1 Conception 1:1
I had always known that as an Apex Predator, I fell short to the innate characteristics displayed by my fellow species.
Born from the designs of the Great Mother, Perpetua. I like all my fellow Predators were created for only one purpose in mind. To evolve, to adapt… And to exterminate.
Our species were fashioned into being, for the sole purpose of destroying the Great Mother's most detested adversaries.
The Hands…
Beings of unfathomable powers, but one whom the Great Mother had set as her goal for slaughter. As the Apex Predators, we were meant to be Mother's brutal enforcers of her might and her will in this budding Universe.
Not even her sons could stand before our rage…
But even, so… I knew how different I am from the others.
It all began with that beautiful field I saw in a world I obliterated shortly after. The field was bountifully filled with exotic plants. Some mere decorations, the others carnivorous hunters veneered in bright colors and enticing scents.
But rather than scoff at such meaningless things. I strangely found them to be… Beautiful.
Maybe that marked the day, I had fallen from Mother's grace.
It was like a virus I couldn't adapt to, a pathogen that couldn't be cleansed. But soon, I had found myself under the enslavement of this thing called 'Empathy.' Or rather…
The Beauty of Life…
Little by little, I had come to study worlds rather than destroy them for my own entertainment. The numerous species that inhabit them, their cultures, their goods and their bads.
It didn't take long before ' it' began to fester within me…
Melancholy and envy…
Melancholy at the sense that once, there was a time that I too was like them. Capable of experiencing such turbulent emotions. One not centered on endless rage. And envy, that they possessed what I didn't have, and I want to have it…
I too wanted to feel something apart from this needless urge to destroy everything...
Slowly but surely, I was becoming different. Both physically and mentally. Maybe, it was because I had opened the dam for more emotions to flow, but I had suddenly found my power increase at an exponential rate.
My brothers and sisters whom I had once found difficult to touch in battle before. Now, I could destroy with naught but a thought. Tear them apart at a molecular level, scramble their minds, adapt to their strikes, create and implant fear in their psyche.
I was becoming an Apex of note… But then it all abruptly ended.
The Great Mother had looked into my being, and found me wanting.
"As an Apex Predator, you have accepted something abominable into your heart. Something not needed in my army. But there is a way to rectify it… Cleanse your emotions. Fall back into the pitch black pit of rage. Then, I will accept you for who you are. A true Apex Predator."
At first, my mind screamed for me to accept. I had been initially devastated at the thought of falling from Mother's graces. But if I do this –sacrifice my emotions- then everything will be back to normal. I will be welcomed back into her army once more…
All I need to do is to burn away this undefinable thing called, 'Empathy.'
That is the correct thing to do… But if so, then why. Why is it so hard to do as the Great Mother had said?
I am an Apex Predator. A being of boundless potential in the form of physical might and psionic capabilities.
I can causally destroy the minds of an entire planet population, if I so wished. So why do I find it hard to rid myself of my emotions?!
Before the Great Mother, with my head on the ground, I begged her to please grant me just this…
"Do not take this from me, Great Mother, I beseech you. Allow me to understand this 'Emotions' I have. To use them in administering your will upon this Universe."
But the Great Mother had found my supplication to be unsightly, disgusting, and unfit as an Apex Predator. So I fled. The roars of my brothers and sisters, whom I had once joined in when charging into the battlefield were being turned against me.
Oh, the irony…
I knew, oh yes, I knew… Even if I had destroyed my emotions, the Great Mother would have still done away with me.
For a mistake to never be repeated again; it must be thoroughly cleansed off. Which meant I was to be destroyed or be absorbed into the being of a chosen Apex Predator…
It was the natural order of things.
As I tore into the vast space, entering intraluminal speeds. I looked back at the tear in reality which I had hastily torn open. At the chaos plane from which I came. I knew that just escaping from there wouldn't be enough.
My brethren will always keep searching for me, and they will surely find me…
Tens, I could take. Hundreds, I could manage. But thousands, and millions. That was an impossibility set before me. All because of these damn emotions!
If only I could go back in time and prevent myself from seeing that field… It was possible –going back in time, that is- but it would require time.
Time that I now unfortunately do not have…
So here I am by my lonesome, chased by my own people, disowned by the Great Mother, out in a Universe that bears no love for our kind.
For the first time, my lips spread out as I let out an amused huff as to the identification of my current emotions. Hilariousness… And despair.
But that was when I felt it. A power so incomparably large, bothering infinite and endless, being welcomed into the Universe from beyond the barrier of gold. An ethereal bird that was composed of Omnipotence flew out beyond the Source Wall, heading for the dimension from which I escaped.
Frozen at the sudden happenings, I halted in the inky white dotted space as I watched the bird, 'The Cosmic Raptor' seal away the Great Mother and my brethren with her.
A blast tore from the hole I created, spilling into the material Universe. Even at the distance of a million miles at which I hovered, I could feel myself being pulled into the seal without exception.
"No… No! Not when I'm so close!"
Alas, my desperate struggles being proved to be fruitless…
In the course of flickering between consciousness and unconsciousness, I heard a voice of authority rang above my head.
( Hoh~ I didn't expect to find a story like yours when I had come to do away with that Traitor.)
I knew that it was the same Cosmic Being that had done away with the Great Mother that was currently speaking to me.
( Yes, I am the Cosmic Raptor. An arbiter of the Hands. And I find myself intrigued by your story, young one.)
By the Cosmic Being's words, hope blossomed within me. Perhaps I may be given a chance to avoid my fate. I didn't want to be sealed away, not when freedom is so close.
Not when I still wanted to understand the meaning of my 'Emotions.'
( Oh, you will. Your emotions have proven you to be different from your ilk, so I will exclude you from the seal. But your story isn't meant to be written here… Not in this Universe.)
Darkness encroached me, as I struggled to stay conscious. I felt my form being taken apart as I was lulled into the Dream… The last thing I saw before I took to an eternal sleep was the Walls of the Source drawing ever closer…
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥApex Manhunterᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
"Gahh!"
With a loud gasp, Jonathan shot up from his sleeping position on the bunk. Heaving, he looked around breathing raggedly. Expecting something or someone to come shake him up.
Fortunately that didn't happen.
Wincing a sweat slinked into his eyes. Jonathan jumped down from his bunk, groaning as he felt the dampness once again. Wet with sweat, again~ it has always been like this.
Damn all these irritating dreams that had no meaning to it. Jonathan couldn't even call it a fucking Trigger event.
Scrunching his face at the damp smell, Jonathan groaned.
"Bro's so gonna' kill me when he finds that I turned the bedspread into a fucking swamp." Then an impish smirk spread as Jonathan continued. "Though, that'll only happen ' if' he finds out."
The 16 years old colored kid, -as Brockton Bay refers to his race as- got to work. Well, it wasn't much of a work really. Quick wash the bedspread, while changing it for an identical one. Open the windows to ventilate. And then, pray like mad that bro's in a good mood once he gets home.
Cause if he isn't… You get the point.
As Jonathan checked the small alarm he had bought with his savings, he saw that it was still a bit early. Just a little after 6:30am. But Jonathan had to hurry if he is to make it to Winslow in time.
The patrolling hooligans, especially the ABB, whose thugs seems to be getting bigheaded due to recent happenings, and occasional area fights between minions and capes would take a significant chunk out of his day.
Taking a bath with cold water on a chilly day was no fun, –no cash to pay for the water levies- but he had to make do with it. Jonathan hurried out of the small sized bathroom. Towel wiping away the wetness from his body, leaving it to prickle due to the cold.
"Brrrrrr… God, I can't take it anymore!" Rushing to close the windows, Jonathan huffed. "I'll just have to open it before I leave the house. Simple as that."
Jonathan finished getting dressed, putting in the finishing touches to his dreadlocks, while wolfing down breakfast which consists of food from last night's dinner.
Getting a little antsy that his brother still hadn't arrived, Jonathan decided to wait a bit. School can go take a hike. And with that fucking Asian cape, Bakuda, running around in a bombing spree, nowhere is safe.
Not especially when you're black, or German.
His big bro is a Merchant runner –not by choice- and with the way things were going, and the Protectorate being fucking useless as usual. All that's left for the normies like Jonathan is to just pray to some dead God that his luck won't run out as he leaves his house.
Jonathan's left foot tapped against the floor before, he caught himself.
"Whoa now, you know doing that's just bad luck… No. Bro's okay... He's got to be okay."
But no matter how Jonathan tried to convince himself, he couldn't stop his stomach from churning in unease… Maybe he should just go to school and tried to burn his head off with books. It'll certainly help than being paranoid for probably nothing.
After all, it's all for a safer tomorrow, far away from Brockton Bay.
That is Jonathan's dream… In this godforsaken world of Endbringers, Nazis, and psychopathic capes. Jonathan wants to build a simple life ' away' from all that. To pay his bro for all the things he's done for him.
Looking towards the wall picture which showed the only time –in a once upon a time- both he and his bro and taken a pic, together. Jonathan smiled as he stood up and hefted his bag.
Time for school and all those shits…
Picking up his light metal plate and spoon, Jonathan tossed the eating utensils towards the sink. But then Jonathan winced as he had put too much force in tossing it.
'Shit, I've gotta pick it up. It isn't gonna…"
Jonathan paused as something unexpected occurred.
Be a stroke of luck or an unseen hand, the plate and spoon slowed midair and landed exactly at the spot Jonathan had intended them to land on.
Blinking owlishly for some seconds, Jonathan shrugged dismissively.
"Nah~ probably just a lucky shot."
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
As Jonathan exited the one room apartment that was occupied by two. He winced as the full noise of Brockton Bay came in with full force. Early morning rasps disturbing the streets. Heated arguments, screams, and horribly concealed moans.
Everyone has one reason or the other to run their mouths… Or their guns.
Sighing, Jonathan ignored the discordance. It took practice and patience to get used to it. Locking his apartment, Jonathan crossed the passage, striding down the stairs. He greeted some of his more amicable neighbors, while smoothly ignoring the more capricious ones.
It was a normal day like always… Until it suddenly wasn't.
"Hey, B-Jay."
Glancing back, Jonathan recognized the clearly younger but attractive African-American dressed in risqué clothing. Smiling, Jonathan straightened his arm strap as he continued onwards towards the girl leaning against the wall.
"What's up, tigress."
Aisha Laborn, a well acquainted lady of the streets, and sister to one of the toughest guys in this unruly neighborhood. Wearing a cheshire smirk on her face, Aisha disengaged herself from the wall, strutting towards Jonathan.
"Nothing really. Just wanted to confirm whether you're still alive or not."
"Ouch, heartless as always tigress. As you can see, Brockton still haven't knocked me out."
"Yet…" Aisha corrected.
"Yes, tigress." Jonathan rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Yet… So, with your appearance around this parts of the city. Can I reckon that you've come to see your brother?"
Nodding, Aisha inclined her head to the side while her finger pointed up towards the higher floor.
"Grue said that I could stay with him for a while. Didn't trust me to be with my Dad during this hectic times, and what do you know. The old man actually agreed to it."
"Well, that's unexpected." Jonathan replied a bit surprised.
From the little tidbits Jonathan had learned about Aisha's family. He knew that their interpersonal relationships weren't smooth sailing. Divorced parents, sunk in drugs Mom and overly-strict Dad, and then added with two wild unruly children…
Yep, that right there is a recipe for disaster.
Grue had left the house, and Aisha was supposed to join him but Grue's Dad would never allow it.
Though secretly, Jonathan thought that Grue's Dad was right in doing so…
Whelp, this isn't Jonathan's problem. The only reason he even knew about this matter was because of Aisha. Pestering him at every chance she got with her wailings and nonsensical gossips.
Not like Jonathan will ever tell her that. He still wanna' live, thank you very much…
Maybe, Jonathan might have pursued Aisha in a relationship. But her brother well… He's a rabid one. The last time, one unlucky bastard had decided to actively pursued Aisha, Grue made sure to put the bloke in a trash-bin. Two ribs and both arms set in an awkward position.
Shaking himself of his derailing thoughts, Jonathan smiled nodding back. "Good for you then. So you're gonna go see him early, then."
"Nope." Aisha said, stressing the 'P' sound. "Came in last night, but I didn't want to wake you up. Reckon that I'll come catch you before you head for school."
Not sure on how to feel about that, Jonathan just took it in stride.
"Al~right, then. I'll come see you when I get back."
As Jonathan moved ahead, he paused confused when he realized that Aisha was still following him. Feeling confused, Jonathan looked at her waiting for an explanation only to receive none.
'Ok, this is getting out of hand.'
Clearing his throat, Jonathan asked. "What are you doing?"
Looking at Jonathan as if one would an idiot, Aisha replied. "I'm walking you to the bus."
Now Jonathan was thoroughly nonplused. "Don't you also have to go to school?"
"Arcadia?" Aisha huffed with a look of one who had just eaten soured grapes. "Fuck, no thanks. Can't stand those high and mighty pansies, all dressed up rich and fine like that'll makes them intelligent or something."
In a way, Jonathan envied Aisha's reply. That school sounded like heaven. In Winslow, rather than high and mighty brats, you get budding hoodlums and actual gang members.
It was only thanks to his bro's connections and Jonathan's ability to throw a hard punch that he was capable of making it this far. And now that the ABB was on the roll lately, the Asians at school would be all strutting up and down the hallways looking for anyone on their naughty list…
And considering what Jonathan did to one of them the last time…
Eyeing Aisha, Jonathan couldn't bring himself to even chide her. Not like she'll listen anyway. And in a way, her not going to school is actually the safer decision…
'Shit, now I'm not so excited about going to Winslow.'
With Aisha's arm hooked around his, they both entered the busy streets of Brockton Bay.
One of America's publicized crime city…
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
"Hmm?"
"What's the matter, B-Jay?"
At the bus-stop, Jonathan looked down at the bemused Aisha and shook his head reassuringly.
"No, it's nothing."
"Hmm~ If you say so."
Meanwhile, Jonathan was busy wondering whether he had opened the windows before he left the apartment.
'Eh, I'm sure I did open them before I left… I think.'
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
The apartment was pitched in a dull silence with only the humming of the hive-city, Brockton Bay, serving as its background.
In the room, the curtains were hung down. It was a normal scenery when suddenly something strange happened. Without any form of external influence, the curtains parted, letting the dawning sunlight spill into the room.
One could only imagine the cause for such a bizarre happening. A ghost, an unseen cape, a byproduct of a Parahuman's power… Or…
