He gritted his teeth and kept walking. He couldn’t afford to look weak, not here.

 

Beth, his sharp-eyed coworker, was the first to notice his sluggish movements. "Jeez, Aikan, you look like you got hit by a truck. Rough night?"

"Something like that," he muttered, lowering himself gingerly into his chair.

Toph leaned over his cubicle wall, raising an eyebrow. "You sure you’re good? You’re zoning out, and we’ve got that client presentation in an hour."

Aikan blinked, trying to shake the fog from his mind. "Yeah, yeah. Just—" He exhaled. "Didn’t sleep much."

Beth smirked. "Don’t tell me you finally have a social life. Met someone?"

Aikan stiffened, memories of White Hawk flashing through his mind—the firm grip, the masked gaze, the smooth voice. He cleared his throat. "No. Just… too much on my plate."

 

Beth and Toph exchanged a knowing glance but didn’t press. As they dove into work, Aikan tried to focus, but his mind kept drifting back to White Hawk—the way his voice had softened, the way his presence had felt steady, reassuring.

For reasons he couldn’t yet explain, he wanted to see him again.

 

---

Later that evening, Aikan found himself at his Muay Thai gym, wrapping his hands as he prepared for training. His injuries were still there, but his superhuman abilities had already started healing him. He moved stiffly at first, but the familiar rhythm of training grounded him.

 

His training partner, Cheng, gave him a once-over. "You sure you should be here? You look like hell."

Aikan smirked. "And yet, I’m still gonna kick your ass."

 

Cheng laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, tough guy. Let’s see what you got."

 

But Aikan wasn’t at his best. Cheng took advantage of his slower reflexes, landing blow after blow. By the end of the session, Aikan lay on the mat, winded and bruised. As he walked home in defeat, he glanced up—and there, soaring above the city skyline, was White Hawk.

 

[lukecat]

chapter 2

The entrance to Dr. Aleck’s laboratory was hidden beneath Horizon City National University, concealed behind layers of security and sterile hallways. Inside, the lab was an eerie blend of advanced technology and unsettling secrecy—walls lined with vials of glowing liquids, screens displaying cryptic genetic sequences, and the hum of machinery that pulsed like a living entity.

 

Dr. Aleck, clad in a white lab coat, observed Aikan with a calculating gaze. His hair was slicked back with cheap gel as usual, and thick black glasses framed his face. The familiar smell of expensive oud cologne greeted Aikan.

 

Before Dr. Aleck could say anything, Aikan felt a wave of shame and confessed like a pious Catholic in a confession booth. "I nearly lost my battle to Black Serpent. I was lucky to have White Hawk whisk me away."

 

“Depending on other heroes? Not on my watch. You’re growing complacent,” he said, his voice as cool as the steel tables.

A moment of silence passed between the two men. After some hesitation, Aikan broke the silence and said, "That's why I came to see you doctor. Can you enhance my abilities?"

 

The doctor adjusted his frames and replied, “It's been a good six months since we started the first phase. In general, you are reacting well to the powers, but perhaps it is time for an upgrade. However, the technology is still a bit iffy.”

 

"What's the iffy bit?" Aikan asked, as he paced around the room. "Recently, I keep wondering what it would feel like to have more powers." 

 

Dr. Aleck adjusted his glasses and coughed to clear his throat. “Well, usually I experiment with mice and some of them show signs of strength but for others, they seem frantic almost, unable to contain the surge in energy."

 

"That's nothing," Aikan replied cockily. "Remember how it was when I first became Topaz Tiger? I manage to manifest and subdue my powers within two weeks."

 

The doctor smirked. "That's my boy. I knew I didn't pick the wrong candidate. Well, you know what to do?"

 

Almost like clockwork, Aikan started stripping down, peeling off his T shirt and jeans to reveal his pale skinny frame. He stuck his fingers down the waistband of his boxers as he tried to stimulate his own cockhead. He knew the doctor needed another sperm sample to create something to take his powers to the next level. Blood gradually filled Aikan’s penis, making him semi-hard. 

 

Although Dr. Aleck was straight, he knew he had a job to do. After being in this line for a while. He knew the shy nerdy types like Aikan did best with some anal stimulation. The doctor friskly removed his lab coat to reveal well-sculpted biceps wrapped in his navy polo shirt. Aikan started moaning as the doctor twisted his left nipple, while using his other hand to stroke Aikan’s hairy anus, before plunging his index finger in. Aikan’s voice filled the room and the test tube was filled with three spurts of cum, before the doctor removed his finger and washed it in the basin at the corner of the room. 

[lukecat]

Chapter 3 - serendipity

The first thief rounded the corner, his gun raised and ready to fire. Aikan was faster. His tiger instincts kicked in, and he lunged forward, knocking the man’s arm aside. The gunshot rang out harmlessly against the marble walls, and with a single punch, Aikan sent the thug flying into a nearby pillar.

 

Aikan just got off work when he saw the orange flare go up from the city centre. Following the sounds of siren, he found himself at the National Museum of Horizon City where a crime spree had erupted. To his surprise, the White Hawk had arrived just seven minutes before him. 

 

White Hawk was a blur of white and silver as he moved with lethal precision, his talons flashing as they sliced through the air. One of the thieves tried to fire at him, but White Hawk’s reflexes were faster. He grabbed the man’s wrist, twisted, and disarmed him in one fluid motion. The thief dropped to the ground with a grunt.

 

Aikan could hear the chaos in the background—yells, the clatter of heels on marble floors, the shrill sound of security alarms echoing through the halls. But all that mattered was the fight before him.

"That’s what I’m talking about," Aikan said, his voice filled with adrenaline. "This is what we do best."

White Hawk flashed him a quick grin. "Stay focused, Tiger."

The two vigilantes moved in sync, a deadly dance of strength and speed. Aikan dispatched another thug with a powerful roundhouse kick, sending the man into a nearby display case, shattering glass. White Hawk darted past him, delivering a flurry of rapid blows to a pair of thieves attempting to flee with a bag full of jewels.

 

The museum was a battleground, each corner becoming a new opportunity for the duo to showcase their teamwork. White Hawk’s speed was unparalleled, his every move an elegant blur, while Aikan’s raw power tore through their enemies with devastating force. The thieves, though well-trained, couldn’t keep up with the combined might of the two heroes.

 

Finally, the last of the thieves dropped their weapons and surrendered, hands raised high in the air. Aikan and White Hawk stood side by side, panting from the intensity of the battle. The sounds of sirens began to fill the air as the museum’s security forces arrived, ready to take the criminals into custody.

Aikan looked over at White Hawk, who was brushing off his robe with casual indifference. "Not bad, White Hawk. We make a pretty good team."

White Hawk’s eyes glinted beneath his mask. "You did well. Maybe you’re not so bad for a rookie."

 

Aikan chuckled, feeling a rush of excitement. He’d fought alongside other heroes before, but there was something about White Hawk—a level of mystery, of grace, that made this partnership feel different. "So, what's next? Do we stick around for the afterparty?"

White Hawk’s smile was unreadable, but his voice was calm. "I don’t think you’ll find many thieves at the afterparty. But I’m sure we’ll run into each other again soon."

 

Before Aikan could respond, White Hawk was already airborne, soaring into the night sky, leaving Aikan standing amidst the wreckage of the fight.

Aikan looked up at the darkened sky, the roar of the city below him, and felt a strange sense of fulfillment. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel alone in this fight. Maybe, just maybe, this partnership with White Hawk could lead to something more.

 

The evening air hung heavy with humidity as Aikan made his way down the steps of the museum, his muscles sore from the tussle with the jewel thieves. He could hear the distant hum of police chatter as officers rounded up the criminals and began the clean-up process. The flashing lights of squad cars painted the scene in shades of red and blue, but Aikan felt no sense of triumph. He wasn’t here for recognition.

 

He turned to head toward the alley, ready to slip away into the shadows. But then a voice caught his attention.

"Topaz Tiger, wait up!"

 

Aikan stopped mid-step, stiffening. The voice had an air of enthusiasm that grated against him.

He turned, forcing a tight smile. It was Sergeant Don, the rookie officer he had seen during the museum raid. Don was still in his early twenties, wearing the standard police uniform. His youthful face was lit with an expression that seemed almost reverent, like he was meeting a celebrity.

 

"Thanks for, well... for everything tonight," Don said breathlessly, jogging up to him. He didn’t seem to mind that Aikan was still wearing the Topaz Tiger suit, his face concealed beneath the mask. "I don’t think we would’ve gotten those thieves without your help."

 

Aikan gave a noncommittal nod. "Just doing my part," he muttered, turning slightly to avoid eye contact. His eyes were trained on the exit, mentally already shifting toward the next task.

 

Don, however, seemed to have other plans. "No, I mean, really," he continued, his voice now laced with a sincerity that was hard to ignore. "You were amazing out there. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but... I’ve gotta ask. How did you get your powers?"

Aikan’s brow furrowed slightly under his mask, though his posture remained relaxed. The rookie didn’t even realise it, but his question hit a nerve.

"I was chosen," Aikan said simply, not wanting to engage too deeply.

 

Don blinked, clearly fascinated. "Chosen? But you must have trained, right? There’s no way anyone could just become... like you, overnight."

 

Aikan felt a surge of impatience. He had worked relentlessly for months to get to where he was, learning to control his abilities, honing his senses. But to this rookie, it all seemed like an afterthought—like the powers could be something anyone could acquire with the right effort.

 

"I wasn’t lucky," Aikan said through gritted teeth. "It’s a bit more complicated than that."

 

Don seemed to chew on the words for a moment before his expression shifted to something more wistful. "I get it. But still, it must be incredible to have that kind of power. Makes me wonder..." He hesitated for a moment, his voice softening. "Do you ever think about what it’d be like if someone like me could do what you do? If I could have powers... I’d be able to do my job better, you know? I’d be able to protect people more effectively."

 

Aikan’s muscles tensed. The thought of someone like Don—a rookie with no real experience—believing that he could wield powers just as easily as someone like him felt wrong. And it made Aikan want to distance himself from the conversation even more.

 

He gave a polite but firm reply. "Not everyone can handle these abilities, Sergeant. It’s more than just about fighting crime. There’s a responsibility that comes with power—something you may not fully understand yet."

 

Don nodded eagerly, seemingly undeterred. "Yeah, I get that, I do. But still, if I could make a difference like you do..." He trailed off, his voice tinged with a yearning that made Aikan uncomfortable.

 

"You don’t want to be like me," Aikan said, his voice low but clear. "Trust me."

 

Don blinked, momentarily confused. But then, to Aikan’s relief, he let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, I get it. I’m not cut out for that kind of responsibility."

Aikan didn’t answer right away. His heart beat a little faster. Good. Maybe now he’d leave me alone.

 

But Don, ever persistent, was still standing there, waiting for something more. "But hey, thanks again," he said, his voice now lighter. "You’ve got my respect, Topaz Tiger. I don’t know how you keep going, but I guess that's why you’re the hero, huh?"

 

Aikan gave him a polite but strained smile. "Glad I could help, Sergeant. Just keep doing your job the best you can."

 

With that, Aikan scanned the area for an escape. He couldn’t help the irritation building up inside him. A rookie like Don doesn’t get it. He doesn’t know what it’s really like. And he’s delusional if he thinks he can be like me.

 

As he walked away, the sounds of the police scene began to fade, the flashes of lights becoming distant, until only the steady rhythm of his own thoughts remained.

[lukecat]

Chapter 4 - an unwanted obsession

The morning after the museum heist, Sergeant Don sat at his desk in the police precinct, the harsh fluorescent lights flickering above. His coffee sat untouched, the steam rising as his mind replayed the chaos of the previous night—the way Topaz Tiger had come through for them with such ease, taking down the jewel thieves like they were nothing more than nuisances. The way his movements had been fluid, calculated, and almost inhuman.

 

It had been a year since heroes like Topaz Tiger started showing up in Horizon City. But only last night, Don managed to see them up close in action. Don ran a hand through his short hair, frustration gnawing at him.

 

"I could do so much more with powers like his," he muttered under his breath.

 

At the desk beside him, Officer Alice looked up from her paperwork, raising an eyebrow. "What was that, Don?"

 

He snapped back to attention, forcing a smile. "Nothing. Just thinking about last night."

 

Alice chuckled. "It was something, huh? Those heroes really do save our butts sometimes. I bet Topaz Tiger could've stopped the whole thing before we even got there."

 

"Yeah," Don replied, his gaze distant. "But, how do they get their powers? I mean... how does someone like him just become that way?"

 

Keith, who had been reading the latest crime report, turned to face him, an amused grin spreading across his face. "Ah, the age-old question. How do supers get their powers?" He leaned back in his chair, pretending to stroke his chin dramatically. "Some say they’re born with it. Natural born freaks?"

 

"Maybe," Alice said, tapping her pen on the desk. "But I think there’s more to it. Maybe they were in the right place at the right time. Some kind of weird accident or lab experiment gone wrong."

 

Keith scoffed. "Yeah, like those 'power suits' some of them wear. Maybe it’s all some kind of high-tech crap. Just depends on who’s funding the research, right?"

 

Don sat back in his chair, his mind swirling with possibilities. Right place, right time. Lab experiments. Technology. He couldn't help but feel the rising heat in his chest, an itch he couldn't scratch. He wanted to know the truth, wanted to understand how it all worked—how he could get his own powers.

 

"You know," Don said slowly, his voice barely a whisper, "I wouldn't mind having powers like Topaz Tiger. Imagine what I could do for the city, for the department." He glanced over at Alice and Keith, his voice filled with longing. "I could stop criminals before they even try something. Maybe even take down the worst of them."

 

Keith raised an eyebrow, looking at Don like he was crazy. "You? A superhero?" 

 

Alice, however, seemed to give Don’s idea more thought. She leaned forward, looking intrigued. "You really think you could be one of them? Like a vigilante?"

Don nodded, his eyes burning with ambition. "Why not? Everyone always talks about how the world’s better with supers around, but what about us? Why can’t a regular guy like me get a piece of that?."

 

Alice leaned back, her arms crossed. "Be careful what you wish for. Heroes like Topaz Tiger are dealing with a lot more than they let on. It's not just about saving the day. There’s danger. They’re targets. They have to live with that kind of weight."

 

Don's jaw clenched, but his determination didn’t waver. "I don't care. I can handle it." He stood, his chair scraping the floor as he paced. "I just need to find a way to get those powers. Whether it's through science, fate, or whatever it takes. I’m not going to sit around like some useless cop. If I could be like Topaz Tiger, or even more powerful..." His voice trailed off, but the hunger in his eyes was unmistakable.

 

Keith exchanged a look with Alice, both of them sensing Don's growing obsession. "Just don’t go getting any wild ideas, alright?" Keith said, his tone laced with concern.

 

Don’s gaze hardened, his mind already racing ahead. "I won’t. But I’ll find a way."

—

The evening was quiet at Kei’s apartment, with the soft glow of the TV casting shadows over the couch where Don and Kei sat. Kei snuggled against him, her hands on his crotch, but Don couldn’t focus on the movie. His thoughts were consumed with last night’s robbery and Topaz Tiger.

 

Kei noticed Don's distraction and nudged him gently. "You’ve been off all night. You sure you're okay?"

 

Don shifted, restless. "Yeah, just thinking about... last night."

 

Kei frowned, sensing his tension. "The museum robbery? Don, it’s over. The heroes handled it."

 

"I know," he muttered, but his voice was distant. "But they make it look so easy. I keep thinking—what if I could do that? What if I had powers?"

 

Kei stared at him, surprised. "Don, you’re a cop. You don’t need powers."

 

"But think about it, Kei," he pressed. "With powers, I could change everything. Make a real difference." His eyes gleamed, excited by the idea.

Kei sighed, her tone sharpening. "Don, this isn’t you. You’re doing important work already. Powers won’t fix everything."

 

He couldn’t let it go. "But I could be more than just a cop. I need to be more."

 

Kei’s face hardened. "And what, Don? You think being with me isn’t enough? You’re obsessed with something you can’t have, and you’re forgetting what you do have."

 

Don’s frustration flared. "I can do more! I can be more than just this."

 

"You’re forgetting you’re already enough," she shot back, standing up, her voice cutting through the tension. "You’re here with me, Don. And you’re not even seeing it."

 

He opened his mouth to respond, but his phone buzzed—a night patrol alert. His stomach dropped, the urgency pulling him away from the argument.

 

Kei crossed her arms, her voice cold. "Go. Go play hero."

 

Don hesitated but then grabbed his jacket, guilt twisting in his gut. "Kei, I—"

But she was already turning away. "Just go."

 

With a sigh, Don rushed out of the apartment.

 

The high-speed chase was in full swing by the time Don arrived. A gang had stolen a truck and was weaving through traffic, with the police struggling to keep up. Don joined the pursuit, his gun drawn. His hands trembled, but his focus was sharp. This was his chance to prove himself.

 

The criminals veered onto a narrow street, crashing into a barricade. Don sprinted toward them, gun raised, adrenaline surging. But as he approached, one of the criminals aimed a weapon at him.

 

Don barely had time to react, firing a shot just as the criminal fired first. The bullet grazed his arm, but Don didn’t flinch. He charged, determined to finish what he’d started. But just as the thug lunged at him, a shadow swooped in—White Hawk, his wings slicing through the air.

 

With a powerful swoop, the superhero knocked the criminal away and pulled Don to safety, his wings shielding him from further danger. Don gasped, chest heaving as he caught his breath. White Hawk looked at him, his voice steady but serious. "You’re lucky. Next time, be smarter."

[lukecat]

Chapter 5  - At The Docks

The docks erupted into chaos. Smugglers scattered as Black Serpent weaved through the fray, his twin daggers striking with lethal precision. Crates shattered, spilling stolen cybernetic parts and weaponry onto the wet ground. Then, a sharp gust of wind. A streak of white cut through the darkness. White Hawk had arrived.

 

“You again,” Black Serpent muttered, dodging as White Hawk’s foot slammed into the dock.

“You always seem to be wherever there’s trouble,” White Hawk shot back.

 

“Trouble follows me,” Black Serpent said, flicking his wrist. Twin daggers spun toward White Hawk, but he deflected them with a burst of energy.

They clashed fiercely—White Hawk’s raw power against Black Serpent’s agility. Blades met reinforced gauntlets, sparks flying as the fight raged across the docks. White Hawk adapted quickly, pressing the attack until a brutal elbow sent Black Serpent reeling.

“Tch.” Black Serpent wiped blood from his lip. “You’re getting better.”

 

White Hawk lunged to finish it, but Black Serpent twisted away, throwing a smoke bomb. By the time the air cleared, he was gone.

Don pressed forward through the dimly lit docks. Ahead, the battle raged—White Hawk moving like a blur, his strikes precise as he clashed with Black Serpent. The smuggler's operation had been thrown into chaos, crates smashed, their illicit contents spilled onto the damp concrete.

Don had arrived just as the fight tipped in White Hawk’s favor. White Hawk didn’t give chase—his job was done, and the smuggling ring was in ruins. But Don wasn’t about to let the villain slip away so easily.

 

He ran after Black Serpent, his gun drawn but steady at his side. The chase led him through a maze of shipping containers, the clatter of hurried footsteps echoing between them. Then, without warning, Black Serpent stopped. Turned. Faced him.

“You’re persistent,” the villain mused, his voice smooth as silk. “Tell me, officer—how long do you plan to chase men like me when you could be standing beside us?”

 

Don narrowed his eyes. “Not interested.”

 

Black Serpent chuckled, tilting his head. “Oh, but you are. I’ve seen it before—the hunger in men like you. The frustration of being just human while the world is ruled by those with power.”

 

Don’s grip on his gun tightened, but he didn’t fire. Black Serpent took a slow step closer.

 

“I can give you that power.”

 

Temptation flickered. The words burrowed deep. Every struggle, every moment he’d felt weak or helpless on the job flashed through his mind. If he had power, he wouldn’t have to rely on superheroes. He wouldn’t have to watch from the sidelines. Don forced his expression into one of reluctant interest. He took a step forward, appearing to consider the offer. Black Serpent smiled knowingly, sensing victory.

 

Then Don struck.

 

In one fluid motion, he lunged forward, yanked a pair of cuffs from his belt, and snapped them toward Black Serpent’s wrist. But the villain was faster. Before the cuffs could click shut, Black Serpent slammed his forehead into Don’s, sending the officer staggering back with a sharp grunt of pain. His vision swam as he hit the ground.

 

A second later, Black Serpent was gone, his laughter lingering in the night air. Don groaned, pushing himself up. That’s when he saw it—a small black card resting beside him. No name, no logo. Just a number embossed in silver. An invitation.

Still reeling, Don tucked the card into his pocket. He wouldn’t use it. He told himself that.And yet, even as he stood, he couldn’t ignore the fact that Black Serpent had seen something in him.