"Alright class, sorry I'm late, sorry I'm late. I got stuck in the parking lot. Had to help Security; a woman dropped her purse down one of those man hole things at the entrance to the building. The kind that just look like prison bars? I don't know what that one is for, maybe access to a tunnel or something. Anyway, I had a crowbar in my trunk. which I lent them to prop the thing up and get the purse out. Luckily. Had her phone in it, wallet, keys. She got lucky. Ok, moving on. Moral of the story, always carry a crowbar. So, we left off last class discussing South American agriculture. We were talking about staples: corn, wheat, amaranth with a focus on the medicinal uses and values of plants, herbs and spices..."

We're in a field of amaranth and marigolds

You're locked in your mind, your story untold

I keep you away from the rocks, the water, the trees

I can see you letting go, I don't have a key

There's no crowbar that can break a lock on your mind

So instead I just scramble with words, I don't want to be left behind

Not again, not this time

So I'll sit here and be here and I'll rebuild your mind

It can't be that hard, it's done in nursery rhymes

Where little boys are snips and snails, and little girls are sugar and spice

Your mind can be daisies, champagne on ice

I'll give you a mind of silver and gold

If you just stay, let your story continue being told

There he stood atop the skyscraper staring down at the setting sun, his hair dancing in the wind and his belly filled with delicious pasta.

Our hero.

Go on, Hero, do your thing, but next time, wear sunglasses while staring at the sun.

Do you hear that, Hero? A crime is occurring.

Go on, Hero, do your thing, but this time, don't let the thugs knock you unconscious with a crowbar.

Do you remember how much that hurt?

The readers do.

Good job, Hero! Your moves were swift, and your one-liner was impressive.

The people of this city are proud. But that doesn't matter to you, Hero, doesn't it?

You do this simply to help out, what a hero.

But Hero, what if you ever want more? what then?

What happens when you decide that getting knocked unconscious from a crowbar comes at a cost? That if you're going to get hurt, then the least the city should do is pay you a salary.

Who will you be then, Hero?

You don't have time for these thoughts, Hero. Your job isn't to have thoughts, that's my job. You are supposed to fight crime. There is no better time to fight crime too, Amaranth is back.

Do you remember Amaranth?

"No"?? Hero, you have gotten kicked in the head too often.

She's the kick-butt evil nemesis who wears the cool costume and is surrounded by a poisonous fog.

What? "You think she looks really cool"?

So do the readers, they tend to prefer the villains. The readers think that she's cooler than you, that her arc is compelling.

Don't be mad, Hero! It's just how it is.

You don't have time to be mad, Hero, you need to figure out how you're going to take her down.

When you fight her, can you please do so in close combat? I know her poisonous fog will make that difficult, but it'll look really cool, and this story needs some spice.

Come on, Hero! seriously? Why not? I understand it'll be difficult, but this is important!

Nowadays, it's hard to get longtime readers unless they either like the hero or the villain and nobody likes you, so you need to give her screen time to show how cool she is and looks.

...

You're right, Hero, You're right. that was mean of me to say. It's just that you never really have any opinions, you never say anything, how is anyone supposed to think that you're cool?

...

How DARE you say that about me?? I have done so much! I record all of your great deeds so that people can like you and now you blame ME for not even giving you a voice in the comic that I made about YOU? You're insane! I have written you up to seem truly cool, and now all you can do is complain, huh? Well if you don't like me and all that I do for you, then forget it! just leave!

...

Hero? wait. I didn't mean that. Hey! HEY! Hero, come back! don't go, we just took things too far. WOOOOW look at you now, acting all high and mighty. Don't run away! What should I even call you now? You're sure no hero.

Thank you for reading this chapter of Hero vs Amaranth, I'm not sure if there will be anything to tune into next time, thanks to Hero abandoning me.

There’s a patch of amaranth that sits just outside the slanted door frame

It’s painted white like the windows, but it’s about half chipped away

Everything leans to the left, just a little

Too many years, battles with the rain

On the corner, a rusty crowbar hosts a lone shoot, crawling towards the light

And in the other a shovel, that twinkles a little in the light

You’d think it abandoned but it’s just too far up the driveway for pops nowadays

We built a new one, closer to the house

With a well lit path, laid with stone

Potted friends line one side and offer their leaves

He dries them in the new barn

He’s got quite a spice collection in there

Sometimes

If the wind blows just right

You can tell he’s out there

Smiling away with his big red cup