Chapter 9 Practice and Encounter

Two days had passed since Brandon's talk with his family. During this time, he had been practicing non-stop. His newfound abilities demanded his full attention, and he dedicated every waking moment to mastering them.

These relentless training sessions, though short, led to the destruction of many trees around the farm. His super strength and speed, combined with his lack of control, had turned the nearby forest into a chaotic mess. The sight of broken trunks and uprooted trees was enough for Kyle to suggest a change of venue.

Brandon agreed, realizing that his practice may have gone a bit far. So he decided to take out two birds with one stone. He'd search for a new training area while also practicing his flying skills, which he hadn't gotten the chance to try out yet.

"Haha, yes! Out of everything, I'd say that this is my best power so far!" Flight was just so freeing. The feeling of the wind against his face and the invisible weight that everyone has simply disappeared when he takes off into the sky.

'I guess I can take my time searching and just enjoy the experience' Feeling the excitement course through his veins, Brandon burst even faster through the air.

This was just his second time flying since he got this ability, and so far it felt like the easiest to control. Whether he needed to change directions or to speed up, it felt so smooth. There was only one way to explain his experience. He was made for this!

After this Brandon spent a couple more hours flying until he got his fill of excitement. 

.

.

.

Using his supervision, Brandon searched from the sky. But he didn't have much luck. Even after flying through five states, he was unable to find a single area that would work. The ones he did find always had people.

"Like come on, why are there so many people in the forest?" he muttered to himself. "Hikers, campers, hunters, and even random people living off the grid."

His frustration grew as he soared over yet another forest filled with people. 'Agh and it looks like I've flown near another city' Slowing his speed he began flying in another direction when his hearing picked up on something.

"No please… get off me don't make me!"

"Haha quiet just let it happen"

Those words completely made him halt in place, turning around he knew it was coming from the city and he wasn't an idiot that had no idea what was going on.

Clenching his fists he hesitated. He'd already made up his mind to not be a hero yet not when it was so dangerous for him.

"Ahh please someone"

"Help me"

Those last words through all caution and fear out the window as Brandon flew at level-breaking speed. The sound barrier practically shattered the moment he heard those words and reached the city.

Honing in on the noise once more he found the source and arrived where he found an older man wrestling with a girl that was clearly underage. If Brandon wasn't mad before then he was absolutely livid now. Without even realizing it all his rage began to concentrate in physical form.

SHKZZZZZ!!!

Two red beams blasted out his eyes ripping the man's head off while also tearing into the building behind him.

'Agh! It burns what the hell' Lifting his hands Brandon tried covering his eyes while the heat slowly dissipated. Once his eyes had calmed down Brandon took a knee while breathing slightly heavier than usual.

'That was heat vision wasn't it!' The awakening of a new ability momentarily pulled his attention away from the situation but the feeling of someone hugging him brought him back.

Looking down, Brandon saw a girl who was probably still in middle school with tears slowly falling down her face. He'd never been in a situation like this and struggled mentally with what to do.

'What would Superman do?' He suddenly asked himself and with that question alone he knew what he needed to do.

Already being on one knee he opened his arms and pulled the girl in for a hug while gently stroking her hair. "Don't worry your safe now and he won't ever come near you again"

Those words started even more waterworks but in the midst of that, his super hearing caught her silent words. "Thank you"

Those were just two words and they were simple but… the feelings they carried were unlike anything he'd experienced in both lives. To think one simple act could do this.

After letting her cry a bit longer he slowly began to separate himself. They were still next to a body and he wasn't sure how to feel about that. Then there was also the hole he blew through the building. This should have drawn some attention and it wouldn't be surprising if some supes start showing up.

Wiping the girl's tears Brandon did his best to give his best smile to cheer her up. "You're alright now. Just head that way and you should find some people. Once there explain what happened and have them call the police."

She gave a nod but quickly became distressed when he started standing up to fly away.

"Wait, don't go yet!" The girl called out while grabbing his shirt

'Er, I can't stay long. My powers are still supposed to be a secret'

"I'm sorry I can't stay but I can take you to the people if that helps?" Hopefully, she'd let him go after that so he wouldn't leave while feeling like a jerk.

The girl scrunched her face in response but accepted as Brandon walked her out of the alleyway.

"Before you go, are you a hero?" Brandon wasn't sure if she was just trying to talk to him to get him to stay longer but answering a simple question wouldn't hurt.

"Yeah you can say that" even if it wasn't official

"But I've never seen you on the hero wiki and you're not even wearing a costume. Do you have a name so I can look you up?" The girl asked hesitantly with her phone in hand ready to search immediately.

Seeing the girl's reactions he realized that he most likely made his first fan. Unfortunately for her, she wouldn't be able to find his name since he wasn't there yet but it wouldn't hurt to give her his future one. The only problem was he didn't have one in mind yet. He thought of calling himself Superman but doing that while using a U would be annoying to explain. 'Well I could always use his counterparts name anyways I myself am a counterpart'

"I'm not on there yet but you can call me… Ultra-man" With that said he felt like he'd answered enough questions and began flying away when suddenly something flew at super speed and whacked him back into the street! And surprisingly it actually hurt.

"Ahh crap if it isn't one thing after another. What is it this time?" Looking at his attacker he saw a tall woman that was near his height wearing warrior armor like a Greek goddess.

"War woman"

Brandon's eyes widened at her appearance. He hadn't become a hero yet just so he could avoid these people but it seemed like today was just going to be his unlucky day.

Looking around he found that she seemed to be alone with the rest of the guardians not being around. Thankfully this wasn't the worst possible scenario since it was just her.

War Woman's brows scrunched immediately as if feeling that Brandon was underestimating her. "Were you the one responsible for killing that man and causing damage to the building?"

He only had two options here and that was to confess or run. Obviously, he chose the former since he didn't actually do anything wrong.

"Yes, but I have a good reason. That low life tried to rape a middle schooler and I sort of lost control" Brandon said hoping that his mention of a rape attempt might make her more lenient on him. If she was anything like Wonder Woman then she might even thank him.

War Woman stood in place as if thinking about something before looking at him with her decision made "Very well if this is true then I thank you for your action but first I must take you to confirm these claims"

'Ahh so she won't just let me go, guess I need to go with option two' Without hesitation Brandon burst into the sky and proceeded to fly away from the city.

However, it seemed like he wasn't the only one because War Woman was hot on his tail 'Dammit I forgot she could fly!'

"Get back here! If you truly have nothing to hide then you won't run"

'But that's the thing my whole life is what I'm trying to hide' Concentrating on his power Brandon began increasing his speed and used his previous new flying experience to drastically increase his speed comepletely leaving War Woman behind.

Boom!

Slowing down, War Woman scoffed, unable to accept that a man had lost her. If it had been immortal or Omni man then she'd accept it with some hard feelings but this seemed like some random guy in the street. Which caused her pride to get damaged.

Pulling out her phone she quickly made a call.

"Holly you're not one to call much what happened?"

"Cecil I had an encounter with a meta I don't recognize. I tried to bring him in for questioning but I lost him."

"That's impressive, send a description and I'll have the boys start working on his identity."

Closing her phone she continued staring off into the distance before flying back. The guy had mentioned saving a girl so maybe she had some answers.