Meditations of a Superhero

The true measure of a superhero cannot be determined through deeds alone (however impressive these may be). No, their true greatness is drawn in almost equal measure from the heroes defining villain. A symbiotic relationship in which each contributes to create a far greater whole. Imagine Batman without the Joker, Superman without Lex Luthor, Peter Pan without Captain Hook. Without their nemesis all would find themselves irrevocably diminished.

With a deafening clap the sonic boom rang out across the city like the thunder of a hundred cannons. The Silver Flash streaked up and into the atmosphere, the city lights receding into the darkness below him. Soaring high, his cape billowing in the wind, he reflected that it wouldn't be long before the time had come to hang up his tights for good. He was getting old. Old and tired, being a superhero is a young man's game.

The Silver Flash would be able to look back on his long career with a good deal of satisfaction. He had rescued children from burning buildings, battled mighty dragons, saved the world from destruction more times than he or anyone else would remember.

However he knew that his one regret would be that in all his time he had never truly found a villain to match him. The yin to his yang. An arch enemy whose abilities matched his own, whose evil machinations would have stretched his powers to their very limits.

A knock at the window brought the Silver Flash back from his reverie.

“Danny, your dinner's ready. Get back inside. Go and wash your hands, and take off that filthy cape”.

The Silver Flash felt a pang of loneliness. Why wouldn't she ever let him play with the other kids? Being a superhero on his own just wasn't much fun.