Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Crystal (04/24/25)
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TITLE: Diamond is a Girl's Best Friend | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Westefeld
05/01/25 -
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An older woman walked up to him and examined him thoroughly before announcing to anyone would listen, "Doesn't look at all like the real thing.”
He knew the actor had been given props to fake his powers, but they were removed so he wouldn’t destroy them, so he simply smiled and took it.
An hour later, he was approached by the same woman. In a foreign accent she asked, “Dear boy, please smash the case so I can take these pretties.”
He vaguely recognized the voice. He thought he had heard it on the news, but recalled that the voice belonged to a younger woman. As those thoughts were tumbling through his head, he felt himself moving toward the case full of high priced jewelry. As he raised his fist, he finally remembered the voice belonged to one of Speedster’s villains, Sparkler.
He fought her compulsion with all his will, even reaching out telepathically to his wife for mental strength. She was busy, but she sent him her favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13. He concentrated on that verse and was slowly abe to lower his fists.
Sparkler seemed a bit confused. "My mental powers should have gotten you to break the case. You’re just some actor, so how did you resist?”
“Sorry, lady, you’re dealin’ with the real thing.”
Sparkler shrugged. “Time to go back to basics.” She tore away the floor length gown to reveal her Sparkler suit, and released a blinding blast of light.
Diamond, despite being fully aware of her powers, was taken off guard. As he staggered he felt hands pushing him forward. He heard glass breaking and Sparkler’s voice as she looted the case. “You’re more fun than Speedster. You actually help me break open these cases. Ta ta!”
His vision finally clearing, he saw her escape through the front door, “No you’re not!” he growled softly. Taking to the air, he followed her and was caught in her light attack on the responding police. "Next time.” he muttered as he slammed into a lamp post.
At home he received a couple of phone calls offering help. The first was Megawatt, who pointed out that he could help in his energy form. The second was Speedster herself, who volunteered to use her experience with the costumed jewel thief. He turned them down, even after his wife scolded him for being too prideful. He responded, "I made the mess, I’m gonna clean it up.”
The next day, he walked around the shopping district as plain Rex Brand. So as not to look too suspicious, he actually went into a couple of stores and browsed the racks. At one store he saw a pair of sunglasses that supposedly made it easier to see at night with headlight glare. He decided the principle was close enough and bought a pair. Ducking into a dark alley, he changed to Diamond and quickly realized the glasses wouldn't fit over his helmet, however if he lifted it he could put them on underneath.
As he decided he had a practical solution, he heard an alarm go off two stores from the alley. He flew to the sound of the alarm. There was Sparkler, hitting another jewelry store. Landing just inside the door, he announced his presence. “Didn’t get enough last time, Sparkler?”
She turned at the sound of his voice. "You learned nothing from our last encounter.” She let loose with another light blast.
Much to her shock, he didn’t even slow a step. When he reached her, he snatched the satchel from her hands, her gloves the only thing preventing her hands from serious friction burns.
"Want to come quietly, or should I get rough?” he asked as he balled his crystal-like hands into fists.
Sparkler bowed her head in defeat. As Diamond led her out of the store, he heard the manager say, “Some jewel thief. The only things in that case were cubic zirconium crystals.”
He then called out, “Thanks, Crystal Crusader.”
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