H
Heroic Monkey
Guest
Hey everyone,
I wanted to share some of my superhero fiction short stories with you guys. Any criticisms/comments are always appreciated.
If you enjoy writing original stories with a super-powered twist, please take a second to check out my website @ www.heroicmonkey.com. I've been holding monthly short story contests with prizes, but the participation has been slim to none, so I've moved shifted the contests to a bi-monthly schedule. If you could help spread the word, I'd really appreciate it. It's free to enter and I'm open to growing the prize pool dependent upon increased participation.
Okay, enough with the sales pitch...here's my short story titled Cataclysm. Thanks for the read.
Take care!
- Gordie
The inevitable tragedy rockets towards Earth as Clarence Shoemaker watches the continuing news coverage of the stalking space rock. His adorable seven year old son organizes scores of miniature army men on the living room carpet, preparing to wage an all out war of plastic mayhem.
Clarence can relate to war. Year after year, hes fought an endless battle against his arch-nemesis, the Captain, a well-known American hero. Aptly named for his ability to soar through the brilliant blue skies of yesterday, the Captain continuously thwarted the thievery and mischief of Clarences alter-ego, Nova. None of that matters now. The world is coming to an end.
"Pow! Pow!" the young boy exclaims, strategically advancing the small green soldiers around the left flank of the tan infantry.
To think that his son will not experience the joys of life beyond seven years nearly brings Clarence to tears. His lovely wife enters the spacious family area, carrying two mugs of steaming hot chocolate. Her smile brings welcomed warmth into the room. Until the damning news broke, she had relentlessly argued against Clarences profitable career as a notorious villain. But she never left him, not even a threat.
"Here you go, honey," his wife says.
Clarence sips the refreshingly warm chocolaty liquid. Hes going to miss the simple things. Hot chocolate, holiday movie marathons, early morning jogs, Monday Night Football. Most of all, hes going to miss his family.
Clarence doesnt believe in an after-life, but if one does exist, hes fairly certain his one-way ticket will lead to a much darker destination than that of his beloved family.
A precious little girl blows out the six candles scattered across the melting vanilla ice cream cake. Malcolm Levy, a.k.a. the Captain, grins at the sight of his elated niece. He looks up, studying the pale blue sky. Hours, maybe minutes before it arrives. Only God knows for certain. Or maybe God has overlooked the impending disaster.
In the enormity of the universe, the probability of missing a threat to a single planet must be extremely high, if not an absolute certainty. Its a lot to ask of God, to watch every millimeter and microsecond of space and time, like a universal security guard.
Malcolm meanders away from the group and approaches the sliding glass door, leading to the kitchen of his brothers abode. He barely recognizes the reflection staring back at him, judging him. Pushing the door open, his imminent fate begins to play tug-a-war with his psyche. Malcolms brother enters the kitchen, following closely behind him.
"Ive got to do something! I cant just sit around and wait for it!" Malcolm screams at his brother as his bottomless brown eyes shift nervously.
"I know Im your older brother, Malcolm. I know Im supposed to have all of the answers. But I dont have an answer for this. Its coming. And no one can stop it. Not even you."
"Ive got to try," Malcolm reiterates, "I need his number."
"Who?"
"Dont play dumb with me, man."
"Do you honestly think hes going to be taking phone calls right now?"
"Its what he does."
Malcolms brother retrieves a brown napkin and pen from the kitchen countertop. He quickly scribbles the phone number onto the crinkled canvas and hands it to Malcolm.
"Im going back outside. Come say goodbye to the kids before you do whatever it is youre going to do."
Malcolm waits, taking a minute to admire the blissful unawareness of the young children playing in the backyard through the transparent door. He dials the number and wonders if the upcoming hours, his last on Earth, would be better spent with his family. Keep dreaming, he thinks to himself. Youve got an obligation to uphold. Youre a hero.
The telephone ring tone conjures vivid childhood memories of the Roadrunner and Wiley Coyote. Clarence doesnt recall the cadence ever sounding so familiar.
Sitting on the floor with his son, he admires the splendor of his child. Hes the most amazingly beautiful thing in the universe, Clarence thinks to himself.
"Hey buddy, watch out for that sniper over there," Clarence playfully warns his boy, indicating a tan army man entrenched in the wiry carpet.
"Whats a sniper, Dad?"
"Well, he stays quiet and shoots enemies from far away without ever getting caught. People never see him coming. Hes sneaky."
"Is the asteroid a sniper?"
"Well, sort of."
"Dad I dont want to die."
"I know, kiddo. I know," Clarence answers while his heart breaks into a million pieces.
His wife wanders into the living room carrying the cordless phone. She hands him the receiver, wearing a concerned expression. Tears stream from her dazzling green eyes. Like narrow rivers flowing rapidly down her cheeks. Malcolm takes the phone and reaches up, wiping away the tears. She holds his hand against her cheek and cherishes the loving warmth of his touch, pressing her soft lips against his palm.
"Hello."
"Hello, Clarence."
"You? What could you possibly want at a time like this?"
"The Captain requests a meeting with you."
"The Captain? Is this a joke?"
"You know me, Clarence. I do not kid around. I simply relay information from one party to another."
"What does he want?"
"I have no clue."
Clarence pauses a few seconds. An hour, two tops. The asteroids not going to wait on you, Clarence, he reminds himself. Where do you want to be when the world ends?
"Okay. 30 minutes. Tell him to meet me where it all started. If hes even a second late, Im gone."
"I will let him know."
"What do you want?"
"Are you going to miss it, Nova?"
"Miss what?"
"Life. Robbing banks. Stealing from the poor."
"I dont have time for this. If you brought me out here to patronize me at a time like this"
"What do you have to lose?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Listen"
"No, you listen. Im not going to stand by idly and watch the world end. Im a hero. Its not in my blood. Im here to ask for your help. I need to know youve got something to lose, the same as me. I need to know youre not going to screw up, that something in your life means enough to be eternally focused, even for just a few minutes."
"Okay, hero. Youre not wasting anymore of my time. Im leaving," Clarence says, turning to walk away.
"I have my older brother! My nieces and nephews! What do you have to lose?!" Malcolm screams.
Clarence turns back towards Malcolm, "My son. My wife. Theyre the only things that matter to me right now. And Im not going to spend anymore ti "
"Are you willing to sacrifice your life to protect them?"
"Of course."
"I have a plan. No guarantees. And it requires spending your last moments away from your family. Are you prepared to do that?"
Clarence considers the question. What if the world doesnt have to end, he thinks to himself. What if youre able to give your son a second chance at life? But what if the plan fails? Then you die alongside your mortal while your family perishes, heartbroken and afraid because theyre leaving this world without you.
"What do you have in mind?"
"First, call your family. Here, use my cell phone. And keep it brief. We dont have much time, Nova."
"Hi Dad. Where are you?"
"Im with a friend."
"Are you coming back soon? Moms crying please come home, Dad."
"Im sorry kiddo. But Ive got something really important to do. Whatever happens, I need you to listen to your mother and behave. Be a good kid, got it?"
"Okay. Mom says she wants to talk to you. I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too, kiddo."
"Clarence, are you on your way back? Its almost here," his wife says, her voice trembling.
"The Captain has a plan."
"A plan?"
"Ive got to try."
"I I know."
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"For what?"
"Everything. Thank you for everything."
"I love you, Clarence."
"I love you."
Clarence abruptly terminates the call and turns to face his nemesis. The two men stare each other down like so many times before. Its only a matter of minutes before the great annihilator purges the atmosphere.
"Alright, lets get this show on the road, hero."
"Remember that unexplained military accident in New Mexico last spring?"
"That was you?"
"I was just idling. Not even in first gear."
"Okay. This may work."
Malcolm strips off his black leather jacket and bends at the waist, motioning for Clarence to do the unthinkable.
"Hop on, Nova."
"No thanks. Im not riding piggyback into hell."
"Would you prefer I cradle you in my arms?"
Clarence sighs, "Fine."
Rising through the wondrous blue sky, Clarence and Malcolm prepare to meet the asteroid head on as it penetrates the atmosphere. Clarence feels incredibly awkward mounted on Malcolms back. The increasing velocity and altitude weighs on Clarences mind like a thousand pound dumbbell.
"Okay, Ill fly us into the heart of this sucker and you go into self-destruct mode."
"What?"
"Cmon, Nova. Focus. Remember who youre doing this for."
Clarence glances back over his shoulder at the shrinking blue planet below and thinks about his family. He already misses them. The stress intensifies, pounding his skull like Muhammad Ali.
"Are you ready, Nova?"
"Yeah. Give me a countdown."
"Three two one."
No long goodbyes. No sentimental farewells. The asteroid breaches the atmosphere as a streak of light drills into the rock. The ball of fire, composed of hero and villain, expands to its maximum intensity. A blinding radiance scorches the sky.
Droves of people around the world take cover in safe rooms, closets, and churches, expecting the worst. Others anticipate the disaster from their porches, front lawns, and driveways. Theyve been told its going to strike the heart of the U.S., likely incinerating millions of people in the blink of an eye. The survivors will be nothing more than the walking dead.
To the surprise of countless observers, a glimmering shower of space dust rains down upon the Earth. No asteroid. No cataclysm.
The two men despised each other throughout their lives. They hated each other with every fabric of their existence. And yet, in their final moments, they managed to save the world together.
I wanted to share some of my superhero fiction short stories with you guys. Any criticisms/comments are always appreciated.
If you enjoy writing original stories with a super-powered twist, please take a second to check out my website @ www.heroicmonkey.com. I've been holding monthly short story contests with prizes, but the participation has been slim to none, so I've moved shifted the contests to a bi-monthly schedule. If you could help spread the word, I'd really appreciate it. It's free to enter and I'm open to growing the prize pool dependent upon increased participation.
Okay, enough with the sales pitch...here's my short story titled Cataclysm. Thanks for the read.
Take care!
- Gordie
============
Cataclysm
The inevitable tragedy rockets towards Earth as Clarence Shoemaker watches the continuing news coverage of the stalking space rock. His adorable seven year old son organizes scores of miniature army men on the living room carpet, preparing to wage an all out war of plastic mayhem.
Clarence can relate to war. Year after year, hes fought an endless battle against his arch-nemesis, the Captain, a well-known American hero. Aptly named for his ability to soar through the brilliant blue skies of yesterday, the Captain continuously thwarted the thievery and mischief of Clarences alter-ego, Nova. None of that matters now. The world is coming to an end.
"Pow! Pow!" the young boy exclaims, strategically advancing the small green soldiers around the left flank of the tan infantry.
To think that his son will not experience the joys of life beyond seven years nearly brings Clarence to tears. His lovely wife enters the spacious family area, carrying two mugs of steaming hot chocolate. Her smile brings welcomed warmth into the room. Until the damning news broke, she had relentlessly argued against Clarences profitable career as a notorious villain. But she never left him, not even a threat.
"Here you go, honey," his wife says.
Clarence sips the refreshingly warm chocolaty liquid. Hes going to miss the simple things. Hot chocolate, holiday movie marathons, early morning jogs, Monday Night Football. Most of all, hes going to miss his family.
Clarence doesnt believe in an after-life, but if one does exist, hes fairly certain his one-way ticket will lead to a much darker destination than that of his beloved family.
§§§
"Happy Birthday!" a sparse cohort of party-goers shouts from around the picnic table.A precious little girl blows out the six candles scattered across the melting vanilla ice cream cake. Malcolm Levy, a.k.a. the Captain, grins at the sight of his elated niece. He looks up, studying the pale blue sky. Hours, maybe minutes before it arrives. Only God knows for certain. Or maybe God has overlooked the impending disaster.
In the enormity of the universe, the probability of missing a threat to a single planet must be extremely high, if not an absolute certainty. Its a lot to ask of God, to watch every millimeter and microsecond of space and time, like a universal security guard.
Malcolm meanders away from the group and approaches the sliding glass door, leading to the kitchen of his brothers abode. He barely recognizes the reflection staring back at him, judging him. Pushing the door open, his imminent fate begins to play tug-a-war with his psyche. Malcolms brother enters the kitchen, following closely behind him.
"Ive got to do something! I cant just sit around and wait for it!" Malcolm screams at his brother as his bottomless brown eyes shift nervously.
"I know Im your older brother, Malcolm. I know Im supposed to have all of the answers. But I dont have an answer for this. Its coming. And no one can stop it. Not even you."
"Ive got to try," Malcolm reiterates, "I need his number."
"Who?"
"Dont play dumb with me, man."
"Do you honestly think hes going to be taking phone calls right now?"
"Its what he does."
Malcolms brother retrieves a brown napkin and pen from the kitchen countertop. He quickly scribbles the phone number onto the crinkled canvas and hands it to Malcolm.
"Im going back outside. Come say goodbye to the kids before you do whatever it is youre going to do."
Malcolm waits, taking a minute to admire the blissful unawareness of the young children playing in the backyard through the transparent door. He dials the number and wonders if the upcoming hours, his last on Earth, would be better spent with his family. Keep dreaming, he thinks to himself. Youve got an obligation to uphold. Youre a hero.
§§§
BEEP-BEEP! BEEP-BEEP! The telephone ring tone conjures vivid childhood memories of the Roadrunner and Wiley Coyote. Clarence doesnt recall the cadence ever sounding so familiar.
Sitting on the floor with his son, he admires the splendor of his child. Hes the most amazingly beautiful thing in the universe, Clarence thinks to himself.
"Hey buddy, watch out for that sniper over there," Clarence playfully warns his boy, indicating a tan army man entrenched in the wiry carpet.
"Whats a sniper, Dad?"
"Well, he stays quiet and shoots enemies from far away without ever getting caught. People never see him coming. Hes sneaky."
"Is the asteroid a sniper?"
"Well, sort of."
"Dad I dont want to die."
"I know, kiddo. I know," Clarence answers while his heart breaks into a million pieces.
His wife wanders into the living room carrying the cordless phone. She hands him the receiver, wearing a concerned expression. Tears stream from her dazzling green eyes. Like narrow rivers flowing rapidly down her cheeks. Malcolm takes the phone and reaches up, wiping away the tears. She holds his hand against her cheek and cherishes the loving warmth of his touch, pressing her soft lips against his palm.
"Hello."
"Hello, Clarence."
"You? What could you possibly want at a time like this?"
"The Captain requests a meeting with you."
"The Captain? Is this a joke?"
"You know me, Clarence. I do not kid around. I simply relay information from one party to another."
"What does he want?"
"I have no clue."
Clarence pauses a few seconds. An hour, two tops. The asteroids not going to wait on you, Clarence, he reminds himself. Where do you want to be when the world ends?
"Okay. 30 minutes. Tell him to meet me where it all started. If hes even a second late, Im gone."
"I will let him know."
§§§
Clarence approaches Malcolm at the spot of their first encounter. A heavy portion of his soul tells him that he should not have come, that he should be with his family."What do you want?"
"Are you going to miss it, Nova?"
"Miss what?"
"Life. Robbing banks. Stealing from the poor."
"I dont have time for this. If you brought me out here to patronize me at a time like this"
"What do you have to lose?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Listen"
"No, you listen. Im not going to stand by idly and watch the world end. Im a hero. Its not in my blood. Im here to ask for your help. I need to know youve got something to lose, the same as me. I need to know youre not going to screw up, that something in your life means enough to be eternally focused, even for just a few minutes."
"Okay, hero. Youre not wasting anymore of my time. Im leaving," Clarence says, turning to walk away.
"I have my older brother! My nieces and nephews! What do you have to lose?!" Malcolm screams.
Clarence turns back towards Malcolm, "My son. My wife. Theyre the only things that matter to me right now. And Im not going to spend anymore ti "
"Are you willing to sacrifice your life to protect them?"
"Of course."
"I have a plan. No guarantees. And it requires spending your last moments away from your family. Are you prepared to do that?"
Clarence considers the question. What if the world doesnt have to end, he thinks to himself. What if youre able to give your son a second chance at life? But what if the plan fails? Then you die alongside your mortal while your family perishes, heartbroken and afraid because theyre leaving this world without you.
"What do you have in mind?"
"First, call your family. Here, use my cell phone. And keep it brief. We dont have much time, Nova."
§§§
"Hey buddy.""Hi Dad. Where are you?"
"Im with a friend."
"Are you coming back soon? Moms crying please come home, Dad."
"Im sorry kiddo. But Ive got something really important to do. Whatever happens, I need you to listen to your mother and behave. Be a good kid, got it?"
"Okay. Mom says she wants to talk to you. I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too, kiddo."
"Clarence, are you on your way back? Its almost here," his wife says, her voice trembling.
"The Captain has a plan."
"A plan?"
"Ive got to try."
"I I know."
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"For what?"
"Everything. Thank you for everything."
"I love you, Clarence."
"I love you."
Clarence abruptly terminates the call and turns to face his nemesis. The two men stare each other down like so many times before. Its only a matter of minutes before the great annihilator purges the atmosphere.
"Alright, lets get this show on the road, hero."
§§§
"How hot can you get, Nova?""Remember that unexplained military accident in New Mexico last spring?"
"That was you?"
"I was just idling. Not even in first gear."
"Okay. This may work."
Malcolm strips off his black leather jacket and bends at the waist, motioning for Clarence to do the unthinkable.
"Hop on, Nova."
"No thanks. Im not riding piggyback into hell."
"Would you prefer I cradle you in my arms?"
Clarence sighs, "Fine."
Rising through the wondrous blue sky, Clarence and Malcolm prepare to meet the asteroid head on as it penetrates the atmosphere. Clarence feels incredibly awkward mounted on Malcolms back. The increasing velocity and altitude weighs on Clarences mind like a thousand pound dumbbell.
"Okay, Ill fly us into the heart of this sucker and you go into self-destruct mode."
"What?"
"Cmon, Nova. Focus. Remember who youre doing this for."
Clarence glances back over his shoulder at the shrinking blue planet below and thinks about his family. He already misses them. The stress intensifies, pounding his skull like Muhammad Ali.
"Are you ready, Nova?"
"Yeah. Give me a countdown."
"Three two one."
No long goodbyes. No sentimental farewells. The asteroid breaches the atmosphere as a streak of light drills into the rock. The ball of fire, composed of hero and villain, expands to its maximum intensity. A blinding radiance scorches the sky.
Droves of people around the world take cover in safe rooms, closets, and churches, expecting the worst. Others anticipate the disaster from their porches, front lawns, and driveways. Theyve been told its going to strike the heart of the U.S., likely incinerating millions of people in the blink of an eye. The survivors will be nothing more than the walking dead.
To the surprise of countless observers, a glimmering shower of space dust rains down upon the Earth. No asteroid. No cataclysm.
The two men despised each other throughout their lives. They hated each other with every fabric of their existence. And yet, in their final moments, they managed to save the world together.
