V.
The fight dragged on. Rory tired first. He stopped moving and let his arm
do the work. Luke bounced for a while, then
realized the movements were useless. The puppets weren’t hurting each
other. The battle felt endless. Luke yawned.
He stared at the two puppets.
Nip. Retreat.
Nip. Retreat.
He couldn’t imagine a duller battle for the fate of the world. Neither
puppet was doing any damage. Neither puppet used any powers in the battle.
Luke decided to end it. He punched Rory as hard as he could.
The businessman flew backward and landed near the pit of fire. Both arms
dangled over the edge.
Sock Puppet Jesus launched Luke into the air. Luke landed on Rory’s back.
The leader groaned as Luke pinned him down with his weight.
“Hold him down,” Sock Puppet Jesus told him. “Don’t let him squirm away.”
Luke grabbed Rory’s left arm and twisted it behind his back. He dug his
knee into his spine.
“What’s the plan?” Luke asked.
“Give me a moment,” Jesus replied.
The puppet lowered its head. Its mouth moved, but no sound came out. Rory