South Park: Dragging Me Down

Piplup

After they'd gotten doughnuts, to which a greatful Pip thanked Mysterion a million times for, the duo were back on the roof of the nearest building, which happened to be the library. Brushing off the sugar from his gloves, Mysterion settled on the ridge in a slumped position, looking over the redneck laden town he called home. Pip sat a little further back on the roof out of sight, leaning against an air vent.

Mysterion could see him out of the corner of his eye. He seemed to be moving his right arm about, as if testing it. Remembering the way he had been cradling it earlier, the vigilante suspected that there was something seriously wrong with it. It had been bothering him a few days back too, he recalled. Pip had downplayed the injury but it was obviously causing him some trouble. Remaining in his pose, the hero turned his head to face Pip, who was unaware the hero was looking at him.

When he eventually caught the hooded hero's gaze, he felt his face going red and he immediately dropped his arm into his lap. "I-Is something wrong?"

Mysterion sighed, knowing that pressing the issue wouldn't lead to a positive outcome. "No. Nothing's wrong."

"You... you still want to hang out with me?"

"Of course. You're my number two, remember?"

"I-If you say so."

"I do say so."

Pip felt himself smile and found himself playing with his fingers, not wanting to trouble the hero further. He looked up to find Mysterion still gazing at him. He didn't understand why. People usually left him be after a while. They forgot he was there. But the hero was different.

Pip looked at the town below. It looked so peaceful from up there but it was anything but. It was a town full of sin.

A sharp scream cut through the ambience and Mysterion got to his feet. It sounded like a rape was about to take place.

"Not on my watch." he muttered, getting his grappling hook out of his utility belt. "Stay here, okay?"

"O-Okay. Good luck." Pip whispered back, holding the blanket tightly around himself.

Mysterion darted down off the roof and took out the attempted rapist in one foul swoop. Pip watched with interest.

He finds it so easy to take people down. I wish I could do something like that. Would help me defend myself a bit, I guess.

Once Mysterion had the criminal bagged and delivered to the police, he returned to the roof. Pip hadn't yet noticed his arrival - he was too busy staring at someone down on the streets.

Pip's eyes were frozen on a man smoking next to a restaurant on the street corner. His body seemed tense and he was completely on edge, his hands trembling. Mysterion shuffled forward, startling him.

Pip yelped and turned to Mysterion with such fear in his eyes it almost frightened the vigilante himself. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes, s-sorry! You... you startled me." he smiled nervously, pulling the blanket closer around him.

Mysterion followed his gaze, "Do you know that guy?"

"N-No!"

"Convincing."

Pip started blushing and covered his head in the blanket, not wanting to see the shame in Mysterion's eyes. Hearing it in his voice was enough for him.

Mysterion sighed at this reaction. Pip always seemed like he wanted to hide. Someone had obviously done something to traumatize him into not wanting to face conflict.

'Probably all the asses at school, 'cus y'know, bullies.' came the snarky voice of Kenny inside his head.

Pip seemed to sense his inner conflict, "I-I'm sorry for being so weird and jumpy... I don't normally- This is- I can just go- You don't have to deal with me- Um... sorry..."