2023-2024 WBWC Featured Author: Rad Nguyen, "Villainous Heroic Duo"

 "Villainous Heroic Duo," by Rad Nguyen

Rad is a nonbinary, disabled, Vietnamese American currently in their senior year of college, finishing up a GIMM (Gaming Interactive Media Mobile) major. They hope to continue working on storytelling and 2D animation skills, and continue to tell stories like these. They love games and cartoons and are inspired to create stories like these.

Summary: This story is about two characters Hayden, a villain just getting their start in villainy, and Skylar, a newbie superhero. Skylar gets assigned to defeat and capture Hayden by the council of superheroes, and Hayden is alerted by a fellow villain about the news they picked up. Hayden prepares to battle Skylar in their lair, but things go awry when their sidekick/assistant Charles messes with Hayden’s technology, causing the two to confess their feelings for one another, and Charles makes his debut as a new superhero. It ends with Hayden and Skylar agreeing to meet up again for a date and Charles asking Hayden to continue working for them before he can strike out on his own.

This work is granted to the public via a nonexclusive Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC-BY-NC-ND) license. It may not be used as training data for any AI system(s). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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Setting: The central hero headquarters, a glass hexagonal dome spiraling up in rings, afternoon

Page 1

Panel 1

*There’s a big shot of the city with the central hero headquarters being at the heart of the city.*

Panel 2

*A hero with a cape and a bodysuit with purple and blue streaks walks into the hero headquarters.*

Page 2

Panel 1

*The hero travels to the main meeting room, a big spacious dome with a circle table in the middle. There are 4 heroes seated at the table.*

Panel 2

*Zoom in on Fated Galaxy.*

Fated Galaxy: Ah, good. You’ve arrived. Welcome to the Heroes Council, Sky Comet. We've heard great things about your potential from the Academy.

Panel 3

*Cut back to Sky Comet.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Thank you! It’s an honor to be here.

Panel 4

*Cut back to Fated Galaxy.*

Fated Galaxy: We want you to be as successful as possible, so we’ll give you a rundown of your first task.

Panel 5

*Fated Galaxy pulls up holographic visualization of the city and the settlement outside of the city where the villains are located that appears in front of Sky Comet.*

Elemental Lord: Our beautiful city is heavily protected from villains by our brave heroes, and any villain found within our city is booted and kicked out. They’ve been living in a neighboring area and somehow built a scrappy homebase of their own.

Panel 5

*Cut to Angelic Light looking determined.*

Angelic Light: We’ve been keeping an eye on them, but I think it’s time to counter them and defeat them for good. So we’ve been matching each of our heroes to a villain to take down, and we’re assigning you to take on this villain.

Page 3

Panel 1

*Angelic Light shows Hayden’s profile on the visualization with a lot of blanks.*

Sorcerer Viv: We don’t know much about them since they are a new aspiring villain. But it’s better safe than sorry, and we want you to take them down if possible.

Panel 2

*Cut back to Sky Comet with a determined expression.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Okay, I’ll do my best.

Panel 3

*The view zooms out and you see a villain watching the meeting go down on their spy camera.*

Panel 4

*They turn off the feed.*

Panel 5-7

*The villain travels a little ways to Hayden’s lair, and the viewer gets a look at how rundown the villain settlement is.*

Page 4

Panel 1

*They’re at Hayden’s lair and bang on the front door. This should be a wide view of Hayden's lair, which looks like a sleek gray fortress.*

Panel 2

*Close up view of the villain.*

Anonymous Villain: Hey Hayden! I got some info for you!

Panel 3

*A villain dressed in all black with white stripes on their arms and legs and sunglasses peaks through the peephole of the door.*

Hayden: What is it?

Panel 4

*Side view of the two villains.*

Anonymous Villain: I was spying on the Heroes Council’s meeting and found out that they’re sending a new hero called Sky Comet to take you down. I wanted to give you a heads up, so you and your henchman Charles don’t get caught off guard.

Panel 5

*Close up on Hayden who looks happy.*

Hayden: Thanks! I appreciate the tip. I won’t let some newbie beat me so easily.

Panel 6

*Hayden closes the peephole looking serious for a moment.*

Panel 7

*Hayden can’t contain their excitement and starts geeking out a little.*

Hayden: Oh man! I can’t believe I’m going to have my first hero battle so soon!

Panel 8

*Hayden manages to bring back their composure.*

Hayden: Okay, focus. I have to prepare everything before they arrive. Gotta make a good first impression, and pick a good villain name too.

Page 5

Panel 1

*Hayden goes to prepare and picks up the walkie talkie device to contact Charles*

Hayden: Hey, Charles!

Charles: What is it boss?

Panel 2

*Hayden is still traveling through their lair while talking to Charles.*

Hayden: I got a tip from a fellow villain that a newbie hero is going to try to take us down. I want us to prepare for our battle and show them we mean business.

Panel 3

*Hayden pushes a button on their arm and a blaster forms.*

Hayden: I got my trusty blaster all equipped and ready, but I need your help managing the traps in the main arena and the Battle Music Enhancer.

Panel 4-6

*Cut to shot of Hayden testing out the BME on some rats. Whatever type of music is played affects the rats’ behavior.*

Hayden: The BME directly heightens the listeners’ mood, and it should give me a boost to keep fighting.

Panel 7

*Cut back to Hayden talking to Charles.*

Hayden: It’s important that everything is in tip top shape, so I can win my first hero battle. You got that?

Charles: Yes, boss.

Hayden: Good. Thanks!

Panel 8

*Hayden turns off the walkie talkie device. We see Charles (but not a clear view of him so as not to spoil his design) thinking to himself in his office.*

Charles: Sorry boss. If I want to move out of here and become a hero, I gotta make some… adjustments to the tech.

Page 6

Panel 1

*After a few days, Sky Comet arrives at Hayden’s lair without being noticed.*

Panel 2-5

*She manages to break into the lair and breeze through a bit too easily. There’s barely any security.*

Panel 6

*Hayden is watching her move through their lair on the camera system on one of their gadgets and preps themselves for battle.*

Hayden: Huh, so that’s Sky Comet. They’re kind of pretty.

Panel 7

*Hayden smacks themself in the face, regretting it immediately after.*

Hayden: Wait, what am I thinking?! I’m supposed to be preparing to battle them!

Page 7

Panel 1

*Cut back to Sky Comet. She ends up in the dark arena. Sky Comet is nervous. Wide shot of the arena*

Panel 2-4

*The lights slowly turn on one by one leading to Hayden in the middle.*

Panel 5

*Close up of Hayden in a dramatic pose.*

Hayden: Hello, I’ve been-

Page 8

Panel 1

*This is one big page spread. Sky Comet throws a punch at Hayden’s face with a POW and sends them flying back.*

Page 9

Panel 1

*Hayden lies on the ground back facing Sky Comet. Somehow their sunglasses are still on their face.*

Panel 2

*Cut to Sky Comet looking a bit concerned when Hayden doesn’t get up after a couple of seconds.*

Panel 3

*Hayden sits up rubbing their cheek.*

Hayden: Owwwwww!

Panel 4

*Hayden turns and looks at Sky Comet, a little annoyed at her.*

Hayden: Could you at least let me finish my speech before starting the fight? I wanted to set the mood first.

Panel 5

*Cut to Sky Comet with a confused expression.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Oh, uh, sorry? Go on then.

Panel 6

*Hayden stands up and brushes themselves off.*

Hayden: *stands up* I’ve been expecting your arrival, Sky Comet.

Page 10

Panel 1

*Cut to Sky Comet now shocked and more on guard.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: *shocked* How did you-?

Panel 2

*Cut to Hayden shrugging.*

Hayden: I can’t reveal all my secrets now, can I?

Panel 3

*Cut to close up on Sky Comet, determined to make it out alive.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m here to take you down, and I’m not afraid to lose my life.

Panel 4

*Cut to Hayden who’s caught off guard and nervous.*

Hayden: Woah! I’m not going to kill you!

Panel 5

*The focus is still on Hayden waving their hands around while explaining.*

Hayden: Geez, I was just planning to win our battle and maybe let you try to challenge me next time.

Panel 6

*Side shot of the two of them.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Oh.

Panel 7

*Same side shot, but there is some awkward silence between the two characters with some fidgeting from both of them.*

Page 11

Panel 1

*Same side shot, with Hayden getting into a fighting stance.*

Hayden: *cough* Anyways… It's time to fight! Charles! Play the battle music!

Panel 2

*View of one of the speakers with notes and lyrics coming out of it.*

Panel 3

*Zoom out a little to see the roof of the arena. The music continues to play, but it’s not battle music. It’s dance music.*

Panel 4-6

*Zoom out and we see Hayden and Sky Comet are affected by the music and start dancing.

Panel 7

*Hayden manages to snap out of it.*

Panel 8

*Hayden stands there and looks annoyed.*

Hayden: Charles! This isn’t the right music. I said play the battle music, not some dance music! Don’t embarrass me!

Page 12

Panel 1

*Close up on the speaker again. The music changes and some romantic music starts playing.*

Panel 2

*Sparkles are in the air. Close up view of Hayden and Sky Comet stare at each other with Hayden blushing.*

Hayden: You know it’s criminal how pretty you are because I’m about to take you out…

Panel 3

*Close up on Hayden doing finger guns with a smitten smile.*

Hayden: …on a date.

Panel 4

*Close up on Sky Comet blushing and covering her mouth with her hands.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: *blushes* Oh, that’s very sweet!

Panel 5

*Same shot but Sky Comet has put her hands behind her back and is looking shyly away.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: I’m not entirely opposed since you don’t seem too bad.

Panel 6

*Cut back to Hayden smiling a lot.*

Hayden: Cool… Wait.

Panel 7

*Hayden realizes what’s happening and snaps out of it again, annoyed.*

Hayden: Charles! This is supposed to be a battle, not a meet-cute! Come on! Get it together!

Page 13

Panel 1

*Close up on the speaker again. The music changes again and some sad music plays.*

Panel 2

*Cut to Hayden and Sky Comet having a sobbing session together, sitting on the ground and hugging each other.*

Hayden: Things have just been rough since I don’t have any family.

Panel 3

*Close up on the two characters.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Yeah, I understand. Things have been hard since my mom passed away, and my dad has been emotionless.

Panel 4

*Close up on Hayden.*

Hayden: Life’s just not fair! Just like how CHARLES keeps messing with the music!

Panel 5

*Hayden stands up.*

Hayden: What’s going on?!

Page 14

Panel 1

*A spotlight shines on Charles, a talking mini pumpkin, behind Hayden and Sky Comet. Charles is wearing a similar looking cape to Sky Comet.*

Panel 2

*Close up of Charles.*

Charles: It is I, Charles the pumpkin! And I’m here to make my debut as a hero!

Panel 3

*View of all three of them. Hayden and Sky Comet turn to look at him. They’re both stunned in different ways.*

Panel 4

*Same view, but there is a moment of silence.*

Panel 5

*View of both Hayden and Sky Comet.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Wait, what?

Panel 6

*Same view of both Hayden and Sky Comet, with Sky Comet looking confused at Hayden’s outburst.*

Hayden: You were a pumpkin this whole time?!

Page 15

Panel 1

*Cut to Charles looking a little smug.*

Charles: Yes, I kept my identity hidden since it’s not worth mentioning, and so I can make this official debut. Anyways, I’m off to make a start as a hero!

Panel 2

*Charles busts through the wall of the lair with a bang and disappears.*

Panel 3

*Zoom out from the same angle and we see a back view of Hayden and Sky Comet staring at the surprisingly large hole in Hayden’s wall.*

Panel 4

*Cut to front view of Hayden and Sky Comet.*

Hayden: My lair!

Sky Comet/Skylar: My look!

Panel 5

*Same shot as before with Hayden covering their face with their hands.*

Hayden: My plan!!!

Panel 6

*Hayden sinks down on their knees crying. Sky Comet feels awkward.*

Panel 7

*Skylar sits next to Hayden.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Sorry things started off like this. About that date-

Panel 8

*Hayden wipes away their tears and turns to Sky Comet.*

Hayden: You don’t have to.

Page 16

Panel 1

*Hayden lies down on the arena floor in a starfish position.*

Panel 2

*Bird’s eye view of Hayden lying there.*

Hayden: The Battle Music Enhancer only enhances existing feelings and doesn’t create false feelings. I basically just spilled my feelings for you, but you don’t have to accept it.

Panel 3

*Side view of both Hayden and Sky Comet.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Ah. Well, I was going to say that I don’t mind trying it out.

Panel 4

*Close up front view of Sky Comet.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: It might not work out since we are on opposing sides, but weirdly enough, you don’t seem all that bad.

Panel 5

*Front view of both Hayden and Sky Comet. Hayden sits up quickly.*

Hayden: C-cool! Do you want to go out for ice cream on Thursday? I know a spot that’s well maintained around here.

Sky Comet/Skylar: Sure! Outside of my hero work, you can call me Skylar, but don’t tell anyone else.

Panel 6

*Over the shoulder shot of Hayden looking smug.*

Hayden: Oh, wow. Trusting a villain like me to keep my word.

Panel 7

*Same shot as before with a different pose for Hayden.*

Well, lucky for you, I have standards, and would not compromise your identity! I’m Hayden, and I’m still working on the villain name.

Page 17

Panel 1

*Shot of Skylar, looking at Hayden and how dorky they are.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: Ah, good to know. Well, I’ll swing by your place Thursday then.

Panel 2

*Shot of Hayden with a big grin.*

Hayden: Sweet.

Panel 3

*Shot of Skylar and Hayden standing up.*

Sky Comet/Skylar: See you then!

Hayden: Bye!

Panel 4

*Skylar leaves. Wide shot of Hayden left alone in their lair with a mess to clean up.*

Panel 5

*Zoom in to Hayden’s walkie talkie on their hip. Hayden hears Charles on the walkie talkie.*

Charles: Uh. Hey, boss.

Page 18

Panel 1

*Zoom out to see Hayden taking the walkie talkie and talking to Charles.*

Hayden: *snarky* What? You left your stuff behind or something?

Panel 2

*Same shot as before.*

Charles: I might have been a bit hasty.

Panel 3

*Shot of Charles somewhere in a field.*

Charles: I still want to be a hero, but I didn’t have a clear plan after I made my debut like that.

Panel 4

*Same shot of Hayden from the first panel, listening.*

Charles: Is it okay if I continue working for you until I am able to be on my own? Of course, I don’t expect you to say yes after I ruined your plan and busted through your lair.

Panel 5

*Same shot as before. Hayden pinches the bridge of their nose.*

Hayden: *sigh* …Sure.

Charles: Wait, really?

Page 19

Panel 1

*Wide shot of Hayden walking out of the arena.*

Hayden: Who am I to leave someone high and dry like that? It’s fine if you want to be a hero. We all have different dreams after all.

Panel 2

*Close up shot of Hayden walking through a hall.*

Hayden: But once you fully become a hero, we’re going to duke it out and see who comes out on top!

Panel 3

*Similar shot but Hayden is further along the hall.*

Charles: Thanks, this helps a lot.

Panel 4

*Hayden is in front of their bedroom door.*

Hayden: Of course, you gotta come back and clean up this mess and be very committed to working for me before you reform as a hero. Deal?

Charles: Deal.

Panel 5

*Hayden enters their bedroom.*

Hayden: Cool. I’m going to take a nap. Can’t believe I got a date.

Panel 6

*Hayden is standing next to their bed and turns off the walkie talkie cutting off Charles.*

Charles: What was that-?

Panel 7

*Hayden flops on their bed to sleep.*

Page 20

Panel 1

*Page spread of Hayden smiling while dreaming of the date with Skylar in a dream bubble.*

Fin.