I'm not a seasoned hero. I'm not gonna pretend I'm anywhere near veteran status. I don't really see myself as qualified to mentor a newbie.

But there's one bit of advice I can give, it's this. Do. Your. Fucking. Research. Look into your enemy's prior crimes as much as you can. Pin down their patterns and give yourself a frame of reference for their M.O.s. One important tidbit that I've picked up is that any alliance between villains is usually out of simple convenience. These people are inherently selfish. They go after each other about as much they do innocent people. For instance, you'd never see Demo or Minotaur working together. They're just too brash and can't see the other as equals.

As for Hypnoman, I don't think he hangs around anyone but his Sleepwalkers. The other super criminals don't like him at all. If I had to guess, it's only a matter of time till he gets into a confrontation with one. I could use that to my advantage if I play my cards right?

Who knows, he and I might even...no. No. Fuck no!

Hypnoman and I...teaming up? No way! He'd try and put the kibosh on me the first chance he got! Not to mention how the press would react! They'd think I'd gone rogue or at least that he had me under his thumb. My parents don't know what I'm doing but fuck me, what're they gonna think when they see footage of Miss Might and Hypnoman beating up some cretin?

It won't work. It'll never work. 

Anyway, I got bigger things to worry about. Minotaur's at the Seafarer's Market near the docks. My main goal is gonna be tryin' to take him town but if I can get enough civilians out of his way, I might make it easier for the cops too. Maybe we could team up on him.

The whole area's filled with screams and people running for cover. I usher as many of them toward the evacuation sites as I can, making my way to the center of the action. I'm near a seafood restaurant when I begin hearing intelligible words.

"Your light show doesn't scare me, you little rat!" I hear a deep voice bellow. A green suited form flies through the air but grabs onto a railing before he can drop into the water.

"Don't worry, I'm no one trick pony." the figure replies snidely. 

"Not so tough without your...whadduya call em? Sleepwalkers?"

That word makes me freeze up. Sleepwalkers? Wait. Is he fighting...

Hypnoman chuckled to himself, getting back up and grabbing a thin wooden beam. His suit's a bit busted up and he's shaky but he's on his feet again.

I have no idea what comes over me but I feel a little less nervous seeing that. Then it hits me.

I want Hypnoman...to win? Oh god, am I actually rooting for him?"

Just then, something that looks like an upright black bull smashes through a wooden wall and grabs Hypnoman by the arm. Minotaur's got him.

"Are there any last words, freak?" the bull-thing asks with an insane smile. My heart's in my chest. Am I really gonna see a man die? Villain or not, I don't see how Hypnoman can get himself out of this.

"Yuck."

"Huh?"

Hypnoman reached into his black utility belt with his other hand and took out some metal object that extended itself with a single flick. I'd knew what that was. I'd seen one being used on a ranch when I was kid. The thing was a cattle prod. Hypnoman stuck the prod up Minotaur's nose and the bull-thing started to roar in pain once it was flicked on. After about five seconds, the screaming faded out and Minotaur fell to the ground, releasing Hypnoman from his grasp. He flicked some fluid off the end of the prod.

"Like I said...yuck." He dove out of sight before I could do anything. I was still dazed by what I saw when the police came. I went back to my apartment not long after. What I'd seen replayed in my head on an endless loop.

Hypnoman won. He was one the ropes, about to be ground to pulp and and he came out on top. He made Minotaur kick the bucket too. The medical examiner spoke on TV a few hours later. Minotaur was DOA when he reached the hospital. Apparently the prod was set to full power and fried his brain when Hypnoman jammed it into his nose.

I can't stand it. But my momma taught me to give credit where credit is due, and I gotta give the fucker credit. He made sure Minotaur couldn't hurt anyone else ever again.

Doesn't mean I'm gonna hesitate to beat him raw though.