August 5th 2006
As the fair was coming to a close, the family had merrily walked away with the young 3 year old girl with a stuffed eel in her hand. "Heh, she really loves that eel, right Evelyn?" The father, Andre said to his wife. "She sure does." Evelyn laughed. "But uh… what exactly did you organize this visit for?" Andre looked away from the two, "let's just say that things are going to change for both better and worse…." Andre replied rather cryptically, as they returned home, they turned to the corner. "Where are we going?" Evelyn asked confused, "Relax I know a shortcut through here, we'll make it in no time!" Andre said as they went through the alley, but just as they were halfway through.
They were stopped by the bang and click of a shotgun, the family backed away as a man dressed head to toe in leather and wearing a black ski mask and a shotgun in his hand had strolled towards them. "The famous Whitlock family…." The man growled, pointing the gun towards the family, "Hand over your belongings!" "You don't need to threaten us…." Andre said before pulling out his wallet, but unfortunately that was the last thing he said before…
BANG!
The next day at the hospital the two remaining Whitlocks stared over the dying man. "Oh… Andre…." Evelyn weaped. "Mommy…" She turned to her young daughter. "What's going to happen to daddy?" "Oh little Ashely…." Evelyn cried holding her daughter close to her torso, "Well sweetheart… I… I'm not sure…." The mother cried. "A-Ashley…?" The small girl Ashley, turned. "C-Come closer…." Evelyn then lowered her daughter to the dying husband. "Daddy…?" "Ashley… you were the best thing to ever enter my life…. Just promise me…" her father coughed, "That you'll make this… city… better for… for….". And with that he flatlined, "Daddy? Daddy?!" Ashley began weeping and crying, "DADDY!"
July 6th 2023
The alarm clock screamed to life and startled the 20 year old woman. She groggily slammed her hand onto the clock to shut it up. She then slumped out her bed and opened the curtains. She had long brown hair that covered her left eye, had amber eyes, and was currently wearing a gray t-shirt and pajamas. Outside down from her high rise penthouse apartment, stood the streets of Los Angeles, the city of angels… is what they would say if most of the town had been known for their Devils, it had become the haven for violent crimes rape, life-threatening assault, murder, etc. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have beacons of hope, one of those beacons was the woman and her family, Ashley Whitlock,
The Whitlocks have been known for the provision for charity for the homeless, hospitals, and other extremities. Founded by Ashley's grandfather, the Whitlock legacy has had its hand for three generations, and has done its part to help make Los Angeles a better place. It was small but it was definitely worth it.
Ashley stared down at the streets before doing some stretching and going to the bathroom, after a quick shower and drying off, Ashley had gotten dressed, she had a green shirt and blue tie underneath a silver blazer and blue pants with black shoes. She grabbed a framed picture from when she was three, it was her, her mother Evelyn, and her father Andre. "Miss you…." Was all she said before putting down the photo and opening the doors to greet the day. "No time like the present…."
After walking downstairs, she went for breakfast where she was greeted by her mother, she wore a green dress and gray slip ons, she had blue eyes and light brown hair. "Happy birthday sweetheart!" She cheered, "Heh thanks mom…." Ashley replied sitting down with a plate with pancakes and syrup with whip cream made to look like a smiley face, "so I've been thinking that given it's your 20th birthday, we do something special!" Evelyn announced as her daughter began digging into her food, "like what mom?" "We're unveiling a new environmentally friendly disposal system at the convention center today and I want you to accompany me! You'll even do the testing of it!" "Wow… thanks mom!" Ashley replied, to her mother's glee, "I know it's been hard for us these past few years, LA certainly isn't like it used to be…." Evelyn began, "But they're people out there who always want to make the world a better place, people like us!" She held her daughter's hand, "I know we can make a difference too, Ashley, I believe in you…."
After breakfast, the mother and daughter had arrived at the convention center, where they were about to showcase their Air Innovation Device or AID for short, in the meantime Ashley decided to have a walk through the place.
There were so many other tools to help the world, from mechanical robots, to botany experiments. "Ashley?!" The woman turned around where she was met with a short haired man in a lab coat, green tie, and black pants and purple shirt. "Oh! Dr tarsem! Long time no see!" Ashley cheered, the two shook hands. "Still In with the kooks over at the asylum?" "Ah yes, aerogate asylum for the criminally insane, I see that it's become a regular issue with escapees…." Dr Philip Tarsem replied, "An LA version of Arkham Asylum so to speak." "That's one way to put it!" Ashley smirked. "Oh over there's detective Curtis Galloway of the LAPD." The Dr said, pointing to a balding man dressed in a dark blue shirt and silver overalls and black boots. "Now they're having the cops help with the convention?" "Not really, I was baffled myself!" Dr Tarsem replied. "Why not talk to him, after all, he is practically the LAPD's best officer!" Ashley turned to the detective and smirked, before walking towards him.
Curtis had been talking to some of the other patrons of the convention when he heard a female voice. "Detective Galloway was it?" Curtis turned around to see a familiar face. "Ashley! Nice to know an honest face compared to the nasties I've come across in recent years." "You know what they say, for every dark tunnel there's a light at the end of it!" "Yeah and this city's definitely been begging for one since the 40s." Curtis signed. "It's like this city is tearing itself apart bit by bit…." Ashley leaned beside the detective. "Hey at least they're some honest cops and souls here." "I suppose you're right, I heard your company's been planning something extra special this year!" "Hey, I want to keep it a surprise! Speaking of… looks like you're about to have your answer!" Ashley then went to her area of the convention, while the detective smiled. "There's the Whitlock family for ya…"
Meanwhile down in the maintenance hall, a group of men in yellow mechanic jumpsuits were just about finished with what they were doing… only it wasn't maintenance work. "Everything's in position." One of them said over a walkie talkie in his hands. "Same here too, I've located the device on the monitors." The voice on the other end said, soon the men took off their jumpsuits, revealing tactical gear underneath, and from some duffel bags, assembled some AR-15s and some ski masks to hide their faces. "Let's get started…."
Meanwhile, back upstairs, a crowd began to gather to a large stage, where a suited man had finished with the last presentation, "thanks Dr kurston! I'm sure those mind benders will come in handy someday!" He chuckled. "Now ladies and gentlemen… the moment you've all been waiting for… the toasts of LA… THE WHITLOCKS!" The crowd cheered as the two Whitlocks came In with a small device with two large vents on either side. "Thank you for the opportunity to see our newest product that will help revolutionize the way we breathe our air! Ashley?" Evelyn's daughter then pushed a button on the device that released something that made Ashley sniff the air. "With our new Air Innovation Device or AID for short, we will be able to help clean our air of pollution and toxicity!" The crowd responded with an enthusiastic applause but was cut short by the sound of the PA activating. "We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for this important announcement…." A sinister voice announced as armed thugs burst into the scene. "For the next few hours, You are officially under our command!"
The people shook with terror as the gunmen surrounded all exits. "Now listen up, we aren't going to repeat ourselves!" The voice over the speakers commanded. "Hand over your phones, devices, or any methods of communicating with the outside world!" Some of the masked men pulled out sacks to which their victims stuffed them with their electronic devices, while the rest threatened their hostages with their guns.
During the scuffle, the Whitlocks escaped backstage, and observed the situation. "Great just what this place needs, terrorists!" Ashley groaned, "Don't worry I'm sure detective Galloway is getting help as we speak!" Evelyn replied reassuringly. "Yeah but we don't know if they'll ever arrive! I'm taking any chances to wait!" Suddenly the two saw one of the terrorists carry some kind of canister in their hands, the canister itself seemed to have two large metal cups that covered both ends and what looked like a cyan blue liquid inside it. The terrorist pressed a button on the canister that unscrewed one of the caps and poured the liquid into the AID. "BioWeapon is ready for activation, sir."
"Bioweapon?" Ashley asked confused, "Are they trying to poison the people here?" Evelyn added, frightened, "not if I have anything to say about it!" Without thinking Ashley quickly rushed onto the stage and swift kicked one of the terrorists in the face and immediately grabbed the device, "Now is there an emergency dumping button on here? Or better yet a purge setting!?" Ashley questioned, trying to figure out the device, but unfortunately some of the terrorists saw her and opened fire, causing the girl to use the device for cover, unfortunately one of the bullets managed to hit the glass part of the device, causing it to explode into the cyan blue liquid that covered Ashley's body, she screamed in pain as the liquid burned into her body, twisting and turning from the inside out, if felt like every part of her being was being dipped in molten lava, she staggered backwards and hit one of the speakers making it break and quickly electrocute her. "ASHLEY!" Evelyn screamed before she quickly ran back down to help her friend, just as she was able to touch her, she quickly got a nasty shock of electricity.
The police arrived just as the terrorists turned, with detective Galloway leading the charge, they managed to shoot down several others and apprehend the rest. Galloway went upstage where the businesswoman was crying over her unconscious daughter. "Is everyone alright!?" He questioned before seeing Ashley's condition, "We need paramedics over here! Now!"
By the time Ashley woke up, she felt extremely weak, her eyes opening to that of a hospital dorm, "A-Ashley!?" She turned her head to see her mother weeping over her before hugging her dearly, "What were you thinking!? Jumping in like that!?" She scorned, "You could've gotten yourself killed!" "Mom… I was just trying to… help those people… you saw what they were going to do…." Ashley replied weakly, "Ashley, I appreciate you doing the right thing but you're not some superhero out of a comic book!" "But mom—" "No buts young lady! I don't want you to end up sharing your fate with…." Evelyn paused before painfully closing her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up…." "Mrs. And Miss Whitlock!" The two turned to the doctor at the doorway. "You have another visitor." He then stepped aside where their visitor was: it was an older gentleman in a black button shirt with a gray tie and jacket. "Ashley! Thank goodness you're alright!" The man said, relieved, "Victor! I wasn't aware that you'd be here!" Evelyn said surprised, "Grandpa! I thought you were in Seattle!" Ashley added. "I heard what happened and rushed back to LA to make sure she was alright." The man, Victor Whitlock, replied before looking at his granddaughter somberly, "Oh Ashley, how could those maniacs do something like this to you…." Victor then turned to the doctor. "Is she going to be alright doc?"
"Well the electric discharge seems to not have caused anything severe, though I'm not sure what to say about the effects of her hair and eyes." The doctor replied, "My hair and eyes?" Ashley grabbed the nearest mirror and saw that her long brown hair and amber eyes had both turned into an electric blue. "Say… I don't look half bad!" She said to herself, proudly. "But what happened to that chemical that spilled all over me?" "It seemed to have dissolved during your ride here." The doctor answered. "But don't worry Miss Whitlock, you'll be out of here by tomorrow."
After the visit, Ashley found herself watching the tube, where the news covered her recent escapade, "ugh… if I had just jumped in sooner then I— WHAT!?" She was in disbelief as the news broke saying that the terrorists were out on bail by an anonymous source, which made her blood boil. "Of course they were let go because that's all that happens these days, nothing but one tragedy after another!" As she vented, the lights in the room started flickering. "Once just once I just want it to STOP!" As if on cue, the television screen burst into pieces, startling her in the process and causing some of the lights to explode as well, startling her as well. Soon some of the doctors came in just in time. "What just happened here?!" One of them questioned, "I don't know, the tv then some of the lights went kablooey!" Ashley replied startled, "Must be some kind of wiring malfunction. I told those idiots it needed to be fixed!" The doctor signed before closing the door. While Ashley stared at her hands warily, until a small flash of lightning snapped her from her trance. "Did… did I do that…?"
By the time Ashley was out of the hospital, she was already on her way back home in her mother's car. "Well this surely has been an interesting one…." Evelyn said, trying to make conversation. "Yeah…." Ashley replied, still looking at her hand, wary of her experience earlier, "Ashley, is something the matter?" Evelyn asked concerned, snapping her daughter out of her trance. "Well I—" before Ashley could finish her sentence, they heard the sound of police sirens blaring from behind, "Oh for god's sake…." Evelyn sighed, before pulling up and turning to the police, "Look officer, we weren't going over the speed limit—" "You two get out of the car, now." The officer interrupted, "What? Why!?" "I said get out, now!" The officer demanded, forcing the two Whitlocks to do what he said. "Ok so what do you—" the officer immediately tackled her to the ground, "Mom!" Ashley screamed before the officer turned to her. "You! On the front of the car now!" "Just do what he says, Ashley!" "But mom!" "I SAID FRONT OF THE CAR NOW!" The officer screamed, pulling out his gun. Ashley immediately raised her hands before, unexpectedly, bolts of lightning shot out of them! They immediately blasted the officer and knocked him to the ground.
Ashley screamed before the street lamp's light behind her exploded, startling her. Evelyn turned around in shock, seeing her daughter standing there with electricity dancing around her hands and a look of terror on her face. "Mom…? What's happening to me…?"
Back at the Whitlock estate, Ashley and her mother had been processing what they had experienced. "First you got covered in some dangerous chemicals that someone altered your hair and eye color, then you get electrocuted, and now you can just shoot lightning out of your hands!?" Evelyn recapped, "I guess so… but what is happening to me?" "Given what the chemical was, I think it must've… mutated you."
Ashley's eyes widened, mutated her? As in, it turned her into something inhuman!? "So I'm some kind of freak!?" "Don't say that Ashley! You are anything BUT a freak!" Evelyn argued, "You've just… had a genetic overhaul is all!" "That doesn't sound very reassuring." Ashley sighed, before getting up and walking towards the door, "Where are you going?" "Just taking a walk to process the fact that I'm now a genetically engineered electric generator…." "Ashley I'm not sure that's a good idea." "I don't care." "Ashley!" Evelyn's daughter immediately shut the door.
As she walked through the town, Ashley saw more and more of the city around her falling into disarray, if only he could actually do something about all of this, to fix the city, to make it better for anyone and everyone, while yes her family has tried its hardest to do that but it seems that it isn't enough anymore. There has to have been a better way, and the fact that she's now some kind of freak of nature isn't helping at all.
"You, hand over the wallet! Now!" A voice from behind ordered, knocking Ashley out of her train of thought. She turned around and saw a group of hooded thugs with guns and switchblades slowly surrounding her. "Are you deaf?! Wallet cash now!" Another thug growled before pointing the gun to her head. "I suggest you get away from me…." Ashley threatened as the lights around her flickered. "Yeah right, we know who you are! Whitlock, you're loaded so give up the goods. NOW!" The thug retaliated before pressing the gun against her forehead, "Tried doing it the nice way…." Ashley replied before grabbing the thug's hand and electrocuting him, frightening him and the others but also surprising Ashley. "Huh, that was pretty much a scare tactic but I'll take it nonetheless!" "What the f$#k!? I thought you said that she was a sissy!" One of the thugs argued with another. "I didn't expect her to do that!" "I suggest you put down your stuff." Ashley replied smugly, flashing her electricity. The thugs immediately dropped their weapons. "Now I wonder if I…" Ashley placed her hands on the ground and generated a wave of electricity that electrified the remaining thugs and caused them to collapse. "Ok, that… was… FU(#ING AWESOME!" Ashley screamed, feeling pumped full of adrenaline. "I never thought I'd be turning the tables on some thug!" Then Ashley realized something big….
Back at the Whitlock estate, Evelyn paced back and forth in worry of her daughter's condition, but also of her being outside with it and the risk of her being or worse! Suddenly she was pulled out of her terrified ravine by the sound of a door opening up. "Hey mom!" "Ashley! Please never do that again!" Evelyn yelled, hugging her daughter. "Actually mom, while I was out I began to think about something…." Ashley began, "I'm basically a mutant who has been given electrokinetic powers." "Yes I'm pretty sure that we covered that." "And while I was out I electrified some street thugs while I was out." "You did WHAT!?" "Don't worry I didn't kill them! But that made me realize something, maybe I can use these powers for the greater good!" "What are you saying Ashley?" Ashley took a deep breath.
"I want to use my powers to fight crime."