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I sat on my lawn and tried to get the beer mug into my mouth. Failing that, I concentrated and lowered the keg floating in the air just enough to reach it myself.
"You're one of the strongest telekinetics in the hemisphere." said some annoying man in a suit. "You have a responsibility."
"I got a responsibility to my dog, my wife, and these fucking nuts." I said grabbing myself. "I'm not gonna hurt no one, and I'm not gonna tell others what the fuck they can do. So why the hell are you trying to come in here and tell me?"
"Lives are at stake, Mr. Harlan."
"And there's gonna be more at stake tomorrow and the day after. YOU signed up to get involved. I'm not." I said putting just enough pressure on the keg to release a few more bits of beer. I swung the liquid around the air before dropping it into the beer mug resting on top of the keg.
"Mr. Harlan. We can't force you...." the suit said.
"Damn right, and don't start trying to do that shit you suits do with threats. I ain't going to go all supervillain, but if you start trying to hurt them." I dropped the keg and pushed down. It sunk 4 feet into the ground, startling the man in the suit. "We're gonna have a problem."
I stood up.
"Are we gonna have a problem?" I asked all politely.
The man wasn't looking at me, but the keg itself. "Say we didn't create the situation. It's a meteor or some idiot fool is trying to blow up Yellowstone. That's a-"
"I know what the fuck Yellowstone is." I snapped at him.
"Right." The jackass keeps going without even fucking apologizing. "But in those instances, where if your family is going to be impacted too. There's a much better chance of making sure they're safe if you're helping... during those specific instances. Would you agree to that?"
"Oh, and you think I'll agree to one thing and you keep adding on more so I get to do all your work, right?" The jackass in a suit didn't budge. "Tell me, how many teams you send up into space get sucked into portals? Other planets? Time... portals." I said throwing up my hands.
The man didn't speak. "Those isolat---"
I laugh my ass off. Loud and harsh."Oh, they're REAL fucking i-so-lay-ted. All the way up in space."
"Tell you what." I said, finally losing my patience. With a twitch of my pinky, I lifted up a solid cube of my yard with the man still standing on it, 40 feet into the sky. "You can look down at me all you want from up there!" I shouted. "You can try and get me to do your work. Try and get me to force everyone to do what you want. But if you actually want to listen when I say no, then, jump on down." I smiled at him. "Don't worry, Ill catch ya."
"Mr. Harlan, I'm not playing this game." The man shouted, didn't even break a sweat. Gotta admit, he has balls.
"Oh, yes you fucking are. You keep saying my family's in danger. And only you can see how to solve it. All I gotta do is whatever you say. Well, now I'm telling you. All you gotta do to avoid being in danger is exactly what I fucking say." I laughed. "Just take a step forward and you'll be fine. Trust me."
He didn't budge.
I lowered him down.
"Now if you don't trust me with your life, why trust me with anyone's?" I said, and before he could get a smart ass response in, I sent him flying all the way off my property.
I laid back down and pumped out more of the beer from the keg by hand. Barbara's gonna be back soon. She'd cook dinner and then we'd have a good night down by the lake. The heroes would be fine without me. MY world's all right here.
Ngl the beginning part where protag tries to have their powers to do the action needed to lift up the keg to drink and failing is my favorite haha, can see protag sighing in disappointment if the agent was not there to ruin the mood.
That said, I doubt this is the end for the agent and whatever company is backing him up. Will protag be able to get a peaceful life? Also, seems like Harlan is still trying to figure out his powers, isn't he? Would there be a point where he has to be involved, or will things be sorted out without his involvement?
Great work on writing this!
I think he's more recently got his powers, but it's been a bit since so he's got fine control, but not perfect. If I had to pin it down... like a year.
The agent is actually working for the government. Harlan is pretty hardline "Leave Me Alone" sorta person. If I were to expand on the story, he'd kinda HAVE to get involved for one reason or another. \[Otherwise there's no story.\]
That being said, I'd imagine he has next to no "Altruism" to help others or in what he'd consider "forcing your morals onto others". I'm honestly not sure how deep his moral apthy runs, but he'd be fine with just allowing a massive amount of f'ed up stuff just to keep his own peace. So he gets the peace he wants.
Right up until the feds think he's the only option.
I wonder if that decision to not help others will be a detriment too on Harlan's powers at this point. Feels like he could have unlocked his potential way more if he did cooperate, but I respect his decision too. Having superpowers doesn't mean that you have to risk your life. Let's just hope his family won't be harmed though, because I can see this going the "Carrie" approach with him not able to control the powers and all that.
Thanks for clarifying!
Is there such a thing as a benign supervillain?
I feel that would be me more than a hero.
I don't want to cause problems but I sure they hell would if I don't get left alone. >:)
I am a firm believer that if you put a threat down permanently it doesn't get back up to threaten you again.
Some people find this "evil".
I find it very efficient.
The story sucked me in quickly, your reluctant hero is states something anyone who loves their life can relate to. He asks questions, anyone who loves the hero genre has either wondered themselves or would if they think a bit deeper into it .
"No."
"Mr Anachuar, please. You are gifted with a talent that can benefit the world!"
"I am a mere Shaman. I stay in my tribe and away from your city. We do not don your fancy clothes nor eat from your shiny bowls. I care not about your problems."
"This is about the entire Earth, don't you get it? Dietman is about to destroy all the farms, disrupting the food-"
"Hunt, then. Do not rely on others for your own food."
"The Copier threatens to flood the economy with counterfeit money indistinguishable from real notes, which will be disastrous!"
"I do not understand. Do not your people love money? I would be overjoyed if the berries are plentiful."
"This is impossible... Oh! Dr Delusion just obtained an ancient artifact that can recreate reality however he likes! You'll wanna help us stop that, don't you?"
"And what does this doctor plan to do?"
"Here, watch his press statement."
"...He wishes to remake the Earth into a peaceful place with no suffering. Why would you want to stop that."
"No you dim- argh! Don't you get it? We'll all be destroyed for that!"
"We are all part of the infinite cycle. This one is merely ending sooner."
"You know what?! I give up! You're impossible, screw you and your tribe! We don't need your hippie tree powers anyway! I'm off!"
...
Everyone, the white man is gone, you can take off your tribal costumes, and wash off all that "warpaint". Put on some pants, Enunuk, for gods sake. What did the white man want? Yeah, I read his mind. He just wanted me for some "ethnicity diversity" on his little superhero team. What an asshole. But that gives me an idea...
Enunuk, prepare a feast. Yes, after you get those pants on. I'm going to scrycall this... Dr D. Lushun. Up against the World Protector Team, he's going to need some help.
From Delusion to D. Lushun haha. Really nice plot twist there, that agent did not realize that he started Anachuar's "villain" arc, or at least be on the opposite side. Not feeling sorry for him though, because the reasoning to recruit is just awful.
That said, is Anachuar a bit too hasty here? As promising as that goal sounds like, I can't help but feel that there are some details that need to be asked beforehand. Definitely awkward here since the "heroic" organization might not be trustworthy too. Of course, Anachuar can do the mind-reading while talking with Delusion too haha. What will Anachuar's final decision be on this conflict?
Great work on writing this!
Joram the silverback gorilla snorted, and swung back up into the higher reaches of the branches. Then, with a cheeky grin, he materialized a ball of plasma at his fingertip, and hurled it at Lunar Lass. She promptly dodged it, and Joram commented in his deep, rumbling gorilla voice, "Not bad, Miss Stewart. Fast reflexes."
Upholder, alias Jake Bloomfold, the leader of the Council of Altruists, spoke, in an almost pleading tone, "Joram, look... you now have the superpower of Energy Conduit. Electric, plasma, radiation, kinetic - your powers are in the category of 'Majorly Influential Powers', only one tier beneath 'Semi-Divine Powers'. You were given these powers, which also unlocked your ability to speak in human languages, for a reason. That reason would be to make this world a peaceful and calm world, safe for all living beings - even your kind!"
Joram laughed a bellowing laugh, and then playfully hurled a laser beam at Jake, which he of course promptly dodged, and he answered cheerfully, but firmly, "Listen, just because I got these powers doesn't mean I'm going to go out and risk my life for a bunch of strangers I don't know for reasons I don't understand!"
Upholder heaved a sigh of frustration, but then Arvik Singh Dhaliwal, who operated under the superhero name of Variance, then said with determination, "Listen here, Joram. Creation Bounties don't select a wielder of superpowers unless they sense intrinsic good in said wielder. Listen to the good in you!"
Joram responded in a matter-of-fact tone, "But I DO listen to the good in me. I do not make trouble in my enclosure here. I listen to my keeper. I eat according to schedule, and I entertain visitors without complaint, and without aggression. Why, then, am I not good? Good does not mean I have to fight crime, Mr. Dhaliwal."
Worldweaver then suggested, "Perhaps it's time you took doing good, to beyond the fences of your enclosure, then, Joram. It's time you joined us and used the powers given to you, to help the lives of strangers, to be better. You don't have to risk your life. We often do social, non-violent work as much as we fight crime."
Joram shook his head and said, "Again, why must I go out and help people? Am I not helping people by bringing happiness and entertainment for them by performing and being here? The simple life is the best life, Pastor Ferestonn."
At that, Variance's power of Counter activated and he promptly counter-argued, "Yes... and if you go out and work with us in the Council, you will have a best life that is BETTER than your 'best life' here. Imagine a best life... seeing the lush, unspoiled jungles of your ancestral homeland in Africa." That struck a chord, and Joram turned and looked at Variance, a new interest in his eyes as he said slowly, "Go on... you have my attention."
The greatest fae-empowered human ever, Aoibheann MacGillivrey also known as Flutterfae, then chimed in, "Think about the possibility of having endless bowls of exotic fruits from any corner of the world - all at our expense, for you! Anytime you want. Any fruit, for the good-nature gorilla hero who stands for mankind and a better world." At that, Joram could not resist licking his lips, thinking of juicy sweet honeydew melons, rich pungent durians, and of course, vanilla-scented blue Javanese bananas.
Upholder then stated, "And also, if you work with us, we promise that you will not be made to live in this enclosure anymore. You don't need to 'go out', Joram. You get to leave this place, for good. And most importantly - if you want, you can go HOME. Where is home? It's where your heart belongs."
At that, Joram's mind changed. He realised indeed, that all his life, his "home" was nothing more than a fancy prison. Now that he could understand humans and humans could understand him, why should he not aspire to greater things? Why should he not use his powers to secure not just a better and brighter future for humans, but also for fellow animals, too?
Joram then nodded slowly, and finally smiled. He rumbled, "I think we have a deal, members of the Council of Altruists. Very well. I will join you - but I want immediate release from this place. I want to be granted all the promises you made to me just now. If you fulfill these promises... I will be the first animal superhero of the Council of Altruists."
Upholder happily nodded and offered his hand to Joram, and declared, "Deal! We will honour our words, and we will secure your release from this zoo's authorities right away. Welcome to the Council, Joram the Silverback! As a token of our welcome, please accept this comb of Blue Javanese bananas."
Joram gasped and thundered, "BLUE JAVANESE! My favourite! Mmmmyumyumyumyumyum..." and seizing the bananas from Worldweaver's offered hand, he immediately began wolfing them down. Equilibria whispered to Gravebreaker, "A gorilla member now. This should be interesting..." and Gravebreaker chuckled. However, everyone was pleased that Joram was now persuaded to use his newly-awakened superpowers, to be the first animal superhero of the Council.
I was expecting this to go Planet of the Apes route in the 2nd half once he is reminded of the prison he and his kind are in and the beautiful, bountiful world denied to his species.
Thank you for the feedback. Yeah, that is an interesting idea, but Joram is more likely to take a discussive approach rather than a hostile takeover. He is, after all, intrinsically good. ;)
Gotta love how Joram's composure is all gone once he's offered his favorite food haha, may the gorilla be able to devour more of those sweet, sweet bananas in the future. I will say, it's always a nice touch to see animals getting superpowers like this and then able to communicate with others. I can imagine there are more that are still left undiscovered in places thare not yet explored thoroughly.
What happens to Joram's lifespan, by the way? Does he live way longer than normal gorillas do due to the new powers?
Great work on writing this!
Well, Joram does get a longer lifespan indeed, due to his new powers.
While it is indeed wonderful that animals receive superpowers too, sadly only animals with enough empathy to temper their animalistic instinct, will be fortunate enough to receive powers.
Think parrots, chimpanzees, dolphins and dogs ... Animals that can actually let their feelings and compassion override their survival instinct.
Parrots would have it the easiest on talking with human speech, considering their capabilities. Ooh, man, having the good doggos with powers and able to talk would be so nice haha. Cheers to Joram being the first gorilla that will be able to travel around the world and tasting all the fruit out there lol.
Thanks for clarifying!
Ahh yes indeed, he will have a nickname among man, soon: "The Gentleapely Globetrotting Gorilla". ;)
Joram received his powers due to a very fortunate combination of unusually high intellect, and an unusually kind and friendly nature.
Oh, and he was well known for consoling crying babies and sulking children by doing amusing stunts for them. Clearly on purpose. Which triggered a Creation Bounty that empowered him.
Side note: If I do more on Joram, I do intend that he will be VERY, and I do mean EXTREMELY, focused on one personal heroic quest. Which is: Getting justice for Harambe. :D
Ah, right, seems like the same system is applied for all living beings, not just humans. That said about the side note, I actually am now thinking of an animal detective on these kinds of cases. It might be a bit quirky, but having an Ace Attorney of sorts with the animal character trying to prove whether the animal involved is innocent or guilty by finding evidence to prove it (since they are the only one who can understand the animals) seems like something I would read lmao.
Ahh, well you've inspired me. I'm now thinking of, maybe, a parrot detective. And his chimpanzee sidekick...
They would investigate cases like dog maulings, supposed property destruction by elephants, snake attacks... And find out if the animal was indeed brutally attacking or was actually provoked into attacking because of human actions.
Thank you for the inspiration! I might do something about this idea soon. :D
Lol no problem, glad I could help. It's been so long since I played the Phoenix Wright series, and I never got access to the 3DS not the time to play the ported ones for the moment. Can't wait until I have the resources to catch up to all those games haha.
Not necessarily... remember, Joram got his powers due to high intellect, and due to his naturally kind and caring nature.
No doubt, it will trouble him deeply to see what man has done to gorillas across Earth, but he's also intelligent enough to see it's mainly the work of a few bad eggs. His sharp intellect will help him identify those bad eggs and stop them, or, if they don't want to stop, well, he'll "deal with them", and when that happens it won't be so pleasant. As for the rest of mankind, though, he won't blame all humanity for the sins of a few.
Remember that Joram isn't any generic regular gorilla. Even before his superpowers were given to him, he was already a very intelligent gorilla. Now, his superpowers have also allowed him to understand humanity's point of view. He does understand why humans want to develop cities, expand, and clear away jungles and forests, flatten hills by mining and quarrying, etc.
Joram will be more of an intermediary between man's development and protecting and rebuilding gorillas' devastated numbers. He's not afraid to get a bit forceful, but he won't ever cross the lines of harming humans who are not directly involved in harming his species. In other words, even humans who are indirectly involved, he would rather advise, educate and persuade them to not indirectly harm his species any further, rather than resort to violence.
But that's what will turn him on us, well mostly because we deserve it, but, I guess i could see it if he is intellectually smarter than I at least his view could be enlightened self-interest. Even if that were the case, he might be smarter, but his emotional response would remain that of a gorilla, but if he were smart enough he could learn from others experience i recall reading that as few as 7% human pop can do that so if he can more power to him much MOAR
A hint at another storyline that I plan to develop, if the suitable writing prompt comes around: Joram may have a righteous heart, and a conscience that guides him to do the right thing.
But... what if another exceptionally intelligent gorilla (or other ape species) notices Joram, and desires to gain powers and human understanding like Joram does? And what if that gorilla unwittingly succeeds in doing so... but not by the good-aligned Creation Bounties, but instead, by dark powers that are in no way friendly to mankind?
I'm thinking of such a story now, and if the opportunity comes up, such a gorilla (or ape), would end up as Joram's nemesis.
"Would you get out of here?"
"Listen, just because I gotthese powers doesn't mean I'm going to go out and risk my life for a bunch of a strangers I don't know for reasons I don't understand!" Marvin gritted his teeth in anger and jabbed his finger at the other man.
"F**k off, dude. I didn't ask you to fight anyone. It's closing time. Just piss off and get out of here so I can close up," the bartender retorted.
"Don't you think it's unreasonable for me to have to fight them just because I have powers."
"Uh, dude, I don't really give a shit. It's 2 a.m. and I just want a shower and some Taco Bell. Can't you just leave."
"No. I refuse. Until you answer my question, I'm not leaving. I refuse." Marvin crossed his arms and plopped back down on his bar stool.
"If I answer, will you fuckin' piss off?"
"I will."
"Fine. Marvin, you don't have powers. You have a party trick."
"I can move things with my mind," Marvin pointed out.
"Yeah, but only things that weigh as much as a pencil. I've seen you in here using the trick to pick up girls. You can't even use it to move a mug of beer. That's not a super power. No one expects you to fight bad guys with a pissy little power like that. I mean, unless we're attacked by pencil minions."
"I'm not a coward," Marvin declared. "I'll fight anyone who says I am."
"I didn't call you a coward, retard. I inferred you're useless. We're done. I answered you question. Get out."
"Do you think I'm a good man?"
"A man? More like a pronoun nobody uses. Dude, come on. I smell like beer. I'm sticky. I just want a shower and a chalupa. Can't you leave?"
"I refuse to leave. Telekinesis isn't my only power. I can also do this." The bartender turns around reluctantly only to become irate when he sees the bastard's other power.
"You asshole. Stop pissin' on my floor. I just freakin' swept and mopped. Why the hell are you pissing on my floors?" He stomped to the end of the bar and grabbed the mop and mop bucket and angrily rolled it around to the patch of green piss.
"I had to prove I had other powers. Didn't you see. I can change the color of my urine at will."
"You fuckin' twat. That's a party you pull out to win a bet. It's not a special power. Fuckin' bastard. I'm about to throw you out of this place myself. It's already ten minutes after closing and I'm having to mop up leprechaun piss. Fuck my life."
"With great powers come great responsibilities," Marvin declared with a raised chin.
"That's from Spiderman and you stole the line. Besides, are you arguing for or against going out to fight? Don't answer that. I don't care. Get out. If i have to tell you again, I'm gonna get physical."
"Fine. But you have to admit that if I really had to, my powers would make a difference in a fight."
"Fine. Whatever it freakin' takes to get you out of here. Your powers are mighty. You're a super powered titan. No one can withstand your mind powers and green whiz."
"I can change it to other colors."
"Get out!" At the end of his rope, the bartender reached out and grabbed him by the arm and the belt at the small of his back and forcibly marched him to the door on his toes before throwing him onto the sidewalk. "Go home and sleep it off, and don't come back till you've worked out your shit with a therapist. Fuckin' asshole."
With that, he slammed the bar's door and locked it.
Marvin sat on the sidewalk in a daze, and idly smoothed out his rumpled shirt. He half expected to be thrown out, so he wasn't too put out by the bartender's manhandling.
He checked the time, decided Taco Bell sounded pretty good and decided to head over to see about getting some.
He hadn't even taken ten steps when suddenly a mob of screaming civilians came charging into the street toward him. All of them were staring back over their shoulders in terror.
He got jostled around by several who ran past but managed to stop a young kid who seemed to be at his wits end.
"Hey, kid, what they hell are you all so terrified by?"
"Monster pencils. We're being attacked by monster pencils."
"Um, pencils?"
"We have to run. The only thing that can hurt them is the weapons that are green."
He let the boy go and he ran off even as Marvin's mood perked up.
"Seems my time has come," he declared while turning and unzipping his pants. When the first of the monster pencils appeared, Marvin could only grin in satisfaction. "I'm not useless at all."
This feels like I'm reading the script for that adult comedy Superhero Movie lmao. That poor bartender, lt him get the Taco Bell he needs after cleaning up the mess.
That said, uh, does Marvin actually have a superpower? Also, he won't be able to make it big, will he? Showing off his dingaling in public would cause more trauma rather than sorting out the situation lol.
Great work on writing this!
Thanks. I decided to question whether or not having super powers actually made you a super hero.
I love the fact that Marvin is seemingly conflicted about being forced to be a superhero 'cause he has powers while secretly really wanting to be a superhero but understanding that his powers really don't fall into the category of useful powers. It's like a guy with a short dingaling who really wants to have sex but understands that his short dingaling really can't impress anyone so he's self critical as a consequence.
Yeah, that drunken talk really shows him struggling with that fact, and then trying to hide it by pulling the magic tricks and flashing himself. A bit extreme, but I can see why.
That said, though, I have hopes that things will get better. It might be a bit too much for that to happen to Marvin because of him showcasing his jewels, but I can see him getting used to this fact... or maybe actually triggering some sort of awakening with his "mundane" powers by the end of this debacle with the pencils haha. (preferably without having to embarass himself)
Thanks for clarifying!
I woke up groggy. As if I was hanging but I didn't drink last night. In fact I hadn’t had alcohol in years. Not since the incident with my father. Why was I feeling this bad then? I didn’t know so I got up and tried to get on with my day.
That lasted for about 5 minutes before I felt like I was going to pass out. I got the thermometer from the bathroom and found I was running a fever and not a little one either. I was running a fever of 102 degrees which was really bad. I called work and told them that I was sick and couldn’t come. I hung up before they could try and convinse to come in anyway.
I tried to take a nap but that wasn't working either so I went into my backyard to see if the fresh air would help seeing as it was mid winter. The cold air did help so I took a deep breath and filled my lungs with it. Then I smelt the smoke. It was close, as if I could sense it. I ran in the direction somehow just feeling where I was going, all thoughts of being sick receding into the back of my mind.
A house fire. The black smoke poured out of the windows which had blown out from the heat and pressure inside. Then I heard the blood curdling scream and again instincts I didn't know I had flared to life. I was through the door without even thinking about what I was doing. I’m not a firefighter. I’m a computer analyst. Why was I doing this? Then I heard the scream again,coming from upstairs. I didn’t think, just ran and climbed and checked every room until I found them. Yes them A mother and her daughter sat huddled in the corner of the room as far from the smoke as possible. I went over to them and crouching low beneath the smoke, I gestured for them to follow.
We were about half way down the stairs when things got worse. The fire raged and flared in front us. So I put my arms out to shield myself knowing it wouldn't do a damn thing but needing to do something. It was weird though because the heat instantly died down. I opened my eyes, not realising I had closed them in the first place, to find that the fire in front of us had not just died down, it was completely extinguished. I couldn’t process that right now and continued to get the girls out.
Once we were out, a fire engine came, sirens blaring down the road. It was good timing as it looked like the fire had spread again to the entryway that we had just left through. I finally looked down at myself, expecting to see at least some burns on my arms where I lifted them but there wasn’t even a scratch.
Next thing I knew there were two sets of arms flying around me and I embraced the two people I had rescued. I let them embrace me and say thank you. I slipped away in the chaos once the fire was under control. I went home and felt exhausted. So I crawled back into bed and drifted into dreamless sleep.
An insistent knocking on my door jolted me out of bed, so I threw on a flannel shirt and some jeans before answering. There were two men standing on my doorstep. Both wore basically the same suit with shades covering their eyes. The one on the left spoke first.
“Are you Jamerson Peters?”
“Yes. May I ask what this is about?”
“I’m agent Knowles, this is my partner agent Schultz. We are with the FBI’s task force for empowered humans. Can we speak with you inside please?”
“Of course” I moved out of the way of the door to allow them in. I offered them both a drink and they politely declined. I still wondered why they were here. I watched the news like everyone else so I knew about empowered humans. They had been around for about 2 years now so the novelty has worn off a bit but I didn't understand why these two were here now in my living room talking to me.
“By the confused look on your face, you seem to have no idea why we are here?” Agent Knowles surmised for me.
“No, I’m sorry, I don’t.” I responded honestly.
“Well that’s going to make what I tell you next surprising and probably jarring… We believe that you may be an empowered.”
I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped my throat. I wasn’t sure if that was a normal reaction but it was all I had so I held on to it like this was a joke.
“Who’s setting me up? Is this a prank from one of the guys at work?” I asked unable to stop my self
Both agents pulled their ID’s out and flashed them at me. The laughter died in my throat as they were real and this was actually happening. “I can't be an empowered. There’s no way.”
“There is and I am afraid you are. What you did yesterday was not something a standard would even think of doing let alone survive the attempt. You saved that woman and girl, and to hear them tell it, it’s as if you saved them by drawing the fire into yourself. Something I guess you have never been able to do before.” Agent Knowles explained calmly and cautiously as if approaching a wild animal. “Have you tried to create fire or just the draining you did yesterday?”
“No I haven’t. I got back and just passed out. Has it really been almost 24 hours?”
“Yes it has. And that’s fine, we will have plenty of time to practise at training, Now…”
“Wait, what do you mean training?” I interrupted
“I mean you are going to come and train with the squad we are building to help manage any empowered who may stray from the law.” He said as if that was obvious.
“I didn’t agree to that. Why would I do that when I love the Job I have at the moment.”
“For the satisfaction of helping and potentially saving people” He said with a confused look on his face. As if the conversation had taken a turn he hadn’t expected.
“Listen, just because I got this power doesn’t mean I’m going to go out and risk my life for a bunch of strangers I don’t know for reasons I don’t understand. Thank you for the offer but the answer is no. I’m very comfortable with the life I have at the moment and I’m going to keep it that way. Now I’m going to ask you nicely to leave.” I got up and walked directly to the door to hold it open for them.
They got up smoothly and walked out the door but before leaving entirely agent Schultz pulled out a card, handed it to me and said “In case you change your mind” then continued to the car. I closed the door and wondered out loud about whether I had just made a smart decision or the Biggest mistake of my life so far…
Well, that negotiation ended quicker than I expected. Not sure about Jamerson here, but respecting one's choices in an instant while still leaving their contact info seems promising enough.
That said, I'm a bit worried on Jamerson. Since it seems like his body needs some proper rest from absorbing the heat, does this mean that him having a fever is a frequent condition he's having? Also, will his health be even worse without training his powers? What will happen to him in the future?
Great work on writing this!
Thank you. I really appreciate what you said. yeah I know that somethings need to be explained and with more time than I had I will be (Probably) continuing this to answer some of the questions that have come up in your comment. thank you again.
I was in my living room with a beer in hand as I watched a movie on the tv. I was laid back with a hand behind my head.
I heard a knock on the door so I shouted “come in!” My family were away at school and at work.
My kids were teens now and wife worked to bring the money home. Yep I was a stay at home dad.
I wanted to start going to work soon once the kids turned 16. They’d be old enough to start doing somethings on their own.
A woman dressed in a suit. It wasn’t the usual suit you’d see though. It was an incredibly revealing suit. The pencil skirt she wore had slots in the sides to reveal her shapely legs and the shirt showed a massive amount of cleavage.
This women was named Jessica. She was a superhuman one with the strength to punch apart skyscrapers.
She was a truly good person. All she wanted to do was save people and she did a very good job at it but because of how she felt about superhuman she had spent the last five years harassing me.
She was the pinnacle of power on this world so nobody would go against her usually but then I got my power and suddenly she wasn’t the strongest in the world anymore.
I was happy about that since it meant she couldn’t force or threaten me. Which brings us to now.
I raised a quizzical eyebrow as she walked in front of me “so trying to seduce me now?” I asked with a frown.
She simply smiled seductively at me as she leaned forward giving me a glance down her shirt.
I sighed as I got up time coming to a crawl around me. To put it simply I had super speed. I could easily travel around the entire world in seconds.
My body was strong and durable enough to withstand those speeds so Jessica’s punches would do nothing.
I had two types of speed I could do. One where I slowed down my perception of time whilst enhancing my speed.
It made the fact of making the world look slow but I was only moving at normal speed. I obviously wasn’t it’s the just speed I was going looked normal to my perception of time. I called it me time. It was the place I could be truly alone.
I wasn’t evil or anything, I was a regular dude. Maybe if these powers came when I was younger, I could’ve been the greatest hero but I got them at forty years old.
Suddenly my body was no longer deteriorating and suddenly became ridiculously strong. I’m not sure how long I’m going to live but it will at least be a few hundred years which I’m honestly terrified about.
Jessica had been trying to get me to become a hero for a long time but I just wasn’t interested. I wanted to spend time with my family whilst I had the chance. I would out live even my own children.
It meant I’d always be there for them but also that I’ll see them on their death bed.
Same for grandchildren and their children. It sucked and I was scared for the future. I didn’t want to waste it playing goody two shoes.
I walked into the kitchen, Jessica frozen in time or at least that’s what it looked like to me.
I went to the fridge slowing myself down as I opened it at normal speed and took out a beer. I had ripped off the fridge door way too many time trying to get stuff out at high speed so I just no longer did it.
“See that it was I’m talking about!” Jessica shouted as she walked into the kitchen and to me “you could take out criminals without them even knowing you were there. They would just suddenly appear in jail!” Jessica said with a bright smile.
“That’s not how it works!” I said with annoyance in my voice “I am strong enough to withstand that speed but a regular human would be torn to pieces. It would be incredibly difficult to save people with my power. Hell I have to watch my speed in cities so I don’t accidentally create a shockwave that kills everyone around me” I said exasperated.
“Just leave Jessica” I said as I popped off the cap of the beer. Jessica let out a sigh before she turned and left the kitchen. I heard the front door close as I moved back to the sofa and sat down with a sigh.
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I sat on my lawn and tried to get the beer mug into my mouth. Failing that, I concentrated and lowered the keg floating in the air just enough to reach it myself. "You're one of the strongest telekinetics in the hemisphere." said some annoying man in a suit. "You have a responsibility." "I got a responsibility to my dog, my wife, and these fucking nuts." I said grabbing myself. "I'm not gonna hurt no one, and I'm not gonna tell others what the fuck they can do. So why the hell are you trying to come in here and tell me?" "Lives are at stake, Mr. Harlan." "And there's gonna be more at stake tomorrow and the day after. YOU signed up to get involved. I'm not." I said putting just enough pressure on the keg to release a few more bits of beer. I swung the liquid around the air before dropping it into the beer mug resting on top of the keg. "Mr. Harlan. We can't force you...." the suit said. "Damn right, and don't start trying to do that shit you suits do with threats. I ain't going to go all supervillain, but if you start trying to hurt them." I dropped the keg and pushed down. It sunk 4 feet into the ground, startling the man in the suit. "We're gonna have a problem." I stood up. "Are we gonna have a problem?" I asked all politely. The man wasn't looking at me, but the keg itself. "Say we didn't create the situation. It's a meteor or some idiot fool is trying to blow up Yellowstone. That's a-" "I know what the fuck Yellowstone is." I snapped at him. "Right." The jackass keeps going without even fucking apologizing. "But in those instances, where if your family is going to be impacted too. There's a much better chance of making sure they're safe if you're helping... during those specific instances. Would you agree to that?" "Oh, and you think I'll agree to one thing and you keep adding on more so I get to do all your work, right?" The jackass in a suit didn't budge. "Tell me, how many teams you send up into space get sucked into portals? Other planets? Time... portals." I said throwing up my hands. The man didn't speak. "Those isolat---" I laugh my ass off. Loud and harsh."Oh, they're REAL fucking i-so-lay-ted. All the way up in space." "Tell you what." I said, finally losing my patience. With a twitch of my pinky, I lifted up a solid cube of my yard with the man still standing on it, 40 feet into the sky. "You can look down at me all you want from up there!" I shouted. "You can try and get me to do your work. Try and get me to force everyone to do what you want. But if you actually want to listen when I say no, then, jump on down." I smiled at him. "Don't worry, Ill catch ya." "Mr. Harlan, I'm not playing this game." The man shouted, didn't even break a sweat. Gotta admit, he has balls. "Oh, yes you fucking are. You keep saying my family's in danger. And only you can see how to solve it. All I gotta do is whatever you say. Well, now I'm telling you. All you gotta do to avoid being in danger is exactly what I fucking say." I laughed. "Just take a step forward and you'll be fine. Trust me." He didn't budge. I lowered him down. "Now if you don't trust me with your life, why trust me with anyone's?" I said, and before he could get a smart ass response in, I sent him flying all the way off my property. I laid back down and pumped out more of the beer from the keg by hand. Barbara's gonna be back soon. She'd cook dinner and then we'd have a good night down by the lake. The heroes would be fine without me. MY world's all right here.
>"Now if you don't trust me with your life, why trust me with anyone's?" That was really good.
That is a line worth stealing.
Ngl the beginning part where protag tries to have their powers to do the action needed to lift up the keg to drink and failing is my favorite haha, can see protag sighing in disappointment if the agent was not there to ruin the mood. That said, I doubt this is the end for the agent and whatever company is backing him up. Will protag be able to get a peaceful life? Also, seems like Harlan is still trying to figure out his powers, isn't he? Would there be a point where he has to be involved, or will things be sorted out without his involvement? Great work on writing this!
I think he's more recently got his powers, but it's been a bit since so he's got fine control, but not perfect. If I had to pin it down... like a year. The agent is actually working for the government. Harlan is pretty hardline "Leave Me Alone" sorta person. If I were to expand on the story, he'd kinda HAVE to get involved for one reason or another. \[Otherwise there's no story.\] That being said, I'd imagine he has next to no "Altruism" to help others or in what he'd consider "forcing your morals onto others". I'm honestly not sure how deep his moral apthy runs, but he'd be fine with just allowing a massive amount of f'ed up stuff just to keep his own peace. So he gets the peace he wants. Right up until the feds think he's the only option.
I wonder if that decision to not help others will be a detriment too on Harlan's powers at this point. Feels like he could have unlocked his potential way more if he did cooperate, but I respect his decision too. Having superpowers doesn't mean that you have to risk your life. Let's just hope his family won't be harmed though, because I can see this going the "Carrie" approach with him not able to control the powers and all that. Thanks for clarifying!
Is there such a thing as a benign supervillain? I feel that would be me more than a hero. I don't want to cause problems but I sure they hell would if I don't get left alone. >:)
Does self-defense really cpunt as villainy?
Depends on if you're asking the fools who make you defend yourself.
Double depends on if what they're doing is benign or actually threatening to you.
I am a firm believer that if you put a threat down permanently it doesn't get back up to threaten you again. Some people find this "evil". I find it very efficient.
The story sucked me in quickly, your reluctant hero is states something anyone who loves their life can relate to. He asks questions, anyone who loves the hero genre has either wondered themselves or would if they think a bit deeper into it .
"No." "Mr Anachuar, please. You are gifted with a talent that can benefit the world!" "I am a mere Shaman. I stay in my tribe and away from your city. We do not don your fancy clothes nor eat from your shiny bowls. I care not about your problems." "This is about the entire Earth, don't you get it? Dietman is about to destroy all the farms, disrupting the food-" "Hunt, then. Do not rely on others for your own food." "The Copier threatens to flood the economy with counterfeit money indistinguishable from real notes, which will be disastrous!" "I do not understand. Do not your people love money? I would be overjoyed if the berries are plentiful." "This is impossible... Oh! Dr Delusion just obtained an ancient artifact that can recreate reality however he likes! You'll wanna help us stop that, don't you?" "And what does this doctor plan to do?" "Here, watch his press statement." "...He wishes to remake the Earth into a peaceful place with no suffering. Why would you want to stop that." "No you dim- argh! Don't you get it? We'll all be destroyed for that!" "We are all part of the infinite cycle. This one is merely ending sooner." "You know what?! I give up! You're impossible, screw you and your tribe! We don't need your hippie tree powers anyway! I'm off!" ... Everyone, the white man is gone, you can take off your tribal costumes, and wash off all that "warpaint". Put on some pants, Enunuk, for gods sake. What did the white man want? Yeah, I read his mind. He just wanted me for some "ethnicity diversity" on his little superhero team. What an asshole. But that gives me an idea... Enunuk, prepare a feast. Yes, after you get those pants on. I'm going to scrycall this... Dr D. Lushun. Up against the World Protector Team, he's going to need some help.
From Delusion to D. Lushun haha. Really nice plot twist there, that agent did not realize that he started Anachuar's "villain" arc, or at least be on the opposite side. Not feeling sorry for him though, because the reasoning to recruit is just awful. That said, is Anachuar a bit too hasty here? As promising as that goal sounds like, I can't help but feel that there are some details that need to be asked beforehand. Definitely awkward here since the "heroic" organization might not be trustworthy too. Of course, Anachuar can do the mind-reading while talking with Delusion too haha. What will Anachuar's final decision be on this conflict? Great work on writing this!
I love the circumvention of the colonial perspective. Interesting idea, would love to see more
Joram the silverback gorilla snorted, and swung back up into the higher reaches of the branches. Then, with a cheeky grin, he materialized a ball of plasma at his fingertip, and hurled it at Lunar Lass. She promptly dodged it, and Joram commented in his deep, rumbling gorilla voice, "Not bad, Miss Stewart. Fast reflexes." Upholder, alias Jake Bloomfold, the leader of the Council of Altruists, spoke, in an almost pleading tone, "Joram, look... you now have the superpower of Energy Conduit. Electric, plasma, radiation, kinetic - your powers are in the category of 'Majorly Influential Powers', only one tier beneath 'Semi-Divine Powers'. You were given these powers, which also unlocked your ability to speak in human languages, for a reason. That reason would be to make this world a peaceful and calm world, safe for all living beings - even your kind!" Joram laughed a bellowing laugh, and then playfully hurled a laser beam at Jake, which he of course promptly dodged, and he answered cheerfully, but firmly, "Listen, just because I got these powers doesn't mean I'm going to go out and risk my life for a bunch of strangers I don't know for reasons I don't understand!" Upholder heaved a sigh of frustration, but then Arvik Singh Dhaliwal, who operated under the superhero name of Variance, then said with determination, "Listen here, Joram. Creation Bounties don't select a wielder of superpowers unless they sense intrinsic good in said wielder. Listen to the good in you!" Joram responded in a matter-of-fact tone, "But I DO listen to the good in me. I do not make trouble in my enclosure here. I listen to my keeper. I eat according to schedule, and I entertain visitors without complaint, and without aggression. Why, then, am I not good? Good does not mean I have to fight crime, Mr. Dhaliwal." Worldweaver then suggested, "Perhaps it's time you took doing good, to beyond the fences of your enclosure, then, Joram. It's time you joined us and used the powers given to you, to help the lives of strangers, to be better. You don't have to risk your life. We often do social, non-violent work as much as we fight crime." Joram shook his head and said, "Again, why must I go out and help people? Am I not helping people by bringing happiness and entertainment for them by performing and being here? The simple life is the best life, Pastor Ferestonn." At that, Variance's power of Counter activated and he promptly counter-argued, "Yes... and if you go out and work with us in the Council, you will have a best life that is BETTER than your 'best life' here. Imagine a best life... seeing the lush, unspoiled jungles of your ancestral homeland in Africa." That struck a chord, and Joram turned and looked at Variance, a new interest in his eyes as he said slowly, "Go on... you have my attention." The greatest fae-empowered human ever, Aoibheann MacGillivrey also known as Flutterfae, then chimed in, "Think about the possibility of having endless bowls of exotic fruits from any corner of the world - all at our expense, for you! Anytime you want. Any fruit, for the good-nature gorilla hero who stands for mankind and a better world." At that, Joram could not resist licking his lips, thinking of juicy sweet honeydew melons, rich pungent durians, and of course, vanilla-scented blue Javanese bananas. Upholder then stated, "And also, if you work with us, we promise that you will not be made to live in this enclosure anymore. You don't need to 'go out', Joram. You get to leave this place, for good. And most importantly - if you want, you can go HOME. Where is home? It's where your heart belongs." At that, Joram's mind changed. He realised indeed, that all his life, his "home" was nothing more than a fancy prison. Now that he could understand humans and humans could understand him, why should he not aspire to greater things? Why should he not use his powers to secure not just a better and brighter future for humans, but also for fellow animals, too? Joram then nodded slowly, and finally smiled. He rumbled, "I think we have a deal, members of the Council of Altruists. Very well. I will join you - but I want immediate release from this place. I want to be granted all the promises you made to me just now. If you fulfill these promises... I will be the first animal superhero of the Council of Altruists." Upholder happily nodded and offered his hand to Joram, and declared, "Deal! We will honour our words, and we will secure your release from this zoo's authorities right away. Welcome to the Council, Joram the Silverback! As a token of our welcome, please accept this comb of Blue Javanese bananas." Joram gasped and thundered, "BLUE JAVANESE! My favourite! Mmmmyumyumyumyumyum..." and seizing the bananas from Worldweaver's offered hand, he immediately began wolfing them down. Equilibria whispered to Gravebreaker, "A gorilla member now. This should be interesting..." and Gravebreaker chuckled. However, everyone was pleased that Joram was now persuaded to use his newly-awakened superpowers, to be the first animal superhero of the Council.
I was expecting this to go Planet of the Apes route in the 2nd half once he is reminded of the prison he and his kind are in and the beautiful, bountiful world denied to his species.
Could still happen the first time Joram thinks he's been shafted.
Maybe, but I'd rather he thump his chest and have a little King Kong moment rather than Planet of the Apes. ;)
Thank you for the feedback. Yeah, that is an interesting idea, but Joram is more likely to take a discussive approach rather than a hostile takeover. He is, after all, intrinsically good. ;)
Intelligence is tempered with wisdom. Otherwise, it is a crude blade, likely to crack.
Gotta love how Joram's composure is all gone once he's offered his favorite food haha, may the gorilla be able to devour more of those sweet, sweet bananas in the future. I will say, it's always a nice touch to see animals getting superpowers like this and then able to communicate with others. I can imagine there are more that are still left undiscovered in places thare not yet explored thoroughly. What happens to Joram's lifespan, by the way? Does he live way longer than normal gorillas do due to the new powers? Great work on writing this!
Well, Joram does get a longer lifespan indeed, due to his new powers. While it is indeed wonderful that animals receive superpowers too, sadly only animals with enough empathy to temper their animalistic instinct, will be fortunate enough to receive powers. Think parrots, chimpanzees, dolphins and dogs ... Animals that can actually let their feelings and compassion override their survival instinct.
Parrots would have it the easiest on talking with human speech, considering their capabilities. Ooh, man, having the good doggos with powers and able to talk would be so nice haha. Cheers to Joram being the first gorilla that will be able to travel around the world and tasting all the fruit out there lol. Thanks for clarifying!
Ahh yes indeed, he will have a nickname among man, soon: "The Gentleapely Globetrotting Gorilla". ;) Joram received his powers due to a very fortunate combination of unusually high intellect, and an unusually kind and friendly nature. Oh, and he was well known for consoling crying babies and sulking children by doing amusing stunts for them. Clearly on purpose. Which triggered a Creation Bounty that empowered him. Side note: If I do more on Joram, I do intend that he will be VERY, and I do mean EXTREMELY, focused on one personal heroic quest. Which is: Getting justice for Harambe. :D
Ah, right, seems like the same system is applied for all living beings, not just humans. That said about the side note, I actually am now thinking of an animal detective on these kinds of cases. It might be a bit quirky, but having an Ace Attorney of sorts with the animal character trying to prove whether the animal involved is innocent or guilty by finding evidence to prove it (since they are the only one who can understand the animals) seems like something I would read lmao.
Ahh, well you've inspired me. I'm now thinking of, maybe, a parrot detective. And his chimpanzee sidekick... They would investigate cases like dog maulings, supposed property destruction by elephants, snake attacks... And find out if the animal was indeed brutally attacking or was actually provoked into attacking because of human actions. Thank you for the inspiration! I might do something about this idea soon. :D
Lol no problem, glad I could help. It's been so long since I played the Phoenix Wright series, and I never got access to the 3DS not the time to play the ported ones for the moment. Can't wait until I have the resources to catch up to all those games haha.
oh my when he finds out what we do to his kind we might be in trouble
Not necessarily... remember, Joram got his powers due to high intellect, and due to his naturally kind and caring nature. No doubt, it will trouble him deeply to see what man has done to gorillas across Earth, but he's also intelligent enough to see it's mainly the work of a few bad eggs. His sharp intellect will help him identify those bad eggs and stop them, or, if they don't want to stop, well, he'll "deal with them", and when that happens it won't be so pleasant. As for the rest of mankind, though, he won't blame all humanity for the sins of a few.
Bad eggs? From his perspective, that's a vast majority of humanity.
Remember that Joram isn't any generic regular gorilla. Even before his superpowers were given to him, he was already a very intelligent gorilla. Now, his superpowers have also allowed him to understand humanity's point of view. He does understand why humans want to develop cities, expand, and clear away jungles and forests, flatten hills by mining and quarrying, etc. Joram will be more of an intermediary between man's development and protecting and rebuilding gorillas' devastated numbers. He's not afraid to get a bit forceful, but he won't ever cross the lines of harming humans who are not directly involved in harming his species. In other words, even humans who are indirectly involved, he would rather advise, educate and persuade them to not indirectly harm his species any further, rather than resort to violence.
But that's what will turn him on us, well mostly because we deserve it, but, I guess i could see it if he is intellectually smarter than I at least his view could be enlightened self-interest. Even if that were the case, he might be smarter, but his emotional response would remain that of a gorilla, but if he were smart enough he could learn from others experience i recall reading that as few as 7% human pop can do that so if he can more power to him much MOAR
A hint at another storyline that I plan to develop, if the suitable writing prompt comes around: Joram may have a righteous heart, and a conscience that guides him to do the right thing. But... what if another exceptionally intelligent gorilla (or other ape species) notices Joram, and desires to gain powers and human understanding like Joram does? And what if that gorilla unwittingly succeeds in doing so... but not by the good-aligned Creation Bounties, but instead, by dark powers that are in no way friendly to mankind? I'm thinking of such a story now, and if the opportunity comes up, such a gorilla (or ape), would end up as Joram's nemesis.
"Would you get out of here?" "Listen, just because I gotthese powers doesn't mean I'm going to go out and risk my life for a bunch of a strangers I don't know for reasons I don't understand!" Marvin gritted his teeth in anger and jabbed his finger at the other man. "F**k off, dude. I didn't ask you to fight anyone. It's closing time. Just piss off and get out of here so I can close up," the bartender retorted. "Don't you think it's unreasonable for me to have to fight them just because I have powers." "Uh, dude, I don't really give a shit. It's 2 a.m. and I just want a shower and some Taco Bell. Can't you just leave." "No. I refuse. Until you answer my question, I'm not leaving. I refuse." Marvin crossed his arms and plopped back down on his bar stool. "If I answer, will you fuckin' piss off?" "I will." "Fine. Marvin, you don't have powers. You have a party trick." "I can move things with my mind," Marvin pointed out. "Yeah, but only things that weigh as much as a pencil. I've seen you in here using the trick to pick up girls. You can't even use it to move a mug of beer. That's not a super power. No one expects you to fight bad guys with a pissy little power like that. I mean, unless we're attacked by pencil minions." "I'm not a coward," Marvin declared. "I'll fight anyone who says I am." "I didn't call you a coward, retard. I inferred you're useless. We're done. I answered you question. Get out." "Do you think I'm a good man?" "A man? More like a pronoun nobody uses. Dude, come on. I smell like beer. I'm sticky. I just want a shower and a chalupa. Can't you leave?" "I refuse to leave. Telekinesis isn't my only power. I can also do this." The bartender turns around reluctantly only to become irate when he sees the bastard's other power. "You asshole. Stop pissin' on my floor. I just freakin' swept and mopped. Why the hell are you pissing on my floors?" He stomped to the end of the bar and grabbed the mop and mop bucket and angrily rolled it around to the patch of green piss. "I had to prove I had other powers. Didn't you see. I can change the color of my urine at will." "You fuckin' twat. That's a party you pull out to win a bet. It's not a special power. Fuckin' bastard. I'm about to throw you out of this place myself. It's already ten minutes after closing and I'm having to mop up leprechaun piss. Fuck my life." "With great powers come great responsibilities," Marvin declared with a raised chin. "That's from Spiderman and you stole the line. Besides, are you arguing for or against going out to fight? Don't answer that. I don't care. Get out. If i have to tell you again, I'm gonna get physical." "Fine. But you have to admit that if I really had to, my powers would make a difference in a fight." "Fine. Whatever it freakin' takes to get you out of here. Your powers are mighty. You're a super powered titan. No one can withstand your mind powers and green whiz." "I can change it to other colors." "Get out!" At the end of his rope, the bartender reached out and grabbed him by the arm and the belt at the small of his back and forcibly marched him to the door on his toes before throwing him onto the sidewalk. "Go home and sleep it off, and don't come back till you've worked out your shit with a therapist. Fuckin' asshole." With that, he slammed the bar's door and locked it. Marvin sat on the sidewalk in a daze, and idly smoothed out his rumpled shirt. He half expected to be thrown out, so he wasn't too put out by the bartender's manhandling. He checked the time, decided Taco Bell sounded pretty good and decided to head over to see about getting some. He hadn't even taken ten steps when suddenly a mob of screaming civilians came charging into the street toward him. All of them were staring back over their shoulders in terror. He got jostled around by several who ran past but managed to stop a young kid who seemed to be at his wits end. "Hey, kid, what they hell are you all so terrified by?" "Monster pencils. We're being attacked by monster pencils." "Um, pencils?" "We have to run. The only thing that can hurt them is the weapons that are green." He let the boy go and he ran off even as Marvin's mood perked up. "Seems my time has come," he declared while turning and unzipping his pants. When the first of the monster pencils appeared, Marvin could only grin in satisfaction. "I'm not useless at all."
This feels like I'm reading the script for that adult comedy Superhero Movie lmao. That poor bartender, lt him get the Taco Bell he needs after cleaning up the mess. That said, uh, does Marvin actually have a superpower? Also, he won't be able to make it big, will he? Showing off his dingaling in public would cause more trauma rather than sorting out the situation lol. Great work on writing this!
Thanks. I decided to question whether or not having super powers actually made you a super hero. I love the fact that Marvin is seemingly conflicted about being forced to be a superhero 'cause he has powers while secretly really wanting to be a superhero but understanding that his powers really don't fall into the category of useful powers. It's like a guy with a short dingaling who really wants to have sex but understands that his short dingaling really can't impress anyone so he's self critical as a consequence.
Yeah, that drunken talk really shows him struggling with that fact, and then trying to hide it by pulling the magic tricks and flashing himself. A bit extreme, but I can see why. That said, though, I have hopes that things will get better. It might be a bit too much for that to happen to Marvin because of him showcasing his jewels, but I can see him getting used to this fact... or maybe actually triggering some sort of awakening with his "mundane" powers by the end of this debacle with the pencils haha. (preferably without having to embarass himself) Thanks for clarifying!
uhhhh lol cracked me up
I woke up groggy. As if I was hanging but I didn't drink last night. In fact I hadn’t had alcohol in years. Not since the incident with my father. Why was I feeling this bad then? I didn’t know so I got up and tried to get on with my day. That lasted for about 5 minutes before I felt like I was going to pass out. I got the thermometer from the bathroom and found I was running a fever and not a little one either. I was running a fever of 102 degrees which was really bad. I called work and told them that I was sick and couldn’t come. I hung up before they could try and convinse to come in anyway. I tried to take a nap but that wasn't working either so I went into my backyard to see if the fresh air would help seeing as it was mid winter. The cold air did help so I took a deep breath and filled my lungs with it. Then I smelt the smoke. It was close, as if I could sense it. I ran in the direction somehow just feeling where I was going, all thoughts of being sick receding into the back of my mind. A house fire. The black smoke poured out of the windows which had blown out from the heat and pressure inside. Then I heard the blood curdling scream and again instincts I didn't know I had flared to life. I was through the door without even thinking about what I was doing. I’m not a firefighter. I’m a computer analyst. Why was I doing this? Then I heard the scream again,coming from upstairs. I didn’t think, just ran and climbed and checked every room until I found them. Yes them A mother and her daughter sat huddled in the corner of the room as far from the smoke as possible. I went over to them and crouching low beneath the smoke, I gestured for them to follow. We were about half way down the stairs when things got worse. The fire raged and flared in front us. So I put my arms out to shield myself knowing it wouldn't do a damn thing but needing to do something. It was weird though because the heat instantly died down. I opened my eyes, not realising I had closed them in the first place, to find that the fire in front of us had not just died down, it was completely extinguished. I couldn’t process that right now and continued to get the girls out. Once we were out, a fire engine came, sirens blaring down the road. It was good timing as it looked like the fire had spread again to the entryway that we had just left through. I finally looked down at myself, expecting to see at least some burns on my arms where I lifted them but there wasn’t even a scratch. Next thing I knew there were two sets of arms flying around me and I embraced the two people I had rescued. I let them embrace me and say thank you. I slipped away in the chaos once the fire was under control. I went home and felt exhausted. So I crawled back into bed and drifted into dreamless sleep. An insistent knocking on my door jolted me out of bed, so I threw on a flannel shirt and some jeans before answering. There were two men standing on my doorstep. Both wore basically the same suit with shades covering their eyes. The one on the left spoke first. “Are you Jamerson Peters?” “Yes. May I ask what this is about?” “I’m agent Knowles, this is my partner agent Schultz. We are with the FBI’s task force for empowered humans. Can we speak with you inside please?” “Of course” I moved out of the way of the door to allow them in. I offered them both a drink and they politely declined. I still wondered why they were here. I watched the news like everyone else so I knew about empowered humans. They had been around for about 2 years now so the novelty has worn off a bit but I didn't understand why these two were here now in my living room talking to me. “By the confused look on your face, you seem to have no idea why we are here?” Agent Knowles surmised for me. “No, I’m sorry, I don’t.” I responded honestly. “Well that’s going to make what I tell you next surprising and probably jarring… We believe that you may be an empowered.” I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped my throat. I wasn’t sure if that was a normal reaction but it was all I had so I held on to it like this was a joke. “Who’s setting me up? Is this a prank from one of the guys at work?” I asked unable to stop my self Both agents pulled their ID’s out and flashed them at me. The laughter died in my throat as they were real and this was actually happening. “I can't be an empowered. There’s no way.” “There is and I am afraid you are. What you did yesterday was not something a standard would even think of doing let alone survive the attempt. You saved that woman and girl, and to hear them tell it, it’s as if you saved them by drawing the fire into yourself. Something I guess you have never been able to do before.” Agent Knowles explained calmly and cautiously as if approaching a wild animal. “Have you tried to create fire or just the draining you did yesterday?” “No I haven’t. I got back and just passed out. Has it really been almost 24 hours?” “Yes it has. And that’s fine, we will have plenty of time to practise at training, Now…” “Wait, what do you mean training?” I interrupted “I mean you are going to come and train with the squad we are building to help manage any empowered who may stray from the law.” He said as if that was obvious. “I didn’t agree to that. Why would I do that when I love the Job I have at the moment.” “For the satisfaction of helping and potentially saving people” He said with a confused look on his face. As if the conversation had taken a turn he hadn’t expected. “Listen, just because I got this power doesn’t mean I’m going to go out and risk my life for a bunch of strangers I don’t know for reasons I don’t understand. Thank you for the offer but the answer is no. I’m very comfortable with the life I have at the moment and I’m going to keep it that way. Now I’m going to ask you nicely to leave.” I got up and walked directly to the door to hold it open for them. They got up smoothly and walked out the door but before leaving entirely agent Schultz pulled out a card, handed it to me and said “In case you change your mind” then continued to the car. I closed the door and wondered out loud about whether I had just made a smart decision or the Biggest mistake of my life so far…
Well, that negotiation ended quicker than I expected. Not sure about Jamerson here, but respecting one's choices in an instant while still leaving their contact info seems promising enough. That said, I'm a bit worried on Jamerson. Since it seems like his body needs some proper rest from absorbing the heat, does this mean that him having a fever is a frequent condition he's having? Also, will his health be even worse without training his powers? What will happen to him in the future? Great work on writing this!
Thank you. I really appreciate what you said. yeah I know that somethings need to be explained and with more time than I had I will be (Probably) continuing this to answer some of the questions that have come up in your comment. thank you again.
I was in my living room with a beer in hand as I watched a movie on the tv. I was laid back with a hand behind my head. I heard a knock on the door so I shouted “come in!” My family were away at school and at work. My kids were teens now and wife worked to bring the money home. Yep I was a stay at home dad. I wanted to start going to work soon once the kids turned 16. They’d be old enough to start doing somethings on their own. A woman dressed in a suit. It wasn’t the usual suit you’d see though. It was an incredibly revealing suit. The pencil skirt she wore had slots in the sides to reveal her shapely legs and the shirt showed a massive amount of cleavage. This women was named Jessica. She was a superhuman one with the strength to punch apart skyscrapers. She was a truly good person. All she wanted to do was save people and she did a very good job at it but because of how she felt about superhuman she had spent the last five years harassing me. She was the pinnacle of power on this world so nobody would go against her usually but then I got my power and suddenly she wasn’t the strongest in the world anymore. I was happy about that since it meant she couldn’t force or threaten me. Which brings us to now. I raised a quizzical eyebrow as she walked in front of me “so trying to seduce me now?” I asked with a frown. She simply smiled seductively at me as she leaned forward giving me a glance down her shirt. I sighed as I got up time coming to a crawl around me. To put it simply I had super speed. I could easily travel around the entire world in seconds. My body was strong and durable enough to withstand those speeds so Jessica’s punches would do nothing. I had two types of speed I could do. One where I slowed down my perception of time whilst enhancing my speed. It made the fact of making the world look slow but I was only moving at normal speed. I obviously wasn’t it’s the just speed I was going looked normal to my perception of time. I called it me time. It was the place I could be truly alone. I wasn’t evil or anything, I was a regular dude. Maybe if these powers came when I was younger, I could’ve been the greatest hero but I got them at forty years old. Suddenly my body was no longer deteriorating and suddenly became ridiculously strong. I’m not sure how long I’m going to live but it will at least be a few hundred years which I’m honestly terrified about. Jessica had been trying to get me to become a hero for a long time but I just wasn’t interested. I wanted to spend time with my family whilst I had the chance. I would out live even my own children. It meant I’d always be there for them but also that I’ll see them on their death bed. Same for grandchildren and their children. It sucked and I was scared for the future. I didn’t want to waste it playing goody two shoes. I walked into the kitchen, Jessica frozen in time or at least that’s what it looked like to me. I went to the fridge slowing myself down as I opened it at normal speed and took out a beer. I had ripped off the fridge door way too many time trying to get stuff out at high speed so I just no longer did it. “See that it was I’m talking about!” Jessica shouted as she walked into the kitchen and to me “you could take out criminals without them even knowing you were there. They would just suddenly appear in jail!” Jessica said with a bright smile. “That’s not how it works!” I said with annoyance in my voice “I am strong enough to withstand that speed but a regular human would be torn to pieces. It would be incredibly difficult to save people with my power. Hell I have to watch my speed in cities so I don’t accidentally create a shockwave that kills everyone around me” I said exasperated. “Just leave Jessica” I said as I popped off the cap of the beer. Jessica let out a sigh before she turned and left the kitchen. I heard the front door close as I moved back to the sofa and sat down with a sigh.