Ryker controlled his breathing and was about to spring up from his hiding spot. He didn't want to fight this team, so he was going to run. Before he could step off, the car he was crouched behind flipped up into the air. Ryker jumped forward and turned.

The car was in the air, flipping to the side, front over the back. Ryker expected to see Face 2.0 standing on the other side of where the car had been, but what he saw was a monster.

It was tall, with bulging, veiny muscles rippling all over its hairy body. The creature's hair was long and shiny as if it was covered in motor oil. Its skin was green, and, on its face, it appeared to be stretched too tightly over its skull. Eyes a deep red like coals at night glowed in its two recesses. A long, forked tongue covered in black spots slithered uncontrollably all around its sharp yellow teeth.

Even as far away as Ryker was, he could smell its fetid breath reeking like rotten eggs. The monster took a large step toward Ryker. It fell heavily with a loud thump. Its stench increased, and Ryker felt his stomach turn.

The nightmare looming over him lifted its foot to slam it down on Ryker, who struggled to break free of the fear. At the last moment, Ryker managed to roll out of the way, his uncovered skin scraping on the ground.

The creature continued to slam its foot down as Ryker rolled. Each impact with the ground sent a tremor through him as it narrowly missed. Ryker felt the world beginning to spin on its own from all the rolling.

Ryker knew that he had to do something, or he was going to die.

He took a deep breath, kicked, flipped up, then uppercut the beast in its deformed jaw.

"It's clobberin' time!" Ryker yelled.

"How are you doing this to me?" he thought as the words were ripped out of his mouth.

The monster's head rocked back from Ryker's hit and stumbled back a short step. It didn't seem injured, but the attack had definitely surprised it. Ryker didn't hesitate from fear again. He jumped forward and punched it in the gut. Then he punched it again, and again, and again.

The monster's large fist smashed into Ryker's side, and he was sent tumbling and twisting across the gravel yard.

Ryker realized that he was outclassed by this monster form of Face 2.0. It was in his best interest to flee.

"Screw that! I have a superpower, too! I can do this," he pumped himself up in his head.

Although his previous success was due to his superpower helping him.

He wasn't paying attention, though, and another of the monster's fists slammed into him.

Ryker flew back ten feet into another car, denting the door. Ryker spit out blood once he slumped down to the ground. The monster was already heading toward him, so he didn't have time to recover. Ryker tried to get up, but pain rippled through his body, and he was forced to his hands and knees.

Ryker didn't have the time, but he needed some anyway. He slowly crawled around to the passenger side of the car. He was nestled between the wall of a building and the car and away from prying eyes. That was when Ryker grabbed his ribs in pain. The move to the other side probably only bought him an extra second, but he had to take what he could.

Face 2.0 took his time walking to his target. He had the measure of the boy now and wasn't worried. The first punch the boy delivered had actually hurt, but his other ones didn't do anything. Whatever his power was, Face 2.0 didn't think he had full control over it. The fight would be over with his next punch. He didn't really like fighting, but he hated Rowdy Rex's superior attitude. He hoped this would knock him down a peg or two.

Face 2.0 looked to the group to smirk at Rowdy Rex. Instead, he saw The Steel Woman and remembered that he wasn't supposed to kill the kid. It was a hassle, but he would at least mess with his mind if he couldn't kill him. He saw how terrified he had been when seeing his monster form; he would change it up to a form people usually found even more terrifying.

He morphed as he walked, but he first made sure to stomp down a couple of times extra hard to make his target even more fearful. He would laugh, but he couldn't in his current form. After making extra noise, he continued his transformation into a small child. He made his eyes glow blue and changed his hair and skin to a ghostly white. His clothes became ragged, like a beggar, with a few holes and stains. At the last moment, just as he positioned himself at the corner of the vehicle, he decided to give himself vampire teeth. Children vampires always terrify people.

When Face 2.0 started to change, Ryker crouched. When he knew that the sadistic super was at the corner, he sprinted around. The super was right where he thought, now disguised as a boy that started to smile and speak.

"Hi -"

Ryker didn't let him say anything. He just punted him in the head with all the strength he could muster. His foot connected with the face of the faux child, and it seemed to form around the tip of his shoe. Ryker made sure to hop a little at the end of his kick to add some extra distance. Face 2.0 flew through the air like a loose windmill blade.

Ryker watched as the super flew, hoping that he had killed him. He knew he failed when the man started to change in the air. His arms and legs began to elongate to absurd proportions. His feet touched down on the ground, followed shortly by his hands. Both appendages stopped his flight, and his body slowly lowered to the floor. While contracting his body, he also changed it to its original shape.

Face 2.0 was positioned behind his team, so Ryker wasn't able to see him, but he could sense that he was sour and angry at the shape of events.

"I wasn't expecting him to know where I was or that I had changed." Face 2.0 said nonchalantly. "He definitely has a perception-based power. Still, he would be easy enough to beat if we didn't want him alive."

Ryker decided to poke the bear. "Are you done playing?" he yelled.

Rowdy Rex began to guffaw loudly. "I told you he was pretty good," he said face-to-face to Face 2.0.

"Did you just stutter?" Ryker inwardly questioned his superpower.

It's funny written down. You should run now!

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"No, I can beat them."

You can't right now.

"You're my superpower, and you'll work for me! Now let's go!"

….😡

Ryker stalked defiantly forward toward the group of supers who highly outclassed him in more than one aspect. He gritted his teeth at the comment but didn't listen. He would make his power work for him. He had a long couple of days, and he had had enough. He would teach people to mess with him. Afterward, people would know his name, and he could walk with his head high.

Ryker sprinted forward before anyone else could react. He aimed for Rowdy Rex since, based on the superhuman's thought, he should be able to take him out in one shot. The super was still laughing loudly at Face 2.0, so he didn't have time to react. Ryker jumped up into a flying kick.

"Screw this," said Water Lad.

He swiftly morphed into water while intercepting Ryker mid-jump. He didn't care if he was wanted alive. He liked being quick and efficient; they had already spent too much time there.

Water Lad slammed into Ryker's head, causing him to halt his attack. He covered Ryker's head with the entirety of his watery form in the shape of a giant sphere. Ryker struggled to pry him off, but his hands went right through like he was trying to pick up a puddle.

In his water form, Water Lad began to force his way into Ryker's mouth with an invisible tentacle. He ripped apart Ryker's lips and started to flow through his teeth. Ryker tried to scream, but no sound came out. He clutched at his throat to keep the super out, but Water Lad was too powerful. After forcing his way into Ryker's mouth, he continued down his throat and into his stomach.

Ryker felt Water Lad writhing around inside of him. It felt cold, and all he could picture was a giant, slimy worm. Ryker's insides felt like they were being torn apart. He tried to scream again in agony, but nothing came out. Water Lad was in his lungs and his stomach; there was only a light gurgle of water.

"Get out of there, Water Lad," ordered The Steel Woman.

Ryker's stomach bulged and distended as Water Lad increased his size. The superhero was like a living parasite, feeding off of his flesh and blood. Ryker's stomach continued to swell, and he felt like he was going to burst. He tried to vomit, but nothing came up. Water Lad held him in his grip and wouldn't let go.

Ryker's pain was unbearable. He felt like he was going to die. He closed his eyes as the pain roiled through his body, desperately trying to think of a way to get the water-based super out of him, a way to stop the excruciating agony.

Even if he died, he was willing; he just wished that it would come quickly. Ryker wasn't so lucky with his wish. Water Lad continued to expand inside of him as Ryker's pain reached new, unfathomable heights.

Finally, Ryker couldn't take it anymore. He tried screaming one last time, but his body utterly betrayed him.

With a final bulge of his already distended stomach, Water Lad burst from Ryker's abdomen. Blood and chunks of viscera mixed in as the stream of water flowed from the open cavity. Ryker had been standing the whole time as he thrashed in agonizing pain. When Water Lad exited, his shredded body slumped to the ground in a practically boneless heap.

Still in liquid form, Water Lad spun his body to eject all the foreign contaminants. He made sure to aim it all back at the lifeless kid. He didn't want to get The Steel Woman angrier than she already was.

----------------------------------------

Ryker floated in a blank void. He didn't know what was happening, but at least his pain had gone away. There was nothing but the darkness, and it felt like he had stayed there for ages. At first, he didn't realize what was going on. He couldn't even remember who he was. Yet, for some reason, he felt as if knowing was important.

His name was Ryker, and he heard a voice. A voice that was saying everything that was happening. Even now.

"Why is that important?"

Then the knowledge started to flow into him. His world, his life, his last few days. It came in a rush of information, but the feelings hit him the hardest. Mostly, the pain.

"Why didn't you save me?" Ryker tried to speak aloud but couldn't move his mouth. Then he tried to grab his head, but he had no arms. He found he didn't have anything.

"I think, and therefore, I am."

You're lucky you even have a consciousness right now. It's just another gift I'm giving to you.

"It's more like a curse. How could you make me go through that?"

I made you go through that? I told you to run. I told you not to fight. You made yourself go through that.

"You brought them there. You created everything. How can you say it wasn't you."

I'm channeling your actions, and you wanted to do everything that you've done…Except for the clobberin' time thing, but that saved your life. Everything that has happened, you've made it through with me. Yes, you're part of a story, but you have an awesome power. Something you always wanted, by the way. Plus, what would your life be like without this? There are only two options. One, you live your life as a normal human and struggle every day. Two, you never even existed because I didn't write or dream up this story. But you have the gall to complain!

"With your power, you could have done anything. Had me do anything. But instead, you had me die painfully. You betrayed me!"

I betrayed you? You tried to circumvent my power. Look what I found in my world! It was in a forum on the website where I post my story!

Hello everyone,

I'm in a predicament, and I could really use some help. You see, I just recently received my superpower, and it's telling me that I am in a novel it is writing.

At first, I was really excited to have a superpower. I mean, I've been waiting to receive one my whole life. But now, I'm not sure I like it or what it might be doing to me. I thought it was a prophetic ability, but it had other applications. I took some time to try and figure it out, but it told me – it can communicate – that it is a person in another dimension and writing a story.

I tried to understand, but it was difficult. My superpower informed me that it posts the story to a writing website. It didn't mention which one, though. I didn't even know these types of sites existed.

I figured that if anyone knew what to do in this situation, it would be people who had written or at least thought about it. I seem to be at the mercy of my superpower, and I need to regain some control in my life.

Since I got this superpower, everything has been happening too fast, and I'm not even sure I want this anymore!

That's why I'm turning to you all for help. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to turn this around or alter this story for my benefit? Has anyone ever heard of a similar situation?

I would really appreciate any advice or guidance that you can offer. I'm starting to feel trapped with no will of my own, and that's not a very comforting thought.

Thank you in advance for your help. I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

Ryker Stone

That's right, Ryker, you were the one who couldn't accept the power that I bestowed on you. You are the one who is the betrayer.

"I was scared and didn't know what to do. Are you saying I should have just trusted a strange voice in my head without checking to see if it was real?"

Did I not show you the extent of my abilities? Yet, you still doubted me.

"What does it matter now? Your power means nothing since I'm dead."

That's right. You are dead.

"I thought I was the main character. What's going to happen to your precious story?"

You're easily replaceable in the Infinite Dream Monkey Theorem, but maybe this book has run its course. It's probably too much power for one person to wield anyway. Although there was a lot more to accomplish. I had much more outlined. Your rise in power, the inevitable war, the love you always longed for. I could link it to other stories and deepen the world.

All that could have been, but you had to prove that you were stronger than you were. You had to fight without your head. As smart as I tried to make you, you were still just a foolish child. I think it will be better to end it here.

Goodbye, Ryker. Enjoy oblivion.

"Wait! You said that you knew about my parents. You said you would tell me."

I do know about your parents, but I don't think that you deserve to know now. Wherever you go after this, I hope you take the knowledge you could have known but never will with you.

Hasta la vista, baby.

"Screw you and your crappy references! I don't know how, when, or why, but I will get back at you. In an infinite number of worlds! With an infinite amount of lives, coupled with dreams upon dreams, I will get you. I'm getting you now. Not only that, but I hope your book fails and everyone hates it!"

Hey, now! That's uncalled for. After all, you are just a fictional character. There is no way you could do anything to me.