The Grand Country Belle
Shelbie took in a deep breath as she moved her hand out to touch the cloud. The condensed moisture was cold against her skin. She kicked her legs back as air swirled around her body propelling her faster through the air as she flew. She could see the farm land 3000 feet below her. Montana. Her home. Focusing on the landscape she tried to recall which way she needed to go. Pa would be up working by now.
Pa needed help most days. He was getting too old to run the farm by himself so she came by every other week to lighten the load. Pa's health wasn't as good as it use to be. As she flew, she was pulled out of her thoughts from the loud sound of a rumbling engine. Reacting quickly she narrowly dodged a massive passenger plane.
"Sorry!" She called out to them. Then she realized how stupid that was given the pilots wouldn't be able to hear her. She didn't like planes. Planes always took way too long. Her super powers made her much faster. Combined with her ability of flight, she could get to Pa's farm in only 5 minutes from her apartment in Chicago. Finally she saw the family farm she grew up on and aimed for the dirt road leading to the house. She slowed as best as she could, then used the dirt path as a runway to slow herself, running with her momentum till she slowed to a stop. Dirt kicked up into dust directly onto Pa who was laying down, trying to fix his tractor by himself. He coughed as he crawled out to glare at her.
"I thought you could land better!" Pa shouted in irritation. Pa didn't like her powers. He of course would support and love her, but… the powers were definitely a hot topic around him.
"Sorry." Shelbie winced. "You okay?"
Pa grunted before crawling back under the tractor. "Just fine. Could you hand me the flathead screwdriver?"
Shelbie looked to his tool box, then quickly grabbed the flathead off the top before handing it to her Pa. "You could have waited for me." Shelbie said with annoyance.
Her Pa grunted. "And waste time? Not a chance."
Shelbie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Then she bent down, and with two hands, lifted the tractor up holding it in place. Pa grunted again, annoyed, but got up off the ground. Shelbie could have lifted the tractor with one hand, heck she could lift it with a finger, but she knew her Pa. He appreciated her powers, but he still felt insecure that his granddaughter was hundreds of times stronger than him. Using two hands simply lessened that realization for him. It gave him a false sense that it wasn't completely easy for her.
After a moment, Pa spoke. "How is the city?"
"It's alright. Crime is down quite a bit too."
Pa chuckled. "That must be your doing, no doubt. Did you join the force, or stick with the Hero track?"
"Hero." Shelbie said. Her eyes flicked away. "I tried out for the force, but… it was too constricting. I felt like I was being judged for having powers."
Pa grunted again. Shelbie often wondered if that was some secret Pa language. "Welp, I'm glad you come all this way to see your Ma and me. More so I'm glad you still help out here on the farm."
"You should get some helping hands Pa. I know you can afford it." Shelbie pointed out.
"How's that, you figure?"
"Because I do your taxes." Shelbie reminded.
Once Pa finished fixing the tractor, she set it down and gave a look to the fields of cattle. Watched how they grazed as she heard Pa putting his tools away how he liked. After a few moments, she turned back to him as he started dusting himself off. "How's Leviticus Larry?" She asked.
"Your horse? I gave him to the Garret's. Gets more attention from them."
Shelbie's jaw clenched, but then she took a breath. She loved that horse. Still, he was right. Despite her visits, she hardly took him out for rides anymore. Perhaps he would be better off with the Garret's. She relaxed before following him to the barn.
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It was midday when all the chores were done. The cattle tended too, the fence fixed up, and much more. Pa was exhausted while Shelbie simply felt a light tan coming on. They were only able to accomplish it so quickly due to Shelbie's powers, much to Pa's grunting dismay.
Shelbie stepped into the house, she saw Ma in the kitchen. When she saw Shelbie Ma's eyes lit up with joy. She dropped what she was doing and hurried over, giving Shelbie a great big hug.
"Oh my goodness, why didn't you tell me you were coming!" Ma exclaimed in delight. She gave Shelbie a big kiss on the cheek then ushered Shelbie to the island bar counter. Shelbie went bright red, but giggled at her grandmother's delight.
"You know I visit every day I can." Shelbie said.
Ma waved her off. "Oh I know that, but it has been a while. You're not off fooling around with some boy now are ya?" She then combed Shelbie's curly brown hair with her fingers. "Keeping your hair all nice, smelling good… you have been washing your clothes the way I taught you right?"
"Ma!" Shelbie exclaimed with a fit of giggles. "I'm fine! I'm not dating, and yes, I wash my clothes."
Ma gave a sigh. "I'm sorry, I'm just fussing over you honey." Ma assured, moving back over to the bowl she had been working with. "When you turn 86, you start worrying about your family a bit more."
Shelbie grimaced. "How's your health?"
Ma gave her a look. "Don't you be worrying about that. Nor your pa neither. Let us do the worrying you hear?"
Shelbie flinched, then nodded. "Yes ma'am."
There was an awkward silence for a few moments. Shelbie looked around the house, remembering the old memories it held. The day her parents had left her here in the care of her grandparents. She remembered the day after when she saw her parents on the news. Victims to a train crash, the news had said. Shelbie wasn't so sure though. Still the farm had been her home since then, her training grounds, and her roots. Ma had always been supportive of her learning how to use her powers. Without Ma, Shelbie wouldn't be the hero she was now. Lady Astra. She looked back to Ma.
"Can I do anything to help with dinner?"
Ma looked back with a smile. "You could set the table dear."
Shelbie nodded and made her way to the dining room. Once there, she saw the TV on the news. Chicago News. Apparently there was a massive robbery happening at the TrinTek bank. Shelbie hesitated, then moved to set the table. Aracniman usually handled anything TrinTek related.
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Matthew grit his teeth as memories surfaced. He lifted up with all his strength, the weight machine adding more weight. The machine was 15 feet wide, and 5 feet tall looking like a massive hand. It hung from the ceiling as weight was pressed down. It was designed to function like a hydraulic press. Had Matthew not been as strong as he was, he'd have been a pancake. As he did another rep, the machine pressed harder, and his memories took over. He remembered his parents, they were heading to Seattle where they were going to sign a deal with The Wardens Of Peace. The world's greatest heroes. However, their jet had been split in half by something over Idaho. The Wardens never even got to speak with them. He lifted again with a shout, and a massive snap was heard as he broke the machine's supports. With frustration he got off the machine, and wiped his face with a towel. Karmen then walked into the room.
"30 Tons. A new record." She complimented. She adjusted her glasses as she read her clipboard and wrote a note down.
"With that strength, I could punch through most metal structures." Matthew noted to himself. "Just further proves I should hold back on minor criminals. I wouldn't want to punch someone's jaw off."
Matthew stood and walked with Karmen out to the main room of The Funnel Web. It was a spacious cavern built under the city. It had long narrow walkways that originally had no railings, but for Karmen's safety he had railings installed. His main computer was beeping when he entered the cavern. With interest, he quickened his pace. He reached his computer in moments, then logged in. He studied the screen for a moment, then nodded to himself.
"It's a robbery in progress at TrinTek Bank." Matthew stated.
"So someone's robbing you then." Karmen chuckled. "Rather unfortunate."
"Unfortunate indeed." Matthew said, standing up. Quickly he moved to a nearby mannequin which had his Hero Suit on display. It was a black and red design with little spiders printed along the red. On the chest was a symbol like three different spiders in a triangular design. The mask was armored, with eight green lenses for the eyes, each one a camera which visualized different forms of vision to the wearer, and a ear piece for communication.
Matthew quickly grabbed the suit, and started putting it on. Once on he turned to Karmen. "Keep in contact."
Karmen put a hand on her hip and raised a brow. "Have I ever disappointed Master Matthew?"
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An explosion rocked the city as smoke billowed out from a fresh hole in the TrinTek Bank. Matthew could see four men stepping out of the hole as Chicago Police swarmed around the building. What concerned Matthew though was the fourth man. The man in the back. He had glowing blue hands, and vibrant blue eyes.
"Powers on the field." Matthew said into his ear piece.
"Beginning diagnostics Master Matthew." Karmen acknowledged from his ear piece.
Matthew made sure his mask was secure, then leapt down from two stories above. Halfway down he felt his bones splitting as his form changed, becoming a massive 6 foot tall Wolf Spider. When he landed, the four men immediately drew weapons on him. In response he bared fangs and hissed. Two immediately screamed and shot wildly. Matthew leaped out of the way, crawling along the wall quickly before leaping behind them, transforming again into a Orb Weaver, shooting a massive glob of webbing at the two before yanking them back to him then wrapping them up. The last two just watched, seemingly unconcerned. Matthew transformed back into human form, lifting his arms up ready for a fight.
"We thought you might show up, Aracniman." The man with blue hands said. "The Boss was counting on it."
"Glad I could be convenient." Matthew bantered.
"Sir, I've got an ID." Karmen said in the earpiece. "The one with powers is Joshua Klemits. Missing convict from Fort Leavenworth."
Matthew's eyes widened behind his mask. He calmed himself. "So Joshua, what's an Ex Military convict doing robbing banks?"
Joshua smiled, pulling off his hood. "So much I tell you. So much. We will have fun breaking you."
Joshua had a crazed smile, his muscles bulging in his hoodie, and his veins pulsed a glowing blue. He had some type of experimental tech embedded in his skull. Circular and silver with gold accents. Matthew gritted his teeth. In the flash of a second, Joshua was an inch away from Matthew, fist poised. With his unmatched reflexes, Matthew immediately flattened himself to the floor, narrowly avoiding the blow as a massive gust of wind ripped through the alley from the sheer speed and strength, sending dumpsters and debris flying, smashing through walls. Matthew breathed a sigh of relief before kicking Joshua in the knee forgetting to hold back in the tension. It felt like kicking titanium. Matthew winced as his foot throbbed, and rolled to the side as Joshua stomped down. The ground shook like an earthquake, buildings rattled from the impact.
Matthew leaped to the side of the building, sticking to it before transforming into a Camel Spider. With wicked speed he crawled up the building to the roof.
"Gotta reposition." Matthew thought.
He made to leap to the next building only to be blocked by Joshua appearing before him. Matthew cursed and jumped, dodging one strike only to be struck by the second. Matthew felt blood pop from his talons as he was embedded into the wall of a building four blocks away. From trauma his body reverted back to human form, and he could feel that he had several rib fractures. He could barely see Joshua and the last robber exit the alley, his lenses zooming in on them. Matthew couldn't move, but he watched. The two got into the middle of the street and the unknown robber lifted their left hand. Suddenly a massive beam of light struck them and they were gone.
"Karmen." Matthew groaned. "I'll need a pick up."
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Matthew winced as he was laid down on the couch. Karmen gave him a sympathetic look. "You could've been killed today Master Matthew."
Matthew sighed. "Yeah. That was… embarrassing."
Karmen rolled her eyes, and placed a ice pack on his forehead. "Your powers will heal you by morning sir. Please just rest for now."
"The city is in danger." Matthew protested.
"YOU are in danger." Karmen countered. "You will rest here sir. I'll arrange for someone to take a look into Joshua and his accomplice."
Matthew glared in a way Karmen found adorable. She'd been the Butler to the Mickle family for 23 years. She'd served Matthew's father Noah, and his mother Miranda, then after their death, she had stayed to help raise Matthew since he was 7. She smiled at him, patting his shoulder.
"You did the best you could sir. No one can ask anything more than that." She said, pulling a blanket over him. "Now, I'll go speak with the commissioner about these ruffians."