Heroes at Heart

"I've tried telling them I'm only fifteen. That no sane government would force a boy my age to fight crime. 'But Max, you're a superhero! Isn't this what you want?' Actually, no. I just kind of want to get through high school. Then we'll talk about this 'superhero' business."

Max Owens is your average high school sophomore.

Well, he tries to be, at least.

At fifteen, he's got more important things to do than fight the infamous Vinicus Cauldwell. With his single mother having recently lost her job, Max is determined to help his family get back up on its feet. The publicity and pressure that comes with being a superhero would be too much to handle right now. But it's hard to fly under the radar, when you can literally fly.

Meanwhile, Vinicus Cauldwell enjoys the power he has as Murkbourne's most feared super-villain. For once, he can sit back and relax without being pestered by the police. That is, until Max arrives. Vinicus isn't happy about having to fight a child, but he can't let Max find out. After all, super-villains can't be "good people"... Can they?

We can't all be born heroes. But most of us are Heroes at Heart.

(Based on a writing prompt / story request by tumblr user "fallingivy")