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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#48: Superpower

The faces of superheroes have long emblazoned everything from our t-shirts to our lunch-boxes. For over a decade, the Marvel movies have dominated box offices, and for almost a century, superhero comics have remained prized possessions.

A Smithsonian article describes the broad appeal of superheroes: "At their best, superhero origin stories inspire us and provide models of coping with adversity, finding meaning in loss and trauma, discovering our strengths and using them for good purpose. (Wearing a cape or tights is optional.)"

This week's prompts are for anyone who's ever wondered, "If you could have one superpower, which one would it be?" And as always, our prompts are open to interpretation! Whether your entry includes familiar superhero tropes, or ends up being a piece of literary fiction about someone who just so happens to move faster than the speed of light is up to you.

This week's prompts

Write about someone who has a superpower.

Middle School – 333 stories

Write about someone who always comes to the aid of others.

Teens – 108 stories

Write the 'origin story' of a person who goes on to achieve great things.

Fiction – 128 stories

Write about a person who collects superhero comics.

Middle School – 89 stories

Write a story that features a protagonist with an archnemesis.

Character – 112 stories

Stories

“Half the Truth - Part II” by A. Y. R

Submitted to Contest #48

When the shine of the last star fades away, the universe would succumb to eternal darkness, and all of galactic civilisation would be erased from history. Zeltrex, the unkillable soldier, the destroyer of galaxies, would be all that was left at the end. The fate of the universe rested in the hands of the lone time traveller, the last human alive in the future, and the great wizard of the past. *** The words of my Lieutenant echoed in my mind. “Gentlemen, take a look around you. Not everyone you see in this room will be around at th...

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“Impossible Hide and Seek” by Niveeidha Palani

Submitted to Contest #48

They were in Zack's neighbourhood, taking a stroll. Not many people were about. A beefy man with muscular arms had passed them thrice, a thin, lanky woman had been around with a poodle once and two teenage boys had goofed around before heading home. Scott, August and Zack were walking slowly, chatting and goofing about. Subject changed from being how horrible canteen food was to hide and seek. "Who's better at hiding?" Scott suddenly asked. "Probably, you. You've got good hiding places." August pointed at Scott. "I bet I could hid...

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“Power of Prayer” by Emily Nghiem

Submitted to Contest #48

“Olivia!” I scolded my Godmother. “Next time, call me like anyone else. Please!”Strangling her was not an option. Unless I wanted her to flip the SUV and kill both of us.“There was no place to park -” She protested. “I just prayed to God to tell you I arrived. And He did!” “By setting off every car alarm in the parking lot?" As we turned the corner, I sank in my seat, utterly embarrassed. I glanced back to see the entire law office arguing outside, fumbling with car keys to silence the annoying sirens. Triggered by an act of God.“It’s c...

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“Where's Morrie?” by E. Jude

Submitted to Contest #48

Sterile, fluorescent light. I blink. I feel white-washed. It pounds down on me. Sluggishly, pulling me under. And nobody notices, because... who would? I'm in my own world. "Hey! Kiddo!" Someone's speaking, I whip around trying to detect the voice. "You gon' wait around all day? Or are you gon' get yo ass home to yo mom whose standin', in yo home with a plate o' milk and cookies?" I'm a bit woozy. My lips feel cemented to each other and my mouth tastes like gunk. It takes me a moment to remember where I am. "Kid?" I'm in the newsag...

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“.000000000128” by Sarah Kaderbek

Submitted to Contest #48

7.8 billion people in the world, and you’re the one reading this. 7.8 billion variables and I’m supposed to address you. What on earth can I say, to someone I’ve never met, someone I shouldn’t know? Well, .000000000128, I know you better than you think. I know that there’s something you hate about yourself, probably about your body. I don’t know what, but something’s wrong with it. It’s too short, too tall, too fat, too thin, wrong hair, wrong shape, wrong color, wrong nose, large mouth, small eyes, pimply, freckly… ...

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“There's Another Year Coming” by Nandan Prasad

Submitted to Contest #48

When I was a prince, I had everything in life. I had over fifteen horses to myself, all different colors from all parts of the world. I had Chinese horses, New Zealandian horses, Nigerian horses, Russian horses… you name it, I had it. I also had six hundred acres of my own land, and I could do anything I wanted with it. I built a palace, of course. But the land wasn’t enough, so I had to buy another three hundred acres. The palace was a lovely one. The building itself was huge, standing at a glorious height of sixty feet, and sprawled over f...

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“Read Through Me” by Solstice Moon

Submitted to Contest #48

Grim mahogany walls, glimmered indoors with a mild scent, zen-like silence infrequently interrupted by human murmurs. Perfect home for me. Well, my foster home. The little local library of our community. St Brooke's library.Situated right across the lake, this is the most picturesque location I have ever been in. We SciFi folks live on the shelf on the third row/fourth column, exactly opposite the only window of the library. On my right are the funny guys, the likes of 'The last girlfriend on Earth' et al. On my left are the deep and wi...

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“Something to Look Forward to” by Lynn Penny

Submitted to Contest #48

NightCrawlers: Victims of a Parasite that turned into Nocturnal Cannibalistic Hunters whose only instincts are to kill and eat. It hurt to see Datura in such a sad state. Yes, Onyx had only known the older woman for a couple of weeks now, but she could tell that her current persona was far different from the regular Datura. Onyx had always imagined her being a bubbly soul, offering shining smiles and giving out friendly hugs to any kid who came asking. Maybe it was just a foolish dream. Hoping that Datura lived a life where happiness dom...

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“A STUPID RECRUITMENT” by Johan Stones

Submitted to Contest #48

The night was so dark and who would have thought it was a full moon? I mean, the NASA would probably have, but I would have not. I looked at the green necklace Ms. Griffin gave me. The green stone at the heart of the necklace was a bit shining somehow it was like connecting with the moon. I leaned my back on the wall in the alley. It was 11.50PM but the quietness changed the atmosphere like it was 03.00AM. I usually work at this time but I took my day off for something Ms. Griffin—the teacher of the Mutant School I study at—asked me for.&nbs...

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“Ninjago Fanfiction___ Part-1” by Cam Croz

Submitted to Contest #48

CHAPTER 1: A Green Dispute.Today, Lloyd was not green.Not today.He hadn't been for a while now, not since she took over.Nobody needed him anymore.She was the green ninja now.This “friend” of his. This friend he didn't even know.“So? Why can't I know who you are!?”He had asked her to show him her true identity some weeks ago. But, like every other time he had asked, she had once again rejected him.“No. You know I can't do that.”“Actually, I don't.” Lloyd had said, raising his voice. “I should have the right to know who you are. We’re par...

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“Family First, Comics Second” by Avery G.

Submitted to Contest #48

“Ding-dong!” The doorbell rings as I walk into my favorite store. It’s musty smell reaches towards me and the walls filled with comic books and posters welcome me.“Why, if it isn’t my favorite customer, Sammie! Looking for a new comic book?” The shop's owner, Mr. Jones, says to me in his gruff voice while organizing some books on the shelf.“Good afternoon, Mr. Jones!” I say, walking toward him,“ Yes! I was wondering if you had any new comic books. I reread all of mine that I have at home, and I’m looking for more!”“ A new book just cam...

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“Henry Albert the Mighty” by Maggie Deese

Submitted to Contest #48

Hero is a strange word with various definitions. To most people, and in most comics, they are portrayed as strong, tall men with flowing capes and suffocating tights. They have bulging muscles and slicked back hair in order to swoon their damsel in distress. To most little boys across the world, this is what they strive to be, no matter how unrealistic it may be. This story begins with one little boy in particular who strove to make something of himself. But in his case, all he wanted was to be a few inches taller than his fellow classmate...

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“Driving For Answers” by 𝔸. Triangle

Submitted to Contest #48

Blue sky meets a thousand miles of a winding road. Each curve and bend obscured by nothing but the field of limited peripheral vision and possibly the occasional tree. I used to try and count the small white and yellow lines that dotted these roads and extended to a point far beyond the horizon and even farther than that. But never got farther than lower levels of infinities that extended far beyond my mental grasp.I sat there, wispy blond hair flowing back beyond curious green eyes and an eye-grabbing smile. Staring down at grey and black a...

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“Final Project” by Lisa E. Hamilton (Ms.Cheevious)

Submitted to Contest #48

I had just concluded my final therapy session for the day when they found me. I stood up from my arm chair and outstretched my hand to a much more composed Brenda Farley, knowing it was the last time I’d see her, professionally at least.I was happy to help. In just 1 hour, 37 minutes she’d let go of 51 years of anxiety, depression, physical and sexual insecurities, self-hate and paranoia, all stemming from childhood trauma and subsequent failed marriages.Mrs. Farley stood and took my hand in both of hers, wrinkled and veiny. “I don’t know ho...

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“An Inevitable Forfeit” by Arya Preston

Submitted to Contest #48

Accidents are my largest source of income. In this town, people always come to me after an ill-fated incident, donning a look of utter misery and grief as they pleaded for their loved ones' lives. Some were twisted backwards in places, some staggered in their steps, almost all were invariably accompanied by trembling men - ones you'd never witness in such a vulnerable state. Ever.Praise is a compelling motivator, although, not as adequate as money - yet they both bestowed their own fruits of glory and fulfilment. I crave that gratitude....

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$50

Prize money

770

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 03, 2020 EST

Won by Jeff C. Carter 🏆

Title: Primum Nil Nocere

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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