The Nevada Suburbs...

It seemed like all I could do these days was run. Running for the missed bus, running for class, and running from Luke Bransworth and his cronies. This brings me to my current problem.

"Get him!" I felt a hand on my bag and it pulled me back. "We got you now." They threw me to the ground and formed a circle around me. "We're gonna bring you to a world of pain," sneered Luke.

I covered my face with my arms as they kicked and stomped on my face and chest. I felt one of them lift me up and hold my hands behind my back. "Come on man..." I groaned.

Luke ignored me and punched me in the stomach. "Aw, fuck you." He punched me in the jaw and kicked me in the groin. "Go kill yourself." He gestured to my bag and one of his friends picked up my bag while two more grabbed me by the armpits. "Take him to the river." 

"Not again Luke. Come on..." The duo gave no sign they heard me and dragged me into the woods and towards the river. "C-can't we talk about this guys?" I pleaded. 

"Ha. You can talk. And we can dump you in the river like we're supposed to." The two of them laughed and continued on their way. We soon reached the river and they dumped me on the ground. "Alright Bryan, you know the drill. Strip!" one commanded. 

I groaned and could do nothing but obey. I took off my shirt, pants, shoes, and socks, leaving me in my boxer shorts.

"Now go stand by the river bank and turn around." I did as I was told and trudged over to the edge of the river. No sooner had I turned my back, one of them drop-kicked me into the river.

"Oh crap! Oh crap, that's cold!" I yelled, flailing my arms. The two laughed and ran off with my clothes, leaving me soaking wet and naked in the woods. I crawled to shore and collapsed on my face. "Why does this keep happening to me?" I moaned. 

Suddenly, I heard something crashing through the woods, knocking over trees and growling. "H-hello? Is someone there?" I called. "Can you help me?" I soon regretted calling out as an enormous menacing purple alien emerged from the trees. "Mother of God!" I yelled. I scrambled to my feet and began to run. "No, no, no. I don't wanna die!" 

I looked back and saw the alien taking enormous steps towards me, easily keeping up with my run. "Noooo!!!" I screamed as the alien grabbed my shoulder and tossed me into the air. I screamed as the alien leaped up and caught me in mid-air. "A-are you flying?!" I screamed.

The alien looked down at me and it's red eyes glowed for a moment. "Yes, I am flying, Bryan Wilkins of Earth."

My eyes widened. "How the hell do you know my name?! And how are you talking to me without moving your mouth?!"

The alien soared higher and higher, flying into the clouds. "I am speaking to you telepathically. I sensed that you were distraught and have opted to help you," he replied. 

I looked down and saw we were getting closer and closer to the ground. "Uh, not to freak you out or anything...but the ground IS GETTING CLOSER!"

The alien looked down on the ground and landed soundlessly in an abandoned parking lot. "There. We are on the ground now. Are you still distraught?" he asked. 

I tried to wiggle free of his grip. "I will be if you don't let go!" His hand opened and I dropped to the ground. "Ow. Thanks but ow." The alien waved a hand in front of me and my clothes reappeared on my body. "How did you-?" 

"I looked into your mind and saw these were the garments you previously donned." 

I nodded my head. "Oh, well...thank I guess," I murmured. "Wait! What else did you look at inside my mind?!" 

The alien opened and closed its massive hands. "I saw everything. From the moment you were born to the present," it replied. "I saw all your desires, fears and hate." 

I clenched my fist. "Not cool man! There was some really personal stuff there!" The alien continued staring at me with its unwavering gaze.

"And?"

"And?! People on Earth don't do that! We don't just probe into people's brains!" 

The alien nodded in understanding. "I don't suppose you want some compensation?"

I was dumbfounded. "Compensation?! Hell yeah, I want compensation!" The alien outstretched its hand and its chest opened to reveal a golden crystal embedded inside. "Oh, what the fuck man! That's just disgusting! This isn't compensation! This is torture!" My chest suddenly began to glow and get warm. "What the..." It soon began to burn and the pain became unbearable. "S-stop! You're KILLING ME!" I collapsed on the ground and screamed.

"Hush child. It will soon be over!" the alien commanded. It was right. The pain disappeared as fast as it appeared. 

"W-what did you do to me?" I groaned, gripping my chest. 

"I have fulfilled your greatest wish," the alien said, dusting itself off. 

"Yeah, what's that? Be buff?"

The alien crossed its arms. "Human, your arrogance is beginning to be quite infuriating."

I put a hand up. "Alright, I'm sorry. I'm still kinda...rattled. So what is my 'greatest wish' ?" 

"To be a Meta-Human." My jaw dropped. 

"You gave me superpowers?! D-do I have super speed?! No, wait! Super strength!" 

The alien narrowed its eyes and I shut my mouth. "Correct, but incorrect. Indeed I have bestowed superhuman abilities upon you, but they are not what you think." 

"W-what do you mean?" I tentatively asked. 

"You have the ability to copy and document different abilities through touch, but you may only hold five at a time." 

I looked at my hands. "Whoa," I breathed. "So...all I gotta do is touch them?" 

The alien nodded its head. "I have also telepathically linked us so you can consult me at any time."

"Awesome! Thanks!"

"I have gifted you the power of flight. It will not take up a slot," the alien continued. "But I have one request from you." 

"Yeah, what is it?" I asked, jumping. "Is jumping how I activate them?"

"Please don't use your powers for evil. Never abuse them and help those who cannot help themselves."

I stopped jumping and nodded my head slowly. "That's a tall order, but I'll definitely try!" I promised. The alien turned to leave but I stopped him. "Do you have like a name or something?" I asked.

The alien regarded me with its red eyes. "Indeed I do. You may call me Fohst." He then leaped and disappeared into the clouds, disturbing not even a single leaf. 

"Wow," I breathed, barely containing my excitement. 

"I'm a SUPERHERO!"