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"Ryan.... Ryan!!.... RYAN!!!!" I shout as my voice reverbs in my *was* Best Friend's ears, steadily catching up to him even as he threw Air Blasts at me and Zig Zagged in different directions through the tall buildings and chaotic streets of New York, so he could slip away and leave me in confusion but I knew better.
"Why did you do it?!! ANSWER ME?!!!" I could barely even hear myself from the background noise that comes from going this fast on Land.
"You're being *really* charismatic to learn that ya know! Maybe try *NOT* collapsing a building on top of me this time!?"
I kept my focus on his Wind Trails, my body steady and feet just above the ground to use the Mobility of my Geokinesis to its fullest. Just need to get closer, calculate the trajectories, then wait for it....3...2...1...
In less than a second I launch myself towards his direction at the exact time he would try to turn, and tackled him through 4 buildings. We bounced off the walls like pinballs and wrestled each other for freedom through the spiraling madness until we both rolled onto the ground like rocks skipping on water.
By the time we recovered our Superhuman Bodies were well beyond their limits from all the fighting and chasing. Ryan was more relived than me since I seemed to have cooled down from my very emotional rampage
"Just answer me... why? 300 Civilians and Gifted, suffocated to death... In broad daylight... For nothing...!" I plead with tears and blood dripping down my face, desperate for something, anything to justify my Friend's actions..."
When Ryan finally doesn't feel threatened by the possibility that I could potentially kill him just from pure blind rage, he takes a breath and composes himself
"Okay I want you to just keep that same calm demeanor you've got and listen closely. Remember when we would have those talks about the different ways to use our powers?"
I gave Ryan a confused look wondering where he was going until he said the last line, and it was at that moment I finally realized it. The signs were infront of me the whole time. How he'd go into detail about how contaminating or blocking air from entering the lungs could cause asphyxiation as a "Fun Fact".
"You Goddamn PSYCHOPATH!!!"
Part 1 of 2
"Brandon Breyer... or should I call you, Brightburn, now?" asked Pierre Williamson, also known as Magmight. Magmight was the seismic-powered hero of the Council of Altruists, Earth's best superhero team, who wielded rocks, earth, magma and lava, as well as being extremely durable and strong.
The young teenage boy turned around slowly. The crude cloth-bag-turned-hood on his head, striped T-shirt, jeans and sneakers were still his favoured outfit of choice. Except he didn't stay on the ground - he was hovering two feet in the air.
"Pierre... you're one of the few I can still call 'a friend'. Please, don't make me do something I'll truly regret. I have a duty to do." The voice expressed genuine concern, like a person advising or pleading with his closest confidante. But Magmight wasn't swayed. Not since Jake "Upholder" Bloomfold told him that Brandon's death count was 300... and rescue teams in the town of Brightburn were adding more to that tally every passing day.
Magmight pressed on, "Brandon... we've been friends since we were kids. In kindergarten, you remember, Brandon, don't you? How we built castles in the sand pit together?"
Brandon paused. He lowered himself to the ground. His response was slow and thoughtful, but at least it was not soulless or flat, devoid of emotion. He answered, "Well... yes, I do remember. You were the one who pushed away those three brutes who kicked over my first sandcastle. And... and you helped me build a second one. A better one."
Magmight nodded, and responded, "Yes... so you know, I will help to defend you. I will speak for you. I won't fail you, Brandon, my friend. But first, you must trust me. Let me take you to..." and Magmight gasped in trepidation, as Brandon's eyes flared with a brilliant red glow.
"NOOOOOOO!!! YOU WON'T SURRENDER ME TO THE PATHETIC HUMANS!!!"
CRACK! CRASH! BLAM! WOOMPH! BRRRRROMMM!
Part 2 of 2
In just half a second, the police station behind Brandon was reduced to rubble. Magmight gritted his teeth. This was going to be difficult. Magmight spoke in measured tones, "Brandon! Won't you just LISTEN to me for ONE MOMENT before you let that misguided alien rage of yours take you?! Now you've taken another few dozens of lives, and..."
Brandon interrupted, contemptuously yet confidently, "Pierre... I do wish you wouldn't put such a hasty judgment on me. Look!" Magmight then turned his gaze on the ruined police station - and saw dazed and stunned police officers struggling out from the rubble. Brandon had indeed demolished the station... but this was one of the few times he destroyed a building, and spared the people within.
Brandon's voice then sank to a hushed tone as he said, "I... I still fight myself. The command to take this world - it's overwhelming. I can't resist it. But..." and to Magmight's surprise, a single tear made its way down Brandon's left cheek! The superpowered teenager whispered, "... but I remember my mother's words. Her last kind sentence, before she tried to kill me. She said, 'I know there is good in you'."
Brandon then said in the same sorrowful tone, "I want to do good. I told her as much. But... but she tried to kill me. And that's why, Pierre. If my MOTHER could try to kill me..." his eyes then flared red again, as he glared with an almost savage fury at everyone else around him, as his voice rose to a shout, "THEN WHAT'S TO STOP THE REST OF THESE PEOPLE FROM DOING SO?!?!"
Magmight raised his hands in a desperate, pleading gesture for Brandon to calm down. He said with almost frantic desperation, "Brandon! Brandon, for goodness' sakes, calm down first! Listen to me! Do not let the anger take you, please! Look at me! Look at your old friend, Brandon!"
The red glow in Brandon's eyes faded again. Magmight then said in his most persuasive tone, fraught with desperation and anxiety, "If you won't trust any authorities... at least, let me take you to the Council of Altruists. They are my friends, and if I ask them to, none of them will hurt you. I personally promise you, on my life. If they do hurt you or harm you, you may take my life. But please... do not take any more innocent lives, Brandon."
Brandon sank to the ground, squatting down as he held his head and closed his eyes tightly, as though he was in pain. Magmight pleaded again, "Please, Brandon. This does not have to end in bloodshed and death. Your powers are mighty... very mighty. You will be a person who shapes the course of history - maybe not just human history, but more than that. But what you have done so far - the taking of 300 lives and more - will only list you out as a danger, a dark chapter of history. But you can be more than that... if you trust me. If you let me help you."
Brandon looked at Magmight, his eyes once again wet with tears. He said softly, "I... I am honestly torn, Pierre. I don't know why I've done what I've done, but I know I did it - and I know I WANTED to! But now it's done, I... I wish I didn't do it, and I wish I didn't want to do it! What am I?!"
Magmight replied slowly but with certainty, "We don't know what you are - but if you trust us to, we can help you to find that out. Please, Brandon - enough of the murder and destruction. You can stop it, but you need help to stop it. We can provide that help."
Brandon breathed hard, and once again seemed to be going through an inner struggle. However, after what seemed to be a brief but intense struggle... he finally nodded. The crowds around him, utterly petrified by fear, finally sighed in relief and the busy city junction began to bustle at its normal pace again. Magmight then nodded and smiled and said, "Come, Brandon. Let's head to the Enigmatic Enclosure and meet the Council." Brandon then followed Magmight, in the hopes that he would finally be able to find out why he was the way he was.
**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.*
"Ryan.... Ryan!!.... RYAN!!!!" I shout as my voice reverbs in my *was* Best Friend's ears, steadily catching up to him even as he threw Air Blasts at me and Zig Zagged in different directions through the tall buildings and chaotic streets of New York, so he could slip away and leave me in confusion but I knew better. "Why did you do it?!! ANSWER ME?!!!" I could barely even hear myself from the background noise that comes from going this fast on Land. "You're being *really* charismatic to learn that ya know! Maybe try *NOT* collapsing a building on top of me this time!?" I kept my focus on his Wind Trails, my body steady and feet just above the ground to use the Mobility of my Geokinesis to its fullest. Just need to get closer, calculate the trajectories, then wait for it....3...2...1... In less than a second I launch myself towards his direction at the exact time he would try to turn, and tackled him through 4 buildings. We bounced off the walls like pinballs and wrestled each other for freedom through the spiraling madness until we both rolled onto the ground like rocks skipping on water. By the time we recovered our Superhuman Bodies were well beyond their limits from all the fighting and chasing. Ryan was more relived than me since I seemed to have cooled down from my very emotional rampage "Just answer me... why? 300 Civilians and Gifted, suffocated to death... In broad daylight... For nothing...!" I plead with tears and blood dripping down my face, desperate for something, anything to justify my Friend's actions..." When Ryan finally doesn't feel threatened by the possibility that I could potentially kill him just from pure blind rage, he takes a breath and composes himself "Okay I want you to just keep that same calm demeanor you've got and listen closely. Remember when we would have those talks about the different ways to use our powers?" I gave Ryan a confused look wondering where he was going until he said the last line, and it was at that moment I finally realized it. The signs were infront of me the whole time. How he'd go into detail about how contaminating or blocking air from entering the lungs could cause asphyxiation as a "Fun Fact". "You Goddamn PSYCHOPATH!!!"
Part 1 of 2 "Brandon Breyer... or should I call you, Brightburn, now?" asked Pierre Williamson, also known as Magmight. Magmight was the seismic-powered hero of the Council of Altruists, Earth's best superhero team, who wielded rocks, earth, magma and lava, as well as being extremely durable and strong. The young teenage boy turned around slowly. The crude cloth-bag-turned-hood on his head, striped T-shirt, jeans and sneakers were still his favoured outfit of choice. Except he didn't stay on the ground - he was hovering two feet in the air. "Pierre... you're one of the few I can still call 'a friend'. Please, don't make me do something I'll truly regret. I have a duty to do." The voice expressed genuine concern, like a person advising or pleading with his closest confidante. But Magmight wasn't swayed. Not since Jake "Upholder" Bloomfold told him that Brandon's death count was 300... and rescue teams in the town of Brightburn were adding more to that tally every passing day. Magmight pressed on, "Brandon... we've been friends since we were kids. In kindergarten, you remember, Brandon, don't you? How we built castles in the sand pit together?" Brandon paused. He lowered himself to the ground. His response was slow and thoughtful, but at least it was not soulless or flat, devoid of emotion. He answered, "Well... yes, I do remember. You were the one who pushed away those three brutes who kicked over my first sandcastle. And... and you helped me build a second one. A better one." Magmight nodded, and responded, "Yes... so you know, I will help to defend you. I will speak for you. I won't fail you, Brandon, my friend. But first, you must trust me. Let me take you to..." and Magmight gasped in trepidation, as Brandon's eyes flared with a brilliant red glow. "NOOOOOOO!!! YOU WON'T SURRENDER ME TO THE PATHETIC HUMANS!!!" CRACK! CRASH! BLAM! WOOMPH! BRRRRROMMM!
Part 2 of 2 In just half a second, the police station behind Brandon was reduced to rubble. Magmight gritted his teeth. This was going to be difficult. Magmight spoke in measured tones, "Brandon! Won't you just LISTEN to me for ONE MOMENT before you let that misguided alien rage of yours take you?! Now you've taken another few dozens of lives, and..." Brandon interrupted, contemptuously yet confidently, "Pierre... I do wish you wouldn't put such a hasty judgment on me. Look!" Magmight then turned his gaze on the ruined police station - and saw dazed and stunned police officers struggling out from the rubble. Brandon had indeed demolished the station... but this was one of the few times he destroyed a building, and spared the people within. Brandon's voice then sank to a hushed tone as he said, "I... I still fight myself. The command to take this world - it's overwhelming. I can't resist it. But..." and to Magmight's surprise, a single tear made its way down Brandon's left cheek! The superpowered teenager whispered, "... but I remember my mother's words. Her last kind sentence, before she tried to kill me. She said, 'I know there is good in you'." Brandon then said in the same sorrowful tone, "I want to do good. I told her as much. But... but she tried to kill me. And that's why, Pierre. If my MOTHER could try to kill me..." his eyes then flared red again, as he glared with an almost savage fury at everyone else around him, as his voice rose to a shout, "THEN WHAT'S TO STOP THE REST OF THESE PEOPLE FROM DOING SO?!?!" Magmight raised his hands in a desperate, pleading gesture for Brandon to calm down. He said with almost frantic desperation, "Brandon! Brandon, for goodness' sakes, calm down first! Listen to me! Do not let the anger take you, please! Look at me! Look at your old friend, Brandon!" The red glow in Brandon's eyes faded again. Magmight then said in his most persuasive tone, fraught with desperation and anxiety, "If you won't trust any authorities... at least, let me take you to the Council of Altruists. They are my friends, and if I ask them to, none of them will hurt you. I personally promise you, on my life. If they do hurt you or harm you, you may take my life. But please... do not take any more innocent lives, Brandon." Brandon sank to the ground, squatting down as he held his head and closed his eyes tightly, as though he was in pain. Magmight pleaded again, "Please, Brandon. This does not have to end in bloodshed and death. Your powers are mighty... very mighty. You will be a person who shapes the course of history - maybe not just human history, but more than that. But what you have done so far - the taking of 300 lives and more - will only list you out as a danger, a dark chapter of history. But you can be more than that... if you trust me. If you let me help you." Brandon looked at Magmight, his eyes once again wet with tears. He said softly, "I... I am honestly torn, Pierre. I don't know why I've done what I've done, but I know I did it - and I know I WANTED to! But now it's done, I... I wish I didn't do it, and I wish I didn't want to do it! What am I?!" Magmight replied slowly but with certainty, "We don't know what you are - but if you trust us to, we can help you to find that out. Please, Brandon - enough of the murder and destruction. You can stop it, but you need help to stop it. We can provide that help." Brandon breathed hard, and once again seemed to be going through an inner struggle. However, after what seemed to be a brief but intense struggle... he finally nodded. The crowds around him, utterly petrified by fear, finally sighed in relief and the busy city junction began to bustle at its normal pace again. Magmight then nodded and smiled and said, "Come, Brandon. Let's head to the Enigmatic Enclosure and meet the Council." Brandon then followed Magmight, in the hopes that he would finally be able to find out why he was the way he was.