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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#263: Heroes and Villains

If you’re an avid cinemagoer, you’ve probably seen trailers or posters for the recently released superhero comedy film Deadpool & Wolverine. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing two beloved characters set aside their differences to save the world — and potentially start an unlikely friendship along the way.

Inspired by Deadpool & Wolverine, this week's prompts center around protagonists and antagonists. Create a new kind of hero or villain, parody a character who already exists, or go totally off script and interpret the prompts in a creative, unexpected way… the choice is yours!

This week's prompts

Write a story from the antagonist’s point of view.

Character – 84 stories

Start or end your story with a hero losing their powers.

Character – 41 stories

Write about two mortal enemies who must work together.

Character – 29 stories

Center your story around someone facing their biggest fear or enemy.

Character – 71 stories

Write the origin story of a notorious villain.

Character – 89 stories

Stories

“Sacrifice ” by Vid Weeks

Submitted to Contest #263

This is an adult story, with language and content which may offend those easily offended. I can remember the sparkles. Sunshine on water. At the river, that warm day in late spring. I remember the droplets on her skin and I remember her eyes. Her huge childlike eyes, deep brown and clear and innocent. Still unaware of her beauty, a child. Her perfect sun kissed legs. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. I thought, how long do I have, how long will it take her to finish her drink, lips pouting round the rim? I didn’t want it to end. A face like o...

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“Please Welcome My Next Guest, Satan” by Timothy Crehan

Submitted to Contest #263

Megiddo Valley Community College Podcast with Terrence Zanick2024-08-09 [Begin transcript 00:00:06] [Theme music]Zanick: My guest today has been called the Great Dragon, Mr. Scratch, and perhaps most enigmatically, the Morning Star. But do we really know this infernal entity? Fortunately for us, the Dark Lord has just released a new book–Satan on Satan–and the author is in studio with me now. Welcome. Satan: Thanks for having me.Zanick: As a formality, I have to ask if it’s okay with you that I’m recording our conversation.Satan: Y...

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“Killer Cute” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #263

The common criminal, Curtis Felone, entered the public eye during his three trials for one bank robbery. Each of them ended with a hung jury. It was during these trials he became known by his nickname, ‘Babyface Felone.’ Before that he’d been a small-time crook known only to law enforcement. He had no practical skills beyond those which led to his arrest. Three unsuccessful prosecutions for the same charge attracted massive media attention. Felone became the celebrity known as the ‘cute gangster,’ or ‘Babyface.’ Sociologist, Ignacio Ersatz, ...

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“MALACHOR, THE WISHING SORCERER: THE ORIGIN OF A LEGEND” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #263

1. The Birth of Power In the shadowed corners of the ancient world, long before kingdoms rose and fell, there existed a land untouched by time, where magic flowed as freely as rivers. This was the realm of Arcadis, a place where the very fabric of reality could be bent by those with the knowledge and power to do so. Among the most powerful of these sorcerers was Malachor, whose mastery over the arcane arts was unparalleled. 2. Early Life "Malachor," his mother whispered, cradling him close the night he was born, the blood moon casting an ee...

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“The Fall” by PJ Town

Submitted to Contest #263

(domestic violence and swearing)“I’m home!” came the voice from the hall.Oliver dropped his comic, rushed from the living room, sprinted along the hall, and jumped into the arms of his father.“There’s my Ollie,” his father said, giving him a big hug. Ollie hugged him back, breathing in the smell of sweat and coal-dust. This was his favourite moment of the day.“What you been up to, son?”“I won a race at school. Miss Jones said my story was good. Pete Wood had a fight with Benny Henderson, and he won. We had gym – I climbed a rope right to the...

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“A Dragon and a Knight walk into a Tavern ” by Hannah Amies

Submitted to Contest #263

Once upon a time in a far off kingdom where the land was verdant and the air filled with birdsong there lived a brave and gallant knight… Sir George alighted from his noble steed and lifted his visor to squint at the battered sign through the afternoon sunshine. This was the last place he wanted to be. Well, the second to last place. He shuddered as the scent of roses flooded back into his mind, bringing tears to his eyes and a sting to his nose. He pushed the thought away and steadied his nerves ready to enter the gloomy interior of The Smo...

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“The Devil is in the Details” by Megan DeRouin

Submitted to Contest #263

“You have one of those faces you know.” “What?” The young man gasped out, his eyebrows raising behind a mop of dirty blonde hair. His was a handsome kind of face. Easy smile that crinkled those honest blue eyes. He looked young, but they always sent them young. The older ones were too smart, too wary or worldly to come anymore. “The kind of face that…” I paused and ran a finger over his full lips, drawn into a scowl as he tried to shift out of reach only to find the silk at his wrists didn’t go that far. “People trust.” It was a poor descrip...

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“The Copious Cup Coffee Shop” by Suzanne Jennifer

Submitted to Contest #263

Marie had always found comfort in her solitude. As a child, she often opted out of social events, and when it was unavoidable, she retreated to a corner with a book. Able to lose herself in the characters, she could pretend to be as daring as Meg in Little Women, or as courageous as Maya in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. The outside world—loud, chaotic, unpredictable—was, for Marie, a danger zone. Marie’s parents recognized their daughter’s discomfort and supported her the best way they knew how. They protected her and shielded her and mad...

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“Dearg-Due” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #263

The Dearg-Due legend began in a small village in Waterford, Ireland when arranged marriages were commonplace. A red-haired beauty with green eyes resided there with her father. She was in love with a handsome peasant boy from town, and they had made plans to get married. Her father, a greedy man, had other plans. Her beauty could make him a fortune, and he cared not about his daughter’s feelings. Her conniving father knew of a local chieftain well known for his wealth as well as his brutish ways. The...

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“With or Without Reason, Death is Death” by Jesse Michael Berryman

Submitted to Contest #263

Unblinking, Redshift stared out from behind her mask, her breathing much too gentle for how much rage was inside her heart. The voice inside her head of her partner and longest friend, Lightless Smear, replaced most thoughts she might’ve had, keeping her calmer than she had any right being. They were a lethal pair, the two of them, deadlier than some armies, and certainly capable of accomplishing the mission they had set out on today. There was death to be had here in Gruttum, the capital of the Kingdom Shadowwish, and...

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“Hernias and Villians” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #263

Andre stared at the scars on his face in the mirror, each one a testament to his refusal to back down from a fight. Thirty years after high school, and he still took pride in never having run, no matter how outnumbered. Back then, using threats of violence helped him to extract homework, money, and food from his classmates. Admittedly, being part werewolf made it easier.Being a bully in school was perfect training for his current role as gang leader. From his 10th floor nightclub, Andre the Cruel ruled over the border town of Golgak. The vod...

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“Bookphobia!” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #263

Terrified, Amber clung to the sides of her chair. This setting was all her worst childhood nightmares, coming to haunt her. There she sat, at the side of her one and only heir to the moths in her purse. Kristen was eagerly researching books she had accessed. Yes. Amber had been forced to take Kristen to their local library. Amber felt as if she was going to faint, perspiration was rolling down her face and back. She felt more than distinctly uncomfortable. She was usually a capable chick, a solo nester, having divorced Brandon Revolting.This...

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“Tick, Tick, Boom” by Lyra Antoine

Submitted to Contest #263

TRIGGER WARNING: This story mentions physical violence, mild substance abuse, and profanity. Watching the time pass by keeps me sane. It helps me cope. It keeps the days, and thankfully the nights silent. I remember when my mother used to use her time to see other men, who only saw her as a sex object. Tip toeing past my door, in an attempt to sneak into her room as if they were stealing food from the fridge late at night. Noises of pleasure beating the wall until it bleeds white powder from its foundation. Waking the world, my world, fr...

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“Angel” by James Scott

Submitted to Contest #263

Boring. So very boring…Angel soared over the cityscape looking straight down at the swarming sea of coloured specks that thought themselves important. His vast, feathered wingspan held firm upon the changing winds and created a stark white beacon against the uninterrupted blue sky, signaling his presence to the insignificant ants going about their lives below. Who knew that being the most powerful being on Earth would be so…dull.He drifted above the buildings, monitoring the streets. Every now and then he might tuck in his wings to dive betw...

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“The sun can rain too” by Raelyn White

Submitted to Contest #263

‘Wait, you’re telling me this beautiful love story is the origin story of a notorious villain?’ Maria, the golden beauty I had met just an hour ago asked from my bed.I tucked a strand behind her ear, smiling down at her. ‘Oh yes, my love. The origin of an obsessive, sadistic murderer indeed.’ I tilted my head at her familiar beauty. ‘You’ll see. Once I tell you the end of it.’September, 14th..…He swallowed nervously when her soft lips touched the wine glass. Heat rushed through his veins down to his groin. Nicklaus should’ve ignored how she ...

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$250

Prize money

314

Contest entries

109

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 16, 2024 EST

Won by Eliza Entwistle 🏆

Title: Petrified

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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