Costume Change

Quickly, I emitted a brilliant light from my hand, enough to engulf me in the light as I focused on my appearance. I had to do something to disguise my appearance somehow. So, first I had to come up with a mask. Obviously I needed something that wasn’t just a simple cowl. I needed something to really make me stand out, yet still would inspire people and make them feel safe.

Now, I guess my hero name was going to be ringmaster, so I might as well lean into it. The first thing I made for myself was a large top hat and pulled my hair up into it. Then, I added long flowing fake curly hair blue down, since the last thing that I needed was someone tugging on it and pulling me down. Now, a nice and large mask, similar to something a masquerade or ball person would wear, but extended down to cover my entire face, giving it a nice pointed chin with a visor in the front so I could see out of it.

Next was the outfit. I had the poofy shoulder pads of a circus ringleader, but then flowed down into a purple and red robe with a bit of an outer space star motif. I wrapped a large belt around my waist that would give off the appearance of a utility belt. The robe went down to about my thighs. Finally, I had some black leggings underneath and black boots. And, of course, I couldn’t forget to add a long, flowing, black and purple cape to my back.

“...then allow me to get in my proper costume.” With that, I faded away the light and made a dramatic pose, allowing everyone to see in full spectacle my costume. I was quite proud and the rest of the crowd cheered in applause at my costume.

“Well, don’t you look nice?” Regina said as she came up and wrapped her arm around me. “Way to go, Ringmaster! Great debut.”

“Yeah, thanks,” I said, gently elbowing her in the side as **** for having thrown me under the bus on the spot.

“Absolutely amazing!” the reporter said as she held the microphone close to me. “So, your superhero name is called The Ringmaster, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct,” I said, looking around at the crowd of people that I saved. Well, Regina and I saved. But if it weren’t for our efforts, these people could have died.

“Incredible!” The reporter kept writing down different notes. “So, is this your first time being a superhero? We haven’t seen you before?”

“Yes, I am a brand new superhero on the block,” I said, giving my cape a flourish.

“What kind of powers can we expect from you?”

“She can fly!” I turned my attention to the little girl who I had saved from the falling bus. “And she’s super strong!”

“Yep, that’s right.” I did a little spin into the air and flew around a bit for everyone to see. Then I lifted up a nearby car to flex a little. “So if you see me flying around, you’ll know that the day will be saved.”

“So amazing,” the reporter said as she wrote down more. “Now, final question: Are you affiliated with any superhero teams?”

I actually hadn’t thought about that. Well, no, that was a lie. I had been considered part of a superhero team. The team that currently has one of the 12 locked up in a cage in some hideout out in the middle of nowhere. Not like we had a name either that we all could agree on.

“Uh, no team for right now,” I said, not lying. “Hopefully I’ll get recruited onto a team, though. For now, I’m making a name for myself by helping out as many people as I can.”

“Well, this scoop is going to be incredible! Expect to see it tonight at 6 on Channel 2,” the reporter said.

“By the way, what’s your name, cutie?” Regina said, making her approach to the reporter.

The reporter blushed a little, looking at Regina and then to me, then back to Regina. “Darcy Farmer, ace reporter for Channel 2.”

“Well, I definitely look forward to seeing more of you later,” Regina said with a soft purr in her voice, causing Darcy to giggle a little.

“AHEM!” I said, clearing my throat. “Um, sidekick Flashy, please remember the crowd of onlookers that we have.” I gestured subtly to the crowd, specifically at the kids from the bus that I saved. With that, Regina got herself back under control. “Anyways, we must be off! A hero’s duty is never done. The emergency crew should be here soon!”

“Let’s hear it for Ringmaster and Flashy!” The crowd cheered wildly and applauded us. “Be safe!”

With that, I took Regina by the side and the two of us flew off towards some random skyscraper. I set us down and took a huge sigh out. My heart was beating out of my chest like crazy. This elation, this joy, this rising feeling in my chest, this feeling of absolute and utter pain as the adrenaline wore off and the pain from the ring’s modifications began to hit me.

“AUGH!” I screamed out in pain as I held my arm. Regina rushed over and held it, trying to console me. After what felt like an hour, the pain subsided. “Fuck.”

“Sheesh, that must have been a painful five minutes,” Regina said sat down on the roof of the building. “But hey, you saved a whole bunch of people. Isn’t that what you said being a hero is like? I can see why you enjoy it so much. Getting that huge crowd off the bridge? Now that was a feeling I hadn’t felt before in all my lifetime.”

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed the feeling,” I said as I slowly regained the feeling in my arm, flexing my fingers to make sure I had full control of them.

“Well, is your heart more at ease now?” Regina asked, looking at me.

I looked down at the ring, and although she couldn’t see it from behind my mask, I was smiling. “Yeah, it is. Saving people and protecting them. That’s what a hero should do.”

“So then,” Regina said as she got up and held out her hand to help me up.