"My Power": first draft

The fact is, the majority of my friends grew up in the early nineteen eighties, and were raised with such epic figures as those in Star Wars, He-Man, Thundercats, Voltron, Marvel and DC comics etc. At times when I sit and chat amongst these close friends, the question of who your favorite super hero is or what your favorite superpower is, will usually arise. We would challenge one another using our pre-existing knowledge established from these alternative universes. So you can imagine how much more interesting our creative fantasies were. Now, twenty years later, with all the innovations and creativity in science fiction novels and movies, the question has a tendency to become more interesting and elaborate as we have grown older.
For those who have been exiled from earth and sought refuge on the planet Mars for the past 100 years, Websters Dictionary defines a superhero as “a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also: an exceptionally skillful or successful person.” For example, the entire Marvel Comics roster is abundantly filled with characters that possess abilities unparalleled in the real world. Their powers range from boundless strength to unequivocal telepathy. On the other hand, Bruce Wayne who is a protagonist in the DC Comics universe, while not endowed with any superhuman attributes, is still considered to be a superhero because he is known for his genius level intellect and resourcefulness.




These characters are known for their honorable ethics and chivalrous values. As the bible teaches us in Luke 12:48, to whom much is given, much is expected or as Ben Parker (Spider-man’s Uncle) would put it more plainly, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This something I am a firm believer in; unlike my friends who would use their powers to look through women’s clothing with X-ray Vision, or stalk a hot celebrity with invisibility. My power would demand the utmost discipline. And that power would be Psychokinesis -the ability to move objects whether animate or inanimate with the mind.
Some would recognize this feat as one exploited by a Jedi Knight in Star Wars, or by one of the valued members of the X-men, Jean Grey. Although her telekinesis is coupled with mental telepathy, I would not be so fortunate as to have that combination. My ability, on the other hand, would be advanced to an exponential degree. This may sound like cheating, but with my power I will be able to control and manipulate all physical matter within the universe on a sub-atomic level. To put things into perspective, I could tear an opposing nemesis in half, cell by cell, with a flick of my finger, rendering him a bloody eyesore for all those who wish to spectate. On a greater scale, I could rip the mighty Mount Everest from its foundation in Nepal and rest it in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. My powers would not limit me to this world alone. If I wished, I could shift the entire planet earth off its axis and make Antarctica become the new China or even realign the constellations in the Milky Way.




Although all these skills would make me seem omnipotent, they would not be beneficial to my ultimate cause. I would use these powers for the good of humanity. For instance, if a child was afflicted with a deadly sickness, I would focus my ability and home in on the virus’s molecular structure and literally pull it free from his body. I could avert global warming by grasping a portion of the excess carbon within the atmosphere and effortlessly thrust it into the vastness of space. I would be able to do everything from saving people from a burning building, to diverting an oncoming meteor impact saving earth from impending doom.
These powers would make me a virtual god amongst man. However, I am still vulnerable due to the fact that I do not have precognition. Thus, if I were asleep or not being attentive, I would be susceptible to attack. The reason why I have addressed this weakness in a hypothetical situation is because my theory of the best superpower has already been tested by those who are familiar with and think on the same science fictional plane; “those” being the eighties babies that are my friends constantly debating with me about my power being too strong or unconventional. They quarrel about ways they can destroy me as I rest from the labors as superhero. They have neglected though, the one luxury that may come with being a person with extraordinary gifts: that sometimes in the comic book realm, a superhero has a sidekick. But that is another argument for another time.

"My Power": Revised

Star Wars, Thundercats, G.I.Joe, Voltron, Marvel comics, DC comics, and many more of these fictional heroes and stories were widely present growing up as an eighties baby. Fortunately for me, I have many friends within my demographic who share common ground in this field of science fiction. We would reminisce about the time when Optimus Prime died and got replace by that stupid ass hot-rod orange thing, or the time when we all caught chills when Dolph Lundgren finally turned into He-Man at the end of Masters of the Universe (screw all who think that movie sucked). As we converse, the question of whom your favorite super hero is or what your favorite superpower is, would usually come up. We would challenge one another using our pre-existing knowledge established from these alternative universes. So you can imagine how much more interesting our creative fantasies were.
For those who have been exiled from earth and sought refuge on the planet Mars for the past 100 years, Websters Dictionary defines a superhero as “a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also: an exceptionally skillful or successful person.” For example, the entire Marvel Comics roster is abundantly filled with characters that possess abilities unparalleled in the real world. Their powers range from boundless strength to supernatural magic and sorcery. On the other hand, Bruce Wayne who is a protagonist in the DC Comics universe, while not endowed with any superhuman attributes, is still considered to be a superhero because he is known for his genius level intellect and resourcefulness.




These individuals are acknowledged for their honorable ethics and chivalrous values. As the bible teaches us in Luke 12:48, to whom much is given, much is expected or as Ben Parker (Spider-man’s Uncle) would put it more plainly, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This something I am a firm believer in; unlike a small fraction of my friends who would use their powers to look through women’s clothing with X-ray Vision, or stalk a hot chick with invisibility. My power however, would require the highest discipline; a power that would make me unstoppable in the physical realm, a virtual god amongst man: Psychokinesis - the ability to move objects whether animate or inanimate with the mind.
Some would recognize this feat as one exhibited by a Jedi Knight in Star Wars by way of the Force. The Force is an enigmatic and omnipotent energy that flows through all living things. A Jedi can manipulate the Force so that he can move anything within sight. A Jedi can also use the Force to persuade and influence people to do anything they see fit. I, unfortunately, would not be so fortunate as to have that combination of mind power and persuasion. My ability, on the other hand, would advance the telekinesis portion to an exponential degree. I will be able to control and manipulate all physical matter within the universe on a sub-atomic level.
To elaborate, I could rip an opposing adversary in half, cell by cell, with a snap of my finger, rendering him a bloody mess for all those who wish to spectate. On an even greater scale, I could split the mighty Mount Everest from its foundation in Nepal and rest it in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. My powers would not limit me to this world alone. If I wished, I could shift the entire planet earth off its axis and make Antarctica become the new China or even realign the constellations in the Milky Way.
But to what benefit would these actions serve aside from showing off my limitless power? I would only use these powers for good intentions. For instance, if a child was afflicted with a deadly sickness, I would focus my ability and home in on the virus’s molecular structure and literally pull it free from his body. I could avert global warming by grasping a portion of the excess carbon within the atmosphere and effortlessly thrust it into the vastness of space. I would be able to do everything from saving people from a burning building, to diverting an oncoming meteor impact saving earth from impending doom.
However, I am still vulnerable due to the fact that I do not have precognition. Thus, if I were asleep or not being attentive, I would be susceptible to attack. The reason why I have addressed this weakness in a hypothetical situation is because my theory of the best superpower has already been tested by those who are familiar with and think on the same science fictional plane; “those” being the eighties babies that are my friends constantly debating with me about my power being too strong or unconventional. They have neglected though, the one luxury that may come with being a person with extraordinary gifts: that sometimes in the comic book realm, a superhero has a sidekick.