I posted this story here before but I never included a full intro and I don't know how to make this go to the beginning so I had to delete it all (RIP reviews on the original chapters).

I am also going through and rewriting Acceptable Losses and adding new and old one-shots to Fireflies Flash if you want to check them out.

Superheroing for Dimwits

In this complete How-To Guide, you will learn the basics of superheroing, costume designing, training with your specific power, living with other super-powered teens and getting the girl - all while keeping up with your grades!

From critically acclaimed author, Wallace Rudolph West

Introduction

The world is filled with danger, peril, and bad intentions. With monsters like the Joker or Darkseid around, it requires a new group to step up to protect those who can't protect themselves. It takes superheroes. People - and aliens (see: Superman and Martian Manhunter to name a few) - who are willing to put their life on the line day in and day out to save, not only their loved ones, but the rest of the world!

Being a superhero has its perks but it is not for the faint of heart. A very select few are able to call themselves "superheroes" - and for good reason. The Life, as we like to call it, isn't for shits and giggles. It takes excessive hours of working out, extensive training regimens, late night patrols and the sacrifice of one's social life.

There are many requirements for being a superhero, all of which will be covered in the duration of this book. Some prominent requirements are:

Physical Health

This goes without saying, but you must be in peak condition in order to keep up with the "baddies". Being a hero is a strenuous job filled with high speed chases, long hours of recon and stealth, and plenty hand-to-hand combat. You may just find yourself jumping from roof to roof at times.

Mental Health

Not only is this a physically demanding field of occupation, but it can also take a toll on your mentality. Be it from what you see during a mission, and what you have to hide after one. Sometimes you can feel stuck inside your head, even with a great support system.

Irregular Sleeping Patterns

Crime never sleeps, and neither will you.

Good BS Skills

Especially important for school goers - because 'my dog ate my homework' and 'I forgot' only work 17% of the time (the mathematics supporting this claim will be included later on in this book). A well-rounded skill set is key for any Bullshitter. These skills will also be used for explaining your never-ending injuries, tardiness and why you can't go to your friend's parties even though you really wanted to because that cute girl from you biology class was going to be there and she's the only person who can keep up with you. Those kinds of things.

Superpowers

Although not required - they can come in handy when you get stuck in some tough situations. And believe me, you will. But that doesn't mean you should go jump into some bio-hazardous goo or hang out at a radioactive facility.

Flexible Work Hours

As stated before: crime doesn't sleep - and it has no regular hours. This isn't your average 9-5 job. And if you have a 9-5, you may be required to skip out on it at times. Crime can happen at any time of day or night, regardless of convenience.

Secret Identity

Because Wallace West isn't a good superhero name and if your information fell into the wrong hands it could ultimately put your friends and family in -

"Wally?" His door slides open. In a flash, he slams shut his laptop and turns to face his intruder. Artemis quirks an eyebrow, and smirks at him. "Oh my god, Wally. Were you just watching porn?"

The redhead blanches. "Wha- no?! Artemis! What do you want?"

She puts her hands out and pretends to wash them in a classic Pontius Pilate move. "I just thought you'd like to know, dinners ready."

Wally pulls his computer closer to him and opens it again, tilting the screen so Artemis can't see what he's doing. "Alright, I'll be there in a second."

Artemis doesn't leave. When he looks up again she has a dumbfounded look on her face. "What?" He questions irritably. She shakes her head and murmurs something that sounds like impossible under her breath.

He ignores her and begins clicking away at his computer, he's got to get at least the intro finished before dinner. His stomach urges him to type faster. A couple minutes later he hears whispering outside of his doorway. "Ugh, Artemis, it's rude not to shut doors when you leave -" he stops short, The Team plus Batman stand in the doorway of his room. The Team all have the same look on their face that Artemis gave him earlier.

The Dark Knight narrows his eyes, taking in the mess that is his bedroom before analyzing him closely. "West, are you feeling alright?" The rest of the team snicker.

"Y-yea?" He nods slowly. As if on cue his stomach growls. He's been so wrapped up in his writing he hasn't noticed just how hungry he actually is. Wally isn't a writer, but today he was feeling extra motivated. It can never be published of course - secret ID and all, but he needs to get it down on paper and out of his head.

The team laughs, albeit a little uncomfortably, as his stomach protests him putting off dinner and he quickly saves his document before shutting his laptop. "What's for dinner?"

M'gann's eyes go wide as he looks at her. "Uh, pizza, buffalo wings, garlic breadsticks and c-cookies?" She stutters.

"Well, what are you all waiting for?" He walks to his crowded doorway. With a smirk he gently places a finger under Artemis' hanging jaw and shuts it for her, "be careful, babe, wouldn't want you catching any flies."

The tension in the air immediately dissipates, and Artemis glares at him, but not without a touch of humor in her eyes, "I was beginning to wonder where you went, Baywatch." The Team hurry back towards to kitchen for dinner.

Batman stops Robin and pulls him aside. "What's on that computer?"

Robin grins, "already on it."

The format of this story will start with a from Wallace's book and the remainder will be a little story connecting to the chapter. Leave a review maybe if you want to.

natalie

Check out my current ongoing Harry Potter/Ilvermorny story if you want something more recent (read: sophisticated, better, etc). First three chapters are up. The fourth will be coming along shortly.

Thatcher Grace and the Roar of the Wampus

Magic is all around us - in everything. The United States doesn't believe in the separation of magic into Dark and Light Arts. Magic is not inherently light or dark. A dark wizard may use magic for evil but the magic isn't evil. The wizard is evil. The magic is just that - magic.

Black Magic is a legend, a Native American wive's tale. Black magic does not nor did it ever exist.

As unexplained sightings continue to pile up, whispers of Black Magic find themselves within the walls of Ilvermorny sending Thatcher and his friends on a perilous journey to find out the truth before it's too late.

Follow Thatcher and his friends from their first to their seventh year as they navigate their school years all the while fighting a growing threat outside of the very halls of Ivermorny... and possibly within.

Rating Subject to change as themes get darker and my characters get older, (sooner than you think). This isn't Hogwarts. We're in America now.