[ WP ] A supervillain , having thought he was the hero all along , comes to grips with the truth .

“ Idiot! ” 
 
 “ Trash! ” 
 
 The fist that pounded into my stomach hit with the force of a train. Not surprising when the hitter is a superhumanoid with yet uncapped strength. Voices shrieked and giggled around me -- so many -- and I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, willing myself not to see. Willing it all to go away, to be a bad dream. Willing my powers to work with every ounce of my being. Why wouldn ’ t they work just this one time? Just once. I was not surprised when another fist found its way to my side, though. 
 
 “ HEY. Loser. Look at me! I didn ’ t say you could look away! ” Fists yanked on my shirt and my eyes jerked open to meet those of my bully. The smile he gave me twisted cruelly and smugly. 
 
 “ What kind of name is Celestar? What kind of parent names their kid that? They must hate you. ” Another giggle and my eyes dart away from my captor to the little girl next to him. Hair in pigtails, blonde and shining, and framing blue eyes that sparkled with malicious intent. I struggled anew at that look, pressing myself further back into the corner of the playground I ’ d tried to hide in, but there was nowhere to go. I watched as she drew her leg back as if in slow-motion and I moved to protect myself, but I found my limbs frozen. It was another unfair advantage. More torture, to watch in horror as her leg swung forward and the moment stretched into an eternity. Bright pink tights and a glossy MaryJane arched towards me and crushed between my legs. 
 
 I sobbed, unable to hold in the painful noise. Tears streamed from my face and and time seemed to jump-stutter back to a start as the volume from the group of children increased and they revelled victoriously, shrill and high and painful. Bile rose in my throat, and warmness seeped into my pants. 
 
 It wasn ’ t the first time I ’ d experienced her powers in action, and it likely wouldn ’ t be the last. 
 
 “ UGH. ” The boy gripping my shirt dropped the fabric as if it scalded and stepped back. I clutched myself, trying to hide my wet pants as everyone stared. “ Celes-tar the unpopu-lar wet his pants! Disgusting! What a sleaze. I can ’ t believe I touched you, pants-pisser.'' 
 
 “ Pants-pisser! Pant-pisser! ” The children around him took up the chant with gusto and I slid down the wall, staring at them. 
 
 They were all special. Each had their own power. I ’ d thought I was special like them -- once. 
 
 It was quite a long time before I registered they were gone; bored with me and gone home for the day. I pulled myself to my feet, my shoulders heavy and my eyes darting nervously for any sign that they might come back. The playground was deserted, superchildren and superadults alike gone for the day. None of the teachers had helped me. 
 
 My powers needed a kickstart, they said. 
 
 Nothing else worked, they said. 
 
 Desperate times, they ’ d said. 
 
 Children will be children. 
 
 I clenched my hands into fists. Heat spread through me, overtaking the fear and the pain and the panic. Instead, the warmth of hatred slunk into my veins, hot and slow and thick. My nails dug into my palms until I was sure they were about to draw blood and then -- 
 
 Nothing. 
 
 I looked down at my hand and it was gone, but I could still feel it. My hand was all around me, and then suddenly it was back again, a normal hand. I flexed it, the rage and hate still filling me, brimming to the tips of my hair and spilling over the edge and out all around me. My hand dissipated again, spinning off into a million bits as it had done so few times before. 
 
 That was when I understood: This was my source. This was my center. 
 I did not want to be a superhero. They are cruel. They are mean. Under their glossy coating, fake smiles, and shallow good deeds they are the true monsters. Their disguise is despicable, and I will never wear it. 
 
 My face feels funny and I lift my re-materialized hand to feel my lips curving. I am smiling. 
 
 I am happy. 
 
 I am Celestar, body of a million galaxies, and they will never hurt me again.
