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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

“When a Saint Comes Marching In” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #48

We all know, or know about, someone who always comes to the aid of others. Some of us could name several people, even. I could definitely tell the story of either of my parents, but I’m sure you don’t want to hear some sentimental drivel about them. The description would be accurate, but nobody would find their sacrifices and generosity all that interesting, except me. Mostly nobody remembers them now, anyway, which makes me very sad. Still, I get it. My parents were examples of a previous generation, wounded forever, by wars, death,...

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“Hot Air Balloon” by Zara H

Submitted to Contest #48

March 5th, 1780The Hot Air Balloon speaks to me. It sits tucked away beyond the rolling green hills in another realm. The balloon is far away on the land of green, flowers, and houses but I am stuck on the sea of rapid waves, storms, and currents. But none of it shall matter because our hearts are bound together like strawberries and whipped cream.It is not lonely though. It is only I who is lonely. The balloon meets friends every day, from kids to old men.Today, Gilbert told me that we must sail West, he said that we must go to Marydale isl...

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“Shadow And Light” by Zara H

Submitted to Contest #48

CHAPTER- ONERae laid down, his weight resting on his small bruised elbow; he flipped through a colourful comic book. The words were big and highlighted and each blurb was full of action and heroics. It was a superhero comic. Today he was reading Superman. How he wished to be like Superman- brave, courageous, and with a scintillating smile.He had been laying in his rooms for hours now, re-reading the new debut of Superman over and over. Rae's mother had entered his room many times- asking if he wanted to go on a walk to enjoy the glorious Swe...

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“Zip2” by Tvisha Yerra

Submitted to Contest #48

“Go get the newspaper!” I frown, and shake my head. Like I would ever do anything useful willingly.“Do it yourself.” Grunting, I sigh and slump against the wall.My cousin glances at me and tsks. “Well then, don’t just sit there!”“Well, then, what am I supposed to do? Netscape didn’t reply yet.” I wrinkle my nose. I know I don’t have a computer science degree, but would it be so hard for them to at least say that? When you get turned down harshly, it hurts. But when you get turned down silently, it hurts even more. As if they dislike you so m...

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“He Could Make Himself Invisible” by Gip Roberts

Submitted to Contest #48

I don't know why everyone considers the ability to become invisible a superpower. For me, it's always been a curse. I've had this ability ever since the Seventh Grade. All it took was one goof while having to give a speech in front of the class to gain it. I'm nearing fifty and it shows no signs of going anywhere. It will be a haunting fact of existence until I really do become invisible as a ghost, or until I've deteriorated into raw nothingness with but a sentence of cold facts about the date I appeared and the date I vanished. The incons...

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“Mr Block Takes His Chance” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #48

Nobody has ever come out and asked me, sarcastically, if I’m proud of myself. But I know they’re thinking it, and not because I can read minds. I can’t. I believe there are those who can and don’t know if I envy or pity them. But it stands to reason. And the answer is no, I’m not proud of myself. But I prefer to have enough to eat and prefer not to risk being imprisoned or worse. I was about to say that I’m just as much a victim as anyone else, but no, I’m not sorry I took those pil...

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“Nightborn 4” by Harken Void

Submitted to Contest #48

She sat in darkness, listening to the falling of water drops. Their gentle splatters reverberated like crushing thunder in the small room, where no other sound but her own sobs and those goddamn drops came. Tap, tap, tap. Rachel was beyond fear and terror. She was even beyond hysteria. There was just nothing left, all the tears shed from her eyes and all the air screamed from her lungs, making her throat sore. She probably sobbed only out of habit now. There was no other reason, she felt dead inside. Perhaps she was dead. She couldn’t see an...

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“She's Some Sort of Hero” by Reagan B.

Submitted to Contest #48

Everybody leaves eventually, he thought. Everyone but her. She stuck around, but why? Rebecca Benett didn’t stand out, there was nothing special about her. She didn’t possess any supernatural abilities or superpowers, yet she was a hero in her own right. “Hey Jake! How are you?” a twinkly, feminine voice called out above the noise of his thoughts. Her. “Rebecca, hey,” he breathed. “I’m well, how are you?” ...

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“HUMAN WHO BECAME SAINT ALIVE” by OPHOKE LEONARD

Submitted to Contest #48

It was Saturday evening when I called to check after her health conditions then I remembered, I have a task of writing about someone who always comes to the aid of others. So heavy to ask for her consent but finally I started the conversation. Am I worthy to describe who you are? I may not be able although I can insight a few scenarios that best portray the real you otherwise it will take decades narrating your heart and ethics of concern for others. If I forget any dot about you, I sincerely apologise but at this juncture permit me to cry ...

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“SEEING IS BELIEVING” by Uzonna Cyril

Submitted to Contest #48

SEEING IS BELIEVING “Seeing is believing” has been and continues to be one of my leading principles in life and am not ready to have a rethink on that no matter how hard you persuade me. Besides it is not going to be a bad thing at all being another Thomas. Who knows sharing and taking a bit of the two known Thomases? Thomas Aquinas and Thomas the apostle. And you know they were spectacular to the universe and so am I. How can you tell me that the men can fly high above 100 storey building or hold on to a broken bridge across the sea from c...

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“Passed” by James Ashton

Submitted to Contest #48

Theodora’s bare feet sank into the soft, red sand. The warm, dry wind blew through her long, black hair. The sky was a clear blue, but a red and orange light formed a flaming horizon across it. Leaving nothing, but black behind. Theodora knew this sensation, this ability she’s always had since she was a small child. Looking around, she saw the environment that she had been forced to enter. Souls preferred different natural landscapes to make their last pit stop on their eternal journey. Theodora has walked through forests, jungle...

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“A Psychological Effect” by Blane Britt

Submitted to Contest #48

This story I’m about to share with you may sound incredible. Like something straight out of the minds of Madeleine L’Engle, Haruki Murakami, Eileen Myles and Kazuhiro Okamoto. I wouldn’t blame you if you’re starting to get skeptical. I should have kept this epic tale under strict confidentiality. I was real incredulous too when I first heard Rosemary Clooney’s invisible beliefs. She spent months on trying to convince me that she could turn herself into becoming a superhero by becoming transparent like The Invisible Woman (Susan "Sue" Storm ...

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“Preconceived notions” by Rita Janela

Submitted to Contest #48

It was almost six o’clock when, abruptly, the intercom buzzed, snapping me out of my perfect focus. As a result, the flask on my right hand fell on the floor and some droplets of the fluoroantimonic acid began corroding my shoes and all the way to my bone. In spite of my quick healing powers, I cursed as I felt the excruciating pain. “Aleksander, Queen Aaliyah requests your immediate presence in the main hall.” With a puff of annoyance, I stomped down the stairs. “What is it you want mother?” She shot daggers at me, but I was too tired...

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“"CHALLENGES ARE OUR GREATEST TEACHERS"” by Swati Sharma

Submitted to Contest #48

A magic happened, a little girl born on the plannet. She grew under the superb guidance of her elders. They made her strong, independent girl so that she could face any challenge and hardship in life. In return, she didn’t let them down. She didn’t just become strong and independent but also become bold, confident and a fearless girl who can achieve almost anything in her life. In addition to this she is a well mature girl for her age and an amazing friend ,daughter ,granddaughter. She opened her diary, it was her daily routine to note down ...

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“A Kamikazes’s Collection of Macabre Thoughts” by B.T Beauregard

Submitted to Contest #48

Somewhere in Japan the streets are silent. Well, in truth, we aren’t quite in Japan. We’re nowhere. But nowhere is simply a point of view, to the right eyes, we are everywhere. The usually busy shops are empty, looking naked without the constant stream of people. The street vendors left their carts abandoned, steam still rising off the unseen food. A man in aviators clothing is wandering down the street, calling for anyone and spinning aimlessly. He is the hero of our story. Or the villain, depending on your perspec...

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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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