Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Lamp on a Stand (Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-22, Luke 8:16-17,11:33) (01/11/24)
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TITLE: Lifting Your Basket From Your Light | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Westefeld
01/18/24 -
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Rex, being used to his daughter’s complaints about keeping her superheroics a secret, didn’t engage Loretta in the too familiar argument. He responded, “Such a simple plan is why you aren't allowed to use your powers in public yet.”
Loretta, who had chosen the name Hotspot for her codename, moaned, “Daaaaaaaadddddd, how am I supposed to become a professional like you and mom, if I can’t work in public?”
As Rex silently admitted to himself that none of the Light Force was ready when they made their debut, he didn’t have a good answer. Filling the silence, Loretta continued, “Miss Shirley says that if God has given us a gift, we should proudly display it. Like where in the Bible it says people don’t light a lamp and put a basket over it.”
Rex responded, “We’ll see, if Iceboy strikes again and you have a solid plan to defeat him, your mom and I will discuss you publicly capturing him.” Rex knew that Rebecca actually wanted the kids to perform publicly, but as he was the head of the household, she deferred to him. Loretta didn't need to know that, though.
A couple of days went by and Iceboy, now clad in a thermal suit, attacked the local Hyper Burger, while Loretta was there grabbing an after school snack. His voice was still high pitched, but he was taller than Loretta remembered him from the ice cream parlor robbery.
Practically repeating his demands from a couple of months before, he squeaked, "I'm Permafrost! Give me all the money and ten hot fresh burgers.”
Loretta used the commotion to change in to her training suit and confront Permafrost as Hotspot. With flames flickering around her hands, she approached the juvenile criminal. Permafrost took the initiative and coated her hands with ice. Hotspot simply increased the heat and melted the ice to steam in seconds. She then asked the miniature supercrook, “What’s with the fancy suit? Your mom doesn’t need a special suit. It makes you look funny.”
Permafrost tried to hold back his frustrated tears as he answered, "Mom controls her power better. Why do you wear spandex?”
Hotspot returned the banter. “Iceboy, why did you change your name to Permafrost?”
Permafrost answered with a touch of spite, “Mom said that Iceboy didn’t sound menacing enough. What’s your name anyway, Roast Girl?”
Loretta answered with pride, “I’m Hotspot. I guess you’re my first nemesis.”
Hotspot didn’t deign to answer his question about her outfit, since she was busy looking for the power source of the suit’s controls. Finally spotting them on Permafrost's belt, she quickly cooked the circuitry, then created a ring of flame around them so she could take out Permafrost using the boxing lessons her dad had provided her.
Withdrawing the flame, Hotspot saw that the local police had arrived, in addition to Aunt Larissa, who had entered with a photographer for the paper. As the police took Permafrost into custody, Larissa, who knew Hotspot was really her niece, played dumb as she interviewed her on her first public act of crime fighting.
Hotspot wrapped up the interview by saying, “Miss Natator, I’ve been practicing for months, and I hope my dad approves of the way I handled Permafrost.”
Hotspot heard her father’s voice in her head with the same telepathy that the rest of the Light Force used. ‘You did good, kiddo! You really lifted the basket off of your lamp. Miss Shirley would be proud of you taking that lesson to heart.’
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