# Chosen Author: Theryzaan Tags: Anthro, Anthropomorphic, Drama, German Shepherd, Hybrid, Lion, No-Yiff, SFW, Short Story, Superheroes #4 of Old Stories This was a story I wrote for the conbook of Furnal Equinox 2016 in Toronto, Canada. The theme for the convention that year was superheroes, so I made up a mixed-species hero origin story. I hope you enjoy reading it. When I was young, I never thought of myself as much of a hero. As a lion-dog growing up in southern Alabama, I was bullied throughout my life. I guess you could say it was because of my mixed ancestry; after all, my mother and father were not expected to conceive a child, but they did. I grew up as a victim because of it. At school, the name-calling was everywhere. The most common one was always "bat-freak", which came about due to my large ears, inherited from my German Shepherd father. It only got worse when my mane started to grow in. The bullies were ferocious. I wanted them to stop. They never did.  Tragedy struck my first year of high school: my parents were killed striking a pole at 80 mph. The tears I shed that day were many. It seemed the already dark cloud of my life was turning into storm-like obsidian.  But that cloud brightened, as my mother's brother (a lion I always called "Baba") brought me in. He took me out of school and put me into classes at his home in Savannah. It was a relief; no longer was I learning fearfully.  Baba's lessons were always respectful of my limits. In fact, I learned more from him than I ever did in school. After a decade of teaching, he died, but not before he shared an extraordinary revelation. "_Rupert_," he'd gasped, lying on his bed, "take_..._ _this_." With shaking paws, he handed me his medallion--a metal moon, affixed with an emerald. I'd tilted it, making the gemstone shine; it was beautifully crafted.  "Why are you handing this to me?" I rubbed the underside, cool against my pads. It smelled rusty despite the absence of orange markings.  "Because," he whispered, "it is linked to Olapa, Creator of the Moon."  Olapa was a goddess who, according to Maasai legends, lost an eye at the price of her husband Enkai, the creator of all species. "B-but... Baba," I asked, "what do I do with it?" The elder lion hacked out a painful cough, grimacing. "_You,_" he wheezed out, "have... to _travel_ be_yond_ this mortal plane--" "B-but... _where?_"_ _ However, Baba had already passed.  I shed long, hopeless tears. I'd lost mother and father, now Baba as well. I collapsed on the couch behind me, drowning in loss.  The following day, I discovered a portal hidden behind some old wooden boxes in the far corner of the attic. It never appeared until I moved them around. Shocked, I faced the spiraling vortex, wondering of its path. My tufted tail curled around my leg. _What if I'm heading towards death?_ I ignored that thought, heading inside.  At first, it seemed like I was lost. Then, a powerful voice came to my ears: "_You have come._"  I gulped down my nerves. _This must be Olapa!_ "Goddess of the Moon," I began, "were you expecting me?" Sweat poured down my brow, damping my mane.  "_Yes, child_." Her eye opened, a great orb of turquoise. "_And I see you have my medallion._"   A hard lump formed in my throat. "Y-_yes_," I blurted out.  Suddenly, a light revealed the goddess' form: a mountainous lioness, her muscles formed of impossible strength.  She lowered to my level. "_Did you know, mortal, that your Uncle was the keeper of the Moon's Prophecy?"_ I shook my head. "_The Moon's Prophecy,_" Olapa explained, "_states that a Guardian must preserve the lunar orbit to keep Valo'par--Lord of Death--from inhabiting the mortal world._" She extended a titanic finger, tapping the amulet I wore. "_Since your uncle has passed into the Realm of Spirits,_ **_you_** _are now the medallion's keeper."_ She drew back a claw. Turquoise lightning shot forth, engulfing my entire body. "_You,_" she declared, "_will harbor the strength of a thousand oxen and stride the distance of several feline-folk. You will honor me and conquer Valo'par once again! DO YOU CONSENT, MORTAL?"_ I couldn't answer. The sensation was making me mute and-- I woke up, peculiarly, in Baba's front lawn. I wondered my encounter was all a dream, since gods are mythical, and-- _Go_, Olapa's voice thundered. _Go, my child. Valo'par is coming. _ My eyes bugged. I got up quickly. "What," I asked, "where?" A skyward glance revived all of my fears. A lupine behemoth was approaching, his slow earthquake-steps flattening houses everywhere. He stopped a couple yards before me, his grey form looming over me. How was I going to fight this monster? _Use your powers,_ Olapa commanded. I gawked. I had powers now? I ran to Baba's car, easily heaving it up. I smirked and hurled it at the god's head. Valo'par's bellow shook the earth. He rubbed his nose with a paw, snarling. Then, the wolf-god lunged forth. Somehow, I knew what to do. I dashed up Valo'par's muzzle and tore out the ruby in his forehead, unaware of its presence beforehand. _All Olapa's doing_, thought I as my body tumbled onto gravel.  A thundering crash sounded. Through the debris, four costumed figures appeared.  My eyes widened; it was the famous Paws of Justice! Danger Dog padded forth, flanked by Ferocious Feline, Rocket Rodent and Tiger-Mite. The canine stopped the others. He continued, cape billowing in the wind.  He offered a gloved paw. "Welcome, Rupert," he said. "We've just got word of your powers, and we think you'd be perfect for our team." I glared at the blue insignia before the handsome face. "S-sure," I replied, returning his gesture.  He laughed. "No need to panic, kid." He put his paws on his hips. "Now, what should we call you by?" Olapa whispered something in my ear. I relayed it to him. Danger Dog received my new moniker with praise. "That seems perfect for you," he said, his tail wagging. He swiveled around. "Gentleman, I present to you the newest member of our family: _Alahk!_"  My tail waved as well, complementing my smile. I was, for the first time in my life, a hero.                                _ _ _ _   _ _   _ _   _ _                             Source: https://sofurry.com/view/1534092