THE MOMENT
There wasn't a cloud in the sky. Old man Ellis was enjoying a day at the park with his daughter, Electra, and her best friend Royalty. He was also best friends with Royalty's father and got along well with the family. In the old days, they were arch nemeses; but, family life and fatherhood changed them all. These days, he took the kids out for a day every other weekend to let Royalty's parents have some time off too. He was already getting on in years when they met and he was notably older. Old enough to doze off under the warm sunshine while the girls played nearby.
"Wake up." His eyes shot open instantly at Royalty's order. He found the young girl pointing his attention toward two caped men arguing next to his daughter on the ground. He was on is feet and dashing at her with Royalty close behind.
"Oh hell, it's L.S.!" one of the men mumbled as he approached. Both of them took a step back as he reached them.
"Electra, honey? You okay??" he asked. She was moving; but, she was bleeding. The girl half-nodded at him as she tried to sit up without putting any pressure on her wounded arm. He knelt beside her without rushing to help. He didn't have much in the way of parental instincts at first and by the time he developed it, the girl had become fiercely independent.
"L.S. it was an accident!" The one who complained about his presence quickly realized he knew the girl.
"It was YOUR accident!" the second unknown hero didn't waste any time in shifting the blame. Ellis had been retired for a while, and he didn't keep up with the new heroes; there were always new heroes.
"I wouldn't have hit her if you didn't dodge!" the first one complained.
"WHY WOULDN'T I DODGE?" it was getting to be too much.
"Royalty, ... please." He gestured at the noise. It worried him that Electra wasn't saying anything. She was usually the one who wouldn't shut up.
"You two be quiet and stand still," Royalty said plainly. Both men shut up without knowing why exactly.
"Honey?" Ellis asked again.
"Ow... yeah...," she nodded, then looked down at her arm. It was more than a cut, it looked like a chunk of her skin was missing as blood ran down her limb. She tried to move it and winced. Ellis looked up at the two men with pure anger. Electricity crackled around his glowing eyes.
"What the hell are you two thinking sparring in the park? There are kids here! MY KIDS!" he said. They looked down at him with growing terror. They wanted to plead their case; it was just an accident. But, they were unable to say a single word, nor fly away like they wanted to.
"Dad, I'm okay...," Electra drew his attention again. While he was reprimanding the two heroes, Royalty had moved to help; she was always prepared for mishaps. She poured a sparkling golden liquid on Electra's arm and the wound started to heal.
"I knew you would be...," he nodded with an encouraging smile. "But, these two so-called heroes need to be taught a lesson," he said. He focused on them once more as he and his daughter both got to their feet.
"You know who I am, right?" he asked.
"Answer him," Royalty helped.
"You're Lightning Strike. You were a major supervillain once upon a time. You used to be respected," he answered the question and managed to toss a cocky smirk. The fact that the girl had recovered completely meant no harm was done.
"You were already soft by the time you retired," the other hero added. "And that was soooo long ago. Word in the league is you've got no juice left," he said. L. S. glanced down at Electra. She gave him an eager nod, and he laughed. Unbeknownst to the two heroes, father and daughter shared an entire conversation in that exchange.
"I'd hate to set a bad example by lying; that's pretty much true...," he said. He raised his hands and faint electricity arced between his fingers. "Of course, being a Super with electric powers was only part of it. It seems like the Hero's League has all but forgotten why people really feared me. I'm not just a villain with Superpowers; I'm also something of a scientist. I'm a super genius that creates doomsday weapons for fun," he chuckled.
"You can move freely," Royalty told them. "You should run, if you think you need to," she worded it carefully. Neither one of them felt the need to. Instead, both of them laughed.
"You boys are brave, I'll give you that," L.S. smiled. But, he took a step back as he did. It was obvious he was backing down and the two heroes only grew more bold.
"That's enough of your lecture old man. It was an accident, your kid's fine."
"Oh no, you're misunderstanding me," he stepped back again and Royalty moved with him. "This lecture comes with a harsh lesson. I'm going to remind you, and by extension the Hero's League why I was so feared back then." He was smiling; but, still moving backward. "I make weapons."
"Oh? Do you want us to wait around while you go home and pick up one of your ultra-destructive inventions?" One of the heroes laughed.
"No, that won't be necessary," Ellis smiled and turned his back to them as he reached down for Royalty's hand to walk away. "My deadliest creation is already here," he waved at them over his shoulder, then a brilliant bolt of lightning struck right in front of them as Electra reminded them she was still there.