For when you are down

FireBrandi heard she would find Soviet Superwoman here. Soviet Superwoman had fought a number of criminals earlier today. A big battle resulting in significant damage, but the criminals got away when they launched an attack at bystanders, leaving Soviet Superwoman too busy trying to help the survivors.


FireBrandi heard that Olga came here to drink sometimes. There she was, sitting at the bar with a nearly empty bottle of vodka. Brandi floated up to sit on the bar next to her. "Hey hot stuff, how's it hanging?"

Olga gave Brandi a quick glance, "Go away, I wish to be alone right now."

"No can do. Heroes aren't supposed to leave friends behind, even if it is just to wallow in vodka soaked misery. Vodka soaked party I'd let you do, but not this." She looked with concern at Olga. "I heard it was a nasty fight today."

Soviet Superwoman reluctantly responded. "They were heartless. They destroyed for destruction's sake, not caring for the lives they ruin. There was no purpose in it." Her expression hardened as she looked down into her drink, "and I could not stop them. I can not stop any of them. Genocide runs free, Ultrawoman nearly destroys the world, and they get away with it every time."

"But you stopped them! They may be free, but you are the one that prevented the world from getting destroyed."

"It doesn't matter. Another insane criminal will find a way to do it. And that they were stopped does not matter to their victims, they still lie dead."

"It does matter! It matters to the people you saved, to the ones who are alive because of you. We are not all powerful, we can't do everything. We can't save everyone. We save as many as we can. It matters to those we do save. It matters to the families of those we didn't that we at least tried. You've saved everyone on this world at least once, that is something to be happy about!"

"You always seem so cheerful. But how can you be so happy when such monsters exist in the world? Have you seen wars? Have you smelt the stench of a mass grave?"

Brandi's expression turned grim. "Yes I have. I may not have seen the horrors you have, but I've been in war zones. Seen mass casualties. You want to know how I can be happy with such evil in the world? Because I know there is also good in the world, and I am a part of it. I am part of the solution to those evils. One of the many people who stand up to them and keep them from smothering the world. I am happy because I help to make the world a better place, just as you do. You are so focused on what is bad in the world right now that you are missing what is good. You know, the stuff you are here to protect. When you loose site of that you can start to loose yourself."

Brandi grabbed Olga's shoulder, "Like how about that festival we went to. That was fun wasn't it? We had a great time didn't we?"

"Da, though some tried to ruin our enjoyment. That man that insulted me there, and the things that radio show host said about us."

"Yes, but the people at the festival stood up for you, and Trek got what he deserved too."

Olga looked up, "He did? How?"

Brandi looked a little startled, then tried to hide it, "Oh.. I don't know, but I have a feeling Karma would pay him back."

Olga looked at Brandi for a bit. She remembered then how Trek had taken some sick leave shortly after that particular broadcast. "Brandi, what did you do?" she asked softly.

"Oh nothing," trying to look innocent.

Olga didn't believe it for a second. With a little smile she said, "you will have to tell me what you did not do sometime."

Brandi smiled too, "Deal. Now you start to cheer up. Don't make me go all 'It's a Wonderful Life' on you."

Olga looked puzzled, "Go all what?"

Brandi's jaw dropped in surprise for a moment, "You don't... oh of course not. Ok that's it, you are coming with me!" Brandi jumped down, grabbed Olga's arm and tried to pull her away.

Soviet Superwoman briefly had a vision of a field mouse trying to pull tractor. She smiled and allowed the mouse her victory.

---------------------------

Several hours later, FireBrandi and Soviet Superwoman are sitting on a couch in Brandi's small apartment. Brandi grabs some popcorn kernels from the nearly empty bowl in her lap. Warming them in her hand a few popped, the duds were dropped back into the bowl.

"So," *munch**munch* "Mr. Potter, who is the embodiment of evil in that world, gets away with his crime and is free to cause more trouble. George never really got to follow his dream. But that is not so important. We saw that George had plenty in his life to be happy about. His wife and family, his friends which he has plenty of. And that if he was not there then the world, or at least that town, would have been a much worse place for it."

Brandi turns to Olga, "So 'George', even when psychos like Genocide escape justice, and our struggles seem pointless, you are blinding yourself to the good that we do accomplish. The world is far from perfect, but it is a lot better than it would have been if you were not in it."

Olga nodded, "Yes, I do see your point. It is a good movie." Olga smiles slyly, "I noticed too that the villain is a capitalist."

Brandi let out a little laugh, "yea, I guessed you would like that part. There are some things capitalism is good for, but unrestrained it does allow the Potters of the world to do what they want. Just like communism might have some points in its favor, but doesn't work in practice." *munch**munch* "Maybe we should start a regular movie night, so you can get caught up on the great films you might not have seen. Though next time Maia would probably appreciate it if I pick one that won't start a political debate."




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A quick story written some time ago. Thanks to for helping it to finally see the light of day.

Soviet Superwoman played by

Maia briefly mentions belongs to

also mentioned is Ben Trek, who is the property of

The grimy bar and Brandi's small appartment are located in though in different neighborhoods.