Rise of the Collective
Disclaimer: If you recognize anything in this story, I don't own it.
"Hello" - General Speaking.
'Hello' - Thoughts.
A/N: It's come to my attention that some of you don't exatly know the references I'm making in relation to Dorian's powers, as such I've provided a full list of his powers and their description at the bottom of the page.
Also, sorry this took so long to update but I've been a bit busy with life.
Chapter 3: Godhood and Trouble
-Central Multiverse. The Nexus. Unknown time-
I cant help but feel that something has gone wrong, horribly, horribly wrong.
For starters, my journey through the multiverse seems to be taking far longer that it should, so long in fact that I'm tempted to call on my mutations just to figure out what is going on. I dont do that however, sensing energy mixed with intuitive aptitude would likely drive me insane when used in the multiverse, a risk I dont feel like taking.
Understanding the inner workings of the multiverse is an experience I dont feel like partaking in.
Ever.
Luckily, before I can get too bored and worried, a rip opens before me and I find myself exiting the multiverse... only to drop to my knees, gasping for air as I find myself standing in a barren, airless wasteland far from my target. I find myself clawing at the ground, one hand at my throat as I struggle to breath, it's to no avail unfortunately.
Well, this isn't good, not in the slightest.
Approaching footsteps draw my attention, each slow step echoing loudly in this silent expanse and I look up, my eyes wide and wet.
He's tall, naked, powerfully built and glowing blue.
He is Doctor Manhattan.
Well... that explains how I got here.
Only a clairvoyant and reality warper like Manhattan could have interfered with my trip to this reality, clearly I was not as prepared for this as I first thought.
The source of my wayward journey comes to a stop before me, head cocked to the side and examining me with curious, yet emotionless eyes. I really, really hope this meeting goes well or at least better than I'd originally planned.
My original plan was to confront him on earth, where our powers would be somewhat equal as he'd be unable to truly harm me in a way that I couldn't absorb and he'd also have to show some restraint, otherwise he would destroy his own planet.
Or so I hoped.
On Mars however... well, it seems that I'm completely outclassed.
Thankfully, Manhattan releases a pulse of... something, making the area around us breathable. Now that is the reason I'm here, the ability to turn such a toxic and uninhabitable planet as Mars into a liveable ecosystem, a power that is far beyond my current capabilities.
"Hello Dorian." Manhattan greets, his tone even and emotionless.
"Er... what's up Doc?" I reply, shakily standing while doing my best to catch my breath.
Standing at six foot-five inches, I'm quite a tall guy and I usually find myself standing a full head above most people. Manhattan on the other hand, towers over me at seven feet tall, causing me to stare up in order to look at his face. This must be how other (read: short) people feel in my presence, it's not a good feeling.
"I've been expecting you Dorian." Manhattan replies, blinking once and turning his head to the side, blankly staring off into the distance.
"Oh.. that's good?" I mutter, trying to keep my tone polite, this guy is the only reason I'm still alive right now.
"Yes." he nods, holding out a hand. "It is."
With a flash of blinding blue light, a beaker appears in his hand, one full of a thick, blue fluid.
Manhattan holds it out to me, his face emotionless and cold.
"This is what you came for." he explains, tone even and seemingly bored.
Well... this is surprising.
I was expecting a fight, an extremely difficult one at that. Instead, I get exactly what I want handed right to me, Doctor Manhattans blood. This is highly suspicious, is this some sort of trick or is Manhattan actually just handing me his powers, his godhood.
Who cares, this is a risk I'm more than willing to take.
"Thanks!" I chirp cheerfully, holding my hand over the beaker and activating the NID.
Metallic silver ooze drips into the beaker, swirling with the blue liquid for few seconds before returning to me, leaving an empty beaker behind.
"Goodbye Dorian." Manhattan replies, already turning away.
With that, a rip opens behind me and before I can react or speak, I'm sucked into the multiverse and pulled away.
That went well, all things considered.
-Mars 912-1. Manhattan's Palace. October of 1985-
"It is done." Doctor Manhattan intones, striding through the halls of his crystalline palace.
"Well done Jon, I knew we could count on you." a voice chuckles, a humanoid being composed of light and shadow falling into step with the blue toned man.
Manhattan frowns imperceptibly.
"I did not have much of a choice, even lacking air, Dorian could have destroyed this entire solar system before dying." Manhattan replies, tone emotionless yet still respectful. "This was the only way."
"Perhaps," the being replies, rubbing its chin in thought. "Then again, Dorian isn't that ruthless, I don't think he would end so many lives out of spite."
"No, he is not ruthless." Manhattan agrees, nodding slightly. "But he understands the way of the multiverse, the people of my earth are meaningless in the grand scheme, he would not have hesitated to drag them to their death as well."
"Indeed." the being hums, beginning to fade away. "Nevertheless, he has what he needs, he will not be bothering your section of the multiverse again. We will see to it."
"Thank you Astok, I appreciate it." Manhattan replies, knowing full well that his words will be heard even if Astok was no longer there.
-Central Multiverse. The Nexus. Unknown Time-
I find myself floating within the multiverse, directionless and lost but wholly satisfied with myself, I have Manhattans blood and his powers with them, the power of a god.
While matter manipulation happens to be the reason I went after Manhattan, there are greater advantages to be gained from such an ability. As far as I understand it, matter manipulation, when mixed with energy manipulation, grants a greater and more powerful ability, reality warping; the power to actually manipulate the fabric of reality with a single touch, the power of a true god.
I'll have to be extremely careful about which of Manhattans abilities I gain however, omnipotence is something I dont mind having, omniscience however is not for me. Frankly, I think being able to see the past, present and future is more of a curse than it is a gift, it makes life boring and unexciting.
Which probably explains why most godlike beings are so apathetic to the concerns of the mortal realms... something to look into.
Oh well, enough of that.
Time to get to work on my new powers.
-Central Multiverse. Unknown Place. Unknown Time-
A being of light and shadow floats within the void of the multiverse, a being of light and shadow in the form of a female humanoid.
"Astria, have you been keeping an eye on this cycles game?" a voice chimes from the void, causing the being to turn her head, hand rising in greeting.
A second being appears from the depths of the multiverse, this one also female and also formed of light and shadow.
"Of course I have Lynette," Astria replies, head turning to peer into the depths of the multiverse. "Once again, Ludvig has cheated and created an overpowered character for his own amusement."
"Oh but it goes beyond that Astria, he has created a new god." Lynette chuckles, appearing beside her friend.
"Truly? Then he is a bigger fool that I thought." Astria replies, turning her attention back to her small section of the void.
"Indeed," Lynette nods, glancing at the realms floating below them. "However, from what Astok has told me, this new god will eventually find his way to your realms."
"What?" Astria screeches, her form flashing an angry shade of crimson. "Why?"
"To interfere of course, this is simply another one of Ludvig's digs at your Ascended, pitting a god against your children." Lynette replies, rolling her eyes sarcastically.
"Ugh, what can I do?" Astria growls, flashing through several shades of red.
"Very little, you know the rules," Lynette sighs, looking away from the realms below. "We can hardly interfere unless we are taking part in the game."
"Damn it Lynette, there must be something." Astria growls, her form slowly returning to normal. "I'm not going back until Ludvig apologizes!"
"Hmm, there might be a way." Lynette hums, tapping her chin in thought.
"Oh? Do tell." Astria asks, cocking her head to the side.
"We can't interfere directly but if you were to choose a champion and send him against Ludvig's chosen, that should allow you to remain within the rules of the game." Lynette explains, hands folded behind her back. "There is precedence for it."
"Ha, brilliant!" Astria cheered, flashing bright gold. "And I know just who to send."
"Really?" Lynette asked, cocking a brow in question. "Who do you plan to send? Dorian is a powerful being despite his youth."
"That is true." Astria agreed, glancing into the depths of the void once more. "But there are many that were created to slay gods, one of those will suffice."
"Ah, so who will it be?" Lynette asked, her tone bright and cheerful. "Kratos? Zancrow? or maybe the sorcerer Belgarion? There are so many choices."
"Neither of those." Astria sighed, shaking her head. "Knowing Ludvig, his chosen will be far too powerful for any old mortal to handle, what we need is an immortal with the power of a god."
"You dont mean.." Lynette gasped, her thoughts flowing in much the same direction.
"Indeed I do," Astria replied, a cheshire grin spreading across her face. "I will send Desak the Godslayer."
Dorian's Powers: All of this information is from the Superpower Wiki.
1) Energy manipulation: This power allows Dorian to manipulate all forms of energy in whatever way he wishes, he can absorb it, control it and even eat it. However, Dorian can't create or destroy energy, that goes against the laws of the universe. Dorian gained this power by absorbing the blood of Sebastian Shaw, a mutant from the X-men movie universe.
2) Matter Manipulation: This power allows Dorian to manipulate anything that has substance and mass, this involves substances as small as an atom to substances as large as a celestial body, anything classified as matter can be manipulated by him. Dorian is however unable to manipulate Antimatter with this power, as it destroys matter on contact. Dorian was given this power by Doctor Manhattan, a quasi-god from the Watchmen universe.
2.5) Reality Warping: This power allows Dorian to manipulate the fabric of reality as he pleases, he can basically do anything he wants, even rewrite the laws of physics of an entire universe. Despite its great power, this ability is ineffective against other godlike beings, as well as beings that exist outside of reality. Dorian gained this power through the mixing of his matter and energy manipulation abilities.
3) Technopathy: This power allows Dorian to detect machines and issue them commands, machines will do whatever he commands, even if it involves overriding security protocols and codes. Only complex machines that can receive electronic, radio and digital transmissions can be affected by this power. Dorian gained this ability from Micah Sanders, an inhabitant of the Heroes TV show universe.
4) Adoptive Muscle Memory: This power allows Dorian to easily copy and perform any movement he witnesses, it will even allow him to copy how a person aims or how a person fights, giving him perfect marksmanship and fighting ability. Dorian gained this ability from Monica Dawson, an inhabitant of the Heroes TV show universe.
5) Intuitive Aptitude: This power allows Dorian to instantly learn and understand how things work, however constant use of this ability can cause an insatiable 'hunger' for knowledge and information. Dorian gained this ability from Dorian Gray, an inhabitant of the Heroes TV show universe.