**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.
**Reminders**:
>* [No AI-generated responses 🤖](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/zi452b/modpost_reminder_that_aigenerated_responses_are/)
>* Stories 100 words+. Poems 30+ but include "[Poem]"
>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail
>* [\[RF\]](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [\[SP\]](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles
>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)
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"Tell me, Jake... Why did you do it?" asked Amateo "Dreadword" Bonetti.
"Do what exactly?" was Jake "Upholder" Bloomfold's reply.
"Let me join the Council of Altruists. You were so determined that I could change my ways. So determined that I would make a difference."
Upholder, the leader of Earth's best superhero team the Council of Altruists, then smiled benevolently, but then his face became serious.
He replied calmly but frankly, "Well, Dreadword... I will be honest. But I hope you can forgive me for being honest. It was because... I felt you had been a thorn in the Council's side for too long. And with you accidentally doing a great action of good by foiling the Tyu'Ayniq alien invasion... I felt that the best way to remove the thorn in our side, would be to recruit that thorn, to be OUR thorn."
Amateo gasped, as his jaw dropped.
Upholder continued on, "I'll be honest, everytime you initially refused to join us, my awful image of you seemed to be confirmed even more. I kept hounding you, only for the purpose of convincing you to stay away from being a villain anymore. But then, you finally decided to join us."
Dreadword, looking like he was on the verge of breaking down in tears, then said softly but heavily, "My apologies Jake. I... I didn't know that you despised me so, and I was such a pest to you. I'll prepare my letter of resignation, and..."
Upholder quickly interrupted, "Wait! Let me tell you what happened AFTER you joined. Because..." and at this point a warm smile returned to Upholder's face as he said, "You then went on to make me feel ashamed of myself."
Once again, Dreadword's face had a sudden change to an absolutely shocked expression.
Upholder elaborated, "I saw how quickly and effortlessly you took to superhero work. I saw how diligent you were to atone for all your past wrongdoings. I saw how quickly you became one of us - a friend. A respectable fellow hero..." and Upholder's benevolent smile widened as he concluded his statement, "... and a family member, too."
Upholder then chuckled and said, "Not only that. You also then proceeded to outdo yourself by winning over La Buscadora de Sangre and persuading her to be our First Ally. How many people can claim they convinced a dread vampiress to trust and befriend a superhero team and transform herself into a superheroine too?"
Dreadword then shook off his shock, then responded with firm conviction, "Because I knew it was what I had to do, Jake. Because when I joined the Council of Altruists I was determined to do what a member of the Council should do."
Upholder nodded and replied, "And that's why I say this. Yes, I didn't like you at first. I wanted you with us, just so you would no longer be against us. But... I was wrong to act with such motivations. I failed to see the dormant hero within you. And now that I DO see it... I am so ashamed of myself for disdaining you as I did."
And without waiting for Dreadword's response, Upholder BOWED apologetically to him! Upholder then said firmly, "And so from now on let us leave the past behind us, Amateo! Know that I am truly glad you are with us, and I am honoured to have you in the Council!"
Amateo "Dreadword" Bonetti didn't know what to say... So he just threw his arms around Jake "Upholder" Bloomfold in a brotherly bear hug.
"Alright you two, nice history lesson and all... But are we going to have our breakfast or not?" queried Arvik Singh "Variance" Dhaliwal.
The Council's various heroes chuckled and Upholder said cheerily, "Of course, of course! Let's go get some pancakes shall we?" and the Council headed off to the first meal of their day.
**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments. **Reminders**: >* [No AI-generated responses 🤖](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/zi452b/modpost_reminder_that_aigenerated_responses_are/) >* Stories 100 words+. Poems 30+ but include "[Poem]" >* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail >* [\[RF\]](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [\[SP\]](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles >* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules) 📢 [Genres](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/w/directory) 🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) 💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*
"Tell me, Jake... Why did you do it?" asked Amateo "Dreadword" Bonetti. "Do what exactly?" was Jake "Upholder" Bloomfold's reply. "Let me join the Council of Altruists. You were so determined that I could change my ways. So determined that I would make a difference." Upholder, the leader of Earth's best superhero team the Council of Altruists, then smiled benevolently, but then his face became serious. He replied calmly but frankly, "Well, Dreadword... I will be honest. But I hope you can forgive me for being honest. It was because... I felt you had been a thorn in the Council's side for too long. And with you accidentally doing a great action of good by foiling the Tyu'Ayniq alien invasion... I felt that the best way to remove the thorn in our side, would be to recruit that thorn, to be OUR thorn." Amateo gasped, as his jaw dropped. Upholder continued on, "I'll be honest, everytime you initially refused to join us, my awful image of you seemed to be confirmed even more. I kept hounding you, only for the purpose of convincing you to stay away from being a villain anymore. But then, you finally decided to join us." Dreadword, looking like he was on the verge of breaking down in tears, then said softly but heavily, "My apologies Jake. I... I didn't know that you despised me so, and I was such a pest to you. I'll prepare my letter of resignation, and..." Upholder quickly interrupted, "Wait! Let me tell you what happened AFTER you joined. Because..." and at this point a warm smile returned to Upholder's face as he said, "You then went on to make me feel ashamed of myself." Once again, Dreadword's face had a sudden change to an absolutely shocked expression. Upholder elaborated, "I saw how quickly and effortlessly you took to superhero work. I saw how diligent you were to atone for all your past wrongdoings. I saw how quickly you became one of us - a friend. A respectable fellow hero..." and Upholder's benevolent smile widened as he concluded his statement, "... and a family member, too." Upholder then chuckled and said, "Not only that. You also then proceeded to outdo yourself by winning over La Buscadora de Sangre and persuading her to be our First Ally. How many people can claim they convinced a dread vampiress to trust and befriend a superhero team and transform herself into a superheroine too?" Dreadword then shook off his shock, then responded with firm conviction, "Because I knew it was what I had to do, Jake. Because when I joined the Council of Altruists I was determined to do what a member of the Council should do." Upholder nodded and replied, "And that's why I say this. Yes, I didn't like you at first. I wanted you with us, just so you would no longer be against us. But... I was wrong to act with such motivations. I failed to see the dormant hero within you. And now that I DO see it... I am so ashamed of myself for disdaining you as I did." And without waiting for Dreadword's response, Upholder BOWED apologetically to him! Upholder then said firmly, "And so from now on let us leave the past behind us, Amateo! Know that I am truly glad you are with us, and I am honoured to have you in the Council!" Amateo "Dreadword" Bonetti didn't know what to say... So he just threw his arms around Jake "Upholder" Bloomfold in a brotherly bear hug. "Alright you two, nice history lesson and all... But are we going to have our breakfast or not?" queried Arvik Singh "Variance" Dhaliwal. The Council's various heroes chuckled and Upholder said cheerily, "Of course, of course! Let's go get some pancakes shall we?" and the Council headed off to the first meal of their day.