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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 beyond 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, Rudy," 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.