"Superman."

The giant robot on the tv said as tears began stream down my face. My old man paused the movie, looked at me, smiled and said. "Good movie eh? So whatcha think?"

He always said 'It was ok to cry. No matter what. Even in front of other people. Fuck them, and don't ever let anyone tell you how you should feel. That's what being humans all about!' Even gave me ice cream for repeating his words, more or less, to a classmate at school in fifth grade. So I ran with his advice as I tried to form sentences through sobbing.

Tears fell, mucus ran, my breathe quivered as I tried to speak. "B-b-but *snort* *sniffle* *snort* wh-why-why *snort* *sniffle* di-di-did he have t-t-t-to diee?"

My father frowned grabbed my shoulders and stared me in the eye. "Now if you want to cry, cry. But I ain't going to talk to ya like this. Take a moment," I took a deep breathe and vibrated from the act. "Breathe. Catch your breathe, there ya go. Alright, ready?"

I rubbed my nose with the back of my hand and nodded.

"Why did he have to die?" This was the first time I saw a hero die and it ran against everything I knew about the world. Rubbing my eyes to clear the blurriness, while I waited for their response, caused my father to frown.

"Well, that's just how real life is. Give me a sec." He said as he stood and went to the kitchen. I frowned in thought contemplating what he said. Returning with some napkins and hand sanitizer. "It hasn't happened in since you were born. But the real super heroes out there die. And even then it might not save the day. "

I took some napkins as he sat down and blew my nose. "Then why would anyone want to be a super hero?"

He sighed and leaned back into the couch. "They want to be super heroes because they want power. And there's nothing really wrong with that. But that doesn't mean they're no good supers out there who will make that choice. It's just not as common as you see in the cartoon shows. Most people just want to live a peaceful life."

I reached for the hand sanitizer next. "I want powers," I said as I pumped twice and rubbed my hands. "I want to be a policeman or firefighter. But if I had powers like Big Mom! I could help even more people."

He chuckled at my words.

Pouting I poked my dad in the ribs. "What? Don't believe me?"

He twitched, covered his ribs and glared at me. "Words are words son. And you know I believe you can do anything you set your mind to. But it's not going to be easy. With anything in life you're going to have to fight."

I puffed my chest and looked my father in the eye. "I will fight? No matter what."

He placed his hands on his lap and stared at me unblinking. "Is that so?"

Knowing he does that when he'ss about to start a poke war I began to get a feeling for my balance. Preparing to dodge or run away if need be.

"Yea dad. I won't be scared." I said as I put my index and middle finger together so I can at least get a few pokes in before I had to make a tactical retreat. 

He tilted his head "I see." Then faster than I have ever seen him move. He leapt at me with arms out stretched. One hand covered my mouth while the other landed on my chest with just the right amount of power to force my back onto the couch seats. 

I was confused and a bit scared as he never did this before. I tried to see the look on his face but the only light in the room from the t.v. did nothing. All I saw was a shadow covered face as I struggled to break free in vain. His hand pressed a bit harder on my mouth making it a bit harder to breathe.

His other hand began to creep down. I froze in confusion and my heart began to race. His hands stopped and the shadow face spoke "Scared right?"

I nodded my head up and down or at least tried while he still had his hands clamped against my mouth.

"If you want to be a cop, firefighter, or a super hero like Big Mom. You have to overcome it. Do you understand?"

A muffled "I do." is all I got out before he continued.

"And if anyone asks to touch your pee pee, see you naked, or ask for you to watch them naked. You let me, mom, grandpa, or grandma know. And if they have you like I have you right now. You fight back. No matter what your body is saying. Scream as you fight it will help." He said as he began to shove my head into the couch seat over and over, his hand still clamped over my mouth. His other hand giving me hard pokes over my ribs and inner thighs.

"Scream and fight back!" He growled.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I screamed into the palm and opened my mouth as wide as I can so I could bite into his hands and began punching into him. Squirming and twisting my body so I can wrest free.

"That's it, Mikhail. Go down swinging." The shadows on his face began to extend onto the light on his body. Now, most of the room was dark except for the dwindling light from the t.v.

It was getting hard to breathe, I felt tired, my arms were weak but I kept swinging. I felt something warm on the back of my head. And the room became all fuzzy and disorienting.

Pain began to flare all over my body as I continued to punch weakly.

"Fight back," my old man sad. "Fight back or die, son."

I saw him raise a fist and slam it against my chest.

I woke in pain, my eyes fluttering trying to clear the wetness, taking short breathes. I was back in my full teenage body covered in bruises, curled up on a alley floor and currently getting the shit kicked out of it. My father nowhere to be seen. No more memories of my child hood.

Hard reality again.

Fist and feat continued to beat my body, the thugs laughing as they did so. My vision began to clear. Fight back. I need to fight back.

I grabbed hold of an ankle, felt the bone give, and heard a sickening crunch. Immediately followed with a scream from the person I grabbed.

The attacks stopped as my assailants took a couple steps back from me. I looked in confusion at the dangling foot I now held.

"Shit he's a super!" One of the thugs said.

"Maybe Davie has weak bones?" Another voice sounded.

I let go of the ankle and the thug crumpled to the ground beside me. Outright sobbing in pain as he began to crawl away from me. Standing up I eyed the companions of the man with the broken ankle.

"Citizen arrest." I said as I began to catch my breathe.

Without a word they turned tail and ran out of the alley. The alley floor cracked as I immediately began pursuit. Going faster than I anticipated clipped the corner of the building. Pain bloomed in my shoulder as I broke through brick edge. Strangely enough I felt a bit invigorated after.

I increased my pace kicking up pieces of stone from the sidewalk. Passerby's skitted out of the way as I caught up to the two runners. I leapt arms outstretched and reached for one leg each.

I found purchase but once more the sound of breaking bone came out. I really do have powers!. . . Shit, gotta be careful.

The two men screamed and people began to gather around me. Almost all taking out there phones taking pictures, and making calls.

"This super is trying to kill us! Help! Help!" The runner on the left yelled.

"What? No i'm not! You were trying to rob an old lady than started beating on me." I yelled back and my voice boomed. Causing the nearby windows to shatter. People screamed, dropped their phones, and covered their ears.

I frantically looked around. Wait no i'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

The passersbys looked at me in fear. I let go of the two men and held up my hands. I wanted to explain I meant no harm to them. Nor wanted to kill these two idiots. But I was afraid of unleashing my new found powers unwittingly.

I did what I wanted to do anyways. The three thugs weren't going anywhere with broken bones. So I waited for supers or law enforcement to come.

I heard the sound of a jet approaching and to my surprise and shock Big Mom was hovering over me. Along with her sidekick Awesome Girl.

They both had matching suits. Purple and gold with BM on the chest for Big Mom and AG for Awesome Girl.

Big Mom glared at me while Awesome Girl looked around. She was getting on in her years. Her jet black hair had streaks of gray. Wait focus.

"A-girl check to see if anyone else is hurt." Big Mom said.

"Yes mam." A-girl replied and flew off.

I waved.

Big Mom focused back on me. "What happened?" She gestured towards the broken glass and two thugs who have passed out most likely due to the adrenaline going away.

I kept my mouth shut, gestured for a pencil and something to write on. As Big Mom took out a pencil and notepad and dropped it on me. I began to write.

However a random citizen, a middle-aged man, offered their explanation.

"The two man with the broken legs said this boy is a super and was trying to kill them." The not-know-it-all reported.

I glared at him, while I continued to write, but looked away fearing laser beams might shoot out and kill the bastard.

I vibrated happily. I got powers! I mean not the best start to my super hero career but I got em!

"Hey!," Big Mom voice snapped at me. "I don't what you're smiling about but you better have a good reason why you used your powers on regular folk."

I nodded as I finished my statement.

'These two thugs and another were robbing a old man. I tried to stop them. Didn't go well. Started beating me. I triggered and placed them in citizen arrest. Not talking because I have a super voice? Also super strength.

Big fan btw,

Mikhail'

I looked up gave her the best smile I could muster despite my appearance and held up the note pad.

At this moment A-girl showed up with the third thug and placed him next to his two buddies.

"No other injured. So what's the story here Big Mom? We placing him under arrest?" She grinned as she eyed me.

Big Mom held up a finger as she read my writing. She sighed and shook her head.

"Good Samaritan trying to help. Got triggered and made this mess. Super Strength and voice projection. You're still in a lot of trouble by the way young man. Take the three civilians and drop them off to Joga Hospital. Meet me at HQ after." Big Mom said as she folded the paper and put it somewhere in her suit? Couldn't exactly tell.

A-girl snickered and covered her smile with her hand. She gathered the three men and flew away leaving me with my newfound shame.

She really is like a mom. I kept head down not wanting to meet her gaze.

"This is Big Mom to HQ. At Green Leaf street. We have a super claiming to be new. Be ready for testing and processing. Three civilians injured. Notify emergency personnel that A-girl will leave them at Joga Hospital. Over."

I saw purple boots land before me and looked up. Big Mom was giving her  "Alright Mikhail stand up, turn around, and hold out your arms like you're making a t-pose." 

I did so, felt her arms hook under mind and begin to float off the ground. A big smile formed on my face.

Maybe I should try flying next.

Brighton City whirled below me as we made our way to what could only be the Bureau of Enhanced Individuals. Or the BEI for short.

I vibrated with joy. 

"Look I get you're excited but I wouldn't be vibrating when in another supers arm while flying. Especially since you're powers are unknown. Stay calm and still. Until you know how your powers work." Big Mom chastised.

I held a thumbs up only to get a sigh in response.